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Without a word, Hush draws his bow and nocks an arrow. He looks to the skies for an easy target.
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The group regathers on the North Lawn. An initiate wanders the crowd with a platter of pastries, and is startled when Boom just takes the whole thing out of her hands ("THANKS!") before busily stuffing them in her mouth. Meanwhile, Master of Swords Marcos Farabellus ascends a makeshift stage and addresses the large collection of Pathfinders and guests on the North Lawn.
"Greetings! Once again, I am Marcos Farabellus, Master of Swords, and it is my distinct privilege to welcome you all to the annual Grand Convocation of the Pathfinder Society! We have sent expeditions throughout the Inner Sea and beyond – from Tian Xia to Jalmeray to Irrisen, we have explored, worked together, and uncovered more mysteries about our world than ever before. It has been an incredibly successful year for the Society, and the ones responsible stand before me today: each and every one of you who continues to make the Society great. On behalf of the Decemvirate and your venture-captains, you have our sincerest thanks.
"As most of you know, one our greatest triumphs of the decade has been the location and exploration of the lost sky citadel, Jormurdun. Those of you who joined the Jormurdun expedition may recall the unusual artifact that we discovered on that mission: the Sky Key. The key gave us a momentary glimpse of the past—an unparalleled opportunity to meet and interact with a lost civilization. Unfortunately, the key was not whole. So, for the past year, teams have scoured Golarion in search of its missing components. I’m pleased to announce today, the Sky Key is whole! Soon we will again bridge the divide to ages past and--"
The Master of Swords pauses for a brief, questioning second as he peers into the air above the gathered crowd. There, an immense Glyph of the Open Road hangs in midair before booming an angry retort.
Farabellus’s eyes narrow as he stares at the symbol.
"Who are you and who put you up to this?"
the voice retorts.
With each accusation, cracks appear in the Glyph of the Open Road before the whole symbol ignites and drips flaming tears upon the crowd below.
Screeches from above announce scores of winged humanoids launching themselves from Skyreach's many roofs, just as howls from the menagerie accompanied by explosions from the outbuildings that send painful reverberations through the Grand Lodge.
The Pathfinder Society is under attack!
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"This isn't part of the display, is it Boom?"
"NOPE! I DON'T THINK SO!" Boom booms over the sudden din, her hands and tail busily pulling bottles and vials from various bandoleers about her person and depositing them (some, glass and all in her haste) into her mouth. Even now, her persistent mirth maintains a cheerful grin. "Protect the guests and visitors! But stay together and STAY SAFE!" With a great *whoosh* the tiefling unfolds her wings rockets almost straight up, gaining altitude rapidly. The group watches as she cleaves a mystery-flyer in half with a greatsword and hucks an explosive at another before their attention is drawn back down to ground level...
...by an immaculately dressed Taldan nobleman who scrambles for cover behind a table, which his halfling manservant helpfully flips onto its side. Catching his breath, the Taldan fumbles for his monocle before addressing the nearby Pathfinders. "Monsters and villains are attacking all over the grounds," he states with perfect articulation, punctuated by a crossbow bolt that embeds itself in his makeshift barricade. "Spread out, patrol the grounds, and snuff out trouble as you find it. If you should discover any clues about what the devil is going on, report back here at the base of Skyreach." He pulls his sword cane free from its sheath and raises it overhead. "Look alive, and show initiative," he shouts before performing an elaborate dueling salute in the direction of a stray elephant and setting off after it.
The beauty of the Grand Lodge’s well-manicured grounds is shattered by the sounds of shouts and screams from panicked initiates, support staff, and visitors. Frightened innocents trip over hedges and stumble through fountains and pools in an effort to get to safety by the most direct means possible, especially when the landscaping otherwise leads them to certain peril.
Only a few feet away from the group, a elven dignitary backs away in fear from two dun-colored, cat-sized beetles!
As the dignitary scrambles away, the party gets the jump on the beetles!
Initiative - bold may act!
1. Rimble, Hush, Daragor, Sidney, Salouris, Hskoro
2. Beetles
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Hush looses his arrow at the nearer of the two large beetles.
Unfortunately, he's unable to even hold onto the arrow properly and it falls from his fingers.
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Mouth agape a Boom flies off, he composes himself and tightens his turban then pulls out a dagger with his left hand while looking at the ensuing chaos. "Guess I'll let my mistress bless these creatures with her holy flame," Sidney says with a slightly wicked grin, as a glow comes from the man's eyes. Turning around, sweeping an arm wide, his right hand seems to engulf itself in a bright fire. "Sir elf, would you care to stand back as I bless these bugs with Sarenrae's fire?"
Hush's arrow crunches softly into the gravel beneath his feet. The beetles seem unperturbed. Sidney takes the opportunity to send a bolt of flame at one. The over-sized bug collapses its wings at the last moment and the bolt flashes into the fountain behind it, causing a small puff of steam to rise into the afternoon air.
Round I - bold may act!
1. Rimble, Hush, Daragor, Sidney, Salouris, Hskoro
2. Beetles
Showing up their companion's earlier volley, Salouris and Hskoro put two missiles into the red beetle! The two shafts stick out the other end of the now lifeless husk.
Round I - bold may act!
1. Rimble, Hush, Daragor, Sidney, Salouris, Hskoro
2. Beetles (Red)
Antoniollus's beak bite buries deep into the bug, and Daragor follows it up with ta crossbow bolt, finishing it off!
Out of initiative!
A staff member comes running up after the last shot is fired. "Thanks for that, Pathfinders! The damned beasts are running all over the grounds--a couple of attackers knocked out the guard at the menagerie and now they're releasing all the cages!"
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Hush stores his bow and draws his twin shortswords. I was never much good with the thing anyway.
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Rimble draws his crossbow and calls Antoniollus back.
"My reptile friend, certainly this isn't the main attack, but we can't just leave this place in danger. There are other Pathfinders at other sectors. Let's try to clear here first, right? Come, Antoniollus", then the sorcerer stars to walk around, looking for any released beasts.
Resumed Initiative
Of the half-dozen bugs that clamber about the grounds, harassing guests and visitors, three missiles have already put down half of 'em and Daragor's bolt has severely injured another.
The orange-plated beetle scuttles toward Daragor and makes an ineffective bite at his boots.
MISS
While the purple-plated beetle drags its injured self toward the tasty bird, its blue-plated mate chomps on the avian.
CRIT THREAT not confirmed
Round II - bold may act!
1. Rimble (Antoniollus 5/7hp), Hush, Daragor, Sidney, Salouris, Hskoro
2. Beetles (Red; Yellow; Green; Purple @ 4 dmg, staggered)
The beetle ignores Salouris' instruction and, unfortunately, his bolt doesn't fare much better.
Round II - bold may act!
1. Rimble (Antoniollus 5/7hp), Hush, Daragor, Sidney, Salouris, Hskoro
2. Beetles (Red; Yellow; Green; Purple @ 4 dmg, staggered)
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Hush drops his bow. Never did really get the hang of that thing. He draws his twin shortswords and slashes at the nearest beetle.
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Two more beetles fall!
Rumble, Daragor, Sidney!
Working together, Rimble and his companion finish off the last of the beetles!
Taking the staff's advice, the party heads over to cut off further mischief at the menagerie. They arrive to find a quartet of dragonoids with jackal-like demeanors prowling among the shriek-filled cages. One fiddles with a key ring in front of a cage holding a comically oversized frog while the other three advance to confront the new arrivals. "Clear off! Or you'll regret it!"
Initiative! - bold may act!
1. Hush, Sidney, Daragor, Hskoro, Salouris, Rimble (Antoniollus 5/7hp (unless healed))
2. Baddies
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Excellent. A ripe harvest. Hush closes the distance to the nearest of the three creatures and slashes.
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"Excuse me, gentlemen. Can anyone of you heal the wounds on my little boy, Antoniollus?", asks Rimble to the others or anyone else who can help him with that, before they continue.
Upon reach the menagerie, the gnome casts Resistance over him and Antoniollus, "be careful", he says to him.
Once in the combat, Rimble shoots the green thing with his crossbow.
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"I find your meaning of speaking to us quite demeaning, which I won't tolerate," the large man says as he steps forward. Hand engulfed in flame once more, Sidney sends a blast of flame at the blue minion!
Hush's quick advance catches the blue-shirted intruder by surprise and his blade sneaks easily between the creature's armor plates. Sidney makes use of his training and follows that up with a blast of fire, taking one foe out. Rimble's shot clinks uselessly off his target's armor and Daragor's goes sailing over the tent beyond.
Round I - bold may act!
1. Hush, Sidney, Daragor, Hskoro, Salouris, Rimble (Antoniollus 5/7hp (unless healed))
2. Baddies (Blue)
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With a deep sigh, Salouris grabs the small set of drums from his belt and beats out a quick tune. From the ground in front of him, a skeltal set of bones claws its way up from the fairground and looks at the elf attentively.
Salouris points towards the dragon-like creatures. "Intruders. Attack." he intones as he hands the undead his sword. The skeleton acknowledges the command by moving forward and slashing at the green-shirted figure.
for
Salouris reaches into the occult realms of a bygone lord to draw forth a soldier, passing over a soldier's weapon. A horrified wyvaran takes the blade to the face!
Hskoro's arrow thwacks into the cage near which a wyvaran continues fumbling with keys unperturbed.
The wyvaran tries one of the keys on the cage's lock, but it doesn't turn. He fiddles with the ring to find the right one...
Meanwhile, the green-scaled wyvaran recoils from the advancing skeleton and sends a shard of light at the undead! In his alarm, however, he misses by a wide margin.
The other snarls nastily at Hush, "Thief! You'll pay for what you've stolen!" Hush feels a wave of fear wash over him, but remains unaffected!
Round I - bold may act!
1. Hush, Sidney, Daragor, Hskoro, Salouris, Rimble (Antoniollus 5/7hp)
2. Wyvarans (Blue, Green @ 7 dmg)
The skeleton's blows do little more than *clank* into the wyvaran's armor. Salouris' bolt has more luck, punching into the far creature's ribs.
Round I - bold may act!
1. Hush, Sidney, Daragor, Hskoro, Salouris, Rimble (Antoniollus 5/7hp)
2. Wyvarans (Blue, Green @ 7 dmg, Red @ 8 dmg)
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Instead of responding to the creature's taunt, Hush merely presses his assault, striking with both blades.
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Hush's metal finds only metal! The wyvaran's armor holds!
Round I - bold may act!
1. Hush, Sidney, Daragor, Hskoro, Salouris, Rimble
2. Wyvarans (Blue, Green @ 7 dmg, Red @ 8 dmg)
Sidney sends a burst of fire at another wyvaran, who bakes with a screech! Daragor takes aim at the keymaster, but it's Hskoro who strikes true! The wyvaran cries out in pain and falls forward into the cage bars; the keys go flying in and are quickly gobbled up by the giant frog.
FAIL
SUCCESS
Rimble moves his short legs speedily and releases a cloud of exploding color into the foe. One wyvaran's eyes spin and he collapses to the ground. The other simply snarls in anger! Antoniollus attacks him, but is waved off by its spear. "Stupid Pathfinders! Stupid bird! FOR THE CLAN!" An arc of lightning zaps into Antoniollus!
HIT
Round III - bold may act!
1. Hush, Sidney, Daragor, Hskoro, Salouris, Rimble (Antoniollus 2/7 hp)
2. Wyvarans (Blue; Red; Green @ 7 dmg, unconscious, blind, stunned, prone; Yellow @ 6 dmg)
You suddenly see a man carrying a Glyph of the Open Road flag on a pole standing behind you. "Fight gloriously in this battle for the Society! For yourselves! Drive the invaders away!"
An Aid Token’s benefits can take one of the following five forms.
Aid Another: A Pathfinder agent helps the party solve a puzzle, disable a trap, or accomplish some other task as if performing the aid another action.
Allied Offensive: A Pathfinder agent strikes a creature at the same time as a party member, increasing the damage dealt by one attack by 1d8 points. In addition, after the attack, the target is considered to be flanked until the beginning of the attacker’s next turn.
Burst of Healing: A Pathfinder agent heals the whole party of 1d6 points of damage. Alternatively, the agent can instead cast neutralize poison, remove curse, or remove disease with caster level 5.
Spellcasting Synergy: A Pathfinder agent casts a spell at the same time, increasing the save DC and caster level of a party member’s spell by 1.
Timely Inspiration: A Pathfinder agent provides the effects of a bard’s inspire courage +1 bardic performance for 3 rounds.
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Sidney, taking cue on the flash of the colorful magics spewing from Rimble, runs closer to a tent and launches another burst of fire at the yellow creature whilst shouting, "Attacking a devout is one thing, but to go after one of his allies and not the worshiper of the Sun Goddess is a poor choice indeed! May you be blessed in the purest of flames!"
Umber flames coat the wyvaran and the scent of burnt flesh fills the air!
Round III - bold may act!
1. Hush, Sidney, Daragor, Hskoro, Salouris, Rimble (Antoniollus 2/7 hp)
2. Wyvarans (Blue; Red; Green @ 7 dmg, unconscious, blind, stunned, prone; Yellow @ 9 dmg)