The ifrit champion parries Mrachni’s attacks and laughs derisively. Xue and Red Hair have more luck and in a storm of blade and hoof, reduce the draconic beast to a mess of bone and gore.
Escape!:1d20 + 2 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 14 = 30
Aided by a bit of magical force from Enora, the dwarf wriggles free from his bonds and tears the gag from his mouth. ”Be careful lass!” the dwarf shouts. ”The witch tied us up on top of traps! If you can get close enough I can protect ya with a blur spell.”
He’s readying to blur anyone that gets adjacent. We’ll call him #3.
Male Tien Dan Buccaneer7/Lorewarden1 - HP: 30/68 - AC 23/21/T:13/FF:19 - Perception -1 Fort +8, Reflex +9, Will +7(+2 versus poisons/drugs +4 versus alcohol) - CMB +11, CMD :23
Henry and Indiana II Flaxseed Male Halfling Lord 8 | HP 47/76 | AC 24 T 13 FF 23 | CMD 22 | F +9 R +4 W +3 (+4 against fear)| Init +1 | Perc +0 | SM +7 | Banner: +2 against fear, +1 attack when charging
Indiana II:
HP 32/45/ | AC 26 T 14 FF 22 | CMD 21 (23 overrun/bull rush, 25 trip) | F +7 R +9 W +3 (+4 Will against enchantments) | Perc +5
Mounted combat against the first ray: Ride:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24
Nope.
Henry takes 13 to end at 53/67. Indy takes 28 to end at -8 with a Con of 14.
Ride to dismount as Indy drops?:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31
---
"No! Indy!" Henry leaps off his dinosaur as Indy drops to the ground. He hurriedly pulls another curing potion out of his belt and pours it down the beast's throat.
Tygora shields her eyes once again from the spell meant to blind her. She glowers with hatred at the Enoras at the entrance to her throne room.
Escape!:1d20 + 2 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 14 = 26
Aided by the halfling's magics another Pathfinder, a thin varisian woman, pops free from her bindings. She pulls the gag from her mouth and rubs her numb wrists.
HP 57/57|AC 28 T 11 FF 25|CMD 25 (+4 vs trip)|F +9, R +7, W +3; evasion,devotion|Init +2|Perception +6, low-light, scent
Xue:
HP 86/86|AC 30 T 12 FF 27; Snake Style +11|CMD 25 |F +15, R +8, W +8 +2 vs. mind affecting, poison, +2 sleep, paralysis, and stun w/dragon-style, +2 vs fear|Init +2| Perc +7, low-light | Sens Mot +11
ride:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34
Xue and Red Hair leap clean over the first ray!
They close with Tygora and the Nagaji puffs his chest. "You are a sssshameful ruler! I challenge your godhood!!"
All allies get a +1 circumstance bonus to hit Tygora while my challenge persists; I have a -2 AC against foes who are not Tygora.
Xue slices his Katana through the air in his hot-blooded serpentine fury! His horse attacks in equal anger!
Male Tien Dan Buccaneer7/Lorewarden1 - HP: 30/68 - AC 23/21/T:13/FF:19 - Perception -1 Fort +8, Reflex +9, Will +7(+2 versus poisons/drugs +4 versus alcohol) - CMB +11, CMD :23
Xue lands a solid blow with his exotic blade but it's Red Hair that goes into a frenzy, lashing out with a flurry of well-aimed hooves. The efreeti is bloodied and for the first time something like doubt mixes with her rage. Han joins his ally's attack with a trio of blunted arrows two of which connect painfully.
Male Tien Dan Buccaneer7/Lorewarden1 - HP: 30/68 - AC 23/21/T:13/FF:19 - Perception -1 Fort +8, Reflex +9, Will +7(+2 versus poisons/drugs +4 versus alcohol) - CMB +11, CMD :23
Henry and Indiana II Flaxseed Male Halfling Lord 8 | HP 47/76 | AC 24 T 13 FF 23 | CMD 22 | F +9 R +4 W +3 (+4 against fear)| Init +1 | Perc +0 | SM +7 | Banner: +2 against fear, +1 attack when charging
Indiana II:
HP 32/45/ | AC 26 T 14 FF 22 | CMD 21 (23 overrun/bull rush, 25 trip) | F +7 R +9 W +3 (+4 Will against enchantments) | Perc +5
Henry angrily pulls his sword from its sheath as he moves around the trapped tiles to get at Tygora, shouting curses along the way. His sword shouts its own curses.
Double move around by Xue, 40'. Swift to challenge.
Henry and Indiana II Flaxseed Male Halfling Lord 8 | HP 47/76 | AC 24 T 13 FF 23 | CMD 22 | F +9 R +4 W +3 (+4 against fear)| Init +1 | Perc +0 | SM +7 | Banner: +2 against fear, +1 attack when charging
Indiana II:
HP 32/45/ | AC 26 T 14 FF 22 | CMD 21 (23 overrun/bull rush, 25 trip) | F +7 R +9 W +3 (+4 Will against enchantments) | Perc +5
Move 10' from her was the intention, sorry. Then he can (maybe) 5' step next round.
M Half-orc Warpriest 10 [ HP 56/83 (0 NL) | AC 30 Tch 11 FF 29 | Fort +10 Ref +4 Will +11 | CMD 21 | Init +0 | Perc +9, darkvision, scent | Effects: haste, inspire +2, sacred weapon 1/10 ]
HP: 34/51
Mrachni steps over next to the formerly-bound prisoner as he swings his sword, glaring at the fearsome sorceress as he does so. Step to V38 to get blurred. Swift action to intimidate Tygora. Second round of sacred weapon boost.
Mrachni lands two powerful blows against the ifrit champion that leave him reeling but not quite defeated. His fierce display does shake the resolve of the wounded Tygora further.
A combination of reluctance to further engage the mighty orc, Mrachni's new defensive enchantment, and the fact that Han is directly attacking his mistress makes the champion change targets mid-combination. He swings at Mrachni and then takes a step back to swipe at the troublesome pirate-bard. As he strikes, he surges with wishbound might.
The shaken and injured but still enraged Tygora grips her enormous two-handed blade and cleaves into the Pathfinders responsible for her grievous wounds.
Male Tien Dan Buccaneer7/Lorewarden1 - HP: 30/68 - AC 23/21/T:13/FF:19 - Perception -1 Fort +8, Reflex +9, Will +7(+2 versus poisons/drugs +4 versus alcohol) - CMB +11, CMD :23
Han deflects the mighty blow with his buckler, breaking it in the process. He then steps back to X42 to heal himself.
Male Tien Dan Buccaneer7/Lorewarden1 - HP: 30/68 - AC 23/21/T:13/FF:19 - Perception -1 Fort +8, Reflex +9, Will +7(+2 versus poisons/drugs +4 versus alcohol) - CMB +11, CMD :23
Mrachni steps closer and manages to sneak one attack in with his blessed blade under Tygora’s guard further wounding the efreeti tyrant. ”Uktak protect your empress!” she shrieks.
Henry and Indiana II Flaxseed Male Halfling Lord 8 | HP 47/76 | AC 24 T 13 FF 23 | CMD 22 | F +9 R +4 W +3 (+4 against fear)| Init +1 | Perc +0 | SM +7 | Banner: +2 against fear, +1 attack when charging
Indiana II:
HP 32/45/ | AC 26 T 14 FF 22 | CMD 21 (23 overrun/bull rush, 25 trip) | F +7 R +9 W +3 (+4 Will against enchantments) | Perc +5
If Red Hair does drop, that last iterative misses Henry.
Henry keeps his shield up as he calls out to Gamin the Misforged, his woefully broken sword, to give him guidance on this next hit.
HP 57/57|AC 28 T 11 FF 25|CMD 25 (+4 vs trip)|F +9, R +7, W +3; evasion,devotion|Init +2|Perception +6, low-light, scent
Xue:
HP 86/86|AC 30 T 12 FF 27; Snake Style +11|CMD 25 |F +15, R +8, W +8 +2 vs. mind affecting, poison, +2 sleep, paralysis, and stun w/dragon-style, +2 vs fear|Init +2| Perc +7, low-light | Sens Mot +11
Xue lunges in with his blade to parry Tymora's blade, stopping it inches from Red Hair's nose. Bodyguard for +4 AC, +1 haste puts the horse at AC 30
The pair then continue their advance, laying into the efreeti with blade and hoof in another perfect combination of serpentine and mammalian power.
In perfect concert, Xue and Red Hair punish the efreeti with blow after blow. Her screams of anger finally give way to cries of defeat as she crumbles to the ground in a bloody heap.
”Nooooooo!” the ifrit champion howls.
His wish for vengeance seems to mend some of his wounds as Uktak charges into the fray.
CSW:3d8 + 11 ⇒ (6, 5, 3) + 11 = 25
Sword vs Red Hair:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31 Damage plus Fire:1d6 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 8 + (3) = 16
Henry and Indiana II Flaxseed Male Halfling Lord 8 | HP 47/76 | AC 24 T 13 FF 23 | CMD 22 | F +9 R +4 W +3 (+4 against fear)| Init +1 | Perc +0 | SM +7 | Banner: +2 against fear, +1 attack when charging
Indiana II:
HP 32/45/ | AC 26 T 14 FF 22 | CMD 21 (23 overrun/bull rush, 25 trip) | F +7 R +9 W +3 (+4 Will against enchantments) | Perc +5
HP 57/57|AC 28 T 11 FF 25|CMD 25 (+4 vs trip)|F +9, R +7, W +3; evasion,devotion|Init +2|Perception +6, low-light, scent
Xue:
HP 86/86|AC 30 T 12 FF 27; Snake Style +11|CMD 25 |F +15, R +8, W +8 +2 vs. mind affecting, poison, +2 sleep, paralysis, and stun w/dragon-style, +2 vs fear|Init +2| Perc +7, low-light | Sens Mot +11
Xue tries to block the champions blow, but the fighter's blade darts underneath his katana and leaves a deep gouge in Red Hair. The pair take advantage of Mrachi's distraction and attempt to finish off the champion and end the last gasp of a senseless struggle.
Male Tien Dan Buccaneer7/Lorewarden1 - HP: 30/68 - AC 23/21/T:13/FF:19 - Perception -1 Fort +8, Reflex +9, Will +7(+2 versus poisons/drugs +4 versus alcohol) - CMB +11, CMD :23
Without a rather disruptive ifrit threatening him, Han mends his wounds without an issue. Han and Red Hair’s flurry of attacks meet less success this time with most of the blows being dodged or harmlessly parried. One strike Xue’s katana does get through further bloodying Tygora’s champion.
He snarls in defiance and channels more wishbound power before striking back at the party.
And die he does as Mrachni disarms the champion with a blow to the shoulder. Before the ifrit can recover, the brawny orc’s second strike cleaves off his head.
After a bit of searching Enora discovers a lever behind Tygora’s throne. Pulling it locks all four pressure plates in place and the prisoners can be safely removed. Freed from their bonds they thank the halfling (and the rest of the party) deeply for the rescue. ”It’s a shame it had to come to this”, one comments while rubbing at her sore wrists. ”But that woman was insane.”
With Tygora defeated it's just a matter of time before her army falls. The oread rush into the bronze palace with bewilderment in their eyes at the degree of opulence the tyrant has enjoyed while they toiled. When they hear that Tygora has been slain (or catch sight of it themselves), the stony geniekin react with relief but also confusion about what the future holds. For most of them, life under the efreeti's thumb is all they've ever known and then there's the matter of their wayward kin, the ifrit, many of which were indoctrinated by Tygora.
A beacon of hope is found among Tygora's treasure vaults - or rather within one of her prisons. The missing councilor Glaheri is discovered, haggard and hungry but alive. It turns out Eurdan was not exaggerating when he said that his peer was well-respected as the assembled oread loudly cheer when she exits the palace under her own power. Eurdan confides in the party that he's confident, with her help, the oread and ifrit will live as one people again despite the gulf Tygora's tyranny created between them.
Days later, as the party is preparing to depart, the giant Valsog is in attendance to see them off.
"You were right", he booms happily. "The oread were glad to have me stay. Eurdan has promised to give me the pick of the ore they unearth for my wares. I'm glad I trusted you little ones!"
Catching sight of the misforged blade hanging from Henry's hip, his brow furrows and he crouches down.
"Now what is this? I didn't see it before but this is fine craftsmanship. Dwarven, no? It's a shame it's maker didn't have time to finish it right. Next time you're in Crystalcrag stop by my forge for a spell. I'd be happy to straighten that poor blade out for you. It's the least I can do."
Xue will spend an extended period of time caring for his poor, malnourished horse, who finally was brought low in the final battle. He certainly hopes that the horse gets better; it would, after all, be a shame to have to put the creature out of it's misery, but mammals do seem to be a weak bunch.
Generally finding the episode chaotic and unpleasant, Xue is well ready to move on and leave this strange town to continue his wandering.
Henry and Indiana II Flaxseed Male Halfling Lord 8 | HP 47/76 | AC 24 T 13 FF 23 | CMD 22 | F +9 R +4 W +3 (+4 against fear)| Init +1 | Perc +0 | SM +7 | Banner: +2 against fear, +1 attack when charging
Indiana II:
HP 32/45/ | AC 26 T 14 FF 22 | CMD 21 (23 overrun/bull rush, 25 trip) | F +7 R +9 W +3 (+4 Will against enchantments) | Perc +5
Henry looks up at Valsog and says, "What? What? Well absolutely! In fact, my good friend Indy here is a little under the weather, as you can see. I think I might stay in Crystalcrag for another week or so to nurse him back to health before heading out into the desert. Do you think that's enough time, what? Hey, thanks goodfellamyman!"
Male Tien Dan Buccaneer7/Lorewarden1 - HP: 30/68 - AC 23/21/T:13/FF:19 - Perception -1 Fort +8, Reflex +9, Will +7(+2 versus poisons/drugs +4 versus alcohol) - CMB +11, CMD :23
Han will leave Crystal Crag ASAP. He boards his ship, the Golden Cloud Serpent to sail off until his next mission.
