Flyn sends unbreakable adamantine shafts through the metallic monstrosity, shattering it like it was so much pig-iron. He switches to cold iron ammunition and hits the central sentry blue twice.
Lynn started her hymn and thought to herself 'Why must it always be fighting... also why did master Zey send us here knowing none of us were fluent in the dwarven tongue' She pulled a wand free and slid over towards the now dropped and greasy Zaarah "Tadpole!" was all that slipped from her lips before she went back to her song. She remained behind her cover certain that the others could handle this for the time being.
The two sentries guarding the stairs cease shooting their bows, and grow to twice their original size. One takes up a longspear to threaten Ishell; his comrade takes a waraxe. "Во славу Дроскара!" they cry.
Ishell, these guys are experienced fighters. They know what a double-chain kama can do.
With the iron golem dealt with and Zaarah free from it's grasp, Kelumur turns around to set his sights on the now enlarged Duergars, and follows right behind Antonella.
Human Male UC Monk 1/Pal 6 | HP 44/53 (0 nl, 0 temp)| AC 23 T 18 FF 17 | CMB +13, CMD 31 | F: +14, R: +11, W: +11 | Init: +4 | Perc: +9, SM: +4, Dipl +8 | Speed 30 | ER Fire/Cold (4) Rest (3), Immune: Disease, Fear* (*+4 to allies within 10 feet) | Spells: 1(2/2) LOH: 5/7 (3d6) Smite 2/2 Active conditions: 10 ft reach, Mage Armor
I was being more hopeful than anything else. I always forget- 5ft steps are determined by the space you are moving into, not the space you are leaving, right? That should allow a 5ft step by Ischell since he is on the top step.
Seeing the creatures grow in size, Ischell steels himself for the potential of a bloody approach. He steps up onto the top platform and unleashes his kama towards the undead creature.
Round #3: AC 42 vs yellow (full defense crane wing, osyluth guile, ki), 38 otherwise; CMD 46 vs yellow, 42 otherwise (+6 vs grapple), bless (3/10)
Antonella adopts the total defense action, burns 1 ki to add a +4 dodge bonus to her AC for one round (swift) and attempts to roll in front of Yellow at half speed to avoid an AoO. (15’ move equivalents)
Flyn rains death on the duergar - dropping Ischell's opponent and wounding Antonella's. Yup, Enlarge makes them an easier target so all your arrows hit. Your bracers don't stack with inspire courage though, both give a Competence bonus to hit.
Antonella uses the diversion of Flyn's arrow striking the duergar to roll under his guard.
Ischell, since I'm taking actions in posting order and Flyn dropped your opponent, you may change your actions. You can 5' step straight ahead from the top of the stairs, but not diagonally onto the balcony, which has a railing - not enough to provide cover, but a barrier to a 5' step.
Combat round 3 / 4
Lynn (-6hp)
Duergar (blue -31hp, red down, yellow - 17hp)
Ischell
Kelumur (-11hp)
Zaarah (-39hp, greased)
Iron Sculpture
Flyn
Antonella
Human Male UC Monk 1/Pal 6 | HP 44/53 (0 nl, 0 temp)| AC 23 T 18 FF 17 | CMB +13, CMD 31 | F: +14, R: +11, W: +11 | Init: +4 | Perc: +9, SM: +4, Dipl +8 | Speed 30 | ER Fire/Cold (4) Rest (3), Immune: Disease, Fear* (*+4 to allies within 10 feet) | Spells: 1(2/2) LOH: 5/7 (3d6) Smite 2/2 Active conditions: 10 ft reach, Mage Armor
Ischell moves forward cautiously onto the landing, stopping about a third of the way across. He settles into a readied stance, looking for signs of the Druegar.
If he finds the Druegar, he swings is kama into the open space, hoping to make contact. If he doesn't, he readies and attack for an enemy that appears within his range.
Based on my understanding, the DC should be 20 to recognize an invisible creature (modified for distance) unless he didn't move (DC 40) or was actively stealthing (Stealth + 20). I doubt that a 21 can pinpoint him though, although reading through the rules and threads shows a lot of disagreement on what that DC actually would be
As everyone maneuvers around the battlefield she joins the team and sprints up towards the right staircase. Until arriving just behind Kelmur. "Stand tall friends, though they may be great in size we are great in spirit!"
Double move, free to keep inspire going. Flyn idk if your still back at the original stairs, but if you are you aren't benefiting from PBS.
Ischell does not detect the invisible duergar. Perception check to look for him is a move action, so no readied attack.
Lynn lifts your spirits, the tide of battle has surely turned in your favour!
The invisible sentry had crept back to cover the door into the mountain. With one comrade now felled, and both remaining sentries wounded by Flyn's deadly arrows, he gives up his protection to make a last desperate attack.
Thanks, Lynn...I know I'm out of PBS range but if I stay put, I get 4 arrows and if I move within PBS range, I only get one so that's why I'm staying put...
Flyn tries to take out the other enlarged Duergar...if that target drops beforehand, he'll switch to the blue dude...
To Hit: Dex+Base, Magic, Weapon Focus, Lesser Bracers of Archery, Precise Shot, Improved Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, Deadly Aim, Deadeye Bowman, Point Blank Master, Manyshot, Bless
Ischell's chained blade sinks into the last guardian of the mountain, ending his defence of the gate.
Combat over!
Before you can take stock of the wounded or examine the fallen duergar, a demonic face appears from nowhere, flying through the air. It stops above the balcony, close to the portal leading into the mountain.
"A-ha! Excellent, I am in your debt bold travellers!" it announces.
"I am Tanbaru, an enemy of the duergar. It is good that you destroyed them, but there are many, many more within Slave Mountain. Allow me to repay my debt to you by assisting your navigation of the fortress, for surely, we share a common foe! And if you defeat Chergin Ironwhip, chieftain of these villains, I will promise to aid you in your future endeavours also."
What is this animated mempo? (Flyn your Favoured Enemy (evil Outsiders) applies to this check).
knowledge (planes) DC 14:
Tanbaru is a form of Spirit Oni, an evil native outsider. These creatures commonly serve as familiars for powerful spellcasters.
DC 19:
The ritual necessary to summon a Spirit Oni lures a raw oni spirit into a specially crafted mask, which immediately transforms it into an animate, living creature. While the ritual binds the oni to its new master, it also robs the oni of its immediate chance to achieve a human form (something that the oni spirit much desires). As a result, spirit oni are foul-tempered and cantankerous creatures, even to their masters. They must be regularly reprimanded and disciplined, lest their jealousy and bitterness get the better of them. When a spirit oni’s master dies, the spirit oni gains free will and the ability to make its own choices—but the spirit oni’s innate cowardice and dishonor usually prevents it from taking its own life in hopes of returning to true spirit form and then returning as a proper oni. Rather than extinguishing themselves, such masterless spirit oni seek out more powerful oni and offer their services to their superiors, in hopes that they might someday be granted a promotion from their lowly state to something more befitting their egos and desires.
DC 24:
A Spirit Oni can be 'worn' due to a power called Mask Symbiosis: A spirit oni can be worn as a mask by a willing Small or Medium creature. While worn in this way, the wearer can see through the oni’s eyes and speak through its mouth, although the wearer retains its own senses and voice. The spirit oni remains a separate creature, and must detach from its host’s face (as a move action) if it wishes to take any action of its own (including attacking or using a spell-like ability). While a spirit oni is worn as a mask, it grants a +2 insight bonus on its host’s Perception checks.
Upon seeing this new creature, Flyn studies it a bit before answering...
Knowledge (Planes):1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
He identifies the creature and nods. While wary of it, friends seem to be few here in the tapestry and the Society's reputation is not good; the Pathfinders can use all the allies they can get, now and in the future. As the ranger is trained in fighting creatures such as the oni, he's confident he can handle it if betrayed...
Flyn gives a curt bow and smiles, saying, "Any assistance would be appreciated...what can you tell us of the Duergar and this Chergin fellow?"
Kelumur turns and looks warily at the stranger in their prescence, and asks him a few questions. "...And why would you be enemies with the Duergar? And what may your ambition to reach the fortress?"
Tanbaru responds: "The duergar destroyed a location that belongs to me, and forced me to servitude. But now that you are here, you can eliminate Chergin Ironwhip and free me from bondage. And surely, your presence here is not accidental. You have some business with the Ironwhip clan yourselves. Our interests are aligned. Without me, your chances of making it through the fortress and finding the clan leaders are slim."
Flynn nods in agreement with Antonella. "We would be most grateful for your guidance into this fortress as we are ignorant of its layout. What can you tell us about Chergin Ironwhip? A nearby fey warned us he had power over stone...do you know what that means?"
After the battle Lynn walks over to the now deflated dwarves kneeling down and examining them a bit. Rejoining the group she receives healing from Flynn. "Thank you Flyn, though my wounds were not too dire. Best not to use your own wand, we did find that other wand of healing remember."
When approached by the floating face creature she cocked her head and pulls out her journal taking a quick sketch down. "Well you certainly are an odd creature... No offense, just never met a whatever you are before. Though i must agree with my companions that any help right now is better than none."
Female N Kitsune, always in human form (auburn hair, freckles, dreamily observing and sometimes looking a little bit crazy) | Swashbuckler 1 / Magus 15 | Low-light vision | Speed 30ft, Fly 60ft | Boots of Speed 10/10 | Lucky Horses. 1/1 | HP 209/209 | Normal: AC 24 T 19 FF 16 | CMB +25 (Disarm, Trip, Sunder), CMD 28 | F +22, R +22, W +15 | Empower 1/1 | Quicken 1/1| FreeMove 4/4 | Panache 9/9 | Arcane Pool/Ring 11+4/13+4 | Black Blade Pool 4/4 | Concentr. reroll 2/2 | Chaldira reroll 1/1 | Reroll 1/1 | Flight 15/15 | Init +9 | Perc +26, SM +21, Bluff (Deceive) +28, Dipl. (Convince) +28 | Active cond: Ablative barrier, invisibility, fly, Defending bones
”Master Flyn, Thank you very much! But I insist that you use my magical healing stick as you have given me more than enough and more than they could ever repay!“ Zaarah says with a smile.
Marked off the charges. Please Flyn keep your charges! :-)
Knowledge planes :1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18
Zaarah is more careful with regards to the oni.
”I don’t trust you! But you may come with us! If you betray us I’ll be very sad to hurt you!“ she says with a painful facial expression.
Yes, don't forget you were given a Wand of Cure Moderate Wounds by the fossegrim. The save you rerolling, I'm happy to say you used 5 charges of that wand, leaving it with 20 remaining.
A search of the duergar turns up 3 potions. Whilst Antonella doesn't manage to identify them by taste, Flyn certainly can. They are healing potions. 3 x cure moderate wounds, CL3
The duergar also have fine breastplates, waraxes, and composite longbows, and ordinary longspears. There are over 100 mundane steel arrows between them.
Tanbaru harrumphs at Antonella's question regarding his last master, and flies over towards Flyn, whose attitude he finds more agreeable. "That cur Chergin is a prophet of Droskar. He and his lieutenant, the smith-priestess Mueritt, used their magic to bind me. But nothing in the binding prevents me from guiding you towards them, nor does anything compel me to assist them against you. Let me meld with you - I assure you it is entirely painless - and I will enhance your senses. Most useful in finding your way past all the duergar patrols!"
Does any of you accept Tanbaru's offer to employ his 'Mask Symbiosis' power? Do you accept his offer to act as guide?
Flyn, Antonella and Kelumur you do not get a sense that Tanbaru is trying to deceive you. His offer seems genuine.
Antonella:
However, he clearly isn't giving you his whole story.
Kelumur:
Your experiences in 'Ward Asunder' may give you some knowledge of Tanbaru's past. Feel free to share anything you recall that you think wouldn't spoil the plot of that scenario; although Ward Asunder comes after Tapestry's Toil, I don't think you'll warp the space-time continuum any more than pathfinder society adventures typically do!
“I would know you better before allowing you to settle on my face, Master.”
The paladin wears a secret smile as the oni flits away in a huff. Yes, I think this one may hide a germ of redemption -- whether he realizes it or not!
“As I said, I have no problem with sharing our fellowship with brother Tanbaru. During His ascent, even the Iro-shu once strayed from the path – until a kind sister helped guide Him back.”
Thanks Lynn & GM; I had forgotten about the wand the fossegrim gifted us...
Trusting his and his friend's read on the being, Flyn reluctantly agrees to the meld offer...
He nods to Tanbaru. "If there are that many Duergar roaming this fortress, we'll need every advantage to reach Chergin in one piece...I will trust you and accept your offer of melding..."
"Hmm.." Kelumur ponders at Flyn's eager willingness and to Zaarah's shock. "I have had my fair share of experiences with flying heads, in fact, one that looks very similar to Tanbaru that guarded and guided a dangerous mountain path. Perhaps this is a gamble worthwhile taking."
Human Male UC Monk 1/Pal 6 | HP 44/53 (0 nl, 0 temp)| AC 23 T 18 FF 17 | CMB +13, CMD 31 | F: +14, R: +11, W: +11 | Init: +4 | Perc: +9, SM: +4, Dipl +8 | Speed 30 | ER Fire/Cold (4) Rest (3), Immune: Disease, Fear* (*+4 to allies within 10 feet) | Spells: 1(2/2) LOH: 5/7 (3d6) Smite 2/2 Active conditions: 10 ft reach, Mage Armor
Ischell gawks at the disembodied face, and its aura of evil. Ischell would have used detect evil right away- but based on the last several posts he would see an evil aura.
"Not my style, dude. I am my own person, ya know? No offense or anything."
As Flyn offers this meld, Ischell winces slightly before regaining his composure. He bows towards the archer. "You do you man. You do you." before turning away before having to witness the ritual that is about happen.
Lynn stands by furiously taking notes, "I would hazard the notion of melding with a strange being like this without any real collateral. But if Kelmur says they've seen something similar to this before... Are you sure it will work with your um.. glasses?" She motioned to Flyn's face and his Lens of Detection.
Flyn shrugs. "I agree with Kelumur; it's worth the risk...and I'll not ask anyone else to take it, so that leaves me...
"From Brahlim's and Tanbaru's description of this mountain fortress, the Duergar are too numerous for us to overcome. Therefore getting to Chergin Ironwhip undetected is our best option. We do not know the mountain and we do not know the ways of these Duergar; Tanbaru does and he's our best chance to avoid patrols, reach our target, and achieve our objective. While he could merely guide us, this meld would appear to give us the best chance to get there with little or no interference..."
He pauses before continuing. "I made a guarantee to Master Zey that we'd complete our task and return; I plan on keeping that promise. Our goals align here and I sense that Tanburu will honor his word. Who knows? We may end up in the tapestry again soon and it'll be good to know we have a friend here. I think the old maxim proves accurate in this case: The enemy of my enemy is my friend..."
Flyn then turns to the oni. "Tanbaru, we can do this meld whenever you're ready. I assume your meld will work in conjunction with my lenses?"
Tanbaru raises an eyebrow at Kelumur's remarks and pauses a moment as if in thought, before flying directly to Flyn.
"There will be no effect upon your magic, friend" the oni grins.
Tanbaru settles on Flyn's face, his shape shifting slightly to accommodate the elf's features (and magic lenses). "Yes, good! It is done" says Tanbaru, before he disappears entirely, leaving Flyn's face visible once more. "Well, I can't have some random duergar recognising me and reporting our alliance to Chergin or Muerritt, now can I?"
Flyn:
Looking through the oni mask's eyes you find that your exceptional senses are enhanced even further. You gain a +2 insight bonus to Perception whilst you wear Tanbaru.
You begin to examine the portal into "Slave Mountain." The iron doors are large and sturdy, as is the iron lock. But the lock is not sturdy enough to defeat Flyn and Kelumur's skill with such devices, and they soon work it open. Beyond lies the fortress of the Ironwhip Clan.
The fortress is vast - a system of caverns and tunnels carved from the rock of the mountain. It is utterly dark, with only occasional glimpses of distant fires.
Sounds of harsh dwarven voices echo through the dark, sometimes accompanied by wordless cries of pain and fear.
At Tanbaru's quiet urging, you wend your way through the mountain...
The journey through the mountain is abstracted by a scenario mechanic. You have a skill check to make - the better you do on the skill check, the fewer duergar you encounter. Each duergar encounter does the party damage; they are not strong enough opponents on their own to stop you, but their numbers are great and attrition is a risk. You will have the option to heal after each 'encounter' though.
Each of you may attempt a Survival or Knowledge (dungeoneering) check. Tanbaru's meld with Flyn gives Flyn a +10 circumstance bonus on the check. You may come up with alternative creative actions instead of a skill check to provide further bonuses.
Kelumur scans the terrain, scrutinizing every detail possible. Unsure of the dangers that surround the area, he ensures to always keep his shield at the ready, should the situation turn sour.
Flyn will warily lead the way through the mountain fortress, depending on Tanbaru's guidance as far as which route to take along with his heightened senses in avoiding the Duergar patrols...
Female N Kitsune, always in human form (auburn hair, freckles, dreamily observing and sometimes looking a little bit crazy) | Swashbuckler 1 / Magus 15 | Low-light vision | Speed 30ft, Fly 60ft | Boots of Speed 10/10 | Lucky Horses. 1/1 | HP 209/209 | Normal: AC 24 T 19 FF 16 | CMB +25 (Disarm, Trip, Sunder), CMD 28 | F +22, R +22, W +15 | Empower 1/1 | Quicken 1/1| FreeMove 4/4 | Panache 9/9 | Arcane Pool/Ring 11+4/13+4 | Black Blade Pool 4/4 | Concentr. reroll 2/2 | Chaldira reroll 1/1 | Reroll 1/1 | Flight 15/15 | Init +9 | Perc +26, SM +21, Bluff (Deceive) +28, Dipl. (Convince) +28 | Active cond: Ablative barrier, invisibility, fly, Defending bones
Zaarah looks at Flyn and shrugs.
”If the master is able to control you Oni then I am also willing to accept you in our midst! You won’t be able to control him!“ Zaarah says almost as if she was singing which melodically sounds awful.
Later in the tunnels ...
Silently she says to you all.
”You know that this is almost like a suicide mission, correct?! If we are discovered I cannot imagine that we are able to escape with the numbers of enemies that we might face! So let’s be crazy and try this but also smart and survive!“ she says smiling like a little girl.
Human Male UC Monk 1/Pal 6 | HP 44/53 (0 nl, 0 temp)| AC 23 T 18 FF 17 | CMB +13, CMD 31 | F: +14, R: +11, W: +11 | Init: +4 | Perc: +9, SM: +4, Dipl +8 | Speed 30 | ER Fire/Cold (4) Rest (3), Immune: Disease, Fear* (*+4 to allies within 10 feet) | Spells: 1(2/2) LOH: 5/7 (3d6) Smite 2/2 Active conditions: 10 ft reach, Mage Armor
Ischell finds himself in the dark tunnels, with poor visibility and no idea where he is going. As much as it makes him uncomfortable, he follows relatively closely behind Flyn. In part so he doesn't get lost, and in part because he is concerned about the elf's safety.
As he travels, he pulls out a cracked ioun stone with an eternal flame, and sets it into orbit around his head.
know:dungeon:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Sticking close to the group the woman keeps her weapon close, "Should I produce a light? Or do we all plan on blundering through darkness. I understand the benefit of stealth but I believe these dark dwarves would see our approach before us regardless of light."
Flyn, the Survival roll is not tracking, so your lower value is used. Still, that's an impressive result of 38!
You will need light sources, given that only Kelumur has native darkvision; Flyn, if you wish to use your infiltrator darkvision then you'll have used up 20 minutes worth so far.
Aided by Tanbaru's knowledge, Flyn finds a swift and relatively safe route through Slave Mountain. You encounter one patrol of duergar footsoldiers.
I will freely admit that the map for this encounter is rubbish. It's too small and indistinct. Consider the upper portion of the map with the plain grey floor to be under a roof (door on the left hand side), and the lower portion with the plain beige floor to be open to a larger cavern with a ceiling of 20' height. The plain floor squares are unworked cavern floor. The outer squares are worked stone.
The smell of musk and hot iron saturates the thick air. Heat is everywhere, with regular blasts of hot wind blowing past in time with the bellows. A single iron sculpture leans on the east wall. Though it bears a strong central frame and several barbed twists, it remains far from complete. The air tastes bitter and metallic.
A duergar female stands over an anvil. She appears dressed for war, rather than smith-work, being clad in full plate and bearing a shield. She glows, shedding light as bright as a torch.
She speaks: “’Tis Droskar the Dark Smith who sustains us and all who live within the tapestry. He forged us after his own image; hard and strong like iron. He gave us a home and iron from the earth, and labourers to toil in his name and for our sake. Welcome to your final endeavour, slaves. Trust that your new god will remake you in his mines.”
Near to the dwarf is an odd-looking creature with three legs, three arms, and three eyes arranged radially around its barrel-shaped body.
The barrel-shaped creature is a Xorn, an extraplanar outsider with the Earth subtype.
DC21:
Xorn have all-around vision thanks to the positioning of their three eyes and cannot be flanked. They can move through earth and stone as easily as a fish swims through water Earth glide.
DC26:
Xorn are immune to cold and fire, and resistant to electricity.
DC31:
Xorn have such tough bodies that only bludgeoning weapons are fully effective.
gm screen:
M.B:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
sense motive DC 17:
The duergar's intentions are hostile, her speech merely intended to cause you to reveal your own motives.
Noting her appearance and hearing the deceiving/hostile words of the Duergar woman, Flyn recalls the words of Tanbaru. This must be the smith-priestess, Mueritt, that he spoke of...
Expecting a fight, Flyn draws his bow and casts Gravity Bow...
The Elf nods to Ischell, "Aye, she deceives us," before acknowledging the smith with, "We are no slaves, but you already know that...and I prefer Erastil to Droskar..."
”Team, the three eyed cannot be flanked and is from the earth plane, can earth glide, immune to cold and fire, and resistant to electricity and use bludgeoning weapons!!!“
Sense Motive :1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Feeling the hostility and imminent betrayal, Zaarah casts shocking grasp and holds the charge in her intelling black blade.
Although concerned that the light from her wayfinder may have helped attract the attention of the duergar patrol, Antonella can see no way most of the group can operate without it.
Toni’s CLW wand:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
After the early morning climb and fight on the ramparts, the monk also looks to reinstate mage armor after the battle with the duergar squad.
She withdraws her wand and attempts to activate it:
Content to let the others parley, Toni ✨casts shield and detects evil on the trinary creature, before following this up with divine favor and detect chaos.
