[dice=Alie]1d20+14 +2[/dice], +2 vs illusions
[dice=Valrar]1d20+11[/dice]
[dice=Wynnreyell]1d20+13[/dice], +2 vs fear and enchantments
[dice=Shump]1d20+11[/dice], Immune charm, disease, fear
[dice=Rhino]1d20+5[/dice], +4 vs enchantment
[dice=Tortuga]1d20+18[/dice], +2 vs enchantments
[dice=Gaius]1d20+14[/dice], +4 vs enchantment, +10 vs mind affecting, +2 vs transmutation, +1 vs death
[dice=Sir Ambrose]1d20+13[/dice], +4 morale vs enchantment, +4 untyped vs enchantment, +2 vs sleep, paralysis, stun, +2 vs aberrations, undead, outsiders SLA's, SU and spells, +1 vs death
[dice=Ambassador]1d20+7[/dice], SR24
Tortuga and Wynn batter red near senseless but it is not done yet. Rurat raises his spear into the air again and unleashes another powerful blast of lightning at it.
Assuming Alie can target a portion of the beast and not threaten her friends, she uses a Dragon’s Breath Spell to try to finish it. She takes a bluish hue as she expels a line of lightning at it.
With the monsters dead you are free to explore the area. With a rumble Rurat thanks you for your aid and heads back into the jungle.
Ahead of you, rising above the jungle, you can see the roof of the Mantis Temple poking abive the canopy. Amongst the giant dinosaur bones you can also see a few remains of human sized creatures.
”Did you all notice that Rurat said Elysya (sp?) was a kobold? Either she’s hiding in a different form, or we are are chasing our tails here,” Alie said once the Druid was long gone.
"I was going to make a statement, but kept my mouth shut" Wynn answers. "Gnomes are eccentric though. Who knows what fey beings would be able to do with as much experience as she.
”Not all of us are that eccentric,” Alie huffs at Wynn.
”But, to be on the safe side, we should be ready to find her if she is invisible or shape changed or anything funny like that.”. She was ready to go into the temple and find that gnome.
Male Human (Taldan/Ulfen) Swashbuckler 15 | HP 102/157 | AC 40/26/25 (currently 41/27/25) | F +15, R +22, W +14 | CMB +12, CMD 30 | Init +11 | Perc +1 | Fortification 25% | Panache 3/8 | Charmed Life (+5) 3/6 | Imp. Iron Will 0/1 |
Active Conditions:
Planar Infusion II (+1 Fort, +2 Demoralize, +2 Crit Confirm, Curse Terrain 1/day), Freedom of Movement, Fly, Stoneskin, Heroism, Haste
"With the opportunity, who wouldn't change whenever able?" Valrar quickly shifts between a few forms to accentuate. "It helps you get into the right state of mind, and for others to put you there. Strangeness of gnomes aside, it makes sense."
Checking around the area the group finds them remains of an adveturer. They are encased inside the ribcage of an enromous dinosaur, suggesting the unfortunate person had been eaten. In amongst the bones, strips of leather and bits of metal you find a sealed scroll tube inside of which is a scroll of ethereal jaunt, a single arrow of slaying evil outsiders, a wand of restoration with 5 charges (can dispel permanent negavie levels), a monstrification staff and a runestne of power which can provide an extra level 5 spell slot for a spontaneous caster.
Pressing on to the Temple you see that the front doors stand wide open. The entrance leads to a curved balcony that looks out over a large temple hall. Two sets of broad stairs, one on either side of the door, descend down from the balcony to the main floor forty feet below. Across the hall, a second balcony rises near the back of the temple and displays a massive stone idol of a mantis creature. Two channels, roughly six inches deep and four feet wide, are carved into the floor on either side of the doors, and many similar channels crisscross the room below. The bottom of each channel has been stained a reddish-brown by some substance that dried up long ago.
Eight massive pillars, each carved to resemble dozens of mantises stacked atop one another, hold up the domed ceiling of the temple. A small living space, complete with makeshift furniture, stacks of books, and a simmering cooking pot, is set up on the floor of the main hall
below. A strange red glow seems to emanate from the very stone of the temple, casting the entire room with a baleful light.
Sat on a campstool next to the cooking pot is a small, elderly gnome woman with pale white hair. She looks up to you and smiles, Oh, very good dears, Kobolds, yes, that would have gotten you past Rurat. Was that you making all the racket with the Ghost Mantis? Well, I suppose it had to happen eventually, the Pathfinders have found my hiding place. I must say, after all these years, it feels good
to see real Pathfinders again. She shakes her head and tsks, adding, Although I doubt you are so happy to see me. When I left
the Society my reputation was less than sterling. Tell me, did you come to bring me and Torch to justice, or have you learned the truth about the Decemvirate?
Male Samsaran (Dual-Cursed) Lunar Oracle 17 (AC 28/20/18; HP 139/139; Fort +13, Ref +23, Will +14; Init +13; CMD 17; Perception +26)
Gaius shrugs.
"We were contracted by a member of the Decemvirate to deal with you, permanently, one way or the other, but I am willing to hear your side of the story, before making any snap judgements..."
Wynn goes to say something, but Gaius beats him to it. He waits for her story.
During the trek here, Wynn would recharge his armor with another empowered shocking grasp from his bonded ring and will heal himself with his wand of infernal healing. 4 charges for 40 hit points should do it. He will also recharge his Gravity Bow spell with a pearl of power lvl 1
Lastly, if no one minds, he will take the arror of slaying evil outsiders
Depending on the time it takes to enter the temple, Alie casts see invisibility with her extend rod her if True seeing has expired. If not, the she won’t cast the spell.
Alie grabs the runestone if no one argues too much. ”Everyone knows Torch is up to no good. He’s been trouble as long as he’s been involved with the Society. What do you have to say defending him?”
Male Human (Taldan/Ulfen) Swashbuckler 15 | HP 102/157 | AC 40/26/25 (currently 41/27/25) | F +15, R +22, W +14 | CMB +12, CMD 30 | Init +11 | Perc +1 | Fortification 25% | Panache 3/8 | Charmed Life (+5) 3/6 | Imp. Iron Will 0/1 |
Active Conditions:
Planar Infusion II (+1 Fort, +2 Demoralize, +2 Crit Confirm, Curse Terrain 1/day), Freedom of Movement, Fly, Stoneskin, Heroism, Haste
"This had better be a convincing tale. The deck is stacked against you, and we'd be in no one's bad book taking the easy way out."
True Seeing will have run out along with any other minute/level or less buffs.
Eylysa shakes her head, I am not here to defend Torch dears, he is a complicated character with a lot of reasons for his actions. You should ask him if you meet him. He is in Absalom currently, planning an assault on the Grand Lodge. She looks briefly pained. It's sad, I know, but you should be asking yourselves why Torch would do this. There is a great evil lurking behind one of the Decemvirate masks, it has been for centuries and given the current events the danger is even greater.
At which point, all hell breaks loose. Alie spots several figures on the blacony above. They enter the room invisibly. She is able to act in the surprise round as is Wynn. Tortuga also hears a soft sound which alerts him to danger. Everyone else is surprised. Alie can see a pair of Mantis warriors lurking above as well as a female Mantis warrior towards the back. All of them have delicate looking dragonfly like wings. There are multiple copies of the woman on the balcony.
From above the balcony two strange horrific monsters flow over and down at the group. Each has long, viscious looking claws and they exude an aura of menace. One swoops down to Tortuga, the other down at Shump. The first one misses wildly but the second tears into Shump, rending his soul! Fortnately he is made of pretty stern stuff and shrugs off whatever effect the creature was trying to afflict him with.
Shump takes 38 damage. Xagon and Xagish are currently flying at ground level, 5' off the ground. The other enemies are currently on the balcony, 40' above you.
However, as Shump finds his flesh being torn two other things happen. Blood begins to pour from the walls, quickly filling the channels with several inches of fresh bright red blood. Also, the Mantis statues in the columns all activate at once and begin to lash out about them. It looks like it might be dangerous to get close to them.
Alie casts Grasping Hand on the invisible mantis closest to her, on the right side of the balcony and a large hand of force appears between her and the Mantis. It tries to grapple the Mantis warrior.
The hand snaps out at the assassin but he slips out of the way before it can close on him.
In return he swoops down at Gaius, hoping to take advantage of him being unaware of his presence. The second assassin swoops down at Wynn, dragonfly wings buzzing quietly.
Gaius is rather surprised when the flying mantis warrior appears above him. He is more surprised as the man opens up a line of bright red blood across his chest. The wound is severe and he begins to bleed heavily. He also starts to feel poison burning in his veins.
Pausing here for Gaius, you take 39 damage, have 7 bleed and have made a fortitude save. Do you want to keep it or use some sort of reroll ability? It is a poison effect, delay poison does not make you immune to this poison but it is providing a significant bonus to your save (+10)
Wynn is also rather suprised as the second mantis warrior appears directly above him. Fortunately his armour prevents the serious blow from doing much more damage and the assassin is rather shocked to be shocked by his stored shocking grasp.
Wynn takes 13 damage, negates the sneak attack so takes no bleed. Are you happy with your fortitude save? You have used your folio reroll but I am unsure if you have some other way to deal with fortitude saves although you may not want to given you rolled a 14.
The two assassins are now visible, each is 5' directly above their respective targets.
Xagish
Xagon
Alie
Red Mantis
Blue Mantis
Wynnreyell - Pending save decision
Shump
Tortuga
Saviya
Gaius - Pending save decision
Ambrose
Valrar
Ambassador
Bold may act.
Group Effects: Freedom of Movement
Status, anyone can read:
Alie 138|125
Gaius 92|131, 7 bleed
Sir Ambrose 110|110
Shump 112|150
Tortuga 169|169
Valrar 146|146
Ambassador 73|73
Wynnreyell 91|104
Saviya
Red Mantis (BLUR)
Blue Mantis (BLUR) 33 damage
Xagon
Xagish
Sorry for not responding sooner. I can not do anything with the fortitude save at this point. Also, fort bonus is +16 not +13, i might have fat fingered the 3 when I was putting my information together.
Not seeing any enemies, and acting in the surprise round, I would have cast see invisibility. And draw my bow as the move action. Sandals of quick reaction grant me the extra action.
I would have seen my attacker coming at me and with improved snap shot, allows me to threaten 10ft with a bow, I should get a single AOO against the Mantis Assassin, unless he has reach of course.
@Wynn, unforuunately the enemies who have gone so far all acted before you so you wouldnt have see invis active. Also, I missed that spell storing armour is an immediate action so it has not triggered yet. You are up now Wynn in the surprise round, you can draw your bow if you want or cast see invis. Alie can tell that that one more enemy remains invisble, the female elf on the balcony although there are many copies of her there.
Wynn and Gaius both manage to throw off the effect of the poison afflicting them.
Surprise Round
Xagish
Xagon
Alie
Red Mantis
Blue Mantis
Wynnreyell
Shump
Tortuga
Saviya
Gaius
Ambrose
Valrar
Ambassador
Bold may act.
Group Effects: Freedom of Movement
Status, anyone can read:
Alie 138|125
Gaius 92|131, 7 bleed
Sir Ambrose 110|110
Shump 112|150
Tortuga 169|169
Valrar 146|146
Ambassador 73|73
Wynnreyell 91|104
Saviya
Red Mantis (BLUR)
Blue Mantis (BLUR)
Xagon
Xagish
In general yes, when entering a dangerous area I normally assume you do so with weapons ready. You can of course choose not to if you prefer. If you were at a tea party or event at the Grand Lodge I would have more of an issue with it.
Ki Pool 7/13 | Stunning Fist 11/17 | Punishing Kick 15/15 | Touch of Serenity 13/15 | Winged Boots 1/3 | Reroll 0/1
Tortuga assumes a fighting stance and attempts to reach out and touch the creature flying near him.
Unarmed Strike:1d20 + 24 ⇒ (13) + 24 = 37
Touch of Serenity: On a hit, no damage is dealt, but the target cannot cast spells or attack (including attacks of opportunity and attacks as immediate actions) for 1 round unless it succeeds on a DC 23 Will saving throw.)
Tortga reaches out and places a calming hand on the creature floating above him.
The creature sneers at him and seems to be unaffected. However, as Tortuga touches is crawling black energy crackles back at him but whatever the effect was he is able to shrug it off.
The woman on the balcony raises her hands and intones a spell. Foolish Pathfinders, you should not have come here, for your kind the sentence is death. Look upon me and despair, for you end is nigh!
This is an Enchantment Compulsion Mind Affecting Emotion spell. I have put your will saves into the spoiler. You have until tomorrow evening to decide if you want to do anything with the result. Please check to make sure the numbers are right as I am sure some of you at least have situational modifiers which are likely to apply which I may not have noted. You know what the spell is, this will render you helpless if you fail, these are assassins. Anyone rendered helpless is at risk of being coup de graced. Fair warning is given.
Male Human (Taldan/Ulfen) Swashbuckler 15 | HP 102/157 | AC 40/26/25 (currently 41/27/25) | F +15, R +22, W +14 | CMB +12, CMD 30 | Init +11 | Perc +1 | Fortification 25% | Panache 3/8 | Charmed Life (+5) 3/6 | Imp. Iron Will 0/1 |
Active Conditions:
Planar Infusion II (+1 Fort, +2 Demoralize, +2 Crit Confirm, Curse Terrain 1/day), Freedom of Movement, Fly, Stoneskin, Heroism, Haste
Having taken a coup de grace before, Valrar uses Improved Iron Will.
Ouch, what a spell. I have already used my reroll.
But, I do have chronicle, number 25, with a boon that allows me to add a d6 to a saving throw, and if I get a 6, I get to do it again to a max +18. It states before I roll, but since you rolled it, I hope you do not mind me using it. Link to my chronicles are through my profile if you want to check it out.
additional d6:1d6 ⇒ 6 and another:1d6 ⇒ 6 and another:1d6 ⇒ 2
All of the group manage to throw off the enchantment except for Eylysia who hurls herself onto the ground, worshipping the newcomer as a Goddess. The woman on the balcony then casts another spell with a wave of her hand and Alie's conjured hand vanishes.
Meanwhile, the two strange creatures with the long claws try to tear apart Tortuga and Shump. Even Tortuga's amazing reflexes cannot save him this time and twice the monster rakes through his flesh. He feels it trying to rip apart his very sense of self but he is made of stern stuff and resists the effects.
Tortuga takes 48 damage
Shump, heavily reliant on his armour, finds that it does not protect him sufficiently and he is shredded three times by the monster above him. However, he too posseses a strong sense of self and holds himself together.
Alie didn’t like that nasty lady, that much was sure.
She began by casting a Quickened Haste Spell, powering her friends to superhuman feats, hopefully.
That wasn’t quite enough, however, so she targeted the closest Mantis Assassin with a spell targeting his mind. She cast Hold Monster, trying to get him to give pause for at least a few seconds.
Will DC 26 to Resist.
Please remember your Haste benefits, because it is looking bad for us here!
Male Human (Taldan/Ulfen) Swashbuckler 15 | HP 102/157 | AC 40/26/25 (currently 41/27/25) | F +15, R +22, W +14 | CMB +12, CMD 30 | Init +11 | Perc +1 | Fortification 25% | Panache 3/8 | Charmed Life (+5) 3/6 | Imp. Iron Will 0/1 |
Active Conditions:
Planar Infusion II (+1 Fort, +2 Demoralize, +2 Crit Confirm, Curse Terrain 1/day), Freedom of Movement, Fly, Stoneskin, Heroism, Haste
Alie give me an SR check for hold monster. There should have been one for the Hand as well so you would know they have SR. If that changes what you want to do that is fine.
@Alie You can draw the rod this round if you want. As a reminder, using a rod for a spontaneous caster still increases the casting time. Both mantis assassins are the same distance away from Alie so picking a target at random.
Alie tries to lock the assassin in place but he shrugs off the effect of the spell with ease.
The assassins begin to ply their deadly trade. Wynn is struck twice and lines of bright red blood criss cross his skin.
Wynn takes 26 damage and is very fortunate he was able to act in the surprise round.
Gaius however is not so fortunate. The first blow is a viscious one cutting down through his shoulder before he runs him through the stomach with the second attack. .
The first attack crits for 44 damage, the second crits for 52 damage rendering you unconscious. Unfortnately none of your fortification rolls saved you. I am going to pause here in resolving his remaining attacks unless you have anything which would trigger at this point. I cannot see anything immediately on your sheet but wanted to give you the chance to do something.
Combat rolls:
Which target, high Wynn low Gaius:1d20 ⇒ 8 Will save, Hold Monster:1d20 ⇒ 19
