The druid comes in for an attack on one of the zombies (red). Having waited for one of the living to approach, it swings, but misses. The druid responds with his blade as does his companion. The wizard also strikes with magical bolt. However, it is the rogue that sends the unraveling undead to its final fate.
The dwarf raises his axe against another zombie (green), which lashes out at its attacker. The brutal blow badly bruises, but it is not enough to bar the blade of the son of Torag. The zombie remains standing, though just barely.
One of the remaining zombies (blue) swings a boney arm at cat and the other (green) at the druid.
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.
The remaining zombie quickly disintegrates, leaving the Pathfinders with a brief reprieve to catch their breath as the tapestry stabilizes.
Each PC gains a number of temporary hit points equal to:2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3
In addition, the PCs have two rounds to make any preparations for the next encounter. Please post your actions below. Remember, the party also has1 Aid Token and can use 2 Benefits for this encounter.
GM Dennis wrote:
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.
I still have yet to hear from all players about theirchoice for threat level. If I receive no further responses within about 16 hours, I will move the party into the regular threat.
Following the massive concentration of magical energy that manifested as a colossal bird of fire in the sky came a bombardment of the storm of fiery feathers from the sky. Now, the feathers have transformed themselves into similar fiery creatures of various sizes.
As the party emerges onto a small ridge, one such bird of fire veers off from the others and heads toward the party.
M Dwarf (core) Fighter / 1 Cleric / 1 HP 21 /21 AC 19 ( Touch 11 Flat 18) / Fort +7 | Ref +2 | Will +4 / CMB +4 | CMD 15 / Init +1/ Perception +1(+3 vs, stone work)
Aldran would like to use benefit:
Slave Mountain Secured: Freed slaves join the Pathfinders in battling the malevolent forces in the tapestry.
At the beginning of one encounter, the PCs can activate this benefit to gain a number of temporary hit points equal to 3 × their APL (minimum 6 temporary hit points); these last until the end of the encounter.
Aldran moves and casts Shield of faith on himself.
Shield of Faith: Aura grants +2 or higher deflection bonus.
The dwarf prepares for battle, while the elf readies to attack with his wand.
BOTTING Nahko - No post in 24+ hours (and to keep things moving.)
The druid pauses so to act in concert with his companion.
Delaying
The bird made of ruby flames soars through the air towards you, smoke trailing in its wake.
Double move. Bird is 35 feet above the land below it.
Knowledge (planes)(DC 13+):
This is a ruby phoenix guardian. It a manifestation of Hao Jin's magic, though it is not a true phoenix. Indeed, it is more akin to a fire elemental in its nature.
It is a variant fire elemental.
First Round of Combat Cont'd/Round Two Begins
Party Buffs: none. PCs in bold may take a full round of actions
Nahko (delayed)
Aldran (shield of faith) Xusius(readied action to attack from round 1)
Ruby fire bird
Nahko
Kuti
Sarzuket
Seebonickk
Flaith Round Two Begins Aldran
Terrain notes: Embankments are 5 feet high. Large rocks are 10 feet high. Brambles and rubble squares count as difficult terrain.
Male N Human Druid 2 | HP: 15/19 | AC: 18 (12 Tch, 16 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 17 (15 Fl) | F: +6, R: +3, W: +5 | Init: +4 | Perc: +6, SM +1 | Speed 20ft | Active conditions: none
"Kuti! Attack the bird! You like to eat birds! Just follow your darn-danged nature, insolent feline!" Nahko pauses where he is, waiting to see that Kuti is in fact moving towards the enemy before beginning a summoning spell.
Actions:
Free: Handle Animal (attack any) DC 10, link:1d20 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 4 = 25 5' step Full round: spontaneously cast summon nature's ally I (in place of produce flame)
Kuti lifts her ears and finally seems to get intrigued by the action nearby. She easily weaves through the Pathfinders and leaps up, nipping at the fiery bird's flaming feathers.
As the dwarf raises his axe, the words of a fellow Pathfinder can be heard echoing through the surrounding hills. "Fight on, Pathfinders! Snuff the flames and save the Tapestry!"
Inspiring courage for 3 rounds from Aid Token
Second Round of Combat Cont'd/Third Two Begins
Party buffs: +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls (round 1 of 3)
PCs in bold may take a full round of actions
Sarzuket
Seebonickk
Flaith Round Three Begins
Aldran (shield of faith)(readied action)
Xusius
Ruby fire bird -11 HP (five feet above ground, above Aldran's current square)
Nahko(shillelagh)
Kuti (magic fang)
Terrain notes: Embankments are 5 feet high. Large rocks are 10 feet high. Brambles and rubble squares count as difficult terrain.
The nimble flyer narrowly avoids the crossbow bolt, but in doing so, it is strike by the magical cold. Portions of its flaming wings sputter and a cloud of steam follows in the wake of the bird of fire as it screeches in pain from the icy blow.
Second Round of Combat Cont'd/Third Two Cont'd
Party buffs: +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls (round 1 of 3)
PCs in bold may take a full round of actions
Sarzuket
Seebonickk
Flaith Round Three Begins
Aldran (shield of faith)(readied action)
Xusius
Ruby fire bird -18 HP (five feet above ground, above Aldran's current square)
Nahko(shillelagh)
Kuti (magic fang)
Terrain notes: Embankments are 5 feet high. Large rocks are 10 feet high. Brambles and rubble squares count as difficult terrain.
The paladin ponders the attackers next move.
Delaying
She does not have long to wait, as the bird of flame then descends toward the dwarf. The Pathfinder swings with his axe, but manages only to fan the flames.
The bird of fire responds, bringing its blazing wings to bear against the man of the earth.
The dwarf readily ducks the first wing, but would have been struck and set alight by the second were it not for the divine magic shielding him from harm. The bird backs off slightly. 5 ft. "step" upwards and northwards.
Third Round of Combat Cont'd/Fourth Round Begins
Party buffs: +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls (round 2 of 3)
PCs in bold may take a full round of actions
Nahko(shillelagh) Kuti (magic fang) Sarzuket
Seebonickk
Flaith Round Four Begins Aldran(shield of faith) Xusius
Ruby fire bird -18 HP (five feet above ground, over square adjacent to Aldran's current square)
Terrain notes: Embankments are 5 feet high. Large rocks are 10 feet high. Brambles and rubble squares count as difficult terrain.
Male N Human Druid 2 | HP: 15/19 | AC: 18 (12 Tch, 16 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 17 (15 Fl) | F: +6, R: +3, W: +5 | Init: +4 | Perc: +6, SM +1 | Speed 20ft | Active conditions: none
Nahko completes the casting of his summoning spell, calling a celestial eagle into being on the far side of the flaming bird. He moves around the rock and prepares to attack.
Actions:
Start of round: complete casting of summon natures ally using master of pentacles to cast at CL 4 (4 rounds duration) Move: 20' Standard: readied attack vs red if red enters a threatened square
M Dwarf (core) Fighter / 1 Cleric / 1 HP 21 /21 AC 19 ( Touch 11 Flat 18) / Fort +7 | Ref +2 | Will +4 / CMB +4 | CMD 15 / Init +1/ Perception +1(+3 vs, stone work)
Aldran getting real mad that the bird will not say and fight. He still waits for it so he can swing on it again.
"It that the best ye got! Get down here and fight ye little chicken!"
An impressive onslaught by humanoids and animals brings the fiery creature down. Amidst its death throes, the ruby bird of flame appears to self-immolate in a violent eruption of flames.
COMBAT OVER
When the flames die down, all that remains behind is a single tattered ruby-red feather imbued with magic of Hao Jin.
The party may attempt a Craft (cloth), Heal, Knowledge (arcana or planes), Spellcraft, or Use Magic Device check (DC 18+) in an effort to repair a portion of the Tapestry. (Using the soul-stitch the party obtained earlier, allows the party to roll any such twice and take the better result). Otherwise, the party may empower the feather and pass it to another table to be repaired. See Handout in Slides.
Meanwhile, additional birds of flame continue to circle overhead.
Assuming there will be time for another encounter, the party may choose to fight another of the same bird of flame or, by unanimous vote, face an opponent that is more challenging.
Male N Human Druid 2 | HP: 15/19 | AC: 18 (12 Tch, 16 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 17 (15 Fl) | F: +6, R: +3, W: +5 | Init: +4 | Perc: +6, SM +1 | Speed 20ft | Active conditions: none
Nahko won't be much use on any of those checks. Also, he's pretty depleted, though healthy, and probably shouldn't vote to undergo a more powerful encounter now.
With the healing power of Gozreh taking hold, the party passes the magical feather to a nearby group of Pathfinders, hopeful that they may be able to make repairs. Meanwhile, it is clear that the party must fight on, for over a hundred feet above them flies screeching bird of flame whose attention you all have now garnered.
The bird dives toward...
Alphebetical:1d7 ⇒ 7
Xusius!
Ruby bird of flame is 60 feet above Xusius' square on map.
Party has two rounds of actions to prepare for battle. Feel free to post any preparations with your initial actions in combat.
M Dwarf (core) Fighter / 1 Cleric / 1 HP 21 /21 AC 19 ( Touch 11 Flat 18) / Fort +7 | Ref +2 | Will +4 / CMB +4 | CMD 15 / Init +1/ Perception +1(+3 vs, stone work)
"By Togar's beard we will stand tuff and smite these fowl...fowls" Round 1 Aldran cast bless on the party
Realizing from the last bird of fiery death. That Aldran needed to get to where the bird was and not wait for it to attack him so he starts to climb up the rock.
CLIMB:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 Round 2 he starts to climb
AC 13 (17 Mage Armor) T 13/FF 10 | CMB +0 CMD 14 | HP 30(30) | Init +9 | Fort +4 Ref +5 Will +5 | Perception +8 | Speed 30 ft. | Light
Memorized Spells:
Cantrips: Detect Magic, Light, Ray of Frost, Read Magic L1: Burning Hands, Color Spray, Enlarge Person, Grease
"Aldran, wait! Let me help zou weeth zour ability to reach out and touch ze burning bird. I weel cast ze Enlarge Person spell upon zou eef zou can wait just a minute for eet to take effect."
