Evacuation Notice: Each PC can re-roll a failed d20 roll one time
Catching Spies: The party can gain a +4 to initiative rolls for one encounter that includes a construct.
Defensive Wards: Once during the adventure, the party can either turn one critical hit into a regular hit or force a re-roll on an attack.
Reconnaissance: Each PC gains a piece of +1 bane ammunition to use during the scenario.
Strange Things: Once during the adventure, the group gains a +4 bonus to initiative for one encounter that involves an undead creature.
Useful Gossip: Once during the adventure, each PC can re-roll one initiative check, keeping the second result even if it is worse.
Urgent Repairs: Each PC gets one cure serious wounds potion, plus a 3rd level or lower potion without expensive material component.
Dark Archive: Once during the adventure, the group can cause all undead in an encounter to gain the confused condition for 1 round. Any result that causes the creature to damage itself deals additional damage equal to half the group's APL!
Exchange: Once during the adventure, the group can increase the enhancement bonus of their weapons by +2 for one encounter. Any mundane weapons are treated as having a +0 enhancement (e.g. they would increase to a +2 enhancement) Liberty's Edge: Once during the adventure, the group may activate this boon at the beginning of an encounter to increase their land movement speed by 10 feet for the encounter.
Silver Crusade: The group gains a free use of the Burst of Healing ability listed on the Aid Token Handout, to use at their discretion.
Sovereign Court: The group gains a free use of the Timely Inspiration ability listed on the Aid Token Handout, to use at their discretion.
Grand Lodge: Once during the adventure, the group may activate this benefit at the beginning of an encounter to gain temporary hit points equal to 3 times the APL of the group that last until the end of the encounter (e.g. the group gains 30 temp HP)
Scarab Sage:The group gains a free use of the Allied Offensive ability from the Aid Token handout, except that the resulting bonus damage is multiplied by 150%.
Floor: After some inspection, everyone but Chaine notices that footprints and scattered small objects suggest that some kind of sudden and powerful force dragged a large number of people towards the sundial; all tracks stopping abruptly 10 feet from the sundial itself. Chaine appears distracted as he moves to stop Silvermane from chewing on a rather expensive looking altar cloth.
Lens: Torrag, Emyla, and Riddywipple note that the lens above the sundial appears to be adjustable; allowing control over the direction and intensity of light sent through it. They also note that lens conducts magical energies and most likely was used to empower spells; focusing light on a magical focus would most likely boost its power by a large amount.
Sundial: Torrag and Riddywipple come to the conclusion that the sundial was used as a central focus for a spell of some kind, with the objects strewn around the room most likely used as additional conjuration foci for a ritual.
Going to nudge things along a bit by making some assumptions on party actions, due to the high rolls I am seeing on these skill checks.
The spellcasters in the group believe by aiming the lens to focus light on the sundial, it might be possible to replicate the effect that caused the tracks to be dragged towards the sundial. After some preparation, the lens is aimed towards the sundial; causing an eruption of coruscating energy from it to coalesce into a whirling portal of bright and dark energies. As the portal manifests, an immense suction of pressure funnels towards the aperture; resulting in the group being sucked through it. After a brief epilepsy-inducing flashing of light and sense of vertigo, the Pathfinders find themselves in a corridor that stretches endlessly off into the distance, with numerous side passages dotting its incredible length. Above, a dark sky is filled with stars that make unseen and ominous constellations. Behind, the group sees the whirling portal of energy; a shimmering afterimage of the Temple chamber visible within.
In the distance down the corridor, the group hears several humanoid voices shouting along with the sounds of battle!
Knowledge (Planes/Religion) DC 27:
You recognize this place as the Ivory Labyrinth, the Abyssal domain of the demon lord Baphomet. As far as you are aware, you can return to the Material Plane by simply passing through the whirling portal.
Shouting Voice (Kelish-speakers only):
"Hold fast! The light of the Dawnflower will protect us in the darkest of places!"
Since there is no time crunch prior to activating the Sundial, the group may ret-con any preparations or buffing you wish to do prior to entering through the portal. Once you have performed any particular preparations, read the following spoiler.
Read Me When Finished Preparing:
The group moves down the corridor in direction of the combat sounds and sees a large-sized humanoid creature with horns and bovine features come into view. It appears to be clad in darkly glinting full-plate while wielding a large bastard sword wreathed in dark flames. It sits astride a skeletal horse that seems to have no difficulty bearing the creature's significant weight. The creature lets off a bellow of anger upon seeing the Pathfinders, with several other similar voices echoing its bellow behind it from out of sight. The creature appears to wait for the Pathfinder's approach.
A Knowledge (Local) and Knowledge (Religion) check would be helpful regarding identifying this creature.
Male CG Human (Shoanti/Varisian) Cavalier (Strategist) 13 - Init +2, Senses: Normal Vision, Perception +1, Lookout Perception +13, AC 31/ touch 12/ ff 29; hp 108/108, F+12, R+8 W+7, Speed 20 ft.; Challenge 5/5; Tactician (60') 4/4. Banner: 60 feet: +6 morale bonus on saves vs. fear and +5 morale bonus on charge attacks. BUFFS:
Chaine would be in favor of activating the Dark Archive boon for this encounter i.e. undead gain confusion status for 1 round;
Buffs: fly on Silvermane; protection vs. evil on Chaine/Silvermane
Led from Misery Row by agents of Liberty’s Edge, most of Absalom’s slaves have cast off their chains to contribute to Absalom’s defense.
Table GMs, the Liberty’s Edge faction’s special condition on page 10 is in effect.
----------
The gathering clouds momentarily part as a beam of sunlight shines upon the Ascendant Court, heralding the return of Sarenrae’s holy warriors and the arrival of a small host of celestial guardians. These reinforcements rally alongside the paladin Ollysta Zadrian before dispersing to aid Absalom.
Table GMs, the Silver Crusade faction’s special condition on page 10 is in effect.
-----------
Warriors wearing the colors of a dozen or more noble houses course through Absalom’s streets, lending their strength directly to the First Guard. Numerous well-known aristocrats—previously thought to have fled before someone convinced them otherwise—appear at major sites and intersections to help coordinate the war effort and rally the citizens.
Table GMs, the Sovereign Court faction’s special condition on page 10 is in effect.
The overseer has unlocked the following boons to use!
Liberty's Edge: Once during the adventure, the group may activate this boon at the beginning of an encounter to increase their land movement speed by 10 feet for the encounter.
Silver Crusade: The group gains a free use of the Burst of Healing ability listed on the Aid Token Handout, to use at their discretion.
Sovereign Court: The group gains a free use of the Timely Inspiration ability listed on the Aid Token Handout, to use at their discretion.
And because I forgot to describe it earlier...
Grand Lodge: Once during the adventure, the group may activate this benefit at the beginning of an encounter to gain temporary hit points equal to 3 times the APL of the group that last until the end of the encounter (e.g. the group gains 30 temp HP).
I am interpreting the above buffing performed as done prior to entry, so Qatala and Chaine are free to take their actual combat turn.
Chaine wrote:
Chaine would be in favor of activating the Dark Archive boon for this encounter i.e. undead gain confusion status for 1 round
I would recommend saving that one, actually. I have heard through the grapevine that there is only a few successes left needed to push the special into the next part (earlier than planned, I might add), it might even happen this weekend. It might be more helpful later. Would still be OK to use it if you prefer.
Knowledge (Local, Torrag):
You believe this creature to be a minotaur of some kind. They normally, as a race, do not possess any innate immunities or resistances except to maze spells due to their connection to labyrinths. They have a gore attack that can be used as a natural weapon, and deal additional damage if they do a charging gore attack.
Knowledge (Religion, Torrag):
You know there appears to be something off about this creature that makes it different from a regular minotaur, but are not sure what. You do recognize it wearing religious icons of Baphomet, and potentially come to the conclusion that this might be a cleric or devotee of that deity.
Torrag wrote:
Does there appear to be any other undead besides the horse and its rider that Torrag can see with Deathwatch?
Unfortunately, the voices echoing the rider appear to be around the bend in front of you outside the range of your deathwatch. You do not detect any additional presences not visible to regular sight through the ability in range.
Initiative Order:
Botting will occur on 10/13 @ 4:00PM EDT. Bold Means Go!
F Human Monk Unchained 9th/Psychic 1st AC24 T21 FF 12 | HP 79/79 | F+10 R+13 W+12(+2 vs ench/charm) | CMD 31(+4 vs trip) | Init+4 | Perc+22 Low light vision 3 spells/da4
Qatala will move forward aiming to pass the rider trying to stop us so Chaine can possibly gain flanking. Swift Action assume crane wing stance.
Free action using bodywrap of mighty strikes +1 twice.
AC=35 vs AoO
She will then try her trip attack vs the skeletal horse. whilst fighting defensively.
The minotaur inserts the flat of his blade between the mount and Qatala's strike, deflecting her attack. As Qatala rounds the bend, she notices a bull-like creature covered in metallic plates with streams of green mist seeping from its nostrils. Behind it, two more mounted minotaurs appear to be waiting for something.
**Botting Activated**
Lucija passes a shield spell onto her eidolon and sends it forwards to assist in the combat. Emyla casts haste upon her allies while Riddywipple moves up with her and readies an action to activate a scroll/cast a spell at any enemies that try to come up the corridor towards the casters.
Chaine charges down the corridor towards the mounted minotaur. As he comes within reach with his lance, the minotaur lashes out with its readied attack at him!
The readied attack misses, but Chaine's strike hits true dealing the minotaur a mortal blow! It tumbles from the skele-horse (which fades away into mist as it falls), crumpling on the ground in a loud metallic crash. As Chaine takes in his success, he too notices the crowd waiting for him around the bend as they come out of delay! The bull-like creature unleashes a large gout of greenish mist in a 60-foot cone, catching Qatala and Chaine (and horse) in its spread. Afterwards, the two mounted minotaurs do ride-by-attacks with their bastard swords to attempt (keyword attempt) to attack Qatala.
Breath Weapon Recharge:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Minotaur 1 Ride-by-Attack vs. Qatala:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21 Minotaur 2 Ride-by-Attack vs. Qatala:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31Both Miss
Need a DC 21 Fortitude Save vs. Breath Weapon from Chaine, Silvermane, and Qatala.
Initiative Order:
*Maps Updated* Botting Will Occur by 10/14 @ 2:00PM EDT
Round 1 to 2:
Qatala (Hasted, DC 21 Fort Save Needed)
Emyla
Lucija (Naghamadi Hasted, Shielded)
Chaine (Hasted, DC 21 Fort Save Needed)
Plated Bull w/Halitosis
Minotaur Skele-Horse Riders
Torrag
F Human Monk Unchained 9th/Psychic 1st AC24 T21 FF 12 | HP 79/79 | F+10 R+13 W+12(+2 vs ench/charm) | CMD 31(+4 vs trip) | Init+4 | Perc+22 Low light vision 3 spells/da4
Qatala as a free action activates the bodywrap of mighty strikes. She moves in using a flying kick so can full flurry plus hasted attack. All whilst fighting defensively.
Companion to Chaine "The Butcher" Alazario | Male N Horse Animal Companion | HD 11| Class Level 13th | HP93/93 | AC 36 T 14 FF 33| CMD 30 (36 vs. Overrun) | F +13 R +12 W +8 | Init +3| Low Light Vision, Scent, Perception +5 | Speed 80 ft | Buffs: Feather Step, Protection vs. Evil
A bit too disoriented to recognize where he is off-hand, Naghamadi whirls through the air like some sort of out-of-control giant squid, stopping with unnatural abruptness over the gorgon's head, which he gives a taunting nip with his second mouth...which also happens to seethe with phosphorescent energy.
Red Queen's Eidolon to M-15...and 15 feet up in the air.
Though she hears the Sarenites rallying down the halls somewhere, Lucija has other things on her mind right now - not the least of which has been her excitement at finding herself HERE, beyond the veil of the Prime Mundane, and in the domain of Great Baphomet Himself!
Knowledge (Arcana) RE They-Might-Be-Gorgons:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29Tell me about defenses and weaknesses, first and foremost.
She begins a booming incantation, and the space around her slowly begins to fracture into what looks like a crackling, golden triangle....
Casting summon monster IV, please wait to receive monster.
Qatala, Chaine, and Silvermane start to feel their bodies stiffen as the greenish mist washes over them; but they are fortunately able to fight off whatever effect it carried.
Qatala moves in for a flying kick, but the greenish mist seemed to throw off her aim and does not connect. She also tries to trip it, but as unbelieve-a-bull as it seems the creature just barely resists her attempt due to its steady four-legged nature. Irritated by this turn of events, Qatala does whip it good with her nine-section whip for a nice bit of damage.
Your hasted attack hits. Keep in mind that Chaine activated the Exchange boon for this encounter, so your weapons also gain that +2 enhancement; so you dealt 9 damage instead.
Knowledge (Arcana, Lucija):
Your hunch does appear correct, the plated bull is a gorgon! It does not have any weird immunities, resistances, or weaknesses; though it does possess trampling abilities as well as a petrifying breath attack. Failing a fortitude save against its breath weapon will temporarily petrify creatures, being caught in its breath weapon again whilst in such a state makes it permanent.
Naghamadi's nip appears to be fully effective against the creature, much to the bull's displeasure.
Initiative Order:
**Maps Updated** Botting Will Occur by 10/14 @ 2:00PM EDT. Bold Means Go!
Exchange Boon Active: All weapons increase enhancement bonus by +2 or mundane weapons gain a +2 enhancement for the encounter.
Round 2:
Qatala (Hasted)
Emyla
Lucija (Casting SM IV, Naghamadi Hasted+Shielded)
Chaine (Hasted)
Plated Bull w/Halitosis (-19)
Minotaur Skele-Horse Riders
Torrag (15 feet in air)
Companion to Chaine "The Butcher" Alazario | Male N Horse Animal Companion | HD 11| Class Level 13th | HP93/93 | AC 36 T 14 FF 33| CMD 30 (36 vs. Overrun) | F +13 R +12 W +8 | Init +3| Low Light Vision, Scent, Perception +5 | Speed 80 ft | Buffs: Feather Step, Protection vs. Evil
Both Chaine's and Silvermane's attack strike true, damaging the bull for significant damage.
Emyla moves up behind Torrag and readies an action to unleash a spell should an enemy come within her line of sight. Riddywipple also moves up, and also readies a similar action.
Meanwhile, the bull paws the ground with its hooves and begins to charge down the corridor past Chaine and Qatala!
The bull performs a trample. Chaine, Silvermane, and Qatala can either make a DC 21 Reflex save to get out of the way for half-damage or make an Attack of Opportunity against it at a -4 penalty.
Trample Damage:2d8 + 10 ⇒ (1, 2) + 10 = 13
Emyla and Riddywipple see the bull now come within their line of sight, and if the creature remains standing they will unleash magic missile and flare respectively upon it!
Afterwards, the two skele-horse riding minotaurs gallop up, but stop a bit short of actually engaging in melee. Both minotaurs point in the direction of the Pathfinders and each causes a 30-foot blast of fire to erupt over them!
Will need two DC 16 Reflex Saves for half damage from Chaine, Silvermane, Qatala, and Naghamadi.
F Human Monk Unchained 9th/Psychic 1st AC24 T21 FF 12 | HP 79/79 | F+10 R+13 W+12(+2 vs ench/charm) | CMD 31(+4 vs trip) | Init+4 | Perc+22 Low light vision 3 spells/da4
Qatala moves forward with a flying kick vs Green minotaur followed by a flurry of attacks whilst fighting defensively. Free Action use of Bodywrap of mighty strikes+1.
Companion to Chaine "The Butcher" Alazario | Male N Horse Animal Companion | HD 11| Class Level 13th | HP93/93 | AC 36 T 14 FF 33| CMD 30 (36 vs. Overrun) | F +13 R +12 W +8 | Init +3| Low Light Vision, Scent, Perception +5 | Speed 80 ft | Buffs: Feather Step, Protection vs. Evil
Qatala back flips over the rampaging bull, while Chaine and Silvermane take the more direct approach and just attack it. Between their two strikes the bull collapses to the ground as it tramples over them, unable to survive past the mortal blows.
Since your target died before your turn, Torrag and Chaine, do you want to change your actions?
As the monk hurtles through the air towards her target, the two minotaurs take attacks of opportunity at Qatala...
...with both attacks being unable to keep up with the monk's supernatural speed. Qatala unleashes a flurry of strikes, but she seems unable to get past the creature's defenses.
Initiative Order:
Botting Will Occur by 10/15 @ 9:00AM EDT. Bold Means Go!
Exchange Boon Active: All weapons increase enhancement bonus by +2 or mundane weapons gain a +2 enhancement for the encounter.
Round 2 to 3:
Qatala (Hasted)
Emyla
Lucija (Casting SM IV, Naghamadi: Need 2 DC 16 Reflex Saves, Hasted+Shielded)
Chaine (Hasted, -28. Silvermane: Hasted, -28)
Minotaur Skele-Horse Riders
Torrag (25 feet in air)
Mage Armor (22 hours); Deathwatch (constant); Overland Flight (7/9 hours); See Invisibility (75/220 minutes), Ring of Blinking
As the gorgon goes down, Torrag changes his approach. He pulls out a rod from his haversack and casts a spell. A blue crackling orb shoots from his hand and explodes in a ball of electricity encompassing both Minotaurs and their mounts, just short of our monk friend.
Lesser Elemental Metamagic rod of electricity, Fireball.
Torrag lobs his lightning ball at the minotaurs, both of them catching the full brunt of his spell. He also notes a slight resistance to his magic, though the extent of his power easily pierces through it.
Shortly afterwards, Chaine wheels around through the air and pierces a minotaur through its chest with his lance; causing it to tumble from its skele-horse with a metallic crash.
Initiative Order:
Botting Will Occur by 10/15 @ 9:00AM EDT. Bold Means Go!
Exchange Boon Active: All weapons increase enhancement bonus by +2 or mundane weapons gain a +2 enhancement for the encounter.
Round 3:
Qatala (Hasted)
Emyla
Lucija (Casting SM IV, Naghamadi: Need 2 DC 16 Reflex Saves, Hasted+Shielded)
Chaine (Hasted, -28. Silvermane: Hasted, -28)
Minotaur Skele-Horse Rider (-28)
Torrag (25 feet in air)
|AC 23*, T 12, FF 22*|HP: 71/77|F +9*, R +9*, W +10* (+8 vs MA, +4 vs fear, +2 vs despr/confus/insane/death)|Init +1, Perc 0|CMB +9 CMD 20|10/11 Summon VI, 1/2 Call, 1/1 Pride, 1/1 Mysteries, 1/1 Davian, #X
A crackling, quasi-triangular rift in the planes begins to emerge near the final rider, only for it to suddenly split into 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4, from each of which emerges a brilliantly seethingfire elemental!
Please place them at M-12, O-12, M-14, and N-15.
Lucija moves closer (double-moving to L-8) while her servitors swarm all over the hapless rider.
Does this apply to those of us who didn't ask to invoke it now? Does it apply to "natural" weapons?
It applies to the whole group, and I will say that yes it does! Additionally, since you all are incredibly close to killing the last bad guy, we have held on to the aid token for too long, and this part is literally supposed to end today; I will burn it for you guys to add enough damage to finish it off so we have time for a break/prepare for Part 3.
Aid Token Allied Offensive:3d8 ⇒ (6, 1, 8) = 15
Naghamadi nips the minotaur three times amongst her attacks, causing the creature to look very injured. Lucija take the opportunity to unleash an fiery elemental swarm upon it, but the elementals are unable to make any headway against the creature's armor. At that moment, a bevy of lantern archons summoned from by the Sarenites' combat down the hall break off to do a strafing run on the minotaur; riddling it full of light beams that cause the minotaur to topple off its mount with a metallic crash that echoes down the entire corridor.
If someone would like to boost the aid token by making an attack roll (targeting AC 27), another table would appreciate it! First person to roll will count. Feel free to ret-con any healing you might need (I have Chaine and Silvermane down 28 points, Naghamadi down 16).
**END OF INITIATIVE**
After dealing with the threat, the Pathfinders find the Sarenites about 200 feet further down the corridor. They appear to also have just finished off enemies of their own and will gratefully be escorted back through the portal to the Material Plane. A woman wearing vestments identifying her as a high ranking clergy approaches the group when everyone is safe in the Temple. Introducing herself as Scion Lady Xerashir of House Shamyyid and expressing her gratitude for the Pathfinder's assistance, she details her thoughts and account of what transpired.
“Someone must have tampered with the magical foci we used, causing the spell to fail," says Lady Xerashir. "When we completed the ritual, a gateway formed that drew us into that Abyssal realm. As the portal closed behind us, I could see a woman’s silhouette as she tossed something through the portal and grimly intoned, ‘My sister’s memory earns you mercy.’ It was this,” she reports, holding up a silver holy symbol of Sarenrae, stamped with the word ‘Oppara,’ and notched as if by a blade. “This style only saw use in Taldor by hidden congregations, including one that reactionary Opparan officials tried to stamp out about six years ago. Was there not a prominent leader in the Society who lost a sister in that incident? A pasha who went rogue? This alone may not be evidence of her involvement, but whoever sent us to the Abyss seemed to want us trapped, not killed.”
Male CG Human (Shoanti/Varisian) Cavalier (Strategist) 13 - Init +2, Senses: Normal Vision, Perception +1, Lookout Perception +13, AC 31/ touch 12/ ff 29; hp 108/108, F+12, R+8 W+7, Speed 20 ft.; Challenge 5/5; Tactician (60') 4/4. Banner: 60 feet: +6 morale bonus on saves vs. fear and +5 morale bonus on charge attacks. BUFFS:
Boosting Aid Token and Passing to Next Table: +3 Cold Iron Valiant Lance, Mounted charge, Banner, Haste:1d20 + 23 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 23 + 1 = 31
Chaine humbly requests any healing Lady Xerashir or her acolytes would have available. If these spells must be saved for the war effort, he will understand, and request one of the priests to use his wand of CLW on him and Silvermane.
They would prefer to save their healing abilities for the war effort, Lady Xerashir will happily lend you several of her acolytes to use healing items as you wish; though they all appear to be young giggly level 1 adepts that speak in broken common with a heavy Kelish accent, and frequently interrupt the healing to ask you for rides on Silvermane (think foreign exchange students and you're pretty close). You can either roll for healing or take average out of combat (e.g. on a CLW a total of 5 HP then 6 HP ad nauseum).
A cacophonous cloud of debris and dust rises from the Precipice Quarter following the Scarab Sages’ activation ritual. An immense suit of animated plate armor rises from the wreckage, towers over the surrounding buildings, and declares in a metallic voice, “Gulgamodh stands ready.”
Table GMs, the Scarab Sages special condition on page 10 is in effect.
Having dealt with the chaos that ensued from the Black Echelon’s attack, the Pathfinders return to the Grand Lodge. You can boost any Aid Token in your possession once, and this is an excellent opportunity to pass it to another group.
-----End Part 2-----
The sound of brass signal horns echoes across Absalom, warning the city that the enemy onslaught has begun. Sergeants of the First Guard shout warnings to attend the walls, when suddenly a second warning sounds. A messenger brings news of a second attack: “An enemy fleet is approaching from the south!” A strange mist is rising in the Flotsam Graveyard, and dozens of ships with tattered sails approach Absalom’s harbor with long-dead marines on board.
Back at the Grand Lodge, Master of Swords Marcos Farabellus addresses the Pathfinders: “You and the factions you represent have greatly helped our city; however, the worst is still to come, and Absalom needs our help! We must fight the enemy on land and at sea. Those of you who choose to bolster Absalom’s defenses against the demon-flesh army attacking from the Cairnlands to the north, report to Captain of the First Guard, Rothos of House Vastille. Those of you who choose to fight the undead armada, report to Captain Sevana Kinhan of the Wave Riders.”
The Scarab Sage boon grants the group a free use of the Allied Offensive ability from the Aid Token handout, except that the resulting bonus damage is multiplied by 150%! The boon tab up top has been updated to reflect all unlocked boons as of this point.
Additionally, I will need to know which army you would like to assist with. Do you all want to fight the undead in aquatic/boat combat, or do you want to engage the demon/construct army on land in the Cairnlands? Rule of Two will decide, or by my random die roll if no decision by today (10/16/18) at 7PM EDT.
