”Psycho” | Male N Human Psychic 10 | HP 42/62 0/8 temp | Mage armor on AC 22, T18, FF 21 (AC 19, T 18, FF 18) | CMB +3 CMD 20 | F +9 R +11 W +18 | Init +1 | Perc +17 SM +4 | Speed 30ft | Spells: 1st 6/8, 2nd 5/8, 3rd 4/7, 4th 2/6, 5th 3/4; Detect thoughts 1/1; Phrenic pool 9/9; Third eye 1/1; | Active Conditions: Echolocation, fly and mage armor;; scroll of spell immunity
The rolling cold quickly dissipates, leaving Psycho Dread unconscious and barely breathing and Lamont nowhere to be found. Not-Trixie springs into action to pull him away, while the lone shadowdancer advances grimly towards the vile hag.
Calculating the angles of the next blast, the Unicorn scrunches against the back wall and shuffles toward the gate, forcing the goblin to keep a safe distance as well.
Round 3 - Bold can act
Grey Unicorn
Brown Goblin
Sihir Aneh <invisible> -35 damage
River of Stars <flying, 20 feet> -24 damage
Psycho Dread <unconscious, stable> -64 damage
Daedîn <evasion>
Black "What Remains" -154 damage
Not-Trixie
Leosa <evasion, negative level>
Lamont <destroyed> -52 damage
“River of Stars” | Male NG Medium Human Shaman 10 | HP 79/79 | AC 20 / 13 T / 19FF | CMD +9 CMD 19 | F +15, R +14, W +21 | Init +2 | Perc +32 SM +13 |Speed 40ft | Shapeshift 10/10 minutes, Flight 4/10 minutes, Stardust 3/4, Ancestor's Council 3/4|Lesser Toppling Rod 3/3, Pearl of Power 1/1|Active Conditions: frigid touch in armour, h. awareness, heroism, lucky #4, haste
River drops to the ground, and choosing between bring Psycho back up or clearing Daedîn's head, he chooses the latter and casts Unbreakable Heart on him
I believe that should suppress the song of discord effect for 10 rounds for him.
|AC 17, T 17, FF 14|HP: 50/50|F +3, R +6, W +5 (+2 vs shadow/death)|Init +3, Perc 0|CMB +3 CMD 16|11/11 Blinding Rays, 8/8 Invisibility Field, 10/10 Veil, 1/1 Arcane Bond, 1/1 Jewel
I'd recommend doing that for me next, if you can (assuming I'm affected, I'm not very clear on what the deal is with that since it doesn't seem to be affecting anyone right now).
In case it's necessary: DC 25 concentration check to cast Tenebrous Spell in bright light:1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28
Sihir does his best to move out of the way of the next terrible blast of cold, then retaliates with a massive orb of eerily dark FIRE!
CL vs SR:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23 fire damage (DC 27 Will save to reduce to 20% reality, followed by DC 27 Reflex save to negate...this round):6d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 4, 6, 2, 5) = 23 catch fire damage?:1d6 ⇒ 3
Sihir forces the ball of dark flame to the hag, but she skirts away unscathed. River's weapon strikes hard again from reverse angles and staggers her, leaving the sniper's lone arrow to fell her.
She drops to a knee as the arrow juts from where her heart once was and what remains of Sonnorae grasps it gently as if it draws forth a memory.
She curls to the ground at Leosa's charging feet, frozen with a forlorn look on her face, though the sockets where her eyes once were no longer see.
From her vantage, Leosa can see a feather pen with a hardened point of onyx tucked into her tattered robes. Her only remaining treasure.
will save to disbelieve shadow ball:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30 reflex save to evade shadow ball:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30
If nothing else we got what we came for. Unfortunately I will be less helpful in the upcoming battle because of this. Leosa says as she leans down and grabs the pen.
Let's look around. Sonnerae wrote this whole plane. There may be some information about what else is here.
“River of Stars” | Male NG Medium Human Shaman 10 | HP 79/79 | AC 20 / 13 T / 19FF | CMD +9 CMD 19 | F +15, R +14, W +21 | Init +2 | Perc +32 SM +13 |Speed 40ft | Shapeshift 10/10 minutes, Flight 4/10 minutes, Stardust 3/4, Ancestor's Council 3/4|Lesser Toppling Rod 3/3, Pearl of Power 1/1|Active Conditions: frigid touch in armour, h. awareness, heroism, lucky #4, haste
River flies down to Psycho's side and starts casting healing spells
I have a breath of life prepared as well, but it probably makes sense to save that for emergencies (until we rest anyway)
He then makes the rounds checking on his other allies. To Leosa he says "I have seen this look before. You are wounded by the loss of your friend. I cannot bring him back, but I can make you feel better. Come to me tomorrow and we will see about healing your spirit"
I can cure that negative level with restoration tomorrow. That will use all the diamond dust he has though so we'd best not get any more negative levels!
"If you give me fifteen minutes to commune with the spirits I will ask them for more healing for you Sihir"
He will then sit cross-legged on the ground and start communing with the spirits to prepare cure serious wounds in his open third level slot.
”Psycho” | Male N Human Psychic 10 | HP 42/62 0/8 temp | Mage armor on AC 22, T18, FF 21 (AC 19, T 18, FF 18) | CMB +3 CMD 20 | F +9 R +11 W +18 | Init +1 | Perc +17 SM +4 | Speed 30ft | Spells: 1st 6/8, 2nd 5/8, 3rd 4/7, 4th 2/6, 5th 3/4; Detect thoughts 1/1; Phrenic pool 9/9; Third eye 1/1; | Active Conditions: Echolocation, fly and mage armor;; scroll of spell immunity
Psycho opens his eyes. "What is going on! What's happened to me!"
When he reasise what is going on he takes out his wand for healing and offers it to the River of Stars.
Leosa spends some time searching for additional clues or treasures but finds nothing but the writing desk.
The unicorn and the goblin slowly entreat back into the clearing as the rest of you settle out your healing.
"That was... exciting." The snide goblin says as he steps back into clear view. "Now that you've sorted out the mistress... what were you saying about the pears? You knew where other good ones were?"
The unicorn shrugs. "We don't need to do the act now that the lady is dead. It's time to wait for the next performance. But before we rest," He turns to your gathered group "I believe you deserve this. Take it." The unicorn bows down before Not-Trixie. She reaches up to gingerly pry off the sticky pear off his horn as the goblin grimaces nearby.
"No. Not the pear, the horn. It's my gift to you." The unicorn laughs.
A bit surprised by the offer, Not-Trixie tugs at the horn, softly at first, but then harder as the unicorn braces against it.
With a loud pop, the horn disengages, and Not-Trixie holds its deceivingly light weight in her hands.
Detect Magic and DC 32 Spellcraft:
The horn functions as a lesser silent metamagic rod
-------------------------------------------
When you finally bring the nib together with the other tokens...:
You lay them out on the ground in front of you, one by one: the Songsmith's Kiss, the Dancing Heel, the Bard's Heart, the Busy Hands, the White Lily, the Clouded Vision, the All-Blossom, and finally the Black Nib. Each a token of that which was stolen from the creator of the realm. Not just her physical vestiges - hands, eyes, heart - but her beauty and her charm, as well.
The ground you have lain them upon begins to churn, undulating slightly to bring them closer together. When they are close enough together they form into an amalgam of metal and jewels and begin to roll to the north. Slowly at first but picking up enough speed that you have to give chase. Daedîn is quick enough to snap it up before it gets to far.
The ball of tokens still pulls heavily in the same direction it wanted to travel in, beckoning you through the sheer power of Sonnorae's remaining will to seek revenge against the last and most evil conspirator, the great dragon Zassrion, The Patchwork Lord deep within his Striding Fortress.
The tokens will certainly lead the way, do you follow them now or rest for the night?
”Psycho” | Male N Human Psychic 10 | HP 42/62 0/8 temp | Mage armor on AC 22, T18, FF 21 (AC 19, T 18, FF 18) | CMB +3 CMD 20 | F +9 R +11 W +18 | Init +1 | Perc +17 SM +4 | Speed 30ft | Spells: 1st 6/8, 2nd 5/8, 3rd 4/7, 4th 2/6, 5th 3/4; Detect thoughts 1/1; Phrenic pool 9/9; Third eye 1/1; | Active Conditions: Echolocation, fly and mage armor;; scroll of spell immunity
rest
Spellcraft:1d20 + 19 ⇒ (15) + 19 = 34
"This horn is something like thing that some people calls "Silent rod"."
Daedîn nods to his companions. "While I'm as ready as anyone to depart this realm, perhaps we need a rest...to mourn a friend as well as to recover for the tough fight against the dragon that lies ahead..."
“River of Stars” | Male NG Medium Human Shaman 10 | HP 79/79 | AC 20 / 13 T / 19FF | CMD +9 CMD 19 | F +15, R +14, W +21 | Init +2 | Perc +32 SM +13 |Speed 40ft | Shapeshift 10/10 minutes, Flight 4/10 minutes, Stardust 3/4, Ancestor's Council 3/4|Lesser Toppling Rod 3/3, Pearl of Power 1/1|Active Conditions: frigid touch in armour, h. awareness, heroism, lucky #4, haste
"I agree, a rest before setting off would be wise, it would allow me to see to Leosa's healing. I don't know how far away Zassrion is, but we should prepare our magics for a dragon too".
River can cast resist energy, but oddly resist energy (communal) is not on the shaman list. Is there anything else we'd want? I don't think we even know what kind of dragon it is do we?
The harrow deck contains many fewer cards then when you arrived several months ago. For what it is worth, the dragon card depicts a blue dragon.
You soon fall asleep, exhausted from the frightening battle, and prepare for travel the next day.
Make sure you set your spells and travelling buffs for the day ahead. Regular daylight.
When you are ready to depart:
After only one hour of travel through the bramble you hear (and soon see) the grinding gears of a huge structure ahead. An unsettling - yet regal - fusion of masonry and mechanics, this citadel of white stone and gleaming bronze marches proudly through the trees and ruins beneath. Piercing the forest clearing, the Striding Fortress slows to a stop, perhaps on its own - to rest, or perhaps it has found its quarry as well.
The Striding Fortress itself stands sixty feet above the ground on two massive metal legs that dig into the ground now through sheer weight. Shaded windows on the front of the fortress indicate some sort of control structure. There seems to be a main gate on the keep’s rear platform with which to gain access, but there are no ladders or ropes evident to climb.
Note the squares on the new map are 10 feet across
“River of Stars” | Male NG Medium Human Shaman 10 | HP 79/79 | AC 20 / 13 T / 19FF | CMD +9 CMD 19 | F +15, R +14, W +21 | Init +2 | Perc +32 SM +13 |Speed 40ft | Shapeshift 10/10 minutes, Flight 4/10 minutes, Stardust 3/4, Ancestor's Council 3/4|Lesser Toppling Rod 3/3, Pearl of Power 1/1|Active Conditions: frigid touch in armour, h. awareness, heroism, lucky #4, haste
In the morning, River uses his wand to heal his remaining wounds before communing with the spirits to prepare his spells.
CLW:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
I've taken 3 resist energys so that with the communal scroll we've got we can do 3 at resist 20 and the rest of us at resist 10. If someone at caster level 7 or above could do communal resist energy then that would be better. He's also prepared a few more healing spells than normal
Afterwards he restores Leosa's vitality...
Casting restoration with 1000GP diamond dust to clear the permanent negative level
And gives everyone a hunter's blessing for hunting dragons in this place and gives himself some false life.
Hunter's Blessing for +2 sacred attack / damage against dragons, as well as a +2 sacred bonus on initiative checks, Perception, Stealth, and Survival checks while in the harrowed realm for 10 hours
“River of Stars” | Male NG Medium Human Shaman 10 | HP 79/79 | AC 20 / 13 T / 19FF | CMD +9 CMD 19 | F +15, R +14, W +21 | Init +2 | Perc +32 SM +13 |Speed 40ft | Shapeshift 10/10 minutes, Flight 4/10 minutes, Stardust 3/4, Ancestor's Council 3/4|Lesser Toppling Rod 3/3, Pearl of Power 1/1|Active Conditions: frigid touch in armour, h. awareness, heroism, lucky #4, haste
River looks up at the fortress.
"I suppose I could fly up there and lower a rope? Oh Not-Trixie isn't there a card for this place?"
@Daedîn There does not appear to be any other entrances. The legs could be climbed fairly easily but meld with the fortress and do not provide easy access to the landing on the back where the gate appears to be.
”Psycho” | Male N Human Psychic 10 | HP 42/62 0/8 temp | Mage armor on AC 22, T18, FF 21 (AC 19, T 18, FF 18) | CMB +3 CMD 20 | F +9 R +11 W +18 | Init +1 | Perc +17 SM +4 | Speed 30ft | Spells: 1st 6/8, 2nd 5/8, 3rd 4/7, 4th 2/6, 5th 3/4; Detect thoughts 1/1; Phrenic pool 9/9; Third eye 1/1; | Active Conditions: Echolocation, fly and mage armor;; scroll of spell immunity
@Leosa, unfortunately the minimum jump would be 60 feet to the landing which is higher than your daily allotment.
With Psycho's help, Daedîn takes to the air and moves in a wide berth to the opening - approaching at a low angle, still unaccustomed to his new found ability.
stealth:1d20 + 23 ⇒ (14) + 23 = 37
The massive, wooden doors on the fortress' outer edge stand ajar, the squeals of a creature just inside sounds like barking orders In Giant maybe?.
Daedîn carefully ties the rope to ornamentation on the gate structure blue dot!, then - confident in his stealthy position - peers through the crack in the great doors.
Inside, he can see four large giant-types with great clubs hanging limp at their side. They are being talked down to by a small ugly gnome-like creature with an alien, feral appearance, who sits astride one of the giants like a gaunt little cavalier.
Around them, brilliant banners of a splendid variety of colors flutter in this picturesque courtyard of white flagstones and carefully tended gardens.
DC 13 Knowledge Local for the little one once you can see him:
He is a warrior Spriggan. They can increase their size to large on a whim. Feel free to ask more if you beat the DC by 5 or more.
DC 14 Knowledge Local for the big ones once you can see them:
These are advanced ogres, dumb brutes who revel in violence and cruelty.
For those of you that wish to climb the rope, it will take four DC 10 climb checks (or 8 DC 5 climb checks if going slow) and a stealth check if you don't want to alert the guards. You may take 10 as we are not in combat (yet). Or of course anything else you can come up with to get up to the landing (60 feet up).
“River of Stars” | Male NG Medium Human Shaman 10 | HP 79/79 | AC 20 / 13 T / 19FF | CMD +9 CMD 19 | F +15, R +14, W +21 | Init +2 | Perc +32 SM +13 |Speed 40ft | Shapeshift 10/10 minutes, Flight 4/10 minutes, Stardust 3/4, Ancestor's Council 3/4|Lesser Toppling Rod 3/3, Pearl of Power 1/1|Active Conditions: frigid touch in armour, h. awareness, heroism, lucky #4, haste
River casts a few spells at the bottom while the others ascend.
Heightened Awareness and Heroism on himself
He'll then activate his flight hex and fly on up, doing his best to be stealthy as he goes.
If allowed, I'll take 10 on both Knowledge checks as that will let me at least ID both of 'em…
Daedîn will remain posted by the door, bow in hand, quietly watching the creatures inside as his friends climb or fly up. As each of his companions arrive, he'll signal them to stay silent with a finger pressed to his lips...
Daylight outside - Normal Light inside the fortress (unless noted later on).
Daedîn can at least identify the creatures within.
Sihir's Knowledge checks:
Spriggan = low-light vision, decent perception, dodge and combat reflexes, at will SLAs (bleed, daze monster, and scare)
Ogres = darkvision (60 ft) and low-light vision, poor perception, normal movement (in armor), hit hard with great club, no feats.
Blue Dragons (general knowledge) = Immune electricity, paralysis, sleep, electric line breath weapon, desert thirst (can create or destroy liquids in a small burst)
”Psycho” | Male N Human Psychic 10 | HP 42/62 0/8 temp | Mage armor on AC 22, T18, FF 21 (AC 19, T 18, FF 18) | CMB +3 CMD 20 | F +9 R +11 W +18 | Init +1 | Perc +17 SM +4 | Speed 30ft | Spells: 1st 6/8, 2nd 5/8, 3rd 4/7, 4th 2/6, 5th 3/4; Detect thoughts 1/1; Phrenic pool 9/9; Third eye 1/1; | Active Conditions: Echolocation, fly and mage armor;; scroll of spell immunity
Psycho casts fly spell on Daedin and himself and flies up.
Not-Trixie gently puts a hand on Leosa's shoulder. "I'd like to think that Lamont is still with us, hiding in your shadow." The wizard's feet gently leave the ground as the wayang's do the same. "I can't help bring him back, but at least I can help you get up there to avenge him. Come fly with me?"
Stealth:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32
Long-term spells (mage armor from wand, see invisibility, darkvision) before casting fly on herself and Leosa.
The group finds their way up to the landing without difficulty. Just as Leosa touches down, the gears begin to strain audibly and the entire Fortress lurches forward, pushing into the dense overgrowth as if wading through water, and forcing you to catch your step.
The doors in front of you creak and swing ominously with each massive step the Fortress takes. The ogres inside do not seem to have noticed your arrival, and stand (using all their willpower) trying to listen to the drill sergeant spriggan while fumbling with their clubs and javelins.
I'll give you just a bit longer today for any more preparations otherwise I assume you will take the initiative (literally) for a surprise round. If you do something noisy in preparation (like cast a verbal spell), please roll another stealth check. The doors are swinging slightly with each step but haven't opened fully. You can access the interior through the pink squares, or you can open the door closest to you fully with a move action. The chamber beyond has a 20 foot ceiling.
”Psycho” | Male N Human Psychic 10 | HP 42/62 0/8 temp | Mage armor on AC 22, T18, FF 21 (AC 19, T 18, FF 18) | CMB +3 CMD 20 | F +9 R +11 W +18 | Init +1 | Perc +17 SM +4 | Speed 30ft | Spells: 1st 6/8, 2nd 5/8, 3rd 4/7, 4th 2/6, 5th 3/4; Detect thoughts 1/1; Phrenic pool 9/9; Third eye 1/1; | Active Conditions: Echolocation, fly and mage armor;; scroll of spell immunity
Psycho will, before he starts to fly, use his wand of mage armor.
”Psycho” | Male N Human Psychic 10 | HP 42/62 0/8 temp | Mage armor on AC 22, T18, FF 21 (AC 19, T 18, FF 18) | CMB +3 CMD 20 | F +9 R +11 W +18 | Init +1 | Perc +17 SM +4 | Speed 30ft | Spells: 1st 6/8, 2nd 5/8, 3rd 4/7, 4th 2/6, 5th 3/4; Detect thoughts 1/1; Phrenic pool 9/9; Third eye 1/1; | Active Conditions: Echolocation, fly and mage armor;; scroll of spell immunity
Not-Trixie joins Daedîn at the gap between the doors, rubbing a bit of soft butter between her fingers as she conjures a similarly-slippery pool of grease underneath the red-skinned ogre.
“River of Stars” | Male NG Medium Human Shaman 10 | HP 79/79 | AC 20 / 13 T / 19FF | CMD +9 CMD 19 | F +15, R +14, W +21 | Init +2 | Perc +32 SM +13 |Speed 40ft | Shapeshift 10/10 minutes, Flight 4/10 minutes, Stardust 3/4, Ancestor's Council 3/4|Lesser Toppling Rod 3/3, Pearl of Power 1/1|Active Conditions: frigid touch in armour, h. awareness, heroism, lucky #4, haste
With the sounds of spellcasting signifying that stealth is over, River begins his usual drone of shoanti magic weaving while Eska floats around his head.
Not-Trixie greases the nearest ogre who slumps awkwardly to his knees then the floor. Leosa moves in under Daedin's covering fire and his lone arrow sinks deep into the ogre's back. Casting the door open, River and Psycho are able to cast their beneficial spells on the party. Sihir weaves his phantasm and infects the majority of the guards with its hideous effect. Several of the ogres begin to yell the same word in Giant, which you can only assume is - "spiders!"
Enemy saves:
Red Reflex vs Grease:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Black Will vs Phantasmal Web:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15 Gray Will vs Phantasmal Web:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 Orange Will vs Phantasmal Web:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 Yellow Will vs Phantasmal Web:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 Red Will vs Phantasmal Web:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 Black Reflex vs Phantasmal Web:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 Orange Reflex vs Phantasmal Web:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16 Yellow Reflex vs Phantasmal Web:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Round 2 - Bold can act (Haste, Bless, Hunter's Blessing (dragon) and Lucky Numbers are up) Not-Trixie <mage armor, see invisibility, darkvision, fly>
Leosa <clay skin, fly>
Daedîn <fly>
Black Spriggan <"web", grappled>
Gray Ogre
River of Stars <heightened awareness, heroism, fly>
Orange Ogre <"web", grappled>
Yellow Ogre -28 damage <"web", grappled>
Psycho Dread <mage armor, fly>
Red Ogre <prone>
Sihir Aneh <mage armor, pass without trace, spider climb>
Leosa slides forward and strikes the sprawled ogre. Daedîn's relentless volley spreads across the garden, finishing off the first ogre with the first and then forcing two more arrows into the hampered rider.
There are more distinct grunting words from the ogres, as the ridden one lumbers forward, only to met by Not-Trixie's readied grease slick. The spriggan stumbles off the ogre, still reeling from the spider "swarm".
The discouraged ogre tries to regain his footing. provokes from Leosa
Black Fort vs Web Nausea:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20 Black New Will vs Phantasmal Web (due to being told it was fake by gray):1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 4 = 18 Gray Reflex vs Grease:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Round 2 - Bold can act (Haste, Bless, Hunter's Blessing (dragon) and Lucky Numbers are up)
Leosa <clay skin, fly> <gets AOO on Gray>
Daedîn <fly>
Not-Trixie <mage armor, see invisibility, darkvision, fly>
Black Spriggan <"web", grappled> -61 damage
Gray Ogre <stood up, provokes from Leosa>
River of Stars <heightened awareness, heroism, fly>
Orange Ogre <"web", grappled>
Yellow Ogre <"web", unconscious> -53 damage
Psycho Dread <mage armor, fly>
Red Ogre <prone> -15 damage
Sihir Aneh <mage armor, pass without trace, spider climb>
