GM Netherpongo's 10-00 The Hao Jin Cataclysm (Inactive)

Game Master Nathan Goodrich

Torku will use the Takes from the Tapestry boon to Take 20 on his Knowledge check to identify this creature.

Knowledge (planes), Take 20: 20 + 10 = 30 (Anything else fun about this thing?)

"It's not a true phoenix - lucky us," Torku says with his usual lack of charm. "Looks fire-based - smart move to not try to burn it, Yoon. So who brought their ranged weapons today? I doubt it'll just land and let us attack it when it can reach us from above. It can't be that stupid."

Rapier in hand, Torku races across the blasted earth with supernatural speed. Surely you've beaten a few elementals in your day - lend us your experience on where to it them so it hurts. His blade glows in response as the tiefling looks at the guardian in the sky with a frustrated look on his face.

Using Sudden Speed and Legacy Weapon focus powers as swift and standard action respectively.

If someone has a +1 ranged weapon (or can make it one somehow), Torku can give it the Elemental-bane ability for a minute. That might be our best bet against a flying opponent unfortunately. All Torku has is a light crossbow, which is decent, but not exceptional.

If the rest of the group wants to go hard mode, I can go hard mode. But I would like to point out that we don't have a ton of ranged capacity against something immune to fire damage.

The ruby guardian flies lower, hovering as it attacks Torku. One of its talons reaches out and slams into the Pathfinder. It hit AC 25 for 10 slam damage. Make a reflex save vs catching on fire.

Initiative is easy. Everyone can go!

At present, the vote is hard mode. I'll need a decision before I take the ruby guardian's next turn. The guardian is 15' off the ground.

Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

I’ll wait to post rest of turn until other folks have a chance to act.

I would also vote against trying to take on hard mode when we're not really a good party for ranged striking and the phoenix definitely doesn't need to descend to hit us... that said, I do have a scroll of magic weapon, Torku. You, however, are our highest Dex character... and you have a phoenix in your face... Yoon is also good dexterity. I assume this is an acceptable level of meta-talk and strategy coordination, given we could do this face to face at a table, and tell each other things like boons, if we were in fact all present together.

"WHAT CAN WE DO AGAINST SUCH A THING?" Li Po all-but-wails, digging into his pack in a frantic flurry of trying to hunt some sort of salvation. As is usual, it is the little owl who shows more courage, pecking at his hand and tugging it towards the crossbow.

"IT'S JUST A CROSSBOW, YANGUANG, IT WILL NOT BE EFFECTIVE AGAINST [bigger]THAT!"[/b] the flustered samsaran shouts. All the same, his hand closes on a scroll, and he pulls it out, looking alarmed.

"This--? This? Really, my past selves think that-- this-- Oh imperial dragon above! Very well!"

He turns to the girl who's been dealing such devastation with her fire thus far. "You-- you must be good at aiming, to burn things as you have! Yes? Yes, I hope so! I must hope so! Here!"

Drawing scroll, then standard action to cast magic weapon on Yoon's crossbow

So yeah, let’s not do hard mode with 5 characters and our one ranged attacker nerfed.

The child? What is Li thinki- oh! Well, this’ll hurt.

Torku swears about stupid Astral pirates and witless Aspis agents tearing perfectly good demiplanes apart as he steels himself mentally, then tries to dodge the phoenix’s claws and return to his fellow Pathfinders. ”Here,” he says grumpily as he taps Yoon’s crossbow with his rapier. ”That should help the thing hit harder.”

Activating Mind Barrier to absorb 6 damage as swift action, move back to party, standard action to use Legacy Weapon on Yoon’s crossbow to grant it Bane (elemental). It now has an additional +3 bonus to hit (+1 enhancement, +2 bane) and deals +3+2d6 extra damage (+1 enhancement, +2+2d6 bane) against the phoenix. Good luck, Yoon!

Bless is up as well

ranged+bless+magic+bane+inspiring: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 22

crossbow+bane+inspiring courage: 1d8 + 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + (4, 1) + 4 = 14

Yoon calls the other Pathfinder to help.

"I have an Idea! Quick someone be close to me and be ready to attack when it Will be close to me.!"

If we’ve not already used the Allied Offensive boon from Patchwork Allies, let’s do so now

Allied Offensive: 1d8 ⇒ 6

I vote for not hard mode.

Conlaoch summons his inner rage and focuses on his throwing agility. Grabbing his javelin off his back, the man throws at this new threat.
Dex+4 for this rage

Ranged attack, bless,inspired,rage Dex: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 = 13

Sorry about the posting delay today. I got caught hoping that we'd get the remaining two posts and then absorbed by a book (but I knocked it out in one day!)

I'll have to bot Cleetus I guess. I got a friend to decide on his action. Also, we're on normal difficulty given the votes so far.

"If you want to be bigger, Conlaoch, I need to know now!" Cleetus says as he begins casting Enlarge Person. If no one else says otherwise, Cleetus will self-cast it.

Torku manages to avoid catching on fire, and the ruby guardian strikes at him as he moves out from beneath the elemental creature but its attack thumps heavily into the ground instead, nearly knocking Torku over.

With their efforts combined, the party pours magical energy into Yoon's crossbow and the little girl fires a quill that strikes the elemental with terrible force. You do notice that some of the damage was resisted. Allied Offensive damage noted. To go with the theme, some lizardfolk pour some ancient serpentfolk magic into that shot as well.

Conlaoch's javelin falls short of the mythical creature.

Where did the inspired come from? We didn't have an aid token.

Wounded, the phoenix flies over to attack Yoon, slamming into her with one of its clawed feet. As it does, Yoon's body begins to fragment into thousands of threads as she is pulled into the fabric of the Tapestry. The guardian hit Yoon for AC 29 and dealt 14 damage. Yoon doesn't appear to be protected vs fire, so she needs to make a Reflex save. She also gets a will save vs the Tapestry effect. It's related to Banishment.

Everyone can go!

GM, how high is the Phoenix currently? If it’s within reach of the ground, Torku will gladly use his rapier rather than a crossbow. And the Inspire Courage effect is coming from the Eternal Lake Secured condition.

Torku steps back and pulls out his own crossbow. ”Don’t leave us now, kid,” he mutters darkly as he aims and fires.

Crossbow, IC: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 = 23
Piercing damage, IC: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Remember the reroll boons we got at the beginning of the scenario, Yoon!

reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Yoon easily resist this. The ex slaves of round mountain give her something to soak.

She take a 5 foot step.

She charge her crossbow and shoots.

magic, inspiré courage and bane.: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 25
1d8 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (5) + 4 + (5, 5) = 19

The Phoenix is still 15' up in the air. Yoon did make her saving throws.

Never heard from Conlaoch so I guess I'm enlarged.

Cleetus towers over the others as the spell takes effect. Bellowing in defiance Cleetus strikes out at the mythic creature.

Entering Dragon Style.

"Heya Birdie, time ta get wrecked"

Flurry of Blows, Bless, Inspired: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 181d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 16
Unarmed Strike, Dragon Style, Enlarge, Inspired: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 161d8 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 13

Li edges carefully away from the hovering red-hot phoenix, wincingly watching Yoon...

Std to enable lifelink between Yoon and myself. It'll take its first effect next turn.

...and that fractional blue glow settles over Yeen, causing Li Po to let out a dismayed squeak. "Oh gods here we go again," he moans, and draws a wand of healing.

Conlaoch Dagger Throw (2nd range increment & in melee): 1d20 + 5 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 5 - 2 - 4 = 18

Torku and Yoon both strike the ruby guardian with their crossbows, but Cleetus doesn't manage to strike the nimble creature. It resisted some damage from both hits.

Conlaoch draws a dagger and throws it at the ruby guardian but the small weapon is swept away in the gusts of wind caused by the phoenix's flight.

The ruby guardian descends while drawing closer to the party before striking out at both Yoon and Cleetus.

Yoon is hit (I think) with 18 AC for 12 damage. Make a reflex save vs catching on fire if hit.
Cleetus is hit (pretty sure) with 16 AC for 12 damage. Make a reflex save vs catching on fire if hit.

Everyone can act! The ruby guardian is bloodied after Yoon's shot. Note that since it descended, it will be able to reach you if you 5' step back and then take an action that will provoke. I wasn't counting the in-melee penalty earlier (which was probably wrong) but I am applying it starting with Cleetus's growth, so call out if you do have Precise Shot.

"Yoon. Get behind me and take the shot." Torku doesn't take his eyes off the guardian as he lets the crossbow hang loose in his hand and draws his rapier once more. Let's hope this works...

If Yoon has cover, she should be able to make the shot from a corner of her square while still having cover from the phoenix and thus not provoking an AoO.

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

As the Pheonix descends Cleetus begins to circle behind the beast as he continues his assault.

Taking a 5 ft. step forward and Flurrying.

Flurry of Blows, Bless, Inspired: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 261d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 14
If it can be crit.Confirm: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 8

Unarmed damage, Dragon STyle, Enlarged, Inspired: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 11

Portfolio Reroll:Reflex+3 GM Stars: 1d20 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 3 = 26

Never used a portfolio reroll online before so I'm not sure of the accepted means of doing so. Just let me know what works for you.

It's an elemental so it can't be crit. The reroll is fine.

Sorry - I missed the offer of enlargement. For the future (if there is one), he would be happy to get big.

Conloach doesn't have the reach of the phoenix nor any additional ranged weapons, so he readies to strike if the creature comes in range.

Cleetus's attack connects with the Ruby Guardian, but fails to take it out of the sky.

Yoon takes cover behind Torku and fires another shot at the Ruby Guardian.

Crossbow fire (magic weapon, inspire courage & bane): 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 16
Crossbow Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + (5, 3) = 14 - I noticed here that Yoon is small size. The damage die Yoon has been using is too large. I looked back over the record and Yoon hasn't gotten a crossbow result over six, so we're fine on that end.

I'm not sure exactly how Li Po Wen is tracking the party hp, but I'll assume he uses a Wand of Cure Light Wounds on himself to keep the party going.

With Yoon under cover, the Ruby Guardian turns its full attention to Cleetus and attacks him back viciously. First hit on Cleetus for 19 AC (10 damage) and a second hit on Cleetus for 29 AC (14 damage). Make two Reflex saving throws against catching on fire.

Everyone can act!

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Cleetus continues his assault on the Phoenix despite the savagery of the beast's attack.

You said the Phoenix descended but not by how much? Is it low enough for me to receive a flanking bonus from Conlaoch? Cleetus takes a 5 ft step into what might be a flank. I will roll without the bonus and let you include it if it applies.

Flurry of Blows, Bless, Inspired: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 101d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 24
Unarmed Strike, Enlarged, Inspired: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 9

Good point. It descended 5'. Not low enough for anyone but you to melee.

I'm using a combo of CLW wand and lifelink (more efficient to heal damage on one person than several blah blah) but for tracking, it's really wise if people keep their stat lines updated or make notes in their posts because if we trust to my ability to read through every single post and note every damage taken, I'm inevitably going to miss some. I try, but life is a thing...

As the phoenix and the warriors engage again, Yoon's injuries begin to heal and Li Po hisses as he feels them in turn.

5 healing to Yoon, 5 damage to LPW

"Owww," the samsaran moans unhappily, and winces as he watches Cletus getting slammed. "You're two far away!"

Five foot step, fortune hex on Yoon, reroll a d20 and take the better

"Take a step back when you can," Torku says over his shoulder as he keeps his eye firmly fixed on the phoenix before him. "Then I can follow and shoot this flaming bird safely too."

Readied action to 5 ft step when Yoon takes 5 ft step. Not much else to do at this point.

Yoon will take a 5 foot step, recharge and shoot!

1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 26
reroll: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 15
1d6 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + (4, 2) + 2 = 10

Conlaoch continues to stand ready, swearing to himself that he needs to invest in some new magic.

**OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT**

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.

Thank you everyone for playing, this concludes the adventure! Thanks especially to the GMs, ACG box runners, and intrepid backup GMs that made this event possible.

GMs, the house earned the Radiant Ruby Feathers boon.

I was hoping we'd have time for another round or two. You guys were getting it. I'm busy today, but I'll get to chronicles for you very soon.

Alas, such is a Special, sometimes.

Li Po Wen gasps at the sight of the radiant phoenix... and at Aram Zey's sacrifice.

"....he always seemed so unpleasant..." he murmurs to nobody in particular. The owl on his shoulder hoots once, possibly in agreement.

"Well, he was rather unpleasant," Torku replies matter-of-factly. "But they weren't paying him to be nice, so I don't know what you expected." Though I wonder if this means that book collection on the fifth floor will finally stop being "reserved" at all hours for his use...