Druid v Sandliche. Advice appreciated! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Druid v Sandliche. Advice appreciated! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
RellenMarn
09-20-06, 12:11 PM Hey everybody, I am looking for a little help in killing a Sandliche, which has earned my characters undieing enemity. I do not intend to use this knowledge to metagame, but will be sending a message to the higher level Druids and fey who trained my character asking for advice - if my DM okays it I will have them send me your advice...

For some background my character Peydrik is a human level 10 Druid, so level 5 spells, and can use spells from most books with the exception of the Eberron ones. He has a tan bag of tricks, AC 22 before buffing, a string of prayer beads with the bead of Karma (+4 caster levels for 10 minutes each day) and bead of healing. He is NG and has the feats improved initiative, spell focus conj., augment summoning, natural spell and spell penetration. Oh, and lesser metamagic rods of both extend and empower.

The rest of the party consists of, a Wizard with a Monk Cohort, a Bard, a Thiefy Assassin guy -not sure what prestige class he took its something Oriental I think, a Barbarian, and a Centaur Ranger/Bloodhound. All are level tenth characters. However, most of the party -with the exception of the Bloodhound- is neutral, so I may not be able to count on their help:rolleyes: .

What he knows of the Sandliche is that it is extremely hard to hit - it has an AC greater than 36! It summoned a whip of ectoplasmic fire - I think its a Pyromancer, or something that sounds similar. The DM allowed us to roll a Wisdom check to gauge the power of our foe and then informed us that we needed to run or die. It appeared with a Sand Golem in a whirlwind of sand and did not appear to be a liche until attacked.

Our campaign world is postapocalyptic with the vast majority of the world being a desert wasteland. My Druid is from the small area of forest land that exists near the polar region and has strong ties to the few remaining Fey. His main aim is to restore nature and bring life back to the waste, etc. The Sandliche is a Waste Walker, a member of a sort of Druidic group which seeks to expand the wastes to cover the whole world. When we met him, we had no idea he was a Liche, but because he arrived in a whirlwind of sand my character was instantly suspicious that he was a Waste Walker. Not being sure I stayed my hand as he aked us why he should let us pass when one of my fellow adventurers discretely pointed out to me that me was not breathing.... FLAMESTRIKE! Now normally I hate to attack NPCs I know the DM does not want us to, but I really didn't feel the character had a choice. Anyway bead of Karma + Flamestrike 14d6 of damage.... Hits me!:eek: The Liches ring glowed:confused: . The DM gives us a wisdom check to let us know we need to leggit:( . I win initiative Wildshape Direbat and fly for it. The Liche says, "Let em punish the Druid and the rest of you may live...". Most of the group has already fled, but the Barbarian who had taken a couple of swings at the Liche -which both missed- hangs around saying "Fine, kill him." He's true neutral *sigh*. We all manage to escape because my animal companion, a Dire Lion called Roarkus, manages to roll a natural 20 and grapple the Liche. The Liches takes 3 rounds to kill Roakus, summonig that flaming whip, then attacking for 2 rounds in the grapple. I have flown out of sight behind some dunes, summoned a Dire Bat and sent it off in a different direction to distract the Liche. Everyone is now long gone, save for the Barbarian. The Liche cats a spell, which we know is a mark of somekind, upon the Barbarian.

What my character does not know yet is that his beloved companion Roarkus has been raised from the dead by the Liche:weep: . That cannot stand! That Dire Lion saved all our butts! My character will be trying to revive him, and so will probably try scrying for Roarkus, or something so he can recover his body.

The Druids my character was trained by have always been sworn enemies of the Waste Walkers, so it seems reasonable to suppose they would know of strategies to destroy such a being. Hopefully my DM will see it the same way :P

I would really appreciate any advice anyone would care to offer here. Reviving faithful Roarkus, and destroying this abomination are going to become my characters main life goals so I will need all the help I can get!
Astigrarndorer
09-20-06, 06:16 PM There are several options for you in this situation.
First off is run like hell. Cut your losses, adventure other places level up once or twice (gain some higher level spells), vow to avenge Roarkus one day but live to fight another day. Perhaps this time around with some better companions that are willing to help.
Second, use your spells. You have natural spell feat. Use it! Shapeshift into an unassuming little bird, snake, lizard or something desert oriented and use your metamagic rods of empower to damage the crap outta this enemy. A lizard hidden in the sand would be a subtle way to cast spells. Think of the most damaging spells you have access to and pummel the enemy endlessly.
On a similar note...Use augment summoning to gather a small force to take on the Sandliche. Or use the highest level spell for a summoning and use the above plan of spell casting.
Third, look around for other good creatures (even if it takes days to find something) to help you (say a dragon or other friendly desert creature). As a druid you should have a decent Diplomacy skill so you could use that to your advantage. Attempt to convince the creature(s) that killing this thing would be good for them as well. You never know what could happen.
Lastly, summon a beast, prepare yourself as best you can (enhancements via spell, potion or both), and face this Mo-Fo as best you can and die fighting.
Those are just some ideas for you to use.
Best of luck and happy hunting!
Cheers.
RellenMarn
09-20-06, 11:33 PM Thanks Astigrarndorer, I was thinking about something pretty similar, kind of hit run and hide tactics in wild shape... However, I worry that the Liche is going to have something to pinpoint my location, or simply a large area effect like fire storm. Hmmm, does anyone know of any Druidic spells that are effective against the undead?

I have decided that Peydrik is not going to summon another animal companion, Roarkus must be revived! I am also wondering if anyone can hazzard a guess at the Liches level. I believe the DM mentioned his ring costing somewhere in the region of 60,000+gp, so it has to be way up there.

I wonder if I could get something to turn a level 4 spell myself, that way if I flamestrike him and he rebounds it I might be able to send it back.... Hmmm.

I have to say its fun having a nemesis:D !
Krusk
09-21-06, 04:22 PM rock to mud, then dispel.

or if you dont want to be a jerk...

I'm assuming your using sandstorm, so im gonna pull that book out and give it a look through...

He is almost definatly a walker in the waste, and if he is undead he is probably level 10 in that class with levels of cleric but probably druid. meaning he is devoted to keeping the desert. there is a knowledge arcana check associated with them, ask to see what goes on with that, to get some in game help. some more out of game help would be not to let it touch you, it has a touch that sucks the water out of you. To kill it I'd suggest somehow finding its canopic jar and smashing it, because it cant be perminatly killed without you doing that.

Spells to deal with it,

slipsand to trap it at the bottom of the sand, but i doubt that will kill it best bet would be to use that to escape. level 4
-- might be a lot more useful as i look at fuse sand lvl 5

throw up walls of water lvl 4 will also slow him down, water does damage to him like holy water. so i doubt it will run through it.

otherwise treat it like normal undead and pump positive energy into it using healing spells.

hope some of that is useful
Bulletproof_Condom
09-21-06, 08:18 PM If you had a covenant elite wielding a greatclub strike the final blow, you could point and say, "Open face clubbed sand lich."

...what?
RellenMarn
09-21-06, 08:24 PM Thanks Krusk, I should have realized that he would have a canopic jar::lightbulb ! Man now how do I find that thing? Hmmm, lets see I suppose I could pay a Cleric to cast Discern Location for the canopic jar:plotting: . If he has it on him its still going to be tough, but if he keeps it somewhere I can lure him away and blammo! Mind you that's a level 8 spell, so there's no guarantee I can get someone to cast it. Anyone know of any other way to locate an object??? Preferably a Druidic spell, but I'd be perpared to fork out for it to.

I like the slipsand and fusesand idea, any idea if there's a save for those spells? Do you cast the spell on the Liche or on the ground under him? I hope it's the sand because then he might not be able to reflect it back at me!

Hmmm...
Krusk
09-22-06, 01:17 AM those spells are cast at the ground under him. there is no save cause you target the ground. Thats my usual advice on fighting something you have no chance of beating, just bury it and run. as for the location of the canopic jar he probably doesnt have it on him. Its probably hidden in some remote underground lair, either gaurded by something slightly less terrible than him, or its buried underground using the fuse sand method and will be impossible to stumble across.

i would suggest scrying for the location, there is a decent chance of it working because you have firsthand knowledge of the subject- youve met him- and you have a likeness of him -picture- and then if he passes the save, you still get to see him but not hear. Im not sure how it would work with a part of someones body-whats in the canopic jar- but i would think it could depending on the dm.

and if that dosnt help scry on him with greater scrying -pay someone- so you can just watch where he goes and check the places that might make sense for him to hide there. he has to go back once in a while to check on it and make sure no one took it. -i would-
RellenMarn
09-22-06, 01:39 AM Hmmm, I doubt my DM would let me Scry for the jar, but its too good not to try:D !

Thanks again Krusk, I really appreciate your input. Looking at spell descriptions I now realize that I am going to have to destroy Roarkus (my late Dire Lion) and the pay someone to cast True Ressurection. Reincarnate might work, as it does not mention if you can bring back destroyed Undead, but it seems pretty iffy:rolleyes: .

Bulletproof Condom, I am going to have to use that, I love crap puns!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
RellenMarn 09-20-06, 12:11 PM	Hey everybody, I am looking for a little help in killing a Sandliche, which has earned my characters undieing enemity. I do not intend to use this knowledge to metagame, but will be sending a message to the higher level Druids and fey who trained my character asking for advice - if my DM okays it I will have them send me your advice... For some background my character Peydrik is a human level 10 Druid, so level 5 spells, and can use spells from most books with the exception of the Eberron ones. He has a tan bag of tricks, AC 22 before buffing, a string of prayer beads with the bead of Karma (+4 caster levels for 10 minutes each day) and bead of healing. He is NG and has the feats improved initiative, spell focus conj., augment summoning, natural spell and spell penetration. Oh, and lesser metamagic rods of both extend and empower. The rest of the party consists of, a Wizard with a Monk Cohort, a Bard, a Thiefy Assassin guy -not sure what prestige class he took its something Oriental I think, a Barbarian, and a Centaur Ranger/Bloodhound. All are level tenth characters. However, most of the party -with the exception of the Bloodhound- is neutral, so I may not be able to count on their help:rolleyes: . What he knows of the Sandliche is that it is extremely hard to hit - it has an AC greater than 36! It summoned a whip of ectoplasmic fire - I think its a Pyromancer, or something that sounds similar. The DM allowed us to roll a Wisdom check to gauge the power of our foe and then informed us that we needed to run or die. It appeared with a Sand Golem in a whirlwind of sand and did not appear to be a liche until attacked. Our campaign world is postapocalyptic with the vast majority of the world being a desert wasteland. My Druid is from the small area of forest land that exists near the polar region and has strong ties to the few remaining Fey. His main aim is to restore nature and bring life back to the waste, etc. The Sandliche is a Waste Walker, a member of a sort of Druidic group which seeks to expand the wastes to cover the whole world. When we met him, we had no idea he was a Liche, but because he arrived in a whirlwind of sand my character was instantly suspicious that he was a Waste Walker. Not being sure I stayed my hand as he aked us why he should let us pass when one of my fellow adventurers discretely pointed out to me that me was not breathing.... FLAMESTRIKE! Now normally I hate to attack NPCs I know the DM does not want us to, but I really didn't feel the character had a choice. Anyway bead of Karma + Flamestrike 14d6 of damage.... Hits me!:eek: The Liches ring glowed:confused: . The DM gives us a wisdom check to let us know we need to leggit:( . I win initiative Wildshape Direbat and fly for it. The Liche says, "Let em punish the Druid and the rest of you may live...". Most of the group has already fled, but the Barbarian who had taken a couple of swings at the Liche -which both missed- hangs around saying "Fine, kill him." He's true neutral sigh. We all manage to escape because my animal companion, a Dire Lion called Roarkus, manages to roll a natural 20 and grapple the Liche. The Liches takes 3 rounds to kill Roakus, summonig that flaming whip, then attacking for 2 rounds in the grapple. I have flown out of sight behind some dunes, summoned a Dire Bat and sent it off in a different direction to distract the Liche. Everyone is now long gone, save for the Barbarian. The Liche cats a spell, which we know is a mark of somekind, upon the Barbarian. What my character does not know yet is that his beloved companion Roarkus has been raised from the dead by the Liche:weep: . That cannot stand! That Dire Lion saved all our butts! My character will be trying to revive him, and so will probably try scrying for Roarkus, or something so he can recover his body. The Druids my character was trained by have always been sworn enemies of the Waste Walkers, so it seems reasonable to suppose they would know of strategies to destroy such a being. Hopefully my DM will see it the same way :P I would really appreciate any advice anyone would care to offer here. Reviving faithful Roarkus, and destroying this abomination are going to become my characters main life goals so I will need all the help I can get!
Astigrarndorer 09-20-06, 06:16 PM	There are several options for you in this situation. First off is run like hell. Cut your losses, adventure other places level up once or twice (gain some higher level spells), vow to avenge Roarkus one day but live to fight another day. Perhaps this time around with some better companions that are willing to help. Second, use your spells. You have natural spell feat. Use it! Shapeshift into an unassuming little bird, snake, lizard or something desert oriented and use your metamagic rods of empower to damage the crap outta this enemy. A lizard hidden in the sand would be a subtle way to cast spells. Think of the most damaging spells you have access to and pummel the enemy endlessly. On a similar note...Use augment summoning to gather a small force to take on the Sandliche. Or use the highest level spell for a summoning and use the above plan of spell casting. Third, look around for other good creatures (even if it takes days to find something) to help you (say a dragon or other friendly desert creature). As a druid you should have a decent Diplomacy skill so you could use that to your advantage. Attempt to convince the creature(s) that killing this thing would be good for them as well. You never know what could happen. Lastly, summon a beast, prepare yourself as best you can (enhancements via spell, potion or both), and face this Mo-Fo as best you can and die fighting. Those are just some ideas for you to use. Best of luck and happy hunting! Cheers.
RellenMarn 09-20-06, 11:33 PM	Thanks Astigrarndorer, I was thinking about something pretty similar, kind of hit run and hide tactics in wild shape... However, I worry that the Liche is going to have something to pinpoint my location, or simply a large area effect like fire storm. Hmmm, does anyone know of any Druidic spells that are effective against the undead? I have decided that Peydrik is not going to summon another animal companion, Roarkus must be revived! I am also wondering if anyone can hazzard a guess at the Liches level. I believe the DM mentioned his ring costing somewhere in the region of 60,000+gp, so it has to be way up there. I wonder if I could get something to turn a level 4 spell myself, that way if I flamestrike him and he rebounds it I might be able to send it back.... Hmmm. I have to say its fun having a nemesis:D !
Krusk 09-21-06, 04:22 PM	rock to mud, then dispel. or if you dont want to be a jerk... I'm assuming your using sandstorm, so im gonna pull that book out and give it a look through... He is almost definatly a walker in the waste, and if he is undead he is probably level 10 in that class with levels of cleric but probably druid. meaning he is devoted to keeping the desert. there is a knowledge arcana check associated with them, ask to see what goes on with that, to get some in game help. some more out of game help would be not to let it touch you, it has a touch that sucks the water out of you. To kill it I'd suggest somehow finding its canopic jar and smashing it, because it cant be perminatly killed without you doing that. Spells to deal with it, slipsand to trap it at the bottom of the sand, but i doubt that will kill it best bet would be to use that to escape. level 4 -- might be a lot more useful as i look at fuse sand lvl 5 throw up walls of water lvl 4 will also slow him down, water does damage to him like holy water. so i doubt it will run through it. otherwise treat it like normal undead and pump positive energy into it using healing spells. hope some of that is useful
Bulletproof_Condom 09-21-06, 08:18 PM	If you had a covenant elite wielding a greatclub strike the final blow, you could point and say, "Open face clubbed sand lich." ...what?
RellenMarn 09-21-06, 08:24 PM	Thanks Krusk, I should have realized that he would have a canopic jar::lightbulb ! Man now how do I find that thing? Hmmm, lets see I suppose I could pay a Cleric to cast Discern Location for the canopic jar:plotting: . If he has it on him its still going to be tough, but if he keeps it somewhere I can lure him away and blammo! Mind you that's a level 8 spell, so there's no guarantee I can get someone to cast it. Anyone know of any other way to locate an object??? Preferably a Druidic spell, but I'd be perpared to fork out for it to. I like the slipsand and fusesand idea, any idea if there's a save for those spells? Do you cast the spell on the Liche or on the ground under him? I hope it's the sand because then he might not be able to reflect it back at me! Hmmm...
Krusk 09-22-06, 01:17 AM	those spells are cast at the ground under him. there is no save cause you target the ground. Thats my usual advice on fighting something you have no chance of beating, just bury it and run. as for the location of the canopic jar he probably doesnt have it on him. Its probably hidden in some remote underground lair, either gaurded by something slightly less terrible than him, or its buried underground using the fuse sand method and will be impossible to stumble across. i would suggest scrying for the location, there is a decent chance of it working because you have firsthand knowledge of the subject- youve met him- and you have a likeness of him -picture- and then if he passes the save, you still get to see him but not hear. Im not sure how it would work with a part of someones body-whats in the canopic jar- but i would think it could depending on the dm. and if that dosnt help scry on him with greater scrying -pay someone- so you can just watch where he goes and check the places that might make sense for him to hide there. he has to go back once in a while to check on it and make sure no one took it. -i would-
RellenMarn 09-22-06, 01:39 AM	Hmmm, I doubt my DM would let me Scry for the jar, but its too good not to try:D ! Thanks again Krusk, I really appreciate your input. Looking at spell descriptions I now realize that I am going to have to destroy Roarkus (my late Dire Lion) and the pay someone to cast True Ressurection. Reincarnate might work, as it does not mention if you can bring back destroyed Undead, but it seems pretty iffy:rolleyes: . Bulletproof Condom, I am going to have to use that, I love crap puns!