Faustus smacks the fat devil hard and intimidates at least some of the Hell out of it. Do your attacks bypass DR? Also, the vaulted ceiling stretches 60’ high.
With the bane, the enhancement goes to +5, so overcomes silver, cold iron, adamantine, and alignment. It is also an adamantine weapon.
CG Human Male wizard 10 | hp 63/65 | AC 19 (T11, FF 18 ) | CMD 10 | Initiative +6 (+10 w/ Heightened Awareness) | Perception +13 | Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +10
Consumables:
Arcane Bond 1/1 | L. Silent MM Rod 3/3; L. Extend MM Rod 3/3, L. Reach MM Rod 3/3; Reach MM Rod 3/3 | Four-Leaf Clover 3/3 | Shift 1/11 | Dimensional Steps 300/300 |
"Well, it'll take me a second."
Anen will use dimensional steps to teleport to Faustus and pull a scroll of fly from his satchel.
I'd bond it out but with a blind, shakened, and sickened single opponent I don't think it warrants it right now.
Faustus nods at Anen Tyln, as he looks up to the devil. Realizing that flying is going to be hard in his plate and shield, he shoulders his shield (move action), and silently wishes he had the mithral plate he was saving for.
He readies to attack the devil should it come within his reach.
|AC 22, T 12, FF 20|HP: 60/60|F +7, R +5, W +1 (+6 vs fear, +2 vs other emotions/death)|Init +2, Perc -2|CMB +13 CMD 25|3/3 Challenge, 2/2 Tactician, 2/2 Sovereign Court, 3/3 Fey Enchantments
...while Spenser draws his new bow!
+1 Adaptive Composite Longbow, Nick's gift:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26plus any bonuses I've forgotten? Subtract 4 if I can't avoid the melee penalty (I might be able to with a monster that large, but I'm not sure) damage:1d8 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Given that I'm mounted, could we say that my lance remains at the ready with no need for a move action to switch back? I'm not certain, but it sort of makes sense.
I just realized that the continual flame radius is only 40' total, so the devil is currently in magical darkness. It's fairly common knowledge that devils teleport at will. And you would have seen total darkness appear up near the ceiling. But I will need to know how/if y'all are pinpointing his location, and there will be miss chances (I'll roll them with the next update) but only if you have the means to accurately figure out his exact location. I'll also respond to the questions when I update again.
F Half-orc Cleric9 HP 66/66 AC:17/TC:10/FF:17 Perc +5 F +12 R +7 W +15 CMB +9 CMD 19 Spd 30ft Init +8 Channels 6/6 Active Buffs: None
”Shelyn, banish this fiend’s foul magic with the light of day!” Grisaia prays. The blade of her glaive bursts into brilliant light, counteracting the inky darkness.
Casting daylight to complete the FAQ example we’ve got going on here.
Thank you, Grisaia, for solving this mess, and I apologize for the late realization about the interaction of the darkness and light spells. Since that was my mistake, and due to the nature of PbP of acting more in a group than turn-by-turn I’m gonna say that the daylight was cast before attack rolls were made.
Grisaia notices the dark spot up by the ceiling and fixes that problem. Little Lya goes on the defensive. Nicholas and Cherub fly up and attack the blinded, shaken, sickened devil. Nicholas’ attack connects but doesn’t seem to damage the creature, and as he tries to knock the creature back he feels his weapon slide off the creature’s greasy, obese exterior. Cherub lands a bite on the devil. Faustus calls out for magical flight and Anen mentions that he could help, but also points out that the devil is currently quite impeded in several different ways. So Faustus gets ready to strike if the devil gets in range. Lot gets ready to bite. Spenser draws his bow and takes a shot but just misses. The devil is still engaged in melee with Nicholas and Cherub; I don’t recall or see anything about being huge that would change the way the penalty works. And also RAW, I don’t think there’s anything about being mounted that would let you switch weapons without an action (but if you find something let me know; mounted combat is not my area of expertise).
The devil, being blind and all, readies to send searing words at his attackers if he can actually see them.
WILL DC 22:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
...but he remains blind!
—
Round 3-4: the bold may act
—
Anen
Faustus
Grisaia
Spenser
Beyschosz (shaken 3 rounds, sickened 1 round, blinded)
Lya
Nicholas
—
Notes: Haste (7 rounds)
If your target is two size categories larger than the friendly characters it is engaged with, this penalty is reduced to –2. There is no penalty for firing at a creature that is three size categories larger than the friendly characters it is engaged with.
CG Human Male wizard 10 | hp 63/65 | AC 19 (T11, FF 18 ) | CMD 10 | Initiative +6 (+10 w/ Heightened Awareness) | Perception +13 | Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +10
Consumables:
Arcane Bond 1/1 | L. Silent MM Rod 3/3; L. Extend MM Rod 3/3, L. Reach MM Rod 3/3; Reach MM Rod 3/3 | Four-Leaf Clover 3/3 | Shift 1/11 | Dimensional Steps 300/300 |
"You can surrender, now, Beyschosz." calmly states Faustus. "I would guess that you are here in the flesh, so your death will be final. The First will be annoyed by your activities here."
If he cannot reach this way, he will double move to flank with Nicholas.
|AC 22, T 12, FF 20|HP: 60/60|F +7, R +5, W +1 (+6 vs fear, +2 vs other emotions/death)|Init +2, Perc -2|CMB +13 CMD 25|3/3 Challenge, 2/2 Tactician, 2/2 Sovereign Court, 3/3 Fey Enchantments
...and an encouraged Sir Spenser takes another two shots!
+1 Adaptive Composite Longbow, Nick's gift:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21 damage:1d8 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 on a miss, low lets me salvage my arrow:1d100 ⇒ 11
Male LG Gnome Paladin 8| HP76 | AC27 T13 FF26| CMD 19 | Fort 15 Ref 9 Will 10 | Speed 20ft | Initiative +1| Bestow Hope: 3 DR /-, 8/Day| Channel Energy 4d6, Lay on Hands 7d6+5 / 13 per Day | Power of Faith: 30ft Radius +1 to Atk/Dmg/AC/Saves VS Fear, 1/Day Allies can recover 1d4 Ability Damage |
Nicholas and Cherub once again unleash all of their attacks against the cursed Heresy Devil.
Free Action: Use Martyr's Shard 1 boon; weapon now counts as Good Aligned and Cold Iron for purposes of bypassing DR and Regeneration. Will mark it off my chronicle.
I’m just going over the (somewhat complex) fly rules. I too am calculating your fly speed at 70’ (40’ from the fly spell and being in medium/heavy armor, plus 30’ from haste.) Fly skill says you rise at half speed if going upward at 45°. Looks like you moved 30’ horizontally, so upward at 45° that’d cost you double (60’). Then you turned twice, which would cost an extra 5’ for each time you turned. So you’re just barely good! OK cool. It was helpful for me to type it out.
Anen gets Faustus magically airborne. Faustus flies up, quite deftly for a person in that kind of armor, and lands a solid blow on the devil, intimidating it for another round. Lot’s still nice and ready to spit. Spenser fires another couple arrows. They fail to connect (but his arrows fall harmlessly back down!). Nicholas’s attacks all hit the corpulent devil, as do most of Cherub’s. The devil is looking very beat up but still has life in it.
Looks like Grisaia and Lya each still have a turn.
”Fine, you can take the engram! It’s not worth my life! Now if you will accept my surrender and let me just leave this place, I know when I’ve been beaten!”
I know talking is the only free action you can take when it’s not your turn but just to keep things moving…
The fat devil drops the engram to the floor and attempts to teleport away. Free AOO’s for all engaged if you want to kill the poor blind, sickened, shaken wretch.
Either way, you’ve got the engram and Beyshosz has been dealt with. What’s next?
Male LG Gnome Paladin 8| HP76 | AC27 T13 FF26| CMD 19 | Fort 15 Ref 9 Will 10 | Speed 20ft | Initiative +1| Bestow Hope: 3 DR /-, 8/Day| Channel Energy 4d6, Lay on Hands 7d6+5 / 13 per Day | Power of Faith: 30ft Radius +1 to Atk/Dmg/AC/Saves VS Fear, 1/Day Allies can recover 1d4 Ability Damage |
If we are out of combat..
Nicholas and Cherub forsake the attack to fly down and attempt to catch it before it hits the floor.
Fly:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21
CG Human Male wizard 10 | hp 63/65 | AC 19 (T11, FF 18 ) | CMD 10 | Initiative +6 (+10 w/ Heightened Awareness) | Perception +13 | Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +10
Consumables:
Arcane Bond 1/1 | L. Silent MM Rod 3/3; L. Extend MM Rod 3/3, L. Reach MM Rod 3/3; Reach MM Rod 3/3 | Four-Leaf Clover 3/3 | Shift 1/11 | Dimensional Steps 300/300 |
If Father Nicholas misses the engram I'll cast feather fall on it to ensure it isn't damaged in the fall.
Guiding Cherub, Nicholas deftly catches the memory engram in midair!
Nicholas:
When you catch the memory engram it releases a flash of memory to you, in which you see Hao Jin during an early period of when she was creating the Tapestry and struggling with how to keep its plants and animals from dying off soon after being transported there. The vision then shifts to Hao Jin working on an enormous black sapphire radiating necromantic magic embedded in the floor of a room. You understand that Hao Jin is using the sapphire to siphon off energy from dying souls departing the demiplane for the Great Beyond and infusing it into the fabric of the Tapestry. The scene shifts once more to a time occurring many centuries after the first. Here Hao Jin is being confronted by an olethros psychopomp who informs her that Pharasma has become aware that Hao Jin is stealing soul energy from her and is displeased. Hao Jin ignores the warning and leaves to visit Axis soon thereafter.
Male LG Gnome Paladin 8| HP76 | AC27 T13 FF26| CMD 19 | Fort 15 Ref 9 Will 10 | Speed 20ft | Initiative +1| Bestow Hope: 3 DR /-, 8/Day| Channel Energy 4d6, Lay on Hands 7d6+5 / 13 per Day | Power of Faith: 30ft Radius +1 to Atk/Dmg/AC/Saves VS Fear, 1/Day Allies can recover 1d4 Ability Damage |
Assuming Nicholas snaps back into reality...
"Well, that was interesting... I just watched an inexperienced Hao Jin when she was starting to make the Tapestry. She was having issues keeping plants and animals alive when moving them over."
"Then suddenly I saw an enormous black sapphire radiating necromantic magic. Hao Jin was using the sapphire to siphon off dying souls energy departing for the Great Beyond. The energy was being infused into the fabric of the Tapestry.."
"Then it was many, many years later. The servants of Pharasma were displeased with her stealing soul energy and warned her of consequences. Pharasma herself knew that she was doing this. Hao Jin ignored the warnings and left to visit Axis shortly afterwords."
Hm, I don't yet own Bestiary 6 and I can't find their stats on AoN or d20PFSRD. I did find that they're CR 17, so if anyone can get a DC 27 knowledge: planes I'll share the lore I found on another site.
Male LG Gnome Paladin 8| HP76 | AC27 T13 FF26| CMD 19 | Fort 15 Ref 9 Will 10 | Speed 20ft | Initiative +1| Bestow Hope: 3 DR /-, 8/Day| Channel Energy 4d6, Lay on Hands 7d6+5 / 13 per Day | Power of Faith: 30ft Radius +1 to Atk/Dmg/AC/Saves VS Fear, 1/Day Allies can recover 1d4 Ability Damage |
Well I don't have that one. Anyone else want to roll it?
"Good catch, Nicolas. Didn't want that breaking." says Faustus. "And thank you for the assist, Anen.
"So, the old bird was using necromancy to steal souls to power the demiplane. I assume that the lack of soul-energy is primary in what caused the Tapestry to start degrading."
Huh, well now I found the Olethros’ stat block. But I think in this case it’s better to share the lore than combat abilities.
Olethros:
Psychopomps embody the natural cycle of birth and death; while most psychopomps are focused mainly on the transition between death and the afterlife, olethroses focus on birth, death, and the fate of those hanging in the balance between them. Olethroses are among the Boneyard’s most powerful agents in the mortal world, and they work outside that plane’s normal hierarchy, answering to only the psychopomp ushers and the enigmatic goddess of death herself. They move among mortals in disguise, watching the strands of fate interweave and acting to promote their view of fate and stymie those who fight against fate’s flow. An olethros might appear in the guise of a wise midwife or a person’s former mentor, offering words of wisdom or advice that open up new possibilities.
Olethroses often see themselves as extraplanar rivals to the fey norns, though stories tell of at least one star-crossed romance between a norn and an olethros. Although inveterate meddlers themselves, olethroses can’t abide lipika aeons, disapproving of their manipulation of the cycle of life for some alien sense of karma. Occasionally, a shadow war of manipulation breaks out between an olethros and a lipika that can span lives, families, and even dynasties. Among psychopomps, morrignas look upon olethroses with respect and adulation, while nosois sometimes consider them bossy. Yamarajes respect their independence but sometimes requisition one to serve as an expert witness or an advocate during a particularly difficult judgment. Olethroses never refuse such a requisition, but most chafe at being assigned such tasks more than once in a long while.
The Pathfinders have rid the anxious Librarian’s lecture hall of the unwanted guest and recovered one of the engrams. Nicholas was treated to a vision of some of the history of the Hao Jin Tapestry.
"Having handled this one, perhaps it is time to visit the 'eccentric inevitable' who visits Chaldira's realm, since the Iroran is likely still in devotions at this time." says Faustus.
Checking back with Eleven-Sun-Truth, Faustus politely asks for more information on the inevitable, including type, name, distinguishing marks, and where to find it.
With the memory engram recovered and the heresy devil gone, the Pathfinders leave the lecture hall. When they find the Librarian again, he says, ”Ah, excellent. Let me just document right here that you are the current legitimate possessors of the engram. And as a token of my appreciation for not damaging my lecture hall, I would like to reward you with access to a discounted selection of magical manuals and tomes.”Discounted +2 manuals/tomes for all six ability scores on your chronicles!
When the Pathfinders check back in with Eleven-Sun-Truth, it tells Faustus that the Maker appears as an unusual ivory-colored kolyarut inevitable with two additional attached arms, and should be able to be found at the Hearth-Grown House, to which you’re given directions.
Lya can purchase a bow. Anything else before we head to the Hearth-Grown House?
"Yes, I think you have a point." says Faustus. "While the act of stealing a soul would definitely be considered an evil act by most, preventing those souls from the earned rewards, or punishment, would be most chaotic. I have a feeling that the more we learn of the Ruby Phoenix, the less that I am going to like her.
"Not to mention, she has developed a way to cheat death, herself. I am lef to wonder if she has traded some of these souls for her longevity and serial resurrections."
On to the Hearth-Grown House. You’re free to have made any purchases before arriving.
The travel portal deposits the Pathfinders on a side-street a short distance from the Hearth-Grown House. The narrow alley is crowded with petitioners, all of whom seem to be heading for a single destination: a large, wooden gate in a twelve-foot-tall hedge wall. Past the gate is a large, grassy common area surrounded by numerous large and inviting structures that look like the homey country taverns found in Golarion’s more peaceful hamlets and towns. A singing voice accompanied by string instruments and flutes can be heard from within.
Once you step inside…
Countless chairs and tables are arranged in this large room around a central stage upon which sits a lillend azata singing a wistful song while accompanied by an unusual collection of natives of the Great Beyond playing an assortment of string and woodwind instruments. The air is thick with sweet tobacco smoke and the smell of good food and drink, while the audience of largely remade petitioners watches the singer with obvious enthusiasm.
“Pretty good, eh?” says a metallic voice just to your left. “Emelliana the Muse, that’s the singer, she only comes here to the House when she visits Axis. It’s the only place she’ll perform! Everywhere else is too stuffy, she says.”
The voice belongs to an unusual ivory-colored kolyarut inevitable with two additional attached arms who is currently leaning against the back wall of the room watching the performance. Covered in dozens of small cuts, scrapes, dents, and scorch marks, she is wearing a leather apron long enough to be a skirt and is tapping her foot to the music.
What would you like to do now? Note: my next update will be Sunday or Monday.
F Half-orc Cleric9 HP 66/66 AC:17/TC:10/FF:17 Perc +5 F +12 R +7 W +15 CMB +9 CMD 19 Spd 30ft Init +8 Channels 6/6 Active Buffs: None
"She has a lovely melody. If only I had practiced at it more, I might draw such crowds." Grisaia agrees. "However did you attract her attention? Are you less rigid than the other establishments?"
Male LG Gnome Paladin 8| HP76 | AC27 T13 FF26| CMD 19 | Fort 15 Ref 9 Will 10 | Speed 20ft | Initiative +1| Bestow Hope: 3 DR /-, 8/Day| Channel Energy 4d6, Lay on Hands 7d6+5 / 13 per Day | Power of Faith: 30ft Radius +1 to Atk/Dmg/AC/Saves VS Fear, 1/Day Allies can recover 1d4 Ability Damage |
Father Nicholas remains nearby, enjoying the singing as well. He looks over at his colleagues, "Anyone want a drink? I'm buyin'."
CG Human Male wizard 10 | hp 63/65 | AC 19 (T11, FF 18 ) | CMD 10 | Initiative +6 (+10 w/ Heightened Awareness) | Perception +13 | Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +10
Consumables:
Arcane Bond 1/1 | L. Silent MM Rod 3/3; L. Extend MM Rod 3/3, L. Reach MM Rod 3/3; Reach MM Rod 3/3 | Four-Leaf Clover 3/3 | Shift 1/11 | Dimensional Steps 300/300 |
"I'm in," Anen grabs a seat.
"She's a talent, to be sure." he says, watching the Lillend sing.
The Maker smiles at Grisaia and motions for silence as the azata finishes her performance. Lya does indeed think the singing is truly excellent. After the song finishes, the Maker says, ”I don’t recall when Emelliana first began coming to perform here, but I sure am glad she does. Yes, this is the only establishment in Axis she likes. ‘Rigid’ would be an understatement regarding Axis’ other entertainment venues.”
"Would it be that we had time to remain indefinitely, I would relish the opportunity to sit longer with you and enjoy her talents... but alas we are in a bit of a hurry. You are The Maker correct? Eleven-Sun-Truth sent us to this establishment looking for you. You are in possession of a memory Engram that we have need of. Unfortunately I am sad to say, it is a matter of life and death that we retrieve the engram and return with it soon. I know it is important to your research, and Shelyn certainly would smile upon your endeavors; but I hope you agree that thousands of lives being saved warrants a slight delay? Can we have it?"
diplomacy to improve attitude:1d20 + 20 ⇒ (13) + 20 = 33 diplomacy to request favor, Inner Beauty trait bonus PRAISE SHELYN:1d20 + 20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 20 + 4 = 44+10 if all 5 allies aid
Various other bonuses...:
+2 is the Maker speaks Kelish or Ignan
+2 is the Maker worships Sarenrae
+2 is the Maker is Good subtype
Male LG Gnome Paladin 8| HP76 | AC27 T13 FF26| CMD 19 | Fort 15 Ref 9 Will 10 | Speed 20ft | Initiative +1| Bestow Hope: 3 DR /-, 8/Day| Channel Energy 4d6, Lay on Hands 7d6+5 / 13 per Day | Power of Faith: 30ft Radius +1 to Atk/Dmg/AC/Saves VS Fear, 1/Day Allies can recover 1d4 Ability Damage |
"Indeed. If we do not retrieve this memory engram, countless many will die. Your help could save lives from a fate that some cannot even imagine."
CG Human Male wizard 10 | hp 63/65 | AC 19 (T11, FF 18 ) | CMD 10 | Initiative +6 (+10 w/ Heightened Awareness) | Perception +13 | Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +10
Consumables:
Arcane Bond 1/1 | L. Silent MM Rod 3/3; L. Extend MM Rod 3/3, L. Reach MM Rod 3/3; Reach MM Rod 3/3 | Four-Leaf Clover 3/3 | Shift 1/11 | Dimensional Steps 300/300 |
"An entire world, torn apart, containing multitudes of intelligent beings, as well as art objects and places of stunning natural beauty. Wiped out, unless we manage to stop it."
