Hmm's 9-07: Salvation of the Sages: An OutPost Musical (Inactive)

Game Master Hmm

Rufeo scans the room and aides in preparation of the site.

survival: 25 + 2 = 27

Rufeo, this is where the GM totally randomly asks you, “Are you keeping that check?”

Rufeo, this is where the GM totally randomly asks you, “Are you keeping that check?”

totally taking the hint..burning my folio/shirt reroll

“Once we begin preparing the ritual, I need to warn you that casting any spells, activating any magical items, or consuming anything of a magical nature could have dangerous consequences.”

“OK Boss, but once the ritual is completed, and presumably Black Moon and her lackeys come calling, we are free to ✨cast or use any magic stuff we want, yeah?”

Eadie uses one of her dirty shirts, with a goblin embroidered on it, to help clean up the ritual site with Rufeo.

Auto-aid Rufeo’s survival check: 1 + 13 = 14

Perception to help prepare the room ahead of time, Planes during the ritual.

Ariana will help clean up debris during the preparations. "I will put on the fancy armor. If we can't use magic before, someone needs to be mobile at the beginning."

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16
Going to use my folio reroll. If you want a picture via email let me know.
Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28

Fendel, Rufeo and Eadie work hard to clear the area of debris, while Dunia and Quenly provide academic and technical assistance to the sages. Ariana stumbles as she attempts to clear debris, slips over something she missed, and scatters papers.

Dhiara leaps to pick up the papers. “Oh, do you see what you almost DID?! Be more careful!” she snaps at Ariana before catching herself. “I’m sorry. I think none of us are our full selves right now.”

Amenopheus. You mean to draw Black Moon out of the sage jewels, so that we will confront her here? We learned from an enemy of hers, a paladin whom she tortured and killed, that she will manifest as an incorporeal undead spirit. She employs disease and fire magics; dazing spells, curses, blinding spells. She will attempt to use your links to the sage jewels to control you. We must be completely ready before the ritual is begun. What risk does magic use present, during the ritual? Can you be more precise?

Amenopheus looks worried. “Everything I’ve found in this complex indicates that Black Moon is a devious and orderly mind, one who innovated with magic in ways that I never dreamed of... perhaps because those dreams would be nightmares.”

“I’ve felt her in the back of my head, delighting in bits of magic, and hinting at me how to twist them.” Tahonikepsu grimaces. “This spell that we’re trying is delicate. We want to keep the magical resonances simple, to give her less to work with and bounce off of.” She turns to Amenopheus. “That’s why I should be leading the ritual. We need the most focused mind we have to stand against her.”

“Focused?!” Amenopheus looks irritable. “What are you implying? This is my life’s work!”

The two sages debate over who should lead the ritual, and while it never rises to a true argument, it’s clear that their relationship is neither as calm or harmonious as it once was. Their comments rise in pitch, though still phrased in perfectly reasonable ways. After a few minutes though, Tahonikepsu grasps her head. “Ugh, she’s doing it again! We can’t let her.”

“You’re right, as always,” Amenopheus relents, sighing, “Your time dragon nature would grant you an edge in connecting the past to the present. We’ll have you lead. No, don’t argue with me, we can’t afford to waste any more time on these mind games.”

“OK Boss, but once the ritual is completed, and presumably Black Moon and her lackeys come calling, we are free to ✨cast or use any magic stuff we want, yeah?”

As the preparations continue, Amenopheus answers Eadie. “Oh I suppose you should be able to cast anything you want after the ritual...”

If you’d like to help with the ritual itself you can do so by giving me one of the following;
A Linguistics or Perform check to maintain the rite’s cadence
Or Knowledge Arcane or Religion or a Spellcraft check to monitor the ritual and provide additional support where it’s needed.
If you have any abilities that modify anything when performing occult rituals, let me know. Once everyone has made their checks and told me what their character will be doing I’ll do a post for the events of the ritual itself.

Remember you can aid another Perform if you are not trained in the other skills, or you can stand outside the ritual and watch for trouble.

As Dunia sizes up the performance of the ritual itself, she decides that the intricacy demanded is beyond what she can rely on, and in a ritual as delicate as this, she instead steps into a secondary role, supporting Fendel with her particular specialty in Osirionology.

Knowledge (Religion) to auto-aid (Osiriani Boons, Heroism): 1 + 9 + 3 + 2 = 15

A reminder, Hunter's Blessing is giving us +2 to Survival and Perception checks here.

GM, would using my lore needle contravene Amenopheus' ban on magic during the ritual? It doesn't need an action. Not sure if it's any different than wearing a Belt of Giant Strength at this point.

Torch, do you perchance carry a scroll of Magic Circle against Evil? I will cast it on Fendel here. Stay within 10 feet of him, and you should be safe against Black Moon's control once the during and after the ritual. My magic is strong enough to last the duration.

Happy to cast Magic Circle on someone other than Fendel instead, but I imagine as a ranged combatant and a contributor to the ritual he's most likely to stay out of frontline combat and closer to Sages?

So many questions I have! GM, may we know how the Sages may act once the ritual completes? More specifically, can we count on Torch or another Sage to activate the Incense of Corporeality, or does one of us need to take responsibility for that? If we've no way of knowing, then I'll assume one of us needs to and Quenly will take it from Torch - Quenly has overland flight active via his wings of darkness revelation.

I'm going to assume that all buffs of less than 1 hour/level duration would have expired and will need refreshing. Quenly's pre-ritual buffs are as follows:
deathwatch (110m), resist fire (30) on Fendel (110m), magic circle vs evil on Fendel via mnemonic vestment and scroll (110m), barkskin (100m) and heroism (90m) via channel the gift and Rufeo and Dunia, Freedom of Movement (110m); that's one level 1, one level 2, three level 3 and one level 4 slots.

I think we'd like Amenopheus to make use of his Resist Energy spell (as per discussion thread).

Rufeo may want to use his Life Bubble as well as the scroll of Life Bubble that Fendel has. This would let us cover the sages as well as ourselves and 'pets'.

Quenly will also reorder his spring-loaded wrist sheaths, loading them with a scroll of Heal (found) and a scroll of Beacon of Luck.

What skill check or aid attempt I make during the ritual will depend upon whether the Lore Needle can be used.

Quenly's dragon flies up to a vantage point overlooking the library.

Within 60 feet, but not closer than 20 feet to the group.

perception to keep watch - not part of ritual: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 = 23 Blindsense obviates need for some perception checks.

“Honorable Sapphire Sage, I’m sorry to continue being a bother at a time like this …”

Eadie hangs her head and mumbles, “Would entering a mediative trance, using a technique I learnt on a Scarab Mission to the Tar Kuata monastery during the ceremony break your prohibition on using magic?”

Quenly withdraws a tiny stone scarab from his pack …

Eadie lifts the tasset hanging from the front of her armor to reveal her own miniature sandstone scarab pinned to its underside. Season 6 Faction Card

AID Scarab Faction Pin (trained) Knowledge (religion) + Osiriani boon + faction pin: 1d20 + 3 + 1d4 ⇒ (14) + 3 + (1) = 18

“Though the Order of Scarab Sages faces enemies from within and without, I swear before Abadar that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.”

Before the ritual Rufeo cast Life Bubble for all party members present as well as refreshing his Barkskin on himself.....

Ki should be safe in her pendent form...i think we should be fine with out her...but who knows...

Rufeo remains silent and concentrates as the ritual begins. He tries his best to add some divine magic to the ritual, trying to balance out the two different fields of magic.

spell craft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

A reminder, Hunter's Blessing is giving us +2 to Survival and Perception checks here.

GM DOES TIME WARP!

Although Ariana stumbles slightly in preparing the room, she does NOT fall and scatter papers, and does not get snapped at by Dhiara. She just isn’t sure she did much good moving small bits of stuff around.

GM, would using my lore needle contravene Amenopheus' ban on magic during the ritual? It doesn't need an action. Not sure if it's any different than wearing a Belt of Giant Strength at this point.

The three times a day bugs me. It sounds like an activation rather than an always on. I vote no.

Torch, do you perchance carry a scroll of Magic Circle against Evil? I will cast it on Fendel here. Stay within 10 feet of him, and you should be safe against Black Moon's control once the during and after the ritual. My magic is strong enough to last the duration.

Happy to cast Magic Circle on someone other than Fendel instead, but I imagine as a ranged combatant and a contributor to the ritual he's most likely to stay out of frontline combat and closer to Sages?

“Heh. I always have one of these on me. Who leaves home without one?” Torch presents the scroll, which has a caster level of Fifth.

So many questions I have! GM, may we know how the Sages may act once the ritual completes? More specifically, can we count on Torch or another Sage to activate the Incense of Corporeality, or does one of us need to take responsibility for that? If we've no way of knowing, then I'll assume one of us needs to and Quenly will take it from Torch - Quenly has overland flight active via his wings of darkness revelation.

You don’t know. While several of the sages say they’d be willing to help, you cannot be sure.

Oh, no Lore Needle.... Hmm.... In that case would you want to aid me, Quenly? If we want any extra successes that might be best, since Fendel can probably take care of himself.

Am I being unreasonable here? I am, tell me. I’m on the fence about this myself.

There’s a pause here as Amenopheus rummages through his robes, then he snaps his fingers as if remembering something. [b] “Once we begin preparing the ritual, I need to warn you that casting any spells, activating any magical items, or consuming anything of a magical nature could have dangerous consequences.

Going by the description of "activating", I think your ruling is correct. But with Quenly's Knowledge (religion) roll moving from unstoppable to aid-fodder, I just want to get Dunia off the bench :p

Also (upon re-reading my last post), apologies for typing out a thoughtful "hmm", which is unnecessarily confusing while you're GMing!

I can see it going either way, with the lore needle. It doesn't seem to require an action to activate, but it's clearly being 'used' when applied to a knowledge check so would seem to be a use-activated item.

Without magic, I can aid with Knowledge Religion (small chance of failure) or auto-aid with spellcraft. It looks like Dunia already made an Aid roll?

I'll make some rolls to move things along - GM please apply as appropriate.

know.religion, aid another, heroism, insight: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 24
know.religion, aid another, heroism, insight, honoured acolyte: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 13
The higher roll applies.

OR

spellcraft, aid another, heroism, insight: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 14

Quenly uses the power of his Mnemonic Vestment to cast Magic Circle against Evil before the ritual begins. This is cast at level 11, using up one of Quenly's spell slots. It does not use up the scroll, so somebody can take that to cast later. Maybe give it to Amenopheus, or Dunia?

Quenly takes the Incense of Corporeality.

I'm happy to take the scroll. I think I'm our next best shot at passing one of these checks (especially with your aid), and my previous aid "roll" was just showing the auto-aid, so I'd expect that an actual roll wouldn't cause problems.

Knowledge (Religion) (Osirion, Heroism): 1d20 + 9 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 3 + 2 = 23

Despite her misgivings, Dunia steps forward, counting on Quenly's assiduous nature and Eadie's stalwart faith to fill in any gaps in her understanding.

Araian realizing she isn't helping much moves back to watch for trouble as she waits for the magic users to do their thing.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 14 + 2 = 29

Buffs cast before the ritual preparation: Resist Energy, Freedom of Movement, Magic Circle Vs Evil, Life Bubble

The Sages appear relieved after you cast the Magic Circle vs Evil, some of the tension leaving their faces as they gather to begin the ritual. In the circle with the sages are Fendel, Quenly and Dunia, doing their best to keep up with some of the most complicated ritual work they have ever seen.

The sages present their sage jewels, bringing forth the topaz, emerald, amethyst, diamond, sapphire, spinel, onyx, and the shards of the ruby in turn. Tahonikepsu produces a silver pendant set with an obsidian crystal and places it at the focus. The sage jewels blaze with light as shadows gather, rising up until a whirlwind stands contained within pillars of light emanating from the gems... and suddenly ceases. The sages are utterly still and unseeing, and distortions form around each sage jewel, emitting faint cries for help. At the center of this storm forms a spectral being: a frail, dark-haired woman of middle years wearing the silver pendant. A ring of lights orbits her head, matching the colors of the sage jewels. She looks around the room as a child inspects an anthill and an eerie murmur echoes through the room: “So much time has passed. I have so much catching up to do...”

She smiles darkly at you, and visions whip before your eyes. You see the flashes of foul plague experiments, rotting and diseases prisoners strapped to tables. A moment of Tahari scheming to bring down both the Plague Pharaoh and a powerful Div distracts you. A flash of Aryana as she lays atop a pile of Sarenite corpses, impaled on the sword of a dying planetar angel flickers through your vision. “Oh yes!” she purrs. “Good times, good times.”

To be continued....

As your senses come back to each of you there is a second form being dragged through a rip in reality. This one seems resistant, fighting against some unseen force and moving against its own volition. It wears worn, dented armor and its face is a haggard, despairing mess. ”I don’t want to do this, please no more… no more… just release me.’ It notices the party when the woman makes a gesture towards you. And even as it raises a ghostly flail to strike, it pleads, ”Please… destroy me! I beg you, free me from this witch’s control!”

If this wasn’t enough, the form of Tahonikepsu twitches, then suddenly shifts into her huge time dragon form. Her eyes appear dead and face slack, but the massive sage turns on all of you with all the appearance of an attack.

Good-aligned creatures can feel the powerful evil presence tainting the area, and such creatures that. approach within 30 feet of the spectre must succeed at a DC 15 Will save or become sickened and refuse to enter the location for 1 hour. You will be Auto-sickened if enter area and suffer a -2 save vs negative energy if you choose to enter even after making your save.

Knowledges - You may ask 1 question for every 5 you beat a check DC by.

Aaaaand, combat! No friends here. Be advised a lot is happening in this combat. You can fight the active bad guys, or you can enter the mind scapes and try to free the sages to get reinforcements!

Because you warded the Sages in advance, and did really well at the ritual, you get +6 to any skill checks within the mindscapes in which the sages are entrapped.

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Round 1 / 1

Active conditions: Resist Energy, Life Bubble (2 hours), Magic Circle vs Evil, Freedom of Movement

Fendel
Eadie
Rufeo+Ki’ala
Quenly + Dragon

================================

Ermias Dallia
Tahonikepsu

================================

Ariana

================================

Black Moon

================================

Dunia

BOLD is UP!

The ritual has concluded as far as you can tell. You can spell sling like mad! An hour has passed since the buffs were first cast!

One more detail. As you look upon these entrapped sages, some of you realize that a sage may have looked upon you more favorably than your fellows when you were engaging with them for the preparations.

Sinuhotep enjoyed meeting Eadie, Dunia, Quenly, and Rufeo.
Dhiara admired Eadie and Ariana
Padrym smiled upon Dunia and Fendel
Tahonikepsu gave approving nods to Quenly and Fendel.
Amenopheus looks lovingly on the Scarab Sage members, especially Quenly. Fendel is also a favorite.
Torch is not very sanguine, but he grudgingly respected Dunia and Eadie.
Mnenoset sparkled around Fendel, Quenly, Dunia.

Do with that information what you will.

Knowledge (religion) vs Weird sick: 1d20 + 22 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 22 + (2) = 25
Knowledge (religion) vs Float Ghost: 1d20 + 22 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 22 + (6) = 29
Knowledge (religion) vs Armored Spirit: 1d20 + 22 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 22 + (5) = 28
Knowledge (local) vs Armored Spirit: 1d20 + 22 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 22 + (6) = 38

Wow! I don't know what to say, I mean, this has never happened before. Ask anyone in Absalom. I know how to treat a knowledge. It's not a performance issue, I'm just a little tired is all.

Question for the Know Local:
#1 Special Attacks
#2 Weaknesses/vulnerabilities

The chaos of the moment momentarily overwhelms the detective's keen faculties. His mind swirls from Tahani's arrival. As he tries to formulate a response to the stimuli, he recalls fragments of information "...Ermias Dalla." He was tormented by...Anna? Ta-hanna? Tahani...TAHANI! The room quickly comes back into focus. He quickly assesses the situation. The physical threat presented by the fallen paladin has the smallest chance to affect our success, perhaps as high as twelve percent. Tahani herself, forty-eight percent. However, theory goes out the window when facing off against a dragon. Feeling he has no other viable option, Fendel sprints toward Tahonikepsu and leaps into the Sage's mindscape. Really Fen? Running at a dragon? crapcrapcrapcrapcrap.

Knowledge (Religion) (Weird Sick Feeling): 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 2 = 10
Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 2 = 27
Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 = 13
Knowledge (History) (Osirion): 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 13 + 2 + 3 = 26

The idea that everything could go horribly wrong is always in the back of Dunia's mind, and her lash is up and at the ready at the first sign of danger.

So she corrupted Ermias Dalla too...

I guess Ki'lala wanted out of her poke' ball.

"Ki...what are you doing..fine..protect me"

Rufeo then takes a five foot step and interacts with Sinuhtep's mindscape..

Ki'lala moves to Rufeo position and takes a protective posture....

Round #1: AC 25, T 14; resist energy (fire) 30, freedom of movement, life bubble, fly, hunter's blessing

I have no idea what the right thing to do is …

Eadie downs her open potion of fly. “Quenly, are you gonna get that incense going? Does Fendel need help, or are you going to blessing of fervor us?”

The warrior delays until after Quenly acts, and then advances 10’ to enter Dhiara’s mindscape.

She’s an admirable soul and seemed to like me …

Even as Tahari gloats at her apparent return, a ruby glow grows within Quenly. His features shift and his clothing changes, and another Garundi woman faces the necromancer. "Aryana Tahari, known also as Black Moon: the Order of Jeweled Sages condemns you!" says the Ruby Sage. Then, there is a brief flash of ruby light and Quenly is once more himself. Activating Mythic Legacy when initiative is rolled, setting Quenly's initiative die to 20 for a total of 33 including Hunter's Blessing.

So many options! Activate the incense, cast a spell, rescue a sage? I think we need to pile on Black Moon as soon as possible, after rescuing Tahonikepsu and preventing her from eating us all.

know.religion v weird sick feeling: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 11
know.religion v ghost: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 19 Got to assume that's Black Moon though!
know.religion v armoured spirit: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 12
know.history v armoured spirit: 1d20 + 22 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 22 + 2 + 1 = 30

Take to the air and close on the necromancer! When I activate the incense we need to hit her with everything we have - even mundane attacks will prove effective - before she can flee! Destroying her might free both the sages and poor Dalla there.

Quenly gestures, and shadowy streamers race out from him to touch his allies. Quenly casts Blessing of Fervour. I can't quite get everyone within the area of effect. Therefore the spell targets: Quenly, Eadie, Dunia, Dhiara, Torch, Fendel, Sinuhotep, Rufeo.

Quenly then flies up towards the ceiling of the library and towards Black Moon. I want to be within 30' of Eadie, Dunia and Rufeo, whilst physically more than a 5' step from Black Moon, if that is possible. As he moves he draws his rapier from its scabbard. Activating Scabbard of Vigour, giving the sword a +2 bonus for 5 rounds.

will save vs aura: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35 I can't see where the aura is on the map, I'm assuming it's just 30' around Black Moon.

Whilst broadcasting Quenly's thoughts to the pathfinders, his little dragon hides in the upper reaches of the library, spying on the battlefield. Keep everyone within 60' but try to stay out of sight of the enemies.

stealth, hunter's blessing: 1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 19 + 2 = 40

Fendel dives into the dragon’s mindscape.

An enormous violet dragon tiptoes through a library filled with mewling humanoid infants. Everywhere she turns she has to cautiously avoid crushing another helpless creature, and they cry out in alarm whenever she turns her attention to the truly interesting texts. She lies down in weary frustration. She looks mournfully at Fendel. “So many infants. So many innocents. You’re not much older than them, are you?” As she turns, another baby falls over, screaming, whacked upside the head by her giant tail. She looks anguished as the child convulses and goes utterly still. “I can’t help but hurt them, harm them. My studies cause them nothing but pain.” She closes her eyes, but tears stream down anyway. “Maybe I should just give up. They’re better off without me.”

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

While in a mindscape, you may make three skill checks as a full-round action.

You can assist her in carrying out her work, help her relax, or remind her of her responsibilities with Diplomacy, Fly, Knowledge (nobility), Linguistics, Perform (any), or Profession (librarian or teacher) checks. Bonuses for great RP.

Rufeo dives into Sinuhotep’s mindscape.

A mortal Sinuhotep traverses a catacomb with a conjured djinni ally who saves him from numerous perils, at one point flying him out of harms’ way. “Sinu, you’ll never fall in my arms.”

Mists swirl through the vision.

The djinni is under attack. “Help me, Sinu! Please!”

Sinuhotep hesitates, faced with the choice of aiding the djinni or escaping with an ancient jar, he flees with the jar in his hands as a faintly visible spirit of Aryana Tahari urges him on. “It is only a conjured creature. You’re the important one, darling. Look out for you”, she purrs.

The mist swirls again.

In a ritual chamber, Sinuhotep cuts the living heart out of a sphinx and looks up to see Tahari smiling at him.

More mist. The world shifts to a cavernous chamber where Sinuhotep drinks from a poisonous chalice and collapses as Tahari cradles his head. “Yes, yes... Just a little bit more.”

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

You can feel the guilt as Sinuhotep’s eyes widen as he sees you. “Go away, leave me to my own shame... No wonder she won. She was with me all along!”

You can try to interact with him to pull him out of this with Diplomacy, Knowledge (arcana or religion), Perform (oratory), or Sense Motive. Three checks may be tried as a full round action.

The detective approaches the dragon with empathy not normally demonstrated. The unfamiliar feeling makes him slightly uncomfortable. "You speak the truth. Mere decades is all that stands between myself and these mewling infants. How terrible a burden it must be to care so greatly for all you come into contact with."

Fendel takes a moment to straighten a few tomes before continuing. "I am certain you are aware that cultures across Golarian each have their own creation myths. In most, dragons play a poignant role in that race's development. Your seem to be immersing yourself in all those histories now, and it is drowning you. Great monarchs experience a similar flood of responsibility; the needs of their subjects often in direct conflict with a nation's greater well-being. Having the desire to provide succor for each individual, but knowing the nigh impossibility of that task. So, they must choose as best they can, to act in the best interest of the many and hope that can be enough. That by lifting a nation, even the least life is improved."

"That is the role you play here. You allow those around you to reach heights that would otherwise be unattainable. Not for something as base as glory or immortality. You do it because deep down, in your soul, you can conceive of no other way to view the world."

The detective surveys the room again. "Look at every life here. Each one, right now, has limitless potential. All that they will ever be, for good or ill, still lies before them. Their latent futures are not anchors of responsibility to weigh you down. You should rather be of bolstered spirit. See them as they are, unfurled sails awaiting winds to carry them across the oceans of life. When your time comes to an end, these few you have touched will carry on as captains, shipwrights and sail-stitchers for the next generation until they are then ready to launch their own vessels upon the tides of creation."

The detective places a consoling hand on the dragon's cheek as he wipes away a single tear. Looking directly into her eyes, "Right now, continue to be a shining lighthouse in the night. That has always been enough."

Knowledge, Nobility: 1d20 + 22 + 1d6 ⇒ (16) + 22 + (6) = 44
Linguistics: 1d20 + 19 + 1d6 ⇒ (14) + 19 + (1) = 34
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 12 + (1) = 26

Rufeo will try three actions as a full round

"Sinuhotep, do not dwell on the past. You can not change it. She won back then, but now. Now you can help us defeat her."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15
diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29
diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

Just realized that I did not include the +6 bonus for the ritual or the +2 from Hunter's Blessing.

Eadie dives into Dhiara’s mindscape.

Birds sing overhead, and the air is crisp and clear. Dhiara meditates within a mountain monastery, sitting cross-legged in the middle of the stone courtyard.

“Please help me!” A young girl in rags runs in, terror on her face. There’s a minotaur chasing her, hooves pounding. Dhiara rises to help, but the minotaur gores the child to death. Then the minotaur ages, crumbling to dust.

“Dhiara! I am Ironaxe, King of the Five Mountains! Hobgoblins enslave my people! Please help us!” Dhiara runs, and mist swirls and you’re in a different set of mountains, but when you arrive, knights are already there. You try to help, but the knights slay the hobgoblins, before you can act, cutting through them faster than a scythe through wheat. Before they clean their blades, orcs fell the knights in turn, all falling into dust. The world continues in this fashion, the cycle unending.

“It’s moving too fast!” Dhiara exclaims. She rushes from place to place, always too late to save those who call for her help, and always the monsters crumble to dust before she can even avenge the victims. Her hands drop, and she stands there, panting and helpless, before the never ending parade of pain and misery.

She turns to Eadie. “Have you come to beg for help too? I’ll fail you, like I do everyone else.”

★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★

Dhiara is lost in contemplation on the futility of action against the unstoppable flow of time. You can snap her out of her obsession with successful combat maneuver checks or Knowledge (history or religion) or Perform (oratory) checks. In place of a combat maneuver or skill check, you can deal 20 points of damage with an attack or spell to one of the monsters in her visions to demonstrate that it is possible to make a difference and break Tahari's control. You may attempt three of those checks as a full round action.

Dunia grits her teeth and takes up a defensive position. Quenly casts Blessing of Fervor upon the party. Ki’ala loyally protects Rufeo, who is still locked in Sinuhotep’s mind.

1 success for Rufeo so far.

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Meanwhile, back in Tahonikepsu’s mindscape, Fendel’s eloquence, and the touch of his hand, cause Tahonikepsu to blink for a moment. Then, she bows down, touching her forehead to Fendel's. “Thank you, my child, for reminding me who I was, and for reminding me that no task like this is accomplished alone.”

I added in your +6 from the ritual, the bonuses you already had with Tahonikepsu, and gave you +4 (the maximum that the scenario allows me to offer) as an RP bonus.

“I AM A DRAGON! THIS IS MY MIND!” Tahonikepsu shouts and the entire library shakes like it is in an earthquake. Books start to tumble to the floor, but Tahonikepsu waves a claw and they flip back, falling up, and replace themselves on the shelves. “MY MIND!” she roars again.

The dead toddler wakes up, laughing, and countless parents, grandparents and caregivers swoop into the library, scooping up the infants and whisking them to safety. Tahonikepsu lowers her head so that Fendel may mount. “Let us ride out of here, Fendel! We have work to do!” Then Tahonikepsu takes flight, and the library walls turn to mist...

★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★

... and Fendel tumbles out of the mindscape, landing back in the present. Tahonikepsu shakes, her head clearing.

Meanwhile, Ermias calls out in Ancient Osirioni, “Forgive me! I cannot help what I do. The witch has my soul in her tainted hands!” He smites and charges Ariana!

light flail+charge+smite: 1d20 + 20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 20 + 2 + 4 = 29
Damage+Smite+Acid Damage: 1d8 + 9 + 10 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 10 + (2, 6) = 31

Then Tahonikepsu acts! Interposing herself between the party and Black Moon, she breathes electricity on the ghost, though only half the damage goes through.. “THAT WAS MY MIND, YOU NECROMANTIC PARASITE!”

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Round 1 / 1

Active conditions: Resist Energy, Life Bubble (2 hours), Magic Circle vs Evil, Freedom of Movement, Blessing of Fervor

Fendel
Eadie (in a mindscape)
Rufeo (in a mindscape) + Ki’ala
Quenly + Dragon

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Ermias Dallia

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Tahonikepsu
Ariana

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Black Moon (-17)

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Dunia

BOLD is up!

Just realized that I did not include the +6 bonus for the ritual or the +2 from Hunter's Blessing.

Nor did Rufeo. Hunter's Blessing only affects certain skills though: vs the selected enemy type (undead in this case), a +2 sacred bonus to Bluff, Sense Motive, Perception and Survival (as well as +2 sacred bonus to attack and damage rolls against that enemy type); whilst in the selected terrain (underground in this case), + 2 sacred bonus to initiative, Perception, Stealth, Survival.

I gave Rufeo the benefit of the +6, but he had two terrible rolls. I double-checked the Hunter’s Blessing; it applied to neither mindscape. Do remember that you can also earn a roleplay bonus, and that some of the Sages may be predisposed towards certain characters. Knock it out of the park, guys!

I realized that I should have bolded Eadie as well as Dunia, as Eadie can act within the mindscape! Both are up!

Dunia & Eadie, or Ariana and Eadie? I'm assuming I've got some necromantic nastiness to survive still before my turn.

Bah. Eadie and Ariana.. My brain did something weird there.

Hmm

“I’ll fail you, like I do everyone else.”

“Impossible.”

Eadie smiles and taps her right temple before placing her hand over her heart. “Your kindness, courage and example will live within me for as long as I live.”

“As I share those values with others –– including my own children perhaps –– your own legacy reinforces your success in perpetuity.”

falchion + PA + FF on minotaur: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (13) + 20 = 33
magic adamantine slashing damage: 2d4 + 22 ⇒ (4, 4) + 22 = 30

falchion + PA + no FF on minotaur: 1d20 + 20 - 3 ⇒ (8) + 20 - 3 = 25
magic adamantine slashing damage: 2d4 + 22 ⇒ (1, 1) + 22 = 24

falchion + PA + no FF on minotaur: 1d20 + 20 - 3 ⇒ (5) + 20 - 3 = 22
magic adamantine slashing damage: 2d4 + 22 ⇒ (1, 4) + 22 = 27

Meanwhile back in Dhiara’s mindscape, Eadie shows Dhiara a vision of her own, then leaps into the fray in a whirlwind of attacks. As Eadie does so, she finds that in this mindscape her blows are far more accurate and controlled than she might expect. After the third blow, Dhiara leaps up. “You’re right, my wise companion. Together!”

Eadie and the monk double team the enemies that rush at them, and now time slows, and its the enemies that can’t keep up. You smash through the armies that come at you and then Dhiara concentrates, and kicks powerfully at the mist that surrounds you both. She kicks a hole in the mindscape, and offers a hand to Eadie. “Come!”

Eadie tumbles back into the real world, next to a very awake and alert Dhiara. The Topaz Sage grins, then tumbles next to the Black Moon’s ghost in a readied stance, preparing to punch the ghost should it cast a spell.

All allies within 30 feet of Dhiara gain a +1 bonus to Dodge and their Reflex Saves.

"I forgive you. I understand what it's like to not be in your own mind." She swings with all her power in the attacks.

+3 Adamantine Bastard Sword Attack, BOF: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 18 = 21
Damage: 1d10 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19

+3 Adamantine Bastard Sword Attack Attack, BOF: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35
Damage: 1d10 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26

+3 Adamantine Bastard Sword Attack Attack, BOF: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33
Damage: 1d10 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17

He's probably immune to crits, but just in case.
Crit confirm +3 Adamantine Bastard Sword Attack Attack, BOF: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 18 = 21
Damage: 1d10 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25

Crit Confirm +3 Adamantine Bastard Sword Attack Attack, BOF: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19
Damage: 1d10 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20

Apologizing back as she slashes at the corrupted Grave Knight, Ariana cuts him twice, but his armor prevents her from slashing too deeply.

She didn’t manage to confirm the crits.

I also should mention that Ermias has an Aura of Despair. Those within ten feet of him take a -2 to saving throws.

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Then it is the Black Moon’s turn. “You thieves just stole two of my lovely jewels from me. Fortunately though, I have others!” The Amethyst, Onyx, Sapphire, Emerald and Spinel jewels all glow as she says this. The Onyx and Spinel both have mindscapes shimmering before them, though no sages stand there. Tellingly, the Diamond and Topaz gems remain inert, their mindscapes shattered.

Then she concentrates, and the Onyx gem that once belonged to Padrym bursts with a black light.

Defensive Casting: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (14) + 20 = 34

“Your jewels?!” Dhiara punches Black Moon in the face with her readied action as the ghost begins casting. “I beg to differ.”

Black Moon’s Concentration Check: 1d20 + 20 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 20 - 5 = 34

“Oh, you punch things. Why did they ever choose you for one of my jewels?’ Black Moon laughs, easily completing and pumping out three spells.

A cloud of noxious gas starts rolling out from Black Moon, but to her disappointment it bounces off the Life Bubble. Then shining motes of glitter drop down on Dhiara, Tahonikepsu and Quenly. Both the dragon and the elvish monk manage to shake off the glitter.

Quenly, Will Save DC 20 or Blinded

Meanwhile she points a ball of fire at Fendel.

Flame Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 1) = 5

Fendel, Reflex DC 20 to avoid both the damage and being dazed.

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Round 1 / 2

Active conditions: Resist Energy, Life Bubble (2 hours), Magic Circle vs Evil, Freedom of Movement, Blessing of Fervor

Fendel
Eadie
Rufeo (in a mindscape) + Ki’ala
Quenly + Dragon

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Ermias Dallia. (-43)

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Tahonikepsu
Dhiara
Ariana

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Black Moon (-23)
Captive Jewels

• Amethyst
  
• Diamond
  
• Emerald
  
• Sapphire
  
• Spinel
  
• Topaz

================================

Dunia

BOLD is up!

will vs glitter: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31

Fendel has Resist Fire 30, so shouldn't need to worry about the flaming sphere.

spellcraft, jewels: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 11 + 2 + 1 = 27
spellcraft, onyx: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 11 + 2 + 1 = 26
spellcraft, spells: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 26

I've applied the elf bonus to identify magic items to the jewel spellcraft checks, seems appropriate.

That... that was impossible! Tahari is drawing power from the trapped sages and her connection to the jewels. We must free our allies.

will post actions later.... should really sleep now.

You do have the incense.

Round #2: AC 29, T 14 (18 vs incorporeal); blessing of fervor, fly, shield, resist energy (fire) 30, freedom of movement, life bubble, hunter's blessing

“Guys, is Padrym gone?” Eadie sounds shocked, as she ✨casts shield from her ioun stone.

Her anxiety increases at Quenly’s telepathic cry, though his ethereal SHOUT also *slaps* her into making a quick decision.

She strides 20’ in Torch’s direction, diving helm-first into his mindscape.

@Ariana, have you included the +2 bonus to attack and damage vs undead from hunter's blessing? :)