OK, this round you have control of the Abyss. These are the potential effects you can achieve. Valrar, let me know what you want to do, feel free to be creative.
Quake: Each creature standing in a 20-foot radius must attempt a DC 20 Reflex save or fall prone. Fissures open in the earth, and every creature on the ground has a 25% chance to fall into one (Reflex DC 20 avoids). The fissures are 40 feet deep. At the end of the round, all fissures grind shut. Treat all trapped creatures as if they were in the bury zone of an avalanche, trapped without air (Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook 429). In Subtier 14–15, increase the DC of the Reflex save by 2.
Meteor Strike: Two meteors strike the battlefield, as per the
spell meteor swarm.
Acid Bubble: An Abyssal bubble bursts, spraying acid on all
creatures within a 20-foot radius. This deals 10d6 points of acid damage (Reflex DC 21 half ). In Subtier 14–15, the damage increases to 13d6, and the saving throw DC increases to 23.
Abyssal Minions: The dirt of the Abyss squirms with life, as
a 20-foot-radius spread of grasping claws springs from the ground. This functions like a black tentacles spell (CL 15th, or CL 17th in Subtier 14–15).
Other: The PCs could potentially create other effects, such as altering terrain features or even creating crude structures from thin air. Allow them some leeway in how they decide to shape the Abyss, especially if it creates fun or cinematic effects.
So you drank the blood of a Demon Lord:
Abyssal Attunement: You no longer take penalties on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma based skill checks based on the difference between the Abyss’s alignment and your own. Additionally, you are particularly adept at manipulating the raw substance of the Abyss, an ability that will have mechanical benefits in your encounter with Koth’Vaul.
Initiative: You gain a +2 bonus on initiative checks.
Epic Strikes: Your attacks with natural and manufactured weapons bypass DR/epic.
Mythic Power: You gain two uses of mythic power per day. You can use this power in the following ways.
• Surge: After you fail any check that uses a d20 roll, as an immediate action you can expend one use of mythic power to roll 1d6 and retroactively add the result to the check.
• Extra Action: Up to once per round as a free action on your turn, you can expend one use of mythic power to take an additional standard action. This action cannot be used to cast a spell.
Alie wasn’t sure either, but she couldn’t think of anything else to do. ”I think we might have to go ahead and go through the portal,” she adds nervously.
The trail does lead directly to the portal. If anyone has any other preparations to make now would be the time to do them. Otherwise I will move us forward Monday evening UK time and assume you all enter the portal.
male Wizard 9/Lore 7 | HP 115| AC 25; Touch 20; FF 21 | F +14; R +12; W +16 | CMB+7; CMD 27 | Speed 20 ft | Init +3 | Perc +2 | Stealth: +1 Wizard 9/Lore 7
Male Human (Taldan/Ulfen) Swashbuckler 15 | HP 102/157 | AC 40/26/25 (currently 41/27/25) | F +15, R +22, W +14 | CMB +12, CMD 30 | Init +11 | Perc +1 | Fortification 25% | Panache 3/8 | Charmed Life (+5) 3/6 | Imp. Iron Will 0/1 |
Active Conditions:
Planar Infusion II (+1 Fort, +2 Demoralize, +2 Crit Confirm, Curse Terrain 1/day), Freedom of Movement, Fly, Stoneskin, Heroism, Haste
Once everyone else is ready (and the portal has been deemed somewhat safe), Valrar steps through with his allies. He tries to hold a side, if possible, in case it ends up leading right off a cliff face.
Rogar can tell no more than Vladek. Sadly you keep missing the DC by a point or two. OK, moving us forward
The group makes their preparations and then step through the portal. On the other side you find pure, unmitigated chaos. You find yourselves in a vast ravine, the walls extend upwards for thousands of feet. A massive, petrified tail runs through the middle of the chasm, standing twenty feet high. On the canyon’s steep walls, the fossilized remains of Deskari and two other slain demon lords loom like titanic monoliths carved from the stone of the rift. Gaping wounds rend the breast of each demon lord and gouts of black ichor gush through the cracks. As the ichor falls to the canyon floor, it warps and twists, transforming into hordes of shrieking demons. Wading through these hordes and fighting them back with powerful blows are a handful of enormous boarheaded demons. The boar demons are steadily laying waste to the gibbering masses, driving the demon hordes back to their source.
Seemingly able to sense the presence of mortal life, the demon hordes begin to close in. Suddenly, a second mass of insectoid demons rise from the blood of Deskari and begins to tear at the small incoming fiends. A small circle of safety forms within the tumultuous battlefield and each of you find yourselves covered with crawling locusts.
One of the massive boarheaded demons detaches itself from the melee and vanishes, reappearing in the circle of safety created for you.
OK, here are some features of this encounter. First, the coating of insects you have gives each of you 40 temporary HP and DR2/epic. This means your attacks will count as epic during this encounter. You will see a red circle on the map. This is your safe zone. If you leave this area you will be subject to attacks by thousands upon thousands of dretches. Don't leave the safety of the circle! You will take automatic damage and may be grappled. You can attack the areas outside the circle to clear away the masses of dretch but you will have other things to deal with. The skies are also filled with winged dretches giving you an effective ceiling height of 60'. The big black tail on the map is 20' high and obviously blocks movement and line of sight.
Combat post coming up as battle is joined immediately. I assume those with heightened awareness expend it for initiative. There is a new map I will move you to shortly.
The enormous boar headed demon swoops down out of the sky, over the massive petrified tail and closer to the ground. One huge claw lashes out at Valrar.
Male Human (Taldan/Ulfen) Swashbuckler 15 | HP 102/157 | AC 40/26/25 (currently 41/27/25) | F +15, R +22, W +14 | CMB +12, CMD 30 | Init +11 | Perc +1 | Fortification 25% | Panache 3/8 | Charmed Life (+5) 3/6 | Imp. Iron Will 0/1 |
Active Conditions:
Planar Infusion II (+1 Fort, +2 Demoralize, +2 Crit Confirm, Curse Terrain 1/day), Freedom of Movement, Fly, Stoneskin, Heroism, Haste
Valrar tries to bring his blade up to block the demon but it is surprisingly fast and blasts through his defences. He is sent flying backwards, into the mass of waiting dretches! They tear and claw at him, grabbing and holding him in place!
The demon roars and as it does so bands of nauseating light begin to swirl around its corpulent bulk. In the middle of the dretches Valrar feels himself afflicted by some familiar if disturbing enerrgy.
Valrar takes 34 damage and is knocked back 10' and knocked prone. The dretches deal him an extra 18 damage and grab him. Valrar, you are also afflicted by Touch of Chaos and all rolls you make this turn must be made twice with you taking the lower
The demon takes some damage from insects crawling all over it. The demon is 10' in the air, Kirrah can reach it but if you are medium you need reach to get to it. As a reminder, you cannot 5' step "up" with air walk or fly. The demon clearly has 15' reach at least.
Anyone can give me a Planes check to try and identify this creature. I will answer as quickly as I can. Bauble, you are compelled to draw the scythe rather than the black lord. You can still cast spells but any melee attacks must be with the scythe.
Male Human (Taldan/Ulfen) Swashbuckler 15 | HP 102/157 | AC 40/26/25 (currently 41/27/25) | F +15, R +22, W +14 | CMB +12, CMD 30 | Init +11 | Perc +1 | Fortification 25% | Panache 3/8 | Charmed Life (+5) 3/6 | Imp. Iron Will 0/1 |
Active Conditions:
Planar Infusion II (+1 Fort, +2 Demoralize, +2 Crit Confirm, Curse Terrain 1/day), Freedom of Movement, Fly, Stoneskin, Heroism, Haste
Valrar looks annoyed and in pain, but elated at the sheer number of demons to kill. He leaps to his feet and tries to get back in the circle.
1 Panache to Kip-Up as a swift action. I'll use my Swashbuckler's Edge to take 10 on Escape Artist for 25. If that succeeds, I'll try to Tumble back into the circle, taking 10 for 34. I assume the horde is difficult terrain?
A 25 is not sufficient to escape from the grappling dretches. That uses up your standard action unfortunately leaving you a move action you can use to do something. The scenario doesnt really deal with the horde beyond their damage and grapple effect but yes, difficult terrain seems reasonable. It doesnt even tell me their CMD so I am just taking it as 10+CMB.
|AC 18, T 18, FF 15|HP: 85/85|F+9, R+12, W+13 (+4 vs death,+2 vs gaz/poi/elc/chm/cmp,+1 vs Tran/fea/cnf/aci/cld/fir/glyph)|Init +7, Per +24|CMB +7 CMD 20 (+2 vs grp)|15/15 Fly 15/15 AoP 1/1 Lv 1/1 Spx 1/1 SoR 3/3 Bt 1/1 Wg
Knowledge (Planes), Secrets of the Sphinx:1d20 + 24 ⇒ (5) + 24 = 29
|AC 29, T 19, FF 25 SR 20|HP: 42/42|F +11, R +13, W +15|Init +3, Perc +23|CMB +8 CMD 18 (22 vs trip)|greater invisibility 3/3, 1st-level spells 6/6
Knowledge (Planes):1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
...while Qadathra wards himself against the monster with a wand appearing as a sort of streamlined prayer-wheel (or perhaps an inside-out kaleidoscope) consisting of a lacquered cholla-wood interior coated in numerous fragments of strangely-colored crystal. He waves it over himself, and appears surrounded by confusing duplicates!
Male Human (Taldan/Ulfen) Swashbuckler 15 | HP 102/157 | AC 40/26/25 (currently 41/27/25) | F +15, R +22, W +14 | CMB +12, CMD 30 | Init +11 | Perc +1 | Fortification 25% | Panache 3/8 | Charmed Life (+5) 3/6 | Imp. Iron Will 0/1 |
Active Conditions:
Planar Infusion II (+1 Fort, +2 Demoralize, +2 Crit Confirm, Curse Terrain 1/day), Freedom of Movement, Fly, Stoneskin, Heroism, Haste
Oh yeah, the Planes check.
The Ambassador impassively surveys the situation as Valrar struggles against his own personal flood of dretches.
|AC 18, T 18, FF 15|HP: 85/85|F+9, R+12, W+13 (+4 vs death,+2 vs gaz/poi/elc/chm/cmp,+1 vs Tran/fea/cnf/aci/cld/fir/glyph)|Init +7, Per +24|CMB +7 CMD 20 (+2 vs grp)|15/15 Fly 15/15 AoP 1/1 Lv 1/1 Spx 1/1 SoR 3/3 Bt 1/1 Wg
Flashback:
Before they enter, Vladek gives Bauble a momentary cryptic look - suddenly, the firefly-like motes that had been orbiting Bauble disappear, and are replaced by a halo of Autumn leaves (in addition to his other leaves).
male Wizard 9/Lore 7 | HP 115| AC 25; Touch 20; FF 21 | F +14; R +12; W +16 | CMB+7; CMD 27 | Speed 20 ft | Init +3 | Perc +2 | Stealth: +1 Wizard 9/Lore 7
Rogar starts casting summon monster V and tries to remember about the demon.
Alie manages to relocate herself away from the enormous demon.
Fendahl manages to cast his spell and Kirrah grows to prodigious size.
As a note, as Kirrah is now huge medium creatures cannot fast mount or dismount. It will take a move action.
Kirrah launches herself at the demon, crashing into its massive body. Its teeth and one mighty paw land solid blows but the creatures hide still seems resistant to them.
The bite and second claw hit, the crit confirms but Kirrah fails to grab. The demon takes 38 damage after DR
Vladek recognises that thhis is a demon, perhaps even that it is some form of Nalfehne demon but it is clearly an unusually powerful version of its kind. He recalls that such creatures are generally immune to electricity and poison and resistant to most other forms of energy barring sonic. The creature shrugs off the evil influence but the energies linger for a little while.
Bauble likewise cannot tell what sort of Nalfeshne this is but he does recall that greater demons often possess true seeing magic. As for the dretches, they are minor demons and no threat except for their numbers.
The dretches are counted as an environmental hazard rather than a creature. You can attack any square they occupy or use area ffects on them but given their numbers they refill any areas cleared after 1 round.
The ambassador has perhaps better luck. It realises that this creature is a Mythic Nalfeshnee. As such it is also immune to fire and is likely to possess mythic powers although what they might be you do not know.
I will give you for free that it has the mythic initiative feat which it used to treat its roll as a 20 which is why I didnt roll initiative for it
Rogar starts to call in more assistance and also recalls that these creatures can rip your equipment from you when they shred you with their claws.
I assume you are casting that spell defensively Rogar as you are most certainly threatened currently. I made a defensive cast check in the spoiler below which passes.
Crap. Well, still have that vampiric touch going:)
acrobatics:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24
Bauble does not seem to mind the height of the now massive Kirrah and leaps up on top of the lion and takes a shot at the fiend with the unwieldy scythe after activating his arcane pool to give it a +3.
to hit, touch:1d20 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 3 = 15; He is not trying to do damage with the weapon, just trying to discharge the vampiric touch spell. Though with that roll I think he may have missed even that!
Did I mention how this is going to suck? +11 to hit is not going to hit anything at this level! I do have arcane accuracy though. +18 might hit something. Which is why he is just trying to do a touch attack for the moment.
Bauble tries to avoid the massive demon but it is incredibly quick. Its massive claws snap out at him, ripping into his chest and leaving deep claw marks down his body. The claws then tighten around him as it rips his cloak from his back and then leaves it to flutter to the ground.
Bauble takes 5 nonlethal and 103 actual damge from a claw crit and loses his cloak of resistance
Baubles clumsy swing hits the massive demon, discharging his spell which crackles over its hide.
I am going to pause here to give Bauble a chance to reroll his SR check if he wants to. You have until this evening (about 10 hours) to decide or I will move us forward.
@Bauble, I rolled your SR check, it is in my spoiler. Are you wanting to reroll? The total damage was 108, 5 got converted to nonlethal, 103 applied to you. Your 40 temp HP go away and you then took 63 actual damage. This should all be clear if you look in the spoilerrs. As a reminder you can look in any spoiler unless it is marked otherwise. I largely use them to keep my posts tidy.
Male Half-elf HP 130/130 (172 for troll) AC33(40 for troll) Touch 13 Flat 31; F+17 R+11 W+18(+2 ench,+4 fey) INIT+4 Perc+21 CMB+16 CMD+30 Lion Shaman 13/Samurai 1, {see in posts} Shape changed 1/5 Beads 0/3, Rerolls 0/3
@GM - just got home from work. Fendahl would like to force a reroll on the hit/crit via divine interference if possible. Will post it if not too late to react.
@Bauble, I rolled your SR check, it is in my spoiler. Are you wanting to reroll? The total damage was 108, 5 got converted to nonlethal, 103 applied to you. Your 40 temp HP go away and you then took 63 actual damage. This should all be clear if you look in the spoilerrs. As a reminder you can look in any spoiler unless it is marked otherwise. I largely use them to keep my posts tidy.
Ahh. I read 'reroll' as 'roll'. No, he will not use his reroll. He'll save that for something that will kill him, which is looking alarmingly possible even if he is saved by that divine interference.
male Wizard 9/Lore 7 | HP 115| AC 25; Touch 20; FF 21 | F +14; R +12; W +16 | CMB+7; CMD 27 | Speed 20 ft | Init +3 | Perc +2 | Stealth: +1 Wizard 9/Lore 7
@GMAndrew - Yeah sorry, I've been swamped at work and didn't check the map. Sorry about that. I can use my shift ability as a swift to move out of reach if needed
Its OK, I rolled a concentration check and you were fine. You can still shift if you want to get further away from the giant demon.
@Fendahl, you can certainy use divine interference and given its a crit it is a good idea. Bear in mind this consumes your swift action on your next go.
Fendahl twists fate, helping Bauble avoid a terrible blow however the claw still connects! Bauble manages to slap the scythe against the demons hide but his spell discharges harmlessly against its SR. He does find his cloak of resistance fluttering down to the ground.
Bauble takes a total of 44 damage, 5 becomes onlethal, he has 1 temp HP left
The lights swirling around the demon intensify and then explode outwards, hitting everyone.
This requires a will save from everyone. This save has no traits, tags or types so it is just your base save. I will let people roll their own for this one but please make sure that it is the first roll in your post. Remember the penalty for being in the Abyss and Bauble you have no more resistance bonus. You have 24 hours to roll, if you havent by then I will roll it for you.
Male Human (Taldan/Ulfen) Swashbuckler 15 | HP 102/157 | AC 40/26/25 (currently 41/27/25) | F +15, R +22, W +14 | CMB +12, CMD 30 | Init +11 | Perc +1 | Fortification 25% | Panache 3/8 | Charmed Life (+5) 3/6 | Imp. Iron Will 0/1 |
Active Conditions:
Planar Infusion II (+1 Fort, +2 Demoralize, +2 Crit Confirm, Curse Terrain 1/day), Freedom of Movement, Fly, Stoneskin, Heroism, Haste
male Wizard 9/Lore 7 | HP 115| AC 25; Touch 20; FF 21 | F +14; R +12; W +16 | CMB+7; CMD 27 | Speed 20 ft | Init +3 | Perc +2 | Stealth: +1 Wizard 9/Lore 7
OK, moving us on. Rogar, I have moved you assuming you used shift.
Alie, Fendahl, Rogar, Vladek, Qadathra and the Ambassador all find themselves overwhelmed by the hideous light, their minds swim with nightmarish visions of death and destruction.
Unfortunately you are all dazed for 8 rounds. I think Rogars summon spell will still go off as the casting takes your entire turn, it just doesn't come into effect until the start of your following turn.
The dretches continue to keep hold of Valrar, tearing into his flesh while the insects continue to eat the massive demon. However, its wounds also seem to be closing on their own!
The demon turns on Kirrah who managed to injue it, something that has not happened in an aeon. Its massive fangs sink into his shouler but the magically toughened hide prevents a terrible wound being opened up. One claw rakes across him as well and his flesh becomes infused with chaotic energy!
Kirrah takes 74 damage and is afflicted with Touch of Chaos. He rolls all d20's twice for the round.
Rolls:
Will, Vladek:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13, +2 versus death and gaze attacks, +1 versus Transmutation, fear, confusion, and writing-based dangers, CG(-2)
Will, Qadathra:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21, Ward Hex +3, CG (-2), SR18
Will, The Ambassador:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13, SR20, N (-4)
The demon full attacks Kirrah. I am just checking his AC is showing correctly. His regular AC is 29. Barkskin brings it to 34. Atavism brings it to 38. Animal growth reduces dex by 2, makes him huge but also gives +2 nat armour so should be net no modifier. You have it showing as 37 but I think it should be 38. Given where we are I want to be sure as it looks like Kirrah and Valrar are going to have to take this thing down together.
Dazed 1|8: Bauble, Rogar, Vladek, Alie, Qadathra, The Ambassador, Fendahl If you are dazed you can take no actions but it has no effect on your AC etc. Rogar your summon will still appear and can act. You may have some way to get out of daze, a boon or something, if so you may use it and act. Otherwise it is just the people bolded who can act.
Status, anyone can read:
Alie 129|125, 40 temp HP
Valrar 125|157, grappled
Vladek 75|75, 40 temp HP
Qadathra 42|37, 40 temp HP
Fendahl 121|121, 40 temp HP
Kirrah 70|104, touch of chaos
Bauble 111|111, 1 temp HP, 5 nonlethal
Rogar 75|75, 40 temp HP
Demon, 49 damage, MP4|7 used, evil eye (saves), 1 round - in place until end of Vladeks init point
Male Human (Taldan/Ulfen) Swashbuckler 15 | HP 102/157 | AC 40/26/25 (currently 41/27/25) | F +15, R +22, W +14 | CMB +12, CMD 30 | Init +11 | Perc +1 | Fortification 25% | Panache 3/8 | Charmed Life (+5) 3/6 | Imp. Iron Will 0/1 |
Active Conditions:
Planar Infusion II (+1 Fort, +2 Demoralize, +2 Crit Confirm, Curse Terrain 1/day), Freedom of Movement, Fly, Stoneskin, Heroism, Haste
Ooh. That's a heavy penalty.
As best as he is able, Valrar worms a hand into his bag and retrieves a potion. He manages to pop the cork and drink it one-handed.
Drawing and drinking a potion of gaseous form. Not sure how the swarm handles AoOs, if at all.
@GM - I think AC37 is correct since -1 for large to huge. HP 114/148?
I included that, animal growth nets out at no effect to regular AC due to giving +2 natural armour but if you are happy with a 37 that is what we will go with.
Valrar manages to guzzle down a potion and slips out of the grasp of the dretches.
You may also 5' fly out of the nastiness if you want
Kirrah, afflicted by the chaotic energy of the beast, in unable to land a blow on it.
Rogars summon is left to go. Kirrahs HP have been updated.
Dazed 1|8: Bauble, Rogar, Vladek, Alie, Qadathra, The Ambassador, Fendahl If you are dazed you can take no actions. Rogar your summon will still appear and can act. You may have some way to get out of daze, a boon or something, if so you may use it and act. Otherwise it is just the people bolded who can act.
Status, anyone can read:
Alie 129|125, 40 temp HP
Valrar 125|157, grappled
Vladek 75|75, 40 temp HP
Qadathra 42|37, 40 temp HP
Fendahl 121|121, 40 temp HP
Kirrah 114|148, touch of chaos
Bauble 111|111, 1 temp HP, 5 nonlethal
Rogar 75|75, 40 temp HP
Demon, 49 damage, MP4|7 used, evil eye (saves), 1 round - in place until end of Vladeks init point
