Bibic will also look around, and if nothing particular happens, he'll move on to the next chamber. Behind Rhesus of course!
(heroism)
As you inspect the room, you notice the appearance of three subtly glowing runic assemblages slowly etching themselves on the floor. They quickly amass, rising up to coagulate into tall humanoid forms dressed in impossibly complicated raiment befitting the richest prince. Each a flawless, perfect example of an elf.
They address you in Thassilonian, speaking in staggered unison and completing one another’s sentences. "Greetings. Long has it been since visitors have come to pay obeisance to our great Lord. Unfortunately, our Lord and King does not wish to be disturbed at this time. Please leave your names and you will be summoned at such time as our Lord wishes to grant audience."
(heroism)
Bibic translates to the group, and then responds in Thassilonian, "Sorry, but that's not really an option. We mean to come through. It's important."
Rhesus takes the spikes and grunts at it, but ultimately ignores it. He leads the way into the next room.
"Uh...how long since they've granted an audience?"
Know (Planes)
Spasi will let Bibic handle the initial negoiations, until it is time to call for the manager.
Diplomacy to aid
Clement shakes his head, having seemingly been quite "distant" since the aboleth invaded his inner thoughts.
"I, err... the spikes?"
Seeming to be somewhat rejuvenated, Clement stretches his wings as looks at the crystalline elves somewhat suspiciously. After all, they were just impaled by hundreds of crystal shards.
"The King said that? Using telepathy? Or this is just an old order they gave perhaps centuries ago? Perhaps it's time to check in?"
The trio nod sagely, "Yes, yes. It is always important. It is always an emergency. Our Lord's time is precious and he spends it in manner and pace of his choosing." At Rhesus' and Clem's comments regarding time, their eyes lose focus and they pause before continuing, "Our Lord meets with his vassals and their representatives quite frequently, but the specific details of his personal agenda are a private matter. As is mine."
Giving a little haughty sniff of derision, they continue. "If he does see fit to bless you with his august presence, you should strive to be better arrayed to put forth your petition. Expectations are lower for representatives of the Savage Nations, but a certain level of propriety is still required."
"Carry this message to your lord. See us, or your door guards will die trying to stop us. Let's not let innocents get in the way of our meeting, shall we?"
Bibic keeps his bow handy and his fingers on the string as he waits for their response. He doesn't particularly like these lawful types - always hiding behind someone else's rules so they don't have to make a decision for themselves.
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"Carry this message to your lord. See us, or your door guards will die trying to stop us. Let's not let innocents get in the way of our meeting, shall we?"
Spasi looks at Bibic, then at the axiomites. He clunks his head with his palm.
"Hey Bibic, there is no need for that! Especially not when this is all my fault!" Spasi ditzies around his head. "I totally forgot to mention that your lord personally called me using secret magic, you see? He's expecting us, I promise it! I just forgot to mention it because well, it's been a long trip. But when you lord summons me, I knew I should come. And we should probably go see them now."
Bluff
Clement's expression turns from inquisitive to exasperation as Bibic threatens the strange creatures and Bibic jumps in with what passes for his brand of diplomacy.
Closing his open jaw, Clement smiles at Rhesus, with little to add to either of the unique angles his companions appear to be taking.
"We can of course summon our retainers and erect a grand pavillion and host a great feast, but we were attacked by abyssal beings just outside here. Hardly hospitality befitting your Lord? But yes, it would seem he has been seeking our attention by sending visitors to our town across the sea..."
To Bibic: The creatures shake their heads in disapproval, "You primitives are always so quick with the threats of violence. There will be no disturbing of the Lord, and if you try to cause a disturbance you will be forced to leave."
To Spasi: "Normally the lies come before the threats. Is this a new variation of the timeless dance?"
TO Clem: "Yes, the wildlife can be quite challenging at time. We are sure that awaiting your summons in your pavilion would provide more comfort than standing the the foyer."
Combat?
22 Spasi
22 Baddies
21 Bibic
20 CLem
13 Rhesus
Spasi can’t believe he isn’t being believed, because he’s not a total liar at all.
He would prefer to avoid combat, but also knows that he shouldn’t instigating it. He moves back a bit, mostly to gain some space should Rhese start swinging that hammer.
”Fine, I’ll go. But your boss will hear about this next time he double secret summons me.”
"Wisdom at last. Feel free to remain in the foyer, but there is no knowing if or when you will be sent for."
They smile pleasantly and stand at ease.
"We're not just going to stand here waiting for a summons are we?" Bibic says with some exasperation in his voice.
"I mean, they can't be that tough, right? We don't need to kill 'em. Just knock 'em out a bit." He adds, though it's clear from the tone in his voice he wouldn't care much if one or two died in the heat of battle either.
If everyone agrees, he'll cast Haste and begin his inspirational performance before Rhesus closes with the enemy.
Clement looks to Spasi and then Bibic, a bit surprised that their wild elven companion is ready to jump the set of creatures for simply presenting as a minor obstacle on their way to what he assumes is a wakening runelord.
"Alright, we'll look around the foyer for a bit, okay? I assume your master is still waking up and has made people wait plenty of times before so would certainly have some sort of accommodations available besides hoping every visitor brought their own pavilion along?"
Spasi backs off and follows Clem to see what he’s thinking.
Spasi examines the foyer too and waits for answers to the questions.
Bibic shrugs, thinking there isn't going to be anything to see/do, but he's willing to go along with Clement to see.
He looks around with detect magic going.
Rhesus follows Clem, sure he has a plan.
Spasi is not going to start a fight, that’s not his job. He can try to teleport the party past the annoying bureaucrats, which probably won’t work.
Spasi looks at Rhesus and makes the smashy-smashy gesture, then moves back.
Bibic tests his bow, replenishes his arrows, and waits for the call to engage as he edges closer to the targets.
Seeing no further questions forthcoming, trio of axiomites nod their heads politely and excuse themselves, dissipating back into glowing motes that disperse throughout the room.
As the odd creatures turn into bits of light and float away, Clement looks about the room.
"Okay, so the waiting room is through those doors? We can see ourselves in while you wait for your master to summon the very important dignitaries from the Society that most of us are?"
Clement gestures for Rhesus to open the doors.
Rhesus will move to open the doors at Clem’s gesture.
Bibic waits for the creatures to begin to form again to stop Rhesus. He'll begin to inspire courage and cast Haste.
The axiomites reform as Rhesus tries to open the door. "Stop. You have not received a summons. Your presence has not been requested. If you are not going to wait quietly, we ask that you leave."
Bibic casts haste and begins to inspire courage as soon as they give their warning. If they haven't already attacked, Bibic will begin arrow fire.
"Sorry gents, but we can't let you stop us." He hopes they're able to just knock them out, and that none die, but what will be will be. For the first time, in maybe a long time, he grows a little uneasy at that sentiment. A part of him knows it's wrong to think that way, and so, for a moment, he hesitates as he ponders ethics...
Spasi wasn't going to instigate any fighting, but would do what was needed for his own personal greater good, which means not being denied by these pasty faced bureaucrats.
After Bibic act, Spasi will ready to Dispel Magic upon whatever spell seems strongest (focusing on stopping a summoning spell first, then evocation).
Counter check
Spasi remains well out of melee reach.
Clement inhales as the axiomites reform and thwart the party's attempt to delve deeper.
"We're just looking somewhere less windy to re-..."
As a flurry of arrows issue forth from his impatient long-eared Pathfinder companion, Clement exhales and prepares for the inevitable.
Combat for reals
25 Spasi
23 Baddies
22 Bibic
16 Clem
12 Rhesus
Spasi readies a spell. The axiomites cast hold monster on three of you. Spasi counter spells one.
Round 1
Weapon Equipped = None
Cold Iron, Silver Salted Arrows = 53/54
Silver Blunt Arrows = 16/16
Adamantine Salted Arrows = 16/16
Ghost Salted Arrows = 16/16
Undead Bane Arrows = 7/7
Human Bane Arrows = 20/20
+3 arrow of ooze slaying = 1/1
Bardic Performance = 34/36 (+2 round lingering, move action)
LoreMaster = 1/1 (take-20 on any knowledge check, standard action)
Boots of Speed = 10/10 (+1 attack, +1 on attack rolls, +1 dodge to AC & Reflex, +30’ move)
First Aid Gloves = 10/10
Wayfinder = 10/10 (Detect Secret Doors, Knock(1), Dimension Door(2), Word of Recall(4)(no target))
- Clear Spindle = 0/1 (Protection from Evil, 12m)
Rod of Extend, lesser = 0/3 (Heroism Bibic, Heroism Rhesus, Heroism Clement)
Bow Attack Mods: BAB +12/7/2, Dex +6, Weapon Focus +1, Bow +4, (Rapid Shot -2), (Deadly Aim -4)
Bow Damage Mods: Composite Bow +4, Bow +4, (Deadly Aim +8)
Bow DR: magic, cold iron, silver
Bard Spells: (CL 16, Con: +21, SR +18, DC: 15+)
0) Detect Magic, Light, Mending, Prestidigitation, Read Magic, Spark
1) (7/7) Cure Light Wounds, Feather Fall, Grease, Liberating Command, Timely Inspiration, Unseen Servant
2) (3/6) Calm Emotions, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Heroism, Oppressive Boredom
3) (4/5) Cure Serious Wounds, Daylight, Dispel Magic, Haste, Invisibility Sphere
4) (4/5) Bountiful Banquet, Break Enchantment, Echolocation, Secure Shelter
5) (1/2) Cure Light Wounds Mass, Dispel Magic Greater, Shadow Walk, Suggestion Mass
Bibic keeps going, in spite of their attempts to stop him. He focuses fire to try and drop one quickly, if he can...
Round 2
Cast True Seeing
Fly around to see if he can see things.
”Ah man, can’t we just see the boss?” Spasi wishes, knowing it’s unlikely to matter at this point.
He casts LightningAcid Arc at the trio, easily able to fit them in a line.
Acid vs. DC24 Reflex for half
SR
7th 0/5 (Banish*0(DC30),SMVII*0,GTele*0)
6th 1/7 (ChainLight*0(DC25),Disintigrate*0,TruSee*1,GrDispMag*0)
5th: 1/8 (Lightning Arc*0 (DC24),LifBub*0, Overland*1,Echolocation*0,TePort*0,WallForce*0) DC 23
4th: 1/8 (Gr Invis*0, Stone Shape,DDoor*0,SMIV*0, Ext Heroism*1,WallFire*0)
3rd: 2/8 (See Invis (ext)*0,fireball*0,Haste*0,Heroism*1,DisMag*1) DC 21
2nd: 1/8 (FalseLife*1, Glitterdust*0,Resist Energy*0,Invisibility*0, ScRay*0) DC 21
1st: 1/15 (MageArmor*1,Snowball*0,MMissile*0,Vanish*0,Grease*0)
Wand of Magic Missile 21/50 CL 9 left
Wand of Fly 6 4 left
Arcane Bolt: (0/10) used
Bibic looks around for Rhesus, wondering if he's been held.
HP 202/211 DR 8/-, 16/lethal, fire 4
AC 29/T18/FF26
CMD 37
Fort +22, Ref +14, Will +13; +2 insight bonus vs. transmutation spells, +6 morale bonus vs. spells, supernatural abilities, and spell-like abilities while raging but must resist all spells, even allies', +4 bonus to Will saves vs. enchantment spells.
Rage: 34/39
Eater of Magic: 1/1/Rage
SA: +1 to Confirm Earthbreaker critical, +5 damage vs spellcasters while raging, +1 damage while flanking
Row: Front
Opponent: None
Rhesus gets angry. "We're just trying to go through a door!"
One of the creatures is caught offguard by the spell and catches the full brunt of it, but the other two gracefully evade its effects completely.
Arrows thunk in followed by Rhesus' wild swings. Between arrows, magic and blunt trauma, you fell one and wound another. The remaining pair let out a wail of grief for the fallen member of their triumvirate and fall upon Rhesus with blades drawn.
Blades flashing, they unleash their wroth on Rhesus.
109
171
Round 2
(PB, haste, hero, inspire) (PB, inspire, sonic)
(PB, haste, hero, inspire) (PB, inspire, sonic)
(PB, haste, hero, inspire) (PB, inspire, sonic)[/ooc]
Weapon Equipped = Longbow
Cold Iron, Silver Salted Arrows = 43/54
Silver Blunt Arrows = 16/16
Adamantine Salted Arrows = 16/16
Ghost Salted Arrows = 16/16
Undead Bane Arrows = 7/7
Human Bane Arrows = 20/20
+3 arrow of ooze slaying = 1/1
Bardic Performance = 31/36 (+2 round lingering, move action)
LoreMaster = 1/1 (take-20 on any knowledge check, standard action)
Boots of Speed = 10/10 (+1 attack, +1 on attack rolls, +1 dodge to AC & Reflex, +30’ move)
First Aid Gloves = 10/10
Wayfinder = 10/10 (Detect Secret Doors, Knock(1), Dimension Door(2), Word of Recall(4)(no target))
- Clear Spindle = 0/1 (Protection from Evil, 12m)
Rod of Extend, lesser = 0/3 (Heroism Bibic, Heroism Rhesus, Heroism Clement)
Bow Attack Mods: BAB +12/7/2, Dex +6, Weapon Focus +1, Bow +4, (Rapid Shot -2), (Deadly Aim -4)
Bow Damage Mods: Composite Bow +4, Bow +4, (Deadly Aim +8)
Bow DR: magic, cold iron, silver
Bard Spells: (CL 16, Con: +21, SR +18, DC: 15+)
0) Detect Magic, Light, Mending, Prestidigitation, Read Magic, Spark
1) (7/7) Cure Light Wounds, Feather Fall, Grease, Liberating Command, Timely Inspiration, Unseen Servant
2) (3/6) Calm Emotions, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Heroism, Oppressive Boredom
3) (4/5) Cure Serious Wounds, Daylight, Dispel Magic, Haste, Invisibility Sphere
4) (4/5) Bountiful Banquet, Break Enchantment, Echolocation, Secure Shelter
5) (1/2) Cure Light Wounds Mass, Dispel Magic Greater, Shadow Walk, Suggestion Mass
Bibic starts in on the wounded one and switches to the fresh should he drop. ”You could have just let us by!” he shouts angrily.
Spasi waits to act until he sees how Rhesus’ fares in terms of health and smashing.
HP 176/211 DR 8/-, 16/lethal, fire 4
AC 29/T18/FF26
CMD 37
Fort +22, Ref +14, Will +13; +2 insight bonus vs. transmutation spells, +6 morale bonus vs. spells, supernatural abilities, and spell-like abilities while raging but must resist all spells, even allies', +4 bonus to Will saves vs. enchantment spells.
Rage: 33/39
Eater of Magic: 1/1/Rage
SA: +1 to Confirm Earthbreaker critical, +5 damage vs spellcasters while raging, +1 damage while flanking
Row: Front
Opponent: None
"Hoooo-eeee!"
Clement twists and turns as a barrage of cuts appear magically on his body as they mend on Rhesus's.
He stays back from the debris and takes a moment to mend himself back up, just in case the "master" or other reinforcements appear in short order.
Round 3
Cast Magic Missile
Shoot a bad guy that remains upright.
Spasi will shoot a simple Magic Missile at any 'bad' guys that remain after Rheese and Bibic's onslaught.
Force Damage
SR
7th 0/5 (Banish*0(DC30),SMVII*0,GTele*0)
6th 1/7 (ChainLight*0(DC25),Disintigrate*0,TruSee*1,GrDispMag*0)
5th: 1/8 (Lightning Arc*0 (DC24),LifBub*0, Overland*1,Echolocation*0,TePort*0,WallForce*0) DC 23
4th: 1/8 (Gr Invis*0, Stone Shape,DDoor*0,SMIV*0, Ext Heroism*1,WallFire*0)
3rd: 2/8 (See Invis (ext)*0,fireball*0,Haste*0,Heroism*1,DisMag*1) DC 21
2nd: 1/8 (FalseLife*1, Glitterdust*0,Resist Energy*0,Invisibility*0, ScRay*0) DC 21
1st: 2/15 (MageArmor*1,Snowball*0,MMissile*1,Vanish*0,Grease*0)
Wand of Magic Missile 21/50 CL 9 left
Wand of Fly 6 4 left
Arcane Bolt: (0/10) used
Within the reach of Rhesus' hammer, few creatures can last for long and these well-meaning, if misguided functionaries are no exception. Arrow, hammer and magic fell them in short order, sending them to eternal slumber.
With no officials blocking your way, you push past the massive black doors to reveal the chamber beyond. A throne of jagged black crystal grows from the center of a massive hall under a hundred-foot-high cathedral-like ceiling. Two lines of motionless automaton warriors stand at attention to the east of the throne, forming a path up to the ruler’s seat.
Below, the floor is crystal-clear, like glass, allowing observation of a second immense room below. This second room is flooded with seawater but is fitfully illuminated by what appear to be schools of strange glowing fish. The floor is not visible deep below through the gloomy water.
A wizened, motionless figure sits upon the throne. You can see the man appears to be mortally wounded, both legs have been blasted away, along with his right arm. The stumps are charred black, and horrible burns mar much of the rest of his body where flesh is visible through his tattered, once-regal robes. Long black hair cascades from his head, and a metal circlet sits upon his brow.
Bibic replenishes the arrows in his quiver before following Rhesus into the structure. The wizened figure gives him pause, as do all the warriors standing at attention. He counts them and suspects they're pretty tough, so he's uneasy.
He'll try to identify the warriors and the figure.
(heroism) on the warriors (if planes -3)
(heroism) on the figure (if nobility -6)
Apparently not knowing much, he watches to see what happens when they enter the room. His bow is ready.
Spasi moves into the room behind the others, letting Clem take the lead on any medicinal matters of which Spasi doesn't care too much. He will look for traps, trouble, and magics, however, all of which are important to him living and living well.
Perception w/ Detect Magic
Know (Arcana) the automatons
Know (History) on that wizened figure
Rhesus whistles and keeps his hammer ready.
Clement actually has three potions of Cure Light Wounds which are probably getting close to their expiration dates, so he'll hand one to Rhesus.
Clement glides in, wings flapping adjacent to Rhesus as he takes in the pair of rooms, cautiously looking for any signs of movement that would be more threatening than the glowing fish.
Noting the black charring on the one-armed ruler, Clement quickly assesses defending against such may be in the party's best interest.
Stepping cautiously, you move into the chamber, noticing several more of the onyx black doors dotting the perimeter. Approaching the seated figure, you notice wisps of smoke wafting from the still smoldering edges of his clothes and a few embers still glowing amid his ruined flesh.
The man's head rises slowly and he squints in your direction. In a feeble rasp, he mutters, "What strangeness disturbs my well-deserved rest? Another assassin?"
"No, we are not assassins," Spasi answers. "We have come because things have changed, and greatly changed. Your home was made open to us and because our homes are being attacked. You are Xin, are you not?" Spasi replies in rusty Thassolonian and will translate for others as needed.
Bibic remains quiet, and quite frightened, as he carefully hedges for a clear shot - just in case...