Pan's information seemed legit, and so the party journeyed out into the dark forests of Ustalav in the hopes of claiming a dragon's hoard.  According to their research, the dragon was likely Vercetorix, a forest dwelling green dragon who had hunted the swampy woodlands along the coast of Lake Encarthian for many decades.  More civilized than most chromatic dragons, she was largely content to remain away from human lands, but even in this relative isolation she had accrued a bodycount in the low hundreds from picking off travelers, fishermen, and the occasional small village.

As the party traveled through the woodlands, the signs of a nearby dragon began to show themselves.  Large animals in the area were scarce and skittish, and the nearby landscape bore the marks of massive claws and acidic breath.  Once they saw the beast herself flying high in the sky, but Vercetorix either failed to notice them, or wasn't in the mood for a fight at that moment.

Eventually they found the lair marked on the their map, a cave set into the side of a steep hill.  Steeling themselves for a fight they entered, only to find it unoccupied.  It was clearly a dragon's hoard, though perhaps a bit less than they had been picturing in their imaginations.  Coins lay piled and scattered on the floor, along with beautifully decorated statues and a well-organized collection of weapons and armor.  Judging from the acid scars visible on the metal equipment, the party was looking at the remnants of all the other adventurers and warriors who had tried and failed to slay the beast.

Before they had a chance to explore further, a loud, rich voice carried down from the cave's entrance behind them.  "Congratulations, little ones!  It is no small feat to find my home!"  The owner of the voice was out of sight, but sounded fairly near to the cave's mouth.  She continued, her tone amused and playful.  "But if you came expecting to make off with my treasure, I'm afraid you misunderstand the way of things.  You're here to ADD to my wealth, not subtract from it.  Tell you what, I'm feeling merciful.  Simply leave everything you own where you stand, and I'll allow you to flee into the woods, naked and terrified like the apes you are!"

OOC: Rather than try to chase you into the cramped cave, the dragon is content to wait for you to make the first move.  This means the party has time to buff themselves to their hearts content before the fight starts.  Everyone give me your preparations for the fight, along with your initiative rolls.

Before the party ventured forth into the cave, Erisen had once again used up several scrolls and potion. Allegedly sourced either from 'distant friends' or 'mutual acquaintances', he seemed to have constant supply of protective enchantments that he was grown accustomed to.

Once the dragon made herself known, Erisen started a series of short prayers, anointing everyone in sequence between his words. Each member of the group was anointed twice, first one left a pale green mark and the other left an ash grey one.

OOC:
Initiative: 19
Erisen buffs: Mage Armor (CL1), Feather Step (CL6), Magic Circle vs Law (CL6), Heroism (CL5)
Party buffs: Ashen Path (CL7), Communal Resist Acid (CL7)

Before the party ventured into the lair, Del read quickly from his scroll and followed the rest into the cave. At the dragon's taunts, Del uttered an incantation, "un, dau, bwcl fy esgid" as the half elf multiplied and stepped out of himself.

---

OOC:
Buffs: Fox's Cunning (scroll), Mirror Image (4)
Initative: 21

13:15, Today: Delfrydydd rolled 4 using 1d4+2 ((2)).
11:35, Today: Delfrydydd rolled 21 using 1d20+3.  initiative.
_{EDIT: forgot to roll initiative...}
This message was last edited by the player at 16:36, Wed 21 Feb.

Patagogi wasn't about to leave now that they had arrived.  As the others began to pull out scrolls and cast spells, Patagogi did likewise.

Prep 1: Cast Resist Energy (Acid) haste on everyone

Prep 2: Cast displacement on self

Prep 3: Cast haste on everyone

        Move, Raging song (allies gain a +2 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution
        and a +2 morale bonus on Will saving throws)
Diamond will aid Patagogi in his defense for +2AC.

Initiative 8

Audrey considered the cave carefully as the dragon stayed lurking in its cave, cautiously watching as the others prepared to enter the cave. But honestly she had other ideas. While a cave would remove its ability to fly; she had to admit the idea of fighting it underground didn't appeal to her.

"Much like a Rabbit den, do you think we should just smoke it out? Throw a few burning tree's inside and seal it up with dirt until it comes scampering out?"

Prep: Full Defense
12:45, Today: Audrey rolled 10 using 1d20+1.  Initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:46, Wed 21 Feb.

This was the first time Shapesh set out with the band of heroes. She had joined their ranks after their battle at the field of honour. Their reputation was such that she offered to prove her worth in their next combat, and the knowledge that it would take them to face a fully grown dragon did nothing to temper her enthusiasm. In fact they had come to realise that her character was as fiery as the spells she invoked. She appeared to be either in awe or infatuated with some of the personalities in their little group, but her joyous spirit and outgoing personality with everyone made it difficult to say what drew her to whom. In any case, after a few days I’d getting to know everyone, they arrived at the cave and her mettle would be put to the test…

After the dragon had issued her warning from outside the cave, Shapesh produced a scroll from a horn at her belt. She read the words in Ignan, and everybody felt their limbs loosen, their digits sharpen.

A few more words in Ignan and a shimmering shield of force appeared at her side. She drew an ivory rod covered in angelic patterns and stretched her neck with a sonorous crack.

“Ready?” she asked Audrey at her side.
She seemed about to jump outside and unleash Armageddon.

---

Cast Mass Cat’s Grace from scroll.
 Cast Shield, Draw Rod.

Everybody gets +4 enhancement to Dexterity for the duration of the fight

Shapash rolled 29 using 1d20+14.  Use magic device: scroll
Shapash rolled 27 using 1d20+10.  Initiative.

Rik looked out of the cave opening not too keen to tangle with the dragon but glad that they had a few minutes to prepare "Try to stay fairly close to me and my chanting will keep the spirits around to aide you."

He casts the few spells he thinks will be of some use and then starts chugging down potions.

Finally he looks to each of his party members calling upon the spirits of life to aide them. Chanting between every benediction to the spirits appeared to be a delicate ritual of maintaining the proper reverence while constantly calling for more aid.

He casts his last spell and his familiar administers his last potion and you hear his disembodied voice grunt out "Ready, Go now!" Between his chanting.

OOC:
Lifelink on everyone.
Contingent Cure Light on self (half HP)
Drink Potion of Resist energy (Acid)
Cast Bless
Cast Owl's Wisdom
Drink Potion of Bear's Endurance
Drink Potion of Blur
Drink Potion of Barkskin
Drink Potion of Shield of Faith
Drink Potion of Fly
Fortune + Chant on every party member
Chant every move action
Cast Share Spirit
Mort Administers Potion of Invisibility

As the party cast their spells and drank their potions, they could hear their quarry call up some magic of her own, though the words of her spellcasting were too distant to properly identify.  Once the sounds of clinking bottles and incantations had died out, a hush fell over the area.  Vercetorix was waiting for the adventurers to make the first move, and it sounded as though all the birds and beasts of the forest had also fallen silent in anticipation.

OOC: Erisen, Delfrydydd, Rik and Shapash won initiative and can act first in whatever order they want.  Vercetorix is currently stealthed and lying in wait, and anyone leaving the cave should make a perception check to see if they spot her. Feel free to take half a turn and hold off on your second action until you know if you spotted her. The DC is 15, +1 for every ten feet of distance between you and her, so if you get less than that you definitely don't see her (readied actions are your friend in situations like that.) 

Erisen burst from the cave entrance with an urgency that matched the ticking clock of their waning enchantments. He emerged into the open, pausing only briefly to acclimate to the lush, deceptive calm of the forest. His eyes, sharpened by both natural acuity and mystical enhancements, scanned the terrain.

OOC:

Move: Move to K7.
Perception Check: 30 (used up Fortune for the round), locates the dragon if she is within 150ft range.
Erisen rolled 30,27 using d20+14,d20+14.  Perception vs Stealth (Fortune).

Vercetorix was harder to spot than anything the size of an elephant had any right being, but Erisen's keen eyes picked her out nonetheless.  The great green dragon was tucked into the foliage of a nearby tree, her outline broken by a multitude of illusory duplicates.

OOC: With Erisen pointing her out, everyone knows where the dragon is.  She still has total concealment against anyone who doesn't beat her stealth roll, and partial concealment (20% miss chance) against anyone who sees her.

EDIT: Slight change to Vercetorix' statline.




This message was last edited by the GM at 20:52, Sun 28 Apr.

Erisen's gaze pierced through the forest's deceptive calm, spotting Vercetorix despite her considerable efforts to blend into the verdant backdrop. Without hesitation, Erisen raised his hand, fingers tracing the intricate sigils of power in the air. His voice resonated clearly, channelling the essence of disruption. "Veil of deception, shatter and fade," he declared, directing a wave at Vercetorix. However, the spell seemed to dissolve into the air, leaving the dragon's magical defenses frustratingly intact. Erisen's expression tightened slightly, a rare flicker of annoyance crossing his features.

OOC:
Standard: Cast dispel magic, fail (nat 1 sad).
Erisen rolled 7 using 1d20+6.  Dispel Check.

 Shapash cursed her bloodline for not providing her with better mobility options on the battlefield... even with a blessing of Haste, her legs could only take her so far.

 She ran outside, looking in the general direction pointed by Erisen... but she failed to see the dragon. She believed the monster was there, but shooting blindly was just not an option. Instead she dashed further and sought not to gather everybody in a neat pack to make an easy group shot for their enemy.

 

---

  run to S7 and take cover

ooc: try and spread out so we're not all caught in the cone!

As Del, et al, followed Erisen out of the cave mouth he quickly finished imbuing himselves and his longarm for the fight, "Yn rhydd o'r ddaear, ac yn bell ac yn wir!"

As he cleared the cave, the half-elf rose in the air and turned in the direction that his companion pointed.

---

Standard: Flight Hex
Swift: add +1 and Distance to musket
Move: -A11,+0 to H5+25 (I think thats as high as I can get with the haste...)
Perception: 15

10:39, Today: Delfrydydd rolled 15 using 1d20+10.  perception, where's the dragon.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:43, Tue 30 Apr.

This message was deleted by the player at 16:35, Wed 01 May.

Feeling confident from all the magical energies surging through and about his body Rik flys forward and out of the cave, landing far from the others to try and avoid a breath attack if possible. He reaches out a hand and murmurs an incantation "May the spirits drag you to the ground and sear your flesh" The plants around the dragon spring to life but the beast is too nimble and isn't caught in the entanglement.

OOC:
Move: Fly to J12
Standard: Burning Entangle on M20 (or far enough to not catch me too).

Dragon Reflex: 15:16, Today: Rik Feyleaf rolled 27 using 1d20+8 ((19)).
Gets another one at the start of its turn.

Vercetorix laughed arrogantly as she effortlessly pulled free from Rik's burning vines.  "A campfire?  How thoughtful.  Perhaps I'll use it to cook your bodies, once I'm done with you."  Swooping through the air at unbelievable speed, the green dragon soared across the battlefield, passing over Erisen's head by less than a foot before crashing down directly behind the priest.  A loud gurgle rose up from the dragon's throat as she maneuvered her head into a precise position and angle, before vomiting up a wide spray of steaming acid.  Erisen, Shapash, Rik, and his familiar all found themselves doused in the acidic spray, but suffered only minor burns due to their earlier preparations.

OOC:   Everyone can act now, in whatever order.  Patagogi didn't beat the dragon's initiative, and couldn't have taken his turn last round.

The dragon has a 15' reach, and threatens Del as well as Erisen, though Del could get out of reach with a 5' step.

Casting an attack spell removes Rik's invisibility, and his fortune hex fades because he stopped using chant.  Audrey and Patagogi still get the benefit of fortune for this round, since they haven't acted yet.

I forgot that lowering the dragon's age also means she can't cast Mirror image, so I removed the effect.

VERCETORIX
MOVE: Fly to J-L, 4-6, and land. (This provokes an AoO from Erisen)
STANDARD: Breath acid in a 50' cone, hitting Erisen, Rik, Mort, and Shapash.  Everyone fails the DC 20 Reflex save, taking 6 damage after their acid resistance (0 for Mort, who has improved evasion)




14:52, Today: Gorum rolled 13,12,19,18 using d20+10,d20+7,d20+11,d20+9.  Reflex saves: Erisen, Rik, Mort, Shapash.
14:39, Today: Gorum rolled 26 using 10d6.  Acid Breath. –
14:24, Today: Gorum rolled 25 using 1d20+8.  Dragon reflex.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:29, Tue 30 Apr.

With the dragon landed at his feet, the images Delfrydydd shifted their position towards the cave entrance. The line of muskets angled down to towards the dragon, and Dels called clearly as he squeesed the triggers, "Pefrio a disgleirio, Ast!" The distinct smell of gun smoke billowed from the gun as well as some uniquely golden sparks.

---

Free: 5' step to G6+25
Full: Spell Combat, Musket & Glitterdust
  Alchemical Dragon Bane cartridge: Hit Touch AC: 21, 17 damage
  Cast Glitterdust: Will save DC 18, failed! Blinded for 6(?) rounds

09:00, Today: Delfrydydd rolled 21,12,5 using 1d20+12,1d12+3,2d6.  bane cartridge AC 8.
09:04, Today: Delfrydydd rolled 13 using 1d20+12.  dragon will save, DC 18.

Patagogi came rushing out of the cave being almost the last of them to exit.  He knew he needed to get into range of the dragon but still keep a distance from the others so he moved to attack at I6 knowing the dragon may be able to hit him as he approached.  Patagogi with his song loud struck the dragon.  The spirits in Patagogi's wake also struck and damaged the dragon.

Crit confirmed on his blade strike for 29 damage.  Crit not confirmed for lesser spirits for 4 necrotic damage.
18:59, Today: Patagogi rolled 26,15,24,5 using d20+12,2d4+8,d20+7,d4+3.  crit check.
18:58, Today: Patagogi rolled 32,14,27,4 using d20+12,2d4+8,d20+7,d4+3

If you accept my inspiring rage you get the following:



AC24 for me.

 Shapash advised the position of the dragon, and with no one yet engaged in melee, decided to through some noxious fumes of her own… a little pellet of sulphur later, and a cloud of pestilence rose around the green creature, engulfing her in nauseating smells.

 The young efreet then dashed to an other bush, trying to wipe remnants of acid off her clothes.

---

Cast Stinking Cloud, centred just left of the dragon so as not to catch anyone else.
Dragon succeeds SR but I realised it doesn’t apply.
Dragon falls fortitude save DC 18 and is nauseated
Duration is as long as it remains inside, and 5 rounds after.
Move: take cover on S3

Rik Closes a little closer to his allies and then calls out to the spirits to bless Delfrydydd's aim. He follows up with a wordless rhythmic chant to empower the blessing further. "I tried, but it's only so easy to burn a dragon! Give it to her Del!"

OOC:
Automatic: Life Link Erisen, and Sap Heal 6, Rik takes 6 Mort Takes 4
Mort Automatic: Fast heals 2 HP

5ft step to I11
Standard: Fortune on Del (2 rounds w/ chant)
Move: Chant

As the dragon reeled from the sudden blindness inflicted by Delfrydydd's expert shot, Erisen seized the moment. His instincts kicked in, blurring across the terrain and putting a strategic distance between himself and Vercetorix. Landing in a more secure location, Erisen wasted no time and began to weave a new spell, his voice rising in the incantation that would call forth another ally from the ether. "From the void's cold embrace, I summon thee to..."

OOC:
  Swift: Stagger-proof boots to O11.
  Full-round: Start casting summon monster iii, losing fly.

Slowed by her armor, Audrey did her best to follow Patagogi's advance, hurling a magical nail at the dragon as she did.  A bit less lucky than Patagogi's strike had been, the nail simply bounced off the dragon's hide.

Vercetorix howled in surprise and fury as the party's initial assault left her blinded, wounded, and choking on rancid vapors.  Her draconic arrogance vanished in a moment, replaced with desperate survival instinct.  Leaping away from her attackers, the green dragon soared through the forest, her airspeed impressive despite her weakened state.  As Vercetorix flew blindly through the forest, the trees themselves bend and wavered to get out of her way, as though acknowledging the dragon's sovereignty over her hunting grounds.

OOC: Yellow Circle is stinking cloud, Green circles are trees.  Tree squares are difficult terrain and provide cover.

Audrey
MOVE: Move to H6, draw stubborn nail
STANDARD: Throw stubborn nail.

VERCETORIX
MOVE: fly to L-N, -(12-14), +10' up.  This provokes an AoO from Patagogi vs AC 26
REACTION: Make will save vs glitterdust, and stop being blinded.

On the one hand, Shapash was happy her spell had made the dragon stick and vulnerable. On the other, she felt stupid for making the battlefield so impractical for her allies. This was their first property battle together, and she clearly wanted to impress.

The young efreet dashed after the giant creature, ready to cast a new spell… but tripped and fell out in the open, maybe sixty or so feet from her target…

Maybe she was not yet used to the celerity provided by the haste spell… or maybe she had dropped to the ground on purpose.

 Was it a hustle? Was she goading the nauseated dragon to attack?

Move: move to S-2 (60ft)
Free: drop prone
Standard: ready action (cast a spell when dragon gets within 40ft)

Flying after the dragon, Del pressed their advantage. Opting to imbue his musket with a portion of his magic as he pursued Vercetorix.

Leveling off at a slightly higher altitude, Del lined up the musket and fired off his round, "Ystyr geiriau Rhewi!". The impact reverberating through the green dragon as frost spread across their scales.

---

OOC:
Move: G5 +25' to G-6 + 40"
Free: Spell Cartridges
Standard: SpellStrike (spell cartridges & snowball): Hit touch AC 18, 24 damage (7 force, 17 cold)
  Snowball Will save DC 18: 17, failed!

11:56, Today: Delfrydydd rolled 18,7,17 using 1d20+12,2d4+3,5d6.  ranged spell strike, spell cartridge+snowball touch ac 8.
11:57, Today: Delfrydydd rolled 17 using 1d20+12.  will vs snowball, dc 18.