Ashava’s blessing has granted a temporary form of lycanthropy that is fully under your control. This has no influence on your character’s alignment, personality, or motivations unless you would like to make this a transformative experience for your character. The blessing has the following effects.
You can change shape. You have three forms—your typical form, a wolf form, and a hybrid form. You can shift to any of your three forms as a move action. If this PC has earned the Celestial Lycanthropy boon from #10–05: Mysteries Under Moonlight, Part 1, you gain that boon’s benefits for free for this entire scenario.
HYBRID FORM
If you shift to your hybrid form, you gain the following benefits.
Senses: Your senses sharpen, granting you darkvision (60 feet), low-light vision, and scent.
Defenses: You gain DR 5/silver and a +2 bonus to natural armor.
Attacks: You gain a bite attack that deals 1d6 points of damage if you are Medium or 1d4 if you are Small. If the bite attack hits, you can attempt a combat maneuver check to trip your target as a free action.
Pack Leader: You can communicate and empathize with wolves. You can use Diplomacy to alter a wolf’s attitude, and you gain a +4 racial bonus on the check when doing so.
WOLF FORM
If you shift to your wolf form, you gain all of the benefits listed for the hybrid form as well as the following two effects.
Speed: Your base speed increases to 50 feet.
Wolf Shape: All of the gear that you are carrying or wearing melds into your body until you switch to another form. All items that give constant bonuses still give their bonuses, except armor, which does not function. Unless you have other feats or class features that would allow you to do so, you cannot speak, cast spells, or manipulate objects that would require the use of hands.
Male Half-Elf Transmuter 7 (Core) | HP 47/58 | AC 13/12/11 | F +10, R +7, W +9 (+2 vs. enchantments, +1 vs. divine spells) | CMD 15 | Init +6 | Perc +3 | Active Conditions:
"I was thinking a stomp to the neck - preferably with Brak's axe - would do the job." But Zephyr remains ready, heading into the chamber's mouth (if others do). He makes an inexpert one-two punching motion into the air, and fists of force appear to mimic the move.
Kord carefully aims and brings his axe down upon the Morgh. It opens its eyes and screams before Kord destroys it utterly.
Combat Over. Pau took 9 damage.
With the Cenotaph clear, you finally have a chance to search the chambers. You find a strange object stuck on one of the catacomb’s walls.
DC 22 Knowledge(Arcana):
This object is a religious beacon. You can conduct a ritual from a safe distance, but center its effects at the beacon. This must have caused the corruption here.
After investigating the catacombs, you have a chance to sanctify the Centopath.
Sanctify Instructions:
You can attempt one skill check using one of the following skills: Diplomacy, Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (religion), Perform (dance), or Spellcraft. You cannot aid another. The spirits you have calmed so far will help reduce the DC.
"Oi! This is really weird. You guys know that right? I've fought plenty of undead in my day, but I've never had to write an after-action that includes dancing, commanding the undead, and chilling with spirits. I feel bad, but there's not much I can to do to help clean this place unless someone can confirm that scrubbing this place with soap would help. THAT I can do."
Male Half-Elf Transmuter 7 (Core) | HP 47/58 | AC 13/12/11 | F +10, R +7, W +9 (+2 vs. enchantments, +1 vs. divine spells) | CMD 15 | Init +6 | Perc +3 | Active Conditions:
"I doubt it'll aid us in the ritual, but it wouldn't be amiss," Zephyr says, investigating. "Just stay away from that beacon over there, it's the source of the problem. That goes for everyone. We'll focus our efforts on purifying it, but from a ways away." He then turns to the task at hand.
M Dwarf CORE Ftr1/Wiz5/EK4 | AC21 T11 FF20 | HP 89/89 | F+10 R +6 W +8 (all +2 vs spells, SLA, poison) | Init +6 | Perc +9 | CMD 23 (27 vs bull rush, trip) | Reroll 1/1 | Bonded Spell 1/1 | Active: None | Armor: On
"Sorry about the discomfort, Kord. I wasn't going to make a pet of the undead.
Thank you, Zephyr. I will do my best to do my part in the ritual. And Brak, you might as well try your best soothing voice or your best dancing skills... Cayden might be with you again." That's one check per PC, right? And we need a certain number of successes? Spellcraft:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Halfling Paladin 4 | HP 33/33 | AC 21 | T 16 | FF 16 | CMD 20| Fort +10 | Ref +10 | Will +8 (immune disease, fear) | Init +5 | Perc +3
"Brak, just think of it as scrubbing the spirits with a kind of...um, soul soap," Pimwrick offers, before continuing the awkward metaphor. "You just need to be sure to wash behind their ears and...you know what? Never mind."
He turns his attention to the sanctification ritual, still feeling a bit awkward as he attempts to speak in soothing tones in the direction of the strange beacon.
Wiping off his weapon, Kord responds to Kavor. "I know you were just looking out for Pau. It's just ...weird is all. Never just had one listen to orders like that. You're not some kinda necromancer are you?" This last line could be taken as a joke, but is the paladin really kidding, or suspicious?
"I think I can help bless this place." Kord pulls forth his holy symbol and, in the dwarven tongue, begins to chant a prayer.
Core Monk 7 | AC (24/25v Evil)/19/(23)17 | HP 59/59 | Ki pool 6/6 | 50’ Movement | F+9, R+9, W+9 | +2 vs. Enchantment spells and effects)(immune to all diseases) | Init+2 |Perception + 13| Evasion |
Pau waits, seeing the others doing so well. If it seems his joining in isn’t necessary, he’s fine with that. If not, he tries to search through his limited knowledge of religious ceremonies for something that might help.
M Dwarf CORE Ftr1/Wiz5/EK4 | AC21 T11 FF20 | HP 89/89 | F+10 R +6 W +8 (all +2 vs spells, SLA, poison) | Init +6 | Perc +9 | CMD 23 (27 vs bull rush, trip) | Reroll 1/1 | Bonded Spell 1/1 | Active: None | Armor: On
"No, Kord, although wizards learn a bit about most types of magic. Sometimes a breadth of knowledge is necessary to handle problems. I believe that Torag is a pragmatic sort, and understands the need to use the right tool for the job. Not too sentimental.
Necromancy includes the Disrupt Undead spell as well as Gentle Repose. Though most of its spells are of a darker nature, that is true, and so I use them sparingly. My focus is Transmutation. Spells that make a warrior faster or stronger, or his weapons sharper."
Male Half-Elf Transmuter 7 (Core) | HP 47/58 | AC 13/12/11 | F +10, R +7, W +9 (+2 vs. enchantments, +1 vs. divine spells) | CMD 15 | Init +6 | Perc +3 | Active Conditions:
"Kavor speaks true. I often make use of Blindness, which, while less benign than those two, is a relatively tame necromancy. While some spells are truly, irrevocably corrupt, for most it is a matter of how they are used.
"I also specialize in transmutation! The field is fascinating, not to mention the benefits. I don't exercise, of course. There's no need. But I could beat most any other follower of the Prophecies at arm wrestling - were we to do something so silly and unclean." A rare grin.
Zephyr, Kavor and Kord feel their energies working on the Centopath, but it's not enough to fully sanctify it.
As you leave, you find the Pharasmin priests are much more relaxed. ”Well, whatever you did, you did it well.” The half-orc leader chuckles. ”A few minutes ago the spirits here calmed down.”
Arthlo mentions how many spirits you calmed down, and she grins even wider. ”Wow, you guys are really good at this. Please, accept these gifts. I’m not sure we could have cleaned things up so quickly.”
The priests give you a scroll of restoration, a lesser talisman of life’s breath (Pathfinder RPG Occult Adventures 263) and a strand of prayer beads (lesser)
You are done with this location. Onto Founder’s Flame? It should take about an hour to get there.
Halfling Paladin 4 | HP 33/33 | AC 21 | T 16 | FF 16 | CMD 20| Fort +10 | Ref +10 | Will +8 (immune disease, fear) | Init +5 | Perc +3
"Hmm, don't feel like I did much there, but thanks for saying so," Pim says in response to the Pharasmins. A wide grin crosses his face as they are gifted with various magical items for their efforts, though it fades a bit as he wonders quietly, "Does she think we're going to need this stuff? Uh-oh..."
M Dwarf CORE Ftr1/Wiz5/EK4 | AC21 T11 FF20 | HP 89/89 | F+10 R +6 W +8 (all +2 vs spells, SLA, poison) | Init +6 | Perc +9 | CMD 23 (27 vs bull rush, trip) | Reroll 1/1 | Bonded Spell 1/1 | Active: None | Armor: On
I was trying earlier to point out in character that Brak could have tried an untrained Diplomacy or Perform-Dance check to help with the ritual. Might have been enough for a complete success. But yes, on to Founder's Flame.
Core Monk 7 | AC (24/25v Evil)/19/(23)17 | HP 59/59 | Ki pool 6/6 | 50’ Movement | F+9, R+9, W+9 | +2 vs. Enchantment spells and effects)(immune to all diseases) | Init+2 |Perception + 13| Evasion |
Pau puts the talisman around his neck if no one objects, hoping it would protect him if his innate quickness failed him.
He hands his wand of cure light wounds to a healer and asks their favor to activate the wand.
I assumed it fell under the limitation on Aiding: In cases where the skill restricts who can achieve certain results, such as trying to open a lock using Disable Device, you can’t aid another to grant a bonus to a task that your character couldn’t achieve alone. In general too, the likelihood of Brak's Diplomacy being low to the point of backfiring is real. At the Founders Flame I'll try!
M Dwarf CORE Ftr1/Wiz5/EK4 | AC21 T11 FF20 | HP 89/89 | F+10 R +6 W +8 (all +2 vs spells, SLA, poison) | Init +6 | Perc +9 | CMD 23 (27 vs bull rush, trip) | Reroll 1/1 | Bonded Spell 1/1 | Active: None | Armor: On
I believe the mechanic here is "the PCs must succeed at X separate checks," specifically prohibiting Aid Another to avoid the common PFS situation of one guy with a +32 solving the skill check and everyone else being largely irrelevant. To get everyone really involved. And hey, you might roll another nat 20 on Perform!
With your efforts done here, you proceed to the Founder's Flame.
This relatively unassuming monument stands at the center of a small park in Magnimar’s Naos district. The Founder’s Flame consists of a pedestal bearing a small bowl filled with green oil. Normally the flame burns in a swirl of multiple colors, but now it has a sickly green hue.
When you approach the flame, it surges violently. Some of the flames spew out and take form. Prepare yourself!
Knowledge (Planes) DC 15:
Two Flame Drakes. Draconic beasts who can spit fireballs.
Knowledge (Religion) DC 15:
The Founder's Flame has been corrupted by a Flamespawn Spirit. It is like a haunt, vulnerable to positive energy as if it were undead. This can spawn new fiery creatures to defend itself.
Kavor Doan doesn't know what these things are, but he casts Haste again, catching everybody.
Brak, just a note that sometimes it's worth waiting for buffs before acting. In this case, you were still barely close enough for me to get you and Pau.
Male Half-Elf Transmuter 7 (Core) | HP 47/58 | AC 13/12/11 | F +10, R +7, W +9 (+2 vs. enchantments, +1 vs. divine spells) | CMD 15 | Init +6 | Perc +3 | Active Conditions:
"Flame drakes. And the Flame has been taken by a spirit! No dancing will do here, but positive energy. And quickly, or it will bring forth more drakes!" Aware of the danger, Zephyr hurries closer, drawing and hurling a flask at the pedestal.
Brak takes the initiative and chops into one of the drakes before it can act. Kavor enhances everyone's speed and Zephyr takes advantage, trying to extinguish the sickly green flame before it can act.
The drake Brak hit retaliates on him with teeth and tail.
Bite:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 282d6 + 5 ⇒ (2, 1) + 5 = 8 plus 1d6 ⇒ 4 fire
Tail Slap:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 201d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
The other drake takes off about 20 feet off the ground. It spews a ball of fire that explodes, engulfing all but Zephyr in raw fire. It deals 5d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 6, 1, 4) = 18 damage.
Reflex Save DC 16 to take half damage
The Founder's Flame swells and pulses, creating a humanoid-shaped flame right next to Zephyr. Its reactions seem a bit too slow though.
Knowledge (Planes) DC 13:
This is a Medium Fire Elemental.
Zephyr, based on your rolls, you can ask additional questions. For every 5 that you beat the Knowledge DC you can ask an extra question.
Everyone except Zephyr must make a DC 16 Reflex Save to halve 18 Fire Damage. Remember your +1 bonus from Haste. Round 1 - Haste
Flamespawn Spirit (9 damage)
Red Drake (32 damage)
White Drake
Yellow Enemy
Pimwrick Pau Kord
REF:1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 1 = 25, ready for action Brak dodges the worst of it. "Oi! Someone turn this thing off before it starts spouting actual dragons!"
Brak continues his grim work on the drake before him, using the magical rush to chop back and forth:
Male Half-Elf Transmuter 7 (Core) | HP 47/58 | AC 13/12/11 | F +10, R +7, W +9 (+2 vs. enchantments, +1 vs. divine spells) | CMD 15 | Init +6 | Perc +3 | Active Conditions:
Halfling Paladin 4 | HP 33/33 | AC 21 | T 16 | FF 16 | CMD 20| Fort +10 | Ref +10 | Will +8 (immune disease, fear) | Init +5 | Perc +3
Reflex, DC 16:1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 1 = 21
Pim manages to dodge much of the drake's fiery breath, though he still gets a bit singed. Following Zephyr's guidance, Pim using his renewed magical speed to hustle over next to the flame and touch it with Erastil's holy blessing!
Move action to get next to Flame (going under flying drake to avoid AoO), standard to use Lay on Hands on Flame (1/4 LoH today).
Touch attack if needed:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 Positive energy:2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6DC 14 save to resist, if that applies
Core Monk 7 | AC (24/25v Evil)/19/(23)17 | HP 59/59 | Ki pool 6/6 | 50’ Movement | F+9, R+9, W+9 | +2 vs. Enchantment spells and effects)(immune to all diseases) | Init+2 |Perception + 13| Evasion |
Reflex with Haste and Evasion 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 = 17
Pau deftly sidesteps the blast of fire. He then double moves to engage the yellow enemy next round.
Brak's first swing kills the drake. You can move, if your wish.
Zephyr throws another vial of holy water at the flame. Pimwrick's holy blast cleanses the flame fully.
With the grounded drake dead, Kord charges across the battlefield and wallops the elemental. Pau advances and prepares to back him up.
1d4 ⇒ 1
The drake flies overhead and spews more flame against the party, dealing 5d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 1, 4, 5) = 15 Fire Damage.
Very pleased with the results of his application of Erastil's holy blessing, Pimwrick turns just in time to see another wall of drake fire roaring at him! He ducks to his right, dodging some of the fire, then uses his momentum to carry himself a bit further away, slipping his bow from his shoulder as he moves. Planting his feet, he aims at the flying drake and lets fly an arrow!
Move action to get into position, drawing bow as I move. Standard to shoot at flying white drake.
Male Half-Elf Transmuter 7 (Core) | HP 47/58 | AC 13/12/11 | F +10, R +7, W +9 (+2 vs. enchantments, +1 vs. divine spells) | CMD 15 | Init +6 | Perc +3 | Active Conditions:
Reflex vs DC {Haste}:1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 1 = 24
The flames seem to dance around Kord as he tightens his grip on his flail. "Can someone please KILL THE FLYER?!?! We need to wrap this up before it gets ideas and starts to terrorize civilians." The holy warrior then swings, his arms infused with magical speed.
Male Half-Elf Transmuter 7 (Core) | HP 47/58 | AC 13/12/11 | F +10, R +7, W +9 (+2 vs. enchantments, +1 vs. divine spells) | CMD 15 | Init +6 | Perc +3 | Active Conditions:
"It's being worked on. I don't see you throwing that glorified kendama at it. Or better yet, I'll use a fireball!" Zephyr's social battery was already low, and being charred has depleted it further.
Core Monk 7 | AC (24/25v Evil)/19/(23)17 | HP 59/59 | Ki pool 6/6 | 50’ Movement | F+9, R+9, W+9 | +2 vs. Enchantment spells and effects)(immune to all diseases) | Init+2 |Perception + 13| Evasion |
Reflex with Haste and Evasion 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 1 = 28
Pau has evasion, GM, so he shouldn’t have taken any damage from the fire breath so far, unless there is something special about it.
Core Monk 7 | AC (24/25v Evil)/19/(23)17 | HP 59/59 | Ki pool 6/6 | 50’ Movement | F+9, R+9, W+9 | +2 vs. Enchantment spells and effects)(immune to all diseases) | Init+2 |Perception + 13| Evasion |
Pau takes a 5’ step to flank with Kord, before kicking the creature twice in rapid succession.
While Zephyr and Kord bicker about tactics, Pimwrick takes action and shoots the fiery drake. Zephyr follows up and bombards it with magic missiles, and Kavor helps him out.
Kord takes his flail and destroys the fire elemental before it can turn active.
Pau and Brak can take their turns. Only the drake remains.
Round 2 - Haste
White Drake (36 damage)
Pimwrick (16 damage)
Pau
Kord (16 damage)
Round 3 - Haste Brak (21 damage) (Reflex Save DC 16 to halve 15 fire damage)
Kavor (9 damage, Resist Fire)
Zephyr
Core Monk 7 | AC (24/25v Evil)/19/(23)17 | HP 59/59 | Ki pool 6/6 | 50’ Movement | F+9, R+9, W+9 | +2 vs. Enchantment spells and effects)(immune to all diseases) | Init+2 |Perception + 13| Evasion |
Pau pulls a shuriken and tosses it towards the drake.
Brak's francesca hits the drake square in the face. It recoils wildly and Pau isn't able to compensate.
1d4 ⇒ 1
If it's going to die, it's going to spew one more fireball and deal 5d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 5, 6, 4) = 26 fire damage. Pimwrick, Zephyr and Kavor get to deal with it. Reflex Save DC 16 to halve the damage.
Round 3 - Haste
White Drake (43 damage)
Pimwrick (16 damage) (Reflex Save DC 16 to halve 26 fire damage)
Pau Kord (16 damage)
Round 4 - Haste Brak (28 damage)
Kavor (9 damage, Resist Fire) (Reflex Save DC 16 to halve 26 fire damage)
Zephyr (Reflex Save DC 16 to halve 26 fire damage)
M Dwarf CORE Ftr1/Wiz5/EK4 | AC21 T11 FF20 | HP 89/89 | F+10 R +6 W +8 (all +2 vs spells, SLA, poison) | Init +6 | Perc +9 | CMD 23 (27 vs bull rush, trip) | Reroll 1/1 | Bonded Spell 1/1 | Active: None | Armor: On
Nice rolls on damage. And the 1d4 that keeps coming up 1 is recharge time? Reflex:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 "Nimble as a DWARF!! Hah!"
Kavor Doan dodges, barely singed after Resist Fire3 damage, and retaliates with his other prepared Magic Missile spell on the drake.
MM:3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1, 3) + 3 = 11
Core Monk 7 | AC (24/25v Evil)/19/(23)17 | HP 59/59 | Ki pool 6/6 | 50’ Movement | F+9, R+9, W+9 | +2 vs. Enchantment spells and effects)(immune to all diseases) | Init+2 |Perception + 13| Evasion |
Pau pulls another shuriken and tosses it towards the drake.
Halfling Paladin 4 | HP 33/33 | AC 21 | T 16 | FF 16 | CMD 20| Fort +10 | Ref +10 | Will +8 (immune disease, fear) | Init +5 | Perc +3
Reflex, Haste:1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 1 = 20
Pimwrick dodges the full force of the astonishingly powerful fireball, though it still leaves him barely on his feet. He raises his bow and takes two quick shots, then lays a hand on his chest and calls on Erastil to heal at least some of his stinging, fiery wounds.
Full attack drake. If it doesn't fall, will Lay on Hands as a swift action.
