[Jean] Chapter 16: The Ramparts

[Throndir]

When you mentioned one week, the dwarf's expression turned more into a smug smile. "Ye impudent human brat! I have no need to introduce meself to a green horn such as ye'!" The dwarf replied angrily, his face turning a bit red. "Ye'll be gettin' your audience a'right, but ye ain't going to have free movement around the city. Ye're following us!"

"Common folk na, bit tis a different story fur our priests..." Lili replied to you quietly.

The armored dwarven guards moved forward with their axes threateningly, meaning to surround the group.

If you plan to do anything that might require Initiative, feel free to roll it

[pringerbeam]

     "I'm sorry but my companion would die out in the cold if she isn't let in...  That's something I can't allow.  Ren, Telamon, don't kill them."  Said Jean, stepping up to one of the dwarves flanking them.

[info]Initiative[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+21 : 15 + 21, total 36[/blockquote][/info]

[Throndir]

Go ahead, you're at the top.

[pringerbeam]

     Jean swung a hammering backhand as he suddenly spun into range of the dwarf.  He continued to spin, leaning back to arc his legs in a kick, one after the other.

[info]Full-Round Action: Full attack with unarmed attack all 3 times into nearest dwarf as nonlethal damage.  Assuming that the decrease in weight lowers my unarmed damage dice, (I think the minimum is 1 damage if you decrease below 1d2)
Attack 1[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+22 : 13 + 22, total 35[/blockquote]Damage: 12

Attack 2[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+17 : 5 + 17, total 22[/blockquote]Damage: 12

Attack 3[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+12 : 19 + 12, total 31[/blockquote]Damage: 12[/info]

[Throndir]

"Ye fool! Take 'im down! Leave 'im alive." The dwarf yelled when he saw you explode into action. The rest of the dwarves began to act as well.

As you approached the nearest dwarf, it took an opportunity to attack from 10 ft. away, it's longaxe attempting to strike. However, he didn't expect your sudden rush, and as the dwarf brought his weapon up to you, he somehow had lost his grip, sending the weapon flying harmlessly above you. You closed the distance then, and even though the dwarf was covered in a thick orange-hued metallic armor, you managed to snake your fists and hit hard enough to cause the dwarf to flinch. You noticed that their orange-hued armor was tough, and seemed to soften the blow a bit from your attacks.

"Activate actualization module. Weaponry: Riot control." The two floating orbs around Telamon activated the same beam you had seen earlier, as all sorts of near gear appeared on Telamon.

The dwarven priest began spellcasting then. "Mother Earth! Be ye' my earthen protector. Stone skin!" With that, his skin started to take a much more stony-appearance.

Ren moved up as well, attacking the same target. All 8 of her tentacles attacked from 10 ft. away, as the slime was still wrapped around her neck. You noticed she aimed for non-vital parts, and had also switched to a bludgeoning form for her tentacles. 5 of the 8 attacks hit. The dwarf was banged back and forth between Ren's relentless assault, and on the last hit, he was knocked unconscious.

"Blast ye' priest! Ye've no right!" Lili said charging towards the fray as well, she aimed for non-vital points on the dwarf. The dwarf wouldn't fight back however, and only defended himself. "Please yer majesty!" He dwarf cried out, only to be smacked hard with the princess' weapon, knocking the air out of his lungs.

The dwarves started to draw closer. The ones with Lili, only closed the distance and chose not to attack her, many of them went spellcasting, each of them creating a stony skin around them. Two dwarves attacked Ren, each of the dwarves launching two strikes of their axes. Two of those attacks hit. Two dwarves attacked you as well, four strikes altogether. You managed to avoid every attack. Your light weight made your body very easy to move.

Jean to take turn

Grid Map: https://app.roll20.net/join/3988538/rxP3dQ
Order: Jean, Telamon, Dwarf High Priest, Ren, Lili, Dwarves
Log
[spoiler]Round 1
Jean fullround attacks with fists to Dwarf 9
Telamon switches gear.
High Priest casts Stone Skin on self.
Ren attacks Dwarf 9.
Lili attacks Dwarf 3.
Dwarves either fullround attack or cast Stone Skin on self.
[/spoiler]

Status
Dwarf 3: [include u=2]Nonlethal Dmg taken: 20[/include] Injured nonlethally
Dwarf 9: [include u=2]Nonlethal Dmg taken: 30[/include] Injured nonlethally
Ren: Injured, Refreshed
Jean: Injured, Drowsy
Telamon: Uninjured, Refreshed
Lili: Uninjured, Refreshed

[pringerbeam]

     "You can give up at anytime."  Said Jean with a grin towards the lead dwarf as he swept his leg into the ankles of the dwarf in front of him before raining punches down on him from above.

[info]Full-round Action: Full attack into Dwarf 8 with first attack replaced by Trip action (provokes AOO from Dwarf 8 I believe)
Trip[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+22 : 6 + 22, total 28[/blockquote]
Attack 2[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+17 : 5 + 17, total 22[/blockquote]Damage: 12

Attack 3[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+12 : 12 + 12, total 24[/blockquote]Damage: 12

If Dwarf 8 is knocked unconscious, will 5 ft step into their square to be next to the priest[/info]

[Throndir]

The dwarf took the opportunity to attack you, but you managed to dodge easily. With a swipe and a push, the dwarf began to trip and topple over. After that, you landed two more solid blows on him. Both of them hitting their mark.

Telamon, who was finally ready from her transformation, aimed a long gun towards the group of dwarves. The other two drones around her had transformed into gun-like appearances as well. All three targetted towards the same area, as their guns loaded in the bullet. All three released their payload - a rather large bullet. When they hit the ground a bit behind the dwarves, the three bullets exploded, there was a very loud exploding sound, enough that Lili had to cover her ears as well. For the dwarves who were in the blast radius however, they took the full brunt of it. However, their skin only seemed to slightly crack from it, with a few pieces flaking off. The dwarves seemed unaffected otherwise. Those that did not have the stone covering were damaged directly.

Ren stepped closer to be beside you, and unleashed all 8 of her tentacles to one of the dwarves who didn't have a skin of stone. All of her attacks connected, battering the poor dwarf until he was unconscious. He went from uninjured, to unconscious after the barrage.

Lili stepped back, and began to cast a spell aimed towards the throng of dwarves. "Mither Earth! Th' sand that steals 'n' holds a'. Quicksand!" The floor beneath 6 of the dwarves started to suddenly sink. Many of the dwarves attempted to get away, and some were close, but they all were affected and simply dropped like a rock.

The dwarves stuck in the quicksand attempted to swim out, but coupled with their heavy armor, and the fact that more than likely these people don't swim out of recreation, many of them began to drown. There were 3 dwarves who managed to move away from it though. One of them triggered an attack from Lili, who took it with glee, managing to hit. Though the stone skin on that dwarf only cracked a bit as bits flaked off where he was hit. The rest of the dwarves started to attack Ren, leaving her badly wounded.

Jean to take turn

Grid Map: https://app.roll20.net/join/3988538/rxP3dQ
Order: Jean, Telamon, Dwarf High Priest, Ren, Lili, Dwarves
Log
[spoiler]Round 1
Jean fullround attacks with fists to Dwarf 9
Telamon switches gear.
High Priest casts Stone Skin on self.
Ren attacks Dwarf 9.
Lili attacks Dwarf 3.
Dwarves either fullround attack or cast Stone Skin on self.
Round 2
Jean fullround attacks, trips and attacks Dwarf 8
Telamon attacks with unidentified gun and bullets to Dwarf 8, High Priest, Dwarf 7, Dwarf 5, Dwarf 6, Dwarf 3, Dwarf 4, Dwarf 2
Ren attacks dwarf 10, hits with all attacks.
Lili cast a spell. All fail save.
Dwarves start drowning or escape. Dwarf 3, 4, 6, escape. Dwarf 1, 2, 5 fail and start drowning. Dwarf 3 Trigger an AoO from Lili.
Dwarf 7 attacks Ren.
Dwarf 11, 8, fullround attack Ren.
[/spoiler]

Status
High Priest: [include u=2]Stone skin HP left: 62[/include] Uninjured
Dwarf 1: [include u=2]Stone skin HP left: 90[/include] Uninjured, drowning (on round 2)
Dwarf 2: [include u=2]Stone skin HP left: 62[/include] Uninjured, drowning (on round 2)
Dwarf 3: [include u=2]Stone skin HP left: 48[/include] [include u=2]Nonlethal Dmg taken: 20[/include] Injured nonlethally
Dwarf 4: [include u=2]Stone skin HP left: 62[/include] Uninjured
Dwarf 5: [include u=2]Nonlethal Dmg taken: 28[/include] Injured nonlethally, drowning (on round 2)
Dwarf 6: [include u=2]Stone skin HP left: 62[/include] Uninjured
Dwarf 7: [include u=2]Stone skin HP left: 62[/include] Uninjured
Dwarf 8: [include u=2]Nonlethal Dmg taken: 46[/include] Badly wounded nonlethally
Dwarf 9: [include u=2]Nonlethal Dmg taken: 30[/include] Injured nonlethally
Ren: Injured, Refreshed
Jean: Badly Wounded, Drowsy
Telamon: Uninjured, Refreshed
Lili: Uninjured, Refreshed

[pringerbeam]

     Jean leapt and weaved around the dwarves to flank their formation.  "Remember, you brought this on yourself!"  He shouted, following with an incantation.  "Darkness!  I call upon the might of the Rotting Throne and expel a wisp of your power!  Abyssal Bile!"  He breathed in deep before opening his mouth wider than seemed physically possible and expelling a torrent of reeking violet sludge to coat the dwarves in front of him.

[info]Move Action: Acrobatics to avoid attacks of opportunity and pass through the square of Dwarf 11
Passing Through Dwarf 11's square[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+32 : 17 + 32, total 49[/blockquote]Attacks of opportunities (I think its 5 times that I leave threatened squares)[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+32 : 6 + 32, total 38[/blockquote][blockquote]Rolled 1d20+32 : 2 + 32, total 34[/blockquote][blockquote]Rolled 1d20+32 : 8 + 32, total 40[/blockquote][blockquote]Rolled 1d20+32 : 5 + 32, total 37[/blockquote][blockquote]Rolled 1d20+32 : 5 + 32, total 37[/blockquote]
Standard Action: Cast Abyssal Bile with +5 Save DC (Total DC of 28) for 15 MP[/info]

[Throndir]

You moved through with ease, avoiding each of the dwarves enough, and never letting anyone of them attempt an attack at you. Eventually you were in position and unleashed your spell. The sludge you spewed covered the dwarves, and immediately, all but one of them started to feel sickened. Some of them started to go a bit green from the toxic cloud.

Telamon repeated her same action, the three drones did the same as well. However, this time around, when the bullet exploded, it only made a loud sound, without the accompanying electricity. There was no fire, though, the grenade still exploded, the air itself compressing from the attack then quickly released. She placed it close to where you had placed your attack as well, with the priest at the center. With all three explosions, every dwarf was affected. Those with the stone skin had more flakes fall off them.

The priest then began casting a spell, and directed it towards you. "Mother Earth! Th' reaching arm that lifts th' saint, shall it instead hold th' enemies lik' rock 'n' stone. Earthen tomb!"[/color] At that moment you saw the rocks and stones around you begin to move at your feet.

AGI save requested

A heads up, the Increase Spell DC spell effect had some changes/debuffs. It's split into Minor, Medium, and Major. With an increase of +.5, +1, and +2, for each application, rounded down. This'll make higher tier spells more appealing. Likewise some other effects were toned down, such as +AC ones to be similar to the above. The increase was too much for an effectively level 2 spell.

Here's the new breakdown:

Sickened/Nauseated (2 MP)
Minor Increase Spell DC (2 MP)
Minor Increase Spell DC (2 MP)
Minor Increase Spell DC (2 MP)
Minor Increase Spell DC (2 MP)
- Unused slot (since +.5 increase is will be rounded down anyways)

13 MP, DC 25

Jean to roll AGI

Grid Map: https://app.roll20.net/join/3988538/rxP3dQ
Order: Jean, Telamon, Dwarf High Priest, Ren, Lili, Dwarves
Log
[spoiler]Round 1
Jean fullround attacks with fists to Dwarf 9
Telamon switches gear.
High Priest casts Stone Skin on self.
Ren attacks Dwarf 9.
Lili attacks Dwarf 3.
Dwarves either fullround attack or cast Stone Skin on self.
Round 2
Jean fullround attacks, trips and attacks Dwarf 8
Telamon attacks with unidentified gun and bullets to Dwarf 8, High Priest, Dwarf 7, Dwarf 5, Dwarf 6, Dwarf 3, Dwarf 4, Dwarf 2
Ren attacks dwarf 10, hits with all attacks.
Lili cast a spell. All fail save.
Dwarves start drowning or escape. Dwarf 3, 4, 6, escape. Dwarf 1, 2, 5 fail and start drowning. Dwarf 3 Trigger an AoO from Lili.
Dwarf 7 attacks Ren.
Dwarf 11, 8, fullround attack Ren.
Round 3
Jeans moves, casts Abyssal Bile on Dwarf 11, 8, 3, 4, 5, 6, and Priest. All fail, except Dwarf 4.
Telamon uses unidentified gun, new unidentified bullet. Knocks out Dwarf 8.
High Priest casts a spell at Jean.
[/spoiler]

Status
High Priest: [include u=2]Stone skin HP left: 15[/include] Uninjured, sickened
Dwarf 1: [include u=2]Stone skin HP left: 90[/include] Uninjured, drowning (on round 2)
Dwarf 2: [include u=2]Stone skin HP left: 62[/include] Uninjured, drowning (on round 2)
Dwarf 3: [include u=2]Stone skin HP left: 48[/include] [include u=2]Nonlethal Dmg taken: 20[/include] Injured nonlethally, sickened
Dwarf 4: [include u=2]Stone skin HP left: 32[/include] Uninjured
Dwarf 5: [include u=2]Nonlethal Dmg taken: 58[/include] Badly wounded nonlethally, drowning (on round 2), sickened
Dwarf 6: [include u=2]Stone skin HP left: 23[/include] Uninjured, sickened
Dwarf 7: [include u=2]Stone skin HP left: 62[/include] Uninjured
Dwarf 11: [include u=2]Nonlethal Dmg taken: 39[/include] Injured nonlethally, sickened
Ren: Injured, Refreshed
Jean: Badly Wounded, Drowsy
Telamon: Uninjured, Refreshed
Lili: Uninjured, Refreshed

[pringerbeam]

[info]AGI Save[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+29 : 9 + 29, total 38[/blockquote][/info]

[Throndir]

From all around you, and even the ceiling, every bit of rock and stone started to quickly speed their way towards you. Large boulders from the ceiling were simply taken and dropped. At the same time, the floor began to give way. It was different than the quicksand that Lili had created. The rocks beneath you suddenly seemed to compress downwards, creating an empty space downwards, but also pushing the now displaced earth to the sides. It seemed as if the earth it self was creating a thick dome around you. Two of the other dwarves were caught in the same effect as the earth started to close around them, however, to you, the closing maw of the earth was just too slow. While the other two dwarves attempted to scramble out of it, you simply sped out of it, and quickly used your momentum to 'hop' on each of the falling pieces of earth.

Instead of being trapped, you were now on top of the earthen tomb. The two other dwarves however, weren't so lucky. The spell continued for a few more seconds after, the rocks and stone themselves seemed to compress even further. There were yells inside the tomb, though, they were extremely muffled.

"One week! Impossible!" The high priest yelled incredulously and in disbelief at your words earlier. "That was a damn 5th tier spell!"

He would have kept talking, but Ren was immediately on him, her tentacles bashing the stone-skinned high priest. To his credit, he managed to block one of the attacks, but the rest hit him hard. His stony skin had all but disappeared, the rest of it getting slapped right off. After that, he took 5 heavy hits to either his head or gut. The constant string of attacks brought him injured.

Lili bashed in another one of the dwarves. Though from her movements, you can tell that she looked sleepy from her spell earlier. She still managed to hit the dwarf however. Lili's swings looked to be much more ferocious and heavier than any of the dwarves. Much of the dwarf's stone skin went away.

The dwarves in the quicksand continued to drown. Two of the dwarves Lili was fighting still continued to be defensive, choosing not to strike at their princess. The last free dwarf jumped up on the boulder, and started making his way towards you to swing his axe, but he missed.

Jean to take turn

Grid Map: https://app.roll20.net/join/3988538/rxP3dQ
Order: Jean, Telamon, Dwarf High Priest, Ren, Lili, Dwarves
Log
[spoiler]Round 1
Jean fullround attacks with fists to Dwarf 9
Telamon switches gear.
High Priest casts Stone Skin on self.
Ren attacks Dwarf 9.
Lili attacks Dwarf 3.
Dwarves either fullround attack or cast Stone Skin on self.
Round 2
Jean fullround attacks, trips and attacks Dwarf 8
Telamon attacks with unidentified gun and bullets to Dwarf 8, High Priest, Dwarf 7, Dwarf 5, Dwarf 6, Dwarf 3, Dwarf 4, Dwarf 2
Ren attacks dwarf 10, hits with all attacks.
Lili cast a spell. All fail save.
Dwarves start drowning or escape. Dwarf 3, 4, 6, escape. Dwarf 1, 2, 5 fail and start drowning. Dwarf 3 Trigger an AoO from Lili.
Dwarf 7 attacks Ren.
Dwarf 11, 8, fullround attack Ren.
Round 3
Jeans moves, casts Abyssal Bile on Dwarf 11, 8, 3, 4, 5, 6, and Priest. All fail, except Dwarf 4.
Telamon uses unidentified gun, new unidentified bullet. Knocks out Dwarf 8.
High Priest casts a spell at Jean. Jean saves. Dwarf 7 and Dwarf 11 are trapped.
Ren attacks high priest, removes rest of stone skin.
Lili attacks Dwarf 3.
Dwarf 6 attacks.
[/spoiler]

Status
High Priest: [include u=2]Nonlethal Dmg taken: 72[/include] Injured nonlethally, sickened
Dwarf 1: [include u=2]Stone skin HP left: 90[/include] Uninjured, drowning (on round 2)
Dwarf 2: [include u=2]Stone skin HP left: 62[/include] Uninjured, drowning (on round 2)
Dwarf 3: [include u=2]Stone skin HP left: 14[/include] [include u=2]Nonlethal Dmg taken: 20[/include] Injured nonlethally, sickened
Dwarf 4: [include u=2]Stone skin HP left: 32[/include] Uninjured
Dwarf 5: [include u=2]Nonlethal Dmg taken: 58[/include] Badly wounded nonlethally, drowning (on round 2), sickened
Dwarf 6: [include u=2]Stone skin HP left: 23[/include] Uninjured, sickened
Dwarf 7: [include u=2]Stone skin HP left: 62[/include] Uninjured, trapped
Dwarf 11: [include u=2]Nonlethal Dmg taken: 39[/include] Injured nonlethally, sickened, trapped
Ren: Injured, Refreshed
Jean: Badly Wounded, Drowsy
Telamon: Uninjured, Refreshed
Lili: Uninjured, Sleepy

[pringerbeam]

     Jean slid down the dome partway, avoiding a swing of the axe from the dwarf next to him in the process.  Near the bottom of the bottom of the dome he stopped his slide, using the momentum to stand back up as he incanted once again.  "Darkness!  I call upon the might of the Rotting Throne and expel a wisp of your power!  Abyssal Bile!"  He said with a grin, belching forth another wave of sludge to blast the dwarves.  He aimed hoping to get some directly into the face of the priest.

[info]5 foot step

Standard Action:  Cast Abyssal Bile with +5 Save DC (Total DC of 28) for 15 MP[/info]

[Throndir]

You unleashed your spell again. Hitting both the dwarf attacking Lili, and the Priest. The dwarf attacking Lili was not previously affected, but by the way he was moving, you could tell he was sickened. As for the priest, the sickness became worse, and the priest sputtered up some bile and was nauseated.

"Mother Ea-" The dwarf began, but only more bile poured from his mouth. His robes were completely ruined as the priest fell to a knee, attempting to wipe the fluid from his mouth and at the same time glaring towards you. Along with his now pale-look, bile throwing up from his mouth, and droopy eyelids, the priest knew he was finished. Not to mention the fact that three of his elite guards were still drowning in the quick sand.

"I yiel-" He threw up midsentence. Instead he throw his weapon to the ground and raised both his hands in the air. The rest of the dwarves, seeing this also threw their weapons down and went down on their knees.

[pringerbeam]

     Jean put his hands on his hips, towering over the priest as he puffed out his chest.  "Now then, know that I could have turned you into a bloodstain on the paving stones but chose not to.  We will take our leave to meet up with my companion and then return for my audience with the king.  Further attempts to stop any of us will be met with the same."  He said, looking down at the retching priest.  "Your highness?"  He beckoned to Lili as he turned to take his leave.  After he got some distance from the priest he checked his status to see how much MP he had remaining.

[Throndir]

None of the other dwarves moved to intercept, though, the priest was glaring at you the entire time. "Yer grandfather will hear o' this princess!" The priest managed to say before he crouched over again coughing up liquid as his stomach had been emptied out.

"Ah will be right behind ye Jean." Lili said, as she stowed her axe away. You saw her move towards the sandpit she created, and began casting another spell as she ignored the high priest. She raised the earth from the below the sand, and out tumbled the few dwarves who were caught in the spell. The dwarves took deep breaths finally able to breathe air again as they began to shake themselves off of the sand. Once that was done, Lili began to chase after you. It didn't take her long to get caught up.

"Thay were juist followin' orders." Lili explained.

When you used your Status, you had 30 MP.



You made the rest of the journey back without much incident. Word had already spread of the human and the strange creature in their city, accompanied by the princess, but at the very least none of the guards or other priests got in your way. There was a lot of whispering and staring though compared to last time, there was simply more dwarves who wanted to get a glimpse of you. As you walked, there were other rumors as well that you managed to pick out. Some were saying that 'they heard he was the hero'. Others stated that 'that's the one the dryads don't like'. Yet there were a few of the dwarves, those on the younger side, or beardless ones, that spoke in a hushed admiration towards the hero.

Judging from the time, you were around just in time for reaching the destination, and as you finally made it back to the original outpost. There was another dwarf who had been taking watch up there, but once Lili told him to take a break, the dwarf simply nodded, then headed back down the elevator shaft.

Lili opened a panel in the wall, which displayed a crystal-like flat surface. On it looked to be a variety of screens. The resolution wasn't the best, but it was definitely a picture of the surrounding area. Lili explained this was how she had seen you traverse up the mountain earlier in the day, and pressing some buttons on the side, the images changed as it flipped through a couple of different viewpoints. It was still snowing pretty hard, but there was no sign of Dalina quite yet.

Let me know how long you're willing to wait, and any other actions you might do.