Absalom has stood strong against attackers for nearly 5,000 years, and the land around it remains littered with the siege castles of failed invaders. However, centuries have passed since Absalom last repelled a siege in earnest, and a new warlord has gathered a supernatural army and ghastly allies that will test the city walls.
Easy: The PCs help establish potent abjurations that protect them in addition to protecting the city. Once during the adventure, when an opponent’s attack roll to confirm a critical hit succeeds by 4 or less, the group can activate this reward to negate the confirmation of the critical hit.
Average: When using the reward above, the group can instead turn any confirmed critical hit into a normal hit.
Hard: In place of the reward above, the group can force an opponent to reroll an attack once during the adventure.
Evacuation Notice - Party beat the easy DC.
Easy: Once the people reach the safety of the walls, they regret their initial stubbornness and become thankful. The PCs can draw upon this goodwill once during the adventure: one PC can reroll a failed Bluff, Diplomacy, or Intimidate check and use the new result.
Easy: The PCs find that the army consists of various kinds of creatures stitched together from demonic flesh: constructs, oozes, and undead.
Average: The PCs notice both that the army’s field commanders are all minotaurs and that there are true demons among the army’s ranks.
Hard: Each PC gains a single piece of +1 bane ammunition (such as an arrow, bolt, shuriken, or sling bullet). The bane weapon special ability is keyed to a creature type (and subtype, if applicable) of the PC’s choice.
Strange Things - party beat the hard DC.
Hard: Once during the adventure, when the group encounters one or more undead opponents, the group can activate this reward to grant the PCs a +4 bonus on their initiative checks for that encounter.
Catching a Spy - party beat the hard DC.
Hard: Once during the adventure, when the group encounters one or more construct opponents, the group can activate this reward to grant the PCs a +4 bonus on their initiative checks for that encounter.
House Objective Boons:
Dark Archive: Pathfinder agents begin broadcasting illuminated signals that confuse the Black Echelon agents. Once during the adventure, the PCs can activate this benefit grant all undead creatures present the confused condition for 1 round. If an undead creature confused in this way attacks a PC, it takes a penalty on its attack rolls equal to half the group’s APL.
The Exchange: A cache of pristine and deadly armaments becomes available. At the beginning of one encounter, the PCs can activate this benefit to treat the enhancement bonuses of all their weapons as 2 higher for the duration of the encounter. Treat the effective enhancement bonus of mundane weapons as +0.
Grand Lodge: Absalom’s flag rises over Fort Tempest and emboldens the city’s defenders. At the beginning of one encounter, the PCs can activate this benefit to gain a number of temporary hit points equal to three times their APL (minimum 6 temporary hit points); these last until the end of the encounter.
Liberty’s Edge: Freed slaves cast off their chains to join Absalom’s defense. At the beginning of one encounter, the PCs can activate this benefit to increase their land speed by 10 feet for the duration of the encounter.
Scarab Sages: The powerful construct Gulgamodh awakens and seeks out invaders to strike down with its arcane cannon. The group gains one free use of the Aid Token’s Allied Offensive benefit (multiply the additional damage dealt by 150%) that the PCs can activate at their discretion.
Silver Crusade: The faithful of Sarenrae return to Absalom in force to heal embattled defenders’ wounds. The group gains one free use of the Aid Token’s Burst of Healing benefit that the PCs can activate at their discretion.
Sovereign Court: Members of Absalom’s nobility rally the defenders and direct their household guards to shore up key areas. The group gains one free use of the Aid Token’s Timely Inspiration benefit that the PCs can activate at their discretion.
Immune to death effects, disease, mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, morale effects, phantasms, and patterns), paralysis, poison, sleep, stun, and any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects or is harmless).
Not subject to ability drain, energy drain, or nonlethal damage.
Immune to damage or penalties to their physical ability scores (Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution), as well as to fatigue and exhaustion effects.
Female N Wayang Rogue/Mesmerist 2 | HP: 17/17 | AC: 18 (15 Tch, 14 Fl) | CMB: -1, CMD: 13 (9 Fl) | F: +3, R: +9, W: +2 | Init: +5 | Perc: +6 (+2 to avoid surprise), SM +0 | Speed 20ft | Active conditions: none
"Ectoplasmic undead?!? What does that even mean?"Is there a particular attack type that is more or less effective?
While keeping her ears open for a response, Vari begins attaching her rope to a grappling arrow, which she offers to the group. "I don't know why I never bought a bow, but I didn't. Anybody care to fire this so that I can climb up top?"
I prefer the stairs, airs, Yagi calls out as he hurries away to the left.
As he goes, he gives a curt command and a whistle to his animal companion. The great flying dinosaur grabs a nearby rock and flies over the indicated invader.
Yagi Double Move @30ft
Yiel-Dan San bombard vs. Yellow:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20Damage:1d4 ⇒ 3
Zailus gives a uggh of annoyance at the prospect of having to fight incorporeal undead. She pulls out her longsword and then starts singing a song that is fire! Actual literal fire, that lights everyone's blades aflame.
Move to draw a weapon, standard to start a bardic performance, Blazing Blades, that lights the weapons of everyone in 30 feet on fire (they don't actually burn thought!) making them deal an extra 1d4 fire damage on a hit. Not sure how that'll interact with incorporeal-ness though.
Yagi, what damage type is the attack done by your AC, please? I assume it's S/P, but just in case. Also, I would like everyone to include the damage type of your attacks in the rolls, if possible. Thanks. Yeah - like most undead, they have some DR.
The party gets in positions, and Yagi Mi calls upon his companion to begin the festivities, and so it is. Yel-Dan San swoops down and strikes one of the undead. They seem adamant on continuing beyond the walls, however, and walk towards the street. Not by stairs. They walk over air, as if there were a set of invisible stairs between you and the fortifications.
Yel-Dan San may take an AoO vs Yellow
The eerie movement ends up near Yagi Mi and Perrine. The two undead near Yagi Mi both swipe at the tengu:
Still singing, Zailus moves closer to the undead that Perrine faces alone. "Perrine, you stylish little one, you aren't planning on takine these all on by yourself are you? Hogging all the glory for yourself isn't fair you know!"
She then swings her flaming sword into the undead glowing a slight blue in front of her.
Yiel-Dan is using the Bombard trick, dropping a stone or other blunt object while flying overhead, so the damage type is Bludgeoning. And since Yiel-Dan flew high overhead in his attack, I don't think he's entitled an AoO. I'm happy to be overruled on that.
Yagi waits for Yiel-Dan to land behind Yellow Move action for Yiel-Dan, then executes a well-practiced coordinated attack with him. As he delays his attack, his muscles seem to grow larger. Or is that just him fluffing his feathers to appear more formidable?
In tandem, Yagi-Mi and Yel-Dan manage to dispose of the undead in the west by a series of rapid strikes. After multiple hits and cuts, the humanoid forms fo the creatures collapse to the floor in a pile of green-ish slime.
Green, Slam vs Perrine:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 51d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Blue, Slam vs Zailus:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 151d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
The two ectoplasmic undead swipe at the pathfinders, but they either dodge or the undead fail to penetrate the armor of Perrine and Zailus. They growl menacingly with each strike, but it seems they;re just empty threats.
Turn 3 - Go if bolded
Status: Blazing Blades - + 1d4 fire DMG per hit
Vari
Perrine
Zailus
Yagi
Things: West - slowly disintegrating // East - slammin'
You use one or both of the boons currently on the token. One is Burst of Healing, which is essentially a level 1-2 cleric channel energy and heals all of you for 1d6 hp. The other is Timely Inspiration, which is bardic Inspire Courage performance +1 for 3 rounds.
You can use one or both of them. After that, you can boost it with Allied Offensive - an attack roll that should beat a certain DC to pass it along.
Alternatively, we can simply pass it on or boost it with another effect and then pass it on.
Not complaining, but I think Yagi and Yiel-Dan only hit one of their opponents (the Artist Formerly Known As Yellow). Unless Yiel-Dan's initial bombardment killed one immediately, don't we have one of them still up?
Vari and Zailus dispose of one of the undead as Yagi Mi and Yel-Dan move to the rest of the group. Perrine swings, but doesn't manage to land a hit. As its 'friend' collapes to the floor in a pile of steaming ectoplasm, the last remaining undead swipes at Perrine.
Female N Wayang Rogue/Mesmerist 2 | HP: 17/17 | AC: 18 (15 Tch, 14 Fl) | CMB: -1, CMD: 13 (9 Fl) | F: +3, R: +9, W: +2 | Init: +5 | Perc: +6 (+2 to avoid surprise), SM +0 | Speed 20ft | Active conditions: none
Vari steps to the right and stabs her rapier forward, but her foot finds a loose cobblestone and shifts at the end of her stroke, throwing her off-balance.
Zailus keeps her song going for one last little bit, quickly reaching a crescendo as she swings her sword around again.
Longsword:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 Damage Slashing. Blazing blades:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 31d4 ⇒ 1
Opps, forgot to mention she kept the performance going, but this will probably be the last round she keeps it up.
With a well-trained precision, Yagi sends Yiel-Dan flying around into flanking position has he moves up himself. Working together, they strike at the same time.
Sorry about the delays. My health was failing me through the last few days.
You collectively wear down the last undead that passed the perimeter walls, Siege Lord Wynsal Starborn approaches you on his horse, with an entourage of riders. The Siege Lord removes his steel helmet for a moment, shaking out his braided hair beaded with the teal and gold colors of Absalom’s flag. With a respectful nod and congratulatory salute, he introduces himself.
"I am Wynsal Starborn, once captain of the First Guard and now the Siege Lord ensuring Absalom’s safety. You fought bravely, and thanks to your help, we’ve got the situation under control here. I am less confident about affairs beyond our gates, though we could seize control of the tides of war with a targeted strike by capable operatives like you. As you probably noticed, those fiendish abominations are quite tough, but they’re not very organized. In fact, I saw two groups of them fighting each other until one of the minotaur commanders sorted them out. We might be able to use their lack of discipline against them!"
"I’ve heard the Pathfinder Society has already done a great deal for the city today. While I’m reticent to ask more, I cannot afford to surrender your expertise. I ask that you sneak past enemy lines, seek out Champion Rakmool Bloodhorn, and kill that horned beast. The First Guard will be ready to exploit the opening."
Kn. Local 15:
Champion Rakmool Bloodhorn, a minotaur commander of the siege, is an utter sadist. Rakmool delights in towering over his enemies and carving them with a jagged cleaver.
Whenver you are ready, you may proceed to the Cairnlands. We are on slide 13 now.
With the Siege Lord and his riders charging the main force, they create an opportunity for you to sneak behidn the enemy lines to take your chances with the minotaur commander. You find his outpost soon enough. A black-and-red banner with a bull’s head on it flies above the shattered remains of an ancient siege castle. A group of groaning, hunched creatures stitched together from strange flesh patrol the ruins.
The patrol doesn't seem to have noticed you just yet. Perhaps there is a chance to avoid it and go for the jugular.
And get them bad rolls out of the way. Roll in discussion to boost our token, perhaps?
Knowledge Dungeoneering 13 to Id the patroling creature:
This quivering pile of tumorous flesh is known as hungry flesh. They are formidable opponents known to rapidly regenerate their wounds, and may consume bodies of dead or unconscious creatures to enlarge their total mass.
Additional questions per multiplier of 5 by which you beat the DC may be asked.
Female N Wayang Rogue/Mesmerist 2 | HP: 17/17 | AC: 18 (15 Tch, 14 Fl) | CMB: -1, CMD: 13 (9 Fl) | F: +3, R: +9, W: +2 | Init: +5 | Perc: +6 (+2 to avoid surprise), SM +0 | Speed 20ft | Active conditions: none
Knowledge (local) DC 15:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
I'm assuming that the outpost is on the other side of the circular wall; Vari's movement is based on that. If I've misread and misunderstood, please let me know so I can adjust her movement.
"Quick, follow me; let's try to avoid that... whatever that is! Quietly as you can!"
Vari begins circling around the structure, away from the beast, looking for an opening so they can try to ambush the minotaur leader!
I have heard of these creatures. It is a hungry flesh. They are formidable opponents known to rapidly regenerate their wounds, and may consume bodies of dead or unconscious creatures to enlarge their total mass.
Mindless: No Intelligence score, and immunity to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, phantasms, patterns, and morale effects). An ooze with an Intelligence score loses this trait.
Blind (but have the blindsight special quality), with immunity to gaze attacks, visual effects, illusions, and other attack forms that rely on sight.
Immunity to poison, sleep effects, paralysis, polymorph, and stunning.
Some oozes have the ability to deal acid damage to objects.
Not subject to critical hits or flanking. Does not take additional damage from precision-based attacks, such as sneak attack.
Female N Wayang Rogue/Mesmerist 2 | HP: 17/17 | AC: 18 (15 Tch, 14 Fl) | CMB: -1, CMD: 13 (9 Fl) | F: +3, R: +9, W: +2 | Init: +5 | Perc: +6 (+2 to avoid surprise), SM +0 | Speed 20ft | Active conditions: none
Since this is a special and we want to keep moving, I'm going to spoiler four rounds of Stealth checks below. I believe this covers all of the movement required to come around to the other side of the circular formation (3 rounds) and then one more to peek around the corner and see what's inside.
The pile of meat scuffles around without detecting you, despite the fact that you are only a few dozen feet away. Eventually, it moves further away, enough for you to approach the commander when he is alone. Peeking around the corner, you see a towering humanoid creature with a bull’s head within the ruins is observing the battle and issuing commands to demon- flesh creatures. Tiny homunculi race off to deliver orders across the battlefield’s churned soil. A blood-red symbol depicting a bull’s head adorns the bull-headed creature’s armor.
Moving us all to the far end. If you disagree with your placement, feel free to adjust.
Yagi whispers,
I have an idea, ea. If Yiel-Dan can fly up to the top of the wall, he may provide a distraction which allows us to get the drop on our bullheaded friend, end. What do you say?
Zailus looks at the minotaur and the flag and breastplate, before looking back and rolling her eyes. She whispers to the group, "My that's such a surprise. Who'd have guessed a minotaur would have a bull's head for a herald?"
Se then listens to Yagi's idea, before adding, "I like it! If you want I could cast a cantrip and add some sound effects, like making it sound like there's a whole flock of them or something along those lines!"
The placement looks good to me. Zailus is probably going to be focusing one casting more spells this combat!
Female N Wayang Rogue/Mesmerist 2 | HP: 17/17 | AC: 18 (15 Tch, 14 Fl) | CMB: -1, CMD: 13 (9 Fl) | F: +3, R: +9, W: +2 | Init: +5 | Perc: +6 (+2 to avoid surprise), SM +0 | Speed 20ft | Active conditions: none
We also have some boons from the spoilers above. We each have one piece of bane ammunition that could be minotaur-bane. (Vari, sadly, doesn't have any weapons that fire ammunition, so hers is up for grabs to someone else.) We could also use one of the house boons.
Vari nods. "I'll focus on getting behind that thing; try to draw it out so I have room to move. I'm much more effective if it can't see my attacks coming."
So that sounds like the plan. On cue, Zailus casts her cantrip as Yiel-Dan flies to the top of the wall and squawks loudly, then everyone else takes their first action in combat, hopefully a surprise round.
I approve of this. Note that you can only do a move or standard action during surprise rounds, unless you have a class feature/feat/talent/shoelace that allows for such a thing. Carry on.
After casting the cantrip to start the combat, and making a sound like ten veloceraptors hanging just beyond the wall that Yiel Dan is perched on. Zailus takes aim with her crossbow loaded with a piece of [i]Minotuar-Bane ammo and steps around the corner to take a shot.
Shooting the crossbow, +1 minotaur bane:1d20 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 3 = 15 Damage, +1 minotuar bane:1d8 + 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + (3, 1) + 3 = 10
The distraction seems to have worked. With Yel-Dan catching the minotaur's attention, Yagi and Zailus take their shots at the commander, and manage to land both of them. The minotaur roars in pain as he reaches for the arrow and bolt, but leaves them in. He then turns to you.
Surprise round! 1 standard of move action only, please - go if bolded
Perrine
Yagi
Zailus
Vari
Rakmool
It's rare that people know this, so I'll just point this one out:
Quote:
If you are able to take only a standard action on your turn, you can still charge, but you are only allowed to move up to your speed (instead of up to double your speed) and you cannot draw a weapon unless you possess the Quick Draw feat. You can’t use this option unless you are restricted to taking only a standard action on your turn.
