GM Erich's Salvation Of The Sages (Subtier 10-11) (Inactive)

Game Master Thereus, Silver Crusader

Evad would clear the area of extraneous debris and identify any damage that needs to be repaired quickly, likely taking the lead.

Perception +21 - opinions on whether we think 33 would be successful? (seems Rok is an auto aid at +9)

8 and 1 sounds right on the cures.

@GM - how long since we entered?

"How long will this ritual be?"

vote for 8 cures 1 blood; if ritual long Theodric takes a fresh antiplague and antitoxin; endure element and heroism still active -- if short renewing bull's STR; antiplague, antitoxin, endure element, spider climb and heroism still active

Theodric will assist others by removing large debris; Survival +2. If the removal involves something complicated, i.e. failed assist makes things worse, then Theodric will stay back and guard, sword drawn and ready.

They think about an hour, aiding someone else's roll will not be harmful.

At the actual start of the ritual, it will have been 90 minutes since you buffed outside the lab areas.

I can do B? Want me to b e the primary?

Magor will drink his second antiplague and roll for B. Can aid Rogar on planes or be primary on religion. And 8:1 sounds good to me as well. And no restoration here either.

"So based on Sinuhotep's warning, no magical enhancements will be permitted once the ritual begin. Very well then, I shall go into battle with my training and resolve alone. If... something manages to control my sword arm against you all... well... try to wrestle control back from that... thing... I have had training against such intrusions, but one can never bet the farm on such mind tricks when traipsing deep into the sandy bottoms of the world..." says Theodric, saluting you all with his falcata.

Qadathra flits around, looking for, and at, not-even-the-gods-likely-know-what....

Perception +18

Vladek constructs a sprawling 4-dimensional sigil of maddening design....

Knowledge (Arcana) +27 (or more if we're getting bonuses from any/all the Sages!)

Rogar tries to remember the link between the planes and the disease.

knowledge planes: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19

auto aid Vladek on arcana

Rogar looks around then..."Theodric be on the watch. We don't know what will pop up." He takes out his pipe and fills it with tobacco and lites it and takes a smoke.

"Hmmm... I wouldn't pull too much of that disease-ridden air through your lungs if I were you, but hey, what do I know..."

Right before the ritual begins, Evad uses a ki point to renew his Barkskin and has one of the arcane casters tap him with his Wand of Mage Armor.

Leaning toward taking 10 for 35 on the Perception (that's with 2 auto-aids.)

Ok, looks like we have 4 main rolls during the prep

Magor kn(religion)

Evad take 10 perception with auto-aid from Rok

Vladek kn(arcana) with auto-aid from Rogar

Qadathra perception (or is he just auto-aiding Evad? let me know before you roll)

Go ahead and make these rolls..

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26 +1 if I can cast guidance first. And happy to cast it on others as well.

Aid Survival, Heroism, Guidance from Magor: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 12

Qadathra perception (or is he just auto-aiding Evad? let me know before you roll)

He WOULD make his own roll...but if it's somehow more helpful to aid Evad (like if only one Perception roll is needed out of anybody), he'll do that.

@Qadathra - two aids would give Evad a 35, by taking 10 v. 33...up to you of course.

It's a question of whether more than one Perception check is useful.

DO NOT MAKE THE ROLL YET. Just tell me which you would like to do, and if you would like to lead or assist another player. You do not have to participate in the preparation of the ritual if you don't like your chances. Taking 10 on the main roll is allowed. Failure on the main roll may have consequences.

Perhaps we can get GM clarification, based on this I assumed a main roll on each and then aids, but I could be wrong.

More successful main rolls will aid the ritual more. But failures on main rolls could be detrimental to the group. You can do more than one main roll on a particular skill. My fault, I should have used the plural form.

While we await Qad's roll (or non-roll if he is just aiding Evad), we can do this all again (same process as we just did) for the ritual itself..

-------------------

After some heated debate, Amenopheus agrees to let Tahonikepsu lead the ritual. He mutters something about her time dragon nature granting her an edge in connecting the past to the present.

The ritual area takes shape nicely under her watchful eye and your efforts. You notice she is especially concerned about the proper placement of the sages around the circle, and she moves them around like a nervous theatre director. Grandmaster Torch has further set up two display stands to the south, unto which Amenepheous has placed two unaccompanied sage jewels.

”Not all of the Order could join us today, praise be to the gods that watch over them. The Spinel sage Mnesoset and Padrym, the Onyx sage have passed on but their jewels shall fortify our power today, nonetheless.”

The “S” and “O” on the map represent the Spinel and Onyx jewels sitting on their display platforms. The platforms take up the majority of the square.

Tahonikepsu exhales deeply, realizing the danger intensifying. ”Sages… your jewels.”

The sages present their sage jewels, bringing forth the topaz, emerald, amethyst, diamond, sapphire, and the shards of the ruby in turn. Solemnly, each of the sages hangs it upon their neck. The shards of the ruby are handed to each and they take their ritual positions. See map

Tahonikepsu closes her eyes and addresses you. ”Pathfinders, this ritual will be long and intense, you should follow along easy enough, but should our minds wander too deep into the depths of the jewel’s memories and puzzles, please do what you can to monitor our progress and keep the cadence flowing. Remember do not use magic until the ritual is complete.”

”How will we know when the ritual is complete.” Dhiara asks.

”Oh, we will know.” Tahonikepsu replies stoically. ”Do be ready for anything.”

Dhiara nods her acknowledgement and assumes a comfortable stance.

Grandmaster Torch pulls a glowing rapier, waiting for the inevitable.

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To help the sages during the ritual, you can each help in one of two ways:

A. Maintain the rite’s cadence (Linguistics or Perform check).

B. Monitor the ritual and provide additional support where it’s needed most (Knowledge [arcana or religion] or Spellcraft).

If you have a specific occult-like power that you wish to use instead, let me know.

As before, DO NOT MAKE THE ROLL YET. Just tell me which you would like to do, and if you would like to lead or assist another player. You do not have to directly participate in the ritual if you don't like your chances. Same as before, failure on the main roll (you can still take 10 on it) may have consequences.

Also, place yourself where you want to be for the hour-long ritual. Tahonikepsu asks that you not stand to either side of her in case she needs to dragon-ify quickly at some point.

Room is fifty feet high. Each "landing" is ten feet higher than the last. Stairs are difficult terrain, both directions. Treat the ritual circle and the contraption within as normal terrain.

It has been 90 minutes since you first buffed and entered the underground facilities.

Last call for long term buffs...

Qadathra will aid the Perception roll to bring it all the way up to '35', then.

I don't know what he can do in the ritual.

If you have a specific occult-like power that you wish to use instead, let me know.

Would the following boon qualify? (earned battling some body controlling spirits in the Crown of the World...

Ghostly Defiance: permanent +1 bonus on Will saves vs. possession or mind-control; 1/day as immediate action gain the Slippery Mind rogue talent for 1 round if you fail a Will save against possession or mind-control.

Theodric takes position south of Grandmaster Torch.

primary Linguistics?

Rogar moves near Theodric.

Torch is up to something

What happened to my Knowledge (Arcana) roll? I never actually rolled it.

Going forward, I'll make Spellcraft checks at +30 (if not more, depending!).

I can also offer my Fortune Hex.

Make your Arcana roll Vladek (or take 10).

@Theo, that might come in handy later but not really appropriate for during the ritual.

Evad, ritual is "about an hour", so the mage armor (from the wand) might not be in effect when it ends. I'll give it a 50/50 chance.

A tattoo glows briefly under Roks striped hide as he uses a lesser caster's tattoo to cast a still barkskin. caster level 7 w/ place magic, 70 min duration.

Updated stat block to remove the heroism.

Rok will aid anyone monitoring the ritual. Aid spellcraft, +4

Rok sits on his paws on a landing overlooking the ritual, close enough to monitor the scent of the sages.

@GM -- no worries on the Mage Armor, just let me know.

Evad can roll or aid Know Religion at +5

Evad moves to an observation spot where he can watch the ritual and assumes a meditative stance, focus on watching what is occurring.

"There Rogar. I know we're not supposed to use magic during the ritual, but if things go sideways, would you mind bumping me over the head with that stick?"

Theodric hands his wand of bull's STR to Rogar.

Vladek, using the fortune hex during the ritual would be disastrous. No magic.

Magor and Vladek, map positions please...

Looks like we have...

Rogar - Linguistics
Vladek - Spellcraft with possible aid from Rok
Magor - Religion? with possible aid from Evad

Theo and Qad are silent partners

Go ahead and make your rolls and let's get this underway. I'll try to keep the posts going so we get through a round or half-round (depending on initiatives) each day. Please check in each day as there will be saves and such to deal with even when your turn might be a bit away. This can be a pretty tough encounter so bring your A game. Good luck!

Rogar tries to follow the ritual.

can we take 10?

On the main rolls, yes

Rogar tries to decipher the ritual.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (12) + 17 = 29

spellcraft; aid: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Position updated. I get a +3 bonus on Knowledge (religion) checks regarding Osirion. Not sure whether that would apply to either of these checks.

Will roll primary, add another 2 if Evad successfully aids.

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24

Knowledge (Arcana) roll from before: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (11) + 27 = 38 plus whatever from having all the Sages here

Vladek takes the spot of honor next to the (disappointingly anthropoid) time dragon herself, and participates directly in the ritual.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (4) + 30 = 34 plus whatever from aid and having all the Sages here

Know Religion Aid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Evad watches quietly as the ritual begins, he quietly points out a couple of religious observations to Magor.

I assume each of you carries one of the cures you made. Who carries the Blood of Nethys you made?

The group helps to keep the ritual flowing properly even as the sages float in and out of lucidity. The minutes drag on as the sages explore their memories and the sum knowledge of 10,000 years, trying to draw out the malevolent force.

Finally, at the pinnacle of the ritual, Tahonikepsu produces a silver pendant set with an obsidian crystal and places it at the focus. The sage jewels blaze with light as shadows gather, rising up until a whirlwind stands contained within pillars of light emanating from the gems... and suddenly ceases. The sages are utterly still and unseeing, and distortions form around each of their sage jewels, emitting faint cries for help. At the center of this storm forms a spectral being: a frail, dark-haired woman of middle years wearing the silver pendant. A ring of lights orbits her head, matching the colors of the sage jewels.

She rises and looks around the room as a child inspects an anthill and an eerie murmur echoes through the room: “So much time has passed. I have so much catching up to do...”

Darting her eyes to an open space in the ritual circle, another form quickly manifests, one strangely familiar to you. The spirit of Ermias Dalla, the paladin of Osiris, whose body you discovered in the sarcophagus an hour earlier, stands before you now - mighty and enraged. He raises the tarnished crook-and-flail, symbol of Osiris, above his head, seeking a victim to smite. In his forlorn eyes, however, you see nothing but a broken warrior unable to resist fighting for, instead of against, the woman who utterly destroyed him.

The distortions around each of the sage jewels (including the two on the display stands) strongly resemble the one you found in the mindscape room earlier. It may be possible to enter them in the same way (free action - if adjacent).

Round 1 - Full Round (bold may act)
Rok (Cloak of Shade, Delay Poison, Mage Armor, Barkskin)
Dhiara, the Topaz Sage (inert)
Theodric (Delay poison, endure elements, antiplague and antitoxin)
Magor (Ward of the Season, antiplague) -2 hp
Grandmaster Torch, the Emerald Sage (inert)
Sinuhotep, the Amethyst Sage (awake)
Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage (inert)
Qadathra (Ward Hex, 1 temp Negative Level)
Tahonikepsu, the Diamond Sage (awake)
Aryana Tahari <red>
Rogar (Mage armor)
Ermias Dalla <orange>
Vladek (Ward of the Season, Mage armor)
Evad (Delay poison, mage armor, darkvision)
Rogar's Earth Elemental

Let me know if I have your buffs correct. The alchemical items could be imbibed during the ritual as they are non-magical, so they are active. Evad's Mage Armor will be up during the fight.

Duration for Evad's Mage Armor (low is bad): 1d100 ⇒ 85

This will be an intense and dangerous combat. There is even some fiddling with established rules. You’ve made a few choices along the way that will help you out, but I just wanted to warn everyone that they made this a pretty epic fight (as it should be being the last hurrah for the Scarab Sages). Good luck!

@GM: Vladek's comment reminded me: I did not apply any bonuses from the jeweled sages to my earlier (or current) knowledge checks. And buffs are correct.

"The woman is a ghost and probably a mage, too! The man is a graveknight and can . . ." Magor shouts a few quick words, then retrieves a scroll and casts it on Evad. "You should be safe from her energy attacks, Evad!"

"Ghosts, I h-h-hate ghosts.

Swift action; Ki point for +4 dodge bonus to AC. Full action: Pounce Dalla, jumping off the second level and over Tahari. Free action; activate heat shimmer (20% miss chance)

acrobatics; landing 10 ft jump: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

bite; pounce, grab: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 12 + 2 = 30
bite: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 6) + 6 = 18

claw; pounce, grab: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 12 + 2 = 16
claw: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (4, 3) + 6 = 13

claw; pounce, grab: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 12 + 2 = 18
claw: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 6 = 9

rake; pounce: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 2 = 24
rake: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (2, 1) + 6 = 9

rake; pounce: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 12 + 2 = 16
rake: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (2, 3) + 6 = 11

Theodric activates his slotted Clear Spindle Ioun Stone's resonant power!

Standard Action (1/day), Protection from Evil, 12 min duration

He then steps forward, drawing his falcata as he goes, and tells the paladin the following, "Sir, I believe you deserve an honorable death. Face me, and see your servitude ended and your eternal rest granted!"

Next round: Theodric in position to provide flanking bonus to Rok or Grandmaster Torch, depending on future positioning...

spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
I failed the check, but I have a good bet on what just happened... And I was just going to tell Sinuhotep to get out of sight.

Looks like that got ate by an edit.

"Let me help you, my friend." Sinuhotep casts a spell and walks over to the fray, delivering it on ... the grave-knight?

sense motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 Magor just announced the graveknight can control undead. Rok also knows Sinuhotep's spell loadout is a huge liability to him. The sage doing anything but dealing with the liability he is is extremely suspicious.

bluff: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 go for it

"What are you doing!" Rok kicks out in shock and attempts to trip Sinuhotep before he gets any closer to the graveknight.

trip: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 24 This is an untrained attempt that provokes an attack of opportunity from Sinuhotep. Rok has Heat Shimmer that acts like Blur.

Falling, Sinuhotep declines to attack back and touches himself with the spell instead as he hits the ground.

"You will pay dearly for that Tiger-man!"

The chamber fills with a psychic miasma of disturbing images. The air grows noticeably colder and visions of a young Tahari murdering a boy she with a rock for bread fill the air around you. Evil now permeates this chamber.

Rogar, Vladek, Qadathra and Theodric find themselves sickened.

Qadathra doggedly (and carefully) makes his way around the chamber to bless Theodric with his strength wand.

"Fire is the only element that can harm the graveknight, and he can attack with acid--through both his weapon and his breath. And he might be controlling Sinuhotep's mind!"

@GM: Spellcraft or any other roll to identify the effect that sickened us?