Thron's Rise of the Runelords Campaign

Game Master Thron

Ryli notices Olympus eyeing some sort of prey. She casts barkskin and echolocation on him while whispering, "You've been so patient. You deserve to hunt a bit."

Perception: 1d20 + 33 ⇒ (4) + 33 = 37
Before she gives him the go-ahead, she tries to spot what's got him so interested.

You see, in the marshy murk a few dozen yards away, an otter splashing around. It eyes your group cautiously, making bouncing steps your way every now and then.

"Aw, it's not very big. If you wanted a snack, we can find something else for you."

She pats Olympus' shoulder, then ventures a few steps toward the otter.

Wild Empathy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28

"Friend sleek swimmer! Pardon my interruption of your play! What can you tell me of this place?"

”Quite a bit, if you are who I think you are...” the otter squeaks back before its form begins to morph and change. Moments later, a beautiful, purple skinned fey woman stands before you, her eyes almost welling with tears. ”Are...are you the ones that call yourselves the Varisian Rangers?”

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (20) + 22 = 42

"We are, friend fey. I hope I can assuage your tears, but I have to ask: how have you come to know us?"

She takes a cautious step forward, clasping her hands in front of her in no real attempt to hide her nudity. ”We fey are quite well connected with one another,” she looks at Zoli and adds ”and you...are you the one known as Zoli? You must be! I can sense it on you from here!” she says excitedly as she approaches. Ryli’s Outriders take intimidating steps forward, lowering their bows at her, causing her to pause her advance.

Ryli throws out a hand, commanding her outriders to lower their weapons.

Something tugs at her memory. "The ghost nymph's gift, am I right? It was a lifetime ago for me, so I apologize for not recalling her name. Though I was there, I'm certain of it."

Her tail swishes as Olympus stretches his wings. "Are you willing to share your knowledge? You alluded to it just now."

”Myriana,” she says, holding her hands over her heart, ”Her name was Myriana, and she was my cousin. I felt her death as if it were a dagger to my own heart...”

The Outriders slowly lower their bows at Ryli’s command.

Eugeni stares openly at the beautiful nude fey, apparently at a loss for words.

"I understand how you feel," says Jeevika as she reflexively steps forward and shifts into diplomacy mode. "While Zoli here was ultimately the one helped Myriana find peace, my daughter Setsuna was the one who... secured Lamatar's remains. Like your cousin, she is sadly no longer with us... Oh, where are my manners? My name is Jeevika Kailani, Kyonin's Ambassador to Varisia. I don't believe I caught your name."

”I am Svevenka, Queen of the Icemists,” she replies. ”I am sorry for your loss. But tell me, Rangers...what has brought you to this harsh land?”

Ryli looks around at her surroundings. "Harsh, but quite pretty."

She bends her forward two legs into an approximation of a bow. "I am Ryli Thunderhoof. The instructions of a dead dwarf led us here. Our hope is to continue on to Xin Shalast. Do you know of it?"

She takes a step back, her face growing concerned, ”You should not try and go there. The area around there is dangerous...what is it you seek in that place?”

Ryli looks at Jeevika as she straightens. Her face is drawn with concern. "We know that there is an ancient evil that seeks to return to this time and awaken everything that slumbers there. We want to stop it."

She grows thoughtful and perhaps a bit excited.

”I...I dare not leave my beloved Icemists unprotected, but if you seek to defeat the Claimer and his servants who have brought death and destruction to these lands, I will offer you aid and refuge. These fens will be a safe haven for you, and I offer my magic and knowledge to you freely!”

Eugeni seems to recover himself somewhat, though his eyes remain planted somewhere around Svevenka's chest. "Thank you, kind lady. It would be a great boon indeed if you were to watch over our ship along with my simulacra." The floating aberration offers her a bow.

"What more can you tell us of the Claimer and his forces' disposition?"

Upon hearing Eugeni's words, Jeevika's eyes widen as she too realizes that this opportunity is the perfect time to make arrangements for safe storage for some of the group's assests.

"I agree with Eugeni. It would been a great boon for us if you could provide a safe harbor for our airship and simulacra, Your Majesty. Besides maybe Titanicus over there, I am uncertain that they would survive very long in Xin-Shalast."

Like Eugeni, Jeevika also offers a bow.

Ryli puts a fist over her breast in a gesture of thanks. "That is very generous. Thank you."

Svevenka nods, "Yes, of course. I have to say it is funny seeing a boat this far inland. But it will be easy to see as is...do you have any way you normally hide a boat on land?"

Without waiting for an answer, she continues "Regarding the dangers of the area, there is Bjormundal, a thug of a frost giant who has a band of cloud giants under his command. Then there the other hundreds of giants who have been moving into the area. I've never seen giants move about like this before, it's like they are locusts."

"That's not to mention the abominable snowmen and the lamias. But even worse than that is how close the mountain is to the realm of nightmares. The further up the mountain you go, the more influence that other plane has on reality...almost as if the higher you climb...the further into that realm you go."

She pauses and adds, "There is also the ancient Occluding Field. it makes the whole Spires area impervious to divinations and teleportations, and are forced to endure invisible forces that will slowly kill them.. There are those who can move through it with no problem, and I am certain they have some magical method of protecting themselves, but I do not know what it is."

"There are those, however, who may be willing to help. There are a breed of creature known as the Skulks. There are two factions of them: the "Spared" who are actually kind and helpful, and then there are the vampiric minions of the Hidden Beast...I would suggest you find one of the Spared once you have been shown the path. They may be able to help you."

"We do not normally hide our ship. It is an air ship, carried by the dragon simulacra there, Titanicus. The nymphs are her crew as such. We do not normally stop in such dangerous areas."

"HUNDREDS of giants?!" Eugeni asks with dismay.

Knowledge check on skulks?

"What exactly are these... Spires?" Jeevika asks. "I do not seem to recall any context for what they are."

Svevenka nods solemnly to Eugeni's dismay.

You have no idea what a skulk is.

"The Spires, the citadel on the World’s Roof. Situated on the steep face of the mountain. It is composed of multiple towers clinging to the side of the mountain, surrounding the central Pinnacle of Avarice, this vast citadel was once a city in and of itself, with each tower soaring hundreds of feet in height!"

When they meet

An empty stomach turns out to be one of the few things that can truly bring Zoli down. For the last few days, she's been unusually crabby and quiet.

That all changes--at least for the time being--when she realizes who Svevenka is. She jumps up and gives the regal nymph a hug. "Greetings, Your Majesty! I'm eternally grateful for Myrianna's gift, and grieve for the ways she suffered. My only solace is that we were able to help her find some measure of peace at the end."

Now

"Thank you for your guidance. How will we recognize these Skulks?"

I think it's been six days, which is the rough amount Ryli expected til the New Moon. Is Svev's guidance the thing we've been waiting for? Can we start eating again? ;-)

Svevenka holds Zoli close during their embrace, an icy tear rolling down her cheek. At Zoli's question, she giggles and says "They live in tunnels within the ruins. If you can find one, count yourself fortunate. They are hard to find."

That night, as the group relaxes somewhat while in the company of the fey, the clouds part in the sky and the full moon shines down into the fen. Elthariel gasps and says, "Wow...do you see that?" as she points to the north.

Ryli and Eugeni see nothing but the fen in the darkness, but Zoli, Jeevika, and Lorthan can all see a beautiful sight. There, stretching out to the north, is what appears to be a ghostly afterimage of the River Avah continuing up into the mountains to its original source from before geologic activity in the region altered it.

"So you see it now?" Svevenka whispers out. "Isn't it beautiful? But you will only see it so long as you hunger. But if you follow it, you will be able to reach the lower city of Xin-Shalast. Despite the power of the other world bleeding over to ours here, it cannot deny the power of nature!" she says proudly. "But if you do go, please be careful. There are patrols everywhere."

"I would rather retire in luxury, but it seems we have little other choice. The fate of this world rests in our hands."

"All right; let's go. Lead the way, because I'm not seeing anything that's changed."

"We should make full use of the Air Walk spell I casted earlier," proposes Jeevika. "With its mobility, it will be incredibly difficult to capture us."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zoli gives the wintery nymph a kiss on the cheek.

"We can only see the path if we're hungry, eh? That's...horrible"--Zoli shudders--"But I guess if the fate of the world rests in the balance, I'll have to leave my sweet, sweet provisions alone for a little longer."

She gives a whistful look at her napsack, and then says, "Jeeves and Ryli are right. Let's go!"

I’ve tried four times to get an update built on my iPad. And four times, either Paizo or roll20 has messed it up. Giving up for now until I can get laptop time to do it right.

Eugeni suddenly comes to an arcane realization. "Wait, before we go I want to try something that I have been contemplating for some time."

I have access to clone now, so I want to clone myself and leave the clone on the ship with Titanicus guarding it. Then I'm good to go. It has 1500gp in laboratory supplies as components. I'm willing to pay for them, but can I get/have them out here? If not can I substitute blood money?

Blood Money...sounds like a brutal yet thematic way to make that work. But it still takes 2d4 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2 to mature to be a viable clone.

"Do you have some means of creating a clone quickly? From my understanding, they take... months to grow," remarks Jeevika. "And unfortunately, I don't think we have months."

"I can at least start the process. If we all fall I'd like to have some insurance in place, no matter how remote."

The group of rangers continue on to the north, following the ghostly trail. However they quickly learn that trying to fly along its path causes the ghostly image to fade. Experimentation reveals that this means of finding the path to Xin-Shalast only is reliable at ground level. They travel for two days, and the group's guides bellies continue to growl in protest.

About mid-morning on the second day, you all hear a screech from above, and as your eyes turn skyward, you see seven man-sized shapes breech the fog. They are vaguely humanoid creatures that have a vulture's head and wings for arms, and wields an enormous bow in its taloned feet. They speak to each other in Thassilonian:

"There! Intruders!"

"We should report this to Bjormundal!"

"And give him the glory! Never! We will report to him by bringing back their heads!"

Then, they each draw their bows with their feet and send out a volley at you all, though none of the arrows pierce your defenses!

??? Initiative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Party Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Red Bow Attack: 1d20 + 18 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 18 - 3 + 1 = 20 1d7 ⇒ 2
Blue Bow Attack: 1d20 + 18 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 18 - 3 + 1 = 26 1d7 ⇒ 2
Green Bow Attack: 1d20 + 18 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 18 - 3 + 1 = 17 1d7 ⇒ 3
Purple Bow Attack: 1d20 + 18 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 18 - 3 + 1 = 35 1d7 ⇒ 7
Yellow Bow Attack: 1d20 + 18 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 18 - 3 + 1 = 26 1d7 ⇒ 7
Orange Bow Attack: 1d20 + 18 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 18 - 3 + 1 = 29 1d7 ⇒ 3
Pink Bow Attack: 1d20 + 18 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 18 - 3 + 1 = 30 1d7 ⇒ 7

You guys are up! These things are 20' above you in the squares they are placed.

Jeevika splits a Communal Air Walk between herself and Zoli and then starts gaining some altitude, moving to confront one of the odd vultures. Standard and move. She will end up at 10 feet in the air.

Elthariel casts Abundant Ammo and gets ready to start firing out volleys. Standard.

"Go get 'em," Ryli whispers to Olympus as she touches him with a spell. Olympus grows to nearly triple his original size under the druid's magic. He then launches himself into the air towards one of the vulture creatures, flying with talons extended. He reaches out with his vicious talons, raking and clawing, trying to catch it in his grip.

Melee, talons, charge: 1d20 + 23 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 23 + 2 = 33
Damage, holy: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (4, 1) + 15 = 20 If evil: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9

Grab: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (13) + 32 = 45

Meanwhile, after Ryli casts her spell and sends Olympus into the fray, she spins around rapidly until she becomes a huge air elemental.

Standard: cast spell. Free: command Olympus. Move: Swift Wild Shape.

"Here, I'll make it easy and bring my head straight to you," Zoli says as she runs up empty air toward two of them, swinging Wrathblade .

________

move 20’ up and over, as shown
stnd attack orange
immd parry/riposte (if attacked)

Wrathblade vs Orange: 1d20 + 37 ⇒ (9) + 37 = 46 (15 BAB +9 DEX +1 size +5 enhance +5 w.training +2 w.focus)
Damage+holy: 1d4 + 23 + 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 23 + (3, 2) + 15 = 44 (+9 DEX +5 enhancement +5 w.training +4 w.spec; +15 precise);
It will take an additional +9 Bleed at the start of its turn

Lorthan flies up in response to the enemy fliers, reaching out with his long neck and biting down hard on the one he's flanking with Zoli. Looks like the pink one

Bite, flank: 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 17 + 2 = 38
Damage: 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (3, 3) + 10 = 16

Eugeni casts a spell to hasten the groups' movements and attacks.

Hitting everyone with haste

The fight begins as some of the heroes close on the strange looking creatures. Cries of pain issue out from both sides as some are wounded by arrows, others by beaks and claws. On the side of the flying foes, several are wounded by the weapons of the Rangers.
__________
You guys are up!

Using her extra speed from the Haste, Jeevika works her way up to the Green Vulture and starts chopping away!

Adamantine Falcata (GMW, PA, Haste): 1d20 + 20 + 4 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 20 + 4 - 4 + 1 = 38
Damage (GMW, PA): 1d8 + 6 + 4 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 4 + 8 = 22 plus If Evil - Holy: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 4) = 9

Crit Confirm? (GMW, PA, Haste): 1d20 + 20 + 4 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 20 + 4 - 4 + 1 = 25
Damage (GMW, PA): 2d8 + 12 + 8 + 16 ⇒ (4, 5) + 12 + 8 + 16 = 45

Meanwhile, Elthariel attempts to turn the Blue Vulture into a pincushion.

Eugeni casts confusion on two of the creatures threatening his friends.

Gonna cast confusion on the square with the pink dot. That should hit the purple and yellow monsters while avoiding us. The save is a DC 25 Will save (using an arcane point to boost DC by 2)

Ryli whistles a command, and Olympus lets go of the vulture thing in its claws to make a full attack.

Bite, haste: 1d20 + 21 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 21 + 1 = 40
Damage: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (2, 4) + 15 = 21 If evil: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7

Talon, haste: 1d20 + 23 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 23 + 1 = 38
Damage: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (5, 6) + 15 = 26 If evil: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10

Talon, haste: 1d20 + 23 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 23 + 1 = 44
Damage: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (4, 5) + 15 = 24 If evil: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2

Talon, extra: 1d20 + 23 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 23 + 1 = 42
Damage: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (1, 4) + 15 = 20 If evil: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9

confirm: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (13) + 23 = 36
Damage: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (3, 2) + 15 = 20

Grab: 1d20 + 32 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 32 + 1 = 49

Meanwhile, Ryli in her huge air elemental form, flies over to help Lorthan.

Slam, flanking: 1d20 + 22 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 22 + 2 = 38
Damage: 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (2, 2) + 10 = 14

Lorthan starts his own flurry of claws and bites against the foe that he is now flanking with Ryli.

bite, haste, flank: 1d20 + 17 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 17 + 1 + 2 = 26
Damage: 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (6, 5) + 10 = 21

bite, haste, flank: 1d20 + 17 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 17 + 1 + 2 = 33
Damage: 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (6, 3) + 10 = 19

claw, haste, flank: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 16 + 1 + 2 = 38
Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
claw, haste, flank: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 16 + 1 + 2 = 37
Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

wing, haste, flank: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 14 + 1 + 2 = 29
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
wing, haste, flank: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 14 + 1 + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

taik, haste, flank: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 14 + 1 + 2 = 36
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Seeing Lorthan and Ryli come up to combat the ones she was fighting, Zoli exclaims, "Hey, give a girl some space, will ya? I had these two!" with a smile of mock indignation.

________

Full attack. Will finish Orange, then focus on Pink

Wrathblade: 1d20 + 37 ⇒ (17) + 37 = 54 (15 BAB +9 DEX +1 size +5 enhance +5 w.training +2 w.focus)
Damage+holy: 1d4 + 23 + 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 23 + (1, 2) + 15 = 44 (+9 DEX +5 enhancement +5 w.training +4 w.spec; +15 precise)

Wrathblade: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (7) + 32 = 39 (15 BAB +9 DEX +1 size +5 enhance +5 w.training +2 w.focus)
Damage+holy: 1d4 + 23 + 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 23 + (6, 2) + 15 = 49 (+9 DEX +5 enhancement +5 w.training +4 w.spec; +15 precise)

Wrathblade: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (19) + 27 = 46 (15 BAB +9 DEX +1 size +5 enhance +5 w.training +2 w.focus)
Damage+holy: 1d4 + 23 + 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 23 + (6, 6) + 15 = 51 (+9 DEX +5 enhancement +5 w.training +4 w.spec; +15 precise)

Wrathblade (haste bonus): 1d20 + 37 ⇒ (13) + 37 = 50 (15 BAB +9 DEX +1 size +5 enhance +5 w.training +2 w.focus)
Damage+holy: 1d4 + 23 + 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 23 + (4, 4) + 15 = 47 (+9 DEX +5 enhancement +5 w.training +4 w.spec; +15 precise);
It will take an additional +9 Bleed at the start of its turn

Several of the creatures fall to the ground from the heroes onslaught! One of the creatures begins babbling nonsensically, while the rest put some distance between the melee threats and begin returning fire, though only one arrow strikes a target!

Purple Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 1d100 ⇒ 50
Yellow Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Yellow Attack 1: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 15 + 1 = 28
Yellow Attack 2: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 1 = 16
Yellow Attack 3: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 = 14

Blue Attack 1: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 15 + 1 = 31
Blue Attack 2: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 1 = 27
Blue Attack 3: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 1 = 26
Blue Attack 3 Confirm: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 = 9
Damage: 2d6 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (1, 6) + 11 + 1 = 19

Green Attack 1: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 15 + 1 = 34
Green Attack 2: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 1 = 26
Green Attack 3: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 1 = 21

You guys are up!

Olympus drops the dead vulture thing and flaps over to the one nearest him and begins another deadly mauling.

Meanwhile, Ryli reaches out with her airy appendages and scoops up Zoli, carrying her towards the northmost one.

Hopefully, this'll give Zoli a full attack on green

Bite, haste: 1d20 + 21 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 21 + 1 = 41
Damage: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (3, 4) + 15 = 22 If evil: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5

Talon, haste: 1d20 + 23 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 23 + 1 = 27
Damage: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (2, 6) + 15 = 23 If evil: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12
Talon, haste: 1d20 + 23 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 23 + 1 = 41
Damage: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (3, 4) + 15 = 22 If evil: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6
Talon, haste: 1d20 + 23 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 23 + 1 = 30
Damage: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (6, 3) + 15 = 24 If evil: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8

Grab: 1d20 + 32 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 32 + 1 = 46

"Wheeeee!! Thanks for the ride!" Inspired by her whirling lift, Zoli spins her blade in a hasted flurry, slicing another one to ribbons.

"Should we try to capture one of these to question? Perhaps the currently confused one?"

___________

Wrathblade vs Green: 1d20 + 37 ⇒ (18) + 37 = 55 (15 BAB +9 DEX +1 size +5 enhance +5 w.training +2 w.focus)
Damage+holy: 1d4 + 23 + 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 23 + (1, 4) + 15 = 44 (+9 DEX +5 enhancement +5 w.training +4 w.spec; +15 precise)
Wrathblade vs Green (haste): 1d20 + 37 ⇒ (7) + 37 = 44
Damage+holy: 1d4 + 23 + 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 23 + (3, 3) + 15 = 46
Wrathblade vs Green: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (16) + 32 = 48
Damage+holy: 1d4 + 23 + 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 23 + (1, 1) + 15 = 42
Wrathblade vs Green: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (14) + 27 = 41
Damage+holy: 1d4 + 23 + 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 23 + (3, 2) + 15 = 44
...and if it's still alive it'll also start taking 9 bleed on its turn

confirm #1: 1d20 + 37 ⇒ (1) + 37 = 38
crit damage: 1d4 + 23 ⇒ (4) + 23 = 27
confirm #2: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (9) + 32 = 41
crit damage: 1d4 + 23 ⇒ (1) + 23 = 24

Eugeni moves into the center of the group, and hits one of the wounded creatures with a blast of magic missiles.

I'll target blue if it's still up, otherwise I'll target the next most wounded one.

Damage: 5d4 + 5 ⇒ (2, 4, 2, 3, 3) + 5 = 19