The Forgotten God (Table 1) (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

<"All surface-dwellers are enemies!"> One of the Derro spat, though he did look a bit concerned about your weapons.

"It is that single minded thinking that has you here now. We dealt with the creature the humans summoned with the help of one of your own and one of them." He points back to the derro and girl with Midfoviing.

"That derro woman's bravery and valor helped us lure the creature out. Now will you talk things through or do you prefer violence. If violence is all you understand then I will accommodate you." Hadran takes a threatening stance as if about to charge.

Burkhardt maintained a calm stance but was also prepared to charge.

Do either of you want to make a knowledge check to try and figure out why they're hostile?

K.?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Hadran studies the situation.

Absolutely

Knowledge (dungeoneering or nature): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16 +1 if local, +2 if religion, +7 if arcana or planes

Drawing on what information you've been able to gather - fragments of knowledge from before your fall, observations here, and just speaking to one of them - it's quickly becoming apparent that they despise surface-dwellers. They are an aggressive, evil race - and going by all the scars and blue marks, they've done a lot of experiments on the humans here. To them, peace with you would be a lot like peace between Heaven and the Abyss - your views couldn't be much further apart.

"It seems our actions here will change nothing besides the life of those people. Midfoviing keep the human woman safe." He then looks to the Derro woman.

"You have a chance to take your people and leave now. We will take the humans. I will not allow those people to be hurt further. What do you choose. Fight and die, walk away and live."

Burkhardt nodded in affirmation of Hadran's stance.

As you speak, you realize your guide ran off about two minutes ago, but you've been talking to her as if she was still present. Given the fact that she's not here, you're pretty sure she won't be trying to convince her people of anything until and unless that changes.

...

It's likely she had a good sense of what you were going to find and didn't want to be anywhere near it when you did.

Specifically, she left in a post on the 22nd.

"How long has she, it matters not." He looks back at the other Derro.

"Decided. Let us take them and go in piece or I put you all down here. I will not ask again."

Hadran still struggles with his redemption part of his fall was fighting and slaying evil just for the joy of battle. Given the chance he will usually try to avoid the fight.

Burkhardt, however, doesn't struggle with those particular compunctions.

Teetering in anticipation, Burkhardt stowed his axe and, growing body hair and claws and an elongated face, said "I will delay no longer, Hadran. These lives are in danger and the dilemma of violence vs. non-violence only furthers the aggressors' advantage. If they will not listen to words, then they will listen to violence." He then advanced on the derro.

Shifting to badger hybrid form and then moving forward 30 ft, or until I'm in melee range with one.

Init (Derro): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Init (Burkhardt): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Init (Hadran): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23

It didn't look like they were interested in complying, no matter how nice your sword was.

That said, only Hadran can act before them!

"I take no pleasure in this. Midfoviing keep the girl safe!"

Hadran charges forward at the one holding the knife on the human.

Free: BloodRage
Swift: Arcane Strike
Full: Charge

Charge Attack: 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 17 + 2 = 37
Charge Attack Confirmation: 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 17 + 2 = 37

Damage: 4d6 + 36 + 1d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 3, 3) + 36 + (3) = 52

Daaaaaamn son!

Shnik. Thud.

That was when the screaming started - and the derro plunged into the group of humans, aiming to cut them down as quickly as possible.

1d12 ⇒ 6

Before either of you could do more, six people were already falling as the good-sized group of derro got to work. None seemed inclined to rush Hadran - rather, they were going for the targets they could reach.

Best I can do is use a Sudden Block each round. Assuming I am adjacent to one of the targets since I rush in.

As the Derro dive in Hadran calls on his Godly power trying to save one of the targets.

Sudden Block. The Derro has to make two attack rolls and take the worse result. The target gets my Tier added to AC so +3 and due to my Grace ability all evil within 30' Are at -1 to attack, saves and skills. I get a free attack unfortunately this is after their attack is resolved :)

"If you target them you will still pay with your lives"

Sudden Attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30
Damage: 2d6 + 18 + 1d6 ⇒ (5, 1) + 18 + (4) = 28

Will post round 2 since it is Burk then me.

Round 2

Swift: Arcane Strik
Free: 5' step
Full: Full Attack, I'm assuming an attack drops one of them.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20
Attack 2: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

Damage Attack 1: 2d6 + 18 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 4) + 18 + (5) = 30
Damage Attack 2: 2d6 + 18 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 18 + (3) = 24

Burkhardt rushed to Hadran's side and began to wreck their enemies at endur.

Assuming Hadran still threatens one derro, I attack that same one; preferably an unharmed one.
Move action to get into range, standard action to attack
Claw (+ Badger Transformation, Power Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
Damage (+ Badger Transformation, Power Attack & Mythic Vital Strike: 2d6 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1) + 18 + 2 = 23

Expend 1 mythic power as a swift action for Brilliant Distraction
Claw (+ Badger Transformation, Power Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Damage (+ Badger Transformation, Power Attack & Mythi0 Vital Strike: 1d6 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 1 = 14
If this attack hits, Hadran can make an AoO against the derro and he gets +7 to the attack roll.

Together, you dove into the crowd of Derro, cutting several of them down in a flash of whirling blades. Those that remained continued to slash at the humans, though Hadran's rapid blocking managed to turn aside one of their blows. Another derro fell from the Brilliant Distraction Burkhardt triggered, and the creatures from the underground were now well below half their number.

One of the humans, down on the floor, groaned as they clutched their wound. "Why did... he... abandon... us.....?"

"You are not abandoned. No longer dwell on fear. Let valor and glory strengthen your resolve."

Hadran continues to cut down the evil little creatures as they insist on taking this to the gruesome end.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24
Attack 2: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

Damage attack 1: 2d6 + 18 + 1d6 ⇒ (6, 5) + 18 + (1) = 30
Damage attack 2: 2d6 + 18 + 1d6 ⇒ (4, 6) + 18 + (1) = 29

Healing the human
Mending Verse Truenaming Check (vs. DC 17: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16
Ope. -2 to recitations for 5 rounds.

Ignoring the remaining derro, Burkhardt returned to human form and moved to the person's side. "A being who thrives on that kind of slaughter is no friend to mortals. ʇou ɹɐǝɟ ʇnq-," started Burkhardt, but the words caught in his throat and choked him. He instead freed a small vial of cure moderate wounds from his hat and offered it to them. "Here," he whispered, "For your wounds."

More of the derro were cut down by Hadran's blows, and it wasn't going to take long to finish off the rest. As Burkhardt worked, however, he noticed an odd blueish tint spreading from the wounds.

<"You wish to protect them, surface-dweller? They will die without the antidote."> One of the surviving derro howled.

Let's hope the site is back for good now.

"You will trade it then? Your lives for the antidote? I did not start this fight, it was you that chose to act, I will end it with or without whatever you have. Decide."

Hadran gives them a moment but stays on guard knowing this could be just another trick.

I'm honestly impressed at how long it was out of commission.

Burkhardt retrieved the empty vial and scowled. He waited for the derro to respond.

Oh boy, it wasn't even showing notifications for me! ...Joy. But yeah, HOPEFULLY the board is stabilized now.

<"Yes. You will have the antidote... after we are away."> the derro speaking growled. Slowly, the survivors began to edge towards the side of the cavern and to the tunnel leaving the place.

Hadran gives them space, hoping they hold to their word. If not he is ready to follow and end this for good.

Maybe it's stable now?

Burkhardt gladly stands down for access to the antidote.

So far, yes. I read a blog post and Paizo apparently has, like, one more planned downtime sometime in the nearish future, but it's been stable for several days now. I THINK we're past the worst of it.

As the Derro left, one of them tossed a vial back into the chamber - and it landed on what looked like some leather bedding, rather than the cold ground. They didn't seem interested in angering you at the moment, and it wasn't long at all before the sounds of their footsteps faded. The sobbing sounds from the humans here were rather more... noticeable.

Hadran collects the vile while Burkhardt begins attending to the humans.

"Is this all of you? Are there any others we need to find before heading back to the top?"

"Well, that wasn't ideal, but let's make the best, shall we?" Burkhardt continued healing the people he could while Hadran spoke and went around with the antidote.

"Who... who are you?" one of the men asked as you moved through the chamber, clearly confused by the recent developments. "A-and everyone's here. We were told to... stay for safety..." he winced as he looked around at all the bodies.

"You are safe now. The thing you summoned told you to stay? You shouldn't bargain with things like that. We can discuss more topside. Stay close, stay together."

Burkhardt shot a glance at Hadran. Phrasing it as You Shouldn't Bargain With Things Like That was a bit ironic considering that's exactly how they got it to leave. Nonetheless he didn't comment, knowing the god's intention behind the words.

"And I am Burkhardt, and he is Hadran. With us is Delbina, Erstehund, and Midfoviing."

Midfoviing waved as she was introduced - Erstehund was friendlier, moving between the humans and allowing himself to be pet. Few humans could be upset for too long when a dog was showering them with love, and even fewer when the hound in question had some spark of divinity. With your guidance (and light in these dark caverns), it wasn't long before you managed to get topside and towards the welcoming light of the sun, leading the group of injured and dirty behind you.

Finally, shuddering under the light, Delbina whispered a little. "What... what was the thing you called?"

The others looked hesitantly between themselves. "I... w-we should not speak its name, lest we want its attention once more."

"I agree. put it out of your minds. Can you tell us what happened? We were sent to investigate why no word had gotten back to the capital. Are there any in charge left here?"

”And this might be a silly question to ask in Chelish territory, but how did you come to learn of that thing in the first place?”

"It's... it's something that's been passed down in prison camps like this for a long time. It won't attack the guards, so we can't use it to get free, but they pass the secret on in case something else happens. If we hadn't called it, those things would have killed us all."

Hadran nods and pulls Burkhardt to the side.

"Do we press them for the secret. We could attempt to summon the thing and deal with it now that we have the people out. What do we do with these people. There are no guards left here. Not sure why they are even here in a Chelish prison."

Burkhardt’s brows squeezed together as he smiled weakly. ”I would like to face that foe someday but if I’m honest Hadran, I don’t think we stand a chance in our current state. I think it best to revisit that particular situation at a later date. As for what to do with these people...”

He turned back to the survivors. ”Folk, what would you do with yourselves now? Do you have homes to welcome your return, or do you need to find, or perhaps create new ones? I imagine a continuation of your sentence benefits no one, so how could we be of help?”

Hadran nods, then awaits to see the people answer.

The one nominated to speak (or maybe just the bravest) sighed a bit. "Well, the government thinks we're criminals. If they know any of us got free, they'd probably send Hellknights or devils or something after us. That's why most people don't try too hard to get away."

"The law is the law. You are safe now. Burkhardt if we meddle too much we could put them all in danger. It would be best for us to return and report so that we may move on out of these devil worshiping lands."

”Yes yes... I simply wanted to offer these people a choice. Given what they’ve been through, I was willing to flex on my usual policy of full disclosure.” It left a bad taste in Burkhardt’s mouth, but he was no god of freedom, and understood such an undertaking to be out of his depth.

”That said, next time some trouble befalls you folk, you would be better off calling me for help. My dealings are much more fair, by design.”

At that, a younger man towards the back piped up. "Even the gods refused to help us. This is Cheliax, and ultimately, it belongs to Asmodeus. The only things willing to help are those that don't mind pissing off the devils."

"Here and know this. I am Hadraniel, God of Valor. When you lack courage you may call on me. We you are in fear, you may call on me. When you stand to protect those you love you may call on me. I am Valor. Devils fear me."

Diplomacy w/ Display of Charisma and Surge: 1d20 + 37 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 37 + (5) = 55

I think since we can be worshiped now we can start making proclamations that we are gods of sorts and perhaps not be thought to be too crazy :)

Well, that's what I was trying to aim for, but then the citizen folk were speaking like "oh no i should probably just be a prisoner" while I was trying to finagle my way into oh, i don't know, trying to work out a deal? :-D

Burkhardt smiled. It felt good to speak of it. "And I am Burkhardt of the Versed Vow. God of the Pacts, Pledges, and the Spirit of the Law. When I broker a deal, it is never a compromise, always a collaboration; a mutually beneficial arrangement that is greater than the some of its parts. In my church, you have better options than calling on that... thing down there."

If you want me to roll Diplomacy too, go ahead, but I figured Hadran kind of carried the team on that one. :-P

This is true. You have Divine Source, which is the power that lets you receive players and act in response to them. o wo

Thud. Thud thud thud thud thud.

"......" Midfoviing slowly pushed herself back to her feet, groaning slightly. "I... um... what!?" she asked, looking at the group of dazed, near-unconscious commoners lying on the ground. It wasn't out of shock - your overwhelming divine power, infused into your words, had grown strong enough to physically affect them. Midfoviing seemed like she hadn't been affected quite as much.

And that was when the sky started to darken and turn red.

Hadran steps over and helps the dragon girl.

"Midfoviing, I'm sorry I didn't expect that. Are you alright?" He then looks to the sky.

"It seems I suddenly became a shining beacon Burkhardt. Come lets step away from these people a bit. Midfoviing find your strength and get them all safely to cover. We don't know what may be coming."

Well we don't have a good means of moving quickly yet like flight or dimensional travel like teleport so lets see whats coming :)

Yuuup! Good luck, us

”Erstehund, come on now, shake it off. Pull these people to safety, by the collar, like I told you.” Burkhardt looked to Hadran and together they moved towards high ground, preparing to meet this challenge head on.

Incidentally, in case I didn't make it obvious, very high results on some rolls can have interesting effects in this game. XD It's not just "succeeding but you have a higher number". ...I mean, that's totally what will happen with attack rolls 'cuz you either hit or you don't, but things with nebulous results like social interaction, some performances, et cetera, it can happen. ...Which is to say that I want you to feel like your investments in being awesome at particular things actually have a real effect on the game world, although not always a predictable one.

Erstehund, incidentally, was unaffected. As a general rule, divine servitors - including pretty much all good outsiders, as far as it's relevant for you two, as well as any summons/companions/etc. you might have - are immune to those sorts of overwhelming effects unless you're specifically targeting them. It's sort of hard to fly around and get stuff done when you're blasted unconscious every time you pass your master, y'know? XD

Boldly announcing yourselves had definitely gotten attention from somewhere. As you watched, what looked like five meteors arced over the horizon, surrounded in black smoke and trailing a path behind them. As they reached halfway, however, what looked like a bolt of black lightning erupted from the dig site and crossed paths with four of them, forking and changing direction several times as it did so. The meteors vanished as the lightning collided with them, and the black bolt vanished into the gathering clouds.

The last meteor hit the ground thirty feet away from you, revealing a huge figure. Seemingly fused with a monstrous throne of iron skulls, an impossibly corpulent being floats several feet off the ground. Trappings cut in mockery of holy vestments do little to cover the thing’s pallid, leaking rolls of blister-pocked girth. Worthless, club-like hands waggle like maggots, directing a cloud of weathered scrolls and blasphemous tomes that orbit its bulk. Barely distinguishable amid its mound of chins squints a pair of glassy black eyes, riding above a disproportionately wide mouth.

Rather than immediately addressing you, however, it stared up at the sky for a few moments. "...What in the Archfiend's name was that?"
It asked, frowning. When nothing in the sky came back down, however, it turned to you. "Bah, one more thing for you to answer for. Your claims have been heard - but this land belongs to Asmodeus, and he will not suffer outsiders who visit this land without his permission. By the authority of the Pit, I order you to leave this land immediately, lest the Gates of Hell be opened and terrible vengeance be delivered by its champions with all speed. We care not where else you go on this world, but Asmodeus will tolerate no violations of his decree here in Cheliax. You have been warned."