Legacy of Fire

Game Master Megan Robertson

Watching helplessly as Silena attempts to scramble for cover, Barezata grimaces as she sees the demon deal two more terrible wounds to the half-elf. But with Silena's sacrifice, the droning ceases and Barezata feels herself suddenly free from the demonic influence. Without spells to save Silena, she settles for a desperate attack on the demon, hoping against hope that slaying it might free Sonya from its influence. She looks for an opening, and sees that the demon's reach toward Silena has opened up a gap in its armor where its head meets its body.
Move action to study demon.
Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
Damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Confirm: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
Extra Damage if Confirmed: 1d8 + 9 + 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 + (5) + 9 = 27

Staring fascinated at the colors, Sonya is completely unaware of the world around her. Luckily, for her companions, she is a fount of the Everlights divine healing. A power she does not have to direct to be effective.

Round 2 Silena heals 5 hp Sonya loses 5 hp from Berezata's attack.

The arrow wound in Selina's back slowly begins to stitch itself closed as a similar wound begins to open on Sonya hidden to all by her clothes.

Round 3 since I go before the demon Selina will heal another 5.

The bites sting lessens as it begins to burn Sonya.

Yes, he should be at a -4 to all attacks cause of my curse since he failed his save. If that is -4 gods help us all. Also Megan since I am taking damage does that break the fascination effect?

Silena, wakes... the glow of...dawn's light in her eyes...confusion fills her... along with a calm silence.. no.. its HER Silence spell still running.. but there is no doubt in her mind that the healing light of hope fills her closing her wounds filling her with vitality.. and pushing away the claws of darkness frantically grabbing at her spirit trying to draw her soul to the boneyard.. and her Master.

But the Midnight Lord ... is anything if ...patient... she will keep.. and he can still suckle the sweet nectar of her living pain... that game is still his... playing with his play-things is what he does best... and oh how he enjoys the teasing pain of disappointment... Even his Own! It just makes the ultimate consummation of her life's ENDING all the more enticing...slaking a gnawing hunger for the creative new torments he will have awaiting her~ all in 'good' time, his last words for her a mad laughter and admonishment, "SUFFER WELL!"

Silena is at 2 hit points and conscious.

@ Sonya - I do believe you are correct taking damage breaks fascination effects!

Sonya, you regain your senses.

And yes, everyone who pointed it out, the demon ought to have been at -4 to attack. Still got a couple of whallops in, alas.

Just to ensure I have Sonya's HP correct. Barezata went before the demon's confusion so she shot him not Selina. At my turn on Round 2 no one had damage, so I was confused and fascinated. Round 2 Selina cut the confusion effect then got hit. On my turn in Round 3, my life link healed Selina for 5 and freed me from the fascination effect, thus I should get an action on round 3.

Round 3
Staring fascinated at the colors, Sonya is completely unaware of the world around her. Luckily, for her companions, she is a fount of the Everlights divine healing. A power she does not have to direct to be effective. The demon's bite on Selina begins to close as similar marks open upon Sonya. The burning sensation awaken Sonya from her stupor. She takes a moment to assess her situation and quickly realizes Silena has been bitten. "It burns, doesn't it. That searing of your arms. It will drive you mad. Crazy enough to resort to something as base as biting us just to avoid using those useless appendages."

Her thoughts go to Silena who she can feel suffering through the life link. "Hold out just a touch longer. I know you are strong enough to get through this." Sonya quickly moves to Hijero and places her arm on the tiny fox, blocking his view of the color spray and breaks his fascination. "Hijero, you are needed. Wake up!"

Yeah before I post again.. I need to know did Barazata's first shot go into Xulthos? Cause that would give Silena back 12 hit points... and reduce Xulthos by 12. Silena is lying on the ground 15'ft from Xulthos currently out of reach...

Barezata's first shot did go into Xulthos :)

Silena stands in silence, her wounds clearly closing from the healing light of the Dawnflower, hefting her Great Axe - Fiendfell and pulling a potion from her belt pouch in the same motion.

Move Action: Stand & Draw potion

She drinks the potion of healing... and more of her wounds close.

Standard Action: drink Cure Light Wounds potion 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Round 3

Barezata gets off a magnificent shot which clearly rattles the demon. An arrow sticking out of your shoulder tends to have that effect!

Sonya moves over to Hijiro to help him regain his senses and composure.

Xulthos snarls and flails his tail around, beginning to move towards Silena...

... who is busy drinking a potion and feeling the better for it.

Hijiro is now in his right mind and may act next round.

Next round's actions and rolls, please.

Sonya rises from waking Hijero and turns back to the demon. "Too much pain to even speak now beast?" She taunts him again, sensing through her life link how damaged Silena truly is.

Silena heals another 5 hp. Sonya Takes 5.

Sonya's eyes burn fiercely as she taunts the demon. She focuses her righteous anger into a glourious flame, channeled in her hand. She focuses the fire and launches a ray of heat at Xulthos. The flames should be hot to Silena who is so near them, but in stead she seems protected by them, inspired by them.

Cast Scorching Ray - Attack vs. Touch AC 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 Silena Heals 2 HP and gains a +1 morale bonus on attacks for 1 round.

Hijiro tries to get into flank on the demon ...

acrobatics to avoid aoo: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28

to hit, cold iron rapier: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 2 = 19
dmg if hits: 1d6 + 1 + 3d6 ⇒ (6) + 1 + (3, 2, 5) = 17

Silena feels the heat of the Sun Goddess engulf her... mixed with the icey cold steely feeling of the Midnight Lord's power flowing through her is a unique sensation.. one she can't quite ever before remember experiencing! But the power of the two deities filling her her mind is cleared of the debilitating pain from her injuries as her wounds close and Iron resolve fills her.

Her eyes instantly catch on Xulthos lurching toward her tail stinger seeking to pierce her... and Hijiro moving in in a acrobatic tumble to try to find an angel to get a strike in on the fiend's unprotected flank.

Silena reacts timing her charge to meet the Fiend halfway.. providing Hijiro with his flanking attack while brings Fiendfell down in a vicious hacking arc into Xulthos!

...all in utter silence!

Charge Attack: Move 10'ft {as needed} w/Fiendfell-Great Axe 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 19
- Mods: Charge {+2}, Bless {+1}, Divine Favor {+2}, Sonya 'fire-Blessing' {+1}

FIENDFELL-Great Axe Damage: 1d12 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9
- Mods: Divine Favor {+2}

Barezata feels the battle tilting in the team's favor and fires off two more arrows hoping to help end the battle.
Attack 1: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
Damage 1: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Attack 2: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Damage 2: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Round 4

Barezata braces and shoots again... dropping the demon!

combat over

Silena takes no chances as she hefts her Great Axe - Fiendfell again and beheads the demon... just to make sure it is truly OVER!

With that... Silena draws Leopard's Paw and slips it into her belt pouch closing the pouch to suspend the Silence effect...

Turning, there is anger in her expression at Barazata... but surveying the scene she slowly relaxes and smiles, "...Sweet victory my friends!"

And she laughs...

"Gods, I don't know what came over me there Silena. Something the demon did. At least we have defeated it. Are you going to be all right?"

That demon is well and truly dead now :)

Barezata will help with searching the room, being particularly careful to look for traps and any other demon trickery.
Take 20 for 30 on Perception.

Silena will nod smiling painfully,"..I'll live, which is enough. If I had any idea of his droning influence before hand I would have opened the fight with a silence effect; but no matter. Xulthos is dead and none of us are... that is an acceptable end."

Turning to Sonya, "..what next Sun Priestess?"

Sonya stares stunned at the demon's defeat. "That seemed, too easy." Her voice trails off for a moment before continuing, "I guess he could have been weakened by his captivity. It just seems odd that the clerics here could not defeat him and were forced to seal him away. "

No matter, you each have my thanks. Silena, are you injured still?"

Sonya will makes her way to the injured cleric and lay hands upon her wounds, letting Sarenrae's divine fire cleanse the wound.

What is your HP at Silena?

Silena smiles tiredly, "...the deamon... was not a combatant, its power was in it's debilitating emanating drone and clearly confusion effects! Remember we ALL almost were debilitated by its effects! In fact it seemed as if I might have had to fight it alone for a few moments... but for my silence spell we would have all fallen! But once that effect was neutralized... it was butcher's meat. Be thankful, he was arrogant and assured of his victory and did not do what he should have~ use his flight and superior speed to just simply escape the crypt..."

She shrugs, "..I am injured but it is only a moderate wound.. nothing serious or life threatening."

I believe Silena is at 25 out of 38 HP. With her Diehard feat she can fight at negatives but with the initiaitive clarifications of who acted when.. she took less damage than and healed more with Sonya's efforts. Silena was never in danger.. since Barezeta only actually shot Silena once. Her first two shot went into Xulthos... which is why he went down so quickly.

Cure light wounds on myself1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Cure light wounds on Silena 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Hijiro shrugs, sighs. "It did seem awfully easy after the silence...perhaps he was weakened by his imprisonment here."

If you search the remains, you find an amulet of mighty fists +1, and a ring of protection +2.

What do you want to do now?

"I think, we should report out success to Princess Almah." Sonya says, a bit of distraction still in her voice. Unconvinced the demon has fallen so easily. "We should also check on Kardswann, see if the demon's influence over him has broken."

"Agreed. Let's go see them both. Almah first of course. I'm sure she will want to know if the demon is dead."

The Lady Almah is still in residence at the monastery, as far as you know.

"Yes by all means, we should return to the Lady and advise her as to the events here... and let's get out of this place before my natural proclivities exceed my willpower... so many shinies here!"

Didn't Lady Almah come to the battle market and move in when she gave us the key?

"Then if there is no objection, let us be off."

Did she? Well, she intends to move there, so if she was there already or not... *waves hand*... she is now!

It appears that the Lady Almah is rather taken by the set-up in the Battle Market, and has taken her place on the throne balcony overlooking the arena. Her own people are stationed as door guards, and direct you up there to make your report.

Silena collects the magic that was on the corpse of the daemon.

"We should remove this ...filth from the temple crypt while we're here. And yes..we should check on Kardswann to see if the fiend's influence has left him."

With that Silena follows Sonya as they leave the crypt and she drags the corpse of the Xulthos from the Dawnflower's abode...

Outside she will set the fiend's corpse afire somewhere away from the temple ruins...

"Of course. Let's get it out." Barezata helps Silena get the demon out, helping to rig a way out of the well once we get back there.
Thinking that Sonya is probably our best speaker to Lady Almah.

OK. Kardswann has regained his senses and is absolutely mortified at what the demon forced him to do. He stoically asks forgiveness for his actions, and says that he must take leave of Kelmarane to notify his mistress, the djinni princess Nefeshti, of events here.

The Lady Almah is delighted at what you have accomplished. As reward, she not only pays you what is due, but grants you the Wharfmaster's Manor (B5) and the title "Knight Protector of Kelmarane".

She also wants your advice: Umdrella has taken a liking to you (and to her new cleaned-up self!) and has asked to stay in the Tannery and continue her alchemical experiments. Almah wants to know if this is a good idea...?

This concludes Book 1 of the Adventure Path.

Are you interested in continuing?

Barezata accepts Lady Almah's thanks with grace, but defers to Silena and Sonya on the question of Umdrella since she doesn't have the same experience with her.
Definitely interested in continuing. Do we level up or had we already leveled up prior?

Hijiro doesn't really know much about Umdrella, so, like Barezata, defers to the others regarding her. He bows in thanks to Lady ALmah's offers.

Silena is thrilled to be Knighted and accepts the title with much enthusiasm. On the subject of Umdrella, Silena will say, "...she has potential to be a Very useful and powerful ally.. IF we give her good reason to value another way of life rather than the path of evil. I think with a little attention and friendliness.. you will find 'Umi', a safe enough citizen of Kalemerane.. if you give her a chance to be something more than a creature of evil."

Silena is ..pleased that Kardswann has retained his senses and notes his declared Mistress, the djinni princess Nefeshti.

She would remind Kardswann not to fail to let his Royal Princess know, "...the Citizens of Kalemarane went out of their way to spare his life with great personal risk, out of respect for the Djinni... and we would welcome peaceful and profitable trade with the Elemental Princes!"

To Lady Almah on the matter she would counsel her, "It might be ...unwise to try to leverage anything more than just the 'good-favor' from either Kardswann or his Princess Nefeshti... the Elemental Princes are a capricious and grandiose people quick to have their ire and pride pricked when no insult was even meant or even understood given! They have long memories and cruel & devious hearts when angered... best to let the Princess of her own accord decide to reward of her own volition if her honor demands some reward for their services. It's best not to meddle in the affairs of the D'jin!"

And YES! Continue please!! :)

yes, I'd like to continue too!

By all means continue!

To Kardswann: "You are certainly forgiven. You can not be held to blame for your actions under the control of that evil."

What were we paid? "Of course milady, we were glad to do it."

Sonya will confirm Selina's assessment of the harpy, but continues to let Silena take the lead on the harpies rehabilitation.

I am delighted that you wish to continue :) It will be my pleasure...

Now then, the next book begins about a year later. Of course, you don't have to wait a year before we play it! You do get to level up, and you may each choose to concentrate on one focus in or around Kelmarane which msy well grant you a benefit in the future.

Options include: -

Administration: The person choosing this option befriends Garavel and gains Almah's absolute trust. This gains them the personal notice of the Pactmasters of Katapesh, a boon that will come into play in a later adventure :)

Business: Anyone choosing this option opens a business in Kelmarane. This is easiest if the business is located in the battle market, which soon draws traffic from the northern trade routes, but you can choose to set it up wherever you wishes. Over the year, a battle market business returns 3,000 gp worth of profit. A business situated elsewhere in Kelmarane brings in 1,500 gp.

Church of Sarenrae: The individual chosing this receives the rank of Abbot-Protector of Kelmarane's Sarenraen community, and is treated as an authority second only to the high priest, who soon arrives from the coast. Furthermore, you are given one of the relics from area D3 as a reward for his devotion.

Crime: If anyone wants to delve into the murkier side of life, they befriend the surviving smugglers, Undrella, and any crooked merchants who arrive with the first wave of settlers, gaining information on the criminal network of Katapesh that will come in handy in a future adventure. (Note that this does not necessarily mean that you are a criminal yourself, just that you associate with them. Or you may turn to crime if that's what you want!)

Explore Personal Mystery: If you choose this option, you spend the off-year focusing on a personal mystery. I shall answer any one question that you have about your past or fate, or tailor a special campaign segment featuring this mystery. You may do this via PM if preferred.

You may have ideas of your own how you want to fill the year, try to come up with a similar activity to the above.

But finally - do we have a Mouldspeaker? This particular role dates back to the exploration of the monastery and, to be honest, I cannot recall if the character in question is still playing! This will become important later on in the AP, so if whoever it was has gone (or nobody can remember...) I shall ask for a volunteer :)

Thank you all for playing so far.

Well, after no consideration whatsoever since there is truly only one choice. Sonya will go Church of Sarenrae. I will get a longer post up soon for the 1 year time skip. What are the items I may choose from?
What in the 9 hells is a mouldspeaker?

Tough call for me. Probably crime or explore personal mystery. Barezata definitely comes from that darker side of Katapesh so sliding back into crime would certainly be a possibility for her. Will give it some thought this weekend.

Silena will definitely volunteer for the Mouldspeaker..heck.. she's so screwed up why not?!? And I DO know who the previous Mouldspeaker was and NO he is not playing anymore.. he left with five others all at the same time.. don't know why they just STOPPED posting for some reason!

But year wise she will be doing administration.. as a Knight of Kalemerane... she is throwing herself into the role and going all gung-ho on that! She wants to build a power-base and home far away from Nidal and the machinations of her evil parents.. to have her own life..WON but her own effort and deeds!

In that time Silena will begin also researching the history of Kalemerane and what really went on here so long ago... and why it was abandoned. I'd love to open a business... but I'm guessing I have to pick one thing or the other. Silena would start a fighting Dogo to train elite warriors for Princess Almah's Service..effectively starting a Knightly Order!

Silena WILL be enchanting items for the party though.. things useful..sorry no weapons. She will level in Cleric to 4th

Would love to open a business AND do crime, but like Silena, will have to pick one thing, so probably crime... would love to combine the two (crime and business) and start a rogue's guild kind of thing if that's possible. Honor among thieves and all that.

Why not have Barezata and Hijiro go into partnership in running a business and connecting with the underbelly of town?

Silena, you can do administration and start a dojo/training centre for warriors if you like.

Sonya is welcome to get the church up and running again (thought you would!).

Works for me. Let's go with that for Barezata and Hijiro if its ok with Hijiro.

All updated on the sheet btw.

And so begins Book 2 of the AP

For the past year you all have been busy with the rebuilding of Kelmarane and your own affairs as discussed. After the defeat of the Kulldis tribe, gnolls haven't been a big problem in the Kelmarane region, although travellers and merchants are still wise to bring along plenty of guards to defend against the inevitable trouble with tiny pockets of the bestial humanoids. Indeed, there have been rumours of increasing gnoll activity over the past few weeks.

One day, just after dawn, a group of travelling merchants arrives - a more frequent occurance these days (if not usually quite so early in the morning!). This group is notable if only that one of their number is huge, a human male standing a good SEVEN feet tall. He splits off from the rest of the merchants as they settle to trading in the Battle Market, installing himself in the tavern and sending out word that he wishes to speak with the leaders of the village and the heroes who so recently liberated it from the gnolls.

Anyone who's in the Battle Market soon hears this, and Hijiro definitely does through his various contacts. The Lady Almah also sends word, saying that she would appreciate your company when she grants him an audience.

Sonya is stirring the sugar into her coffee gentle ringing the spoon against the cup as she watches from the balcony of the manor waiting for Silena to arrive before starting her drink. Her hangover from the previous night still lightly dulling the beautiful day. She watches with a smile eagerly anticipating the teasing she intends to give the half-drow about the new giant and what fun Silena could be having with this new oddity.

Sonya obviously has no intention to interfere with Silena and Hijiri's relationship, but she enjoys the teasing.

Hijiro wakes lazily as is his usual style.. stretching languidly and curling against Silena gently, letting her wake in her own time and style... just watching her contentedly... when she does wake and the messenger brings news of these new arrivals in town, he hurriedly rises, washes and dresses casually in kimono and hakama. "Sleep well?" he asks Silena before he slips his feet into worn sandals...

"I think we'd need to check out these newcomers even if they hadn't asked for us, but we'd best go prepared for a fight. While they haven't by all reports shown any hostile acts so far, they must have a reason for sending for both the town leadership and its heroes. Shall I wait for you or head to the tavern and order us some breakfast while I try to get some more intel on them?"

Upon hearing the summons, Barezata is thoughtful for a moment, considering whether she has heard of this giant previously. She thumbs through her book of notes on Katapesh, seeing if it will stir her memory. Perhaps a tale heard there or in Solku during her journeys. She dresses and joins Lady Almah to wait for the strangers and her friends.
Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32 34 if pertaining to the city of Katapesh

Silena, at least once a week is subject to night-terrors awaking in a panic, something that few have ever witnessed but that Hijiro knows well! But today she sleeps soundly in his arms, luxurating in the feel of his furry tail as it tickles her nakedness.

When he stirs she will smile... clearly she has been awake for some time merely enjoying the warmth if his closeness. It occurs to Hijiro.. half-elves require less sleep.. similar to elves on occasion day-dreaming in trance-like reveries of remembering past events of their lives. It is why elves and half-elves are immune to magical sleep.

{Yawn}"... Must we go right now, my gentle lover?!? Surely the world can wait ...perhaps another few minutes?"

Hijiro is Quite familiar with how Silena is certainly a morning-lover and finds a bout of love-making in the dawn.. the best way to start the day...

... ...

But, eventually she is urged from her amorous predilections to the days duties...

A quick bath and getting dressed in her new wardrobe of reveling court finery {her usual mode of dress nowadays}.. and she ready to go. Strapping on her weapon belt and harness' {all specifically tailored to go with her court dress to be fashionable and not clash with her courtly dress}, she then dons her Spiked Collar from which hangs her Folding Armor Amulet {the collar the only piece of clothing that clashes with her court dress as it is clearly made for a much larger neck than hers and is black leather while her court dress is mostly magenta and orchere greens or bright violet silks}.

"I suppose finding out more information on the newcommers would be... prudent, so yes do your 'information gathering'..."

Over the past year... Silena being in charge of security and law and order in the town of Kalemarane.. has made good use of her lover's running the thieves guild as a tool of state manipulation and intelligence gathering. She has 'specifically' stayed out of Hijiro's operations way.. in effect helping to support his guild's dominance within the city by crushing with the law any rival opposition... in exchange for intel on the street rumors and goings on both in Kalemarane and Katipesh on the whole.. rumors and intel specifically on rivals for Princess Almah's coveted control of the battle market and Kalemarane. She has made it well worth Hijiro's while {in more ways than one}... and the Princess' as well.

"Not today, we can eat lunch together in secret. I need to assemble the UNBREAKABLE to make ready for the Princess' meeting with the newcommers. I'll met you at court, remember.. we are enemies in court to throw off any outsider seeking to work either end of our law or crime in the city to their advantage. These newcommers, we may be able to learn more from them as to what they want and why they are really here, if they think we are at odds."

Sliding TEMPEST, {currently in its scimitar form} into its ornate bejeweled scabbard at her belt she leans in to kiss Hijiro one last time, caressing his cheek gently... as she always does when she kisses him [Note: that would be a way for Hijiro to know if someone is trying to impersonate Silena], she storms out barking orders to pages and house servants ...all business and she is once again the Lady Marshall of Kalemarane!

Silena meets with Sonya for breakfast and conversation to tell her of the normal ruse of enemies at court her and Hijiro play to throw off strangers and provide opportunity to learn what they might not tell otherwise.

She arranges for four of her UNBREAKABLE to be present at the meeting in court finery.. but armed and armored ready to defend the Princess if needed.. the appropriate amount of 'saber-rattling' for a visiting dignitary. Her UNBREAKABLE Sarenrae Cleric will also be present though not in direct sight with such spells as detect evil, detect poison, communal protection from evil, and spiritual weapon ready to cast if needed.