Active effects: Blind, stnskin (120), Images (5), keen, res cold 30, airwalk, end elem, see inv, lt fort, all-round vision, DR10/adam, DR5/pierce, res skin)
"True, but if the intelligent, flying, invisibility detecting guards are relying on it, it may be a more undetected way in. Add Harlan's stone shape and we create our own entrance. It would be unexpected."
AC 18, T 16, FF 12; HP 102/102; F+6, R+8, W+11; Perc +17;
"I am afraid my songs do nothing under water, though I have a song of free movement that might make you more agile in the water." Kiyomi spreads her hands apologetically.
Active effects: Blind, stnskin (120), Images (5), keen, res cold 30, airwalk, end elem, see inv, lt fort, all-round vision, DR10/adam, DR5/pierce, res skin)
"If you use that, will it help Harlan perhaps cast his stone shape while under water? Does someone know waterbreathing for that matter?"
To their host, Parity dictates a quick message looking to the others for approval, "Sandru, send this message to the Black Lotus clan leader, Ishibasho. From those who found you the Shinobi Fuhonsen, we call in our marker. Find and eliminate the Raven Prince, currently in the employ of the Jade Regent. Do this faster than humanly possible."
Given the message will take a couple weeks to deliver and achieve results, you'll also have time to lay low and prepare. That includes purchasing scrolls or other gear that you need. As with the letter, Isao can make the shopping trip for you.
Heng nods at Parity's dictation. "Well, hopefully they will get the message, but we cannot sit and wait to hear back. Let us prepare to take the palace. I believe I am ready. Shall we go tomorrow night?"
Active effects: Blind, stnskin (120), Images (5), keen, res cold 30, airwalk, end elem, see inv, lt fort, all-round vision, DR10/adam, DR5/pierce, res skin)
Loot since 7 May 2016: aka: last loot distro
26 May 16: Temple
DM NomadSage wrote:
"you turn up a cache of stolen temple treasures in a heavy, leather sack, apparently left behind by one of the ninja"
Never saw the above articulated; this was from the priest, Aio-Hoshi in the temple where we were ambushed by ninja
16 Nov 16: Sennaka's loot
+2 katana
+1 composite longbow (+4 Str)
belt of mighty constitution +2
cloak of resistance +2
Rereading the samurai's execution ... that was pretty intense
Mar 17: Fire Yai fight in the keep
No loot there? At all? Not like we didn't have time
5 Apr 17: Group gear post from Heng ... think we still have all this
5 elixirs of fire breath
scroll of cleanse
1 lesser dragon slaying arrow
1 potion of protection from arrows
2 potion of barkskin
3 potions of lesser restoration
5 potions of cure light wounds (1 each)
climbing kit
3 rope and grappling hook
wand of flame arrows (9)
mwk fishing net
91 gold and 203 silver.
collection of 13 glass bottles
clay jug of firewine
525 gp
5 thunderstones
4 Jun 17: Shiori
AoMF (shocking burst) and magic boots (never id'd)
No loot from the Well of Demons at all
Also the Emperor's ghost told us about the Imperial Vault potentially housing more ancestral weapons along with his Seal. We should totally hit that first.
Active effects: Blind, stnskin (120), Images (5), keen, res cold 30, airwalk, end elem, see inv, lt fort, all-round vision, DR10/adam, DR5/pierce, res skin)
Someone sgould take the winged boots. Gonna add the potions to the party list and then sell the rest. I'll get a split up this afternoon.
Active effects: Blind, stnskin (120), Images (5), keen, res cold 30, airwalk, end elem, see inv, lt fort, all-round vision, DR10/adam, DR5/pierce, res skin)
Someone should take the winged boots. Gonna add the potions to the party list and then sell the rest. I'll get a split up this afternoon.
Active effects: Blind, stnskin (120), Images (5), keen, res cold 30, airwalk, end elem, see inv, lt fort, all-round vision, DR10/adam, DR5/pierce, res skin)
After spending some time sorting your gear, getting messages out, planning and resting, you finally set out into the warm air of the Kasai summer night. As before, you stick to quiet streets and alleys and remain out of sight of the few out in the tense city. As soon as you reach the water, you use the water breathing scrolls and slip into the canal. Passing through the grates underwater and slowly but steadily traversing the canals, you are able to approach the walls of the palace undetected.
Map uploaded to Roll20. I recommend you zoom out to get an appreciation for the scale of the place. How & where do you want to proceed?
Active effects: Blind, stnskin (120), Images (5), keen, res cold 30, airwalk, end elem, see inv, lt fort, all-round vision, DR10/adam, DR5/pierce, res skin)
"Let's circle around to the east, away from the bridge full of guards. We should move slowly and see if there are any underwater entrances. I'm thinking of a cistern or even sewage tunnel," Parity's warbly, gurgling voice spills out across the party.
Perception as we move (inspecting the walls/base:1d20 + 24 ⇒ (14) + 24 = 38
did it look like there were open courtyards on the east side?
Negative, the inner palace is completely walled in. You can see narrow windows on the third and fourth stories, high above the water level.
Parity's search turns up results quickly. Not far from your current position, along the southern wall of the palace structure, are two effluent outlets. They are narrow and secured with steel bars.
|| Per +16 | Fort +10 Ref +11 Will +13 | BAB +10 | CMB +8 | CMD 23 || Init +3 Halfling Oracle of Life/14
Harlan looks around and steps up to work his magic. Assuming one of his beefier companions pulls the bars out while he softens the stone he makes short work of the barrier.
"That should do it. Wish I had something to keep the stink down."
Active effects: Blind, stnskin (120), Images (5), keen, res cold 30, airwalk, end elem, see inv, lt fort, all-round vision, DR10/adam, DR5/pierce, res skin)
I got the sense that the sewage outports are underwater
Keeping his mouth pursed shut, Parity swims forward after Heng.
Yes, port holes are both ten feet below the surface.
Harlan softens the stone around the bars, making it easy for Heng to pull them out of the way. The entrance is only a few feet across, little more than a crawlspace in size. Swimming in, you will need to go single-file and lying flat.
Heng leads, followed by Parity and Ameiko. Harlan, Kiyomi and Malnival enter in turn. The close walls of the tunnel are slick with slime but happily the water is mostly clear. It seems the latrine this line is leading to has not been used recently.
The tunnel runs north for twenty or so feet and then and ends in a cramped septic cistern. The tunnel continues straight up, out of the water and to some dark room far overhead. The walls are covered with filth and patches of moss.
Since you all have some means to fly...
You ascend the disgusting tunnel quickly, emerging through a latrine hole and into a large privy. The room is dark and despite the stale lingering stink, it looks like it has fallen into disrepair. Based on the distance you climbed, you figure you are on the 2nd floor of the palace.
Active effects: Blind, stnskin (120), Images (5), keen, res cold 30, airwalk, end elem, see inv, lt fort, all-round vision, DR10/adam, DR5/pierce, res skin)
"Don't fool yourself, Heng, we are here to assassinate the regent to stop a war. There isn't anything honorable about it."
Parity brushes off the water and then runs his litany of spells.
Airwalk, see invisibility, resist cold, keen edge, countless eyes, stoneskin
Female Human (Tian) Aristocrat 1 / Bard 12 (Court Bard)
Ameiko emerges from the latrine hole looking somewhat green about the edges. "Well, honorable or not, I think we can leave this part out of the official histories."
You all hear a loud voice from beyond the door, followed by a yelp of fright and chorus of mocking laughter.
Heng or Perception DC 25:
Listening closely, you make out the voices more clearly. The booming voice made a rude comment and surprising advance towards a woman in the room, eliciting the cry. The laughter came from other men in the room.
You also make out the clink and clank of dishes and cutlery, as if the room beyond were a dining hall or kitchen.
Active effects: Blind, stnskin (120), Images (5), keen, res cold 30, airwalk, end elem, see inv, lt fort, all-round vision, DR10/adam, DR5/pierce, res skin)
Perception DC25:1d20 + 25 ⇒ (8) + 25 = 33
"Some crude men harassing a serving girl, it seems." Parity cocks his head, as his life of living by sound pays off.
"Well, perhaps this is our chance to make our entrance a little more honorable. Ready?" Heng asks as he prepares to burst into the room with confirmation.
More than a dozen low tables surrounded by small cushions take up the floor of this spacious dining hall. Several doors line the south and west walls, while more exits lead north. To the east, three stone charcoal ovens stand near open windows.
Four off-duty Typhoon Guard sit and eat, waited on by a number of frightened servants. More cooks and servants work around the hot ovens.
At the center of the tables is an ogre mage, massive and corpulent. A serving girl cowers beside him, holding a tray laden with meaty chunks of all kinds.
All conversation and laughter in the hall comes to sudden halt as you burst in. The ogre mage stares at you -- surprise and indignation clear on his face -- holding a fatty hock of ham. A drop of grease spatters to the floor...
AC 18, T 16, FF 12; HP 102/102; F+6, R+8, W+11; Perc +17;
Kiyomi smiles at the ogre mage and launches into a song of freedom and hope! INSPIRE COURAGE +3! She fires her arrow at the magi!
Daikyu:1d20 + 17 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 17 + 3 = 29 for 1d8 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 3 = 7 damage!
Active effects: Blind, stnskin (120), Images (5), keen, res cold 30, airwalk, end elem, see inv, lt fort, all-round vision, DR10/adam, DR5/pierce, res skin)
Current AC with lunge penalty: 26
Parity moves forward north and east, taking the Blessing's increased movement rate. Along the way he swift casts resinous skin
Resinous Skin DC17:
You coat your body with a resinous substance, protecting you from attacks and binding weapons that strike you. You gain DR 5/piercing, as well as a +4 circumstance bonus to your CMD against disarm attempts and on saving throws against effects that cause you to drop something you are holding. Additionally, you gain a +2 circumstance bonus on combat maneuver checks to initiate a grapple, maintain a grapple, and pin a foe. Any enemy you grapple takes a –2 penalty on attempts to break the grapple and to escape the grapple using Escape Artist. Any weapon, that strikes you becomes stuck unless its wielder succeeds at a Reflex saving throw. Such a weapon can be pulled free of you only with a successful Strength check (DC = your saving throw DC for this spell). This spell has no effect on unarmed strikes or natural weapons.
If we are surprise round, action stops there with the single move + swift. If we are round 1, standard action is as follows to attack the ogre mage with a lunge.
Weapon Channel Corrosive Touch:1d20 + 13 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 13 + 3 = 20 Damage (no Arcane Strike):1d8 + 1d6 + 5d4 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (2) + (4) + (1, 3, 2, 4, 2) + 12 + 3 = 33; i doubt that hits but variable damage is slashing/fire/acid in that order.
Yes, it will be a surprise round, so standard or move action only.
You spring into action before the oni can react. Heng flies across the room, charging one of the Typhoon Guards and slamming him in the back.
TG1 Fort save:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
Harlan blesses the rest of you with divine fervor and Kiyomi takes up an inspiring song.
Parity rushes in to close on the ogre mage, casting a quickened defensive spell on the move. Malnival follows a few steps behind, moving to engage the near guardsman.
Parity lunges to attack the obese oni, glancing a weak strike off its heavy armor.
"Ugh!" the oni commander grunts in disgust. "Can't you see I'm eating here?" He grabs the tray of meat and flies up towards the ceiling, turning invisible.
The Typhoon Guards recover the initiative quickly, moving with inhuman speed. Three draw katana and wakizashi, while the one in the north west casts a flying spell and draws a bow as he climbs up. Two pair off tactically to flank Heng, and another attacks Malnival.
Round 1
AC:30, hp:130, Ki 10, Stun 12/13, Fire 9/10, dragon style, inspired
Heng shrugs off the assaults and unleashes the fury of burning flurry as he encircles his hands with fire. He focuses on the oni invader wounded in his opening assault until he falls then turns on the other.
Active effects: Blind, stnskin (120), Images (5), keen, res cold 30, airwalk, end elem, see inv, lt fort, all-round vision, DR10/adam, DR5/pierce, res skin)
Two things, If it was round 1 for the attack, Parity would've full attacked (extra attack below with continued weapon channel) and then AoO as it flies away and casts a spell, not withdrawing?
With countless eyes, airwalk and see invisibility, Parity chases the ogre mage, Suishen humming as he fights in battle versus oni. The pit fighter charges his weapon with arcane energy again. (Using swift for arcane strike)
AC 18, T 16, FF 12; HP 102/102; F+6, R+8, W+11; Perc +17;
Kiyomi moves into the room, still singing. She unslings the Daikyu and fires at the Oni!
Daikyu vs Oni:1d20 + 17 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 17 + 3 = 31 for 1d8 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 3 = 8 damage!
Before the obese oni can move out of reach, Parity cuts Suishen back and leaves a couple deep wounds.
Heng unleashes a barrage of hard hits, severely wounding one of the Typhoon guards. Remarkably, the guard keeps up the fight, if barely.
Kiyomi moves in and fires an arrow at the nearest foe, the guard squaring off with Malnival. (If you intended to target the ogre mage, he is currently invisible...) Harlan follows her in, readying his crossbow.
Malnival attacks the guard with a hastened pattern of scimitar strikes. He empowers his scimitar with fiery magic.
Malnival scimitar vs TG3:1d20 + 20 ⇒ (14) + 20 = 34; Damage:1d6 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16 plus Fire Damage:1d6 ⇒ 2 Malnival scimitar vs TG3:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23; Damage:1d6 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18 plus Fire Damage:1d6 ⇒ 1 Malnival scimitar vs TG3:1d20 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26; Damage:1d6 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16 plus Fire Damage:1d6 ⇒ 6
Ameiko casts an enchantment on one of the guards flanking Heng, freezing the foe in place.
Hold monster...TG1 Will save (DC 20):1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
The servants and cooks, caught between surprise and terror, flee or cower in place.
Parity flies up to chase the hovering ogre mage, attacking with Suishen in a single, powerful blow. The oni, not expecting Parity to be able to see or attack him, drops his meat platter in surprise. His pain is immediately replaced by an intense rage. "You will be my meal, then, little man!" he spits. The ogre mage readies a large naginata, imbues it with dark magical energy, and slashes down.
The Typhoon Guards fight back with skill and veteran poise. The mobile guard flanking Heng rapidly slashes and stabs with his katana and wakizashi, but he cannot connect with the evasive target. Malnival parries and dodges most of his opponent's attacks, but one precise strike gets through his defense.
The fourth guard hovers and fires arrows at Kiyomi, hitting her three times, with one nearly through her heart.
Round 2
AC:30, hp:130, Ki (9)/10, Stun 12/13, Fire 9/10, dragon style, inspired
Heng has to give his foe a bit of grudging respect as he continues to stand under the fiery assault. Hearing Kiyomi's gasp from her dire arrow wound quickly brings him back to ending this fight as quickly as possible. first wounded then held. Use extra ki attack if needed.
Active effects: Blind, stnskin (120), Images (5), keen, res cold 30, airwalk, end elem, see inv, lt fort, all-round vision, DR10/adam, DR5/pierce, res skin)
Ogre mage failed his reflex save so the weapon sticks to Parity?
Active effects: Blind, stnskin (120), Images (5), keen, res cold 30, airwalk, end elem, see inv, lt fort, all-round vision, DR10/adam, DR5/pierce, res skin)
Parity closes the gap with the ogre mage stepping in and channeling another corrosive touch, taking the extra attack part of blessing of fervor. (Force punch would do more damage, but I don't want to knock him back before I hit him again)
Active effects: Blind, stnskin (120), Images (5), keen, res cold 30, airwalk, end elem, see inv, lt fort, all-round vision, DR10/adam, DR5/pierce, res skin)
Heng drops one Typhoon Guard with a single swing, then turns and pummels the paralyzed guard, very nearly finishing him as well.
Kiyomi pins three arrows into Malnival's opponent. Malnival finishes him off with two quick slices.
Malnival scimitar vs TG3:1d20 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 24; Damage:1d6 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13 plus Fire Damage:1d6 ⇒ 2 Malnival scimitar vs TG3:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18; Damage:1d6 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13 plus Fire Damage:1d6 ⇒ 1 Malnival scimitar vs TG3:1d20 + 20 ⇒ (17) + 20 = 37; Damage:1d6 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14 plus Fire Damage:1d6 ⇒ 2
Harlan steps over and heals some of Kiyomi's wounds.
Ameiko starts up a mocking tirade against the remaining oni. (Satire: -3 attack/damage, saves vs fear/charm)
Parity gets in close to the ogre mage and attacks full out. His first slice deflects off the oni's armor, but his second drives right through a gap in the plates, piercing deep and delivering an acidic charge. The oni roars in pain. It rips the naginata free from Parity's sticking spell. He shifts back and calls out a mystic word, filling the corner of the room with ice shards, hitting Parity, Malnival, Kiyomi and Harlan. It also catches one of the servants, freezing the frightened man in place.
Strength Check:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22 Cone of cold:9d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 2, 2, 4, 6, 5, 5, 1) = 31DC 17 Reflex save for half!
The held guard remains paralyzed. The archer complies with Harlan's demand, and sends arrows flying his way instead.
