"Oh Sod it all!"Lissa cries out, before skating back just a bit before making a running leap over the pit. At first, it seems that she won't completely clear the pit, then more water coalesces around her and the mass shoots the rest of the way across the pit before she spins and blasts the bat swarm with some of the excess water.
Move action - 10 feet back from where I was, then move back to long jump across the pit ... Acrobatics:1d20 + 23 ⇒ (7) + 23 = 30 Which gets me far enough to do this.... Standard action - Water Blade Rush vs. Orange
Male LG Ifrit Pei Zin Oracle 7/Divine Hunter Paladin 4 | HP 98/113 | AC 20 T 12 FF 18 (23/15/21) | CMB +11, CMD 23 | F: +17, R: +13, W: +17 | Init: +10 | Perc: -1, SM: -1 | Speed 20ft | 3rd (3/6), 2nd (6/8), 1st (6/8) | Channel 4/8, Healer's Way 4/8, Lay on Hands 5/9 | Active Spells: Prayer, Shield of Faith, Shield Other (Flyn) | Active Conditions: None
Zagan absorbs 20 points from his companions as Eorsten, Kramac, Flyn and Beaky all heal 5, then will double move to get closer to the melee parts of the party. Finally, as a swift, Zagan will Lay on Hands:4d6 + 8 ⇒ (5, 5, 2, 1) + 8 = 21 on himself
@Flyn - Red is certainly out of Point-Blank Shot range. Please make sure your attack modifiers are correct, as it saves me a lot of time tracking things down and double-checking rolls.
@GM: I try to make sure my attack mods are correct; I edited my attack as when I reread your first attack post, it was clear Flyn never saw Red...therefore I didn't think I could target him, especially with a bat swarm flying around me. But if I take Orange out this round and fire at Blue, any attacks/damage at Blue would be at -1 as I'm out of PBS range for it; not sure how to display that accurately as I don't know for sure how many HP Orange has and its within PBS range...
Flora throws a frosty spear at the large creature, though it seems to shrug off both the cold and the spear. Flyn's arrows send all the bats scattering back into the darkness as Kramac unleashes a flurry of furious blows against the monstrosity - the first drawing black ichor, the second glancing off its armor, and the third sinking deep into the spiky body! As Lissa and Zagan move to close the gap, Eorsten lunges forward - but the monstrosity again takes the opportunity to claw at him...
Red Claw, PA vs Eorsten AC 23:1d20 + 21 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 21 - 4 = 22 Slashing, Piercing damage, PA:1d6 + 8 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 8 = 19
...but the knight steps out of the way of the clawed limb, ducks underneath, and cuts open a wide gash in the creature's belly! A wordless scream echoes through the Pathfinders' minds as the beast collapses in a pile of legs and spikes.
Out of Combat! Damage Report:
Zagan (-9)
Eorsten (-8)
Kramac (-23, Feebleminded)
Beaky (-58/65, -2 Con)
Flyn (-21)
Eorsten use his ability of Lay Hands on Beaky and restore life and constitution damage.
Lay Hands:5d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 2, 1, 1) = 12 restorative ability:1d4 ⇒ 2
Flyn, finally free of the swarms around him, shakes his head, retrieves his wand and taps himself till he's back to full health...he nods gratefully in appreciation to Zagan for absorbing much of the damage he's taken...
Taking the average on 4 uses of my wand of CLW for 22 hp healed; updated my inventory
"Nasty business, that...good job everyone. Are you alright, friend Kramac? How is Beak?"
Male Half-Orc M Half-Orc Normal AC: 36 Current AC: 36 T 14 FF 33 | HP 121/121| F +22 R +16 W +16 / +2 Heroism | CMD 28 | Init +5 | Perc +18(+4 On Beak)| Spells: Level 1 4/6 Level 2 5/5 Level 3 3/4 Level 4 0/1 | Bane 10/10 | Animal Focus 8/10 | Hunter Trick 4/7
Kramac begins pacing around, as if trying to understand his surroundings. Sensing the enemies are defeated and he is around friends, he drops his sword and hugs his injured bird.
Suddenly, the flow of negative energy through Gallowspire’s walls ceases. The undead cry out, furious that this source of power has been taken away from them. The Spellcaster Mission was successful!
GMs, the Spellcaster Mission Success condition on page 17 is in effect.
Eorsten stuffs Beaky's guts back into the bird's torso, and his healing touch causes the wound to close and tiny downy feathers to begin growing over the incision. As Flora and Flyn apply their wands to themselves and their companions, Zagan notices the black veins threading through the walls have thinned, like a stream disappearing in a drought. In the distance, muffled screams of rage echo like forgotten memories of nightmares.
Kramac Will:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
The sound seems to snap Kramac out of his daze, the blanket suffocating his thoughts burnt away like fog before the morning sun. Beaky notices the change immediately and chirps happily.
Thankfully, once the aura ended Kramac got another save against the feeblemind once per minute. Woo!
We still have the following injuries:
Zagan (-9)
Eorsten (-8)
I think Flyn still has a little time on his darkvision increment and a bit more on his mage armor. When he senses their approach to another large area/room, he'll activate another increment of darkvision and cast Mage Armor on himself from his wand, if that's OK...
With a triumphant shout, Shevar Besnik’s voice rings out. “Pathfinders! Together we’ve cleared the remaining wards from the stairway. And together, we’ve beaten back most of the monsters these Catacombs had to throw at us. Who wants to go deeper? I’m sure it’s just as bright and cheery as up here!” The way to the Silent Shrine is clear!
Flyn nods, taking the Venture-Captain's words to heart. He looks to his companions, "Let's press on, my friends! We're one step closer to ending this foul ritual..."
As they near the Silent Shrine, Flyn will cast Mage Armor (via wand) followed by Gravity Bow, and then he'll activate another increment of darkvision…
Male LG Ifrit Pei Zin Oracle 7/Divine Hunter Paladin 4 | HP 98/113 | AC 20 T 12 FF 18 (23/15/21) | CMB +11, CMD 23 | F: +17, R: +13, W: +17 | Init: +10 | Perc: -1, SM: -1 | Speed 20ft | 3rd (3/6), 2nd (6/8), 1st (6/8) | Channel 4/8, Healer's Way 4/8, Lay on Hands 5/9 | Active Spells: Prayer, Shield of Faith, Shield Other (Flyn) | Active Conditions: None
My only question before using the scroll would be what is the travel time to the next area? The scroll will last 70 minutes. Happy to do it otherwise, and I can't fail the check - requires caster level 8 as an Oracle and I'm caster level 9.
For tracking effect durations, we'll say it's about 10 minutes between the catacombs and the Silent Shrine. So Zagan can use the scroll on Lissa and it will have 60 minutes left when you arrive.
The oppressive catacombs eventually open into a large room. Shelves full of books and tables bearing strange equipment decorate sections partitioned off from each other by distance, elevation, and low railings. The ceiling rises to accommodate the multitude of stairways, but only barely for the highest platforms. More oppressive than the gloom of the spire, though, is the pervasive silence pressing on the Pathfinders' ears like a scream in reverse. Broad stairways to the north and south of the entrance lead to landings decorated with statues of terrifying gods of death - as well as towering giants wrapped in filthy, rune-covered strips of bloody linen.
The Sound of Silence
Round 1! Bold may act!
Lissa
Flyn Red
Blue
Yellow
Kramac
Beaky
Zagan
Flora
Eorsten
Area Effects:
- Map is dark except for Pathfinder light sources (Lissa, Beaky, Eorsten)
- Light sources have their radii halved (i.e. light creates normal light within 10 ft radius, dim light at +10 ft radius)
- Each platform is about 5 ft higher than the one below it
From their description/appearance, I assume these giants are undead, which are a favored enemy (+4); if not, please subtract 4 from my to hit and damage rolls. Also looks like the only one I have LOS on is Red...
Seeing a ghastly giant and hearing others, Flyn takes careful aim, firing a rain of cold iron at the red one...
Lissa skates forward and sees that unless someone can make a breakaway, the group will be surrounded and squeezed. Let's see if this'll distract.... She thinks as she looks around. Noting the edge of the platform ahead of her, "I hope you're wide enough," she whispers with a prayer, as she gathers the water around her and bursts up to the balcony, lashing out at the closest giant as she lands. That act, however, burns away at her resolve just a little.
Move Standard action - Water Whip Blade Rush vs. Red. I take 1 burn for this, which I'll expend my Internal Buffer for.
Back at the caravan of goods following the expedition, Sheila Heidmarch speaks. “It’s time to resupply the front line,” she says to the Pathfinders on caravan duty. “There’s no telling what they’ll face next, and...” Her announcement is cut short as the wall buckles. A towering colossus emerges from the wall, blocking the path ahead. “... and we need to deal with this thing first!” Pathfinders from the caravan fire a barrage of arrows and spells at the creature, but they bounce off its tough exterior. “We’ll need strength to crack its defenses!”Players, you can send your Muscle Aid Characters on this mission.
GMs, please begin the Aid Mission (Muscle) when you reach a good point to do so.
On second thought, Flyn recognizes the creature as a gholdako, the corpse of an ancient cyclops risen again as an undead monstrosity. While they have lost many of their abilities they might have had in life, their unnatural animation dampens damage from anything less than a weapon consecrated by the power of righteousness and holiness. (DR/good)
@Lissa - relocating slightly to avoid squeezing penalties on that highest platform (as their is only 5 ft of clearance between the floor and ceiling there). Red is still within the reach of your whip, so the attack happens without worry.
Flyn's volley strikes the giant squarely in the chest, staggering it back slightly. Lissa doesn't notice its small movement until she reaches the apex of her wave, and her whip glances off the creature's body harmlessly instead of breaking its bones.
The Pathfinders feel the floor shake beneath them, but only hear small thuds as the giants descend on the group clustered in the doorway. From each creature pours a thick cloud of noxious vapors that swamp the crowded hallway.
Red provokes an Attack of Opportunity from @Lissa as it leaves a threatened square. Nevermind - the whip from Blade Rush vanishes immediately after the attack. That's kinda lame.
The Pathfinders have been through worse experiences and draw upon their fortitude to withstand the dissipating fumes.
GM Screen:
3d4 ⇒ (4, 4, 1) = 9
Kramac:
Knowledge (religion):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
You're not sure what these things are.
Zagan:
Knowledge (religion):1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25
You recognize the creatures as gholdakos, corpses of ancient cyclops risen again as undead monstrosities. In addition to their blinding breath, their runic bandages protect them from extreme heat and cold as well as any weapon not blessed by Heaven. (Resist cold and fire, DR/Good)
Eorsten:
Knowledge (religion):1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
You're not sure what these things are.
The Sound of Silence
Round 2! Bold may act!
Kramac
Beaky
Zagan
Flora
Eorsten
Lissa
Flyn Red (-82)
Blue
Yellow
Area Effects:
- Map is dark except for Pathfinder light sources (Lissa, Beaky, Eorsten)
- Light sources have their radii halved (i.e. light creates normal light within 10 ft radius, dim light at +10 ft radius)
- Each platform is about 5 ft higher than the one below it
@GM - Yeah, it has it's drawbacks, but it is a charge as if I can fly, only I don't need to follow the rules for charging.
Lissa sighs faintly as the giants did exactly what she expected them to do. she skates down the balcony, and takes another swing at the one she was attacking before.
Move Standard action - Water Whip vs. Red. If Flora's attack downed it, redirect to Blue.
Male LG Ifrit Pei Zin Oracle 7/Divine Hunter Paladin 4 | HP 98/113 | AC 20 T 12 FF 18 (23/15/21) | CMB +11, CMD 23 | F: +17, R: +13, W: +17 | Init: +10 | Perc: -1, SM: -1 | Speed 20ft | 3rd (3/6), 2nd (6/8), 1st (6/8) | Channel 4/8, Healer's Way 4/8, Lay on Hands 5/9 | Active Spells: Prayer, Shield of Faith, Shield Other (Flyn) | Active Conditions: None
@GM - we all have Life Bubble up, so no-one needs to save against the vapors.
These are resistant to cold and fire and resistant to all but holy weapons.
Zagan will cast Prayer. The Dawnflower empowers us and weakens our enemies! Party gets +1 to hit and damage, all the monsters take -1 to hit and damage.
Flora's massive spear crashes into the wall with a small tink as she tries not to hit Beaky's wings - the startled bird extending them instinctively. Lissa's watery whip doesn't have to worry about striking her allies and crashes down on the giant with the sound of a gently-lapping wave. Flyn finishes the giant off with a pair of arrows, then turns his attention to the pair harassing his flying friend. Zagan and Eorsten pray - the first creating a blanket of holy energy that washes over Pathfinder and undead alike, the second raising an oversized axe that burns with holy fire. Kramac and Beaky wade into battle, the half-orc calling on the Strong Man's blessing to overcome his foes!
@Kramac, be sure to keep track of how many rounds of Bane you have left for the day in your stat bar.
Soundlessly, the giants counter-attack. One of them bats at Kramac like a gnat...
...and even with Beaky's interference, sends the bird's rider crashing against the hallway wall with a small plop. The other giant tears into Beaky with tooth and nail...
Feathers and blood fall to the floor silently as Beaky screams in pain - though only a whisper emerges from the bird's beak.
@Beaky, make a Fortitude save against disease at the start of your next post. Don't forget about the +1 from prayer!
The Sound of Silence
Round 3! Bold may act!
Kramac (-6, Prone)
Beaky (-39, Fortitude save)
Zagan
Flora
Eorsten
Lissa
Flyn Red
Blue (-23)
Yellow (-110)
Area Effects:
- Map is dark except for Pathfinder light sources (Lissa, Beaky, Eorsten)
- Light sources have their radii halved (i.e. light creates normal light within 10 ft radius, dim light at +10 ft radius)
- Each platform is about 5 ft higher than the one below it
- Ceilings are 10 ft high in hallway, 20 ft high in chamber
move action: combat step standard action: full attack on yellow with holy bond/power attack/furious focus
Eorsten moves sligthy and send two powerful blows towards the new enemy on his path "Ill send you to the hole where you stay"
Lissa takes full advantage of being ignored. With a brief moment to activate her boots, she faintly blurs again as she lashes out at the closest giant.
Full attack(Water whip) on Blue. Activating Boots of speed(round 3)
Flyn's arrows send one of the giants reeling. Kramac and Beaky pick another off as they make a swift exit stage left, leaving the stage open for Lissa and Flora to send the last giant to the ground with massive whips of water and wood!
Out of combat! Damage Report:
Kramac (-1)
Beaky (-34)
Zagan (-10)
Be sure to include any restorative actions you might take in your next post.
Kramac:
A voice like the sound of rocks grinding together speaks to you mentally.
The Pathfinders take a moment to gather their strength and inspect their surroundings. On the stairwell platforms, various statues keep silent watch over the entrance - a woman with only a bones for her lower half, a fat man with bat wings and ram horns, and a python wrapped around a gravestone.
Knowledge (religion) DC 10:
The woman is a depiction of Urgathoa, the mother of undeath.
Knowledge (religion) DC 20:
The man is a representation of Orcus, a demon lord of necromancy and undead creatures.
Knowledge (religion) DC 30:
The python is a symbol of Farfarello, one of the Malebranche - a group of minor deities of Hell - often known as the Lord of the Forgotten.
Perception DC 27:
Clutched inside the mouth of the python is a small clay ball.
"I recognize only the first two...the woman is Urgathoa, the mother of undeath...the man is Orcus, demon lord of necromancy and undead creatures...I recognize not the python..."
Perception:1d20 + 23 ⇒ (19) + 23 = 42
"...but there appears to be a small clay ball in its mouth..."
Male LG Ifrit Pei Zin Oracle 7/Divine Hunter Paladin 4 | HP 98/113 | AC 20 T 12 FF 18 (23/15/21) | CMB +11, CMD 23 | F: +17, R: +13, W: +17 | Init: +10 | Perc: -1, SM: -1 | Speed 20ft | 3rd (3/6), 2nd (6/8), 1st (6/8) | Channel 4/8, Healer's Way 4/8, Lay on Hands 5/9 | Active Spells: Prayer, Shield of Faith, Shield Other (Flyn) | Active Conditions: None
Zagan nods, thanking Flyn. Average for Zagan is actually 15 with his Fey Foundling feat giving him an extra +2 per die. That's one of the reasons I take the damage and heal myself. It's much more efficient use of resources.
Zagan looks around the room while slowly taking the damage and healing Beaky. +30 HP to Beaky, -30 to Zagan for -40 total, -25 now after Flyn's charges. He will spend a use of Healer's Way:5d8 + 10 ⇒ (6, 5, 8, 5, 1) + 10 = 35 and be healed up to full.
Now, about these statues.Kn(Religion):1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29I don't recognize the python either, though it seems on the tip of my tongue. Perhaps I will figure it out later.
A crack appears in the colossus’s outer shell. As the Pathfinders continue to rain down powerful blows, the cracks spread. Finally, the creature’s entire body fractures, and it topples over, breaking into pieces as it falls. With a cheer, the caravan charges forward to deliver supplies to the front lines. The Muscle Mission was successful!
GMs, the Muscle Mission Success condition on page 17 is in effect.
A hidden door in the wall flies open, releasing a putrid stench. Armored bodies pour out of the opening, gathering into a tidal wave of rotting flesh and steel that quickly reaches the ceiling. Calisro Benarry cries out, “Are you lot going to be scared off by a few dead bodies? Come on, let’s go!” She draws her blade, preparing to fight. Players, you can send your Guard Aid Characters on this mission.
GMs, please begin the Aid Mission (Guard) swiftly.
Kramac is almost blinded by the magical auras of the room - not to mention his companions. The entire library shimmers with magical residue, and there is too much interference to determine if the statue has more auras centered on it than the rest of the chamber.
I mean, there's been a lich powerful enough to slay and turn a demigod wandering around here for centuries. And, as everyone knows, liches love magic - this one particularly so. XD
Flyn and LIssa do not notice anything dangerous about the statue. As the archer carefully pulls out the ball from between the statue's jaws, the dry clay cracks in his hand to reveal a piece of parchment inside. As Flyn teases the rest of the ball apart, he reveals a note written in a strange language.
Necril:
This note seems to be describing a location within the Gallowspire, but doesn't mention what might be found there.
We're likely to move to the next area tomorrow, so let's not try to run another encounter in a day.
Also, it's time for the Guard mission in the Discussion thread!
Flyn arches an eyebrow as he tries to make out the strange language on the note...
Linguistics:1d20 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 6 + (1) = 14
...but doesn't fare too well. He looks up at his friends holding out the note. "Strange language...have not seen it before. Can anyone else read this?"
As the Pathfinders finish their investigations, a small caravan stops outside the shrine. "Restock!" a dwarf woman with frown lines etched into her face calls out, her voice only a whisper in the muffled shrine. "Get it now or don't come complaining to me later."
Each PC gains an item worth 750 gp or less - include your choice in your next post. If you're uncertain about what you want, potions of 3rd-level spells like cure serious wounds or fly are good options, as are wands of 1st-level spells like cure light wounds or remove fear. These items go back to the Pathfinder Society’s supplies at the end of the scenario if they are not used.
Also, we have more time for more encounters! So let's do it!
Resupplied, the Pathfinders press onwards. The darkness draws back reluctantly, revealing a twenty-five foot-tall burnished gold statue of a skeletal figure draped in fine robes and wielding a scythe that dominates the room. A horned crown rests atop the statue's head as it silently surveys its domain.
Knowledge (arcana or history) DC 27:
This figure must be the Whispering Tyrant, but in the guise of a grim reaper.
Beyond, tomes of clearly ancient origin line the shelves of what looks to be a library. Many of the books lie scattered about the floor, some of the open and revealing terrible images of horrific experiments. On a raised platform, Kramac and Flyn see strange figures moving unnaturally.
Flyn doesn't recognize the figure in the background, but he knows a bodak when he sees one. These undead creatures' empty eye sockets smolder constantly, as if on fire, and sap the life from those nearby. (Gaze attack that bestows negative levels)
Shushed
Round 1! Bold may act!
Kramac
Beaky
Flyn Red
Lissa
Eorsten
Zagan
Blue
Yellow
Flora
Environmental Effects:
- Map is dark except for Pathfinder light sources (Lissa, Beaky, Eorsten)
- Light sources have their radii halved (i.e. light creates normal light within 10 ft radius, dim light at +10 ft radius)
- Each platform is about 5 ft higher than the one below it (Enemies currently 10 ft above "ground")
- Ceilings are 10 ft high in hallway, 20 ft high in chamber
- Black squares are floor-to-ceiling bookshelves that block line of sight and line of effect
