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Theadus hustles into the room, and delivers a devastating blow to the giant amphibian.
It croaks in pain, and then attempts to bite its tormentor!
...unfortunately for it, it proves wholly inadequate to the task.
Wulfgar hustles forward, but only succeeds in taking a serious chunk out of the masonry.
Then Sindre then moves up, and throws a bolt of ice, which drops the frog.
With time on your hands, the party is able to search the room thoroughly, which turns up a (non-magical) small jade statue of an angelic being with five wings, wielding what appears to be a miniature bastard sword.
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The four wings of the tower are completely open on this level, forming one great, cross-shaped chamber with arched ceilings. The decayed remnants of a carpet run from the doorways at the end of each wing, meeting in the center, where a spiral staircase drops out of sight below. A large, throne-like chair stands in the middle of the eastern wing next to a big chest.
Seated upon the throne is a big troglodyte, who reaches down and strokes the back of an albino crocodile squatting beside the chair as Helm crests the top of the stairs.
On the other side of the throne is the young troglodyte that fled earlier, which jabbers excitedly when it sees Helm.
Theadus:
Helm:
Sindre:
Ebonfeather:
Aeloran:
S:
T:
YT:
B:
Clearly unconcerned, the big troglodyte snorts, and unmistakeably gestures for Helm to 'bring it'!
Round 1: Ebonfeather, T, Helm, Aeloran, B, Sindre, S, Wulfgar, Theadus, YT
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Ebonfeather moves forward, and casts a spell, causing his hand to shimmer with frost.
The big Troglodyte on the throne grins, stands up, and casts a spell as well, causing a curved blade of fire to form in his hand.
Balenar starts singing, attempting to raise his new-found allies' spirits.
Sindre moves forward, and casts a spell, cuasing a blaost of cold to fire towards the big Troglodyte...
...who starts blinking rapidly
Round 1: Ebonfeather, T, Helm, Aeloran, B, Sindre, S, Wulfgar, Theadus, YT
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His face determined, Helm inclines his head to the large troglodyte.
"At my hand you will meet your death today," he says loudly.
Still, Helm considers the wisdom of charging into a disadvantaged position, and moves he quickly toward the smaller troglodyte to even the odds. He draws his blade at the last moment and attacks in one fluid motion, aiming at the smaller creature's neck.
for
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Aeloran fires a bow, hitting the Troglodyte on the throne...
...barely gaining his notice.
The albino crocodile next to the throne then moves around it to assault Helm...
...but is completely incapable of harming the deft warrior.
Round 2: Wulfgar, Theadus, Ebonfeather, T, Helm, Aeloran, B, Sindre, S
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Ebonfeather calmly walks up to the crocodile near helm and reaches to grab it. Hoping the cold chill will slow it down.
After reaching out, Ebonfeather calls to the desert that he grew up in, and somehow survived in. Blistering heat starts to swirl around him, causing his form to flutter around like a mirage almost.
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Wulfgar channels the destructive energy of his God, and strides forward.
Ebonfeather calmly walks forward and attempts to touch the crocodile, which warily evades his grasp.
As Ebonfeather strides forward, there is a grinding noise from the stonework beneath his feet, and then a horrific crack as the entire wing breaks free from the rest of the tower, and tumbles to the ground many feet below!
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The albino crocodile launches itself through the air, and lands, scrabbling, on the edge of the remaining tower.
Ebonfeather has less luck, bouncing down the side of the tower, before landing in a crumpled heap of feathers at the bottom.
Helm has more luck, managing to catch himself on a ledge half-way down the tower...
...for a moment, he blesses his good fortune, before the overwhelming smell of guano brings home the realisation that he is on the same level as the bat swarm.
Like Ebonfeather, the big troglodyte is singularly incapable of arresting his fall, landing on the ground with a wet thud, but incredibly, he is still conscious
Theadus moves forward and launches a javelin, which goes wide.
The big troglodyte staggers to its feet, and slowly begins to limp out of sight at the bottom of the tower.
Round 2: Wulfgar, Theadus, Ebonfeather, T, Helm, Aeloran, B, Sindre, S
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Helm, taking one look at the swarm of bats (which appears to have become agitated by the fact that part of hits home has collapsed), wisely decides that discretion is the better part of valor, and stands, moving over to where the secret door is.
Aeloran the fires an arrow at the crocodile, which goes in one flank, and then out the other.
Sindre then finishes the job by hitting it square on the snout, freezing its jaws shut.
Balenar moves forward and asks:
"Does anyone need healing?"
Round 2: Wulfgar, Theadus, Ebonfeather, T, Helm, Aeloran, B, Sindre
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Wulfgar, crazed by bloodlust, hacks away at the unconscious crocodile, splitting its skull and shedding blood across the room, before realising that it is no longer a threat, and sheepishly heading down the stairs.
Ebonfeather remains unmoving on the ground 60' below.
Round 2: Wulfgar, Theadus, Ebonfeather, T, Helm, Aeloran, B, Sindre
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Theadus starts hustling down the stairs.
Helm opens the secret door, steps through, and closes it, just as the swarm starts boiling in his direction.
Eventually, the party gathers together and returns to ground level, where it is discovered that Ebonfeather is alive, albeit quite unconscious.
Searching through the rubble reveals the following:
A masterwork scimitar, and a tattered cloak of resistance +1, ripped from the Troglodyte's shoulders in the fall.
A broken chest, its contents scattered amongst the fallen stones, which consists of:
A masterwork short sword, 15 cold iron shurikens, two flasks of acid, a potion of cat’s grace, a potion of lesser restoration, a wand of summon monster I (CL 3rd, 9 charges), an amethyst worth 100 gp, and 247 gp in assorted coins.
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With the defeat of the Troglodytes, the Fallen Fortress stands abandoned once more, but it’s only a matter of time before something else moves into the damaged siege tower and poses a new threat; perhaps another band of beginner adventurers will have just as much luck in clearing them out...
Balenar Forsend is profuse in his thanks, offering to escort you to the Pathfinder Society’s Grand Lodge in Absalom, where he will gladly sponsor anyone who is not already a member, for membership in the Pathfinder Society, an organization of explorers, archaeologists, and adventurers.
After a short evaluation that determines you don’t need additional training, the leaders of the Society accept you as initiates. As new Pathfinders, you will have your choice of missions across Golarion, and even the opportunity to have your exploits published in the hallowed pages of the Pathfinder Chronicles!
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Helm, looking worse for the wear, staggers out of the tower.
He nods at Sindre's suggestion. "Though the tower appears to be falling of its own accord," he says.
"I do wish we had the chance to finish off that vile creature. The dishonorable thing has fled...hopefully it will die of its injuries."
The samurai sheaths his blade when it appears all is clear and prepares to go back to report their findings.
"You all conducted yourselves with great skill and precision," he says to his companions. "I will endorse each of you in my reports," he adds with solemnity.