Motteditor's Strange Aeons PBP

Game Master motteditor

"Good eyes," Starflit reluctantly admits when Lothan finds the treasure pile. She picks out the pair of silver armbands for herself, feeling they match her ensemble and could, perhaps, be enchanted in some way.

Ready to proceed. I hope someone keeps in mind that we have that luck blade; we may well need the wish it contains.

In the loot list, you mention ‘various gemstones’. What are they worth?

Kyffin keeps track of this and that, though in deference to his intelligent blade, he doesn't carry the short sword. "Someone needs to keep track of it though. Who will carry it?"

Al inspects the luck blade, then places it in his pack. "This item demands responsibility and clear intentions, that rules you two out." Al points at Tristain and Lothan playing grab hands with the ring. "If a situation demands it, we'll decide as a party how it's used." Confident that settles the matter, Al is ready to proceed.

Whoops! I missed the last two lines because of the way it cut off in the pdf! Gemstones worth 4,900 gp. The following coins can also be salvaged: 512 pp, 7,690 gp, 34,160 sp, and 85,400 cp.

Continuing on, the basalt walls widen to form an artificial gorge. A massive, twisted willow tree stands here. A strange azure moss grows in patches over and in between breaks in its ebony bark. Beyond the tree and in the distance to the south, the ravine rises and flattens out as the basalt structures give way to an entirely different landscape—as if this were some environmental demarcation point.

As you move to advance, however, Lothan and Starflit both notice the tree seems to quiver ever so slightly. Shockingly, it's not a normal tree, but also a monster!

Lothan and Starflit are up in a SURPRISE ROUND (so only standard actions; this is NOT the more common 1/2 round)! Then it will go and then the entire party will be up. Map is updated; still 10-foot squares.

As Starflit starts to recall what she knows about varieties of monstrous trees, she decides one thing: most plants don't like fire. Thankful the party doesn't include a druid, Starflit immediately casts flame strike on the thing. She also swiftly invokes her Protection and Purity judgments.

Starflit Knowledge (nature) Check (Monster Lore): 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (16) + 20 = 36 (Monster type and special defenses are the biggies for her.)

Starflit flame strike divine/fire damage (half each): 15d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 5, 5, 3, 5, 6, 2, 3, 2, 2, 4, 4, 3, 2) = 57 (Reflex DC 20 half; SR yes)

Starflit SR Caster Level Check (if needed): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22

When he can act, Tristain looks at the arboreal abomination (arbormination?) and tries to see what he can add to what Starflit knows.

1d20 + 26 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 26 + 2 = 39 Know (Nature) - DRs, mostly.

"And now a big giant tree. Let the good times roll." Lothan shakes his head as he fires at the tree.

+2 Adaptive composite longbow: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (17) + 22 = 39
Damage: 1d8 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17

AC 28; Hp's 127/127

Surprise!
Starflit realizes it's a plant, and likely has the usual plant traits. Tristain meanwhile realizes considering the nature of the realm, you'll likely need magical weapons to really damage the creature.

As Tristain expected hoped, Lothan's arrow sinks into the thing's trunk, but more effectively, Starflit's spell catches it fully on. Still, the flame doesn't seem to fully effect the thing -- and worse, it starts to heal immediately! It starts to drone, a strange sound that causes your eyelids to grow heavy. I need a DC 24 Will save from everyone, please.

On a failure you enter a state of lethargy. Affected creatures cannot move (as if held by hold monster) and have no desire to take any other action or engage in combat (unless attacked first, in which case the lethargy effect is broken). The effects last for 10 rounds. A creature that succeeds at its Will save is unaffected by the droning from the night willow for 24 hours. This is a mind-affecting effect. The save DC is Charisma-based.

Party is up!

Starflit almost falls prey to the tree's insidious humming, but at the last instant finds the resolve to fight on!

Starflit Will Save (incl. Purity bonus): 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 24

Will: 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 17 + 2 = 25 (heroism) vs DC 24 to avoid lethargy (whew)

Kyffin casts Protection from Evil Communal (4m each, 3m on Kyffin) while everyone is together and moves up a bit. He then swiftly ensorcels his armor (1m, +3 sacred).

I need to touch everyone, so Kyffin moves west 15’, then south 15’ - so he should be 15’ south of Lothan.

1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 15 + 2 = 27 Will

Tristain delays slightly to see if anyone needs rescuing from the hideous droning, whether toxic masculinity or plant based.

DC 24 Will save: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33

Al swiftly strides forward and hacks at the bark of the tree. "Stop that infernal noise, trees should be seen and not heard!"

curve blade, power attack with focus: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (9) + 22 = 31
Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 12 = 18

Starflit invokes greater bane (plants), moves 30 feet toward the tree, and decides to try a different spell. She holds out her left palm and a ray of searing light streaks toward the strange tree.

Starflit searing light ranged touch: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29 for untyped damage: 5d8 ⇒ (3, 2, 5, 7, 3) = 20 (SR yes)

Starflit Caster Level Check vs. SR (if needed): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

Will: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Lowering his bow, Lothan yawns. "Man, this is boring. I don't suppose we could just do nothing for a while, could we? I mean, think about it, do we really need to fight the tree creature? I mean, it's just a tree, for crying out loud!" he chuckles at the thought. "Anyway, um... yeah... I'm beat. Hollar if a dragon shows up. That'd be cool. Think I'll just stand here and... oh... I don't know... do nothing." Lothan begins to inspect his fingernails on his right hand, finding them a tad dirty as he works to scrape the grime out.

”Yeah, let’s get closer to that tree. That seems like a brilliant idea. One of your best yet,” Tristain says, putting his hand on Lothan’s shoulder.

Tristain moves to Lothan and casts Dimension Door to take him about 400’ away.

No SR you need to worry about on this one, Star

Tristain disappears with Lothan, leaving Starflit, Al and Kyffin to deal with the tree. As Kyffin and Starflit cast spells, Al rushes forward to attack, but his blade seems to rebound harmlessly off the tough bark he missed. He's not as luck, as the tree slams him as he moves in 23 hp, and then grabs hold of him. It took an AoO, then grappled Al on its turn. Caught in its embrace, he can see the blast from Starflit's magic begin to heal. He also feels a wave of misery wash out from the thing. Need a DC 24 Will save or take 5 Cha damage

Kyffin swiftly ensorcels Divine Favor (+4 attacks/damage (luck)) with his blessings, and charges forward to attack the tree!

Scimitar: 1d20 + 17 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 17 + 8 = 27 (favor, hero, charge)
damage: 2d6 + 17 + 4 ⇒ (5, 4) + 17 + 4 = 30 (favor)

Ugh. Nice roll there Kyffin.

Starflit moves again to within melee range of the tree but does not attack. Instead, she uses her freedom's call ability to get Al out of the thing's grasp.

DC 24 Will save: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (18) + 18 = 36

Al slides from the grip of branches and hacks away at the tough bark of the tree.

Curve blade, power attack: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (20) + 22 = 42
Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 12 = 21

Curve blade, power attack: 1d20 + 17 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 17 - 4 = 33
Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 12 = 25

Curve blade, power attack: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 12 - 4 = 13
Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 12 = 24

two possible crits...

Curve blade, power attack: 1d20 + 22 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 22 + 4 = 30
Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 12 = 19

Curve blade, power attack: 1d20 + 17 - 4 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 17 - 4 + 4 = 31
Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 12 = 22

Round 1, Init 5

Letting go of Lothan, Tristain assumes the man is going to lull towards the tree again, but hopes it will be slow and the good, noble, kind, wholesome members of the party can kill the tree before he returns.

Flying up to 20' up and 40' closer, Tristain fires a long range Magic Missile at the tree.

5d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 3, 1, 3, 4) + 4 = 16 force damage

Lol! "400' away". Good one.

Boringly taken aback as he casually glances around at nothing, "Wow. This just got more boring. Ah well." Leaning back against the nearest wall, Lothan shuts his eyes. "Well, if nothing else, I can grab some much needed rest. These people just work too much. I mean, can't this place just stay saved for 10 minutes. I swear, always having to kill crazy bad guys and save the world. Story of our lives. I guess it doesn't get more cliché than that. Heck, we are super heroes after all. Well, maybe not Bonkers up there. He's just weird." Lothan yawns and remains quiet as he crosses his arms.

So after talking to Tristain off line, if they'd really gone 400 feet away, he wouldn't be able to take part in this combat either for a while. He instead teleported himself and Lothan 250 feet, which will let him get close enough to use magic missile.

As Lothan decides to take a nap, Tristain charges back, magic missiles blazing. He can just see Kyffin and Starflit rushing into the battle, the former taking a vicious blow as he moves in closer. 16 hp Starflit's aura frees Al, sparing him from being swallowed alive, and he responds by doing his best to singlehandedly chop the tree down though neither blow confirmed.

Realizing it's unable to grab any of you, the tree seems to shake and sickly yellow pollen drifts down from its branches. It's an inhaled poison, DC 29 Fort save for Al, Kyffin and Starflit, or take 1 Con damage

Round 2, Init 5
 
Flying up to 20' and 60' closer, Tristain fires a long range Magic Missile at the tree.

5d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1, 1, 2, 3) + 4 = 13 force damage

Fort Save: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 16 + 2 = 36 (heroism) vs DC 29 - successs!

Kyffin, surprised the grappled foe had an AoO, takes the blow and keeps on coming! He swiftly enhances his attacks (sacred weapon +3) and swings!

Scimitar: 1d20 + 17 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 17 + 9 = 43 (favor, hero, sacred)
damage: 2d6 + 17 + 7 ⇒ (5, 3) + 17 + 7 = 32 (favor, sacred)
critthreat Scimitar: 1d20 + 17 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 17 + 9 + 4 = 39 (favor, hero, sacred, crit)
damage: 2d6 + 17 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (1, 3) + 17 + 7 + 2 = 30 (favor, sacred, 2hp fire)

Scimitar: 1d20 + 12 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 9 = 41 (favor, hero, sacred)
damage: 2d6 + 17 + 7 ⇒ (6, 5) + 17 + 7 = 35 (favor, sacred)
critthreat Scimitar: 1d20 + 12 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 12 + 9 + 4 = 44 (favor, hero, sacred, crit)
damage: 2d6 + 17 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (1, 6) + 17 + 7 + 2 = 33 (favor, sacred, 2hp fire)

Scimitar: 1d20 + 7 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 9 = 20 (favor, hero, sacred)
damage: 2d6 + 17 + 7 ⇒ (1, 2) + 17 + 7 = 27 (favor, sacred)

He bellows with satisfaction, thinking his first two swings hit, and solidly. The tinge of fire running up and down his blade makes him smile, and remember Sarenrae's holy power.

DC 29 Fort save: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25

Al starts sneezing while his eyes instantly go red and begin itching as the pollen wrecks havoc on his sinuses.

Curve blade, power attack: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (17) + 22 = 39
Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 12 = 21

Curve blade, power attack: 1d20 + 17 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 17 - 4 = 17
Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 12 = 24

Curve blade, power attack: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 12 - 4 = 21
Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 12 = 27

possible crit on 1st attack...

Curve blade, power attack: 1d20 + 22 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 22 + 4 = 32
Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 12 = 27

Starflit resists the creepy pollen, again just barely. Knowing that she's unlikely to be able to do much damage to the tree herself, Starflit tries to tumble past the tree's trunk to get behind it and give Al and Kyffin a flanking bonus against the thing.

Starflit Fortitude Saving Throw (+4 sacred from Purity judgment): 1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 13 + 4 = 30

Starflit Acrobatics Check (to avoid AoO): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (18) + 22 = 40

Round 3

As Lothan continues to nap, the rest of the group maintains their battle against the deadly tree, Kyffin's blade sending massive splinters across the cave floor, and the tree falls!

Unfortunately, the pollen continues to bother Al's sinuses. The poison requires two successful saves, so if you want to make the Fort checks: frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d2 Con damage
and fatigued for 1 minute; cure 2 saves.

With the tree down, Tristain goes back to kick Lothan awake (after making sure his bow is not nearby in case he’s a grumpy waker-upper), and then will return to the party. He will examine the tree’s roots and area with Detect Magic to see if there are any remains from past meals.

”Are you going to be okay, Al?”

Kyffin warms up the wand of lesser restoration. It'll take a few rounds, but Al may need it if he's still suffering at that time. And either way, con damage is not to be taken lightly.

Lesser restore: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Starflit offers healing (in the form of CMW spells) to Al or anyone who might need it. She dutifully checks on Lothan as well. "Feeling better?"

Al keeps sneezing as the pollen does more damage than the tree itself.

DC 29 Fort save: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28
con damage: 1d2 ⇒ 1

DC 29 Fort save: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20
con damage: 1d2 ⇒ 2

DC 29 Fort save: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 24
con damage: 1d2 ⇒ 1

DC 29 Fort save: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28
con damage: 1d2 ⇒ 2

DC 29 Fort save: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 22
con damage: 1d2 ⇒ 1

it's like I was rolling a d10

As the pollen starts a massive nose, bleed Al is grateful that Kyffin has the cure ready, and needs even more healing after that.

still down 4 con...

lesser restore: 1d4 ⇒ 1

lesser restore: 1d4 ⇒ 2

lesser restore: 1d4 ⇒ 1

With the tree down, Tristain goes back to kick Lothan awake (after making sure his bow is not nearby in case he’s a grumpy waker-upper), and then will return to the party. He will examine the tree’s roots and area with Detect Magic to see if there are any remains from past meals.

Startled awake, "HO! Hey! What the...?!" Lothan looks around, wondering why he's awake. "I swear, what's it take to get a decent nap around this place? Sheesh." Grabbing his bow, he makes his way back to the others.

Starflit offers healing (in the form of CMW spells) to Al or anyone who might need it. She dutifully checks on Lothan as well. "Feeling better?"

Shrugging, "Tried to get a nap in but that obviously ain't happening. Outside of that, I'm good."

Tangled among the roots of the of the night willow is the corpse of a creature it apparently chose not to swallow. The body is almost entirely decayed but the skeleton does not resemble any humanoid creature you have ever seen no Knowledge check to ID it. The body wears warden of the woods armor, and a handy haversack, and carries a staff of healing (7 charges). Also on the body is a platinum pendant set with blue sapphires, worth 2,500 gp altogether. Inside the pack is a scroll of dimensional anchor and a scroll of locate creature. Also inside the pack is a nonmagical white gold scepter worth 5,140 gp, as well a cache of coins: 1,237 pp, 4,765 gp, 17,140 sp, and 19,100 cp.

Once you are recovered from the recent fights, you realize you have reached the end of the the Neruzavin nexus and can enter other environments stolen from countless worlds. Reminder that Cassilda told you the locations of the three Star Stelae: they located in the city nexuses of Aevan-Vhor, Bohlvarai, and Paris. Cassilda provided directions and a sketched map to each city. She explained that there is no precise order in which the Star Stelae must be deactivated, but advised you to go in the order in which she listed them.

Tristain takes a minute or two to sort through the fun magics before trying to deal with the scary other things that the party must do.

I’m a bit confused. Can we use the tree to enter Aevan-Vhor? I know that’s where we want to go, and thought that’s where we were headed, but now am unsure.

Tristain will ask Cassilda how to get to Aevan-Vhor again.

Kyffin carries the staff, unless someone else wants it. He's keep folks more or less in good health, but it could be useful until they get to civilization.

"Lets deactivate these Star Stelae shall we?" He leads the party to the first city nexus.

"Ready to go!" Starflit chimes in, sounding excited but looking a bit uncertain of what is to come.

If it's time for the ritual, Tristain will do the dang ritual.

*bonk!*
*bonk!*
*bonk!*

*bonk!*
*bonk!*
*bonk!*

Starflit does her part, using comprehend languages to read the darkest passages of the ritual.

Cassilda teleported away, so isn't here at the moment.

It appears that -- unlike traveling to a mythical place called Mordor -- you can simply walk into another nexus once you reach the end of one. The Neruzavin nexus is near a section of lakeshore, and the Aevan-Vhor nexus is not far -- just down the shore, in fact. You'll need to perform a ritual once you get to the star selae at the nexuses in Carcosa.

Following the short, you soon arrive at the Aevan-Vhor nexus, which appears to be larger and more populated than the Neruzavin nexus. The city still has a deserted feel, but people are plainly seen carrying out the business of daily life. The outlying districts resemble the worst parts of Ustalavic farm country, with sick and struggling crops. The city proper is a stark contrast however, with tall, once-impressive stone structures in various states of disrepair.

You have directions from Cassilda to an estate, or you can explore some yourself, including possibly doing some shopping.

Thanks. I had a confuse.

1d20 + 26 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 26 + 2 = 33 Know (History)

"Doesn't this seem Azlantianish to you? I think it's very Azlantian. Totally Azlantian," Tristain notes of the city design, which is a normal thing to notice. "I would call it ancient Azlanti, but the word ancient feels superfluous with the word 'Azlanti', as there are few living examples of such in our modern Golarion that we know of."

"Let's go shopping. We're likely going to die and probably never coming back here again. Might as well make the best of it."

What do we have to sell? I think we have some and Tris hasn't claimed much.

Al likes the idea of shopping in the Azlanti city. "I do need some more prunes, hopefully the city has better offerings than those sickly fields."

we could sell that Full Plate of Speed that Al has, his old armor allows for a 40' base move and more dex bonus which is better in some ways

Shopping/selling loot sounds good to me.

Tristain hasn’t claimed much, but they’re big ones. That ring on your finger is 50kgp all on its own. Al is the low person on the totem pole currently, so I suggest a slightly uneven distribution to bring him up a bit. Plenty to go around. I'm assuming the luck blade, which we're keeping just for the wish, is a group item.

Party Divvy!
Everyone gets 40,832gp. Al gets that, plus 19,040 for a total of 59,872gp.
We’re also picking up another diamond for raise dead to replace the one we used, and a couple CLW wands for emergencies though we haven’t been using them much.

Kyffin is careful as he moves through town selling their wares. He doesn’t want to become a target considering the wealth he’s unloading for the group. Whenever possible, he passes along the cash so he’s not carrying it all throughout the day.

He also does a little shopping of his own. He’ll try for the following (if available):
Improve his scimitar to +3 (10,000gp)
Improve his amulet of natural armor to +2 (8,000gp)
Improve his headband of wisdom to +4 (12,000gp)
Buy a rod of extend spell (11,000gp)

Finding a shop that looks promising, you enter ... only to get a nasty start. The shopkeeper, who looks like a human man, starts to approach you with a smile, coming from around the counter. As he does, though, he doesn't seem to quite go far enough around the counter, instead moving through it. It seems quite clear that he is, in fact, a ghost.

"A welcome to The Invisible Scepter, the finest emporium of artefacts and relics in all of Aevan-Vhor!"

"Wha-wha-wha-watcha got to sell?"

Starflit's Reaction (While Cosplaying as Wilt)

Tristain glances at the ghost and manages to *not* step back nor run away. Instead, in a moment of growth for him (as he’s been spending time with some very disagreeable personalities recently), he stands his ground to eye the ghost and then see about what might be available.

1d20 + 25 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 25 + 2 = 44 Know (Religion)

”Yes…yes…yes…I’m in the market for a stout belt. Something not too flashy, but more functional. We don’t need any more dysfunction in our party. And if you have any true artifacts, I would see them as well. I might be in the market for something truly unique.”

Kyffin recoils a bit with the others. A ghost?!

Still, it doesn't seem to be attacking at the moment. So who knows. He side-eyes Al.

Figuring the ghost may be evil, he's very careful about the price negotiations on each item, and collects the cash carefully. But he'll deal with this odd shopkeeper. They've worked with weirder...

After some hesitation, "Invisible Scepter huh? We have some fine artifacts and relics of our own to sell..."

Tristain is pretty sure it's a ghost.

"Ah, yes, a good belt, helps keep your pants up, right, lad? I always say, without a good belt, your pants will fall right down around your ankles," the shopkeeper replies. "Not too flashy, huh? Well, how about this one?" He gestures to a very plain belt of brown leather, without even a belt buckle. "No one's going to accuse that belt of being too flashy, now are they?" He doesn't seem to have any true artifacts, but does have magic items of the more common sort.

He turns to Kyffin. "Well, I'm always happy to buy things what are worth buying."

"Er. Um. OK. Excellent." Kyffin gets around to saying. He starts trading with this trader, selling off excess party goods, and buying from his list above.

He can't quite wrap his head around all this. It's too surreal, so he just blanks it out a bit, without bonking, and tries to focus on the transaction.

We shouldn't have even made it this far.

If people want to continue to interact with the shopkeeper, you can, but if not, you can make your purchases (and I'll move us on). This is a normal shop, except the shopkeeper appears to be a ghost.