The troll's flesh crackles and curls, blackening where the flame touches it. The wounds that were slowly knitting up stop, ashed over.
It is knocked motionless by the pain. Despite that, Bocke's arrow hits the sand near it rather than the troll.
But Kal'Ryon does not miss his helpless victim. Both claws tear into the creature's flesh and leave it completely motionless.
A moment later, Aram Zey's voice rings out through the air nearby, telling the group they scored the last victory against the invaders from the astral plane.
A halfling on a wolf rides up just after, shaggy sideburns sticking out from under his shiny helmet.
"Great job, guys! But there are still undead to face. There's a bridge right over there that will take you to where they're thickest. I've got to go gather other folks! Good luck!"
He clicks his tongue to the wolf and the pair bolt off over the sand.
10 minutes later, the bridge brings them to ancient crumbling ruins. Not too far away is a pair of slavering undead creatures. One of them stands ready, but even as the group comes to ground they see the other one pulling it's foot out of the ground, metaphysical threads form the tapestry snapping as it separates itself from the warp and weft.
open | NG male (he/him) human inquisitor (Nethys) 7 | AC 22 (T 16, FF 17) | HP 52/52 | F +8, R +9, W +9 | I +7, P +12 | Spells: 1st (5/5) 2nd (4/4) 3rd (2/2) | Judg (3/3) Bane (10/10) | Active Conditions: none
EbonFist wrote:
It is knocked motionless by the pain. Despite that, Bocke's arrow hits the sand near it rather than the troll.[/ooc]
Bocke looks at the camera and does his best Frank Underwood impression.
open | NG male (he/him) human inquisitor (Nethys) 7 | AC 22 (T 16, FF 17) | HP 52/52 | F +8, R +9, W +9 | I +7, P +12 | Spells: 1st (5/5) 2nd (4/4) 3rd (2/2) | Judg (3/3) Bane (10/10) | Active Conditions: none
Bocke squints to see if these are recognizable by arcane means.
Castinus stares at the living dead in disbelief, then takes a step forward to form a defensive line with Kal. "Right - let's take a defensive line again, let then come to us through a hail of arrows!" He sets a grim face against the approach of deathless horrors, and readies an action to stab them through if they advance into contact...
in the preceding 10 minutes, Castinus whips himself twice with his rod of CLW (clw:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 71d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3)"Anyone else need healing?"
I would say that we should use one of our undead boons during this combat
Kal rushes forward with this long pole arm, setting himself in the main area of egress. The pole moves about sporatically, warding the areas surrounding the Ganzi.
Aram Zey speaks out through the tapestry. “The soul stitching is slowing down! The undead are under control. But the tapestry remains in danger. Fight on!”
GMs, the Undead Contained condition on page 29 is in effect.
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!”
Table GMs, the Tapestry’s Last Defense condition on page 29 is in effect.
As more invaders poor into the Tapestry, the creatures before you rapidly and literally unravel, motes of light escaping their form as they turn to thread and collapse back into the ground around themselves.
It is a shocking reminder of the surreal nature of your environment as you are literally within a tapestry.
A moment later, those invaders are incinerated, the drow and giants that were about to attack you disappearing in a flash of fire.
You barely have time to realize what has happened before you are suddenly...elsewhere. As though you were on a thread that snapped, you are metaphysically jerked away and the moldering ruins with their moldering assailants are suddenly replaced by a burning landscape complete with a burning assailant.
For in the distance is a bird made entirely of fire the size of a man. It bears down on you with incendiary fury, and given its speed, it will be within range to attack within about 12 seconds.
Ok, guys, former foes eliminated but you have 2 turns to prep for a battle with an aspect of the Ruby Phoenix. You can each take 2 turns worth of actions before combat starts. Let me know what they are or if you're not going to do anything.
Spells: 1st 1/4; Arcane Reservoir 3/4; Consume Spells 1/1; Potion of Cure Serious Wounds; Potion of Mage Armor
HP 6/6, AC 10/T 10/F 10, Init +0, Perc +0, Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +2, CMB +0/10
Active:
Message (all party members)
Not sure who is injured still, but I have two spell slots left to cast and 2 rounds to do it in. "If anyone wants Infernal Healing, quickly speak up so I can get to you before that fire bird gets here."
The first two injured to request it will get Infernal Healing cast on them.
open | NG male (he/him) human inquisitor (Nethys) 7 | AC 22 (T 16, FF 17) | HP 52/52 | F +8, R +9, W +9 | I +7, P +12 | Spells: 1st (5/5) 2nd (4/4) 3rd (2/2) | Judg (3/3) Bane (10/10) | Active Conditions: none
If we can make ranged attacks at it, Bocke will either fire his longbow twice, or cast Divine Favor and fire once, depending on the range penalties.
If we cannot, Bocke will cast Divine Favor (self), and then cast Guidance on someone who wants it.
Half Elf Divine Hunter Paladin 4 / Life Oracle 2 [HP 62/62 | AC 20/13/17 | F+10 R+7 W+11 (+2 vs. enchantment, +2 vs. death effects) | Init +3 | Perception +5, Sense Motive +7]
I think you can save your spells for this fight. Castinus healed himself. Even if he didn't we all got healing potions that are better for this than using up the last of your spells.
Hayden casts another blessing on the group to help them in the trial they are about to face. Then he faces the oncoming phoenix and tries to peer into its soul to see if it has any darkness at its heart.
Cast Bless on the group, then Detect Evil on the Phoenix. Lifelink still on Castinus.
open | NG male (he/him) human inquisitor (Nethys) 7 | AC 22 (T 16, FF 17) | HP 52/52 | F +8, R +9, W +9 | I +7, P +12 | Spells: 1st (5/5) 2nd (4/4) 3rd (2/2) | Judg (3/3) Bane (10/10) | Active Conditions: none
For anyone who may be confused by the last two posts, note the timestamps (3 min apart), I believe our posts crossed and Hayden was replying to Svartill, not me.
I'm going to push us along to keep the pace. Kal'Ryon, if you want to retroactively take your 2 rounds of action, feel free. I'm going to go ahead and have this be the boosted version since almost everyone voted for it (and Kal isn't the kind to back away from a challenge.)
The phoenix draws closer, close enough to engage the party. All around you you can see more of the fiery birds streaking toward other groups of Pathfinders.
open | NG male (he/him) human inquisitor (Nethys) 7 | AC 22 (T 16, FF 17) | HP 52/52 | F +8, R +9, W +9 | I +7, P +12 | Spells: 1st (5/5) 2nd (4/4) 3rd (2/2) | Judg (3/3) Bane (10/10) | Active Conditions: none
In the previous round, the phoenix closed so fast that the only person Bocke could touch with Guidance was the closest person, Hayden.
In the current round, Bocke steps up and fires an arrow.
...whilst Castinus, surprised at the speed of the creature's approach, drops the flask carefully to the ground and circles in to its rear, to srike with his rapier:
Svartill guesses that the bird isn't going to like cold very much, given it's fiery nature. He draws up a small dart of frost and flings it at the creature.
Ray of Frost:1d20 ⇒ 17 Brr...that's cold:1d3 ⇒ 1
Hayden notes that the creature, though full of mal intent towards them, is not evil.
Kal'Ryon is banished out of the Tapestry and reappears back in the mustering chamber back under the Grand Lodge.
Round 2 The Bold may act.
Phoenix -26HP
Bocke
Castinus
Hayden
Kal'Ryon - 20HP - A Full Round action and DC14 Refl save or keep burning. Stopping, Dropping and Rolling adds +4 to the roll.
Svartill
Quensha
open | NG male (he/him) human inquisitor (Nethys) 7 | AC 22 (T 16, FF 17) | HP 52/52 | F +8, R +9, W +9 | I +7, P +12 | Spells: 1st (5/5) 2nd (4/4) 3rd (2/2) | Judg (3/3) Bane (10/10) | Active Conditions: none
Quensha, you may want to revise your move since you're no longer flanking with Kal gone.
Hayden's jaw drops as Kal suddenly disappears. "Bring it down!" He fires at the creature again.
[Dice=Attack (bless)]1d20+5+1
[Dice=Damage]1d8+2
Good point, GM: can I revise my action to put out Kal? Or heal him?
I would let you revise your action but not do anything toward Kal since the reason you are revising is because he has disappeared. But...
Bocke, Hayden and Svartill launch a barrage of missiles, one magic, two not, two hits, one not. But the hits that land are enough. The phoenix stiffens then shudders before growing even hotter, burning even brighter and consuming itself, leaving only a single deep ruby feather to flutter down and land at your feet.
The more arcane and divine minded of you realize that this feather represents the original magic that was infused into the tapestry you're currently inhabiting and that is unraveling around you. If you use it properly...
You’ve received a feather formed from the magic of the legendary sorceress Hao Jin. You can perform one of the following three actions when you receive this feather. Repair: Succeed at a DC18 (With a +5 bonus for facing a tougher phoenix) Craft (cloth), Heal, Knowledge (arcana or planes), Spellcraft, or Use Magic Device check. If this feather has been empowered, the DC decreases to DC15. (It has not.)
Resurrect: Cast resurrection on a single member of the party. If this feather has been empowered, you can instead resurrect the entire party. Using the feather for resurrection consumes all of its magic, meaning it can no longer be used to repair the tapestry. (Just to be clear, Kal'Ryon is not dead so can't be resurrected.
Empower: To empower a feather, a PC can expend one use of a healing ability (such as channel energy) or an ability that does fire damage, or cast one 1st level or higher spell with the healing or fire descriptor. Pass the empowered feather to another table.
You have to think fast, though. A phoenix nearby has already vanquished its foes and is approaching.
Decide what you guys want to do with the feather (and take the appropriate actions. Then, you have 2 rounds to get ready for the next Phoenix. Also, let me know if you want to face another boosted one or a plain one, this time.
Once the feather and everyone's 2 rounds have been accounted for, we'll start the next encounter.
For Kal's eyes only:
One moment, you're shredding a phoenix with your claws while burning. The next, it smacks you with a wing, which hurts and causes you to reflexively close your eyes. When you open them, ready to continue the tussle you blink again, finding yourself back in the mustering room under the grand lodge at Absalom. All around you are other Pathfinders in various states of health (and immolation) all equally confused.
"Somehow, some of those Abyss spawned birds are able to banish non-natives from the tapestry!" a dark haired, smug looking guy who just popped up next to you exclaims.
Even as you watch, many of the displaced Pathfinders rush back to the Tapestry, arguing, begging, cajoling to go back in. Aram Zey only shrugs when someone asks what should be done then turns back to his own arcane battle. "We can't make it any worse, now." he says.
Barely reassured by the response, the wardens around the Tapestry start sending those willing back in.
Spells: 1st 1/4; Arcane Reservoir 3/4; Consume Spells 1/1; Potion of Cure Serious Wounds; Potion of Mage Armor
HP 6/6, AC 10/T 10/F 10, Init +0, Perc +0, Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +2, CMB +0/10
Active:
Message (all party members)
I think we can hit the Repair DC. I'm at a +9 in most of those and with the +5 then we're at +14 for a DC18. Using one that most can help on.
Spellcraft:1d20 + 9 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 5 = 34
For the two rounds, I don't think I've got anything to do. Since we've lost one of our most powerful DPS, I'm not confident on going for another empowered one.
Svartill picks up the ruby feather, despite smoking a bit, it is only warm to the touch. What he does, he does so fast that the others can't even tell if it's easy or if he just makes it look easy.
He unravels it like its on a spinning wheel, making a long thread about as thick as his finger. Casting it up into the sky, it bonds with the truly massive phoenix that originally sent down the hail of feathers that became the current threat to them. A rent that is almost imperceptible from here is slowly stitched up, the silver from the astral plane turning into the red of the phoenix again. It is a small victory, but a victory nonetheless and one matched by other Pathfinder groups around them as well.
Success Reported! Waiting to hear what everyone's doing to prep for 2 rounds (if anything) and everyone please let me know if you want to face another boosted phoenix or an easier one.
open | NG male (he/him) human inquisitor (Nethys) 7 | AC 22 (T 16, FF 17) | HP 52/52 | F +8, R +9, W +9 | I +7, P +12 | Spells: 1st (5/5) 2nd (4/4) 3rd (2/2) | Judg (3/3) Bane (10/10) | Active Conditions: none
Half Elf Divine Hunter Paladin 4 / Life Oracle 2 [HP 62/62 | AC 20/13/17 | F+10 R+7 W+11 (+2 vs. enchantment, +2 vs. death effects) | Init +3 | Perception +5, Sense Motive +7]
"Get ready! More are coming and who knows what happened to Kal!" The knight provides a touch of divine guidance to himself and Bocke.
Guidance on Hayden and Bocke. Let's try for another empowered one! We have to be ready with some firepower though! Remember we still have some special bonuses. GM, we still have an aid token, right? I'm thinking we use the bardic inspire courage or save it for healing.
open | NG male (he/him) human inquisitor (Nethys) 7 | AC 22 (T 16, FF 17) | HP 52/52 | F +8, R +9, W +9 | I +7, P +12 | Spells: 1st (5/5) 2nd (4/4) 3rd (2/2) | Judg (3/3) Bane (10/10) | Active Conditions: none
Much like the previous phoenix, the new one burns particularly bright. Unlike the previous one, this one soars over the battlefield, 20' above the surface, rather than skimming the ground.
"Interlopers! Defilers! You'll burn before you die!" it shrieks.
Svartill, sticking with what he knows, sends a ray of frost at the incoming Phoenix.
Ranged Touch:1d20 ⇒ 4 Chill zone:1d3 ⇒ 1
The shot misses but for some reason, the Phoenix makes a beeline for Svartill, nonetheless, hurtling at him furiously, despite the fact that Hayden's arrow actually did hit and do a little damage to it.
"It is creatures of chaos like you who have ruined our realm!"
It cannot reach him before the Pathfinders get to act again but hovers over him, ready to swoop down in a moment.
open | NG male (he/him) human inquisitor (Nethys) 7 | AC 22 (T 16, FF 17) | HP 52/52 | F +8, R +9, W +9 | I +7, P +12 | Spells: 1st (5/5) 2nd (4/4) 3rd (2/2) | Judg (3/3) Bane (10/10) | Active Conditions: none
Bocke would like to know whether Hayden's arrow did little damage because of damage reduction.
Perception, if necessary:
Perception:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
If he is sure there is DR, he will enact a judgement of smiting (if he suspects DR/magic) or good ol' destruction.
If he is not sure, he will save his judgement in case the next one has confirmable DR.
Edit: Bocke moved 10' southward. I'm not sure how range or cover works in 3 dimensions, but my movement unambiguously puts me within 30' for PBS and avoids Hayden for cover. If I can get away with less to allow more room for melee fighters to swarm a diving phoenix, I would.
Castinus hustles to Svartil's side move action and either strikes up at it (if in reach) or readies a strike to do so as it attacks the party's arcanist...
open | NG male (he/him) human inquisitor (Nethys) 7 | AC 22 (T 16, FF 17) | HP 52/52 | F +8, R +9, W +9 | I +7, P +12 | Spells: 1st (5/5) 2nd (4/4) 3rd (2/2) | Judg (3/3) Bane (10/10) | Active Conditions: none
I thought we had Inspire Courage up. I think I confused this encounter with another one I'm playing. My last attack should have been 21 to hit, and 9 damage.
I am still unsure how the Aid Tokens work, but if I can add the Allied Offensive aid token to my attack (after knowing my attack hits or is likely to hit), I will do so. If not, I will save it until a melee character can benefit from the flanking aspect.
Bocke is able to determine that Hayden's arrow was not as effective because the Phoenix is coated in a sheath of fire that damaged the arrow on impact. Enacting his judgement, Bocke is able to cut through that Damage Resistance and leaves an opening for a passing Pathfinder to fire as well, both arrows striking through and garnering a pained shriek from the bird.
Quensha is not quite as accurate with her hedging weapon and it wings off, missing a wing.
Castinus readies himself for a counter attack should the fiery bird attack Svartill.
Kal may or may not be dead so takes no action.
Round 2, the Bold may act.
Thanks to the Allied Offensive Aid usage, the Phoenix is considered flanked this turn.
