Breathing: YOu can hold your breath for a number of rounds equal to twice your Con (so if a CON of 13, could hold your breath for 26 rounds). However, this only applies is you take only free or move actions - any Standard or Full-round action reduces the time you can hold breath for a round. After the time is up, you need a DC 10 Fort save each round, with the DC rising by one every turn. Failure, and you begin to drown.
Movement: Make a Swim check once per round while you are in the water. Success means you may swim at up to half your speed (as a full-round action) or at a quarter of your speed (as a move action). If you fail by 4 or less, you make no progress. If you fail by 5 or more, you
sink. The spell freedom of movement negates the penalty on melee attack rolls with bludgeoning and slashing weapons (see below) and allows creatures to move freely in all directions as if they had a swim speed equal to their base speed. Such creatures automatically succeed at all Swim checks
Attacks: Melee attacks with slashing or bludgeoning weapons take a -2 penalty on attack rolls and deal half damage. Bludgeoning weapon are fine, as are your normal weapon if you have freedom of movement in effect. Ranged attacks not only suffer those penalties, but also suffer an additional -2 on attack rolls for every 5 feet of water they travel through. The exception: Underwater crossbows, which work fine, albeit with a smaller range increment (20 feet).
Spells and Effects: Spellcasting underwater works fine if you can breath, and requires a Concentration check (15+spell level) if you can't . Magical fire spells also require a DC 20+spell level concentration check to work (as steam), and nonmagical fire is entirely ineffective. Invisibility is also not as effective: because you displace the water around you and leave an outline of the absence of water in your space, you only receive normal concealment (20%) rather than full.
Or, to read all of these in a better written way, check out HERE
Don't worry about the water breathing for the return for now. Assuming you all don't die, we'll get to how it'll be handled.
As you cast your spells and race towards the entrance chamber, you thrust the bronze doors open to reveal the coral gardens once again. Through the screens to the north, you see Zahra and two of the expedition's undine tied to the room's throne. All are beaten and hurt, with dozens of bite marks marring their exposed skin and bloodying the water. Around them, four sharks circle hungrily.
As you arrive, a sahaugin warrior screeches at you and readies its trident. Meanwhile. from behind a coral screen, all of you except for Liam spots a strange disturbance in the water, as if something massive yet invisible to sight is swimming. You suspect its an invisible Razketha, with only 20% concealment due to underwater invisibility :)
Tobias, Protection from Acid (120)
Liam, Protection from Acid (120)
Alektara, stoneskin Sahaugin
Jorin, gargoyle, Animal Aspect (otter), Shield, Freedom of Movement, stoneskin, Protection from Acid (120)
Razketha
Tytus, Protection from Acid (120), stoneskin
Harsk
Sharks
A reminder: without swimming, can walk along floor at half speed, no 5-foot steps. No 5-foot swim steps unless you have a swim speed either (though this dragon should have reach only on the bite). You can crash through the thin coral screen for two 'squares' of movement but that will both destroy the mural and deal you some damage from the shards.
M PRIEST OF RAZMIR 10 HP: 83/83 AC: 15, Touch: 11, FF: 14 F:+10 R:+6 W:+8 Perception -1 Init:+5 Effects:(Mage Armor, False Life, Defending Bone, See Invisibility, Heroism)
Resources:
1st 7/8 2nd 4/8 3rd 0/8 4th 2/7 5th 4/4
Well all my buffs should still be up i.e. Heroism, See Invisibility, unless it's been more than 100 minutes since the last sahaugin fight. If they're still up, it means I can see the invisible dragon and ready a glitterdust for when I can target her. Will DC20 negates the blindness.
Servant 8 | HP 22/63 | AC 30 (24FF, 22T) | F +6, R +18, W +10 | Init +7 (Antitoxin, See Invis & Barkskin 249rds, Touch of Sea 29rds, Longarm & Shield40rds), Protection from Acid:120hp
Depending on time past most of Marlow's buffs should be up. See Invis lasts some time and most of the short term are recently done.
buffs
Heart of the Metal (spear) - 1 minutes
Montstrous Physique I - form of gargoyle, 8 minutes
Animal Aspect - otter, 8 minutes
Shield - 14 minute(s)
Freedom of Movement - 68 minutes
Protection from Acid - 120 pts
Stoneskin - DR 10/adam 100 pts
Haste - 10 rounds
I would still have heart of the metal on my spear, but I don't expect that to make a difference in this fight unless one of them also has stoneskin.
I am also summoning a CL3 dolphin before opening the door, so 2 rounds left.
Will:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
As the dolphin joining you prepares to race forwards with Jorin, a cloud of glitter illuminates and outlines the hidden dragon. It's head whips towards the sorcerer and snarls. You think motes will best me? This shell is mine now. This tribe is mine. And I will grab that bauble you seek so badly from your dead hand as it still boils.
Servant 8 | HP 22/63 | AC 30 (24FF, 22T) | F +6, R +18, W +10 | Init +7 (Antitoxin, See Invis & Barkskin 249rds, Touch of Sea 29rds, Longarm & Shield40rds), Protection from Acid:120hp
"I wonder if the 'bauble' can also be a weapon, or a hostage? We face a dragon of acid. Don't stay in a line. Probably will resist spells and some weapons." Marlow gulps as he moves into room and upwards away from the door following his own advice and using the height of the room.
"Why do you think this betrayal will work? Your knowledge of our Society if we know you Razketha and our reach is far! We are both strong and reason can be found." He calls out to the dragon.
Marlow has invoked Opportune Advice: +1 insight bonus on Saves and AC for the next 3 rounds against dragons.
Ability Text:
Allies within 30 feet who can hear the cryptid scholar gain a +1 insight bonus to their ACs and on saving throws against extraordinary, supernatural, and spell-like abilities used by creatures of the same type and all the same subtypes as the monster identified.
Delaying Alektara. Also now back stateside, so will likely be more responsive.
Your reach is overextended. Razketha booms as the shauagin swims towards Tobias, trident out. One more group lost in the dark depths will not be missed.
She grins as the trident pierces the halfling. You see, I can give this tribe all the blood they desire. And under me, they will be a true force in the Bloom, the kind that fool Zemdar could only dream of.
Servant 8 | HP 22/63 | AC 30 (24FF, 22T) | F +6, R +18, W +10 | Init +7 (Antitoxin, See Invis & Barkskin 249rds, Touch of Sea 29rds, Longarm & Shield40rds), Protection from Acid:120hp
Have Tobias' buffs all expired then? Note he has reapplied them from the first castings. If they haven't he is at AC30, and with longarm would get an AoO on the incoming attack...
Servant 8 | HP 22/63 | AC 30 (24FF, 22T) | F +6, R +18, W +10 | Init +7 (Antitoxin, See Invis & Barkskin 249rds, Touch of Sea 29rds, Longarm & Shield40rds), Protection from Acid:120hp
The razor sharp mithril kukri flashes from a stretched arm from the small halfling.
AoO:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25 for 5 points of damage.
Jorin grins and lashes out with the whip he can now use attempting to pull the trident from the sahaugin's hands.
disarm CMB:1d20 + 23 ⇒ (15) + 23 = 38
He then moves around the sahaugin toward the dragon.
free action arcane pool to add +3 to whip, standard action to attempt a disarm, move action toward lizard
Jorin's whips slides through the water thanks to Harsk's magic and manages to whip the trident out of the sahaugin's hand. Alektara takes advantage of the opportunity: sped by Liam's spell she steps up and strikes at the savage with Aquel's weapon.
As the half-orc moves around the coral murals to try and close with the dragon, Razketha shows no such care. Smashing through the coral, the dragon seem to ignore the sharp shards that bounce of her skin as she opens her mouth and unleashes a torrent of acid that shoots out to strike Alektara, Liam, and Harsk.
Male dwarf Ranger 14 | HP 1118 | AC 30 (34 vs giants); Touch 18; FF 24 | F +12; R +16; W +11 | CMB+16; CMD 34| Speed 20 ft | Init +5 | Perc +24 | Stealth: +15 Ranger 14
Harsk nimbly dodges the acid attack in time to fire a quintet of arrows at the dragon. Unfortunately, only the first one manages to strike her. Tytus only strikes once, but it too gouges through her scales.
Through the coral screens, you see the sharks around the hostages swim faster in the water, energized by the blood being spilled. Several dart out at one of the bound maridar, biting at the hostage in turn and tearing new chunks out of the undine. She looks in bad shape.
Initiative Haste is up
Bless is up
Opportune advice is up
Tobias Shield, Longarm, Protection from Acid (120)
Liam, Protection from Acid (120), heroism NEED REFLEX Sahaugin -5hp, diisarmed (but clawed and toothed)
Alektara, stoneskin, NEED REFLEX
Jorin, gargoyle, Animal Aspect (otter), Shield, Freedom of Movement, stoneskin, Protection from Acid (120)
Razketha -37hp
Tytus, Protection from Acid (120), stoneskin, mutagen, longarm, gargoyle, monkeyfish, BullStrength, Heroism, Shield
Harsk
Sharks
Servant 8 | HP 22/63 | AC 30 (24FF, 22T) | F +6, R +18, W +10 | Init +7 (Antitoxin, See Invis & Barkskin 249rds, Touch of Sea 29rds, Longarm & Shield40rds), Protection from Acid:120hp
Hearing the attacks through the walls, but trapped in by the dragon Marlow hopes that whatever is happening is something they can help with. He does smile at the aggressive sahaugin between himself and the angry wym as his kukri, stretches well beyond the normal to attack traitorous creature assaulting them.
Tobias' trio of strikes lash out at the sahaugin in front of hit, but only one lands its mark, and that not critically not confirmed. It shrieks as the arc of Liam's spell electrocutes it, and in a frenzy lashes out at Tobias with claws and bite. Only one hits, but Tobias feels a frigid chill on top of the claw's strike.
Behind this, Razektha roars at Liam, completely unharmed as her scales effortlessly deflect Liam's lightning. So, you like to throw sparks around? Do keep trying. That almost tickled.
Initiative Haste is up
Bless is up
Opportune advice is up
Tobias -20hp Shield, Longarm, Protection from Acid (97)
Liam, Protection from Acid (120), heroism NEED REFLEX
Sahaugin -46hp, diisarmed, frenzied Alektara, stoneskin, aided on next attack (+4)NEED REFLEX
Jorin, gargoyle, Animal Aspect (otter), Shield, Freedom of Movement, stoneskin, Protection from Acid (120) Razketha -37hp
Tytus, Protection from Acid (120), stoneskin, mutagen, longarm, gargoyle, monkeyfish, BullStrength, Heroism, Shield
Harsk
Sharks
Servant 8 | HP 22/63 | AC 30 (24FF, 22T) | F +6, R +18, W +10 | Init +7 (Antitoxin, See Invis & Barkskin 249rds, Touch of Sea 29rds, Longarm & Shield40rds), Protection from Acid:120hp
Marlow was actually going for Razketha (probably even more unsuccessfully). Note that he is bodyguarding Alektara also if she gets attacked.
buffs
Heart of the Metal (spear) - 1 minutes
Montstrous Physique I - form of gargoyle, 8 minutes
Animal Aspect - otter, 8 minutes
Shield - 14 minute(s)
Freedom of Movement - 68 minutes
Protection from Acid - 120 pts
Stoneskin - DR 10/adam 100 pts
Haste - 9 rounds
Bless - ?
summoned dolphin - last round
Dang! Totally forgot I had a dolphin. Guess I will say it spent last round getting into position. Since dolphins hate sharks and are fairly intelligent, it would go for them.
Dolphin, Celestial (Summon Monster I):
(Caster’s Alignment) Medium animal
Init +2; Senses blindsight 120 ft., darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision;
Perception +9
AC 13, touch 12, flat-footed 11 (+2 Dex, +1 natural)
hp 11 (2d8+2)
Resist acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5
Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +1
SR 5
Speed swim 80 ft.
Melee slam +3 (1d4+1)
Str 12, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6
Base Atk +1; CMB +2; CMD 14
Feats Weapon Finesse
Skills Perception +9, Swim +13; Racial Modifiers +4
Perception
SQ hold breath, smite evil
Special Abilities
Hold Breath (Ex) A dolphin can hold its breath for a number of
minutes equal to 6 times its Constitution score before it risks
drowning.
Smite Evil (Su) Smite evil 1/day as a swift action (add +0 to attack,
+2 to damage; against evil foes; smite persists until target is dead or
the celestial creature rests).
Dolphins are social predators that hunt shallow seas and rivers in large
family groups called pods. Sailors are fond of dolphins and frequently
tell tales of dolphins saving drowning fishermen or killing sharks with
blows from their powerful snouts.
The celestial slams into the shark with it's powerful snout.
slam attack:1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 1 = 19, if hits, slam damage:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 slam attack haste:1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 1 = 15, if hits, slam damage haste:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 I'm assuming not evil so can't smite and no flanking bonus.
Meanwhile, Jorin rushes forward to get behind the dragon, alters the magic on his whip, and lashes at the dragon.
Swift action to re-arcane pool with +2 and frost, move action to flank with Aletara (no AoO unles it has 15' reach and the smashed wall is providing zero cover), standard action to strike.
Male dwarf Ranger 14 | HP 1118 | AC 30 (34 vs giants); Touch 18; FF 24 | F +12; R +16; W +11 | CMB+16; CMD 34| Speed 20 ft | Init +5 | Perc +24 | Stealth: +15 Ranger 14
Harsk shouts at the 1/2 orc. "Don't look at me toots! I can't cast that damm spell!"
The dolphin swims wide from the fray and slams into the closest shark. It's bottlenose batters the fish, who whirls away from the hostages and towards the creature. Jorin's whip, in turn, manages to strikes the dragon, leaving a frosty cut along its hide.
Botting A Reflex:1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 15
Alektara spends a moment assessing the dragon, then steps up and strikes at it with the morningstar.
Being struck and attacked by multiple foes, Razketha roars So you have sticks and rope. Allow me to show you what a DRAGON can do
She bites out at Alektara with her jaw, ripping into her target. Two claws follow shortly, one just deflected by Tobias' efforts. Then Razketha sends a swing of her tail and a pair of wings buffets towards Tobias himself, though one fails to connect.
Male dwarf Ranger 14 | HP 1118 | AC 30 (34 vs giants); Touch 18; FF 24 | F +12; R +16; W +11 | CMB+16; CMD 34| Speed 20 ft | Init +5 | Perc +24 | Stealth: +15 Ranger 14
Once again, Harsk's barrage only hits once. Tytus however, strikes twice. Including a devastating blow that causes a pool of blood to erupt from the dragon. It staggers back, still fuming and threatening but heavily injured.
For that, for that you will suffer.
Meanwhile, two of the sharks peel off to strike at Jorin's summoned dolphin.
Servant 8 | HP 22/63 | AC 30 (24FF, 22T) | F +6, R +18, W +10 | Init +7 (Antitoxin, See Invis & Barkskin 249rds, Touch of Sea 29rds, Longarm & Shield40rds), Protection from Acid:120hp
Feeling hurt and with the dragon lashing at him for aiding he makes a last minute bit of advice and tries to tumble away to safety.
Expending Opportune advice for opportune strike. All hits on the dragon until Marlow's next turn get +1d6 precision damage . He activates his boots and calls upon halfling luck to tumble through the water back to where they came.
Liam builds one more lightning blast together as sends it crackling through the water. Unlike before, this strike manages to get through to Razketha. The dragon shreiks an inhuman roar of pain and static surrounds her. Then, she collapses onto the shell's floor. (sahaugin takes some damage too).
Tobias - you can change your action if you'd like. Or confirm you'd rather tumble away anyway (do still have an angry sahaugin in your face)
Servant 8 | HP 22/63 | AC 30 (24FF, 22T) | F +6, R +18, W +10 | Init +7 (Antitoxin, See Invis & Barkskin 249rds, Touch of Sea 29rds, Longarm & Shield40rds), Protection from Acid:120hp
Its ok, I was in initiative order so I'll keep with the tumble.
buffs
Heart of the Metal (spear) - 1 minutes
Montstrous Physique I - form of gargoyle, 8 minutes
Animal Aspect - otter, 8 minutes
Shield - 14 minute(s)
Freedom of Movement - 68 minutes
Protection from Acid - 120 pts
Stoneskin - DR 10/adam 100 pts
Haste - 8 rounds
Bless - ?
the dolphin vanishes with a pop
The others should be able to handle that one idiot carp.
Trblietavá iskra svieti! Glittering motes appear surrounding 2 of the sharks. He then rushes to protect the hostages. standard action spell glitterdust (will save DC=16 or blinded),
move over hostage, if either of them are not blinded I am generating an AoO from them.
HOW ABOUT YOU TRY SOMETHING THAT FIGHTS BACK?!? Jorin screams while thrashing the water trying to draw their attention to him rather than the helpless hostages.
Razketha down, Jorin rushes over to place himself amidst the hostages. Whip whirling in the water, his spell blinds one shark.
On the other side of the mural wall, a heavily wounded Alektara strieks out with all her fury at the frenzied sahaugin. She then begins to retreat from the heat of battle, but as she steps back she sees the shark-thing drop and drift, finally succumbing to its injuries.
And as now that the real threats are dealt with and you have a man amidst the basic sharks, I am fine calling this combat essentially over.
COMBAT OVER!
Tobias -37hp
Alektara -69hp
As you make quick work of the remaining sharks, Zahra and the remaining Maridar begin to wriggle free of their bonds. Battered, the marid tries her best to smile through her injuries as you help them. "So, I see you at least managed to do better than we did..."
Servant 8 | HP 22/63 | AC 30 (24FF, 22T) | F +6, R +18, W +10 | Init +7 (Antitoxin, See Invis & Barkskin 249rds, Touch of Sea 29rds, Longarm & Shield40rds), Protection from Acid:120hp
"That fight was indeed something to be remembered and written. Do we know why our ally turned? Just for greed? Also there is the slight matter of returning safely..." Marlow finishes with a mused thought.
I was actually going to suggest that since I don't think normal sharks could even hurt me without a crit while the stoneskin was up.
Truly it was an epic struggle. We succeeded by our skill and the oppositions lack thereof. Is the traitorous drake truly dead or should we turn her nearly dead self over to your authorities?
"Tough fights.... especially without my preferred weapon of choice...when do we depart for the surface? I mean it was a great time down here but I want to feel the sun on my skin again..."
Zahra winces as the last rope brushes against an open wound as you pull it off her. I knew that Razketha had ambitions, but she had served as a reliable partner in funding our expeditions. It seems that her claims in merely wanting returns on her 'investments' was a lie, or at least that it wasn't enough. Baron Zemdar and his schemes threatened the whole city: in my naivety I never suspected she might only want to be rid of him to enter that vacuum of power herself.
While you free the remaining marida, Zahra's eyes land on the BreathIs that...if that is what I think it is...well, it seems at least not all is lost today. Yes, we should return to Vialesk at once. There are likely still a few transport whales about we can wrangle. And as for safe return, if my research and suspicions are correct your find should be able to help us with that.
She leads the lot of you outside the shell and swim quickly towards a lingering whale to get it ready for the long journey back. As you hold it, the Breath glows. Looking behind you, you notice that Riam's shell already seems to be drifting away listlessly in the water, as if the removal of the artifact has caused it to become unmored from its former place.
Merely touching the Breath of Lysianassa grants you water breathing for 8 hours, amongst other abilities :)
Male dwarf Ranger 14 | HP 1118 | AC 30 (34 vs giants); Touch 18; FF 24 | F +12; R +16; W +11 | CMB+16; CMD 34| Speed 20 ft | Init +5 | Perc +24 | Stealth: +15 Ranger 14
"Great job everyone!We got what we came for..I can't wait to get on solid earth!"
Once ready, the journey back to Vialesk is bittersweet. Joy at your success and recovery of the Breath of Lysianassa is tempered by regret at the maridar lost in the Bloom and the betrayal of your 'ally'.
Still, once you arrive at the city and word spreads of your defeat of Baron Zemdar and the scattering of his tribe the city's citizens are elated. A funeral feast is held by the metropolis to honor your vioctory and the memories of the fallen, and each of you are given time to speak a few words if you would wish. Most of you want to return to Golarion (and land) as soon as possible, but are convinced by Zahra to linger just a moment longer to pose for a local artist: the next time you make your way to the city you can expect to be confirmed by coral statues of the "Heroes of Vialesk"
Back at the Grand Lodge, Master of Spells Sorrina Westyr personally thanks the each of you for bringing the Breath back to her. Such a powerful artifact coming under Pathfinder influence and study would be cause for acclaim at any time, but Westyr seems especially excited for this one. The Breath's infused elemental energies seem as though they could be perfect as one of the key tools in resolving the 'Opal project', and added to the Society's other recent discoveries, Sorrina feels that the time may almost have come for the Society to be able to acheive the impossible - and free an Elemental Lord!
But of course that is a story for another time. For now, you have all braved the Inner Planes' watery depths and received the Torrent's Last Will (possibly. This titles a bit more abstract than others). Congratulations!
