How to paint a Raven Silver (Hell's Rebels)

Game Master Jesper Roland Sørensen

You open the door and see an antique wooden desk sits in the southwestern corner of this room, attended by a high-backed chair with tufts of stuffing protruding here and there from its rotting cushions. Partially broken shelves sit against the north and east walls, and strange symbols of a one-eyed insectile face have been painted on the walls along with curving lines of strange, sinister script.

In the room stands the big red outsider, it turns around at the sound of the door opening and starts talking with you. "What is this? Oh you must excuse me I wasn't expecting company. Since you are here I guess you already dispatched a few cultists and you gnome looks like you fell in the old trap the former inhabitants left behind. I am the guardmaster, you may call me Elgadazum servant of the great Mahatallah." he says looking you up and down.

Before speaking or entering the room, Mirabella takes a moment to study the outsider, hoping to identify it.

Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

From Mirabella's memory this outsider looks like a Barbazu or more commonly called a bearded devil, and an unuseally strong version of it, compared to those she learnt about in her studies.

It has the advanced template. It has DR good or silver, is resistant to magic and has the useal devil immunities and resistances towards energy.

Would Mirabella know anything about how it has come to be here? Is it likely that it has been summoned and bound to this room or tasked with a specific mission?

No it would require you to be around when the spell that willed the devil here was being cast. We are in Cheliax after all Devils are rather commonplace. You could maybe try and detect magic and see if any auras linger in the room, but depending on how long it has been since the summon it could be gone by now.

"I did fall. I'm a little of my game today. What do you do here as the grandmaster?"

Kn: Planes: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

'A Devil!' thought Logan, 'Horrible spiteful things that twist your words and resist all but blessed blades and silver... Oh I have some alchemical weapon blanche.'

Probably not super practical to apply it, it requires a flame and a full round action to apply.

While the devil is busy being chatty, Jack switches his silver blade into his main hand.

:)

Mirabella joins Bicks in adressing the dangerous devil.

”We are honored to meet you, Guardmaster Elgadazum. Like you, we were not expecting this encounter. What is a Barbazu, and especially one so strong and mighty as yourself doing in such decrepid surroundings? Surely, the great Matahallah would have more important tasks for such a worthy servant than guarding a damp ruin.”

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

Elgadazum smiles and nods his head at Mirabella's aknowledgement of his power. "Why my dear halfling, while this place is rather decrepid the cult of Matahallah must often work in the shadows of the world, and that sometimes leaves us with no choice in where we do our soul collecting. As for why I am here, I was called to serve the cult in return for the thirteenth soul collected here. Can you answer me this little philosophical question: Is a soul of equal worth no matter how long it has been bound in the flesh? Are a soul more worthy after it reaches adulthood rather than in is adolescent stage? the devil says as he is walking back and forth, waiting for your responds to the little question he asked you.

Droplets of cold sweat start to trickle down the back of Mirabella's neck as Elgadazum engages in seemingly casual banter. Her upbringing in Cheliax has taught her that the words of devils are never to be taken lightly, and she senses a trap within the question.

Children...he's talking about harvesting the souls of children, she thinks to herself as she suppresses a shudder and tries to recall her knowledge of Mahathallah, her history and teachings.

"Who can truly tell the worth of a soul? Those who cling to traditional dogma would say that only Pharasma can judge the value of the soul, but didn't Mahathallah herself abandoned her place beside the bone spire to show us that fate and destiny is shrouded in mystery? When you claim the soul that was promised to you, will it not be your right to judge it's worth?"

I'm freestyling off the knowledge roll Mirabella made earlier. Based on that result, I estimate that she knows some very basic facts about the religion, but not enough to get into a deep theological debate.

"You have the right in your words there little one. It's true that I deem whatever or not the soul is worthy for me when I claim my payment. But to be honest most of my kind thinks a soul is a soul, no matter it's time on the material plane. But I like to think further as the teachings of Mahatallah says. Young or old, newly initiates from the asmodean church or well trained dottari, they are all worthy souls, when they disrupt and pervert the Soul Anchors." He responds saying the last part with a bit of anger in his voice and him tightens his grip on the ranseur he is holding.

"You are absolutely right, mighty Elgadazum. Such interference must not be tolerated. Forgive my ignorance, I am not as well versed in the function of Soul Anchors as you. How are these souls corrupting them?" Mirabella continues, shrinking back from angry reaction in the almost instinctual way that most halflings in Cheliax have adopted as a defense against violence and punishment.

She shoots a quick glance at her companions, hoping that they are using the distracting conversation to prepare for the conflict that seems inevitable.

Jack gives Mirabella the slightest of nods, hoping she'll keep the devil talking.

She shoots a quick glance at her companions, hoping that they are using the distracting conversation to prepare for the conflict that seems inevitable.

Jack switching his silver weapon to his main hand is about all he can do to better fight the devil (single attack per round, maybe using two hands to nudge up the damage a bit). I hope other folks have better tricks up their sleeves....

"Mighty Elgadazum, these soul anchors seem very powerful, what can they do?"

Once the current questions have been answered Bicks asks, "Is the soul collecting a task you revel in? Are you working for the Cult of Mahatallah or do they work for you or is it more of a partnership?"

"Soul Anchors are items which has corrupted the River of Souls and which perserves the memory of mortals into the afterlife, but on the Fateless day they stop the flow of the River of Souls allowing a departed to travel along a secret path in the afterlife that bypasses Pharasma's judgment completely. As for how or even why I can't think of any reason why they would. But it alerted Mahatallah that someone was incroaching on her domain and send the Cult here to get answers from the Asmodeans and they called me for aid." He answers and turns his attention to Bicks. "I think those changelings in the cult enjoys collecting souls for their mother while serving Mahatallah also. All devils revel in the collecting of souls, both those we are offered and those we take ourselves." He says with a big grin showing of all this razor sharp teeth.

"I see..."

Bicks looks at the group expressing his loss for words.

Planes on the creature: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (20) + 8 + (3) = 31

"If you would please, forgive my ignorance. My godess is Milani so information on the afterlife is not something I've studied at great depth. Was this stoppage of the River of Souls a recent event? I mean in the mortal sense of time of course."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Know Religion RE River of Souls: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Bicks you know it's an advanced bearded devil and all it's special defenses and attacks.

Mirabella doesn't know much about the River of Souls other than it belongs to Pharasma's domain and ferries souls to her jugdement.

"Ah a milanite you soul could be a great deal more worth than any of these asmodean worshipper. I believe the last one was three years ago, you non worshipper probably know it better by Leap Day." Elgadazum responds.

Leap day happens on Golarion every 8 year the last was in the year 4712 and we are now in the last quarter of 4715, an extra day is added to the Calistri month giving it 29 days instead of 28 days just like we do in february every 4th year.

Mirabella slips her hand into her satchel and palms her oil of bless weapon as she quickly scans her companions to see who lack weapons capable of penetrating the devil’s defenses.

”Just out of curiosity...what would happen if the one who summoned you here was unable to deliver the promised payment?” she asks, straightening in defiance and a hard edge replacing the appeasing tone in her voice.

”You see, we might have certain moral objections to the harvest of my friend’s soul...or anyone else’s for that matter!”

Mirabella is just about done being polite...everyone else ready to smack devil booty?

Bless weapon might be useful for Logan. He has an alchemical weapon blanch but that doesn't work the way I thought it did (lasts for 1 hit only) and without a fire it can't be applied anyway. Pretty nifty for ammunition though.
Logan finds himself trembling the Devil would come for their souls he was certain of it and he wasn't entirely sure they could stop it.

Bicks is ready. Ya, blanches are amazing for arrows and bad for melee. I learned that the hard way. I would say you can grab Bick's star knife if you want it's MW and silver but it is small.

canacha has nothing and no practical demon/devil knowledge so doesnt really know better

Mirabella has a silver morning star, but like Bicks’ it’s small sized.

... Ya, blanches are amazing for arrows and bad for melee.

After reading up...it works on all kinds of ammunition...including bullets...and can be made using the alchemy skill. It even bypasses the action economy issue, since you can just coat the bullets before heading out. Just putting it out there for any trigger-happy chemistry types who might be interested.

Weapon Blanch on ranged ammo is one of my go to preps. I get an efficient quiver, and go blanch crazy. Never without the type of weapon you need.

[ooc]Lena will attack when anyone's patience ends. She can do some smiting. Her morningstar is silver. Because of course you'd fight a devil at some point. All clerics do."[/b]

Bicks is getting itchy the creature is giving he the creeps. He panics and casts burst of radiance.

Looks like we’re ready to roll initiative. Mirabella will start singing and hand her oil off to Logan.

"Hmph enough talking I see, I will thank you for indulging me in striving off my boredom. Now let me collect your souls." Elgadazum says reading his reach weapon.

Elgadazum takes a step closer to the door and swings his glaive at Jack. Seems I mixed up the weapons and called it a Ranseur earliere

Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Damage: 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Jack takes a hit and the wound left behind bleeds heavily, he grins at Jack as he sees the wound he inflicted. Infernal wounds: 2 bleed damage on Elgadazum's turn, Heal dc 17 to stop it and if you try to heal you must overcome a DC 16 caster level check

Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Blind: 1d4 ⇒ 4rounds
Damage: 4d4 ⇒ (4, 4, 2, 2) = 12
Bicks' Burst of Radiance comes of just after the devil has attack Jack, seeming to blind the creature and hurting it a little bit.

Combat Round 1
Elgadazum (DMG: 12)
Bicks, Logan, Lena, Mirabella, Canacha, Jack

I think Bicks' just made this combat alot easiere then I was expecting.

Life link heals Jack for 5hp on Bicks' turn Bicks takes 5 damage, which with the roll should stop the infernal wound.

CL: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Bick moves into flank and attacks.

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 251d3 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

[ooc]I will be posting from my phone from now to Monday so if someone could move me around the map that would be great. Thank you.[/occ]

She had no clue really what was going on, but she saw Bicks rush in and that thing hit Jack...Her jack! and she growled rushing forward. She regret that almost immeadiately once she stepped into the room.

"Oh.... uh."

She began in her unearthly tone and she darted further into the room away from teh devil leaping up on the desk in the corner and readying her pistol to get a good shot lined up.

acrobatics DC 10 to 12 ish to hop onto the desk: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

double move into the room to clear the bottleneck

Combat Notes: hp 27/39; inspire courage; flanking; Bicks's life link).

Jack grunts as the devil's glaive pierces his flesh. The blood spray is frightful, but a moment later Jack feels a bit better and realizes that Bicks's boon has kicked in. He takes a careful (5-foot) step toward the creature, flanking opposite the plucky gnome. Then, using two hands for extra power, he jabs the silver blade toward the devil's chest.

silver shortsword (two-handed; IC, flanking): 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 24 for piercing, silver damage: 1d6 + 3 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 - 1 + 1 = 8

Logan wasn't the least bit surprised when combat broke out, it was a devil after all come for their souls! Naturally he was got to do everything in his power to prevent that starting with a defensive spell. He whispered a strange word and suddenly a wedge shaped shard of force sprang into being and it moved to interpose itself between Logan and the Devil.
Casting Shield, AC=19

Then Logan snarled angrily in the way only an aristocrat could, "You talk too much devil, we're gonna make you bleed!"
Intimate to demoralize: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22

Not used Intidate yet, let's see if this works.

Mirabella launches into an inspirational song and hands off her oil of bless weapon to Logan.

Jack you can't add the two handed bonus on a light weapon like short swords according to the rules.
"Light: A light weapon is used in one hand. It is easier to use in one’s off hand than a one-handed weapon is, and can be used while grappling (see Combat). Add the wielder’s Strength modifier to damage rolls for melee attacks with a light weapon if it’s used in the primary hand, or half the wielder’s Strength bonus if it’s used in the off hand. Using two hands to wield a light weapon gives no advantage on damage; the Strength bonus applies as though the weapon were held in the wielder’s primary hand only."

It is no problem for Jack and Bicks hitting the blinded devil dealing some damage with their silver weapons.

Combat Round 1
Elgadazum (DMG: 25)
Bicks, Logan, Lena, Mirabella, Canacha, Jack

Lena uses the Fervor of her goddess, and casts Divine Favor on herself. Then she casts a Good blessing on her weapon. She moves into position right next to the devil. "Bicks move when you get a chance. I'll take your place."

"Who am I to argue with that."

"Wretched mortals, know that you victory here will mean nothing Lucella has been warned of your intrusion here and are finishing her sacrifices as we speak. Those poor young souls only have moments left to live now." Elgadazum says before he blinded and demoralized he turns towards the sound of Lena talking next to him. He drops his weapon and starts clawing with all his might at Lena and the first claw connects with Lena but the second misses by a large margin.

Miss chance, Low is good for me: 1d100 ⇒ 19
Attack Lena: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Miss chance, Low is good for me: 1d100 ⇒ 45
Attack Lena: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Combat Round 2
Elgadazum (DMG: 25)
Bicks, Logan, Lena, Mirabella, Canacha, Jack (Bleed 2)

Logan gladly accepts the oil from Lena and rubs it into his weapon. He then darts forwards, brushing past Jack to move into position.

On my phone, can't edit the map. Aiming to end up just north of Lena. I don't think it gets an aoo due to blindness but if it does Logan has AC19 currently.

I think Bicks' life link took care of Jack's bleed damage.

The devil's furious exclamation triggers a memory for Mirabella.
"Lucella? Wasn't that the name of the sweets seller with the eyepatch? Could she be one of the cultists?"

Sensing that time is of the essence, she maintains her inspirational song and lashes out with her whip to aid Lena strike true with her blessed weapon.

Whip - aid another (Lena, +4 attack), flanking, IC: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 27 vs AC 10

Dang, too bad you can't crit on an Aid Another :-)

Sounding disgusted Logan cried, "She's the one that came onto me. I knew there was something rotten about her although I thought it was just her customers teeth!"

@Mirabella you are correct! I misread the infernal wounds as if you needed to do both a heal check to stop it and heal it magically.

Lena heals 5. Bicks takes it.

Attack : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 121d3 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Then he will move to make room for Lena

Jack keeps the pressure on, stabbing with his silver blade.

silver short sword (IC, flanking): 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 14 for piercing, silver damage: 1d6 + 2 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 - 1 + 1 = 7

Lena steps into the space that Bicks left, and swings at their enemy with her silver Morning Star. "You won't be here to receive those souls."

Masterwork Silver Morning Star, Flank, Divine Favor: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 5 + (5) = 11

deadly point blank precise focused aim: 1d20 + 9 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 2 - 1 = 23
damage: 1d8 + 1 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 3 + 2 = 7

She took aim at the devil her breathing slowing almost pausing.... boom dead center. Not even looking she began to reload her pistol only glancing up when Lena spoke... She blinked incrediusly. She had hit it dead center it .. it should be. She closed her eyes for a second and made a face.

"Stupid Devils."

She said with a pout reloading with one of her silver bullets.

Casting defensively: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

"Danmable mortals, know that we will meet again and that I will be stonger than you can possible imagine. Goodbye small birds, I will claim your souls yet!" Elgadazum says as he starts making gestures of a spell being cast and speaks a few choice words of power before he begins to disappear into thin air.

You feel the devils pressence has disappeared from the room, yet a sense of ugency still hangs in the air.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

"Where'd it go?" shouted Logan in confusion.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

"I don't know, but we had better find him fast - and his master. It sounded like innocents might be in severe danger." Mirabella replies before changing the tune of her song to reveal the devil, if it has gone invisible.

Switch performance to Limening verse. Any evil outsider within 20 ft of Mirabella will glow with faerie fire, even while invisible. Are there any exits to the room other than the door we entered through?