Welcome to the Gallowspire! Please feel free to dot in here so we are all ready to go at the start,
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“Pathfinders! The unthinkable has happened. The Whispering Tyrant’s prison, Gallowspire, has exploded from below. The most infamous lich in history has escaped, and he now roams free. Worse, he has set in motion a vile ritual in his former prison. We must intervene before the ritual ends. Quickly find your assigned group, aid in our preparations for the expedition to Gallowspire, and listen for instructions.”
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The doors of Skyreach, the central fortress of the Grand Lodge in Absalom, stand open, and Pathfinders of all descriptions mill about at the base of the stairs, expressions of excitement, fear, and determination on their faces. Atop the staircase leading into the tower, Master of Swords Marcos Farabellus gestures for silence. Marcos is known for his good cheer. Today, however, his expression is grim. He clears his throat before speaking, his voice a low rumble.
"Yes, you heard me correctly. Gallowspire is gone, and the Whispering Tyrant has escaped. The Whispering Tyrant, who slew a goddess and conquered nations with armies of undead, has returned." He pauses and sighs. "And he’s been busy." gestures to the man standing next to him and nods. "This is Siege Lord Wynsal Starborn, and he has more information on recent events."
The other man steps forward, his breastplate gleaming. "We know that a massive explosion enveloped Gallowspire, and we know that undead hordes have swept throughout Lastwall. I have already sent scouts to investigate Gallowspire. They found a mysterious jungle surrounding the tower, or at least, where the tower should have been. The tower was gone, and there was a massive crater where it once stood. At considerable personal risk, the scouts who were most skilled at evading detection went inside the ruin itself. Fortunately, they survived, and they had the following to report. First, the ruins beneath still contain access points to the chambers below. Second, the Whispering Tyrant took the time to set up wards to block access to the deepest levels. Third, and most disturbingly, there are necromantic energies beyond these wards, energies so powerful that they are leaking into the surrounding area. The scouts surmise that a ritual of incredible intensity is taking place somewhere deep beneath the crater. It is building toward something, and with every passing day, it grows stronger."
Marcos Farabellus addresses the crowd again, but his voice holds a hint of fear rarely heard in his speech. "Pathfinders, we must stop this ritual. The Whispering Tyrant has had thousands of years to plan what he would do if he ever escaped. I shudder to think of the terrors he plans to unleash. This is not just a problem for Lastwall; it’s a problem for the entire world." His voice quiets, "I have no idea what else you’ll find on the deepest levels, what guardians and treasures the Whispering Tyrant has locked away. Be prepared for anything."
"This is going to be a significant undertaking, and you’ll have about a day to prepare while we get everyone else up to speed and set the logistics. Once you arrive, meet with Venture-Captain Shevar Besnik and Silver Crusade leader Ollysta Zadrian. Be sure to prepare for a dangerous journey both above and below ground. I wish you the best of luck, for all our sakes."
Marcos and Siege Lord Wynsal answers some of the question other Pathfinders ask.
"Who is the Whispering Tyrant?" one of the youngest Pathfinder present asks.
Marcos answers, "He’s a lich of such power that he could only be imprisoned, not destroyed. The country of Lastwall was founded with the single purpose of monitoring Gallowspire, where the Whispering Tyrant was trapped. There are dark times ahead."
Another one, more seasoned than previous asks "What do you know about this crater?"
Marcos says, "It’s deep, and it cut through many of the upper levels of the dungeons beneath Gallowspire. I can’t imagine what kind of power it took to create it. At least the crater makes it easier to get straight to some of the deeper levels."
Others asks the same question about the mysterious jungle. Wynsal replies, "People are calling it the Gallowgarden. The scouts report horrible amalgamations of fungus and animal as well as vicious plants. While it appears the Whispering Tyrant took most of his undead servants with him, whatever this explosion was created new threats."
Several ask about what they can expect to find in the dungeons. Wynsal answers to them, "I imagine whatever defenders lie beyond his wards are primarily undead. Reports I’ve received from other nations suggest that some of the Tyrant’s most infamous servants, who had been imprisoned with him, may also be on the loose. But it would be foolhardy to assume he didn’t leave some of them behind. I am also sure there are powerful magic wards, as well as a variety of other evil creatures."
A veteran asks Marcos, "Why can’t we just sneak in, like the scouts did?"
Marcos says, "The scouts may have been able to sneak into the upper levels of the ruins, but you’ll be contending with the parts of the complex that the Whispering Tyrant has a reason to protect. Breaking the seal on the lower levels is likely to be quite obvious, to say nothing of stopping the ritual itself. And that’s not even accounting for whatever traps, wards, and guardians Tar-Baphon has put in place."
As numerous murmurs go through the Pathfinder crowd, about going directly against the Whispering Tyrant Wynsal says "The reports we have received from Lastwall indicate that his attention lies elsewhere, and the scouts saw no signs of his presence. We can’t rule out the possibility that he will catch on to what we are doing. If he does, we’ll have to trust his arrogance and his certainty that we couldn’t possibly breach his wards and defeat his guardians."
Marcos adds, "I can’t promise that he won’t return, but it’s a risk we will have to take. The price of letting him complete the ritual is simply too high."
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"Man-eating fungus and vicious plants. An army of undead and a tyrant of Evil. Just like the last time I saw you, eh, my friend?" the angelic warrior says to Mun in greeting. He scratches the bear next to Mun behind the ears. "Good to see you, too, Selûne."
His perfect angelic features, flowing blonde hair, and broad shoulders would normally be enough to make him quite attractive, but the flecks of gold in his skin sparkle in the sunlight and make him a truly eye-catching sight.
He extends a hand to Broker and Mylywara in turn, "I am Zarnel, paladin of Vildeis." As he does, he exposes the crisscross pattern of dozens of scars of varying lengths and thicknesses across both arms that continue up under the sleeves of his tunic.
Following your gaze to his arms, he comments, "Ah, my Lady Vildeis both blesses and curses me.” With that he makes a small ritual gesture, using his off hand to momentarily cover his eyes then reverently touch his scarred and scratched breastplate above his heart while intoning solemnly, "See No Evil, Abide No Evil.”
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Mylvwara frowns, ”Besides the undead, did the scouts see any other creatures in these woods?”
Mylvwara gives a grim smile of greeting to her fellow pathfinders, ”Well met in hard times, as they say.” A small fox winds between her feet, ”I am Mylvwara and this is Cariad, my familiar.”
The slight elf scratches the fox’s ears absent-mindedly, ”I am a conjurer. Undead, I have few tools against.”
”I did not hear about other creatures, but you should go prepared for anything because we may not have time to regroup or retry this.”
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Marcos Farabellus stands atop the steps of Skyreach and waves his hands. “Pathfinders! It is nearly time to depart. We’ve sent scouts ahead to prepare an anchor for teleportation. Finish your preparations and make your way through the teleportation circle inside Skyreach.” The Master of Swords sets his jaw. “Brace yourselves. Our arrival point is not pleasant.”
One after another, Pathfinders step onto an immense glyph on the floor, the center of the teleportation circle. As they do, they each vanish into thin air, only to reappear in a distant location. The beautifully carved and painted stone walls of Skyreach fade into a moss-covered expanse of ancient ruins. On the other side of the circle, the air is warm, humid, and filled with the cloying stench of rotten meat.
Standing atop one of the ruins, a figure in gleaming full plate beckons the first arrivals to her. She waits silently, her face grim, until the remainder of the expeditionary force arrives. She then addresses the assembled group. “Welcome to Ustalav, Pathfinders. I am Ollysta Zadrian, leader of the Silver Crusade. Thank you for coming so quickly. Let me get straight to the point. The nearest undead horde is likely to sweep through this area in the next hour or so, and we must not remain overlong. Please, follow me.”
After a tense but brief journey, the expedition arrives at the edge of a dark jungle. The vegetation is thick, but the plants are twisted and gnarled. A group of Pathfinders dressed to blend in with the surrounding terrain step forward and greet the expedition. Their leader, a thin human man with long hair, smiles when he sees Zadrian. “Ollysta, you old war dog. It looks like you found yourself a small army. I hope it’s enough.”
The paladin’s expression remains focused and stern. “Yes, I hope so too. You should tell them what we know.” The man smiles charmingly. “Greetings, Pathfinders. I’m Shevar Besnik, up until recently the venture-captain of Vigil. I technically still am, I suppose,” he says, his smile turning sour. “These few individuals with me are all of the surviving Pathfinders from Vigil’s destruction. So they were the only Pathfinders left around here to teach the Tyrant a lesson. Until you got here, that is!”
Shevar continues, “Our first job is to make our way through this jungle. I know some of you probably have the means to bypass the jungle entirely and get to the crater, but that would mean certain death for those who can’t. Let’s stick together and make sure we all make it to the other side.” Ollysta raises her shield, which is emblazoned with a golden holy symbol of Sarenrae, “No matter what we face, Pathfinders, remember: the dawn brings new light. May Sarenrae’s grace guide our blades.” Shevar adds, “And with that, let’s meet whatever this twice-damned forest can throw at us head on!”
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One of the scouts approaches your group pulling a horse loaded with all kind of equipment ready to fight the undead menace. The elf greets you with a grim look in his eyes "Hi! I am Eldon García. It is great to have you here. I shall join your group. Lastwall forces just gave me some blessed water and a handful of other tools to fight this menace"
"This jungle is awful. I suggest we to try to go through without being seen" the elf draws a perfectly forged cold iron rapier and looks forward to advance with the rest of the pathfinders.
Ollysta Zadrian and Shevar Besnik lead the Pathfinders into the Gallowgarden. Among the vegetation, you see numerous pieces of stone ruins. The ruined city of Adorak once extended all of the way up to Gallowspire, but when a jungle suddenly emerged from the ground, the ruins were uprooted and shattered.
As soon as the Pathfinders enter into Gallowgarden, the unnatural jungle react!
With supernatural speed, bruise-colored clouds gather in the sky above the jungle, bringing with them a stinging rain that reeks of embalming fluid. Just above the tree line, horizontal bolts of purple lightning leap between the clouds. Thunder rumbles unceasingly across the landscape.
You understand that none of the plants in the area are natural, and that they are instead amalgamations of plant, fungal, and animal matter. No normal animals or plants live here.
The strange vegetation bears odd marks and patterns reminiscent of skulls, eyes, and spattered blood. The air is humid, heavy, and oily; it smells like the wet ashes of a funeral pyre.
The plants creep and move of their own accord in the Gallowgarden, slowly shifting to cover trails.
A mortuary tempest rages above you. This storm brings with it severe winds and an acidic sleet that slowly eats through both mundane equipment and unprotected skin...
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"I still wonder how is that possible." the bald elf leads the way trying to make sure none of the group steps end up on one of the moving plants snaring the group "Ah! And now this sleet... it burns to the touch, like if it was corrosive"
Eldon covers himself from the sleet using his magical cloak.
He keeps moving cautiously, using the shadows offered by the jungle.
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The jungle canopy does provide some cover. For those who do not seek cover, the acidic sleet is starting to become painful, and small holes start to appear in your gear.
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A fighter in grungy full plate walks up to the group as they prepare to enter the jungle. "Greetings, the name's Dekion. I supposed to join you on this adventure. I can't say I have any special abilities to deal with undead except for using my sword to make them dead again," he says with a chuckle.
He draws his sword and follows the guides into the jungle.
"I'm not sure what's going on but it sure does smell bad," he says looking around. He watches Eldon sneak off into the jungle then looks down at his plate armor and laughs to himself. Annoyed by the rain damaging his equipment, he holds up his shield to protect it as best he can.
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Broker seeing what the rain does swiftly seeks shelter as he picks a nice shady spot to avoid the rain.
"Best to get into cover unless your equipment is immune to this sort of things. Mine isn't."
Taking advantage of his surroundings even if they aren't his usual haunts, Broker attempts to hide among the foliage and scout around as well.
Were it not for the image of a sinister face peeking out from its dark gray bark, this would look like any other ragged oak tree. The corruption in the soil beneath this plant gave it dark purpose and a malevolent will. Its favorite meals are the flesh of humans and elves.
Three of you noticed the threat in time to warn the others.No surprise, and the party all get to move first.
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Apparently Eldon has never seen a tree like that before.
It does not matter, the bald elf was ready and quickly moves through the shadows as soon as he spots the menace. Profiting the surprise to move in between the branches, he makes use of the tree lack of movement to find a vital spot, stabbing his cold iron rapier in a point where the bark has fallen and the inner parts of the tree can be seen.
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Unfortunately, Dekion and Zarnel both have trouble getting past the branches, and fail to damage the plant. Eldon, however, manages to sneak though and fine a vulnerable spot, skewering it expertly.
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Broker slides in his movements reminiscent of a panther having stalked its prey and is now in the act of pouncing. His own longsword, its silvery blade shines in the darkness as he attempts to give it a good cut.
It might be disturbing to note that Broker's skill with the longsword that he he favors lethal efficiency rather then flashy sword work.
Nature was the right call here: it is a plant. DC 18 (due to CR8)
For every 5 you exceed the DC by, you get to ask for more specific info. In this case, you get one (see the list in my status bar). If you give me your 2-5 choices when you make the roll, we can short cut the back and forth a bit. In this case, Mun gets 1, but I am going to give you a free-be: See Immunities and Special Abilities below.
These carnivorous plants prize human and elven flesh, but eat anything they manage to catch. Quickwoods typically explore an area, taking note of any oak trees, and then root themselves and wait for prey to wander by. They use their oaksight ability to maintain constant surveillance of their hunting grounds and send their roots out to drag likely prey back to them.
Immune electricity, fire, plant traits; SR 19 (see spell absorption)
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Fear Aura (Su)
A quickwood with stored magical energy (see below) can activate its fear aura as a standard action. The aura has a radius of 10 feet per spell level of the effect and lasts for 1 round (Will DC 20 negates). Creatures that fail their saving throws become panicked for 1 minute. The DC is Charisma-based and includes a +4 racial bonus.
Oaksight (Su)
A quickwood may observe the area surrounding any oak tree within 360 feet as if using clairaudience/clairvoyance. It can use this ability on any number of oak trees in the area. Although the quickwood does not need line of sight to establish this link, if it does have line of sight to even a single oak tree, it cannot be flanked.
Roots (Ex)
A quickwood has dozens of long roots, but can only attack with up to three of them in any given round. If the quickwood uses its pull ability to pull a target within reach of its bite attack, it can immediately make a free bite attack with a +4 bonus on its attack roll against that target.
Spell Absorption (Su)
If a quickwood’s spell resistance protects it from a magical effect, the creature absorbs that magical energy into its body. It can release this energy to activate its fear aura ability. While the plant is storing a spell, its SR decreases by 5. It can only store one spell at a time.
Mylvwara still gets actions this round.
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Mylvwara cocks her head, "Fanscinating, a quickwood."
When Eldon calls out, she shakes her head, "Don't waste your time with flame or lightning. It sucks in spell power as well."
As she eyes to surroundings, she shakes her head, "It can see through oak trees but I don't think anything here is a real tree. Oh, and it wants to eat us, humans and elves especially. It grabs at people with its roots!"
Mylvwara steps back and begins casting a spell.
As Mylvwara begins her spell, no sooner than the words were out of her mouth, roots sprout from the ground trying to latch on to you.
The roots take hold of Broker and pull him into the gaping maw on the face of the tree, which gives him a nasty bite!
In round 2, Eldon and Dekion hit.
The leopard, as i can tell has: pounce + rake. As I read it, pounce allows full attack including rake attacks if you have them.
That leaves us with:
bite +10 (+6 +2 augment +2 charge) for 1d6+8 dmg(+3+2augment+3smite plus grab),
2 claws +10 (1d3+8), rake 2 claws +10 (1d3+8)
Augment added +2 for additional Strength bonus to hit and dmg
Charge added +2 to hit
Special Attacks The creature may smite evil 1/day as a swift action (it adds its Cha bonus to attack rolls, and a damage bonus equal to its HD against evil foes; smite persists until the target is dead or the celestial creature rests). I didn't see that this was done here. I don't see that it was used here, but it could have been and would have added +3 dmg to each attack.
So I am not sure if you used smite, or if you were adding these up differently - I surely could have missed something.
In any case...
With a combination of quick sword word and a ferocious cat, you hack and shred the tree-like plant creature apart. It ceases movement, and you have successfully ended your first threat.
As you finish your battle, you hear some noises off to the west. You investigate.
Signs of a pitched battle are obvious in this small clearing. The twisted, corrupt vegetation has been burned, and the smell of a recent fire floats through the air. Immediately to the north, an outcropping of rock rises a dozen feet over the carnage.
Mylvwaar recognizes the symbols of Sarenrae on a half-dozen orcs that mill about the clearing, finishing off the last of the creatures they recently felled.
One, probably the leader, steps forward.
"Who are you?" he asks, clearly skeptical of any response you may give.
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Mylvwara responds to the orc, "Pathfinders, intent on doing what we can to help put the Whispering Tyrant back in his prison."
She looks about at her companions, "We teleported in from Absalom moments ago."
Her eyes settle back on the speaker, "You bear symbols of the Dawnflower. You know who we are. Who are you?"
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"Good job all!" Eldon completes his cutting of the branches releasing Broker. He is likewise open to help him with his wand of patching.
When they hear the voices to the west, Eldon moves over to scout some feet ahead of the party. At the sight of the orcs, he uses his shield wand to renew the arcane protection before the group shows up in the clearing.
Completing Mylvwara's words "You orcs and us, we have fought terrible wars, but today the greater danger of Tar-Baphon menaces all life in Golarion. There is no need to make things worse today by fighting each other. Let's work together for once..." the elf frowns, his face clearly disgusted, as if he cannot even belief he himself has said those words.