Rasamoro goes all -out on the devil assailing him, and bring him to within an inch of collapse. Before the devil goes down, though, it retaliates in a spiteful attempt at revenge.
The claw hit is bad, but the brain-sucking action of the proboscis is devastating. Rasamoro is hit, and suddenly loses all memory of their mission here. (DC 16 Will to negate)
Aetherys is menaced by the devil as well, but fends off all attacks.
The elf swiftly dances to avoid all blows, as if taken into a zealous dervish trance. The black blade strikes thrice, marking the devil with yet another mark of the Dawnflower.
Spell combat / spellstrike (arcane mark - auto success on defensive casting)
N Male Human Kensai4/SwordSaint2 Init +4; AC23, Touch 18, FF 16, CMD 25/18; hp 45/45; Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +4; Perception: +2; Arcane pool: 4/4; Effects: none
Will:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5my weakest point
After hit, Rasamoro feels himself lost in the events around:
- Why are we fighting those creatures? he asks, keeping his katana in guarding position. The wound on his chest could be only done by one of those, so he kept on counterattacking, this time without magic. What are we doing in here? K(planes):1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
M Elven Wizard (Evoker)-6 | AC 13 (17 w/mage armor) T 12 FF 11 | HP 27/27 | F +2 R +4 W +7 | Init +1 | Perc +7
Rhanloi continues imbuing his arcane energy into his bow and sending shock arrows at the creature attacking Rasamoro, hoping to give his colleague a reprieve!
Ranged attack:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 Electrical Damage:1d8 + 1 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 2 + (4) = 8
Male Halfling Alchemist (Grenadier) 7 [ HP 61/61 | AC 20/T13/F18 | Fort +6, Ref +7, Will +2 (+2 vs. fear) | Init +4 | Perception +17 ]
Boram draws another flask from his bandolier, applies the contents to an arrow, and fires at the...whatever it is that's attacking Rasamoro.
Not an action: 5' step, as indicated on map Move action: Draw alkali flask from bandolier Swift action: Apply to arrow (alchemical weapon) Standard action: Attack the creature attacking Rasamoro Attack (+1 Composite Longbow, Dex Mutagen, Point Blank Shot, Deadly Aim, Haste):1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 2 + 1 - 2 + 1 = 18 Damage (+1 Composite Longbow, Point Blank Shot, Deadly Aim, Alchemical Weapon):1d6 + 2 + 1 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 + 4 + (3) = 12
DMK:
I've got a question on the alchemical weapon ability here.
So, it specifically says that it "takes full effect on the next creature struck by the weapon, but does not splash, spread, or otherwise affect additional targets." With alchemist's fire, I'm assuming that that means that it will do the 1d6 of damage the next round, even it it's used with this ability?
If so, then please apply 1d6 ⇒ 4 to the creature attacking Rasamoro. If this kills it before Boram fires his arrow, then please alter his target as necessary. If that target happens to be the invisible stalker attacking Marra, then here's his miss chance roll.
Miss Chance (low misses):1d100 ⇒ 67
There's another part to this, however. The alchemist's "Throw Anything" ability states that "An alchemist adds his Intelligence modifier to damage done with splash weapons, including the splash damage if any." Would Boram also add his Intelligence modifier to the damage here? There isn't anything that says that the alchemist's fire is changed from being a splash weapon to something else, but the fact that this falls under the "Throw Anything" ability suggests that it's only when a splash weapon is thrown.
The last question I have about the alchemical weapon ability is this: I've been assuming that I have to spend a move action to pull out whatever I'm applying, then a swift action to apply. This will, however, prevent him from getting a full-round attack action in. Does this seem reasonable?
Aetherys dances around the devil, and a the move of the beat stabs at the creature, landing such lucky blows that the devil goes down bleeding.
Rasamoro sounds confused, and his attacks seem half-hearted at best, the monk trying to defend himself.
Marra manages a precise stab at the invisible force harassing her, while Rhanloi and Boram attack the devil menacing Rasamoro from afar. Two well-aimed shots take the memory-stealer off-guard, and turn it into a lifeless heap on the ground.
---
Boram
Percy B
Rasamoro
Rhanloi B
Aetherys
Marra
---
IS (13, blinded)
---
M Elven Wizard (Evoker)-6 | AC 13 (17 w/mage armor) T 12 FF 11 | HP 27/27 | F +2 R +4 W +7 | Init +1 | Perc +7
Assuming Rhanloi can see another target...
Rhanloi watches with satisfaction as his target drops to the ground, lifeless and still. He turns his attention to the next creature that needs destroying, sending 3 magic missiles streaking towards it.
Damage:3d4 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1, 1) + 3 + 2 = 9
Miffed that the creature seems to be immune to critical hits, Marra continues to feed her scimitar arcane energy as she hastily strikes at the creature as she dances around.
N Male Human Kensai4/SwordSaint2 Init +4; AC23, Touch 18, FF 16, CMD 25/18; hp 45/45; Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +4; Perception: +2; Arcane pool: 4/4; Effects: none
Something Marra was fighting hide just a step away from Rasamoro. He stepped forward and rushed his strikes against the invisible enemy.
Aetherys fails to hit the invisible swirling creature. What follow is a quick string of misses, both by Boram and by Rhanloi, interrupted only by a single arrow that seems to stick.
---
Boram
Percy B
Rasamoro
Rhanloi B
Aetherys
Marra
---
IS (38, blinded)
---
N Male Human Kensai4/SwordSaint2 Init +4; AC23, Touch 18, FF 16, CMD 25/18; hp 45/45; Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +4; Perception: +2; Arcane pool: 4/4; Effects: none
Still affected by Marra's magic, Rasamoro tried to kill the invisible creature:
Percy gets to it - "I used to be Professor Percy you know" he says wistfully as he starts making his way through the library, but the last library I visited was the Library of the Lion.
He casts two spells - Detect Secret Doors + Whispering Lore*
Boffins assists Percy, the little Faerie Dragon pondering and rummaging through the shelves. Auto pass aid another
Perception 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 16 + 2 = 36
*Whispering Lore gives a +4 bonus for 90 mins, or he can Extend that to 180 mins, is that able to be used in this case?
Boffins assists Percy, the little Faerie Dragon pondering and rummaging through the shelves.
I went with Perception as everyone can aid that easily, unlike the Know skills :(
N Male Human Kensai4/SwordSaint2 Init +4; AC23, Touch 18, FF 16, CMD 25/18; hp 45/45; Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +4; Perception: +2; Arcane pool: 4/4; Effects: none
Rasamoro joined the arcane corner, helping Rhanloi, by looking for familiar writting and magical symbols.
After eight hours of searching, Percy uncovers some valuable information on the collection, and the lantern:
The Collection Esoterica contains a substantial list of unusual supernatural objects from around the Inner Sea region and beyond, some even come from unidentified lands. However, this initial investigation uncovers no reference to any kind of lantern.
A water-damaged journal contains a sketch of a metal-framed lantern of exquisite (though infernal) design. The writing indicates that the lantern was gifted to the Blakros Museum, but with no legible indication of when or from whom.
DC 20 Linguistics:
The smudged text is barely legible, but someone gifted the lantern to the Blakros Museum 47 years ago.
The buyer of an auction lot in Kintargo 47 years ago donated many of those items to the museum. However, the reference numbers in the auction lot receipt do not correspond to the entries in the Blakros Museum’s codices of acquisition. In fact, someone altered the codices and replaced the original pages with forgeries to conceal the truth.
Knowlegde:1d12 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 = 10
Rhanloi burns the midnight oil and continues to search. Deep in the night, he finds a battered journal makes passing reference to “duplicate copies” of all Blakros Museum codices involving magical items registered with Forae Logos, per the Founding Law of Absalom. Unaltered copies of the codices detailing the lantern are likely still kept within Forae Logos, Absalom’s largest library.
Male Halfling Alchemist (Grenadier) 7 [ HP 61/61 | AC 20/T13/F18 | Fort +6, Ref +7, Will +2 (+2 vs. fear) | Init +4 | Perception +17 ]
Perception (Aid Percy):1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32
Linguistics (Spoiler):1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25
Boram notes, after looking at the journal, that the lantern was supposedly gifted to the museum 47 years ago.
Upon hearing about the duplicate copies of the Blakros codices, he smirks, "Well, I suppose this means we'll be at this for a while longer; it could take days to sift through that library."
The group, having learned what they needed after only two days of searching, exits the basement. Nigel Aldain asks, somewhat disinterested: You found what you came for then, hmm? as the party makes its way to the Forae Logos.
The Forae Logos is a tremendous building, as much a cathedral as it is a library. Beyond the imposing entry arch of the library stands the grand foyer, an immense chamber of tiered balconies decorated with ancient marble statues, creeping ivy, and an overhead skylight decorated with astrological designs.
In spite of the structure’s serene grandeur, a palpable sense of tension hangs in the air. Dozens of heavily armored guards brandishing halberds observe the foyer from the balconies, and few visitors grace this spacious hall, making it feel unwelcomingly empty. “Excuse me!” calls an immaculately groomed man with a thick Kelish accent, dull orange skin, faintly incandescent tattoos along his neck, and golden eyes that seem to flicker like candlelight. Accompanied by two of the Learned Guard, he swiftly moved to intercept the visitors.
“I am Second Archivist Qilaus Sandaril of Forae Logos. I regret to inform you that we are in a state of heightened security at present and can only admit visitors on a case-by-case basis for the foreseeable future.”
"Our warm greetings, Second Archivist. We have been sent by the Pathfinder Society on a mission of utmost importance - to save a man's eternal soul. I cannot stress enough how this case is vital to our cause, and in Sarenrae's eyes as well. We are looking for a duplicate copy of a codex related to the Blakros museum, and your help will be paramount in our endeavour, Most Learned One." she requests humbly, presenting the writ.
Qilaus Sandaril slips on a leather glove lined with metal mesh to handle the writ. That is a compelling legal document. I am not one to deny the Decemvirate their will, of course, and perhaps the head librarian will think likewise. Let me present this document to my superiors, and I shall return following their response.
After a few minutes, he returns and says This is not an ideal situation, mind you, but you have permission to enter. I must profess we are at a loss as to what the infiltrators were attempting to accomplish there. Perhaps you might be able to discover their reason for entering Forae Logos and what caused their altercation.
You can still ask questions here
---
Second Archivist Sandaril escorts the party to the library’s sealed section with a quartet of guards. He dismisses the ward sealing the wing with a wave of a wand.
I must make you aware of the fact that the area is under the the effects of a dimensional lock spell, but also whatever unknown fallout that still persist from the battle days earlier.
After sparks cease dancing across the doors, two of the Learned Guard move to pull them open to reveal a ten-foot-wide hallway littered with scorched books and drifting motes of multicolored light. Where the hallway turns, shifting hues of iridescent light drift like oil slicks in the air, accompanied by strange, disembodied noises of distant laughter and whimpering agony.
Sandaril looks anxious as the group enters, and the Learned Guard swiftly shut the door behind them. Soon a er closing the doors, Sandaril’s muflled incantation on the other side precedes a final click as the entrance is sealed once more.
This hallway connects the sealed wing to the Forae Logos proper. At the end of the hall there is a foyer filled with a shifting haze of multicolored lights and phantasmal sounds that change in hue and tone at random intervals.
An unknown party broke into a sealed records wing several days ago. An altercation of some nature occurred, whereby dangerous magic was unleashed. We have contained this effect but have yet to discover the nature of the intrusion or undo the damage.
At least one of the intruders was an elf—a woman carrying an unusual lantern of some sort. Members of the Learned Guard spotted her when they responded to the sound of combat. There were other cloaked and masked figures fighting her, but they escaped the wing using teleportation magic soon a er being spotted. The elf fled deeper into the wing; she may still be there for all we know. We had to seal the entrance and dimensionally lock the area before the unleashed magic spread to other areas.
As I related to you just this instant, we have suspicions she may still be in the sealed wing. This particular wing houses a large library hall, with two smaller side sections. There are some further passages of which the layout eludes me.
"An elf carrying a magical lantern! She's the one we're looking for - if you'll allow us into the sealed wing, we'll hunt her down for you. I promise you, in the name of Sarenrae, that we won't bring more mayhem into your halls of knowledge. On the contrary, we'll restore peace to the premises."
That is a laudable goal, and one that I wholeheartedly support. I would ask that you take the value the collection into account, and ensure that no further harm is done to the works contained inside.
----
Marra carefully moves forward and pushes into the next room. Once a repository for dangerous magical books, the library now resembles a battlefield. Tables are overturned and books litter the floor. Some of these tomes float listlessly in the air as if they weighed nothing, their pages slowly turning by unseen hands. Others lie in smoldering heaps on the floor, arcing with sporadic gouts of electricity or flame. Haunting music fills the library, a mixture of Taldan nursery rhymes and lilting, arrhythmic tunes plucked on invisible strings.
...old king Stan was a merry old man, and a merry old man was he...
