The Will of Winter got us down to the ground, as close as it could get to the black hemisphere sitting upon the snowy tundra. I noticed that the winds were already causing snow to pile up against the side of the spell, proof that inside would be a place far easier to fight. The archons were trying to arrange the field to suit them, as best as possible.

That was fine. They might think that bringing us close like this put us on their ground, but the truth was they were already dead, they just didn’t know it yet. Even if their wizard used some of those weird spells of hers, I would just have to fight free, and break her, before she could do too much.

With that in mind, we formed up, and walked through the shield. Like passing through a veil, the wind and snow fell away. The bitter cold of the tundra was replaced by a cool fall day in the more temperate lands. The snow that had already fallen remained, but it was already starting to melt, and no more fell through the globe, allowing us to see our foes clearly.

They had prepared for this, and spread out along the far side of the dome. On the left, the bard, bow in hand, was already singing in an alto voice better suited to a woman than a male, a sign that he was, indeed, a eunuch, as Sanvi had suggested. To the right, a mindflayer stood, with the scales of a brass dragon covering its skin, clearly the twisted wizard in an assumed form, with the crackle of magic on her fingertips, a prepared spell at the ready. And, in the middle, the huntress, with a bow at the ready.

I lead the approach, blade at the ready, knowing that the only way to deal with this trap was to spring it, and break it. Despite the close quarters, the fact that two of them were armed with bows told us that they would try and use some means of keeping us at range, even if Sanvi hadn’t shared what she knew with us. But my advance must have been the signal they needed, for each unleashed their prepared actions, springing the trap.

Black Tentacles Grapple Check: 1d20+42 = 58

Melinda’s Grapple Check: Immune (Freedom of Movement)

Ebonheart’s Grapple Check: 1d20+45 = 55 (Grappled)

Siora’s Grapple Check: Immune (Freedom of Movement)

Vestele’s modified Grapple Check: 1d20+36 = 54 (Grappled)

Fartooth’s modified Grapple Check: 1d20+33 = 48 (Grappled)

As expected, black tentacles arose all around us, covering almost the entirety of the area inside the Tiny Hut spell. The wizard had placed the spell perfectly, so that there was only a little space to stand, without the tentacles grabbing us. Of course, Siora and I both had enchantments on our gear that gave us ability to avoid a grapple instantly if we did not wish to be held, but the other three were not so lucky, and had their movements restrained.

Zarall’s Attack Roll (Melinda): 1d20+47 = 49 (Miss)

Zophiel’s Smite Evil Attack Roll (Melinda): 1d20+65 = 70 (Hit, Flat-footed)

Blur Miss Chance: 1d100 = 70 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+43 = 47 (Force)

Magebane: 2d6 = 3 (Force)

Fey Dread: 4d6 = 5 (Force)

Holy Power: 3d6 = 12 (Holy)

Holy Power: 1 Negative Level

Nemesis: 1d6 = 1 (Force)

Melinda’s Fort Save (Massive Damage): 1d20+94 = 114 (Success)

The other two shot their arrows at me, as expected. However, I was not expecting the sheer level of pain I felt when the ranger’s arrow hit me. Her weapon and attack were all specialized, and aimed at taking those like me down. That… was not good. I didn’t know how many times she could unleash an attack like that, but it wouldn’t take many to have me in dire straits.

Initiatives:

Fartooth

Zarall

Melinda

Zophiel

Mumiel

Vestele

Ebonheart

Siora

Fartooth’s Grapple Check (Black Tentacles): 1d20+23 = 42

Black Tentacles Grapple Check: 1d20+42 = 47 (Success)

Fartooth struggled against the tentacle grappling him, but that was a battle he clearly wasn’t going to win. And, without the freedom to use his arms as he wished, that meant he also could not fire his bow. The little kobold was effectively out of the fight. “Sorry, guys, I’ll keep trying, but I don’t think I can get out of this one.”

Zarall’s Attack Roll (Melinda): 1d20+47 = 49 (Miss)

Zarall’s Attack Roll (Melinda): 1d20+42 = 61 (Hit, Flatfooted)

Blur Miss Chance: Immune (Unerring Accuracy)

Damage: 1d6+21 = 27 (Force)

Magebane: 2d6 = 7 (Force)

Impedance: 1d6 = 2 Rounds

Impedance: Must make DC 15+Spell Level Spellcraft, INT, or CHA check (whichever is highest) to use spells or spell-like abilities.

Zarall’s Attack Roll (Melinda): 1d20+37 = 52 (Miss)

One of the bard’s arrows hit me, even as he continued singing his song of courage or whatever. It was in celestial, and while I could understand the words, I was a little too preoccupied to listen to their meaning right now. This was the first time in quite a while that someone had actually managed to wound me with an actual weapon, rather than area effects or spells, and these archons had done it twice, so close together!

Melinda’s Spellcraft Check: 1d20+35 = 45 (Success)

Melinda’s Will Save (Aura of Menace): 1d20+77 = 81 (Success)

Melinda’s Modified CL Check: 1d20+37 = 57

Zarall: SR 40 (Success)

Zophiel: SR 40 (Success)

Mumiel: SR 58 (Fail)

Utterdark Doom: 20d6 = 72 (Negative Energy)

Vile Spell Ring: 9 Vile damage

Zarall’s Fort Save: 1d20+38 = 43 (Success, Half Damage)

Zophiel’s Fort Save: 1d20+19 = 30 (Fail, 2 Negative Levels)

Zophiel’s Fort Save (Massive Damage): 1d20+19 = 24 (Success)

Moving through the tentacles was difficult, since they did try and get in my way, but I managed easily, getting up in the ranger’s face. The original plan was to take out the wizard first, but with the ranger and bard using weapons designed to take on fey, there was no way I was going to be able to turn my back on them. Unfortunately, the pulse of blackness I emitted just rolled off of the wizard. “We need to do something about that wizard, before she starts getting bright ideas!”

Zophiel’s attack roll (Melinda): 1d20+55 = 66(Miss)

Zophiel’s attack roll (Melinda): 1d20+61 = 67 (Touch) (Hit)

Blur Miss Chance: 1d100 = 66 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+32 = 39 (DR 15/Adamantine)

Iron Vulnerability: 1d6 = 3 (Cold Iron)

Magebane: 2d6 = 9

Fey Dread: 4d6 = 16

Wounding: 1 CON Damage

Melinda’s Fort Save (Massive Damage): 1d20+92 = 103 (Success)

Zophiel’s attack roll (Melinda): 1d20+44 = 54 (Miss)

Zophiel’s attack roll (Melinda): 1d20+50 = 52 (Touch) (Miss)

Zophiel’s attack roll (Melinda): 1d20+39 = 55 (Miss)

Zophiel’s attack roll (Melinda): 1d20+45 = 65 (Touch) (Crit Threat)

Confirm Crit: 1d20+45 = 61 (Touch) (Confirm Crit)

Blur Miss Chance: 1d100 = 84 (Hit)

Damage: 2d6+64 = 74 (DR 15/Adamantine)

Iron Vulnerability: 1d6 = 6 (Cold Iron)

Magebane: 2d6 = 7

Fey Dread: 4d6 = 14

Melinda’s Fort Save (Fey Dread): 1d20+92 = 102 (Success)

Wounding: 1 CON Damage

Melinda’s Fort Save (Massive Damage): 1d20+92 = 108 (Success)

Zophiel’s attack roll (Melinda): 1d20+32 = 46 (Miss)

Unfortunately, the Ranger took that moment to give me a rather pointed reminder of just WHY I couldn’t take my eyes off her. In a practiced motion, she traded her bow for twin short swords, one radiating light, and the other shadow. Both were dangerous, but the shadow one ignored much of my defenses, cutting me twice, including one blow that nearly pierced my heart. Worse, still, it was cold iron, and had magics to counter both mages and fey. In that instant, I was closer to death than I had been in years!

Mumiel’s CL Check: 1d20+34 = 46 (Success)

Melinda’s Fort Save (Wail of the Banshee): 1d20+92 = 103 (Success, No effect)

Ebonheart’s Fort Save (Wail of the Banshee): 1d20+67 = 73 (Success, No effect)

Siora’s Fort Save (Wail of the Banshee): 1d20+48 = 53 (Success, No effect)

Vestele’s Fort Save (Wail of the Banshee): 1d20+54 = 57 (Success, No effect)

Fartooth’s Fort Save (Wail of the Banshee): 1d20+52 = 72 (Success, No Effect)

Black Tentacles Grapple Check: 1d20+42 = 60

Tentacle Damage: 1d6+4 = 8 (Bludgeoning)

Ebonheart’s Grapple Check: 1d20+45 = 48 (Fail) (DR 15/Adamantine)

Fartooth’s Grapple Check: 1d20+23 = 38 (Fail) (DR 15/Adamantine)

Vestele’s Grapple Check: 1d20+26 = 53 (Fail) (DR 15/Adamantine)

The wizard, however, did not like being ignored, it seemed, since she decided to cast another spell, even while the tentacles grappled those they could. A piercing cry echoed around us, a keening, killing wail, like that of a banshee. Thankfully, I still had the aura up that bolstered our defenses against spells and effects that attacked our bodies, so none of my companions fell. But I did notice that the wizard in a mindflayer’s body began moving closer, around the edge of the tentacles. No doubt wanting to get within range of her mind flayer tentacles, and try to snack on my brain.

Vestele’s Grapple Check: 1d20+26 = 27

Black Tentacles Grapple Check: 1d20+42 = 48 (Success)

Vestele fought a losing battle against the tentacles, growling as she did so. “Damn it, I can’t help either with these tentacles grappling me. Siora, can you do anything?”

Ebonheart’s Intimidate Check (Terrifying Rage): 1d20+63 = 78

Effect Duration: 4d6 = 11 rounds

Zarall’s Will Save: 1d20+33 = 51 (Fail, Shaken)

Zophiel’s Will Save: 1d20+13 = 22 (Fail, Shaken)

Mumiel’s Will Save: 1d20+22 = 34 (Fail, Shaken)

Ebonheart’s Grapple check: 1d20+49 = 68

Black Tentacles Grapple Check: 1d20+42 = 45 (Fail)

Ebonheart’s Will Save (Aura of Menace): 1d20+32 = 43 (Success)

Ebonheart unleashed a whinny of rage that shook all the archons, even the mind flayer, as he broke free from the tentacles that were binding him. With murder in his eyes, the black unicorn made his way through the tentacles, towards the bard. “I am going to enjoy eating your flesh, dog!”

Siora made her way through the tentacles, until she reached Fartooth and her sister. “I’ll get to you in a second, Fartooth. Right now, Mel could use some healing.” And, with that, she uttered the words of a spell, and gave her sister the same freedom of movement that she was currently enjoying. Which was good, because I really did need healing.

Fartooth’s Grapple Check (Black Tentacles): 1d20+23 = 32

Black Tentacles Grapple Check: 1d20+42 = 43 (Success)

Fartooth merely grunted as he struggled against the tentacles, trying to free himself. “I understand. But hurry. I don’t like us giving these archons more time to focus their fire than we have to.”

Zarall’s Attack Roll (Ebonheart): 1d20+47 = 53 (Touch) (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+13 = 16 (DR 15/Adamantine)

Zarall’s Attack Roll (Ebonheart): 1d20+42 = 53 (Touch) (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+13 = 14 (DR 15/Adamantine)

Zarall’s Attack Roll (Ebonheart): 1d20+37 = 41 (Touch) (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+13 = 14 (DR 15/Adamantine)

To his credit, the bard did not scream like a little girl (for all that he sang like one) in the face of Ebonheart’s threats. Instead, he deftly switched his bow for a rapier that glowed with golden light. Three times it stabbed forward, and three times it hit true. However, Ebonheart only received the barest of scratches from the blade.

Melinda’s Spellcraft Check: 1d20+35 = 51 (Success)

Melinda’s modified CL Check: 1d20+37 = 40 (Success)

Zophiel’s Fort Save (Word of Changing): 1d20+15 = 25 (Fail)

I no longer had time to play around. A snap of my fingers, and the Ranger was gone, her weapons, clothes, and gear all falling to a pile in the melting snow. In the center of the pile now sat a common rat. Oh, it was safe enough, so long as it remained inside the dome, and out of the tentacles. However, the tentacles would quickly kill the rat, and it would not fare much better in the icy landscape outside. With a vicious grin, I turned to look at the mindflayer. “I doubt changing you into a rabbit will make you any less troublesome, but without your fool of a mother, I can take my time with you!”

Mumiel’s Concentration Check: 1d20+49 = 51 (Success)

Mumiel’s CL Check: 1d20+34 = 40 (Success)

Melinda’s Will Save (Imprisonment): 1d20+76 = 92 (Success)

Black Tentacles Grapple check: 1d20+42 = 58

Damage: 1d6+4 = 8 (Bludgeoning)

Fartooth’s Grapple check: 1d20+23 = 44 (DR 15/Adamantine)

Ebonheart’s Grapple Check: 1d20+49 = 64 (Success)

The wizard snarled at me, tentacles flaying about. With a few quick gestures, it made the signs of casting a spell, and I felt a force tugging on me, trying to take me… somewhere. But it slid off of me as easily as water off a duck’s back. “Damn you!” the mindflayer cursed in its strange telepathic tongue, before trying to back away.

Vestele’s Heal (Melinda): 150 HP, Ability damage healed

Vestele walked up behind me through the tentacles, and touched my shoulder. Instantly, I felt most of my wounds disappear, as the powerful spell ran its way through me. “One down, two to go, Mel. Get them!”

Ebonheart’s Horn attack (Zarall): 1d20+56 = 68 (Hit)

Blur Miss Chance: 1d100 = 99 (Hit)

Damage: 1d8+27 = 35 (Piercing) (DR 15/Adamantine)

Anarchic: 2d6 = 9

Vile Natural Weapon: 1 Vile

Ebonheart’s Hoof attack (Zarall): 1d20+57 = 63 (Hit)

Blur Miss Chance: 1d100 = 55 (Hit)

Damage: 1d4+19 = 22 (Bludgeoning) (DR 15/Adamantine)

Anarchic: 2d6 = 10

Unholy: 2d6 = 2

Good Outsider Bane: 2d6 = 9

Wounding: 1 CON damage

Vile Natural Weapon: 1 Vile

Ebonheart’s Hoof attack (Zarall): 1d20+57 = 68 (Hit)

Blur Miss Chance: 1d100 = 66 (Hit)

Damage: 1d4+19 = 22 (Bludgeoning) (DR 15/Adamantine)

Anarchic: 2d6 = 8

Unholy: 2d6 = 9

Good Outsider Bane: 2d6 = 9

Wounding: 1 CON damage

Vile Natural Weapon: 1 Vile

Ebonheart’s Bite attack (Zarall): 1d20+55 = 74 (Hit)

Blur Miss Chance: 1d100 = 95 (Hit)

Damage: 2d6+17 = 28 (Bludgeoning) (DR 15/Adamantine)

Anarchic: 2d6 = 9

Vile Natural Weapon: 1 Vile

Ebonheart’s Gore attack (Zarall): 1d20+55 = 75 (Crit Threat)

Confirm Crit: 1d20+54 = 69 (Crit)

Blur Miss Chance: 1d100 = 63 (Hit)

Damage: 4d6+34 = 46 (Bludgeoning) (DR 15/Adamantine)

Anarchic: 2d6 = 4

Vile Natural Weapon: 1 Vile

Ebonheart laughed as he tore into the bard. Horn, hooves, teeth, and the antlers granted by his helm all ripped into the bard’s flesh, causing him to stop singing his song. Even the most stoic bard could not keep up their performance through such an onslaught, not when fear already shook their confidence! “Yes, let the blood flow, and the slaughter commence! HAHAHA!”

Siora turned, and touched Fartooth on his shoulder. At once, the tentacles sprang free, binding him no longer. “There you go, Fartooth. Now, why don’t we show these archons how we feel about them?”