Perhaps because his powers were so reliant on positivity, the necrotic depression energy sapped Korzak way, way harder than anyone else. His smile vanished, he finally stopped incessantly chatting. His generally sunny skin tone went flush and a just slightly green as the blood rushed from the surface of his skin. His skin, quickly cooling and becoming clammy, shivered uncontrollably. While he had no fear not of creatures or of death, for he had a goddess protecting his soul, his flesh was still quite weak and as he spoke, "I guess it doesn't want to talk," the words came out rushed, raspy and desperate as though he was trying to avoid vomiting as the necrotic energy seeped all the way down into his guts. His chainmail suit and heavy shield seemed to have doubled in weight in a second and he knew he wouldn't be running anywhere.

His hand reached down instinctively drawing his sword. Although-- what was the point? Hacking as something incorporeal with steel was like trying to fight an elephant with a tree branch at the best of times. Now that the sickness had washed over him and he felt his vitality gone, it was an entirely pointless endeavor. It's why he would have prefered to find what was causing this spirit to linger and dealing with it rather than engaging in the pointless exercise of trying to blow apart its energies, only for them to coalesce again later to attack the next person who walks through here as it has no doubt done to countless before since this place had been destroyed-- however many decades or centuries that could have been, he could only imagine.

There was only one thing he could do, "Stay behind me and do your thing," he spoke in that same sicked voice as he held his shield up. If he could himself between the mages and the creature, then they could be free to unleash their arcana upon the creature without disruption.

Actions: Draw sword, Total Defense.
AC should now be 27 25 -2 from lowered Dexterity, +4 from Total Defense.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:27, Fri 07 Oct 2022.

"Stand firm, Korzak, I've got your back!" the warmage called her traveling companion, trying to bolster his resolve.

ooc: Arcane Aegis grants one ally +4 morale bonus to AC (Korzak)

The wave of horror and terror rolled over her and Dialis realized just how bad this could get.  She looked around at her companions and watched how much they were all affected.  For a moment doubt took hold of her, what should she do?  Help her companions or hurt the ghostly presence.


As Dialis looked ahead of her she had only one course laid bare.  This affront to the gods could not stand in front of a servant of said gods.  She had to trust her her groups ability to stay alive.   Dialis was not unfamiliar with the undead and grasped her medallion of faith tightly as she pulled forth an ability only so many servants of the goods possessed.  And she was better at it than most.

Dialis held her medallion of faith high.

"Back foul creature; BACK!"


OOC:
Turn Undead check: 13:44, Today: Dialis Neti rolled 22 using 1d20+4.  Turn Undead check.  (+2 from Charisma bonus, +2 from having 5 ranks in Knowledge religion.)
So thats a 22 and I turn as as a cleric 2 level higher than I am since I have the Improved Turning feat. So I can turn an undead with up to 14 HD.:
Turning Damage check: 13:48, Today: Dialis Neti rolled 20 using 2d6+10.  Turn undead damage. (+8 from cleric lvl +2 from Charisma Bonus
Knowledge:Religion Check
15:59, Today: Dialis Neti rolled 20 using 1d20+19.  Knowledge: Religion

This message was last edited by the player at 21:00, Fri 07 Oct 2022.

As both Caitlin and her familiar were shaken to their cores by the floating/flying ghost tree, her compassion for her companion was evident and on her master's command, Athena retreated. The battle sorceress then focused on her arcane energies and shot forth four darts of energy toward the ghost. And one by one they struck the entity, but they didn't seem to do as much damage as one might suspect.

Eucharista and her animal companion Petra found some rocks to hide behind and rushed forward as quickly as possible to take advantage of them.

Korzak drew his sword and entered a defensive stance between the ghost and his traveling companions.

As the ghost's horrific visage physically assaulted her, Dialis took the time to breathe. This affront to the gods had to end! She lifted her gold Medallion of Faith and called upon the divine to press it back. She could feel the hand of Branchala rest upon her soul as divine energy rushed toward the ghost.

Keliantharas did what Caitlin had done and another four darts of magical energy rushed forth and struck the entity. But as last time, it didn't seem to do as much damage as expected.

The ghost frantically started to look this way and that and then it turned and ran for its life.

[What do you do?]


[
I'm just listing this again so we have everything in one place.

Caitlin is Str -1, Dex -1, Con -2. Can't be affected by his Horrific Appearance again for 24 hours.
Dialis is is Str -1, Dex -2, Con -2. Can't be affected by his Horrific Appearance again for 24 hours.
Eucharista is Str -2, Dex -3, Con -2.
Keliantharas is Str -1, Dex -3, Con -1.
Korzak is Str -3, Dex -4, Con -4.
Moonflute is Str -1, Dex -2, Con -1. Can't be affected by his Horrific Appearance again for 24 hours.

Petra is Str -1, Dex -1, Con -1. Can't be affected by his Horrific Appearance again for 24 hours.
Athena is Str -2, Dex -3, Con -4.
]


[OOC Using a Supernatural Ability, like Arcane Aegis, is a standard action. But this time I'll allow that it was used before combat started. So that gives Korzak a +4 morale bonus to AC.]

[OOC: As Keliantharas hasn't posted, I'm assuming that he's continuing with the Maximized Magic Missile. And as Moonflute didn't say anything, she's unfortunately not doing anything this turn.]

Moonflute takes a while to recover from the wave of dread released by the ghostly tree. Once in control of her senses she lets forth a seething growl at the abomination which may have once been a great tree. She takes a couple of steps and points in the direction of the ghostly apparition as it is engulfed by a pillar of flame.

Casting Flame Strike on the ghost (doing 28hp of fire damage).

16:10, Today: Moonflute rolled 28 using 7d6.  Flame Strike damage.

Eucharista returns to her companions and says, "I was planning to attack it from behind with my one magic weapon, but you know what?  I still don't know whether it would have worked on a ghost.  I can tell you though that I feel as weak as Khurish Ale.  For future reference would any old magic weapon kill a ghost?  Failing that, what about sunlight?"

While not usually one prone to violence, Keliantharas was amazed at just how easily the apparition was driven off, though perhaps that was the cleric's work more than his and Caitlin's barrage.  For good measure, though, he rained down more bolts; clear prisms that sparkled and refracted like cut gems as they streaked through the air and hammered into the ghost with force deceptive for their delicate appearance.  Hopefully it, and any of its undead kin, would think twice about attacking the adventurers.

Turning, the elven mage shrugged at the question.  "I believe it might.  Most things tend to be affected by magic of one flavor or another, and magical weapons are a fairly generic form.  Specifically, though...."  Keliantharas glanced at the fleeing ghost with a raised eyebrow, considering the problem further.

OOC:
I THINK Keliantharas gets +1 casting level for Red and Black moons being aligned in Low Sanction together, meaning each casting would be at CL 9, with no effect from Silver.
Immediate Action: Quickened Maximized Silent Magic Missile
Standard Action: Maximized Magic Missile
So, either 50 or 40 damage depending for round 2
Free: Knowledge check Today: Keliantharas Warden rolled 10 using 1d20+8.  Know: Religion (Ghost Vulnerabilities). - not sure if that makes it.

Moonflute took a couple of steps and cast a spell. Fire rained down on the ghostly tree, but it hit the ground without doing any damage.

Eucharista returned to the others.

Keliantharas quickly released a second volley of arcane darts onto the ghostly tree fleeing before them. Followed by a third. All eight darts struck home with precision. But they didn't seem to do as much damage as one might expect.


The ghostly tree continued fleeing and squeezed into a narrow passageway. And soon it was beyond their sight.


[What do you do?]

[OOC: For now, we are still acting turn based.]

[
I'm just listing this again so we have everything in one place.

Caitlin is Str -1, Dex -1, Con -2. Can't be affected by his Horrific Appearance again for 24 hours.
Dialis is is Str -1, Dex -2, Con -2. Can't be affected by his Horrific Appearance again for 24 hours.
Eucharista is Str -2, Dex -3, Con -2.
Keliantharas is Str -1, Dex -3, Con -1.
Korzak is Str -3, Dex -4, Con -4.
Moonflute is Str -1, Dex -2, Con -1. Can't be affected by his Horrific Appearance again for 24 hours.

Petra is Str -1, Dex -1, Con -1. Can't be affected by his Horrific Appearance again for 24 hours.
Athena is Str -2, Dex -3, Con -4.
]

Eucharista tries to get her breath back but se feels weaker, stiffer and aches all over.  "Eeeurgh", she says, "Am I ill or is this magic?"

Although Korzak only the faintest amount about undead-- what he has heard from fables, he does remember that the spirits of the dead only linger to this plane if there is something that is preventing a proper rest. And, while hardly the most clever person around, he is pretty sure that if the ghost appeared and ambushed them here-- then whatever was causing its spirit not to be at rest must surely be here too.

He looks around the general area where the ghost first appeared, sheathing his sword again in the meantime as he simultaneously tries to figure out what he should be looking for that would keep a tree spirit at such unrest and also looks for anything out of the ordinary that might support such an idea or give him some clue as to how to proceed.

06:54, Today: Korzak rolled 18 using 1d20+10.  Knowledge (Religion).
06:54, Today: Korzak rolled 18 using 1d20+9.  Perception.

Caitlin was still in a bit of a shock, Athena's near death had shaken her resolve and she found herself unwilling to press on in their current physical state. Although the hobgoblin had not said anything, it was visible in his stance, he had suffered worse than everyone else. But that wasn't her problem.

"Uh... mind somebody tell me what that was?" she asked, somewhat irritated. "How do we fight... this... this thing?" she wondered, looking at the two people she knew were religious.

GM passing a message.

[And let us move out of combat time so all of us can act freely.]

With the ghost having retreated, Moonflute moves over to Korzak who had taken the brunt of the Ghost's draining attack. She murmurs under her breath, then lays a hand on the hobgoblin.

Restoring 4 points of CON to Korzak

09:26, Today: Moonflute rolled 4 using 1d4.  Lesser Restoration on Korzak.

Eucharista strokes Petra as she sits on the floor feeling more than a little superfluous when ghosts are around.  "We weren't expecting that were we?  Was there anything we could have done to prevent it?"

Moonflute touched Korzak and with a prayer and some hand movements, she called upon the powers of Branchalla and restored some of what had been lost to him.

Petra was more than happy to be petted and returned the favor by licking Eucharista's hand.

[
Korzak had Con +4 restored to him.

Caitlin is Str -1, Dex -1, Con -2. Can't be affected by his Horrific Appearance again for 24 hours.
Dialis is is Str -1, Dex -2, Con -2. Can't be affected by his Horrific Appearance again for 24 hours.
Eucharista is Str -2, Dex -3, Con -2.
Keliantharas is Str -1, Dex -3, Con -1.
Korzak is Str -3, Dex -4.
Moonflute is Str -1, Dex -2, Con -1. Can't be affected by his Horrific Appearance again for 24 hours.

Petra is Str -1, Dex -1, Con -1. Can't be affected by his Horrific Appearance again for 24 hours.
Athena is Str -2, Dex -3, Con -4.
]

Keliantharas gestured wordlessly at the retreating ghost.  While its potential remained unknown, surely if it fled it had been significantly weakened?  Perhaps even enough to destroy it.  The elf took a few steps after the spirit and paused when none of his companions made to do the same.

In the aftermath of the short battle, Keliantharas's weakness caught up with him and he suddenly understood more of the reluctance.  He turned towards Caitlin for a moment and echoed her question a bit more elegantly.  "If anyone is better versed in the lore of restless spirits, it would be appreciated.  No doubt our quarry has found a way to avoid the creature, else they would not have been able to take this place as their refuge."

As soon as Korzak shows signs of responding to the magical healing, Moonflute again intones a spell and lays her hand once again on the warrior.

Casting Lesser Restoration on Korzak, restoring 3 DEX

03:25, Today: Moonflute rolled 3 using 1d4.  Lesser Restoration on Korzak (dex).

After dealing with their hobgoblin, Moonflute turns to Caitlin. "If you call Athena over to me, I will tend to her," the Kagonesti says calmly.

Moonflute cast another spell on Korzak.

[
Korzak had Dex +3 restored to him.

Caitlin is Str -1, Dex -1, Con -2. Can't be affected by his Horrific Appearance again for 24 hours.
Dialis is is Str -1, Dex -2, Con -2. Can't be affected by his Horrific Appearance again for 24 hours.
Eucharista is Str -2, Dex -3, Con -2.
Keliantharas is Str -1, Dex -3, Con -1.
Korzak is Str -3, Dex -1.
Moonflute is Str -1, Dex -2, Con -1. Can't be affected by his Horrific Appearance again for 24 hours.

Petra is Str -1, Dex -1, Con -1. Can't be affected by his Horrific Appearance again for 24 hours.
Athena is Str -2, Dex -3, Con -4.
]

Briefly distracted by Moonflute's offer, Caitlin replied "Thank you Moonflute, that is very kind of you." Closing her eyes for a couple of seconds she communicated the feeling of safety to the owl, knowing that Athena would understand it as a signal to return. The sorceress smiled gently at the helpful druid and soon after the owl returned and perched on Caitlin's raised arm.

"Please, go ahead." she told the woman, stroking her feathered friend in a calming manner. She could still feel how upset the familiar was after the experience.

Athena heeded her mistress' mental call and returned to her on silent wings and sank her claws into her raised and waiting arm and folded her wings around her. Accepting the comforting hand on her feathers.

Moonflute once again murmurs a spell before gently laying her hand on the owl.

Casting Lesser Restoration on Athena, restoring 3 CON.

10:44, Today: Moonflute rolled 3 using 1d4.  Lesser Restoration on Athena (con).

Although Korzak was quite busy searching for something that he had yet to explain to have even noticed Moonflute approach, he did look over to her once she placed her hand on him. With some of his health restored he gave a smile as a brief, "Thank you."

He turned his attention towards the group and began explaining what rested on his troubled mind and why he was so distracted after the spirit had fled.

"A spirit like that is one that has been trapped in this world," he began. He motioned to the general area around them as he continued, "I would think if it was haunting here, then its grave or body or... something should be here to explain its presence. Even if we blasted it apart, I think it just reforms and will forever attack everyone who comes through here until someone fixes the problem and allows it to rest. So we could walk away, but it's just going to attack the next person who comes through here. And who knows how many it has already killed."

He conveys that he wants to stop any future tragedies, but having failed to find what he was looking for is at a loss for what to do.

The owl hooted and fluttered at the elf's gentle touch "Thank you, Moonflute, on behalf of Athena. She feels much better already." the young woman told the Kagonesti with a smile. Caitlin didn't have much love for the gods, but she would never say their servants were useless.

Looking quizzically at the hobgoblin she tried to digest what he had said, not at all happy where he was planning to go. "Korzak, that is not part of the mission. Call me a greedy mercenary but trying to set right what is wrong in this place will take decades, if the stories I heard about this place are anything to go by. We should also consider that none of us are prepared to face such an abomination more than once." the arcanist explained, holding her spear tightly.

"My suggestion is: We deal with the thieves, get what we came for and deliver the items to Lord Toede. Only then, we gather some more information about this creature and return to put it to its final rest." she suggested, feeling ill-suited without the means to actually destroy the undead creature. "Is that a compromise you can live with?" Caitlin asked, hoping the paladin would agree, rather than follow through with his grand idea of righteousness.