GM Ladile's TL;DR: A Pathfinder Society Campaign

Game Master Lady Ladile

"HEP! NOOOOOO!!!!!" the dragonfly screams in anguish as his friend falls. He sighs (sobs? it's hard to tell) in relief to see Jobu hop over and stop the bleeding. Instinctively, he heads to them, but veers towards Maria when he sees her holding out a wand in his direction.

Touching down in front of the resourceful elf maiden, he stumbles as his body shifts back to his oni-blood form. The red-hot haze of battle-rage drains from him, and he drops to a knee just before Maria's wand touches his back. The warm glow of holy energy suffuses his mangled body, and he takes a deep shuddering breath as his ribs knit back together enough to permit it.

"Thanks fer that. I'll be okay," he assures Wasp. He looks back to where Hep lies, still motionless. "Go help Hep." His voice breaks, but surely the rough tough beast isn't on the verge of crying, right?

Holan-Ji flops over and sits heavily on his butt as he pulls his own healing wand out. He pants like a cheetah after a chase as he applies it to himself, watching the others administer to the Totally Awesome Lil' Hep.

{She'll be okay,} the buzzing voice in his head reassures him. After a long pause, she continues. {She's kinda special to you, huh?}

Yeah. She is. ... Hep's a lot like me; more 'an any o' the others. I guess we kinda compliment each other, or at least she compliments me. Honestly, I got no idea what's goin' on in that crazy head o' hers. But that's one of the things I like about her. For sure I ain't lookin' fer a mate or nothin', he finishes defensively. His gaze lingers on Hep for a moment longer then shifts away to Effie and Maria and then around the battlefield. Naah. Not any time soon, that's fer certain.

{Suuuurrrre.....} the dragonfly voice chuckles.

Shut up!

His stamina recovered, and his wounds beginning to close, Holan-Ji stands slowly. He stops at Hep's form to offer his own healing wand before shuffling over to Zithembe.

"This ain't easy to say, but I frelled up. My ... whad'ya call it ... impulsiveness nearly got me and Hep killed. I'm gonna work on that. On bein' a better teammate." He deep-bows to Zithembe and holds it for several seconds in the Tien style of apology.

4 charges of Infernal Healing, plus Maria's 6 leaves him at just -1. Good enough.  Plus he can help with healing Hep at 10 hp per charge, too. Obviously he won't mind.

The Grandfrogger methodically continues to draw starlight from the wand and apply it to his dreaming colleague.

CLW x7: 7d8 + 7 ⇒ (5, 4, 6, 7, 7, 3, 1) + 7 = 40

“A worry, you have given us.” Eyes twinkle from beneath the woolen hood as he helps the elf to her feet and inclines his head towards Holan-Ji’s bowed figure. “To some, two worries.”

Zithembe rests a hand on Holman-Ji’s bowed shoulder as his own eyes return to copper metal and his jade skin pales slightly with the release of the spirits. ”I am glad you survived,” he says. ”They send us in teams for a reason: one cannot tackle everything alone. Hepaubia will heal. And our foe was crafty and difficult to pin down, he could have struck any of us down regardless of our efforts to contain him.”

Effie gasps with relief as Riko falls to her gunshots, then rushes over to Hepsubia's side. "Is she going to be alright? Do you need any help healing her, or Holan-ji?"

Effie looks down at her smoking pistol, and at the still form of Riko the corrupted lieutenant. How could this have happened? What turned these people so quickly and so completely? Could it do the same to us?

To fall is not a failure. THe failure is to stay where you fell*

Probably still shocked by her brush with death, Lil"Hep starts copying Zith emotionless rational speeches and rigid attitude

*It is, in fact a quote from Socrates

Maria raises an eye at the quote, not sure about a number of things now.

Has Hep ever read a book? Or has she read ALL THE BOOKS and just randomly pulls things out? Or did she actually die and is now possessed by the spirit of an ancient azlanti philosopher? Or maybe she was his girlfriend? Or maybe she WAS the philosopher and history changed her to a man, because history is often a dick?

She makes a couple notes and watches for further warning signs of possession before getting back to the task at hand, "Any idea how to put out these fires?"

Knowledge: Any + Inspiration: 1d20 + 11 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 11 + (5) = 33

It is mostly rhetorical in nature as if there was an answer, she would probably recall it.

With the chaos of battle at an end, the injured are seen to while Tai Dan and Noro round up and disarm the remaining aasimar, who wear grim, sullen expressions. The leader of the Twenty Four Masks turns to address them.

<"Riko has fallen and her cause has led you only to ruin and sorrow. But even now, it may not be too late - you will have your day at trial and may plead your case then.">

A low rumble can be heard among the captured assimars and a few shake their heads. <"What we did, we did for the benefit of Tianjing! Lieutenant Riko believed in the priest's words and we believed in her!"> one of the calls out.

This is followed by much nodding of heads and other murmurs of agreement.

Meanwhile Maria examines the strange blight fire but her studies only reaffirm her suspicions that it will take something more powerful than the group's own might and know-how to halt the spread and extinguish the fires.

Sense Motive DC 16 + Inspiriation: 1d20 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (16) + 13 + (1) = 30
2nd Sense Motive DC 16 + Inspiriation: 1d20 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 13 + (6) = 26

The elf frowns as her crew are healing up and the so called deserters are being rounded up. She whispers her thoughts to her fellow pathfinders and the leaders of her allies, "Listen, they are not in their right minds. The blight is definitely changing how they think. We need to get them healed, then figure things out. That said, they definitely believe in their cause. Is that from the blight? The priest? Something else? I can't tell, but we will get to the bottom of it. Do you all need to head back with the prisoners? If so, we can push on."

Any signs of enchantment noticed?

Sense Motive vs DC 16: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30
Sense Motive vs DC 16: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32

"Clouded, their minds have become." The Grandfrogger nods solemnly when Maria is finished speaking. "Pure, their determination is. Unnatural, that is. A starless maze, the mind is. Wander, it does. To have arrived so certainly and so uniformly at this conclusion, guided with force they must have been." A small sigh escapes from under the hood.

"Hope that their minds can be cleared by dealing with this so-called 'priest', we must."

Heal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

"The afflicted should be cared for while the others should listen to reason," Zithembe says. "In the end, they will all need to accept the consequences of their choices."

<"I was actually about to suggest that very thing,"> Noro agrees, speaking quietly. <"The path ahead grows more treacherous, with firebreaks and safe paths few and far between. A small group could get through but it would be nearly impossible to safely get a force as large as our combined forces through.">

Tai Dan considers Noro's words and then, with some reluctance, slowly nods. <"My people are still in relatively good fighting form and it seems that yours are as well. If our Pathfinder allies think it best, we can return the prisoners to the North Winds Watch and allow them to press on and hopefully track down this so-called 'priest'.">

The two look at the group, curious to hear your own thoughts on the matter.
______________

You don't detect any obvious signs of enchantment on any of the prisoners. In fact, most of you are getting the sense that this priest was actually just really convincing with his words to get these guys to willingly abandon their posts. But prolonged exposure to the blight is also clearly starting to warp the minds of some of them, which doesn't help matters.

"Sounds like a plan ta' me. Holan-Ji rises from where he'd been sitting on the ground listening and steps over to Noro. He and the tengu discuss the route and the terrain hazards through the old-growth forest to where they think their quarry lies.

"I think we got this," he says as he turns back to his team.

"These soldiers' desire to act was understandable. But they fell to corruption. The priest we seek is likely also corrupted" Effie muses sadly.

"Clearly we can't take all the prisoners deeper into the blight. They have to go back to the keep, and we may hope that we find a way to cure the malady that their recklessness has inflicted."

With a plan agreed upon, Tai Dan and Scout Noro signal to their troops to prepare to move out. Before they leave, they do offer to use some of their magics to bolster you for the dangerous task ahead.

You may spend your remaining tokens at this point. One token will either heal each PC for 6d6 or bestow Heroism on two PCs. You've got two tokens left so you could heal everyone and then pick two of you to gain Heroism or you could spend both for four of you to gain Heroism, however you prefer it.

Once preparations are complete, your allies bid you farewell and good luck before they turn and begin the trek back to the North Winds Watch, deserters in tow. Ready as you'll ever be, the six of you continue to press deeper into the blight that stains this once-peaceful wood...
______________

After some time you reach what must be the center of the blight: a scorched, barren clearing. Pale orange flames occasionally burst from tears across the ground, bathing the area in an unnatural light. A ruined building sits atop a nearby rise, its half-crumbled walls featuring imagery of angelic beings attempting to hold back a horde of alien horrors pouring forth from gaping wounds in the land.

This desolate place is silent and empty - save for a single tengu, dressed in robes. He stands near one of the bigger rifts and seems to be preparing for some manner of ritual as you notice items such as candles and incense situated at strategic points along the numerous tears in the earth.

Whoever he is, he doesn't seem to have noticed your arrival yet.

The Rift

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Discretion is the better part of valor.

I agree with Grandfroggers Discussion post, 4x heroisms. It is useful for everyone though, applying to skills and saves even if you don’t do much combat. Should we just roll a d20 and the top four rolls get it?

To Get Heroism: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Then activates a wand of Heightened Awareness on herself and drinks/applies some alchemical protections; Sooth Syrup and Alchemical Grease.

Maria puts a finger to her lips and eyes Hep, ”The key to being stealthy is to not talk… crap.”

She swigs an elixir (adhesive spittle) and starts working up a loogie, ”I’ll try to entangle them, everyone else go in hard and fast? Try to knock them out again so we can get info?”

The cataloguer of almost all things attempts to identify the target.

Knowledge: Any + Inspiration + HA: 1d20 + 11 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 11 + (4) + 2 = 28

"Let's draw lots then" Effie agrees with Maria and the Grandfrogger.

heroism roll off: 1d20 ⇒ 9

As the group creeps up on what must be the priest of Hei Feng, Effie whispers "What's he trying to do? Close the rift, or open it wide?"

Effie draws her pistol. Not good for taking anyone alive. I wonder if Hep has any magic for that? She doesn't. No Merciful amongst her Weapon Song options. I'm going to look at one of my boons that might let me by a few Merciful cartridges or bullets.

Heroic or not?: 1d20 ⇒ 20

If she gets a potion, Lil"Hep gives it to her less fortunate associate

The Grandfrogger abdicates his heroic potential so that others may make better use of it.

The Grandfrogger holds his hands skyward and begins to chant quietly in a dry, croaking voice. Glimmers of starlight fall from the heavens, surrounding his small form with a nimbus of subtle rainbow colors.

Casting magic circle against evil - good for 50 minutes, so he could have cast it a little ways back in case we didn’t want to do that in this “priest’s” presence.

Since GF and Hep have offered theirs' up, I'll assume HJ doesn't need to roll. 

Mindful of his shameful performance in the last fight, Holan-Ji holds himself in check. His tail thrashing the air behind him is the only sign of his impatience.

"Okay Boss, I'm waitin' for yer word. And fer Maria to tell us what's goin' on," he says looking back to the two.

"Oops, sorry," he apologizes as he realizes that his tail is smacking all those standing around him.

"I'm thinkin' tiger form. I can rush 'im and grab 'im. But him bein' all alone makes me think there's somethin' hinky goin' on. A trap? Invisible or hidin' buddies? Anyone see anything?

He pops a wand out of his wrist sheath and taps himself with it before dropping it to the ground. He prepares to draw others if the bad guy is gonna start jawin'.

Mage Armor. If the bad guy does indeed start talking, he'll draw and use wands of Shield and Long Arm if given the time.

Okay so looks like Holan-Ji, Zith, Effie, and Maria are taking the Heroism benefits; got it!

While you quickly strategize and begin applying your combat magics, Maria studies the distracted priest and tries to discern if there's anything strange about him. But from where she's standing, he certainly appears to be a simple tengu male.

Knowledge: Arcana + Inspiration + Heroism + HA: 1d20 + 11 + 1d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 11 + (3) + 2 + 2 = 35

"Either he is incompetent, or isn't trying to close the rifts. The latter is more likely."

"It is time to stop him," Zithembe says.

"Then let's rush him" Effie suggests in a hushed whisper.

Zithembe concentrates his gaze upon the tengu.

Detect Evil: 3 rounds worth of information in 1 action
I forget paladins can do this... living so long in PF2 where alignment detection doesn't exist. :)

Barring any alternative suggestions that come through in the next few hours I'm going to assume you run with Effie's proposed course of action and will post accordingly~

Zithembe draws his blade from its sheath and declares, "For inflicting madness upon others and for corrupting the land, I condemn you under the authority of Tsukiyo and the spirits of nature."

Smite Evil @ Tengu
Watch him teleport away and leave some fiend in his place to be the final battle, thus wasting my smite. ;)

I see no objections to attacking, looking back through the chunk of posts. Maria suggested NL again, but that may be moot when the Tengu shifts into dracolich form and kills us all in one undeath spell blast.

The tengu is distracted doing whatever it is that he's doing to the rifts and thus is caught by surprise as Zithembe makes his declaration and targets him for smiting!
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Surprise Round

Tengu (Smite Evil)
==============
The Grandfrogger (Magic Circle against Evil)
>CBT
Maria (Alchemical Grease, Heroism, Soothe Syrup)
Holan-Ji (Heroism, Mage Armor, Resist Energy: Cold)
Effie (Heroism)
Hepsubia
Zithembe (Heroism)

Active Conditions:

Environmental Conditions:

The Grandfrogger, Maria, Holan-Ji, Effie, Hepsubia may take a Move or Standard action!

The Rift

Holan-Ji looks to Zithembe to make sure he's cleared in hot. When the Boss utters his holy judgement, Holan-Ji figures that's his signal.

He envisions the speed of the dragonfly and the power of the tiger, combined together in a black and orange blur of iridescent scales and fur. He sprints towards the priest and his body immediately shifts into his imagined form. He slams into the "tengu", hoping to grab him and interrupt the ritual.

Bite, Charge, Heroism : 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 13 + 2 + 2 = 25
Damage B/P/S: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 5) + 7 = 14

Claw 1, Charge, Heroism : 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 13 + 2 + 2 = 29
Damage B/P/S: 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (1, 2) + 7 = 10

Claw 2, Charge, Heroism : 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 13 + 2 + 2 = 33
Damage B/P/S: 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (3, 3) + 7 = 13

Grab, Heroism : 1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 19 + 2 = 25

Swift action for Minor Form: Dragonfly grants +10 foot speed = 50 feet. Standard Action charge. Shifter's Rush to Wild Shape during a charge as a free action. Pounce. Grab. Om nom nom. 

Claws count as magic, cold iron & silver vs DR; bite counts only as magic 

AC = 20 with Mage Armor and Charge.

Given the signal, Holan-Ji merges the best of his two forms together to grant himself the speed of the dragonfly and the might of the tiger as he charges forward and slams into the startled tengu! His claws and teeth strike true, but he notices that his bite seems to hit some manner of resistance that his claws do not. And even while clearly caught off-guard, the tengu manages to evade being grabbed - though only just.
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Surprise Round

Tengu (-27; Smite Evil)
==============
The Grandfrogger (Magic Circle against Evil)
>CBT
Maria (Alchemical Grease, Heroism, Soothe Syrup)
Holan-Ji (Heroism, Mage Armor, Resist Energy: Cold)
Effie (Heroism)
Hepsubia
Zithembe (Heroism)

Active Conditions:

Environmental Conditions:

The Grandfrogger, Mariai, Effie, Hepsubia may act!

The Rift

A gentle glow surrounds the Grandfrogger’s small form as he chants.

False Life: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Maria steps up and fires a single blunt arrow at the tengu, being careful to stay in the range of Grandfrogger’s defensive spell for the time being.

Wasp + Heroism vs FF? - NL: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 - 4 = 26
Crit?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

for Magic/Bludg/NL: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 and Extra Crit Damage?: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (4, 6) + 2 = 12

Her mouth remains full of a goopy glue loogie, so for once, she stays silent.

Effie sends her pistol up into the air, over and over. "Come on, Pathfinders! For Tianji! For Ranginori!"

She steps forwards, ready to do battle.

Begin Inspire Courage. It's only good for one round, but if we get hit with an AoE Effie can cast a Saving Finale. I suspect the tengu will have his hands full with Holan-ji though :o

Free move, move (base speed 40) to sneak attack position , strike

Acrobatics vs AoO: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

In her haste to attack and after a long run, Hepsubia half falls, half tumbles to get into an advantageous position (nothing kinky here. Really) while avoiding a counter attack. A little off balance, she tries to pierce the priest's defenses

Sneak attack, Flank: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 2 = 19
Dmg+SA: 1d8 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 2 + (5) = 10

The Grandfrogger bolsters his vitality just a little bit while Maria takes aim with her bow and fires a shot at the tengu. It strikes true and it strikes hard, or at least it seems to - but somehow it doesn't do nearly as much damage as Maria would've expected.

Effie begins a rousing performance while Hepsubia hustles forward, hoping to get into a good flanking position.

Hepsubia, don't forget that this is a surprise round so you only get a single Move or Standard action. Also, I peeked at your sheet and I'm not sure where you're getting a 'free' Move action from, unless you were thinking 2e rules? I went ahead and adjusted your position to account for a 40 ft. move speed for now.

The tengu hisses angrily and each of you hear a voice in your mind: <Your souls will feed the quintessence!>

The so-called priest then raises both hands and, to your horror, peels the skin back from his form to reveal a monstrous creature possessing a purple body and a crocodile-like tail that stands on two animal legs. Wriggling tendrils surround this creature's single eye where a face should be, and sucker-tipped tentacles stretch from its shoulders. So horrific is the creature's appearance that it's almost staggering!

This action doesn't provoke from Holan-Ji for Reasons.

It's also about this time that the nearby rift flashes with a sickly light...
______________

Round 1

The Shepherd (-27, 5 NL; Smite Evil)
==============
The Grandfrogger (False Life, Magic Circle against Evil)
>CBT
==============
?????
==============
Maria (Alchemical Grease, Heroism, Soothe Syrup)
Holan-Ji (Heroism, Mage Armor, Resist Energy: Cold)
Effie (Heroism)
Hepsubia
Zithembe (Heroism)

Active Conditions:

Environmental Conditions:

The Grandfrogger is UP!

The Rift

Knowledge (planes) vs DC 17: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

“Unnatural, this thing is.” Not a statement of fact, but a condemnation. The small figure walks forward, raises his hand towards the heavens. “Strong by itself, a star is. But pale in comparison to a sky full of stars, it does. Lend us their strength, the heavens do!” A beam of soft golden light descends, illuminating him and the fouled earth he stands upon.

Move and cast bless. Also, we can take Cherry Blossom Tender out of initiative for the time being.

know planes: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 19

Your disguise was pathetic, and it didn't fooled me for a second. I know a utukku Qlippot when I face one. But usually, I call them Murphy. It's easier to say.

The Grandfrogger moves forward and conjures a small blessing from the heavens for the battle ahead. Seconds later there's another flash of light as a second monstrosity emerges from the rift. You see a fleshy pseudopod tipped with a jawless mouth and ringed by dozens of eyes that protrudes from a spiny shell along with several hooked legs.

It turns its many eyes towards Holan-Ji who and threatens to overwhelm him with its horrific appearance!

Holan-Ji is being subjected to a targeted gaze attack from Blue. You can try to avert your gaze & have a 50% chance of avoiding the need to make a saving throw, which gives Blue concealment from you *or* you can eat the gaze and attempt a DC 14 Will save.

Holan-Ji finds it difficult to gaze upon Red's appearance as well...

Holan-Ji is also being subject to a general gaze effect from Red because he's in close proximity. Same options as with Blue; you can avert your gaze and try to avoid having to make a save or you can eat the gaze and attempt a DC 18 Will save.
______________

Round 1

The Shepherd (-27, 5 NL; Smite Evil)
==============
The Grandfrogger (False Life, Magic Circle against Evil)
==============
Blue
==============
Maria (Alchemical Grease, Heroism, Soothe Syrup)
Holan-Ji (Heroism, Mage Armor, Resist Energy: Cold; Pending Will x2?)
Effie (Heroism)
Hepsubia
Zithembe (Heroism)

Active Conditions: Bless

Environmental Conditions:

Maria, Holan-Ji, Effie, Hepsubia and Zithembe are UP!

The Rift

Knowledge: Planes + Inspiration DC 17: 1d20 + 11 + 1d6 ⇒ (16) + 11 + (1) = 28

”I’d love to say ‘oh no what a horrible surprise’ and run away screaming, but this literally is exactly what happens on almost all our missions. Anyway, Tahl has it correct, except I can’t confirm their name is Murphy. They have…”

Resistances, Special Attacks.

Edit: I started the post a bit ago and see things have progressed a bit, I’ll get the second K check up and her combat post in a bit.

Know Planes: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 22

THAT is not a Murphy. It's another Qlippoth, a Deinochos specifically. For now, let's call it Harry, cause it looks dirty. Beware its Special attack, by the way. If you need more information, turn reverently to the Source of All Knowledge, my partner-in-only legal stuff Maria.

As the qlippoth reveals itself and summons another through the rift, Zithembe's eyes transform into polished rubies and the spirits of holy battle that infuse these lands infuse themselves into the shabti's memories and those of his companions. He sheathes his longsword and draws the borrowed cold iron katana as he advances toward the fiends, trusting Tsukiyo to ward him from their maddening gaze.

"There is no need to hold back here, Maria," he states unnecessarily.

Champion Spirit: all allies within 30 ft gain a +2 bonus to non-spell damage.

Spiritual Invocation (swift), Stow Weapon, Move & Draw Weapon
(I need to invest in something that improves my speed.)

Knowledge: Planes + Inspiration DC 15 + Heroism: 1d20 + 11 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 11 + (4) + 2 = 29

Resistances, Weaknesses

The elf moves up while drawing her bow, "I concur, the fiends must be dealt with quickly, before they summon more." A vision flashes of a holy bolt slamming into a demonic body, blasting it back to its plane of torture. She aims for a similar spot and feels the energy welling behind the arrowhead.

Wasp + PBS + Heroism: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 1 + 2 = 25 for Magic/Piercing/Cold Iron/Silver + Focused Shot + PBS + Zith: 1d8 + 1 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 5 + 1 + 2 = 17

I think IC will expire before she acts, IF Holan-Ji needs to use saving finale. However, if not, then add 1 to hit and damage, thanks! That is, unless you added it to her attack in the surprise round. If so, disregard!

Holan-ji is already out of range of Saving Finale, but if anyone else came into range of the gaze attacks whilst advancing they'd be able to use it. Inspire Courage elapses when Effie acts this round.

Will post Effie's actions in the morning (8-9 hours away).

"What the unholy hells??!!" Holan-Ji yells as the skin peels off and the ... Murphy reveals its true form. He simply can't take his eyes off the horror, and even if he could, he'd not want to let it slip away.

Will vs Blue, Heroism : 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 2 = 23

When Harry arrives, he glances at it to see what it is...

Will vs Red, Heroism : 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 2 = 11
This is exactly what we save our Rerolls for

Will vs Blue, Heroism, 3 stars : 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 + 3 = 18
Exactly! Phhewww

but the Tiger God reinforces his willpower enough to overcome the strange being's disturbing appearance.

Relieved at having avoided the effects of these abominations, he calls back (teasingly) to Zithembe. "C'Mon Gramps, get a move on and get up here into the fight." But then the tiger returns his focus to Murphy, shifts slightly to the side, and attacks with all he's got.

Bite, Heroism, PA : 1d20 + 13 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 13 + 2 - 2 = 23
Damage, PA: 2d6 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (6, 3) + 7 + 4 = 20

Claw 1, Heroism, PA : 1d20 + 13 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 13 + 2 - 2 = 31
Damage, PA: 2d4 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2) + 7 + 4 = 16

Claw 1, Heroism, PA : 1d20 + 13 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 13 + 2 - 2 = 14
Nat 1.

Grab, Heroism, PA: 1d20 + 19 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 19 + 2 - 2 = 34

Thankful for the help that the dragonfly gave him to get into the fight, Holan-Ji nevertheless calls forth the last bit of Tiger to help him now that's here.

5' Step, Full Attack, Grab, Swift action to switch out Minor Forms. New AC in tag line  

Maria and Hepsubia both accurately identify these two ugly, ugly creatures as qlippoths, utukku and deinochos specifically. Maria knows that the utukku (Red) has resistance to acid, electricity, fire, and sonic damage, shrugs off weapon strikes unless they're forged from cold iron or imbued with lawful power, and also possesses general spell resistance.

Resistance 5 Acid, Electricity, Fire, & Sonic; DR 10/cold iron or lawful; SR 17

Maria also knows that in addition to their horrifying appearance, utukku qlippoth can drain away a creature's humanity with each strike of their tentacled limbs.

As for the deinochos (Blue), Maria knows that such creatures are resistant to acid, electricity, and fire damage and also resist weapon strikes unless they're forged from cold iron or lawfully aligned. They possess no weaknesses that she's aware of.

Resist 10 Acid, Electricity, Fire; DR 5/cold iron or lawful

Hepsubia knows that deinochos can be dangerous foes; in addition to the horrific appearance that all qlippoth share, they often attempt to grab hold of foes no matter their size and can deliver a painful, sickening bite to anything they've got a firm hold on.

Zithembe calls upon the spirits of battle to aid the group as he switches weapons and advances towards the two qlippoth. Maria also advances and fires an arrow at Red, delivering a sound strike to the creature.

Though disgusted by the sight of the qlippoth Holan-Ji manages to resist the effects of their horrifying appearances...for now. He continues tearing into Red and though one of his claw strikes does miss, he manages to sink his teeth into the creature as well as slash it with the other claw before grabbing hold! But even then, Holan-Ji notes that this is probably one of the more slippery creatures he's tangled with in his career.
______________

Round 1

The Shepherd (-91, 5 NL; Grappled, Smite Evil)
==============
The Grandfrogger (False Life, Magic Circle against Evil)
==============
Blue
==============
Maria (Alchemical Grease, Heroism, Soothe Syrup)
Holan-Ji (Grappled; Heroism, Mage Armor, Resist Energy: Cold)
Effie (Heroism)
Hepsubia
Zithembe (Heroism)

Active Conditions: Bless, Champion Spirit (+2 to non-spell damage within 30 ft. of Zith)

Environmental Conditions:

Effie and Hepsubia are UP!

The Rift

Cant move on the map (too many moving parts) but in range for 40 land speed move and strike

Attack on Murphy, Bless: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 1 = 14
Dmg, Champion: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 = 6

Lil" Hep rushes (Totally Awesomly, of course. It doesnt need to be said. But I say it all the same. Just to be sure you don't forget.) to the aid of her favorite Tygger.

And Totally Awfully misses. Probably. Wanna bet? I'll bet my pants on it.*

But Chaos gives, and Chaos takes.

*You aren't even sure Hepsubia wears a pant, by the way. You certainly hope so.

Gotcha moved on the map! Also made some adjustments to hopefully make it easier for folks to maneuver tokens.

Hepsubia moves up to help her tiger friend and attempts to shank Red Murphy, but even grappled the creature manages to jiggle out of the way. It's the thought that counts, right?
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Round 1

The Shepherd (-91, 5 NL; Grappled, Smite Evil)
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The Grandfrogger (False Life, Magic Circle against Evil)
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Blue
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Maria (Alchemical Grease, Heroism, Soothe Syrup)
Holan-Ji (Grappled; Heroism, Mage Armor, Resist Energy: Cold)
Effie (Heroism)
Hepsubia
Zithembe (Heroism)

Active Conditions: Bless, Champion Spirit (+2 to non-spell damage within 30 ft. of Zith)

Environmental Conditions:

Effie is UP!

The Rift

"Let's finish this!"

Effie scoots over the blighted terrain towards the qlippoths.

save vs red gaze, DC18 Will, heroism: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 2 = 18 Is Red's gaze a Compulsion effect, or just mind-affecting? Saving vs Compulsion successfully can give Effie 1 grit back 1/day :)

Unable to draw a bead on the newcomer, she focuses on the disguised 'priest'. "Cold iron, right?" In the blink of an eye Effie swaps the cartridge in her pistol, takes aim and fires...

Bang! vs 'shepherd' touch AC, point blank shot, heroism, cover, range, deadly aim: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 - 4 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 1 + 2 - 4 - 2 - 1 = 19cold iron damage, pbps, zith: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 14

Spending 1 grit on Deadeye to target touch AC. If Red drops, reover 1 grit.

The gaze(s) are mind-affecting.

Effie hustles closer to the melee and comes within range of Red's horrifying appearance; it's a challenge but she manages to keep her wits about her, at least for the moment. She takes aim at the former 'priest' and fires a single shot that brings him down!

Dang, I need some bad guys with better (regular) AC scores :)
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Round 2

The Grandfrogger (False Life, Magic Circle against Evil)
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Blue
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Maria (Alchemical Grease, Heroism, Soothe Syrup)
Holan-Ji (Heroism, Mage Armor, Resist Energy: Cold)
Effie (Heroism)
Hepsubia
Zithembe (Heroism)

Active Conditions: Bless, Champion Spirit (+2 to non-spell damage within 30 ft. of Zith)

Environmental Conditions:

The Grandfrogger is UP!

The Rift