So is Briana in a boat with just herself and Rowenna? I'd figured she, Arsith, and Shadlah could squeeze into one since Jo and Halli are in one and Zee is flying...but if she's by herself that works too :)
3rd - Call Lightning x2, Magic Circle against Evil
2nd - Cure Moderate Wounds, Lesser Restoration, Spiritual Weapon x2
1st - Bless, Heightened Awareness, Obscuring Mist, Produce Flame
Orisons - Create Water, Dancing Lights, Guidance, Stabilize
Wandering Spirit - Battle
Spirit Ability - Battle Spirit (Su) - A shaman surrounds herself with the spirit of battle. Allies within 30 feet of the shaman (including the shaman) receive a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and weapon damage rolls. At 8th level and 16th level, these bonuses increase by 1. The shaman can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal to 3 + her Charisma modifier. These rounds do not need to be consecutive.
Wandering Hex - Hampering Hex (Battle; Su) - The shaman causes a creature within 30 feet to take a –2 penalty to AC and CMD for a number of rounds equal to the shaman’s level. A successful Will saving throw reduces this to just 1 round. At 8th level, the penalty becomes –4. Whether or not the save is successful, a creature affected by a hampering hex cannot be the target of this hex again for 24 hours.
Spirit Magic
1st - Charm Animal (N) or Enlarge Person (Battle)
2nd - Barkskin (N) or Fog Cloud (Battle)
3rd - Speak with Plants (N) or Magic Vestment (Battle)
So is Briana in a boat with just herself and Rowenna? I'd figured she, Arsith, and Shadlah could squeeze into one since Jo and Halli are in one and Zee is flying...but if she's by herself that works too :)
It is a little ambiguous as neither Arsith nor Shadlah have pitched in about the boats... happy to go with whatever really :)
Between Joanna and Briana, the ghoulish hands which had suddenly appeared at the boat's edge are forced away... the force of the friends' blows and the cracking of bone suggesting that a fatal blow had likely been dealt. There are, at least for now, no other enemies visible... although Ziomarra had seen many more approaching...
Shadlah, Arsith and Ziomarra may act / ready actions as required
So I think we probably have two boats in use - one with Joanna and Halli and the second with Arsith, Briana and Shadlah
The first pair of blackened hands to rise from the water is seen by Shadlah and, in an instant, they are forced back into suddenly silted waters... sinking down through brown water and out of sight. Arsith too is quick to react, her weapon crashing down onto gripping limbs...
GM Only:
Lacedons 1 and 2 dead, Lacedon 3 = 9 damage
...and then, grabbing and rocking, the aquatic attackers try once more to capsize the boat.
Lacedon 3, Combat Manoeuvre to Tip Boat: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Joanna sees the dozen black and rotting hands reach up and knows that she would need to end this quickly. Her eyes blaze with silver fire as she grabs her holy symbol and pulls the chain over her head, uttering a single word.
"Այրել"
Ghostly, white and silver flames swirl around the two boats, their occupants, and the undead trying to capsize the boat. It burns the flesh of the horrid creatures, even though they are underwater. For a moment, everything is bathed in white light.
Channel Energy to harm undead DC16 for half:3d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 1) = 10
If you can channel positive, now's the time to burn a use so we can put these guys down quickly!
Halli whimpers from where she is curled up at Joanna's feet. Too frightened to do anything.
While Briana's ghostly hammer continues to swat at the creatures trying to capsize their boat, she attempts to steady herself as she calls upon more of her magic...
3rd - Call Lightning x2, Magic Circle against Evil
2nd - Cure Moderate Wounds, Lesser Restoration, Spiritual Weapon x2
1st - Bless, Heightened Awareness, Obscuring Mist, Produce Flame
Orisons - Create Water, Dancing Lights, Guidance, Stabilize
Wandering Spirit - Battle
Spirit Ability - Battle Spirit (Su) - A shaman surrounds herself with the spirit of battle. Allies within 30 feet of the shaman (including the shaman) receive a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and weapon damage rolls. At 8th level and 16th level, these bonuses increase by 1. The shaman can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal to 3 + her Charisma modifier. These rounds do not need to be consecutive.
Wandering Hex - Hampering Hex (Battle; Su) - The shaman causes a creature within 30 feet to take a –2 penalty to AC and CMD for a number of rounds equal to the shaman’s level. A successful Will saving throw reduces this to just 1 round. At 8th level, the penalty becomes –4. Whether or not the save is successful, a creature affected by a hampering hex cannot be the target of this hex again for 24 hours.
Spirit Magic
1st - Charm Animal (N) or Enlarge Person (Battle)
2nd - Barkskin (N) or Fog Cloud (Battle)
3rd - Speak with Plants (N) or Magic Vestment (Battle)
The burst of righteous energies pulsing out across the lake cause the hands to tense then recoil... whilst, with one of the creatures badly injured already, Briana's spiritual weapon sends a ghoul sinking back into the depths...
Lacedon 3, Will Save vs Channel Energy: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 2 = 17, Saved - 5 damage
Lacedon 4, Will Save vs Channel Energy: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 2 = 18, Saved - 5 damage
Lacedon 5, Will Save vs Channel Energy: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 2 = 14, Save Failed
Lacedon 6, Will Save vs Channel Energy: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 2 = 19, Saved - 5 damage
Lacedon 7, Will Save vs Channel Energy: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 2 = 18, Saved - 5 damage
Lacedon 8, Will Save vs Channel Energy: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 = 8, Save Failed
GM Only:
Lacedons 1, 2 and 3 dead, Lacedon 4, 6 and 7 = 5 damage, Lacedon 5 and 8 = 10 damage
Waiting on actions from Arsith, Shadlah and Ziomarra - there are five Lacedons left
"Arsith? Zee? can you do what I just did? I don't like that they keep trying to dump us into the water," Joanna asks, her voice definitely higher from stress and worry.
I really don't want to find out how hard it is to swim in a breastplate.
Female Human (Shoanti) Geokineticist 7 | AC 22, T 16, FF 18 | DR 6/adamantine| Fortification 15% | hp 80/80 (21 nonlethal) | Fort +13, Ref +11, Will +5 | CMD 21 | Initiative +6 | Perception +13 | Burn 3/9 | 3 Hero Points
Trying to keep a wide stance in the rocking boat, Shadlah holds out one hand and opens it. Forming a wickedly curved klar that covers her arm in pebbled stone, she strikes at the nearest creature, hoping to still the boat somewhat.
The waters around the rocking boat are awash with divine energies, flame and finally a flurry of stone... one by one, the clawing hands are despatched back to the depths - until only two pairs, one either side of the boat, remain. Bald, midnight black heads peer from the water... venomous green eyes stare at the group... and then, letting go of the boat, the undead dive downwards and out of sight.
Lacedon 4, Will Save vs Channel Energy: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 2 = 22, Saved - 3 damage
Lacedon 5, Will Save vs Channel Energy: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 2 = 11, Save Failed
Lacedon 6, Will Save vs Channel Energy: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 2 = 20, Saved - 3 damage
Lacedon 7, Will Save vs Channel Energy: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 = 10, Save Failed
Lacedon 8, Will Save vs Channel Energy: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 2 = 23, Saved - 3 damage
Lacedon 4, Reflex Save vs Channel Energy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5, Save Failed
Lacedon 5, Reflex Save vs Channel Energy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10, Save Failed
Lacedon 6, Reflex Save vs Channel Energy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18, Saved - 3 damage
Lacedon 7, Reflex Save vs Channel Energy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15, Saved - 3 damage
Lacedon 8, Reflex Save vs Channel Energy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14, Save Failed
Once they are sure that the ghouls are not going to return, the friends take up their oars once more and make their way to the platform at the southern end of the cave. A stone platform extends from the cave wall here, its floor a foot from the water surface. An immense red metal panel sits in the far wall, its face engraved with numerous scenes depicting a beautiful woman on a throne as numerous strange monsters bow before her.
"Ugh...if there's more where that came from then maybe I should've asked for some different help today," Briana sighs as they make it the rest of the way to the southern platform. She regards the red panel warily. "More bowing and scraping required or is this one different?" she asks as she looks around.
The panels on the face of the red metal structure depict Sorshen, a strange feeling given that 'she' is floating above the water just behind Briana and the rest of the group as they climb from the boats, using her magic to dominate all manner of powerful monsters, including giants, dragons, neothelids, sea monsters, mobogos, and the like... but Briana, on her first examination, cannot deduce the function of the panels...
"Okay, that works," Briana remarks as she scurries back from the panel. There's absolutely no trace of anger or sarcasm in her tone, though she does have to admit that this sort of approach to problem-solving would have Teldon swearing and tearing his hair out if he were there to see it.
Pressing the central button, which depicts Sorshen dominating a giant, Jo causes the panel to glow softly as Thassilonian writing appears along the panel’s upper edge, spelling the phrase 'And so do the mighty Architects serve eternal' as the panel swings open upon concealed hinges. The long, grand marble hall beyond the door features a single row of pillars down its centre - the vaulted ceiling thirty feet above is painted with lewd frescoes depicting giants and humans engaged in carnal acts set among pastoral scenes.
To the south, the hall widens before rising up in a series of steps to a white marble throne. Six large treasure chests sit next to the throne... and upon the throne, well over two hundred feet from the door, a tusked giant stares at the group with incredulity. Two lizards, previously lazing at the feet of the giant, rush forwards - their tongues flickering excitedly as they smell prey...
Standing, revealing an impressive stature, the giant bellows out a challenge, “You dare enter my throne room, little mortals! If you kneel to me now then I, Sorshen, shall call off my pets and eat only one of you!”
"You're an imposter! We travel with the true Lady Sorshen!" Briana calls out, confused by the giant's claim but deciding to try and make one of her own and perhaps spread the confusion around a bit. She then calls upon the blessings of the spirits to aid herself and her friends.
Spells & Powers:
3rd - Call Lightning x2, Magic Circle against Evil
2nd - Cure Moderate Wounds, Lesser Restoration, Spiritual Weapon x2
1st - Bless, Heightened Awareness, Obscuring Mist, Produce Flame
Orisons - Create Water, Dancing Lights, Guidance, Stabilize
Wandering Spirit - Battle
Spirit Ability - Battle Spirit (Su) - A shaman surrounds herself with the spirit of battle. Allies within 30 feet of the shaman (including the shaman) receive a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and weapon damage rolls. At 8th level and 16th level, these bonuses increase by 1. The shaman can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal to 3 + her Charisma modifier. These rounds do not need to be consecutive.
Wandering Hex - Hampering Hex (Battle; Su) - The shaman causes a creature within 30 feet to take a –2 penalty to AC and CMD for a number of rounds equal to the shaman’s level. A successful Will saving throw reduces this to just 1 round. At 8th level, the penalty becomes –4. Whether or not the save is successful, a creature affected by a hampering hex cannot be the target of this hex again for 24 hours.
Spirit Magic
1st - Charm Animal (N) or Enlarge Person (Battle)
2nd - Barkskin (N) or Fog Cloud (Battle)
3rd - Speak with Plants (N) or Magic Vestment (Battle)
The giant, glaring towards Briana, merely bellows that she is the true and undying Sorshen... whilst the lizards skitter forwards in their crazed rush for fresh meat.
Waiting on actions from Shadlah, Arsith and Joanna.
Halli, still shaken from the ghoul attack, cowers in the boat where it's tied to the stone landing. Joanna couldn't do a thing to help her, and there were two very large and angry looking lizards coming for her.
"I guess threatening to eat us is as close as we're going to get to someone saying they're the bad guy of the story," Joanna muses before looking behind her.
"Can you guys move the boats out from in front of the door? I have an idea!"
GM, could Joanna bait the lizards into charging her and then dive out of the way at the last moment to have them go careening into the water?
GM, could Joanna bait the lizards into charging her and then dive out of the way at the last moment to have them go careening into the water?
Yeah, that could work :) You'll need to roll some kind of skill check (Intimidate? Handle Animal? Knowledge (Nature)?...) to get them to target you specifically... and then maybe a Combat Manoeuvre to jump out of the way at the last moment?
Realizing what Jo is planning, Briana hastily moves back and just out of the way, hoping to add to the trick by feigning a withdraw. "Good idea!" she whispers.
______
Technically a bit out of sequence since I already posted Bri's actions for this round but maybe it can be part of her actions for the next round :)
The giant bellows as the lizards, tongues flickering excitedly, draw close to Joanna... clapping with excitement as her beasts approach, this latest 'Sorshen' prepares to watch the coming fight...
Going with an Acrobatics Roll from Joanna as a proxy for AC - if the lizards miss that, they'll end up in the water...
Acrobatics:1d20 - 3 ⇒ (15) - 3 = 12That -3 despite having ranks in Acrobatics is why I want a set of agile armor. And of course I missed it by 1. :\
Joanna's heart races as the lizards get ever closer. This plan was risky, at best, but if it worked, perhaps they'd take care of two problems at once. The lizards and the ghouls could take care of each other.
Unfortunately, she was just a touch too quick in her dive, and both of them were able to stop just short of the edge.
"ARSITH! SHIELD WALL! PUSH 'EM OVER THE EDGE ON MY SIGNAL! SHADLAH! KNOCK 'EM DOWN!"
The paladin moves to put the lizards between her and the edge of the landing.They may be simple beasts, but they were a dangerous distraction from the true threat of the giant. They'd have to fight it since it seemed to be insane and unlikely to listen to reason. Their best hope was to take care of her pets quickly then hammer the giant as hard as they could.
Until then, she would trust her friends and focus on one thing at a time. As soon as Shadlah blasted them...
Okay, here's the plan. After the dive, Joanna would maneuver behind the lizard. She'll ready a bullrush to push the lizard into the water after Arsith is in position and Shadlah hits them with a bowling infused blast. Ideally, Arsith would ready a bullrush for the same trigger, so that we'd both push them into the water.
male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)
Don't forgot, you also have hero points... you could burn one to have one of the lizards in the drink (though it looks like you'd miss the higher DC anyways). I mean, they're yours to spend (or hoard) as you see fit; I only mention it because I know some of you have already missed out on a point or two from leveling because of the 3 point cap (and because I'm all about burning a hero point to make one of my crazier ideas work).
Actually, I would like to burn one for a +4 on the Bullrush. That bumps it to a more respectable 22 on the check. I wish I had thought about that before I rolled the Acrobatics. Still would have missed the higher DC though.
The more vividly coloured of the two lizards, turning around on itself, rears up as Joanna charges towards it... biting ineffectively against the paladin's armour, the reptile can't get enough purchase on the marbled floor and, somewhat panicked, plunges into the murky water.
Arsith, following Joanna's example, pushes the second of the lizards into the water... where it, rather unceremoniously, sinks out of view for a few moments...
CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9
Zee strolls into the hallway as if she owns the place. She holds her arm back to warn her friends not to interfere, and then casts a spell at the giant.
Charm person. Will save DC 15 negates.
"Well, good morning, Sorshen. It's me, Sorshen. How are you today?"
"Uh..." Briana says, not wanting to interfere in Zee's gambit but also unsure of what to do now that the lizards are in the water. After a moment she seems to settle on something and begins casting...
Spells & Powers:
3rd - Call Lightning x2, Magic Circle against Evil
2nd - Cure Moderate Wounds, Lesser Restoration, Spiritual Weapon x2
1st - Bless, Heightened Awareness, Obscuring Mist, Produce Flame
Orisons - Create Water, Dancing Lights, Guidance, Stabilize
Wandering Spirit - Battle
Spirit Ability - Battle Spirit (Su) - A shaman surrounds herself with the spirit of battle. Allies within 30 feet of the shaman (including the shaman) receive a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and weapon damage rolls. At 8th level and 16th level, these bonuses increase by 1. The shaman can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal to 3 + her Charisma modifier. These rounds do not need to be consecutive.
Wandering Hex - Hampering Hex (Battle; Su) - The shaman causes a creature within 30 feet to take a –2 penalty to AC and CMD for a number of rounds equal to the shaman’s level. A successful Will saving throw reduces this to just 1 round. At 8th level, the penalty becomes –4. Whether or not the save is successful, a creature affected by a hampering hex cannot be the target of this hex again for 24 hours.
Spirit Magic
1st - Charm Animal (N) or Enlarge Person (Battle)
2nd - Barkskin (N) or Fog Cloud (Battle)
3rd - Speak with Plants (N) or Magic Vestment (Battle)
Healing Hex Uses:
Fortune Hex Uses:
______
Briana begins casting Call Lightning. I'm sure it'll be super effective.
'Sorshen', Will Save vs Charm Person: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15, Saved
Regardless...
The giant that would call herself 'Sorshen' seems to shrink back into her throne as she sees 'Sorshen' stride imperiously into her throne room, "My Lady... I beg forgiveness for my mistake... I did not see you when your servants first entered. My gifts from your last visit, they seem to have plunged into the lake... the blackened men will surely take them", the giant seems briefly hopeful, "Have you brought new gifts?"
...the lizards start to scrabble up onto the ledge as the water some twenty feet out ripples with the approach of several lacedons.
Although she didn't want to deal with the lizards, Briana is even less inclined to deal with the lacedons again. "Oh no you don't!" she cries, pointing at one of them as a bolt of lightning suddenly shoots down from the ceiling.
Female Human (Shoanti) Geokineticist 7 | AC 22, T 16, FF 18 | DR 6/adamantine| Fortification 15% | hp 80/80 (21 nonlethal) | Fort +13, Ref +11, Will +5 | CMD 21 | Initiative +6 | Perception +13 | Burn 3/9 | 3 Hero Points
Briana: my PFS sorcerer, Michael Bay Flói Mikkelson, would argue that :P
"This is bad," Shadlah mutters, grinding her teeth with a sound like gravel. Stepping away from the water's edge, she takes aim at the nearest enemy and lets them eat stalactite.
"Oh boy," Joanna says as she sees the lacedons coming. Deciding that keeping the lizards was more important than the confused giant, she stabs at the lizard that was still swimming.
Longsword (Attack 1):1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18 Damage:1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 Longsword (Attack 2):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15That might hit with it being in the water and Joanna being on higher ground. Damage:1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Between the stones plummeting from the ceiling above, Joanna's steel and the lighting that sheets the water with a vivid blue burst of energy, neither the lizards nor the approaching undead stand much of a chance - by the time that the lightning subsides, the dead are floating...
Combat over - the lizards are dead and there is no sign of the lacedons.
Clapping at the display, the giant addresses Ziomarra with some reverence, "My lady... that was a fine display of your power. These humans? They are playthings for me?"
Although she had no desire to be an actual plaything for the insane giant, Briana holds her tongue (and her lightning) to see what sort of ruse Zee might come up with.
Halli hops out of the boat and follows the group a half-dozen paces behind. The wolf looks nervously about, unwilling to get further from Joanna, but not willing to get any closer to the others and the giantess than she had too.
Abandoned idea:
1d20 ⇒ 7
Joanna, though bravely moves to stand with Zee, and looks at the giant as if she'd grown a second head. Zee's act had caused her to have an idea.
"Plaything? No, we are no playthings of yours. No one but our lady may play with us," Joanna says in the most indignant tone she can manage before spinning around to put her back to the giant and sweeping around in front of Zee to kneel before her.
"Forgive me my lady! I mean not to speak for you, but I only wanted known to this one that it is only you that I care to serve and to bring pleasure to," she says before mouthing as clearly as she can, play along. Get ready to fight, to the others.
CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9
I thought sure I'd posted yesterday! I must have only clicked "Preview" and never actually posted... But Jo is toally working the angle I was going to play, so here goes...
Before "Sorshen" can answer, Joanna replies instead.
Zee looks disdainfully at Joanna, then addresses the giant. "No, these are not your playthings... they are mine." Zee reaches under Jo's chin and raises her face toward her. "You are forgiven..." She smiles, adding, "...and you will atone for your insolence later." She strokes Joann's hair absently, as if she were a favored pet, and then addresses the giant. "But as for you, if you cannot take proper care of your toys, I am not sure you deserve to have any."
She steps away from the kneeling Joanna, turns her head toward her and says, "You may rise."
I am surprised how easy it was to play that role... and how much I enjoyed it... but no time for that now... what information might we get out of this giant?
Zee addresses the giant again, phrasing her questions as if this were a quiz. "So, when was the last time I was here? And what did I tell you then?"
I'm not sure if a particular social roll is due here... but if there is one, I'm going for Intimidate.
Slumping down into her throne like a scolded child, the giant's voice is far less booming than her first pronouncements, "I'm sorry... I looked after the gifts since you gave them to me... was it a month or a year? maybe it was longer? Your magnificent reign has spanned so many ages with me as your guardian..." Maybe trying to ingratiate herself with her disappointed consort, she changes tack, "I could look after these new pets for you? Train them... I did well with that steel lady you gave to me!!!", her voice drops a little, "Until I broke her"
