A Deeper Darkness

“You don’t have to be ready. You just have to go.”
― Joe Abercrombie, Before They Are Hanged

---

A cavernous, heavily fortified room, walls hewn from solid rock. Windowless, but well lit by the glowing shards of magical amber stones placed among it's structure.



A broad table with stout chairs, crafted from True Fey Oak. A living thing...it shapes itself to serve those who sit. It's boughs line the walls, cradling a collection of tomes scrolls, and maps.

On the far wall, the Portal. A white marble circle holds a well polished mirror, framed by radiant crystals, arcane symbols, and mechanical devices.



The myriad of machinery, artifacts, and formula around the portal are in an almost constant state of adjustment and tuning. Gour Maksonus, the portal's assigned technician, takes his duty very, very seriously.



In an alcove in one corner of the room, an ancient Golden Dragon. Numerous scars and a persistent limp tell the tale of battles won in eons past. Valamadarace acts as adviser, mentor, and commander.

---

The Champions stand poised before the portal, prepared to strike the Daemons and wrest control of the God Seed located on Xiq.

Gour, the portal technician, works furiously. Levers are thrown, dials adjusted, cranks turned. He shouts confirmations to Commander Valam, and the Dragon's deep, metallic baritone answers in sequence.

"Phase 1 check - COMPLETE!" reports Gour.
"Phase 1 confirmed." answers Valam
"Frequency balance optimized!
"Portal Balance optimum."
"Commencing final Vector lock!"
"Vector lock approved."
"Vector lock in
FIVE!
FOUR!
THREE!
TWO!

"HOLD! DO NOT LOCK!!!!!"  Bellows Commander Valam, his voice rattling the cavern.
"What the.....VECTOR LOCK HOLD, STANDING BY!" replies Gour gruffly.

---

"Attend the Scry" directs Commander Valam, gesturing to the holograpic display forming over the planning table -

The scene is at first familiar. the Hero's of Xiq are under assault from Daemonic forces that have poured through the Enemy Portal.

Only now, another Portal opens. A half-dozen giant, hulking beings appear. Their skin is black and pitted, like roughly cast iron, and etched with glowing red runes. They carry swords and spears the size of trees, and quickly set upon the Daemons.

"Escalation. Another faction has sensed the God Seed" growls Commander Valam.
"Aye, Sir. Engaging threat power sensors..." barks Gour. "Sensors report Challenge Rating 22"
"Curses and hex!" proclaims Commander Valam. "Too much, too much. Stand down Champions, and stand by."

Flashes of fire and sparks. Cast Iron weapons cleave and crush...the Giants wade through the Daemons and the heroes with shocking speed and brutality.

The Scry fades, and the room is silent.

"The God Seed is lost." declares Commander Valam, his voice heavy with regret.

---

A blinking red light strobes in an orb located on Commander Valam's dias.

"Priority mission, short window!" he shouts, and Gour scrambles back into action around the Portal, cursing under his breath.

"Gour - Set coordinates Axe FOUR ONE, Bolt ONE EIGHT, Club THREE THREE, Torch ONE FIVE FIVE SEVEN FOUR NINE."

"Vex, sir?" asks Gour, eyes wide with surprise. "AYE, SIR - Vector lock in two minutes!"

"Champions - attend the Scry!"  

---

Commander Valam continues his briefing -

"The world known as "Vex" is named for the Uber-Lich who rules it, and is a stronghold of the undead. As you may be aware, the corruption of the Machine of Throne was accomplished by one of Vex's agents, touching off a wave of necromantic rot that nearly consumed the Thousand Worlds."



Vex, and his servants, survived the cataclysmic chain reaction that wrecked hundreds of worlds when the Machine was destroyed, by storing their essence in containers known as "phylactery". These devices were  scattered in hidden places far from the worlds that had been infected. They consolidated after their recovery, and conquered the world we now refer to as "Vex".  

"Creepy rotten corpse bastards!" exclaims Gour, never missing a beat as he continues to prepare the Portal.

"Indeed" agrees Commander Valam..."Our reconnaissance teams have discovered a hidden vault of Vexian phylactery, and our window of opportunity to destroy them before the are moved is NOW!"

The hologram above the table shimmers to display a simple, two room schematic:



"The vault is located nearly a mile beneath a mountain. Our team of Gobiln reconnaissance specialists spent almost a year tracking it down, and most of the team was killed navigating the trap filled maze that guards it. They were able to install a beacon which permits us to project a portal onto the entry room."

- The portal will manifest along the axis of 30/E-H, as shown.
- Behind the portal leading upwards is a steep staircase 1000 feet in height.
- There are no other entrances, exits, or attached rooms
- The ceilings are 15 feet in Height
- The set of rooms is carved into raw stone
- There is a heavy door of unknown substance and design between the two rooms. Its is 10 ft wide and 10 ft tall.
- There is no lighting present
- Temperature is average, and breathable air is present
- The six pillars in the second room store 200 phylactery each. The set on the dias contains 10 larger phylactery.
- It is likely that there is at least one guard in the first room.
- Remember, Portals manifest in one round, and can you will arrive in the next. Whatever is near the portal will be aware of your arrival!

Commander Valam gestures to the shelves around the room, and several items float towards the Champions, one coming to rest just before each one's grasp. Small, faintly glowing stones that fit easily into pocket or pouch.

"They are Bright Stones, and each carries the 1 round of pure daylight. They require a full standard action to activate, and once unleashed, will burn for a single round. In order to destroy the Phylactery that are stored in the vault, you must subject them to 3 rounds pure daylight."

"Phase 1 check - COMPLETE!" reports Gour.
"Phase 1 confirmed." answers Valam
"Frequency balance optimized!
"Portal Balance optimum."
"Commencing final Vector lock!"
"Vector lock approved."
"Vector lock in
FIVE!
FOUR!
THREE!
TWO!
ONE!
PORTAL OPEN, GO - GO - GO!"

From each player:
Please submit these rolls in this numbered order to keep everything straight.


1: Initiative roll
2: Starting location, no farther forward than the 27/E-H
3: Saving throw vs WILL
4: Saving throw vs WILL
5: Saving throw vs FORT
6:List whatever spells or spell effects are active.

I know there was discussion of making saving throws on magic effect when traveling through the portal. That will not be needed on this encounter.

Please put this in a single post, with no additional comments on this thread.

I will open up a separate thread for the actual combat once I get everyone's info.

LETS RUMBLE!

Grizzle:
Initiative: 5

Grizzle will center his big ass 9 squares at 27F. (If I remember correctly he just has to be partly in the area).

Will 11+16=27
Will 19+16=35
Fort 17+22=39

Barkskin 160 minutes
Shield 4 minutes

MAS wrote:
1: Initiative roll
2: Starting location, no farther forward than the 27/E-H
3: Saving throw vs WILL
4: Saving throw vs WILL
5: Saving throw vs FORT
6:List whatever spells or spell effects are active.

Rasso & Dr. Peabody, both on flying carpet, 5ft off the ground.  

1:  Roll(1d20)+4:
20,+4
Total:24    

2: E30, if allowed and behind Grizzwald, if 30 is the portal, E29

3: WILL save Roll(1d20)+23:
7,+23
Total:30
+2 if evil

4: WILL Roll(1d20)+23:
9,+23
Total:32
+2 if evil

5: FORT Roll(1d20)+18:
17,+18
Total:35
+2 if evil

6:  I am going with the spells I had declared and cast prior from the previous Planning Phase
Age Resistance (every day at waking)
Pro vs Evil +2 saves, AC vs evil and no getting touchy-feely with me  (16 min)
Shield (16 min) +4 AC, no MM
Greater Heroism (16 min) +4 saves\attacks\skills, immune to fear, +16 HP
Inviso Sphere on flying carpet, 10ft radius (no time limit)
Candle in Invocation +2 to saves\attacks\skills to ALL within 30ft  - That means ALL OF YOU!  (4hrs)

spells used:
1st 2\9
3rd 1\9
6th 2\8

As previously stated Rasso is holding his Rod of Cancellation in his left hand and Rod of Quickening in his right, with the Glove of Storing

**edit, I forgot these

Permanent Spell effects:
See Invisible
Darkvision
Arcane Sight
Tongues

When in Rome...


Darkvision - 4 hours
Shield - 4 minutes ( -3 round), also affects incorporeal attacks.
Death Ward - 4 minutes ( -2 rounds)
Greater Invisibility, just cast, -1 round.  6 to go

Technically, I fail if I roll a one right now to use wands so...

Roll(1d20)+19:
19,+19
Total:38

Roll(1d20)+19:
16,+19
Total:35

Roll(1d20)+19:
11,+19
Total:30

Roll(1d20)+19:
6,+19
Total:25

all good in the hood.

All weapons loaded, rifle in hands

Initiative:  
Roll(1d20)+10:
14,+10
Total:24

Will Save 1 and 2:
Roll(1d20)+17:
11,+19
Total:30

Roll(1d20)+17:
14,+19
Total:33

Fort Save:
Roll(1d20)+16:
17,+18
Total:35

Garth's rolls:

Initiative: 1d20+11 (20+11)=31   

WILL: 1d20+14 (11+14)= 25
WILL: 1d20+14 (18+14)= 32
FORT: 1d20+23 (14+23)=37
Garth speaks the power word and activates the Magic Frost on his greatsword.

He wants to deploy to H-27.

No other actions.

Ignis casts the following spells:

~Stone Skin (160 minutes)
~Shield (16 mins)
~Mage Armor (16 hours)
~Elemental Body IV: form of a Huge fire elemental (16 mins)

Spells used:
1st: 2/8
4th: 1/8
7th: 1/6

Initiative: 7+10+3 = 20

Will 1: 19+18 = 37
Will 2: 19+17 = 36
Fort: 15+ 10 = 25

Center Ignis (9 squares) at G-25. I guess I'll be in the front . Where the hell's Josh's guy?

whit10 wrote:When in Rome...


Darkvision - 4 hours
Shield - 4 minutes ( -3 round), also affects incorporeal attacks.
Death Ward - 4 minutes ( -2 rounds)
Greater Invisibility, just cast, -1 round.  6 to go

Technically, I fail if I roll a one right now to use wands so...

Roll(1d20)+19:
19,+19
Total:38

Roll(1d20)+19:
16,+19
Total:35

Roll(1d20)+19:
11,+19
Total:30

Roll(1d20)+19:
6,+19
Total:25

all good in the hood.

All weapons loaded, rifle in hands

Initiative:  
Roll(1d20)+10:
14,+10
Total:24

Will Save 1 and 2:
Roll(1d20)+17:
11,+19
Total:30

Roll(1d20)+17:
14,+19
Total:33

Fort Save:
Roll(1d20)+16:
17,+18
Total:35

Will Save and 1 and 2 are require separate rolls, please.

I'd also appreciate if you'd stick to the requested numbering and sequencing format - there are A LOT of rolls and effects to track here.

Thanks -

MAS wrote:
I'd also appreciate if you'd stick to the requested numbering and sequencing format - there are  A LOT of rolls and effects to track here.

Thanks -

Sorry if my sequence is in the wrong order. I figured the buff spells were cast before we went through the portal.

Also my bad if my guy is too far forward. Please adjust Ignis back if you wish. Unless being Huge-sized won't work in this situation, which kind of sucks, but let me know if it's a problem and he can be smaller.

Robyo wrote:

MAS wrote:
I'd also appreciate if you'd stick to the requested numbering and sequencing format - there are  A LOT of rolls and effects to track here.

Thanks -

Sorry if my sequence is in the wrong order. I figured the buff spells were cast before we went through the portal.

Also my bad if my guy is too far forward. Please adjust Ignis back if you wish. Unless being Huge-sized won't work in this situation, which kind of sucks, but let me know if it's a problem and he can be smaller.

No worries - I am just trying to keep everything organized - much to track at this level of play.

ALSO -



I need every one to add their Current size, plus actual height, please.


You know the dimensions of the room, your teamates, and deployment area - so you should be able to judge appropriate sizes.

to reiterate - the room is 15 ft tall.

MAS wrote:ALSO -



I need every one to add their Current size, plus actual height, please.


You know the dimensions of the room, your teamates, and deployment area - so you should be able to judge appropriate sizes.

to reiterate - the room is 15 ft tall.  

Ignis normal height is 6'4". At Huge size, he's roughly 15' tall with a 15' reach. Couldn't find the specific adjustments anywhere in the book. I guess he could be slouching, if need be.

Rasso - size: medium, actual height about 5'8, but currently floating around 10'8 on his flying carpet

Robyo wrote:

MAS wrote:ALSO -



I need every one to add their Current size, plus actual height, please.


You know the dimensions of the room, your teamates, and deployment area - so you should be able to judge appropriate sizes.

to reiterate - the room is 15 ft tall.  

Ignis normal height is 6'4". At Huge size, he's roughly 15' tall with a 15' reach. Couldn't find the specific adjustments anywhere in the book. I guess he could be slouching, if need be.

Ignis would fit in the room in huge size.

is that your intent?

Jules - normal size, 6'1

Garth is normal size. 6'

Just need a size from Grizzle and I can get this launched.


FYI - I will be out fishing tomorrow during the day. I'll be able to update things tomorrow evening.

Looks like he's shorter than 15'.  Huge (long)

MAS wrote:Just need a size from Grizzle and I can get this launched.

FYI - I will be out fishing tomorrow during the day. I'll be able to update things tomorrow evening.

navyik wrote:Looks like he's shorter than 15'.  Huge (long)

or how about tonight?  

MAS wrote:Dan - Need a character picture.

Uh, what happened to my other one?

Arcturus2 wrote:
Uh, what happened to my other one?

who cares?? this one ROCKS!

that it does!!

Arcturus2 wrote:

MAS wrote:Dan - Need a character picture.

Uh, what happened to my other one?

Dont know, couldnt find it.


Should eveyrhting I need now - will post round 1 tonight!