The party is effectively split right now, as the door itself blocks sound and sight. Lucija can observe what is going on, per her bonded senses, but other than what she chooses to communicate the people in the first room do not know what is going on in the second. Please do not read spoilers not intended for you, and for those of you already through the portal, please spoiler your posts in return.
Naghamadi, Kleetus, Kai, and Valais:
Scant seconds after your emergence into this chamber, as you've barely had a chance to glance around-- and in the case of Kris and Naghamadi, to exchange a few words, horrific figures suddenly appear around you. One moment they were not there; the next moment, they were. They are nightmarish creatures that look like the emaciated spawn of some primeval reptile and an equally primeval insect, though they stand more or less upright, as men do. They have four arms; fanged mandibles; scaled and segmented hide of a burnt reddish color; and they carry wicked-looking blades and shields of unfamiliar design. They are clearly ready and intending to attack you.
(Kn check to identify is listed outside of this spoiler, since I can't nest them)
One of them clicks at the others in a harsh language filled with a number of hissing sounds. "স্নেক একটি সমন হয়. তার নিক্ষেপকারী ছাড়া অর্থহীন. অন্যদের নিন."
Begin combat-- the creatures had a surprise round, which they spent in phasing in around you.
KN Planes, DC 16, for the portal crowd only:
These creatures are xill. Extraplanar creatures of an evil nature, one of the more terrifying things about them is the fact that their bite can paralyze people.
KN Planes, DC 21, for the portal crowd only:
These creatures are xill. Extraplanar creatures of an evil nature, one of the more terrifying things about them is the fact that their bite can paralyze people. They are innately resistant to spells.
KN Planes, DC 26, for the portal crowd only:
These creatures are xill. Extraplanar creatures of an evil nature, one of the more terrifying things about them is the fact that their bite can paralyze people. They are innately resistant to spells. They can also planewalk at will between the Material Plane and the Ethereal (their native realm), and are known to do so-- with their captives in hand... or claw, for they are capable of successfully grabbing prey if they hit with their claws. They reproduce by implanting their eggs inside the bodies of paralyzed, live creatures on the Material Plane; the monstrous young claw their way out of the host torso within a day, and immediately migrate to the Ethereal Plane.
Infernal, for the portal crowd only:
"Ignore the snake for now: it is not native, and useful only if we acquire its owner. Take the others."
The four-armed creatures attack with an explosion of limbs, blades, and teeth, unleashing extraplanar violence upon Valais, Kris, and Kleetus-- and ignoring Naghamadi entirely.
Xill 1, Claw vs Kleetus's FF AC of 22 (21 normally, with a +1 boost to his deflection AC due to protection from evil), with flank:1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 13 + 2 = 29Hit, leading to: Free grab attempt when the claw hits, vs Kleetus' FF CMD, with flank:1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 16 + 2 = 22Success. Kleetus now grappled, so a -2 to his AC. However, the xill is grappling, so that's a -2 to its attack rolls, thus a wash, so I haven't included either in the following rolls: Xill 1, Shortsword vs Kleetus's FF AC, with flank, shortsword 1:1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 13 + 2 = 26Hit Xill 1, Shortsword vs Kleetus's FF AC, with flank, shortsword 2:1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 13 + 2 = 33Hit Xill 1, Shortsword vs Kleetus's FF AC, with flank, shortsword iterative:1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 2 = 23Hit Xill 1, bite vs Kleetus's FF AC, with flank:1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 2 = 20Miss
Guess what, guys? The ship's inhabited! In a flurry of violence, two of the creatures grab Kai and Kleetus, and unleash a devastating storm of cuts, bites, and claws over them both.
(Everyone except Kleetus, you're up! Go! (Yes, Darro, that means you can try again. ;) )
|AC 26**, T 15*, FF 24*|HP: 71/77|F +9*, R +10**, W +10* (+8 vs MA, +4 vs fear, +2 vs despr/confus/insane/death)|Init +1, Perc 0|CMB +10* CMD 20|10/11 Summon VI, 1/2 Call, 1/1 Pride, 1/1 Mysteries, 1/1 Davian, #10
First of all, I need a judgment: Does Bonded Senses require another standard action every round I do it, or just to begin? If so, Lucija sticks with that. If not, she sticks with that AND casts shield on herself (because thanks for the warning!).
"Xill! Not entirely what I'd expected here. Do not use your magic against them unless you have great trust in its puissance, and DON'T LET THEM BITE YOU!"
"They're under attack in there!" Lucija warns whoever's with her. She then echoes Naghamadi's warning word for word, (see above) even seeming to take on some of his strange vocal qualities. "They're raiders," She continues, her normal voice resuming. "They're here for Material planar folk - no, I don't know why."
Note that my fiendish beetle's still there for 8 rounds minus however many it's been.
Deaglan waits for any reaction from his companions "It is good that you are waiting here too Lucija, let's see if they report back on short notice or not"
He touches his holy symbol lightly Guidance on self
Thanks GM, I indeed wanted to use myself as the emanation point.
Xill, how fun, how rude I can't understand them. Kai swears under his breath in the elven tongue and begins casting a spell, after using his innate Arcane ability to enhance the edge of the Maiden's Kiss.
The casting successful, sick black energry wreathes around his drawn blade and he turns to the Xill which helpfully manifested between himself and the eidolon. He then strikes out three times in rapid succession.
Kai, you are grappled. If my stating it clearly in a line where I tallied your damage isn't clear enough, let me know exactly how I need to do that. Grappled means that, first of all, you're not going against the CMB of your normal casting-defensively, you're going against the grappler's CMB, which is higher; it also means you can't do spell combat, as spell combat uses both hands, and you're specifically barred from any action that require two hands by the rules of grappled. I will give you one hour to post a different action if you get a chance, otherwise I will narrate the consequences of the action you attempted.
AC 24 T 16 FF 19 (uncanny dodge) | Current HP 97/97| F +15 R +19(evasion) W +14 (+2 vs sleep, para, stun) | Init +3| Perc +25 Resist Fire, Electricity, Cold 5
Spells Per Day Remaining:
4-1/2 1-2/4
Spells Active:
Heroism
Valais's Action:
She enters Dragon Style as soon as initiative is rolled and free action enters Pummeling Style on her turn
Knowledge (planes):1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
She completely draws a blank on these creatures, and she silently judges herself for her failure.
"G-g-get away from us!"
She begins attempting to beat the xill next to her before it can grab her too. X4
To his frustration, Darro finds the door continues to bar his progress. (I'm assuming you don't try and send Blackthorn through if you can't get through yourself, but correct me if I'm wrong.)
Inside:
Valais's fists become a blur. She strikes out frantically at the slavering creature nearest her, everyone of her blows landing. The chitinous carapace of the creature shatters and cracks with every blow, and ultimately the creature crumples to the ground. Valais hurriedly takes its spot.
(Thanks for the reminder on the beetle, Lucija.)
(Giving Kai a chance to change his action as mentioned in my spoiler to him; otherwise I'll take my action in a bit)
The post was a mess of spoilers so I missed one of them as i mis-read the tag. I missed the entire point where they attacked.
Ret-conned Action:
One moment, alone with a strange protean creature basking in the ambience of this f!&&ed up place, the next assaulted by four-armed devils, blood pours from several wounds and it is holding him rather close for comfort.
"Woah, at least buy me dinner first!"
Focusing on his blade, he expends his innate arcana to enhance the Maiden's Kiss. He then uses his Witch-like powers to hex himself, closing some of his wounds.
(The beetle is not even entitled to make the check to try and get through the door, as it doesn't have a high enough ability score to activate said door. Of course, neither Lucija nor the beetle know that! I'm fine flavoring that the beetle continues to try, and is mechanically occupying a space on the map, but I won't roll checks for it, and I'm just letting you know OOCly why that is so you know I'm not just forgetting it. ;
Belay all that. I forgot you have Augmented Summoning. I'll stick in an attempt soon, my apologies. The beetle actually could have tried the first time, sorry.
Belay the belay. The stats you linked are correct for Augmented Summons, and as such, original point stands. No high enough stat to try and get through.
Lucija's fire beetle continues to trundle at the shimmering crystal wall, but it again bumps into solid stone. Darro is having little success yet either-- the wall seems too dense to push through: an unseen force overpowering his efforts, so far.
Inside (Kleetus, Kai, Valais, Naghamadi):
The remaining xill turn and cock their heads at Valais, clicking and hissing. The one that is not currently grabbing one of Valais's friends unleashes its twin swords on her-- as well as its claw and bite.
Xill 3, Claw vs Valais AC of 24 (23 normally, with a +1 boost to her deflection AC due to protection from evil):1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17Miss Xill 3, Shortsword vs Valais AC, shortsword 1:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31Hit Xill 3, Shortsword vs Valais AC, shortsword 2:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22Miss Xill 3, Shortsword vs Valais AC, shortsword iterative:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9Miss Xill 3, bite vs Valais AC:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22Miss
Though the bite and one of the blades come close, only a single strike pierces Valais's demon-toughened hide. Damage:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Combat round 1 ...Xill 1 & 2 attacked and grappled Kleetus and Kai (it's behind a spoiler)
...Kris/Kai healed himself via hex
...Deaglan cast guidance
...Lucija cast shield (Naghamadi moved to provide a flank)
...Darro failed to breach the portal
...Valais pummeled a xill into dust
...Xill 3 attacked Valais (4 is dead) ...Kleetus
(Thank you for catching that, I could have sworn there was only a move narrated when I first saw the post, because I remember thinking it was strange he hadn't attacked, heh. Guess I was blind. My apologies-- but that's why I post the recaps, so you can be sure I got all of your guys' actions and didn't skimp you of anything.)
Addendum for stuff going on inside:
Naghamadi snaps in turn at the xill that is holding Kleetus in one clawed hand. Were the creature not doing so, Naghamadi would not have hit, but fortunately-- it is, and he does. The xill makes a lazy hissing noise, seemingly only minorly bothered by the bite. The tail misses.
Combat Reflexes means you would get your AOOs, if they had provoked. They didn't.
A voice that is definitely deeper and ... angrier than the one that has emanated from the helf-orc so far roars: "AH'MA GUNNA RIP OUT YER ARMS AND BEATCHA WID' DEM."
Kleetus pulls back his hand and drives his cestus into the xill's fantastically ugly maw. There's a crunch of chitin, and his fist draws back with strands of viscous liquid clinging to the cestus. The creature makes an odd shrilling noise, discomfited by its prey's response.
Xill 1, maintain grapple on Kleetus, shaken:1d20 + 16 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 16 + 5 - 2 = 28Xill chooses to damage using its bite; and, per grab, also gets its claw damage automatically as well Xill automatic claw damage:1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 Bite damage:1d3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
AC 24 T 16 FF 19 (uncanny dodge) | Current HP 97/97| F +15 R +19(evasion) W +14 (+2 vs sleep, para, stun) | Init +3| Perc +25 Resist Fire, Electricity, Cold 5
Spells Per Day Remaining:
4-1/2 1-2/4
Spells Active:
Heroism
Valais's Action:
Valais rears back as the claw scratches her. As she looks down at the blood, she looks up again, smiling.
"Hehehe, your turn."
She elbows the creature with her right arm, gives a left cross across its face, turning it around into a clothesline afterwards.
I don't believe you can, unfortunately. You have line of sight, but you don't have line of effect for the spell-- as there's a solid object between you and your target zone, which is the square where you want the summons to appear. You can change your action if you prefer.
Yeah I have a tshirt and 1 star so reroll as follows: Fort Save, reroll:1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 1 = 19. I will wait to see if that passes before doing anything
Fangs tearing into his shoulder and claws raking his sides, the scarred half-elf cries out involuntarily as he feels a poison seep through his veins. Using his inner reserves to fight off the sluggish feeling he stares directly at the Xill holding him and with his empowered blade cuts at him.
He taps once more into his Arcane reserves giving himself a foresight into the enemy and guiding his strike.
(Okay, everybody but Lucija has now made it into the room, and she can see what is going on, so there is no more need for spoilers or a split map.)
Kai summons his inner fortitude and strikes hard at the xill grasping him, landing one very accurate shot that leaves a deep slash in the red creature's thorax, and a second blow that cuts along one emaciated limb. The creature hisses, black ichor oozing from the cuts, but does not release Kai.
A second later, Deaglan comes through the portal, emerging into the space that Valais had vacated a few seconds past. He feels physical resistance when passing through, but the strong dwarf simply barrels through it. (Deaglan, it takes a standard action to actually overcome the portal's interference, but I'll say you still have a move action left. Moving from the square you are now in would provoke from X3.)
He emerges into a scene of carnage: red creatures with four limbs are assaulting the others. One of the red creatures has been killed and is lying on the ground near him; Kleetus and Kris are currently grappled by these monsters, who are doing their best to sink terrifying-looking mandibles into their flesh. Valais is facing off with a third.
Naghamadi's lamprey jaws close on the limb of the xill that is grabbing Kleetus, ripping loose chunks of chitin and leaving smoldering burn marks in their wake. Outside, Lucija bolsters herself with a minor spell.
Darro abruptly emerges through the wall, third time the charm. However, he is practically on top of Kai, who is currently locked in struggle with one of the inhuman creatures. He hurriedly moves past the xill into free space; Blackthorn follows him a second later. (As with Deaglan: you took your standard to get in, but I'll grant you your move still. X1 and X2 are grappling and do not threaten. I'll assume you take one square of movement in order to reach the free square I moved you to, but you still have the rest of your movement left if you wish to keep going further. Same for Blackthorn.)
Valais rips brutally into the third xill, dealing more punishing strikes, but this time she fails to hit the sweet spot she did last time, and the creature, though badly injured, is still on its feet.
The remaining xill snarls and chatters in its hellish tongue at the others.
Infernal:
"The mottled meat-thing struggles hard. It should have been the first priority for subdual."
It attacks Valais again...
Xill 3, Claw vs Valais, AC 24:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26Hit, leading to: Free grab attempt when the claw hits, vs Valais CMD:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17Totes fail Xill 3, Shortsword vs Valais, shortsword 1:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26Hit Xill 3, Shortsword vs Valais, shortsword 2:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30Hit Xill 3, Shortsword vs Valais, shortsword iterative:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19Miss Xill 3, bite vs Valais:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16Miss
Combat round 2 ...Xill 1 & 2 maintained grapples, bit
...Kris/Kai stabbed a xill
...Deaglan entered the portal; still has a move action if he wants
...Lucija & Naghamadi cast guidance/attacked
...Darro entered portal with Blackthorn, still has movement if he wants
...Valais pummeled a xill
...Xill 3 stabboed a Valais >>...Kleetus
In a minor wave of an alternate reality-- Kai's attacks actually come at the one he is flanking with Naghamadi, and not the one currently holding him. It makes a difference-- for that xill has taken Kleetus's cestus to the face already, and Naghamadi's burning bites-- and Kai's two stabs manage to finish the job-- the xill's claws tear free of Kleetus as the figure slumps, leaving Kleetus free.
(Kleetus, you're up! And no longer grappled. X3 looks very badly hurt after Valais's pummeling of it, and the one that has Kai locked down hasn't yet been hurt.)
The beetle continues to try and breach the door but has yet to have any success.
OOC:
Yeah, it can't get through. (I edited my edit pertaining to that.) Any beetle attempts on the door are purely flavor and have no mechanical chance of success.
Freed at last, Kleetus regrips his falchion and gives a mighty swing, but unfortunately, he's not able to connect.
(Start Round 4-- my count on the rounds got slightly off earlier, my apologies, but this is indeed the 4th round of combat)
The xill that had been grabbing Kris-- until the power of Trudd had freed him-- hisses furiously, and tries to regain the hold, and the attack, on the blade-wielding sailor.
Xill 2, Claw vs Kai's AC of 23:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30Hit, leading to: Free grab attempt when the claw hits, vs Kai's CMD 20, with flank:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19Miss Xill 2, Shortsword vs Kai's AC, shortsword 1:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30Hit Xill 2, Shortsword vs Kai's AC, shortsword 2:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26Hit Xill 2, Shortsword vs Kai's AC, shortsword iterative:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12Miss Xill 2, bite vs Kai's AC:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14Miss
Fortunately for him, though the claw hits, this time Kai is not unprepared, and he manages to twist back before the claws can sink in again on him!
|AC 26**, T 15*, FF 24*|HP: 71/77|F +9*, R +10**, W +10* (+8 vs MA, +4 vs fear, +2 vs despr/confus/insane/death)|Init +1, Perc 0|CMB +10* CMD 20|10/11 Summon VI, 1/2 Call, 1/1 Pride, 1/1 Mysteries, 1/1 Davian, #10
Lucija stands near the door without trying to pass through it. Back to back with her lesser companion, they prepare for the contingency, as prophecied by so many nightmares since she was a little girl, of the horrible fiends coming through the wall to get her.
We both ready actions to full attack in case something shows up on this side.
AC 24 T 16 FF 19 (uncanny dodge) | Current HP 97/97| F +15 R +19(evasion) W +14 (+2 vs sleep, para, stun) | Init +3| Perc +25 Resist Fire, Electricity, Cold 5
Spells Per Day Remaining:
4-1/2 1-2/4
Spells Active:
Heroism
Valais's form softens and Red's wicked smile melts away. Her stitched brow raises with concern.
"I'm sorry, but I shall have to knock you unconscious, if that shan't be too much trouble." Her voice is small and earnest, like a little girl admitting to sneaking a cookie before supper.
She resets her stance and begins another combo, though with far more restraint this time.
The xill creature that Valais attacks was already injured from her previous attacks-- with her first blow, the otherwordly thing drops to the crystal floor, unconscious.
Darro's arrows miss, unfortunately-- one comes close, but he's eager to not hit his own wolf, and that causes his shot to go just a touch high. (Cover penalty for firing through Blackthorn's will unfortunately mean all attacks miss)
Naghamadi deals the first damage to the xill that was holding Kai, earlier-- a fiery bite that again leaves tiny wisps of curling smoke.
X3 is out of the fight; X2 is only remaining active combatant.
Finally freed from the deathgrip of the bizarre creature in this strange warped reality, The half-elf sailor grimaces at the blood pouring from several cuts and puncture wounds across his torso. Giving the creature a grim smile he rattles off quick Arcane words and slaps his free hand down on his blade as he finishes.
His spell successfully cast, his blade arcs with electricity, shifting his feet he begins a dance akin to the whirling dervishes of Qadira and brings his blade flashing out rapidly.
However, moving so fast to get to the creature must have affected Kleetus, as he misses it, by a long shot. "Aw c'mon, why wontcha stay still bug-man?"
The blade slices across Kleetus's arm; his attack, in turn, misses.
The alien creature hisses as it recognizes it is now alone, and surrounded. With a clack of its mandibles, it throws itself Kai's way, twisting and ducking to avoid everyone else's attacks.
Acrobatics to pass through Kai's square, Kai's CMD+5:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20(Tsk, fail! Bad xill!)
(Provokes AoO from... juuuuust about everyone. Blackthorn, Kleetus, Deaglan, Kai, and Naghamadi. The xill also has very little left in the way of HP, so rather than wait for everyone to roll AoOs, I'm gonna say that SOMEBODY of the five of you manages to hit, cough.)
The xill attempts to twist its way to freedom-- but the Pathfinders are having none of that. Blades and jaws and one hammer swing and strike-- the xill crumples beneath the assault, dropping to the deck.
(End combat.)
In the aftermath of the battle, there is little sound other than your own ragged breathing, and the clattering noise of the last xill's body twitching around on the crystal floor in its death spasms.
Ahead of you, the eerie tree...thing continues to slowly, serenely pulse in and out of being, fading then remanifesting. One tendril uncurls from through the floor like an opening flower, swaying towards Darro with a glacial slowness before dissolving into the ether once more.
If anybody missed the initial description of the room in the rounds of spoilers and the combat, here's the link. Those of you haven't yet attempted the DC 28 Kn Planes/Nature check may do so. Other than that, you have four dead xill, and the portal appears 100% solid from this side. Lucija and her beetle are still on the other side.
After combat ends, Darro takes a cloth and wipes Blackthorns maw with it. Then the archer looks around the room to get a better sense of where the team is, look for additional threats or clues Perception:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14 and to figure out what was up with that portal.
K Planes:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27 K Nature:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
|AC 26**, T 15*, FF 24*|HP: 71/77|F +9*, R +10**, W +10* (+8 vs MA, +4 vs fear, +2 vs despr/confus/insane/death)|Init +1, Perc 0|CMB +10* CMD 20|10/11 Summon VI, 1/2 Call, 1/1 Pride, 1/1 Mysteries, 1/1 Davian, #10
Lucija looks at the beetle with frustration after watching its near-comical attempts to breach the door, and finally hefts it up herself, and throws both their masses against it.
Knowledge Planes, Aid:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18bringing Darro's roll to 29
"Darro, do you think that it is a carnivorous plant?"
Earlier Spoiler copied:
This.... yeah, this isn't supposed to be on this plane. These are outgrowths and extremities of something called a xenophage creeper, and it is normally only found on the Ethereal Plane. It is a semi-sentient plant, which is nice, neat phrase akin to describing the Eye of Abednego as a weather incident. Xenophage creepers are carnivorous (though they feed off of vital energy as well as mere mundane nutrients) and have various unusual planar abilities, such as the ability to sedate those they have consumed and store them indefinitely for later absorption. Creepers also have other strange, quasi-psychic abilities, which activate more on an instinctive level than as conscious processes.
To be sprouting the number of tendrils and growths you can see infesting these two cabin areas, the source xenophage creeper must be enormous.
