Frustrated by the ineffectual use of his arcane magic, Turathal channels the power of Ra to attempt to daze the Xill.
Standard action, can select out any ally within 30'. DC: 17 Will save or Xill is dazed for 1 round. Takes "full" dmg from the 1d3 regardless of save. No SR applies (Supernatural) Negative Energy dmg to Xill:1d3 ⇒ 3
Then Turathal follows the path Bones burned our of the web.
Bones had been adjacent to Turathal, so first move is entering burned out square, so I'm assuming no CMB/Esc Art check is required, i.e. "in the first square of webbing that they enter," and the first square he enters has been burned clean. If I'm wrong about that, and he'd have to try and break free of his square, then his move action will be to pull out a flask of alchemist fire.
M Half Orc Fighter 1 (unbreakable) / Alchemist 11 (beastmorph) | Current AC 23 T 11 FF 23 | HP 100/100 | F +17 R +14 W +9 | Init +1 | Perc +15/17 darkvision 60'
Can't see Sophini on the map now. But Glitterdust is still running, right?
Assuming Sophini is still visible (outlined) next to Drokk:
vicious damage to Drokk:3d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 6) = 15 - if Sophini is dropped by fewer than 3 attacks, Drokk will take damage from whichever attacks land. He will not continue to attack when she falls. This damage is split 50/50 with Nigel.
If for some reason Sophini is not visible, Drokk waits for the elementals to pinpoint her using their tremorsense then attacks (delay action, then full attack if possible; claws have 10' reach).
HP 42+12/84; Rage available 14/21; Reroll at +4 0/1; Infernal healing 49/50 Barbarian-6; DR 3/-;AC 17; Fort +10(+12); Ref+5; Will +6; Perc +9; Init +2; resist cold/1
Iso steps forward and continues to beat on the Xill.
The Xill takes a solid hit from the raging barbarian. It's head turns as the wizard falls, and it begins to fade from the Material Plane. A few arrows from Hakime and a solid blow from Iso finish it off.
END OF COMBAT
You regroup in the room with the wizard's lifeless form. The bright lighting in this wide chamber highlights the gruesome experiments and tortures performed within. Several broad tables have manacles affixed to either end to restrain struggling subjects, and dark, sticky residue cakes a pair of broad stone basins. Along the north wall stand four stone statues of ghastly figures whose expressions suggest they delight in what they see. Four green glass jars of preservative liquid lie on the smaller table; two of them contain a severed tongue, a third contains a partially dissected parrot, and the fourth is empty
On the central table, a Garundi woman with tattoos on the back of her hands is strapped down, too weak to move. You recognize her as Riftwarden Jahani.
DC 20 Perception:
Faint summoning circles are inscribed on the ground around the chamber
DC 14 Know(planes or religion):
The statues are depictions of the Four Horsemen, champions of Aballon
DC 15 Heal or Perception on Jahani:
her tongue has been cut out
Sophini's belongings are spoiled below:
Spoiler:
potion of cure moderate wounds
scroll of arcane eye,
scroll of blur,
scroll of wind wall,
a wand,
a cloak of resistance +2, and
her spellbook
Hakime goes to Jahani and does a lay on hands for loh:1d6 ⇒ 6, then releases the bonds holding her down. "We're here to rescue you, Jahani... I am Hakime and my companions are Turathal, Hakaam, Bones, Iso, Doctor Drokk and his little friend Nigel. Don't try to speak... would you like to write anything down for us?" She turns back to the party. "Does anyone have any paper and writing implements?"
Hakime punctuates each statement with a tap from her cure light wand until Jahani is back to full, or someone stops her.
HP 42+12/84; Rage available 14/21; Reroll at +4 0/1; Infernal healing 49/50 Barbarian-6; DR 3/-;AC 17; Fort +10(+12); Ref+5; Will +6; Perc +9; Init +2; resist cold/1
Iso slumps to the floor, exhausted from the fight. His large chest heaves like a set of bellows as he sucks in the air around him.'
Bones glances over the statues, "depictions of the Four horsemen , champions to the twisted beliefs of Aballon"
The cleric does what he can for Jahani, "Can you walk? Let's find the others and get out of here.".
heal check:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Making sure Sophini is out of range, Bones channels positive healing energy into ISO, Hakaam and anyone else injured. Followed by two taps of he cure light wand on ISO.
While others are tending to healing, Turathal suggests to the melee types, "Keep an eye on both of those entrances. And look around for keys for these cells."
Turathal takes a cursory look around himself trying to spot a keyring or the like as he approaches Jahani.
Perception:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
He says to Jahani, "Indeed, we are agents of the Pathfinder Society, sent here to rescue your team. We'll see what the Society can do about restoring your tongue once we've reached safety. But we need more information. Just hold up your fingers or nod or shake your head. How many of your team came here, including you? How many do you believe are still alive? Did you see if any were killed, and if so, how many? Were you being kept in these cells? Do you know which cells your fellow riftwardens are being kept?" Turathal pauses between each question, waiting for some kind of answer each time.
M Half Orc Fighter 1 (unbreakable) / Alchemist 11 (beastmorph) | Current AC 23 T 11 FF 23 | HP 100/100 | F +17 R +14 W +9 | Init +1 | Perc +15/17 darkvision 60'
"You can write in the mage's spellbook, here. Use her blood, there's enough of it."
Drokk hands Jahani the tome.
"Turathal, you can clean that up with a prestidigitation afterwards yes? It will have valuable formulae that I might transcribe, and should then be secured with the Archive. You would do well in the Archive, Jahani. We are an association of scholars within the Pathfinder Society. Like the Riftwardens, and like the Order of the Gate, we are concerned with keeping the world safe from occult dangers.
But we have no time for such niceties now. The Pure Legion will be here in minutes. Turathal! There is a scroll here that will enable you to send scouting eyes throughout this complex in moments. Have you the skill to make use of it?"
That Arcane Eye scroll is just what we need! CL7 minimum? So shouldn't be too hard to cast.
Nigel took 3 damage via Shield Master (vicious damage from AoMF); Drokk took 3hp from his False Life total. Nigel heals via Bones' channel.
Drokk auto-succeeds on a Know:Arcana check to recruit Jahani to the Dark Archive by taking 10 (DC=24, result=24)
Hakaam approaches the body of their foe and frowns, frustrated at some of the words coming from the good doctor's mouth and his inability to determine whether or not their opponent is still alive.
If Hakkam so chooses to, can he also take credit for recruiting someone for the Dark Archive?
"I believe I have ink; I humbly think it would probably be a much better means to write one's thoughts down than the blood of the impure.
I would beseech you milady to answer agent Amonra's questions to the best of your abilities. Companions, if you could prevent this one from passing on, I would be delighted to question her at a later time. Until then, I will check for any other nasty surprises."
If Hakkam so chooses to, can he also take credit for recruiting someone for the Dark Archive?
as long as his result is good enough to meet your PC's DC threshold, i.e. if you need DC 25+, Drokk's check isn't good enough. Otherwise, you're set. I'm just hoping the spellbook has enough levels of spells
Hakime uses six charges from her wand of cure light wounds and the Riftwarden's wounds close. She sits up slowly and speaks carefully, "T'ank oo" She grimaces as her missing tongue distorts her words, but she makes her meaning clear.
She points to herself, then holds up three more fingers in turn, "Gew'ard, Imaga, Mikael" shaking her head at Turathal's questioning. "I don know where."
She screws up her face, "I can cas' uhmm... mage armor an' tongues, I think"She would need to succeed at a concentration check to cast without her tongue
A closer look at Sophini's spellbook reveals a journal she kept in several of the back pages.
Journal:
My colleagues have left me behind to 'tie up loose ends' while they relocate. Ha! They must want me out of the way as they establish themselves. One day I will be in charge of a cell of my own. Then they will learn.
The journal continues to describe a variety of idle plans ranging from petty yet vicious revenges on members of her team to downright crazy atrocities enacted upon whole settlements.
Searching the cells to the south (left) of the hallway reveals sixteen other slaves and prisoners. "That witch is dead." one spits, "I can feel it". Despite her frail frame, the woman pushes past you toward the sewers. One of the prisoners is a Chelish man with disheveled, dark brown hair. He calls out wordlessly when you open his cell. His tongue has also been cut out.
Jahani nods at you, holding up her fourth finger. She starts ushering other prisoners out and into the sewers. At her touch and wordless cooing, they leave peacefully.
There is a door at the end of a short hallway north (right) of the hallway lined with slaves' cells.
M Half Orc Fighter 1 (unbreakable) / Alchemist 11 (beastmorph) | Current AC 23 T 11 FF 23 | HP 100/100 | F +17 R +14 W +9 | Init +1 | Perc +15/17 darkvision 60'
"Try the other room down here, before we worry about upstairs. Maybe we won't need to go upstairs at all.
Hurry!"
Drokk moves to the door, eagerly ushering his fellows along. Moved to where I think you mean on the map, GM. 2 rounds of movement by my reckoning, maybe less if we assume we fanned out during the last minute or so freeing prisoners. Please move me if I got the wrong place.
Hakime is disgusted by the condition of the prisoners... and offers aid where needed. "The people, and I use that term loosely, who committed these atrocities are beyond redemption. They have earned whatever might befall them as a result." She moves to the door and listens, then checks it for anything obvious.
Spells in effect:+3ac shield of faith (6 min), False life 5hp (5hr)
After checking all the cells and sending all the prisoners to the sewer exit, Bones agrees, "Aye, time to check the big room, but we need to keep a watch on the stairs."
HP 42+12/84; Rage available 14/21; Reroll at +4 0/1; Infernal healing 49/50 Barbarian-6; DR 3/-;AC 17; Fort +10(+12); Ref+5; Will +6; Perc +9; Init +2; resist cold/1
"Iso thought it saw a tongue in a bottle... might that not belong to one of these poor people?" mentions the barbarian as he follows the others along - checking over his shoulder as a rear guard should.
Turathal asks Jahani, "Are you saying we've found all four Riftwardens who came here? or is anyone still missing?
If we have them all, Turathal becomes very insistent:
"Why are we continuing this incursion? While I'm all for stamping out evil, our mission was to find and secure the goodwill of the Riftwardens. We were also warned we shouldn't draw any undo attention--get in and get out before the city guards can be alerted we've illegally broken into this estate. I believe we've accomplished this mission in spades. We should leave immediately. We must make certain the Riftwardens reach safety and receive healing. Staying here jeopardizes that. We must set personal glory--and any desire to loot this place--aside and leave this place. Now!"
If we don't have all the Riftwardens, while I'm always loathe to split the party, Turathal wouldn't just send the prisoners out into the sewers to fend for themselves. He'd want to go with them to heal any Riftwarden who is present, keep them safe, and work on getting into Jahani's good graces. Because that's the mission, and he's an uptight lawful prick who hates having committed B&E. So even if we only have Jahani (and maybe the Chelish tongueless man?) Turathal would still go with Jahani. Sorry about that. So either way.
Turathal joins Jahani and the Riftwardens as they head into the sewers, healing any who are wounded--he's fairly certain the Riftwardens would appreciate a good Infernal Healing--who knows, maybe they harvested the blood used to create the wand. Let me know how many charges.
If y'all want to keep going, please feel free. Out of my 18 PFS characters, Turathal is one of 2 who would simply insist on getting the prisoners out. No ifs, ands or buts. And if that messes up loot and secondary success conditions, I apologize, but there's just no way he'd continue and risk the primary mission of rescuing Riftwarden leader and making contact, especially given the lawless nature of the break-in. Again, if your characters want to continue, go ahead. You'll manage just fine without Turathal, and this way, you know someone is getting at least the leader to safety.
I'm all for finishing if we're done as well... but I'm unsure if we have them all, as you seem to be.
"Wait a moment before you open that door... we need to know if we've finished our mission here before we continue... Do we have all the captured riftwardens or not? IF we do, there's no need to continue searching. We should get them out and leave here ourselves."
M Half Orc Fighter 1 (unbreakable) / Alchemist 11 (beastmorph) | Current AC 23 T 11 FF 23 | HP 100/100 | F +17 R +14 W +9 | Init +1 | Perc +15/17 darkvision 60'
"Clearly we have only Jahani and one of her comrades. Other riftwardens remain. Two more, unless I have misread Jahani. Our mission, Turathal, is to render aid to Jahani. It is abundantly clear that she wishes all of her comrades to escape with her. Our mission is your mission, Turathal.
Jahani, attempt your mage armour spell and stay close-by until we have located your remaining allies. At any sign of trouble, drink this."
Nigel hands Jahani Drokk's Infusion of Displacement.
"You are familiar with the arcane. This is an Infusion of Displacement."
"Hakaam, your alchemical enhancement renders you stealthy as a wraith, but we don't have time to wait for any detailed survey. Go ahead, open the way. But do not tarry."
HP 42+12/84; Rage available 14/21; Reroll at +4 0/1; Infernal healing 49/50 Barbarian-6; DR 3/-;AC 17; Fort +10(+12); Ref+5; Will +6; Perc +9; Init +2; resist cold/1
Iso shrugs, he didn't mind the honest smell of the sewer, but his axe had little work so far, and was keen for more.
I apologize for any confusion I've caused. When I read
GM OfAnything wrote:
Jahani nods at you, holding up her fourth finger. She starts ushering other prisoners out and into the sewers.
I got the impression Jahani was telling us that we had all 4 riftwardens, though obviously I wasn't entirely certain. And I definitely thought Jahani was leaving with the prisoners into the sewers, and Turathal wasn't going to let her go unescorted. If there are more Riftwardens to rescue, you all should go find them, but no way Turathal lets her out into sewers without backup--he would not do it. And I think keeping her around with us inside the complex is an even worse idea. We're here to get them out, not drag them into danger. Now if she insists on staying and refuses to go without all her people, no worries. But that's not what I read...besides, Turathal hates flouting the law, even for a good cause. He's itching to leave anyway.
Male not always to the swift nor the strong. Bard6 / Paladin2 / Fighter2 / Magus4 / Dad2
Jahani makes a motion with her mouth, pressing her tongue to the roof of her mouth and across her teeth, as if she had not realized the healing had restored her tongue and was simultaneously trying to rid herself of a bad taste. Her voice is rough, but has a hint of upper-class refinement. Next to her is a Chelish man with disheveled brown hair, his hand is over his mouth, and he appears quite badly beaten. The slaves seem to be milling near the room with the table and stairs unsure of how to proceed and looking for items to salvage. You hear a few of them whispering about "the armory," and looking at your group, now clustered near the unopened door, but none of them seem willing to challenge you about opening it. Jahani clears her throat and turns to speak again.
"My apologies, I did not realize my voice had been restored. It had been a while.She winces a moment, apparently at some memory. "There were four of us captured. And you seem to have freed Mikail,"she gestures to the Chelish man who nods silently,"But neither Gerrard or Imaga is among those you freed."She tilts her head to indicate the small crowd milling in the room just behind you. "I think they want a weapon before escaping, given most were taken forcibly. But they're afraid of demanding anything from you."She gives a weak smile,"Given that you just seem to have freed them, I'm not surprised."She swallows, her throat clearly uncomfortable, "I imagine you breached their fort through the sewers, we considered that route. You may not realize the Blackfires have many terrible creatures at their command. We should make haste in finding my companions. Gerrard and Imaga might be held in the slave pens or offices upstairs. Neither of us has our arcane foci, and Mikail cannot speak still. I don't know how much help we will be to you, but we will stay with you while you search. We were captured in an ambush in the upper courtyard, unfortunately, and don't know anything of what they may have waiting up there."
I'm not certain the exact amount of time that has passed to this point since you came in through the sewers, so I'm going to say about five minutes and go from there. It has been about three minutes since you killed the Blackfire adept, and now you're all standing in the hall, by the one remaining unopened door, as shown on the map. What is your next action?
HOOORAY! Thanks for taking this on, Ben. Time frame makes sense, since we ran around freeing all the prisoners.
Turathal uses his wand of Heightened Awareness, and then the scroll of Arcane Eye, which he leaves near the ceiling watching the stairs going up. 90' darkvision
Turathal then hands over his dagger to the prisoners heading into the sewers. "I wish I could provide you with more than just this, but if you run into insert copper merchant description here, he's a friend, and should be able to help. If you'd rather stay well back until we secure the armory, we'd be happy to let you grab some weapons before you flee."
He then uses his wand to cast Mage Armor on Jahani and Mikail, as well as showing Jahani how to use his caster level 3 wand of Magic Missiles. "Please stay back nonetheless. The wand is only if you cannot get away. It is paramount you survive, and if it looks like we're being overrun, please flee into the sewers and find our friend. Now, please stay back, at least outside of fireball radius, if you know what I mean..."
Lastly just before we're ready to open the door, Turathal casts shield of faith, then uses his wand of Shield and then tosses that to Jahani to use on herself.
Just went back to review where we were, and spotted that wand: Spellcraft on wand:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18.
then Turathal uses the wand of mirror image and tosses that Jahani as well.
CL 3 mirror images:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Male not always to the swift nor the strong. Bard6 / Paladin2 / Fighter2 / Magus4 / Dad2
That is 5 rounds of actions, and then we will open the door. If you have no other preparation you want to make, favorite this post so I know we can proceed. If you need or want to do something in that 5 round window, please post it. Once we've accounted for everyone through those 5 rounds, we'll open the door.
And you're very welcome. I enjoy this one quite a bit, so it's a pleasure to pick it up and bring it home.
EDIT: BonesI have 15 rounds remaining on your shield of faith when we open the door.
I will take another pass through for effects, and synchronize remaining time where pertinent.
Hakime stands ready with her bow in case there is a threat beyond the door... I hope it's just a normal armory with weapon racks and no enemies... but it pays to be prepared.
HP 42+12/84; Rage available 14/21; Reroll at +4 0/1; Infernal healing 49/50 Barbarian-6; DR 3/-;AC 17; Fort +10(+12); Ref+5; Will +6; Perc +9; Init +2; resist cold/1
Iso, having recovered from battle, also stands ready.
M Half Orc Fighter 1 (unbreakable) / Alchemist 11 (beastmorph) | Current AC 23 T 11 FF 23 | HP 100/100 | F +17 R +14 W +9 | Init +1 | Perc +15/17 darkvision 60'
"Arm the prisoners. Let them take their vengeance where they may."
Drokk skims through Sophini's spellbook whilst waiting. Don't really need to know the contents until the end of the scenario, but will want to see the spell list then.
Male not always to the swift nor the strong. Bard6 / Paladin2 / Fighter2 / Magus4 / Dad2
And checking, I found this for ongoing effects
Effects:
Drokk-
mutagen (strength, feral, beastmorph: wings, scent) - 75 mins
heroism - 75 mins
greater magic fang - 8 hrs
barkskin - 75 mins
gravelly tonic - 55 min (put the number of checkboxes used/available on your sheet please)
communal resist energy (fire) - 4.5 min (14.5 for Nigel)
Infusion of long arm - 2.5 min
Infusion of shield - 2.5 min
Infusion of expeditious retreat - 2.5 min
Hakaam-
heroism - 75 min
barkskin - 75 min
Spider climb - 75 min
Elixir of hiding - 55 min
Turathal-
Mage armor - 55 min (renewed since baths)
Heightened awareness - 10 min
Longstrider - 55 min
Shield - 19 rounds
Shield of Faith - 18 rounds
Bones-
False life - 6hrs, 13 t.hp
Shield of faith - 15 rounds
That's actually six rounds of actions, but I can spot you the one round and we'll stay on the list of where were. We're going to be staying round by round for a while, actually, based on what's going to be going on. This should have everyone's ongoing effects, and I'm presuming that you've incorporated this into your stats. Please do, if you have not. If I miss someone's benefit as we progress, please point it out, because, well, rescue.
This is the actions I have this round, as we open the door:
Bones - nothing, waiting Drokk - nothing, reviewing spellbook Hakaam - opening the door Hakime - bow drawn and nocked, ready Iso - axe ready Turathal - nothing, waiting
Haakam kneels in front of the heavy, iron-bound door, examining the reinforced wood and the superior lock. He takes a few moments, however, and finding it untrapped, he unlocks the door and stands.
Standard action to open the door, Hakaam has a move action remaining and thieves' tools in hand. The kneeling is for color, you do not need to worry about an action to stand up. And really, folks, I am going to put things in descriptive text about combat, motion, what not-- I am not going to put you into positions or locations which will cause you to spend extra movement unless the effects or actions dictate you should be in those positions. All good? Great. :)
HP 42+12/84; Rage available 14/21; Reroll at +4 0/1; Infernal healing 49/50 Barbarian-6; DR 3/-;AC 17; Fort +10(+12); Ref+5; Will +6; Perc +9; Init +2; resist cold/1
Male not always to the swift nor the strong. Bard6 / Paladin2 / Fighter2 / Magus4 / Dad2
Hakaam put away his thieves' tools and drew his blade. "Iso cannot see,"blurted the human behind him."Shhhhhhhh..." hissed Hakaam, rolling his eyes to himself once his back was turned to his companions as he gently opened the door, weapon drawn.
FOOM! a blast of purple-green lightning blew the door all the way open, ricocheting down the narrow corridor and spilling into the hallway beyond, spraying the entire party, but fortunately sparing Jahani and Gerrard.
At the same moment, there was the thunder of footsteps, as some great creature loped down the passage and exhaled its own blast of terrible electricity, engulfing the majority of the freed slaves, idling in the room and caught unawares. Screams and cries echoed in the torchlight, mingling with the smells of ozone and burnt hair, and muffling the sound of so many falling to the ground.
Please roll for your saves and initiative. Everyone is caught in the blast except Jahani and Gerrard. There are about a half dozen unblasted slaves in the chamber to the north, but they are panicked and not participating in combat. I include them for their point to respond to this whole situation.
Hakime, you had a readied shot. You may take it at the creature in the room, if you so desire, then go into initiative. Iso, if you have some kind of thrown attack with your axe, you may do the same.
M Half Orc Fighter 1 (unbreakable) / Alchemist 11 (beastmorph) | Current AC 23 T 11 FF 23 | HP 100/100 | F +17 R +14 W +9 | Init +1 | Perc +15/17 darkvision 60'
Hakaam leaps out of the way of the electricity blast, yet unable to dodge out of the way of it fully. His heritage fortunately saves him from part of the painfully tingling sensation.
Knowledge (Planes)? (aka what the heck are you?):1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 = 9
"Strange. I do not recognize your kind" he snarls contemptuously.
Male not always to the swift nor the strong. Bard6 / Paladin2 / Fighter2 / Magus4 / Dad2
Hakime's shot skewed off-target as her arm was jolted by the blast of unnatural lightning, and the arrow sank deep into the door at an acute angle.
No luck on that shot, sorry. You can roll to see if it survived now or later, if you want. It doesn't look like you're short on ammunition,
but I wanted to let you know. Please don't forget to roll initiative, Hakime
