EndlessForms |
The drifting steam of freshly made tea shimmers through the air in front of Venture-Captain Amara Li. The stoic Tian woman places an ornate tea tray on the edge of her desk, inviting all those present to partake of the drink. Li’s neatly organized office is the site of various tapestries and artifacts imported from the distant land of Tian Xia.
“I would like to thank you all for coming here despite the lack of explanation. Circumstances have forced me to be discreet in this assignment. There are many who would put the information I am about to share with you to more unsavory ends.” Amara begins to take an initial sip from her teacup before she continues.
“Several months ago I arranged the successful sale of a pair of tomes from my homeland of Tian Xia to a versed historian here in Absalom. Of these books, the Infernal Incantation was the more highly sought after, as it is said to contain the secrets of binding the legions of Hell.”
Amara takes another sip of her tea and then places the cup on her desk, her expression turning cold.
“The historian—one Yargos Gill—has spent the past several weeks studying the book from within his Absalom villa. To make matters more complicated, Yargos decided to try performing one of the rituals held within the Infernal Incantation late last night. From the breathless ramblings of his assistant who arrived at my door only a handful of hours ago, it would appear that something went horribly wrong with the ritual Yargos enacted.”
“From what I was told, the ritual revealed to Yargos and his aides that the Infernal Incantation was not a guide on imprisoning fiendish forces, but instead the book itself was a prison for the armies of Hell. Within the confines of those ancient pages reside hundreds—perhaps even thousands—of devils eager to escape their long imprisonment. If Yargos’s bumbling has caused some sort of disturbance within the tome, then we need to ensure it is fixed as quickly and as discreetly as possible. It would not do the populace any good to realize that a full-on infernal invasion could appear in the middle of the city!”
“I need you to go to Yargos’s estate, where his aide has already informed him of your impending arrival. Once you meet with the historian, learn what you can about the book and how to reverse the meddling he has caused. Above all else, ensure that the legions of Hell are contained.”
You may make a Knowledge (arcana or religion) check to learn more about the books mentioned by VC Amara Li.
Karasu Sosei |
The tengu bows deeply before Venture-Captain Li. His head cocks suddenly to the left and he speaks, "Again it is the honor of the Sosei clan to perform this task for you, Venture-Captain Li." The tengu looks with wide, unblinking eyes at the katana sheathed at his waist. "A mundane object bound with unquiet spirits?" Bowing again to the Venture-Captain, the tengu turns whispering "Well what do you know of these Infernal Incantations?"
Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Ackuda |
A shaggy human man squints at Amara Li, and his mouth works wordlessly for a moment before he reaches for a cup of tea. He sips it loudly while Li speaks, and then when she finishes, he looks into his cup, examining the tea leaves.
Knowledge: Arcana 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
EndlessForms |
Just a note: feel free to keep posting but we won't "officially" start until this weekend and I might be a bit slow this weekend due to parents visiting.
Opal Moonstone |
Kn Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Opal considers the VC's words as she sits cross legged on the floor, rolling a pair of glass spheres through her hands.
Talathel 'Brass Mantis' Gavax |
This man's red and black mithril platemail is reminiscent of the assassins gear, but this has two brass dragon claws painted on the chest piece. The holy warriors head is uncovered revealing half-elven features and a tangle of dark hair.
He bows to the Venture captain and then to his companions. Though he takes a moment to notice the other holy warrior and the shaggy human, his eyes stay on the katana wielding tengu for longer. He smiles appreciation at the unusual sword then turns to the plated-beast in the room with nearly open shock. Pathfinders, we are a mixed and wonderful bunch
After listening to Amari Li he asks, "Yargos Gill? Wasn't he the fool that started that mess with the ghosts in the Puddles. I seem to recall he was 'inadvertantly' involved in that too.
The Red Mantis Assassin Assassin thinks about the tome for a moment.
The book in question is said to hold the secrets of binding Hell's denizens. Infernal Incantation is from distant Tian Xia and has a less-well known sister document: the Celestial Song.
EndlessForms |
Amara Li looks a bit uncomfortable for a minute. "Yes, Yargos is a kind man but he has been the cause of several. . . blunders."
Ok, folks! Gameday is here!
Ackuda |
"Blunder is relative. Heheheheheh." Ackuda says with a mad chuckle. "That's why I let the universe decide. But what are we dealing with? Devils? Or are there special fiends summoned by this book? Fiends unique to your homeland?"
Karasu Sosei |
Karasu bobs his head a few times, turning it sideways to the left like a nervous tick as he looks at Ackuda. "It is important to remember that devils follow order, not chaos."
EndlessForms |
Any more questions for Amara Li? Or are we ready to head to Yargos' house?
EndlessForms |
Sorry, missed that one. Unfortunately most of that sort of info is taken care of with the knowledge checks.
"I'm afraid I am not an expert on this tome or what could come out of it. I honestly could not say how to deal with them either. Your best option would be to speak with the old man himself. Aside from Gill, only Ollysta Zadrian of the Temple of the Shining Star has sufficient knowledge of the tomes to know how to reverse the damage. She is scheduled to spend her day in Gilltown, purchasing goods from the local merchants.”
Let me know when everyone is ready to go.
Talathel 'Brass Mantis' Gavax |
"Devils you say. Let's get to them. Unless we can send somone to Gill town for Ollym Zadriana first?"
Badr al Din Ibn Badriyah |
Good to go - purchases made
The small desert garbed man bobs his head differentially to Madame Li.
Is there any suspected involvement with 'third parties'? I've found the Aspis Consortium at the bottom of many things that have taken a bad turn for the society as oft as not.
EndlessForms |
"No, we do not expect any outside interest in these things. Ollysta Zadrian may be a good resource but she is working on very important Society business now; I ask that you not bother her until you've looked into the situation first."
Yargos Gill’s villa is a stand-alone edifice that would normally meld into the background of Absalom’s various structures were it not for the massing crowd of local citizens in front of the entrance. Up above on the second floor, lights flicker as burning orange and red embers dance within.
"Quick," some of the people shout, "there were screams some time ago! The fire is ablaze!"
Moving closer to the estate, you find the door slightly ajar and the immediate interior in pristine condition. A basic dining room, kitchen, and meeting room fill the first level of the abode while stairs leading up to the second floor reveal a set of bedrooms and a personal study. There is a terrible burning light coming from beneath the closed door of Yargos' personal study.
Everyone moves towards the door, desperate to save the bumbling scholar. Sheets of dancing orange and red fire cover the walls of this long room, forming blazing curtains around two windows facing the streets below. The interior of the room is undisturbed, and the wooden floor is completely absent of flames. A swirling, sinister symbol adorns the center of the floor, formed of a darkened red substance and accented by a few nearby candles. Opposite the only entrance into this room is a large open altar filled with more candles, a single blood-stained dagger, and an open book from which torrents of flame feed the inferno along the walls. Nestled in the corners adjacent to the entrance are three humanoid bodies—two toppled over one another in one corner, and a third in the opposite corner, face down on the wooden floor.
A seething devil stands in front of the altar, wielding a vicous, saw-toothed glaive, while below its toothy maw writhes a hideous, twitching heard!
bd: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
badr: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
talathel: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
danyn: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
opal: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
karasu: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
ackuda: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
Initiative:
1. Ackuda and Talathel
2. Devil
3. Karasu, Opal, Badr, and Danyn
Ackuda and Talathel are up!
map is being updated now.
EndlessForms |
Map is updated, feel free to rearrange your starting positions. Tokens aren't perfect but I just pick out the closest free ones I can find.
Ackuda |
Knowledge: Planes 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
"Bearded Devil! Do not use Fire against it. Electricity is best. Silver or Good weapons will cut deepest!" he says before closing one eye and pointing at it.
Evil Eye hex to give -2 to saves. Save DC 16 Will.
EndlessForms |
Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Ackuda gives the devil a nasty look and its beard twitches in terror!
Initiative:
1. Ackuda and Talathel
2. Devil
3. Karasu, Opal, Badr, and Danyn
Bearded Devil: 0 dmg, -2 saves
Talathel is up!
Talathel 'Brass Mantis' Gavax |
Talathel moves toward the devil and pulls out his sabres. Seeing the circle he thinks twice about crossing its lines and instead moves along the wall. This keeps the broad man from reaching the devil, but his saw-toothed blades are ready against the evil incarnate.
(no KN (planes) Full move to current square along top of the map. I probably provoke AoO from that mean-looking glaive. Ready to attack if it steps up: sawtooth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18, dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
EndlessForms |
Sure, you can draw weapons as you run upstairs.
He hasn't acted yet, no AoO.
Talathel moves up to the devil, careful to avoid the circle on the ground. The devil laughs and swings at the half-elf.
power attack against Talathel: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 11 - 2 = 16
damage: 1d10 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 6 = 16 plus Infernal Wound
power attack against Talathel: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 11 - 2 = 27
damage: 1d10 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 6 = 18 plus Infernal Wound
Initiative:
1. Ackuda and Talathel
2. Devil
3. Karasu, Opal, Badr, and Danyn
Bearded Devil: 0 dmg, -2 saves
You guys are up!
Karasu Sosei |
Karasu cast shocking grasp as his black blade katana pulses with electrical energy, his feet shuffle him forward and he stops short of the range of that wicked looking glaive.
Ready action to attack if the devil moves into a threatened area.
Opal Moonstone |
Opal moves forward to enter the fray.
Hammer Blow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12, miss.
Ackuda |
Ackuda lets loose a mad cackle and continues to point at the Devil. With his other hand he draws a pair of dice from his pocket and rattles them in his hand, the sound of which echoes more strongly than it ought.
Move action to Cackle, extending Evil Eye, Standard action to Hex the Devil with Misfortune. Save DC 16, -2 for Evil Eye, if failed, anytime the creature makes an ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check, it must roll twice and take the worse result.
Danyn |
Assuming I can make this happen before the others get into melee...
Danyn moves in towards the devil holding a silver kama, but on the way draws a shuriken, stopping 10 feet away and throwing it.
Move right 20ft (I don't seem to have a token, much less one I can control)
Silver Shuriken: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14, Damage: 1d2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Badr al Din Ibn Badriyah |
Badr blanches white as he sees the creature but heeds the words of his companions and loads up using a silver bullet cartridge.
He aims and shoots.
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
1d12 ⇒ 2 (Silver, magical)
-1 silver cartridge - will tally up later
EndlessForms |
Yes, sorry! Opal noticed that I made a mistake; the second attack should have been +6 instead of +11. That makes it a 22 which in this instance still hits Talathel. But be sure to point it out if I make another mistake!
Danyn throws a shuriken but it flies past the devil's head. Karasu charges his blade and readies to fight while Opal swings and misses with her hammer. The crazy witch begins to laugh hysterically and uses another hex on the devil.
Will: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 3 - 2 = 14
The devil is down on his luck. Badr aims his firearm and puts a bullet into the creature as it howls in pain.
Initiative:
1. Ackuda and Talathel
2. Devil
3. Karasu, Opal, Badr, and Danyn
Bearded Devil: 2 dmg, -2 saves, misfortuned
Talathel is up!
Talathel 'Brass Mantis' Gavax |
Talathel calls upon the divine to close his wounds then steps up to the beast with both weapons slashing.
swift to lay on hands, 5' shift, full attack.
CL check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24, 2d6 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6
sawtooth1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14, dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 and
sawtooth2: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14, dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
"Don't let it bring that blasted glaive back into play!"
whew, that bleed has me scared :) 1/6 lay on hands
EDIT: that second attack should also be a +7 so is only a 12
EndlessForms |
Talathel heals himself and the swings at the devil, but is unable to hit it. The bearded devil responds by stepping forward and swinging at the tengu!
glaive power attack: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 11 - 2 = 16
glaive power attack: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 11 - 2 = 27
damage: 1d10 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 6 = 16 plus Infernal Wound
glaive power attack: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 6 - 2 = 17
glaive power attack: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 - 2 = 21
damage: 1d10 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 6 = 18 plus Infernal Wound
Initiative:
1. Ackuda and Talathel
2. Devil
3. Karasu, Opal, Badr, and Danyn
Bearded Devil: 2 dmg, -2 saves, misfortuned
You guys aer up!
Opal Moonstone |
Opal concentrates on bringing this thing down. Full Attack
Trip: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23, Damage: 1d12 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6. Silver
Badr al Din Ibn Badriyah |
Using two silver cartridges, loading rapidly one after the other, the Qadararian Musket Master to fire at the creature with two shots.
Targeting touch AC with Rapid Shot
(Magic, Silver)
1 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 8 - 2 = 18
Dmg 1d12 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
2 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 2 = 8
Dmg 1d12 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Talathel 'Brass Mantis' Gavax |
20 feet per the map, but there was no move for your last round. 'Stopping 10 feet' would have put you within 5 (it stepped up five too)
Badr al Din Ibn Badriyah |
Just occurred to me I rolled a 2 for the 2nd shot - a misfire for a cartridge. I will use a Grit Point next round to clear it as a move action
Talathel 'Brass Mantis' Gavax |
Talathel laughs along with the cackle. "Hah, we have it now! Then he steps up opposite the tengu and slashes with the blades again.
sawtooth1: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 = 12, dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 and
sawtooth2: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 2 = 22, dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
updated map for danyn & opal as well. hope that is OK
EndlessForms |
Karasu swings and misses. Opal is not able to trip the devil but she gets a nice hit in. Badr is able to get one good shot in on the bearded beast. Danyn uses a couple of leg sweeps to trip up the devil while Talathel drives his weapon into the devil, although it doesn't do as much as he would have hoped. Ackuda continues to laugh in the background as he gives the devil another nasty look.
Will: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 - 2 = 7
DC 29 Defensive Casting: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29
DC 29 Defensive Casting: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
The devil roars in frustration and then disappears momentarily before reappearing on the other side of the room, standing before the witch. He grins wickedly as he stares into Ackuda's eyes.
Initiative:
1. Ackuda and Talathel
2. Devil
3. Karasu, Opal, Badr, and Danyn
Bearded Devil: 23 dmg, -2 saves, misfortuned, -2 AC
Man you guys know how to debuff
You guys are up!
EndlessForms |
He still has a reach weapon out. But he's also still misfortuned:
Karasu AoO power attack: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 11 - 2 = 15
Karasu AoO power attack: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 11 - 2 = 16
damage: 1d10 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 6 = 20
Talathel 'Brass Mantis' Gavax |
spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
"What in the...? where'd it... Ah!
Ackuda |
Ackuda looks into the face of the Devil, and laughs... he brandishes his quarterstaff and continues to chuckle.
Move to cackle, extending -2 Saves, -2 AC, and Misfortune. Standard to Hex again to grant -2 to attacks. DC 16 Will.