Volsung steps around Khana and skewers the remaining zombie. Tofang follows with a shot that disintegrates the rotting remains, covering Volsung and splashing Angie with the putrid gore.
You now have time to clean up and heal before the next encounter begins. I will plan to post that a little later today. In the meantime, RP away.
As the last zombie drops, the team looks around and realise that others in the area have been fighting as hard. For now, there is a lull in the waves of undead. As they clean up, heal, and prepare for whatever may come next they observe that directed by Medda, Twinhorn mystics have begun preparing the stone circle to close the rift—ideally forever, assuming the allied forces can destroy Eshimka. The planar tear seems to have a will of its own, though, and it actively fights back and even tries to rip itself wider. If the mystics are to succeed, they need help.
Can the Pathfinders find what is needed to bring the ritual to a successful conclusion?
Ritual Events: The ritual is long, and the need to contribute only occurs during certain phases.
Event 1—Building Momentum (3 successes needed): During this time, the ritual participants are preparing the stone circle and beginning the rites. There are relatively few undead threats emerging during this time. The team can earn only two successes using the Defend the Site task.
Male Human Samurai-4 HP 32 /32 AC 24 ( Touch 14 Flat 21) / Fort +6 | Ref +4 | Will +3 / CMB +8 | CMD 22 / Init +2 / Perception +2
"Ahh, what a mess"
Nocking off the bigger bits of zombie of his armor.
I will take a hit of that wand
CLW:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Angie Sen will first assist in preparing the reagents. By remembering what was needed in the past history of doing rituals like this one.
Know History:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
I’m going to try an “other mode” in the form of one of Volsung’s occult skill unlocks. If this doesn’t work, I’ll burn one of his first level spells to “contribute” magic.
Volsung observes the preparations for the ritual with interest. Curious, he reaches out with his mind to see if there is anything of psychic interest inside the stone circle.
Casting detect psychic significance with its 40-foot radius from near the center of the circle.
If Volsung detects anything of psychic significance, he’ll try to psychometry upon it to see if he can learn anything which might help the ritual. That will be a DC 15 Appraise check to gain one piece of information.
If there is no opportunity to try psychometry, or if it is not successful, Volsung will enter a dreamstate and try automatic writing to see into the future as an augury and aid the ritual in this way. This would be a DC 20 Linguistics check.
In either case, Volsung will use a charge of the wand of burst of insight to increase the relevant ability score.
As the Twinhorn mystics begin their work there is a small flurry in one corner. Investigating, Angie Sen discovers that one pouch of ingredients has been ruined during the journey. Using his knowledge of the history of similar rituals he is able to suggest a substitute. Success
Tofang spots a different group struggling with preparation and realise that another set of hands will help. Using his knowledge of the arcane he is easily able to assist in the preparations. Success
Volsung is curious about the preparations and the ritual. Entering a dream state and using psychic skills they are able to detect a potential error from a junior member and redirect their efforts to avoid disaster. Success
Event 2—Planar Surge (4 successes needed): As the ritual progresses, the rift contorts in response as if angry. The building negative energy releases violently, washing over the area and causing many of the ritual focuses to crumble. During this event, each successful Prepare Reagents action grants two successes.
As preparations continue, occasional undead still intrude through the rift. Pathfinders stand ready to defend the ritualists, Volsung takes their place amongst them. Handy with a rapier, bubbles delighting those who stand beside the Aasimar, Volsung skewers the first undead within reach. Success
Unfortunately, when Covadil tries to assist by adding to the necessary collection of fresh plants needed as reagents, he finds it difficult to find the ones he is looking for. This is an unfamiliar territory and with som many having tromped through the area, it is a real challenge.
No success :-(
What sounds like a susurrus of strange voices - somehow both very close by and indefinitely distant - begins to grow near Khāṇa as she speaks with the innumerable spirits of the dead in this place, and urges them to lend their power to the ritual.
...and she is almost completely unfamiliar with any of these materials, her superior nose for quality is an asset few, if any, of the others present can offer.
"Prepare Reagents": I don't know if my Scent ability could earn me a bonus on this?
Khana puts her nose to work while assisting a team sorting materials in preparation for the ritual. Allowing the bonus from scent > success - counts for two
Tofang, on the other hand, joins a group of other alchemists in their preparations and is actually able to teach one or two of the less experienced. 2 successes
Angie joins Volsung on the front lines but finds his first target a challenge. Thankfully there is a team present and working together they should be able to hold off the menace for now.
Total of four successes achieved. Second event success!
Despite the efforts of Volsung, Angie Sen, and others ...
Event 3—Undead Onslaught (5 successes needed): The wave of negative energy acts as a beacon for undead on both planes, and the standing stones quickly come under assault. During this event, each Defend the Site action grants two successes.
Alas, it seems that day's exertions have begun to take their toll, and Volsung's strikes are far, far less than accurate. So, he falls back on his psychic spell casting ability, temporarily trapping on the larger and more dangerous undead in a deja vu loop.
I'll burn one of Volsung's spell slots so he will be able to contribute at least one success.
The combined Pathfinder and Twinhorn forces shatter undead bones and topple the walking dead, even while sustaining wounds of their own. However, their momentum seems unstoppable. The holy approval of the empyreal lord Vildeis grows stronger, as if recognizing the Pathfinders’ righteousness by causing their weapons, armor, and even blood to shimmer with angelic power.
Table GMs, the Empyreal Approval condition on pg. 23 is now in effect, restoring the PCs’ expended blessings of Vildeis.
An anguished draconic roar echoes across the landscape. Within minutes, reports begin circulating that some of the Society’s newest agents single-handedly defeated a powerful drake, ensuring that will be no threat during the final assault. Competing rumors suggest these agents actually convinced the drake to fight by their side! Whatever the case, it is a great boon in the fights to come.
Table GMs, the Dangerous Drake condition on page 23 is in effect, providing an edge in the final battle.
The combined Pathfinder and Twinhorn forces have beaten back the worst of Eshimka’s vanguard, and their spellcasters are hard at work repairing the damage around the planar rift. It seems there is at last a lull when a pair of blade-like arms stab through the rift and tear it wider. The wound releases a wave of negative energy that crashes into the mystics’ wards, though the shock causes the trees for hundreds of feet around to wither, their limbs snapping off and turning to ash before hitting the ground. Through the widened rift steps a towering giant with sinister horns, shaking the ground with every step as her army follows her: vampires, towering suits of armor, hungry corpses, and even a powerful dragon! Medda’s shout carries over the din. “Eshimka is here! Strike now!”
The giant laughs thunderously as it regards the mortals around it and tears of pieces of her own flesh that turn into nightmarish beasts. “The living are no match for my might. Spread out, and reduce every one of these mortals to dust!”
Table GMs, please begin the encounter Eshimka’s Assault.
Makon uses his remaining spellslot, to cast longarms on himself again.
let them come! He then takes the scroll of bear's endurance and cast it upon himself. spellcraft to cast scroll:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Don't know what the castaster lv of scroll was..but as long it's not 15 or more I should have cast that spell no problem.
I want this posted before I head to bed tonight so I have gone with the undead for the first encounter. I think two rounds of buffs or preparations is reasonable.
After absorbing the recent pulse of negative energy, the vegetation is dead and crumbling; forested sections on the map do not impede movement or grant cover.
After their brief pause from assisting with the ritual’s preparations, the team, along with all the other Pathfinders and Twinhorn warriors, find themselves once more in deadly battle. The most immediate threat is more of Eshimka’s undead hoard.
Angie Sen issues a challenge and draws his blades. Makon makes use of magic to improve his reach and strength. Within the remains of the circle, they can see what looks like a large, animated set of armour and three hideously malformed, hairless, pustule-covered corpses whose snarls sound more canine than human.
|AC 16, T 11, FF 15|HP: 27/27|F +4, R +7, W +9 (+2 vs death/negative energy)|Init +1, Perc +10|CMB +5 CMD 16|5/5 Inspiration, 7/7 Necroforensics, 1/1 Luck, 1/1 Showman
Makon Grimug wrote:
Don't know what the castaster lv of scroll was..but as long it's not 15 or more I should have cast that spell no problem.
You're fine; it would've been 3rd.
Inspired Knowledge (Religion) on what I'm sure are festrogs:1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (20) + 7 + (4) = 31
Inspired Knowledge (Religion) on animated armor:1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 7 + (3) = 13If it would've been Knowledge (Arcana), that is instead a worthless '6'
Khāṇa stands with her bow at the ready...
No preparations here...unless you'd have let me ready an attack with my bow?
If you would:
readied shot with masterwork composite shortbow vs Yellow Fever:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 damage:1d6 ⇒ 2
I knew when I did the prep that I was forgetting something, those dang knowledge checks. Both are religion.
Festrogs (Between a 31 and 26, I think you know it all)
NE Medium undead; undead traits; special attacks: charging trip, diseased pustules, feed; Weapon Focus (claw); Four-Footed Run
Giant Phantom Armor (only two questions between you)
NE Large undead; Defensive Abilities: channel resistance +4; Immune: undead traits
I'm not going to allow a readied action as healing and buffing during a break is reasonable given you expect more trouble will come eventually but readying an attack implies you know where the enemy is and combat is already engaged.
As they approach the rift once again, Covadil takes a few moments to prepare himself for battle, suddenly becoming much bigger and quicker.
1st round of buff: Enlarge Person on self.
2nd round of buffing: Cast shield on self (standard), Sudden Speed (swift)to increase speed to 50'
At the sight of the undead, Covadil heeds the warning of Khāṇa, choosing to focus his attacks on the big armor instead. With huge strides, the surprisingly swift giant-sized half-elf bounds forward and swings his huge sword at the phantom armor.
Khana, K. check on the armour was DC 14 so, unfortunately, you did not manage to recall anything. On observation, it appears to have no obvious weaknesses. It is wielding a heavy flail.
Just as the creatures arrive, Covadil suddenly becomes much larger and more threatening. He dashes forward with amazing speed to confront the Giant Phantom Armor and swings at it with his greatsword. Unfortunately, his balance was just slightly off and the sword glances off the shiny black metal.
Tofang agilely moves through his companions to position himself to take a clear shot at the Festrogs. A loud retort sounds and the yellow Festrog jerks as the shot penetrates its putrid flesh.
Round 1
Volsung
Covadil
Angie Khana
Tofang
Green
Yellow -2
Blue
Armour(red)
Makon
Sorry, Khana. I thought that was only the readied and I missed the regular attack. Applying that now.
Khana lets loose with an arrow that flies straight at the yellow Festrog.
Volsung steps forward toward the Festrogs and stares intently at yellow. Their stance and weapon indicate they are ready for battle should it come within reach.
Bold may act Conditions: dim light
Round 1 continued
Volsung
Covadil (readied/parry)
Angie
Khana
Tofang
Green
Yellow -7
Blue
Armour(red)
Makon
It has been over 48 hours since hearing from Angie Sen and I see no botting instructions so I am putting him in delay. Unfortunately, I also see no way for him to use the scroll requested by Tofang or I would have considered that.
Covadil, I believe you have an attack of opportunity should you choose to use it.
The Frestrogs attack!
Green charges at Tofang opening its maw to take a bite but its teeth clack shut, empty.
Yellow steps up and bites at Volsung but this is a foolish move as the Aasimar is more than ready and shreds the undead as it approaches.
Blue is prevented from charging by Covadil's clever positioning behind one of the great stones, instead, it moves in for an attack but once again a Festrog is denied the meal it desired.
The Giant Phantom Armor takes a powerful swing at Covadil with its two-handed heavy flail but was clearly distracted by the Festrog dashing in front of it as the swing goes wide, coming nowhere close to the lucky half-elf.
Bold may act Conditions: dim light
Round 1 continued
Makon
Round 2
Volsung (readied/parry)
Covadil (AoO?)
Angie (Delayed)
Khana Tofang
Green (-2AC)
Yellow -22
Blue
Armour(red)
Makon
Volsung realizes that the party’s best chance for victory lays with Covadil and his very large greatsword, and he races around to attack the Big Red Tin Can from the rear and distract it from Covadil’s efforts.
Move & Standard Actions Double move around the central standing stone and to the rear of the Phantom Armor.
If attacked by an AOO, Volsung will trigger his Mesmeric Mirror and attempt to parry at -2 due to the size of the Phantom Armor.
Parry AOO:
Rapier Parry:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Swift Action Hypnotic Stare v Phantom Armor
If attacked again by the Phantom Armor, Volsung will attempt another Parry and a Riposte.
