Female Halfling Ranger 2/Paladin 1 | HP 37/37 | CMD 18 | AC 21, t 16, ff 16 | Fort +7 Ref +9 Will +5 (+2 vs. fear) | Init +9, Perc +9 | MP 4/9 | Wand Charges used: 0
Perception:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Eveline looks at Pim with slight confusion, nodding shortly as an answer. "It certainly took the artists a long time, decades maybe, to finish this. And to think it has been preserved this well during all this time... but I prefer scenery over statues. Nature creates the best art, don't you think?"
Although Eveline does not notice the resemblance, she trusts her companions' words. She takes a look at Amenopheus. "Just how old is this place, really? Or are we expecting company?"
Lionel shudders. Hell, I've think I got my share o' undead fo one lifetime!, he thinks staring at Amenopheus and his resemblance on the wall. "I jus feel like gettin' whateva we came here for. How's that whole thing work, Amenopeas?", Lionel asks, before continuing. "Jus' in, like layman's terms fo me. 'Cause we got all kinda knowledgeable types in here, and I'm feelin' a bit lost, know what I'm sayin'?", he cautiously asks.
Amenopheus straightens and examines the noted paintings. "Ancestor? Perhaps, in a sense. I am very old, but no, it is not I." The Sage's cryptic answer clearly leaves a great deal unsaid. "How does what work, Lionel? The crystal? Well, I'm not exactly certain, but I think this acts as a key..."
He slides the sliver that gatekeeper crystal provided into a crevice in the mammoth crystal doorway. A blind flash of light overwhelms all sight for a few painful seconds.
When the light recedes, Amenopheus is bound to the crystal doorway itself, trapped as an insect in ancient amber. A voice thunders in a forceful language only Kailun understands. Four oil lamps held by various statues (marked on the map, all the others except these have at least one free hand) have lit with a bright white light, which refracts through the crystal and covers the room in wild rainbow hues. Two of these refractions have illuminated the the crystal engravings on the stone floor: one with a red hue (the leftmost), another with green (the rightmost).
Ancient Osiriani:
"As the light aligns, so too do the Sages stand!"
DC 15 Appraise or Knowledge (History):
Each of the engravings is particular shape, associated with the Ancient Osiriani style of cutting (left-to-right) sapphire, emerald, topaz, and ruby gems respectively. The common colors of these jewels are respectively blue, green, yellow, and red.
DC 20 Perception:
You notice that one of the statues bears a resemblance to Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage, as well. There is another statue that resembles the likeness of the Ruby Sage you saw in Seeker's Folly.
The most noteworthy developments, of course, are that the statues of Nethys and Ptah come to life and attack you!
'The Grandidierite Sage' Male Half-Elf Sorceror 9 (HP 74/74) (AC 16/10/16) (CMD 12) (Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +8) (Init +6) (Perception +22)
Appraise: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18.
"Each of the engravings is particular shape, associated with the Ancient Osiriani style of cutting (left-to-right) sapphire, emerald, topaz, and ruby gems respectively. The common colors of these jewels are respectively blue, green, yellow, and red."
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25.
"That statue over there looks like Amenopheus, and doesn't that one over on the other side look like the Ruby Sage? Perhaps we need to shift the lamps to the statues that look like the sages?"
So saying, Numair moves over to one of the statues, and attempts to pick up the lamp.
Halfling Paladin 4 | HP 33/33 | AC 21 | T 16 | FF 16 | CMD 20| Fort +10 | Ref +10 | Will +8 (immune disease, fear) | Init +5 | Perc +3
If I'm reading the map right, the statues are on some sort of ramp structure, no? And the low end of the ramp is closest to the big glowing gem? Assuming that is so:
Pim hears Kailun and Numair's explanations and begins to run towards the nearest lamp, thinking as he goes, Okay, line up the light with a particular color, make the spot on the floor light up with that color, I think I get that.
On reaching the statue, he repositions its lantern so the beam of colored light shines down on one of the uncolored spots on the floor, hoping for the best.
If I don't have the right understanding of the map, Pim will move to whichever color lamp he can reach and attempt to move it. Either way, he'll follow the order Numair gave for the colors and sages.
"Somewhat vague, Amenopheus. I'll assume you have your reasons-"
The Maiden recoils as the light blinds her.
Perception:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
"I think we need to rearrange the lanterns so all four crystal engravings are lit, but I don't know which one goes where. I'll keep this statue distracted!"
And so the Maiden steps into harms way, assuming a defensive position.
5ft step and Total Defense to put my AC at 24. Fite me, bro
Okay, so you've mostly figured out what you need to do. Each lamp shines a uniform WHITE light, but when placed in a statue's hand the light refracts the light through the crystal in some way. If placed on the RIGHT statue, the light will refract in such a way that illuminates one of the engravings. Even then, it has to be the right refraction with the right color, so you have to place the lamps on the CORRECT four statues to get the colors right.
Picking up or placing a lamp on a statue within reach is a MOVE ACTION that provokes. Please move one of the lamp pogs when you do so (either to yourself or an appropriate statue).
I have highlighted the Amenopheus-lookalike statue with a BLUE dot, and the Ruby Sage lookalike statue with the RED dot.
There is no ramp. Just a raised dias of sorts that's uniform all the way around. The easternmost statues on each side aren't there any more because they're attacking you.
Each PC may make ONE Knowledge (Engineering) check to study the angle of the statues' positioning relative to the door to get a sense of how ONE statue's light might refract. Please indicate which statue you want to learn about when you make the check.
@ Pim -- see the mechanics above and act as you see fit!
DC 15 Intelligence, Know (Nature), or Know (Arcana):
The order of the the rainbow is also red, yellow, green, blue...
@ Kailun -- flaming sphere is usually Reflex negates, unless something else changes that.
Reflex:1d20 ⇒ 18
Ptah adroitly skirts the conjured sponge of fire! Nethys menacingly shifts his grip on his quarterstaff... Numair plucks away a lamp, and the green light shining on the ruby engraving disappears.
Round I -- bold may act!
1. Kailun, Numair, Charis, Pimwrick, Lionel, Eveline
2. Nethys, Ptah
Halfling Paladin 4 | HP 33/33 | AC 21 | T 16 | FF 16 | CMD 20| Fort +10 | Ref +10 | Will +8 (immune disease, fear) | Init +5 | Perc +3
Thanks for the mechanics and explanation, Trex, most helpful. FWIW, I didn't read Numair's post to mean he was taking a light away from one of the identifiable sages, since his speech indicated the need to do the opposite of that. But I'm sure he can clarify and, in any case, it does seem you need more specificity from all of us on where we move things.
Pim hurries over to the closest rank of statues and steps up onto the dais, grabbing a lamp and turning to place it on the statue that looks like it must be Amenopheus' distant cousin. As he moves, he studies another of the statues, wondering if it might be the right one to receive a lamp.
Move action to get to statue, move action to pick up lamp. That's pretty excessive, IMHO, that it's a move action to do each thing with a lamp, but they had to use some sort of action and I guess it's balanced this way.
Knowledge (engineering):1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11On the statue with the yellow box around it.
@ Pim -- neither of the identified statues were bearing lamps when we started.
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Lionel barrels toward Ptah spear first. The grind of steel on stone results in a small section chipping away. Already, a magma flows from within to heal the statue's wound. The ethereal spear fails to pierce even the cosmetic layer of paint.
Round I -- bold may act!
1. Kailun, Numair, Charis, Pimwrick, Lionel, Eveline
2. Nethys, Ptah @ 11 dmg
Sorry for the confusion! The Know (engineering) check is to study one of the statues to figure out how a lamp in its hand would refract. None of the lamps that had lamps when we started were doing the right thing, so studying one of those would not be useful. In either case, Pim doesn't get a clear sense (with that roll) of how his chosen statue would refract the light.
Female Halfling Ranger 2/Paladin 1 | HP 37/37 | CMD 18 | AC 21, t 16, ff 16 | Fort +7 Ref +9 Will +5 (+2 vs. fear) | Init +9, Perc +9 | MP 4/9 | Wand Charges used: 0
"Let Kailun the smart decide where the lamps go, we'll hold the statues!" Eveline says, drawing her longbow and shooting the blue statue as she takes a step back.
Blue is Ptah. Moved Lionel's pog as it looks like he hadn't done that yet.
Eveline's sends an arrow ricocheting off Ptah stony body. Each statue opens its mouth to shout, though no words come out. Their movements are strangely... quickened. Ptah steps toward Lionel with blistering speed, even as his wound closes.
Round II -- bold may act!
1. Kailun, Numair, Charis, Pimwrick, Lionel, Eveline
2. Nethys, Ptah @ 6 dmg
If I had remembered, I would have asked the Elven Wizards to use the wand of Mage Armor on me as we entered the temple. If I can retcon that it puts my AC at 21.
The Maiden draws her nunchaku and continues to stand firm. +6 AC thanks to my 3 ranks of acrobatics. This puts my AC to 24 or 27, depending on the Mage Armor retcon.
Lionel swallows back as the statue appears mostly unharmed. "Aw, hells no!", he says, stepping quickly back. "Thinkin' that fightin' ain't the way outta this, folks!", he relates the already known information. "Whatcha need me ta do!", he shouts.
"Whatcha mean, retract light, man?", he says, trying to stave his spear in harm's way. "Jus' tell me whatcha need put where!", he starts shouting nervously.
He takes another valiant swing at the statue.
Attack:1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 1 = 17The last 17 was versus flat-footed, by the way, sorry about not mentioning that. Damage:1d8 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
The spear clangs once more with the vicious swing, leading to another grunt, as Lionel reaches down for his cane.
I don't mind a retcon if you didn't have time to post, but we're a ways into the Sanctum now. You can always have it cast in combat!
Reflex:1d20 ⇒ 1
Kailun's fireball blackens a bit of Ptah's paint and Lionel's spear clangs uselessly against the same. Numair carefully places a lamp in the Ruby Sage's open palm, illuminating the ruby engraving with a red light!
Standard action left, Numair!
Round II -- bold may act!
1. Kailun, Numair, Charis, Pimwrick, Lionel, Eveline
2. Nethys, Ptah @ 7 dmg
Halfling Paladin 4 | HP 33/33 | AC 21 | T 16 | FF 16 | CMD 20| Fort +10 | Ref +10 | Will +8 (immune disease, fear) | Init +5 | Perc +3
Pim sets down his lamp on the statue that looks like Amenopheus, hoping to see the light refracted on the floor in a useful fashion. He then steps to the side and picks up another lamp.
Move action to put down lamp, 5-foot step, move to pick up another lamp. If the Amenopheus lamp needs re-directing or something, will do that rather than pick up another.
'The Grandidierite Sage' Male Half-Elf Sorceror 9 (HP 74/74) (AC 16/10/16) (CMD 12) (Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +8) (Init +6) (Perception +22)
Standard Action:
Satisfied with the positioning of the lantern, Numair jumps down off the ledge, and hustles across to the other side of the room, intent on reaching one of the remaining lanterns.
Pimwrick puts a light in Amenopheus's hands and illuminates the sapphire with a blue light! Momentarily, it mixes with the red color from another lamp before Pim picks that one up. Numair races toward the last lamp.
Meanwhile, Eveline pumps arrows into Ptah. The god knocks one well-aimed arrow aside with his quarterstaff, and although the other finds its mark, the damage is less than hoped and soon healed. The guardian deities swing their weapons at the Pathfinders almost quicker than the eye, biting through their defenses with relative ease and leaving both much worse for wear.
Halfling Paladin 4 | HP 33/33 | AC 21 | T 16 | FF 16 | CMD 20| Fort +10 | Ref +10 | Will +8 (immune disease, fear) | Init +5 | Perc +3
Alarmed by the damage his friends are suffering, Pim moves quickly along in front of the statues, bearing a lantern to the end of the dais and placing it on the statue there.
Can't manipulate the map right now, but I'm aiming for the statue closest to the door on the same dais where Pim is now, as I think the one next to it started with a lamp.
Female Halfling Ranger 2/Paladin 1 | HP 37/37 | CMD 18 | AC 21, t 16, ff 16 | Fort +7 Ref +9 Will +5 (+2 vs. fear) | Init +9, Perc +9 | MP 4/9 | Wand Charges used: 0
Don't forget Absorb Blow. Also, remember that you can take an extra standard action per round when you use a mythic power point. This way Numair can, for example, pick up a lantern, move, and cast a spell.
Eveline feels confident she can deal some damage to the annoying statues once she gets a better shot at them. She dashes about, circling around and making multiple shots at Ptah.
Fleet Charge + rapid shot. -1 MM. No cover at any point.
The Maiden wasn't prepared for the statue's alarming speed and is glad it didn't bash her brains in. As the first blow lands, she asks the Ruby Sage for help. A red field pulses about her twice, dampening the damage from the first blow.
Spending a Mythic Point for Absorb Blow against the first hit. It's an immediate action, so I can only do it once.
"Quicly, now...I'll keep stalling for time."Luckily these statues are nowhere as smart as the divinities they represent.
@ Pim -- I've placed you where I think you mean. If you meant the opposite end of the dais, let me know.
Pim and Numair race to complete the puzzle, the halfling placing a lantern that unhelpfully refracts a rainbow across the opposite wall. Eveline sends a flurry Ptah's way; the statue knocks one arrow aside and another misses, the other two landing for minor impact. The Maiden stoically stands her ground, preparing for the next blow.
I've marked statues that you know are wrong with a red X, including Pim's placement, the original four, and the two statues fighting you.
Male Elf Wizard (conjurer) 3, HP 29/29; AC 13,10,13; Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +4; Init +12; Perception +9 MYTHIC POWER: 9/9
With the statue not moving away from his flaming sphere, Kailun shrugs and allows it to continue burning. Meanwhile, he unleashes an acid dart at the same enemy.
Halfling Paladin 4 | HP 33/33 | AC 21 | T 16 | FF 16 | CMD 20| Fort +10 | Ref +10 | Will +8 (immune disease, fear) | Init +5 | Perc +3
Trex - thanks for moving me in the right direction. I've moved one more square over with my remaining move distance, so for my next turn I'll have enough actions to pick up a lamp, 5-foot step across the aisle, and place a lamp.
Lionel braces himself to take the last blow, as suddently the sound of a whip cracking is heard. A gold and black whip coils around the staff, letting the broad man duck out of the way, as a seductive cackle is heard, seemingly chuckling at Ptah.
Absorb Blow, 15 DR, versus the last one.
The spear rises again, Lionel attemping a blow to pin the statue's foot to the ground.
The statue doesn't bother to move out of the way of the fire, letting its natural resistance absorb the blow. The wasp sting spear stabs into the god's foot, which crumbles away beneath its force. Still, it starts of burn back...
But that's not as concerning as the spinning quarterstaff that aims for the Pathfinders' heads, adding to their already bleeding wounds.
Halfling Paladin 4 | HP 33/33 | AC 21 | T 16 | FF 16 | CMD 20| Fort +10 | Ref +10 | Will +8 (immune disease, fear) | Init +5 | Perc +3
Pim feels awful about letting the others fight this fight, but he's also very focused on the lamp puzzle, and hopeful that if they succeed at it the statues will stop pounding on them. He picks up the lantern he recently set down, takes a quick step towards the other file of stone figures, and places the lamp on the nearest one!
Move action to collect the lamp, 5-foot step to cross the aisle, move action to put down lantern as marked on map.
Female Halfling Ranger 2/Paladin 1 | HP 37/37 | CMD 18 | AC 21, t 16, ff 16 | Fort +7 Ref +9 Will +5 (+2 vs. fear) | Init +9, Perc +9 | MP 4/9 | Wand Charges used: 0
"This isn't going as well as I had hoped!" Eveline shouts, angered by the tougher-than-expected statues. Still, since her last volley did something, she continues with the routine with a little extra.
Fleet Charge as a swift action to move 20 feet, and shoot an extra arrow. Full attack with mythic rapid shot to shoot three arrows. One Mythic power to use Amazing Initiative and gain an additional standard action, with which I shoot once more. 5 attacks in total.
The divine whip appears again, stopping another blow from the staff. Lionel takes a step back, looking to the skies. He kisses his fingers, raising them to the skies.
Absorbing the first one. 2/7 Mythic Power
Sadly, I believe Kailun's sphere has winked out by now.
Lionel and Charis continue to bleed (you're taking 2 damage at the start of your turn) and Lionel quickly acts to stopper the flow from his exposed ribs. Eveline and Kailun deliver shots that are less effective than hoped--the halfling's best shot is knocked aside and another of her better ones is deflected by the stone. Bad turns to worse when Numair's new placement results in a blue hue on the emerald, and he promptly picks it up again.
Fortune strikes Pim, however, who ignites the topaz carving with a yellow light! One more to go!
The ruthless statues continue to batter the nearest interlopers. Nethys cracks his quarterstaff into the Maiden's jaw, shattering it. Lionel goes down with a broken arm and a staved chest, blood soon pooling beneath him. Ptah turns his attention to Numair, the quarterstaff surprising him in the spine.
'The Grandidierite Sage' Male Half-Elf Sorceror 9 (HP 74/74) (AC 16/10/16) (CMD 12) (Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +8) (Init +6) (Perception +22)
Just before Ptah hits Numair, Numair's outline flickers, and two of him briefly seem to co-exist in the same space, an instant before Numair is violently tossed several squares away.
The remaining image, however, is then brutally cut down by Ptah.
Spending a point of mythic power to utilise Mirror Dodge.
Noting that Ptah is now blocking the area he wants to be in, Numair narrows his eyes, before pointing the Ruby Sage's staff at Ptah, and sending forth a flurry of force missiles!
Spending mythic power to cast an augmented Mythic Magic Missile.
Halfling Paladin 4 | HP 33/33 | AC 21 | T 16 | FF 16 | CMD 20| Fort +10 | Ref +10 | Will +8 (immune disease, fear) | Init +5 | Perc +3
"Numair!" Pim cries out, as his eyes widen at the devastating magical force the half-elf has unleashed, "We need that lamp in place! We'll die trying to fight them like this!"
He looks about worriedly, then says, "I'm going to see if either of these statues do anything, now that we know which one is the topaz!" He picks up the lamp he's just set down and steps to the nearest statue, knowing it will undo what he's done - but he needs to find the placement of the final lamp!
Move action to pick up lamp, 5-foot step, move action to put it down on next statue (marked with the lamp).
'The Grandidierite Sage' Male Half-Elf Sorceror 9 (HP 74/74) (AC 16/10/16) (CMD 12) (Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +8) (Init +6) (Perception +22)
Numair shrugs apologetically.
"Pimwrick, believe me, I know - but I don't want to be mauled by that thing, especially since we don't know for certain that either of the remaining statues on that side are the one we want..."
Sadly, I can't do that again :-/ Hopefully, though, that was enough to take Ptah down.
Female Halfling Ranger 2/Paladin 1 | HP 37/37 | CMD 18 | AC 21, t 16, ff 16 | Fort +7 Ref +9 Will +5 (+2 vs. fear) | Init +9, Perc +9 | MP 4/9 | Wand Charges used: 0
Did Ptah just heal 10 hp? It's not in the desciptive text, so I'm wondering if it's just a typo, or it has some nasty ability enabling it to heal 10 hp as a free/swift action...
Also, don't forget Absorb Blow might have granted you DR against these strikes. And I strongly expect Lionel to burn those mythic powers to keep himself standing. And lastly, if the damage from the first strike is negated with Absorb Blow, does it still afflict Bleed damage?
Eveline realizes her efforts are in vain, and ditches the concept of attacking the relentless statues. Instead, she quickly scans the remaining statues, trying to determine which of them would shine the last light to the emerald.
Intelligence DC 15:1d20 ⇒ 9
Unable to determine anything worthwhile, she look about what else she can do.
If Numair destroys Ptah...:
Eveline rushes over to Numair, picks up his lantern, and dashes to the nearest statues. Mythic power for another standard. One to move next to Numair, one to pick up the lantern, and then move north to the two statues in the corner behind Ptah.
If not...:
Eveline figures Ptah is soon to be destroyed, and shoots another volley of arrows at it.
Honestly, the Maiden isn't sure where that staff came from, how it slipped through her defenses, or how it cracked her mouth that hard. All she knows is that she has to repel it, immediately. A ruby red burst of energy flows through her, softening the blow.
Spending a point for Absorb Blow. That should put me at 27 hp, bleed 2. With DR 1/epic
The Maiden continues to hold her ground. Her jaw is still reeling from the blunt force of that quarterstaff. Maintaining total defense. AC 24.
Did Ptah just heal 10 hp? It's not in the desciptive text, so I'm wondering if it's just a typo, or it has some nasty ability enabling it to heal 10 hp as a free/swift action...
Also, don't forget Absorb Blow might have granted you DR against these strikes. And I strongly expect Lionel to burn those mythic powers to keep himself standing. And lastly, if the damage from the first strike is negated with Absorb Blow, does it still afflict Bleed damage?
Ptah has fast healing 5, as you've probably guessed. He also has the ability to deflect one hit per round (which I am using always on the first hit). You're under the impression that he healed 10 because (I think) you assumed your 21 beat his AC, which it did not. That plus DR puts him at his current total.
I expect Lionel would use Absorb Blow too, however it's difficult to adjudicate that via PbP in the absence of "I will always on the first hit for this fight." The bleed damage comes with every attack; however, the nature of bleed damage is that it does not stack. Once you're bleeding, you bleed for the amount each round until you stop it or you die.
@ Numair: I need a caster level check versus spell resistance.
I will resolve the rest after Lionel and Numair make their next posts as a lot depends on those two.
Lionel's luck catches him once more, as another blow is deflected by the heavens. The man raises his arms, as an ethereal veil appears, covers his wounds and then disappears again.
Absorb on the First one, then Convert to Cure Moderate.
Heal:2d8 + 3 ⇒ (7, 6) + 3 = 16
[ooc]Removing 10 puts me at 7, then going back on 23 hp.
@GM Trex: The Augmented version bypasses spell resistance and spell immunity.
Oh cool, thanks! Going to run with Ptah's initial action even though Lionel is still up because retcons are annoying.
Numair 'ports himself away just in time, using the Ruby Sage's power to obliterate the god-statue! Ptah doesn't have time to notice that Lionel has miraculously avoided unconsciousness. The Calistran uses the opportunity to heal some of his savage wounds.
Meanwhile, the halflings work toward solving the puzzle as quick as they can (Pim's new choice changes the topaz to green). Kailun summons some slipperiness for the stones. Nethys is unfazed by the destruction of his companion and unperturbed by the spell, brutally laying into the Maiden once again.
