Honestly, I don't have a preference, although I expect I am more useful vs undead. But there may not be as many groups to go after another commander, so I lean a little more towards that.
HP: 67/67 l AC: 12, T 12, FF 10 l CMD 18 l F +10, R +6, W +12 l Adoration (7/7), Channel Energy (5/5), Clarifying Channel (1/1), Inspired (1/1), Resistant Touch (7/7) l L1: 4/5, D1: 1/1, L2: 4/4, D2: 1/1, L3: 3/4, D3: 1/1, L4: 3/3, D4: 0/1 l Init +6 l Senses: Perception +4
"Well...while we're already here, let's see what we can do about that Warchief," Nella suggests, still holding her quarterstaff aloft. "If he proves too much of a challenge for us we retreat and go find our sea legs - sound good?"
______________
I'm not sure if it 'matters' for the House as to how many successes we get with what but I'm game to give the harder land opponent a try.
Male Human (Shoanti) Battle Oracle 6 hp 51 Fort +5 (+2 circumstance bonus vs. cold weather), Ref +5, Will +7; +1 trait bonus vs. fear CG Init +4 (roll twice); Senses Perception +11 AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16, Speed 35 (25 in armor).
A black-and-red banner with a bull’s head on it, twice the size of Captain Nakarr's, flies above the shattered remains of another ancient siege castle.
A large demon-flesh construct guards the warchief’s position. It's a hideous monstrosity crafted from body parts stitched together with thick string, wire, and metal staples. As it shuffles about on patrol, the creature punctuates its movement with deep, anguished bone-chilling moans.
It’s possible for you to evade and bypass the flesh golem--if you've sufficient skill or luck.
If you wish to avoid this encounter, each PC must attempt a DC16 Stealth check; if more than half of you succeed, the party outmaneuvers the creature here and can move to attack Warchief Mithrakk the Undying in his command post.
If you're concerned about resources, avoiding an encounter might be a good idea. Don't forget, thanks to Kulga's instructions, each of you has a +5 bonus to Stealth checks.
HP: 67/67 l AC: 12, T 12, FF 10 l CMD 18 l F +10, R +6, W +12 l Adoration (7/7), Channel Energy (5/5), Clarifying Channel (1/1), Inspired (1/1), Resistant Touch (7/7) l L1: 4/5, D1: 1/1, L2: 4/4, D2: 1/1, L3: 3/4, D3: 1/1, L4: 3/3, D4: 0/1 l Init +6 l Senses: Perception +4
"More golems? You'd think they would shake things up a bit...add some variety," Nella whispers as they creep towards the warchief's position. Then she sighs. "Well...time to be a sneaky snake again...."
Stealth (DC 16):1d20 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 2 + 5 = 24
Hey...I'm getting pretty at this little sneaky shuffle! I bet I was a famous thief in another life...
Male Human (Shoanti) Battle Oracle 6 hp 51 Fort +5 (+2 circumstance bonus vs. cold weather), Ref +5, Will +7; +1 trait bonus vs. fear CG Init +4 (roll twice); Senses Perception +11 AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16, Speed 35 (25 in armor).
Stealth:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
"It's not so easy to do when you are wearing armor."
Free| Human (Varisian) Male LG Paladin of Iomedae 6 | HP 58/58 | AC 24, T 13, FF 22 | CMD 22 | F +11 R +8 W +9 | Init +2 | Per +0, SM +8, Ling +7 | Speed 30 ft | Smite Evil 2/2 Light 1/1 Lay on Hands 6/6 | Spells - 1st: 2/2 | Active Conditions: none. | Aura of Good, Aura of Courage | Re-Roll (+2) 1/1
Paladin Stealth:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Lancyn follows along after Nella trying to keep quiet but his Armor proves to be quite unruly today as he goes *clunk*clunk*CLUNK*
Free| Human (Varisian) Male LG Paladin of Iomedae 6 | HP 58/58 | AC 24, T 13, FF 22 | CMD 22 | F +11 R +8 W +9 | Init +2 | Per +0, SM +8, Ling +7 | Speed 30 ft | Smite Evil 2/2 Light 1/1 Lay on Hands 6/6 | Spells - 1st: 2/2 | Active Conditions: none. | Aura of Good, Aura of Courage | Re-Roll (+2) 1/1
♪I've come to talk with you again ♪
Lancyn oddly begins to hum a few bars of song yet he does not know why.
The party huddles behind a ruined stone wall, waiting for the flesh golem to resume its roving patrol.
Once it's wandered off, out of sight and earshot, the party approaches the makeshift field headquarters of Warchief Mithrakk the Undying.
Two minotaurs guard their commander, greataxes at port arms across their chests. Fresh blood drips down their massive horns.
Beyond them stands a large ironclad minotaur skeleton, observing the battle unfold in the valley below, flames pouring from the undead abomination’s enormous blade. At a shout from its bodyguards, Warchief Mithrakk whirls around, assesses the situation, and issues orders two its two lieutenants.
"Gabh mo chuid, cuir às do na tha thu ag iarraidh, ach na gun ghoid mo mhurt!"
Giant:
"Guard my flanks, slay those you wish, but don not steal my kills!
The skeleton minotaur raises its massive bastard sword and lumbers toward you on cloven hooves, flickering flames trailing the wicked blade. One of the stone pillars crashes to the ground as it squeezes past.
As Warchief Mithrakk gets within 30 feet of you, a cold chill of intense evil and negative energy settles on your skin.
Knowledge (religion) DC18:
Warchief Mithrakk is a labyrinth guardian, a large undead creature with the augmented monstrous humanoid subtype. For every 5 you exceed the DC, you may ask one question from this list.
HP: 67/67 l AC: 12, T 12, FF 10 l CMD 18 l F +10, R +6, W +12 l Adoration (7/7), Channel Energy (5/5), Clarifying Channel (1/1), Inspired (1/1), Resistant Touch (7/7) l L1: 4/5, D1: 1/1, L2: 4/4, D2: 1/1, L3: 3/4, D3: 1/1, L4: 3/3, D4: 0/1 l Init +6 l Senses: Perception +4
"Oooh, he's not even alive, he's like an undead creature on...on...on something! Definitely undead though. Oh and watch out for those resistances to _____ !"
Nella quickly conjures some basic protections for herself and the rest of the group, using her position to give everyone a slap on the shoulder before people start scattering.
Spells & Powers:
Spells
3rd - Daylight, Dispel Magic, Magic Circle against Evil
2nd - Communal Protection from Evil, Silence (DC 16), Spiritual Weapon x2
1st — Burning Disarm (DC 15), Command (DC 15), Sun Metal, Weapons Against Evil
0 (at will) — Create Water, Detect Magic, Guidance, Stabilize
Nella shouts, "Warchief Mithrakk is a large, undead labyrinth guardian, an augmented monstrous humanoid. Such a creature has all the usual undead immunities and is resistant to channeled energy and spells."
The ecclesitheurge casts protection from evil on the entire party.
Fuzzfoot follows Nella's lead, and says "And watch out for those special attacks..." which he then proceeds to list. "But maybe we can exploit any weakness..."
Should we boost the token and pass it along? I can send some religious knowledge to help the next group identify their targets.
Know Religion:1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 9 + (3) = 17
Well, that was pretty weak...
Male Human (Shoanti) Battle Oracle 6 hp 51 Fort +5 (+2 circumstance bonus vs. cold weather), Ref +5, Will +7; +1 trait bonus vs. fear CG Init +4 (roll twice); Senses Perception +11 AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16, Speed 35 (25 in armor).
Knowledge (Religion):1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Calling upon divine energies for the final time... Caller invokes Burst of Radiance! Centered as to affect all three of the foes.
DC 15 Reflex Save
Duration in Rounds: Blind/Dazzled:1d4 ⇒ 4 Damage vs. Evil (No Save):5d4 ⇒ (2, 2, 3, 1, 3) = 11
Fuzzfoot begins a long-winded enumeration of a labyrinth guardian's special attacks, counting them off on his little halfling fingers.
"Special attacks? Big ones. First, channel destruction: Any weapon a labyrinth guardian wields seethes with energy, and deals an additional 1d6 points of fire damage for every 4 Hit Dice the graveknight has."
"Second, devastating blast: Three times per day, the labyrinth guardian can unleash a 30-foot cone of energy as a standard action. This blast deals 2d6 points of fire damage for every 3 Hit Dice the graveknight has (Reflex half)."
"Third, powerful charge: When a labyrinth guardian charges, its attack deals extra damage in addition to the normal benefits and hazards of a charge."
"Fourth, undead mastery: As a standard action, it can attempt to bend any undead creature within 50 feet to its will. The targeted undead must succeed at a Will save or fall under its control."
Fuzzfoot takes a deep breath, and everyone thinks he's finished. But the little smart guy's got more to say. Of course.
"And it's weaknesses... Well, I guess it doesn't really have any." Fuzzfoot acknowledges. "But magic weapons have the greatest chance of bypassing its defenses."
Kulga does her Touché Turtle routine, and Warchief Mithrakk swings at Kulga as she moves up under his blade.
Caller tosses his last flash-bang, and moves closer to the labyrinth guardian. The burst of radiance tears at the minotaurs, blinding one and dazzling the other, though the undead commander ignores the effects.
Free| Human (Varisian) Male LG Paladin of Iomedae 6 | HP 58/58 | AC 24, T 13, FF 22 | CMD 22 | F +11 R +8 W +9 | Init +2 | Per +0, SM +8, Ling +7 | Speed 30 ft | Smite Evil 2/2 Light 1/1 Lay on Hands 6/6 | Spells - 1st: 2/2 | Active Conditions: none. | Aura of Good, Aura of Courage | Re-Roll (+2) 1/1
Hearing of the undead fiend and its abominable nature the Inheritor's chosen advances forward sword drawn raised high he can feel the evil exuding he attempts to strike at the undead monstrosity while also asking for Iomedae assistance.
"Iomedae grant me your strength to wipe this evil from this land."
Lancyn calls out to his goddess and makes Warchief Mithrakk the Undying the target of his holy smite. He winds up his enchanted longsword and swings. *Whiff!*
The labyrinth guardian mocks the paladin with a chuckle and a rasping voice from beyond the grave. "The Inheritor is having trouble recruiting talent, it seems."
Then Warchief Mithrakk opens the maw of its skull and exhales a devastating blast of fire in a 30-foot.
Brayne, Caller, Lancyn, and Nell: Fire Damage (Reflex DC16, half):4d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 1, 1) = 9
Round 2
Bold may act.
Warchief Mithrakk
---
Caller
Nella
Kulga
---
Pink Minotaur (-11; dazzled for 4 rounds)
Yellow Minotaur (-11; blinded for 4 rounds; Readied Action: Attack foe attacking him.)
---
Fuzzfoot
Lancyn
Brayne (Readied Action: Move adjacent to the Warchief immediately after he attacks)
Caller, Nella, and Kulga, you're up! Brayne's readied attack is triggered. (Don't forget the bonuses available from Preparations and Faction Missions.)
Female Dwarf LN Slayer 7| HP 67/67 | AC 25(26), T 13, FF 24 CMD 25 | F +9(12), R +8(11), W +5(8) | Init +3 | Perc +12 | SM +12 |
Don't have time right now for a full post, but I'm going to use our Free Timely Inspiration boon from the Sovereign Court. And unless someone makes a compelling case in the alternative, I'd say we should use the Dark Archive one right before his turn to confuse Mithrakk.
Please move to the flank, Thanks Brayne!
After Warchief Mithrakk the Undying unleashes a rather disappointing gout of flame, Brayne gets up in the labyrinth guardian's grill. The undead creature swings his flaming blade at the half-orc as he moves.
+1 bastard sword, Power Attack; Damage, Fire:1d20 + 15 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 15 - 2 = 182d8 + 8 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 8) + 8 + 6 + (5) = 28
Kulga hears a nearby Pathfinder lift the spirits of her comrades. Soon, everyone hears it, inspiring courage in you all.
HP: 67/67 l AC: 12, T 12, FF 10 l CMD 18 l F +10, R +6, W +12 l Adoration (7/7), Channel Energy (5/5), Clarifying Channel (1/1), Inspired (1/1), Resistant Touch (7/7) l L1: 4/5, D1: 1/1, L2: 4/4, D2: 1/1, L3: 3/4, D3: 1/1, L4: 3/3, D4: 0/1 l Init +6 l Senses: Perception +4
"Hot hot hot!" Nella yelps; though she managed to dodge the worst of the flames she still suffers some small burns as she's forced to quickly pat out her robes. She hustles forward, trying to put some space between herself and her companions in order to hopefully avoid a repeat performance.
"Don't be silly," she calls out to the minotaur as she focuses her attention on Lancyn, using Shelyn's blessing to grant him extra prowess on his next strike. "The Inheritor's faithful can't fail, not when they've got the Eternal Rose supporting them too!"
______________
Nella moves to her current map position and uses Blessing of the Faithful to grant Lancyn +2 to attack rolls until her next turn.
Free| Human (Varisian) Male LG Paladin of Iomedae 6 | HP 58/58 | AC 24, T 13, FF 22 | CMD 22 | F +11 R +8 W +9 | Init +2 | Per +0, SM +8, Ling +7 | Speed 30 ft | Smite Evil 2/2 Light 1/1 Lay on Hands 6/6 | Spells - 1st: 2/2 | Active Conditions: none. | Aura of Good, Aura of Courage | Re-Roll (+2) 1/1
Reflex vs DC 16:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Lancyn manages to raise his shield just in time to block some of the flames from biting his flesh. Now seeing he has a score to settle with this grotesque creature.
Channeling his inner power he receives a brief rebuff from his days exertions.
Swift Lay On Hands Self:2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10
Feeling properly together Lancyn swings his Longsword again.
Male Human (Shoanti) Battle Oracle 6 hp 51 Fort +5 (+2 circumstance bonus vs. cold weather), Ref +5, Will +7; +1 trait bonus vs. fear CG Init +4 (roll twice); Senses Perception +11 AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16, Speed 35 (25 in armor).
Reflex Save:1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 = 13
Caller moves forward as he is unable to avoid the flames.
Drawing a javelin and flings it at the closest Minotaur (Pink).
Nella bestows an ecclesitheurge's blessing of the faithful on Lancyn.
Kulga bashes the labyrinth guardian with her shield. She follows up with two swings her waraxe, striking the warchief once.
Caller of the Eastern Storm buries a javelin in the back of the dazzled pink minotaur.
The pink minotaur shakes his head trying to clear the sparkling lights from his vision. He swings his greataxe at Fuzzfoot.
Greataxe, Dazzled; Damage:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 103d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 6, 3) + 6 = 18 Greataxe, Dazzled; Damage:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 203d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 1, 1) + 6 = 14 Gore, Dazzled; Damage:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 91d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
The yellow minotaur, blind, shuffles slow and unsteady down the stone steps of the dias, trying to locate a foe from the sounds of melee. The wild swing of his greataxe misses Kulga.
50% miss chance:1d100 ⇒ 43
Lancyn presses a gauntleted hand to his breast, healing the burns. Warchief Mithrakk dodges the paladin's sword.
Brayne transforms and unleashes his monstrous form once again! "Now it is maaa touuurrnnnrraarr!" With all his might, he attempts to take down the warchief with natural prowess!
Only Brayne's first attack manages to penetrate the defenses of Warchief Mithrakk the Undying. The other claw and bite screech across the steel of the labyrinth guardian's full plate armor. But fortunately, that first claw was enough to lay the undead creature low!
Round 2
Bold may act. Caller(-9) Nella(-4) Kulga
---
Pink Minotaur (-19; dazzled for 3 rounds)
Yellow Minotaur (-11; blinded for 3 rounds)
---
Fuzzfoot(Delay)
Lancyn (-4)
Brayne (-36)
Caller, Nella, and Kulga, you're up! (Placed Fuzzfoot on Delay, so we can advance the action. Don't forget the bonuses available from Preparations and Faction Missions.)
Male Human (Shoanti) Battle Oracle 6 hp 51 Fort +5 (+2 circumstance bonus vs. cold weather), Ref +5, Will +7; +1 trait bonus vs. fear CG Init +4 (roll twice); Senses Perception +11 AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16, Speed 35 (25 in armor).
Caller moves forward* to attack the Minotaur (pink)!
*=This will provoke AoO. +2 AC from Protection from Evil.
HP: 67/67 l AC: 12, T 12, FF 10 l CMD 18 l F +10, R +6, W +12 l Adoration (7/7), Channel Energy (5/5), Clarifying Channel (1/1), Inspired (1/1), Resistant Touch (7/7) l L1: 4/5, D1: 1/1, L2: 4/4, D2: 1/1, L3: 3/4, D3: 1/1, L4: 3/3, D4: 0/1 l Init +6 l Senses: Perception +4
"That's more like it!" Nella cheers from her position further back. "Iomedae's sword and Shelyn's shield will win the day," she continues, granting Shelyn's blessing to Caller to shield him from any blows that Pink might aim at him.
______________
Nella uses Bless of the Faithful (BoF) on Caller, giving him a +2 to his AC until her next turn!
As Caller of the Eastern Storm tries to get close enough to attack the pink minotaur, it chops at him with its axe.
Greataxe, Dazzled; Damage:1d20 + 9 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 9 - 1 = 183d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 2, 3) + 6 = 17
Protected from evil by Nella's spell, Caller avoids the minotaur's axe and delivers a powerful, smashing blow with his earthbreaker.
Kulga pulverizes the blind minotaur, working out some of her anger issues.
Nella bestows an ecclesitheurge's blessing of the faithful upon Caller, buffing the oracle's defenses.
The surviving minotaur blinks, trying to rid himself of the dazzling sparkles dancing in his vision. With an outraged roar, he steps back and attacks Caller of the Eastern Storm. The minotaur lows in humiliated fury.
Greataxe, Dazzled; Damage:1d20 + 9 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 9 - 1 = 193d6 + 6 ⇒ (2, 5, 2) + 6 = 15 Greataxe, Dazzled; Damage:1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 - 1 = 83d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 5, 6) + 6 = 22 Gore, Dazzled; Damage:1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 - 1 = 111d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
In effort to conserve his energy for the future fights, Brayne falls down in size as the biggest threat is defeated. But he seems somewhat lethargic after. Moving a little slower, he catches up to Kulga and places his hand on her shoulders giving her a touch of magical guidance.
Caller, Nella, and Kulga, you're up! (Placed Fuzzfoot and Lancyn in Delay, so we can advance play.) Don't forget the bonuses available from Preparations and Faction Missions.
Male Human (Shoanti) Battle Oracle 6 hp 51 Fort +5 (+2 circumstance bonus vs. cold weather), Ref +5, Will +7; +1 trait bonus vs. fear CG Init +4 (roll twice); Senses Perception +11 AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16, Speed 35 (25 in armor).
HP: 67/67 l AC: 12, T 12, FF 10 l CMD 18 l F +10, R +6, W +12 l Adoration (7/7), Channel Energy (5/5), Clarifying Channel (1/1), Inspired (1/1), Resistant Touch (7/7) l L1: 4/5, D1: 1/1, L2: 4/4, D2: 1/1, L3: 3/4, D3: 1/1, L4: 3/3, D4: 0/1 l Init +6 l Senses: Perception +4
As Caller moves to press the attack and finish off the last minotaur Nella once more calls on Shelyn to aid her companion and guide his weapon!
______________
Nella will use BoF to give Caller another +2 on his attack rolls until her next turn~
With some help from his allies, Caller of the Eastern Storm winds up his earthbraker and swings the weapon at the dazzled minotaur, caving its skull and dashing brain matter all over the rocky soil.
Victory!
Nella can save her use of BoF on Caller and Fuzzfoot can save his bomb.
The party is strongly encouraged to face an in-tier encounter at the harbor rather than tempt fate by pursuing another minotaur commander two tiers higher than its own.
I'll set it up in the morning.
HP: 67/67 l AC: 12, T 12, FF 10 l CMD 18 l F +10, R +6, W +12 l Adoration (7/7), Channel Energy (5/5), Clarifying Channel (1/1), Inspired (1/1), Resistant Touch (7/7) l L1: 4/5, D1: 1/1, L2: 4/4, D2: 1/1, L3: 3/4, D3: 1/1, L4: 3/3, D4: 0/1 l Init +6 l Senses: Perception +4
"That was...that second round was a fair bit rougher, wasn't it?" Nella remarks, leaning against one of the fallen pieces of stone for a moment to catch her breath. "We've made a lot of progress here but I think maybe we'd better let the senior agents finish things up. Let's go see what we can do at the harbor!"
Puffing from fatigue, Brayne agrees wholeheartedly with the cleric and follows right behind her."That..sounds..like..a.. Plan!" Along the way, he takes some time to heal his wounds through the use of a magic wand.
"They’re coming! The armada of the dead is coming!" shouts a terrified member of the Harbor Guard while running past. Down in the Flotsam Graveyard, dozens of ships with tattered black sails are winding among and crashing through the hazardous wrecks that dot the bay, rapidly approaching the harbor. As the skeletal ships advance, more sunken ships start rising of their own accord through the foaming waves, joining the undead invasion.
A soldier clad in mithral armor, wearing a blue cloak, and carrying a barbed spear nods a greeting, carrying a worried look on her face. "I’m captain Sevana Kinhan of the Wave Riders, and I’m glad to see you have come to help us—we’ve taken heavy casualties, our allies from Escadar haven’t arrived, and the undead armada doesn’t seem deterred by the Flotsam Graveyard’s wreckage."
"In order to stop their advance, we must destroy their five command ships. Your superior at the Pathfinder Society has informed me that your skills would be well suited for attacking the Stavian commanded by Captain Viator Abastor. We have more hippocampi than there are able-bodied Wave Riders left to command them, so you can borrow our steeds if that helps you reach and board their tattered ships."
Knowledge (history or nobility):
A famous rondelero in life, Abastor was beheaded with his own falcata.
"You don’t have to ride the hippocampi, if you have abilities, equipment, or magic that allows you to move and fight in water," Captain Kinhan adds. "Here, take these two potions of touch of the sea and this potion of water breathing."
