Out of the Abyss (Pathfinder Conversion)

Game Master EmEss

"I reckon that I am still a match for my wayward daughter one on one but I need to get close to her and have someone ensure that we are not disturbed. If you are willing I could use some of you as a peace offering to her, she would welcome the new sacrifices and be less suspicious than if I tried to use my own people. When the moment is ripe we will launch a broad assault while I confront my daughter and you hold off her followers. If we succeed I will ensure you are all well rewarded, you will be heroes of our community and I will gladly place my spell casting skills at your service, as well as offering you the choice of any treasure we recover from those heretic rebels."

Harro looks worried over the group of escaped prisoners, and scratches his greasy chin.

"No' all ov'us be in fightin' shape. Some are jus' folk, not meant for swingin' and chopin' in the long runin'. And some...some o' us are not right in the 'ead anymore. You know?"

Harro punctuates his last response by poking himself in the head with his fish-fork, although he doesn't seem to flinch from the sharp tines.

"Wait, are you serious? You want us to go offer ourselves up to them as prisoners? Does that mean we'll be unarmed? How exactly are we going to fight them?"

Talindra is about to completely write off this plan, until something occurs to her. "Wait, I'm not sure if you can tell, but I'm feeling a little drained right now. Is that something you can fix using divine magic from your Goddess? If you help me with that, and convince the rest of these guys to come along--the fighters among us, anyway--then I'll do it."

Basically, Talindra wants a Restoration spell or something to get rid of her negative level.

With their welcome into the village, and at the older kua-toa's table, Vinexa sat near Talindra and ate her fish, she didn't get what was the big deal about it, it seemed normal enough fish to her. She listened to the conversation for now, snorting at the description of them as a "party" in particular.

At the offer of a job Vinexa found herself intrigued. Normally the pampered half-succubus would avoid work if she could but this had potential, she wanted worshipers after all, if she did this it could be used to her advantage. At the thought of being stripped and sent in as a sacrifice the fiendish woman felt a flush of hunger and lust, this job just kept getting better and better. She looked at their host and said, "Fortunately for you I don't need equipment to fight, I come with weapons and powers that make getting close a rather serious problem for my attackers."

"I'm willing to trust them. We have drow chasing us and religious fanatics trying to gut us. And don't think our arriving here won't get back to our pursuers. Allies are crucial at this point. "

Know (Local): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Micar looks at the food in front of him, pauses for a moment, then starts eating. He takes his time to enjoy the meal.

" Well, I don't think we have anything else pressing at the moment. I'll do what I can to help. I have mostly what I need to survive out here, but I might see if you have a few provisions I could use. Thank you for your hospitality."

Micar nods at Tanic, "Yes, making allies would be a nice change of pace. It would be comforting to know we have a place to stay when needed."

Tanic would like a backpack, a spell component pouch, some iron rations, and a survival kit.

As they ate dinner, with one of the dishes causing his lips to tingle strangely yet not badly, Akri listened to the conversations around him. Giving a sigh as the rest were talked into joining the fishman's plan, he had to ask, "Why would you trust us to help you kill off your daughter? No offense, but we don't know you, you don't know us. Sure, the pay sounds good, yay heroics and all that, but we literally just met each other."

"Kill her? Oh, no, I don't believe he said anything about killing her... You don't intend to kill her, do you?"

@Micar Yes to the items written in black. No to the items written in blue. They do however have Eel Hide armour which they are willing to offer if you agree to help.

@Tanic Yes to all the items you ask for.
@Talindra Ploopploopeen agrees to cast restoration for you first thing tomorrow morning.

"Weapons shouldn't be a problem. I understand that the Deep Father prefers sacrifices of skilled warriors and my agents report that the sacrificial prisoners, although bound, are often still in possession of weapons. Apparently it makes for a better spectacle

"In truth, desperation is what drives me to ask this favour. If there was anyone else I could ask I would. Besides, although Shuushar and I didn't always see eye to eye, we knew each other well. You clearly have his trust and so you have mine." Ploopploopeen then pauses and looks rather awkward and sad at Tanic's question.
"I would prefer if I did not have to take my daughter's life and will try my utmost to reach another solution... but this war, this heresy must stop ... and I'll do whatever I must to end it"

I don't know if Tanic can get in on the eel hide 'hide' armor but he would jump at the chance.

Eel Hide armor sounds nice!

"You're telling me we get to go in as ARMED prisoners? Now that's a plan I can get behind!"

Talindra is interested in the following mundane items:
Cestus
Fighter's Kit
Grappling Hook
Spring-Loaded Wrist Sheath x2
Smelling Salts
Any poisons, if possible.

Micar will trade for the items he listed plus Eel Hide Leather Armor.

A couple potions of cure light wounds as well, if they have them.

"Is there anything you can tell us about their warriors? Anyone particularly strong we need to worry about? Any spell casters?"

Assuming you agree to help anyone is welcome to upgrade to Eel Hide armour.
@Talindra - All available. I'll get back to you on the poisons tomorrow.
@Micar - 4 potions of CLW are available.

"That is indeed what I am saying, you will indeed be armed prisoners. As to the enemy capabilities, Ploopploopeen is the only spell caster of any significant power although there will be a number of lesser priests present. Hopefully they should be preoccupied with their rituals and we can hit them hard before they have a chance to react. They are also unlikely to have many offensive spells prepared. As to the warriors, those which are unarmed or armed only with whips are the ones to watch out for. They are the real trained fighters, unlike the rabble armed with nets and fishing spears.Many of the Whips also know a little defensive magic, and so might be more difficult to harm than their light armour might suggest. "

Harro immediately upgrades to Eel Hide armor as soon as he has the chance. With Harro's trait and racial bonuses, that's medium armor with a 0 check penalty and no reduction in speed! =)

Yay! Glad this is rolling again.

Talindra is feeling eager for some carnage, and is glad for the opportunity to get some more equipment. "Alright, let's get geared up and go take down Poop-plop-peeing and the rest of these heretics! Got any interesting poisons on you? Some poisonous fish venom would be great - I saw you all were eating some sort of poisoned fish, only maybe you had already cut out most of the poison?"

The drow has to stifle a giggle as soon as she sees Harro sauntering out in his new eelhide armor. "I see you're really embracing Kuo Toa style and fashion. Well, I'd say you look like a real catch! I'm sure the girls can't wait to reel you in."

Looking confused, Harro just looks at Talindra with a funny expression then waves her comments off like a fly buzzing in his ear

"Who'wat-sit now? Falchi'on? BAH. Nev'r liked curv'd blades meself."

"So how does this work? Do you truss us up with bindings that can be broken or what?"

Gonna pass on the eel hide armor, just light armor for me. Other than some basic survival gear, I can't think of anything I really want right now.

"I really don't wanna get tied up once again," Akri grumbled under his breath as the others started to ask about the plan. "I just want this over with."

[ooc] Poisons- The following poisons are available-
-Fugu poison (poison, ingested), save (fortitude 16), Onset 10 minutes, Frequency 1/minute for 6 minutes Effect 1d2 con damage and nauseated, Cure 1 save

-Sea Wasp Venom (poison, contact), save (fortitude 14), Frequency 1/round for 6 rounds, Effect 1d2 Dex Damage, Secondary effect Paralyzed 1 minute, Cure 1 save
[ooc]

"Yes, that's right. We'll use a combination of poorly tied knots and weak materials to make it easy for you to quickly free yourselves. If there are no further questions I suggest we now turn in for the evening and prepare for tomorrow when we'll go to the Deep Father's Shrine"

"What? Not a falchion! Oh for the love of Nocticula." Talindra spins and turns in frustration as her mockery goes over Harro's head. Instead, she browses the available poisons, passing up on the fugu poison, but going for the quick contact sea wasp venom. She will coat one or more crossbow bolts with the poison.

How many poison bolts can she get?

Once she's geared up, she's excited for the next day. "This'll be fun - it's like we get to re-enact our escape from captivity!"

She has one more thing to look forward to. At night, she finds Vinexa and takes her to a private area. "The priest is going to be able to restore me tomorrow morning. So . . ." Talindra begins to undue the laces of Vinexa's corset, letting her hands do the talking. . .
*Edit* - forgot we're only Level 2, so actually Talindra would die if she went through with the plan above. Such a shame.

Having gotten used to Talindra's excesses, Tanic pretty much ignores her most recent outburst.

Gripping his new axe like he might lose it, Harro grunts out loud once the group is rested and re-armed.

"HrrumPH. Let's get 'dis over wid'."

Talindra - 5 of each sort

The next day Ploopploopeen and some of the other Kuo-Toa see to your bindings and finalise all the agreements made the night before. Ploopploopeen and three other priests of the Sea Mother lead you out of the shrine and towards Altar of the Deep Father. After walking a short while you reach what is obviously the border between the two rival areas of the town. Word has clearly been sent ahead as you are expected and twelve of the Kuo-Toa guarding the barricade break off to escort you to the altar, near the docks.

The idol to Leemooggoogoon the Deep Father consists of a large hide cut roughly in the shape of a manta ray and stretched out on cord between two support poles. A dead splayed out manta ray is pinned to the centre of the hide. Two dead octopodes are draped across the top, their tentacles pined and artfully arrayed, their heads tied together and painted with red and blue pigments. The idol reeks of decay and the broad stone altar below the idol is stained dark with copious amounts of blood, which flows through a channel from the altar to the waters of the lake. 8 kuo-toa are present around the altar, plus Bloppblippodd, the archpriestess of the Deep Father. Additionally, bound and gagged in a corner, is a duergar prisoner.

Ploopploopeen steps forwards towards the group of Kuo-Toa around the altar, bowing low before his daughter.
"The time has come for us to acknowledge your divine vision and welcome it. I have brought these as offerings." He gestures towards all of you, standing within a circle of guards behind him. "Will you not accept them?"

"You are wise, father" the younger archpriest replies. "I accept your offering in the name of the Deep Father. May their blood nourish and strengthen him!"

A burbling cheer goes up from surrounding kuo-toa, their fists raised in the air.

Tanic can't resist taking a poke at them before the fun begins. "Um. Are you quite sure this Depp Father guy would't prefer a nice tuna? We Oreads don't taste too good."

Harro grits his teeth, seeing the duergar prisoner in the corner. Deciding to move while the priests are distracted and looking up, rather than down at him, he activates his invisibility, moves and breaks his bonds, but does not drop them.

He then will try to move to the prisoner stealthily in an attempt to cut the prisoner's bonds free and hand him the dagger used in the cutting if he's awake and in any shape to move...

Activating racial spell-like ability 'Invisibility'; +40 Stealth Checks, only +20 while moving!

Stealth+Invisibility: 1d20 + 2 + 20 ⇒ (20) + 2 + 20 = 42
Perception(Prisoner): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Kuo-toa have the oddest names...

As the group is trudged through the new area, Akri took a moment to look for a good spot to start attacking once free. Any good raised areas I could get to? He was mildly surprised to see that the Deep Father faction alreqdy had a prisoner, a grey dwarf because they really needed another surly bastard (meant with nothing but love), but figured he was probably captured by some supplicant trying to not be added to the cooking pot. As his eyes turned back once again to the father-daughter pair, he was shocked to see, or rather not see, Harro. Taking that as his que, he slowly started to see if the bindings were truely loose, not trusting the kuo-toa that led them here.

After their night of rest Vinexa rose the next morning and gathered their group together. She looked at them and said, "If you want I can implant a suggestion into your minds that will let you shrug off a mental effect that leaves you fascinated or shakes your will to go on for a short time. It will only work once before I have to put it back in place but I think I can put it on all of us."

Going to use mask misery on myself just in case, I can give it to five others. It will let you shrug off the fascinated or shaken condition for 1d4 rounds.

As they were led to the alter Vinexa began to look around at the Deep Father's worshipers to see who among them were the most likely threats. The most obvious was the "high priestess", she had special plans for the b&!*+ if she could reach her. She then looked at the closest of the cultists and was ready, when the trap sprang she was going to start causing chaos.

Going to use mask misery on myself just in case, I can give it to five others. It will let you shrug off the fascinated or shaken condition for 1d4 rounds.

Why not, Tanic will take one

Vinexa wrote:

Going to use mask misery on myself just in case, I can give it to five others. It will let you shrug off the fascinated or shaken condition for 1d4 rounds.

Why not, Tanic will take one

Harro will refuse of course...stupidly.

"Sounds good to me!" Talindra agrees to receive the mental suggestion.

At Vinexa's offer, Micar hesitates for a second then shrugs, "Sure, I'll take the suggestion."

Micar checks the bindings before leaving for the other Kua-toa camp. I assume they feel much looser than if we were truly bound.

Falling in line with the rest of them as we make our way toward the Alter of the Deep Father, he tenses up a bit when Harro decides to go off on his own, but maintains character.

Micar scans the crowd looking for guard placement, the lesser priests, and the ones armed with whips.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Talindra loads her crossbows with some special bolts in preparation for the battle - one with drow poison, and two with the sea wasp venom. She memorizes some new spells in the morning.

As Harro vanishes from view, Talindra is just waiting for the right moment to strike.

Tanic is not much of a tactician and takes no special preparations for the moment. He's more interested in the looks on the faces in the crowd.

The bindings indeed feel loose and easily breakable, as promised.
The altar is the only real raised surface in the area and is large enough for maybe three people to stand on at once. There is a gentle slope from the back of the area to the waters edge but not enough to make much difference in a fight.

@Harro You make your way unnoticed to the duergar prisoner and cut his bonds. He seems confused at first but realises what is happening as you hand him the knife. "Thank you brother" he whispers.
He looks weak but able to put up something of a fight if necessary

Kuo-toa parade around the altar in a wide circle as they chant. Part of their path sends them splashing and wading through the shallows of the Darklake. A priest is positioned at each corner of the altar and acolytes are scattering offal into the water.

Bloppblippodd calls for the sacrifices to be brought forwards and one kuo-toa per prisoner jumps to do her bidding. They prod the prisoners with their spears and herd them to a slight depression in front of the altar. The stonework is stained with blood and you can just hear the gentle lapping of the Darklake as the chanting gets louder and faster.

Two of the Whips are about to grab the first sacrifice when Ploopploopeen suddenly attacks, striking his daughter in the face with his sceptre. A small group of Kuo-toa loyal to him surge forward to attack as the guards stand in shock and the priests continue their chanting.

The enemy are shocked and can't act in the first round. Harro is currently still unnoticed and can be where he wants to be. Two Whips and a number of spear creatures are within close attack range, The priests, including Bloppy and her father are about 20 feet away.

"Stay down or b'hind me brot'er. Time to give t'ese scaly wa'evers a proper dueregar thrashin'..."

And then all hell breaks loose! Harro's kinda hell!

"Let's DANCE!"

Gripping his new Great Axe tightly, Harro begins his raging and charges the nearest biggest, bad-looking fish-man enemy that he can see!

Invisible, raging(free action), surprise-attack charge! +2 to hit with Charge, -2 AC! Rage: +4 temporary HPs with another -2 to AC; Current AC until his next action turn is effectively 12!

Great Axe(Raging): 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 = 29
Damage (2-Handed+Raging): 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Confirming Crit?
Great Axe(Raging): 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 = 28
Damage (2-Handed+Raging): 2d12 + 12 ⇒ (7, 6) + 12 = 25

Invisibility is gone, and Harro just hurt SOMETHING pretty badly I think? =)

With the fight beginning Vinexa let her bonds slip free and turned to the cultist who had prodded her forward. She stepped up to him, her eyes focused on his and drew him into their depths, as threw her arms around kuo toa and tried to grab hold, rubbing her body against the goon.

Hypnotic stare on the cultist (swift).
grapple: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Well crap, that was a bad roll.

So . . . it just occurred to me, are kuo toa immune to poison?

As the assault begins, Talindra twists aside and draws two crossbows, taking a step away from the creature prodding her forward. Hoping to take advantage of the surprise, she fires a sea wasp-poisoned bolt at her guard.

Hand Crossbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12; Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Micar unbinds himself and moves to the nearest Priest or Whip while drawing his Wakizashi. As a swift action he makes his Wakizashi a +1 weapon.

Not sure if it's a free, move, or standard action to free ourselves from the ropes. Let me know if I've got another action or not.

Tanic will cast a Thunderstomp on Bloppblippodd. then try to get away from the press so he is not surrounded.

Trip attempt: 1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 4 = 24

@Talindra Poison works as normal on Kuo-toa. Incidentally, in double checking that I noticed that they can sense the presence of invisible creatures within 30 feet of them as they rely on other sense to a greater degree. We'll say that Harro's stealth was more than sufficient to avoid detection despite this however.

Harro strikes one of the Kuo-Toa Whips, his blade sinking deep into the fishman's shoulder. Enraged it drops its whip and shrieks, the sudden pain driving it into a wild frenzy.

Vinexa attempts to grab onto the guard behind her but finds its slimy, slippery skin difficult to get a grip on and it easily slips away.

Talindra's bolt strikes the kuo-toa guarding her in the upper thigh. It grimaces with pain but does not appear to have been affected by the poison.

fort save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

@Micar- I'll say breaking the bonds is a free action. Feel free to add a standard.

Tanic casts Thunderstomp and the ground near the altar shakes, throwing the archpriestess to the ground, giving her father a chance to strike her again with his sceptre.
@Tanic are you moving towards the water or away from it as you move out of the crowd?

The fighting between kuo-toa intensifies, especially in the shallows of the lake where the fighting seems especially fierce and the water is already noticeably discoloured by blood.

Considering the nature of these battling deities, and the fact that the slope up to the sacrifice area from thewater looks like a path for something large and slithery, Tanic would have to be mad to go anywhere nearer to the water than he has to.

Good call

Are we still waiting for people to post their action or are we starting a new round?

I think we're just waiting on Akri? We'll give him a bit more time to post before moving on as it's the weekend.

With his standard action:

Micar attacks the nearest Whip.

Wakizashi: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Apparantly he forgot to draw his weapon and does that instead.

Sorry, been having a lot of irl troubles, but I'm feeling better now. Shouldn't disappear like that again.

Getting out of his bonds, Akri turned to the first kuo-toa that he thought was on the bad side and let loose with his energy bolt.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
+1 atk and dam if within 30ft

No worries Akri, stuff happens and I've not been the best at not disappearing for a day or two recently either.

Akri hits the kou-toa behind him.
Micar draws his weapon.
Next round

Feeling the fight was going well, Harro cries out in joy!

"Well, call me Fisherman! Cutt'n and gut'n some 'fishies' up! WHOOO!"

Rage round 2 of 11! Current AC is 14!

Great Axe(Raging): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Damage (2-Handed+Raging): 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16