GM Debug's PbP PFS 6-4: The Beacon Below (Inactive)

Game Master DebugAMP

"Everyone else go and learn what you can. We may not have much time."

"And I follow some of the teachings of Pharasma myself, but this library is not the criminal. To let it be destroyed now for the actions of another would be a tragedy beyond description. To say that any library once used by a criminal should be destroyed would see no knowledge exist anywhere within any of the planes! We are willing to work with you if you allow us to safeguard this place! Provide you knowledge for the protection of the knowledge here." Watts' argument is a plea at points and a verbal accusation at others. He has little idea what argument would sway the marut in such a limited time so he makes includes as many viable statements as he is able; testing branches and pivoting based on any sign of acceptance or denial by the inevitable. There are times where Watts almost starts down a verbal tirade toward the outsider, but Yanndu's magic restrains what the tengu says and redirects him on safer paths. "If you will not aid us in the preservation of this place, can you at least allow us the opportunity to attempt it?"

Linguistics to change attitude via Orator: 1d20 + 26 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (7) + 26 + 2 + (3) = 38

If Linguistics is not valid in this case, Diplomacy result is 16 lower. This is not including Yanndu's bonuses to my check.

**Okay, I'll look around the library, but not near the beacon.**

Cirri begins looking around and scanning the library, looking for the most important books she can find.

Knowledge(Arcana): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24

Watts: add +7 to your Linguistics check since Orator states that you may use Linguistics in place of Diplomacy to change the attitude of a creature.

That is great, I wasn't sure how they interacted. So was leaving them to the side rather than attach both or part to the roll without comment. It would be a 45 with that bonus.

Cirri makes a few flippant comments which are clearly unappreciated by the Marut, and then heads off to inspect the parts of the library currently accessable. A quartet of statues stand tall, overlooking the library from each of the 4 corners of this floating platform. The furthest 2 are difficult to get close enough without irking the Marut, but the nearby pair do radiate magic.

Cirri is unable to identify either of the spells contained within the statues however.

The Marut ceases its advance, yet stands his ground as he considers Watt's words. Right as Watts finishes his entreaty however, another arc of energy strikes a pair of bookshelves, which collapse and crush under the weight of their contents. As the boards creak and splinter, one edge of the shelf nearly vanishes into a thin line of jet black, and a horrid howling sound begins to get louder and louder as suddenly a pair of gaunt long-limbed canine creatures step out from behind the fallen shelves.

The hounds are clearly hostile and we are now in rounds. Anyone who wants to make the above knowledge checks can still do so.

Round 9:
Beacon (The sky is falling!)
Watts
Marut
Creepy Hounds
Ramesses
Yanndu
Deyno
Sihir
Cirri

"I have no idea what these magic statues are doing..."

Knowledge(Planes): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35

"But I do know what the Hounds of Tindalos are. And I know their weaknesses, special attacks and their worst saving throws are!"

Knowledge (religion) with bonus on Osirion's gods: 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 3 + 1d8 ⇒ (7) + 15 + 2 + 3 + (4) = 31
Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (6) + 15 + 2 + (3) = 26

Watts cringes as the bookshelf is consumed by the wave of energy, his feathers bristling with heavily restrained anger and frustration.

"Please, one moment."

Stepping away Watts draws one of Badru's scrolls and begins speaking aloud the symbolic magic to draw out that power within.

"YOU. DO. NOT. DAMAGE. THE BOOKS," he yells out as a beam of destruction flows from the vaporizing scroll into one of the hounds.

Linguistics to activate scroll of disintegrate DC 31: 1d20 + 26 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (5) + 26 + 2 + (8) = 41
Touch Attack roll vs Hound Blue + Inspiration: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 2 + (3) = 18

Normal CL 11 disintegrate DC 19 Fort for partial. SR yes. 22d6 on failed save, 5d6 on successful save.

5 ft. draw scroll, use scroll of disintegrate (CL 11) on hound blue

If I do have additional information on the Hounds, I would be curious if they have any particular immunity to magic or disintegrate specifically before I use it. Will still use it if they have SR.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14 Welp...

Damage: 22d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 2, 3, 3, 2, 2, 1, 4, 2, 4, 6, 6, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1, 6, 2, 6) = 80

The hound barely has time to take stock of it's new surroundings as a pale green beam strikes it, leaving black wisps of extradimensional energy spewing out of numerous wounds on its body. It survives the blast, although it clearly has little fight left in it. Despite this, it staggers forward, ready to take down the mortal that dared assault it.

Cirri knows that these creatures have no particular weaknesses, although their bodies are particularly difficult to pierce with non-magical weapons (DR 10/magic). Their gaze is quite deadly as a look in their eyes forces your corporeal body to resemble that which they see. Additionally probing their mind will likely result in a vision of things incomprehensible to mere mortals. They are quite strong against physical assaults, however their minds are not well fortified against magic from this realm (low Will).

The first hound calls on it's otherworldly magic to replicate an effect well known to you as a Haste spell. Its nearly lethally wounded companion steps forward, over the edge of the floating library. Rather than plunge into the water it seems to turn at a sharp 90 degree angle, walking down the side and vanishing. From behind the diplomatic envoy, the hound walks straight out of the far ledge and bares down on the investigator.

Bite: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 17 + 1 = 34
Damage + Vital Strike: 2d6 + 5 + 2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) + 5 + (6, 5) = 26

The Marut watches this unfold and seems to be utterly unconcerned with the intrusion and continues to contemplate the words of the envoy.

"The library is the last known location of a wanted criminal. Their activities here are ongoing."

Watts, if you wish to answer these concerns it will take a standard action on your next turn. No rolls required.

Round 9:
Beacon (The sky is falling!)
Watts (-26)
Red Hound of Tindalos (Hasted)
Blue Hound of Tindalos (Hasted, -80)
Marut
Ramesses
Yanndu
Deyno
Sihir
Cirri

Cirri senses her ward shatter against the hound's fangs.

"Ouch! Watts! Look out for its gaze attack! I mean, don't look at its gaze attack! And Yanndu, pierce its mind, its Will is really weak!"

"And it resists non magical weapons, so I'll stick to the classic today." Cirri flips open to her favorite bookmarked spell, the one with a white feather sticking out. As she casts, her feet burst into claws, and a pair of wings sprout from her back. Her face shortens a bit as her nose turns into a beak.

Cirri cast Monstrous Physique I . And she's taken the form of a Harpy.

With her flight hex still active, she flaps her wings and enchants her quarterstaff. One of the ends freezes over. "Another one is coming around the corner, I'll lure it over here. Riddy! Get my scroll of Good Will!"

Spending an Arcane Pool Point to add +1 Frost to my quarterstaff. This boosts my AC and CMD by 1.

"Who let the dogs out?" Riddy quips as Cirri flies off. "Who? Who who?"

He catches up and finds her scroll. "Stand still next time and maybe I can use it quickly!"

Taking a moment too long to catch from what angle the hound was attacking, Watts isn't able to deflect the blow.

He begins to instinctively begins to stare down the creature in analysis before Cirri calls out the warning. He closes his eyes as the momentary rage is already being suppressed once more as he focuses on the problem.

"Y-yes. Thank you Cirri. Be careful, their attacks are exceptionally swift and powerful."

Attack hits, takes out 13 temp hp. Ablative barrier offers some protection. Watts has 8 damage, 5 nonlethal. Cirri's ward is down.

Yanndu bombards one of the hounds' psyche with a flood of visions from the benevolent plane of Elysium.

Standard Action; Mind Thrust V vs. Red Hound; Will DC 22 for half: 11d8 ⇒ (2, 7, 5, 5, 2, 4, 6, 3, 4, 1, 6) = 45 damage and exhausted for 1 round (fatigued for 1 round if it makes the save).

Yanndu then flies towards the southwest statue to check it out.

Altitude 20 ft.

Deyno rushes to Watts'aid, entering a rage and slamming his claws into the beast.

charging claws + power attack: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23
Magic,cold iron and silver damage: 1d8 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24

While the minds of the Hounds are most vulnerable, active probing into their minds is in most cases impossible, and in others dangerous. Yanndu's spell fails to find purchase as the mental probe nearly overcomes the psychic instead. It seems as though an indirect route would be best. Immune to mind affecting effects but lousy will saves. Obnoxious dogs.

Deyno rushes forward and attempts to rip and tear at the beast, but finds that they are able to contort in strange ways and evade his strikes. Miss

Round 9 (Updated with totals from last combat):
Beacon (The sky is falling!)
Watts (-8, -5 NL)
Red Hound of Tindalos (Hasted)
Blue Hound of Tindalos (Hasted, -80)
Marut
Ramesses
Yanndu (+15)
Deyno (Raging)
Sihir (+9)
Cirri (-4, Harpy form)
Riddlywhipple (-4)

Sihir snaps to attention and peppers the hound engaged with Watts with a barrage of magic missiles.

Damage: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 4, 1, 3) + 4 = 15

Ramesses rushes forward.
Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 3 = 17
Unable to discern much new about the creature, he calls down his judgement and lays into it with his blade.

Attack: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 11 - 2 = 17

The inquisitor misses with his strike, and the beacon continues arcing as the solar disk continues its descent.

Round 10:
Beacon (

Watts is much calmer now that the Hound is attacking him rather than the library or it's contents.

This is an acceptable alternative.

Hearing the beast still moving near him, Watts considers the options and while he fears what the hound might do, he decides to not try to put off the inevitable.

He tries to not consider the hound about to maul him as he keeps his eyes closed and focuses his mind on the marut before him.

"The library is a tool that that will be shared among many, but it's use by a criminal does not necessitate it bearing the brunt of the punishment, else all records would need to be destroyed for their use by various nefarious forces. By securing this place we can learn more about the person who utilized it, what they were accessing, as well as potentially identifying where they retreated. None of that will be possible if this location collapses on itself!"

Keep eyes closed. Standard action to answer the marut.

The hound begins to rip and tear at the investigator as he speaks, demanding retribution for pieces of it that were disintegrated off.

Claw 1: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 17 + 1 = 32
Claw 1 Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Claw 2: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 17 + 1 = 33
Claw 2 Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Bite: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 17 + 1 = 20 Miss

Haste Bite: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 17 + 1 = 36
Bite Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 5) + 5 = 14

The Marut completely ignores the fight going on and addresses Watts.

"He is gone but I will find him. This site is under the jurisdiction of the Marut. You will comply with all orders. You will refrain from destruction of evidence. Approach and identify yourself." The Marut seems nearly convinced.

In the meanwhile, the second Marut disappears into the angled geometry of the shelf and reappears out of the staircase behind Deyno.

Claw 1: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 17 + 1 = 20
Claw 1 Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Claw 2: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 17 + 1 = 31
Claw 2 Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Bite: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 17 + 1 = 37
Bite Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (1, 3) + 5 = 9

Haste Bite: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 17 + 1 = 23
Bite Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (6, 6) + 5 = 17

Round 10:
Beacon
Watts (-8, -5 NL, Claw damage above)
Red Hound of Tindalos (Hasted)
Blue Hound of Tindalos (Hasted, -95)
Marut
Ramesses
Yanndu (+15)
Deyno (Raging)
Sihir (+9)
Cirri (-4, Harpy form)
Riddlywhipple (-4)

Combatants will need to either avert their gaze from the hounds (granting them concealment and giving you a 50% chance to avoid having to make the save), close their eyes and fight utterly blind, or fight through the pain of their gaze attack (fort save).

Watts is barely able to stand after the assault, it takes all his effort to focus on the marut rather than the screaming pain through his body.

Updated damage: 26 damage, 20 nonlethal.

Deyno attempts to avert his gaze from red, and focuses solely on blue.

averting gaze red, lo is bad: 1d100 ⇒ 29
fort vs red: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17
fort vs blue: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27

Deyno takes a step to the side to get out of the flank and then swings twice at the blue hound.

claw attack+power attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17
magic, CI, silver b/s damage: 1d8 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16

claw attack+power attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
magic, CI, silver b/s damage: 1d8 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20

Thanks DM I'm sorry, looks like the rest of this week we'll be short staffed as well, I'll do my best to stay up to date.
Ramesses turns his attention to the red hound to defend Watts.
Greatsword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 154d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 5, 3, 5) + 7 = 22
Iterative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 82d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 1) + 7 = 9
Wow! I probably distracted him by being absolutely awful at trying to hit him.

Ramesses and Deyno swing wildly at the hounds with Zyphus's luck, and feel themselves torn apart by the hounds' gaze for their efforts.

Gaze Damage vs Deyno: 5d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 4, 1, 1) = 13
Deyno, you saved vs Blue and are now immune to his gaze

Fort (Ramesses): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 131d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Gaze Damage vs Ramesses: 5d6 + 5d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 3, 3, 4) + (1, 6, 3, 2, 5) = 33

Round 10:
Beacon
Watts (-26, -20 NL)
Red Hound of Tindalos (Hasted)
Blue Hound of Tindalos (Hasted, -95)
Marut
Ramesses (-33)
Yanndu (+15)
Deyno (-62, Raging)
Sihir (+9)
Cirri (-4, Harpy form)
Riddlywhipple (-4)

Cirri performs a flying charge against the red hound.

Arcane Strike + Charge! + Combat Expertise. Charge + Combat Expertise will keep Cirri's AC unchanged.
+2 Quarterstaff: 1d20 + 16 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 16 + 2 - 1 = 36
2H Damage: 1d6 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 10
Cold Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Cirri will brave their gaze attack.
Fort Save vs Red: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
And fail utterly.
Fort Save vs Blue: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Wow!

Cirri squawks in a mix of excitement and anguish.

Deyno feels the effect of the gaze, he grits his teeth as his skin tears from unseen forces..

UMD, DC 27: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
"This is built for bards, not sorcerers!" Riddy fiddles with the script.

Who insulted the dice bot's mother?

Gaze vs Cirri: 5d6 + 5d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 4, 6, 2) + (1, 3, 2, 4, 6) = 36

Round 10:
Beacon
Watts (-26, -20 NL)
Red Hound of Tindalos (Hasted, -15)
Blue Hound of Tindalos (Hasted, -95)
Marut
Ramesses (-33)
Yanndu (+15)
Deyno (-62, Raging)
Sihir (+9)
Cirri (-40, Harpy form)
Riddlywhipple (-4)

Yanndu twirls his staff and out comes a magic missile... and another... and another, etc.

All missiles aimed at blue unless he falls, in which case Yanndu redirects leftovers missile at red if blue falls...

magic missile 1: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
magic missile 2: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
magic missile 3: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
magic missile 4: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
magic missile 5: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Whoa! one chance in 1,024 to have all threes!! maybe even more... my stats-fu is ancient...

You have to designate all targets before rolling damage for magic missile, so I'll take that as all at blue.

Cirri gets the attention of one hound as Yanndu barrages the other with more magic missiles. Finally it collapses to the ground, falling through a corner of the geometry, and vanishing from this plane.

Round 10:
Beacon
Watts (-26, -20 NL)
Red Hound of Tindalos (Hasted, -15)
Marut
Ramesses (-33)
Yanndu (+15)
Deyno (-62, Raging)
Sihir (+9)
Cirri (-40, Harpy form)
Riddlywhipple (-4)

Sorry for the delay. I guess I just needed a break or something....

Initially too startled - and intrigued - by the otherworldly 'hounds' to react coherently, Sihir then realizes that this is what he was waiting for. His eyes become like mirrors....

The beacon continues to tug on the solar disk in the air, bringing it yet closer to the ground. Since you've arrived, it has descended nearly halfway to ground level.

Sihir: It's daylight bright. Someone made a fake sun... and it's about to fall on you.

Round 11:
Beacon (Falling! Almost halfway to disaster!)
Watts (-26, -20 NL)
Red Hound of Tindalos (Hasted, -15)
Marut
Ramesses (-33)
Yanndu (+15)
Deyno (-62, Raging)
Sihir (+9)
Cirri (-40, Harpy form)
Riddlywhipple (-4)

Responding to the Marut, "Agreed! We are Pathfinders! If you demand more detailed introductions you will need to wait a moment."

Watts carefully opens his eyes trying to avoid catching the gaze of the horrific hound.

Successfully Avert Gaze 51+: 1d100 ⇒ 78

He releases a deep breath that he is still standing before stepping away, drawing another scroll, activing the magic within to hasten the party to match the hound's speed.

"Just a moment though."

Linguistics to activate scroll of haste DC 25: 1d20 + 26 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (14) + 26 + 2 + (6) = 48

Averting gaze, 5 step, draw scroll as move, cast scroll of haste. Targeting myself, Cirri, Deyno, and Ramesses.

The Marut does not seem off put by Watt's delay, it simply waits patiently for him to follow through on the order.

The hound on the other hand, seems off put by the party's insistence on remaining alive, and slashes impatiently hoping they follow through on their demise. Not too keen on being clubbed with a staff, it works on Cirri.

Bite: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 17 + 1 = 23 Miss

Claw 1: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 17 + 1 = 30
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Claw 2: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 17 + 1 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Dropping Cirri to the ground, the hound turns its head and chomps down hoping to finish off Watts as well. Good news Cirri, since you're KO'd your eyes are closed!

5 ft step and final bite

Haste Bite: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 17 + 1 = 25 Miss

Anyone who already saved vs Red's gaze no longer has to worry about it. Everyone else... keep worrying about it.

Round 11:
Beacon (Falling! Almost halfway to disaster!)
Watts (-26, -20 NL)
Red Hound of Tindalos (Hasted, -15)
Marut
Ramesses (-33)
Yanndu (+15)
Deyno (-62, Raging)
Sihir (+9)
Cirri (-54, Harpy form, Dying, con check to stabilize)
Riddlywhipple (-4)

As the hound's gaze tears into her, she squawks again as it bites and claws her.

She drops her staff and thuds right into the ground.

Con: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

And continues to bleed out.

UMD: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

Riddywhipple activates the scroll of Good Hope on Deyno, Watts and... Cirri's unconscious body.

Riddywhipple sighs. "Can someone stop Cirri's bleeding? I'd love to try, but I don't have a wand on me. And I don't want to look at that thing."

Yay..buffs

fort+good hope vs red gaze: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 15 + 2 = 33

Deyno steps closer to red and attacks the last hound.

claw+PA+Haste+Good Hope: 1d20 + 17 - 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 17 - 3 + 2 + 1 = 27
B/S damage, Magic, CI, Silver: 1d8 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21

claw+PA+Haste+Good Hope: 1d20 + 17 - 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 17 - 3 + 2 + 1 = 18
B/S damage, Magic, CI, Silver: 1d8 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21

Hasted claw+PA+Haste+Good Hope: 1d20 + 17 - 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 17 - 3 + 2 + 1 = 31
B/S damage, Magic, CI, Silver: 1d8 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20

Free Action:

Via message and telepathic bond, Yanndu urgently bids everyone to line-up, military style, in front of the Marut for inspection, in order to comply with his order to step forward and identify ourselves!!

*What, NOW??? Were I not unhappily aware of your every thought, I should feel like asking, 'what are you thinking?!?'*

Sihir turns his attention to the remaining hound...and through strange and deep magic, compels the entity to turn its attention to HIM.

Shadow Enchantment, DC 24, to cast lock gaze, also DC 24, on the hound!

Deyno tears into the hound with 2 out of his 3 attacks, rending its flank and wounding it grievously.

The Hound is immune to Sihir's attempts at mental compulsion (immune to mind-affecting), but nevertheless it's gaze crosses the Wayang's path who clearly makes no attempt to avert his eyes. Assuming you are using the immediate to reflect the gaze...

Fort: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13 Ow.
Gaze Damage: 5d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 6, 3, 5) = 22

The horrid gaze does no harm upon the Wayang, but instead begins to rip and tear at the hound's own body!

Round 11:
Beacon (Falling! Almost halfway to disaster!)
Watts (-26, -20 NL)
Red Hound of Tindalos (Hasted, -78)
Marut
Ramesses (-33)
Yanndu (+15)
Deyno (-62, Raging)
Sihir (+9)
Cirri (-55, Harpy form, Dying, con check to stabilize)
Riddlywhipple (-4)

Ramesses uses a swift action to use inner strength Persistance Inquisition to heal 4d6 damage.
Inner Str: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 1, 4) = 7 Ouch! low rolls continue!

I've got a free and swift from Yanndu and Ramesses respectively. Will bot remainder of actions per discussion instructions this evening.

Oops the rest of my post didn't go through sorry!
Ramesses focuses on removing the remaining threat, so they can help Cirri, before addressing the Golem.
Greatsword: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 355d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 4, 5, 1, 5) + 7 = 27
Haste Attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 283d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 2, 2) + 7 = 13
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 243d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 3, 3) + 7 = 17
Fort Save if necessary:
Fort Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Cirri, we're coming just hang in there!

hound is dead, post incoming

Yanndu approaches Cirri, averting his gaze from the disgusting hound. Kneeling over her dying form, he recalls one of his ancestors' ease in touching the divine, and lets the purity of light pour out towards Cirri.

Cure Critical Wounds to Cirri: 4d8 + 11 ⇒ (2, 6, 3, 2) + 11 = 24

Opening his eyes once more, he answers the Marut with a clear voice, "I am the elf known as Yanndu, of the Mordant Spire, in the MATERIAL PLANE, being the FOURTH incarnation of the THIRD Cycle of Mortality. I am a scholar and a preserver of evidence, a cataloger of knowledge, with a specialty in the lore related to the goddess Pharasma and the River of Soul. This subject of study is what brought me to the continent of Avistan, also located in the above-mentioned MATERIAL PLANE, for I discovered that a simple mortal had found a loophole in the grand order of things - a nonmagical one no less - which could cause a soul to stall forever upon the mortal plane, thus escaping its final fate and judgement from the goddess Pharasma. I am opposed to any type of imprisonment or delaying of souls such as undead, construct shells, majic jars, and the like. Let us assist you in apprehending your criminal. Our goals align. Help us avoid the destruction of this evidence here."

Still letting his rage go one unchecked, Deyno complies, "If we are doing foramlities, I am Yen Deyno Taishin of the house that is my name. " He pauses for a moment, as he struggles to contain the rage. Eventually letting it go.

Ending rage, figure he can not keep it up while having a conversation.

I joined the Society in the effort to learn more of my families lost history, all the while assisting them in uncovering theirs and other forgotten lore. He hunches over as waves of fatigue rock him. I work with Tahonikepsu and the other sages to find and then preserve the knowledge.

Gaze: 5d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 1, 1, 3) = 9

Ramesses, I'm not sure where those extra 2d6 come from on that first attack, but by the last one it's dead with or without them. Possibly quicker if that 20 were to confirm...

Ramesses swings down with the full might of Gorum and cleaves the head from the otherworldly hound. As quick as can be, Yanndu rushes forward and heals Cirri.

The Marut looks up at Yanndu and Deyno, then back down at Watts. "You are not criminals. Your work will not impede my search. You may do as you please. I will remain."

In the meanwhile, the sun continues setting... and it seems as though you only have a minute or so before things get awfully hot.

Rounds 13-14:
Beacon (Falling! Almost halfway to disaster!)
Watts (-26, -20 NL)
Ramesses (-35)
Yanndu (+15)
Deyno (-62, Raging)
Sihir (+9)
Cirri (-31, Harpy form, Dying, con check to stabilize)
Riddlywhipple (-4)

I added 1 to the round counter to wrap up the formalities with he Marut. Everyone is now accessible, but I'm keeping you in rounds for actions. Post 2 rounds worth of actions at a time to deal with this impending catastrophe. At this point, all of the bookshelves are considered difficult terrain due to the quakes and fallen books.

Actually, my intent was to not use the reflection trick (at least not for a few rounds) and keep it staring at me so everyone else could chop it up with impunity. Just the same, what you did obviously worked.

Vis-a-vis the remaining crisis, first thing's first: Is there any way we can identify/learn more about this Beacon thing? I don't recall getting any cue to do that or how.

Any ideas on how to stop the incoming doomsday device?

Anyone who wishes to approach the beacon may do so and try to discern its function. Once you are close enough to inspect it (lets say... 10 ft or so from the orange circle) you can make checks of your choosing to try to figure out how it works. Creative use of skills and spells will be considered.

"Thank you for your understanding in this servant of Axis."

Watts frees his eyes to look to Cirri. Once he sees her healed he forces his body to rush to the beacon, relaying the names of the gods the statues might represent along the way.

He gets into position and begins looking across the console for any sign of familiarity. His first instinct is to search for pictographs, runes, or words that might highlight the purpose or control of the beacon.

Linguistics if there are words on the console: 1d20 + 26 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (10) + 26 + 2 + (4) = 42

The other immediate idea that drives through the investigator's mind looks toward the statues. "If they have repeated connections to the gods in the area above as well as down here, there may be some connection to their faiths built into this device as well."

Otherwise Knowledge (religion) with +3 for Osirion and its gods: 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 3 + 1d8 ⇒ (2) + 15 + 2 + 3 + (3) = 25

Hasted move to beacon, standard action to examine with Linguistics or Knowledge (religion)

His eyes barely even slits as he courageously approaches the horrible light...

Round 1: Double-move.

...Sihir tries to figure out what it might be...

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19

...and fights back with some of his own darkness (as well a bit of light in case the others should need it).

Round 2: I cast Motes of dusk and dawn - 1 of 'dawn', 3 of dusk! As configured, that should make it pretty dark now, right? I'm hoping for dim or darker where I am.