GM Xavier Kahlvet's Strange Aeons 2e

Game Master KingTreyIII

I can’t afford Dahab to fall into the wrong hands. If I can get these four to do the legwork, then all the better. And all I must give them in return is the location of the Blossoming Thorn. I feel a little bad giving them only that, since it’s such a massive building. Maybe I’ll treat them to dinner as well…

Once they are well and truly out of earshot, Jevar begins to share what he learned with his friends.

I heard her thoughts. She really does need this person back. Maybe it is his connections, maybe it's something else. She thinks revealing the location of Biting Lash is a small price to pay. So much so that she feels a little guilt about that, though I'm guessing not really very much on our behalf. What's more, I detected the name of the place in her thoughts: the Blossoming Thorn, and she describes it as a "massive building". I wonder if it would be easier to recover its location on our own, or go ahead and carry out her task.

"If Dahab is an information broker, he might know more about Biting Lash and/or this Blossoming Thorn," Boodiddly suggests.

"I want to leave this slaver and her minions to rot, and head straight to the Blossoming Thorn!"

Kolgradd barks out when they're alone, but then gathers himself.

"But you're right Boodiddly. Dahab might be useful to us, and if they're really being held captive and having their parts cut off, a small good deed to free might remove some of the stain from our souls"

Since literally no one can fail this Perception check: The former-amnesiacs suddenly look back and notice Kisetz and Hakoor looking straight at them—quite a ways away and out of earshot, but definitely watching them. The two barely even try to hide it.

Don't look now but her two guards are following us. Shohreh, you said you wanted to find Kisetz later. Does this work?

He tries to mostly keep his back to the guards to remain discrete.

Boodiddly preps a few opening lines while he waits for Shohreh to answer. "Did we drop something?" Bit cliche. "Lovely weather, isn’t it?" Also cliche. "You punks looking to start a fight?" Too likely to start a fight. Hmm…

"Why are they following us do you think? To make sure we do the job? Or something more nefarious. I trust that slaver about as far as she could throw me."

Kolgradd looks most displeased with the situation. Unwilling to help a slaver, but equally unwilling to leave a potential slave having their bits chopped off.

"Do you know anyone here Boodiddly? Maybe we could ask around about the situation between Dahab and Njano, to see what we're getting into?"

Kolgradd will be no use, but perhaps a Gather Information before we decide might be helpful? After we resolve the situation with these followers of course

In that case we could proceed to the plan to nab Dahab (and perhaps retcon the guard's interaction after?).

Will have to do that for now to avoid the game stagnating.

Also, railroading a bit of stuff so things don’t start stagnating again.

The former-amnesiacs were given three avenues of investigation: the Shipwreck (where the kidnapper is meant to meet with Njano at dawn), the domed temple of Gozreh (where Azeem, an acquaintance of Dahab, is), and the Black Circus (where another acquaintance of Dahab, Rahmir, is).

With some basic inquiries, the former-amnesiacs find that the Black Circus is closest to their current location.

To the Black Circus

Today seems to be an off-day for the Black Circus, as it appears the employees are doing some rehearsals and such.

The former-amnesiacs are eventually directed to Rahmir, who is busy cleaning a wooly mammoth that’s used as part of the show.

Most attempts to communicate with Rahmir are met with ”What? What?! I can’t—just come in the cage; Astique’s a good girl.”

Rahmir, who is apparently hard of hearing, finally communicates with the former-amnesiacs properly when they enter the mammoth’s cage with him.

Boodiddly Diplomacy: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (7) + 24 = 31

”Dahab? Saw him a few days ago. Had this look in his eyes that I’ve seen enough times in my life: the man is in love. Dahab never really talked about his ‘gentleman suiter’ very much, but whoever it is must really love Dahab back, because they gave him very good gifts: a beautiful leather jerkin, a fine belt, and boots, all of the most beautiful ochre tint—I’ve never really seen leathers with that hue before. If I had to guess as to where he was, I’d figure he’d be with his boyfriend.”

Jevar Society: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (13) + 20 = 33

Jevar recognizes that such well-made gifts would almost certainly have come from Okeno’s tanning pits. The tanning pits are still closer to their current location, so the former-amnesiacs head there next.

Boodiddly Diplomacy: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (17) + 24 = 41

As they ask around there, they find that only one tannery has access to a unique ochre dye: Salir’s Fine Leathers.

To the Salir’s Fine Leathers

Salir’s Fine Leathers is a single-story, mud-brick building wrapped around two sides of a tanning yard; an 8-foot high mud-brick wall encloses the other two sides of the yard.

As the former-amnesiacs enter the front entrace, they see folded stacks of dyed leather fill the well-organized shelves of the store, each labeled with the type of animal the skins are from as well as the going price for wholesale and individual purchases. Boots, gloves, pouches, satchels, and clothing serve as just some of the examples of the fine wares provided here.

Seated behind the desk is a woman who seems to have been doing her own thing before the former-amnesiacs walk in—it seems they don’t get many customers at this time of day, based on the brief surprise on her face when the former-amnesiacs walk in.

”Oh! Uh…welcome to Salir’s Fine Leathers. How may I help you?”

Boodiddly Diplomacy: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (12) + 24 = 36

”Dahab? Well, uh…I know he and Fazar have been meeting up a bit, but I haven’t seen him for a couple days. Sorry.”

The former-amnesiacs definitely get the sense that this woman is hiding something.

What do you do?

She seems to very well know who Dahab is. Jevar wonders if she particularly cares for him.

Diplomacy(T): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28

We've been asked to track him down and ensure his safety, by one who is concerned. Anything else you can recall would help.

Sense motive (perc+19)

"You seem conflicted" Kolgradd observes. "Like you want to help us, but cannot. Has someone threatened you? Fahar perhaps?"

"You seem conflicted" Kolgradd observes. "Like you want to help us, but cannot. Has someone threatened you? Fahar perhaps?"

”Fazar?! Nono, Fazar is a wonderful man and an absolute sweetheart! He would NEVER do anything like that. And between you and me, I think he’s a bit too good for Dahab.”

Normally Kolgradd would not attempt to lead a conversation because he's offensively blunt and has no interest in small talk, but given the opportunity he'll continue questioning her

"Oh really? What's wrong with Dahab? Fahar gifted him a lot of your finest leathers we've heard, which must have been expensive..."

He eyes price tags around the store.

"How much did Fahar spend on the gifts?" Then with an abrupt change of topic "Do Fahar or Dahab speak with an accent, like Taldane is not their first language?"

I'm wondering if Fahar might be working some charm spells? Alternatively Dahab could be cutting bits off of someone else and pretending to be held hostage?

He eyes price tags around the store.

The leathers in the store are fairly expensive. If what Rahmir said is even slightly true, it would have been quite a bit of money “down the drain” to just be gifted to Dahab.

"How much did Fahar spend on the gifts?"

The woman sheds her veneer of professionalism for a moment to say ”Listen, man, I don’t really pry into my boss’s personal life, and what he does with and gives to his boyfriend isn’t really my business. I just…wish I could get through a work day without…hearing them, y’know?”

"Do Fahar or Dahab speak with an accent, like Taldane is not their first language?"

A momentary look of confusion, followed by contemplation, spreads across her face, as if she had only just considered the question for the first time. ”Now that you mention it, Fazar does kinda speak with an accent. I guess I never really noticed before now.”

Jevar grimaces purposely, highlighting the detail at suspicious.

Yes, like we said before, we'd like to find him and ensure he's safe. Are you aware of other places they would often go together?

"Well, I'm sure wherever he is he's doing fine."

And...crit fail on a Deception check; she definitely knows where he is.

So Jevar has 6 2nd-level slots. I think this would be a good time for him to try a mind reading again. REMINDER I'm assuming he has none of his normally prepared 2nd level slots today. He wiped them out for the telepathy, so if we have a fight later he, e.g., won't conveniently have any of his acid grip slots.

Shohreh gives the girl a look of pure exasperation. "You don't want us here bothering you, and we don't want to be here bothering you. You can either tell us and we'll be on our way, or you can keep dragging this conversation on even longer."

So Jevar has 6 2nd-level slots. I think this would be a good time for him to try a mind reading again. REMINDER I'm assuming he has none of his normally prepared 2nd level slots today. He wiped them out for the telepathy, so if we have a fight later he, e.g., won't conveniently have any of his acid grip slots.

And I’m gonna give Jevar a Hero Point for finding a non-murder-hobo solution to this weird stalemate that’s written into the adventure. And also for once again reinforcing that “mind reading should have the subtle trait” is a hill I’m willing to die on.

Will: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

Jevar sighs and curtly says

Thank you for your time.

feigning resign, It's not a direct lie? But if necessary: Deception(T) +17 he looks around at the rest of the party and begins to lead them away...

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

Once outside of the shops property Jevar leads the party a short distance away out of earshot (and *definitely* entirely out of sight) of the shopkeep.

I read her mind. Dahab is tied up in back. We need to sneak in and recover him. I can make three of us invisible, perhaps the fourth can distract her?

Kolgradd nods in agreement, already in stealth mode.

He's trained in stealth, but not in any social skills so I think he'd be a poor choice for distraction

Okay, I was being really coy about it for a while, but I'm just going to say that all this weirdness adds up to y'all figuring it out eventually: the lady at the front desk was indeed under a charm effect.

Screw it, I’m just gonna handwave how y’all get inside the building. Getting inside the building is basically a “level 7 challenge” and y’all are level 12. So I’m just gonna say that whatever idea y’all have, it works solely due to the sheer level discrepancy.

To the Back Rooms

This spacious and airy room contains a half dozen large wooden tables covered with untrimmed hides. A wall of wooden racks holds freshly tanned and dyed leather. Map Updated

Four laborers—or maybe slaves—toil in this room, overseen by a muscular man. As the former-amnesiacs enter the room, the muscular man looks up at them in shock and says ”Employees only! What the hell are you doing back here?!”

Assuming someone mentions Dahab: ”Oh? Well, that’s a shame.”

I’m gonna say that y’all have your reactions available, since most of the guys in this building were not very friendly. At best, you’d probably underestimate this combat solely because most of the other guys you may have come across are, like, level 5 or something.

Fazar ◆◆◆ Casts a Spell that Jevar immediately recognizes: slither!

Jevar Counterspell; rank 5: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (10) + 22 = 32 Failure on the check, but that means you manage to counteract it, because it’s not rank 7 or higher.

Fazar is completely dumbfounded that his magic just refused to work!

For the record, Fazar is the red circle on the map, because I don't actually have an image for him (well, kinda).

…at First Sight
Round 1
==============
Fazar <Red>
Boodiddly
Jevar
Kolgradd
Shohreh
==============

Boodiddly blinks in surprise at the sudden escalation and de-escalation, then starts to whistle. One hand reaches up and squeezes Shohreh’s for a moment, as if reassuring her that whatever fate befell her the last time she was in this city would not happen again.

Performance to Linger vs DC 30: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (17) + 25 = 42

Casting lingering composition [F], courageous anthem [A], and rank 3 protection on Shohreh [AA].

Shohreh favors Boodiddly with a soft smile at the unexpected gesture, before she steps forward, her voice indignant.

"What's wrong with you?" she demands, her words reinforced by divine magic.

Daze, DC 32 basic Will: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 4) = 9

◆◆ Cast daze
◆ Cast shield, AC 31 Hardness 15

Screw it, I’m just gonna handwave how y’all get inside the building. Getting inside the building is basically a “level 7 challenge” and y’all are level 12. So I’m just gonna say that whatever idea y’all have, it works solely due to the sheer level discrepancy.

Suggested handwaving narrative: being +5 levels, we could pretty reasonably make a display of power that convinces them to preserve their lives and slink away in temporary shame. More hobo murdering avoided.

Now...

Jevar begins with the most direct method of dispensing...

A black tracer bolt flies toward Fazar, and upon making contact intensifies into a powerful destructive beam.

◆ Stride 20ft
◆◆ Cast a spell: Disintegrate
Spell attack (CA), damage (no type; CA; DC32 basic fortitude): 1d20 + 22 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 22 + 1 = 4012d10 + 1 ⇒ (3, 7, 2, 4, 9, 8, 3, 9, 1, 8, 8, 7) + 1 = 70

If you critically hit, the target gets a result one degree of success worse than the outcome of its Fortitude save. A creature reduced to 0 HP is blasted to fine powder; its gear remains.

Boodiddly sings and casts protection on Shohreh.

Jevar moves away and sends a black bolt at Fazar! Regular hit.

Fazar basic Fort; spell resistance: 1d20 + 22 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 22 + 1 = 33

Botting Kolgradd: Kolgradd Strides forward and casts enlarge on himself!

Shohreh casts shield then sends a mental headache at Fazar!

Fazar basic Will; spell resistance: 1d20 + 28 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 28 + 1 = 31

Fazar grits his teeth and looks back up. He then smiles as he snaps his fingers ◆ Change Shape. Suddenly, Fazar’s appearance morphs into that of a woman with strange, tentacle-like hair. Instead of legs, however, he (she?) has a lower body of a mass of tentacles. Fazar then ◆◆ Casts a Spell! Triggers from Kolgradd.

↻ Kolgradd RS vs Fazar; courageous anthem: 1d20 + 25 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 25 + 1 = 38
Bludgeoning Damage; enlarge: 3d8 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (3, 8, 7) + 8 + 2 = 28 Cold Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6 Fire Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Fire damage did nothing and bludgeoning damage ran into resistance.

Kolgradd Will: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (3) + 21 = 24 Critical Failure

NOPE! Reroll: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (1) + 21 = 22 Critical Failure

Well…by my new paradigm Kolgradd gets to keep the Hero Point since the reroll didn't change anything. But…oh boy…

Yeah…Jevar would definitely say this out loud, but…Kolgradd’s now (7th-rank) dominated.

…at First Sight
Round 2
==============
Fazar <Red> (-78 from “1” attacks [before resistances])
Boodiddly {Lingering Courage: Round 1 of 4}
Jevar
Kolgradd {Enlarged: clumsy 1 & +2 status to damage}
Shohreh {3rd-rank protection: Round 1 of 10}
==============

Recall Knowledge (Bardic Lore, Enigma’s Knowledge) vs Fazar: 10 + 14 = 24 (Dubious Knowledge, Unmistakable Lore)

Boodiddly blinks again as the man changes in unexpected ways, mind racing to keep up with everything. But Kolgradd needs help!

Dispel Magic Rank 6 to Counteract: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (2) + 22 = 24 Hero Point!
Dispel Magic Rank 6 to Counteract: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (12) + 22 = 34

Fairly certain his effort was in vain, he conjures a thin barrier between himself and his friend.

Enigma’s Knowledge to Recall Knowledge vs Fazar [F], then casting dispel magic vs the dominate effect [AA] and shield [A].

Oh no...

Jevar backs away to the corner before unleashing a dispelling attempt at Kolgradd.

◆ Stride
◆◆ Cast a spell: dispel
Counteract dominate: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (8) + 22 = 30
HERO POINT Counteract dominate: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (13) + 22 = 35

Okie, swapping dispel for Acid Grip

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

acid damage: 2d8 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6
plus 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.

FYI, the counteract check was a regular failure, so it fails to counteract (since the dominate is NOT rank 5 or lower).

But this reminds me to mark the slither slot off on his dailies.

The giant Kolgradd has a familiar look of grim determination on his face, but this time it's as he attacks his allies!

I didn't see Jevar's original position, but if he was within 15' when he did that Stride Kolgradd will react. I'm guessing Couragous Anthem no longer applies since he's not exactly an ally

↻ Reactive Strike
Longhammer: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (11) + 25 = 36
Bludgeoning, enlarge: 3d8 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4, 3) + 8 + 2 = 20 Cold: 1d6 ⇒ 1 Fire: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Then after a word of magic, and with his head tilted forward and looking up at Jevar, he advances!

◆ Cast Sure Strike
◆ Stride
◆ Strike
Longhammer: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (6) + 25 = 31
Longhammer: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (2) + 25 = 27
Bludgeoning, enlarge: 3d8 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (5, 3, 8) + 8 + 2 = 26 Cold: 1d6 ⇒ 2 Fire: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Will: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (17) + 21 = 38

Boodiddly attempts to dispel the magic and fails, then protects himself.

I didn't see Jevar's original position, but if he was within 15' when he did that Stride Kolgradd will react.

Just double-checked the maps’ version history and indeed he was.

In his first iteration, Jevar said that he Strides first, so that’ll be what triggers Kolgradd’s Reactive Strike.

Jevar moves back, and Kolgradd swings at the wizard in retaliation! The wizard then casts a spell at Fazar.

Fazar Reflex; spell resistance: 1d20 + 25 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 25 + 1 = 33

You didn’t specify where you wanted to move them, so I’m just gonna assume you wanted Fazar closer.

Kolgradd advances forward and attacks Jevar!

Botting Shohreh: Shohreh Strides, in an attempt to bait out Kolgradd’s Reactive Strike, but he does not take one because he succeeded at his save, so she stops a bit sooner than anticipated to get both Boodiddly and Kolgradd in her aura of protection. Shohreh then casts holy light at Fazar!

Shohreh vs Fazar; courageous anthem: 1d20 + 22 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 22 + 1 = 39
Holy Fire Damage: 5d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 2, 1, 6) = 12 Holy Spirit Damage; courageous anthem: 5d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 4, 6, 3) = 16

Fazar shrieks in pain, the fire damage seeming to do absolutely nothing, but the spirit damage seeming to sear through the tentacle-person’s skin! Activated some kind of weakness.

Fazar growls as she ◆◆ casts a 4th-rank translocate and suddenly appears on top of one of the tables and lashes out at Shohreh with one of her tentacles!

◆ Fazar tentacle vs Shohreh w/protection: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (7) + 30 = 37
Unholy Bludgeoning Damage: 3d12 + 12 ⇒ (12, 12, 10) + 12 = 46

…at First Sight
Round 3
==============
Fazar <Red> (-94 from “1” attacks [before resistances])
Boodiddly {Lingering Courage: Round 2 of 4}
Jevar (-57)
Kolgradd {Enlarged: clumsy 1 & +2 status to damage}
Shohreh (-46) {3rd-rank protection: Round 2 of 10}
==============

"Hey Fazar! How many tickles does it take to make an octopus laugh?" Boodiddly pauses for a moment to let the punchline hit harder. "Ten tickles!"

Bon Mot vs Fazar Will DC: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (5) + 24 = 29

Bon Mot vs Fazar [A] and cast roaring applause (Rank 3) from staff [AA].

now she’s just within 30ft, so let’s try…

◆◆ cast a spell: Never Mind (that name would be too perfect if it were a bard performance) on RED (DC32)

You drastically reduce the target's mental faculties. The target must attempt a Will save. The effects of this curse can be removed only through effects that target curses.

Critical Success The target is unaffected.

Success The target is stupefied 2 for 1 round.
Failure The target is stupefied 4 with an unlimited duration.

Critical Failure The target's intellect is permanently reduced below that of an animal, and it treats its Charisma, Intelligence, and Wisdom modifiers as –5. It loses all class abilities that require mental faculties, including all spellcasting. If the target is a PC, they become an NPC under the GM's control.

◆ cast a spell: shield

Jevar watches Kolgradd warily…

As he shakes off the spell, Kolgradd's eyes go wide with rage.

"SORRY JEVAR!" he thunders, and steels himself to attack his dominator.

◆ Enter Disruptive Stance
◆ Stride
I've put him where I'd like him to be, but there's a table in the way. Can he smash it out of the way as part of the move? If it would need an action he'll hold off for now and stop one space short

As he approaches, he tries to skewer her with the end of his hammer.

◆ Combat Assessment

Longhammer: 1d20 + 25 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 25 + 1 = 32
Piercing, enlarge: 3d8 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (4, 6, 6) + 8 + 2 = 26 Cold: 1d6 ⇒ 5 Fire: 1d6 ⇒ 3

If he gets a question with that, resistances and weaknesses?

Shohreh stands her ground, planting her feet and raising a hand charged with void energy. "Fall!"

Rank 6 harm, DC 32 basic Fort: 6d10 ⇒ (7, 5, 2, 7, 2, 6) = 29 Knocked prone if she takes any damage, drained 1 if she crit fails.

◆ Cast Down
◆◆ Cast harm

Boodiddly tells a joke to Fazar. Failure on the Bon Mot.

Fazar Will; spell resistance: 1d20 + 28 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 28 + 1 = 38

Fazar pinches the bridge of her nose in mild annoyance.

Jevar protects himself and attempts to diminish Fazar’s intellect!

Fazar Will; spell resistance: 1d20 + 28 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 28 + 1 = 37 Success --> Critical Success (incapacitation)

I've put him where I'd like him to be, but there's a table in the way. Can he smash it out of the way as part of the move? If it would need an action he'll hold off for now and stop one space short

”Smash”? No. But I will say that you can easily move it aside as part of the movement, especially given your size.

Kolgradd advances forward and swings at Fazar, but the strange creature proves particularly nimble and dodges away.

Shohreh sends a waft of void energy at Fazar!

Fazar basic Fort; spell resistance: 1d20 + 22 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 22 + 1 = 39

Wait, prone if she takes ANY damage?! Cross-references Oh damn.

Fazar is knocked off of her lack-of-feet onto the table! Aware enough of Kolgradd’s capabilities, she opts for a different approach: taking care of this irksome gnome!

◆ Fazar tentacle vs Boodiddly w/protection; prone: 1d20 + 30 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 30 - 2 = 32
Unholy Bludgeoning Damage: 3d12 + 12 ⇒ (9, 4, 3) + 12 = 28

↻ Boodiddly Unexpected Shift | DC 16 flat: 1d20 ⇒ 3

◆ Fazar Grab vs Boodiddly Fort DC w/protection; prone: 1d20 + 28 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 28 - 2 = 37

Fazar then attempts to reposition Boodiddly into her “dress” of tentacles! ◆ Encage in Tentacles: this acts as Swallow Whole, except without the suffocation part of it.

Fazar Athletics vs Boodiddly Reflex DC w/protection; 2nd, prone: 1d20 + 28 - 5 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 28 - 5 - 2 = 41

Fazar repositions Boodiddly into the “dress” of tentacles that makes up her lower half, after which another tentacle wraps itself around the gnome to keep him in place! To explain the damage below as well as explain away the easy “I walk out the bottom of her ‘dress’ because she’s prone’ thing.

Bludgeoning Damage: 2d12 + 12 ⇒ (2, 6) + 12 = 20

And before it’s asked: Encage in Tentacles has neither the concentrate nor manipulate trait, so it wouldn’t trigger from Kolgradd.

…at First Sight
Round 4
==============
Fazar <Red> (-108 from “1” attacks [before resistances]) {No Reactions; prone}
Boodiddly (-48) {Lingering Courage: Round 3 of 4; grabbed & slowed 1}
Jevar (-57)
Kolgradd {Enlarged: clumsy 1 & +2 status to damage}
Shohreh (-46) {3rd-rank protection: Round 3 of 10}
==============

Time to move her away from Boodiddly...
◆◆ Cast a spell: acid grip

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

acid damage: 2d8 ⇒ (6, 7) = 13
plus 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.

◆ Cast a spell: shield

Flat Check vs DC 5: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Boodiddly proceeds to walk out the bottom of Fazar’s dress, doing his best look anywhere except at her… underside. The fact that he doesn’t actually cross the space between him and Kolgradd is a minor detail.

Casting translocate [AA] and Sustain [A].

Still furious, Kolgradd's cold rage is quite terrifying.

◆◆ Intimidating Strike
Long hammer, anthem: 1d20 + 25 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 25 + 1 = 39
Piercing, anthem: 3d8 + 8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3, 5, 5) + 8 + 2 + 1 = 24 Fire: 1d6 ⇒ 3 Cold: 1d6 ⇒ 4

If the piercing seems more effective he'll keep using it, otherwise he's more accustomed to bludgeoning and will switch back. Swinging a hammer down at a prone target seems more scary than poking them with it

◆ Advantageous Assault

Long hammer, anthem: 1d20 + 25 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 25 + 1 - 5 = 40
P/B, anthem, circ: 3d8 + 8 + 2 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (6, 6, 6) + 8 + 2 + 1 + 5 = 34 Fire: 1d6 ⇒ 6 Cold: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Ho boy that was a good hit!

Boodiddly was slowed 1 due to Encage in Tentacles; I’m gonna assume he puts bigger priority on getting out of the grab than on Sustaining the roaring applause

Boodiddly teleports away from Fazar.

Jevar sends an acidic grip at Fazar.

Fazar Reflex; spell resistance: 1d20 + 25 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 25 + 1 = 42

If the piercing seems more effective he'll keep using it, otherwise he's more accustomed to bludgeoning and will switch back. Swinging a hammer down at a prone target seems more scary than poking them with it

Doesn’t seem any more effective. However, because the roaring applause is over… Fazar’s tentacles get in the way as she attempts to entangle Kolgradd’s hammer! ↻ Reflexive Grab: Fazar tries to Grapple Kolgradd. Kolgradd can choose to Release his hammer to make her automatically fail, but I doubt he would.

Fazar Athletics vs Kolgradd Fort DC w/protection; prone: 1d20 + 28 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 28 - 2 = 42 The protection saved you from a crit.

Also, FYI, the damage bonus from enlarge doesn’t stack with the one from courageous anthem

And Kolgradd follows up with another attack! Second one does NOT crit. She still takes none of the fire damage

Botting Shohreh: Shohreh casts shield and divine lance.

Shohreh vs Fazar OG w/frightened 1; courageous anthem: 1d20 + 22 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 22 + 1 = 36
Holy Spirit Damage; courageous anthem: 7d4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2, 1, 4, 1, 1, 1) + 1 = 13

And she takes extra damage from her weakness.

Fazar ◆◆ casts a 7th-rank dispel magic! Triggers from Kolgradd

↻ Kolgradd RS vs Fazar OG w/frightened 1; courageous anthem: 1d20 + 25 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 25 + 1 = 39
Bludgeoning Damage; enlarge: 3d8 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (4, 6, 3) + 8 + 2 = 23 Fire Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3 Cold Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

And that disrupts (which she didn’t know you could do)

She then ◆ maintains her grab with surprising flair! Indispensable Savvy: for the next 24 hours, whenever Fazar makes an Athletics check, she instead uses her Deception bonus (including the DC to Escape)

Fazar “Athletics” vs Kolgradd Fort DC w/protection; frightened 1: 1d20 + 30 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 30 - 1 = 42

Once again, barely not a crit. Despite the flavor of her Reflexive Grab, Kolgradd is still able to Strike with his hammer.

And the lingering anthem ends at the start of Boodiddly’s turn.

…at First Sight
Round 5
==============
Fazar <Red> (-223 from “4” attacks [before resistances]) {prone}
Boodiddly (-48)
Jevar (-57)
Kolgradd {grabbed; Enlarged: clumsy 1 & +2 status to damage}
Shohreh (-46) {3rd-rank protection: Round 4 of 10}
==============

Nothing seems to be working... But, at least Boodiddly is clear of her path.

With that he draws one of his scrolls and unleashes a lightning bolt at her.

◆ Draw scroll (from Scroll adept)
◆◆ Cast a spell: Lightning bolt
electricity damage, DC32 basic reflex: 4d12 ⇒ (12, 9, 10, 12) = 43

Just a reminder (mainly because I myself forgot), Kolgradd has two Reactive Strikes per round now, so if Indepsensable Savvy has Manipulate or Concentrate, he could strike again

Despite his predicament, Kolgradd can't help but grin when his attack catches her off-guard and disrupts her spell.

"You weren't expecting that? Try this!"

◆ Cast Sure Strike
◆ Strike

Longhammer: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (17) + 25 = 42
Longhammer: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (15) + 25 = 40
Piercing, enlarge: 3d8 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (3, 7, 6) + 8 + 2 = 26 Cold: 1d6 ⇒ 4 Fire: 1d6 ⇒ 2

◆ Advantageous Assault

Longhammer, MAP: 1d20 + 25 - 5 ⇒ (15) + 25 - 5 = 35
Piercing, enlarge: 3d8 + 8 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (5, 4, 3) + 8 + 2 + 5 = 27 Cold: 1d6 ⇒ 6 Fire: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Boodiddly hums and claps from behind Kolgradd’s large frame.

Harmonize

Just a reminder (mainly because I myself forgot), Kolgradd has two Reactive Strikes per round now, so if Indepsensable Savvy has Manipulate or Concentrate, he could strike again

It does not, but thank you for checking.

Boodiddly harmonizes.

Jevar takes out a scroll and casts from it.

Fazar basic Reflex; spell resistance: 1d20 + 25 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 25 + 1 = 34

Then Kolgradd unleashes two attacks and kills Fazar!

Just gonna handwave healing, honestly.

The former-amnesiacs continue to the room connected to this one and find an unconscious man tied wo a chair with one of his ears cut off. This is indeed Dahab.

*

The former-amnesiacs escort Dahab out of the tannery, where Kisetz and Hakoor are waiting outside. Upon seeing their arrival, Kisetz smiles and speaks half-sardonically. ”Dahab! Glad to see you okay. The Princess has been worried about you.”

What do you do?

Kisetz's tone raises Shohreh's eyebrow, and she steps to place herself partly between Dahab and the pair of mercenaries.

"How was your wait?" she asks, keeping her own tone casual.

Kisetz's tone raises Shohreh's eyebrow, and she steps to place herself partly between Dahab and the pair of mercenaries.

"How was your wait?" she asks, keeping her own tone casual.

Kisetz is caught off-guard by Shohreh’s casual tone. ”Uh…fine…?” She looks over at Hakoor with a clear look of WTF is this woman doing?! on her face. Hakoor simply shrugs.

Y’all are allowed to converse with Dahab if you want (and I’ll let you retcon in a conversation with him to be prior to meeting up with Kisetz and Hakoor, if you wish).

Earlier, when we found Dahabm Kolgradd was eager to learn the nature of his relationship the Princess.

"What the hell happened here?" he bellowed, along with "Who is the Princess to you, and who are you to her? Do you want to go back?"

Basically Kolgradd would never return a slave to their "owner", so if that's the situation he wants to know

And I just realized that I DID previously say that Dahab was unconscious when y’all entered the room; ignore that.

Earlier, when we found Dahabm Kolgradd was eager to learn the nature of his relationship the Princess.

"What the hell happened here?" he bellowed, along with "Who is the Princess to you, and who are you to her? Do you want to go back?"

Basically Kolgradd would never return a slave to their "owner", so if that's the situation he wants to know

”Huh?” Dahab seems genuinely confused when Kolgradd asks his question. And he also seems…strangely calm for a man with a recently-cut-off ear that’s tied to a chair. ”Fazar’s out there, right?” He does a bit of an awkward hop in the chair to get a bit closer to the doorway. “Hey Fazar! I know I said I was down for anything, but four complete strangers joining in seems a bit out of left field, don’t you think, babe?!”

Dahab turns his attention back to the former-amnesiacs. ”Sorry, guys. I dunno what Fazar told you, but group stuff isn’t really my thing. Especially not with, uh…” He motions his head to point toward Shohreh. ”No disrespect, though!” He quickly adds. ”You are a very beautiful woman. I just…don’t swing that way, y’know?”

Assuming someone brings up Njano: ”Njano? Wait, THAT princess? The princess thing wasn’t just a weird roleplay prompt?” Dahab’s face turns bright red. ”Oh gods! I thought you were…That is to say…Oh jeez…”

Yes, the underlying tone is about sex. Please speak up if that makes you uncomfortable.

Dahab clears his throat as he squirms a bit awkwardly in the chair he’s bound to. ”I, uh…Yeah, I know the princess—she’s my boss. And sure, I want to go back to work eventually, but I’m just enjoying time with my loved ones for a bit.”