GM Xavier Kahlvet's Strange Aeons 2e

Game Master KingTreyIII

Jevar sighs, frustrated to even know there might be another "legitimate side", but still not fully trusting the not-satyr not-Kavriki.

Okay, now that you've foiled your own identity with us, what are you proposing? I presume you wouldn't have done that without more to say.

The mage is pinching the bridge of his nose as he finishes speaking, in a feeble attempt to offset on oncoming headache.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

"Oh, it's quite simple: kill Quaveandra. The rest of her retinue will certainly try to intervene, but I'll take care of them. You focus on the hag. And Ashmane, I suppose; no way I'll be able to distract that beast long enough to keep him away from his mistress."

“What can you tell us about Quaveandra and Ashmane?” Boodiddly asks, leaning forward on the table. “If you’re really this interested in taking her down, then I’m sure you want to help us succeed as much as possible. After all, it’s not like you’ll be able to pretend you weren’t involved at that point. So it’s all or nothing.”

”Hmm. A fair point. Ashmane is Quaveandra’s trusted mount—a purebred nightmare gifted to her decades ago by a patron in Abaddon. I’m sure you’ve seen the smoke billowing out from the room to the north? That would be Ashmane; the horse’s constantly-burning body exudes sickening black smoke. Ashmane is fiercely loyal to his mistress and will die for her.

“Quaveandra, on the other hand, is a night hag. She is very suspicious and paranoid—she has been offered a place in several covens and has declined all of them. She is an ambassador from Abaddon, but refuses to disclose which realm she represents. As a result of her powers of dreams and nightmares, she is particularly resilient to mental trauma, but like most hags, cold iron burns her flesh. She is a master practitioner of occult magic, some of which is powered by her heartstone, which she has learned to modify to allow it to last longer than a regular night hag’s. Her heartstone allows her to trap a soul inside of a gem, tap into the evocative energies of the Shadow Plane, and allow her to shift to the Ethereal Plane to be able to properly haunt a creature’s dreams. However, the Dimension of Dreams makes travel to the Transitive Planes unpredictable and inconsistent, so she should be unable to flee to the Ethereal Plane. Ashmane and Quaveandra are not beings to be taken lightly; they will take any measures necessary to ensure their survival.”

Based on Recall Knowledge checks: Much of what Eloquent Call of the Movement says is consistent with what the amnesiacs know about night hags and nightmares.

"Let's do it"

Kolgradd looks to the others.

"We can't know the agenda of whatever this thing is, but a chance to take down an agent of Abbadon seems worth it on its own. And we need that gem"

Jevar exhales, realizing this is going to happen.

Quaveandra does't really have an overwhelming reason to trust us. I wonder if this is a test or a trap... It would be a pretty simple ploy to draw us in with this "resistance" and then harness us for her heartstone.

Translation: Jevar is going to be constantly Sensing Motive on this person.

Well, I guess there's no better way of making a go at it. Say "Eloquent", happen to have a stash of cold iron weapons that would help us?

Translation: Jevar is going to be constantly Sensing Motive on this person.

I mean, sure, but for the record: ”You typically can't try to Sense the Motive of the same creature again until the situation changes significantly.”

Well, I guess there's no better way of making a go at it. Say "Eloquent", happen to have a stash of cold iron weapons that would help us?

Eloquent Call smirks. ”Right here.” She reaches behind her back and pulls out two weapons—a dagger and a bastard sword. Though the amnesiacs have NO idea where she was keeping them. Both of the weapons are made of standard-grade cold iron and are +2 striking weapons. I’ll also need to know who’s taking what weapon (though I’m guessing Kolgradd’s taking the sword). Inventory Updated

With the amnesiacs seeming to come to an agreement with Eloquent Call of the Movement, the group breaks off—Eloquent Call moving back to her position as “Kavriki.” Before the amnesiacs have a proper chance to discuss a game plan, they are cornered by Ambassador Quaveandra herself. The night hag approaches them alone, without being surrounded by her various servants.

”Well?”

What do you do?

Kolgradd looks slightly peeved at the uncommonly fine sword.

"You don't happen to have a hammer tucked away somewhere there do you? Gah I suppose this will do"

After being confronted by Quaveandra Kolgradd checks to see if any of his allies want to engage in intrigue and diplomacy.

"If what you say is true, she must be killed. I cannot allow her to continue messing with souls."

Shakur is all for fighting, and definitely ain't a diplomacizer, so he doesn't say anything as they approach Quaveandra, hoping Boodiddly will

Jevar gulps as Kolgradd starts talking.

Well, this is happening pretty fast... I guess there's nothing to do but hope Eloquent Call backs us up.

He looks away to avoid seeing her reaction.

Boodiddly’s player is going through some stuff, so for the sake of moving things along I’ll just say that Boodiddly says some stuff before ultimately attacking, allowing him to roll Deception for initiative.

As soon as Kolgradd pulls out the bastard sword, the night hag hisses. ”Traitors!” Almost on cue, an angry whinnying echoes from the northernmost room, where smoke is billowing out, as Ashmane becomes agitated along with his mistress. Map Updated

The night hag’s teeth suddenly seem far sharper than they were before as she bites at the dwarf!

Quaveandra jaws vs Kolgradd: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (5) + 22 = 27
Damage: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (1, 1) + 10 = 12 Evil Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Kolgradd Fort: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29 Failure

Kolgradd suddenly feels terrible as some kind of Abaddonian disease on the hag’s teeth infuse itself into the dwarf. Kolgradd is now drained 1 (once again, the initiative card doesn’t reflect the HP loss from drained).

Quaveandra growls at the amnesiacs’ audacity to betray her! She howls to the sky, bringing the attention of everyone in the building ”ASHMANE!!!” ◆◆ Ready an action to Mount Ashmane.

Hearing his mistress’s cry, the nightmare Ashmane bolts from his room to the north, revealing an admittedly badass sight: a skeletal horse with blackened bones and a body of glowing embers which exudes a thick black smoke in a 15-foot radius around the fiendish beast, with a blackened (but obviously fireproof) saddle strapped around it. Ashmane’s hooves glow with red-hot flames as he gallops out from the room he was in; the nightmare comes to a screeching halt right next to Kolgradd and Shakur, sending large swaths of flame right at the two of them! ◆◆ Flaming Gallop: Ashmane Strides up to triple his Speed, dealing fire damage to anyone he is adjacent to during this movement (other than his rider).

Quaveandra whistles and the nightmare comes at the call. ◆ Stride to move next to Quaveandra. The night hag is fully prepared for the horse’s movement, and quickly places her foot on the stirrup of Ashmane’s saddle and leaps up onto the fiendish horse. ↻ Readied action: Mount Ashmane.

Since y’all were very much prepared to initiate a combat, I’ll allow Kolgradd to take an Attack of Opportunity against Ashmane as he moves away.

The remainder of Quaveandra’s retinue sees their mistress become attacked and take up arms. Eloquent Call of the Movement, however, intervenes. The creature’s satyr form morphs and shifts as they transform into a serpentine creature with a large mane of crimson feathers! Image of Eloquent Call’s true form is on the map. Eloquent Call fights against Quaveandra’s retinue, keeping them from interfering with the amnesiacs’ confrontation with Quaveandra and Ashmane. Eloquent Call snaps their fingers several times, inflicting strange and unpredictable effects on the members of the night hag’s retinue—effects that even Eloquent Call seems entertained at the unpredictability of.

At the start of Kolgradd’s turn: Kolgradd Fort; drained 1: 1d20 + 13 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 13 - 1 = 23 Failure

Kolgradd begins coughing heavily as Ashmane’s smoke envelops him. Sickened 2.

Diplomatic Immunity
Round 1
==============
Quaveandra
Ashmane
Shakur (-14)
Jevar
Kolgradd (-7) {Abaddonian Plague: Stage 1; drained 1; sickened 2}
Boodiddly
==============

Quickly to it, Kolgradd!

Jevar reaches out and touches the dwarf's shoulder, bestowing him with additional speed before throwing up a force shield.

◆◆ Cast (somatic, verbal) haste on Kolgradd (1 minute)
◆ Cast shield

Boodiddly whistles as if surprised at the snake-satyr’s (snatyr?) transformation, then lets the sound ring and echo a bit longer. He focuses on the horse and rider for a moment, then waves his hand as bright pink flames illuminate the pair through the smoke.

Performance to Linger: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21

Lingering Composition [F], then cast inspire defense [A] and faerie fire [AA].

Shakur silently reaches a finger forward before launching a dark line upward, through both Ashmane and Quaveandra.

[AA] Cast Enervation. Both Ashmane and Quaveandra owe me a DC 25 Fort Save

Shakur then cackles to himself a bit, aiming his hexing at Quaveandra.

[A] Jealous Hex. DC 23

Just realized that I didn’t factor in the damage from Quaveandra’s Strike into the initiative card; that has been rectified.

I’ll assume that the rest of the party Delays until after Boodiddly to gain his bonuses. Boodiddly begins singing, but the odd acoustics of the drug den makes it not echo as effectively as he thought. Failure to linger. He then outlines the night hag and nightmare in glowing light, as well as covering Kolgradd in that same light. I did get confirmation from Boodiddly’s player that Kolgradd would be in the area of the faerie fire, which means Jevar’s haste doesn’t need a flat check to target Kolgradd. Also, Hero Point to Boodiddly for using a spell that negates a very significant hazard in this combat (also because I feel bad for not giving a single Hero Point last month).

Jevar quickens Kolgradd then protects himself.

Shakur releases a line of negative energy at Quaveandra and Ashmane.

Not sure if I’ve said this for this group, so I’ll say it now: when I say “spell resistance,” it means that the creature has a status bonus to all saves against magic, which is what replaces 1e’s spell resistance statistic.

The Pharasmin’s magic go through the two creatures, but Quaveandra lurches forward and takes the brunt of the effect! 2d8 persistent negative to Quaveandra.

Quaveandra Will; Spell Resistance: 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 20 + 2 = 26

Botting Kolgradd: ↻ AoO vs Ashmane: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22 this is before Kolgradd becomes sickened, so no status penalty.
Damage: 2d12 + 6 ⇒ (6, 8) + 6 = 20
DC 5 flat (since this is before the faerie fire): 1d20 ⇒ 17

Kolgradd swings his newly-acquired bastard sword at Ashmane as he moves, but the fiendish horse proves to be too nimble.

Kolgradd starts by retching in an attempt to get over his sickness.

◆ Kolgradd Fort; sickened 2, Inspire Defense: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 13 - 2 + 1 = 17 Drained and sickened penalties don’t stack

Still feeling sick, he tries one more time.

◆ Kolgradd Fort; sickened 2, Inspire Defense: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 13 - 2 + 1 = 21

Just accepting it at this point, Kolgradd just accepts it and ◆ Strides to the other side of Ashmane and swings his sword at Quaveandra!

◆ Kolgradd vs Quaveandra w/lesser cover; sickened 2: 1d20 + 17 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 17 - 2 = 25
Damage: 2d12 + 6 ⇒ (12, 10) + 6 = 28

Quaveandra clicks her tongue as she dodges Kolgradd’s onslaught and grabs Ashmane by the reins and the horse moves away from the dwarf. Triggers from Kolgradd (technically only Ashmane moved, but I’ll allow the AoO to resolve against Kolgradd’s choice of either Quaveandra or Ashmane).

The pendant of Quaveandra’s pearl necklace—her heartstone—begins glowing as she begins uttering an incantation. With a flick of her wrist, a shadowy mass flies out of her heartstone and stops right next to Boodiddly, exploding outward in a blast of pure concussive force! ◆◆ Cast a Spell; red radius

Negative Damage: 2d8 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5
DC 15 flat: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Diplomatic Immunity
Round 2
==============
Quaveandra (-5) {2d8 persistent negative damage}
Ashmane
Boodiddly (-64)
Shakur (-46)
Jevar (-16)
Kolgradd (-22) {Abaddonian Plague: Stage 1; drained 1; sickened 2; Hasted: Round 1 of 10}
==============

Kolgradd swipes at Quaveandra as she moves away, and resumes coughing.

AoO, sickened: 1d20 + 17 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 17 - 2 = 34
Cold-Iron Slashing: 2d12 + 6 ⇒ (11, 1) + 6 = 18

◆ Retch
Fort, sickened: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 13 - 2 = 28
◆ Retch
Fort, sickened: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 13 - 2 = 14

Still feeling terrible, he finds a reserve of energy from somewhere and moves to attack with Jevar's extra speed

◆ Stride
◆ Strike
Bastard Sword, sickened: 1d20 + 17 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 17 - 2 = 29
Cold Iron Slashing: 2d12 + 6 ⇒ (6, 12) + 6 = 24

Oh heck yeah we rerolling that!

Will, ID: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 14 + 1 = 26

Boodiddly remembers to duck - or at least put an arm in front of his face - at the last second. Grimly he continues to whistle before pointing at the horse. “Hey there lil’ fella - why the long face?”

Performance: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36
Diplomacy to Bon Mot: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21

Lingering Composition [F], cast inspire defense [A], Bon Mot vs Ashmane [A], and Stride 25 ft to the NNW [A].

Can Jevar get a recognize spell reaction on her casting?

Jevar steps ahead of Boodidddly, slides a bit to the right along the interior wall and thrusts his hands forward, fingers spread apart. A stream of lightning shoots from his hands and through the hag and her steed!

◆ Stride
◆◆ Cast (somatic, verbal) lightning bolt vs Quaveandra and Ashmane
Electricity damage (DC25 basic reflex save): 4d12 ⇒ (6, 6, 10, 10) = 32

Can Jevar get a recognize spell reaction on her casting?

Forgot you had that.

As Kolgradd’s AoO slices into Quaveandra and the hag howls as the sword’s metal sears into her flesh! Triggered weakness.

”Cold iron?! I do NOT remember you having that!”

The dwarf then retches in an attempt to get the sickness out of him, and minorly manages to do so. He then moves forward and swings his sword. Gonna assume that was at Quaveandra, but because of the aforementioned cover from being mounted, that misses (even with it only being at sickened 1).

Boodiddly lingers his music critically so and jokes at the horse, but Ashmane just tilts its head at the gnome’s words. FYI, the reroll was a regular failure.

Jevar repositions then launches a bolt of lightning at the mounted pair.

Botting Shakur: Shakur casts true strike followed by a searing light at the fiendish Quaveandra.

Roll 1: Shakur vs Quaveandra w/lesser cover: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25
Roll 2: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32 Barely hits
Fire Damage: 5d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 1, 1, 3) = 10 Good Damage: 5d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 6, 2, 1) = 18

To be clear, she does not have weakness to good damage; only cold iron.

Quaveandra hisses as she pulls on Ashmane’s reins to disengage from Kolgradd Triggers AoO; I’ll again let you resolve it against your choice. Her heartstone glows once more as a shadowy mass comes into her hand and she launches it again!

Once again, the shadow mass flies outward and explodes, this time in a burst of fire!

Negative Damage: 2d8 ⇒ (8, 8) = 16
DC 15 flat: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Suddenly, from the battle with the retinue, Eloquent Call snaps their fingers and a magical mass of pure entropy surrounds Ashmane!

Ashmane Fort; spell resistance: 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 17 + 2 = 23 Failure

Spin the wheel!!!: 1d8 ⇒ 51d4 ⇒ 1

Suddenly, filaments of energy surround the nightmare’s legs and anchor the beast in place! Ashmane is immobilized for 1 round.

At the start of Boodiddly’s turn: Boodiddly Fort; inspire defense: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 13 + 1 = 18

Boodiddly is now sickened 2.

Diplomatic Immunity
Round 3
==============
Quaveandra (-93) {2d8 persistent negative damage}
Ashmane (-32) {Immobilized: Round 0 of 1}
Boodiddly (-66) {Lingering Defense: around 1 of 4; Sickened 2}
Shakur (-54)
Jevar (-33)
Kolgradd (-39) {Abaddonian Plague: Stage 1; drained 1; sickened 1; Hasted: Round 2 of 10}
==============

Once again Kolgradd swipes at Quaveandra as she rides away.

↻ AoO, sickened: 1d20 + 17 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 17 - 1 = 31
Cold-Iron Slashing: 2d12 + 6 ⇒ (6, 12) + 6 = 24

Instead of immediately following, he stands his ground, and points the bastard sword at her.

"We're going to send you back to Abbadon you washed up old witch!"

A rumble of distant thunder (and perhaps some badass electric guitar riffs) can be heard as Kolgradd concentrates.

He's going to try to cast Draw the Lightning targetting Quaveandra. He'll use two actions so as to have some left to move and strike this turn.

◆◆ Create Impossibility
Occultism, sickened: 1d20 + 15 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 15 - 1 = 34
Electricity: 3d12 ⇒ (9, 11, 3) = 23
Basic reflex. I'm not sure which DC though

A bolt of lightning similar to Jevar's erupts from a stormcloud that appeared behind Quaveandra, shoots through her and strikes Kolgradd's outstretched blade. Electricity crackles along it as he runs toward her and strikes!

◆ Stride
◆ Strike
AoO, sickened: 1d20 + 17 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 17 - 1 = 29
Cold-Iron Slashing, electricity: 2d12 + 6 + 1d12 ⇒ (2, 1) + 6 + (7) = 16

Jevar gingerly hobbles further into the room to get a clean shot between Kolgradd and Boodiddly.

Ug, this pest isn't going down easy. Maybe we should take down the ride first.

He manifests an acid dart and sends it towards her steed.

◆ Stride 15'
◆◆ Cast (somatic, verbal) acid arrow vs Ashmane
Spell attack Ashmane, acid damage: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 283d8 ⇒ (6, 4, 1) = 11
on hit, 1d6 persistent acid damage

Boodiddly chokes on the smoke and coughs a few times before thinking happy thoughts. Maybe thoughts about butterflies, and strange birds that like cupcakes. If Kolgradd can summon lightning, maybe he could also summon a bubble bath? That would be nice.

Fortitude to Retch, ID, Sickened: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 13 + 1 - 2 = 32
Soothe (lvl 4): 4d10 + 16 ⇒ (7, 9, 10, 4) + 16 = 46

Retch [A] and cast soothe on himself [AA].

"NOT THIS DAY." Shakur shouts as a beam of positive energy flies from his fingertips twoards Kolgradd. "NOT YET!" he shouts, louder this time, as he tends to his wounds for a moment.

[AA] Heal Kolgradd
[A] Battle Medicine himself

Heal Kolgradd: 4d8 + 32 ⇒ (6, 5, 1, 7) + 32 = 51
Battle Medicine DC 30: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (19) + 17 = 36 Yay!
Heal Shakur: 2d8 + 30 ⇒ (7, 8) + 30 = 45

He then turns to Jevar and croaks a quick "Agreed."

Resolving in turn (rather than post) order because it matters for Shakur’s turn.

Boodiddly coughs hard and manages to completely clear his throat of the foul smoke. He then heals himself.

Shakur heals Kolgradd and patches himself up.

Jevar moves over and launches a magic arrow that connects with Ashmane.

Kolgradd’s AoO connects against the hag, once again searing her skin. He then uses the power of his shear imagination to call down a bolt of lightning that goes through Quaveandra and into his blade! Hero Point to Kolgradd. (Also, the DC was for Create Impossibility was 25). I’ll say the DC for draw the lightning is the higher between your spell DC and your class DC, so 22 (23 -1 from sickened).

Quaveandra Reflex; spell resistance, mounted: 1d20 + 19 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 19 + 2 - 2 = 31 Yes, I did forget about the -2 from being mounted against Jevar’s lightning bolt, but it didn’t matter. Here it did, because it prevented a crit success.

Quaveandra narrowly avoids a devastating lightning strike as she watches Kolgradd move forward and swing at her! Though the dwarf’s sickness merely causes an unfashionable haircut to her beehive hairdo. You didn’t move Kolgradd’s token, so I moved it for you.

Quaveandra growls something at Ashmane in a language none of the amnesiacs understand. ◆ Commanding Ashmane to Escape

Ashmane Athletics; DC 29: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26

Quaveandra looks between Kolgradd and Ashmane in anger and desperation. ”Fine!” she hisses. ”You want my heartstone?! Take it and leave me alone!” In a move that shocks everyone in her retinue, the night hag ◆ undoes the clasp of her pearl necklace and ◆ haphazardly puts it around Kolgradd’s neck, the necklace pressing the dwarf’s beard against his chest. Both of those actions actually trigger an AoO from Kolgradd, if he wishes to take it (remember, a critical success disrupts the action, since it had the manipulate trait). The second action also assumes that Kolgradd is willing to let her put the necklace on him (which I’m assuming he is, since the heartstone is what y’all are here for).

Negative Damage: 2d8 ⇒ (2, 8) = 10
DC 15 flat: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Acid Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
DC 15 flat: 1d20 ⇒ 5

At the start of Jevar’s turn: Jevar Fort; inspire defense: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 1 = 18
Jevar is now sickened 2

Depending on how that AoO resolves, there might be some retconning.

Diplomatic Immunity
Round 4
==============
Quaveandra (-148) {2d8 persistent negative damage}
Ashmane (-48) {1d6 persistent acid}
Boodiddly (-20) {Lingering Defense: around 2 of 4}
Shakur (-9)
Jevar (-33) {sickened 2}
Kolgradd {Abaddonian Plague: Stage 1; drained 1; sickened 1; Hasted: Round 3 of 10}
==============

Jevar doubles over and begins retching to expel the sickness.

◆ Retch Fortitude: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
◆ Retch Fortitude: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
◆ Retch Fortitude: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Kolgradd looks pleased when Quaveandra takes off the necklace, but he quickly brings up his sword when he sees her reaching to clasp it round his neck rather than just hand it to him.

I don't know what magic she's trying to work on me, but I want none of it!

He'll take the AoO on the second action, he's assuming actually having it clasped round his neck by her is some sort of soul-stealing ritual or the like. Exactly which strike the electricity would be on isn't completely clear to me, I'll assume it's the AoO since it's the first one in the round, but if it's measured Kolgradd's turn -> Kolgradd's turn it would be on the first strike

↻ AoO
Bastard Sword sickened 1: 1d20 + 17 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 17 - 1 = 36
Cold Iron Slashing, electricity: 2d12 + 6 + 1d12 ⇒ (8, 4) + 6 + (8) = 26

◆ Cast True Strike
◆ Strike
Bastard Sword sickened 1: 1d20 + 17 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 17 - 1 = 31
Bastard Sword sickened 2: 1d20 + 17 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 17 - 1 = 29
Cold Iron Slashing: 2d12 + 6 ⇒ (11, 10) + 6 = 27

◆ Strike
Bastard Sword sickened, MAP: 1d20 + 17 - 1 - 5 ⇒ (9) + 17 - 1 - 5 = 20
Cold Iron Slashing: 2d12 + 6 ⇒ (6, 12) + 6 = 24

Desperate to finish her off before she can flee with the gem, he keeps striking in a flurry.

◆ Strike
Bastard Sword sickened, MAP: 1d20 + 17 - 1 - 10 ⇒ (11) + 17 - 1 - 10 = 17
Cold Iron Slashing: 2d12 + 6 ⇒ (9, 8) + 6 = 23

Jevar retches and manages to minorly offset his nausea.

As Quaveandra moves to put the necklace on Kolgradd, the dwarf moves with understandable paranoia, swinging his sword as he chops off both of Quaveandra’s hands at the wrist! The night hag’s blood-curdling screech lasts only for a moment before her eyes roll back in her head and she loses consciousness, slipping off of Ashmane’s saddle onto the ground. This agitates the nightmare thoroughly, clearly incensed at the dwarf. So Kolgradd follows up with several slashes at the fiendish horse, but only his first one manages to hit.

Diplomatic Immunity
Round 4
==============
Ashmane (-55) {1d6 persistent acid}
Boodiddly (-20) {Lingering Defense: around 2 of 4}
Shakur (-9)
Jevar (-33) {sickened 1}
Kolgradd {Abaddonian Plague: Stage 1; drained 1; sickened 1; Hasted: Round 3 of 10}
==============

Well, that was the kind of resolution Boodiddly was waiting for before acting, even if it’s not quite the result I was envisioning. XD

Boodiddly gulps as the hag shrieks, trying not to look at her fallen form. “H-hey there buddy,” he quips again at the nightmare, “don’t you think it’s pasture bedtime?” He chuckles nervously, the sound echoing strangely.

Diplomacy to Bon Mot: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20

Bon Mot [A] and cast hideous laughter (Will 25) on Ashmane [AA].

TBH, I expected Shakur to be the one to interject.

"Yeah," Shakur adds. His eyes turn black for a moment as he approaches "NOW SCRAM!"

[A] Stride
[AA] Cast Fear (L1)

DC 25 Will save from me as well

Boodiddly delivers a quip that doesn’t seem to land with the fiendish horse, then follows it up with a magical joke.

Ashmane Will: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

Ashmane lets out a baying whinny as it laughs at the gnome’s joke.

Shakur moves forward and sends a wave of fear at the nightmare.

Ashmane Will: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

The fiendish horse sputters in its uncontrollable laughter at the Pharasmin’s magic.

Ashmane’s whinnying fills the area as his hooves burst forth with a blaze of flame! The laughing horse the name of my new fantasy tavern gallops forth, flying overhead as it passes by each of the amnesiacs and burns them with the flames! ◆◆ Flaming Gallop (he initially rises 5 feet in height to be able to pass over the top of the PCs’ spaces). Triggers from Kolgradd.

At the end of his gallop, Ashmane rises once more, floating overhead above the amnesiacs. There is zero indication of the ceiling height here, but considering the size of the building, the city it’s in, and dream logic exaggerating architecture, I’m going to say that the ceiling is 20 feet, so Ashmane’s hooves are currently 10 feet above ground (meaning he is outside of normal melee range); he’s able to move up to 270 feet during his Flaming Gallop, so he definitely has enough movement to do that.

Acid Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2
DC 15 flat: 1d20 ⇒ 2

At the start of Shakur’s turn: Shakur Fort; inspire defense: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 13 + 1 = 31 Shakur’s fine.

Diplomatic Immunity
Round 5
==============
Ashmane (-57) {frightened 1; slowed 1: hideous laughter; 1d6 persistent acid} [10’ above ground]
Boodiddly (-28) {Lingering Defense: around 3 of 4}
Shakur (-25)
Jevar (-49) {sickened 1}
Kolgradd (-16) {Abaddonian Plague: Stage 1; drained 1; sickened 1; Hasted: Round 4 of 10}
==============

Kolgradd swipes at the nightmare as it tries to run him down.

↻ AoO
Bastard Sword sickened 1: 1d20 + 17 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 17 - 1 = 31
Cold Iron Slashing, electricity: 2d12 + 6 + 1d12 ⇒ (4, 3) + 6 + (1) = 14

He takes a hand off the bastard sword and reaches down to grab the heartstone from where it fell and stuff it into a pocket.

◇ Release Grip
◆ Pickup heartstone (assuming it fell somewhere nearby)
◆ Stow heartstone

He then runs over to where the nightmare is, trying as much as he can to put himself between it and the others, and he draws his returning hammer in preparation for throwing it in his free hand

◆ Stride
◆ Draw returning light hammer

Boodiddly continues to chuckle as he pulls out his hand crossbow.

Cast inspire defense [A], Sustain hideous laughter [A], and Interact to draw weapon [A].

To attempt to avoid being at 1 HP, I'll use a hero point to reroll that basic save

Jevar yells in agony as the flames hit him while he's still doubled over, trying to get over his sickness. He backs up to one of the doorways and continues attempt to "cleanse" himself.

I have the strangest feeling I've felt this way before... perhaps back at a Wizard University. At least I hope it was that...

◆ Stride
◆ Retch Fortitude: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
◆ Retch Fortitude: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Seeing Jevar run off, Shakur hopes the laughter holds up as he casts Spiritual Weapon (L4) next to the creature, directing it to try and stab from behind.

[AA] Spiritual Weapon
Attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22 Yeah, no.

Shakur then moves closer to Jevar and whispers, "Stay near me if you can. I'll patch you up so we can finish this."

I’ll start with Jevar’s reroll: Reroll: 1d20 + 15 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 15 + 1 - 1 = 21

Kolgradd slashes at Ashmane as he flies past, then he pockets Quaveandra’s heartstone and moves forward as he draws his hammer.

Boodiddly concentrates on his magic then pulls out a crossbow. You actually didn’t need to cast inspire defense again this turn; there’s still one more round of the lingering (if the lingering is still written in the initiative card, then you don’t need to cast it). I’ll replace that with a Strike from the crossbow.

Boodiddly vs Ashmane w/frightened 1: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24 Misses
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Jevar coughs and sputters and manages to clear his nausea.

Shakur summons a force dagger that Ashmane dodges away from, then moves closer to Jevar.

Ashmane continues to laugh hysterically as he once again gallops around, his hooves blazing. ◆◆ Flaming Gallop; since I’m on mobile I’ll just say that Ashmane descends 5 feet, flies over everyone’s heads, rises 5 feet, then just returns to where he started. Triggers from Kolgradd.

And Jevar is now unconscious. If someone heals him, then Jevar, you can take your turn.

Acid Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
DC 15 flat: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Eloquent Call once again snaps its fingers and sends a wave of entropy at Ashmane!

Ashmane Fort: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18
Spin the Wheel!!!: 1d8 ⇒ 41d4 ⇒ 2

The horse’s strength seems to completely drain away from it. Ashmane is enfeebled 3 for 2 rounds.

Diplomatic Immunity
Round 6
==============
Jevar (-50) {prone; unconscious; dying 1}
Ashmane (-72) {Enfeebled 3: Round 0 of 2; slowed 1: hideous laughter; 1d6 persistent acid} [10’ above ground]
Boodiddly (-32)
Shakur (-29)
Kolgradd (-25) {Abaddonian Plague: Stage 1; drained 1; sickened 1; Hasted: Round 5 of 10}
==============

↻ AoO
Bastard Sword sickened 1: 1d20 + 17 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 17 - 1 = 19
Cold Iron Slashing, electricity: 2d8 + 6 + 1d12 ⇒ (3, 8) + 6 + (2) = 19

Kolgradd slashes again at the vexatious beast, but the bastard sword is a bit large to wield in one hand. Luckily he's ambidextrous, so he hurls the hammer with his other hand.

◆ Strike
Returning Light hammer, sickened 1: 1d20 + 16 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 16 - 1 = 32
Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

He then catches and sends it flying back...

◆ Strike
Returning Light hammer, sickened 1, MAP: 1d20 + 16 - 1 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 16 - 1 - 4 = 18
Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Before casting his arcane shield and thinking if he knows of any way to be more effective against this flaming beast

◆ Cast Shield
◆ Recall Knowledge

Recovery (Flat check DC11): 1d20 ⇒ 1 ⇒ Dying 3
Fuuuuuuuu

Boodiddly grimly reloads the crossbow, humming loudly as he does so.

Sustain [A], cast inspire defense [A], and Interact to reload crossbow [A].

Shakur turns around for just a moment to focus on his spiritual weapon as Jevar hits the ground. He turns his head to check on Jevar as his body hits the ground and seeing the char marks all over the wizard's body, he almost jumps. "Oh my gods!" he shouts as he crouches down next to Jevar and begins healing.

[AA]Heal

Heal: 4d8 + 32 ⇒ (7, 2, 3, 6) + 32 = 50

"If this wasn't a dream, I'd suggest we drag you behind the boat to cool off." Shakur jokes as Jevar comes to.

Seeing that he's fully healed, Shakur turns back around and attempts to attack with the Spiritual Weapon again.

Attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23
Nope. I doubt that hits either

Woohoo! Thank you Shakur. Jevar is now wounded 1.

Coming to, Jevar quickly remembers where he is in this dream and hops back up on his feet before Shakur can finish his sentence.

That doesn't sound comfortable at all!

He turns to see Shakur smiling. Oh... right. Just a joke. I guess I'm slow coming off death's door.

Standing in place he summons another acid arrow.

◆ Stand up
◆◆ Cast (somatic, verbal) acid arrow vs Ashmane
Spell attack Ashmane, acid damage: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 253d8 ⇒ (5, 8, 2) = 15
on hit, 1d6 persistent acid damage

Kolgradd slices at Ashmane as he flies by and misses. He then hurls his hammer at the fiendish horse and hits it, only to miss on the second attack.

Boodiddly continues singing and reloads his crossbow.

Shakur heals Jevar and slices his force dagger at Ashmane.

Jevar stands and sends an arrow of acid at Ashmane that misses the beast.

Ashmane once again flares his hooves as he gallops through the air and burns the amnesiacs. Triggers from Kolgradd.

Acid Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
DC 15 flat: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Diplomatic Immunity
Round 7 —> 8
==============
Jevar (-8) {wounded 1}
Ashmane (-88) {Enfeebled 3: Round 1 of 2; slowed 1: hideous laughter; 1d6 persistent acid} [10’ above ground]
Boodiddly (-49)
Shakur (-29)
Kolgradd (-42) {Abaddonian Plague: Stage 1; drained 1; sickened 1; Hasted: Round 6 of 10}
==============

Bastard Sword sickened 1: 1d20 + 17 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 17 - 1 = 25
Cold Iron Slashing, electricity: 2d8 + 6 + 1d12 ⇒ (1, 5) + 6 + (7) = 19

Kolgradd growls as the flaming horse flies by again.

I'm not being taken down by a bloody pet!

With determination befitting a task of much more weight, he attempts to cough out the last bit of smoke.

◆ Retch
Fortitude, inspire defence, sickened: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 13 + 1 - 1 = 18

◆ Retch
Fortitude, inspire defence, sickened: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 13 + 1 - 1 = 32

When he finally does, he takes a deep breath and starts flinging his hammer

◆ Strike
Returning Light hammer, sickened 1: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32
Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

◆ Strike
Returning Light hammer, sickened 1, MAP: 1d20 + 16 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 16 - 4 = 30
Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

1. I can't overstate the value of persistent damage spells. 2. Last turn I moved Jevar on the map (out from behind Shakur) before I'd made up my mind about the turn. Unfortunately I forgot to put him back after settling on diff actions. I will spend the action this turn so he should actually be there, but fair being fair he might've been targeted last round in his original position.

Jevar jogs out from behind Shakur to the opposite edge of the couch. As he goes, he looks down at his hands muttering something and rubbing his hands together methodically while crackling energy starts to gather around him.

When he plants himself at his destination he throws both hands forward, fingers splayed, to release the energy towards Ashmane!

Free action, Palpatine stance, lol

◆ Stride
◆◆ Cast (somatic, verbal) lightning bolt vs Ashmane
Electricity damage (DC25 basic reflex save): 4d12 ⇒ (12, 3, 9, 11) = 35

Boodiddly continues whistling and raises his crossbow.

Hand Crossbow: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
Piercing damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Sustain [A], cast inspire defense [A], and Strike [A].

Shakur focuses on his spiritual weapon twice.

Attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33
Damage: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (6, 5) + 4 = 15
Attack: 1d20 + 15 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 15 - 5 = 26
Damage: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 = 9

He then shouts at the creature again, "Didn't you hear me? I said GIT OUTTA..."

Intimidate to Demoralize: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Shakur then erupts in a bout of coughing, completely killing the mood.

Kolgradd swings as Ashmane flies by, missing the horse completely. He then coughs up the last bit of smoke in his lungs and staunchly chucks his hammer, impacting twice with the fiendish horse!

Jevar moves forward and electricity blasts out from his fingers!

Ashmane basic Reflex: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (17) + 17 = 34

And the electrocution causes the horse’s ever-burning flame to finally die out as it plummets to the ground!

Quaveandra’s retinue stands agape at the scene before them—their mistress and employer dead on the ground! Some take up arms and immediately begin to rush at the amnesiacs, but Eloquent Call of the Movement intercepts the attack and stands to guard the amnesiacs. The serpentine beast stares at the amnesiacs and flicks out its forked tongue in pride. ”I sssuggesst you leave thisss city immediately.”

Taking the very blunt hint, the amnesiacs—now with their prize of Quaveandra’s heartstone Inventory Updated—they waste no time bolting out of the drug den in search of a quiet alleyway to hunker down. There, Kolgradd uses the power of Quaveandra’s heartstone to stymie the fiendish disease the night hag gave him the remove disease effect of the heartstone is unlimited use, so I’m just going to handwave the checks and say that you eventually manage to counteract it. They all then take their time and meditate in an attempt to Wake Up.

*

Wealday 2 Neth, 4716 (Day 22, Mile 211)

*

The amnesiacs awaken aboard the Sellen Starling, and while they don’t find the heartstone with them, their research indicates that it’ll be on Kolgradd’s person once they return to the Dreamlands. And now, it is time to attempt to make a journey to a necropolis to hunt some wamps! But we’ll need to resolve at least one day of downtime

Alright, so we gotta resolve 3 days of downtime before y’all go back to the Dreamlands. Link back to the skills for each research “library”. (Was that seriously two months ago? Jeez.)

Merrily Down the Stream
Day 22 - Day 24
==============
Count Lowls’s Journals: 8 RP
Signet Ring Research: 0 RP
Feline Tail Research: 12 RP
Royal Ghoul’s Skull Research: 9 RP
Green Stone Idol Research: 3 RP
Ambassador’s Heartstone Research: 12 RP
Captain’s Tricorne Research: 7 RP
Webbed Foot Research: 12 RP
==============

Continuing to work on the Tricorne Hat.

Occultism vs DC 23: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33
Occultism vs DC 23: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24
Occultism vs DC 23: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

Boodiddly hits the books with gusto. Not literally, of course - he’s not a terrible person like some ratlings…

Lol right. And on top of that after all this research is done I have to remember where Jevar was in the middle of his crafting process to reverse-engineer the moderate frost vial recipe :P

Jevar looks longingly at his partially deconstructed frost-vial, hoping the rocking of the ship doesn't undo his work. He reconvenes with his friends to get back to heavy research...

If I'm counting right, Boodiddly put us at 11RP for Tricorne (+2 for that crit success). Let me see if I can get the last one.

Captain’s Tricorne Research (DC 23 Occultism): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30 ⇒ Success!

Jevar admires Boodiddly's work, and appreciating a near-complete library he requests the privilege of resolving the last bit and making it whole. Afterward, he moves onto the Signet Ring.

Signet Ring Research (DC 23 Occultism): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16 ⇒ Failure
Signet Ring Research (DC 23 Occultism): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25 ⇒ Success!