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Ralph’s story is met with applause. Eliza smiles upon hearing the last bit. ”I wish that others understood the vast troves of knowledge we had access to and the good for Golarion and its nations. But alas, not everyone is capable of listening…”
Everyone in the room seems impressed with the story.
--------------------------------------------
Lavode’s story is also met with applause. The illusions, while maybe not the best pictures ever created with illusions, were well interwoven with the story and did a good job providing detail without getting in the way. Eliza adds in at the end “I’m glad to hear a story of such wonderful teamwork. I worry sometimes about the factions in our society and how they cause agents to identify as different groups, but it’s great to hear stories of Pathfinders putting that aside when it matters.”
You overhear a short conversation between two of the servants.
”What’s the matter dear?”
”Oh, that pathfinder mentioned a couple names that sounded like Alondais.”
”You mean the tall lad?”
”And the dreamy muscles… and the soft skin…”
”Yeah, whatever happened to him?”
”Dunno, haven’t seen him around the past couple days. I miss him…”
Everyone in the room seems impressed with the story.
--------------------------------------------
Adril seemed particularly excited about Koraq’s story. “I see you’re still favoriting your right side a bit, but given the power behind that kick, I don’t think it’s going to matter at all. That was beau-ti-ful!” Noticing Eliza’s and Osprey’s stare, he adds with a little less excitement, “Oh, and nice to hear about the teamwork bit there too. Taking one for the team is always good.”
Everyone in the room seems impressed with the story.
--------------------------------------------
When Géatan mentions taking down Thurl, Eliza’s head snaps up, as if paying close attention. Afterwards, she adds “The Worldwound is a dangerous place. I’m glad you were able to accomplish all that and keep your mind and soul about you.”
You can hear Osprey mutter under his breath “Tancred worked with demons, not devils…”
It seemed like Eliza liked your story, but Osprey didn’t.
--------------------------------------------
When the last of you has finished recounting your victories, Osprey arises from a comfortable chair in the back corner of the room and clears his throat. “Assembled fellow Pathfinders,” he says. “You have represented yourselves well, and your victories reflect upon the leadership of your venture-captain leaders. Which brings us to the man of honor, Adril Hestram. Adril, will you please take your place on the balcony? I wonder, after hearing all of this, what you consider your greatest victory.” Osprey flashes a quick glance at Eliza Petulengro, who furrows her brow and looks to the floor. “And how that victory serves the greater good of the Pathfinder Society.”
Adril Hestram, beaming with pride, smiles a wide grin beneath his bushy beard as he bounds up the central stair to the balcony. As he looks at each of you in turn for a moment, the hulking warrior of a man releases a mirthful chuckle, as if considering a private joke. His bearclaw hands grasp the balcony’s railing as he addresses the group.
“I have never stopped adventuring. From my year lost in the Mwangi Expanse a decade ago to my tenure as a venture-captain in Abaslom all the way through to today, I’ve kept looking for new challenges and opportunities in the face of danger that would melt the hearts of ordinary men. And in all that time, I’ve learned a simple lesson that I’d like to share with you today—”
What at first seems like a tiny tremor soon erupts into a jerking and heaving cataclysm that shakes the entire room. Adril falls silent, a look of dumb surprise erasing the arrogance and confidence in his weathered face. For a single moment he looks utterly lost. Then, two enormous shapes—writhing, living leviathans of bright red chitinous plates—burst through the floor in the back corners of the room. Eliza screams, and the chamber erupts into chaos.
Ralph
Géatan
Lavode
Worm 1
Worm 2
Koraq
Osprey
Adril
When Worm 1 makes its entry, its head hits the balcony above, causing part of it to crash down. There is a bunch of rubble to indicate this – the rubble is difficult terrain. The rubble also caused Eliza to get buried underneath. There is a part of the left-hand side balcony missing now, this is where it is marked as black on the second floor.
You may make Knowledge (arcana) checks to identify the worms. If you get above a 21, let me know what kind of information you would like to know if you get extra questions.
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These creatures are scarlet worms. They aren't much different from the traditional purple worms, but they look a bit smaller. One might even say that they were younger.
Their main shtick is traditional purple worm stuff. Bite, grab, swallow whole.
Save order - Fort high, Ref, Will low
Elemental resistances - none. One might think fire because of the different skin color, but there's no other signs of fire resistance on these, so you're probably clear.
You mean besides acting in the surprise round? No.
Their sting has a nasty strength damage poison that requires 3 consec. saves to cure.
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"Sorry, Osprey. I had forgot about the shadow demon was his "friend" with him. Tangred for some reason had't called any creature during the final encounter. So i was thinking that the shadow demon just for an exeption." apologises Gaétan.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Ralph disappears from sight, but his voice sounds out clearly amidst the chaos.
"These creatures are scarlet worms. They aren't much different from the traditional purple worms except for being a bit smaller. Their usual mode of attack is to bite, grab and swallow you whole. They also have a poisonous sting that will sap your strength and is very hard to cure! Be careful!"
"They have solid constitutions but are susceptible to attacks on the mind. They have no elemental resistances or immunities. Attack accordingly!"
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Lavode unfurls his wings, flies into the air, and shouts to the room in gneral; Non-Combatants get out of here to give us room to work!
Then to Eliza in particular, Eliza if you can hear me! We arrived early yet the timing of the attack is still precise. Could any of your servants have been replaced, turned, or missing? Think about it while we dig you out.
Let's get this party started! he unleashes a spell to aid all in movement.
Ralph, these don't seem like a local accident. Who/what summons, controls, uses, or trains these things?!? I assume we will have more company coming folks, watch for them.
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Ralph turns invisible and leaves the ground. As his feet lift off, Ralph notices that the worm closest to him stops focusing on him.
Géatan draws his bow and takes a shot at Worm 1. The shot finds its mark as he stands in a defensive position.
Lavode flies up in the air, but not before one of the worms takes a swipe at him as he heads up.
If you didn't make at least a 25, then you are poisoned!
Each of the worms goes to attack, but then you notice that instead of lashing out to bite, their heads start to convulse! Their necks shake with great ferocity, when suddenly each one ejects a large stone statue from their gut! The first one is ejected standing on top of the table, destroying it. It turns and tries to pound on Koraq. The second one is ejected standing next to Géatan, and tries to attack him.
The first statue bashes Koraq twice over the head, with the second leaving a nasty little bruise on his shoulder.
The second statue is a little disoriented from having traveled in the belly of a scarlet worm. After wildly swinging, it finds its bearings and brings the pain to Geatan.
Ralph
Géatan
Lavode
Worm 1
Statue 1
Worm 2
Statue 2
Koraq
Osprey
Adril
You may make a DC 21 Knowledge (arcana) check to identify the stone statues. If you get higher than that, please feel free to ask questions about these stone statues.
-----------------------------
In the interest of smooth play, the following happens after Koraq's turn.
First, make a Perception check.
Ralph - DC 23
Géatan - DC 24
Lavode - DC 22
Koraq - Impossible
If you succeed, read First Hidden Spoiler.
Then, make another Perception check.
Ralph - DC 19
Géatan - DC 21
Lavode - DC 21
Koraq - DC 23
If you succeed, read Second Hidden Spoiler.
Osprey calls out "Eliza can't hear you Lavode! She's buried under the rubble. And besides, she's either dead already or she has minutes before she runs out of air. I'm going after this worm!" He then wildshapes into a medium-sized osprey.
Adril instinctively goes for his weapon, but finds that it is missing. Turns out he's wearing his decorative uniform, not his adventuring gear. After spending some time searching his body for anything he can fight with, he gives up and turns like he's going to go back to his room to get his weapons.
The doors to your rooms open.
A small puff of smoke appears behind Adril.
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Seeing the smoke behind Adril, he warns him.
"Also,"Gaétan adds."Just takes my longsword. It not magical, but it will be better than nothing!"
His hands swifly takes his adamantium arrows while the stone man continue his attacks, but Gaétan evades it pretty easily like the archer was used at this situation.
I have killed all by myself an Iron golem. I have nothing to fear about the situation.
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Ralph also sees the new developments and quickly realises what is going on.
"These creatures are usually just simple beasts. For them to be working with golems in such a coordinated fashion means someone powerful and sophisticated is behind the attack, and the worms and golems are just the distraction! Hestram! Look alive! There's something directly behind you, and more attackers are coming out from the rooms!"
"Unarmed or no, he's still a Venture Captain. He should be alright for a little while," Ralph thinks to himself as he begins a summoning incantation, though he also shifts his position a little lest anyone tried to track his location based on his shouted warning.
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Koraq takes advantage of the fact that an enemy has been deposited in front of him and goes to town. It only takes two blows before the statue crumbles, allowing Koraq to redirect his attention to the scarlet worm.
Ralph decides that what this fight needs is for more creatures to come from nowhere – but this time its creatures that help you! He begins summoning.
So yeah, they’re standard stone golems. With all the dumb smashyness that it implies.
They are immune to mind-affecting effects as part of being a construct and immune to most magic as part of being a golem. They are not immune to transmute rock to mud which will slow them, transmute mud to rock which will heal all of its lost hit points, and stone to flesh which will negate its damage reduction and immunity to magic for 1 round.
They have a free action slow burst. Every other round they can release a 10ft burst that everyone has to make a will save or be affected by slow for 7 rounds.
They have DR 10/adamantine.
Géatan’s training in how to shoot under duress is proving to be quite an investment, ducking around both a worm and now a statue as he takes his shots at the statue. While the statue is still standing after Géatan is done with it, the numerous cracks spiderwebbing its exterior betrays its current structural integrity issues.
Lavode has learned the value in not being seen.
The scarlet worm by Koraq shakes his head, but this time instead of releasing another creature, attempts to eat Koraq.
The worm tenses up its muscles as it strikes, ready to deliver a devastating blow. However it turns out that the effort it spent tensing up its muscles was better spent trying to aim, as Koraq is able to barely dodge it.
The scarlet worm by Géatan shakes its body like it’s going to attack, but instead of coming down on Géatan, it instead thrashes sideways towards Osprey. In a huge reversal of the natural order, the worm swallows the bird!
The statue that Géatan shot at decides that it needs more revenge and brings its big fists down upon him.
This time, both fists strike true.
Ralph
Géatan
Lavode
Worm 1
Statue 1
Worm 2
Statue 2
Koraq
Osprey
Adril
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The scarlet worm’s misplaced bite comes back to haunt it, as Koraq spots an opening and punches it on the inside of the mouth. That apparently was deep enough to destroy the worm in one last punch. As worm goo scatters amongst the rubble, Koraq studies the other worm then closes in, barely tumbling around to make it in without a retaliatory strike.
Adril leans down to pick up the sword the Géatan tossed him. However, once he does that, you hear and a man appears behind Adril, dressed in a fancy red cape. Adril slumps over, dead, with a dagger in his back. (Alternate picture of the man)
All of the sudden, archers start appearing on the balcony as they start firing arrows all over the place. The four of them seem to be aiming at you guys and yelling ”Disrupt the spellcaster! Aim for the sound of his casting!”, while the other four seem to be aiming to light the room on fire. The second group is not succeeding that well.
+ plus 4 bleed +
+ plus 4 bleed +
+ plus 4 bleed +
+ plus 4 bleed +
The archers let loose their arrows, but thanks to a weird quirk of their training, they have an easier time hitting the invisible guy while they are visible than hitting the visible guy when they are invisible.
Géatan can hear a faint caw from inside the worm that swallowed Osprey. It’s hard to tell how he’s doing from the caw, but hopefully he’s okay.
Ralph
Géatan
Lavode
Worm 1
Statue 1
Worm 2
Statue 2
Koraq
The Red Raven
Archer 1
Archer 2
Archer 3
Archer 4
Archer 5
Archer 6
Archer 7
Archer 8
Osprey
Adril
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Ralph snarls furiously as he harshly forces out the incantation through clenched teeth. He nearly loses the spell at the third arrow, but his extensive training and proud refusal to let his magic falter gets him through. As he completes the incantation, he sneers victoriously.
"It will take far more than that to take my magic from me, you miserable whelps! You dare incur my wrath? Then face it and SUFFER!"
As he speaks, a dark malevolent shadow rises from the floor of the balcony. Dark wings unfurl from the creature's form to reveal a pair of burning red eyes sitting above a cruelly fanged maw. The creature snarls menacingly at the archers.
"And Adril bloody Hestram! What the hell is the point of being a blustery oaf of a Venture Captain if you are going to be killed with a single strike? Useless buffoon!"
Despite his rage, however, Ralph is still coldly calculating the situation.
"Unlike the invisible archers, it was the smoke that gave him away. So he did not come out from the rooms. No...that smoke must have been related to how he got into the room! And if he got into the room directly behind Hestram, then it probably means dimensional travel... and damn if I'm going to let him escape the same way!"
"As for you, red-cloak, your first mistake was not making your entrance along with your lackeys. Your second mistake, was ME."
Ralph flies closer to Red-Cloak and barks out another incantation and fires a green ray of energy at Red-Cloak.
Now finally visible, he nods to his conjured demon and commands imperiously, "show them fear!"
The demon issues a hoarse, low roar and a wave of malign energy washes over most of the archers, and unfortunately the invisible Lavode!
"Geatan! Koraq! Lavode! The shadow demon is under my control! Do not attack it. Capture the red-cloaked one! He will have answers. And we WILL get them out of him!"
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Ralph finishes his casting despite the constant damage being plinked at him, conjuring a shadow demon up on the balcony. The shadow demon yells out in Abyssal, striking fear into the hearts of the archers up top. Meanwhile Ralph shoots a dimensional anchor at the Red Raven. Given his actions, the Red Raven knew it was coming, but still wasn’t able to avoid it in time.
Géatan continues to fire, this time dropping the statue that has been menacing him. The next three attacks all sink into the remaining worm. Running out of adamantine arrows, Géatan takes his last shot at the worm using a regular arrow, but the weight of the lighter arrow causes it to fly slightly wide.
Lavode runs away in a panic, teleporting to Absalom.
The worm feels arrow after arrow pound into it, and decides that the source of those arrows would be a really nice meal.
If you don’t get at least a 25, you’re poisoned!
Take Strength damage!
The worm’s bite misses by a wild amount, but while Géatan was able to dodge out of the way of that it obscured the sting coming in from around back!
Ralph
Summoned Shadow Demon
Géatan
Lavode
Worm 1
Statue 1
Worm 2
Statue 2
Koraq
The Red Raven
Archer 1
Archer 2
Archer 3
Archer 4
Archer 5
Archer 6
Archer 7
Archer 8
Osprey
Adril
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Koraq wants to chase the red assassin, but seeing what the worm did to Geatan, he takes a deep breath, watching the worm ' s movement again and unleashes his signature Razing Dragon combo, his features becoming more feral as he delves a series of broad sweeping attacks.
"I'll try ta be careful, Osprey."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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With as more energy than you could expect of someone who is reluctant to full attack a massive creature, Koraq punches with both arms simultaneously, squishing the worm’s head between his two massive fists.
You can hear the Red Raven curse under his breath “Blasted dim anchor” before calling out “The Red Raven always has a second escape plan! For the revolution!” He then runs into the nearest servant’s quarters, blowing past the door which less closed than it looked like. He then jumps through the window, landing on his feet on the ground because he’s awesome .
Meanwhile the archers who are still able to shoot search around for a target. The one to the south calls out “Go after the wizard! He can keep doing that!” send their bows up at Ralph. While only the ones who were in the area of effect of the fear are shaken or panicked, all the archers are a little scared.
+
+
+
The arrows don’t have much power, but in large amounts they start to get annoying, especially the twinned ones which explode in fire when they hit.
Meanwhile, the panicked archers drop their bows and run!
This archer aims for the southernmost guest room, jumping over the part of the balcony that no longer exists.
He makes the jump and runs over to the window in the room.
This archer aims for the same guest room, also attempting to jump over the part of the balcony that no longer exists.
He also makes it to the window and stops.
In this archer’s panic, he decides that he doesn’t really need to jump that part of the balcony when there’s a really convenient room with a window right next to it. He runs over to the window making preparations to open it.
This archer decides that the direction that his boss ran is a good idea and books it to that room.
This archer sees his buddy pass him and realizes that he’s probably got the best idea.
There’s no sign of Osprey.
Ralph
Summoned Shadow Demon
Géatan
Lavode
Worm 1
Statue 1
Worm 2
Statue 2
Koraq
The Red Raven
Archer 1
Archer 2
Archer 3
Archer 4
Archer 5
Archer 6
Archer 7
Archer 8
Osprey
Adril
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Determined to capture the fleeing leader, Ralph holds off calling up his shield till the last second, and when the last arrow fails to bring him down, he decides to press on against his quarry.
He calls out to the shadow demon in infernal.
"We will pursue the leader. The archers, excluding that one (pointing to Geatan) are your's to play with. Anyone who allies with them is also your's to deal with as you choose." Ralph smiles darkly as he switches to common so that the archers can understand him. "Prioritise the ones who shot at me. Make them suffer."
His instructions given, Ralph floats down to where Koraq is and grabs his shoulder. "Come with me. We'll chase down the leader."
If Koraq lets him, Ralph will cast dimension door. Ralph saw Red-Cloak going into one of the rooms, so he will transport himself and Koraq to the area outside the window of the room he saw him running into. He will arrange himself so he is at 15ft elevation (i.e. 10ft between his feet and the ground) and Koraq just below him (i.e. Koraq appears 5ft above the ground and can drop to the ground and remain standing without taking damage and without risk of falling prone). If Geatan looks like he wants to come along, Ralph will instead ready an action to dimension door as soon as Geatan steps within range. He will deposit Geatan beside Koraq.
The demon howls in delight as Ralph gives him license to go wild. It spreads its wings, and as it does so, darkness floods the room, obscuring all vision. Under cover of the darkness, it takes position between two of the archers and waits silently for them to give him an opening to strike.
Use as needed:
First AoO:
Second AoO:
Third AoO:
Fourth AoO:
Fifth AoO:
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Gaétan is in question. He is a good erastilian. Leaving the mansion open to looter and this demon is something he don't likes. Furthermore, he is confiant of the companions capacity to neutralise the chicken.
"Go, but then return to the armory. I heard something. I fear for an another diversion this time aimed to our artifact... witch is more important than vengeance against a vigilante who could be more of a tool. I will not initiate combat without you.
Loosing a family hearloom hurt all of us than a just a member. We can also find the chicken later.
"
And Geatan will go toward the armory doing his best to not being seen. Once he have a clear view or hearing of the armory, he draw his elexir of hiding.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Ralph takes Koraq outside as his shadow demon plunges the inside of the Lodge into darkness. He sees his quarry when he arrives and sneers in contempt at him.
"For someone with a penchant for the grandiose, you're quite the callous coward, aren't you? You see the Lodge? The darkness that now suffuses it? Right now, half your men are in a blind panic, and the rest are having to face the terror on being in complete darkness and knowing that there is a shadow demon in the midst of that darkness waiting to do with them as it pleases. Hate to think the kind of terror that they're having to face in their last moments. And of course, you willingly sacrifice them so you can save your own sorry hide."
"What's with that look? Am I wrong? Tell you what. You surrender to my friend here right now, and I'll dismiss the demon. Make the slightest show of resistance, and the demon gets to deal with the lives and souls of your followers as it pleases. I am confident Koraq will be able to capture you anyway, so it really doesn't matter to me whether you continue to resist capture. The end result will be the same. The question is: does the Pink Chicken care about the lives of his subordinates, or does he treat them as disposable lackeys?"
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"Roger that, good luck to you ya!", Koraq speaks to Geatan before Ralph takes him to the assassin.
"Trust me, better if you just let me hold ya and then we can have a peaceful conversation, like why the damn goofy costume.", Koraq not really waiting for a response before aiming to put the assassin in an armlock.
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After a quick bit of discussion, Ralph teleports Koraq outside.
The summoned shadow demon casts deeper darkness, plunging the foyer into darkness, and positions itself to take AoOs on the remaining archers.
Géatan runs over to the armory, making it in one turn thanks to Lavode’s haste and draws his elixir of hiding. Unlike pretty much every other door in this building, the door to the armory is closed.
Lavode continues panicking back in Absalom.
Koraq runs up and grabs the Red Raven easily.
The Red Raven struggles in Koraq’s grasp, all the meantime calling out towards Ralph. “Hold on a second. I’m just enacting justice for one of the most prominent murders in recent history. You’re not only defending a convicted murderer, you spent the past 20 minutes singing his praises, and you summoned a demon with the explicit orders to ‘make them suffer.’ And now you offer me a deal which you admit won’t actually matter what I say, so really you value life so much that you’re willing to kill off random lives in order to stroke your own ego.
“I’m definitely on the right side here. There’s no way I can trust you, but at least I’m not stupid enough to be ” When he calls out that last bit, he brings his hand to his mouth in order to amplify his voice. Koraq can see that he’s palmed some sort of open vial in his hand, and after he finishes calling that out, he tilts his hand back so that the liquid is poured into his mouth. No sooner does this happen than the Red Raven turns into mist and begins to fly away from Koraq.
Archer 1 jumps off the balcony, making her way to the front door.
nonlethal
Archer 2 opens the window, then her and Archer 3 jump down and run off the map.
Archer 4 opens the window, jumps down, and runs off the map.
Archer 6 opens the window, then him and Archer 5 jump down and start running away.
Archer 7 tries to carefully make it back to the room he came from, but gets hit by the shadow demon.
Archer 8 runs towards the room the Red Raven evacuated towards, also getting hit by the shadow demon.
Making it around the door and out of the area of darkness, he takes a shot at Ralph!
+
Ralph continues to attract arrows.
Ralph
Summoned Shadow Demon
Géatan
Lavode
Worm 1
Statue 1
Worm 2
Statue 2
Koraq
The Red Raven
Archer 1
Archer 2
Archer 3
Archer 4
Archer 5
Archer 6
Archer 7
Archer 8
Osprey
Adril
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"An interesting charge if proven true, though I'd question who it was that convicted Hestram. By the way, I barely mentioned the oaf in my speech, so I wonder how you can think I was singing his praises. But if you were listening to my speech, you would know that I defeated a Runelord. Capturing the likes of you? Easy."
"And THAT was what didn't actually matter. No matter what you say or do, you will be captured. What your actions could have done was make me call off the demon sooner to spare your allies. As it is, you have just made their lives a little worse off. If you had come peacefully, I would have called off the demon. Now, if anyone them die whilst I am wasting time with you, their deaths are on your head, hero." Ralph sneers the last word, leaving no doubt that he is using in mockingly and sarcastically.