LG Male Medium Dwarf Fighter 14 (He/Him) | HP 220 | AC 36 (37 with shield) | F +25 [Battle Hardened] R +22 W +24 | Perc +24 (+26 for init) | Speed 25ft | Spells 1st: Sure Strike, Sure Strike 2nd: Mirror Image, See the Unseen 3rd: Time Jump, Blazing Dive, Wooden Double 4th: Fly 5th: Cloak of Colors| Class DC 33 | Resist: Slashing 4 | Helm 0/2 Cape 0/1
"Wait Jevar,"
Kolgradd suspects some illusion, and would like to get to the bottom of it before they begin trading.
"We want no fight either, but you seem strange to my eyes, a conglomeration of refuse shouldn't speak nor read in my experience. What manner of creature are you?"
Could we Recall Knowledge to see if we know of such a thing?
”Oh, goodness! I am so sorry!” The refuse-creature bows as a sign of apology, causing a disgustingly wet crinkling to echo from its body. ”I am Hoshbagh. Character Profiles Updated I am an ofalth, though a bit more well-spoken than most of my kin. I have…I have been hearing of you all—and occasionally following, sorry—and was just…wondering if you had anything you…didn’t need, I guess? I’d be willing to trade you for them, if you wish.”
Just gonna put this here: ofalths are basically trash monsters that make homes in sewers, dumps, and the like, and they carry a disease that causes people to weep blood from their pores.
Jevar's confusion deepens. He glances at Kolgradd's warning to wait. Thinking on it, and remembering the disease ofalths carry, he wonders if they look to pass it on or if it's an innocent side effect of their desire to collect and trade items.
Sense motive (is it being sneaky to pass the disease via traded items?), Perc(E) +20
Looking the creature over, he states
I'm not sure we need anything you have on you now. We certainly have no way to clean it.
I take it nothing further to gain from recall knowledge?
”Oh! Sorry. I…don’t have anything to trade for right this second—except some coins—but I have been keeping some caches here, there, and everywhere. I would probably need a day or two, but I am sure I could find something. I-if that’s not too much trouble.”
As strange of a request that this is, Hoshbagh seems to be being truthful and forthcoming.
LG Male Medium Dwarf Fighter 14 (He/Him) | HP 220 | AC 36 (37 with shield) | F +25 [Battle Hardened] R +22 W +24 | Perc +24 (+26 for init) | Speed 25ft | Spells 1st: Sure Strike, Sure Strike 2nd: Mirror Image, See the Unseen 3rd: Time Jump, Blazing Dive, Wooden Double 4th: Fly 5th: Cloak of Colors| Class DC 33 | Resist: Slashing 4 | Helm 0/2 Cape 0/1
"I can't think of any books we have to trade at the minute sorry"
Kolgradd gives Jevar a look that says I can think of several books of profane journals and a certain artifact of evil that we've promised to give to an angel, but we are certainly not trading those away!
Jevar glances back at Kolgradd. He gets the general idea. While he has many lesser important books too, the ofalth's trade offer became entirely un-compelling in recent moment.
"Oh yes! I do love trinkets! I have some of my own that I could give to you in return, but I would need a day or two to grab it."
Simply put, Hoshbagh is meant to act as a merchant, if y'all wish to offload any equipment you want. She buys books, scrolls, grimoires, etc. for 75% Price instead of the normal 50%. She has a random assortment of things, so if you want to purchase stuff from her, she effectively can find stuff up to level 14 for y'all.
After the former-amnesiacs potentially do some bartering, Hoshbagh goes on her merry way. And the group prepares to fight a ghost.
Up the tower to the Star Stele
The iron fittings here have crumbled to rust, and desiccated scraps of wood mark where furniture once stood in this nearly square chamber. Broad, short windows provide a commanding view of the city, indicating that this room is at the top of one of the tallest towers. At the room’s center stands a twelve-foot-tall column with a single flat face inscribed with dozens of runes. Map Updated
Everything is…quiet. Kaklatath chose to stay at the foot of the stairs, so the former-amnesiacs have a bit of time to themselves. They frantically look around the room for the supposed ghost that Lowls mentioned.
GM Screen:
4d20 ⇒ (15, 4, 16, 11) = 46
And Boodiddly and Kolgradd, after several seconds, hear something very muffled coming from the outside of the tower itself: spellcasting! To be clear, because y’all succeeded at the Perception check, initiative is rolled right before the spell is cast, as opposed to when the threat becomes obvious AFTER it had already cast a spell.
LG Male Medium Dwarf Fighter 14 (He/Him) | HP 220 | AC 36 (37 with shield) | F +25 [Battle Hardened] R +22 W +24 | Perc +24 (+26 for init) | Speed 25ft | Spells 1st: Sure Strike, Sure Strike 2nd: Mirror Image, See the Unseen 3rd: Time Jump, Blazing Dive, Wooden Double 4th: Fly 5th: Cloak of Colors| Class DC 33 | Resist: Slashing 4 | Helm 0/2 Cape 0/1
Looking around Kolgradd spins his hammer as he casts his revelatory spell and prepares himself for a fight.
LG Male Medium Dwarf Fighter 14 (He/Him) | HP 220 | AC 36 (37 with shield) | F +25 [Battle Hardened] R +22 W +24 | Perc +24 (+26 for init) | Speed 25ft | Spells 1st: Sure Strike, Sure Strike 2nd: Mirror Image, See the Unseen 3rd: Time Jump, Blazing Dive, Wooden Double 4th: Fly 5th: Cloak of Colors| Class DC 33 | Resist: Slashing 4 | Helm 0/2 Cape 0/1
Sorry, I don't know how I missed that. Delay util after Jevar...
With his enhanced speed, Kolgradd zips to in front of the rune-carved pillar the better to get a look at it.
◆ Stride
Unless there happens to be an invisible ghost near him in which case he could strike it
No, because that requires you to be able to see the caster as they are casting the spell.
Botting Boodiddly: Boodiddly Harmonizes.
Shohreh casts bless then shields herself.
Jevar looks around the room and enhastens Kolgradd. Not gonna bother rolling for the Seek, because it’ll be moot in a second.
Kolgradd allows himself to see invisible things, but finds nothing unusual as he moves and enters his stance.
”AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!”
Suddenly phasing through the ceiling is a ghostly woman wielding a similarly-ghostly, flame-wreathed bastard sword in both hands, a floating shield of pure fire following her. She is ◆ Flying straight at Boodiddly as she unleashes a ◆◆ Devastating Spellstrike!
Well…Boodiddly gets to keep the Hero Point. But…dear lord…
Unexpected Shift | DC 11 flat:1d20 ⇒ 12
Okay, the retroactive +2 from Unexpected Shift turns that into a normal failure instead of a critical failure.
And Shohreh takes 5 points of fire splash damage.
And because of…reasons, the ghost gains 7 temp HP.
The Stele of Disorder
Round 2
==============
Ghost (+7) <Red>
Boodiddly (-101)
Shohreh (-5)
Jevar
Kolgradd {Hasted: Round 1 of 10; See the unseen}
==============
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.
Never Mind wrote:
The effects of this curse can be removed only through effects that target curses.
LG Male Medium Dwarf Fighter 14 (He/Him) | HP 220 | AC 36 (37 with shield) | F +25 [Battle Hardened] R +22 W +24 | Perc +24 (+26 for init) | Speed 25ft | Spells 1st: Sure Strike, Sure Strike 2nd: Mirror Image, See the Unseen 3rd: Time Jump, Blazing Dive, Wooden Double 4th: Fly 5th: Cloak of Colors| Class DC 33 | Resist: Slashing 4 | Helm 0/2 Cape 0/1
Heaven's that looks nasty
Kolgradd rushes up to give the ghost something else to focus on
◆ Stride
If Boddiddly has moved back by the time Kolgradd goes, he'll go in the vacated space to act as a barrier, failing that he'll go in the space indicated
Boodiddly inhales deeply, but can't seem to hold his tune for very long as the sound turns from a pure whistled note into a noise like a deflating accordion. He glances down at his belly, then back up with a raised eyebrow that his silver mask twists ever so slightly to accentuate. "Oh look. I've been impaled. How original."
Performance to Linger vs DC 31:1d20 + 26 ⇒ (9) + 26 = 35 Diplomacy, Status to Bon Mot vs Red Will DC:1d20 + 25 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 25 + 4 = 39
Recall Knowledge [F], cast lingering composition [F], courageous anthem [A], and shield [A], then activate the Mask of Allure [F] and Bon Mot [A].
Order of preference for reactions would be 1. Shadow Siphon vs a damaging spell, 2. Fortuitous Shift, and finally 3. Shield Block.
Reminder that anyone adjacent to me can tap my vital beacon for 5d10 points of healing!
Shohreh quickly brushes any lingering embers from her sleeves, before turning her considerable medical and magical expertise to the business of bringing Boodiddly back from the brink!
Battle Medicine for Boodiddly, DC 30:1d20 + 27 ⇒ (6) + 27 = 33 Healing:2d8 + 40 ⇒ (8, 6) + 40 = 54
Temp HP for Boodiddly:7d4 ⇒ (4, 3, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1) = 15a net of 69hp, nice
Kolgradd rushes forward and crits the ghost twice! Not gonna bother with the persistent fire damage, since she’ll resist all of it. Took zero cold damage, only took fire damage from the Intimidating Strike. You also forgot about the bonus to damage from the courageous anthem.
Ghost Fort vs. crit spec; frightened 2 | DC 31:1d20 + 23 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 23 - 2 = 24 Ghost Fort vs. frost; frightened 2 | DC 24:1d20 + 23 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 23 - 2 = 30
Ghost Fort vs. crit spec; frightened 2 | DC 31:1d20 + 23 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 23 - 2 = 29 Ghost Fort vs. frost; frightened 2 | DC 24:1d20 + 23 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 23 - 2 = 33
Kolgradd knocks the woman off-kilter.
The ghost gains 7 temp HP.
She ◆ makes her fiery shield snap in place as she ◆ re-rights herself…
LG Male Medium Dwarf Fighter 14 (He/Him) | HP 220 | AC 36 (37 with shield) | F +25 [Battle Hardened] R +22 W +24 | Perc +24 (+26 for init) | Speed 25ft | Spells 1st: Sure Strike, Sure Strike 2nd: Mirror Image, See the Unseen 3rd: Time Jump, Blazing Dive, Wooden Double 4th: Fly 5th: Cloak of Colors| Class DC 33 | Resist: Slashing 4 | Helm 0/2 Cape 0/1
If she went prone after the first attack he'd have done an Advantageous Assault on the second if I can petition the court for 5x2=10 extra damage? Unless you already did that of course
Shouting out the words between breaths as he steps around the ghost and hurls his massive hammer around:
"Who are you? Why are you attacking us?"
◆ Step This mainly to leave a 10' burst free for the orchestra
◆ Cast Shield
+2 circumstance to the recall knowledge if that's a crit, and he's interested specifically in how to put a final end to her, i.e are there any hints to why she's haunting this place?
Critical Success The target gains the immobilized condition and takes a –10-foot circumstance penalty to its Speeds for 1 round. It can attempt to Escape against your spell DC to remove the penalty and the immobilized condition.
Success The target takes a –10-foot circumstance penalty to its Speeds for 1 round. It can attempt to Escape against your spell DC to remove the penalty.
Failure The target is unaffected.
Heightened (2nd) The effects last for 2 rounds.
Heightened (4th) The effects last for 1 minute.
If she went prone after the first attack he'd have done an Advantageous Assault on the second if I can petition the court for 5x2=10 extra damage? Unless you already did that of course
I did not. Fair enough.
Boodiddly:
I’m just gonna tell you that you can’t learn any more, since I don’t wanna come up with more random, incorrect stuff.
Boodiddly summons an orchestra on top of the ghost!
Your best inkling is that she’ll specialize in primarily single-target spells to utilize with her Spellstrike.
Kolgradd swings twice at the ghost!
Kolgradd:
Spiritual Rejuvenation Unlike a standard ghost, whenever [REDACTED] is destroyed, she immediately rejuvenates, but the violent despairs of undeath subside for 2d4 days, making her indifferent to most creatures. Her hatred for all life returns after this time, during which she is automatically hostile to all living creatures.
Ghost gains 7 temp HP.
The ghost ◆ Raises a Shield, then unleashes a ◆◆ Devastating Spellstrike on Kolgradd!
Success The creature is unaffected.
Failure The creature must spend the first action on its next turn to obey your command.
Critical Failure The target must use all its actions on its next turn to obey your command.
He then flings his staff across the expanse at her...
◆ Cast a spell Hand of the Apprentice (staff of the dreamlands) Spell attack, bludgeoning damage:1d20 + 23 ⇒ (17) + 23 = 401d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
LG Male Medium Dwarf Fighter 14 (He/Him) | HP 220 | AC 36 (37 with shield) | F +25 [Battle Hardened] R +22 W +24 | Perc +24 (+26 for init) | Speed 25ft | Spells 1st: Sure Strike, Sure Strike 2nd: Mirror Image, See the Unseen 3rd: Time Jump, Blazing Dive, Wooden Double 4th: Fly 5th: Cloak of Colors| Class DC 33 | Resist: Slashing 4 | Helm 0/2 Cape 0/1
After being hit with a devastating ghostly strike, being magically healed and then quickly bandaged, Kolgradd sucks in a ragged breath and steadies himself.
"She is overcome with hatred for everything, but I think if we can just kill her it ought to calm her down"
With no time to make any more sense, he immediately begins speaking the words of spells to try to get some completed before he has to take another hit
Both Kolgradd and Shohreh ↻ Shield Block the damage Reducing it by 20, but are nevertheless experience brief bouts of frostbite! Both are slowed 1 for 1 round.
The Stele of Disorder
Round 5
==============
Ghost <Red> (-244 from “10” attacks [before resistances]) {Bon Motted; -10-foot circumstance to Speed: Round 2 of 10}
Boodiddly (-38)
Shohreh (-28) {slowed 1: Round 0 of 1}
Jevar
Kolgradd (-72) {slowed 1: Round 0 of 1; Hasted: Round 4 of 10; See the unseen}
==============
This magus has very good saves, so it's seeming like direct attacks are the way. Is there a way to detect any effects on her that could be suppressed with Dispel?
Jevar skulks to the next corner to get within range...
◆ Stride
Getting back to basics, he gesticulates and utters one of the more basic incantations that his team is familiar with. I bolt of fire speeds at the magus.
◆◆ Cast a spell ignition Spell attack, fire damage:1d20 + 23 ⇒ (5) + 23 = 288d4 ⇒ (4, 1, 3, 4, 4, 1, 1, 4) = 22 HERO POINT Spell attack:1d20 + 23 ⇒ (16) + 23 = 39 On a critical success, the target takes double damage and 7d4 persistent fire damage.
GM, per our conversation, my Reflex save is +22 (or 23 vs Occult), which you said would have succeeded, so no damage to me and I am not slowed 1.
"Enough of this," Shohreh snarls in frustration, forming a lance of pure spiritual force and slamming it through the ghost's form. Then, she gets the hell out of Kolgradd's coming counterattack.
LG Male Medium Dwarf Fighter 14 (He/Him) | HP 220 | AC 36 (37 with shield) | F +25 [Battle Hardened] R +22 W +24 | Perc +24 (+26 for init) | Speed 25ft | Spells 1st: Sure Strike, Sure Strike 2nd: Mirror Image, See the Unseen 3rd: Time Jump, Blazing Dive, Wooden Double 4th: Fly 5th: Cloak of Colors| Class DC 33 | Resist: Slashing 4 | Helm 0/2 Cape 0/1
Ice crusting his beard, Kolgradd forces his heavy limbs to move. He roars to try to wake himself up.
"AAAAAAANGRADS BEARD THAT WAS COLD!"
He rushes up to the ghost, his instincts telling him to back them into a corner despite the fact they can pass through it.
◆ Stride
He then smashes the hammer into the wall by way of the powerful ghost.
M Gnome Bard 14 | HP 162 | AC 33 | F +22 R +22 W +24 (Success -> Crit Success) | Perc +23 (+2 vs Initiative), Imprecise Scent | Speed 25 ft | Focus 2/2 | Spells: 1st 3/3 2nd 3/3 3rd 3/3 4th 3/3 5th 3/3 6th 3/3 7th 3/3 | Staff Charges: 7/7 | Active Conditions: None
Boodiddly whistles nonchalantly as the ghost retreats, though the sound cuts like knives on stone in one corner of the room. Acoustics are crazy like that sometimes.
Performance to Linger vs DC 31:1d20 + 26 ⇒ (2) + 26 = 28 Sonic damage:8d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 6, 2, 5, 1, 6, 1) = 24(Basic Fort DC 33)
Kolgradd slams his hammer into the ghost, causing it to dissipate into mist. Then that mist immediately re-coalesces into the ghost, though this time without her sword. An expression of awkwardness and embarrassment is upon her face.
”My apologies, I…hath no control over mineself in that state. I apologize for any inconvenience I hath done unto thee.”
LG Male Medium Dwarf Fighter 14 (He/Him) | HP 220 | AC 36 (37 with shield) | F +25 [Battle Hardened] R +22 W +24 | Perc +24 (+26 for init) | Speed 25ft | Spells 1st: Sure Strike, Sure Strike 2nd: Mirror Image, See the Unseen 3rd: Time Jump, Blazing Dive, Wooden Double 4th: Fly 5th: Cloak of Colors| Class DC 33 | Resist: Slashing 4 | Helm 0/2 Cape 0/1
Kolgradd laughs when the ghost says "inconvenience", and then continues laughing until he has to put his hammer down and wipe tears from his eyes.
"Oh that's ok, just one of those, HA HA, one of those thi-" but then he collapses in into a laughing fit again.
If no-one takes over before he collects himself he'll continue
"I'm sorry about that, it's not every day you're nearly eviscerated by a ghost who then apologies for it"
He's still smiling, but the moment for laughter has passed.
"What happened to you? Were you one of Lowls party? We're trying to stop his mad plan, or at least reverse what he's started"
At first Jevar gives the ghost an incredulous look that says
You have to be kidding me?!
But, it seems she's truly in a different state now, so he takes a moment, exhales and moves on from it. He leans over on his staff and watches Kolgradd devolve into a laughing fit.
Kolgradd are you okay? Well, actually come to think of it I'm not sure I am either.
Relieved when the dwarf stands up again and starts asking questions.
Oh, you don't know Lowls. When did you come here and who was last here with you?
The ghost’s gaze drifts off toward the north, staring at the crater lake.
”I…doth not know how I might explain when I hath come here to thee. It was…far in the past. And my mind…dost not think clearly whilst I am…paranoid of the living. I wast defeated by…w-wait…it! That thing that dost dwell in the lake! It wast here! Yet it didst take upon itself a different form. And…the living fought beside it. It didst have living allies—that is not how it usually functions. I…awoke in a voidness…I hath been defeated prior, but this wast different and strange. It was like I wast…staring into the Dark Tapestry itself. And then…I doth awoke once more, as if naught had happened. The thing and its living allies wast gone. And this…” She places an incorporeal hand upon the Star Stele. ”This wast surging with power I hath never seen in all my years here. And then I hath come back within here—to fighteth you four—and its power hath disappeared once more.”
LG Male Medium Dwarf Fighter 14 (He/Him) | HP 220 | AC 36 (37 with shield) | F +25 [Battle Hardened] R +22 W +24 | Perc +24 (+26 for init) | Speed 25ft | Spells 1st: Sure Strike, Sure Strike 2nd: Mirror Image, See the Unseen 3rd: Time Jump, Blazing Dive, Wooden Double 4th: Fly 5th: Cloak of Colors| Class DC 33 | Resist: Slashing 4 | Helm 0/2 Cape 0/1
Smiling at Jevar, Kolgradd nods.
"Everything caught up to me at once" He waves vaguely in the direction of everything.
"But back to business! These living who fought beside the thing, they are who we oppose I suspect. We must reactivate this stone to follow them and undo the damage they have caused. Perhaps then you can finally get some rest. You must have been here a very long time indeed"
Can we get any context clues from her speech and clothing for what kind of era we're talking about?
Perhaps then you can finally get some rest. You must have been here a very long time indeed"
Can we get any context clues from her speech and clothing for what kind of era we're talking about?
GM Screen:
4d20 ⇒ (13, 6, 18, 6) = 43
Based on her clothing and mannerisms, it’s clear that this ghost is from a time prior to Aroden raising the Starstone and founding Absalom. Considering she is speaking Taldane—albeit an antiquated version—she must at least be from a time following the founding of Taldor in the -1200s AR. Based on her antiquated usage of Taldane, you’re thinking she’s from around -600 AR, meaning she’s been dead for over 5,000 years.
The ghost once more stares to the north. ”Rest…I cannot rest whilst the Cradle of Heaven is still cursed. The evil still resides in the lake. I feel it. And something stirs beneath the earth. This place…it cursed my friends. It must be cleansed of its evil.”
Jevar Shadowmantle wrote:
Do you have any clues as to how the Star Stele is meant to be activated, or empowered?
Jevar is not overly confident, as she seems hazy on the details.
”The what? This standing stone? I am sorry, I hath no knowledge of such a thing.”
"Do you know your name?" Shohreh asks, concerned for the soul of this ghost. "It seems our goals are aligned, but I would hate to see you continue to be trapped in this nightmare of a city."
"I am Upianshe. Character Profiles Updated And...art thou here to cleanse the Cradle of Heaven? If so...please...please destroy what rests beneath this place. Destroy what is in the lake. And...my blade."
Upianshe points toward the lake, where there is a clearing where several "buildings" have fallen.
"My family's legacy, Teralindor's Honor. It is there. Please...I hath shamed mineself and my colleagues. My blade...I wish for it to be returned to me."
