The popping and fizzing of bubbling liquid echoes throughout this rectangular chamber. To the west, a platform towers fifteen feet over the rest of the room. A steel grate extends from this platform like a bridge to a large metal cauldron suspended by rusty chains above the floor. Steep steps descend around support pillars to the level below and a pair of iron doors to the east.
Entering the room seems to trigger something in Valais yet again. This time, she speaks, though it is in a quiet whisper.
"I...I woke up here...I noticed that my form was...different, as you see me now. Thurl stepped up and told me, 'It seemed like you wanted to learn what I was up to, Pathfinder. Think of this as the first step in teaching you. Ah, but your growth is not yet done.' The next thing I remember, I was in an incubation vat where we first came in."
Basalte, Male Oread Fighter (Unbreakable) 4, Bloodrager 2, Living Monolith 10, Unchained Monk 1 | HP 219/219 | AC: 34 T:19 FF:34 CMD: 39 (+1 AC/saves when FF/surprised, +4 CMD vs BRush/Trip, +2 vs Sunder) | DR 3/- | 30% fortification | F+25 R+15 W+15 (+3 vs Mind-Aff; +2 vs Death, Fear) | Init +2 | Perc +27 (Darkvision, Tombsight, Tremorsense)
Basalte enters the room to get a closer look at the vat. He has his adamantine falchion in hand, in case there's another Valais currently simmering in there.
As Basalte approaches the vat on the grate, Walter extends his supernatural senses towards it. Just as Basalte reaches the edge, he detects the presence of evil.
Basalte peers into the vat, and notices two small noses pointing out of a thick, gooey sludge that is steaming hot.
At that moment, two hideous creatures, both about the size of gnomes, burst partway out of the sludgy liquid, and look ready to fight!
HP 33/33 | Ac 17 T 13 FF 14 | I+4 | Fort+3 Ref+9 Will +5 (+1 vs enchantments)| P+7 | Bluff +20 Diplo& Intimidate +16 Sense Mot +18 | BP 11/19 | Spells 4/6+1/4
Walter and Johann can tell these are some sort of demonic eidolons. They can fly, and they are immune to fire.
As the creatures squirm in the cauldron, you can see small imp-like wings on their backs.
Basalte moves in a slashes the nearer one, but even though the stroke is nearly perfect, it doesn't quite hit the creature's vitals crit did not confirm
Walter's spear is off target, but Johann's flask is not! The holy water burns both creaures, but neither falls dead.
Now for the tricky part. The description of the room read:
Quote:
To the west, a platform towers fifteen feet over the rest of the room. A steel grate extends from this platform like a bridge to a large metal cauldron suspended by rusty chains above the floor. Steep steps descend around support pillars to the level below and a pair of iron doors to the east.
The stairs each count as two spaces for movement, and the only spaces where you can actually reach the cauldron in melee are the ones occupied by Basalte and Walter. Tyraneus' spell could hit one of them if he aims up from his current spot. But they are immune to fire. Since I was slow getting the ID out, I'll allow a retcon assuming you all shared your knowledge. Also, Gunther may retcon as well since my description of the room may not have been clear. And if it's an attack, you can keep your rolls, just apply whatever modifier would be appropriate.
M Gnome Alchemist (Preservationist) 9 | HP 57/57 | AC 23 T 15 FF 19 | CMB +5; CMD 19 | Ft +8 (+2 vs poison) / Rf +11 / Wi +5 (+1 vs enchantment spells & effects)| Init +4 | Per. +14 | Bombs 21/21
"They're immune to fire -- they're a demonic eidolon, and I don't have time to explain what an eidolon is, but just kill them! Kill them with something other than fire!"
Wouldn't that have been enough to get one more bit of information, such as what weapons they are vulnerable to? Tossing holy water around has been extremely effective for Johann lately.
It would be. I can tell you that they have no DR, no resistances, and are immune only to fire. So, what I said before, but this time more complete. They are evil outsiders with the native subtype.
No, a 26 hits. It ran on into the next dice expression, so I only looked at the final number! Please make sure attack and damage rolls are on separate lines. Simply putting a space between them makes things harder for me, especially when posting via Wayfinder. Both bad guys are hurt bad, but neither is dead yet.
He throws a little too hard and the bottle smashes on the lip of the cauldron behind the target, splashing both with holy water, but not doing as much as a direct hit would have.
Sorry, I couldn't update the map before. The creature took a 5' step back, and then got splashed by the holy water. Sorry to burn some good rolls! You may revise your action accordingly, and as Gunther did if you take an attack action, keep those hot dice!
Johann's second flask misses, but plenty of holy water splashes onto the eidolon, burning its flesh and sending it back to the Abyss!
HP 33/33 | Ac 17 T 13 FF 14 | I+4 | Fort+3 Ref+9 Will +5 (+1 vs enchantments)| P+7 | Bluff +20 Diplo& Intimidate +16 Sense Mot +18 | BP 11/19 | Spells 4/6+1/4
Active Spells:
Heightenend Awareness, Heroism
Dimitra continues singing and moves a bit closer. She then tries to antagonize the creature into attacking her, knowing that doing so would expose it to Walter's attack.
Male 1/2 Orc Inquisitor 2/ Ranger[Trapper] 2 hp 29/29 AC 24 Init +4 Fort +10 Ref+8 Will +8 Precept+13 Sense Motive +8
Walter gladly assists Basalte with his wounds.
Abadar grant your humble servant your shield!
Walter casts shield of faith on Basalte and then on himself'
+2 def bonus AC
Basalte, Male Oread Fighter (Unbreakable) 4, Bloodrager 2, Living Monolith 10, Unchained Monk 1 | HP 219/219 | AC: 34 T:19 FF:34 CMD: 39 (+1 AC/saves when FF/surprised, +4 CMD vs BRush/Trip, +2 vs Sunder) | DR 3/- | 30% fortification | F+25 R+15 W+15 (+3 vs Mind-Aff; +2 vs Death, Fear) | Init +2 | Perc +27 (Darkvision, Tombsight, Tremorsense)
Basalte grumbles, but nods in thanks. "I am grateful. I think it is customary to say this under such circumstances in your culture, yes?"
Steeling himself, he will also drink the extract of shield that Johann gave him earlier. 4 minutes on shield (+4 shield bonus to AC); 2 minutes on shield of faith (+2 deflection bonus to AC).
The two doors open into the entryway to the same room. As the party fills in, they see:
Maps of varying sizes drawn on paper, papyrus, and parchment of dozens of styles cover the walls of this chamber. Most of these bear sketched annotations of some form or another, and bare, rectangular spaces in the cartographic wallpaper attest to maps that have been hastily removed. An enormous parchment map of the Worldwound dominates the east wall above a solidly built wooden desk covered in a haphazard array of books and papers. Scores of charcoal symbols and indicators dot this map, pointing out sites of interest that are named less often than not. A hand-sized statue of a fiend stands on top of the desk.
DC 18 Knowledge (geography, history, or local):
Most of the annotations relate to sites tied to dwarven history.
DC 23 Knowledge (planes):
The statue depicts a glabrezu demon.
As Basalte ans Walter make room for the others, the carved mouth of the demon statue begins to move, and it speaks
“Ah, Thurl, you’re back. I trust your little vacation to Jormurdun was pleasant and that my brethren did not demolish your laboratory in their conquest of Nerosyan. Now that I know where you are, I shall join you shortly. There are plans in motion that go far beyond our original compact, and I wish to make you a part of them.”
Thurl’s books and notes are written in a mix of Abyssal, Common, and Dwarven, and cataloging them in any meaningful way requires a successful DC 18 Intelligence, Linguistics, or relevant Profession check and 10 minutes of reading; you receive a cumulative +2 bonus on this check for each of the three languages she can read and
understand.
Searching the desk reveals this letter:
Letter:
Thurl,
I understand that you are slow to act on your knowledge of the Sky Citadel, but the Worldwound seems poised to act whether we are ready or not. What is more, the Society has just discovered what you have known for years, and if you do not act now, they shall snatch your prize away from us — from you.
I have acquired a new contact — truly a powerful ally, as I’m sure you’ll agree. He will contact you soon to make an offer, and I encourage you to accept.
"Mhhrrr. These annotations are linked to the history of my people. The northern ones I mean." Catching a surprised look in his companions' eyes, the oread explains. "Sorry, let me clarify. I was raised by dwarves."
"These notes are valuable, here is the key to understanding them." he adds after a thorough and fruitful study.
"The letter is a valuable proof too. We should show Venture-Captain Jorsal what we found. Let's head back."
HP 33/33 | Ac 17 T 13 FF 14 | I+4 | Fort+3 Ref+9 Will +5 (+1 vs enchantments)| P+7 | Bluff +20 Diplo& Intimidate +16 Sense Mot +18 | BP 11/19 | Spells 4/6+1/4
HP 33/33 | Ac 17 T 13 FF 14 | I+4 | Fort+3 Ref+9 Will +5 (+1 vs enchantments)| P+7 | Bluff +20 Diplo& Intimidate +16 Sense Mot +18 | BP 11/19 | Spells 4/6+1/4
As fast as the Pathfinders move, they still notice some very strange things. First, Valais is nearly frozen in place with fear, muttering "He comes... He comes..."
The vermin, by now spread out through the old lodge, begin to race away from the study as though they were one.
As the team flees, Valais comes to and follows behind.
As you near the stairs, Tyraneus and Walter notice their holy symbols begin turning slowly in the air. In the distance you hear a soft 'pop', then a low, deep voice.
"Thurl? Where are you? Have you created any new playthings for me?"
The group hurries upstairs, back to the ruined labyrinth. The voice does not follow.
But now the labyrinth seems whole again! The way back out must lie somewhere...
