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Diplomacy:
Know-History:
Svetlana has heard no more rumours than anyone else but raises a point to Sielan "He did indeed withdraw, however, whilst the Spire has no obvious entrances on any surface, but is said to have contained Nex's armies. The building seems to bend both space and magic around itself"
The Chelaxian agent raises a very dubious eye at the spellcaster and his accurate assessment of the likely recovery of the 'debt' - "People mock the Hellknights for their practices, but frankly they at least provide the protection required without robbing their armigers"
Sorrina Westyr, the Pathfinder Society's returning Master of Spells, hurriedly concludes her conversation with Drandle Dreng before stepping onto the platform in front of a giant metal ring the Society has constructed. The starlight glimmers in her crystalline white hair, though her obsidian oread features are visible only in flashes from the nearby glowing wards.
“I thank you all for traveling here on such short notice, Pathfinders. A unique opportunity has come to us from the stars.” She gestures gracefully to the comet trailing gas in the sky above her head. “The asteroid Aucturn's Tear quietly travels our solar system once every fifty-six years. For the first time it now flares with brilliance. We have learned this phenomenon is the work of an entity trapped on Aucturn's Tear and, whatever this being is, it is calling out for help. We do not know its intentions, yet it is in our interest to learn more. If it is benevolent, it may prove a powerful ally and friend to the Society if we can free it. If it is malevolent, then we will do what we can to ensure it stays sealed away where it can do no harm.”
She casts a spell, briefly creating an image of Golarian’s solar system, and the asteroid’s trajectory within it.
“As it approaches planets, the entity has opened gateways in magic-dense regions, as if calling out to powerful champions that might come to its aid. Based on our calculations, the first of these gateways on Golarion should appear in a matter of minutes, and we have gathered in this magically infused site to draw the portal here and stabilize it, allowing us to travel to the asteroid ourselves. Our observations show billowing clouds pouring out from three locations on Aucturn's Tear. These both create a livable environment we can navigate as well as provide three entrances to the asteroid's interior so that we can find the source of these events.” Red arrows appear at each entrance as the image keeps focusing closer and closer to the asteroid itself. “The first entrance is at the base of an enormous crater, where there are monumental fortifications— likely making that the most difficult approach. The second plume is coming from the remnants of a frozen fortress, which could contain incredible secrets in its own right. The third plume is coming from the sunward side of the comet and is issuing from a number of lava tubes. Our observers also spotted the wreck of a metal craft near there.”
Sorrina pauses a moment, letting the significance of all of these observations sink in, and then continues.
“This will be an unusual environment, so prepare for unusual conditions: extreme temperatures, low-gravity, and airless pockets are likely. Everyone should have received a package of supplies to assist in managing these hazards. While the gateway should remain stable, a contingent of conjurers is staying here to monitor it, and additional teams are on standby to provide escape routes to extradimensional shelters in case of complications. Perhaps most importantly, we've ringed this area with defenses to prevent any outside interference with this expedition, and the bronze dragon Ahelvetinn has agreed to keep watch in case any evil attempts to escape through the gateway into Golarion.”
The Spire of Nex begins to hum, the vibrations creating a stomach-churning resonance as a pinpoint of light appears in the center of the portal ring and begins to grow.
Sorrina Westyr shouts to be heard over the deafening noise, “It's beginning! Be ready to move through and split into teams to investigate each of the three possible approaches. Once we're inside we can regroup and compare notes.”
The metal of the portal ring incandesces, and a blast of freezing air pours out as the gateway opens. The place beyond is a field of jagged grey stone, and once several dozen Pathfinders step through, the earth itself springs to life in the form of countless elemental creatures that swarm toward the gate. From further in, a terrible draconic roar accompanies the appearance of a flight of crystalline dragons sweeping out from the lip of a crater.
“Secure the gate! Do not let any of them through!” Westyr shouts as she sends a lance of swirling black and white energy into one of the wyrms, sending it careening end over end as the forces meet.
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As you step through the gate, two large creatures made of earth rush towards you.
Fandral <===UP!
Avelina <===UP!
Sielan <===UP!
Imbroglio <===UP!
Svetlana <===UP!
E
C
Solomon
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Immunity to bleed, paralysis, poison, sleep effects, and stunning.
Not subject to critical hits or flanking. Does not take additional damage from precision-based attacks, such as sneak attack.
Elementals do not breathe, eat, or sleep.
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"That one is clay golem! I've fought other golems before, but they were made of sturdier stuff. Still it looks to want to come at us so be ready to hit it twice as hard!"
Sielan moves and makes an incantation quickening his pulse and others in the party before readying his glaive for a deadly fight.
"Not sure how fast we need to move to avoid rocks, but lets get this over quick!"
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Immunity to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, morale effects, patterns, and phantasms).
Immunity to bleed, disease, death effects, necromancy effects, paralysis, poison, sleep effects, and stunning.
Not subject to ability damage, ability drain, fatigue, exhaustion, energy drain, or nonlethal damage.
Immunity to any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects, or is harmless).
Not at risk of death from massive damage. Immediately destroyed when reduced to 0 hit points or less.
Constructs do not breathe, eat, or sleep.
Golems are immune to magic (any spell that allows SR fails against them).
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As she moves towards the portal, the glammer surrounding Svetlana fades away slowly, revealing her to be dressed not in quality silks but finely decorated and ornate Hellknight Plate of blackened steel - featuring dozens of tiny leering imps of cold iron worked into the metal - closer inspection notes all of the Imps wings are razor sharp. On her breastplate is the seal showing the same Infernal eye staring out of a vortex, and also the seal of the House of Thrune.
She wields a bardiche with a wickedly keen blade of adamantine.
***
Know (Arcana)
Know (Planes)
The Hellknight strides forward and readies her bardiche to attack any creature coming into range.
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Imbroglio moves and vanishes.
Sielan hasts the rest of the party.
Fandral readies his shot.
Avenlina imprisons the elemental in a tomb of ice.
Svetlana moves up and readies her polearm.
The elemental freezes.
The golem moves up. Fandral fires his shot, blasting the construct between the eyes, though it doesn't seem quite as effective as he'd have hoped.
The golem gets about 10 feet away from Fandral and tries to smash him with his fist. The fist connects, solid hunks of clay scraping across his flesh.
Solomon <===UP!
Avelina <===UP!
Sielan <===UP!
Imbroglio <===UP!
Svetlana <===UP!
E (-11 hp, helpless)
Fandral (63/84 hp) <===UP!
C (-35 hp)
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The Hellknight listens to Solomons suggestion - Being a member of the Order of the Gate it strikes a deep resonance within her, and she can practically hear Vicarius Giordano Torchia extolling her "Always, Judgment in the face of depravity."
She let's the cold fury of the Hellknight path flow through her.
Attack
Damage
Crit?
Add Damage
Attack
Damage
She then steps back "Don't stand there with it toe to toe, dance! Make it work to try and land a blow!"
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Memories flow of many a barroom brawl. He loses himself to it for a moment as he realizes he is far away from any friendly fight.
"You can say that, but the song just makes me want to bash it in face! I'll try though!"
Sielan switches to any controlled flow of magical energy in an effort to empower his weapon and leaps at the golem with a wild swing of his glaive before pushing away again.
Attack
Damage
Sielan bellows with disapproval. "I'm too used to just trading blows! Hard to hit when I'm trying to keep away!"
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Despite its resistance to their physical attacks, the combined might of the pathfinders quickly disables the golem.
Fandral (63/84 hp)
”You handled those guards with flair!” A Varisian woman is leaping towards you, she is obviously enjoying the low gravity.
”We have located the three avenues of approach and have some more information on them. It is your choice how to proceed, so here is what we know:”
”The crater is swarming with defenders. If you choose to go there you need to be prepared for combat, but it seems the most direct route to the center of the asteroid.”
”We have located a frozen city on the asteroid’s dark side. If you want you can explore the city to see if we can find the means to help the trapped being.”
”On the sunny side we have located the wreck of a metal craft. It might contain the same kind of objects as can be found in Numeria. If you want to explore that be aware that that side of the asteroid is bathing in direct sunlight, without any protection from an atmosphere.”
”It is your decision, I’ll be off to brief that group over there on what we found” and she moves away before you can even start to think of questions.
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"As much as it appeals to me to wade knee deep in bodies through the crater, our mission is focussed on this being - and that means the Frozen City might bear clues, or perhaps the crashed metal craft, I have explored a few such things and lived to tell the tale, it could be how the being came to be on this rock"
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"I'll admit I'm probably better at fighting than poking around in ruins. Still those sound more interesting and probably make for better reporting that more fighting. I rather leave the deciding to you all, but I would like to see what sort of city someone build on a flying rock."
Sielan takes a minute to prepare a number of wards and augmentations. He takes a moment between a few to try to recall the proper incantations as he mutters a mnemonic for his more complex magic.
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You travel to the dark side of Aucturn's Tear.
A vast forest of lifeless trees blankets this landscape. A thin layer of ice coats each branch, tracing dappled shadows in the starlight. A dark, half-fallen spire rises in the distance, while running water splashes nearby alongside the sound of vicious combat.
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Saul seems pretty comfortable in the dim light, and keeps his naginata at the ready as they move forward. "Keep your guard up... if we can hear the sounds of the crashing blade then we are already engaged in the struggle... if only indirectly."
He joins Hellion in the frontline. "Remember this day friends... It is not likely that we'll find ourselves in an adventure like this again for quite some time."
He unhooks his tinwhistle from his side and plays a quick tune. "But we should not stand around idly either. We may not have much time here and we have a job to do... This comet is huge and we had best make good time without overexerting ourselves this early."
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Heading carefully towards the sound of battle, you see two creatures doing battle with a third, similar creature. Several more bodies lie in the ice and snow. The third creature, outnumbered, has put up a valiant fight, but can fight no more. Down on her knees, her attackers look ready to finish her off.
Avelina
2
3
Sielan
Imbroglio
1
Solomon
Svetlana
Fandral (63/84 hp)
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The burst of radiance hits the creatures, but appears to have no effect whatsoever.
One of the creatures moves up and waits, yelling back to the other aggressor.
The kneeling creature tries to defend herself.
Avelina
2 (readied)
3
Sielan
Imbroglio
1
Solomon
Svetlana
Fandral (63/84 hp)
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Vinnie smiles as the creature burbles. He moves closer and gives the closest red fellow (#2) a good stare and casts Oppressive Boredom, Will Save DC 23!
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Saul's patience rapidly disappears as the kneeling combatant is struck. "To the front at the double!"
He rushes forward, naginata readied and unleashes a war cry.
"You're outnumbered! Yield and we can sort this out without further bloodshed... Continue and become another footnote in one of my tales..."