[PFS_Aerondor] 00-20 King Xeros of Old Azlant (tier 7-8) (Inactive)

Game Master Aerondor

"It isn't me who sees you as evil; it's the Inheritor who sees us all. And because She's all good, She wants us to turn away from evil ourselves.

"We're not here for your money. We're here to explore the ship, set free its prisoners and show them the light of the Lady."

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Despite his apprehension, Herrick takes the hag's words as both true and interesting.

When she tosses the bag of riches to him, he catches it in his free hand and offers a nod of respect to the crone.

"One can't force another to believe. One can merely set the best example possible. To that end, since you have shown no hostility towards us, I would like to grant you safe passage from this ship, as long as my companions agree." Herrick says with a serious tone.

"If you would be willing, perhaps we could talk further after we finish our exploration of this vessel." he says to the crone, never taking his eyes from hers.

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"Right, I'll be off then. Nice being rescued by you all. " scowls the old crone.

"Now... which way is out?"

Eyeing the hag with some concern, the paladin offers, "I have no issue with you departing, so long as you vow to commit no harm to those in the city on your way out. You mentioned losing your life force, are you in need of any healing before you leave?"

Clandelve, having had little to say during the encounter, simply points they way they had come.

"Off with ye..." he mutters.

"Why yes young man. If you would be so kind. This ship has leached much of my essence from me. Old Bertha would very much appreciate some healing."

Let me know how much you want to provide, then she will follow your instructions as to how to exit the ship.

Aeris' eyes widen slightly in surprise as Caduceus offers to heal the crone, but he shrugs it off. All the same, he nudges Herrick and says, "At the risk of seeming overly suspicious, it might be worth checking what's in that pouch before she takes off. Not saying you should count it if it's what she says it is, but if she's caused us some sort of trouble with it, it'd be worth knowing."

"Well 'Bertha', I offer this from one sentient to another, with no preaching or judgement. I wish you happiness."

Lay on Hands: 4d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 3, 2, 1) + 2 = 14

not exactly my best, but I am just a vessel.

Caduceus, somewhat to the surprise of the old lady, heals her.

She then heads down the stairs (assuming you provide her the directions).

The purse does indeed contain a variety of somewhat precious stones.

"Well, the other function of this cube was to open something," Aeris remarks after the crone has departed, "perhaps it opens a door to some answers about this ship. I'll give it a go, I guess." He calls on Milani to aid him in his task, then tries to use the cube's opening function.

Aeris can make a Wisdom check with a +4 bonus, Herrick has a +5 but that's a small difference, and no one has much by way of engineering skills, so here goes (casting guidance first):

Wisdom, Guidance: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 1 = 21

Can we aid? Rolling just in case.

Favian attempts to observe what Aeris is doing to give him advice...

Wisdom: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

But he can't make sense of it.

You can aid-another on these checks, I'll give everyone a day to try that if they want to and then we can see what happens. Given we are going with a wisdom check on this one now, it will be wisdom aid-another not an engineering check.

Herrick looks​ over as Aeris gets ready to activate the device. He offers a minor suggestion to his friends, hoping his little bit of wisdom will help.

wisdom aid+guidance: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

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Aid, Wisdom+ Guidance: 1d20 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 + 1 = 7

The sword flashes briefly as Silas offers what insight he can.

Aid, Wisdom + guidance: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

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While I'm happy with guidance being used with aids, when you are all aiding, it is not really practical to have someone aiding, casting guidance for themselves and also casting guidance for another. Not that Silas needed the aid :-)

Between the group, you manipulate the puzzle and suddenly a door in the bulkhead opens, showing a steep set of stairs leading still further down into the ships hull.

A reasonable perspective, GM. I didn't mean to set off a cascade of guidance, but I am glad we succeeded at the check! In the end,
only Aeris' casting of guidance affected the outcome, and it might not have at all if Clandelve had posted to aid and succeeded.

"Well, that was complicated," Aeris remarks, "but we figured it out together. Let's see if these stairs lead to answers, rather than more questions."

He waits for the front-liners to lead the way, then follows behind.

Clandelve hefts his hammer and takes the lead.

"Le's see what else we find," he mutters.

Following close to Aeris, Herrick remarks, "It certainly was complicated, but your insight proved Milani chose well when she smiled upon you Aeris."

His senses clear and his awareness heightened, he scans for trouble over the head of Clandelve while they descend.

Perception/see invis: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (17) + 23 = 40

The narrow stairwell opens out into the ship’s main cargo hold, a massive split-level affair with the upper portion ten feet above accessed by a wide stair. The entire area looks like a giant botanical garden. A massive plant, milky-white and translucent, grows atop the upper hold area and curls about the entire chamber with a forest of fronds, tendrils, and clinging vines. The shapes of multi-armed humanoids can be seen moving about its thick growth of vines and tendrils that appear to grow into the very bulkheads. A number of strangely shaped flowers of deep violet bloom among this tangle, and at the top of the hold stairs, a great gnarled root crown stands like the trunk of a hoary old tree, a crease in its side opened wide like a dragon’s maw. Behind it stretches a winding taproot that disappears toward the bow of the ship, as large around as a wagon. Clearly discenrable within this taproot are the huddled forms of unmoving humanoids.

init critters: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Map has been updated. Action! You can roll for init for yourself on this one, anyone beating a 25 can act. The room is difficult terrain for all of you due to the tree, the four Xill you can currently see don't seem to find it difficult. Also to fire into the room you must be in it, or on the bottom step of the stairs, otherwise the angle down is too much.

Initiative: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26

"More Xill ahead! Beware! he says to his companions behind him.

"Feronia, grant me your divine favor so that I may bring justice and destruction to my enemies." he says aloud, calling on the favor of his goddess and passing judgement on the xill.

third and last judgement for the day(swift action), cast divine favor(standard action).

Aeris nods in reply to Herrick's kind words before descending the stairs into the bizarre chamber below.

Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Can't beat a 25 but here's my roll.
Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

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Initiative: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

Favian is ever so slightly faster on the draw and uses his wand of shield before advancing into the room with blade drawn.

Desmond takes Favian's wand and prepares to defend his master.

Initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 13

The paladin once again calls on Iomedae to share her insights with the others.

Will cast Bless on my turn.

last init Clan: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

The first of the Xill moves up and attacks Favian, Desmond manages to deflect the first attack but there are just so many arms which wrap themselves around him... The second Xill takes advantage of the compromised Magus and joins in the fun, scratching and biting. He starts to feel fatigue wash over him...

Meanwhile two massive branches bend down from the tree to also assault the Magus but with less success.

The final two Xill also close in, but they don't have as much time for their attacks.

Status, bold may post
Status, bold may post
(LL)Clandelve - 12 damage (12) ;
(LL)Aeris
(LL)Favian - (grappled) Fort DC 16 or paralyzed. 4 damage; 28 NL damage (12 points ablative barrier remains)
(LL)Herrick
Silias - 6 damage;
Caduceus
Xill
red (grappling Favian)

Seeing the danger Favian is in, Caduceus bellows out a clarion infused shout.

As an immediate action, (before the bite..maybe?) I will cast Liberating Command, allowing Favian an Escape Artist check as an immediate action with a +8 competance bouns.

You can cast liberating command as soon as grappled, but not waiting to see the result of other attacks. I may have to retcon some other actions if it is successful, so everyone else hold off posting please.

@Favian just the escape artist check please.

Status, bold may post
(LL)Clandelve - 12 damage (12) ;
(LL)Aeris
(LL)Favian - (grappled) Fort DC 16 or paralyzed. 4 damage; 28 NL damage (12 points ablative barrier remains) ESCAPE ARTIST check at +8
(LL)Herrick
Silias - 6 damage;
Caduceus - immediate action used.
Xill
red (grappling Favian)

Favian will also use a point of Arcane Pool to activate the derring-do deed granted by the Flamboyant Arcana magus arcana.

Escape Artist: 1d20 + 6 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 8 = 17
Derring-do: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Going to use my folio reroll (2 stars) on that as I can't do any worse.

Escape Artist: 1d20 + 6 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 8 + 2 = 28 (29 with the derring-do).

Though the quarters are tight, Clandelve tries to knock back the blue-clad Xill, pounding at it with hammer and shield.

Each time attack hits a target, gain a +1 bonus on attack rolls against that target, which stacks with each hit against that target and lasts until the end turn.
+2 Warhammer (adamantine): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 251d8 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13 and
+2 Warhammer (adamantine): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 131d8 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 and
+2 Spiked Light Shield: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 171d4 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
+2 Spiked Light Shield: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 181d4 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Opponents hit with Shield Bash also hit with free bull rush attack, using attack roll +15. If bull rush succeeds, may make trip combat maneuver at end of bull rush. If hit, total of 32 for first bull rush attack.If hit, total of 33 for second bull rush attack.
trip combat maneuver: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18
trip combat maneuver: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24

Slightly complex with retcons here

Favian tries to escape. It looks like he won't do it, but then in a surge of energy he manages it.

Clandelve attacks the blue, but the angle is awkward (hard corner, grants cover) and he only gets a single blow in.

Caduceus blesses the group, and winces as his lifelink absorbs some of the damage that Favian took.

Status, bold may post ; bless
(LL)Aeris
(LL)Favian - 4 damage; 24 NL damage (16 points ablative barrier remains); immediate action used
(LL)Herrick
Silias - 6 damage;
Xill
blue - 13 damage
Caduceus - 5 damage; immediate action used. (cast bless)
(LL)Clandelve - 12 damage (12) ;

DM - how much ceiling clearance is there on the stairs and in the cargo hold? It seems from the description that the room is pretty tall, especially the part near where we've entered. I'd like to use my slippers of spider climb to get into the room and onto a wall or ceiling, but I don't want to cause a bunch more retcon if it's not feasible to do that.

Life Link is a supernatural ability and therefore magical. Since it's a source of magical healing, it should also remove 5 points of nonlethal damage. I wasn't sure if you took that into account.

Also not sure what attack was what, but wanted to make sure you had my AC at 32 (34 vs attacks 1 and 3) and not 28.

Favian decides to try to play defensively. He charges his blade with magic then takes 2 tentative swings with his sword before attempting to cast a spell.

Swift action to spend 1 arcana to make my blade a +2 keen weapon

Spell Combat, attacking defensively, taking the attacks first vs red.[/dice]

Attack #1: 1d20 + 15 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 15 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Attack #2: 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Arcane Spell failure: 1d100 ⇒ 61 [ooc]Fails on 1-5
Concentration: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23 vs DC 17.

Favian vanishes, but the terrain prevents him from moving.

AC is 35 this round.

Seeing his master disappear, Desmond knows he is a target and hops back into Clandelve's square.

The stairs are tight as with most ships. I can't see references to Azlanti being taller than other humans, so lets stick with a 6' ceiling in the stairs, thus only the person at the bottom would be able to fire into the room beyond. The Cargo hold itself has a massive tree in the middle of it, so I'm assuming it is about 30' tall. You can use the slippers, but you would attract AOOs from each of the Xill as you will have to pass through Favian's square before going up on to the wall.

While he can't quite get a target on the xill due to the steep angle of the stairs, and having no place to move himself, Herrick can still see Favian and Desmond are in trouble. To prevent further grappling and possible paralysis by the four armed xill, Herrick calls to Feronia to grant his companions freedom for a brief time.

Liberation Domain power, Freedom's Call(8 rounds), 30' aura that suppresses several conditions of his allies, including grapple and paralysis(sorry it doesn't work vs difficult terrain). He will move closer if Aeris goes for the ceiling in the room, but other than that he is limited in where he can go.

Okay, thanks, glad I didn't just go for it, that would have hurt.

Frustrated by the tight confines of the fight, Aeris prepares himself for when there's a bit more room to shoot, calling on Milani to strengthen his bow and fortify his armor. With this task done, he nudges Clandelve in front of him and says, "See if you can make us a little room in there, would you?"

Standard action to activate Holy Strike blessing, swift action to activate Sacred Armor, increasing AC by +1, free action to complain about another fight in a tight space!

Favian - I expect you know this already, but you won't provoke AoO's when you're invisible, so you should be able to move past the xills (unless they can see you somehow).

Favian - I expect you know this already, but you won't provoke AoO's when you're invisible, so you should be able to move past the xills (unless they can see you somehow).

Exactly the reason I cast Vanish. :) But in order to make the defensive casting automatic, I had to use spell combat which is a full-round action, and I can't take a 5 foot step in difficult terrain.

Exactly the reason I cast Vanish. :) But in order to make the defensive casting automatic, I had to use spell combat which is a full-round action, and I can't take a 5 foot step in difficult terrain.

And exactly what I figured you had in mind. Just trying to maximize the chances of more of us getting into the room, as you clearly are too.

Yes, I was going off 32 (and 34 for Desmond's successes). Favian doesn't have a swift action this turn, he took an immediate action to get out of the grapple. Good catch on the NL damage.

Favian launches a couple of quick attacks, but only the first has any success. All those around Herrick feel their hearts fill with the spirit of Feronia - no scummy Xill is going to grab hold off them just at the moment.

Aeris calls on his own patron for additional protection.

Status, bold may post ; bless ; Freedoms Call.
Silias - 6 damage;
Xill
blue - 13 damage
red - 6 damage
Caduceus - 5 damage;
(LL)Clandelve - 12 damage (12) ;
(LL)Favian - 4 damage; 19 NL damage (16 points ablative barrier remains); vanished
(LL)Herrick
(LL)Aeris

Lady help me, he thinks as he hoists his shield. Unwilling to let his allies face these creatures without him, and hoping to perhaps give them a brief distraction as well, he pushes past them all into the room. "Leeroy Jenkins For Iomedae!"

I'm guessing this will provoke from all of them-- and this also counts as a double move.

@Silas That would be an acrobatics check. You cannot move through an oponents square normally

Opponent: You can't move through a square occupied by an opponent unless the opponent is helpless. You can move through a square occupied by a helpless opponent without penalty. Some creatures, particularly very large ones, may present an obstacle even when helpless. In such cases, each square you move through counts as 2 squares.

Oh, my bad.

Acrobatics (lol): 1d20 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 1 - 5 = 12

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It looks like it would take 45 feet of movement for Silas to get to the indicated square which is more than a double move. (Remember all squares in the room count as difficult terrain.) I think the farthest you could get is south of yellow. It wouldn't require moving through an enemy, but you'd end up provoking from all of them.

Favian doesn't have a swift action this turn, he took an immediate action to get out of the grapple.

Subtract 1 from the attack and damage rolls if your haven't already. Keen didn't make a difference this round. I'll likely just do the same thing next round, so I won't bother retconning the arcane pool use on my sheet.

I was assuming those squares were unoccupyable, but since red is in one then I guess not. Have altered my position accordingly, no Acrobatics needed.

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@Silas that works; Can you include a perception check this turn please, you too Favian

The paladin steps through the gap left in the Xill line. Quick as a lizard up a drain pipe, the surprised Xill can't lay a claw on him.

One steps into the gap, or tries to, realising that Favian is still there. The green and blue Xill flail away at the invisible magus, but without success.

Presented with a more obvious target, the yellow and red Xill lay into Silas, keen to not have him get past them. Their multitude of claws draw quite a bit of blood. However protected by the call of Freedom they cannot grab hold of him.

The tree also bashes the cold blooded knight. It too tries to wrap about him, but cannot get a grip.

Status, bold may post ; bless ; Freedoms Call.
Silias - 39 damage;
Caduceus - 5 damage;
(LL)Clandelve - 12 damage (12) ;
(LL)Favian - 4 damage; 19 NL damage (16 points ablative barrier remains); vanished
(LL)Herrick
(LL)Aeris
Xill
blue - 13 damage
red - 6 damage

Remaining behind the cover of the wall, Clandelve tries to lay hammer and shield on the blue-clad Xill he had previously wounded. He strikes at it several times, hoping to knock it down.

Each time attack hits a target, gain a +1 bonus on attack rolls against that target, which stacks with each hit against that target and lasts until the end turn.
+2 Warhammer (adamantine): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 191d8 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13 and
+2 Warhammer (adamantine): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 291d8 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 and
+2 Spiked Light Shield: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 201d4 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
+2 Spiked Light Shield: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 181d4 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Opponents hit with Shield Bash also hit with free bull rush attack, using attack roll +15. If bull rush succeeds, may make trip combat maneuver at end of bull rush. If hit, total of 35 for first bull rush attack.If hit, total of 33 for second bull rush attack.
trip combat maneuver: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29
trip combat maneuver: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19

Grumbling, Aeris wonders aloud, "How do these guys keep cutting in front of me?" Deciding to do something about it, he calls on Milani to protect him, then rushes forward, using his spider-slippers to run up the wall of the cargo hold. Spinning, he looses a single, deadly arrow at the xill who's most in the way.

Use fervor (4/8 used) to cast shield of faith as a swift action, move action to go down stairs then 15' straight up east wall of cargo hold with slippers of spider climbing , standard action to shoot yellow with Deadly Aim and Holy Strike. I can't edit the map at the moment, but I should end up 15' directly above Favian. Depending on how quickly I can begin using the slippers (could I run along the ceiling of the stairway, and not touch Favian's square at all?), this will provoke between 1 and 4 AoO's.

Longbow, Deadly Aim, PBS: 1d20 + 14 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 14 - 2 + 1 = 33
Longbow damage, Deadly Aim, PBS, Holy Strike: 1d8 + 5 + 4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 4 + 1 + (2) = 20

Crit confirm: 1d20 + 14 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 14 - 2 + 1 = 28
Crit damage: 2d8 + 20 ⇒ (5, 8) + 20 = 33

Can't edit Buffs sheet at the moment, current buffs are Sacred Armor, Holy Strike and Shield of Faith. Current AC is 26.

The paladin absorbs more of Favian's fatigue and bruising before sending forth a surge of healing.

Selective Oracle Channel: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 2, 3) = 10

Use Beneficent Touch ~ Once per day, when you cast a spell or use a class ability that heals hit point damage, reroll any 1s that appear on the dice and take the new roll (even if it is another 1).

Selective Oracle Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Total healing 14 points. I took 5 NL from Favian before the channel, so we should both be topped off, (I thought healing takes care of NL and regular damage at the same time) and Silas should be at 25.

Feeling better, Favian moves invisibly behind the yellow xill, trudging through the overgrowth.

He (finally) enchants his blade and casts another spell and slashes across the back of the unsuspecting Xill.

Arcane Spell Failure: 1d100 ⇒ 100 Fails on a 1-5
Cast Frigid Touch, attacking with Spellstrike

Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 15 + 1 + 2 = 37 Includes bless and invisibility
Weapon Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Cold Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 3, 5) = 12
+Staggered for 1 round

Confirm Critical: 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 15 + 1 + 2 = 27
On a confirmed critical, Favian will spend 2 arcane pool to use Perfect Strike to increase the critical multiplier of the weapon to x3

Extra Weapon Damage: 2d8 + 16 ⇒ (6, 4) + 16 = 26
Extra Cold Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 4, 5) = 17
+Staggered for 1 minute instead.