Rothgar remains within listening distance of the party, but his attention is divided between the conversation and the state of his charmed companion. If asked his opinion, he states he believes they should attempt to leave at once with the golden disks, put as much distance between themselves and the Naga should it return. "Now that it has seen and faced you, it will use the information it gleaned to its advantage. This is no dumb brute we are facing, but a calculating manipulator!"

Galafried listens in more closely and has of yet voiced any opinion on the matter, but he nods in agreement with the cleric's assessment.

Severa minutes have passes now while the party discusses what to do next. Surely Galadel's silence spell will wear off soon...

Having spoken his mind, Inas makes sure his bow is ready . . . just in case the party's hand is forced.

Ben continues to sort thru the coins looking for magic items, gems or anything else of interest.

While the party discusses their options, Ben continues to sift through the mountain of silver, gold and copper and snatches three sizable star sapphires (worth 800 gp each) and three steel tubular vials, each filled with a runny, dandelion-colored liquid that smells vaguely of hot peppers.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:47, Fri 22 Apr 2016.

Ben reports what he has found to the others, then prepares to leave.

Inas tries to force the vote in his favor by moving closer to the discs, sizing them up, as if waiting for an enlarge spell to be cast upon him.

"Okay everyone, I'll use spells to conceal us to trap the Naga... but two different lairs of spells. Half of us cluster close to me - we shall be invisible. The others stick close to the treasure pile, lying low. I'll craft the illusion of gold and gems over you. That way even if she through one of my spells the other will hopefully fool her. Then-"

He clasped his hands together.

"We spring our trap."

As time has ticked away, waiting for the others to make a decision, Gal has begun praying like mad.  A dawning realization has come to him, as if Ioun herself was speaking to him.  These men you are with are heroes, and heroes stay and fight when everyone else, sensible or not, would run.  Against logic, and odds, they will not back down.  There is a reason there are wizards guilds, thieves guilds, merchants guilds, guilds of all kinds, but no heroes guilds.

Inas shrugs as casually as if he discovered he'd drunk the last swallow from a mug of ale and goes to the spot Saliq designates.

He elects to be ready with his bow, in case the naga tries to remain out of sword's reach.

Saliq quickly formulates a plan and briefs each member on their appointed role in the proposed ruse. The illusionist gathers everyone to his side and chants the familiar syllables of his invisibility spell. Were anyone looking, the entire party would seem to have blinked out of existence; however each party member is capable of seeing one another since they all became invisible by the same weave of arcane skill.

Then, Saliq instructs half the members to gather near the pile of gold and he proceeds to cast a second spell, this time concealing the crouching members beneath even more gold, silver and copper!

Galadel does not remain idle during these castings. The wizard casts his own succession of spells, the first two of which the effects are focused on the wizard himself. The next, a prayer to Ioun, imparting divine weal on his allies and woe on his enemies. The wizard begins to cast another spell, but stops midway through, remembering it will not work for what he has in mind.

But it makes little difference. At this point, several minutes have passed, and unbeknownst to the adventures, the Naga has been doing some plotting of its own!

Its own plan hatched, the Naga slithers forth from the crevice and silently coils once around the golden pillar while probing its slippery tongue from its jaws. Fortunately, the Naga is no longer sheathed in flames, that effect apparently already worn off.

The Naga casts its gaze down into the room, its hypnotic eyes seemingly focused on those members who elected to remain outside the magic hoard...

"I'm back. Let use resume our dance!"

The Naga cackles and begins chanting in eerie, sibilant tones...

OOC: Invisibility 10' radius on all PCs; Phantasmal Force (illusion) on Ben, Inas, Rath and Rothgar, Resist Cold (Galadel), Resist Fire (Galadel), Prayer (all PCs). Locate Object cannot be used on creatures.

Ben, Inas, Rath and Rothgar are near the base of the golden pillar. Galadel, Saliq, Galafried and Walafried are about 20' distant from the golden pillar. The Naga is located 30 feet up the pillar.

Pserkepsis the Naga
AC: 1
HP: -19/?? (50/50), [Private to GM: Freedom of Movement, Shield, See Invis; Attempted to charm: Galadel, Inas, Rath, Ben]


PC       AC    HP    AP  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   Notes
Ben      7   21/34   0   19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9   Init +2, Invisible
Galadel  4   17/17   2   18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8   Invisible
Inas     2   40/60   0   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6   Invisible
Rath     2   43/56   1   14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6  5  4   Invisible
Saliq    7   19/19   3   19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9   Init +2, Invisible


Spells in Effect:
Prayer: +1 to PCs/NPCs attacks and saves, -1 to enemies' attacks and saves
Resist Cold and Fire: Galadel
Invisibility: All PCs/NPCs
Phantasmal Force: Over Ben, Inas, Rath and Rothgar.

Rothgar, Priest of the Order
AC: 3
HP: ??/??, Invisible [Private to GM: (30/30)]

Galafried, Holy Warrior of the Order
AC: 2
HP: -18/??, Invisible [Private to GM: (30/30)]

Walafried, Holy Warrior of the Order, Charmed
AC: 2
HP: -27/??, Invisible, Bound with Rope (Ben) [Private to GM: (30/30)]

PCs are UP!


This message was last edited by the GM at 17:37, Sat 23 Apr 2016.

Rath, sweating and tense, holds his position in hopes the Naga will descend into reach of his trident ... .

As it's focus is on the others, can I attempt a backstab?

In reply to Ben Scristos (msg # 257):

It's 30 feet above us.

"Pserkepsis, I would negotiate with you. I am no mere adventure, I am a prince of a great dynasty and trained in magic. There must be a deal we can make to see you release the warrior Walafried. Let us talk like the great and royal persons that we are"

Saliq paused, ready the moment the Naga turned her head to look at him to cast Gaze Reflection.

Inas waits to see the outcome of Saliq's gambit.

Seeing the Naga is looking at them and casting something, it can clearly see at least those who are not by the base of the pillar.

Gal immediately circles to the right and begins casting his own spell.  A few seconds later a flash of lighting streaks forward, starting just at his fingertips and forking upward, one fork striking the Naga the other hitting the poles just a foot below where it is holding on.


20:02, Today: Galadel rolled 20 using 5d6 with rolls of 6,3,2,6,3.


ooc: not sure how far Gal can move and still cast, if he move off 10-15 feet, he'll do that, try to minimize area of effect spells. 

The Naga quickly coils itself out of taking a direct hit from Galadel's lightning bolt, but is still grazed by its magic energy, causing it to momentarily lose mastery over whichever spell it might have been weaving.

The Naga's body pulses in response and it takes all of its fortitude to remain clinging to its golden perch, high above the heroes heads. Gazing through lidless orbs it takes in the scene below and begins its chanting anew, this time more rapidly and with with a sense of urgency. It can ill afford to suffer many more attacks such as that...

It hisses out an admonishment in the common tongue, flavored with its own peculiar serpentine accent:

"Attack! Fight! Flee! Cower. Open your eyes, discover your power! Fight for me, fight for you. Fight anything, may it be the last thing you do! Run, run for your lives. Run for your deaths, run from your fears, open your eyes, close your ears. Taste the silence. Embrace the noise! Get low on high and high on low. Be in the know, know to be. Like the pain, pain to like. Muddle, Bewilder, Stupefy, Baffle!"



OOC: Naga took 10 points of damage. All PCs must make a save vs Spells (-2 to the check, not including any bonuses you may have due to spells, etc.) against a Confusion spell. Those who fail will act randomly during this next round, as determine with a d100 roll (go ahead and roll for yourself if your PC fails)

01-10 - Wander away for 1 turn
11-60 - Stand Confused for 1 round
61-80 - Attack nearest creature for 1 round (friend or foe)
81-00 - Attack Naga for 1 round

Phantasmal Force (illusion) on Ben, Inas, Rath and Rothgar, Resist Cold (Galadel), Resist Fire (Galadel), Prayer (all PCs). Locate Object cannot be used on creatures.

Ben, Inas, Rath and Rothgar are near the base of the golden pillar. Galadel, Saliq, Galafried and Walafried are about 20' distant from the golden pillar. The Naga is located 30 feet up the pillar.

Pserkepsis the Naga
AC: 1
HP: -29/?? (50/50), [Private to GM: Freedom of Movement, Shield, See Invis; Attempted to charm: Galadel, Inas, Rath, Ben]


PC       AC    HP    AP  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   Notes
Ben      7   21/34   0   19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9   Init +2, Invisible
Galadel  4   17/17   2   18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8
Inas     2   40/60   0   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6   Invisible
Rath     2   43/56   1   14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6  5  4   Invisible
Saliq    7   19/19   3   19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9   Init +2, Invisible


Spells in Effect:
Prayer: +1 to PCs/NPCs attacks and saves, -1 to enemies' attacks and saves
Resist Cold and Fire: Galadel
Invisibility: All PCs/NPCs
Phantasmal Force: Over Ben, Inas, Rath and Rothgar.

Rothgar, Priest of the Order
AC: 3
HP: ??/??, Invisible [Private to GM: (30/30)]

Galafried, Holy Warrior of the Order
AC: 2
HP: -18/??, Invisible [Private to GM: (30/30)]

Walafried, Holy Warrior of the Order, Charmed
AC: 2
HP: -27/??, Invisible, Bound with Rope (Ben) [Private to GM: (30/30)]

PCs are UP!

20:38, Today: Ben Scristos rolled 18 using 1d20-2 with rolls of 20.  target 13.

Ben feels the power of the spell wash over him, but manages to shake off the affect. Glancing up, he gauges the Naga's field of view, and attempts to scale the pillar without being spotted...

20:40, Today: Ben Scristos rolled 40 using 1d100 ((40)).

Rath feels the naga's metaphorical claws around his mind, sowing confusion, but he focuses on the feel of his weapon in his hand and the crisp scent of Galadel's lightning. With that blast, Rath knows that Saliq's plan is relegated to the dust bin, but Rath is still loathe to show himself. Regardless, the wizards are out there without protection, and Rath hustles out to place himself bodily between Pserkepsis and the spell casters, keeping the trident extended toward the naga.

If this draws attention from Ben Scristos, so much the better.


Rath saves. Everyone remember your +1 from Galadel's prayer.
06:21, Today: Aldo Rathmus rolled 17 using 1d20-1 with rolls of 18.  save vs. spells (-2, +1 prayer) Target = 13.

"No wait-" Saliq began to cry out as Galadel cast his spell, but he got no further when the Naga's words slid into his brain...

Shaking them off he started casting a response, pointing his figure at the golden pillar - which abruptly begins to glow hot at the base. After a moment it starts to sway and did begins to melt from the base upwards. The Naga is too high up to be burnt of course, but she can know doubt feel the heat and see the sway of the pillar around her - her perch won't be safe for long!

---

OOC: 15:10, Today: Saliq Musfara rolled 12 using 1d20-1 with rolls of 13.  Save versus Spells.

Saliq casts Improved Phantasmal Force (heat and visual components.)
This message was last edited by the player at 15:19, Mon 25 Apr 2016.

Galadel looks over the battlefield and seeing Rath move between Saliq and the men of the Order, he feels a strange compulsion and raises a finger to aim at the warriors back.  Should he attack this man, it seems he should, he isn't sure why but yes, no, yes.....NO, speaking a few arcane words aims instead at the Naga and three bolts a energy fly from Galadel into the worm.


11:12, Today: Galadel rolled 12 using 3d4+3 with rolls of 3,3,3.  Magic Missle. 12 Damage
11:11, Today: Secret Roll: Galadel rolled 5 using 1d6 with rolls of 5.  Hero Action Points, Momma needs a new pair of shoes!! Need 5 or 6 to add to SAVE.  5 + 7 = 12 Save rescued
09:30, Today: Secret Roll: Galadel rolled 61 using 1d100 with rolls of 61. attack nearest
09:29, Today: Galadel rolled 7 using 1d20-1 with rolls of 8. Target 12

Inas is confused.  "The naga wants me to attack it!" he thinks.

The naga's desire resolves any doubt in the ranger's mind.  Attack she wants, then attack he must.

But sadly, somehow, all of Inas' arrows fly well-wide.  It's as if the enchantment over his mind has put him in a fog that has seriously impaired his skills.

______________________________________________________________________

OOC: Or, it's that this damn dice roller is a piece of . . .
__________________________
10:16, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 7 using 1d20 with rolls of 7.  Save vs. spells (14; all adjustments cancel to zero).

10:16, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 91 using 1d100 with rolls of 91.  Result of failed save.


10:20, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 9 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 7.  Round 1A (15 to hit).

10:21, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 13 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 11.  Round 1B (15 to hit).

10:21, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 3 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 1.  Round 1C (15 to hit).

Rothgar stands at the base of the pillar, warhammer at the ready should the Naga descend close enough for him to employ it to that end. Unfortunately the cleric was compelled to use his spells to bolster the Naga's defenses and has no divine means of contributing to the battle.

Galafried is in a similar situation. Armed only with a longsword, badly wounded and well beyond anything approaching melee range, he sticks to the shadows waiting for an opportunity.

The Naga's confusion spell is less than effective, only managing to ensnare Inas, all other party members retaining control of their mental faculties.

Ben has climbed up the golden pillar and just reached to within striking range when Galadel blasts Pserkepsis with a magic missile, causing the monster to recoil in anguish as searing bolts smolder the creature's tough hide.

Saliq then causes the pillar to begin melting at its base. The Naga looks down at this new development and her demeanor becomes quite unsettled. She twists about madly in an effort to reverse course and retreat, giving Ben what could perhaps be the most perfect opportunity of his career to make good on that special skill known only to thieves and assassins!

He has already forsaken Avandra in favor of the Raven Queen. But has she forsaken him?


OOC: Naga took 12 points of damage.

Ben has one backstab attempt coming and then the Naga will disappear back into the crevice at the top of the cavern.

Inas must make another save vs Spells (-2 to the check, not including any bonuses you may have due to spells, etc.) against a Confusion spell. If he fails, he will act randomly during this next round, as determine with a d100 roll (go ahead and roll for yourself if your PC fails)

01-10 - Wander away for 1 turn
11-60 - Stand Confused for 1 round
61-80 - Attack nearest creature for 1 round (friend or foe)
81-00 - Attack Naga for 1 round

Phantasmal Force (illusion) on Ben, Inas, Rath and Rothgar, Resist Cold (Galadel), Resist Fire (Galadel), Prayer (all PCs). Locate Object cannot be used on creatures.

Ben is at the top of the pillar. Inas, Rath and Rothgar are near the base of the golden pillar. Galadel, Saliq, Galafried and Walafried are about 20' distant from the golden pillar. The Naga is located 30 feet up the pillar and getting ready to disappear into the crevice.

Pserkepsis the Naga
AC: 1
HP: -41/??, [Private to GM: Freedom of Movement, Shield, See Invis; Attempted to charm: Galadel, Inas, Rath, Ben]


PC       AC    HP    AP  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   Notes
Ben      7   21/34   0   19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9   Init +2
Galadel  4   17/17   2   18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8
Inas     2   40/60   0   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Rath     2   32/56   1   14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6  5  4   Invisible
Saliq    7   19/19   3   19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9   Init +2, Invisible


Spells in Effect:
Prayer: +1 to PCs/NPCs attacks and saves, -1 to enemies' attacks and saves
Resist Cold and Fire: Galadel
Invisibility: All PCs/NPCs
Phantasmal Force: Over Ben, Inas, Rath and Rothgar.

Rothgar, Priest of the Order
AC: 3
HP: ??/??, Invisible [Private to GM: (30/30)]

Galafried, Holy Warrior of the Order
AC: 2
HP: -18/??, Invisible [Private to GM: (30/30)]

Walafried, Holy Warrior of the Order, Charmed
AC: 2
HP: -27/??, Invisible, Bound with Rope (Ben) [Private to GM: (30/30)]

Ben is UP!


This message was last edited by the GM at 02:27, Wed 27 Apr 2016.

A silent prayer to his goddess, and one to Ilyra, and Ben puts it all on the line...

and again he misses... the little thief is truly cursed.