Mystic Treasure Hunters Vs.
The Treasure GuardiansThe four treasure hunters were gathered outside of the stone cliff. Two stood a ways back; the magically armored Mystic Knight and Axacas, the Lady of the Infernal Flame. The others were close to the stone face; Sabina, Mistress of the Elements and the artificier known as Mojo.
Mojo and Sabina were whispering to each other as they investigated the cliff, a small laugh escaping Sabina’s lips. “Have you solved it yet?” Came the chillingly cold response from Axacas behind them. “Just a moment. “ Sabina replied, wiping the grin from her face. Holding her hands up in front of her mystic syllables roll off her tongue as she commands the stone wall to move out of their way. Though the stone did not give way a flash of orange light erupted from the stone, and when it cleared the outline of a door with mystical runes encircling it glowed from the rock.
Laughing Mojo reached into one of the many pouches attached to his waist. “Let me give it a try, Beany.” He pulled out a fist full of shimmery silver powder; throwing it forward the dust swirled in the air and collided with the door – which faded leaving only the stone. “Now for step two!” Mojo repeated the actions again, with a pink powder instead. As the dust hit the stone a cave entrance appeared where the solid rock had been a moment before. Turning with a grin he gestured forward. “Mystic Knight, would you care to lead the way.”
Wordlessly the armored man led the four into the cave. Silently he held up his arm, which was brandishing his sword, and then signaled to the walls of the cavern in front of them. Glowing runes fainly illuminated the walls. “Some sort of trap. Think you can handle this, Mojo?” Sabina asked while Axacas took a step backwards. “Easily.” He replied. After fishing out a thick black paste he ran forward. The glowing runes began to glow brighter, about to unleash their magic, but at the last possible moment the artificier spread the solution over one rune that looked like a stylized eye. The lights began to dim as he explained “The trap can’t see us now. It’s a silly design really, they should have – “The steely look from the infernalist caused him to stop short, however, as Mystic Knight silently lead them forward.
It was only a short ways further before the tunnel they had been walking through opened into a wide cavern. The ceiling disappeared into the darkness above, though huge stalagmites extended into the air below. Before them was a wide ornate seal engraved on the floor, then a small set of steps leading up to an altar-like pedestal on which was a simple wooden box and a tarnished gong. Next to this was a man in ceremonial armor and robes, brandishing a heavy mace and shield.
“Good day to you, champion. I believe you have what we are searching for.” Acaxas led the group forward towards the lone guardian. “You are not the first that have tried to claim the treasure as their reward, witch.” The guardian replied angrily. “You won’t be the last, either.” Suddenly the seal onto which the hunters had walked on lit up with magic, and a blast of light shot through each of them. Acaxas growled as she withstood the blast, but Mojo and Mystic Knight’s muscles seized and Sabina collapsed onto the hard ground.
That same moment the guardian pivoted and struck the gong on the altar with his mace. The vibrating tone reverberated around the cavern as the man leveled his mace towards Acaxas and warned, “Retreat now or be destroyed.” Acaxas had no words to swap, however, and she unsheathed the magical trident from her back and pointed it towards her opponent. Black flames shot forward and crashed against his shield in her first attack.
As movement returned to Mystic Knight’s limbs he brought his shield to bare and stayed next to the infernalist. She was impatient, however, and strode forward. “You shall not approach me, you thieves and serpents.” A wave of the champion’s mace caused a faint orange sphere to surround the area around the altar and steps as a mystical ward was created. Acaxas was stopped by it from progressing any closer, and with a shout she sent another blast of black hellfire burning through the air. Most was deflected from the guardian’s shield, but the heat of the damnable magic caused his arm to burn beneath the shield. Behind the combat Mojo crouched down by Sabina and spread a sticky red salve across her forehead. It glowed red as it sunk into her skin, and with a gasp the elementalist sat upright. “Welcome back, Beany. Now get to work.”
Acaxas sighed, “Mystic Knight.” On cue the armored mystic charged forward, breaking through the magical ward and throwing the champion off-guard. The enchanted sword came down against the plated helmet on the man’s head. The guardian stumbled backwards as the ward dissolved completely into the air. Immediately Acaxis made her move; sprinting up the stone steps her trident pierced into the stunned protector’s shoulder between the armor. “It looks like they have things under wraps.” Sabina noticed, as her protective field of thickened air coalesced on her body like a fog. She rose in the air and waited, as Mojo sprinkled some salt-looking crystals on his head. In an instant he faded from view completely as the two waited to see what their companions accomplished.
Suddenly a roar echoed through the cave. “My master has heard my summons, witch-fiend,” the treasure’s guardian gasped, “Do not tell your devilish lords that you were not sufficiently warned of the error of this endeavor.” Silently the Mystic Knight brought his sword down on the devoted protector again, sending him reeling back against the stone altar where he slumped to the ground unmoving. Acaxas turned and pointed her lance towards the cavern roof. Out of the darkness a large, serpentine like form descended on huge, bat-like wings and rethinking an attack the infernalist instead turned back towards the altar and grasped the lid to the wooden box. Instantly, ancient magic surged through her, causing light to erupt from her mouth and eyes for a painful moment. As the trap’s effect ended she found herself groggy and weakened, but just as determined as ever.
Hidden from even the Dragon’s superior senses by his concealment spell, the artificier studied the beast to determine how best to attack while Sabina sailed into the sky to attack. A Gesture towards the ceiling with accompanying mystical syllables produced a deep rumbling. In response, one of the huge stalagmites broke from the ceiling and fell, turning slightly before it hit the dragon across the head with its broadside. Despite the awesome magnitude of the attack the dragon appeared no more than minimally perturbed by the attack as large chunks of rock continued to fall to the ground below. Flying towards Sabina the Dragon’s four claws landed and clutched the stone face of the cavern wall, but luckily the Mistress of the Elements darted between them to temporary safety.
While the Mystic Knight guarded Acaxas against attack, she reached into the wooden box and pulled out a velvet bag. Without even checking its contents she slid her prize around her neck. Satisfied with herself she turned and fired a blast of black flame towards the beast, with impacted between its shoulders and caused a deep burn across the creature’s scales. The artificier reached into his pouch, placed a small stack of blue powder in his palm and then blew, sending the magically infused component through the air before a single beat of the dragon’s massive wings sent the spell dissipating the wind. Mojo ran for cover as a blast of lighting from Sabina crackled harmlessly across the dragon as it turned its attention towards those on the altar. Its jaws opened and a plume of green toxic fumes swirled around Mystic Knight and Acaxas. While the knight was unphased, the already weakened infernalist felt the burn of poison in her lungs and stumbled against the altar.
Turning the Mystic Knight yelled a mighty roar towards the Dragon, though if it took notice of the outburst it made no outward sign. It was Mojo who made a real impact as a psychedelic blast best described as “pixie dust” struck the Dragon in the face. The powerful charm caused it to coo for a moment, like some sort of giant baby, while Sabina flew away and waited to see the result of the spell. The dragon’s newly acquired good feelings did not make it harmless, however, as it launched itself from the wall and landed behind the Altar. Throwing the now-empty box across the room with a toss of its head, the dragon let out a ground-shaking roar just feet from where Acaxis stood.
The Mystic Knight Braced himself against an attack against himself or his partner while she stumbled a single step backwards and clutched at the pouch around her neck. Grabbing a handful of the concealment powder Mojo yelled across the room, “Just put it back on the altar. We don’t have to die here.” Then quietly he added to himself, “No one told me there’d be a dragon. False advertisement.”
There was no movement from either party for a long moment, when the dragon decided it was taking too long for Acaxis to return what was stolen. Its huge head lunged forward when Mystic Knight put himself directly in front of the assault and batters away the surprised dragon’s head with a bash of his shield. Mojo disappeared from view as lightning bolt from Sabina crashed harmlessly against the dragon a second time.
Raising his sword high above his head Mystic Knight brought his enchanted sword down towards the creatures snout, but the dragon reared backwards causing the sword to chip into the stone altar instead. Acaxis backed down the stairs while saying, “Mystic Knight, you are a loyal protector. Too bad that didn’t work out for you in the end.” Black flames swirled around her, and when they dissappated Acaxis stood in an ornate chariot without steeds, formed from hellfire wrought iron and shimmering with a dark red glow. “Goodbye.” She added with a sly grin before she disappeared into the space between dimensions.
While still invisible Mojo took off running out of the cavern now that one of their own had abandoned them. Sabina held her place in the sky and sent two electrical blasts at the dragon one after the other, and though the crackling light was impressive the dragon ignored the assault completely. Mystic Knight leveled its sword for an attack when the dragon lunged forward and caught the warrior in its jaws, the crushing pressure prevented him from fighting back. As the beast continued to drive its piercing fangs through the magical armor of Mystic Knight, Sabina shot one last bolt of electricity towards the dragon before flying down the hallway.
Mojo had made it past the trap the party had initially avoided by being concealed from most senses, but the magic eye on the wall had burnt through the paste that had been placed over it before. While Mystic Knight was put to a final end back in the main cavern, Sabina crossed in front of the magical trap. The many magical runes flared to life as the tunnel filled with pure magical force. The fog-like force field dissipated as hair, clothes, and skin all burned slightly under the intense blast and Sabina fell to the floor of the tunnel.
The dragon finished off the snack that was Mystic Knight, and then retreated back into the dark mysterious tunnels above the cavern. Sabina pushed herself to her feet, recreated her protective magic and stumbled towards the entrance. Leaning against the cliff wall outside she fought against the tears caused by the burns across her body. She expected Mojo to be there to lighten up her spirits with a joke and apply some of his healing magic, but he had fled under the concealment spell. Then on the ground in front of her a shadow appeared. Looking up the large form of the cavern dragon filled the sky. Taking off flying across the sky Sabina attempted to outrun the beast.
She was losing ground, however, and it would only be a moment before she was over taken. Sabina turned and then blasted the largest lightning bolt she could summon. The lightning crackled around her arms before launching at the beast, which dove under the blast. Coming back up the dragon caught Sabina buy the left leg, cutting deep into the skin. With a scream Sabina sent another blast directly at the creatures face, but even at such close proximity the attack had no effect.
Tossing its head back and forth Sabina was battered to a point she could no longer function. With one last flip on its head she sailed up into the sky and then disappeared into its mouth.
Circling, and letting out a mournful cry, the dragon retreated back to its cave but with its valuable treasure stolen. What was it and where did the infernal sorceress Acaxas take it?
All 4 have 1 HP
Magic Door – Impervious Protection 8 / Disable Device DC 30 / Strength check to Open DC 30
Artificier – Nullify Powder disables Protection and then Uses Transform to Create door in Stone
Notice Trap – DC 22 – Both Elementalist and Mystic Knight notice strange holes in wall glow –
Artificier – Attempt to Disable Device (DC 30) – Rolled 1 – Use HP to reroll – Final Result – 33
Notice Trap – DC 35 – More than they can reach – Stun 10 (DC 20 Fort) – Infernalist Saves; Artificier and Mystic Knight – Stunned; Elementalist – Unconscious
Initiative – Mystic Knight 23; Divine Champion 20; Infernalist 20; Artificier 19
Round 1: Mystic Knight – Stunned; Divine Champion Hits Gong as Move – Dragon arrives at the end of Round 3 – Demoralize Infernalist Both roll 9s – infernalist Resists; Infernalist – Hellfire Blast 11 –Miss with a 1! – Draw Trident; Artificier – Saved!
Round 2: Mystic Knight – Stay Next to Team and uses Shield/Deflect; Champion Creates Ward against Magical Items (Only Elementalist can approach); Infernalist – Attempt to Move Forward – Prevented by Ward - Hellfire Blast 11 - Hit / Even rolling a 16 for a 22 total fails against DC 26 – Bruised. Artificier – Use Healing Salve on Elementalist: Recovery Check: Success!;
Elementalist gets an Initiative of 8 and goes last.
Round 3: Mystic Knight Charges – Tie against Ward/ Goes to Mystic Knight - +2 Attack/-2 Defense – Hits and Champion fails by 8; Stunned and Bruisedx2 – maintains Ward; Champion stunned – ward disolved; Infernalist – Move and Strike with Trident – Hits – Bruisedx3; Artificier – Concealment and moves off to the left since things look like they are under control; Elementalist activates Force Field and Flies up into the air.
Dragon Arrives! Initiative 6 and goes Last.
Round 4: Mystic Knight Power attacks for 2 – Hits – Stunned and Bruisedx4 and Injured – Knockback into Altar – Altar Saves, Champion rolls a 1 and is Unconscious!; Infernalist – Opens chest – Curse (Drain All Traits 10; Slow Fade) – Fails by 5; Artificier Aims; Elementalist – Flight and Extra Effort to Earth Control (Collapse) for power rank of 14 – Roll to hit – Miss/HP to Reroll – Hits – Fails Toughness by 1 and Dragon is Bruisedx1; Dragon Grapple Rolls 3 and Misses.
Round 5: Mystic Knight – Deflect; Infernalist opens box and takes out a velvet pouch; places it around her neck. Turns and fires at Dragon – Hits, takes a Bruised(x2); Artificier uses Sleep Powder – With aim still misses – Moves behind cover; Elementalist Accurate attack 2 - blasts – Ties defense so it hits – Dragon Saves; Dragon ignores Elementalist and blast Mystic Knight and Infernalist – Infernalist Fails reflex Save thanks to Drain and Mystic Knight Fails – Infernalist is Bruised and Stunned and is Poisoned - Mystic Knight makes Fort save;
Round 6: Mystic Knight uses Demoralize on Dragon – Fails by 1; Artifcier uses Charm – hits – fails by 3 – Dragon is friendly towards group; Elementalist waits and maneuvers away from Dragon; Dragon Flies down and lands behind alter; knocks over box with head, and roars threatenly at the Infernalist.
Round 7; Total Defense and stays next to Infernalist; Infernalist is stunned, but clutches the pouch; Artificier Readies concealment and tells infernalist to put it back; Elementalist Readies a blast; Dragon pauses, then attacks Infernalist – Mystic Knight Interposes – Deflects gapping maw!; Artificier goes invisible and Elementalist launches blast – misses. Artificier gets a HP for his team messing up his love spell.
Round 8; Mystic Knight Power Attacks for 5 – HP to reroll – still misses; Infernalist Summons Chariot – then uses dimensional movement to escape! Rest of team gets a HP; Artificier runs!; Elementalist blasts with accurate attack 2 – misses – surges – accurate attack 4 – hits – Dragon saves; Dragon grapples Mystic Knight – hits – wins grapples – deals damage – Mystic Knight rerolls his 1 with a HP – Still Bruised and Stunned;
Round 9;Mystic Knight uses HP to recover from being stunned – but fails grapple check, by a TON; Artificier Runs down hallway; Elementalist uses HP to avoid fatigue and Blasts – misses – Turns and flies down hallway; Dragon wins grapple check and deals damage – Mystic Knight is unconscious!
Round 10; Artificer gets past trap because he’s concealed, but then elementalist gets hit with PL 12 area blast DM fiat to grant it penetrating (and Elementalist gets a HP) – fails reflex – Bruised and Injured and Stunned – Knockback/Knocked Prone – Drops Force Field up; Mystic Knight is eaten – dragon then flies up into the top of the cavern.
Round 11; Artificer escapes into the outside and disappears; Elementalist is stunned;
Round 12; Elementalist gets up and heads towards exit;
Round 13; Elementalist is outside; Turns on Force Field again
Dragon reappears and dives at Elementalist!
Initiative: Elementalist 6, Dragon 1
Round 14: Elementalist takes off flying – Dragon follows;
Round 15; Elementalist turns and blasts – extra effort to range PL by 2 – Misses again!; Dragon flies and grapples – hits and wins – deals damage – Failed by 1 – Bruisedx2 and Injuredx2;
Round 16; Elementalist uses hero point to save from being fatigued - Blasts – Hits! – Dragon Saves; Dragon grapples and deals damage – fails by 12 – Staggered Disabled Stunned Bruisedx2 Injuredx2
Round 17; Dragon eats the Elementalist!
Winner! Dragon, but where did the infernalist go and what did she steal?