Shohiraj nods her thanks to Teresa.
Zurnzal gives a silent nod to Rataji and then looks to 322
Appreciated, elf.
"I do believe the next step is to find the tapestry and activate it to pull our allies through. Then we go after the sky key."
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Longer post got eaten. Brief update:
Rataji identifies the staff as a Caustic Staff. This is identical to a Staff of Fire but deals acid damage.
The tapestry is stored about halfway up the tower. There are several routes, none direct, but Joliryn has information that lets you take the most discreet route.
The elf nods at the halfing, theif, and half-orc "We have a mission. All of us have a part to do, don't we. And you've helped me as well. I do not mind doing the same."
Marnarius selects the scythe.
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Rataji: The staff has 10 charges.
Marnarius: You're the new owner of a +2 vicious scythe
It takes about five minutes to navigate the narrow corridors and reach the chamber where the Hao Jin tapestry is kept, and the journey ends up uneventful.
Voices can be heard through the door.
A man's voice can be heard, "Loshari, you have nobody to blame for this assignment but yourself. If you were able to demonstrate self-control under stress...
A deep female voice snaps back "Hey! They had it coming, lousy bunch of racists..."
Another male voice chuckles. Don't listen to him. Burning down that eyesore of a town hall was really a public service."
The first voice responds, clearly irritated. "After that mission for Venture-Captain Yuul, you're really in no position to comment either."
"Hey, it's not like gnolls are really people."
The elf's elongated ears perk up as she hears snippets of conversation beyond.
"People inside. Pathfinder guards. Probably more clever than those 'foo' creatures, but humans can be tricked. Maybe we could get them to leave to reinforce the gate? Some of us hide, others act the part of wounded Pathfinders straggling to the back lines?"
Marnarius looks thoughtful.
"That idea certainly has potential. Perhaps we should tell them that the damn dirty Aspis have unleashed Hell upon the Lodge, and that they are desperately needed to reinforce the line against the invaders?"
Before having any sort of conversation, Rataji will motion for the group to back off a bit.
"Normally I'm all for a bluff, but I'm pretty pissed after being ambushed by those foo. I say go in weapons raised and take them by surprise. If we do go for a bluff, does anyone have a non-detection spell? Some of us probably have pretty strong auras. And that lovely shroud of yours, 322, could prompt an aura check."
"I like Teresa's idea. No need to put ourselves in harm's way if it can be avoided"
Zurnzal sits quietly, cracking his knuckles, as he looks to the party
I'd go for the quiet route, but I imagine some of you wouldn't do that so well. I'm all for taking them out head on.
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Swinging open the door, you see a human man dressed in gleaming armor covered in Iomedaean iconography (gold), a half-orc woman dressed in red and orange robes, and another man dressed in white and gold robes. He carries a musket in his gloved hands.
An unremarkable tapestry bearing intricate but heavily worn geometric patterns along its length hangs on the far end of this meeting room. A rune-inscribed circle set into the floor completely contains a table at the room’s center.
All three turn to you as the door opens. The musket-wielding man turns to Zurnzal, sounding friendly,
"Arminaldi! I didn't know you were on guard duty as well. What'd you do to tick Zey off? And who are these people?"
Joliryn waits for the others to react
Before entering Rataji casts haste on the party, then shield and protection from good on himself.
Rataji immediately moves forward and casts Telekinetic Charge to launch Rataji across the room next to the guy carrying the musket. Unless he resists in which case he gets a DC 19 ST.
Arminaldi? He's not alive, let alone in this room.
If the man falls unconscious, Zurnzal yells
Leave this one for now, he's not a threat, take the others!
Well, the course appears decided then. 322 thinks to herself as the half-orc and their leader launch themselves into the fray. Still not entirely giving up on the trickery strategy, 322 turns to the armored Iomedean and gives him a little gift.
Shohiraj will draw her crossbow (free action) and fire at golden armoured enemy. This attack includes sneak attack (I assume they are flat footed) and she will disorient him
Ach. Good point. I would only be able to launch you up to 40' from my current position then. I launch you close enough so that you can move and attack. I corrected the locations. You will need to move your icon from where Rataji launched you. Dang I'm glad you pointed that out before the battle went any further.
Joliryn casts vanish and takes a step into the room. Her scimitar is covered in sparks.
Marnarius shoots at the Iomedaean.
I would like to delay please. I would like to wait. Hoping the Imodean will close with me allowing us to set up a flank. With the haste i can get 2 sneak attacks maybe if i get the right situation.
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The gunslinger remains unconscious on the floor.
The Iomedaean mutters a quick prayer as he falls back, retrieving a bow as he does so.
As he looses an arrow at Zurnzal, he turns to the half-orc.
Light 'em up!"
She breaks into a massive grin.
Joliryn casts frigid touch and moves forward. She then unleashes hell on the paladin. She seems less real then she was a moment before...
Marnarius steps forward, and calmly starts shooting at the half-orc.
Thanks to haste, Shohiraj will advance to the half-orc woman. Drawing her sap she reaches out to strike the woman.
Shohiraj will move around the table to attack the musketeer from behind with her sap.
Once again Rataji will delay and hit the remaining opponent with a magic missile if he tries to take any kind of action, figuring the others will finish the gunman off before Rataji needs to waste a good spell.
I love a nicely planned uneven fight.
"Please surrender. I'm sure some of the others might enjoy questioning you while I work on the tapestry. Keep them from getting bored."
Nodding in satisfaction, Marnarius wordlessly shifts his attention to the musketman, attempting to put him down like the dog he is.
A bit taken aback - even by her own experiences - at the quick, efficient, and brutal takedown of the three guards, the elf stands looking around in the corridor. "It looks like we may be past that R.
"Hold your spells, we got this!" Joliryn says while she summersaults over the table, landing on her feet between two chairs.
"Hi!"
And slashes at the musketman
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Between Marnarius, Joliryn, and Shohiraj, the musketman falls to the floor, unconscious.
Searching the Pathfinders, you find:
On the Iomedaean:
+1 Breastplae, +1 Greatsword, +1 Composite Longbow (+2 STR)
Nonmagical: 19 arrows, 10 cold iron arrows, 10 alchemical silver arrows, silver holy symbol, gagger
Half Orc: potion of cure moderate wounds, scroll of fly
(2); Other Gear masterwork falchion, masterwork heavy crossbow with 10 bolts, amulet of natural armor +1, ring of protection +1, 225 gp
Gunslinger: potion of cure moderate wounds; Other Gear
mithral chain shirt, +1 musket with 20 paper alchemical cartridges (bullet), sap, ring of protection +1, wayfinder, 9 gp
Using the notes found in the Vault, you're able to perform the ritual and open the Hao Jin tapestry. Both Rataji and Marnarius possess the coordinates for the rally location in the tapestry.
The ritual takes five minutes to complete (once you've had the chance to heal up and such).
As you finish the ritual,
A thin slit appears down the middle of the tapestry, and then its whole center tears open in a deafening rip and a crack of thunder. Planar winds whip out from the frayed fabric for several seconds as purple lightning dances in the tattered wound. The gusts die suddenly, and the fabric stretches painfully to create an aperture nearly 10 feet wide, revealing a peaceful woodland occupied by a growing army.
A woman bedecked in chainmail and scars steps through into the room and then motions for those behind her to remain still. She surveys the chamber for a moment before a broad, genuine smile cracks her tough expression. “By Hanspur’s soggy hide, I never thought I’d see this world again.”
She shakes her head and wipes away a tear before it can quite form. “The name’s Wolona, bronze rank. We’ve got good news and bad news on the other side. The good’s that everyone we expected to show up did, plus some more besides. The bad news is that some of them are starting to believe we’ve set them up.” Wolona clears her throat loudly as though no more need be said.
“The only thing keeping them from just killing each other and the rest of us is my promise that there would be a welcoming committee who might prove this place exists and that it’s not all a trap.” She starts to turn back to the portal. “Think you can give them a little pep talk?”
Wolona hardly waits for the PCs to agree before muttering, “I hope they haven’t killed each other already” and stepping back into the demiplane.
She returns a moment later, accompanied by 15 delegates and war leaders, including humans, a halfling covered in bright war paint, a hag, a blue-skinned, winged reptilian creature known as a wyvaran, a yeti, a pony sized green dragon, and an owl-like robed humanoid.
The wyvaran sneers, looks to you, and asks, “So which of you is the Aspis king?”
"WELCOME, welcome, noble conquerers! A whole new world awaits you here. Though not a king, I am the leader of this welcoming squad. Let me share with you some information so you will know better what it is you face!"
To suave their suspicions Rataji launches into a description of how the planes work and the tapestry in particular, and how many other planes there are.
though his knowledge is obviously slightly weaker concerning the exact nature of the tapestry, he gives an informative 1-minute lecture.
He will then explain how it is that the weak rule here and exaggerate how easy it will be to seize control.
which is quite convincing even if I do say so myself.
to make it to the next objective.
Marnarius simply does his best to look menacing, whilst allowing Rataji to do the verbal heavy lifting.
When it comes time to move on, he does his best to move stealthily.
Rataji is mildly interested in the amulet of natural armor and the wayfinder. He has a few other social skills to use but I figured two is enough until the others have posted.
Joliryn listens attentively while Rataji tells his tale of the outer planes, learning a thing or two in the process.
"Our leader here is spinning a true tale of how we will grab rulership of this world from the weak that currently rule here. We could use you to aid us. For that you will be richly rewarded."
She spins her scimitar above her head, leaving a trail of flaming sparkles in its wake.
"But if we have to do it without you the aspis will also manage. And once we are done we will open that portal again, find you and kill you. Once that is done we will hunt down every relative of you. You are either with us here or against us, there is no middle road. Choose now and choose wisely!"
322 looks at the new arrivals curiously as they exit the tapestry's rift-portal. The elf declines to take the lead as Rataji spins his pitch towards them, but tries to chime in when the openings present themselves.
Finally, after he has their attention he adds.
"And take it from me, the Aspice Consortium make as good an ally as they would a bad enemy! I was in training to be part of the side of 'good' when I found a home in the consortium. Ever since then I have seen more power and more money, wheras with the other side I would probably be out healing peasants. The consortium awards its performers, AS IT SHOULD BE! Our badges are of bronze, silver, and gold. Theirs are glorified compasses. I could go on, but it seems quite obvious which is the better side to be on and how pathetic the opposition is."