Male Half-elf Witch 1 HP 9/9, NL 0 | AC 13, T 12, FF 11 | CMB +0, CMD 12 | F +2, R +2, W +2 | Init +8 | Perc +1 to +6 (Familiar: +10), SM +0 | Melee: Morningstar +0/1d8/19-20/x2; Ranged: Light Crossbow +2/1d8/19-20/x2
Yanbrel draws his morningstar, and steps back from the threatening creature.
Know (Arcana) to ID dragon:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Witch and owl gaze at the dragon with weird, unblinking curiosity. A crazed expression creeps across Yanbrel's face, eclipse-like, as if an alien impression were blocking out his normal visage.
Draw morningstar, 5-foot step, Evil Eye (AC) on the dragon. -2 AC for eight rounds, Will save DC 15 reduces duration to one round.
"Yes, Thoril! I think this would be a good thing to kill!" Kargen backs away and puts the sword down, watching the dragon. "Seems to be moving funny, but I don't know it matters."
He draws an arrow and shouts, "In the name of Erastil, I will bring you down!"
Draw morningstar, 5-foot step, Evil Eye (AC) on the dragon. -2 AC for eight rounds, Will save DC 15 reduces duration to one round.
You feel the magic of your Hex fail for some odd reason. The Dragon did not resist it, nor did "deflect" it due to innate magical immunities, it simply failed.
In a few minutes, I'm going to update a few things, which might cause everyone after Las that has posted actions to reconsider.
Out of the darkness, an undead rotting hand scampers out, heading straight at Yanbrel, bypassing the unprepared Kargen. Yanbrel tkes a quick swing with his Morningstar as it leaps for his throat.
AoO:1d20 ⇒ 12 Damage:1d8 ⇒ 3 The reflexive swing hits, snapping off one of the hand's fingers, but it continues, launching itself at his throat.
'Forward, the Light Brigade!'
Was there a man dismay'd?
Not tho' the soldiers knew
Some one had blunder'd:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
With everyone focusing on the dragon, it sustains many wounds, but continues to fight on, unleashing a flurry of strikes with it's many natural weapons.
Male Half-elf Witch 1 HP 9/9, NL 0 | AC 13, T 12, FF 11 | CMB +0, CMD 12 | F +2, R +2, W +2 | Init +8 | Perc +1 to +6 (Familiar: +10), SM +0 | Melee: Morningstar +0/1d8/19-20/x2; Ranged: Light Crossbow +2/1d8/19-20/x2
Great, now I have to go read the grapple rules for the 17th time. Thanks a lot, random zombie hand.
"...!"
Yanbrel opens his mouth to shout, but cannot squeeze any sound past the choking hand. In a panic, he raises his mace, and tries to strike again at the thing hanging on to his own throat.
Male Half-elf Witch 1 HP 9/9, NL 0 | AC 13, T 12, FF 11 | CMB +0, CMD 12 | F +2, R +2, W +2 | Init +8 | Perc +1 to +6 (Familiar: +10), SM +0 | Melee: Morningstar +0/1d8/19-20/x2; Ranged: Light Crossbow +2/1d8/19-20/x2
And I forgot to add either one on Yanbrel's rolls. Doubt a 10 is going to cut it, though.
They actually do a bit. Pathfinder changed that because they are the two most common things that a party buffing Cleric and Bard will do, and it was very annoying.
Inspire Courage:
Inspire Courage (Su): A 1st-level bard can use his performance to inspire courage in his allies (including himself ), bolstering them against fear and improving their combat abilities. To be affected, an ally must be able to perceive the bard’s performance. An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. At 5th level, and every six bard levels thereafter, this bonus increases by +1, to a maximum of +4 at 17th level. Inspire courage is a mind-affecting ability. Inspire courage can use audible or visual components. The bard must choose which component to use when starting his performance.
Bless:
Bless fills your allies with courage. Each ally gains a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws.
Yanbrel Gossrith wrote:
Yanbrel opens his mouth to shout, but cannot squeeze any sound past the choking hand. In a panic, he raises his mace, and tries to strike again at the thing hanging on to his own throat.
A simple Grapple check would be a better option, which would remove it from your throat, and either let you control the Grapple (CMB would be +7), or throw it in the square besides you.
Las Lajas wrote:
Las, convinced that the dragon is some sort of deception uses Detect Magic on it.
Round one reveals that the dragon does radiate magic.
Charging from the darkness at the nearest living target, a second undead hand leaps at Thoril. Just seeing it out f the corner of his ye, the barbarian brings his sword around trying to deflect it.
As the hand flies through the air, it realizes the danger and attempts futilely to alter it's course, but is far to late is cut in two, falling to the ground lifelessly.
Male Human (Garundi) #43870-5 | Investigator 6| HP 51/51 | Init +1 | AC: 16 T:11 FF:18 | F: +4 (+4 vs Poison), R: +6 W: +7 (+1 Trans)|+1 Adam. Stinging Whip +7(1d3+2) | Perception +11 | Diplo +9 | UMD +13 | Sense Motive +14 | Spellcraft +10 |DD +12
Active:
Darkvision 6h, Barkskin 1h, Longstrider 1h
Believing that the only magic in the area must be coming from the "dragon" Las calls out,
"That dragon has got to be an illusion of some sort."
Ah. The saving throw bonus is morale and the attack/damage bonus is competence. That's the first time I've ever seen the rules split up the types of bonuses on the same effect. As you say, it must have been done based on complaints.
Male Half-elf Witch 1 HP 9/9, NL 0 | AC 13, T 12, FF 11 | CMB +0, CMD 12 | F +2, R +2, W +2 | Init +8 | Perc +1 to +6 (Familiar: +10), SM +0 | Melee: Morningstar +0/1d8/19-20/x2; Ranged: Light Crossbow +2/1d8/19-20/x2
GM:
This was my thinking: Yanbrel can roll either maneuver or Escape Artist to break the grapple, or straight attack to damage the hand. His CMB is +0, and his Dex is 10 with the grappled penalty. He takes a -2 to other attacks, but since the zombie hand also takes the -4 Dex penalty, it's a net neutral. And since a 12 was enough to hit on the first attack, he needs to roll a 12 or higher to succeed no matter what he does.
Since I forgot to consider the party buffs, the CMB check or normal attack should both succeed on a 10 or higher, but either way I chose attack with the hope that a hit would kill the hand outright and save future actions. I'm sticking to the roll, and if fails, I guess that's karma for metagaming based on the AoO--though I like to think swinging at one's own neck is the first choice for a deranged CN character anyway.
The dragon does have a magic aura, which would require more rounds of study to pinpoint, but it is not an illusion. I simply meant with "it does radiate magic" that it does have an aura in it's square. It will all become clear very soon. :) Kargen, Angruf, Thoril, and Moll are up.
Kargen whips out the broken sword and stands there looking pretty BA, posing for the camera and awesomeness washes over the crowd. Then everyone can hear a voice coming from the blade itself, "Finally, lets go gut us a dragon and save Kalk and the princess."
Kargen:
Wielding I actually feels good. Empowering. From now on, while wielding it, you can add a +1 to basically any one d20 roll you make in a round. <it's not really a special antidragon weapon or anything though, just a special magical sword with sentience> (For you, its a +2 Attack, 1d8+2 Damage, 20/x2 weapon, as far as I can tell)
Male Human (Garundi) #43870-5 | Investigator 6| HP 51/51 | Init +1 | AC: 16 T:11 FF:18 | F: +4 (+4 vs Poison), R: +6 W: +7 (+1 Trans)|+1 Adam. Stinging Whip +7(1d3+2) | Perception +11 | Diplo +9 | UMD +13 | Sense Motive +14 | Spellcraft +10 |DD +12
Active:
Darkvision 6h, Barkskin 1h, Longstrider 1h
DM Beckett wrote:
The dragon does have a magic aura, which would require more rounds of study to pinpoint, but it is not an illusion. I simply meant with "it does radiate magic" that it does have an aura in it's square. It will all become clear very soon. :) Kargen, Angruf, Thoril, and Moll are up.
I try and play my characters based on their INT scores. With a 10, Las is just going off of what he believes to be true which often means he'll be wrong about stuff. He sees magic, he thinks it's an illusion.
male (HP 15/15 | AC 14 | T 10 | FF 14 | CMD 13 | F +1 | R +3 | W +5 | Init +0 | Per +2, darkvision 60') dwarf bard 2
Angruf is running around the pillar to the back side of the dragon spouting inspiring, if somewhat inapplicable stuff about 600 dwarves throwing themselves into a chasm. Angruf attempts to thump the dragon from the side immediately opposite Thoril.
And that, friends and neighbors, is the most proficient actual battle strike that Angruf has ever had the privilege to make. All systems on, buffed, flanking on, and a good (but not critical) roll. And for a Dragon!
As Angruf runs up and wallops it with his hammer, the dragon collapses, not in a heap, but rather in a loud clattering of brittle bones almost exploding. The sound of metal on stone can be heard as the mithral band wheels a few feet away, shattering the illusion. The undead is destroyed, leaving the last hand still clenching at Yanbrel's throat, hoping against hope to take him to the grave.
With no other threats, Thoril swipes at it with his sword, destroying the little bugger.
The someone says, "Where is Kalkamedes? . . ." and everyone looks around. Angruf's ability to see in the dark spots him after a few seconds, laying next to what appears to be a wounded woman inside of another circle of warding.
the end is very close. Can I get, over in the discussion thread, everyone to make a Dayjob roll, their PFS number if it's not obvious, and purchases they need, and basically anything they need for a Chronicle sheet.
Female Human Fighter (Cad) 3 HP 27/27, F +5, R +5, W +2, Init +3, Per +0
Moll, taking a dangerous bite from the Dragon, goes into a defensive stance, but keeps the creature's focus, allowing her allies to get behind it. When it falls, or rather disassembles, she sighs in relief and steps back. "If anyone has a touch of healing, I can use a touch." she says.
male (HP 15/15 | AC 14 | T 10 | FF 14 | CMD 13 | F +1 | R +3 | W +5 | Init +0 | Per +2, darkvision 60') dwarf bard 2
"Mol - this should help a bit."
CLW:1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
yah, been holding that one in deep reserve...
Angruf carefully inspects the binding circle and the maiden, checking both magical properties and the physical health of both the maiden and Kalkamedes.
The circle appears to be the same sort as is trapping the demon just around the corner, but is fully intact. Kalkamedes seems to have entered it without trouble and is laying right next to the woman, and truly sleeping.
@Angruf You can clearly see that she fell from her wounds, which appear to be very recent. It looks like she was in a serious scrap, and you can see wounds from both the dragon skeleton as well as the demon just around the corner, from the sheer size of the wounds, and is just barely holding on to life. You stabilize her, but she is going to still need some pretty intense healing.
Male Half-elf Witch 1 HP 9/9, NL 0 | AC 13, T 12, FF 11 | CMB +0, CMD 12 | F +2, R +2, W +2 | Init +8 | Perc +1 to +6 (Familiar: +10), SM +0 | Melee: Morningstar +0/1d8/19-20/x2; Ranged: Light Crossbow +2/1d8/19-20/x2
Aha! So what part made the hex fail, then?
"BUHACK BUHACK BUHACK!"
Yanbrel doubles over, coughing zestily, as the choking hands is removed. After a few moments, he stands back up, having regained his wind.
"Exhilarating."
He tiptoes over to the sleeping Kalkamedes, and carefully removes the candle helmet.
Aa the healing energies wash over her, her mortal frame becomes more angelic. She wakes with a soft smile, looking at you all, and stopping at Kalk."Thank the lords of Elysiem, it worked. My summons, to the nearest pure soul, braught you." She lays a gentle hand on his forehead, banishing all evil, all nightmares.
"We knew that the wards would soon break, releasing an evil back into our world, and I came to destroy the threat before ot could become one. But it was to poweful. We battled, and I nearly died, falling back here, I became trapped. I would have died, had you brave lot not come."
All thats left is to free her and head out. Ill add a bit more flavor and conclusion when I get home. :)
With a bit of hacking, slashing, bashing, and burning, you manage to destroy the magic circle built into the stone, freeing the Ghaele locked within. She takes each of your hands, and Kalkamedes' as well, and kisses them, thanking you for your aid. "I shall return to Elysium and return with allies. This time, we shall end the fiend. But I shall not forget what you have done, and in the future, in a time of need, simply offer a small prayer, whisper my name, Sulianna, and I will aid you. Good redeems it's own, and I will not forget your deeds.", before she vanishes.
Heading out of the Black Edifice, the demon spots you, "You are all fools. You had your chance. You failed, and now, when I get out, and I will, you will all suffer., continuing to curse you as you depart.
Once back on the surface, away from the bastion of sin and evil, Kalkamedes thanks you, not seeming to remember anything of what has happened, but tells you he feels different. Once again purified.
The old Silver Crusade faction mission was to convince him to return and to again become a paladin, fighting evil.
On your long trek back to his home, where Sheila is still waiting concerned, he tells you a bit of his story, explaining that he was once a champion of good, and an extraordinary Pathfinder Agent, but he took shortcuts, and less than honorable actions along the way and fell from grace. No particulars are really given, but he became NG as far as I can tell, and one day, he discovered Gamin, the Misforged. They both had a lot in common, and found a certain kinship, both being imperfect champions. "But I think it is time. Here, take my friend. Treat him well. Gamin tells me that you have finally earned his respect, for he has always had a place in his heart for the underdog, and seeing how I survived, that is enough for him. I think I will return to the Society, and I'm certain we hall cross paths again one day. Until then, I count you as friends."
