A tall, darkly dressed half-elf, with long black hair and mournful blue eyes is the next to join the group of adventurers. With a large sword sheathed at his hip, his appearance is only softened by the somewhat out of place looking broach in the shape of a cat pinned on his chest. Despite looking quite deeply scratched, it looks to be as polished as well as could be expected given it is most likely quite old. "Greetings. I am Covadil!" he says as he joins the group.
Months ago, agents of the Blakros Museum in Absalom stole a holy dagger—a relic of the Kellid Twinhorn following and the Shining Crusade from centuries ago. What seemed a simple dagger was key to keeping a powerful villain at bay, and the Pathfinder Society has allied with the Twinhorn following and its bold spiritual leader Medda in order to return the relic, use it to perform a ritual before midnight on the winter solstice, and stem an undead invasion. “We are only hours away from the stone circle and our encampment,” Medda announces. “If we are going to make it there by midnight, we need to press on. Once there, we will use Ivvora’s hilt to perform our time-honored ritual and keep evil from our lands.” Medda produces the small hilt of a broken weapon with only a fragment of its black metal blade remaining. “Let us move. There are dangers in these ancient woods: orc raiders, bears that topple trees, and worse. Stay in groups and don’t get lost.”
As the Kellids and Pathfinders reach the top of the hill next to the Twinhorn encampment, they notice splashes of blood and the occasional corpse dotting the landscape. Medda raises her voice, calling, “My brethren, our families are under attack! Secure the camp and drive back any who oppose you. Pathfinder allies, join us in defense of our home!” The landscape opens into a burned hillside where blackened trees stand like lifeless sentinels. A crude blockade shields the entrance to a natural cavern.
Table GMs, area H is now open. Once you have completed area H, you may proceed to areas I or J. The Deepening Shadows condition on page 14 is in effect.
Undead creatures scrape away at the blockade, only to turn to you as you approach. You hear the cries of people inside, awaiting the inevitable. Hopefully the inevitable rescue, if you have anything to say about it.
The trees have been burnt and withered to the point where they do not provide cover or block movement.
| Male LG follower of Irori | Ifrit | Outsider (Native) | Paladin 2, Ninja 2, Medium 6 | Darkvision 60 ft | Speed 20ft | DR 5/bludg. 15/40 | HP 93/93 | AC 18 T 8 FF 18 / AC 20 with heavy shield | CMB +14 | CMD 22 | F: +19, R: +14, W: +17 (+18 vs. fear/confusion) | Init: +13 | Perc: -2, SM: -2, Dipl: +22 | Mind Arsenal 9/9 | Ki Pool 4/7 | Reroll 1/1 | Smite 1/1 | Influence 1/4 | Spirit Dance 17/18 | Eefriti Magic 0/1 | Boots of Speed 5/10 | Horseshoe 1/1 | Active conditions: defending bone
Boosting a skill check aid token:
kn(religion):1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
* * *
Taarik tries to identify the beings that are approaching.
kn(religion):1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14Please see spoiler. No questions.
kn(religion):1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14Please see spoiler. No questions.
* * *
@GM: I am in Germany so posting my action now as you otherwise would need to wait 14 hours. ;-) Taarik will start casting a summoning spell fueled by an Arcane reservoir point as a standard action and with 1 minute duration per level (Occultist Arcanist Archetype). 4/5 Arcane Reservoir remaining. Taarik has Augment Summoning.
Taarik begins to concentrate and starts weaving a spell and seconds later a large celestial eagle appears out of thin air and attacks one of the skeletons.
GM please see celestial eagle actions:
The celestial eagle attacks the one of the skeleton and tries to position for flanking with it smite ability active.
Covadil knows the skeletons are immune to cold. He also knows they are mindless creatures so illusions and enchantments are difficult to apply. He also knows it is best to use bludgeoning attacks, they will resist other physical attacks.
Restless Eagle steps forward and prepares her dagger. The zombies and skeletons sensing flesh to satisfy their never ending hunger. Her dagger hits but the zombie's skin is too strong to penetrate. AC is more than 10.
As they encroach, Taariik calls upon the forces of the heavens, and his call is answered with a celestial eagle. With its talon it smites the skeleton to bits, leaving its Orange sash behind.
Male CN Human Magus (Bladebound) 3.1 | AC 15 {19 w/ Shield} (T 10/FF 15) | CMB +4 CMD 14 (FF 14) | HP 30/30 | Init +0 | Fort +5 Ref +1 Will +3 (+5 vs Cold Weather)| Perception +0 | Speed 30' | Arcane Pool +1: 4/4 | Black Blade's Arcane Pool: 1/1 | Active Conditions:
Dark moves forward, getting closer to the undead. He smiles as he points his finger at the undead directly before him. "I have a spell just perfect for these things."
Dark Schnyder wasn't lying- his spell disintegrates the Zombie with the Red hat in a single blast. Restless Eagle, thankful for one less foe, slashes the Zombie with Blue pants. It reaches its fetid arms, hungering...
Tormond sees the coast is clear and quickly hustles towards a Skeleton with a touch of Pink flesh, smashing it to pieces before his bear can reach.
Female Human Skald 2 | AC 16 (15) T 10 FF 14 | CMD 15 | hp19/19 (21/21, fast healing 2) | F +5 (+6) R +1 W +1 (+2) | Spd 20' | Init +1 | Kn (Arc, Dun, Eng, Geo, Nat, Nob, Pla, Rel) +2, Kn (His, Loc) +7, Perc -2, SensM -2 | Raging song 10/16 | Spells lvl1 3/3 |
Atronia looks at her new companions charging ahead. Since the fight seems to be going in their favor already, she simply advances, sword drawn, and waits to see if one of the undead will come closer.
Move 20', then ready an attack. I'll roll right now in case something actually does come within my reach.
Male CN Human Magus (Bladebound) 3.1 | AC 15 {19 w/ Shield} (T 10/FF 15) | CMB +4 CMD 14 (FF 14) | HP 30/30 | Init +0 | Fort +5 Ref +1 Will +3 (+5 vs Cold Weather)| Perception +0 | Speed 30' | Arcane Pool +1: 4/4 | Black Blade's Arcane Pool: 1/1 | Active Conditions:
Dark moves a little bit closer and aims his next Disrupt Undead at the one further in the back. Once again, he points his finger and lets loose another beam of positive energy.
Schnyder fires another ray, shocking the skeleton but not destroying it. Restless Eagle continues her assault, gouging the zombie but not quite finishing it off. The undead manage to dodge or parry the rest of the party's attacks.
Covadil also joins in the concerted effort to defeat the last, incredibly hard to kill zombie. "Somebody try hitting its head! We've lopped off every other body part and it's still moving!"
Taariik and his eagle are unable to do much to the zombie, but Covadil rends it to shreds. The only wailing you can hear is from within the barricade on the side of the cliff.
Combat Over
Tormond has take 5 damage.
"Is it... is it over?" You hear one of the Twinhorn mumble from behind the barricade. As you reassure the young man, he pushes the barricade open, and then picks up his club and balances on his cane. He sports many scars from battle, the most telling is where he lost his leg. "Thank the gods you arrived here. The only other people here are the children and the sick."
"The elders began debating whether they should stay or abandon our homeland. They told us to flee in case the enemy attacked our camp. Maybe they need an outsider's perspective on this matter."Vote for Twinhorn Camp!
"But I also heard stories about a fissure of evil in the forest. Someone must close it, and quickly. Maybe we Twinhorn are too preoccupied with survival."Vote for Voice of the Shadow!
Take this opportunity to buff and prepare for your next encounter. Also, which way do you want to go next, Twinhorn Camp or Voice of the Shadow?
| Male LG follower of Irori | Ifrit | Outsider (Native) | Paladin 2, Ninja 2, Medium 6 | Darkvision 60 ft | Speed 20ft | DR 5/bludg. 15/40 | HP 93/93 | AC 18 T 8 FF 18 / AC 20 with heavy shield | CMB +14 | CMD 22 | F: +19, R: +14, W: +17 (+18 vs. fear/confusion) | Init: +13 | Perc: -2, SM: -2, Dipl: +22 | Mind Arsenal 9/9 | Ki Pool 4/7 | Reroll 1/1 | Smite 1/1 | Influence 1/4 | Spirit Dance 17/18 | Eefriti Magic 0/1 | Boots of Speed 5/10 | Horseshoe 1/1 | Active conditions: defending bone
In the last session we played, we are able to choose a class skill only for this scenario. Does this still exist? If yes, Taarik would choose Diplomacy.
"Oh dear Chaldira! I would not have believed the attack to happen so soon! So many are in danger. I would suggest to continue fighting! To the Shadows!" he shouts.
Covadil also weighs in on the decision. "Yes, I agree! The evil in the forest sounds like the most pressing concern to me. The elders could be debating for hours!"
This scenario does not begin with a class skill, unfortunately.
"I understand." The man nods solemnly. "You should head to the riverbank, that's where I heard most of the evil had emerged from. We will wait for help here." He bids you good luck as you run off.
Feel free to buff and heal.
The clearing on the riverbank features a circle of standing stones with a large stone altar at its center. A shadowy tear floats above the altar, so dark that what little light shines from the stars seems to become trapped inside. Eight large tendrils of inky darkness coil around the menhirs as if keeping the stones in a stranglehold. Other tendrils lick out from the shadowy rift as if tasting the air.
Four skeletons patrol the circle, three covered in crimson blood while the other holds a longsword. "More sacrifices to the great Eshimka!" It cries. "Come, and be the first of many to die!"
The area around the standing stones is unnaturally dark (darkvision is required to see through) and tentacles continue to lash out at anything within the circle.
Male CN Human Magus (Bladebound) 3.1 | AC 15 {19 w/ Shield} (T 10/FF 15) | CMB +4 CMD 14 (FF 14) | HP 30/30 | Init +0 | Fort +5 Ref +1 Will +3 (+5 vs Cold Weather)| Perception +0 | Speed 30' | Arcane Pool +1: 4/4 | Black Blade's Arcane Pool: 1/1 | Active Conditions:
Before Battle Buff
Dark cast Shield on himself to boost his defenses for the upcoming battle.
Battle
Dark moves toward the standing stones down the path. Right before reaching the western most stone, he cast Light on the stone to try to counter the unnatural darkness.
Move: 25'
Standard: Light Spell on western standing stone
Yay. the site is back up.
Taariik's eagle calls upon the forces of heaven to smite one of the bloody skeletons, leaving its remains inert.
Taariik knows Bloody Skeletons can reduce the damage of any attack that isn't Bludgeoning. They lack special attacks besides their bony claws and a broken scimitar. But he knows they resist channeling attempts and they can come back from "death" in an hour unless they are consecrated or obliterated with holy water.
Dark Schnyder protects himself with a magical shield and lights up the area, revealing the bloody skeletons and their leader.
Taariik identifies the Skeletal Champion and realizes it is quite intelligent. It will not regenerate when damaged or destroyed, but it resists all attacks that aren't bluedgeoning.
As skeletons, they are all immune to cold attacks and ignore mind-affecting enchantments, like most undead.
