I moved Andor's icon forward, with Ash just behind him. Stepping off the stairs onto the floor triggers what you probably all guessed was coming.
As Andor steps onto the floor, the statue begins moving, with a sudden speed belying its solid stone construction. The team is ready, however, and several of the pathfinders are able to react to its motion swiftly enough to anticipate its actions.
DC 13 Knowledge (arcana):
This statue is a kind of magical construct known as a Caryatid Column. Like most constructs, it is immune to death effects, disease, mind-affecting effects, necromancy effects, paralysis, poison, sleep, stun, any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects, or is harmless), nonlethal damage, ability damage, ability drain, fatigue, exhaustion, and energy drain. You may know other information with a high check, including Damage reduction, immunities, and defensive abilities.
The statue coming to life is little surprise to Mekhu who recognises it quickly as a caryatid column. "As I suspected, a caryatid column," he says. "Magical constructs with significant resilience."
My actions depend on what else I know about caryatid columns.
In case Andor is attacked he uses 'Opportune Parry' and parries by expending an AoO to parry (so if the attack roll of the opponent is lower than Andors parry then the opponent does not hit and Andor could potentially reposte
Opportune Parry:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
In case Andor successfully parries he uses 'Reposte' as an immediate action to attack the opponent that attacked him by expending a Panache Point.
You are aware that these type of constructs are usually protected from most forms of magic and hard enough to damage weapons -- however, this one appears to lack these usual immunities and is made of softer sandstone instead of marble. [ooc]This variant caryatid column lacks Immunity to Magic and Shatter Weapons special qualities. It's hard enough that weapons, though unlikely to be damaged simply by striking it, won't do as much damage as they would to normal flesh. DR 5/-
Andor's rapier strike generates sparks but no damage as he tries to attack the statue.
Male N Human (Garundi) Investigator (Empiricist) 4 | HP: 35/35 | AC: 15 (11 Tch, 14 Fl) (+1 vs traps) | CMB: +6, CMD: 17 | F: + 4, R: +6 (+1 vs traps), W: +6 (+2 vs illusions) | Init: +5 | Perc: +11+d6 (+2 vs traps), SM: +6 | Speed 30ft | Inspiration: 6/6 | Extracts: 1st - shield, heightened awareness, ???, ???; 2nd - bull's strength | Active conditions:None
GM:
Thank the gods for that! I was somewhat concerned about our chances of taking down a real caryatid column. I don't think we've got enough weapons between us!
"This column looks unusual," Mekhu says as he moves forward, sword raised to protect himself. "It's still made of solid stone, and as such will take a lot of effort to damage, but it appears not to have the same magical protections as most examples of it's kind. Enough solid blows should bring it down."
Everyone can read the Mekhu spoiler in the GM's post.
"Grey, I believe your sword would be appropriate here," Mekhu calls as he jabs his sword towards the construct, trying to create an opening for Grey to exploit.
Move Action to move 25ft, (which should allow Grey enough space to move past me into a flank with Andor without provoking AoO), Standard Action to Aid Another for +2 to hit on Grey's next attack.
"Just Hold still....This one Asks." Shin takes sight and releases a bolt!
Shoot! 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 91d10 ⇒ 8
The Melee makes it difficult for him and his shot flies off somewhere above the combatants.
The statue swings its staff to strike at Andor, who parries it and strikes back, jabbing the point of his rapier into its breast, only to see it bend and spring back, unable to damage the stone.
Shin's shot misses as well.
Dice:
Slam:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
All PCs other than Shin are up. Grey has a +2 on his next attack against the statue.
Male N Human (Garundi) Investigator (Empiricist) 4 | HP: 35/35 | AC: 15 (11 Tch, 14 Fl) (+1 vs traps) | CMB: +6, CMD: 17 | F: + 4, R: +6 (+1 vs traps), W: +6 (+2 vs illusions) | Init: +5 | Perc: +11+d6 (+2 vs traps), SM: +6 | Speed 30ft | Inspiration: 6/6 | Extracts: 1st - shield, heightened awareness, ???, ???; 2nd - bull's strength | Active conditions:None
Two bolts - one of magic, one of wood - snap past Mekhu at the statue. Ducking out of the way, he steps lightly to the statue's side, trying to keep it distracted. As the statue turns to attack Andor Mekhu tries a downward slash across it's back, hoping to do some damage to it.
Free Action to 5ft step, Standard Action to attack with the flank.
M Human Hunter 2 | HP 17/17| AC 18; Tch 13; FF 16| F +4; R +5; W +2 | CMB +4; CMD 16| Init +2 | Perc +7
"Lucy! Now!" Grey and Lucy quickly split and and attempt to take opposite sides of the creature, unable to establish the flanking positions they are accustomed too they settle in awkwardly and strike at the creature.
Male CG Kitsune (in vulpine form) from the Forest of Spirits in Tian Xia | Swashbuckler 1 / Investigator 9 | Resistances: Elec. 3, Acid 3, Fire 2, Cold 2 | Init +8 | HP 94/94 | ‘Serang' Familiar HP 47/47 | Normal: Panache 7/7 | Inspiration 10/10 | Extend Potion 6/6 | AC 28 (30 vs. Traps), T 18 FF 21| CMB +16 (with Rapier), CMD 22 (24 Disarm) | F: +10, R: +18 (+20 vs. traps), W: +12 (+14 vs. illusions) | Boots of Speed 10/10 | Perc +24 (+28 vs. traps), Dipl +19 | Low-light vision | Speed 30 | Active cond.: see spoiler in post
Oh sorry, did not see that GM said we are all up.
Andor strikes with his Rapier again and then moves out of his flanking position with a short step to the position facing the construct to give Kridash room to attack from the side.
5 ft step to the central position in front of the construct.
In case Andor is attacked in this round he uses 'Opportune Parry' and parries by expending an AoO to parry (so if the attack roll of the opponent is lower than Andors parry then the opponent does not hit and Andor could potentially reposte
Opportune Parry:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
In case Andor successfully parries he uses 'Reposte' as an immediate action to attack the opponent that attacked him by expending a Panache Point (currently 3/5 remaining - after this potential attack 2/5 remaining).
Magic missiles and blows from weapons burst, thud, and clang against the statue. Though it is resisting much of the damage, the soft sandstone takes a toll from the assault, and you see cracks that were barely visible before grow large and threaten the construct's overall integrity.
The statue swings again, this time at Mekhu, who takes a solid impact against his arm. 7 Damage to Mekhu.
Male CG Kitsune (in vulpine form) from the Forest of Spirits in Tian Xia | Swashbuckler 1 / Investigator 9 | Resistances: Elec. 3, Acid 3, Fire 2, Cold 2 | Init +8 | HP 94/94 | ‘Serang' Familiar HP 47/47 | Normal: Panache 7/7 | Inspiration 10/10 | Extend Potion 6/6 | AC 28 (30 vs. Traps), T 18 FF 21| CMB +16 (with Rapier), CMD 22 (24 Disarm) | F: +10, R: +18 (+20 vs. traps), W: +12 (+14 vs. illusions) | Boots of Speed 10/10 | Perc +24 (+28 vs. traps), Dipl +19 | Low-light vision | Speed 30 | Active cond.: see spoiler in post
Andor is happy that his last strike at least damaged the creature a little bit. Again he strikes with his Rapier and tries to hit a more sensitive spot in the construct.
In case Andor is attacked in this round he uses 'Opportune Parry' and parries by expending an AoO to parry (so if the attack roll of the opponent is lower than Andors parry then the opponent does not hit and Andor could potentially reposte
Opportune Parry:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
In case Andor successfully parries he uses 'Reposte' as an immediate action to attack the opponent that attacked him by expending a Panache Point (currently 3/5 remaining - after this potential attack 2/5 remaining).
Rapier reposte attack roll :1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 Damage reposte roll (+4 dex from Fencing Grace Feat):1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Shin holds his shot as he sees his companions lay into the column with extreme fustration as the soft stone still resists all if not the most powerful of their blows!
Grey, Lucy, Andor and Ash pummel, slash, and gore the statue to rubble.
Combat over!
Aside from this statue, the room is barren of anything else of great interest. More ancient bones and smashed statues, similar to those in the other room, but nothing else. Now that the statue is out of the way, the doorway to the north is easily accessible.
Male N Human (Garundi) Investigator (Empiricist) 4 | HP: 35/35 | AC: 15 (11 Tch, 14 Fl) (+1 vs traps) | CMB: +6, CMD: 17 | F: + 4, R: +6 (+1 vs traps), W: +6 (+2 vs illusions) | Init: +5 | Perc: +11+d6 (+2 vs traps), SM: +6 | Speed 30ft | Inspiration: 6/6 | Extracts: 1st - shield, heightened awareness, ???, ???; 2nd - bull's strength | Active conditions:None
"Argh!" Mekhu cries as the statue smashes his arm with its staff, but it's turned into rubble by the time he can reset to attack again.
Catching his breath he pulls out a wand from yet another pouch on his belt. "Grey, would you be so kind as to point this at my arm?" he asks, wincing slightly at the pain of moving his injured arm.
Male CG Kitsune (in vulpine form) from the Forest of Spirits in Tian Xia | Swashbuckler 1 / Investigator 9 | Resistances: Elec. 3, Acid 3, Fire 2, Cold 2 | Init +8 | HP 94/94 | ‘Serang' Familiar HP 47/47 | Normal: Panache 7/7 | Inspiration 10/10 | Extend Potion 6/6 | AC 28 (30 vs. Traps), T 18 FF 21| CMB +16 (with Rapier), CMD 22 (24 Disarm) | F: +10, R: +18 (+20 vs. traps), W: +12 (+14 vs. illusions) | Boots of Speed 10/10 | Perc +24 (+28 vs. traps), Dipl +19 | Low-light vision | Speed 30 | Active cond.: see spoiler in post
"Guys, we make an awesome team! I can already see our names printed in a Chronicle! But ... I think the fun is just about to begin! And I swear that I have not put anything in mouth, yet!" Andor says with a sly smile
Andor boldly walks into the room, as the others take stock of the situation and heal up. The walls, ceiling, and floor of this room are covered in elaborate patterns of countless tiny tiles. The tiles also form three images on the west wall: one depicts a woman in a cloak hovering above a pile of skulls; another depicts the same woman kneeling before a massive fend; the third shows her in the company of a godlike figure standing before a massive pyramid.
DC 15 Knowledge (religion):
The fiend is Ahriman, Lord of All Divs.
A large number of objects are strewn about this chamber. Most of them were once valuable art pieces, but have been heavily damaged. The objects include: gold-plated idols of a pharaoh (heavily dented); a lacquered box with a faint scent of stale incense (covered in tooth marks but unopened); a ceremonial platinum dagger (snapped in half); dozens of pieces of pottery (smashed to bits); and numerous objects of gold and silver, all dented, battered, and broken a dozen times over. Also visible is wads of papyrus that have been mashed up and stuck to the ceiling like spitballs -- perhaps they were once scrolls or records.
DC 15 Knowledge (history) or Appraise:
The pharaoh depicted is the Pharaoh of Forgotten Plagues, and these treasures seem to date to the time period of his reign, approximately -3000 AR, i.e. more than 10,000 years ago.
Male Elf - Arcanist 5 - AC(17)/T13/F10/CMD14 |HP 26/26| Fort:+3;Ref:+5;Will+5 |Percept.+6 | Init.+5 | { mage armor} Arcane Pool (0 of 11 used)
Fascinating. This is indeed a rare find.
He studies the papyrus with keen interest.
kn:history:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
I know a bit of history. The pharaoh depicted is the Pharaoh of Forgotten Plagues, and these treasures seem to date to the time period of his reign, approximately -3000 AR, i.e. more than 10,000 years ago. That is old even for my people.
The items, though broken, have some value in the materials used, and in their historic value to the Society.
Looking into the next room, you see a well-preserved wooden chest sitting atop a platform against the
south wall of this room. A series of arcane glyphs burnt into the top of the chest forms a spiral. Iron bindings reinforce the chest, and it has no apparent lock or key. A series of heavy latches keep the lid tightly shut.
"This series of images is strange. The depiction of Ahriman, the lord of the divs, is distressing but not unexpected given what we already know about what has occurred since this place was discovered."
Making quick notes on the destroyed treasures, and collating items for return to the Society on their way out, Mekhu hears Andor's shout. "I will examine the area. Ash, will you assist?" he asks the bigger man. Mekhu then pulls out an extract and drinks it down before he examines the next chamber, carefully checking the walls, floor and ceiling as he approaches the chest.
Ill use my extract of heightened awareness at this point. It lasts 20 minutes.
Wary of possible traps, and heeding the Venture-Captain's advice, he uses as many senses as he can - closing his eyes to listen, gently passing his fingertips over the walls and floor, sniffing for suspicious odours. It's clear to everyone that Mekhu takes his job, and safety of his comrades, very seriously.
Mekhu examines the room carefully, but finds no hint of a threat as they approach the chest. It is not even locked, but has three heavy latches that, thinking about the nature of the fiend you have heard described -- a floating head -- would be very difficult to operate without hands.
Male CG Half-Orc Pugilist 4.0 | Init +4 | Perc: +9, SM: +2; Darkvision 60 ft | HP 33| AC 20; T 15; FF 15 | CMB +3 | CMD +18 | Fort +7; Ref +13; Will +4 (5 vs enchantment) | Speed: 30 ft | Conditions: -
Sorry about me being silent in the last few days. Back now.
The half orc steps towards the chest awkwardly. "I must admit. I am not the strong type. I prefer precise strikes to where it hurts. But I can help - maybe."
