Ch. 6: One More Time Around

[tkrexx]

Undaunted by the fact that he struck nothing, and encouraged by the fact that the dust-thing seemed to accomplish nothing because of his mighty swing, the Dwarf heaves again, this time taking two swings at the apparition.

Init: [1d6] = 3

To hit: [1d20] = 13 +1 STR; +2 pick = 16
Dmg: [1d6+6] = 2+6 = 8

To hit: [1d20] = 6 +1 STR; +2 pick = 9
(Just in case) Dmg: [1d6+6] = 2+6 = 8

[GreyWolfVT]

Odilo reserving his other lightning bolt spell as a last resort starts the process of summoning Mordenkainen's Faithful Hound

[Mondego]

OOC: Please don't cast another lightning bolt in here.

Has Quinn ever heard of a creature like this before? (Legend Lore 50%)

[Stirling]

Awaking from his nightmare to find Quinn singing a merry CLW dirge over his body McCloud will cast 'Mirror Image' on himself, one of his daily prepared spells. Checking through all his crispy bits for what he has left McCloud will exit the room away from the melee threat.

[Zhym]

Quinn isn't sure what the creature is. It doesn't fit solidly into any of the categories of undead that he has studied.

[GreyWolfVT]

Odilo "Don't worry I shan't make that mistake again. I'm not casting lightning again in this confined space."

[saalaria]

Skarlos casts flamestrike, centred on the enemy.

Flamestrike [6d8] = 34

[tkrexx]

[1d20] = 1

So much for that save.

[Zhym]

Round 3

You take a decisive advantage in initiative.

Urdak, not one to be bothered by philosophical questions like whether his weapons are striking a "thing," continues attacking the...whatever it is. His first hit sends dust scattering around the whatit's middle. It bends over in apparent pain.

Odilo, McCloud, and Skarlos all begin casting spells as Quinn sings. Odilo brings forth a watchdog visible to him alone. McCloud creates an illusion of three more McClouds standing next to him, shifting back and forth. Skarlos brings down a pillar of flame. The undead thingamabob falls to the floor in ashes...then begins to reform once again, a bit more slowly than the last time. The pillar of fire also hits Urdak, setting the dwarf's beard alight and turning the handle of his trusty magic pick to ash.

The grating laugh sounds all around you. "BEWARE OF FRIENDLY FIRE!" mocks the booming voice. "PERHAPS I SHOULD JUST SIT BACK AND LET YOU KILL YOURSELVES! YOU'RE DOING A FINE JOB OF IT SO FAR!"

Actions?

Initiative: Party [1d6] = 6 Monsters [1d6] = 1
Number of images: [1d100+6] = 49+6 = 55
Item ST: Pick [1d20+3] = 1+3 = 4, Plate: [1d20+2] = 5+2 = 7, Shld: [1d20+4] = 10+4 = 14, Potion: [1d20+2] = 12+2 = 14

I didn't feel like rolling for mundane items, so I just checked whether Urdak's magic items survived.

-----
Status: Quinn (B13(F7/T8)): 18/78; Urdak (Dwarf F10): 15/75; McCloud (F6/MU6/T10): 13/40; Odilo (M11): 20/44; Skarlos (C10): 29/56
Effects: Protection from Evil 10' (Quinn): 12.8 turns; Protection from Evil (Odilo, on Skarlos): 21 rounds; Mirror Image (McCloud): 12 rounds; Mordenkainen's Faithful Hound (Odilo): 22 rounds

[GreyWolfVT]

Odilo commands the hound to attack the dust mummy thing. "Attack boy!" he orders as he points a finger at the dust creature.

Odilo tries to formulate a plan while the others do their tasks.

[Zhym]

The Hound is a guard dog. It will guard a place, but it can only attack intruders, and only then if the intruders turn their backs.

In addition, if the intruding creature or creatures allow their backs to be exposed to the phantom watchdog, it will deliver a vicious attack as if it were a 10 hit dice monster, striking for 3-18 hit points of damage

Emphasis added.

[GreyWolfVT]

alright the dog will just guard Odilo then.

[saalaria]

Skarlos moves into melee but will CSW Urdak immediately prior:

Cure Serious Wounds [2d8+1] = 3+1 = 4

Hmmm . Right idea, just poor execution (rolls)! Sorry t!

[Mondego]

Quinn casts cure serious wounds on himself.

[2d8+1] = 14+1 = 15

OOC: Has the thing actually attacked anyone yet, or is it just standing there?

[Stirling]

McCloud, McCloud and McCloud will cast Unseen Servant: Penfold (MK IV).

"Penfold my good servant will you take forth this large sack and enter yonder chamber behind that ghostly apparition of dust and pick up the treasure on the floor, gems and wands and items but leave the money and weapons for now. Then drag the sack back to me please."

If the unseen servant ventures forth, unseen and unhindered, bag in hand to stock up santa's goodie bag, McClouds' will rub their hands in glee.

[tkrexx]

Urdak's is not used to being singed. It does very little for his temperament. He holds the head of his pick (Read that right: Pick!) before his face in utter astonishment. Wut d'wedknock! He bolts for the closest weapon amongst the treasure.

[Zhym]

The battle rages on, with our heroes again making the first move.

Odilo orders his invisible guard dog to stand watch over the place. Immediately, the dog starts barking like mad at the dusty figure, adding a constant canine soundtrack to your battle.

Skarlos tries to heal Urdak's wounds, but his spell is uncharacteristically weak. Perhaps the influence of his god is lessened in this place? Or maybe it's just dumb bad luck, because Quinn's healing of himself is much more effective. Urdak, for his part, rushed forward and grabs a sword off the pile of treasure.

McCloud casts an Unseen Servant and orders it to begin scooping gems, wands, and other items off of the treasure pile, leaving the coins and weapons where they are. The Servant starts to comply. The dust thing, seeing treasure float bit by bit into a floating bag, rushes to intervene, but it seems unable to stop the Servant.

Actions?

Initiative: Party [1d6] = 4 Monsters [1d6] = 2

-----
Status: Quinn (B13(F7/T8)): 33/78; Urdak (Dwarf F10): 19/75; McCloud (F6/MU6/T10): 13/40; Odilo (M11): 20/44; Skarlos (C10): 29/56
Effects: Protection from Evil 10' (Quinn): 12.8 turns; Protection from Evil (Odilo, on Skarlos): 20 rounds; Mirror Image (McCloud): 11 rounds; Mordenkainen's Faithful Hound (Odilo): 21 rounds; Unseen Servant (McCloud): 12 turns

[saalaria]

Skarlos joins Urdrak in attacking the thing:

mace + 3 attack: To Hit [1d20+3] = 7+3 = 10, Dam [1d6+4] = 3+4 = 7

[GreyWolfVT]

Odilo decides Urdak may be more in need of guarding and orders "Scruffy go guard Urdak my dwarf friend." then contemplates his next course of action. Seeing treasure items being brought out. "Any staves or wands I could make do with in that stash?"

[tkrexx]

The Dwarf again hurls himself at the dusty being, a long, wordless, music-less tune issuing from his wide open mouth.

[1d20] = 9
+1 STR = 10