[PFS2_Luke_Parry] 2-06: The Crashing Wave (Inactive)

Game Master Luke_Parry

The goblin throws one bomb on the red one before to pulls out his crossbow and loads it.

Pay attention, grenade!

Alchemist's fire, moderate: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 10 + 1 = 29

Damage, splash: 2d8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7, 6) + 1 + 2 = 16 +3 persistent fire on a hit

The cleric summons a spiritual sword and draws his own longsword.

Spiritual weapon: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 VS FF

Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Farryn recalls that these creatures are basilisks!

Creatures of legend with a petrifying gaze, only the blood of a basilisk can restore those so petrified...

Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10.
Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10.

Both sizzle in his electrical discharge.

Merisiel tumbles forward, and stabs Red with her rapier, but misses with the dagger.

Jasariel Strides forward, and stabs Red with a trident.

Dranald then conjures a weapon of force, but it misses.

2d10 + 4 ⇒ (6, 3) + 4 = 13

Hannah then delivers a solid wallop to Red.

Ukh then tosses a flask of Greek fire, charring Red.

Cyan glares balefully at Merisiel (Fort save x2), then tries to Bite her...

Jaws: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31, for 4d8 + 8 ⇒ (2, 6, 2, 4) + 8 = 22 damage.

...delivering a nasty bite.

Meanwhile, Red tries to do the same to Jasariel (Fort save x2)...

Jaws: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29, for 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (8, 6) + 4 = 18 damage.

1d20 ⇒ 18

Sheesh. Apparently, these things have a taste for elf-flesh :-P

Stony Silence, Round 2:

B (-71, -11)
Farryn (-)
Merisiel (-22; Fort save x2)
Jasariel (-18; Stupefied 2; Fort save x2)
Dranald (-)
Hannah (-)
Ukh (-; Stupefied 2)

Fort 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Fort 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Am I a prestine sculpture now?

Was [Red] pushed back?

@Merisiel: No - you are Slowed 1.

@Hannah: Red (who is standing in the doorway) *couldn't* be pushed back - Merisiel (and the other basilisk) were in the way.

Quickly swinging at the lizard two more times, she finds herself tiring faster. "What is this blasphemy? Just die already." *YAWN*

+1 Rapier: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 for Piercing: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 + Sneak?: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Dagger: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28 for Piercing or Slashing: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 + Sneak?: 1d6 ⇒ 4

With a surgical strike, Merisiel does just enough damage to take down the heavily-injured basilisk with her dagger.

Stony Silence, Round 2:

B (-11)
Farryn (-)
Merisiel (-22; Slowed 1)
Jasariel (-18; Stupefied 2; Fort save x2)
Dranald (-)
Hannah (-)
Ukh (-; Stupefied 2)

Party (sans-Merisiel) is up!

Fortitude: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Fortitude: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Hopefully resisting the basilisk's gaze, Jasariel follows Merisiel down the stairs and circles around to get behind the remaining creature. Once in position she jabs at it repeatedly.

Trident: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Trident: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (10) + 9 - 5 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Farryn darts out of the area and down the stairs, frantically ducking under imagined or real jaws snapping at him as he slips past the basilisk. He turns and lobs a flask of acid at the last one, hoping to start the melting process.

Double Move, Quick Bomber at Blue

Acid Flask: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 for 2 Acid Damage on hit or miss. A hit adds 2d6 Persistent Acid Damage. A Fumble does nothing.

Hannah takes virtually the same path as Farryn and swings her polearm HARD!

◈ Stride
◈◈ Power Attack

+1 Striking Halberd : 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26
Power Attack, Piercing: 4d10 + 4 ⇒ (4, 4, 8, 3) + 4 = 23

The goblin moves on the right and throws a brand new bomb upon the remaining creature.

Alchemist’s fire: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 1 = 22

Damage, splash: 2d8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7, 4) + 1 + 2 = 14

And he fires a bolt.

+1 striking alchemical crossbow: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (17) + 10 - 5 = 22

Damage, acid: 2d8 + 1d6 ⇒ (7, 7) + (2) = 16

Dranald moves the spiritual sword to get the flank with Hannah and casts a heal spell upon Merisiel.

Spiritual weapon: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Heal, 2 actions, healing hands: 2d10 + 16 ⇒ (8, 7) + 16 = 31

Farryn tosses a flask of acid, but it misses entirely.

Jasariel resists the petrifying gaze, but is slowed enough that her strikes miss.

Dranald's spectral weapon slices into the basilisk's flank.

Hannah then follows that up with another ruinous blow.

Ukh, meanwhile, manages to immolate the basilisk, before firing a bolt into its flank.

The heavily wounded basilisk glares at Jasariel and Merisiel, then tries to bite the former...

Jaws: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16, for 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (1, 6) + 4 = 11 damage.

...but misses.

Stony Silence, Round 3:

B (-72)
Farryn (-)
Merisiel (-; Slowed 1; Fort save)
Jasariel (-18; Stupefied 2; Fort save)
Dranald (-)
Hannah (-)
Ukh (-; Stupefied 2)

Party is up!

"I really hope whoever sent these doesn't have more waiting for us elsewhere."

With few options remaining, Hannah jabs twice.

◈◈ Power Attack
◈ Strike

+1 Striking Halberd : 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27
Power Attack, Piercing: 4d10 + 4 ⇒ (6, 10, 8, 4) + 4 = 32

+1 Striking Halberd : 1d20 + 16 - 10 ⇒ (11) + 16 - 10 = 17
Piercing: 2d10 + 4 ⇒ (9, 7) + 4 = 20

Hannah's first strike chops the remaining basilisk in half.

Combat over.

Shortly thereafter, a half dozen iruxi wearing gleaming brass breastplates over dark blue robes appear on the scene.

One of them steps forward, and shouts:

"Nobody move! I am Captain Hazar of the Ekkeshikaar city guard, and I will get to the bottom of this!"

Assuming you *don't* resist (which would definitely trigger Infamy)...

Surveying the situation, he quickly comes to the conclusion that you are far more likely to be innocent bystanders, rather than assassins. One of his men takes statements from you, whilst another two drain blood from one of the basilisks, and uses it to coat the statue of the Ambassador, returning her to flesh.

She stretches, before giving you all a wry smile.

"Well, *that* was certainly not expected! Perhaps we can now get down to the meat of your request, although I suggest we move to another room to give these gentleman a chance to do their job..."

*Everyone* needs to give me a Diplomacy roll at this point.

Diplomacy (E): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Still need my new fort?
Fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Diplomacy (Untrained): 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14

"Seems like a good idea to me. It got a bit *stiff* in here for a bit."

He tries not to resist the guards but does admonish their rough tactics, "Hey now, easy on the jacket. I just got it back from the tailors."

Diplomacy (U): 1d20 ⇒ 19

Once in the other room he adds, "Good thing we were there, things would have been a lot worse!"

The goblin tries to give the change with his own diplomacy words.

Diplomacy, stupefied 2: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 - 2 = 19

Well the taldan wine is good, but be careful with the bottle. It strikes more than my bombs.

Diplomacy:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Thank you for your audience, Sir.

As she channels positive energy into the bite wound she sustained, Jasariel tries to judge whether the ambassador was truly surprised by the basilisk attack.

1st level heal: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Perception to Sense Motive (T) -stupefied: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 - 2 = 14

Despite her inebriation and suspicion of the ambassador, Jasariel manages to remain somewhat courteous.

Diplomacy (U) -stupefied: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 1 - 2 = 16

Alright, just to be clear, given Farryn's response, and the current geopolitical situation: At no point did I suggest that the guards threw you to the ground and/or roughed you up - they asked for nobody to move; after all, they had just rushed to an ambassador's residence, and found strangers with bloody weapons. That was it.

@Jasariel: Technically, you *were* turned to stone, based on that Fort save result, but there is plenty of basilisk blood to go around :-)

The Ambassador nods thoughtfully.

"Your words... are fair. Although I have one slight correction." She nods to Ukh. "I am a she, not a he, although I appreciate that soft-skins can have trouble telling us apart sometimes. I will help speak on your behalf at the meeting."

You passed, by the skin of your teeth, but *only* because most of you answered her questions in a pleasing/thoughtful manner, and consequently received a +2 bonus to your rolls...

Before you leave, she gives you a gift, by way of thanks: An opal statuette of a tyrannosaurus rex.

------------

Heading back to base...

You find Eras and Calisro hunched over a table, reviewing the documents that you procured earlier, and discussing their strategies and options for tomorrow’s audience with the council.

“Well, seems you’re pretty fair diplomats yourselves,” Calisro remarks by way of congratulations, raising her glass as though in salute. “Having Kesstraka’s support will go a long way towards getting this trade deal in the bag. But the day’s not done just yet. We have one more lizardfolk for you to wrangle.”

Eras rolls his eyes and sighs slightly at Calisro’s comment, before resuming his previous pleasant demeanor. “Other than the fact that they prefer the term ‘iruxi,’ and that we wouldn’t want to imply any disrespect by comparing them to farm animals, my colleague here is correct: there is one more local whose support we hope you can secure. It’s one of the members of the Council of Stars, the ruling body of Ekkeshikaar that we’ll be arguing our case to tomorrow. His name is Lashweather—apparently he gained it in his youth, when he served as a weather mage aboard an iruxi…” he coughs meaningfully “…shall we say, ‘privateering vessel?’”

This time it’s Calisro who rolls her eyes, jabbing Eras playfully in the ribs. “The word you want is ‘pirate,’ Eras. No need to dance around it here.”

Eras frowns uncomfortably. “If we’re too loose with our words in private, it becomes all the easier to slip up and say it in person. And the last thing we need is to offend the man.”

Calisro snorts. “I’ve never known a pirate who couldn’t handle being called a pirate. Hells, it’d probably be a good way to win him over.”

“With any luck,” Eras retorts, “we won’t need to win him over. Our sources indicate he’s predisposed towards our cause, the problem is that he apparently hasn’t been seen in days and isn’t responding to messengers. We’re worried he may not show. Apparently, it wouldn’t be the first time. So, we want you to head to his observatory—it’s a tower on the edge of the city, you can’t miss it—and make sure he’ll be there tomorrow.”

“And try not to do anything that’ll make him change his mind about voting our way, yeah?” Calisro adds playfully.

I also need *another* Fort save from Ukh and Jasariel.

Farryn just assumed the guards at least took the group into custody and even putting a hand on his shoulder would have prompted his response. :D

He nods during the briefing, ”Sounds suspicious for sure. Could be a rival group is keeping him quiet to prevent this deal. Maybe an old pirate enemy caught up to him. Either way, we’ll get it sorted.”

Popping open a vial, Merisiel takes a swig.

Lesser Healing: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (6, 7) + 5 = 18

"Certainly sounds like a 'diplomatic' situation I can get behind. Was he last seen at his observatory, then? If so...no time to waste."

With but a nod, she heads out the door.

Heading to the Observatory...

The observatory takes the form of a spiralling white stone tower, worn smooth by age or craftsmanship, that rises some forty feet into the air before widening rapidly to create a circular platform, covered by a glass dome, creating the overall impression of a giant egg in a stone nest. A set of chimes made from hollowed bones hangs next to the only visible entrance, a round stone door at ground level, which is quite clearly locked.

Let me know what you want to do :-)

Hannah raps on the door with the base of her polearm.

"Something tells me we're going to encounter a statuary inside, if he hasn't been seen in days."

There is no immediate response to Hannah's knocking.

"Merisiel... I think they gave you the key, didn't they?"

Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

The goblin looks at Merisiel who is apparently supposed to open the door for them.

The cleric tries to watch if he can see something at the top of the tower.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Farryn pulls out a set of tools and sidles up next to the door, "Cover me, I'll give it a go. It's been a while since I needed these skills though."

He quickly scans the door and lock to make sure they don't have any countermeasures and then gets to work.

Perception (T): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Thievery (T): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Fortitude: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Jasariel watches over Farryn's shoulder to make sure he doesn't miss any traps, though her head is still too fuzzy for her to have much hope of success. If we aren't able to break in I could try getting his attention with a thunderclap.

Perception (T) -stupefied: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 8 - 2 = 12

Farryn picks the lock with surprising ease (Not *quite* a crit-success).

Heading inside...

It seems as though every inch of space in this cluttered tower is spoken for. Rising from cramped living quarters on the ground floor, successive floors require navigating a narrow, meandering path between pieces of furniture piled nearly to the ceiling with books and tomes on astrology, astronomy, and weather patterns, both magical and mundane, as well as star charts and the various tools used to make them. Only on the top floor is there any space to speak of, with the various desks and tables all pushed to the edge of the circular room, leaving a large circle in the middle where various constellations have been inlaid into the stone floor in silver.

Fussing over the circle is a middle-aged iruxi male, who looks up in shock when you pile into the room.

"I *know* that I locked the front door, so I wouldn't be disturbed... That means you are up to no good, and I can't afford to be interrupted! Get out of here, you vagabond milk-drinking soft skins!"

He takes a deep breath, and starts shouting:

"GUARDS! GUARDS!"

Unfortunately, as written, unless you spend at least ten minutes knocking on the door / yelling, he ignores you... and if you break in, he is automatically Hostile :-/

"There has been an attack! Basilisks attacked an ambassador! We thought you were targeted as well! We feared for the worst!"

But that probably means we don't have time for Diplomacy, huh?

"Then you should have gone to the authorities! We believe in the rule of law here, not justice doled out by meddling vigilantes!"

You can make *1* Diplomacy check to try and calm him down, as written...

Diplomacy (E): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

Oh *PHEW*!

"We were a bit hasty in our concern, I admit. Our sincerest apologies."

And then, as if to distract from the intrusion...

"What is all this stuff?"

"Please don't touch anything!"

Despite his bluster, he seems somewhat mollified (Indifferent).

"As Ekkeshikaar’s head astrologer, it’s vital that I be able to perform certain divinations to determine what lies in store for the city and help them prepare for it. I'm currently observing a very rare celestial alignment that won’t be concluded until after the next council meeting is over..."

He looks at you all appraisingly...

"However, there is another divination ritual that would allow me to gain the same sorts of insights as I am gaining from observing the celestial convergence. Known as the cho’aatan, the dangerous ritual requires bodyguards to protect me from rogue elementals that are conjured as a byproduct of the ritual. If you are willing to serve in this capacity, I will attempt the ritual, and if we succeed, I will be free to attend the council meeting tomorrow."

"Are those the only two options? If this event is a week long, surely you have assistants covering it while you sleep? The council meeting wouldn't be long at all, in comparison."

Farryn will agree to guard the astrologer through the ritual as it would definitely help their mission here, and the guy was a nice enough chap to overlook their faux pas.

The halfling also feels a bit chagrined for breaking into his home though he has to admit to himself, it gave him a rush.

Before the ritual starts he asks, "Any idea what kind of elementals we might face?"

The notice to Hannah is full of sense. The guy should have the time to appear to the council for a while even if he would have been in celestial observations.

On the other hand, if he doesn't want to listen to such argumentation, it seems they don't have any other choice than to protect him during the ritual to save the time for the negotiation.

The goblin readies himself for any purpose.

I hope they fear fire at least. I love it myself.

He makes a smile to the ears.

The cleric prepares himself for the next round as he doesn't think the guy will ear them.

Hannah lets out a deep-chested sigh and braces her polearm... At...

"What direction will these elementals come from?"

The cleric pulls out a scroll and draws his sword listening to the answer of the astrologer.

The astrologer shrugs and gestures vaguely.

"All sorts of elementals... and they will just appear out of thin air? Anywhere in the room?"

He then begins the Ritual...

Dranald: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13.
Farryn: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14.
Gruvok: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11.
Jasariel: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 8 - 2 = 23.
Merisiel: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14.
Ukh: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 - 2 = 8.

As he works, small rifts in reality open, dumping out elementals - one of each of the four 'classical' elements!

The Ritual, Round 1:

Jasariel (-; Stupefied 2)
Merisiel (-)
Farryn (-)
Dranald (-)
Gruvok (-)
Ukh (-; Stupefied 2)
Air (-)
Earth (-)
Fire (-)
Water (-)

Slide 3.

Party is up!

Euh, I've previously rolled the last save: Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25. Am I still stupefied 2? So the save was to avoid to be stupefied 3?

And Gruvok is not here, but Hannah.

The third save was to avoid Stupefied 3.

"Four of them and six of us. I like those odds."

Hannah Steps closer to the fire elemental and swings her polearm HARD!

+1 Striking Halberd : 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26
Power Attack, Slashing: 4d10 + 4 ⇒ (4, 7, 10, 10) + 4 = 35

And if an AoO presents itself:

+1 Striking Halberd : 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31
Slashing: 2d10 + 4 ⇒ (8, 10) + 4 = 22

If either of those Crits, it's moved 5 feet back.

The cleric casts a spell to improve Hannah's reach and damages.

Hannah, be prepared to become bigger!

He casts Enlarge upon Hannah.

Then he casts Shield. +1 AC