GM PDK The Rasping Rebirth (Tier 12-15) (Inactive)

Game Master Purple Dragon Knight

"Well, the demons we have met so far haven't been been difficult to deal with. But I certainly wouldn't say no to a helping hand since we're set to do what you ask for already."

Favian uses a pearl to recall a shield spell.

When the monk speaks, Deskari laughs, a hollow rasping sound accompanied by the hum of a buzzing swarm. “Crystal clear? are you some anxiety-ridden bootlicker from the Nine Hells? 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.”

When Favian speaks, Deskari waits a few seconds, and asks, “Do you volunteer to be the vessel?”

"You have already met your end." Teriq says, with barely withheld contempt. "Already they fight to take what was once yours. Not just Koth'Vaul. Your ends don't matter anymore."

"Koth'Vaul took your power, by your own admission... did he make a deal too? Or were you just in no position to stop him?" He leaves the implications of that for the listener.

"If what you say is honest, I'll accept."

Tothek shakes himself from his dazed state. ”How bad can this be? I accept.”

“Very well. 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 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.”

Those of you who wish to receive Deskari's gifts may approach his pierced fossilized remains - see glowing spot on the map.

Immortality would ruin the challenge. I will take your blood and crush Koth'Vaul.

Lilly's eyes slowly come back into focus as she finds Teriq standing next to her draping her cloaak about her. Err, thank you she mutters as she quickly turns away. Was that a momentary blush in her cheeks? Probably not.

As the dea demon lord begins spouting off she sneers, Mortals killed you once already, Lord of Nothing, why should we trust anything you say? Demons have lies wound into their very essence and the bigger the demon the bigger the liar.

Tothek looks a bit shaken from the earlier battle. But, he approaches and in a calm and clear voice, he states “I accept your gift, Lord of Demons.”

Going by the map here folks; feel free to keep roleplaying away from the demon lord, but so far only Thrag has stepped forward. If/when some of you approach the remains of Deskari, I will add more.

As you all see Thrag walks towards the fossilized remains of Deskari, the voice of the demon lord leaves your mind, and it appears that Thrag is having an internal conversation with him. Then you all see a trickle of blood run out of the wound, and you see Thrag pricking his one of his finger with a dagger, extending the wounded digit into the rivulet of blood. Thrag throws his head backwards, and an aura of power seems to surround him.

@Thrag: please check your PMs

Tothek looks a bit shaken from the earlier battle. But, he approaches and in a calm and clear voice, he states “I accept your gift, Lord of Demons.”

Tothek walks forward, and touches the blood of the demon lord, and opens his heart to the heart of Deskari.

Didn't realize there was something on the map that was relevant.

Favian steps up.

Waiting for an answer to my question before deciding what to do

This definitely feels like one of those alignment shift moments. Played all the 7-11's to waking rune... they were commonplace on those!

Teriq hesitates. He has payed this price too many times before. He told himself its was for some greater good... but that didn't make the taint go away, and those payments still lingered over his soul, long after the greater evils were long dispatched. He was still paying his toll.

He had no desire to make another such deal, and further taint his soul.

Do we have an option to just go take it? Without agreeing to Deskari's terms? Seems like that's what Koth'val did. If he tries his bug thing, I can just torch them all for dramatic effect. Though perhaps that just makes it implied acceptance. How important is the actual vocalized acceptance?

@Favian & Tothek & Thrag: check your PMs.
@Everyone else: Deskari is completely ignoring you. This is his offer. You are free to step up and take the offer, which seems to re-enable telepathic dialog for those who draw nearer, (Thrag, Favian and Tothek so far) but your musings and questions at this point seem to fall on deaf ears. His offer is plain and simple, but you have free will and can do whatever you want... also, there are many players in this game with module knowledge, and I'm looking for a bit of roleplay here, as this is a pivotal moment, especially for the players who have never played or run this before. Play your characters and see where the chips fall!

Rand approaches the body and looks at the others, then says "I'll take the heart if none of you wish to."

Doing what needs to happen really fits in with Rand: at one point he cut off his own hand in order to not die succeeding at a mission. Also, I know nothing about this module. I didn't even know mythic type stuff would be involved!

Teriq glances at Rand in shock.

"Are you mad?" He says, though whether Rand can hear him up ahead is unknown.

He did say it would put you on the road to becoming a demon lord... pretty sure that might conflict with your monkly codes. =) Though it doesn't take anything away if your alignment shifts... so might be an interesting path.

"I feel as though we'll need the power, and I have never backed away from a fight."

I always go for the super risky option or wierd thing that comes up in a module or adventure when I can. It's led to some epic moments.

You all see Favian cut his palm with a dagger, joining Thrag in the mingling of his blood with Deskari's... a similar nimbus of power appears around Favian.

@Favian: please check your PMs

“Monk. Sorcerer. Step forward. Since you both want my heart, and since only the worthiest among you may take it, I shall test your will against mine. Starting now. Fight back. FIGHT BACK!”

The massive weight of Deskari's willpower begins to crush Rand and Tothek. Their only defense is their self-confidence and how fortified their mind has become based on all past struggles and experiences.

Rand and Tothek please each make a Will save. There can be only one.

Will Save: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22 +2 vs. enchantments, if it matters. Also, if you don't mind me doing so, I'll use my reroll.

Will Save reroll if allowed: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34

Will save 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Tothek's knees are the first to buckle. Rand manages to stay on his feet for several more moments, and as he is about to fall to his knees as well, the crushing pressure of Deskari's will abates. And Rand remains standing.

Deskari calls forth his beating heart and hands it to Rand.

“Eat it, and it will reform within you,” Deskari instructs.

@Rand: What do you do?

A tiny runoff of Deskari's blood which had pooled beneath Favian and Thrag flows towards Tothek, allowing the sorcerer to mingle his own blood with Deskari's, if he so wishes...

@Tothek: What do you do?

Lily looks at the rest like they have gone mad. Demons are full of lies. I have but one mistress and she is a jealous queen. Keep your blood fallen lord of nothing, Koth'Vaul will fall without you.

Rand takes a deep breath, exhales, and then scoops up and eats the heart before he can second guess himself.

Teriq glances at Lilly. "Is he likely to even be able to do anything if we don't let him? My planar knowledge is limited, but he is dying. Already they fight over his corpse like vultures to take his place. Koth'Vaul just took what he wanted, and he couldn't stop him. All he seems to have are the bugs still listening."

He looks uncertain. "Could we not do the same? Or is that the same as accepting in this evil place?"

If any of the others are close enough to talk to, he will also call out to them. "What is happening?"

Tothek reaches out for the blood with the strength he has remaining. He had accomplished little in this place, and the foes he had come across so far were too much for him. It was clear, more power was needed, or the mission would fail.

The society had done much for Osirion. It was time he prepared himself to do as much for the Society.

@Teriq and Lilly: based on your placement on the map you do not see what's happening near Deskari; if your characters have moved forward to witness what is happening, please update your placement on the map. Thank you!

Rand bites deeply from the Heart of Deskari. Power surges within the monk, and he begins to levitate a few inches from the ground. An otherworldly choir begins to chant all around you. The air, the stones... everything seems to resonate in tune with the power surging through Rand. The demon hordes turn and stand transfixed at the sight of Rand, and drop to their knees with tears of joy in their eyes.

@Rand, Tothek, Teriq and Lilly: check your PMs

Ooo... our turn... checking...

Teriq tries to call on his limited knowledge of such things, to better make a decision! He says a quick prayer to Sarenrae to help guide him.

cast guidance, cause every little bit helps, right... and will override the swarm penalty at least.

Will use spellcraft, of the two choices given, as the talisman gives a bonus!

Spellcraft, talisman, bug bites, guidance: 1d20 + 8 + 4 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 4 - 1 + 1 = 27 (+2 more if IDing an item (though don't think this is)

edit: adjusted position on map to be next to Lilly

I have moved up to see what madness my comrades are getting themselves into.

"The Downflower reminds us that the dead should stay that way." Teriq mutters. "Not linger like some fell spirit..."

"Or a bad smell." He adds a moment later.

He glances at Lilly, then starts towards the wound. "I will make no more deals to appease evil. My soul holds enough of those taints already. They do not go away."

"Your power has ended," He calls to Deskari. "We have seen what is happening out in the Rifts. That power is no longer yours to give. It is there for the taking. The remnants of your hoards know that. Koth'Vaul knew that. I choose to take some now... to end this new threat on my terms, not yours."

He starts towards the location of the blood, his graceful elven features determined. "I will agree to no deal. But I will have what we need regardless."

OK, smite away!

The swarms immediately lift from their onslaught against the demon hordes and like a great black hammer fall back down into Teriq to inflict harm on the one who dares defiling his corpse.

@Teriq: you can attempt a Reflex saving throw to avoid the stinging insects or a Fortitude saving throw to focus on strengthening your body against the attacks or a Will saving throw to subjugate the stinging insects through force of will.

Rand pauses for a moment, eyes closed and shuddering, then with a deep breath he continues eating.

Teriq, his inner doubts fading, seems to solidify his resolve as he approaches. Even the swarms moving his way do not seem to concern him.

His movements are almost too quick, as he ducks beneath one swirling mass of flying insects, only to leap over the next, and sidestep the one after.

"Even more proof of your loss of power." He yells back. "Little more than an annoying bug, finally squashed. Nothing to be feared."

Reflex: 1d20 + 21 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 21 - 1 = 30 (plus evasion, if it matters)

oh my Rand... you're really drinking the Kool Aid now! =)

GM, how much time has transpired here? Since the pig demon went down, and Deskari started talking at us? curious if I'd still have my wings going, or would have let them lapse.

And, he is still a fire elemental... so any bug that bites him will get torched pretty quick.
Hmm.. well, unless they're fire resistant bugs I suppose... always a flaw in ones plan!

The swarms continue to arrive by the millions, heedless of Teriq's boasts and tricks. He has managed to avoid them so far and actually got a bit closer to the heart, but the endless masses now pile up on him, over, and over, and over again...

@Teriq: if you continue towards the heart, you can attempt a Reflex saving throw to avoid the stinging insects or a Fortitude saving throw to focus on strengthening your body against the attacks or a Will saving throw to subjugate the stinging insects through force of will.

Are there advantages to using different methods that I'd be aware of? Of just whatever feels descriptively appropriate.

Teriq seems totally focused now, as he continues to march forward, not even bothering to dodge much now, letting the annoying insects incinerate themselves on his flaming skin, as the stalks his way forward.

mix it up!

Fortitude: 1d20 + 13 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 13 - 1 = 29 (Hrmm... hope the DC wasn't a 30.)

Of line for a bit now... will respond to any further stuff once I get home later!

Rand has a faraway look as if his sight has suddenly pierced the veil of reality. He is looking straight through the canyon as if it wasn't there. He then slowly turns his head towards some of you, and you cannot help with momentarily cower when the gaze of his inky black eyes meet your own.

@Everyone: you may make a Knowledge The Planes DC 30 and Knowledge Religion DC 25 check (trained only); @Teriq: check your PMs later.

"This feels.....wierd." said Rand, an odd offset echo in his voice, as if there were two people saying the same words at the same time only one was a fraction of a second slower.

If I could change my pic I would =D

As Teriq nears the petrified remains of Deskari, the attempts by the summoned swarms to even slow him down seem to be futile, by the end, he seems to be keeping them at bay by pure willpower alone.

Either the dead demon lord does not have the power ti claims, or the elf has gained some of his own. Either way, he manages to reach the rift, where the wound is, and without further comment, reaches down at takes what they need. No 'deals' to be made beforehand.

"Get used to it." He mutters, before turning and walking back out, as dignified as he can.

He starts a little, at the sight of Rand, the monk clearly seeming to have taken the demon lords bait without thought of consequence.

Sadly, can't make a 25!

Though what those consequences might be, he has no idea... based on his own experiences in the past though, nothing good.

Gah, now I have to edit the stat line again...

Kn. Planes: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (7) + 21 = 28

In the dark of night, Favian pulls the waterlogged chest from the mud and drags it to shore.

With a final heave it cleared the water's edge and his heart sunk. There was a breach in the side of the chest, as the water drained out of the hole, it became lighter and lighter.

With no need to salvage the container, he finished tearing it open. The only thing that he found inside was a sheathed blade, tangled in reeds. He tore at them and as he did, the wooden scabbard, softened by prolonged exposure to the water pulled apart. The only thing left in his hand when he was done was a simple dueling blade.

Lilly cannot fail a DC30 Panes check

Religion, heroism, bugs: 1d20 + 17 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 17 + 2 - 1 = 22

If Lilly had eyebrows they would be raised significantly right now at Rand.

After they gain power from Deskari, the heroes are finally ready to battle Koth’Vaul. Deskari directs Rand to a nearby gash in the rift, which serves as portal to a distant corner of the Abyss that Koth’Vaul is attempting to claim as his own. The portal itself appears as an inky wall of blackness. PCs can proceed to heal and buff themselves at will before crossing over.

When the heroes arrive on the other side, they see the remains of twisted trees dotting the landscape of a blasted hillside. Swirling storms of chaos, filled with gouts of black flame, rage amid the trees, as Koth’Vaul is now using his immense powers to reshape this region to his whims! you see three vrock vassals imbued with some power of their own surrounding him on the hillside and assisting him into reshaping the area. On the top of the ridge, you also see a choir of human zealots chanting the name of Koth’Vaul, seemingly heedless of the rampaging fire storms around them! three of these five followers are marked with the glowing red rune of Koth’Vaul.

Funky minigame rules! Read slowly... preferably with a beverage of your choice! ;)

Manipulating the Plane: Koth’Vaul and his minions are attempting to reshape this new realm. Unfortunately for Koth’Vaul, mortals of sufficient power can also influence a realm that is in flux, which allows the PCs a chance to take control of the plane as well. At the start of each round of combat, each character can attempt to manipulate the plane to attempt a power check by rolling 1d20 and adding a bonus equal the PC’s character level. The DC for the power check is 28. PCs who accepted Deskari’s blood gain a +5 bonus on their power check. A PC whose result exceeds the DC by 5 or more earns 2 successes. A PC who accepted Deskari’s heart automatically succeeds at the check and earns 2 successes. If the PCs earn at least 4 successes, they can change the Abyss to suit their whims. If the PCs earn 4 or fewer successes, Koth’Vaul targets PCs with an effect. This means that if the PCs earn exactly 4 successes, both sides of the fight get to trigger an effect. The threshold for overwhelming Koth’Vaul’s influence drops as the PCs defeat Koth’Vaul’s minions. The number of successes needed decreases by 1 if the PCs defeat all of Koth’Vaul’s demon vassals, and it also decreases by 1 if the PCs defeat or incapacitate all of his human servants. For the sake of simplicity, post your attempt to manipulate the plane at the beginning of your post, listed before saving throws, along with your vote as to which effect you wish to produce. I will tally the results as the round proceeds, and when the count reaches Number 4, I will apply the effect which has received the most votes. Rand gets two votes due to his two automatic successes.

Some examples of potential effects are provided below. For ease of play, Koth’Vaul always selects one of the first four choices.

• Quake: Each creature standing in a 20-foot radius mustattempt 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).
• 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 ).
• 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).
• 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.

Chaos Storms: Each of the areas of fire on the map is a chaos storm, filled with raw Abyssal energy that manifests as swirling torrents of oily, black flame. Creatures that begin their turn within a chaos storm take 3d6 points of damage. This is not fire damage, and it harms all non-demon creatures. The raw Abyss inside the chaos storms also helps the PCs manipulate the plane, granting a PC who is in a chaos storm at the beginning of a round a +2 bonus on power checks.

ROUND 1 - Bold may go!
Favian
Koth'Vaul
Teriq
Tothek
Vrocks
Lilly [-1 from Trillionswarm]
Thrag
Rand, The Iron Fist

Thrag checks himself over for any remaining wounds.

Everybody ready? Bottoms up.

Before stepping through he drinks a potion of Fly and anoints his favorite hammer.

Oil of Bless Weapon