Against the Whispering Tyrant in his own backyard.

Game Master Vrog Skyreaver

A Ring of Sustenance trims it down to two hours once per day.

Yes, you're right, but it's still fairly early in the day (I think). I gotta do 24 hours to prep it in 2. If we want to charge in, Lefty can wait, but he'll mostly be blasting. That's not a bad thing.

Now that we know the parameters of the place, we can function better when Manisha can prep some arcane mojo. Not sure when that will be.

Sorry about the derth of posts. I've been fighting foreign invaders in my body for the last week or so, and now I'm....mostly...over it. (I still have a fever, but it's not in the "have to go to the hospital" range that it was this weekend.)

to start with, Baergar, I can definitely understand your issue with the lack of IC information. This is definitely part of the thing that I am using to both unfold the story as it goes and increase the challenge a bit. As I figure it, a group of 20th level equivilant adventurers should be used to going into situations, even exceptionally dangerous ones, without much intel. Additionally, even with post-mortum interrogations, the PS could only learn so much without having sent in people, and so far your group has had the best chance of getting in. There are effects (as your group is just learning) that make divination on the inside of the tower itself difficult, if not downright impossible.

With the above being said, if you feel that you do not have enough information OOC, then that's an issue. It's definitely my goal to make sure that you're as informed as you can be (barring things that your characters would have no way of knowing). I know that we're doing a slightly "different" format of play style, and so far I'm fairly happy with the results (the exception being that instead of setting aside time to write and post the fiction, I'm going to just be doing it when I can. That's going to be a change to how I said I would do things when I pitched the campaign, but now that I have a grasp on the situation, I think it's a better way to go). That way, you guys aren't stuck sitting on your hands, and we can have set aside time after each chapter to do things like scouting and having people run off on their own.

CHAPTER TWO

After having completed their scouting and casting various "infiltration" style magics and abilities on the party, it's been decided that the group should attempt to bypass the guardian and enter the tower directly. There are a few tense moments when walking past the guardian where you think it might turn on one or another of you, but it doesn't and you breathe a sigh of relief upon entering the tower proper. Once your group is inside the main floor of the tower, you'll have to deal with the gargoyle vampires. I'm not going to make your group fight them, as that would just be silly. You guys will decimate them heartily as a group. If your scouts weren't as good as they are, I would have run the combat with just them. If you guys could just describe how your characters would likely deal with them, we can move on. The next major decision needs to be whether you head up or downstairs first.

Once she and Lefty return to the others, Star lays out her proposal.

"Inside the barrier, Dimension Door works. The Necromancer is proof. So I turn everyone invisible. We D-Door past the guardian. Right inside the tower."

The raven haired woman looks around at the others.

"Inside the lobby are vampire gargoyles. Weak. We can just kill them. After that, we go up or down stairs. Down the stairs is a zombie black dragon. Scared me a little. Don't know what's up. Gut stopped me from checking."

"Battle in the foyer? What's to stop the guardian from rushing in behind, or the dragon coming up? That sounds a bit exposed."

"Maybe we should engage the guardian and hope to draw out the gargoyles at the same time or after? At least then our back are covered."

What would you like? I've shared my repertoire. I'll cover the basics if an engagement ensues. Before then? Speak up.

Manisha is still a bit shaken from the sudden and unexpected response of their surprise visit. It wasn't like they sent announcements of their impending arrival.

Wasn't there a sealed door between the guardian and the main floor?

I'd like Death Ward, Mind Blank, and anything else you can think of.

I can toss you a Mind Blank tomorrow, but I'm fresh out, today.

I forgot to mention the swirling cloud of ethereal undead over the 500' killing zone. Sorry.

I'm guessing TB has a connection to the guardian. The gargoyles probably don't, though. There's an undead dragon downstairs, and something just as nasty in the tower. I like Star's idea. The less we fight, the closer we get to the goal. Destroy him, and the rest can be dealt with. We can then retire to my villa and have some vodka martinis.

Vrog describes a door between the guardian and the main floor. Not sure how thick it was, but Lorelei and Lefty were able to bypass it somehow. I would have Star mention it in-character, but I think Vrog is the one who could clarify best.

"Don't fear the dragon, Your Majesty," Star says with a giggle. "Took me awhile to find him. I can dispatch him. Activate cloak, Heal, Heal, Heal, Ice Cold Strike. Kills undead fast."

Everyone already has Death Ward for the next 22ish hours and 50 something minutes. I used my Death Warden's Bandolier to give it to everyone while we talked to Grilka. As for Mind Blank, let the spontaneous caster with a 50 for her casting stat handle that, Mr. Lefty. I can give it to Hiram and Mr. Mammoth too.

That's a load off.

"Do not underestimate dragons, little one, even the dead ones," Hiram says, still thinking about the situation. "However, if we can defeat the dragon, I'd like to see what he is guarding."

I know that I said door when I was describing the guardian's area, but doorway would be a more accurate description (after all, doors sized for a colossal creature tend to be hard to get when you're sealing in an area for centuries).

As I posted above, I'm going to assume that you cast invis and hide from undead to get past the guardian and then defeat the gargoyles. I just need to know which combat you're headed towards. I've also added some info to the gameplay tab covering what you've learned about the environs of Gallowspire. I'll add to it as you explore.

I forgot to mention that I would like a brief description of what you characters are doing to kill gargoyles. It doesn't need combat mechanics type descriptions, just describe what you're doing. I will probably be doing a few of these combats, as running a group like yours through a roving pack of 50 zombies wouldn't be epic enough, and I want to focus on specific combats. I may on occasion ask you to give up a spell or two to get past a combat like that, but most of the time it should be fine.

Lefty would hang back and get sneak damage with Greater Invis and some low-level blasts (mostly Scorching Ray, and maybe even a few cantrips). He'd pick off any gargoyles still standing after Baergar and Hiram plow through them.

Baergar will stick with Hiram and, using his longer reach, will remove limbs as they come in.

I picture Hiram getting mobbed ad as he is nearly hit, Baergar removes the offending claw, jaw, wing, etc.

:)

Star first hands out a Mind Blank to everyone who needs it, throws up a Repulsion field and a Deflection spell for good measure before the start of combat, stays airborne, tosses around a few Black Tentacles for her own amusement and keep pressure of her allies, goes Invisible, and heals the group as necessary using her Faith's Reach mythic ability. Unlike Antilife Shell, Repulsion does keep away undead. The Will Save would be 37 to bypass it.

just waiting on the other two to weigh in.

Manisha is flying, invisible, and assists with field control to set them up for Baergar and Hiram.

Did Paizo change the format recently? Seems that when I log on here, I get a bunch of spyware.

I think they changed the format of the forums a bit....least it looks that way to me.

Hiram has precisely zero subtly when dealing with undead mooks, he is guaranteed to be a damn sight tougher and meaner than them. He'll use the Song like a cleaver making called shots to the neck that more often than not end up beheading their targets.

So this seems to be the plan. Star hands out Mind Blank to everyone who needs it and has them all gather around Mûmak. One Mass Invisibility and other buffs later, she D-Doors them past the guardian and the ethereal undead. After that, the group begins hacking their way through advanced four-armed vampire gargoyles. Sound about right?

seems like a solid play. All I need now is your direction (up or down).

I voted down if we were confident about taking out the dragon.

I vote we go down,

Down. Star knows that she can hide from the dragon.

Down. Dragons are my most favored enemy :)

So, the scouts can go in, spot it, and tell the cavalry where it is. It may go invisible, or whatever.

Probably a pretty big space. We'll want to pin it down.

Manisha redistributes some of her gear once she hears that even the haversacks are affected inside. Fortunately she wasn't burdened by her routine gear anyway.

As for the direction, one way is as good as any other. It was her experience that towers usually were tiered with more "important" people the higher you went.

Clearing the basement just helped to ensure they wouldn't get flanked.

Since it's down you want, down you'll get.

As you move downstairs, you see multiple sets of ruins, in different architectural styles. It looks like someone built buildings, then melted them down and created new buildings with the same materials.....over and over again, before abandoning the project in the middle of creating something.

You can see a variety of architecture styles and themes from cultures from all over the world: the remains of lizardfolk stilt huts mingle with Chelaxian villa styles. You have encounters with several minor (to your group) types of undead, and then you enter an area that is still. the only sounds that you can hear are your companion's breathing; even the ruins appear to be holding their breath in bated anticipation. Then, with a flurry of activity, A massive rotted thing erupts from a pile of collapsed columns to menace your group.

]Picture of it emerging[

]MAP.[

the columns in that picture are about 30' high, to give you guys perspective.

"Ahhhh. Heeerrrrroooeeesss. Deeellliiisssccciiiooouuusss."

go ahead and roll initiative. This creature would fall under the category of Gallowspire for purposes of spending knowledge points. I've made the map editable, so use the key to mark where you guys are within the starting area (you can remove an "s" if you want to take a spot reserved for one.

initiative: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (7) + 22 = 29

init: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27

1d20 + 20 ⇒ (13) + 20 = 33

1d20 + 35 ⇒ (14) + 35 = 49

I think my initiative mod is too low. I really should have taken Improved Initiative and Mythic Improved Initiative.

I'm so outclassed, it's not funny. I'm like a rogue. LOL

That's okay Lefty, upstairs is all you =D

Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Just missing initiative from Hiram, so tentative initiative is:
Star
Baergar
Manisha
Lefty
ME

Don't be afraid to roll initiative for me, DM. I find it speeds things along
1d20 + 22 ⇒ (17) + 22 = 39

Fair enough sir! Actual initiative is the following:
Star
Hiram
Baergar
Manisha
Lefty
ME

You're up Star!

In typical fashion, Star hangs back, dramatically waves her arms in circles, giggles softly, and then calls forth the immense power of the Great Old Ones. Luckily for everyone, it manifests in the form of a helpful blessing. In that instant, Star's allies find themselves filled with knowledge of new options for battle.

Casting Blessing of Fervor.

Just posting for easy reference. I play a PFS cleric who casts this, yet I sometimes forget the specifics.

BofF

Good stuff!

"I think you'll find me a too tough and rangy to eat," Hiram says with an easy smile, as though he was discussing which ingredients to use in a stew with a novice chef. Hiram, casually unslings his sheathed sword and in a blur of motion moves in on the dragon.

Activating sword's Inspire Courage, Hiram gains +4 on attack, damage, and saves against charm and fear effects as a swift. Total Defense as a standard, bringing AC up to 46. Moving to engaging range. Using Amazing Initiative for another standard to...

Vital Strike, Power Attack, Furious Focus, Combat Expertise, Inspire Courage, Blessings of Fervor, Holy Weapon Quality: 1d20 + 36 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 36 + 4 + 2 = 58
10d6 + 198 ⇒ (4, 4, 5, 1, 6, 6, 5, 5, 4, 6) + 198 = 244

By the time the eyes of the others had caught up with him, the sword was naked in his hand and humming a faint song. The details were hard to make out but it sounded very old. The blade of the sword flashed a cold silver as it struck the bones of the beast.

Seeing Hiram start in on the beast, Baergar clicks his heels and slides into his wake. Following close behind, the Slayer of Dragons binds a spell to his weapons to cause them to hit with greater force.

As Hiram attacks, Baergar slides from behind him and unleashes a full rain of blows on the dragon.

Amazing Initiative: Lead Blades and activate Haste.
Move
Attacks:
Mythic Power remaining: 12

1d20 + 43 ⇒ (20) + 43 = 63 for 3d6 + 55 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 4) + 55 + (5, 3) = 76 510 damage
1d20 + 43 ⇒ (11) + 43 = 54 for 3d6 + 55 + 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 4) + 55 + (6, 2) = 75
1d20 + 38 ⇒ (16) + 38 = 54 for 3d6 + 55 + 2d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 5) + 55 + (3, 4) = 73 510 damage
1d20 + 33 ⇒ (12) + 33 = 45 for 3d6 + 55 + 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 1) + 55 + (1, 4) = 63
1d20 + 43 ⇒ (17) + 43 = 60 for 3d6 + 55 + 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 1) + 55 + (2, 6) = 67 510 damage
Total Damage if all hit and crits are crits = 1668

Mûmak steps over and positions himself to provide some cover for the casters at Baergar's command.

Lorelei's mouth forms an astonished 'o' as she watches the melee men do their thing.

Not that it matters, but I don't think you can cast a spell with the Amazing Initiative standard action.

sorry bout the delay.

unfortunately, Hiram's attack misses, and all of Baergar's attacks miss except for his first one, which just hits; you also learn that this thing is immune to critical hits. also keep in mind that haste and blessing of fervor don't stack, although it's always been my interpretation that as long as you take a benefit that isn't covered by haste for blessing of fervor, it's fine.

initiative is the following:
Star
Hiram
Baergar
Manisha
Lefty
ME

Manisha is up next. updated combat info: undead dragon -76 damage; all party members: blessing of fervor for the next 18 rounds.

sigh.

It could be worse; you could be using piercing.