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(2 of 2)
Suddenly, it becomes clear that the astral invaders’ retreat is merely a ploy. More invaders pour through the rifts to reinforce their companions. Their reckless assault tears the holes wider, and the entire demiplane begins to shift and fold. Locations fade and vanish, reappearing miles away, now separated by a wide expanse of barren, rocky wasteland. The invaders continue to pour through, and the tapestry’s exhausted repair mechanisms cease to function altogether. The triumphant attackers converge on the Pathfinders scattered across the wasteland.
Then, the sky turns red.
A primal screech pierces the tapestry, and a colossal ruby-flamed phoenix appears in the sky, its wings nearly blocking the sun. It swoops across the sky at tremendous speed, its tattered feathers leaving a trail of smoke. With another screech, it flaps its massive wings, and countless fiery feathers shoot towards the invaders. As the feathers strike, they explode, incinerating much of the invading force. Then the phoenix turns its attention to the other outsiders—the mass of Pathfinders—and beats its wings once more. A barrage of feathers strikes the wasteland, and from each resulting inferno emerges a bird of pure ruby-red flames.
Aram Zey’s voice echoes. “Can you hear me, Pathfinders? The tapestry is in its death throes! You are cut off—I cannot help you escape. Destroy the phoenixes—perhaps their magic can repair the tapestry!”
All around, flaming feathers barrage the tapestry. The scattered demiplane natives are unharmed by the inferno, as is the landscape itself. Screeches echo across the ruby-tinted landscape, and the tattered birds of ruby fire close in.
One red tinted guardian appears before you in the shape of a magnificent bird. "Begone, foul invaders! I will burn you to ash, and your souls will repair this land!" It screeches as its wings burst in flame!
The bird quickly circles around you, approaching Ruinor and Evelyn. "You reek of Chaos... you will be the first to burn!"
Enemy
Quen
Igor (4 damage)
Ruinor
Zildaastin
Grollax (Brak has 7 damage)
Evelyn
Igor knows the Phoenix is vulnerable to cold, taking 50% extra damage against all sources of extreme cold. He also knows they are immune to fire and high heat.
Evelyn flows around the Phoenix, too fast for it to attack. But the phoenix is also too quick, dodging her rapier. "Language!" It chirps angrily at her.
Oooh! So many people to pretend!
Ruinor and Grollax take a careful step away from the creature that's on fire.
Zildaastin draws his starknife and steps in to try to flank with Evelyn. "Let's see if we can send a shock to its system!"
He isn't able to take advantage of the flank, but it doesn't matter. "I've made my point clear, eh?"
Quen casts Guidance on Igor, to improve his aim.
"You would side with chaos?" The phoenix squawks at Zildaastin. "I knew you dirty neutrals couldn't be trusted. But I'll deal with you later!"
The phoenix tries to burn Evelyn with its flaming wings.
Evelyn tries to parry but the bird is too quick and slams her twice. Even worse, her armor is about to catch fire!
Enemy (12 damage)
Quen
Igor (4 damage, Guidance)
Ruinor
Zildaastin
Grollax (Brak has 7 damage)
Evelyn (4 damage, 2 DC 14 Reflex Saves to avoid Burn)
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The homunculus takes the bag of alchemical tar from Igor and steps to the mound. Scraps looks to the first base, and then over to third. Quickly, Scraps fakes a throw to first to keep everyone honest. Scraps looks to Evelyn behind the plate to see what she's signalling. 'HELP! I'M ON FIRE!' is the read. Not happy with it, Scraps shakes his head. 'PLEASE HELP ME I AM ON FREAKING FIRE HERE!' comes the responding signal. Happy with the call, the homunculus winds up (a sight not for the faint of heart), and delivers the pitch!
Igor passes a bag of goo to Scraps, who drops it off nowhere close to the phoenix.
Ruinor burns the bird with a glob of acid, while Evelyn and Zildaastin sink their blades into the bird. The creature squeals and bursts into flame, immolating itself.
All that's left is a single, red feather.
Left behind is a single ruby feather. You have a chance to use the feather, but how?
More birds scream overhead, and you know you only have a short respite before the next one arrives.
Ruinor, Evelyn and Igor agree- repairing the tapestry is the highest priority. Ruinor's magical know how comes into effect, and the feather crumbles to ash. Its embers float through the atmosphere, towards a colossal ruby phoenix in the sky.
Smaller Pheonixes assault other Pathfinders, and you know it's a matter of time until another attacks.
Quen casts Goodberry, and a bush with berries sprouts from the ground.
"Here you go Evelyn. Eat some!"
Each berry immediately heals some of the burns.
Another phoenix comes screeching onto the battlefield. "I smell the remains of one of my allies. And more chaotic beings. You won't steal anything more from the tapestry!"
Enemy
Quen
Igor (4 damage)
Ruinor
Zildaastin
Grollax (Brak has 7 damage)
Evelyn
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Ruinor moves over for a clear shot and fires his crossbow. Not having used it in a while, the bolt snaps in two as it wasn't loaded properly. Embarrassed, Ruinor glances over at his companions, hoping no one saw what happened.
Dolefully, Scraps looks back at his perforated butt. The homunculus makes a sighing sound, as one of his buttocks visibly deflates like a punctured balloon.
Resignedly Scraps produces another tanglefoot bag from his frontpack and hurls the sack of goop at the newly arrived foe.
"Language!" The phoenix turns to Evelyn. "And rubbish!" It turns to Scraps. With its movement hampered, Igor is able to close in and bash it with his morningstar.
Zildaastin draws his starknife and moves up to stab the beast. "Grollax, who let the dogs out?"
Grollax sighs and conjures Vividaz, who tries to bite the bird.
Everyone's attacks strike true, thanks to the tanglefoot goop hindering its movement.
Quen casts Guidance upon Evelyn.
"Sending your minions to do your dirty work, eh?" The bird slams Vividaz into the dirt, and it disappears in a puff of smoke.
"You're next!"
Enemy (22 damage)
Quen
Igor (4 damage)
Ruinor
Zildaastin
Grollax (Brak has 7 damage)
Evelyn (Guidance)
With your combined efforts, another phoenix falls and is soon reduced to a single ruby feather.
You now decide what to do with the feather.
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The colossal ruby phoenix grows more resplendent and terrifying with each restored feather that soars into the sky to meet it. The magnificent bird lets out a final screech as its shroud of flames intensifies, utterly consuming it. The phoenix is gone. As ruby ashes drift towards the tapestry, the invaders, seeing the tapestry’s last defense has failed, pour through, their entire force pushing through the largest rift in a massive final attack. The entire world shudders as the rift widens.
Aram Zey steps forward to rest under the falling ashes. “Pathfinders, you fought bravely and well, and your sacrifices were not in vain.” Aram Zey pauses, and his expression turns pensive. “But, the tapestry’s tale has not yet ended. There is clearly a force at work here that is greater than we realized,” he gestures out toward the invaders, “Furthermore, we have not permanently repaired the demiplane—we have only patched the worst of the damage and prevented irreversible catastrophe. I fear that…” Aram Zey’s voice trails off for a moment, “Yes, just as I thought.”
The ruby ashes begin to glow, faint as smoldering coals at first, and then intensifying, coalescing, and swirling in beautiful patterns as they lift Aram Zey into the air. “It seems the key to defending the tapestry is allowing its guardian to be reborn. I will do whatever I can to provide the arcane energy necessary to keep the tapestry stable. In the meantime, I hope the Society will search for a more permanent solution. I refuse to believe that the knowledge of the legendary Ruby Phoenix herself has been lost to us forever.” The ashes and Zey converge on a single point, a great ruby ember in the sky. There is a spark, and then the ember explodes. A wave of fire engulfs the tapestry as the Ruby Phoenix emerges from the explosion with a triumphant, piercing cry. Aram Zey floats within its heart, his body engulfed in ruby fire. The explosion’s flames reach the invaders first, turning them to ash and cinders. The flames wash over the tapestry’s defenders without harming them. The tapestry burns—but the fires replenish it, scouring the wasteland and restoring the tapestry’s original environments. The phoenix beats its wings, sending wave after wave of fire into the Astral rift and searing the portal shut. The phoenix soars in a great arc across the sky and flies off toward the sun.