Female Human Witch [Dimensional Occultist] 7 hp 40/49┃AC 17 t 13 ff 17┃CMD 13┃Fort +6 Ref +7 Will +7 Init +8┃Perception +2 | Blouse Uses Remaining 3/3 | Can See Invisible Things (70 Minutes Total)
The furor of battle suddenly rises, making the witch drop the magical trinket she was examining.
"What is it? What have you found?" she asks as she follows the sound.
As she rounds the corner to see what mischief her teammates had got themselves into, she is stopped short by the looming giant on the very edge of the shadows.
"By the Rough Beast's cage, may your luck subside," she curses, hoping the ill fortune seeps into the giant's being.
He is in the "dim light" area of my ioun torch but misfortune don't care. Move 20 ft, Misfortune, DC 20 Will negates.
Male Tiefling Wizard 3/Cleric 3/Mystic Theurge 4 | AC: 15/11/14 (+bestow curse) | HP: 30/75 | Fort +10, Ref +5, Will +15 | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative +1 | Perception +12 (darkvision) | Active conditions:
Somebody move me to behind She Who Waits, please. I'm having trouble editing the map.
Also, SWW, I feel your pain about having so many useless spells vs undead. I've got a sandman bard playing a dungeon-crawl scenario right now, and so far everything we've faced has been mindless-- undead or vermin, rendering his spells useless. And since sandmen don't get inspire courage, he's basically just a halfling rogue with no sneak attack.
"Oh dear," Vordrek sighs. "Sounds like it's back." Positioning himself at the end of the corridor to the beast, he casts a spell.
Male Dwarf Inquisitor 10 [HP: 75/75 | AC: 24/13/22 CMD: 24 | F+12 R+8 W+12* (+5 vs. spells/spell-like, +2 vs. Necromancy, +1 vs. Evocation) | Init +4 | Perc +12 SM +16 Darkvision]
Torean moves up behind Eladrian. "Take yer shot and duck behind me!" Once the half-elf does so, Torean raises his axe to prepare for the onslaught
Delay until after Eladrian goes. If he does as Torean asks, then Torean will end up in the square Eladrian is in now, with Eladrian somewhere behind him. Then ready an attack for when he comes within striking distance (and yes, I know it might not happen b/c of his reach).
I'll jump in before you guys, if that's ok. Sorry I couldn't post earlier, but by the time I saw the combat many people had already taken their turn so I figured I could wait anyway. Just wanted to remind people that if our initiatives are all clumped together like this, I can really pump up the party damage output if you guys let me go first. I'll try to post quickly in the future as soon as I see a combat starting, but if you could wait a little for me for future fights I will buff your damage up. :-)
Rolando moves up, singing a soulful tune and calling forth the spirits of the valiant dead.
Move up, start song. Changing the enhancements this time due to Vordrek's knowledge result.
Benefits for everyone:
Flagbearer: +1 morale bonus to attack, weapon damage, and saves vs fear and charm (doesn't stack with heroism).
Weapons that are already magical gain shocking and frost. Non magical weapons gain a +1 bonus and frost.
Lesser Spirit Totem--each person can make an attack on the turn against an adjacent enemy. Attack bonus is your BAB + 3 and damage is 1d4 + 3.
Lesser Celestial Blood--everyone's melee weapons are considered good-aligned for the purpose of bypassing damage reduction. Also, everyone's melee weapons deal an additional 1d6 damage vs evil outsiders.
Benefits just for Rolando:
Superstition-- +3 morale bonus to saves vs spells, SLAs, and SUs
Male Half-Elf Slayer/9 70/70 HP] [AC: 22 T: 14 FF: 19 (+2 Dodge vs traps)] [Perc +15 {+19 vs trap}] [F+8/R+10/W+5 {+2 vs Enchantment, +2 Reflex vs Traps}] [CMB +13] [CMD 27] [SP 30FT] [INIT +9]
Sounds good to me, Torean. I moved your icon, and am now right behind you.
Rolando starts his song, and eladrian feels the magic course through him and channels it down his arm and to his waiting arrow. He releases two arrows at the beast before dropping back behind Torean as he moves forward.
Two arrows, then 5' step back, 20ft move for Torean. Studied is still active, full round, PBS, and Song Buffs
As Rolando begins his inspiring performance, the mindless giant takes two severe wounds from Eladrian's arrow but sees a dwarf that blocks the way so he just bludgeons him, taking a 5'step.
Female Human Witch [Dimensional Occultist] 7 hp 40/49┃AC 17 t 13 ff 17┃CMD 13┃Fort +6 Ref +7 Will +7 Init +8┃Perception +2 | Blouse Uses Remaining 3/3 | Can See Invisible Things (70 Minutes Total)
My biggest frustration is more with myself for not giving this character utility. She's mostly been leveled via GM credit, and now she's level 7 and locked into some troublesome options. I've got a few ideas of what I'm going to do to change her up (mostly going to grab fortune to buff allies, that sort of thing).
She Who Wait's ochre skin darkens as the creature resists her curse.
"The Rough Beast's yearning will shake, and you will find yourself deep in its cage," she repeats. She trips slightly on the words. Finishing the curse, she laughs madly to herself.
Attempting Misfortune again as permitted by Accursed Hex. Cackle as a follow-up. DC 20 Will negates.
Male Half-Elf Slayer/9 70/70 HP] [AC: 22 T: 14 FF: 19 (+2 Dodge vs traps)] [Perc +15 {+19 vs trap}] [F+8/R+10/W+5 {+2 vs Enchantment, +2 Reflex vs Traps}] [CMB +13] [CMD 27] [SP 30FT] [INIT +9]
As the beast smacks Torean, Eladrian cries out in rage and worry over his friend. He spares a quick glance to ensure the sturdy dwarf is on his feet before sending two more arrows down range into the beast.
Male Dwarf Inquisitor 10 [HP: 75/75 | AC: 24/13/22 CMD: 24 | F+12 R+8 W+12* (+5 vs. spells/spell-like, +2 vs. Necromancy, +1 vs. Evocation) | Init +4 | Perc +12 SM +16 Darkvision]
Torean grits his teeth as the fire giant zombie slugs him with a fist as big as his entire chest. The hardy dwarf takes the punch, however, and then steps up to deliver his own crushing blow. Unfortunately the hit from the giant zombie has him seeing stars for a moment and the swing easily misses.
The undead ignores the witch's words of curse but takes two severe wounds from Eladrian's arrows. Yes, his AC is very very low.
But Torean's swing is too wide and fails to hit its target.
The giant still stands, tough not very steady on his legs.
Male Tiefling Wizard 3/Cleric 3/Mystic Theurge 4 | AC: 15/11/14 (+bestow curse) | HP: 30/75 | Fort +10, Ref +5, Will +15 | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative +1 | Perception +12 (darkvision) | Active conditions:
His natural immunity is annoying,Vordrek thinks as he mentally goes through his repertoire. In the end, he decides that his missiles are probably his best bet for now.
Female Human Witch [Dimensional Occultist] 7 hp 40/49┃AC 17 t 13 ff 17┃CMD 13┃Fort +6 Ref +7 Will +7 Init +8┃Perception +2 | Blouse Uses Remaining 3/3 | Can See Invisible Things (70 Minutes Total)
"Whew, I was a tiny bit worried that fate would find us this time. Very well, though. Let us be on."
With a flick of her wrist and a stylized flair, she begins flying and moves down the hallway, trying to stay out of reach of anything that may be below.
Flight hex for the next minute, using up minute two of seven. How tall are the hallways? Can I conceivably leave five feet between me and a medium-sized creature?
Also, I think I missed it before, but what are these green squares?
@SWW: No, the ceiling is very low as it's a crypt. The giant was all bent and squeezed from all sides. The main corridor is bigger, though.
Let's move forward...
You take your time to explore the crypt and heal yourself. After a few minutes, you understand there is no way down... until your dwarven companion and his acute nose finds a secret passage. However, beyond is a trap that is still active.
I added a small piece of information about traps and color codes on the map :)
Farg easily disables the trap. The DCs are ridiculously high for subtier 1-2 and ridiculously low for 6-7, as it doesn't change...
The party goes down the stairs and arrives in the next floor. A large room is lightened by your dancing lights. A five-foot-wide, rickety rope bridge stretches fifteen feet from a small landing at the bottom of a set of stairs on the south side of the room across a twenty-foot-deep pit to another small landing on the north side of the room. The north landing has a solid wood door leading north.
As you get there, you hear Hustavan speaking to you from the back.
"This room represents the first test for new Zyphus recruits. A new
recruit must cheat death by crossing the rope bridge before the Zyphus himself triggers the bridge collapse and either crushes the new recruit’s skull with a rock or hurls him to his death against one of the walls!" he pauses and seems to swallow his tears.
SWW: Here, the room is high enough if you want to maneuver above the bridge.
Female Human Witch [Dimensional Occultist] 7 hp 40/49┃AC 17 t 13 ff 17┃CMD 13┃Fort +6 Ref +7 Will +7 Init +8┃Perception +2 | Blouse Uses Remaining 3/3 | Can See Invisible Things (70 Minutes Total)
The witch makes her way cautiously over the bridge, flying slowly and checking for trip wires in the air. As she reaching the landing on the other side of the bridge, she tests it with her weight, slowly leaning back on her heels until she is sure that it won't collapse under her.
If it's safe
"Very well, it looks as though it is just the bridge that is treacherous." She gives a pause before saying, "And while I appreciate how they attempt to return people to their proper fate, this feels like a perversion of that."
If it's not safe
The witch curses loudly in Shoanti as the ledge gives way under her. She hovers over where it once was before looking back at her allies with a blush covering her cheeks.
"Well," she says, "the ledge isn't safe! I have a backpack and, uh, a waterskin. I believe I forgot my rope at home."
I can also cast feather fall at will on myself, if needed.
Well done, everyone! One moment-- Rolando says, as She Who Waits moves to cross the bridge.
Whatever this "Test of Zyphus" is may be triggered by us placing weight on the bridge. I think I have a way for us to get across without chancing that. Here, take this, the singer says, handing a length of silky rope to the Shoanti.
Float to the middle of the bridge and upwards when you see my note appear. Tie one end of the rope to the note, and bring us the other. It should bear our weight one at a time.
If She Who Waits agrees...
Rolando sings a song, drawing it out into one long note that he maintains for a remarkably long time. The note takes shape before your eyes, solidifying 15 ft above the center point of the bridge.
So if She Who Waits floats up and ties the rope to it, everyone else can grab the other end one at a time and swing Indiana Jones-style across the bridge. I will go last, as the duration is concentration + 6 rounds. It can support up to 230 lbs. at a time, so if anyone is heavier than that they might need to take some gear of and redistribute it before swinging. Everyone willing to try this?
Male Dwarf Inquisitor 10 [HP: 75/75 | AC: 24/13/22 CMD: 24 | F+12 R+8 W+12* (+5 vs. spells/spell-like, +2 vs. Necromancy, +1 vs. Evocation) | Init +4 | Perc +12 SM +16 Darkvision]
Torean grunts. "Really? You want me to swing through the air like some monnkey?" He sighs. "Fine, but you've better take my pack across just in case. I got some enhanced alchemist fires in there. I wouldn't want them to crashing down with me on top!"
I'm good with it. Torean in his armor and weapons is fine.
Rolando casts a spell, singing a song and a solid note appears in mid-air. She Who Waits flies towards it to tie a rope but when she does so, two rocks smash on the corner of her head! Another one hits the ceiling. 3 damages
There is, apparently, no threats.
Hustavan begins to cry. "No, Zyphus is angry at you! He's throwing rock at you!"
She Who Waits:
Please make two will saves against fear, DC 12. If you miss one, you are panicked and must flee for 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3 rounds.
Female Human Witch [Dimensional Occultist] 7 hp 40/49┃AC 17 t 13 ff 17┃CMD 13┃Fort +6 Ref +7 Will +7 Init +8┃Perception +2 | Blouse Uses Remaining 3/3 | Can See Invisible Things (70 Minutes Total)
GM:
Will Save 1:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 Will Save 2:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Would you allow me to use my re-roll for this? I would always re-roll a 2 on a Will save. I can upload proof of my folio/shirt ownership when I get home tonight. If so, Will Save 2 will be:
Female Human Witch [Dimensional Occultist] 7 hp 40/49┃AC 17 t 13 ff 17┃CMD 13┃Fort +6 Ref +7 Will +7 Init +8┃Perception +2 | Blouse Uses Remaining 3/3 | Can See Invisible Things (70 Minutes Total)
"What is that thing?" She Who Waits cries out. "Truth be known by light of day!"
She breaks a capsule of talc and powdered silver, placing a dot of each on her eyelids.
She Who Waits shivers but stands still and casts a spell. She tells you that they are three invisible creatures around here. Torean casts the same spell and sees them too. Vordrek and Farg curse.
I put black squares where SWW and Torean can see them. The party has no clue exactly where they are, though.
The First Zyphus Test - Round 1
Rolando, Farg, Torean,Eladrian, She Who Waits, Vordrek
Invisible critters (3 of them)
Where are they? The spirits will guide our strikes!
Rolando's song changes, and the solid note waivers for a few moments.
Duration: 6 rounds remaining on Solid Note
Standard: Weapon Song
Benefits for everyone:
Flagbearer: +1 morale bonus to attack, weapon damage, and saves vs fear and charm (doesn't stack with heroism).
Weapons that are already magical gain ghost touch and flaming. Non magical weapons gain a +1 bonus and ghost touch.
Lesser Spirit Totem--each person can make an attack on the turn against an adjacent enemy. Attack bonus is your BAB + 3 and damage is 1d4 + 3. (This doesn't work against undead)
Lesser Celestial Blood--everyone's melee weapons are considered good-aligned for the purpose of bypassing damage reduction. Also, everyone's melee weapons deal an additional 1d6 damage vs evil outsiders.
Benefits just for Rolando:
Superstition-- +3 morale bonus to saves vs spells, SLAs, and SUs
Male Half-Elf Slayer/9 70/70 HP] [AC: 22 T: 14 FF: 19 (+2 Dodge vs traps)] [Perc +15 {+19 vs trap}] [F+8/R+10/W+5 {+2 vs Enchantment, +2 Reflex vs Traps}] [CMB +13] [CMD 27] [SP 30FT] [INIT +9]
Eladrian draws his arrow to his cheek, but holds his shot as he is unable to find the attacker. "What do we do? I can see nothing up there.. how can we fight back?" Deciding that action is better than being a standing target, he rushes forward through the line and prepares to cross, trying to keep an eye out for any hurled boulders. Total defense
