C. Julian Duphin | Male NG human Investigator 13/Psychic 1 | HP 100/114 | AC 17, T 12, FF 17 | CMD 24| F +13 R +16 W +18 (+2)(Immune: Poison, +4 v. Traps, +2 vs curses) | Init +3 | Perc +20 (trap +26) SM +8 (+2d8, take better) | Speed 30ft | Inspiration 3/11 ; Psychic Spells 1st: 5/5 | Active Conditions: battlemind link, displacement, overland flight, heroism, life bubble, false life, freedom of movement, mutagen (+6 STR), orchid's drop
Getting a curt nod from Bristor and Julian, Wynnreyell casts dimension door. Slipping through the surly bonds of time and space, the trio is transported to the southernmost chamber within the prison complex.
Anticipating an imminent attack, the nightcrawlers channels a burst of negative energy that rolls over the three intruders.
Negative Energy, Will DC31 for half:9d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 1, 6, 2, 4, 3, 6, 5) = 38
C. Julian Duphin | Male NG human Investigator 13/Psychic 1 | HP 100/114 | AC 17, T 12, FF 17 | CMD 24| F +13 R +16 W +18 (+2)(Immune: Poison, +4 v. Traps, +2 vs curses) | Init +3 | Perc +20 (trap +26) SM +8 (+2d8, take better) | Speed 30ft | Inspiration 3/11 ; Psychic Spells 1st: 5/5 | Active Conditions: battlemind link, displacement, overland flight, heroism, life bubble, false life, freedom of movement, mutagen (+6 STR), orchid's drop
Heroism, Orchid Drop Will Save:1d20 + 16 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 16 + 2 + 2 = 38 I have Deathless armor and resist negative 10, so I won't take any damage.
"You underestimate us, monster." Julian delves deep into his memory and taps the mythic power of the Ruby Sage to empower his attacks.
Bristor and Julian let the nightcrawler's wave of negative energy harmlessly pass over them.
Julian studies his target and thrusts his longspear thrice, piercing the chitinous armor of the nightshade twice, sickening the gargantuan undead monster. Then the investigator adjusts the grip on his weapon, prepared to guard his companions.
| Male N Medium Tiefling Cleric 1, Wizard 5, Mystic Theurge 10 | HP 129/129 12temp | AC 14, T 10, FF 14 | CMB +5 CMD 15 | F +21 R +16 W +26; evasion; SR 13 vs evil | Init +13 | Perc +30, Sense Motive +28 | Speed 30ft, fly 40ft | Copycat 6/6, Shift 16/16, l quicken 1/3, extend 3/3, l extend 3/3 | Active Conditions: Overland Flight, Ant Haul, Life Bubble, mage armor, mind blank, invisibility, heroism
Peter delivers the dragon via dimension door.
Put yourself where ever you like. @ Hendric I could DD you if you fast dismount and mount onto Arch, or simply fast dismount, or stay on your horse and walk up instead
Male LG Human Cavalier 17 | AC 37 T 16 FF 34 CMD 41 | HP 174/174 | Horse 119/119 | F+21 R+16 W+18 | Init +4 | Per +35 |Active: Magic Vestment (Shield)
All - Moment of Greatness lets you double a Morale bonus for one roll, after which Moment of Greatness ends for you. So if you have +2 from Heroism, make it a +4 for one roll if you want. Or save it to double Death Ward's +4 morale bonus vs death effects to +8.
Sir Hendric and Sentry move through the northern corridor, evading the creature's reach due to shared Escape Route.
Sir Hendric Challenges the nightwalker and strikes with his lance!
AC is 43 against it with Rune of Alacrity and Champion Shield, plus Snake Style or Mounted Combat.
Snake Style or Mounted Combat if attacked:
roll:1d20 ⇒ 16 Will expend Moment of Greatness to double the Heroism bonus, making this +36 for Snake Style with Heroism and Relic; +32 for Mounted Combat.
Peter's dimension door delivers Archaememnon inside the prison complex, and the transformed dragon unleashes a flurry of golden hell on the Whispering Tyrant's nightcrawler.
The dragon's jaws close on the monster, a claw rakes through its side, and a vicious tail slap crashes down upon its back.
Sir Hendric guides the narrow-hipped Sentry through the halls of the prison complex and thrusts his lance into the gargantuan nightshade.
The nightcrawler screams in pain and rage, "ROOAARRR!"
The nightcrawler's burst of negative energy rocks Wynnreyell. But then, only ten feet away from the gargantuan centipede, Wynnreyell looses a four-round burst of silver-blanched arrows from his heavily enchanted bow. *Thwap! Thwap! Thwap! Thwap!*
The first arrow strikes his target with devastating precision. The other three missiles return to the arcane archer's quiver like a trio of the caped crusader's batarangs.
The wounded monster swiftly uses a spell-like ability, and a cone-shaped blast of extreme cold extends outward from the creature, draining the heat from the bodies of Bristor, Julian, and Wynnreyell like sides of beef in Rocky Balboa's meat locker. "Freeze, m%~+@+-f~@!&#s!"
Then the gargantuan undead centipede tries to eliminate its most dangerous threat with bite and sting. *CRUNCH!* Its powerful mandibles chew through the adamantine crust of the golden dragon-nugget and grab her. Then the nightshade stings Archaememnon, *Pfftt!*, injecting a withering venom into its grappled victim like Conrad Robert Murray into the King of Pop.
Sickened Bite; Damage plus cold and grab:1d20 + 32 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 32 - 2 = 434d10 + 18 - 2 ⇒ (10, 8, 4, 4) + 18 - 2 = 424d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 4, 3) = 11 Sickened Grab:1d20 + 41 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 41 - 2 = 57 Sickened Sting; Damage plus cold and poison:1d20 + 32 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 32 - 2 = 384d6 + 18 ⇒ (6, 5, 5, 1) + 18 = 354d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 6, 5) = 17
Fortitude DC28 vs Poison or:
Poison (Su) Sting—injury; save Fort DC28; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d4 ⇒ 4 Constitution drain and 1 negative level; cure 3 consecutive saves. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Male LG Human Cavalier 17 | AC 37 T 16 FF 34 CMD 41 | HP 174/174 | Horse 119/119 | F+21 R+16 W+18 | Init +4 | Per +35 |Active: Magic Vestment (Shield)
"For Vigil!"
The Lastwall cavalier attacks the monstrous undead.
Since I didn't need to use Snake Style or Mounted Combat, I still have Moment of Greatness available. Will use it to double the +5 morale bonus to hit (Order of the Sword challenge as Cav19) to +10 on the primary.
+5 lance, Relic, Moment of Greatness:1d20 + 28 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 28 + 1 + 5 = 36 Using my Folio reroll +5 lance, Relic, Moment of Greatness:1d20 + 28 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 28 + 1 + 5 = 37 Damage:1d8 + 42 ⇒ (2) + 42 = 44
Archaememnon fights off the nightcrawler's venom, and she thrashes within the creature's mandibles, striking out with wing and maw, tail and claw. Even grappled, the golden dragon lands vicious blows with teeth, wing, and tail.
Suffering more devastating damage than the nightshade can withstand, it flips over, hundreds of chitinous armor plates curling in on themselves in its death throes.
With several piercing thrusts of his mighty lance, Sir Hendric confirms the monster will never rise again.
The nightshade nightcrawler's centuries of service to Tar-Baphon finally reach an inglorious and ignominious end.
C. Julian Duphin | Male NG human Investigator 13/Psychic 1 | HP 100/114 | AC 17, T 12, FF 17 | CMD 24| F +13 R +16 W +18 (+2)(Immune: Poison, +4 v. Traps, +2 vs curses) | Init +3 | Perc +20 (trap +26) SM +8 (+2d8, take better) | Speed 30ft | Inspiration 3/11 ; Psychic Spells 1st: 5/5 | Active Conditions: battlemind link, displacement, overland flight, heroism, life bubble, false life, freedom of movement, mutagen (+6 STR), orchid's drop
| Male N Medium Tiefling Cleric 1, Wizard 5, Mystic Theurge 10 | HP 129/129 12temp | AC 14, T 10, FF 14 | CMB +5 CMD 15 | F +21 R +16 W +26; evasion; SR 13 vs evil | Init +13 | Perc +30, Sense Motive +28 | Speed 30ft, fly 40ft | Copycat 6/6, Shift 16/16, l quicken 1/3, extend 3/3, l extend 3/3 | Active Conditions: Overland Flight, Ant Haul, Life Bubble, mage armor, mind blank, invisibility, heroism
Peter is high enough for fast healing 2, so you'll heal 24 over the next 12 more rounds, and can end the spell for 5d6 more at the end for healing. During those 12 rounds Peter is happy to use the wand on the dragon, who can do so herself as well. Death ward still has about 15 rounds, after those 12 (and combat) before Peter himself is vulnerable :) @GM Does the house need more successes? Can we pass some more aid tokens to help?
| Male N Medium Tiefling Cleric 1, Wizard 5, Mystic Theurge 10 | HP 129/129 12temp | AC 14, T 10, FF 14 | CMB +5 CMD 15 | F +21 R +16 W +26; evasion; SR 13 vs evil | Init +13 | Perc +30, Sense Motive +28 | Speed 30ft, fly 40ft | Copycat 6/6, Shift 16/16, l quicken 1/3, extend 3/3, l extend 3/3 | Active Conditions: Overland Flight, Ant Haul, Life Bubble, mage armor, mind blank, invisibility, heroism
Peter looks at the dragon, glad that her wounds are already closing.
Well done all! We've got this wand to use on you.
@Arch Feel free to roll both your and my wand uses (21 charges remaining on our requisitioned wand), in addition to the 5d6+24 healing
Male LG Human Cavalier 17 | AC 37 T 16 FF 34 CMD 41 | HP 174/174 | Horse 119/119 | F+21 R+16 W+18 | Init +4 | Per +35 |Active: Magic Vestment (Shield)
Sir Hendric rejoins the group.
"I couldn't see what you all were doing, but victory is ours. This fiend is no more. Archaememnon, I could see you and that was a mighty battle. Well fought."
| Male N Medium Tiefling Cleric 1, Wizard 5, Mystic Theurge 10 | HP 129/129 12temp | AC 14, T 10, FF 14 | CMB +5 CMD 15 | F +21 R +16 W +26; evasion; SR 13 vs evil | Init +13 | Perc +30, Sense Motive +28 | Speed 30ft, fly 40ft | Copycat 6/6, Shift 16/16, l quicken 1/3, extend 3/3, l extend 3/3 | Active Conditions: Overland Flight, Ant Haul, Life Bubble, mage armor, mind blank, invisibility, heroism
Silly creature, didn't realize that worms don't eat dragons...
C. Julian Duphin | Male NG human Investigator 13/Psychic 1 | HP 100/114 | AC 17, T 12, FF 17 | CMD 24| F +13 R +16 W +18 (+2)(Immune: Poison, +4 v. Traps, +2 vs curses) | Init +3 | Perc +20 (trap +26) SM +8 (+2d8, take better) | Speed 30ft | Inspiration 3/11 ; Psychic Spells 1st: 5/5 | Active Conditions: battlemind link, displacement, overland flight, heroism, life bubble, false life, freedom of movement, mutagen (+6 STR), orchid's drop
Julian wipes ichor from his spear.
"A well-fought victory. Hopefully our companions fare as well."
| Male N Medium Tiefling Cleric 1, Wizard 5, Mystic Theurge 10 | HP 129/129 12temp | AC 14, T 10, FF 14 | CMB +5 CMD 15 | F +21 R +16 W +26; evasion; SR 13 vs evil | Init +13 | Perc +30, Sense Motive +28 | Speed 30ft, fly 40ft | Copycat 6/6, Shift 16/16, l quicken 1/3, extend 3/3, l extend 3/3 | Active Conditions: Overland Flight, Ant Haul, Life Bubble, mage armor, mind blank, invisibility, heroism
@Wynn You still could have used particulate form's healing and my wand that goes away at the end of the scenario, to put you at 2HP from full, if you prefer to use those resources first rather than yours
At last, the ritual reaches a critical point, With the ritual’s anchoring stones disrupted and its guardians slain, the Pillar struggles in vain to stop its magic from collapsing. The Pillar trembles, and a psychic scream echoes through the minds of everyone within Gallowspire. The lasts wisps of magic drift away from the pillar’s surface, filling the room with a quiet fog. The taste of corruption fades from the air.
Utter silence falls, as if all the air in Gallowspire has been drawn away by the inhalation of some massive being. But the peace does not last for long. The stillness is broken a moment later by a titanic crack. Fissures form in the walls, and the ground shifts. Silently, a pitch-black nothingness begins to ooze forth from the newly formed cracks in the walls, floors, and ceilings. The cracks spread with supernatural speed, reaching out like grasping fingers to tear the dungeons to pieces. In the Black Caverns, small rocks begin to rain down from above. Gallowspire is falling apart!
GMs, please apply the Speeding Up the Encounters conditions on page 16 and finish up your encounter quickly.
Stalactites riddled with fingers of negative energy begin raining from the ceiling as the entire area shakes treacherously. It is clear that the time to go is now!
The primary danger the Pathfinders now face is getting above the level of the Black Caverns. A few undead remain, but the collapsing chambers and seeping negative energy provide the true threats.
The ground is unsteady, and you might fall to the ground. If your reflexes aren't quick enough, you might be pinned under hundreds of pounds of rubble, badly injured.
Negative energy lashes out, as black tentacles(CL16) grapple some of the other Pathfinders beginning to crush them to death. They need you to heal them or otherwise help them escape.
Hordes of skeletons emerge from cracks in the walls and start chasing the fleeing Pathfinders. They are too weak to challenge you, but some of the other Pathfinders need help.
The way out has been almost completely sealed off. You can attempt to squeeze through or try to find another route out of the dungeon.
The dangers are too numerous to describe them all, and our heroes probably encounter other threats and hazards as they make their way out of the Gallowspire.
This last section of the adventure is primarily your narrative. Take as much time as you want to describe your epic escape. Alternatively, anyone who wants their Primary Character or Aid Characters to meet a heroic end has the opportunity to narrate that moment. Create heroic moments for such sacrifices and provide a satisfying, emotional end for that character’s adventures. Example heroic moments could include pushing a friend out of the way of a falling wall or bravely fending off a terrible monster while the others escape. If you want to roll some dice in the process: Skill checks are DC32; Saves are DC25.
| Male N Medium Tiefling Cleric 1, Wizard 5, Mystic Theurge 10 | HP 129/129 12temp | AC 14, T 10, FF 14 | CMB +5 CMD 15 | F +21 R +16 W +26; evasion; SR 13 vs evil | Init +13 | Perc +30, Sense Motive +28 | Speed 30ft, fly 40ft | Copycat 6/6, Shift 16/16, l quicken 1/3, extend 3/3, l extend 3/3 | Active Conditions: Overland Flight, Ant Haul, Life Bubble, mage armor, mind blank, invisibility, heroism
Peter is cognizant that his contingent represents some of the most powerful members of the society present, and acts accordingly.
Seeing the falling Stalactites towards his fellow pathfinders, he quickly erects a wall of stone, to hold back the onslaught for his fellow pathfinders. To help get the injured moving he summons a small group of Lillend Azatas, who heal the stuck pathfinders with their spells, use their considerable strength to help them escape, and fly them to safety over the next minute and a half.
fort:1d20 + 21 ⇒ (1) + 21 = 22 Peter is fatigued by his actions as he flies out. Once we get out he'll cast lesser restoration, but I can take the no running or charging for now
Lillend Azatas:1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Peter quickly summons yet another Azata, a Lyrakien, who gently plays a song, easing the burdens of the pathfinders as they leave. removes fatigued/exhausted from all listeners, including Peter!
Peter let out wave after wave of healing, the strongest he can by converting his remaining cleric spells into mass cure spells, as he expertly flies overhead of his fellow pathfinders, disintegrating the skeletons and healing his allies.
Mass CMW:2d8 + 13 ⇒ (6, 1) + 13 = 20 converting Mislead Mass CMW:2d8 + 13 ⇒ (1, 3) + 13 = 17 converting heal Mass CLW:1d8 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18 converting False Vision Mass CLW:1d8 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15 converting breath of life
Male LG Human Cavalier 17 | AC 37 T 16 FF 34 CMD 41 | HP 174/174 | Horse 119/119 | F+21 R+16 W+18 | Init +4 | Per +35 |Active: Magic Vestment (Shield)
GM Lorenzo wrote:
Alternatively, anyone who wants their Primary Character or Aid Characters to meet a heroic end has the opportunity to narrate that moment.
Hell no!
As one of, if not the greatest of Lastwall's knights left alive, Sir Hendric is going to be a thorn in the side of the Whispering Tyrant for decades to come.
The ground quakes, but with Sir Hendric's steady guidance, Sentry keeps his feet.
Ride, Heroism, DC 32:1d20 + 27 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 27 + 2 = 35
Falling rubble threatens to crush the cavalier and his valiant steed, but they nimbly dodge out of the way.
Sir Hendric Reflex, Heroism, Shake it Off, DC 25:1d20 + 15 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 15 + 2 + 1 = 37 Ride check for Indomitable Mount, Heroism, DC 25:1d20 + 27 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 27 + 2 = 33
Janira Gavix and other Pathfinders are menaced by a horde of skeletons, and the halfling shouts "Go, save yourself!"
Sir Hendric does what he did against that minotaur so long ago - he ignores Janira's selfless advice, lowers his lance, and charges.
Say they are a Troop. Charge/PA:1d20 + 32 ⇒ (16) + 32 = 48 Damage:3d8 + 93 ⇒ (5, 3, 3) + 93 = 104
Dozens of skeletons fall to pieces under the force of the charge.
At the fallen stones blocking the way out, he begins moving stones aside. While a Dimension Door could save a few, there are too many trapped in here.
Strength:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20 You have no DC listed for ability checks, but they are normally quite a bit lower than save DCs, since they do not inherently scale with level, so I'm going to assume a 20 is good enough to accomplish something meaningful.
Sir Hendric will not leave any Pathfinders behind if there is any chance of saving them, but he understands that he himself is of significant strategic value to the Society and to the remaining survivors of Lastwall. He will not die today.
C. Julian Duphin | Male NG human Investigator 13/Psychic 1 | HP 100/114 | AC 17, T 12, FF 17 | CMD 24| F +13 R +16 W +18 (+2)(Immune: Poison, +4 v. Traps, +2 vs curses) | Init +3 | Perc +20 (trap +26) SM +8 (+2d8, take better) | Speed 30ft | Inspiration 3/11 ; Psychic Spells 1st: 5/5 | Active Conditions: battlemind link, displacement, overland flight, heroism, life bubble, false life, freedom of movement, mutagen (+6 STR), orchid's drop
Julian stands his ground during the quakes, then drinks his final elixir of enlarge person and goes to retrieve the Pathfinders that are in trouble.
Reflex:1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 16 + 2 = 33
With his giant arms, he sweeps some stuck agents up and pulls them from the black tentacles.
CMB:1d20 + 14 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 14 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 33
With collapsed tunnels and mobs of undead still in the way, the investigator searches for hidden passage that might lead out of the ruins. He uses alchemical allocation and drinks his elixir of vision.
Perception:1d20 + 20 + 10 + 2 + 2d8 ⇒ (1) + 20 + 10 + 2 + (4, 8) = 45
Despite his luck running thin, he's able to discover a new route out of the collapsing dungeon, and he emerges with a group of Pahtfinders into the crater.
Male NG Inquisitor of Cayden Cailean 16 | HP 159/159| AC 31 (32 hasted) T 17 FF 28 | CMB +18, CMD35(32FF) | F:+20, R:+13, W:+21 (Evasion & Stalwart; +1 per adjacent ally) | Init: +9 | Perc: +26, SM:+21 | Speed 40ft | 3 Judgments 2/6 combats; Greater Bane 13/16 rds; Boots of Speed 7/10 rds | Spells: 1st 6/7 ; 2nd 5/6; 3rd 2/6; 4th 2/5; 5th 2/4; 6th 1/1 | Active: SeeInv, Airwalk, KnEdge, CntlssIs, Hero, +5ft Rch, Death Ward
Seeing danger all around him, Bristor uses his superior mobility, freedom of movement, and ability to teleport short distances to rescue fellow Pathfinders caught in the tentacle, and to help others move forward through the shrinking pathways.
Thanks to the protection of Cayden Caliean and his own ability to excel via teamwork, he’s able to shrug of the rushing negative energy and help direct his comrades on the safest paths.
Fortitude save:1d20 + 26 ⇒ (8) + 26 = 34 Perception:1d20 + 28 ⇒ (10) + 28 = 38
When he finally reaches the surface, away from the worst of the necromantic taint the Gallowspire has to offer, he takes a moment to empty his flask on the ground, leaving a last drink for those who did not make it, but helped secure this victory.
LN Female Half-Elf Sorcerer 6/Dragon Disciple 10 | hp 123/208 | AC 38 T 15 FF 36 | CMB +29, CMD 41 | F: +20, R +13, W +15 | Init: +2 | Perc: +4, SM: +0, Blindsense 60' | Concentration +27 | Speed 30 |Spells: 1st 6/9, 2nd 7/8, 3rd 0/8, 4th 0/8, 5th 3/8, 6th 3/5 | Breath Weapon 3/3| Claws 10/12 | Form of the Dragon 0/2 | Conditions: | Buffs: Deathward, Transformation, Shield, Mage Armor, DF2, Life Bubble
The great dragon takes to the air, chunks of stone falling and the rusty arrows of the undead horde flying all around. She circles back, draws in a lungful of the foul crypt’s air and breathes a gout of flame across the skeletal mass.
The fire breaks the charge of the pursuers, allowing a squad of junior Pathfinders to escape.
A crack rips the air asunder and a massive arch of stone tumbles toward a troupe of Pathfinders. Archaememnon flies to it, trying to brace it long enough for those below to get through.
Strength
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Unable to save them all, Arch casts dimension door to get some of them out from under the rubble, and gathers others up into her scaly arms. Seeing more undead in pursuit, she breathes again…
…and flies up through the passage that Julian has found.
At the surface, she pauses to take in the scene for a moment. The victorious and the wounded, sharing a drink and laughing off another brush with death. It has been eight good years since she first signed on to travel with the Pathfinders. She'd only just begun to understand her own nature and the nature of her powers. But a wind picks up and blows the dust and smoke away to the mountains. She can hear the solitude calling to her and knows it is time to go.
Through the terrible dark and palpable evil of the dungeons of Gallowspire, the expedition fights its way to the surface. The earth beneath and around them continues to shake, and undead monstrosities continue to fight, but the Pathfinders are implacable in their progress. Finally, after many more hours, the dim light of day greets the surviving Pathfinders who emerge from the outskirts of the Gallowgarden. Most show signs of desperate battle and deep exhaustion. As the light grows and shatters the clearing clouds, a few shouts of congratulations soon become a rousing cheer.
Marcos Farabellus steps forward triumphantly. “My friends, I have never been so proud to call myself a Pathfinder as I am today. Thanks to you, and to everyone who gave their lives to this mission, the world does not need to fear a terrible undead blight. The Whispering Tyrant may be a figure of legend, but you have challenged his plots, and you have emerged victorious. Your bravery and determination stand as a shining example, not just to your fellow agents, but to the world. Let us face the challenges ahead in the same spirit. Let us honor our dead and carry their memory and stories with us as we move forward into a new day. Explore! Report! Cooperate!”
That’s the end! Thanks for playing everyone, and thanks especially to the table GMs for all your hard work! GMs, the house has earned the full Necromantic Surge boon (4 boxes remaining).
