GM Cwethan's The Cost of Enlightenment (Inactive)

Game Master Cwethan

As Drorlud rushes past the phantom it flails wildly at him, though it fails to connect.
Slam AoO: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Bludgeoning: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Bold may go!
Drorlud
Stonelance
Abraxi -2
Lynn
Phantom
Eamon -3

Eamon closes in on the remaining spirit and swings with his sword, I'll show you nothingness! sword: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11dmg: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Looks like Abraxi's gone AWOL across all his games for about a week... I'll bot him through the rest of this fight, then I'll make the 4-player adjustments for the rest of the module.

Greataxe: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 22
Slashing: 1d12 + 4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 + (3) = 18 Or the fight's done now.

Eamon and Abraxi finish off the last of the phantoms, and the clearing falls silent. The living Roidirans appear no more troubled than they were at your approach.

Feel free to cast whatever spells you would like, but once you continue into the shrine...

On either side of the stairs leading into the forest shrine's lower level are two curved pieces of stone, each polished to a mirror sheen and inscribed with the same sentence over and over in a variety of languages. The northern stone reads, "All truths are lies,"
The southern, "All lies are truths."

Abraxi remains behind, You'll need some warning if they all suddenly go crazy or something, but as you descend into the earth you can see no signs of any further violent madness.

The construction in here seems somewhat unstable, as evidenced by the collapsed chamber on your right. However, this doesn't seem to trouble at least one Roidiran who is knelt in silent contemplation before a smaller version of the statue in the jungle above.

What do you do?

Before heading down Lynn rubs at her throat a bit after sheathing her weapon. She then spoke to those who were injured with a hoarse voice nothing like that of the clear one she had prior to the engagement. "Would anyone require healing while i have this out? Abraxi? Eamon?"

If we bot Abraxi for the rest of the game then i won't heal him but should he come back before we continue a full round of posts i will.
Also i literally can't cast chord of shards without bardic performance rounds and if i counted right i think i've used all 9 for the day,
anyone care to do a recount since we rested?

clw(Eamon): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

After they descend Lynn drinks a bit from her waterskin to sooth her throat, and spots the disciple. It seemed her voice was better after quenching her thirst. "I do not see any phantoms... but we should try to not make any loud noise." She would slowly approach the worshiper. "Sir it does not look safe here perhaps you could tell us what has happened."

Eamon is genuinely grateful to Lynn, Uh thank you Lynn..um..I could have.. Eamon thinks of espousing the virtues of Iomedea..but lets it drop. The lady is correct, you should seek safety .. do you know what lies beyond? Eamon says to the kneeling Roidiran, while sheathing his sword. diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Actually Lynn I count 6 rounds used, and unless you have something reducing your rounds/day I think you should have 11 rounds/day anyways.

Despite your words the woman remains mute and knelt.

I may have forgot to update my rounds per day when leveling....
also thanks for the recount. I CAN USE OFFENSIVE MAGIC!!! going to bed for now see ya'll tomorrow.

What on earth is she up to...

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

DetectTraps: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Does anyone think these stones look like they might do something?

Moved my pawn towards the Roidiran..As I said above I sheath my sword and try to talk/diplomacy with him

Despite the evidence of past collapse, Drorlud thinks the area should be stable for now. Eamon remains unable to get any sort of response from the praying woman.
I'll just tell you that short of stabbing her in cold blood there's no way to get a rise from her, so I'll move you guys a little farther down the corridor.

The chapel itself is muted. The altar is adorned only with a pair of candles and a lavish piece of red fabric, and the wooden pews are dusty and worn. Three Roidirans are meditating in this chamber, but your appearance seems to shake them out of their meditative state.

They snatch up their maces and attack!

Bold may go!
Lynn
Drorlud
Stonelance
Eamon
Roidirans

oddly the map wasnt updated until i tried to view it on a different pc....

Drorlud readies his weapon and says
We should let them come to us, maybe we can out position them

Muscle memory kicks in and Stonelance raises his crossbow to the shoulders, puts one of the Roidirans in his cross-hairs and pulls the trigger.

crossbow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

"Doesn't hurt to keep them on their toes as the come to us."

I thought we were supposed to try to resolve this calmly X.X

Lynn always trying to take the diplomatist approach first didn't draw her weapon. "Wait wait, we wish you no harm but if it must come to blows then so be it. But know that we have come to stop whatever it is that ails you and has caused the recent raise in hostile action such as this! Please lower your weapons so that we may speak."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

The woman was not aware that her companions had already readied their weapons against the followers of Rodira.

Eamon grits his teeth..Is Lynn daft? they've drawn weapons and are rushing us and she's trying to talk them down?!! No time for that Lynn defend yourself! Eamon says as he draws his sword and steps back 5ft ready to strike the first Roidiran that comes within' reach. Be ready for when they come! Eamon says to Drorlud, while winking.Perhaps these fools will rush in to a cross fire of our steel!

Stonelance's bolt shatters against the Roidiran's shield, but the bolt's fragments pepper his face with splinters.

As the cultists charge, one of them lets out a despairing cry, But if miracles are real and gods are lies, who makes miracles?

Green @ Eamon (Charge): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7
Bludgeoning: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Blue @ Lynn (Charge): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6
Bludgeoning: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Despite having enough presence of mind to parry Eamon's strike, the cultists battle as if against phantoms only visible to them, and neither Eamon or Lynn are close to harm.

Bold may go!
Lynn
Drorlud
Stonelance
Eamon
Roidirans (Blue -1, -2 AC; Green -2 AC)

Lynn's face twisted as the cultists still charged to attack. She pulled forth her weapon and moved to slap at the cultist's face making sure to put enough of the pointed blade forward as not to stab the man before bringing it across in an attempt to slap some sense into them.

"If not the gods, then we ourselves shall make the miracles! Did you not hear the tale of Cayden Cailen or of Iomedae! Humans who pushed themselves to create their own great ballads, their own great tales, their own miracles! You must work your hands to build for your god and pray to them so that they might have the strength to craft miracles. Without their followers faith what are they, when their symbols lay tarnished and shattered upon their worshipers breast! Not even given the time of day to maintain them, I ask you, what are gods if they have no minds or spirits beside their own!"

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
rapier(nonlethal): 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (17) - 5 = 12
damage(nonlethal): 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5

I know it's probably useless to try and diplomatically make them surrender but she really doesn't want to kill people who may be under the influence of some spell.

as the cultists approach the exit of the corridor, Drorlud carefully aims his rapier and strikes

Rapier flank: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 = 12
Damage sneak: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 6) + 1 = 13

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Stonelance takes a quick step back, reloads his crossbow and fires point blank into the cultist face.

crossbow (pbs): 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 1 = 28
damage (pbs): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Confirm?
crossbow (pbs): 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 1 = 10
damage (pbs): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Eamon utters a prayer to Iomadae asking the Inheritor to shield him in battle. He does so in a defensive manner, then steps forward to support Lynn. concentration: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 1 + 2 = 23

Eamon cast shield of faith, defensively and 5ft steps forward AC :20 now (adjusted on his tab line)

As far as Lynn can tell, though these cultists are clearly in the throes of strong emotion, they don't seem to be under any mental domination.

One of the cultists reels with a quarrel stuck clean through her leg, but she still continues to fight, slamming her mace into his gut. Drorlud and Lynn's rapiers prove insufficient to pierce the Roidirans' guard, but the cultists are likewise unable to break any bones themselves.

Green @ Stonelance: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Bludgeoning: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Blue @ Lynn: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Bludgeoning: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Green @ Eamon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Bludgeoning: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Bold may go!
Lynn
Drorlud
Stonelance -5
Eamon
Roidirans (Blue -1, -2 AC; Green -9)

As the green cultist delivers a massive blow to Stonelance, Drorlud continues behind and strikes again with his rapier. hoping to slow down the assault

Rapier flank: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 2 = 24
Damage sneak: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2) + 1 = 4

Crit confirm: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 2 = 21
Crit damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Eamon grins at Lynn's hopeless en-devour to try and subdue these fanatics. Lynn! you stick the pointy end in the men trying to kill you...that's how it works! Here I'll show you! Eamon steps in front of the Red cultist (5ft step) and swing his sword sword: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20dmg: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 Eamon winks at Lynn when his sword bites in to his opponent.

Drorlud ably disables the woman who had struck Stonelance, while Eamon does his best to equal the thief's swordsmanship and leaves his own opponent bleeding from a long gash in his side.

Bold may go!
Lynn
Drorlud
Stonelance -5
Eamon
Roidirans (Blue -1; Red -5)

"This isn't how people act Eamon! They aren't themselves do not kill them. Please." Lynn tried again to swipe at her opponent(red) but tried to whip some sense back into them.

rapier(Nonlethal): 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (1) - 5 = -4
damage(NL): 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

lol that's 2 nat 1's so far..

"It's hard not kill someone who is trying to kill you."

The crossbowman quickly reloads and brings the weapon back to his shoulder, but restrains himself form pulling the trigger.

If knowledge comes from the void but the void retreats, whence comes knowledge? With this despairing cry one of the cultists strikes Lynn a nasty blow. Luckily the experienced pathfinder is able to roll with the strike somewhat, but it is clear that her mercy has earned her no favors.

Red @ Eamon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Bludgeoning: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Blue @ Lynn: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Bludgeoning: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Bold may go!
Lynn -4
Drorlud
Stonelance -5
Eamon
Roidirans (Blue -1, -2 AC; Green -9)

Eamon takes a swipe at the Red cultist and then steps to the side,(5ft step) to let Drorlud move up and help. Lynn back off you're wounded! They don't want negotiate! sword: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20dmg: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

"We commit or we run, make the call!" says Stonelance with his crossbow at the ready.

Grey continues hold his attack until a decision his made.

"We commit or we run, make the call!" says Stonelance with his crossbow at the ready.

Grey continues hold his attack until a decision his made.

We fight stone! Fire that bow! They've injured Lynn and are trying to kill us all! We fight or we die! Inheritors justice has the whole world gone mad! Men with swords draw blood and chant vague nonsense while doing it...and we're even questioning whether or not it's time to fight? Has some sort of enchantment come over my comrades as well?

"Damn it!"

Gritting his teeth Stonelance squeezes the trigger.

crossbow (pbs): 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 = 12
damage (pbs): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

There is no reasoning with these fools!

Drorlud moves in to try and save Lynn from being bludgeoned to death, and strikes with his rappier

Rapier: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Eamon's strike easily batters aside the Roidiran's parry, and leaves the man grievously wounded, though Drorlud and Stonelance are unable to capitalize on this opening.

Bold may go!
Lynn -4
Drorlud
Stonelance -5
Eamon
Roidirans (Blue -1; Red -12)

Lynn really doesn't want to kill these men but it seems they leave no choice, but she was in no position to fight right now. She backed away dashing behind Stonelance and then inbetween him and Eamon. She shook her head as if trying to come to reason with the fact that they simply weren't going to snap out of it.

Sorry for the long wait, Lynn uses a full-round action to withdraw. Moving NW->N->NE->E and then coming to a stop. Have to go that path otherwise i'd trigger AOO despite withdraw.

One of the cultists finally succumbs to reality and sinks to the ground, his mace dropping from his fingers as he stares in mute despair at nothingness.

If nothingness ceases to be, then what remains?

The last cultist-at-arms Blue closes on Drorlud, driving the breath from his lungs with a short shot to the cut.

Mace: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Mace: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Bold may go!
Lynn -4
Drorlud -3
Stonelance -5
Eamon
Roidirans (Blue -1; Red -12)

With no way to tactically retreat, and seeing their stupor start to recede Drorlud attempts to disable (not injure) the last remaining cultist who is trying to hurt him

Rapier-non lethal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

If nothingness ceases to be then "something" must remain!

Stonelance takes as step back, reloads and fires(blue);

crossbow (pbs): 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 1 = 24
damage (pbs): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Eamon stands his ground and channels using selective channels feat to exclude the two enemies. Iomedia, please heal my companions!channel: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Lynn moved forward and placed her wand on Drorlud, "Tadpole." He would feel a sensation of soothing on his wounds as they began to close.

clw(wand): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

The last cultist-at-arms recoils as Stonelance's bolt pierces his shoulder. Rather than snapping out of whatever strangeness grips him it seems to take a tighter hold; he sinks to the floor, dropping his mace and murmuring mantras as he stares in anguish at Nothing.

On the plus side he is no longer trying to bludgeon anyone to death.

Feel free to do any additional healing/buffing; just mark it in your next post

The next area you come to is clearly the heart of the shrine. You find a circular, shallow pool that glows with otherworldly power at the center of a smaller crater also overgrown with trees and somehow open to the sky.

A sharp odor emanates from the water, at once smoky, earthy, and sweet.
At each of the cardinal directions is a Roidiran supplicant, knelt in mute prayer.

The words “All discoveries reflect the beholder” are inscribed in glowing
letters along the pool’s side. Oddly they only appear to be written in Taldane (Common), and not in Kelish or the myriad of other languages you have seen throughout the rest of the shrine.

What do you do?

Being the resourceful type, I feel Drorlud may have liked the opportunity to relieve the dead of any...... unneeded possessions?, and possibly to search the chapel style room?. also, am I able to heal by just resting? or did Lynns spell (THANK YOU!!) heal everything?. either way, ill do a perception check for the area we just entered!)

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

As Drorlund searches the area where the Roidirians just attacked from, Eamon channels again. I beseech you Iomedea heal my companions that we may destroy this evil!channel: 1d6 ⇒ 1 Eamon seeing they are not fully healed channels again channel: 1d6 ⇒ 1 wow I suck! Anyway Lynn should be -1hp a Stonelance-2hp

Unfortunately the Roidirans are light on temporal possessions, and have only their combat gear and broken holy symbols of their goddess.

Within the heart of the shrine, the cultists appear not to even notice Drorlud's presence, but as leads you towards the pool it becomes apparent that something has.

Your own faces cast now reflection in this pool, instead, in place of your own images is an entity as stunning as it is unmistakable. With eyes like starlight and voluminous hair full of secrets, the dark and striking woman who looks back at you seems to bend all attention and space in genuflection to her.

As you watch the flat rippling image you see in the pool begins to rise, her presence gaining a strange weight as she takes on a more complete form, though light passing through her at some angles shows her insubstantial nature.

She looks at each of you in turn, her solar eyes almost painful to meet; then, she speaks:

Welcome, supplicants. I am Roidira. You have walked my Road and now, at last, you are ready to drink from this most perilous of cups. Answer my questions truthfully, with an open mind, and you shall be rewarded with the greatest gift in the planes: my Enlightenment. Fail, and wander forever in the darkness of the ignorance you laughably call ‘wisdom.’

Eamon is startled at the image in the pool. What trickery is this! Inheritor, protect us. Eamon puts his hand out indicating for the others not to touch the water. Let me study it for a second before, doing anything rash. Inheritor please guide my eyes, ears, and thoughts as I seek your revelation and truth about this foul heresy!
Eamon then cast guidance.
spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 1 = 18

This is strange and elusive magic..don't touch anything. The image in the pool is most likely trying to deceive us.. Eamon points to the dead and prone Roidirans.. deceive us like she did these other poor empty souls.

"The don't touch anything was unnecessary." mutters the crossbowman keeping his distance from anything.

The image that rises from the pool chuckles, but her eyes of pure light make her expression difficult to read. Doubt is good, Eamon, and I sense it in you, but the only way one can be truly deceived by a lie is to believe in it. Place belief in nothing, and lies lose their power.

Now, will you seek Enlightenment or no?

The image that rises from the pool chuckles, but her eyes of pure light make her expression difficult to read. Doubt is good, Eamon, and I sense it in you, but the only way one can be truly deceived by a lie is to believe in it. Place belief in nothing, and lies lose their power.

Now, will you seek Enlightenment or no?

[ooc]this is so easy to stay in character with Eamon when a nihilist apparition of a demi god offers him something...(probably throwing away a great boon but who cares I get to do this!)

Eamon spits at the projection/ apparition, I don't need your enlightenment, but perhaps you want some of Iomedea's? Eamon channels to kill undead. channel: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Roidira is unamused. She waves her hand at Eamon, enveloping him in a perfect darkness that deadens him to the world. It is not simply blindness or deafness—he can still see and hear himself—but a total absence of all other sensory stimulation.

Lynn looked concerned for Eamon, she knew he was having a bit of a crisis of faith. Her eyes were like daggers at the so-called Roidira. "All good lies are based in truth, that is why they are so hard to disbelieve. If seeking Enlightenment ourselves will free these humble followers from their torment, painlessly and without causing their deaths. Then we shall." She puffed out her chest a bit to show her confidence in their abilities.

Since we aren't super low i guess i won't heal anyone else with my wand.. but yeah holy crap Eamon maybe the dice are sensing how unsure he is with his current goddess?

Roidira replies scornfully, The only prisons that hold them are the prisons they have constructed around themselves, but this test will grant you insight into freeing them, if you are wise enough to find it.

What must every good Roidiran say before calling upon my power in prayer or speaking an incantation? More importantly, why must you do so?

local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Lynn recalls many of the individual priests and priestesses uttering, "There is no presence; there is absence. There is no meaning; there is only knowledge." She stepped forward as if challenging her authority over these people.