PbP Game Day IV: Sfounder's Song of the Sea Witch (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

Haakon follows Isabella's lead and heads straight for the door.

"Talisin I hope that it IS Demons up there. I need to introduce them to my new shield. I have named it 'Svalinn', the name of a great protector from Ulfen history!"

Well, the name of a legendary shield from Norse mythology really.

Haakon straps the large mithral shield to his arm in anticipation.

"If there are no demons then it is still the duty of a hero to save people in times of trouble.

Ulfric will make no additional purchases as he is skint

As thy shop, the White haired Skald admires his friend's purchase with a resounding thump to the back.

"An auspicious name my King! Now let us start Svalinn's tale!"

Ulfric has been hanging back up until now, helping the crowd get organised to fight the fire. Looking on as Quinn grows in size he takes his offered hand with his free ax hand, his shield strapped to his arm, the though of combat giving him a rush of exhilaration.

"Of course comrade! The quicker the better!"

K. Planes on the first devil he sees 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

"Of course comrade! The quicker the better!"

"That's the Spirit!"

Don't know what sort of roll (if any) is required to boost Ulfric to the window. Quinn's STR is currently 16 To speed things here's the base roll:
?: 1d20 ⇒ 14

The quick thinking short cut helps tremendously. Inside it's not pretty...

Sheets of dancing orange and red fire cover the walls of this long room, forming blazing curtains around two windows facing the streets below. The interior of the room is undisturbed, and the wooden floor is completely absent of flames. A swirling, sinister symbol adorns the center of the floor, formed of a darkened red substance and accented by a few nearby candles. Opposite the only entrance into this room is a large open altar filled with more candles, a single blood-stained dagger, and an open book from which torrents of flame feed the inferno along the walls. Nestled in the corners adjacent to the entrance are three humanoid bodies—two toppled over one another in one corner, and a third in the opposite corner, face down on the wooden floor. A single beast of Below stares at you. This seething devil deftly wields a vicious, saw-toothed glaive, while below its toothy maw writhes a hideous, twitching beard.

Haakon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Isabella: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Whitemane: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Nadil: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Talieson: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Ulfric: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Baddies: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

No window leads directly to this room, you see the flames from an adjacent room. For simplicity's sake, everyone starts 5' off the map.

Initiative Repost:

Devil: Readied
Talieson: Go
Ulfric: Go
Nadil: Go
Isabella: Go
Haakon: Go
Whitemane: go

After hoisting the last ally into the building, Quinn climbs up and squeezes through the window. Hunching to keep his head from hitting the ceiling, he downs a potion of barkskin.

DM: Your initiative list has Ulfric twice (once as "Whitemane") and no Quinn

Oops, my bad. Sorry about that. The Whitemane roll was intended for Quinn. I'll fix it.

Initiative Repost:

Devil: Readied
Talieson: Go
Ulfric: Go
Nadil: Go
Isabella: Go
Haakon: Go
Quinn: go

Isabella draws her sword and moves forward carefully. She expects an attack at any moment

Acrobatics to leave threatened square: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Damage, Silver: 1d8 + 3 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 3 - 1 = 13

"Comrades! We face a bearded Devil, watch for its glaive, it will make you bleed!

Ulfric steps away from the window, Drawing his battle axe and readying his shield upon his left arm as he does so. Moving around the room so as to not yet engage the Devil he strikes up a tale of the Ulfen hero Svalinn, his grand shield of the purest ice, which could defeat the breath of a Winter Wolf.

Inspired Rage: Choose whether you except each turn; +2 Str/con, +1 will, -1 Ac. Can't use Cha or Int skills or Dex skills except Acro, fly Ride, intimidate. You also get the lesser spirit totem rage power. As a swift action, the spirits make the following attack:

Spirits: User's Bab + Ulfric's Charisma (+3), d4 +3 negative energy damage

Pathfinders begin to spill into the room, undeterred by their otherworldly foe. Ulfric's tale mingling with the sounds of boots and blades. Isabella gracefully tumbles in, though she doesn't strike hard enough to sink her blade beneath the devil's skin!

Initiative Repost:

Devil: Readied
Talieson: Go
Ulfric: Inspired Rage
Nadil: Go
Isabella: Move and attack
Haakon: Go
Quinn: go

Ulfric's tale takes hold of Haakon just as he sees the horrid sight in the room. I would like to Inspired Rage.

"You're going back to whatever foul realm you come from Devil!" bellows Haakon as he dashes towards his horrid foe, heedless of the creatures greater reach. His AC drops to 17 due to Inspired Rage

Haakon strikes out at the creature with 'Svalinn'.

Attack Roll: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 = 12

Damage Roll: 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7 'Silver', bludgeoning

The spirit of his Ulfen ancestor's join him in striking at the devil. Swift Action to use the lesser spirit totem granted by Raging Song.

Attack Roll: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Damage Roll: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Haakon tries to get the jump on the devil, but the swing is awkward and the devil is too tough. When the totem spirit lashes out, however, the devil isn't ready and it's touch drains a bit of the devil's fight.

Devil: Readied
Talieson: Go
Ulfric: Inspired Rage
Nadil: Go
Isabella: Move and attack
Haakon: Attack
Quinn: go

Sorry guys, I forgot to execute the devil's readied action (which is independent of the Acrobatics to avoid an AoO. I'll also drop Nadil off the initiative.

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13, but the glaive swing misses by a mile.

Devil: Readied
Talieson: Go
Ulfric: Inspired Rage
Isabella: Move and attack
Haakon: Attack
Quinn: go

Quinn opened by chugging a potion

Devil: Readied
Talieson: Go
Ulfric: Inspired Rage
Isabella: Move and attack
Haakon: Attack
Quinn: Potion

Taliesin unfurls a banner attached to her spear, the banner of the Pathfinder Society.

"Remember who you are!" she says with determination, though it is clear the bard is scared.

Using Inspire Courage. Combined with my flagbearer feat, everyone who can see/hear me should have +2 ATTACK/+2 DAMAGE! DON'T FORGET IT!

Taliesin's standard helps her fellow Pathfinders, but only angers the devil. He flies into action, attacking the barbarian who got the best of him at first:
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26 DMG: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 +2 Bleed

He then turns towards Isabella
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 DMG: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 +2 Bleed

Seeing mortals bleed makes him smile. The beard and the smile turn your stomach.

Devil: Readied
Talieson: Go
Ulfric: Go
Isabella: Go
Haakon: Go
Quinn: Go

Parry, Bard: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 2 = 21

"You will pay for that!" Isabella yells while she tries to parry the attack, which does not succeed. She follows up with a step towards the devil and a swipe to his head.

Attack, Bard: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 = 29
Silver Damage, Bard: 1d8 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 = 13

Confirm: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 = 13 probably not
Additional damage: 1d8 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 = 10

At 11 damage

Taliesin pokes at the creature tentatively, almost as if she is warding it away with her longspear.

MW Longspear (inspire courage, banner): 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 81d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

Seeing the Devil lash out with his halberd, Ulfric gives out a roar of frustration at seeing his comrades ' blood stain the wooden floor. He continues his chanting tale, using it to urge him on like a hero in his stories.

Moving forwards, he steps in front of Taliesin and plants his shield, before taking a swing with his enchanted axe.

"Stand up and fight!

+1 battle axe, Rage song+inspire courage: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 111d8 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

spirit totem: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 211d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Quinn struggles through the door, stooping behind his allies, and unsheathes his massive sword-cane. He readies an attack should the foe come within range of his reach.

If I'm counting right this is as far as Quinn can get into the room, squeezing through the opening. And I don't expect the bearded one to move closer, but just in case.

Haakon steps forward as the wound caused by the devil's weapon continues to bleed.

"You will pay for that you foul monstrosity!" he says through gritted teeth as he rapidly strikes at the devil with 'Svalinn'.

5ft step, full attack with Brawlers Flurry, then swift action for the spirit totem.

Flurry attack 1: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 27 damage: 1d6 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 10

Flurry attack 2: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 21 damage: 1d6 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 13

Spirit Totem: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

I'm not sure if the Inspire Courage works with Spirit Totem. If so then both rolls get an additional plus 2.

I hadn't noticed the 20 on the spirit attack. Here is the confirm roll. I've also been informed that the inspire bonus works on to hit but not damage - thanks for the info @Ulfric

spirit crit confirm: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 2 = 17 spirit crit damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Isabella tries to parry the attack, but the remise lands wounding her. While her defense didn't hold up, her redoubled attack certainly does. It's an inch away from the devil's throat, but it does its job. There's a lot of chaos in the battle, too much for Talieson who misses. The massive Quinn manages to get inside, but it takes a fair amount of squeezing. Ulfric is thwarted like Talieson, and can't land a hit. Haakon, however, finds his opening. He scores a pair of solid hits and the spirit does as well But not confirmed.

Remember, if you're bleeding you take 2 points of damage at the beginning of your turn.

Enraged at the damage done by Haakon, the devil focuses his ire on the Ulfen. He drops the glaive and lashes out with his claws:
Claw 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 DMG: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Claw 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12 MISS

Devil: Claws
Talieson: Go
Ulfric: Go
Isabella: Go
Haakon: Go
Quinn: Go

I hope this devil doesn't last much longer or Haakon will heroically (stubbornly) fall over soon!

Was that a miss on the Spirit Totem AC 21 as well?

Ulfric roars infrustration, having missed his target utterly,seeing his future King taking even more punishmenthe decides he can't take it anymore. He keeps his tale going, to bolster his allies and uses the war spirits fo his ancestors to strike out at the devil.

Spirit Totem(Inspire Courage): 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 2 = 121d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

With the Devil's proximity, he leaves the flank open to Isabella and Haakon and strikes with his Axe from where he stands.

+1 Battle Axe(Rage Song, Inspire Courage): 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 131d8 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 10

It was NOT a miss. My bad and thanks for catching it. Unfortunately Ulfric's follow up swings fall well short.

Devil: Claws
Talieson: Go
Ulfric: Miss
Isabella: Go
Haakon: Go
Quinn: Go

Taliesin thrusts her spear at the creature again, hoping to keep the pressure on it from a distance.

MW Longspear (inspire courage, banner): 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 201d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

REMEMBER +2/+2 ATK/DMG!

Quinn watches the foe and takes it's measure. 5-foot step, and move action: studied combat

Then he feints with his spear-sized sword-cane to keep the pressure off of Haakon. attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 2 + 2 = 25 Aid another Haakon: +2 AC.

Feel free to shout suggestions to Quinn. A lot of classes here i'm not familiar with

The bard scores a direct hit, but the thrust isn't enough to pierce the devil's resistance to mortal weapons. Meanwhile Quinn's harrying gives Haakon enough room to breath for a bit.

Devil: Claws
Talieson: Miss
Ulfric: Miss
Isabella: Go
Haakon: Go
Quinn: Aid

Isabella steps up and strikes again

Attack, bard: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 2 = 20
Silver Damage, bard: 1d8 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 = 13

taking another 2 bleed damage, now at 13 damage

Isabella's blade finds home one final time. The devil curses the names of 4 generations of her forebears as it sloughs off this realm.

Out of combat.

You're in Yargos's study with a trio of bodies and some of you are bleeding.

UMD: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
UMD: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Isabella flicks her wrist, causing a wand to drop into her hand. She point it at the grievous, bleeding wound but fails to activate the thing. She tries again and her wounds close slightly.

2 rounds spend: 4 extra bleed compensated by 4 from CLW

"Pfew! that was a nasty bugger! And there are supposed to be hundreds or more like him in that book" she points to the open book.

Waiting with other actions to see what others do in these two rounds

"First thing is to tend to the wounded. Permit me to bind that gash, Isabella..."

[ooc] heal: Take 10, +6 = 16 should end bleed.[/occ]

Ulfric stops his tale as the devil dissipates into nothingness, he quickly re-clips his axe to his belt before snapping his wrist and catching the wand it contained.

"Well done comrades! Here Ironpelt, let me help you with that!"

Ulfric activates the magical charges of his wand to heal his brother in arms.

Wand of clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Wand of clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

"let me know how you're feeling and if you need anymore"

"Cure Light Wounds, is one of the spells i've studied. Always happy to activate one of those wands for a comrad."

Knowledge-Any-and-All: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (11) + 8 + (2) = 21 To understand the ritual

Are flames still leaping out of the book?

Haakon lets out a cheer as the devil drops to Isabella's well placed attack.

"That was an enemy worthy of a great hero and his fearless allies. Ulfric will surely tell tales of this fight for many weeks to come! Your final blow was well placed Isabella!" he says as he gives Isabella a friendly slap on the back in congratulations.

"I thank you for the healing magic there Ulfric. It seems that i may have took a scratch or two while we were battling that horrid creature."

Haakon will always downplay just how hurt he really is. He's not good at bending the truth though...

"Ah yes. Before i forget, would anyone like to use this healing wand i have? I've never been very good at this magic stuff."

It's a cure light wounds wand with 36 charges remaining. Feel free to use them as needed.

The flames are, in fact, still leaping out of the book, though they give off neither smoke nor heat.

To clarify, the 21 knowledge roll above doesn't gain me any insight, or you didn't notice it?

UMD: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
UMD: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Isabella tries to activate her wand two more times until she shakes her head in disgust "I can't seem to get it to activate, Taliesin, can you please use it on me?"

Only then she replies to Haakon's compliment "Thanks Haakon"

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Bleed is standardly stopped by any magical healing, of course I don't know if Bearded Devils are special.

"Of course my friends, this battle was a fine one, fine swordsmanship, inspiring words, a giant man in support and of course the Ulfen muscle as immovable as a wall!

Ulfric uses Haakon's wand on his friend.

wand of clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

wand of clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

He then joins Quinn in examining the still flaming book and the dagger sticking out from the altar, in case it seems to hold any specific purpose, above the obvious sacrifice. He then casts a spell upon himself, beseeching his ancients to grant him further knowledge.

Heightened Awareness, giving +2 to all Knowledge checks/perception for 30mins and he can cancel it when rolling initiative for a +4 bonus

Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 2 = 11

Apologies, I thought I had typed a spoiler for the Knowledge check. Now that we're all focused on it, there's no need for spoiler.

Any healing stops the devil's bleed damage.

Just a few precious seconds after the devil vanishes, the flames in the book cease and the book itself SLAMS shut. The entire room goes silent away from the breath of the living. The dagger is exquisite in it's make, and could fetch a small fortune, but doesn't radiate magic. When you look at the alter you do find a pair of oils that radiate faint magic on a small shelf underneath.

Haakon: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Isabella: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Quinn: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Talieson: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Ulfric: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20

Seeing nothing amiss, Quinn is distracted by the shiny and will attempt to identify the jars of oil.

spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

"I do not wish to distract everyone from the interesting literature over there, but I think this body here isn't quite as dead as we first believed."

Haakon cautiously starts to move towards the twitching body.

"If this is a survivor then we should provide aid. If it turns out that they are our enemy then they will answer for what has happened here." he says while keeping 'Svalinn' at the ready.

Quinn, they're both Oils of Align Weapon.

The twitching body matches the description of Yargos, but he has clearly been beaten to within an inch of his life.

Taliesin walks over to the not-dead body and taps it apprehensively with her wand.

"Oh, my..."

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

I'm also happy to hold anyone's wand and use it on them whenever...just go ahead and roll whenever you want me to use it on you.

Quinn, they're both Oils of Align Weapon..

Quinn shares this discovery.

Talieson uses the wand on the old sage. It's enough to bring him back to consciousness, but he's still pretty rough off. His speech borders on babbling, but what you get out of it is that he dispatched an aid to the Society while he sent another to Ollysta with the Celestial Song with hopes that she could find a way to reverse the ritual. The sage goes on to lament his actions and promises never to involve himself in such works again, claiming that only misery and woe have come from his research. Despite this lamentation, Yargos insists that you help him in rectifying his mistake by reinforcing the bindings within the book—an act that he assumes can only be accomplished when the infernal tome is reunited with its sister, the Celestial Song. He finally takes a breath to speak clearlt, "Please Pathfinders, before it's too late."

Ulfric grabs the knife from the table and sticks it through his belt, he hangs back as the rest deal with the man and listens intently to his babbling, his demeanour growing stony and the light of laughter leaving his eyes for the first time since he had met his comrades in arms this morning.

"This is why you should not meddle if you are not wise enough to contain the consequences!" he snaps in frustration, before forcing himself to lighten with a harsh laugh.

"So my friends, we cannot always choose or control the tale fate has dealt us, but we must continue through to the end and prevail against this blight! So, where to? Straight to the temple of The Shining Star?"

The sage looks down at the ground, truly a defeated man. "I know. I know. I've learned my lesson. Please, once this right is wronged, I'll retire."