GM Xavier Kahlvet's Strange Aeons 2e

Game Master KingTreyIII

"Stellae," Boodiddly answers cheerfully. "Big ol' clumps of rocks with carvings and bad vibes. Lowls activated ones in our world and the only way to deactivate them and prevent our world from being absorbed by this place is to disable the matching ones here." He glances at his companions for confirmation.

”Ah, the Star Stelae. That is something I know well. Carcosa is like a vampire that feeds on civilization itself and the Stelae are one of its fangs. They transmit psychic energy through even the distant void of space. As Carcosa is fed, so in turn is the King in Yellow. I fear that he will soon no longer be fettered here. You must break the connections, not only to save your city, but perhaps to save us all.

“Please, if you have any questions, now is the time to ask them.”

Well, I suppose most directly: what beings or places of special significance to Carcosa might reside nearby here? Jevar asks, hoping for quick progress.

"Golarion" Kolgradd barks out nervously, and then looks like he regrets doing so.

"That's the world we're from. And Thrushmoor is the town with the Star Stelae, on Iris Hill"

He seems to be getting into his stride a bit more now thinking back

"In a way it was the first place I ever knew. It's in Ustalav, Versex County, though I didn't know that at the time. They were first activated hundreds of years ago and caused lots of people to vanish, we think."

He looks around at the others for confirmation of his recollections.

"Is that the sort of thing you want to know?"

Torag help me I hope I'm not helping the some monster latch onto Thrushmoor even more here

Shohreh's brows furrow as she listens, and eventually she addresses Cassilda again.

"Is Carcosa...conscious? Is it aware of us?"

Well, I suppose most directly: what beings or places of special significance to Carcosa might reside nearby here? Jevar asks, hoping for quick progress.

”This nexus is mostly empty, and is keyed to the King’s realm of nihilism. If you were to encounter any hostility, it would be in the form of Hastur’s most loyal—undead, flying polyps, and so forth.”

"Golarion" Kolgradd barks out nervously, and then looks like he regrets doing so.

"That's the world we're from. And Thrushmoor is the town with the Star Stelae, on Iris Hill"

He seems to be getting into his stride a bit more now thinking back

"In a way it was the first place I ever knew. It's in Ustalav, Versex County, though I didn't know that at the time. They were first activated hundreds of years ago and caused lots of people to vanish, we think."

He looks around at the others for confirmation of his recollections.

"Is that the sort of thing you want to know?"

Torag help me I hope I'm not helping the some monster latch onto Thrushmoor even more here

”Yes, that is precisely the kind of information that would assist me.” Side note: Iris Hill is actually the name of Lowls’s estate.

Shohreh's brows furrow as she listens, and eventually she addresses Cassilda again.

"Is Carcosa...conscious? Is it aware of us?"

”Yes and no. Carcosa and the King are interconnected—when Carcosa grows in size, the King grows in power. Carcosa—and thus the King—are very likely aware of you, but in the same vein that you would be aware of a gnat flying around in your house; he very likely acknowledges you and nothing more. ‘What could a simple insect do?’

“For now, we should get moving and try to find something with a connection to Carcosa so that I may find something by which we can locate the Star Stelae of your city of Thrushmoor.”

Back to the fork in the road, going north this time

The former-amnesiacs (plus Cassilda) continue traveling north before the main “road” makes a short U-turn and starts heading south. The oppressive basalt walls wind through the area, being rough and uneven and riddled with peculiar protrusions and shapes.

As the group begins moving southward, they see a solitary figure in the distance, standing in the moonlight. The figure is a humanoid who wears pale-yellow priestly robes and wears an expressionless white mask and holds a staff in one hand. The figure’s gaze falls upon the group, they motion their free hand to beckon them forward.

Cassilda stops in a brief bit of shock. ”That which I said before, about you being gnats to the King? I now know that to be incorrect. That is the Pallid Mask, the King’s emissary. It is he who brought damnation down upon all of my people, including my daughter. There are unwritten rules that govern us both. I dare not oppose him directly, for the King will punish that affront. Yet the Stranger has learned his horrid master does nothing when I defend only myself. So we are at a stalemate.

“I may discover something of the stelae you seek, though, while he is distracted with you. So play his game. Keep him talking. Just be wary. My only warning is this: he wears no mask.”

He wears no mask

Something about those four words ring in the former-amnesiacs’ ears. They are very mundane, but somehow disturbing—that this being before them, whose expressionless “mask” is apparently their own face.

The former-amnesiacs, at Cassilda’s beckoning, approach without the porcelain woman. They get a better view of the Pallid Mask as they move closer—his own hands seem to be either covered in gloves of the same color as his robes or perhaps his skin is that color. His “mask” is genderless and featureless, with slits to represent where a mouth and nose surely must exist and openings for his blue eyes to peer out. Character Profiles Updated

”I would parley, travelers!” The Pallid Mask exclaims as they approach. ”The King in Carcosa knows you travelers and thus so do I. You are delivered into the hands of the Unspeakable One, but you already belong to him. Carcosa is his child, and he is Carcosa. Carcosa birthed Xhamen-Dor, who is now one with a certain Count Haserton Lowls, with whom you are well acquainted. You were marked long ago. So why do you come here, attempting to undo the inevitable?”

Diplomacy, Glad-hand to Make an Impression: 1d20 + 29 - 5 ⇒ (6) + 29 - 5 = 30

Boodiddly's own mask subtly mimics the one before him, becoming less featured and textured with each word the stranger speaks. When their words fall silent, the bard pauses to respect the gravity of the situation before responding with calm, flat, deliberate words. Or perhaps just to give Cassilda a moment more.

"You honor us with your attention, when there are surely more important matters for one such as yourself to be attending to. We are not yet ready to join the one who must not be named; our spirits yet strain against the guidance of logic and reason. But, alas, I stand here speaking what you already know. Please, tell us more of this parley you offer. What do you seek, and what do you offer in return?"

Diplomacy, Mask to Make a Request: 1d20 + 29 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 29 + 4 = 44

If this truly were inevitable, they wouldn't be trying to stop us.

Kolgradd says nothing, but he stands a step in-front of Boodiddly. He plants the head of his hammer on the ground, and grabs the haft with both hands; feet spread.

He says nothing, but his stance and posture shout defiance, and refute the "inevitabilty" of their goal.

”Simple: swear fealty to Hastur, the King in Yellow, and gaze upon his Yellow Sign of your own free will. Your coming to his kingdom is not an easy task, and he wishes to reward your tenacity. He will grant you crowns of gold and make you lords in the new reality that waits.”

Jevar sighs internally but he dare not show it outwardly.

What a deal!

And what if we simply wish to pass?

Boodiddly shakes his head, gaze to the ground as if in sorrow. "My dear emissary, please do not waste your time and ours both with offers of such paltry trinkets. A crown of gold is worth nothing to one such as the yellow-robed king; nor is an offer of lordship anything of value without discussion of estates, duties, and standing within the king's court. Why, with those terms, he may have millions of such agreements; the scope of which would carve even the greatest kingdom into pieces smaller than a grain of sand. Or perhaps this promised lordship is but the lowest rank within this new existence, with one rising to higher and higher echelons by recruiting others to the same service." He leaves unsaid how such a model would cast the stranger's own motivations in doubt - but he nonetheless pauses to leave space for such unspoken words.

"But you are no fool. Speak plainly and speak truly - what can your lord offer in equal exchange for our fealty and service?"

Diplomacy, Shameless Request: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (13) + 29 = 42

Lol, equal parts loving and revolted by the comparison of this cult/infection to a multi-level marketing scheme.

"Speak for yourself," Shohreh says to Boodiddly. "What might be a paltry gift to his master could be stuff of dreams to someone who has known true hardship." She turns her attention back to the Mask.

"I am listening. Tell me, in this world your master builds, will there still be hunger and poverty?"

I'm trying to Aid Boodiddly by pretending to be open to what this guy is selling. And of course all of you know in character that I'm lying lol

Aid, Deception: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (8) + 25 = 33

”Perhaps I should be more clear: you four are already damned for what you have done in service to Count Lowls. You took his coin, supped at his table, and drank from his cup. The service you gave to Lowls was in service to the King, to Carcosa. Do you believe Pharasma will judge you worthy of the celestial realms? Or that you are simply meant to be chattel for the culling in Abaddon? Your saving of one measly town will not undo the murder and chaos you have already done—Xhamen-Dor will find a new world, and a new city, and simply consume that one instead. And what of you? You will be trapped in the King’s realm with no way to return home—and certainly not the home you had before learning of Carcosa, and Xhamen-Dor, and Neruzavin.

“Your fate is sealed, and death will not change that. But with my King, you would be able to live a life of luxury over any of innumerable civilizations within Carcosa. My King cares not for murder or backstabbing or so-called ‘foul’ deeds—he would not take away his blessings due to some ‘blasphemy’ like the pursuit of wealth,” The Pallid Mask’s gaze falls on Shohreh. ”Or spending each night in the same comfortable, luxurious bed.

“In Hastur you will find rewards for your good deeds, rather than ridiculous consequences for your ‘misgivings.’”

Doing his best to remain passive, Kolgradd struggles not to show his anger at the creature's casual disregard for honour, nobility, or sacrifice. He thinks of the people of Thrusmoor, and the dwarves of his home, as he takes a deep breath and tries to keep the thing talking.

He does though look at his companions to see how they're reacting to this. Their opponent is likely too powerful to oppose

"Your king doesn't care for foul deeds you say? What would cause him to take away his blessings? Boredom? A whim? A capricious king is worse than a self-righteous one it seems to me"

He looks around nervously.

"And what if we decline your generous offer for now. May we consider it for a time, say a year or so?"

The Pallid Mask cocks in head in confusion. ”And why would he do such a thing? My King is many, many things, but capricious is not one of them. His kingdom is vast, and many lords and ladies devoted to him have spent eternities in lavish luxury for much less than you four have done.”

Sure, but we don't necessarily desire to be as they are. We're somewhat... occupied at the moment. Business to finish.

Jevar states a little coyly, obvious to his companions that he's going to leave out some details.

”Do you believe Pharasma will judge you worthy of the celestial realms? Or that you are simply meant to be chattel for the culling in Abaddon?"

Shohreh tilts her head quizzically, then smiles.

"I understand now. You're afraid of what is waiting for you. I am not."

"Your saving of one measly town will not undo the murder and chaos you have already done—Xhamen-Dor will find a new world, and a new city, and simply consume that one instead."

"Maybe he will, maybe he won't. But it won't be this one. We will not allow it."

The Pallid Mask sighs and shakes his head as he places both hands on his staff. ”So be it. I do not know how you are here, alive, but this is where your quest ends. I will see to it myself!”

With a disturbing level of speed and stark change in demeanor, the Pallid Mask ◆ Strides forward and spins his staff to attack Shohreh!

◆ Pallid Mask Feint vs Shohreh Perception DC: 1d20 + 37 ⇒ (7) + 37 = 44

◆ Pallid Mask vs Shohreh OG: 1d20 + 33 ⇒ (8) + 33 = 41
Bludgeoning Damage; Sneak Attack: 3d8 + 16 + 3d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 4) + 16 + (6, 6, 3) = 42

He then turns to Boodiddly and whispers a ◆ Horrific Revelation that only the gnome can hear.

Boodiddly Will: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (5) + 26 = 31 Failure

Boodiddly is stunned 2 from the weight of the revelation the Pallid Mask revealed.

And before you ask: yes, the Pallid Mask does indeed get 4 actions; his staff has the quickstrike rune.

The Phantom of Truth
Round 1
==============
The Pallid Mask <Yellow>
Boodiddly {stunned 2}
Shohreh (-42)
Kolgradd
Jevar
==============

Jevar finds himself a little stunned at how fast the Pallid Mask moved, and how quickly the situation turned.

Maybe I can dull them a bit.

◆◆ Cast a spell: Never Mind vs YELLOW

◆ Cast a spell shield

Shohreh backs away from the Mask's assault, then reinforces the mental defenses of herself and her allies.

◆ Stride
◆◆ Cast zealous conviction, everyone gets 12 temp HP and a +2 status bonus to saves against mental effects

Kolgradd quickly strides up to the Pallid mask, though he still feels sluggish by comparison.

◆ Disruptive Stance
◆ Stride

I'm not expecting Boodiddly to still be next to the Pallid Mask by the time it comes to Kolgradd's turn, but if he were he'd risk a Reactive Strike and get into Flanking

"Your ignorance will be the death of you!"

◆ Strike

Longhammer: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (10) + 32 = 42
Piercing: 3d8 + 14 ⇒ (1, 1, 6) + 14 = 22 Cold: 1d6 ⇒ 1 Fire: 1d6 ⇒ 2 Force: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Botting Boodiddly: Boodiddly Strides away.

Shohreh moves over and assists her allies.

Kolgradd charges forward and attacks the Pallid Mask.

Jevar protects himself and attempts to unravel the Pallid Mask’s mind!

Pallid Mask Will; magic bonus: 1d20 + 33 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 33 + 1 = 38 Success --> Critical Success (incapacitation)

The Pallid Mask glances down at Kolgradd and simply says ”You are not real.” ◆◆ Reality Leach

Kolgradd Will: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (1) + 25 = 26
REROLL!!!: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (20) + 25 = 45

”Hmph.” The Pallid Mask then swings at Kolgradd!

◆ Pallid Mask vs Kolgradd: 1d20 + 33 ⇒ (8) + 33 = 41
Bludgeoning Damage: 3d8 + 16 ⇒ (3, 2, 2) + 16 = 23

He then attempts to speak a ◆ Horrific Revelation to Kolgradd! This one IS a concentrate action

↻ Kolgradd RS vs Pallid Mask: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (1) + 32 = 33
Piercing Damage: 3d8 + 14 ⇒ (4, 6, 3) + 14 = 27 Cold Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4 Fire Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5 Force Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Kolgradd Will; Zealous Conviction: 1d20 + 25 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 25 + 2 = 30 Critical Failure

EDIT: Boodiddly rightly brought up that Horrific Revelation absolutely is an auditory action, so... ↻ counter performance

Boodiddly Performance: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (13) + 30 = 43 Success

So Kolgradd is instead stunned 1. Hero Point to Boodiddly for that.

The Phantom of Truth
Round 2
==============
The Pallid Mask <Yellow> (-27)
Boodiddly (+12) {+2 to Will vs mental}
Shohreh (-42, +12) {+2 to Will vs mental}
Kolgradd (-11) {stunned 1; +2 to Will vs mental}
Jevar (+12) {+2 to Will vs mental}
==============

Shohreh calls to the Cosmic Caravan for aid, and her prayer is answered by a ghostly apparition of glittering starlight that appears behind the Mask, already burying its starknife into the monster's back.

Spiritual Guardian vs Mask: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (19) + 27 = 46
Slashing or Spirit, Holy: 3d8 ⇒ (3, 1, 7) = 11

◆◆ Cast spiritual guardian
◆ Cast shield
↻ Shield Block, Hardness 20

Jevar tries a different approach at debilitating the Pallid Mask.

◆◆ Cast a spell: Paralyze YELLOW

◆ Cast a spell shield

Why'd I have to go and make things so com-plicated... XD

With the sounds of an excessively-moist trumpet BLAT still echoing in the air, Boodiddly briefly considers trying to wrest the staff from the stranger's hand to even the playing field somewhat, but decides against it in favor of a more indirect approach to the same end.

Casting rank 7 haste [AA] and rallying anthem [A]. Ready to counter-perform again if needed!

Thanks Boodiddly! I think with the stunned 1 and the haste I'm back to 3 actions

With Shohreh's spiritual ally distracting the mask, Kolgradd knows now is the time to make his strike count. This is a formidable foe.

◆ Cast Sure Strike
◆ Strike

Longhammer: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (5) + 32 = 37
Longhammer Vs. OG?: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (16) + 32 = 48
Bludgeoning: 3d8 + 14 ⇒ (4, 3, 8) + 14 = 29 Cold: 1d6 ⇒ 6 Fire: 1d6 ⇒ 3Force: 1d6 ⇒ 4

He then takes a cautious step back, because he'd like to continue being real.

◆ Strike

Boodiddly quickens everyone then sings. I’m just gonna assume Jevar and Shohreh let that spare action go to waste this turn so we don’t have to do this whole thing.

Shohreh calls forth a divine servitor to attack the Pallid Mask! The servitor’s attack slices deep through the Pallid Mask’s spiritual essence, destabilizing him! Weakness to spirit.

Kolgradd attacks the Pallid Mask! Crit, only because of the flanking with the spiritual guardian. However, the Pallid Mask’s physiology is…weird. Basically, he has resistance to the bonus damage from crits, so the cold, fire, and force damage effectively don’t get doubled, and he resists a chunk of the bludgeoning damage. But, all of the non-doubled-damage from the crit still goes into effect.

Pallid Mask Fort vs frost rune; magic bonus | DC 24: 1d20 + 30 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 30 + 1 = 49
Pallid Mask Fort vs crit spec | DC 35: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (19) + 30 = 49

Jevar attempts to paralyze the Pallid Mask.

Pallid Mask Will; magic bonus: 1d20 + 33 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 33 + 1 = 54

The Pallid Mask ◆ Strides…

↻ Kolgradd RS vs Pallid Mask OG: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (6) + 32 = 38
Bludgeoning Damage: 3d8 + 14 ⇒ (2, 4, 5) + 14 = 25 Cold Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6 Fire Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2 Force Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

…then speaks a ◆ Horrific Revelation to Shohreh! ↻ counter performance from Boodiddly

Shohreh Will; zealous conviction, Occult Resistance: 1d20 + 28 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 28 + 1 + 1 = 42 Success --> Critical Success (Resolute Faith)
Boodiddly Performance: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (5) + 30 = 35

He then spins his staff and attacks Shohreh!

◆ Pallid Mask Feint vs Shohreh Perception DC: 1d20 + 37 ⇒ (16) + 37 = 53 Critical Success, so off-guard against his melee attacks until the end of his NEXT turn.

◆ Pallid Mask vs Shohreh OG w/rallying anthem & shield: 1d20 + 33 ⇒ (12) + 33 = 45
Bludgeoning Damage (doubled from crit); Sneak Attack: 3d8 + 16 + 3d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 7) + 16 + (2, 1, 2) = 39

Shohreh Shield Blocks to reduce that by 20.

Pallid Mask persistent Fire: 1d10 ⇒ 4
DC 15 flat: 1d20 ⇒ 15

The Phantom of Truth
Round 3
==============
The Pallid Mask <Yellow> (-172 from “1” attacks [before resistances])
Boodiddly (+12) {+2 to Will vs mental; hasted: Round 1 of 10}
Shohreh (-84) {+2 to Will vs mental; hasted: Round 1 of 10}
Kolgradd (-11) {+2 to Will vs mental; hasted: Round 1 of 10}
Jevar (+12) {+2 to Will vs mental; hasted: Round 1 of 10}
==============

Nothing is working. Time to just do damage...

◆◆ Cast a spell ignition
Spell attack YELLOW, fire damage: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (4) + 27 = 319d4 ⇒ (3, 4, 1, 2, 2, 1, 2, 1, 3) = 19
On a critical success, the target takes double damage and 8d4 persistent fire damage.
◆ Cast a spell shield

Lol, that roll. Now nothing is working for a diff. reason :P

Jevar backs away to where near Boodiddly stands.

◆ Stride 10ft

Dammit

Kolgradd curses himself that he let his caution expose Shohreh to attack so he rushes in to give the mask something else to think about.

◆ Stride

He uses the long reach of his hammer to sweep their legs from under them...
◆ Trip
Athletics: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (17) + 32 = 49

Before bringing it down on their head!

◆ Advantageous Assault hopefully!
Longhammer, MAP: 1d20 + 32 - 5 ⇒ (10) + 32 - 5 = 37
Bludgeoning: 3d8 + 14 + 5 ⇒ (7, 5, 8) + 14 + 5 = 39Cold: 1d6 ⇒ 2Fire: 1d6 ⇒ 5Force: 1d6 ⇒ 4
5 bludgeoning on Failure

Reminder: we are hasted

Reminder: we are hasted

Thanks!

Then with surprising speed, Kolgradd brings up a magical shield.

◆ Cast Shield

Boodiddly whistles and the strange ground ripples in response. A massive finger pokes up, followed by another, and another, and another, until an entire hand many times the size of its summoner towers overhead. At the sound of another piercing whistle, it glides forward towards the masked stranger.

Hand, CA to Grapple vs Yellow Fortitude DC: 1d20 + 27 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 27 + 1 = 37

Stride [Q] and cast rank 8 forceful hand [AA] and courageous anthem [A].

Invigorated by Boodiddly's catchy tune, Shohreh kicks out at the Mask before retreating and sending their spiritual ally to rejoin Kolgradd's assault.

Void from 8th-rank harm, DC 37 basic Fort: 8d10 ⇒ (7, 4, 4, 8, 2, 4, 6, 8) = 43 Drained 1 on crit fail, prone on any damage

Spiritual guardian vs Mask: 1d20 + 27 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 27 + 1 = 46
Spirit, Holy: 3d8 + 1 ⇒ (8, 5, 8) + 1 = 22

◆ Cast Down
◆ Cast harm
◆ Stride
◆ Sustain spiritual guardian

Boodiddly sings and summons forth a massive hand to attempt (and fail) to grab the Pallid Mask!

Shohreh attempts to cast down the Pallid Mask, then sends her guardian at him!

Pallid Mask basic Fort; bonus vs magic: 1d20 + 30 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 30 + 1 = 36

Hit with the spiritual guardian, which also procs his weakness.

Kolgradd moves forward and attacks! Swapping the Trip with another Strike. Also retroactively applying courageous anthem to your Advantageous Assault.

Kolgradd vs Pallid Mask OG; courageous anthem: 1d20 + 32 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 32 + 1 = 34
Bludgeoning Damage; courageous anthem: 3d8 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (4, 2, 5) + 14 + 1 = 26 Cold Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1 Fire Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4 Force Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Jevar sends fire at the Pallid Mask, but misses.

The Pallid Mask, now on the ground, looks up at Kolgradd and stares deep into the dwarf! ◆◆ Reality Leach

Kolgradd Will: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (14) + 25 = 39 Failure

Kolgradd feels himself become…floaty. Like he’s becoming disconnected from reality itself! For 1 minute, Kolgradd is disconnected from reality. He deals half damage with his Strikes, cannot critically succeed on any skill check, and saving throws against his spells increase their degree of success by one step. At the end of each of his turns, Kolgradd can attempt a Will save to prematurely end this effect.

The Pallid Mask ◆ Stands…

↻ Kolgradd RS vs Pallid Mask; courageous anthem: 1d20 + 32 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 32 + 1 = 51
Bludgeoning Damage (halved from Reality Leach); courageous anthem: 3d8 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (4, 6, 2) + 14 + 1 = 27 Cold Damage (halved from Reality Leach): 1d6 ⇒ 2 Fire Damage (halved from Reality Leach): 1d6 ⇒ 2 Force Damage (halved from Reality Leach): 1d6 ⇒ 2

Okay, so that was technically a crit, but the Reality Leach combined with the Pallid Mask’s resistance to crit damage means that the “crit” effectively did no bonus damage (but all other effects that activate on a crit still go through).

Pallid Mask Fort vs frost rune; bonus vs magic | DC 24: 1d20 + 30 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 30 + 1 = 38

Pallid Mask Fort vs crit spec | DC 35: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (6) + 30 = 36

…then attacks Kolgradd!

◆ Pallid Mask vs Kolgradd: 1d20 + 33 ⇒ (20) + 33 = 53
Bludgeoning Damage (doubled from crit): 3d8 + 16 ⇒ (1, 7, 6) + 16 = 30

The Phantom of Truth
Round 4
==============
The Pallid Mask <Yellow> (-324 from “1” attacks [before resistances]) {prone}
Boodiddly (+12) {+2 to Will vs mental; hasted: Round 2 of 10; Forceful hand: Round 1 of 10}
Shohreh (-84) {+2 to Will vs mental; hasted: Round 2 of 10}
Kolgradd (-71) {+2 to Will vs mental; hasted: Round 2 of 10; Reality Leach: Round 0 of 10}
Jevar (+12) {+2 to Will vs mental; hasted: Round 2 of 10}
==============

"Now!" Boodiddly points dramatically at the stranger as they pull themselves back to their feet. In case there was any confusion, he pulls out his rusty trusty little crossbow and gestures with that as well. The oversized hand ripples and wavers, then moves.

True Target: 2d20 ⇒ (9, 13) = 22
Hand to Grab vs Yellow Fort DC: 13 + 27 = 40

Sustain [A], Interact to draw weapon [A], and cast true target [A].

Forgot about the persistent fire from the crit, which...I guess would ALSO be halved from Reality Leach.

Persistent Fire (halved from Reality Leach): 1d10 ⇒ 5
DC 15 flat: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Okay, so that was technically a crit, but the Reality Leach combined with the Pallid Mask’s resistance to crit damage means that the “crit” effectively did no bonus damage (but all other effects that activate on a crit still go through).

Also, APPARENTLY a new erratum regarding resistances/weaknesses came out 30 minutes before I made my post which would have affected the above. Basically, the Pallid Mask would have indeed taken the extra damage from the frost, flaming, and impactful runes. I have adjusted it on my end and that will be updated next time I post.

Back!

An ephemeral, taloned hand grips the Pallid Mask, burning it with magical acid.

◆◆ Cast a spell acid grip

Acid damage: 2d8 ⇒ (6, 7) = 13
1d6 persistent acid damage depending on its Reflex save.
A creature taking persistent damage from this spell takes a –10-foot status bonus to its Speeds.

If successfully, Jevar really doesn't really want to move the Pallid mask out of flank, so he would move him "East", or nowhere to go.

◆ Cast a spell shield

Edit: I wrote this lot before I realised Boodiddly already attempted a grab with a decent result. If that was successful please ignore this lot and have him attack a bunch

"I'll show you how real I am!

Kolgradd let's go of his hammer and tries to grab hold of the Pallid Mask and stop him from attacking anyone else

◇ Release grip
Has it been a hour since the fight with the mixed-up folks? I'd use the helm again if so
◆ Activate Tactician for Move It!
◆ Grapple
Athletics,status: 1d20 + 32 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 32 + 2 = 47
Athletics,status: 1d20 + 32 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 32 + 2 = 54

"Wouldn't you be able to leave if I weren't real, you loose approximation of a person?!"

◇ Drop Hammer
◆ Draw Light Hammer
◆ Bonk Grappled Mask (Strike)
Light Hammer: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (20) + 30 = 50
Bludgeoning: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (1, 1) + 15 = 17

While Shohreh's conscious mind struggles to understand just what in the hell happened to Kolgradd, her combat reflexes keep up her assault on the Mask with Boodiddly's help.

Spiritual Guardian: 1d20 + 27 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 27 + 1 = 30
Spiritual Guardian: 1d20 + 27 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 27 + 1 = 44
Spirit, Holy: 3d8 + 1 ⇒ (7, 6, 2) + 1 = 16

Spirit from spirit blast, DC 37 basic Fort: 16d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 1, 3, 1, 5, 1, 1, 1, 6, 5, 5, 3, 6, 1, 3) = 49

◆ Sustain spiritual guardian
◆◆ Cast spirit blast
◆ Stride

Boodiddly uses his forceful hand to grab the Pallid Mask!

Shohreh’s guardian attacks the Pallid Mask, then she unleashes a spiritual bombardment on the Mask!

Pallid Mask basic Fort; vs magic: 1d20 + 30 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 30 + 1 = 43

Kolgradd, despite the Pallid Mask’s Reality Leach, slams his weapon into the grabbed “man”! As he does, he finds that his hammer merely goes through loose cloth, hitting nothing.

All that remains of the Pallid Mask at this point is a simple yellow cloak, as if the being had never been here at all.

”He will be back.”

Cassilda suddenly appears right next to the former-amnesiacs.

”He always revives somewhere within Carcosa. The King wills it, and so it must be. But more pertinently, his presence has allowed me to triangulate the Star Stelae that you four are searching for.

“I would recommend visiting the Stelae in that order, for the stele in Aevan-Vhor is the least stable, while the one in Paris is strongest. Additionally, while you are in Aevan-Vhor, I would recommend you seek out an entity known as the Musician. He is a traveler known to visit other worlds who has enjoyed some success sidestepping some of Carcosa’s many threats. My visions showed that he was recently a visitor of Lord Eldarius in Aevan-Vhor.”

A remote planet?

Jevar knows of such things but only in theory, and not how to move between them.

I presume we can't go directly there but perhaps travel through planes as intermediaries?

"These are places Carcosa has consumed I think Jevar", Kolgradd says, poking himself to ensure he's fully real again.

"We reach them by simply walking I assume?" He looks to Cassilda for confirmation.

"Though what we find there will be alien to us. An Azlanti city, fascinating. Did they have a brush with the Carcosa? I hope my curiosity doesn't spell my doom here"

"We reach them by simply walking I assume?" He looks to Cassilda for confirmation.

”Correct. Allow me.” I’m not feeling very great, so I’ll just abridge this by saying that Cassilda tells you how to get to those nexuses.

"Though what we find there will be alien to us. An Azlanti city, fascinating. Did they have a brush with the Carcosa? I hope my curiosity doesn't spell my doom here"

”There are many ways in which a city can be consumed by Carcosa; I am sorry that I am not aware of how each individual nexus became consumed by Carcosa.”

"Many are the paths that lead to madness and ruin," Shohreh murmurs, mostly to herself.

Boodiddly inwardly muses on what kind of person this Musician might be, but straightens his back, nods his readiness to depart, and waves farewell to his summoned hand. For its part, the hand waves back and sinks back into the strange ground from whence it came.

”And it is here that I must take my leave. As I said, I cannot interfere directly with your machinations lest I bring the eye of the King upon me more than I already have. I apologize, but I will be helping to guide where I can. I am sorry I could not do more.”

And with these final words, Cassilda casts a spell and vanishes.

The former-amnesiacs continue their venture through the Neruzavin nexus. The place is empty and dreary—its many “streets” looking similar to one another.

Eventually, as the group reaches the end of a “street,” the ravine rises and flattens out as the basalt structures give way to an entirely different landscape—as if this were some environmental demarcation point.

The former-amnesiacs leave the Neruzavin nexus behind them—and with it, the cloying feeling of hopelessness and dissociation. Their first destination of Aevon-Vhor is along the coast of the nearby Lake Hali.

*

Chapter 2: Suns Set Over Aevon-Vhor

*

Wealday 8 Pharast, 4717

*

The group did not have to travel far, for there was only one nexus between Neruzavin and Aevon-Vhor. This nexus was only populated with ghosts that seemed to be stuck in a torpor state. It seems that Carcosa is made up of a patchwork of these nexuses of the cities it has consumed over its irrationally long lifetime.

Aevon-Vhor, though, is a much different. As the former-amnesiacs enter, they find themselves in an outlying district that is very reminiscent of the worst parts of Ustalavic farm country, with sick and struggling crops. In the distance, though, is a massive city with tall, once-impressive stone structures in various states of disrepair.

The former-amnesiacs’ initial destination is the estate of Lord Eldarius to ask about the Musician that Cassilda mentioned.

As the group passes by the farmlands, they see various farmers working on struggling crops to little success. As they gaze, there is an itch in the back of their mind to try the crop—hop a fence and grab some of the struggling foodstuffs just because. The former-amnesiacs shake this off initially—to just grab another person’s meager crop for no reason is just rude at best.

And yet, the thought sticks in their heads, intriguing them.

When the former-amnesiacs cross the threshold from farm country to the city, they notice an immediate difference in the population. The city is populated by many who wear the fineries of nobles and indulge upon wines and caviar and so on. But that is not the most jarring part—for each one of these nobles is undead.

Ghouls. Ghosts. Vampires. Skeletons. Even more uncommon undead like jiang-shi and wights and mummies. Each person here has been touched by undeath in some way. And they act…strangely. Consuming food they do not need is not unheard of among undead—after all, Urgathoa is also a goddess of gluttony and indulgence—but these undead do it in such frequency that it borders on being practically Urgathoan, but there isn’t a single bit of iconography of Urgathoa in sight. In fact, the group passes by a pair of ghosts dining at a restaurant seeming to mime using utensils to eat the real food in front of them.

To Lord Eldarius’s Estate

The once-proud estate is in ruins. A waist-high stone wall surrounds a mansion constructed primarily of stone. The landscaping is a tangled mess, and the remains of an adjoining observatory tower stand next to the main house. Sections of the roof and walls have collapsed.

The group approaches the entrance and use the rusted door knocker. Several minutes pass by awkwardly as nobody comes to the door, so the group decides to let themselves inside. As they start to explore the empty rooms, they eventually find what appears to have once been a central living area where three ghosts reside. A young adult man ghost seems to be playing with a young girl ghost, while a nearby middle-aged female ghost relaxes.

The middle-aged woman glances up at the former-amnesiacs and smiles. ” Ah, hospites habemus! Gratias tibi ago quod ianuam aperuisti, Jarvis.” The woman nods toward the empty air next to Boodiddly, as if talking to an invisible person. ”Possumne tibi aliquid afferre? Vinum? Caviarium?”

“Noli solliciti esse, mea cara. Hoc ferre possum.”

Another ghost enters—this one of a stout, middle-aged, balding human man dressed in finery with a mace tucked in his belt. The man guides the former-amnesiacs into another room where he turns to them, clearly looking annoyed. ”Quis es et quid in praedio meo agis?”

There is a bit of an awkward moment as it becomes clear that there is a bit of a language barrier, so after some trial and error (either magically or through switching to different languages he can speak Aklo, and so can Kolgradd) he says ”Yes, I am Lord Eldarius Character Profiles Updated. Who are you four and what are you doing on my property?”

Jevar shifts nervously.

He may well be loyal to the Yellow King.

He clears this throat.

Hello. We don't mean any offense or to trespass in your domain. We've travelled from a faraway place looking for something that has a connection to where we come from, Thrushmoor. Are you familiar with Star Stelae?

Request (Diplomacy): 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (3) + 21 = 24
it's the end of the month, so...
Hero point: Request (Diplomacy): 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (8) + 21 = 29

Shohreh bows deeply to Eldarius and smiles.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Eldarius. Please trust that we would not disturb you if our business was not of the utmost importance."

Diplomacy to Aid: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (19) + 21 = 40 lol naturally, that's a +2 circumstance bonus to your result.

Eldarius raises an eyebrow. ”Yes, I am somewhat familiar with it. For what reason are you asking me of it?”

Sensing that Eldarius may not be pleased with his knowing of the Star Stelea, Jevar blurts out

We are scholars and wish to see them in person as part of our studies! Can you take us to one of them?

Deception +21

There seems to be some credibility to the allegations and some that are "my word vs yours" levels of refuted at the moment, which is where these things typically turn private and disappear (as they very well should. Legal battles like this are long and boring and take intense amounts of investigative work to work out who [if anyone] is lying about the situation); However, at this point, it does look like they're trying to make statements and such, and though some are honestly just Damage Control, others seem a bit more personal. I honestly don't think I could ask for more at this point.

I'm going to be honest, the Sunk Cost Fallacy is at play here, and I've put too much time, effort, sweat, and tears into Pathfinder to dump it. So here I will remain, and I'll continue playing.

Like Shakur, I don't think we have the full picture yet - nor are we likely to ever have it. But I think that even in the worst case scenario, I would choose not to purchase further materials from Paizo and use up my backlog of scenarios/modules/etc before shifting to homebrew or 3rd party materials.

That being said, I'm certainly hoping for an open and honest conversation from the company's leadership on what went wrong and how they're going to make things right both retroactively and in the future.

Kolgradd might know more about the Dreamlands than I do and not ask a stupid question; is this man likely to be simply asleep, or must he have used a ritual to get here like us, or could he be a permanent resident?

Could be any of the three. The purpose of the ritual you guys used isn’t necessarily to get you to the Dreamlands—it’s to consistently get you to the Dreamlands, allow you to choose where in the Dreamlands you go, and allow you to have greater memory over your experiences in the Dreamlands instead of just vague understandings (which is why the ritual causes sanity damage when you die in the dream, since unlike an actual dream where your senses are dulled as the dream sees fit, you are actually experiencing the sensation of death thanks to the ritual, otherwise you would wake with a start and a vague recollection of the dream). The Dreamlands does have natives, but sometimes your everyday dreamer ends up in the Dreamlands, instead of a dreamscape of its mind’s own devising. Dreamers most likely appear as themselves, but sometimes they appear as something else, like a human dreaming that they’re a troll or something, or even just watching their own dream in the third person. Being able to perfectly tell who is a natural dreamer, who invoked the dream with a ritual, who is a non-dreamer that physically entered the Dreamlands, or who is a native of the Dimension of Dreams is largely impossible, simply due to the inherent malleability of dreams. Dreams are fickle things with their own laws of physics that can be changed on a whim by a powerful enough dreamer. Even trying to tell the difference between a proper Dreamlands native and a dreamer whose dream took them into the form of a Dreamlands native is difficult.

Simply put: dreams are weird.

Hey everyone. I'll be away in the wilderness this weekend, Starting Friday evening and through Sunday evening (Pacific time). Thursday night is likely the last time I can post beforehand, but I should be able to catch up Sunday night!

Kolgradd apologises profusely while their wounds are being tended to, and wonders about the nature of that creature. Is it dead or merely inconvenienced?

Can he do a recall knowledge on it now things have calmed down and he's got a second to think?

I was in the middle of writing, so I'll resolve that question here in Discussion to not screw up my d20 rolls.

That was an animate dream, an amalgamation of psychic energy that manifests when dreamers flee from nightmares to the waking world. They thrive off of the fear and terror that others feel, particularly with respect to experiencing a nightmare. Their touch carries a potent curse that clouds a victim's mind and causes them to fall into an unending sleep.

Well at least Jevar's line was well-timed :P

Alright, so my laptop decided to be incredibly finicky, so I had to take it in to do some stuff. Because of that I will be without my computer and thus will be unable to do super-detailed posting for the next few days. Apologies in advance.

No worries. Sounds like a huge inconvenience in general, so hope it isn't so bad!

No worries. Sounds like a huge inconvenience in general, so hope it isn't so bad!

Oh no, it gets worse: apparently my motherboard was completely dead, so I have to get a new computer. Luckily all my files managed to be backed up.

Are we rolling for more days of research?

Are we rolling for more days of research?

Yes. I'm resolving them out in one-week intervals so I can keep track of things.

Kolgradd nods emphatically.

"I agree. If it wards against disease it may help us with the ghouls and the wamps."

He strokes his beard thoughtfully.

"Though I just had a thought. The heartstone only has a month before it turns into a mundane stone. That gives us a time limit on finding the others, and worse still the gift gets less valuable as we go. Perhaps we should save that one for last?"

Is that logic sound? If so I'll vote for the necropolis first

Oh boy, this is starting to make my brain hurt.

So, time between the Material Plane and the Dreamlands is very sporadic; in some locations (like the caravanserai) it's been years of apparent time since Lowls first met with the Mad Poet, while in others it's only been a few weeks of apparent time (bear in mind, it's actually been about 2 months on the Material Plane). I wrote the Dreamlands excursion like it is so that there would be a stable amount of consistency when using it, but things get weird once you guys Wake Up, so...I'm just going to make a GM call: unless you actively loiter around in the Dreamlands wasting time, you won't have to worry about the heartstone becoming an ordinary stone.

Hero Points reset in one week

I know we just did a bunch of research about it, but do we know or can we find out where hags typically *keep* their heartstones? Or is it the obvious "in their chests" answer?

I know we just did a bunch of research about it, but do we know or can we find out where hags typically *keep* their heartstones? Or is it the obvious "in their chests" answer?

It is a worn item, thus to gain its power the hag must be wearing it. Take that information as you will.

One last question before we simply blurt out what we want (because... that can't be the only way): Is it obvious on her as a pendant or other jewelry?

My only answer to that is “read my description of Quaveandra again.”

Ah yes, "The elderly woman’s body is covered in warts, and curved ram’s horns grow from her head. Her body is draped in various expensive fabrics, and around her neck is a pearl necklace that ends in a jewel pendant that gleams the reddish-orange of a golf-ball-sized jacinth. "

Hello. I will be away in nature and away from computers and the ability to post this coming Saturday and Sunday (11/6-7). I will return and resume posting late Sunday (US/Pacific time).

If the assassin is any less evil than a night hag ambassador to a fiendish plane we might have better luck supporting them and taking it off her corpse- oh I hope she can't read minds.

*Casually checks to see if she can actually read minds*

We have a cursed robe? Or is that the one the night hag said she’d been given? I was originally thinking of something like the satyr’s pipes or the wall switch, but it’s a signature spell so we can use it at least a few times if needed.

Yeah I just meant the ones she had mentioned, perhaps she still has them? Though they might just read her disgust upon receiving them. The other things might work too

Does Shakur have access to Zone of Truth? (This probably would have been better to ask before the interviews :/)

You guys did find a scroll of it in Fort Hailcourse, but it was sold soon thereafter. And since I can't find any indication that Shakur Learned the Spell from the scroll, then the simple answer is "no."

Yeah, I don't recall learning it.

Hero Points reset in a week

Apologies. I just realized, today, that I never posted that I went on vacation for the week. I've been keeping up and Shakur doesn't really have anything to add to the conversation, but the lack of posts will likely continue until next week as I'm away until this upcoming Sunday.

Hero Points have (technically) reset

Sorry all. It was a busy week last week. Thanks for botting me, GM!

FYI, Kolgradd, your full character sheet says that your class DC is being calculated using Int., which is wrong; your class DC is Str.-based (meaning that it should be 1 higher).

Darn - if I’d realized inspire defense was still active, Boodiddly would have healed Jevar rather than draw the crossbow. Oh well, my bad. I’ll try to remember for next time.

Yeah, and the die completely whiffed on me for the recovery check....

1: College student. Finals week. Two exams today. I make no promises that I’ll be posting anytime soon today.

2: There is something I wanna bring up with the table: I'm not entirely sure how I feel about how the sanity system is currently being run for this campaign. It feels...clunky at best. I do know that there was some backlash over it early on due to its lack of sensitivity towards mental illness, and I'm just...not sure if it's good how it currently is. It just feels like another metric to keep track of in a kinda arbitrary way, and I'm not entirely sure if it's really adding a whole lot to the game. I know it's been a bit since it's really come up, but I just want to check in with you guys and see people's opinions on it.

1. Np, as always please take care of yourself.

2. Yes, it does just feel like another stat to track. I suppose I could as a player do a better job of attempting to RP my gap from max sanity, but it's hard to know what that looks like in consistency with other characters. To fix that, perhaps something like sanity tiers where certain grounding in stable reality is peeled away each time would help. E.g., from simple ticks and constantly "hearing" vague noises to a constant voice in your head at near madness. OTOH, this could also lean in against sensitivity concerns, which perhaps makes it a bad idea. If that ends up not being the case, I'd be interested in talking further about how to make it more real in the story.

1. I feel that. Good luck.

2. I do feel it's a bit overcomplicated. Though it was fun to have a problem in the first book, it is just another stat to track and I feel like it's not adding much anymore. Especially now that we have the time and resources to easily remove the negative effects it applies. I'd be okay getting rid of it or replacing it with a simpler system such as the one Jevar suggested.

Two things:

1) Jevar, in your character sheet it says that you're still only trained in Reflex saves, but you're actually an expert as of level 5. The bonus that you've given (+15) is correct, you just didn't note that you're actually an expert in your character sheet.

2) Slight modification to Quaveandra's heartstone: the bonus to counteract diseases for her heartstone is actually +20 rather than +18, to reflect the fact that Quaveandra was an elite night hag.

Ah, thank you and good catch. yes, I did miss updating that. Fixing.

Merry Christmas to you all! My gift to you…comes in a week. It’s the Hero Points. Hero Points reset in a week.

For the record, I probably would have done some botting a lot earlier, but I figured that the slow moving was due to the Christmas season, so I just left well enough alone to not put more stress on those of you dealing with the holidays and the subsequent chaos therein.

That makes sense. We might want to explicitly talk about when it's reasonable to return to normal posting expectations. E.g., some folks may be busy until after the New Year?

I'm good to return to normal whenever others are.

I'm good to return to normal now. I got super busy last week when a few of my plans shuffled around and my free time evaporated.

I've still got vacation brain, but should be able to post on a somewhat-regular basis as well.

I'm also back, it's clobberin' time!

Jevar Shadowmantle wrote:

So, these spiders, what makes you think they won't overpower us as well?

”I mean…you manages to easily take care of these crazed ghouls, so you’re clearly stronger than us. Truth be told, we’re desperate.”

Kolgradd Thunderiron wrote:

"Ask them about the wamps, weren't there supposed to be wamps here?"

”’Wamps’? Is that what they’re called? Some kind of weird cross between a pig and a spider with bright red webbed feet? Because that’s what the things in the cemetery look like.”

Any sense motive results that they might be lying?

Hero Points have reset

"Do we need them alive?"

I would need to double-check, but I believe you just need one of the wamps’ webbed feet. Granted, they’re not going to agree to you cutting off one of their limbs.

Was it a specific wamp we needed a foot from, or will any wamp do?

Was it a specific wamp we needed a foot from, or will any wamp do?

Any one will do.

Sorry about the delay there, guys. Got my Covid booster this week and it gave me a pretty bad headache until this morning.

Better now, though!

FYI, Jevar: you did Shield Block during that last turn, so you can’t cast shield again.

Right, ret-con'ing (but hey! It was useful this time!)

Hero Points reset in a week.