With the magical help of Kyra and the burning spell of Annaliese, LeGuin is just able to free himself from the nearly invisible webs, and once he is out, he is able to help free all the others, and they set off in pursuit of the Lurkers once again.
Not far away, the putrid smell of rotting vegetation fills the air. The vile smell of swamp gas lets the Pathfinders know to be careful what they breathe.
To overcome the swamp gas you can either: Take a Deep Breath (Fort DC 22) or Dash Forward (initiative DC 25).
It doesn't take much effort for the quick moving pathfinders to hold their breaths and make it through the noxious cloud of swamp gas. AS they pursue the Lurkers in Twilight through the haunted land of the Mushfens, they soon run across several pair of ghostly hands that reach up from the ground, snatching you each by the ankles and trying to drag you down.
To avoid the spectral hands you can say : Easy Does It (Stealth DC 30) or cry out Back Foul Phantoms! (Know Religion DC 28)
Holding up holy ankh, the symbol of her personal faith with the radiant one Kyra shouts."Those that walk in the light shall know no fear. Your power lies in unknowing, in uncertainty. But by her light, I name thee!" KnowRel:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Looks like Monster Lore does not apply, which leaves you one point short of the DC. Maybe Annaliese can make a check to get you over the top. Just need a 10, and could get that even if untrained. Will give her a chance to make the roll, I will move us along tonight either way.
Joining forces to combine their unique knowledge of religion, the Pathfinders are able to finally say the right words to dismiss the spectral hands, and are soon off again.
As they run through the woods, the sound of the chase disturbs a colony of bats that have roosted in the humid swamp. Clouds of the flying mammals fill the air impeding sight and movement.
To deal with the swarm of bats, you can SHOO! (Handle Animal DC 30 or Intimidate DC 30 or if in Wolf Form you can Howl! (Intimidate DC 26). There is one other barrier after this, but if you make this one, the effect is the same, so we'll be moving on from the chase quickly.
With a series of intimidating moves the Pathfinders are able to scatter the swarm of bats just as easily as they overcame the rest of the obstacles as they chased the lurkers through the haunted swamp.
The lurkers in twilight seem to have carried the unconscious form of the girl Cybelle to a small clearing in the woods where an ancient stone altar stands. The strange creatures have deposited the girl there, while they stand around gibbering.
Approaching from the southeast, the celestial Pathfinders can see that the silvery path to the Glade of Silver Sparks lies straight ahead, but they veer off a bit to investigate what is happening with Cybelle and her quartet of captors.
See the map linked above. Because of your success wit the obstacles, you gain a surprised round advantage on the Lurkers.
25 Orange Lurker (surprised)
22 Red Lurker (surprised)
19 Blue Lurker (surprised)
19 Hanif
12 Annaliese
11 Kyra
9 LeGuin
9 Green Lurker (surprised)
All the party is up first in the Surprise Round, with either a Move or Standard Action, but not both.
Know Nature DC 15+:
These creatures are variants of Lurkers in Light, called Lurkers in Twilight. Rather than controlling light, they control shadows.
Know Nature DC 20+:
Lurkers can use blindness/deafness to stymie foes then are known to sneak attack with great damage. They have the ability to blend into twilight also, making them virtually invisible.
Know Nature DC 25+:
Like some higher level fey, they are resistant to weapon damage, unless those weapons are cold iron. Lurkers are known users of various types of poison.
With a moment to have the drop on the Lurkers, the Pathfinders prepare for a fight. Sojourner Hanif elevates into the air over the tree tops, bow in hand.
Annaliese takes out her rod that makes her spells more powerful, and warns the group of what she knows about the Lurkers in Twilight.
LeGuin, who has shifted back to hybrid form, casts a spell on himself, preparing for heroic deeds in the battle to save Cybelle, the swan girl.
Still looking for a Surprise Round action from Geirahod. Will run her tomorrow if no post.
As she sees the upcoming fight ahead, Kyra casts a blessing spell on the party, all of whom feel a passing warmth, as if the sun were shining on them on a summer morning.
25 Orange Lurker
22 Red Lurker
19 Blue Lurker
19 Hanif
12 Annaliese
11 Kyra
9 LeGuin
9 Green Lurker
The sudden appearance of the Pathfinders and the chanting or casting of several spells gets the Lurkers in Twilight scrambling about. Orange Lurker takes flight over the trees, casting a spell at LeGuin as he comes.
Red Lurker also flies, but more north of Orange. Also casting.
Blue Lurker takes the more southerly route, but also casts blindness on Sojourner Hanif.
LeGuin, Hanif, and Kyra need DC 16 Fort saves or be blinded permanently (sort of). After that, the whole party is up.
Fort:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 Feeling the darkness wash over her, Kyra can not help but smile.
"I serve the light. Darkness has no power over me!" I fear that will be famous last words!
On her turn Kyra will cast searing light, preferably at an enemy standing alone and if necessary after a five foot step to prevent an AoO
RTA:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 133d8 ⇒ (6, 3, 4) = 13
The Lurkers are positively enraged when none of their most powerful magic has any effect at all on the group of celestial Pathfinders.
As the group starts to react, Hanif unleashes a pair of electrically charged arrows that strike the nearest airborne lurker. While both hit, you notice that they do slightly less damage each than you might have suspected.
Annaliese advances, casting a spell that allows her to extend her touch range without getting too close herself. The small spectral hand appears, ready for commands.
Kyra casts a powerful spell of light, sending a focused ray at Red Lurker, but the crafty fey is able to avoid the beam, and any associated damage.
LeGuin leaps into melee against the slowest to react of the lurkers. He is able to hit one, but again they seem to have some type of weapon resistance that absorbs some of the damage.
Already injured, Green Lurker retaliates against LeGuin, stabbing at the celestial werewolf with its dagger.
End of Round 1
LeGuin is hit for 2hp dmg, which I think is absorbed by his werewolf DR, however the blade is poisoned, and so a DC 17 Fort save is required or bad things start happening.
Annalise holds forth her rod and casts a shocking grasp, envoking the power of the leylines
Conduit surge:1d4 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
She then directs her spectral hand to deliver the spell to orange
Touch Attack:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 for electricity:8d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 1, 2, 3, 1, 3, 1) = 17
I believe the spectral hand holds the charge if I miss, but its kinda of GM fiat
Hanif avoid blindness and fires his magical arrows, trading out types to see which has best effect. Unfortunately for the experiment, the cold-iron arrow misses the flying Lurker. The silver-tipped and charged arrow does hit, and delivers a reduced amount of damage.
Annaliese casts a spell, passing it to her spectral hand to deliver. The hand, however, cannot touch the orange lurker, and the spell holds its charge with the hand.
LeGuin fights off the magic spell, and endures the poison but his attack against the wounded lurker is affected and he misses.
Kyra did not post an action, so will give her until my next update, or will delay her.
Orange Lurker dives at Annaliese, stabbing at the witch with its envenomed blade. The blade hits, and poison may begin to affect the caster.
Red Lurker closes the gap between it and Kyra, ending the round by sliding into melee range against the priestess.
Blue Lurker takes a short flight, circling behind LeGuin, and trying to stab hiim in the back. The precision damage from such a strike overcomes the celestial werewolf's magical weapon damage resistance, and gives him a small wound. The bigger concern is more venom on the blade.
Both Annalies and LeGuin need DC 17 Fort vs poison. Annalies takes 2 dmg, which should be absorbed by DR depending on form. LeGuin takes 14 before DR. All the Pathfinders are up next.
Male NG Half-orc inquisitor (relic hunter/preacher) of Kurgess 9 | HP 93/93 | Hybrid: AC 24 T 14 FF 22 | CMB +9, CMD25| F: +13 (+1 vs. disease & poison), R: +8, W: +13 | Init: +5 | Perc: +21, SM: +13 | Speed 30ft | Determination 1/4 | Spells: 1st 5/6 ; 2nd 3/5; 3rd 3/4 | Active conditions: SeeInvis; HeightAw; Delay Poison;Keenedg
Fort w/ heroism vs. poison:1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 11 + 2 = 28
LeGuin shifts out of the flank, and continues his attack against the green lurker.
attack w/ PA and heroism:1d20 + 11 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 11 - 2 + 2 = 26 dmg:1d12 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24
Annaliese directs her disembodied hand against the Orange Lurker after stepping back and releasing the charge from shocking grasp. The hand successfully grabs the small fey and the electrical outburst is enough to kill the foe.
LeGuin hammers the Green Lurker once again, hitting this time. The dark lurker seems to be clearly badly hurt, but is not out of the fight yet.
Looking for actions from Kyra and Hanif. I will DM-PC at next check in if no post.
Firing more arrows, this time at the Red Lurker, Hanif discovers that the fey are NOT resistant to cold-iron attacks, which seem to do full damage. Going to cold -iron on his second shot, the aasimar, hits twice with the charged arrows doing full damage.
Kyra casts a damaging spell that encompasses both Green and Blue Lurker. The power of Sarenrae blasts Green Lurker, killing it. Blue Lurker fares better, and is only slightly wounded.
End of Round 3
Green Lurker DC 17 Will:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15 Blue Lurker DC 17 will:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
