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Drawing a crossbow, Sabrina takes careful aim and fire. The bolt flies wide as her hands turned quite shaky as she fired the shot and it clatters against the bars on the dire lions cage behind the Lamia.
Herodotus lets loose another volley into the Lamia. Only one of his arrows comes close to striking the charging creature.
As Herodotus' arrow strikes another of the images disappears in a small puff of magical smoke.
Sabrina
Herodotus
Jory- Delay until After Heccan
Graz
Heccan
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Zookeepers (Red -35, 1 bleed 4 rnds; 3 Mirror images)
Dire Lion
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Heccan brings his hands together, swirling them around each other and he mutters something in a low guttural tone. His eyes flash red as he once again draws upon his cursed nature. A bright glowing orange sphere of fire appears between his hands which he unleashes at the zoo keeper and his oversized pet. As he sets the flame to air, he catches Graz out of the corner of his eye and tries to arc the ball of flame toward the back of the attacking Aspis agents.
SAVE DC 17
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M (a ball of bat guano and sulfur)
Range long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level)
Area 20-ft.-radius spread
Duration instantaneous
Saving Throw Reflex half; Spell Resistance yes
A fireball spell generates a searing explosion of flame that detonates with a low roar and deals 1d6 points of fire damage per caster level (maximum 10d6) to every creature within the area. Unattended objects also take this damage. The explosion creates almost no pressure.
You point your finger and determine the range (distance and height) at which the fireball is to burst. A glowing, pea-sized bead streaks from the pointing digit and, unless it impacts upon a material body or solid barrier prior to attaining the prescribed range, blossoms into the fireball at that point. An early impact results in an early detonation. If you attempt to send the bead through a narrow passage, such as through an arrow slit, you must "hit" the opening with a ranged touch attack, or else the bead strikes the barrier and detonates prematurely.
The fireball sets fire to combustibles and damages objects in the area. It can melt metals with low melting points, such as lead, gold, copper, silver, and bronze. If the damage caused to an interposing barrier shatters or breaks through it, the fireball may continue beyond the barrier if the area permits; otherwise it stops at the barrier just as any other spell effect does.
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Heccan sends a small ball of living fire darting across the open field of the Menagarie. The ball erupts into a violent explosion that seems to suck all oxygen from the immediate area,s corching both the lion and the Lamia's lungs.
The Lamia stops in it's tracks ducking down as it avoids the majority of the blast.
Jory releases a barrage of arrows at the Lamia as he opens a clear path for Graz to charge the oncoming Lamia.
Three of Jory's arrows fly directly at the Lamia's defenses.
Jory is able to take out two more of the Lamia's images as his third arrow passes right through the images, striking the real Lamia once again.
The Lamia looks as if she is about to fall over as Jory charges the beast with his spiked chain.
Though the Lamia still has an image up, it fails to fool the half-orc as his chain tears across the Lamia's mid-section spilling it's innards all over the field.
The Dire Lion roars as it pounces onto Graz and tries to take him to the ground.
+ Grab
The lion slams on top of Graz as two large paws scratch at Graz's chest leading to large gaping wounds. The paws quickly grab ahold of the half-orc, grappling him, pulling him closer as the dire lion takes a mouthful out of his shoulder.
Sabrina
Herodotus
Jory
Graz (27/55)
Heccan
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Dire Lion (-23)
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Knowing the Paladin has a penchant for blunt arrows, Sabrina delays until after his flurry, moves closer to the animal then asks the Ancestors to put the beast to sleep, in the non-permanent way.
"Sorry Master Lion, but this is for your own good! Does anyone have a sap?"
This hex can affect a creature of any HD. The creature will not wake due to noise or light, but others can rouse it with a standard action. This hex ends immediately if the creature takes damage. Whether or not the save is successful, a creature cannot be the target of this hex again for 1 day.
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Round 4
Cradled in the massive paws of the lion, Graz grunts with pain as the large claws pierce his armor and flesh. He drops the heavy chain he usually uses as a weapon and instead pounds his meaty fist into the solar plexus of the lion. Knowing he can't last long in the grip of the great beast, Graz bites down on the lion with his tusky maw trying to loosen the grip.
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Sabrina steps forward and glares at the lion before Jory and Herodotus are able to riddle it with arrows. Turning her head she glares intently into it's eyes. Within seconds the lions eyes quickly roll back into it's head and it slumps to the ground in a pile of fur, snoring loudly right on top of Graz.
As the beasts fall surviving zookeepers and staff begin to crawl out from under bushes and shrubs about 100 feet away.
The men graciously thank you for not killing their animals as a few members of the staff gather the large lion up and lock it back in it's cell.
The zookeepers and staff let you know that they have a few extra supplies that they might be able to divert towards the cause.
The zookeepers rapidly inform you of another group having difficulty near the monument of Durvin Gest
Sabrina
Herodotus
Jory
Graz (27/55)
Heccan
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The thunder of hooves nearby captures your attention as Seelah of Katapesh, Paladin of Iomedae, rides by. A host of Pathfinders in her wake spread out in every direction combing the area for enemies, Pathfinders in need, and the wounded.
Seelah draws up her steed, pulling it around to face you.
She says "Blessings and well met, Pathfinders! You look as if you are heading into more trouble."
She tosses you lot a whistle, like the ones you've seen soldiers on the field of battle use to direct troops.
She then says "If you are ever in need of aid, blow the whistle and Pathfinders within earshot will come to your assistance."
With waiting for a response she turns her horse about and thunders back off into the fray without waiting for a response.
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"Very fine display, Graz. Let me try and see if that wand works better than Jory's magic stick. But to speed this up, as it seems we are needed elsewhere in a hurry, I will help you with one of my own 'specialty' wands first. Umm, just try to stay inconspicuous to the Paladin for a minute or so!"
Sabrina takes out her wand of Infernal Healing, and taps Graz with it before giving Graz's wand a few hits on him as well.
Range touch
Target creature touched
Duration 1 minute
You anoint a wounded creature with devil’s blood or unholy water, giving it fast healing 1. This ability cannot repair damage caused by silver weapons, good-aligned weapons, or spells or effects with the good descriptor. The target detects as an evil creature for the duration of the spell and can sense the evil of the magic, though this has no long-term effect on the target’s alignment.
"This wand looks to be much better quality than the one I used earlier!"
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Herodotus quickly fetches any of his cold iron arrows he has missed with and checks to see if they have survived the fall as he calls to his companions: "We should make haste to the statue then."
He inspects the two arrows quickly as he approaches Graz and Sabrina, tossing the broken one of the two aside irritably. You will need to remember to get more of those cold-forged arrows.
"Brave Graz, do you feel well enough to continue on?" he asks with a note of concern.
Upon affirmative reply, Herodotus will make his way in the general direction Jory took (probably relying more on the directions given by the groundskeepers).
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After the dosing with the infernal wand, which Graz doesn't mind a bit, and couple shots with his own healing stick, the half-orc gives a small bow of thanks to Sabrina.
When approached by Herodotus, Graz gives a toothy grin. "Damn right! That was just the appetizer. Let's knock some heads!" the swarthy fellow retrieves his dropped chain and stands back as Seelah rides in and delivers an aid token.
"Where's more trouble?" asks Graz looking about for any signs of struggle with the Aspis.
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This tall statue is cast in the likeness of Durvin Gest, the most famous Pathfinder of all time. Carved in a likeness of the adventurer in his later years—still dashing and bearing an assortment of scrolls and adventuring gear—the statue stares intently off into the distance. Beneath the statue, pedestals stand adorned with angelic figures and elaborate friezes showing some of the more memorable scenes from the Pathfinder’s long and celebrated career.
The main dais is 5 feet above the ground, and each of the stone pedestals is 5 feet tall. Amid the stone dais the statue of Durvin Gest begins to move as the sound of stone rubbing on stone grinds in the air. Further above on the individual pedestals a pair of the stone angels hands tear away from their faces, revealing a horrifying visage. The statues seemed to be warped from some unseen force from beyond as Tentacles seem to writhe from their bodies. Etched below the angelic statues are the words "Don't Blink"
The two fallen angels stone wings arch out as the clumsily take to the air. Catching the group by surprise the Two Angels batter at Sabrina and Heccan with the grotesque tentacles.
Sabrina is able to dodge the clumsy angelic statue but Heccan is not as lucky as an otherworldly tentacle slams into his chest.
–-------------------------------------------------------
Fallen Angels
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Jory
Heccan (34/39)
Sabrina
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Durven Gest Statue
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Herodotus
Graz (54/55)
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Jory blows the whistle giving them the tactical inspiration they need to quickly bring down the statues.
Jory figures his friends are more suited to the closer opponents, his training made him a master of shooting through cover and ignoring even those engaged with him to shoot.
Jory selects his special durable adamantine durable arrows he used to avert disaster in a nasty museum incident long ago and fires them at the large statue. Built from sky metal, Jory trusted the special arrows against statues and metal monsters.
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Heccan cries out as one of the stone angels slams into him. He backs scurries away out of the attackers reach.
"Perfect, now the statutes join the enemy's ranks. They really should tell you these things in the literature. If only my talents allowed me to summon a swarm of pigeons. I'll have to settle by trying to overpower them with incredible good looks."
The sorcerer, very obviously trying to exhibit strength when he is indeed terrified for his life, once again taps the dark pool that rests within himself. He closes his eyes and stretches forth his hands. Suddenly, multiple images of the dapper Chelaxian begin to fan out from his body.
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
Range personal
Target you
Duration 1 min./level
This spell creates a number of illusory doubles of you that inhabit your square. These doubles make it difficult for enemies to precisely locate and attack you.
When mirror image is cast, 1d4 images plus one image per three caster levels (maximum eight images total) are created. These images remain in your space and move with you, mimicking your movements, sounds, and actions exactly. Whenever you are attacked or are the target of a spell that requires an attack roll, there is a possibility that the attack targets one of your images instead. If the attack is a hit, roll randomly to see whether the selected target is real or a figment. If it is a figment, the figment is destroyed. If the attack misses by 5 or less, one of your figments is destroyed by the near miss. Area spells affect you normally and do not destroy any of your figments. Spells and effects that do not require an attack roll affect you normally and do not destroy any of your figments. Spells that require a touch attack are harmlessly discharged if used to destroy a figment.
An attacker must be able to see the figments to be fooled. If you are invisible or the attacker is blind, the spell has no effect (although the normal miss chances still apply).
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"BAH!! Constructs are even worse than Elves! It looks like it will be up to my comrades to dispatch this threat. The best I can do is assist.
Sabrina backs up a few steps, pulls out another scroll from her Haversack, and reads it aloud, inspiring her friends.
Bless counters and dispels bane.
She also quickly studies these creatures to see if they are indeed what they seem.
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Jory blows the whistle and within moments a small contingent of bards spring forth from the area and begin to sing harrowing tales of Jory and his magnificent beard and tales of grandeur.
Inspired once again Jory's fires off a small barrage of adamantine arrows that make quick work of the giant statue. The arrows tear through the hard stone like a hot knife through butter causing large chunks to fall to the dais with a thunderous crash.
Heccan attempts to distract the Fallen Angels as he mimics the Lamias in creating multiple copies of himself as Sabrina blesses the party and studies the constructs intently.
Recognizing the angelic statues as an Aspis Fallen Angel Sabrina knows that the Aspis somehow attached a strange device to the statues allowing an unknown terror from beyond the stars to directly control the statues and warp them in it's own way. Through her research Sabrina also knows that these new research and development magical devices make the constructs very susceptible to mind affecting effects.
Inspire Courage +3 Rounds 3/3
Bless
–-------------------------------------------------------
Fallen Angels
---------------------------------------------------------
Jory
Heccan (34/39)
Sabrina
Herodotus
Graz (54/55)
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Round 1
Graz is unhappy that the flying angels struck his soft-skinned teammate and does what he can to draw the attention of the one nearest Heccan to himself. Looping his chain in a big arc, Graze swings it as hard as he can at the rocky foe, feeling the magical effects of the troupe of bardic performers nearby.
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Herodotus attempts to fire off a series of arrows past Graz. Though his aim is usually spot on Graz moves in front of Herodotus' path in the middle of him firing causing his last two arrows to be off.
Enraged Graz whips his spiked chain at the Fallen Angel. Though his chain doesn't do as much damage as he thought it would, it nevertheless tears enormous chunks of stone from the Angel causing it to fall to the ground in a pile of rubble at Graz's feet.
The lone remaining angel whirls two tentacles at Jory.
Jory is easily able to fend off both of the tentacles as they batter against his magical defenses.
Jory smiles as the group quickly dispatches the remaining Aspis Fallen Angel into a matching pile of rubble.
Seeing that the Pathfinders are beginning to secure the southern region against the invaders the group takes off at a good pace to the northwestern portion of the expansive campus.
Entering the area Sabrina notices that the Starhall's door has been battered in and heads in that direction.
The outside of this large keep was designed with Azlanti architecture in mind. Two wings extend from the center structure, with a domed tower at the end of the east wing a smaller patinated bronze dome over the center hall. Starhall serves as an observatory, library, and museum for otherworldly and extraplanar objects and lore. Inside the main entrance is a library with several display cases of objects recovered from Numeria, as well as a curator’s desk and a staircase to the eastern tower.
Peering in around the corner of the battered southern door Graz sees two creatures picking through every book and box in the room as if they are looking for something in particular. One of the creatures seems to be humanoid but completely covered from head to toe in dirty ratty bandages. The second creature is a perfectly sculpted, finely detailed, life-sized clay figure that has a look of fierce determination and a sword clenched in each hand.
Jory
Heccan (34/39)
Sabrina
Herodotus
Graz (54/55)
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Herodotus, satisfied after a minute inspection of the arrows launched in their battle with the statues, stashes them back into their quiver as he taps on Graz's shoulder. "What do you see?" He listens intently at the description, then darts his head quickly around the corner to attempt to determine what these creatures are.
"The bandaged one is a mummified monk. I would imagine it's vulnerable to fire, good Heccan."
He pauses, pondering. "It occurs to me that while undead are evil in it's truest form, perhaps we could get some information about what is going on from these two if we could engage them in conversation. If that is at all possible. What say you? If you are unwilling to give the undead one time to renounce his ways and take the first step towards the light, then give me time to prepare."
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Graz frowns at the paladin's words. "I say we beat them down, and then talk... if they still can," says the half-orc brawler roughly."They're part of this attack and they should bleed for it."
The half-orc talks tough, but he doesn't really want any part of the mummy, which he hears may spread disease. He hangs back a bit, uncharacteristically waiting to see what the others do.
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Herodotus' brow furrows. "Must you always suggest violence as a first resort?" he asks Jory. "I would have thought that the Master of Masters valued balance in all things."
He snorts, shaking his head with a bitter smile. Then again, I have had this conversation before with countless others and there is not a thing I can do to stop you from taking matters in your own hands. Like all the other murderous vagrants.
"Never mind Jory of Irori; it isn't my place to question how you fufill the demands made upon you by the Master of Masters. And it seems noone else is willing to try. Thus we shall go forth. Is everyone ready?"
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Heccan wipes his brow as the multiple copies of himself fade from view. He removes a wand from his robe and taps it once hard against his leg. Scarlet red tendrils spill from the wand and seep into the wounded sorcerer. Heccan flashes an angry smile, then follows his fellow agents to the Starhall.
Upon seeing the ragged man and the golem, Heccan pauses and listens to his companions. "Well, we certainly are having a varied day, are we not? Angels and devils and ragged men looking for secret things. Say the word, Herodotus and I will acquaint the former monk with a bit of my nature."
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A dull hum emanates from Skyreach as the ground trembles, trees sway, and glass shatters. A moment later, most of Skyreach’s northwest tower tears free from the keep; however, rather than crash to the ground, a visible aura holds the structure aloft and causes it to float above the Grand Lodge. Even the shower of stone blocks floats, swirling around the airborne tower in a nimbus of speeding debris.
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Not sure if there is surprise round, or initiative, but let's get this thing going!
Sabrina recalls quite a bit of her research as she recognizes both of the ransackers. Sabrina recalls that the Terra-Cotta Soldiers have a natural damage reduction unless attacked with bludgeoning weapons. She knows that the Terra-Cotta Soldiers begin fighting a little slow but after a moment of fighting their weapons become far more accurate and deadly. Terra-Cotta Soldiers become far more deadly when fighting together as they easily defend each other from attacks.
Recalling knowledge on the Mummified Monk is that they have a fearful presence about them that can frighten even the most courageous warrior into fleeing. She also knows that the Mummified Monk also has a natural damage reduction to which is unable to avoid as all of it's internal organs are now dried up. She does remember though that Mummified Monks are vulnerable to electricity. Mummified Monks react with an unnatural speed and if someone is killed by their touch they are disintegrated into a small cloud of dust, completely destroying their body in the process.
Jory, not much of a talker snaps off an adamantine arrow as he line up a perfect shot. Even though the Terra-Cotta Soldier is begin the cover of a large bookshelf, Jory is able to find a small crevice to fire the arrow through for a perfect shot. The arrow slams into the Terra-Cotta Soldier knocking off a small chunk of stone, but doesn't seem to do as much damage as Jory thought that it would.
Jory
Sabrina
Herodotus
Heccan
Graz
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Mummified Monk
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Jory
Sabrina
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Terra-Cotta Soldier (-14)
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Herodotus
Heccan
Graz
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Sabrina remembers being paralyzed with fear last time she faced a mummy in an old Osirion temple. And this mummified monk seems far worse. Hoping for a boost in her morale she casts her third Bless of the day, this time the one she had memorized.
"Ancestors, bolster our resolve and give us the strength to combat the evil before us!"
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Sabrina blesses the party in these dire times as Herodotus attempts to quickly calm the situation. Both the Terra-Cotta Soldier and the Mummified Monk don't seem to react at all to the words that Herodotus speaks.
Bless
Jory
Sabrina
Herodotus
Heccan
Graz
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Mummified Monk
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Jory
Sabrina
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Terra-Cotta Soldier (-14)
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Herodotus
Heccan
Graz
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Heccan sighs as his fellows once agin spring into action. "Well, I suppose a ragged man and a walking statute would not be sparkling conversationalists in any regard. Once more into the breach..."
He turns to Graz. "These creatures look troublesome, allow me to fortify your resolve." Hecann draws upon his innate power and releases it toward the half-orc.