Prayer is 2, Bless is 1, Power Attack is -2, Bab is +4, Str is +5, +1 enhancement for attack bonus. Damage is +7 from str, +6 from power attack, +1 enhancement +2 from Prayer. The increased bonus from Prayer is due to Fate's Favored
2 + 1 - 2 + 4 + 5 + 1 = 11
Torque slashes at the coward who hides behind images.
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17 1d12 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24 Image Check, 1 is the real him:1d6 ⇒ 2
Torque merely disrupts an image while Damien's magic fizzles against the serpentfolks magical defenses. James moves to unleash a hail of arrows on the Serpentfolk but has a bad angle; his arrows only bite stone. The melody of Melody's magical healing, however, is a sweet song that soothes the Pathfinders wounds.
His spell complete, Sartoss lashes out with his dual rapiers and fangs at Torque, but to little effect as the weapons cannot pierce the half-orc's various defenses.
Sartoss 53, 3 images
Party up
sense motive 15:
James has suddenly gone rigid, and has a distant look in his eye. It is likely he has been dominated.
Female Halfling Cleric of Shelyn 6 | HP 39/39 | AC 18 T 13 FF 16 | CMD 14 | F+7 R+5 W+8 (+2 fear) | Init +2 | Perc +4 | channel 3d6 (DC 16): 5/8 | luck: 3/5 | arc: 4/5
Sense Motive:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
"Oh dear!" Melody says as she recognizes James' affliction. She pulls out her wand of protection from evil and moves a step closer as she aims a lightning bolt at the evil Sartoss.
Male Human Sorcerer 7 (HP 50/51) | AC 13 (16 MA) Touch 11 FF 12 | Saves F +5 R +5 W +8 | Resist Acid 5
Damien seizes the opening given by the creature backing off and lobs an acid ball into the hallway.
Acidball 6d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 1, 2, 5, 3, 1) + 6 = 22 (Ref:DC19)
In your absence I botted you once (since you were out for a week) and then you got domainated. So you'll need to start attacking teammates until someone fixes that. You can roll randomly if you wish. 1 = Damien, 2 = Torque, 3 = Melody. 1d3 ⇒ 2
The archer knocks his arrow and aims to fire on the Serpentfolk. Suddenly, his body goes rigid and he turns his bow on Torque. The arrow flies through the air but bounces off the serpentfolks thick skin.
Meanwhile, Damien looses a massive ball of acid; the Sartoss flattens himself against the wall to avoid most of the blast. He lunges back forward to lash out a Torque again. The rapiers gouge the half-orc twice, leaving streaks of blood. 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 6) + 6 = 16
Since (assumedly) shooting Torques is against the lily-white James, the will save has a +2 bonus from the spell, and makes it.
1d2 ⇒ 2
Moments before James fires another arrow at Torque, the combined effect of Melody's magic and his own pure heart turns his hand. He aims his bow instead at the serpent folk, dispelling the last of the mirrored images. Damien's magic missile, however, sparks off the defenses of the powerful Sartoss.
The serpentfolk, fighting like a cornered Rat, lashes out at the half-orc several times, this time landing no strikes.
Sartoss repeats its hissing laugh as Torgue misses again - but the laugh is cut short as the serpent folk is riddled with magic missiles and arrows. It's body slides back across the floor from the impact.
The room beyond the serpentfolk proves to be personal chambers including, among other things, an extensive set of books that seem to focus on demonology and the surface world. This must be inferred from the illustrations, however, for those that do not speak the Akloan tongue.
Besides a bed, the room holds two more statues of Kro'akoth wreathed in continual flame
You also retrieve two +1 rapiers and a pearl of power from the dead cleric
In the Red Shield tavern the next day, the ale is fine and the Pathfinders are certainly the subject of much gossip among the various patrons. News of their latest exploits in the Emerald Spires seems to have spread, granting them the status of minor celebrities.
It has also, perhaps unfortunately, attracts the attention of Lady Commander Audara Drovust. The Hellknight makes her appearance at the tavern pointed flanked by two iron-clad subordinates and clearly in distaste at the establishment.
She gets to the point immediately, fingering Melody. "You, halfling, we require your presence. It is a criminal case involving some slave escapees - halflings. Our own clerics cannot spare the resources to tend to them in the moment, as they are out dealing with banditry. You will come with us to tend to some - minor wounds - they incurred during their escape attempt."
She turns to the rest of the group. "In the meantime, I will provide you with someone to replenish your numbers. Do not worry, she is one of your own - a Pathfinder. Although I must say a bit more disciplined than most of your lot."
She waves her hands towards a fearsome-looking human woman, a muscular Kuthite nun, whose fine Chelaxian features stand at odds with literally-black skin, clad in little besides layers of heavy spiked chains.
Melody looks a bit ashened-faced, but quickly follows the commander out of the establishment, leaving the new replacement alone with her fellow Pathfinders.
Torque eyes the newcomer with a little caution. The Chelaxians' discipline was always appreciated by the Lawbringer, but their priorities in other matters tend to concern him. But after a moment, he lets his guard down. "I am Torque. This is James and Damien. Welcome to the team."
|AC 19, T 19, FF 16|HP: 57/57|F +7, R +10, W +12 (+1 vs disease, +2 vs Ench/poison/fear)|Init +3, Perc +14|CMB +12 (+2 to trip) CMD 30 (33 vs Trip)|9/9 Punishing Kicks, 16/16 Ki, 1/1 Soul-Drinker, 2/2 GL
The nun moves forward with alarming celerity given her burden of chains, before giving a tight bow.
Introductions made, and the four Pathfinders now the dearest of friends, the explorations of the wonders of the Emerald Spire resume. The group returns to the eighth level of the mysterious world of emerald and stone.
The level is... unexpected. The staircase joins a small room, while a another staircase immediately exits the room, winding down into darkness. Off to one side is a calm pool of murky water with a pedestal in its center. Atop the pedestal, a golden serpent idol grasps an emerald in its fangs.
|AC 19, T 19, FF 16|HP: 57/57|F +7, R +10, W +12 (+1 vs disease, +2 vs Ench/poison/fear)|Init +3, Perc +14|CMB +12 (+2 to trip) CMD 30 (33 vs Trip)|9/9 Punishing Kicks, 16/16 Ki, 1/1 Soul-Drinker, 2/2 GL
As does Kali.
I automatically succeed on aiding Torque's Perception check, making it a 30. Knowledge (History):1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16 Knowledge (Religion):1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28 Sense Motive (because you can never be too sure with these things...):1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
|AC 19, T 19, FF 16|HP: 57/57|F +7, R +10, W +12 (+1 vs disease, +2 vs Ench/poison/fear)|Init +3, Perc +14|CMB +12 (+2 to trip) CMD 30 (33 vs Trip)|9/9 Punishing Kicks, 16/16 Ki, 1/1 Soul-Drinker, 2/2 GL
Will save vs Enchantment:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33
Kali stares back at the idol with a knowing sneer.
|AC 19, T 19, FF 16|HP: 57/57|F +7, R +10, W +12 (+1 vs disease, +2 vs Ench/poison/fear)|Init +3, Perc +14|CMB +12 (+2 to trip) CMD 30 (33 vs Trip)|9/9 Punishing Kicks, 16/16 Ki, 1/1 Soul-Drinker, 2/2 GL
"Disposing of the greedy, of course. I don't suppose I can bear it *too* much ill will."
Each Pathfinder in turn proves to have surprising presence of mind, resisting the siren lure of the snake statue. It is clearly an effective magical trap - to the casual observer, it almost seems to move on its own.
With their keen eyes, Torque and Kali quickly realize there is a well-hidden passage in the murky water of the pool next to the statue.
spellcraft 18 + det. magic:
In addition to suggestion effect, there is clearly a teleport trap dweomer place upon the statue.
|AC 19, T 19, FF 16|HP: 57/57|F +7, R +10, W +12 (+1 vs disease, +2 vs Ench/poison/fear)|Init +3, Perc +14|CMB +12 (+2 to trip) CMD 30 (33 vs Trip)|9/9 Punishing Kicks, 16/16 Ki, 1/1 Soul-Drinker, 2/2 GL
"If we're all finished admiring all that glitters for a moment," Kali says as she pulls a shovel out of her haversack and begins wading into the pool, "You'll find what we're really looking for has been more cleverly concealed." She takes her shovel and probes the passageway.
When Kali pokes the tool into the water, the head is quickly swallowed by the depths. It is clear the underwater passageway extends some distance from the entrance - swimming will be required for transit, although the waters seem calm.
|AC 19, T 19, FF 16|HP: 57/57|F +7, R +10, W +12 (+1 vs disease, +2 vs Ench/poison/fear)|Init +3, Perc +14|CMB +12 (+2 to trip) CMD 30 (33 vs Trip)|9/9 Punishing Kicks, 16/16 Ki, 1/1 Soul-Drinker, 2/2 GL
Kali puts her shovel back. "It's deep - but it doesn't look like we've got anywhere else to go. Last one in's a deal-breaker!"
She closes her eyes and tightens her chains around her like snug furs for a moment until she draws blood, but far less blood than an observer would expect, before jumping in.
Male Human Sorcerer 7 (HP 50/51) | AC 13 (16 MA) Touch 11 FF 12 | Saves F +5 R +5 W +8 | Resist Acid 5
"Not this again." Damien complains before hopping into the pool.
The sad part is, I seriously considered air bubble when leveling, then dismissed it as we already did a water level...
Kali quickly darts through the tunnel effortlessly - and immediately halts her progress, when she finds herself staring at the nude legs of three serpentfolk bathing in the hot waters. The evil creatures seem to be enjoying their bath, entirely ignorant of the human beneath their feet.
You seem to have gone unnoticed, what would you like to do? I've put the rest of you off to the side of the map, to represent you still being underwater.
