Holes/Session 37
A fragment of the Garden of Remembering
INT. Cave cavern thing
The shadow versions of the party loiter uncertainly before them. The copies, solid and three dimensional, are exact - there is even a shadow Rasputin on the shadow Greibel's head - but absolutely black. To Amadi and Greibel, they seem to be gleaming.
Because the shadow Gravedigger-tree is right on top of where the pinpoint hole was, it is also unclear whether or not the hole actually closed.
Everything is silent.
Then the shadow Amadi jumps out of its tree and starts to approach its vivid other self.
AMADI
(to her shadow-self)
I'm not the whole. Are you the whole? Probably not. This is a bad idea.
She hears it repeat the same back at her, but the words aren't quite there.
The shadow Greibel picks up some water and it turns into a blob in its hand.
The shadow Rhu reaches out to poke the other Rhu. To Rhu, it looks like a dark, crisp-edged silhouette, and, unlike most everything else he can see, not hairy. It feels like nothing at all.
RADEK
...That's not right. Not at all.
Rhu steps past his shadow self, and the shadow turns after him.
The shadow Amadi looks up at Amadi and then licks the Gravedigger tree below her.
Ellemerr (Amadi): So I'm sitting in the Gravy-Tree. And my shadow is walking up and... licking my tree?
Amadi suppresses a sudden urge to lick the Gravy tree as well.
Rhu waves his arms around the shadow Rhu form where the hair should be.
RHU
(to the shadow Rhu)
...why aren't you hairy?
The shadow Rhu tries to hit Rhu with its maul, though it misses. (rolled 13 vs AC)
The tree bristles in fury.
The shadow tree also bristles in what might be fury.
Then the shadow Rhu tries to grab the other Rhu's head, hands outstretched. This doesn't work either, and it winds up smearing a palm across the side of Rhu's face. This time the touch burns like ice.
RHU
HEY!
Rhu responds by slicing at his shadow with a strike through the fabric of space itself, but misses as well. (rolled 14 vs AC) Only after does he remember to swear an oath of enmity against it.
The Gravedigger, still being a tree, summons his cloud of boiling blood and grit and then attempts to pummel the shadow Greibel into the earth with his shovel. It doesn't entirely succeed.
Meanwhile the Georges kneel down and aim their weapons at each other.
Greibel decides now would be a good time to try to summon a lightning storm inside a cave. Then he thinks better of it and instead calls forth the spirit pack on his and the Gravedigger's other selves. The spirits trample through and out another wall without any apparent affect. (rolled 12, 11 vs reflex)
GREIBEL
I guess they were....
(he puts on glasses)
Spooked.
Amadi sticks her tongue out at her shadow and climbs higher up in the tree, viciously mocking her black clone as it's left behind.
It staggers from the force of the attack.
Radek shakes his head and powers up the eyebot and sets it loose over the battle.
RADEK
Try to leave one unharmed for study, please.
The shadow Gravedigger assumes the form of the fearsome shadow ram-tree, takes a step back, and then rams the other tree with its shovel, throwing him back a few meters. (rolled 19 vs fort) Radek shoots it with some sort of lightning pellet, reducing the effectiveness of the shadow's attack and doing what looks like considerable damage. (rolled 32 vs AC (natural 20))
Amadi falls out of the Gravedigger's branches as a result. (rolled 10 acrobatics)
The shadow Radek shoots his counterpart as well with some sort of shadow pellet, to similar, though less potent, effect. (rolled 22 vs AC) He seems almost to be grumping.
Apheori (GM): Shadow Greibel does clinging drones at Amadi. Does that hit the real Greibel too? It's a close blast 5. Ganelon: Close Blast 5 means a 5x5 that must be next to him. So... Ganelon: Like that. Apheori (GM): Ooookay, he does that. Ganelon: Does it target enemies, or creatures? Apheori (GM): Creatures. So that would include shadow Gravy? Ganelon: Yes. Apheori (GM): OKAY. Gaurav: Clinging Drones sounds like an awesome attack. Ganelon: Pick an order for people getting hit and then roll 6 times. Bear Soup Guy: Gaur: It really is Apheori (GM): rolling 1d20 + 7 vs amadi fort ( 11 ) +7 = 18 rolling 1d20 + 7 vs George fort ( 2 ) +7 = 9 rolling 1d20 + 7 vs Greibel fort ( 18 ) +7 = 25 rolling 1d20 + 7 vs Shadow Gravy Tree fort ( 19 ) +7 = 26 rolling 1d20 + 7 vs Regular Gravy Tree fort ( 2 ) +7 = 9 rolling 1d20 + 7 vs Radek fort ( 7 ) +7 = 14 Ganelon: I have no idea what this power does, but if it's damage, you only need to roll that once. And then just compare who gets hit and who gets missed. I can say for sure that Radek, George, and our Gravy are fine. Bear Soup Guy: Greibel is decidedly not fine Apheori (GM): rolling 2d8 + 5 ( 3 + 7 ) +5 = 15 Hits get smacked and are slowed and can't shift (save ends), the miss ones get smacked for half damage. Poor shadow Gravy. Ganelon: Half damage in this case is... 7. Bear Soup Guy: Also all enemies can't shift while adjacent to shadowgreibel for the rest of the encounter Apheori (GM): Wheeeee. Amadi seems mildly surprised and possibly a little pleased by her own hurtings. But man, that hurt. Apheori (GM): Did anyone take off damage for themselves? Oh, okay. Ellemerr: I did. Apheori (GM): Everyone do that. Ganelon: I did as well. Bear Soup Guy: Done Ganelon: You'll have to do George. Apheori (GM): Wheee. I'll assume Frezak did Gravy even though he has so much health I can't even tell. Ganelon: If so, this is a reminder that he still has resist 5 until my turn ends. Frezak (GM): I wasn't hit. (To Amadi): Shadow Amadi asks if you're real. Apheori (GM): Miss does half damage. Ganelon: You were missed, but this is a daily. Frezak (GM): right Ganelon: So take 2. (Wow) Apheori (GM): Oh, right. Forgot about that. Frezak (GM): I FEAR NO FAERIES I AM TREEEEE AMADI More or less. They think I am. I think. And that might be good enough. Does anyone think you are? Apheori (GM): Shadow Amadi walks up to Amadi and pokes her. There's a massive spark, but it doesn't do any damage. (To Amadi): I'm real. I'm real. I'm real, I'm real, I'm real! AMADI (grinning) You don't sound like you believe that. Apheori (GM): The shadow Amadi shrieks something silently and does a thing. rolling 1d20 + 6 vs reflex on Amadi. ( 16 ) +6 = 22 Gaurav: Huh. Ellemerr: hit Apheori (GM): rolling 1d10 + 4 ( 10 ) +4 = 14 She used focused sound that nobody could hear. Except Amadi. I wonder if she can even affect anyone else. Amadi clutches her ears and no longer looks like being hurt might be a fun thing. Gaurav: So maybe she's the one we keep around for experimentation. Apheori (GM): Are you kidding? Watch this! Ganelon: I think we ought to start with dropping them as quickly as possible because PC powers hurt like crazy. Apheori (GM): Shadow Rhu tries to swear an oath of emnity on Rhu and falls over. Gaurav: It's... a minor action. You don't even have to roll or anything. Ganelon: Clearly he's been blessed by Hazz. Even moreso than you. Apheori (GM): And that s it for shadow Rhu. Frezak (GM): Wait for my turn, guys. Shit is gonna get.... well, devoured. SCoured. Ganelon: The eye is watching. Rhu looks down at shadowRhu with something approaching pity, but from the direction of annoyance. Apheori (GM): So what's Rhu do? WHAT'S RHU DO? WHAT'S RHU DO? Gaurav: Radiant Vengeance, is what! Oh wait no There's a penalty for ranged attacks from right next to someone, right? Ganelon: No, you provoke attacks of opportunity for them. But if you just shift backwards 1, you won't be in range for that to matter. Gaurav: Should I spend one of my dailies? shadowRhu is being incompetent, so I think I can beat him by just hitting him over and over. But I dunno if I should finish him quickly and come over to help you guys. Ganelon: Finishing him quickly would be appreciated. Gaurav: Well then. Move action: shift one step away. Ganelon: We're not in a great spot here. People are hurt and I can only heal so much. Gaurav: Standard: Oath of Consuming Light (Level 5 Daily) Ganelon: Really not a lot of healing at all. Frezak (GM): Don't worry about me. I'm A TREE Apheori (GM): A felled tree. Roots sticking up. Frezak (GM): I CAN RISE AGAIN Apheori (GM): Defruited. Frezak (GM): My fruit! Gaurav: rolling d20+7 wisdom vs reflex ( 20 ) +7 = 27 YES Apheori (GM): WAZZAT DO? WAZZAT DO? WAZZAT DOOOOOO? Gaurav: That's 2d10+WIS(+5) damage, and I can never remember if you add half level to damage too. Apheori (GM) clings to Gaurav's head. Apheori (GM): WHAZZAT DO? ...sorry, I'll stop. Ganelon: You do not add half level to damage. So, 25+1d6 damage. Anything else? Gaurav: What's the 1d6 for? Ganelon: Crits on a +1 weapon. Frezak (GM): So you disintegrate Dark Rhu? Gaurav: "Whenever you hit the target with a divine power, the target takes 1d6 extra radiant damage" Ganelon: Or if it's not +1, just 25. Neat. Gaurav: And that's (also) an aftereffect. Apheori (GM): So 25? Gaurav: I used my Implement, but I don't think it's a +1 implement. So yeah, 25. Ganelon: The extra damage thing is a save-ends effect. You probably want a thingy for that. Apheori (GM): Oh. Ganelon: And if they're vulnerable to radiant damage, this is radiant damage. Apheori (GM): They ain't. And I'm quickly losing track of all these effects. Whoo! Gaurav: so the aftereffect kicks in after the first one ends, right? Ganelon: Yes, if he saves against the effect, he gets hit by the aftereffect. Gaurav: so basically every time I hit shadowRhu with a divine attack, he gets 1d6 extra damage, until he saves against that. Ganelon: Which is amusingly another save-ends. Gaurav: THEN that changes to a 1d4 extra damage, until he saves against THAT. wow. Ganelon: Though you can't do better than Thrall. "Hit: The target is Dominated (Save ends) Aftereffect: The target is Dominated until the end of its next turn." Gaurav: nice. Ganelon: (It's in the level 20s) Gaurav: I should really get an implement for Hazz' at some point. Perhaps a tentacle that I can wave at people. okay, so that leave a minor. Hmm. Ganelon: Oh, right. Gaurav: Can I diplomacy with shadowRhu as a minor? Or would that count as a standard? Ganelon: You hit him with an attack, so the eyebot shoots a laser at him. 5 damage automatically. Gaurav: robots are my friend Ganelon: There are no rules for diplomacy during combat. Apheori (GM): Go ahead and give it a wonk. Gaurav: rolling d20+1 diplomacy against shadowRhu ( 12 ) +1 = 13 Frezak (GM): Remind me of the 'bot's range? Ganelon: It's 3. Frezak (GM): As far as lazors go? RHU "Stop this! Your life is worth more than dying in disgrace in a filthy hairy cave!" Frezak (GM): Gah. Ganelon: So Shadowgraves is no longer in range, unfortunately. Gaurav: WOOOOOOO laserbolt! Apheori (GM): The shadow Rhu doesn't respond and just lies there. Gaurav: so that was actually -2 to attack since I range-attacked someone prone, but natural 20 woo and that's the end of Rhu's turn. Frezak (GM): All RIGHY Apheori (GM): Yeah, sorry. Frezak (GM): Move: Stand. I use my standard action to let Codrichun briefly touch this world. The tree shakes its leaves, and a boiling could of grit and bone drips from them like ravenous pollen, gathering around the Gravy Tree before blasting out. Apheori (GM): XD Frezak (GM): Soo... Shadow Greibel, Shadow Gravy and then Shadow Amadi. rolling 1D20+12 ( 15 ) +12 = 27 rolling 1D20+12 ( 14 ) +12 = 26 rolling 1D20+12 ( 15 ) +12 = 27 Vs AC. Apheori (GM): I think that gets them all. Ganelon: The eyebot is an excellent multitasker and lasers both of those two for 5 damage each. Frezak (GM): rolling 2D10+5 ( 8 + 2 ) +5 = 15 And all targets have -2 to all defenses, Save Ends. so Shadow Gravy takes... 15 damage and the others get 20? Apheori (GM): Isn't it 10 and 15 on the others? Ganelon: Shadow Gravy takes 10 'cause he's got resist 5 from Shadow Radek. The others take 15 and 5 from a laser. 20 total. Apheori (GM): Ah, I already subtracted the lasers. Frezak (GM): Dammit! Dark Gravy isn't dead! LET US AMEND THAT Apheori (GM): Man, for a god Amadi sure is squishy. Ganelon: I don't remember if your chainshovel was used today. Frezak (GM): Minor action: I slam him again with a shovel. Ganelon: I guess we were thinking the same thing, though! Frezak (GM): YEP rolling 1D20+9 ( 18 ) +9 = 27 AC Gaaah Ganelon: We're all squishy. Gravy is just exceptionally un-squishy for a PC. Apheori (GM): How much damage does the shovel do? Ganelon: Actual gods, though, tend to have immunity to attacks from anything level 20 and below. I think. Frezak (GM): rolling 1D10+5 ( 10 ) +5 = 15 And he's prone. Ganelon: I think that's curtains for 'im. Apheori (GM): Nope, still alive. Ganelon: Bah! Apheori (GM): XD Frezak (GM): Goddam! Ganelon: Damn my own resist 5! Apheori (GM): Oh, forgot the resist. Ganelon: NEW PLAN SHADOW RADEK'S POWER IS GONNA RUN OUT BUT WE SPITE KILL HIM ANYWAYS Frezak (GM): I kinda want to execute my dark self now. I can just AP and end him. Apheori (GM): Do you want to? Frezak (GM): YES Apheori (GM): Pity. You might have found shadow Radek's response... interesting. Frezak (GM): Then I can mark the people flanking my fruit. Ganelon: Interesting? Frezak (GM): AP! Apheori (GM): FRUIT. Ganelon: You mean healing his ass for like 10 and 20 THP? Frezak (GM): Strength Of Stone! rolling 1D20+9+2 ( 14 ) +9+2 = 25 AC HRAAAAAAGH rolling 1D10+5+5 ( 10 ) +5+5 = 20 HEADSMAN CHOOOOOP Bear Soup Guy: The crits are real Apheori (GM): The Gravy tree smashes the shadow gravy tree into the ground, spilling branches and crap everywhere. Frezak (GM): And then Gravy explodes out the tree, landing next to Amadi and screaming about fruit. Apheori (GM): The dissolve into a strange black liquid and sink into the rocky floor of the cavern. They* Frezak (GM): And marks the two interlopers. Apheori (GM): The branches. The dead guy. Frezak (GM): Doing the desert raider thing again. RADEK ...Interesting. Frezak (GM): Turn over! Apheori (GM): There's a puddle. Ellemerr: That was pretty awesome. And I should sleep. >.< Apheori (GM): But it's shrinking. THE GRAVEDIGGER GERRROF MY FRUUUUIIIIIT! Raaarghaaarglearrrgh. Apheori (GM): Heee. George shoots the other George! Gaurav: yay! brb Apheori (GM): rolling 1d20 + 15 ( 9 ) +15 = 24 rolling 4d6 + 8 ( 5 + 6 + 1 + 3 ) +8 = 23 He grumbles. Ganelon: Nice shooting Frezak (GM): Also I get 4 THP from Weight Of Earth. GEORGE Fuck. Apheori (GM): The problem is shadow George then does the exact same thing, except at Amadi. rolling 1d20 + 15 ( 10 ) +15 = 25 Ganelon: I can't saaave heerrrrr (Well actually, I could on my turn) Ellemerr: Hit Also when I said I should sleep I meant I should sleep. Apheori (GM): Noooo. Ganelon: Yeah, I know. Apheori (GM) clings to Ellemerr. Apheori (GM): rolling 4d6 + 6 ( 6 + 4 + 2 + 3 ) +6 = 21 Frezak (GM): good lord Ellemerr: I have to get up in 7 hours, devil woman! Also OUCH GEORGE Wait, what?
