Saga of the Sages

Game Master Nathanael Love

Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

"Fowlers' arrows will work better, Nadric. You know, with the blunt tips? Either way, press on! This one's a fight worthy of the sagas!"

Starting Inspire Courage

The sylph muses a bit more upon the elemental creature. Seeing Kenji's massive attack spurs them back to the violence at hand. Drea draws their longsword and concentrates on it briefly, a violet hue flowing through their hands, down the hilt, and around the blade of the weapon.

Free action: drop atlatl. Move action: draw greatsword. Standard action: enhance weapon with mental focus.

Pirro draws his gilded blade and moves to the entrance before the stairs, preparing to defend himself.

Zarisha glides down the stairs and around the sand creature to stand opposite of Dmitri. "If you all perish, do not worry. The great nothingness will swallow your flesh in time," she laments.

Form: Incorporeal

[b]Round 1[b]

Penthesilea begins her song.

Kenji steps up and strikes the creature, damaging it but not as much as he might have expected.

Drea invests in their sword.

Nardic's shot strikes, but fails to penetrate the beast's defenses.

Dmitri's swing misses.

Pirro and Zarisha both move, then the sandling acts again, snapping at Kenji who struck him!

Bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Another miss as sand sprays about!

Turn Order:
1. Penthesilea 24
2. Kenji 22 (+5)
3. Drea 22 (+3)
4. Nardic 19
5. Dimitri 17
6. Pirro 9
7. Zarisha 7
8. Sandling 2

Status:

Sandling- 11 damage done

Kenji- 23/26
Dmitri- 9/11

That brings up the party in round 2!

Pirro concentrates for a long moment, blade still in hand.

The phantom gains opacity as her bonded spiritualist draws her more fully from the ethereal plane. An ectoplasmic mace and accompanying shield manifest in her hands, and she brings these weapons to bear with a swing of the mace and smack of the shield.

Form: Ectoplasmic

A lightbulb goes on in Nadric's head at Penthesilea's words. "Oh, you mean those blunted ones! I do have a few of those."

He pulls out a blunt arrow and make another attempt at shooting the strange creature of living sand.

Attack, PBS, IC: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 9
Bludgeoning damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 8

He gets a little too excited at having a plan to follow and he forgets to aim.

After seeing the sand elemental survive Kenji's powerful blow, Dmitri wonders how he could ever possibly hurt the thing, but he digs in and strikes trying to take sandpile while its engaged with the fiery ifrit, flanking it with the ectoplasmic apparition.

Dmitri blade, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 = 18
Dmg, if hit, slashing: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Watching Dmitri trying to flank the sandling after providing their info, Drea chides the swashbuckler.

”Did you not hear me when I said that it faces all directions at once? Your combat positioning means nothing!”

Her advice given, Penthesilea focuses on continuing to prove her mettle. "Just keep at it! As the mountains grind down to sand, so this sand will be ground down to... less coarse sand? I'll fix that simile later!"

Longbow (IC, PBS, RS): 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 12 Ignoring Cover from allies
Bludgeoning: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 11
Longbow (IC, PBS, RS): 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 18 Ignoring Cover from allies
Bludgeoning: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 7

Kenji attacks with his greatsword.

”GO down NOW!“

Greatsword, power attack : 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 - 1 = 12
Slashing, 2h Str 18 +6, pa +3: 2d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 5) + 6 + 3 = 16

Round 2
Penthesilea's first shot misses, but the second strikes true and damages the creature.

Kenji swings and misses.

Nardic misses, and Dimitri misses- flanking the beast did nothing as Drea pointed out!

Pirro manifests Zarisha, but her attacks fail to impact the sandling.

Turn Order:
1. Penthesilea 24
2. Kenji 22 (+5)
3. Drea 22 (+3)
4. Nardic 19
5. Dimitri 17
6. Pirro 9
7. Zarisha 7
8. Sandling 2

Status:

Sandling- 18 damage done

Kenji- 23/26
Dmitri- 9/11

Drea- did you have an action other than speaking? Pending that before the Sandling attacks.

Dmitri grits his teeth at the rebuke from Drea. He didn't even move to set up a flank, just stood his ground while the ghostly Zarisha took the side opposite. He's about to shout that back, then thinks better of it. His training for tactical advantage is still his training, and he likely would've stepped to the that edge had the opportunity really been there. It may not matter, but he woudl do it again next time, as his hours of drill taught him.

Sorry, forgot about the facing of the elemental sand. But, it's in Dmitri's character anyway, so all good.

After rebuking the immobile Dmitri, Drea strides forward at his side, glowing purple greatsword held aloft.

Melee, Slashing, Cold Iron: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 162d6 + 5 ⇒ (2, 1) + 5 = 8

Sorry for the delay.

Round 2

Drea swings, but they miss narrowly!

Frustrated at missing, the Sandling shifts and bites at Drea the new threat presented to it!

Bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Bite finds no more luck there!

Turn Order:
1. Penthesilea 24
2. Kenji 22 (+5)
3. Drea 22 (+3)
4. Nardic 19
5. Dimitri 17
6. Pirro 9
7. Zarisha 7
8. Sandling 2

Status:

Sandling- 18 damage done

Kenji- 23/26
Dmitri- 9/11

That brings up the entire party again for round 3!

Again, Kenji attacks with his greatsword.

”Stop trying to hurt us! Rather tell us something about this place!“

Greatsword, power attack : 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 - 1 = 8
Slashing, 2h Str 18 +6, pa +3: 2d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 1) + 6 + 3 = 11

"Well, this is productive," Zarisha laments in a dull monotone. She slams the ectoplasmic representations of armaments at the sand-snake.

Pirro stands ready to defend himself.

AC +4 dodge bonus

Drea replies to Kenji. "These things are mindless. They have no memories of things or places."

They swing their greatsword down again.

Melee Attack, Cold Iron: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 82d6 + 5 ⇒ (2, 6) + 5 = 13

"I agree with the phantom."

"I feel like a giant sand monster really needs to be outside to be a proper spectacle... I appreciate the flourishes, but let's just put it down quick, yeah?"

Longbow (IC, PBS, RS): 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 17 Ignoring Allies for Cover
Bludgeoning: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 8
Longbow (IC, PBS, RS): 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 22 Ignoring Allies for Cover
Bludgeoning: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 7

Dmitri, Kenji, and Drea - don't forget Inspire Courage :-)

Damn. I would've hit the last round with Inspire Courage. My fault for forgetting it.

Still mindful of his combat tactics, Dmitri shifts positions with a 5' step allowing those behind a clearer line of sight at the sand-thing. This time his slashing sweep hits the sandy creature, but whether a blade can hurt sand is anyone's guess.

Dmitri sword, IC: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 1 = 22
Dmg, if hit, IC: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9

5' step, and attack. It didn't register that IC was up before, will pay closer attention. As the usual party bard, I should know better...

Nadric reaches for another arrow, suddenly glad that he invested in so many blunted ones.

Attack, PBS + IC: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 6

His mind is already wandering toward tomorrow's shopping list and he forgets what he's doing for the crucial moment when the arrow is released.

Round 3
Penthesilea's first shot narrowly misses, but her second strikes true, damaging the sandling further.

Kenji, Drea, and Nardic all whiff on their attacks!

Then Dmitri steps up and hits, scattering sand everywhere as the creature dissipates!

Status:

Sandling- destroyed

Kenji- 23/26
Dmitri- 9/11

You continue forward into area A12 through the open door. . .

A tapestry hangs from a frame against the south wall of this
large chamber; it depicts an otherworldly vista where the souls
of the dead, shepherded by strange beings, enter an ethereal
river ambling through space toward a landscape dominated by an impossibly tall spire. Columns sculpted in the shape of
Osirian warriors wielding khopeshes stand in all four corners of
the room. The floor is tiled in a white spiral pattern on a black
background, and this spiral pattern is repeated on the stone
double doors to the north, east, and west.

The doors out of this room are locked.

Round 3
Penthesilea's first shot narrowly misses, but her second strikes true, damaging the sandling further.

Kenji, Drea, and Nardic all whiff on their attacks!

Then Dmitri steps up and hits, scattering sand everywhere as the creature dissipates!

Status:

Sandling- destroyed

Kenji- 23/26
Dmitri- 9/11

You continue forward into area A12 through the open door. . .

A tapestry hangs from a frame against the south wall of this
large chamber; it depicts an otherworldly vista where the souls
of the dead, shepherded by strange beings, enter an ethereal
river ambling through space toward a landscape dominated by an impossibly tall spire. Columns sculpted in the shape of
Osirian warriors wielding khopeshes stand in all four corners of
the room. The floor is tiled in a white spiral pattern on a black
background, and this spiral pattern is repeated on the stone
double doors to the north, east, and west.

The doors out of this room are locked.

Drea looks flatly at the scattered sand as the elemental creature dissolves into the floor, takes a deep breath, and sheathes the greatsword. They then walk matter-of-factedly through the open door, breathing deeply with excitement at the sight of the tapestry and the tile floor.

Knowledge History: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

"Wow... that tapestry's really lovely. We can probably carry it out of here too!"

Nadric laughs nervously in the silence after Dmitri scatters the sand creature. "I guess I still need to work on my aim a little. But good job Dmitri!"

He enters the next room and spends a few moments gazing around in awe at the columns and the tapestry. "Do you think this spiral pattern means something?" He stands at the center and playfully steps along one of the spiral arms.

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

He goes to take a look at the other doorways. Something about a locked door triggers his trap-finding instincts, so he carefully inspects each of them.

Perception, north door: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Perception, west door: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

away from the book, so I'll update the knowledge skills information when I get back, but I can confirm Nordic is confident neither door is trapped, but both are locked.

Zarisha, once more considerably more translucent, flows into the room and peeks through each of the locked doors, looking for animate threats on the other side. "Nothing escapes the sands of time," she mutters. "It will all fade to nothing, eventually."

Pirro moves into the room, examining the artistry appreciatively. "The spiral usually represents the river of souls in Pharasma's domain," he tells the bard.

He carefully approaches the nearest column. "The tapestry is rather large, do you not think? Something to save for our way out," he says.

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Penthesilea nods at Pirro's explanation, spinning a similar looking spiral that hangs from the bottom of her quiver.

"Oh sure, plus we wouldn't want to get spider guts on it while we lugged it around."

Drea looks sharply at Zarisha at her comment; their face then lightens with realisation.

"Oh yes, of course," they say cryptically.

You see what I did there? HA!

Kenji looks at Drea and then at Pirro with question marks on his face.

”Why is this spiritual being always talking so sad? We are doing good right? We are a team, we gain knowledge, we are really really making a difference, right? Let us continue to deepen our understanding!“

"She is trapped in that emotional state," Pirro explains to Kenji. "Her philosophy before death was rather nihilist, and the loss of her goddess after her death or rather the realization that her goddess had committed suicide has only deepened those emotions of sadness and despair."

As you examine the tapestry closer, it appears to be very brittle- you think if you moved it, it would not survive.

There's no other information or treasure in this room.

Penthesilea **tsks** then eyes the locked doors. "I think that's your cue, Nadric."

Nadric listens with some morbid fascination to Pirro's description of the spirit's state of mind, until Penthesilea interrupts his line of thought. "Ah, right." He hops to attention and pulls out his thieves' tools. "Eeny meeny minie..." At random he moves toward the double doors to the north and tries to get them open.

Disable device: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

If that's not enough and there's no consequence for failure, I'll keep going or take 20 until it opens.

Flush from his decisive blow against the sand-creature, Dmitri has a bit more swagger to his step as he joins the others in this room. He moves to one corner to admire the statues and their strange Osirioni weapons while the others work on the doors.

Nardic fails initially to unlock the door, but then taking his time, is able to open the door.

Are you going north or west first?

Let's head west first. Unless someone has an objection

"Ha ha, Nadric you are really a master of locks! Good that you are with us. And Dimitri is right - let us head west first! Let me lead the way with my bardiche."

Can you please move me on the map.

This short hallway narrows sharply to the west, descending to
set of stairs that abruptly ends at a rough rock wall.

Two giant mining beetles are nesting here, just inside the tunnel!

Round 1

Turn order:
1. Kenji 25
2. Pirro 22
3. Drea 21
4. Penthesilea 16
5. Beetle's 15
6. Dmitri 8
7. Nardic 7
8. Zarisha 6

Kenji, Pirro, Drea and Penthesilea act before the beetles in round 1.

Kenji steps forward and attacks with his bardiche with reach!

”This tomb had dangers! Irori guide my arms again!!“

MW Bardiche, reach, pa : 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 7 - 1 = 17
Slashing, 2h Str 18 +6, pa: 1d10 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 3 = 14

AoO if it 5 ft step to attack him:

MW Bardiche, reach, pa : 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 7 - 1 = 22
Slashing, 2h Str 18 +6, pa: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

I had forgotten to specifically indicate that Drea would have collected her atlatl dart and atlatl from the skirmish with the solifugids. I leave myself at the mercy of the GM to determine if my following actions are valid.

Drea puts away her greatsword and pulls out her atlatl as she envisions the need for a ranged tactic.

BAB +0: two move actions. End turn.

that's fine Drea- it's kind of assumed really and you had plenty of time to do so.

Pirro steps forward and instills Penthesilea with a bit of magic, sharpening her senses.

Guidance cast upon Penthesilea.

"Ugh! Why so many bugs! Shouldn't we be battling against the horrors of ages past or something?"

Longbow(PBS, Guidance, RS): 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 7 Welp. Guidance isn't getting me out of that one lol
Piercing: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7
Longbow(PBS, RS): 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 19
Piercing: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7

Round 1

Kenji strikes the closest beetle, and splatters it immediately to faintly glowing buy squish. . .

Pirro casts guidance on Penthesilea, and Drea changes weapons.

Penthesilea's first arrow misses, but the second one strikes true and the second beetle is destroyed.

As you look around this now beetle-less chamber, it appears to be the started but uncompleted tomb of Akhentepi's mistress.