Xanaphia then casts greater dispel magic and three magical fields appear around the Decemvirate member and promptly shatter, but the Decemvirate member looks no different.
HARD MODE: Storm of Skyreach
Round 6
Field Effects: Severe Wind (-4 to Fly/ranged weapon attacks), Sheeting Rain (-2 to Ranged attacks), Freebooter’s Bane +3 vs Decemvirate (Fletch and Thereus only)
========================
Grognar (-61) [175’ above ground]
Grognar’s Familiar (-60)
Thereus (-25) {5 negative levels; Cursed} [150’ above ground]
Xanaphia {5 negative levels} [195’ above ground]
Peri [150’ above ground]
Black Elemental {25’ tall whirlwind} [180’ above ground]
Blue Elemental {25’ tall whirlwind} [180’ above ground]
Red Elemental {25’ tall whirlwind} [180’ above ground]
Yellow Elemental {25’ tall whirlwind} [180’ above ground]
Fletch {Deafened: Round 4 of 5} [180’ above ground]
Astradaemon (-255 from “11” attacks [before DR]) [180’ above ground]
Decemvirate of the Three-Flanged Helm (-207 from “1+6” attacks [before DR]) [180’ above ground]
========================
Aiding Attack (Ex): The Ranger can use this trick as a free action when he hits a creature with an attack. The next ally who makes an attack against the target creature before the start of the Ranger’s next turn gains a +2 circumstance bonus on that attack roll.
Grognar cast dimentional blade Decemvirate member he will use the bite and any additional attacks on the Astradaemon on the off chance their are any left.
There is a very specific reason why we are still in initiative, and that’s because of the daemon as well as other stuff that have yet to become apparent. Also, Fletch can finally hear again!
HARD MODE: Storm of Skyreach
Round 7
Field Effects: Severe Wind (-4 to Fly/ranged weapon attacks), Sheeting Rain (-2 to Ranged attacks)
========================
Grognar (-61) [175’ above ground]
Grognar’s Familiar (-60)
Thereus (-25) {5 negative levels; Cursed} [150’ above ground]
Xanaphia {5 negative levels} [195’ above ground]
Peri [150’ above ground]
Black Elemental {25’ tall whirlwind} [180’ above ground]
Blue Elemental {25’ tall whirlwind} [180’ above ground]
Red Elemental {25’ tall whirlwind} [180’ above ground]
Yellow Elemental {25’ tall whirlwind} [180’ above ground]
Fletch [180’ above ground]
Astradaemon (-275 from “12” attacks [before DR]) [180’ above ground]
========================
Male Human Ranger 14 (Freebooter and Skirmisher) - HP 122/130, AC 29/T: 16/FF: 25 - Perception +19 - F: +14/ R: +14/ W: +8* - CMB: +18 - CMD: 34, Speed: 30*, Init. +4
Fletch immediately pivots and continues firing, this time using special blessed ammunition against the astradaemon. He notes the shimmer around the fiend, notes the true location of its shadow, lines up the shot where he believes the fiend truly is, and fires.
Aiding Attack (Ex): The Ranger can use this trick as a free action when he hits a creature with an attack. The next ally who makes an attack against the target creature before the start of the Ranger’s next turn gains a +2 circumstance bonus on that attack roll.
1) Note that DR should be applied only once because Fletch has Clustered Shots.
2) Fletch has no idea that Astradaemon DR is holy -and- silver, so the DR should still apply.
3) Please note that the Astradaemon's displacement will not avail it against Fletch's Improved Precise Shot.
TL:DR: Two arrows hit AC 37 for a total of 57 holy damage. Two hit AC 32 for 48 holy damage. The fifth certainly missed.
Xanaphia keeps aura of heroism active and double-moves (to get the Peri, Grognar, and Thereus all in the heroism aura if possible w/the altitude difference). The elemental holding the daemon carries it over near Grognar (so he can full-attack it). The others leave whirlwind form and gang up around the daemon while the Peri charges it.
Peri heroism, charge, flank:1d20 + 35 ⇒ (5) + 35 = 40 damage:1d6 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19 fire:1d6 ⇒ 4
Grognar cast dimentional blade Decemvirate member he will use the bite and any additional attacks on the Astradaemon on the off chance their are any left.
3) Please note that the Astradaemon's displacement will not avail it against Fletch's Improved Precise Shot.
Untrue; Improved Precise Shot only allows the attacker to ignore cover/concealment less than total cover/concealment, and displacement explicitly acts like total concealment. Not that it really matters because the daemon is VERY dead!
With the combined efforts of the Seekers, the astradaemon is sufficiently dealt with!
1d26 ⇒ 16
The winds then blow the air walkers 40’ south.
Suddenly, the Decemvirate’s sword—still gripped by a lone gauntlet on the ground far below—begins crackling with red lightning against the three-spired helm, the Decemvirate’s other equipment, and Fluffy, causing her fur to stand on end. A crack of lightning strikes the Decemvirate’s helm, creating an uncomfortable buzzing.
The red disc, which has now grown to eight feet in diameter, spins rapidly as the air pressure in the area drops precipitously.
Knowledge (arcana) or Spellcraft 27:
The red disc was the central focus of some kind of ritual that the Decemvirate Member was performing, and without its primary caster the ritual’s energy has become unstable and is at risk of blasting from Skyreach in a random direction with unpredictable results—but it might be possible to take control of, contain, or redirect these wild energies. Basically, the equivalent of a magical bomb is about to go off and you have to figure out how to neutralize it—I’m purposefully being vague about the “how”s because you don’t exactly know what will work, only that it’s very possible that this thing could blow Skyreach—and perhaps the Grand Lodge—completely sky-high.
Thereus can’t act on a 1:1d2 ⇒ 1
HARD MODE: Storm of Skyreach
Round 8
Field Effects: Severe Wind (-4 to Fly/ranged weapon attacks), Sheeting Rain (-2 to Ranged attacks)
========================
Grognar (-61) [175’ above ground]
Grognar’s Familiar (-60)
Thereus (-25) {5 negative levels; Cursed} [150’ above ground]
Xanaphia {5 negative levels} [195’ above ground]
Peri [180’ above ground]
Black Elemental [180’ above ground]
Blue Elemental [180’ above ground]
Red Elemental {25’ tall whirlwind} [180’ above ground]
Yellow Elemental [180’ above ground]
Fletch [180’ above ground]
Event
========================
Xanaphia casts a dispel magic at the disc. Medium range should still be good from here, even with the negative levels. If not I'll descend towards it. CL:1d20 + 18 + 1d4 - 1 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 18 + (2) - 1 - 5 = 34
”Elementals and Peri, please fly down and try to form a barrier around that disc!”Since it’s an 8’ diameter disc I’m thinking the elementals could surround it on 4 sides and the Peri above it.
Once the others have done there thing Grognar will miracle a wall of force around they object.
The best move would be to have two people use teleports or plane shifts to get rid of the helm but this smells of paizo 'special rules' for this scenario.
I’ll take Fletch’s post (or lack thereof) as meaning he doesn’t really have much that he can do to help stop the ritual.
1d26 ⇒ 13Alright, a direction that doesn’t affect what happens next.
Xanaphia slings a dispel magic at the disc—diminishing some of the magic, but not all—and orders her summons to form a barrier around the disc. Grognar then calls upon a higher power to conjure a dome of pure force around the disc!
Suddenly, a bolt of blood-red lightning shoots out of the Decemvirate member’s sword and strikes the helm. Like iron filings to a magnet the helm flies toward the disc!
At that same moment, the red disc’s spinning accelerates, causing the wall of force’s structure to begin to faulter. A crack forms in the dome and it fails, its structure shattering! The remaining shards of force fly inward as a massive suction fills the area—tearing shingles off of Skyreach’s roof and they fly straight toward the disc! The Seekers desperately try to escape, but the spontaneous suction proves too powerful and everyone and everything within 150’ of the disc Including Fletch, barely is violently pulled toward it as a single bolt of lightning strikes from the heavens and everyone and everything are completely vaporized—making a GM call here based on something else in the scenario: the summoned creatures’ outsider essence being consumed to power the ritual, destroying them completely!
You vaguely remember flying through the air before crashing into the ground and falling flat on your face.
Clang!
The indignant sound rings through your ears as you disorientedly open your eyes to your current surroundings. Your vision is blurry, but even with vague colors and shapes you recognize your location as the memorial to Pathfinders to have fallen to for the Society’s cause: the Wall of Names.
Everyone is prone and strewn about the area. Your senses are blurry, so you only have the most general understanding of your surroundings without actively perceiving.
Male Human Ranger 14 (Freebooter and Skirmisher) - HP 122/130, AC 29/T: 16/FF: 25 - Perception +19 - F: +14/ R: +14/ W: +8* - CMB: +18 - CMD: 34, Speed: 30*, Init. +4
Fletch blinks, trying to force his eyes to see. Recognizing the Wall of Names, he perceives it as shelter. Grabbing his bow, he moves behind the wall for cover and continues trying to see what's going on around him. If any of his companions are not moving, he'll try to pull them to shelter before looking for the rest.
Just realized that Grognar’s Familiar would also have to make a save against the damage when the ritual went haywire:
Familiar Fort:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 Failure
The numbers below assume that Grognar DID have his familiar take half of the damage that Grognar would’ve taken.
Fletch stands and dizzyingly moves for cover from the Wall.
Grognar casts a spell on himself and stands up. I know that you said that you fly up, but your Fly modifier isn’t good enough to justify flying straight up, and flying at an angle gets weird when neither you nor the PC really know your exact location, so you have to rely on air walk, which isn’t really an option while prone.
Xanaphia stands up, casts a spell on herself, and activated her aura of heroism.
Thereus stands up, heals himself, and uses his martial flexibility.
The Pathfinders’ vision clears as they look eastward; dark smoke rises from Skyreach but the building is still intact—the conical rooftop of the tower the disc was floating above has been blown to oblivion, though.
Of much more pressing concern is the source of the clang. The triple-spired Decemvirate helm lies on the grass, crackling with crimson electricity as it houses a desiccated body that looks like a fetus.
Suddenly there is an audible snap as a deep crack forms in the helm and the electricity grows far more violent. A loud whistle comes from the east as several items fly full-speed toward the rapidly-growing fetus—a breastplate, a buckler, and more. Finally a single gauntlet, tightly gripping a small shortsword, flies straight toward the armored, fully-equipped fetus—now the size of a human child. Rotting flesh covers the “fetus’s” body, as he rises up from being hunched over to reveal a fully-sized halfling.
The halfling glances over his body, a single eye almost visible through the crack in the triple-spired helm and he sighs.
”Cat’s definitely out of the bag, then. Oh well.” Character Profiles and Map Updated
He holds up the sword and gazes at it for a moment. ”The Ensanguined Envy, once owned by the mortal family of the demon lord Zura, who grew to detest and disavow the vampire. Once the last of her family had changed their names and abandoned their noble estates out of shame, the sword passed between cults of Zura as a grim souvenir of her abyssal ascension. It was among the treasures recovered by Durvin Gest from Azlant and has spent several decades trading Pathfinders’ hands before we of the Decemvirate decided it was too treacherous not to seal away. I have admired this blade for centuries; a blade empowered by the will to erase past mistakes and memories. Well, it seems I have one final mistake that I need to erase.”
A crimson bolt arcs from the Ensanguined Envy onto the Wall of Names, arcing down along its length and causing many of the names of fallen Pathfinders to glow a blood-red. A look of surprised followed by a wicked grin spreads across the face of the undead halfling.
Weather The weather at the Wall of Names is not as insane as it was at Skyreach; the penalties from the severe wind and sheeting rain does not apply here.
Abilities Because you all technically destroyed Vahlo already, Thereus’s Smite and Fletch’s Freebooter’s Bane have run their course and thus must be re-applied.
Tangent:
The weird thing that happened in this post where I said that the daemon wasn’t sucked up because of reasons—the reason was because Vahlo used his Lucky Halfling feat.
ID Vahlo: Religion 37:
This is a graveknight, a resilient undead that were cursed with unlife by a connection to their armor and a horrid connection to negative energy. A graveknight’s armor are their “phylactery”; it is only by destroying their armor are they truly destroyed. Anyone who wears the armor of a graveknight while they are reforming run the risk of transforming into the graveknight whose armor they wear. Breaking a graveknight's armor isn't enough to ensure they don't return—it must be totally and completely ruined, such as by being disintegrated, shifted to the Positive Energy Plane, or thrown into a volcano.
If you exceed the DC by 5+, open the spoiler below
Spoiler:
Vahlo reformed only by the helm; his cursed “armor” is not the breastplate he wears, but the Decemvirate helm itself! The malfunctioning ritual seemed to supercharge and accelerate Vahlo’s rejuvenation—causing serious strain upon his helm in doing so, likely weakening even its artifact-level magic
If you exceed the DC by 10+, open the spoiler below
Spoiler:
Graveknights all have a connection to a specific type of energy damage that empowers their unlife, allowing them to deal extra damage with their weapons and to explode with a devastating blast of that energy damage. Based on how Vahlo has been fighting, you would guess that his connection is to fire.
If you exceed the DC by 15+, open the spoiler below
Spoiler:
All graveknights have a sacrilegious aura around them—acting as desecrate with their armor being treated as an unholy altar. Any user of a positive energy ability—spells, channel energy, etc.—must make a concentration check or the ability fails DC is based on the graveknight.
If you exceed the DC by 20+, open the spoiler below
Spoiler:
Graveknights have SR.
I’ve been forgetting to account for Thereus’s healing from Lay on Hands; that’s been corrected in the numbers below.
HARD MODE: The Final Mistake
Round 10
========================
Grognar (-71)
Grognar’s Familiar (-114)
Fletch (-21)
Thereus (-13) {5 negative levels; Cursed}
Vahlo Huovar
???
Xanaphia (-21) {5 negative levels}
========================
Ok then he has a speed of 40ft with good maneuverability. He would have flown 40ft towards the only landmark visible assuming that's what other would do in a low visibility situations it's more then half my speed up at less then a 45 degrees incline. I did not see any description. What's the mechanic for distributing people on the battle field?
Ok then he has a speed of 40ft with good maneuverability. He would have flown 40ft towards the only landmark visible assuming that's what other would do in a low visibility situations it's more then half my speed up at less then a 45 degrees incline. I did not see any description.
That's fair; the closest visible landmark would be the wall itself, which is right next to you. To keep it simple I'll just allow you to effectively take an extra move action this turn to make up for the vagueness on my part.
Grognar the Oracle wrote:
What's the mechanic for distributing people on the battle field?
”…with no PC beginning within 30 feet of another.” The only reason Fletch is within 30’ of Xanaphia is because he specifically moved toward the Wall of Names.
MCLW:3d6 + 19 ⇒ (1, 1, 1) + 19 = 22 Near Fletch and Xanaphia using combat healer to cast as a swift action then Heal on his familiar. Then he continues to move forward.
Grognar (-61) -23/2 (-10 from stoneskin) -20/2 (-10 for resistance) = 62 Grognar’s Familiar (-60) -23-20-2 = -105 Final total after healing = -40 and fully healed. (then 4 more healing for fast healing two these last two rounds eagles soul).
Thereus Will vs Divine Damage:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
Holding off to see if Thereus wants to use his folio reroll.
Suddenly, three bolts of lightning surge off from the Ensanguined Envy, narrowly missing Xanaphia and striking the Wall of Names behind her! The bolts each illuminate a name, outlining them in a bloody red. The glowing letters fly off the wall and swirl around, growing and morphing into the ghostly forms of three people, each leaving a blank space on the Wall of Names.
”I was trying to protect Janira…I thought I could take the minotaur…”
“Dalsine just kept laughing…Why didn’t I hear the spellcasting…?”
“The Emerald Spire…Why was there so much darkness…?”
Thereus’s, Xanaphia’s, and Grognar’s wayfinders all grow unnervingly hot as the Pathfinder spirits’ voices grow louder!
”Why did I have to die?!”
Will Saves:
Red Duration:1d4 ⇒ 3 Green Duration:1d4 ⇒ 4 Blue Duration:1d4 ⇒ 3
Everyone except Xanaphia is flat-footed—Fletch and Grognar for 3 rounds, Thereus for 4 rounds.
Vahlo shifts his gaze back and forth between his sword and the ghosts of Pathfinders before a wicked grin spreads across his face.
”Well, I didn’t expect that! But we’ll roll with it—they didn’t call me ‘Lucky Huovar’ for nothing! Get ‘em!”
Rage fills the Pathfinder spirits’ eyes as the move to strike at the Seeker nearest them—Red five-foot-steps upward to reach Grognar, Green goes at Xanaphia, and Blue attacks Fletch!
Swift action cast grace, move as shown (up 10’ to get over the wall), cast blessing of fervor on all but Thereus.
If Grog and Fletch are too far apart I’ll ready it for when they’re 30’. I can’t fail the conc check even w/neg levels according to HL
On the roof of Starhall, some 300’ away, stands a man holding a bow and wearing a set of strange metal goggles with numerous bulbous lenses and flanked by a pair of muscular half-orcs—Grandmaster Torch.
Vahlo’s hand cradles the wound with the arrow as he looks off into the distance, his teeth gritting as he screams a single word:
”TOOOOOOOOORRRRRCH!!!”
Vahlo shakes in anger before he whistles. ”Get into the flank!”Delays until after the Pathfinder spirits.
The Pathfinder spirits all move to their designated target Blue provokes from Grognar. Upon moving, Xanaphia and Fletch are exposed to a new spirit’s murmurings.
A few questions. Grognar's AC is now 45 vs his smite target so there are no hits, correct? The smite bounus applies to CMD correct? If so I think he keeps his sword and without the critical Grognar is not staggered. I think this is correct.
Vahlo growls as long-coagulated blood pours out of his body.
”Enough of this!”
Just as Vahlo is about to move to attack, a spatial warping occurs in the middle of the battlefield. As the warping ceases, in its place stands three figures—two are beleaguered half-orcs in chainmail, one of them holding a now-blank scroll with the other two holding onto his shoulders. The third figure is a heavily-scarred man, showing signs of having fought numerous battles: Grandmaster Torch. In one hand he holds a shortbow, on his face is an intricate set of clockwork goggles. Around his neck hangs a brooch with a glowing green emerald. Torch grabs at the brooch and an emerald ray shoots forth from the gem and impacts with Vahlo! The halfling’s movements grow sluggish as he is hit! Staggered for 1 round.
Torch looks over his shoulder and sees the unconscious Fletch still grasping his bow. He turns to one of the half-orcs and points toward the ranger. The half-orc nods and, with a flick of his wrists, takes out a scroll as he rushes right toward the unconscious human. The bodyguard utters words from the scroll and touches Fletch, returning him to consciousness! Fletch, your ability damage is cured
Torch looks down at the Erastilian below him and reaches into a handy haversack at his hip. He pulls out a scroll as five-foot-flies downward and casts a spell from it and a ray shoots forth at Thereus!
Remove Curse vs DC 27:1d20 + 20 ⇒ (11) + 20 = 31
Thereus, you are no longer cursed.
Vahlo grasps at the glowing green wound on his chest.
”N-nooo…”
Another crimson bolt of lightning arcs off and impacts with the Wall of Names, causing a fourth Pathfinder Spirit to appear.
With three swings of his blade, Grognar strikes hard against the undead halfling, causing him to disperse into dust, leaving naught but his gear. The Pathfinder spirits grow silent as they dissipate into a swirl of letters before ultimately returning to their rightful place on the Wall of Names.
Hard Mode Adjustment for Storm of Skyreach:
Add an additional advanced astradaemon to the encounter. The astradaemons used devour soul to feed upon a powerful Pathfinder earlier in the day, granting them a +3 profane bonus on attacks, saving throws, and checks for 24 hours. Vahlo begins the encounter with 80 temporary hit points and can activate his aura of rebirth as a free action; when he does so, the mohrg he creates gains a +10 profane bonus on attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks, and the save DC of its paralysis ability increases to 25. When Vahlo channels his touch of corruption through Ensanguined Envy, its damage becomes divine damage that cannot be reduced. He can channel his touch of corruption through that blade twice per round, rather than only once per round as typical for the conductive property. Vahlo’s long time as a graveknight has woven additional protections into his armor, allowing him to add his armor bonus to his touch AC. His touch AC is 24 26.
Hard Mode Adjustment for The Final Mistake:
Three Pathfinder spirits appear on the first round. Vahlo can activate his aura of rebirth as a free action; when he does so, the mohrg he creates gains a +10 profane bonus on attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks, and the save DC of its paralysis ability increases to 25. When Vahlo channels his touch of corruption through Ensanguined Envy, its damage becomes divine damage that cannot be reduced. He can channel his touch of corruption through that blade twice per round, rather than only once per round as typical for the conductive property. Vahlo’s long time as a graveknight has woven additional protections into his armor. The armor bonus from his breastplate also applies to his touch AC. This increases his touch AC to 25 26.
Grandmaster Torch lifts up his goggles to his forehead to reveal his face—glowing emerald green eyes that have seen countless battles, but most notably are his scars: they have become less severe since you last met him. Character Profiles Updated
Torch tosses his shortbow to the side as he holds up his hands and floats to the ground.
“Hold! Whether you consider me friend or foe, I am not here to fight, nor do I intend to flee. Stay your attacks until our common enemy is defeated; he is fallen but not gone.” Torch motions to the Decemvirate helm. “You know what we’re dealing with? What must be done?”
Male Human Ranger 14 (Freebooter and Skirmisher) - HP 122/130, AC 29/T: 16/FF: 25 - Perception +19 - F: +14/ R: +14/ W: +8* - CMB: +18 - CMD: 34, Speed: 30*, Init. +4
Fletch has had nothing but betrayal from Torch over the years, real or imagined. But he is not stupid. He has heard from other Pathfinders that Torch may have been better than he seemed. Also, the man and his allies -had- just saved his life. More to the point, Fletch and his team are devastated and the last thing they need is a new fight on their hands. He decides to take a practical approach.
"I don't," says Fletch. "But you seem to. Why don't you tell us what's going on here, besides yet another traitorous member of the Decemvirate? He was undead so likely he'll return. He was what? A lich? A graveknight? Not a vampire, surely." He glances up at the Absalom sun, then back at Torch. "So... who is he? And what do we have to do?"
Stumbling out of his stupor, Thereus lowers his aim on the fallen helm. "Surely it will take some great magic to destroy such a cursed and desecrated item."
