GM Tomppa's The Hao Jin Hierophant [Outpost II] (Inactive)

Game Master Tomppa

”I can cast Magic Circle against Evil. It should provide us with some limited protection from mind control spells. We all have to stay within 10’ of whoever I cast the spell on, though.”

detect magic/Spellcraft on bastard sword: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31

"I believe I can help with that," Replies V to Reesa, as he bolsters the wills of she, Dain, and Tachonius.

"Further, if we were...willing to risk waking one of them back up, I could help if they truly were being mind-controlled...at least briefly."

Otto glowers at the suggestion of rescuing them from any sorts of compulsions. "They are clearly imposters and murderers! They must be brought to justice. Unfortunately, the local authorities appear to have fallen under their sway. Perhaps if we can discover what they are guarding here in the jungle, we can gather the appropriate evidence to put them on trial back in the village? Needless to say, they all deserve to hang for murder, but we mustn't dispense with a proper trial. We aren't savages, after all!"

Just as an ooc aside, as a Hellknight, and because of Rhon's murder, Otto is now only concerned with seeing justice done and having these criminals properly punished, and he won't be terribly concerned if that blows up the mission as a whole. But as a player of course I'll find a way to defer to whatever the group as a whole wants to do.

Otto eyes the offered bottle of Lambic appreciatively. "Aye, he was a good l'il rhino, I reared him from his calf days, and he deserves that an' more. I thank ye. We'll drink it in his honor when we hang these murderers high!"

Otto looks at where the tracks continue into the jungle, attempting to see if he can learn anything more from examining them.

Survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 "The tracks are a bit confused, but I reckon we should find what these criminals are guarding here. But better tie 'em up tight first!"

The sword is a Swift Obsidian Bastard Sword. In addition to functioning as a +1 keen bastard sword, it gives the wielder +10' enhancement bonus to speed when he charges. Once per day, he can command the sword to grant all allies within 30' an enhancement bonus of +10' to base speed for 1 round.

Vanzetti and Dain also notice a lingering and rapidly fading auras of both enchantment and phantasm illusions on the captives while observing them and their equipments. The effect seems to be no longer active, though, at least currently.

Vanzetti and Dain also notice a lingering and rapidly fading auras of both enchantment and phantasm illusions on the captives while observing them and their equipments. The effect seems to be no longer active, though, at least currently.

"Ah. I somehow had a feeling...."

”Let’s go ahead and see what is waiting for us out in the jungle. If this whole place is under the same control, we are lucky they didn’t attack us straight out...”

Can anyone use a bastard sword? Seems like a nice weapon for someone to take.

Before the group continues (into the jungle?), Otto will cast Barkskin (70 minutes), Longstrider (60 minutes) and Heightened Awareness (10 minutes) on himself.

V considers the remarkable sword. He could certainly attest to its quality firsthand....

Now that you mention it, I could take it and use it as a 2-handed martial weapon if nobody else could/would.

Doesn't it require exotic weapon proficiency?

Otto will also ask the group to help him to make a suitable burial for Rhon. He stashes away Rhon's gear. If this will take a very long time, Otto will be ok with returning to do this after the mission, in which case he simply covers the corpse to prevent scavengers from getting at it.

To use one-handed, yes.

Wouldn't burial be going a bit far? Can't you get him raised (if not now, then sometime later)?

It's exotic profiency if you use it 1-handed or martial if you use it with 2 hands. Checking the tracks, you can see that a group of people - quite possibly the four you've captured - have gone deeper into the jungle, and returned along the same path.

Dain mentioned having some smelling salts in case you want to wake them/one of them up for questioning. In the event that you head deeper into the jungle without waking them up, I'd like to know what you do with your prisoners - You've now stripped them off their valuables, but they aren't tied up. Leaving them behind, they may wake up sooner or later or end up feeding a scavenger or predator.

Dain ties up the prisoners and (if no one objects) proceeds to wake up the priestess Lin for some questions. (Smelling salts)

"Before Ah do this, do we happen to have mundane or supernatural ways to notice falsehoods and lies?"

If anyone has better interpersonal skills or is more scary, Dain asks them to lead the questioning.
Diplomacy Assist: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5
Intimidate Assist: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

"We're here th' help ye and yer people. We are real Pathfinders. Help us and we will do our best to ensure your peoples safety."

Dain will ask Lin the following (not necessarily in this order):

-Why did you attack us?
-What are these fiends you were talking about?
-What's the deal with the Zey worship?
-Who has been talking to you in your sleep and what have they said?

-What's in the boarded up house in the village?
-Why are the old ways now forbidden?
-Is your priestess stunt just a power grab?

Dain would very much like to use the Keen Bastard sword as the increased critical range would do wonders when combined with his Spellstrike ability. 2d10+10+2d6+16 damage from critical hit with sword + Frostbite spell is so very very nice. ^^

To Otto:
"Ah'll help ye bury Rhon with honors when we have th' time for it."

Tied up and beaten & Bruised, Lin wakes up with the aid of the smelling salts.

"Whe- Where are the demons? Where are your fiends, the ones whispering into your ears earlier? Aram Zey told me that you were misguided, led by fiends - and then I saw them, Evil Spirits hiding behind your shoulders, tempting you to slaughter the whole village, to bring ruin upon us all..."

The Priestess explains that not long ago, their home was falling apart, with the rivers drying up and tears appearing in reality. One day, this decay accelerated out of control. Monsters surged forth, and it seemed that all would be lost. Then a great voice echoed through the land, the voice of the God - Aram Zey. The voice guided it's faithful, a group known as Pathfinders, to beat back the monsters and destroy an army of blighted phoenixes. Then, Aram Zey the Ruby Phoenix manifested in the sky, and in great surge of flame, purified and restored the land. Through continued prayer to Aram Zey, the acolyte explains thait their god will continue his work of repairing their home. Apparently, their old God has forsaken them. Under the guidance of Aram Zey, Lin Fen Hai converted the Onhae into worshipping Aram Zey the Ruby Pheonix, in an effort to save the village.

"Aram Zey speaks to me. He sends me visions of the future, past and present, and guides us through these troubled times. His voice led me to the Sacred Flower, and I've been praying here every day since then."

The Priestess isn't aware of any mind-altering magics being at work.

"I... I'm sorry for our actions. We did what we believed to be best for the village - We thought we were protecting ourselves from you. I no longer see the evil spirits, however, and I... Feel like something is amiss. Please, follow our trail to the clearing - I think something may be wrong with the sacred flower. Aram Zey directed me to it, but since then, he has shown me that the old ways were corrupt and would lead only to destruction. Now? I'm... Not so sure anymore."
"If you let us go, we will return to the village and I will talk to the people on your behalf, and try to make amends for whatever ill will you have inadvertently caused." She takes a moment to look at the rather sizeable corpse of Rhon. "If you wish, we will begin preparations for his burial. Pick a spot where the river, the plains and the jungle meet, so that you can lay your friend to rest when you return."
It's easy to follow their tracks deeper into the jungle to where the flower apparently is.

"There is no temple. Only a clearing where I meditate to the sacred flower."

"The boarded up house? We've stored the objects and items of our old religion there. We moved them out of the way when we turned our gaze towards Aram Zey and joined his pathfinders, but many of the items are old and we didn't wish to destroy them, so we merely forbid their presence."

Judging from her speech, the old ways seem mostly forbidden because they didn't help against the calamity that struck the village, while Aram Zey and his pathfinders were there and saved the Onhae. You get the feeling that Lin Fen Hai's Priestesshood isn't much of a powerstunt - she seems to genuinely believe that what she does will save the Onhae.

Tachonius will listen to Lin's answers and attempt to discern any lies she speaks. (Will DC 13 negates)

He attempts to read her in other ways as well.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24

Dain, unless you have some special ability, I don't think you can use Magus spellstrike and/or spell combat with a 2 handed weapon.

Otto listens to her words carefully. Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 "What you say will not bring Rhon back to life, but if it is true that you were bewitched I'm sure that the judicial authorities here will take that into consideration."

You don't sense any lies or deceit as she speaks - she seems sincere in her words, and her demeanor is clearly different from before.

”Do we trust her enough to send her back to the town to speak on our behalf? Goodness knows it couldn’t be any worse for us backthere...”

”Do we trust her enough to send her back to the town to speak on our behalf?”

Sense Motive; I dunno, do we?: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14

"Milady Lin, there has been a great misunderstanding...to say the least. If you could accompany us to the village, perhaps, and explain we mean only Good, it would be a great help to all concerned."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

"Of course. I'll provide you with directions to the flower, and await you here - we'll treat our wounds while we wait, and accompany you to the village once you return."

She gives a short explanation on which trail to follow to reach the sacred flower.

Spell combat doesn't work, unless you wield it in one hand as an exotic weapon, taking the -4 penalty for not being proficient. Spellstrike works, even if you wield it two-handed: You just can't cast the spell on the same round (since you can't both wield it 2-handed AND use the off hand to cast a spell) but it's totally possible to first cast a spell, and then later strike someone with the sword and deliver the spell at the same time. Actually, reading through the spell strike, it might even be possible to cast the spell And deliver it with a 2-handed strike at the same time. Not sure about the last one, though, but spell strike does not prohibit 2-handed weapons: Only spell combat does.

As soon as you've decided who keeps the sword And Slippers, I'll move you guys forward. Assuming here that you want to take a look at the sacred flower and the related clearing where she meditates. If there's no consensus, Vanzetti gets to decide since he identified the sword. Your prisoners are now tied, with one of them awake, and in no immediate danger of dying from jungle hazards, and have promised to wait for you and then escort you back to the village. Please let me know if anyone objects this or if you have other plans.

Tachonius can ignore difficult terrain for a few rounds each day, so the slippers could be used by someone else.

Tachonius will bolster himself with a few spells, Deadeye'e Lore (8 hours), heightened awareness (80 minutes), and discovery torch (80 minutes - can also benefit allies who are within 20 feet of me).

"Let's go find this flower."

I have no problem giving Dain the sword - I also don't think that's true about not being able to Spellstrike in a single action with a zweihander. As for the slippers, I probably don't need them as much as some others might.

Ty Vanzetti. ^^

Spellstrike with 2-handed weapon works as such: You hold the weapon in one hand and cast the spell with the other, then grasp the weapon with both hands (free action) and deliver the spell normally via swift strike to the head of the enemy. All in the same round.

Dain already has good footwear and won't be needing the slippers. ^^

To Reesa:
"Heh, yer right on that; can't really get worse for us in the village that's for sure."
"Casting that magic circle is a good idea. If any of us gets the mental whammy, ye can just move close to us and suppress th' effect."

To Vanzetti:
"Thank ye for th' mental defense spell. Very good precaution."

To all (but Tachonius in particular):
"Let's go and shed some serious light on this here mystery."

Dain proceeds to consume several alchemical items as the party heads towards the clearing.

-Alchemical Grease (+5 to Escape Artist and CMD vs Grapple), 4 hours
-Antitoxin (+5 vs poison), 1 hour
-Antiplague (+5 vs disease), 1 hour
-Soothe syrup (+5 vs nauseated/sickened), 1 hour
-Twitch tonic (+2 vs sleep/paralysis/staggered), 1 hour
-Troll Oil (Automatically Stabilize, 50% chance to stop Bleed effects every round), 1 hour

"Ah have 3 more of each of these (except Twitch Tonic) if ye need to bolster yer defenses." He says as he rummages through his back-bags.

"Thought Ah had some stuff th' mask our scent too but Ah seem th' have used it all." He lifts up a bottle set and looks at the label.
"This stuff doesn't remove yer scent it just makes ye smell like, huh, boa constrictor for 8 hours. Wonder why Ah bought that in th' first place..." Masking Scent (Snake)

If no one else wants them, Otto will take the Feather Step slippers.

Otto scoffs at the idea of sending Lin back to the village on her own. "What!?! Remorse or no, you have committed a murder and must answer to the authorities. It may be that when you stand before a judge they will rule that you were not of sound mind, but that will be for a judge to decide!" He checks the knots on her ropes to be sure they are secure. "For now, let us leave these prisoners secured here. We can check on the flower and then return and bring them back to the village to stand trial."

When the group approaches the flower, Reesa will cast Magic Circle Against Evil, Which has a 70 minute duration.

"Otto," V begins, audibly restraining himself. "I am a Sorcerer, and formerly a priest of Razmir. I know magic when I see it, mind-control magic doubly so. In this, I am a better judge than most any magistrate, and any magistrate both honest and learned would even affirm as much, and I am telling you, they had all been beguiled by malefic Enchantment and Illusion. I AM sincerely sorry about your friend - I daresay he was indeed friend to us all in his final, courageous moments - but given the circumstances under which he was slain, it was clearly NOT 'murder', but manslaughter...er, rhinoslaughter? 'Poaching under the influence', perhaps...Dain, I would presently LOVE a tonic or two...!"

V will take some troll oil, soothe syrup, and alchemical grease. His mask shimmers like quicksilver as he bestows heroism (duration 90 minutes) upon Dain.

Otto listens to Vanzetti with interest. "You will make an admirable witness for the defense, I have no doubt about it! And that's as it should be - if a court of law holds them blameless due to magical mind control, then justice will have been served. But we must uphold the proper procedures. They must stand trial and let the law reach its own determination." As a Hellknight, Otto has a rather obsessive dedication to the law.

"But we need not argue about it. They are our prisoners and they have promised not to escape. Let us find this monstrous flower - I've no doubt it is somehow mixed up in all this trouble! - and then we can return here, gather the prisoners, and return to the village. I'm sure that nothing will possibly go wrong!"

"But just in case there might be further trouble ahead, perhaps you will be willing to use this wand on me? I would be much obliged." Otto offers wand of Heroism with 8 charges to V.

Bolded May Act!
Violet: 20% miss chance
Brown: 20% miss chance, total cover (underground)
Otto: DR10/adamantine (60/70), Ablative Barrier (35/40), Lucky Number (1), Heroism
Teal: 20% miss chance
Vanzetti: Alchemical Buffs
Yellow: 20% miss chance
Tachonius: Heightened Awareness, Deadeye's Lore, Discovery Torch, Suppress charms&Compulsions
Dain: Heroism, Alchemical buffs, Suppress charms&Compulsions
Reesa: Magic Circle Against Evil, Suppress charms&Compulsions

All squares that contain any logs or brances are difficult terrain and in addition the ferns provide cover.

I assumed V will use the wand on Otto before you continue. I also assumed Otto will use Heightened awareness for initiative because it's in your statline. I assumed Tachonius does not use it because it's not in your statline and it provides synergy with Discovery torch and you have lots of identifying knowledges opened. IF either of you wish to change that, please say so before looking at the initiative rolls or before rolling your knowledge checks!

The travel doesn't take you more than a couple of minutes, and soon enough you arrive at a clearing surrounded by vibrant jungle ferns. In the middle the Sunsu Godae's sacred flower blooms, and near it you spot deep indentations on the grass, as if someone had been praying here recently and often.

Near it, several shimmering fields with constant fluxes of colors and shapes coalesce into distorted, ephemeral images and reflections.

"Pathfinders. I tried to guide these people to safety, but their priestess grew too greedy - too power hungry. Leave the tapestry before everything collapses, and take her with you, so that she may face punishment for her crimes." A stern voice echoes through your mind. "Be careful of her treachery, she's- Behind you!"

As you look around, perhaps even starteled, Otto spots the familiar form of Lin Fen Hai hiding in the bushes behind you. In her hand, she holds some sort of a bony dagger. It looks like it has been carved from a rather large horn.

An amalgam of colours, faces and reflections appears from between the ferns and darts towards you! It flies right through Dain, Tachonius, and Otto, before disappearing into the ground.

Brown vs Dain: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26 vs touch
Dain, Will, Suppress charms&Compulsions: 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 4 = 14
Brown vs Tachonius: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19 vs touch
Tachonius, Will save, supress C&C: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 4 = 29
Tachonius, Strong-Willed: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24
Otto, you're up next and your combat reflexes give you the option of either taking an attack of opportunity or attempting a reflex save to avoid the creature. Please decide before checking the attack roll, and then roll the save(s), and decide if you want to reroll.

Please decide if you want to use rerolls etc before checking the results from the spoiler below!

Otto may post! The brown creature flew through into the earth below Otto's feet.

As a sidenote for our Inquisitor, Extraplanar is not a proper creature subtype for bane, since it's a descriptor (native/extraplanar) and can change depending on the plane. All of the creatures are suspectible to Bane if identified, but it's a different bane for the flower and a different one for the colourful creatures.

Thank you for the Heroism, Vanzetti ^^

Will Save reroll: 1d20 + 9 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 4 + 3 = 20
Planes vs flower: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 2 = 18
Planes vs color thingies: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 2 = 27 Question: Resistances

T-that's a nice little debuff those things are throwing around. D:

Otto is fine with having Heroism up and with having used Heightened Awareness for his initiative check.

Knowledge (Planes) DC 24: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Knowledge (Planes) DC 18: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

@GM, can Otto relay the information in the two knowledge spoilers to his comrades?

Otto attempts to dodge out of the way of the creature as it rushes towards him.

Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 Not rerolling.

Otto moves 30' further down the path, drawing his club as he does so, and then casts Shillelagh.

Otto's AC is currently 24 (or 26 if Magic Circle Against Evil applies - he's currently out of range but may be in range again at some point, though we don't know whether there are evil). Touch is 10, or 12 if Magic Circle applies. If he has the option of avoiding their attacks with a Reflex save he will attempt to do so.

Bolded May Act!
Violet: 20% miss chance
Brown: 20% miss chance, total cover (underground)
Otto: 16 dmg, DR10/adamantine (60/70), Ablative Barrier (35/40), Lucky Number (1), Heroism, Shillelagh
Teal: 20% miss chance, 3/X
Vanzetti: Alchemical Buffs
Yellow: 20% miss chance
Tachonius: Heightened Awareness, Deadeye's Lore, Discovery Torch, Suppress charms&Compulsions
Dain: Heroism, Alchemical buffs, Suppress charms&Compulsions
Reesa: Magic Circle Against Evil, Suppress charms&Compulsions

All squares that contain any logs or brances are difficult terrain and in addition the ferns provide cover.

Yeah, you may relay that information to your comrades.

Oh, right. True, Would be nice if you all could tell if you want to try to take AoO's or ref saves vs these things when they come at you.

The next colourful field Teal flies through the air before hiding in the bushes.
dmg vs Otto: 8d8 ⇒ (3, 8, 5, 2, 3, 5, 4, 2) = 32
Otto's Will save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30 -> success
A sudden headache hits Otto out of nowhere, but it's not that bad. 16 damage

Vanzetti's Up!

Spellcraft to know what caused the headache: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

Otto tells his comrades what he recalls about these creatures. (Go ahead and read the two Knowledge Planes spoilers above).

Ah, right, Otto also gracefully evaded the creature. No idea what the headache is, though.

I think I also ran the creature wrong on the first round. I don't think it needs to make an attack roll, since it just flies through your square and you get a ref save to avoid touching it. It would be weird if you got a ref save to avoid it AFTER it has already successfully touched you. Just pointing this out now in case it changes how you want to prepare.

Also, while researcing how their abilities work, I've learned that this isn't clear at all.
Firstly: You get an AoO or A ref save. If you've already used your AoO, you must try the ref save instead. The ability only provokes once, since it says you can either take an AoO or a ref save (not twice, even though moving in normally provokes - Specific trumps general).
Trying to find some FAQ's/errata's for these, but the ability works pretty much like a trample, and apparently trample rules are pretty unclear/vary wildly. If you have sources/suggestions/disagree with these rulings, post about it in the discussion side.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 12 - 5 ⇒ (1) + 12 - 5 = 8

Tachonius has no idea what headaches Otto is talking about.

Just to clarify, Otto did take 16 dmg for making his save, or did not due to evading it?

You completely evaded the first creature. The other did something in the bush wich dealt 16 damage (32 damage halved by the save) (the headache). There are no other ill effects for that one, apart from the damage.

"But just in case there might be further trouble ahead, perhaps you will be willing to use this wand on me? I would be much obliged." Otto offers wand of Heroism with 8 charges to V.

V does so.

And not a moment too soon, I see! Also, DM, I should still have heroism cast upon myself as well.

Spellcradft: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

Tachonius may not, but V certainly does.

"Psychic powers...makes a certain sense," Remarks V as his mask begins to incandesce. "I prefer something a little more spectacular...!"

The following is augmented by alchemist's fire and saltpeter (+1 damage), in addition to Sacrificial Boon:
FIREBALL! (DC 20) vs Cornflower, Goldenrod, and the plant: 8d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 3, 2, 2, 2, 1, 3, 6) + 3 = 27

Don't forget your lucky numbers, everyone!

Bolded May Act!
Violet: 16 dmg 20% miss chance
Brown: 20% miss chance, total cover (underground)
Otto: 36 dmg, DR10/adamantine (60/70), Ablative Barrier (35/40), Lucky Number (1), Heroism, Shillelagh
Teal: 6 dmg 20% miss chance, 3/X
Vanzetti: Alchemical Buffs, Heroism, L. N. (17)
Yellow: 6 dmg 20% miss chance, 3/X
Tachonius: Heightened Awareness, Deadeye's Lore, Discovery Torch, Suppress charms&Compulsions L.N. (6)
Dain: Heroism, Alchemical buffs, Suppress charms&Compulsions L. N. (10)
Reesa: Magic Circle Against Evil, Suppress charms&Compulsions L. N. (6)

All squares that contain any logs or branches are difficult terrain and in addition the ferns provide cover.

Vanzetti's fireball scorches the targets, but it seems to have some trouble getting through to the shimmering fields:

The last shimmering field springs into action, floating towards a fern. With a sparkle of colours and reflections, Otto experiences another splitting pain in his brain.
Dmg, will save for half: 8d8 ⇒ (4, 8, 1, 8, 6, 2, 8, 3) = 40
Otto's Will save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21 -> Result: 20 dmg

Dain quickly informs the group that the floating colours have spell resistance, but no other kinds of resistances.

Dain, Tachonius and Reesa are up!

"Excellent blast, Vanzetti!" Dain shouts as he moves forward and casts Magic Missile at the plant thing.

Magic Missile: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 2, 2, 1) + 4 = 10

"Focus on the shrubbery first! Unless you have some special attacks, those Psychomental balls are a bit too flighty to take down fast."

"Otto! How are you holding up?"

Dain uses one point from his Arcane Pool to enhance the obsidian sword he's holding (Swift action) and grasps it with both hands.

Otto's Ablative Barrier probably works against the damage. Not 100% sure, but I'll update Otto with 10pts non-lethal damage and 10 pts less lethal damage on the next post, just a quick update on this.

Reesa moves forward to 10’ right of Dain, keeping her circle in effect and casts a magic missile at the plant.

Damage 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 4, 2, 4) + 4 = 15

Could someone move me, please?

Tachonius casts a spell to enhance his abilities (heroism) and then advances.

Kn. Planes (flower): 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 14 + 2 = 32 Special Attacks
Kn. Planes (colors): 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 14 + 2 = 23 Spell-like Abilities

Activate judgement of purity (+2 sacred bonus to saves), included in stats.

Reesa, I moved you behind Dain to a spot where your aura reaches both him and Otto

Tachonius knows that the plant can, with it's bite, inflict a range of various emotions on the subject. It can create Crushing Despair, Fear, Good Hope, Reckless Infatuation, Serenity, or Unadulterated Loathing, except that these effects only affect the target and the duration is (in most cases) noticeably shorter.

The Psychementals don't actually have spell-like abilities, but Vanzetti identified the spell so I'll give you their spells instead.

cognitive block, ego whip I, mind probe, mind thrust III, possession, synaptic pulse, thought shield III

... I ment to provide links for the abilities and spells and post the next round, but I gotta run - I'll try to get the next round up during this day (in 8 hours or so) but I may have to postpone it until tomorrow. Sorry!

Ablative Barrier: "Invisible layers of solid force surround and protect the target, granting that target a +2 armor bonus to AC. Additionally, the first 5 points of lethal damage the target takes from each attack are converted into nonlethal damage. Against attacks that already deal nonlethal damage, the target gains DR 5/—. Once this spell has converted 5 points of damage to nonlethal damage per caster level (maximum 50 points), the spell is discharged." While I can certainly see a GM ruling that this only applies to physical attacks (and won't object if you rule that way), I can also see the argument that RAW it simply says "each attack" and the Mind Thrust spells are certainly attacks. Your call, GM, and I will be fine with any ruling.

The next time Otto has to save against a spell he will use his Dark Archive Enduring Scholar boon, to add +2 vs a spell (once/adventure).

My first thought was that it's probably intended to apply to physical attacks, which is why I didn't deduct it at first, but I later looked at it more thoroughly. I still think that's the Intent with the spell, but I don't really see a compelling reason to limit it against physical attacks only.

Also, really sorry. Work + stuff happened. I'll see if I can get this moving today, but it may be another 12 hours before I have proper time to get back to this. Thank you for your patience!

Bolded May Act!
Violet: 41 dmg 20% miss chance
Brown: 20% miss chance, total cover (underground)
Otto: 26 dmg, 10 non-lethal, DR10/adamantine (60/70), Ablative Barrier (25/40), Lucky Number (1), Heroism, Shillelagh
Teal: 6 dmg 20% miss chance, 3/X
Vanzetti: Alchemical Buffs, Heroism, L. N. (17)
Yellow: 6 dmg 20% miss chance, 3/X
Tachonius: Heightened Awareness, Deadeye's Lore, Discovery Torch, Suppress charms&Compulsions L.N. (6)
Dain: Heroism, Alchemical buffs, Suppress charms&Compulsions L. N. (10)
Reesa: Magic Circle Against Evil, Suppress charms&Compulsions L. N. (6)

All squares that contain any logs or branches are difficult terrain and in addition the ferns provide cover.

I'm going to assume you want to dodge these creatures unless you say you want take an AoO

Dain and Reesa pummel the Violet Etheroot with unerring magical assaults.

The field of colours and reflections you left behind rises through the ground, and dashes through the mages!
Ref for Reesa: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 -> Fail
Will for Reesa, Suppress C&C: 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 4 = 18 -> Success
For a moment there, it looks like a heavy weight is pressing down her shoulders, but Vanzetti's wards kick in at the last moment, reinforcing her mind against the assault.

Meanwhile, Dain
Ref for Dain: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
easily dodges the curious creature right before it disappears back into the ground.

Otto may post!
Sorry for the delay!

@GM, I'll check another box on the Shathva's Aid boon (the one from Ire of the Storm). This one gives a one round attack from a +1 ghost touch greatclub (+11 1d10+8). I'll use it against Teal. Not sure if the 20% miss chance still applies?

+1 ghost touch greatclub: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
20% miss chance? high is good for me: 1d100 ⇒ 91
ghost touch B dmg: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Otto rummages in his bag and quickly quaffs a bottle of fine wine. "A day like this... I could use a drink!"

Using two (related) chronicle boons: Sommelier’s Private Selection - standard action to draw and drink wine. Heals 1d8 per two levels (max 5d8) [i.e. 3d8 for Otto]. Can use with Chef’s Secret Recipes to maximize. And Chef’s Secret Recipes - Swift action to maximize the effect of a potion (3rd level or lower) with a variable numeric effect [i.e. 24 hp healing for Otto].

Then Otto moves forward, waving his shillelagh menacingly. If the ghost touch club somehow takes out Teal (I doubt it), Otto will move 2 squares further forward.

Btw, did the Magic Missiles have any effect?

Otto will use a 1/adventure boon to add +2 vs a spell if he is targeted

Otto will attempt to evade if they try to trample again. However, he may also have up to two AoO due to their movement and his 10' reach. If so:

You need to be adjacent to the target to use the Shatva's boon, unfortunately. Do you want to get next to the blue one or adjust your actions? The magic missiles dealt their normal damage, and it's reflected on the initiative sheet.

As I mentioned earlier, I was trying to figure out how the trample works. Apparently it's not very well written. Popular opinion seemed to be that since specific trumps general, Trample's rule (you get to either dodge or take an AoO) means you don't get the normal AoO if it tramples you. You would have gotten an AoO since it went straight for Reesa, though, so AoO 1 hits unless for the miss chance.
Miss Chance 20% (1-20 miss): 1d100 ⇒ 29 -> hits.
The club mostly passes through the incorporeal creature, but still inflicts some damage on the field of colours. (8 dmg)

He did say it was a Ghost Touch greatclub; it should do full damage.

Ok thanks. I'll stay where I am and not use the Shthava boon this round. Want to avoid being close enough for them to full attack (if they have such). And the GM is correct, my AoO is a regular magical attack, not ghost touch (but the boon I was going to use has ghost touch).

Bolded May Act!
Violet: 41 dmg 20% miss chance
Brown: 20% miss chance, total cover (underground)
Otto: 26 dmg, 10 non-lethal, DR10/adamantine (60/70), Ablative Barrier (25/40), Lucky Number (1), Heroism, Shillelagh
Teal: 14 dmg 20% miss chance, 6/X
Vanzetti: Alchemical Buffs, Heroism, L. N. (17)
Yellow: 6 dmg 20% miss chance, 3/X
Tachonius: Heightened Awareness, Deadeye's Lore, Discovery Torch, Suppress charms&Compulsions L.N. (6)
Dain: Heroism, Alchemical buffs, Suppress charms&Compulsions L. N. (10)
Reesa: 30 dmg, Magic Circle Against Evil, Suppress charms&Compulsions L. N. (6)

All squares that contain any logs or branches are difficult terrain and in addition the ferns provide cover.

Correct, my use of "club" was misleading, I was referring to otto's staff.

The Blue field of colours focuses it's attention on the mages,
Mind Thrust vs Reesa: 8d8 ⇒ (4, 6, 1, 6, 1, 1, 6, 5) = 30
Will for Reesa, Suppress C&C: 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 4 = 15 -> Failure
with shocks of pain wracking through Reesa's head!

Vanzetti may post!