GM Rinaldo's Eyes of the Ten 2018 (Inactive)

Game Master The Great Rinaldo!

Looks like it's just the phunny-phoenix left now, is that right?

Circumstances appearing to have rather substantially changed from just a few moments ago, Vladek and Qadathra set their scheme aside in favor of a far more brazen approach: Qadathra tries his wand of red gold-dragon's maw wand...

wand of scorching ray, haste: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28 Can I fire at the creature's 'broad side' in order to avoid "shooting into melee"? Subtract 4 from that roll if that can't be done.
fire damage: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 4, 6) = 19

...blasting the bizarre bird's broad side with a brilliantly-blazing blue beam!

Vladek has his own new treasure to try...

As above: Can I fire at the creature's 'broad side' in order to avoid "shooting into melee"? Subtract 4 from the following rolls if that can't be done.

+1 Shocking Burst Longbow, haste, I never thought I'D be the one to shoot Big Bird...: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
damage, plus electricity: 1d8 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 1 + (4) = 7
if that missed, I can recover my arrow on low: 1d100 ⇒ 37

+1 Shocking Burst Longbow, haste: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
damage, plus electricity: 1d8 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (5) = 10
THAT missed, I'm certain; my arrow survives on low: 1d100 ⇒ 53

+1 Shocking Burst Longbow, haste: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
damage, plus electricity: 1d8 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (2) = 7
Can you say 'nothingburger'??? Low saves my arrow: 1d100 ⇒ 74

...which is only as good as its wielder can make it, naturally.

The only rule I know that negates the "into melee" is if the other attacker is more than 10' away from the target (due to reach weapon or large size). In this case, your target has attackers adjacent, so that doesn't apply.

That said, Qadathra's attack is touch, which is much easier against large targets that rely on natural armor...

Qadathra fires a ray from his wand. The fire hits the creature but it doesn't even seem to notice.

Vladek sends several arrows flying, but they fly across the room. He manages to see where one lands.

The last remaining archer realizes he's by himself on the ground and drops his sword. "Please don't kill me!"

Aegis, Fendahl, Kirrah, and Luisila are up! The phoenix is the only combatant still active.

Fendahl calls to the archer.

”Wise choice. Stay down. How do we call off the big green raven?“

flying home today. Will post action tonight. Likely resist acid and send Kirrah to bird...but want to see what others do. Can Fendahl see raven from his position?

The archer points to the fallen spellcaster. "Geppa controls it!"

Round #5: AC 25, freedom of movement, haste, fly, protection from energy (fire) (0/120)

And Geppa is dead … or maybe just unconscious?

Luisila flies hastily over the wall in a straight-line at 45° to end up in a position near Myrdon. Continuing her flight, she banks to starboard just enough so as not to trigger a manoeuvrability check.

Hasted double-fly

“Marta, can you see if Geppa is unconscious or dead? I’m hoping I can give her (and you) a healing burst next time so she can call off the raven.”

Luisila smiles. “But Guys, we might need some muscle at her position to force her to comply.”

Its work with the spellcaster done, Aegis carelessly let her still form drop to the floor and takes off the other direction towards the bigger bird. Disregarding its strange green form, Aegis tears into it with its talon.

Aegis does not bypass its DR, so is not going to be very effective. Should not provoke AoO as I think the acid phoenix is still blind.

vs Phoenix: Power Attack, Bull's Strength, Haste, Heroism, Flank
talon 1: 1d20 + 15 - 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 15 - 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 39 dmg: 1d6 + 9 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 4 + 2 = 16 grab: 1d20 + 19 - 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 19 - 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 30

Very well. Do not move and we will let you live. I strongly recommend you heed my advice.

Crud- thought he had a single resist energy available - but looks like not...change of plans

Fendahl shapechanges into a medium air elemental, dismounts Kirrah.

Kirrah, kill him if he stands up.

Fendahl will fly over the wall of acid to the fallen caster.

Hrrmmm, where is this Geppa?

Fendahl, Geppa refers to the female spellcaster. The man pointed in that direction and she's the only one over there.

Aegis drops the caster and flies over to the giant acid-bird. He barely manages to nick it, and finds it just too large to grab hold of. Claw hit but did very little damage.

As Luisila flies over one wall to Fendahl and Kirrah, Fendahl goes over the other to find the spellcaster is not looking good.
Fendahl's Heal skill: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
She doesn't seem to be breathing, and the claw marks left by Aegis look pretty severe.
Fendahl's Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21
She does wear a ring with an engraved bird over a sunburst background on one hand.

Can't fail to cast defensively.
Caster level check vs Summon, pink: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28
Caster level check vs Summon, purple: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20
The raven defends itself against the devils, and tries one more time to dismiss them. This time the first devil disappears, howling its displeasure, though the second remains.

Round 6 of Haste begins. Marta, Myrdon, Qadathra, and Vladek are up!

Forgot:
Raven will: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25 Raven will: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23
The raven blinks and clears the golden dust from its eyes.
No longer blind.

Vladek attempts to keep the great bird stymied with his magic...make a DC 24 Will save or suffer 2 rounds of Misfortune.

...while Qadathra helps himself to Vladek's healing wand.

Use Magic Device: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

It turns out it's not as easy to use as Vladek makes it look.

With saves like that, Myrdon's spells aren't going to be very effective. Well, let's try that again.

"Your master has fallen. Why keep fighting?" Myrdon calls out. Not expecting his words to stop it though, he again summons the same spell he did earlier, hoping it would work again this time.

cast glitterdust, persistent (will DC22, roll twice and take worse result)

Meanwhile, as one erinyes pops out of the material plane, the other one simply laughs sarcastically, while continue to swing away with her sword.

purple erinyes +1 longsword, augmented: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 15 + 2 = 21 dmg: 1d8 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 3 = 17
purple erinyes +1 longsword, augmented: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 2 = 18 dmg: 1d8 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 3 = 15

Erinyes (purple) (2/12): AC:23 T:17 FF:16 | F:13 R:12 W:7 | HP: 112/112 | DR 5/good | Immune fire, poison | Resist acid 10, cold 10 | SR 19

With the phoenix in combat, Marta realizes that her chances of hitting the creature, much less damaging it with her little shuriken, is slim to none - she follows Luisilla's advice and heads over to the spellcaster and checks to see if she is near death and in dire need of healing.

heal, heroism: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 2 = 23

Yeah, but make me roll enough of them and I'm bound to fail a few ...

Save vs Misfortune: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25 Whew, just made that one ...
Save vs Glitterdust: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24 Save vs Glitterdust: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17 And just like that ...

Vladek tries to get into the raven's mind while Myrdon sends another shower of golden motes at it. Once again, it finds its eyes overwhelmed by the brightness.

Even blind, it manages to dodge one of the devil's swings, though the other makes contact.

Meanwhile Marta goes to investigate the fallen caster. She is clearly dead.

And because the archer that surrendered has the good sense not to do anything, Luisila, Aegis, and Fendahl are up!

Yes, I know where she went but since wall was opaque, just letting Fendahl locate her once he flew over.

” Hrrmm. Here she is. And not looking very long for this world.“

Still in elemental form, Fendahl will take the ring from her finger and then cast or wand , or try to heal and stabilize her but Marta says otherwise .

we do not have a breath of life to spare? Pity

Assuming movement and removal of ring is all he can do this round.

Marts calls out, "I'm afraid she is quite dead. A pity. She seemed to have good in her."

Round #6: AC 25, freedom of movement, haste, fly, protection from energy (fire) (0/120)

Luisila blows a kiss to Kirrah as she descends in a straight line to just clear the acid wall, before dropping steeply to arrive level with Fendahl, 5 feet above the ground.

single hasted fly move

She then channels to affect Fendahl, Marta, Aegis II, herself and Geppa. I understand Geppa might be dead-dead, GM but I don't see any harm in trying to heal her along with the others.

“Repent, all ye fallen angels! (Present company included) Bear Witness to the Grace of the Lady in the Room!”

channel healing: 6d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 5, 3, 4, 4) = 27

“Fendahl, how long will it take to spellcraft that ring? If we don’t have time and you don’t want to try wearing it to control the ravenix, I’ll do it.”

Luisila and Fendahl hear that voice in their heads again. A ring of power? How droll! Let my Witch-King have it! He can do it!

Fendahl, I believe you moved over to her last round, so you could remove the ring and put it on if you want. If you don't want to, I understand. ;-)

Luisila flies over and calls forth a burst of healing energy. Sadly, it appears to be too late for Geppa.

Aegis is still up, and Fendahl can take a second action since all he did was remove Geppa's ring.

Knowing little about what the rest of its master's friends are making noises about, the large roc keeps attacking at the green bird. Or whatever strange creature it is. Its master has commanded and it obeys.

vs Phoenix: Power Attack, Bull's Strength, Haste, Heroism
talon 1: 1d20 + 15 - 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 15 - 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 35 dmg: 1d6 + 9 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 4 + 2 = 20 grab: 1d20 + 19 - 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 19 - 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 27
talon 2: 1d20 + 15 - 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 15 - 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 37 dmg: 1d6 + 9 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 4 + 2 = 17 grab: 1d20 + 19 - 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 19 - 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 28
bite: 1d20 + 15 - 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 15 - 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 20 dmg: 1d8 + 9 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 4 + 2 = 16

"Look fellows, my devil nor Aegis are going to hold out for long. Seriously, anyone wants to fly and join in the party?"

Offer for fly still open.

Aegis gamely slashes and bites at the strange green bird, getting little nicks and scratches through.

Going to give Fendahl a chance to respond before the Raven takes its next turn.

Fendahl will put on the ring as he can think of nothing else to try.

Unless something immediately happens he calls to the archer by Kirrah

”Does her ring have a commanding word and tell it to me if you know it. “

As Fendahl puts on the ring, the form of the giant bird changes. Where before it was an enormous raven, it now resembles a giant winged lion.

"Call off your fiend and bird and let us speak."

It is delaying its action. Everyone is up. We can end combat and parley, or continue fighting.

Myrdon glances quickly at the rest of the team, but before they respond, he decides to trust his instinct. He gestures for Aegis to retreat and with a wave of his hand, sends the remaining erinyes back into the void (but not before she snarls at Myrdon in protest).

A ring of power? How droll! Let my Witch-King have it! He can do it!

Threv Wept! After seeing what that pair did with a rod of wonder, I’d rather cast the ring into an active volcano!

"Reveal your true form and you’ve got a deal." <beat> "Are you the Red Raven?"

"I am not the Red Raven. I am called Zaliex. My true form is influenced by the bearer of the ring. Were he to allow it, I would prefer to be seen that way."

Zaliex, huh? Sounds like something you’d use to treat cold sores.

“So if I bore the ring, you’d look like a giant wasp or something?”

Sounds quite cool. I wonder if Fendahl would let me have a turn ..?

Luisila looks at the Lion Shaman and opens her mouth like she’s about to say something, before apparently thinking better of it. “Nah, forget it.”

Fendahl nods

”Hrrmm. Take a form of your choice. I will resort to my own form. These are all to be considered friends and allies. Answer their questions as if asked by me. “

Fendahl returns to his half elf form.

The giant creature shifts again, and when it lands on the edge of the chasm it is a glorious example of a phoenix, radiant and aflame.

"Why do you come to defeat the Red Raven's followers? They tell me they are 'heroes of the revolution', but when one's news comes from but one source, it can be biased. How have they become your enemy?"

Marta slowly approaches the violent creature, hands outstretched, spear safely stowed.

"That is, in part, what we have come to find out. They believe that one of our respected leaders is a murderer and, to exact justice, crashed a party and started murdering people. Now I believe in justice too, but prefer to see folks live to defend themselves and definitely prefer to allow innocent bystanders live. Seems counterproductive to me to commit murder in the interest of avenging murder. But I guess revolutions are messy?"

Marta pauses for dramatic effect.

"And now, well now they have raised the proverbial angel of retribution in the form of your's truly."

Again she [pauses dramatically and waves around her in a gesture meant to indicate the other pathfinders as well as herself.

"We will not rest until we have the truth. If our leader is in the wrong, we will want to know and he will remain dead. We do not tolerate evil of that kind among our members. If not, we plan to resurrect him. By Ragathiel I do swear."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32

"Eh-hum, and since I am one of the innocent persons murdered (but I've gotten better), I believe I have every right to speak! I was just minding my business telling a most marvellous story when I was shot! Not once, not twice but multiple times! Just for being at the wrong place at the wrong time! That can't be actions of heroes, can they?"

diplomacy, aid: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22

“Some of the Revolutionaries used the assault the others mentioned as a diversion to break into our arsenal, where they attempted to steal a magical artefact.”

Luisila adds. “They took a number of the household servants – their own countrywomen mind, as hostages to ensure they could escape.”

“We were very fortunate to be able to stop them without the loss of an innocent life.”

aid diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

As you can see, we are very interested in enacting true justice. We are not believing blindly any of the claims from either side without substantiated proof.

Fendahl looks directly at the raven.

So you seem to be of like mind and purpose. How can we best work together.
Do you know where these people were going next or if they had other allies in the area?

Fendahl is really tapped out now...so resting is pretty high on his to-do list at the moment.

The phoenix listens to your words. After a pause, he says, "I cannot tell you what motivated them to move against you. However, you should know that I was captured by the Pathfinder Teppin Montrose decades ago in the Windswept Wastes several thousand miles to the east. Montrose was a cruel, indifferent master, and I have much preferred my service to the Red Raven, who at least has a noble heart and knows the difference between right and wrong. If he attacked your people, I believe it is fair to say he had good reason."

"If you want to know the truth, you will have to act quickly. Before you arrived, Teko and Geppa were upset that the Red Raven had told them to remain here while he went above. There is something happening that they could not be part of, but they were worried for his safety."

"Before you go, I would ask one boon of you. Montrose bound me here forever, and I may never leave this chamber so long as the ring exists. I beg you to allow me to swallow the ring. Even if I still cannot leave the chamber, at least I will have some measure of freedom. Do this for me, and you will have my gratitude. You may come here at any time to ask a favor of me, and if it is in my power, it is yours."

Fendahl bows to the creature.

We appreciate your help and honesty. I do not foresee any objections to your request, and we will grant you your boon and hope for freedom.

He removes the ring and prepares to hand it to the raven.

Assuming no other questions or objections, but giving others a chance

Fendahl will gather the gear of the fallen, including the stuck sword. He looks for any notes or maps or tomes which may hold clues to the motives of the Red Raven or provide proof of misdeeds.

perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (16) + 17 = 33

"In that case," Interrupts Vladek as he drifts down next to Fehndal. "It would be nice if we could actually destroy the ring, wouldn't it? Let's be certain we don't overlook a superior possibility."

detect magic/Spellcraft, Elven Magic, automatic aid from Qadathra to study ring and figure out how to destroy it: 1d20 + 34 ⇒ (5) + 34 = 39 -2 if you don't think 'aid another' would work for this

Marta gives the giant bird a serious look with a frown on her face, "My thoughts exactly. Limited freedom is not freedom in my mind. Surely there is a way to destroy it. If we do come up with a way, will you be able to regurgitate the ring?"

I know I could not live with such an arrangement. But then I am not a giant flaming bird that lives forever.

"About this Teppin Montrose. I understand he died? Do you know anything about his death. It seems to be near the center of this whole debacle."

"Indeed, if it was a Pathfinder who had entrapped you within this ring, then it falls upon us Pathfinders to find a way to free you. There must be records in the Archives of how this Montrose entrapped you." Myrdon is unusually serious, and you note a an unusual empathy in his voice when speaking of the phoenix's bound servitude.

“So Teppin Montrose was a Pathfinder …”

Interesting. Could he have been a Shadow Lodger?

“Have you heard the name Adril Hestram, Noble Zaliex? We understand he was the Pathfinder Venture-Captain that slew Monsieur Montrose.”

“Maybe that slaying was justified, but Hestram got in trouble with the Ten for some Pathfinder versus Pathfinder action?”

Luisila helps Fendahl search for loot, before adding. “May we use your lair to rest in, before heading off to get the Red Raven’s side of the story, Zaliex?”

autoaid Fendahl’s perception: 1 + 24 = 25

medusa arrow hunt, hi is good: 1d2d2 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2

"You are noble and good souls to offer to destroy the ring. However, from what I know of its creation, such a task would be long and arduous (and out of scope of this adventure...), and I would still be bound should you fail. I would rather have the limited freedom of keeping the ring and living here than become a slave once again."

"I know nothing of the death of Teppin Montrose beyond having heard the Red Raven and his people discuss the name of Adril Hestram as his killer. "

"While I have no objections to your remaining here, from what I heard the Red Raven's fate is by no means assured. If you hope to question him, you may want to follow sooner rather than later."

- - - -

The magic of the ring is very powerful and would take significant time to study in order to figure out how to destroy it. It has only one function, to bind and slightly change the power of this specific phoenix.

Also, what is your plan for the unconscious-but-alive bugbears, archers, and the swordsman Teko (whose name you can learn from the surrendered archer), and the dead sorceress Geppa?

Fendahl will talk to the surrendered archer after calling off Kirrah.

” So what is his name and how are all of you involved with the Red Raven’s cause?Luisila, would you even want to revive him“

“Teko you mean? Oh absolutely, Fendahl.”

Luisila moves from body to body, checking on their condition. “I’m hopeful he may be able to convince the Red Raven to try resolving the issue with us diplomatically, whether it's by informing him of our battle prowess or the honest conversation we’ve had with Zaliex.”

take 10 heal to see how many CLW wand charges may be needed to revive Teko + guidance: 10 + 9 + 1 = 20

“He and Geppa may have been lovers. I would like to give him and Kirrah's archer the opportunity to carry her body to the surface for a proper burial.”

The priestess collects three arrows from the fallen to refill her quiver. “I propose euthanizing the bugbears and leaving the archers to recover on their own. Thoughts?”

May we have a loot list please, GM Rinaldo?

” Aye. Of the bugbears I care not, as they do not factor into the story beyond grunts. The others we can provide care or burial or pure as is customary to honor the fallen.“

Marta starts when Luisila speaks.

"Euthenasia!? For acting as mercenaries in what they all think a worthy cause?"

Marta shakes her head and says, "No."

"I do not think the bugbears or the defenders here to be evil. Have them give us their promise to sit out this conflict and I would be willing to let them go peacefully. I will know whether they tell the truth or not, by the grace given me by Ragathiel as his inquisitor. They will submit."

She turns her unblinking stare towards her various prone and unconscious opponents as if expecting them to respond.

"Well enough spoken, Marta."

Vladek gives Fendahl and Luisila a disapproving look of his own for their (to say the least) callous attitudes - enough to remind them just what it can mean to earn the disapproving stare of a Witch.

Qadathra telekinetically delivers the ring to the phoenix, looping its way wildly around the cavern just for fun.

There is a moment in which he and Vladek look almost the spitting image of a set of tragedy/comedy masks.