“Well, let’s get it over with,” the general intones haughtily, gesturing to an Arodenite priest carrying a fancy cage containing two fine roosters. The general casts several types of honeyed grain on the ground to the waiting fowl, but to everyone’s chagrin, and the general’s fury, the sacred birds do nothing. After an impossible silence, one of the nobles mutters in an awkward tone, “They… do not eat.”
To everyone’s horror, the general grabs the sacred animals by their feathered necks, storms over to an elegant bathtub and holds them under the soapy water, hissing, “Then by Aroden’s damned eyes, let them drink!”
The shocked gathering is paralyzed by the general’s hideous blasphemy. He stands seething at the edge of his tub, the limp, dripping carcasses gripped tightly in either hand, glowering at the witnesses to his monstrous sacrilege. Finally, a junior tribune blurts out, “Brother, I will fetch your warhorse!”
DC 25 Knowledge (history or religion):
Using fowl to seek good omens by observing what types of grain they eat was a Taldan tradition until General Bartolomae’s outburst saw the practice fall from favor.
Everyone:
The junior tribune is recognizable as the living representation of the ghost with a whip you fought near the crashed hearse in the necropolis...
DC 30 Knowledge (nobility):
The junior tribune is recognizable as Cadimus Adella.
The general rouses from his rage and drops the ruined birds on the rug, striding to the tent’s entrance.
“Tribune!” he shouts to the nearest lieutenant, indicating the long map-covered table. “Gather my battle plans! We march on this Qadiran rabble at once!”
The military tribunes scatter to their duties. When the general attempts to plow past the collection of onlookers at the tent entrance, a red-haired prelate grabs him by his rich cape and speaks in a cold, furious tone:
“I know not what will happen this day, Bartolomae, but be assured of this: the tree of thy family shall wither and bear fruit no more. This is the last of your blasphemies in Taldor’s name. From this day forward your name will be cursed along with that of your whole arrogant brood!”
The general shoves the indignant cleric to the ground, and shaking his blade hisses, “You may thank your damnable Aroden that I have other blood to spill today, lackey; otherwise I would take Infensus Mucro and run you through!”
The sword in the general's hands is the same as that now carried in Thrag's hands.
The vision blurs, as if several hours of time pass in the span of a few seconds, before resuming...
The general’s tent is now empty. The mannequin lies on its side, the dead birds still heaped on the floor. The brutal cacophony of battle can be heard in the distance. Suddenly, the general bursts through the tent flap, gore-caked sword in hand, face smeared with dirt, blood spattered over his flamboyant breastplate. The military tribune who broke the silence earlier follows him, also splashed with the filth of battle.
“All is lost, Cadimus,” he pants to the younger man. “Those damned dervishes rolled up my left flank as though it were made of paper!” Cadimus’s silence is his assent.
The general shakes his sword before his own face, cursing, “You! You have done this to me! All of it! You have murdered us all!”
He turns to Cadimus, nodding as though finishing a conversation. “‘Sheathe me in my master’s blood’ was the line, no? To put the damned thing back to sleep?”
Cadimus nods back, still speechless. Staring into space, trancelike, the general whispers hoarsely to him.
“Do what you can to salvage this, my brother. Beldam would have our heads. Pressure Micheaux to aid us—he will be king before long and we must use what leverage we have. Perhaps you could prevail upon our dear sister to utilize her... relationship, with him? If not... ha! Maybe Asmodeus will assist. I go to face the gods’ wrath. You are the head of our House now, brother. Bury me with sufficient irony.”
A strange look of calm comes over the general’s face as he gets to his knees at the corner of the rug. He plants the pommel of Infensus Mucro and lifts his armor at the waist, allowing the blade’s point to taste his bare abdomen. With a suddenness that makes Cadimus gasp, Bartolomae springs forward, forcing the blade up into his chest—a torrent of blood splashes out onto the Qadiran rug, the florid stain spreading as he collapses to the ground. A moment later, a vertiginous blackness sweeps everything away.
A fire burns in the hearth of this well-appointed room. Three men stand about a bed—a handsome man with rolled-up sleeves holding a crying newborn, and two others. In the bed lies a frightfully pale, sweat-drenched woman, her dark hair cascading over damp pillows. Her bedclothes are soaked with blood, and her eyes stare into space; she is not breathing.
Everyone:
You recognize one of the men as Cadimus from the first vision. You also vaguely remember one of the two other men as the same man who Cadimus called Parsimus in another, distant, previous vision...
DC 15 Knowledge (nobility):
The man holding the newborn child is a relatively famous person—none other than Grand Prince Micheaux, one of Taldor’s former rulers and the father of Stavian I. He appears much younger in this vision than he does in the majority of the art that depicts him in the modern day.
Everyone:
The woman on the bed is recognizable as the living representation of the vampire woman you defeated earlier...
DC 30 Knowledge (nobility):
The woman on the bed is recognizable as Lucretia Adella
“Just as well,” the handsome man says, a single tear running down a cheek, “with all her ranting about seeing the boy grow up. She knew she could never have been a part of his life.”
His attention turns to the child he holds. He nods approvingly, wipes the tear from his cheek, then lays three fingers on the squealing infant’s forehead.
“Stavian,” he croons. “You, too, shall be king in your turn.” “Our bargain, Micheaux,” stammers Cadimus, almost absently.
The other man’s eyes flash with grief, and then fill with anger as he whirls upon Cadimus. When he speaks, his voice is cold and grim.
“Our ‘bargain’ died with your sister, Cadimus. You are the last of your damned line, and even that is too much. But I shall grant you one last mercy nonetheless—leave Taldor by dawn, and I’ll not send my army after you. The next time I see an Adella face in my empire, it had best be in a grave.”
He turns with the baby in his arm, walking regally for the door, oblivious to Cadimus’s trembling fury.
“We go to meet our destiny,” he coos to the squealing infant.
DC 20 Sense Motive:
Micheaux’s assurance to Cadimus seems very insincere, and judging from Cadimus’s expression, he noticed this insincerity as well.
In the same bedchamber, now oppressively hot, the same woman lies lifeless in the bed, though someone has mercifully closed her eyes. Micheaux and the infant are gone and Cadimus hands a baton to the apron-clad man.
“Hide this downstairs before we leave, Parsimus. I know you saw it in the bastard’s eyes. He has no intention of honoring even his last promise—he’ll have his thugs on us within the hour. We must seek the only safe place left to us—the Tomb of the Iron Medusa. There we can rest and regroup and make plans for the future. The baton contains the key to finding the tomb—if I die before you, ensure that someone you trust knows where you’ve hidden it. Someday, someone will need to know the truth.”
He looks over at his sister’s dead body. “And secure a coffin for my sister. I am not going to leave her here. She comes with us.”
He turns to face the other man, who still seems frozen in shock.
“Go, damn you!” Cadimus spits, and finally the other man turns and leaves the room.
DC 35 Knowledge (engineering):
The room’s architecture is very similar to that of the Lion Sleeps Inn.
“The Adellas are truly abandoned by Aroden,” Cadimus says with dismal certitude to an empty room. “The gods laugh at us... but perhaps my brother was right after all... perhaps there is one left who might listen...”
He pauses, a look of dread and determination washing over his countenance. He takes up his dead sister’s hand in his own, holds it to his brow, and then utters a prayer of blasphemy.
“Asmodeus! Asmodeus, I call on thee! Blood and my everlasting soul if you would but allow me to protect my family and bring my dear sister back to me!”
A sudden light flickers in air, shimmering as if heated by fire. Then the shimmer grows more substantial, becoming a shapeless mass of tangible evil and immense power. A voice sweet as honey and sharper than any razor emanates from the malevolent presence.
“A bargain? You would seek to bargain with me, mortal?”
You are all snapped back to reality, with the dreaded conviction that, somehow, [color=red]Asmodeus[/color] himself has noticed you all observing these secret events filling your mind!
Male Human Cleric/Level 13 | Perc +8 | Init 0 | AC 15, tch 10, ff 15 | HP 85/107 | Fort +15 Ref +9 Will +21 | Diplomacy +22 (+35 w/ Touch of Glory) | Reroll Used
"Captain Brother Rabbit” | Male LN Medium Half-Elf Flowing Qinnong Monk 12/Fighter (Brawler) 3 | HP 83/83 | AC 44, T35 , FF35 | CMD 48 (+11 vs Repo, +10 vs Trip, +4 vs B. RushDrag, +3 vs D. Trick) F +20 R +23 W +21; +4 vs Enchantments, +1 vs. fear, Improved Evasion | Init +10 | Perc +23 (Low-Light Vision) | Speed 30ft | Ki Points: 13/11 (2 stored in ring) | Redirection: 12/12 | Stunning Fist: 13/13 | Active Conditions: Heroes Feast, Status, Barkskin (120 mins), Mage Armor
ref:1d20 + 27 ⇒ (7) + 27 = 34 Fort:1d20 + 21 ⇒ (1) + 21 = 22 lol me and brother, going to take a bit for me to read through, 18 posts while I was asleep lol
Brother staggered for:1d4 ⇒ 2 rounds.
Mal staggered for:1d4 ⇒ 3 rounds.
Dora staggered for:1d4 ⇒ 2 rounds.
The sheer magnitude of Asmodeus' power staggers the minds of Brother Captain Rabbit, Mal and Dora, and they struggle to keep their focus. With a flash of noxious smoke, four vile shapes manifest in the room. Even those who are reeling from having felt the infinite might of an everlasting, omnipotent deity have the sense that these newly arrived vengeful beings have been tasked with preventing the secret of Stavian I’s illegitimate birth from escaping the necropolis. These devils vaguely resemble 12-foot-tall human women with large clawed wings, hideous fanged faces, and bodies clad in strips of metal and leather that seem almost to be growing from angry wounds in their flesh. Each wields a grisly metal scythe that seems almost to have grown from its arms.
Glaube begins to cast a spell, but doesn't have time to push it out of his lips before the devilish women attack! Kel and Thrag similarly fumble with their equipment for a few seconds, but the rest of the heroes manage to act before the hideous creatures despite their mind fog!
Round 1 - Bold may go!
Mal -8 [staggered round 1 of 3]
Dora -8 [staggered round 1 of 2]
Brother -8 [staggered round 1 of 2]
12-foot tall angry women x4
Glaube -16 [will cast Blessing of Fervor]
Kel -8
Thrag -8 [3 negative levels]
Staggered:
A staggered creature may take a single move action or standard action each round (but not both, nor can he take full-round actions). A staggered creature can still take free, swift, and immediate actions. A creature with nonlethal damage exactly equal to its current hit points gains the staggered condition.
Negative Level:
For each negative level a creature has, it takes a cumulative –1 penalty on all ability checks, attack rolls, combat maneuver checks, Combat Maneuver Defense, saving throws, and skill checks. In addition, the creature reduces its current and total hit points by 5 for each negative level it possesses. The creature is also treated as one level lower for the purpose of level-dependent variables (such as spellcasting) for each negative level possessed. Spellcasters do not lose any prepared spells or slots as a result of negative levels. If a creature’s negative levels equal or exceed its total Hit Dice, it dies.
"Captain Brother Rabbit” | Male LN Medium Half-Elf Flowing Qinnong Monk 12/Fighter (Brawler) 3 | HP 83/83 | AC 44, T35 , FF35 | CMD 48 (+11 vs Repo, +10 vs Trip, +4 vs B. RushDrag, +3 vs D. Trick) F +20 R +23 W +21; +4 vs Enchantments, +1 vs. fear, Improved Evasion | Init +10 | Perc +23 (Low-Light Vision) | Speed 30ft | Ki Points: 13/11 (2 stored in ring) | Redirection: 12/12 | Stunning Fist: 13/13 | Active Conditions: Heroes Feast, Status, Barkskin (120 mins), Mage Armor
The Captain stumbles his way over to Kel and enters his Crane Style stance.
Move to go to the square bottom left of Kel's token, appreciate it if someone can move me. Swift to start the Style.
Not all of the damage from Mal seems to punch through their armored, metal hides. She smiles, genuinely appreciative that this mortal has dared fight back...
Knowledge The Planes (trained only) check at beginning of your turns to id that monster
As the four 12-foot tall angry women close in towards the party, they intone, in unison, “Some secrets are not yet ready for the world. And thus, you must die!”
They all proceed to cast a spell.
Concentration for the one next to Mal:1d20 + 19 ⇒ (19) + 19 = 38Spellcraft check (trained only) at beginning of your turn to id that spell
After their incantation is complete, they all advance slowly towards you all... slow stride on high heels flavor text only... no actual movement is made this round but you think they will next round... You all feel magic power crackling all around you, as if something's about to trap you all at your current locations...
You may all make a Reflex Save to try to jump out of the way, purely by instinct, or you may wish to remain at your current location, fighting that instinct. It is completely up to you. If you elect to make a Reflex save this is the very first thing you must do on your turn, so you have no time to impart any monster or spell information to your allies even if you rolled high on Spellcraft or Knowledge The Planes, above.
Round 1/2 - Bold may go!
12-foot tall angry women [blue -16]
Glaube -16 [Blessing of Fervor]
Kel -8
Thrag -8 [3 negative levels; -3 to everything, -15 HP]
Mal -8 [staggered round 2 of 3]
Dora -8 [staggered round 2 of 2]
Brother -8 [staggered round 2 of 2]
PS: Glaube --> I have entered 'Blessing of Fervor' as your tentative action on this round, but feel free to change your mind and do something else if you wish. IF you elect to keep casting this specific spell, please note the "no two of which can be more than 30 ft. apart" limitation on it.
Staggered:
A staggered creature may take a single move action or standard action each round (but not both, nor can he take full-round actions). A staggered creature can still take free, swift, and immediate actions. A creature with nonlethal damage exactly equal to its current hit points gains the staggered condition.
Negative Level:
For each negative level a creature has, it takes a cumulative –1 penalty on all ability checks, attack rolls, combat maneuver checks, Combat Maneuver Defense, saving throws, and skill checks. In addition, the creature reduces its current and total hit points by 5 for each negative level it possesses. The creature is also treated as one level lower for the purpose of level-dependent variables (such as spellcasting) for each negative level possessed. Spellcasters do not lose any prepared spells or slots as a result of negative levels. If a creature’s negative levels equal or exceed its total Hit Dice, it dies.
hopefully can still roll knowledge and spellcraft for my own edification after rolling reflex save, even if I can't let the others know yet. I'm a little confused by your statements, but will keep my mouth shut about anything I learn per your post. Kel's actual actions will depend on what he learns.
wow... pretty horrible rolls... an 11, 7 and 2.. glad the 2 wasn't for reflex save
Mal tries to get out of the way in his staggered condition.
reflex:1d20 + 29 ⇒ (9) + 29 = 38 spellcraft:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
Hard to take my turn before I know what's happened. Tentatively Mal would fervor cast blessed fist to make his fist overcome good DR. If there is a physical object responsible for the 'trapping', and at least one ally is trapped, Mal would call on Torag's artifice Blessing to make his fist overcome all hardness. If Mal does this, his AC is 8 lower, but he will attempt to parry the first melee attack against him, see below spoiler. If no allies are trapped (or whatever is trapping them isn't a physical object), he will just punch the nearest one
Attack Roll, if no physical barrier:
Mal asks Torag to bless his fist as he proceeds to fight in his signature styles once more.
Attack is piercing, good, magic
Male Human Cleric/Level 13 | Perc +8 | Init 0 | AC 15, tch 10, ff 15 | HP 85/107 | Fort +15 Ref +9 Will +21 | Diplomacy +22 (+35 w/ Touch of Glory) | Reroll Used
Reflex:1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 2 = 17
GM PDK wrote:
PS: Glaube --> I have entered 'Blessing of Fervor' as your tentative action on this round, but feel free to change your mind and do something else if you wish. IF you elect to keep casting this specific spell, please note the "no two of which can be more than 30 ft. apart" limitation on it.
Thannks. I'll stick with the action and buff as many allies as possible.
"Captain Brother Rabbit” | Male LN Medium Half-Elf Flowing Qinnong Monk 12/Fighter (Brawler) 3 | HP 83/83 | AC 44, T35 , FF35 | CMD 48 (+11 vs Repo, +10 vs Trip, +4 vs B. RushDrag, +3 vs D. Trick) F +20 R +23 W +21; +4 vs Enchantments, +1 vs. fear, Improved Evasion | Init +10 | Perc +23 (Low-Light Vision) | Speed 30ft | Ki Points: 13/11 (2 stored in ring) | Redirection: 12/12 | Stunning Fist: 13/13 | Active Conditions: Heroes Feast, Status, Barkskin (120 mins), Mage Armor
PS: Glaube --> I have entered 'Blessing of Fervor' as your tentative action on this round, but feel free to change your mind and do something else if you wish. IF you elect to keep casting this specific spell, please note the "no two of which can be more than 30 ft. apart" limitation on it.
Thannks. I'll stick with the action and buff as many allies as possible.
Male Human Cleric/Level 13 | Perc +8 | Init 0 | AC 15, tch 10, ff 15 | HP 85/107 | Fort +15 Ref +9 Will +21 | Diplomacy +22 (+35 w/ Touch of Glory) | Reroll Used
Mal, Thrag, Dora, Kel and Captain BR get a bad feeling and jump aside at the last minute as multiple spells erupt in the chamber. Rusty and Glaube do not react in time and both get left behind as you hear the hum of magic settling at several unseen locations in the room... please see the map to visualize where those heroes have now landed, and where the slightly audible 'hum' of powerful magic emanates in the room (shown by blue square boxes on the map), but keep in mind these boxes are invisible and do not block line of sight. This may require you to do some RP to 'find out' or 'bump into' those invisible boxes and introduce some 'inefficiencies' in your next moves, unless you can see invisibility, of course. But for the sake of our collective sanity I'm showing you all where those invisible boxes are... :)
Glaube Hoffnung Liebe calls down the blessings of Sarenrae from the heavens, the beneficial magic settling down on Dora, Kel, Captain BR and himself. As the magic moves down on the heroes, Glaube notes sparks of magic interacting with some other unseen force above him... I know that the 'post ref save' locations may no longer agree with Glaube's original spell target selection but I'm giving it to Glaube anyhow due to the weird displacement effect of that ref save... this displacement effect sucks a bit frankly has its handling has never been addressed officially in the rules, and borne out of a nerfing of the spell in question during its transition to the PFRPG ruleset.
Round 1/2 - Bold may go!
12-foot tall angry women [blue -16]
Glaube -16 [Blessing of Fervor]
Kel -8 [Blessing of Fervor]
Thrag -8 [3 negative levels; -3 to everything, -15 HP]
Mal -8 [staggered round 2 of 3]
Dora -8 [staggered round 2 of 2] [Blessing of Fervor]
Rusty -8 [staggered round 2 of 2] [Blessing of Fervor]
Brother -8 [staggered round 2 of 2] [Blessing of Fervor]
Female Halfling (Taldan) Herald 14 | hp 114/114 | Init +10 | AC 29, T 17, FF 23 | CMB +8, CMD 21 | F +13 R +16 W +16 | Prcptn +14, SM +8. Song 0/21 tactics 0/2 Brd 9/Cavr 3/Ora1/BatHrld1 {p} | Large Rusty 73/73 AC26+Ride+1 {p}
Still staggered, Dora continues her song of inspiration
”Rusty! Be careful “
She will cast glitter dust on Green or pRed (dc18 vs blind)
like can she hear Rusty inside the box or feel the closeness between them? does Rusty get an action? If so charge red...assuming scent does not help with noticing the boxes that are not there..
Male CN Fighter 14 | HP 157/157 | AC 33 T 16 FF 29 | CMB +17, CMD 36 | F: +15, R: +11, W: +13 | Init: +4 | Perc: +17, SM: +17 [/ooc] | Speed 30ft | Active conditions: Blur
Thrag starts to move towards the closest enemy only to bump into something that isn't there. Which a grumbled What? he flips the green and pink lenses of his spectacles into place.
Yes if you started your turn right next to a cage wall it does not 'cost you' any movement to 'roleplay bump into it' and you may use your move action normally like Thrag did.
"Captain Brother Rabbit” | Male LN Medium Half-Elf Flowing Qinnong Monk 12/Fighter (Brawler) 3 | HP 83/83 | AC 44, T35 , FF35 | CMD 48 (+11 vs Repo, +10 vs Trip, +4 vs B. RushDrag, +3 vs D. Trick) F +20 R +23 W +21; +4 vs Enchantments, +1 vs. fear, Improved Evasion | Init +10 | Perc +23 (Low-Light Vision) | Speed 30ft | Ki Points: 13/11 (2 stored in ring) | Redirection: 12/12 | Stunning Fist: 13/13 | Active Conditions: Heroes Feast, Status, Barkskin (120 mins), Mage Armor
Brother Rabbit tries to move straight to Kel to continue protecting him, but finds an invisible wall in the way. Keeping one hand along the wall, he moves into a position to protect the magic man, unaware that he is now actually sandwiched between two invisible walls.
I'm calling this last fight guys... 2020 has officially worn me down! :)
But seriously, it's been a long game, and I have no doubt the party will pull together to finish this, although it could be a tough fight for some.
I have some really busy days ahead until the end of the week, and then the holidays will hit, so I'd like to wrap this up if everyone agrees. Unless I hear an objection I will move this along in the morning as if you had defeated these four devils.
Male Human Cleric/Level 13 | Perc +8 | Init 0 | AC 15, tch 10, ff 15 | HP 85/107 | Fort +15 Ref +9 Will +21 | Diplomacy +22 (+35 w/ Touch of Glory) | Reroll Used
Thanks for running the game, PDK! You're a fun GM and a fun player. Totally agree about 2020; definitely haven't felt like my usual self in play-by-post games this year.
”Kel” | Male NG half-elf investigator 1/Wizard 4/Pathfinder Savant 10 | HP 104/104 | AC 23, T 14, FF 19 | CMD 21| F +10 R +14 W +16; +2 vs. ench/cold +10 vs written traps | Init +4/8/13 | Perc +25/27 (+1 traps) | Speed 30ft | Spells 1st 6/7 2nd 7/7 3rd 4/7 4th 6/7 5th 4/5 6th 3/4 7th 3/3 | Active Conditions: heroe's feast, mage armor
thanks for running, PDK, it was a fun run, and a really good group.
in regards the puff of smoke and all:
"I don't think that's what was supposed to happen... Did we just deliver a powerful evil artifact to a devil or demon?" Kel looks a little upset at that, and resolves to do a LOT more research about this family and the monarchy and lineage of Stavian...
Female Halfling (Taldan) Herald 14 | hp 114/114 | Init +10 | AC 29, T 17, FF 23 | CMB +8, CMD 21 | F +13 R +16 W +16 | Prcptn +14, SM +8. Song 0/21 tactics 0/2 Brd 9/Cavr 3/Ora1/BatHrld1 {p} | Large Rusty 73/73 AC26+Ride+1 {p}
Thanks for powering through this GM. Much appreciated. Thanks you especially under the circumstances (our family is in Covid lockdown for the next 2-3 weeks) so it definitely has been difficult this year.
” Whew. That was more of an adventure than I ever suspected. Strong work all! Great to have made your collective acquaintances!“
Thanks for gming. Definitely ready for 2021 ... I just need a bit more patience :)
Mal is glad they defeated the devils and takes Brother up on his offer of sparing. He quickly discovers why masters of the crane style do not duel each other as neither is capable of landing a solid blow.
”Kel” | Male NG half-elf investigator 1/Wizard 4/Pathfinder Savant 10 | HP 104/104 | AC 23, T 14, FF 19 | CMD 21| F +10 R +14 W +16; +2 vs. ench/cold +10 vs written traps | Init +4/8/13 | Perc +25/27 (+1 traps) | Speed 30ft | Spells 1st 6/7 2nd 7/7 3rd 4/7 4th 6/7 5th 4/5 6th 3/4 7th 3/3 | Active Conditions: heroe's feast, mage armor
Kel sits back and enjoys watching the sparring session between the two equally matched warrior monks. He pulls out a flask of brandy and helps himself to a sip every time one of them pulls off a maneuver that results in not getting hit. He ends up quite drunk.
