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.
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 is barely aware of the demon about to land his deathblow. But he can tell this option is the best he'll get. His soul stubbornly remains in his ruined body, for a few crucial seconds.
That puts me at exactly dead. Using my Ouroboros Rebirth boon, Breath of Life will continue to affect me for 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 rounds. Alie and I both have First Aid Gloves, perhaps Qadathra could use mine in a lull?
Seeing Valrar downed the huge demon continues its assault. One massive claw tears into Vladek, ripping his headband from atop his head. The second rips through him again, neatly removing his cloak. The demon discards both items behind him.
Vladek takes 74 damage, 40 comes from his temp HP
Once again though, bands of nauseating light begin to swirl across the demons corpulent bulk.
Alie moves just to the north of Fendahl and casts a spell. Her features turn a deep balck hue, as she breathes out a line of acid at the creature, not knowing anything else to do.
Cast Dragon’s Breath, breathing 60’ line of acid. Damage 12d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 4, 2, 3, 1, 5, 6, 6, 6, 2, 4) = 42. Reflex 23 for half. Also, could someone move me on the map, please? Thanks.
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
Fendahl sees Valrar fall and the demon tear into nearly helpless Vlad.
You have gone too far, demonoid!
He will cast wall of stone to create a stone tunnel encapsulating Valrar, Vlad, Qadathra.
He will rush into the tunnel to get closer to Valrar.
Tunnel walls are 3" thick 4 squares to each side and 4 for a roof. I could not tell how high Bauble was on Kirrah, so could not calculate stone to include him.
Wall of Stone is a great idea but it cannot be there sadly. The demon is now on the ground, it can share a space with Valrar as he is small and it is huge. Feel free to change your action or placement of the wall. It will block line of effect from the nauseating light if it is large enough. My status does say the demon is 15' up but it landed on a previous round and I missed updating it. Apologies for the confusion.
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 grabs his persistent metamagic rod from his belt and casts glitterdust on the demon.
The spears have a hard time causing the demon much damage through its hefty hide and natural resistance to cold and the lumbering beast is fast enough to take no damage from the attacks.
The demon roars once more, insects still crawling around it. Fools, your mightiest warriors have fallen before me and your magic is feeble. Now feel the overhwelming power of my MIND!
With that it psychically headbuts Alie who recognises the effects of a feeblemind spell! Then the world swims again with hideous demonic nightmares.
OK, everyone still alive needs to give me a will save against the dazing lights. Alie, I also need a feeblemind save. Please make the feebelemind save first, it is at -4 as you are an arcane caster. For everyone else please make the daze save first. By now you know the DC is 24. If you pass you may take your turn. Remember the penalty for being in the Abyss.
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 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
Sorry not to hold up the game. But I want to see if folks want to get out of here?
Yea, pretty harsh. Combined with the fact that many of us are already at -4 to our ST and the thing is ripping our equipment to pieces while still getting a full attack is over the top. I'm sure other parties were able to handle this, but we don't stand a chance. I don't see any way out of a TPK and it's not like we made mistakes and deserved it. The whole thing was heavily stacked against us and I have a very bad taste in my mouth right now.
This is definately a difficult and dangerous encounter. The steal maneuver is unfortunately something it can do for free on any claw attack. The dazing lights effect is not at will, it is only 3/day. I used it once early on and then held off until things looked dire for it. You are fortunate no-one good aligned was hitting it as it has continual unholy aura as well. I should point out that there are spells that allow you to suppress the will penalty from being in the abyss.
The creature is CR17/Mythic7. The scenario does give you some benefits, the temporary HP, the Mythic DR so you can potentially bypass its DR and the additional damage which does reduce the encounter CR to 16 which is still very difficult.
Reading back over things I think that I probaly should not have applied its DR to the automatic insect damage as it is untyped and comes from Deskari himself. Applying that we have a little bit of a retcon at the start of round 9!
With a groan the demon is overwhelmed by the injuries it has sustained from the group and the constant chewing of Deskaris insects. It topples over and crashes to the ground beside Valrar who sees his life flash before his eyes!
Valrar's life is saved by a single round! Everyone can ignore any resources expended from Round 9 onwards.
Gradually the group manages to refocus and take stock of what has happened. Kirrah's corpse lies cooling on the abyssal plain.
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
Looks as if we were just quick enough to avoid needing the gloves. Thanks though!
Valrar is awakened from a bittersweet and highly painful dream. He groans standing up. When Fendahl is up to it, he hands over a healing wand. He wildly stabs the massive corpse between most taps.
Bauble and Valrar get themselves back fighting fit. Everyone else is fine, with the exception obviously of Kirrah.
In the distance the group see several more of the mssive pig headed demons, they sacrifice themselves to seal the wounds in the bodies of the dead demon lords. The insects surrounding the group disperse but those providing the ring of safety remain, holding off the dretches.
While searching the area the group find a magical blade, the demon was using it as some sort of nose ring.
Anyone who wants to ID it can give me a spellcraft check
As the group explore their little zone of safety a voice whispers into your minds. Halt. The voice seems to emanate from the fossilized demon-insect projecting from the wall of the rift. A tunneling wound filled with crawling insects, bores through the chest of the fossil, emitting a dull red glow. Near the back of the tunnel, a massive heart beats rhythmically. Embedded in the walls of the wound, a scattering of large gems glitter. The voice continues, I am Deskari, Lord of the Locust Host. Though my body is shattered, my essence lives on here in the Rift of Repose. The glabrezu Koth’Vaul has used powerful magic to rend my breast and devour my heart, stealing my power. He now thinks himself my equal and seeks to create a domain of his own. Only I can provide the power you need to defeat him. In exchange, I require only that you destroy Koth’Vaul utterly: flense his flesh and leave his plans in ruins.
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 rubs his face and pulls out a cigar, puts it in his mouth and chews on it.
"Damm that was tough." He mutters to himself. "Everyone OK? I didn't think big boy was gunna go down"
He looks at the blade.
Spellcraft:1d20 + 22 ⇒ (3) + 22 = 25
- - -
He listens as the demon insect lord speaks. "Ah...One demon wants us to kill another?" He shakes his head. "Bargain bad for a bigger good?"
Rogar recognises the blade as a corrupted sun blade.
The Corona Blade:
While the blade retains most of its typical abilities (including its effectiveness against evil creatures), its effectiveness against undead and creatures from the Negative Energy Plane has been replaced by effectiveness against creatures with a strong lawful aura. Additionally, its ability to replicate natural daylight has been replaced by a once-per-day use of the nalfeshnee’s unholy nimbus ability with a duration of 1d3 rounds (Will DC 20 negates).
The voice whispers again. The glabrezu is unstoppable now without my aid. With my heart beating in his chest, he cannot be killed by mortal means. Worse still, he has shared his blood with his followers. Together, they can shape and control this plane. If you battle him, they will use the very Abyss itself to fight against you. Luckily for you, I still have great power, and I am willing to share it with you.
Alie wanted nothing more than to turn and run after their first 2 encounters in the abyss. But there was no easy way home from here, best she knew. ”How can you help us? How can we help you? I don’t know if we are strong enough to fight off yet another demon.”
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
"So, you don't want anything from us in exchange for power. Then what's your stake in this? If he gains ground in the Abyss, you get further destroyed?" Valrar shakes his head and continues without waiting for an answer. "Doesn't matter; I'll take it. Where are they, and how many are his followers?"
He too identifies the blade and judges it as useless to the task at hand. For a moment he hesitates with his head cocked, sure that the Black Lord will tell him that if they are going to make a deal, they should make sure the deal includes riches. But there is nothing but silence. Having been in constant communication with the blade for so long, it feels wrong and eerie. But he just can't seem to give up on the Black Stinker.
"Not good. Not good. Demon not good. Other demon not good. No like this at all."
He sidles up to Findahl and whispers, "Maybe demon lord can wake cat up? Make cat not so dead?" Obviously Bauble has never read Pet Cemetery.
I am fine with you moving Kirrah into your hosteling armour.
The voice whispers again in reply to Alie.
I can offer my blood or another of my hearts. If you accept my blood, you will gain great power for a limited time, abilities matched only by mortal heroes of myth and legend. Even the Abyss will bend more easily to your will.
If you desire true power, then you can accept the gift of my heart. Your powers and your life will then will be eternal. The Abyss will recognize you as one who could rise to the mantle of demon lord, making you just as effective as Koth’Vaul as shaping its essence. Only one of you, the worthiest among you, may accept this gift.
In reply to Valrar the voice intensifies with hatred but is still little more than a whisper. Koth’Vaul is no true demon lord. He is a lesser demon, a servant only, unfit for rule. He thinks that he can steal my essence without repercussions. He is mistaken.
As the demon seaks thick black blood begins to ooze once more from the wound in his petrified chest. Deeper in the hole, well out of reach, you can see a heart, still slowly beating.
Alie looks at the others and sighs. ”This whole thing is icky. But, we’ve been entirely outclassed by everything we’ve met in this awful place. Maybe making a bargain with the demon is our best chance to get strong and fight our way out of here. What does everyone say?”
And do we have a way to maybe remove curse or something like that on that cursed bode that Bauble is stuck with? I suspect this battle will be insane yet again, and we need everyone capable of contributing.
|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
Earlier:
Vladek and Qadathra (after the former restores his eldritch Ward upon the latter) "sit shiva", as certain Keleshites might say, for Kirrah while Fendahl leads in honoring her sacrifice (though while he cannot help but think that Fendahl's power, from what he has seen of it, should be great enough that this need not be the final end of Kirrah, he holds his tongue...for now).
Once that's done, he takes his turn expertly investigating the sullied sword.
Vladek finds himself stunned at the fossil-demon's more advanced offer...
...it does not sound unattractive.
"I accept your blood," Says Vladek in an eerily steady voice. "As for the other...I demand to know the true and full price for such a...remarkable...'gift'. I would prefer eternal life somewhere other than in this realm."
Deskari laughs, a hollow rasping sound accompanied by the hum of a buzzing swarm. The price? Power always has a price. The more you seize, the stronger the hordes become that are determined to destroy and consume you. The more you take, the more feeble beings cry to you with their prayers, and the more your enemies draw strength from ending their mewling lives. And, of course, if you accept power from one who is stronger than you, you might owe that one a debt. Even those gods that demand ‘charity’ of their followers still demand obeisance and the promise of future souls before they share a drop of their power. In this case, however, you will be acting as vessels of my power to achieve my own ends, which happen to coincide with your own. I demand nothing further.
Qadathra senses no duplicity from the Demon Lord.
Anyone who wants to can give me a Planes or Spellcraft check
|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
Vladek seriously ponders the implications of this seemingly-sincere offer....
It occurs to you that Deskari has been greatly weakened, not just by being dead but also by whatever Koth'Vaul has done to him. You could force your way to the heart to gain the power of his blood free of any complications. He would of course try to stop you. You cannot take the power of the heart this way, that is only possible with Deskari's co-operation.
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
"We'll need all the power we can get. The blood may do. Not that that isn't a slippery slope, but the heart seems much more so." Valrar looks at his damaged gear and clothing before perking up. "Which is why I'll take that too. I'm already a bit far gone, and I don't want my fellows to suffer."
"Price? Will demon blood make Bauble evil. Like wand of healing very slowly. But wand only make Bauble evil for short while. Not want to be evil for long while or Bauble be just like all other goblins..."
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
Fendahl considers with great torment on whether even taking the blood would bring dishonor to him. While doing so, he calls Kirrah's remains into his armor for safe keeping.
Hrrmm. I would never take the heart to surrender my honor to become one such as these demons. I agree we have been outclassed in the combats to this point. Wisdom would suggest otherwise, but tactically, we may need to make a sacrifice as Kirrah bravely did, in order to vanquish the evil which opposes us.
He will reluctantly accept the blood if the others in the party do likewise.
How far must we travel to reach Koth’Vaul? I care not that he is a true or false demon lord. Only that he must be stopped.
If we know when or where the combat will occur, Fendahl is going to unload every buff or spell he can prior to entering the combat area.
”If he is going to teleport us there, we need to be buffed to our maximum possible ability. I bet this fight will be like nothing we have ever seen.” Alie moves forward and volunteers for the blood of the demon lord.
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
Also, who has the glowing sword? Could Bauble or Valrar use it?
Fendahl nods to Alie then mentally prepares himself for his decision and the spells he will cast before the big fight. (buff sheet updated in preparation)
Rogar dwarf
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
played by
Qstor
(503
posts)
Valrar Altimari II
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
|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
Alie Saechel
Bauble
Fendahl Silvermane
Qadathra