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Idril ducks as light suddenly fills the sky. His motion sets off a trap, injuring the magus. Grumbling, he removes a wand from his pouch and turns to Dawa.
"What in the planes is happening here? We need to get by those gates. I think we should head there to see if we can devise a way in. Would you be so kind friend to aid me in my injuries?"
The gates are not only locked, but heavily damaged. This damage destroyed part of the locking mechanism. The gates are thirty-feet tall, and you need to get over them!
So this part is a little bit abstract! A lot of Pathfinders need to get over that tall, broken gate. You all need to figure out how you'd like to help that effort!
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Valtyra looks around as the fighting dissipates around them and a moment of silence takes hold. Unfortunately the break in the action doesn't last long. As the boom reverberates over our assembled few Valtyra quickly ducks behind a cart and makes herself as small as possible. No sense in putting my hide in danger if it can be avoided.
With the immediate danger appearing to be no immediate threat to her life Valtyra stands up and dusts herself off. She then joins her fellow pathfinders to head towards the heart of the commotion.
Finding the gates to the Grand Lodge closed and sealed Valtrya looks to her companions. "Welp, if the gates are locked and the might I suggest a human ladder to allow everyone to get up and over the gate."
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Dawa waves Idril's wand and channels healing energy into the half-elf through his hand.
At the gate, the priest of destruction and rebirth looks at the broken lock and rubs a thumb along the horns of the iron ram hanging from his neck. "If the lock was restored, do we have anyone who could unlock it?" he asks.
Dawa estimates that it would currently take a DC 60 Disable Device attempt to unlock the mechanism. Idril doesn't see any magical traces; it seems like this was all mechanical tampering.
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The host of assembled Pathfinders scramble into action as they collaborate to get everyone to the other side of the massive locked gate. Grappling hooks and rope stream toward the top of the wall while others climb, many magically aided, to the top, ready to affix ropes to help their fellows. Magically aided, several senior Pathfinders fly over, some bearing ropes to help their allies. Two intrepid junior members, meanwhile, fly across by more...unconventional means, hurled by an enlarged ifrit calling himself The Balrog, who then quickly casts feather fall to ease their descent.
Still, many of the more heavily-armored Pathfinders struggle to find their way across the immense gates. As they discuss options, few notice a small halfling step forward. He examines the lock for a moment, then begins pulling out a variety or equipment. He reads some scrolls, tinkers with the lock, and at a crucial moment directs his familiar to pour in dose of reddish powder. Shockingly, the great lock falls away and, with a heave from the waiting Pathfinders, the immense gates swing open enough to allow entrance!
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As the halfling does their thing with the lock, Engelbert carefully kneels to allow any Pathfinders currently trying to climb him to step back to the ground. ”Ah well, back to normal. Again you have my thanks, John! That spell you use to make me larger is so...exhilarating!” Engelbert then joins the rest of his team and strides through the open gates.
You into the Lodge, heading for the front steps when you're suddenly facing more goblins! They move toward you menacingly!
One of the goblins moves in and shoots an arrow at Engelbert, which simply bounces off his armor.
Initiative!
Goblin 6
Idril
Engelbert
Goblin 1
Goblin 5
Valtyra
Dr. Nibbles
John
Goblin 4
Goblin 2
Goblin 3
Dawa
Idril and Engelbert are up!
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Engelbert’s now-familiar voice fills this hall with a song about the Pathfinders’ recent triumphs over goblins in the arena and the marketplace. Engelbert then moves forward 20 feet, bardiche at the ready.
Two more goblins shoot arrows at Engelbert! One of them hits.
Initiative!
Goblin 6
Idril
Engelbert
Goblin 1
Goblin 5
Valtyra
Dr. Nibbles
John
Goblin 4
Goblin 2
Goblin 3
Dawa
Idril, Valtyra, Dr. Nibbles, and John are up!
Valtyra freezes a goblin, but Idril is less successful.
Goblin 2 shoots at Engelbert!
Goblins 3 and 4 run in, drawing their short swords.
Initiative!
Idril
Engelbert
Goblin 6
Goblin 1
Goblin 5 -2 hp
Valtyra
Dr. Nibbles
John
Goblin 4
Goblin 2
Goblin 3
Dawa
Dawa, Idril, and Engelbert are up! (Goblin 6 in delay to speed things along.)
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Engelbert continues singing, steps five feet southwest and swipes at goblin 1 with his bardiche.
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Idril prepares to meet the rushing goblins, his blade held in both hands, blade pointing toward the enemy. Before he can engage, he watches impressed as Englebert manages to take out the goblins in mid charge. Idril salutes the skald in thanks, then lets fly another ray of frost at one of the remaining foes. He curses in elvish as he misses the mark again.
"I really need to practice that more."
Engelbert takes out three goblins altogether!
Idril hits a goblin with a ray of frost! (13 hits touch, actually! I'll use your damage from last time.))
Goblins 5 and 6 both shoot at Idril!
Initiative!
Idril
Engelbert
Goblin 6 -3 hp
Goblin 5 -2 hp
Valtyra
Dr. Nibbles
John
Goblin 2
Dawa
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John's spell pops into effect, Englebert growing to cover the entire room with his goblin murdering blade. John moves up while drawing his spear and sets up next to the enormous ifrit, adding an extra pointy stab if the goblins move in to attack. He yells an intimidating threat towards one of the goblins.
Special: You also gain a +4 bonus on Intimidate checks if you are larger than your target and a –4 penalty on Intimidate checks if you are smaller than your target.
Demoralizing an opponent is a standard action.
*Shaken: A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. Shaken is a less severe state of fear than frightened or panicked.
Valtyra doesn't quite hit the tricky goblin!
John leaves Goblin 6 shaking in terror!
Goblin 2 steps up and stabs Engelbert!
Initiative!
Idril
Engelbert
Goblin 6 -3 hp, shaken
Goblin 5 -2 hp
Valtyra
Dr. Nibbles
John
Goblin 2
Dawa
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Just as the Pathfinders wrap up their respective battles, a great shadow passes over the battlefield. The cause is obvious--an enormous black dragon that sweeps over Skyreach, breathing acid on the defenders in the towers. Its angry roar is almost deafening as it wheels and soars over toward the Mausoleum.
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Engelbert’s song continues to ring throughout the courtyard. The spirit wisp floating around Engelbert attacks the goblin.
Seeing the wisp appear to be ineffective, Engelbert punches the adjacent goblin with his cestus.
He then moves around the fountain to get a little more room to maneuver.
Engelbert easily finishes off another goblin!
The group easily finishes off the last two goblins!
The enormous black dragon sits perched atop the roof, guarding the building from the onslaught of Pathfinders!
You can try to sneak past her, run for the door as fast as you can, or engage her in combat!
(To be clear, this is the same old black dragon at every tier. It is not advisable for your tier to engage her in combat.)
If you want to sneak, please make me a Stealth check!
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John unsnaps his scroll box and rifles through, he pulls out a thin rolled up piece of paper and nods to his allies. "Let's try to sneak close, then make a dash for it. If we get noticed I'll give us a little cover and then we all bolt at once, I'm hoping the dragon will be distracted by some of our more powerful allies. Either way, we've got to get inside, this is our organization that beast is attacking and NO ONE comes into OUR HOUSE and messes with OUR STUFF!"
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Eyeing the massive beast as John bolsters his courage, the Doctor tugs a syringe from his waste. "I think it's in need of a vaccination!" Turning to handled the winged devil, he glances back to see his companions rushing the door. "Oh...uh...or not."
Darting for cover, he attempts to join them inside.
The group attempts to Stealth, but in the rush, it's difficult to be quiet. The dragon swings her tail around, crashing into the roof and sending debris flying.
Everyone takes damage from falling rubble or DC 14 Reflex save for half.
John casts his scroll of obscuring mist, and the dragon no longer has eyes on you as you finish making your way to the mausoleum doors. The doors are not locked, but are wedged shut.
(Normally, you would only have two rounds before the dragon makes another tail swing, but I'll give you nine rounds, the duration of the obscuring mist after you finish getting to the door.)
Strength check to open, please!
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As the last of the pesky little goblins are dispatched, Engelbert ends his song. Engelbert casts his eyes down but smiles at Dawa’s compliment. ”If I am some avatar, no one ever told me!” He takes out a wand and uses it on himself, patching up his wounds.
Engelbert listens as John forms a quick plan, nodding in agreement. ”Unfortunately I’m neither very swift nor very subtle. Quite the opposite, I'm afraid. But I’ll stay close to make use of your magical cover. I should probably at least revert to my normal size if we are going to try to sneak. As much as I love this spell you have been using, I’m thinking you should dismiss it for now.”
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Idril attempts to dash through the gate with the group. His eyes go wide as the massive dragon crashes the roof around them. He curses again as he takes a falling beam to the head, knocking him the ground. Idril shakes his head, trying to shake the stars swirling in his head. The magus looks up at the dragon, gripping his sword tightly preparing to fight what will certainly be a losing battle against the worm. Suddenly, his vision is filled with a thick billowing mist that hides the dragon from view. Quickly gathering himself, he runs along with the rest of the group.
"Whoever did that, thank you!"
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John takes a moment to dismiss his spell, reverting their avatar of that one god back to only a mini-avatar.
Ducking a large stone but still getting clonked by a small stone, John heavily considers investing in a helmet of some sort.
Making it to the door, he tries to help rip it open to get everyone inside while his mist still lingers.
And John busts the door open!
Retconning a bit slightly that should have happened after the goblin battle:
“Come quickly!” a voice from the shadows calls out. Wedged into one of Skyreach’s darkened doorways is the enigmatic Pathfinder, Osprey. He’s paler than usual, several arrows pierce his skin, and his hands are smeared with blood. “I have little time to speak; however, I must now burden you with a suspicion that is now a reality.” Lowering his voice to a soft hiss he whispers, “The Shadow Lodge is real.”
He hands you a bag filled with dust of disappearance and says, “Please, take this. It may help you defeat Charvion. I must check on what remains of our Decemvirate.”
You enter into the Dissection Rooms.
These rooms contain large, steel surgical tables. Their perimeters are lined with additional work areas whose tables are covered with texts, surgical instruments and tools, alembics, scales, abacuses, and similar devices used in alchemical and biological tests. The rooms also hold barrels of wash water, along with bottles of various fluids and salts used in sterilization and embalming. The center of the floor contains a drain for run off, as well as a few waste buckets.
Up ahead, you see the Ossuarium.
This cavernous hallway is contains a number of elaborate skeletal displays. The reassembled creations consist of both accurate assemblies and imaginative creation built from the bones of multiple specimens. Several large, glass cylinders contain colonies of dermestid beetles for cleaning bones. Several have actively decaying specimens. Arches along the side lead to small workstations. Near the back sits another, larger work area filled with kilns, a hearth, and some large iron vats. In the middle of the floor, six corpses lie piled together in a pool of blood.