Osten's axe takes a chunk of golden hide out of the kobold, as he hurries around to cut off the reptilian's escape. The others hurry into position, heal, or in Navoreal's case, aim a well-aimed sword cut that to his astonishment the kobold manages to dodge. Gleam invokes some strange ability...
With altitude no longer on his side, Tok looks around furiously. He pats at his many bandoliers, but finds all of his explosive vials gone. Yeah, you guys worked through all his bombs the old-fashioned way.... by sucking up a lot of pain...
With a snarl, Tok tries to dart through Osten's legs, no longer responding to Kaye's words of a duel.
Acro vs Osten's CMD, DC +7 more due to Navoreal threatening and moving through Osten's square:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24
The kobold manages it, surpassingly nimble, and leaves both Navoreal and Osten gaping a bit as he darts into the next chamber and up some stairs. You see him wrestling a little-used dagger out of its sheath as he goes, and his grievous injuries are obviously telling on him. The room beyond is oddly opulent-- faded, dusty carpeting in a deep burgundy color, complete with wall hangings that look to be velvet. The short steps the kobold has run up to lead to an elaborate pair of heavy wooden double doors, upon which the kobolds have crudely painted various symbols.
End Round 9/Start 10 - bold may act
Navoreal -16 damage
Rogzul -12
Orin -14 damage
Osten -23 damage
Tok -55 damage has been dealt... you think.
Kaye -8
Gleam -14 damage
Male Barbarian 3/ Bloodrager 1~ HP: 51/ 55 | AC: 18 (16 raging) {11T/17FF} | F:+9 R +2 W: +2 ; Init +3; Perception +10; Speed 50 ft. (35 ft. in armor)
The barbarian races after the kobold, eager to end this before it goes too much longer. He comes up behind the alchemist, "Your sister sends her regards. You won't be alone too long though. I'll send 'daddy' in a little bit." Osten smiles with grim satisfaction as his ax cleaves into Tok's skull.
Haha, nice finish Osten. Combat definitely over with that crit, I'll get a more in-depth post up as soon as I can. For the record, you needed every bit of that 27 to confirm the crit.
HP 23/24 | AC 19 T 14 FF 15 | Saves 5/8/2 (+2 vs mind affecting, poison) | Perception +7 | Init +4 | CMD 16 | Extracts 2 | Bombs 1/8 | Mutagen (Activated) (+Dex, -Wis, +2 Natural Armor) | Male Human Alchemist 3 | GM Reroll +1 |
CLW:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
"Uh, I think I'm good enough..." Kaye's intuition still feels dulled down. "This time I'm actually ready for a duel. Let's hope it doesn't come to that?"
Half-Orc Fighter 5/Monolith 1 HP 65/65 | AC 24* T 12* FF 24* CMD 27* (25% Fort)| F +13* R +6 W +6 (+3 vs Fear, +2 vs Emotion, +2 vs negative levels, death effects, and mind-affecting effects) | Init +3 | Perception +4
Gleam grows to enormous size and makes sure somebody competent uses his wand.
Male Barbarian 3/ Bloodrager 1~ HP: 51/ 55 | AC: 18 (16 raging) {11T/17FF} | F:+9 R +2 W: +2 ; Init +3; Perception +10; Speed 50 ft. (35 ft. in armor)
Two hits off my wand of Infernal Healing
Osten slides to the floor, lungs heaving as he pants for breath. "A moment my friends. He took more out of me than I expected." He pulls out a wand and taps it to his chest a couple of times. As Gleam grows to monstrous proportions, "Looks like I'm ready to go just in time!"
Half-Orc Fighter 5/Monolith 1 HP 65/65 | AC 24* T 12* FF 24* CMD 27* (25% Fort)| F +13* R +6 W +6 (+3 vs Fear, +2 vs Emotion, +2 vs negative levels, death effects, and mind-affecting effects) | Init +3 | Perception +4
Gleam comments to Osten "Use my wand instead of the second charge. Gleam not want to wait two minutes."
Half-Orc Fighter 5/Monolith 1 HP 65/65 | AC 24* T 12* FF 24* CMD 27* (25% Fort)| F +13* R +6 W +6 (+3 vs Fear, +2 vs Emotion, +2 vs negative levels, death effects, and mind-affecting effects) | Init +3 | Perception +4
Sorry, the site is STILL making it tricky to post. Some tedious healing book-keeping: I assume you'd prefer Osten's one minute of obligatory fatigue is past, so we might as well assume a single minute of taking a breather for those of you using infernal healing. You also have only one more fight, which I know is a little meta-gamey, but since we've been slowed down by so many factors I just wanna keep us moving, heh. So we'll estimate a two-minute heal-up, but Gleam's enlarge will stay up all through the final fight by GM fiat. As Rogzul and Orin specifically offered some extra wand heals, they can be the ones providing the two CLW charges Navoreal used, so 1 charge extra each for you. Rogzul is still down 3 HP and Kaye 1 by my count. Everyone else is full.
The kobold is very obviously dead after Osten's massive axe strike. Kaye has a more than academic interest in Tok's belongings, and after dispensing a little healing does a quick search of Tok's belongings, while Osten catches his breath and several people knit their burns back together via both divine magics and less holy sorts. On Tok's body, Kaye finds well-made kobold sized leather armor, the dagger, two potions, a fancy-looking cloak, and-- yes-- a formula book.
While Kaye flips quickly through the book, Navoreal is able to identify the two potions-- one of remove disease, and one of neutralize poison-- and the cloak, as a cloak of resistance +1.
Orin notes five vials of alchemist's fire in the lab, that survived the various bomb chucking.
With wounds healed over, the Pathfinders aim to try and finish this, uh, diplomatic mission. Bracing, the group opens the double doors, and Gleam strides forward with the others behind his currently massive form...
It’s clear that at one point this was a grand theater. The gold railings still gleam despite years of sitting unpolished, and plush red velvet covers the walls and cushioned furniture. The cushions are mostly brown now, covered with mold and dirt. The damp, pervasive scent of moldy fabric and rot fills the air. There are two large balconies on each side of the theater about twenty feet above the orchestra level. The floor slopes down slightly, ending at a theater pit at the base of the stage. The stage itself is empty save a large, comfortable-looking chair in the center, illuminated with an ingenious system of magical lighting and mirrors.
You realize that the sounds of combat must have been heard, for the stage contains a kobold... and a dragon... both looking directly at you. The kobold is seated on the large chair, its tiny form dwarfed by the furniture, and dwarfed further by the blue dragon crouched next to it, as big as Gleam is.
The kobold is dressed in what you assume passes for scavenged finery-- a somewhat squashed tophat bedecked with jewelry, a velvet dressing gown, a pair of ballet slippers. He has what might have been a walking stick for an Absalom gentleman in long ago days, which he holds as staff of office, and he bangs it thrice on the stage floor when you enter, holding up his other hand imperiously in a command to stop.
"So!" the kobold says in a wheezy, cracked voice that indicates extreme age. "You have come at last! To offer tribute and apologies for your incursions into my kingdom! Very well, what have brought to ME, KIBAZAX, the king of Absalom below-- and to mighty Lirovelix, of course."
The dragon, coiled by the chair, growls in a low rumble at this. You also hear a number of little rustling feet and 'oohs' and 'ahhs' from overhead-- you realize that the balcony over your heads must be full of kobolds watching.
"Well?! Speak! I grow no younger! Come no further until I allow you to approach."
HP 23/24 | AC 19 T 14 FF 15 | Saves 5/8/2 (+2 vs mind affecting, poison) | Perception +7 | Init +4 | CMD 16 | Extracts 2 | Bombs 1/8 | Mutagen (Activated) (+Dex, -Wis, +2 Natural Armor) | Male Human Alchemist 3 | GM Reroll +1 |
"Impressive. These formulae will be very useful later on." Kaye adds Tok's spellbook to his own. "Someone should hold onto the cloak at least. I already have one of those."
As Kaye enters the room, he can't help but look around. "Haha, no wonder you all love theatrics." Kaye eyes the dragon for a moment and tries to identify it.
Knowledge(Arcana):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Back to the chief, Kaye keeps himself unarmed. "Greetings, Chief Kibazax and great Lirovelix! We are honored by your willingness to speak to us- other Kobolds have not been so wise."
"We pink-skinned topsiders use the sewer routes through your kingdom to transport vital supplies needed for our world to survive. Your subjects have placed more traps and ambushes recently, crippling us. It is only after a heavy debate that we risked entering your domain to speak to you directly. We wish to find a peaceful resolution that will allow us safe passage through your territory. What say you? What kind of tribute do you request?"
The effects of the mutagen take a toll on Kaye's senses. Sometimes black spots appear in his vision. Sometimes he hears things he knows aren't real. And sometimes he's too distracted to pay attention to whom he's speaking to. He just needs to hold steady for now...
Half-Orc Fighter 5/Monolith 1 HP 65/65 | AC 24* T 12* FF 24* CMD 27* (25% Fort)| F +13* R +6 W +6 (+3 vs Fear, +2 vs Emotion, +2 vs negative levels, death effects, and mind-affecting effects) | Init +3 | Perception +4
The even bigger and even stupidier than normal Gleam waits a moment to see how plan A goes.
Kaye and Navoreal both know a great deal about dragons! They are fearsome foes indeed, and one this size must have a few decades under its belt. (It would need to be at least a Young blue dragon to be large-sized) Blue dragons can fly, and have powerful bite, claw, wing, and tail attacks. They are immune to electricity damage, and can breathe lightning... it definitely seems like a time to pull out all the diplomatic stops! Which Kaye and Rogzul quickly do, with careful application of flattery, praise, and appeals to common sense and greed.
Kibizax strokes at his wrinkled blue lizardy chin; the dragon's tail lashes back and forth over the polished stage, its eyes glowing actinic blue as it stares hungrily at you.
"You speak with wisdom, to acknowledge the power of Kibizax! It is true we have defeated many of your 'Society'. But you have brought me no gifts? No tributes to offer? Very well!" the kobold shrills. "Then I shall set my price. I desire..." he hesitates, counting your group it seems, "...ten... ten thousand pieces of gold! Yes! Er.... each."
Kaye, or Int DC 15, or Sense Motive DC 15:
This is the the Mighty Lirovelix? Didn't the kobold you had captive for a short period say she was a great and ancient wyrm that wouldn't even fit in the sewers? I mean, admittedly, a large dragon MAY well count as a great and ancient wyrm to a kobold, because it could certainly eat a kobold in one bite, but.... hmm.
Sense Motive DC 20:
The old kobold doesn't seem to be lying about wanting lots and lots of gold, anyway, but you certainly get the sense he's a) not really interested in any actual deal with the society so much a showing off his power to his tribe and humiliating intruding outsiders, and b) putting on a fair bit of chest-beating bravado here. Something doesn't quite add up about all this.
HP 23/24 | AC 19 T 14 FF 15 | Saves 5/8/2 (+2 vs mind affecting, poison) | Perception +7 | Init +4 | CMD 16 | Extracts 2 | Bombs 1/8 | Mutagen (Activated) (+Dex, -Wis, +2 Natural Armor) | Male Human Alchemist 3 | GM Reroll +1 |
Note to self: Fire Bombs.
Sense Motive:1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 - 1 = 20
"Ten thousand gold pieces, each. That is quite a steep price, Chief Kibizax. We should ask Lirovelix about it. Where is the great ancient wyrm I have heard so much about? The one who is so large it can't fit in sewers?" Kaye eyes the dragon. "This dragon is no older than perhaps a young adult."
Kaye turns to the kobolds seated above. "Something doesn't add up here. We came to make a deal with all of you, yet your chief takes this as a joke. I don't think he's really interested in the gold at all. Now is not the time to think with your muscle, now is the time to think with your brains!"
"The dragon is young. Smaller than we were told. Do you have more than one dragon?" Rog struggles to keep up with the narrative but continues trying to help Kaye to the best of his ability.
"The truth is best when forming alliances. You should be honest with us."
Half-Orc Fighter 5/Monolith 1 HP 65/65 | AC 24* T 12* FF 24* CMD 27* (25% Fort)| F +13* R +6 W +6 (+3 vs Fear, +2 vs Emotion, +2 vs negative levels, death effects, and mind-affecting effects) | Init +3 | Perception +4
sense motive:1d20 - 2 ⇒ (12) - 2 = 10
Gleam comments "If you get tired of negotiating, Gleam can negotiate instead."
"You may have claimed the sewers, but you and your folk don't own them.. they must be shared... Wouldn't you prefer to share them for a reasonable profit than to incur the wrath of the city and the Society? Otherwise all you may reap for your efforts is the waste of the city above. Would it not be best to make a profit for all and live in peaceful proximity?"
The kobold audience looks a little startled to be addressed by Kaye, and there's a lot of murmuring among them-- Kaye sees no sign of Yiddlepode among the second story crowd-- but it seems uncertain and certainly not like they're ready to rise up en masse against their old chief.
For his part, Kibizax seems downright furious. "What? What now? Why are you talking to my people? I am Chief! No, we will not SHARE sewers! Sewers belong to the Sewer Dragons! Lirovelix and I will take your tribute, and your... your weapons and your books and your rings and... you can return to your society barefoot to ask for more gold!"
The kobold sputters more with each word from his lips, and finally stands up from his throne in a hostile fashion! And after all your hard work, too. :(
The kobold gestures imperiously to the dragon, and it roars and opens its maw, blue lightning streaking forth down the center aisle towards you all! It washes painfully over Gleam, Orin, Osten, and Rogzul. (Reflex saves from those four please!)
Sense Motive DC 16, Perception DC 16, or Spellcraft 18:
That lightning didn't really come FROM the dragon, you're fairly sure. Kibizax is trying to make it look like the dragon is breathing lightning, but that's just a good old fashioned lightning bolt spell from the kobold's own deft hands. (...of course, those still hurt.)
Reflex save DC 17 for half, electricity damage:6d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 3, 3, 3, 1) = 19
The kobolds start a raucous cheering above you. "KIBIZAX! KIBIZAX THE MIGHTY! LIROVELIX THE GREAT WYYRRM!"
Round 1 - bold may post Kibizax
Lirovelix
Osten*
Kaye (-1 hp)
Rogzul* (-3 hp)
Navoreal
Gleam*
Orin*
(*=make reflex saves). Expeditious retreat up on Navoreal, Enlarge person up on Gleam)
HP 23/24 | AC 19 T 14 FF 15 | Saves 5/8/2 (+2 vs mind affecting, poison) | Perception +7 | Init +4 | CMD 16 | Extracts 2 | Bombs 1/8 | Mutagen (Activated) (+Dex, -Wis, +2 Natural Armor) | Male Human Alchemist 3 | GM Reroll +1 |
"Gleam, I think we'll need your help negotiating!" Kaye watches the chief grow hostile.
Perception:1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 7 - 1 = 25
Glad to not get caught in the lightning blast, Kaye carefully looks at the chief's hands. "The dragon didn't do that, the chief is incanting thunder magic. Let's take him down first."
Kaye double runs up the stage, drawing a shortspear along the way. "When you can't strike first, make sure you're a Fast Follower!"
Orin, rather nimbly for an oread, avoids the worst of the lightning bolt. "Hey, that was uncalled for! We were trying to have a civil conversation here... You're mad!"
Half-Orc Fighter 5/Monolith 1 HP 65/65 | AC 24* T 12* FF 24* CMD 27* (25% Fort)| F +13* R +6 W +6 (+3 vs Fear, +2 vs Emotion, +2 vs negative levels, death effects, and mind-affecting effects) | Init +3 | Perception +4
"The lightning is from the Kobold!" Rogzul managed before it hits him and he drops to the ground. His skin is split by the electricity and begins to bleed out onto the floor.
Lightning badly scars some of the Pathfinders, and Rogzul takes the worst of it, dropping with a noise of pain to the ground. The others race forward.
Orin, you didn't take any actual action, but you have an unconscious fellow PC next to you. I'll GMPC you use a wand charge on Rogzul unless you tell me you have a different action for that round. CLW on Rogzul:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Kibizax is both startled and enraged at your loud shouts about the source of the lightning bolt. He shouts something in Draconic, aimed at the kobolds above.
Draconic:
"Don't listen to the outsiders, my people! You have heard whispers of Lirovelix's power all your lives! Watch it manifest!"
Seeing Navoreal as the closest threat, the kobold gestures, and sends a blast of fire at the elf.
Ranged Touch vs Navoreal:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
The flames singe past Navoreal by a hair but don't connect. The old chieftain scurries behind his dragon; the beast glares narrow-eyed at Navoreal and crouches in an anticipatory posture, azure tail whipping back and forth.
Round 2 - bold may post
Kibizax
Lirovelix
Osten (-19)
Kaye (-1 hp)
Rogzul (-14 hp)
Navoreal
Gleam (-19)
Orin (-9)
HP 23/24 | AC 19 T 14 FF 15 | Saves 5/8/2 (+2 vs mind affecting, poison) | Perception +7 | Init +4 | CMD 16 | Extracts 2 | Bombs 1/8 | Mutagen (Activated) (+Dex, -Wis, +2 Natural Armor) | Male Human Alchemist 3 | GM Reroll +1 |
Kaye lumbers up to the stage. No allies in range, just two large enemies. Perfect spacing for a bomb. He hurls it at the dragon, hoping to catch it and the chief in the blast.
"Where is Lirovelix? This creature is too small."
Ranged Touch, Point Blank Shot:1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 = 10 Fire Damage:1d6 + 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + (3) + 3 + 1 = 10 Miss Direction:1d8 ⇒ 7 Kaye's Reflex Save if he missed and blew himself up:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 If that hit, Reflex Save DC 14 for half damage. If it missed, the bomb deals 5 damage.
Half-Orc Fighter 5/Monolith 1 HP 65/65 | AC 24* T 12* FF 24* CMD 27* (25% Fort)| F +13* R +6 W +6 (+3 vs Fear, +2 vs Emotion, +2 vs negative levels, death effects, and mind-affecting effects) | Init +3 | Perception +4
Gleam double moves up, barely stopping to step up the stage in his embiggened form.
Botting Orin for round 2 just to keep us going Still reeling from the lightning bolt's damage to himself, Orin nods at Rogzul and heals himself, this time. CLW on Orin:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
The Mighty Lirovelix:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18
The dragon snaps ferociously at Navoreal as he closes, but the jaws close on empty air, luckily for Navoreal. A few seconds later, the blue dragon seems to dissolve into a thin mist of nothingness. Kibizax grits his teeth. Navoreal's strike does not connect with the kobold.
Draconic:
"You see, my children! These outsiders are not even worth Lirovelix's full power! Now I shall use the power the dragons have vested in me!"
The kobold shouts up at the balcony, where the tribe are watching, tense and eager, cheering on their chief. Kibizax himself steps around Navoreal, trying to avoid the obvious oncoming threat of the enormous half-orc, and the warrior human, and casts a spell defensively.
Concentration:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
He fails to succeed at his casting, and looks both alarmed and outraged!
Round 3 - bold may post
Kibizax
Osten (-19)
Kaye (-1 hp)
Rogzul (-11 hp)
Navoreal
Gleam (-19)
Orin (-1)
HP 23/24 | AC 19 T 14 FF 15 | Saves 5/8/2 (+2 vs mind affecting, poison) | Perception +7 | Init +4 | CMD 16 | Extracts 2 | Bombs 1/8 | Mutagen (Activated) (+Dex, -Wis, +2 Natural Armor) | Male Human Alchemist 3 | GM Reroll +1 |
Did my bomb hit last round? Did the chief get caught in the fiery splash damage?
Kaye has 18 Dex due to the mutagen, so he can't fail to climb even on a 1.
Kaye double moves backstage. "Ah yes, your 'mighty' dragon seems to be nothing more than a parlor trick. We really did want a peaceful solution to this." As he watches Gleam and Osten prepare to negotiate he corrects himself. "Okay, I wanted a peaceful solution to this."
