Crucible of the Gods: The Test of Luck

The Exarch

The Test of Luck against the Exarch is just that, luck alone. You must win two out of three dice contests. You roll 2d8 and the Exarch rolls 3d8... However, since you have the Skull of Asar-Segt, your dice improves to 3d8. Remember this little fact for future runs.

I have already rolled the dice and determined the outcome.

You / Exarch
18 / 13 - You!
07 / 14 - Exarch
18 / 15 - You!

Congratulations, you have won the Test of Luck against the Exarch!

The Exarch stares at Nevdor for but a brief second, and then says, "Congratulations, champion. You are indeed worthy! May you succeed in lighting the Divine Brazier." Then something miraculous happens. Nevdor finds himself in possession of not one new treasure, but TWO (A Krater of Might and a WAND OF PETRIFACTION)!

The Exarch fades away, and the braziers return to their former state of illumination. All of you then feel the Divine Boon of Asar-Segt come upon you.

OOC: Art for the Exarch taken from webarena.rs/inspiracija/goran-josic-fantasy-art

Crucible of the Gods: Asar-Segt's Divine Treasures

A closer view of just the new cards.
Click for a large, readable version.

You take the Divine Skull of Asar-Segt into your possession, he has accepted your prayer!

As with Kotaresh, your moment of success is punctuated with the sudden appearance of fantastic treasures. They appear on you, or in your hands!

• To Tak-tha is bestowed the Timebomb of the Ancients
• To Nevdor, the Belt of Endurance
• To Hanar Hammerforge, the Chalice of Recovery
• For Bhareg, the Krater of Might
• To Selvantis, a Mystic Urn
• For Arden, the Elixir of Slaughter.

OOC: Congratulations, dungeoneers. The way back to the Great Hub is open once again (oh, by the way, the doors closed when you started those skill challenges, but hey, they're open again)!

What are you doing now?

A full view of all the glory.

Crucible of the Gods: The Divine Skull of Asar-Segt

The Divine Skull of Asar-Segt?

Combining your separate talents, you slave away at reconstructing and animating the clay golem. It seems like it takes hours to get it done, although it only takes about an hour. Finally, you think you've got it right. The missing invocation runes are filled in, and the golem is constructed with the arcane components from the shelves. Finally, Tak-tha cuts himself to bleed over the clay, giving it life.

OOC: I took your choices from the previous post and sped things up with multiple die rolls. You guys took it right to the wire, using up all three gems from the mummies AND Tak-tha having to use a healing surge (7 remaining). Finally tally: Complete the Invocation=3/2 and Construct the Golem=8/2.

A long moment passes, then finally the Clay Golem begins to animate! It turns immediately to lumber towards the south wall, and with mighty fists it pummels against the stone. It takes a few seconds to bust a hole in that wall, revealing a small niche beyond. The torches in that niche flair to life as if expecting you. The golem then stands off to the side, and stoically stands watch.

Once you get a view of the torch-lit niche, you spy a clay altar and a Divine Skull. This one is engraved with the symbol of Asar-Segt! You also see a number of clay figurines standing on the altar near the skull. All are animals save for one, which is molded in the shape of a human. (OOC: Not shown in screenshot.)

Good job on the golem,
MilwaukeeJoe

Crucible of the Monkeys

Dungeoneers,

I have to give a shout out to D20Monkey.com. While not only a great web comic, this particular day is all about surviving fourthcore!

Also, they are playing through Crucible of the Gods this weekend, and doing a charity drive for www.childsplay.com in the process. Pledge $x number of dollars per skull they collect!

Lovin' the Fourthcore community,
MilwaukeeJoe

Crucible of the Gods: Asar-Segt's Challenge Revealed

After investigating the bookshelves and tables and the runes upon the clay, you all realize that the suggestions of Asar-Segt's trial involves finishing the golem creation proves to be TRUE.

OOC: I'm going to stop beating around the bush and get straight to it. This not a skill challenge... it's two that are happening simultaneously! In the section below, I will reveal the DC numbers you will need to achieve, but not the actions you need to take. That you will have to figure out on your own.

SKILL CHALLENGE: COMPLETE THE INVOCATION

Complete the invocation scribed in runes on the clay. You must gain four successes before three failures.

Primary DC: 21

Secondary DC: 13

Gambit DC: ???

SKILL CHALLENGE: CONSTRUCT THE GOLEM

Contruct and animate the clay golem. You must gain eight successes before three failures.

Primary DC: 21

Secondary DC: 13

Gambit DC: ???

The Jade: The three jades taken from the mouths of the mummies contain potent magic that can aid in the construction of the golem. You may ‘consume’ one of the jades after failing a skill check during the challenge. If you do so, the jade is destroyed and I'll add 1d6 to your check result. A dungeoneer may only consume one jade per check.

Gambits: You might be wondering what a Gambit DC is... if you wish, you may attempt to roll against this unknown value. If you succeed, you will not only gain one success but also an advantage. Failing the roll, however, will not only earn you one failure, but also a complication. I will assume you do NOT attempt a gambit unless you specifically state it in your post.

If the above seems confusing, forget the numbers and just focus on what you would do. You might consider yourself a primary actor, or a helper. What can you do to help? The more specific you are in describing your actions, the better.

Good Luck!

MilwaukeeJoe

Crucible of the Gods: Asar-Segt's Laboratory

Beyond the metal double doors, you see a wizard's laboratory. You feel the tinge of energy in the air; the mystic chamber is charged with magic. Motes of lightning dance like fireflies across the low arched ceiling and copper-plated walls.

You are near G6/G7 (at the time of this post).

At the center is a wide, circular stone basin filled with murky water. A slab of rotten clay the size of an ogre stands half-submerged inside of it. You can smell it as soon as the doors opened.

To your left and right are several moldering bookshelves, lining the walls. In front of the shelves stand warped wooden tables covered with all manner of vials, arcane reagents, and strange ingredients.

Finally, propped up in niches along the far wall are three regal mummified humans, each wrapped in the dried leaves of the maize plant. You see the glint of a precious gem; a jade has been set into each of their mouths.

OOC: You are not in combat, so exact positioning is not needed, nor do you have to stay in Standard/Move/Minor actions at the moment. I'll let you know if this changes. Good luck! -MilwaukeeJoe

Crucible of the Gods: Return to the Great Hub

After passing through the silver portal with the Divine Skull of Kotaresh, you find yourselves standing once again in the Great Hub, very near the three bone-white pedestals.

Two figures approach, and for a moment you suspect a trap... but then you realize they are replacements from the group waiting outside: a human and a half-elf (both male). Otherwise (as far as you can tell), everything else seems unchanged since you left for the Kotaresh challenge.

OOC: New players, feel free to introduce yourselves! Feel free to converse in character about the current situation, and what you'd like to do next. As always, if you have questions, feel free to hit me up in the OOC tab, or by twitter:@milwaukeejoe.

Crucible of the Gods: The Divine Skull of Kotaresh Obtained!

Never EVER say the gods aren't generous. Click on the above for a larger version!

Nevdor studies for a moment, then with a motion of confidence and grace, grabs the skull into his hand. A quiet moment where you expect death to come for you from any angle... But it doesn't come...

Congratulations, you have a DIVINE SKULL!

Just then, something miraculous happens. Treasures appear out of thin air, in your hands or on your bodies! Defying reason, the knowledge of what these treasures are come unbidden to your minds: 

• Tak-tha suddenly finds himself grasping a Potion of Healing in his hand.
• For Nevdor, Bracers of Defense appear on his wrists.
• In Hanar's hand, a Gem of True Seeing!
• On Bhareg's brow, the famous Crown of Skill Mastery.

OOC: Look at the cards on the table to see what the new treasures do. If the image above isn't readable, let me know and I can post the larger images and/or text too. Congratulations... what will you do now? -MilwaukeeJoe

Crucible of the Gods: On Hallowed Ground

A divine skull rests atop a clay altar. Nearby, a SILVER portal shimmers (not RED).

The silver portal takes you to a new chamber, very small. Torches flare up as you arrive, shedding warm, welcoming light. Before you, you see a clay altar up on which rests a crystal skull. You can see the symbol of Kotaresh engraved in the forehead of the skull.

On the opposite side of the room, a silver portal shimmers. You can't be certain if it's the same portal you just used to arrive here, or a new one. But one thing you are certain of, feeling it deep within your bones... 

You stand on hallowed ground.
Good luck, dungeoneers...
MilwaukeeJoe

Crucible of the Gods: The Silver Portal Revealed!

Tak-tha the Thri-Kreen: Placing the torches into the holders...

Tak-tha is not disappointed when he takes the torches (#3 and #5) to the flaming skeletons. They light quickly and burn brightly! He places them in the empty torch holders, one by one. The moment the second one slides into place, you hear a single chime reverberate through the hall, and the wall section underneath the tapestry opens, revealing a swirling silver portal. 

Sensing the traps are still active, Hanar, Tak-tha, and Bhareg head up the stairs into the safe area.

A new silver portal appears at T5/T6.

OOC: Bhareg activates Second Wind, bringing him to 10 hp and 8 surges. Nevdor still has full round's worth of actions and are still within the alcoves below. Traps will go off tomorrow morning... Hanar, I was writing this up when you posted... Did you go with Rune of Mending or Second Wind? Let me know, I'll get your hp updated ASAP.

Crucible of the Gods: The Iron Torch

Tak-tha grabs the iron torch quickly and decisively. It is his!

The Wraith Flame Jets fire up once again. Only Bhareg is in the fire this time.
Tech: Bhareg takes 5 points fire/necrotic. He now has 17 hp and 9 surges.

Just then, the sound of stone against stone... but not from Tak-tha or Hanar's alcove! Instead, it comes from the northeast unoccupied one. The ceiling trap crushes down on an empty place, no victims to kill this time. However, the violet skull is within this one too... and the energy lashes out to punish Bhareg...
Tech: Bhareg takes 8 points necrotic damage. Currently at 9 hp, and is bloodied; 9 surges remain. He is also considered to have lost 1 death save.

OOC: Small post today, and now you have full actions once again. Eager to see what you do! -MilwaukeeJoe

Crucible of the Gods: Nary A Safe Place to Stand

As the ceiling trap crushes down, a horror is revealed within...

The pit seems to be a place of protection for the Stone Guardian, as Nevdor's dagger also fails to find the mark. Nevdor retreats just as the Stone Guardian climbs its way out of the pit! You feel the vibration of the impact as the golem's hands make handholds in the pit walls as it climbs, digging in as if it were clay.

The beak-headed stone monstrosity emerges, and pursues Nevdor with what you'd describe as passion. But you know better. Constructs don't have such emotions, right? Trapping Nevdor in the alcove, it swings both of its fiery skeleton flails at the eldadrin rogue. Nevdor manages to dodge one, but takes the second straight to the chest.
Tech: Nevdor takes 9 fire damage and is at 15 of 26 hp (not yet bloodied). Technically, he dodged two attacks, there was a third "scorching ray" I didn't mention above because it missed and let's not dwell on my cold dice, ok? 

At least Nevdor's not standing underneath the flame jets... However, Bhareg, Dervan, Tak-tha and Thundic ARE! The flames that shoot down from the ceiling are burning wraiths! You feel an unholy heat sear your skin for a moment before the jets receed.
Tech: No attack roll needed; Bhareg, Dervan, Tak-tha, and Thundic each take 5 fire/necrotic damage (Current HP levels: 22, 16, 20, 13, respectively).
 
After the jets fire, the crushing ceiling traps become armed. Each one looks like it could go off at any time. It's Hanar's unlucky day to hide out in the central northern alcove, as the ceiling crushes him with incredible speed and force! Hanar's body goes lifeless and you wonder if he could possibly survive.
Tech: 36 points of damage to Hanar, bringing him down from full to -8 hp. He's unconscious, and restrained. The ceiling trap is not rising back up to the ceiling (at least, not yet).

But wait, it gets worse. Kotaresh isn't going to stop the tricks and traps there, for in the revealed area of the crushing ceiling block that just crushed Hanar is a niche. Set into this niche, facing outward, is a ceramic skull impaled on a wooden spike. It's bathed in an aura of violet flame that focuses into an arc of enervating magic! The arc hits nearby Thundic on the shoulder, and deep within he feels his control over fate diminishing just a little.
Tech: 6 points of necrotic damage, bringing Thundic down to 7 hp (bloodied). In addition, Thundic is now treated as having failed one of his death saving throws. Two more lost, and you're dead regardless of your hp or surge levels...
 
And somewhere above, watching from afar, a GOD smiles in amusement as the petty humanoids fall for his tricks. So easy...

OOC: In a normal table-top game, you can fire off your immediate interrupts and reactions... and you can also still do it here as well. Let me know asap if you have something like that, and I will take it into account, even ret-conning the situation if necessary. You can also do this with forethought, stating something like, "If I get attacked and it's a hit, I'll fire off my shield spell."

Good Luck!
MilwaukeeJoe

Crucible of the Gods: Fiery Skeleton Flails!

Tak-tha keeps on with the investigation, gathering more numbers and possibly more clues. Skirting the known pit, he arrives at the central southern alcove. Doesn't look trapped. Perhaps the northern ones are trapped with the crushing ceiling traps, and the southern ones are not? This trapdoor yield the number... 5.

Just then, Hanar Hammerforge enters the room, just in time to see the stone guardian materialize near the north wall... a ten-foot-tall stone golem of roughly humanoid shape, glowing with protective runes that leave trails of crimson smoke when it walks! Its head is carved in the shape of an eagle. In each of its fists, the guardian clutches a wriggling burning skeleton that it swings like a flail!

And if that isn't bad enough, the flames ignite (like a pilot light) on the many ceiling's holes. You're in the broiler, but the heat has yet to come. (Note: Flame jets are only in the main area and stairs, but NOT in the alcoves or altar area.)

Some of you might wonder... could we escape? Didn't one of us smartly wedge the door open for such a thing?

Outside the chamber is Aramil, still contemplating entering. He's delayed too long, he realizes, when the floor beneath him turns to arcane dust... he drops out of sight into a pit beneath the hexagonal chamber. You do not see his death, but you do hear the sickening sound of a wooden stake impaling his flesh. Probably broke half the bones in his body too.


OOC: Alas Aramil, RIP. We barely knew ye. But for the rest of you, our first combat has begun! Up until now, you've been posting at-will and I've been responding in kind. Combat is not too different, but you are only allowed a single "standard/move/minor" combination per main post (and action point, you all have one). There isn't initiative, really. You go when you post; if I want to stop you... I'll just block commenting!

Map above. If I errored in your position above, let me know and I'll get it fixed.

I plan to post monster actions on Tuesday, next week. That gives you the weekend and a workday to get your actions in. If I post before you do... tough luck.

Good Luck!
MilwaukeeJoe

Crucible of the Gods: The Kotaresh Trial

A crystal skull on a clay altar, surrounded by treasure, backed by a beautiful tapestry.

Beyond the chamber of the stone faces, the doors open to reveal a much larger hall, whose floor is coated in soot. The ceiling is blackened by fire, scarred by flame and punctured by a great many holes. The scent of burning wood masks that of the rotten meat smell of the previous chamber.

Unlike the other places you've seen so far within the Crucible, this chamber has no torches. The only light comes from a crystal skull atop a clay altar at a far end alcove of the chamber. A short flight of broad steps ascends toward this alcove, with empty torch holders to the left and right of the stairs. At the top, a mound of treasure.... gold, silver, gems... surrounds the base of the altar. A beautiful smoke-stained tapestry behind the altar is embroidered with seven worshiping figures. 

There are also six alcoves traced in grotesques (three on the right, three on the left). From the doorway angle, you can see into the closest alcoves to view a small trapdoor set into the wall at the back of each.

Enjoy!
MilwaukeeJoe