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Oh, which one should I pick? Something from the Spire? No, know one will believe any of that. Maybe how I got Daosvaria? Oh wait, that supposed to be a secret. Hmm. Yes! The Blighted Path! That one is perfect.
Doormouse stands carefully as to not trip herself up again and skips towards the stairs. Making her way up she sees that the balcony railing is a bit too tall and with a widening grin picks up her dress and hops on top of the railing to get a view of all the people gathered below.
"This my friends is a tale that I am sure you have heard before. It is a classic tale of heroes saving a town not just from an evil necromancer, but also from the mistakes of the past. The story begins, as it sometimes does, with a group of Pathfinder gathering for a festival. A party in the dwarven town of Davarn to celebrate their local hero Delbera Axebringer. Delbera had saved the town years before from an evil necromancer and we were there to learn about the town's history. Well, as it turns out the town's history came to us. The entombed dead from a nearby museum sprang to life and we where forced into action. There was a mystery to solve!"
Doormouse flops down to sit on the railing and leans forward.
"It turns out that Delbera messed up. When she and her band killed the necromancer, she allowed his apprentice to live and now the orphne was back and looking for revenge. We followed her trail deep into Sekamina facing off against great worms, a grotesque narrik, and an even grosser looking caterpillar thing called a fear eater. It smelled terrible but at least it was nice and dark all the time. Sometimes you have to take the small victories to get by on a long trip."
Doormouse stands again and walks along the railing as she recounts the rest of her story.
"Well, we finally tracked this lady down to her lair, a stronghold carved from the rock of a giant stalactite. I rangled a bunch of giant bats by talking them into helping us fly over the massive cavern that the necromancer called home and as you would expect it was filled with undead creatures and devious traps. We finally managed to defeat the fey's minions and were ready make a move on her lab but then, as if to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, the group decided to...get this...split up to look for more loot. I couldn't believe it. Clearly, not all of us were not trained by the great Adril Hestram. Of course I protested and of course I was ignored. Of course one of us got surprised by the necromancer and she OF COURSE had buddies left to help her out. The fight was like something out of a nightmare. With our wizard and Abadaran out of the fight, it was down to a poisoned bard, a barbarian that wasn't looking too great, and me. We had managed to get into a side room to try to recover but the orphne found us soon enough."
Doormouse spins and throws her arms out to pantomime opening a door.
"She unleashed a wave of necrotic energy which killed our bard and nearly knocked out our barbarian. That necromancer thought she had won, but she was wrong. As she moved in for the kill I sprang into action and with one swift motion my hand went for my scroll case, casting my spell and shaping the stone beneath us both. I'll never forget the look on her face as the rock disappeared and we both fell hundreds of feet to the jagged rocks below. The last thing she saw was the smile on my face. I'd like to think the last thing she heard was my laughter as I fell with her, knowing that she had lost for the final time."
To punctuate the end of her tale, Dormouse does a final spin and leaps from the railing as her Ring of Featherfall slows her decent. She claps as she lands and heads back to her seat, ignoring most of the reactions of the party goers.
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Moving to catch Doormouse as they stumble, Kai gives her a smile and a twirl to show off their outfit - as they were about to pry her away from the conversation on mammals, it was apaprently time for the festivities to begin in earnest. As Osprey takes to the stage, they stand and listen to the mysterious agent - this could be an interesting time indeed depending on the tales spun by the esteemed guests.
Unsure which to spin, they watch as Doormouse takes the stage, their attention focused and in rapt awe as she takes the audience expertly though a wave of emotions. It was a sad tale to begin, but with an ending that brought it true meaning and also a lesson, always be prepared and listen to your allies.
When their Trickster returns, Kai gives her an applaud. "Well told and interesting! A daunting concept to follow indeed!"
Both Osprey and Eliza nod at the story, waiting for the next agent to present.
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Vos applauds for Doormouse's story and says "Well played!" at her leap at the end.
"I guess that's my cue." As Vos stands, he tugs on the sleeve of his outfit, and he is suddenly wearing the same outfit he arrived in, although it is clean and in good shape.
Vos makes his way up the stairs with a sense of excitement, and it's easy to see that he is looking forward to telling a tale. Taking his place as the bannister, he begins, years of training clearly showing in the way that is voice is loud enough to be clearly heard, yet not so loud that it inhibits his performance.
"Friends both new and old, allow me to tell you a story: This is the story of the time I almost died."
After a moment, Vos raises his hands and says "Now, now, I said almost died."
"Our story begins as I imagine that many of you might have such a story begin: I was in the spire reading a book when Ambrus Valsin came and found me. As you all know, he has a...predelection for putting pathfinders who are idle to work. Fortunately for me, however, he was not about to order me to much out the Hippogryph stables. Again. Instead, he told me that I was needed on an emergency mission to deal with one of the most famed of all enemies to mankind: the Runelords." Vos gestures as she talks, and the light around him dims some when he mentions the Runelords.
"I never did ask why I was chosen as part of the taskforce whose purpose was to fight such a foe, but I believe that Venture-Captain Hestram's recommendation played no small part. At any rate, such was our task and the speed with which it must be dealt with necessitated our use of teleportation magic to arrive at the location of this Runelord's awakening."
Vos continues to gesture, and as he describes the area in which the group arrived, the lights around him change slightly, and after a moment you realize that his outfit itself has changed colors.
"As one of such terrible and august stature, this Runelord was not unguarded in his slumber; indeed, we met several of his agents in battle, and although they were indeed tough enemies, our force was an experienced group of Pathfinder agents and as such they did not provide more than some exercise. After some exploration, we eventually found ourselves in the chamber that would spell doom for several of my fellow agents, (although it is my understanding that all their bodies were recovered, so they were not lost permanently)."
Vos hangs his head a moment in a gesture that signifies respect for the fallen before continuing: "Even as this malevolent entity attempted to rise from his slumber, his hidden servants struck, including from beneath the ground. Our poor cleric was smashed to bits by a massive rock fist that arose spontaneously from the ground. That, my friends, was when several of the agents around me began to panic. One or two fled outright - I must admit that I was engaged in an aerial battle of magic with a couple of his minions even as couple of other agents fell to enemy attack. Indeed, about half our number were down even before the Runelord himself had taken the stage! While we fought valiantly, I knew that we would all be lost should we stay, so I used a scroll that we had acquired to teleport the group away from danger."
"And that is the story of the time I almost died."
Vos gestured with his hands to pause any questions, before continuing: "As to why this was my greatest victory, I would tell you that I managed to face a Runelord and live, and helped my compatriots escape with their lives, and living to delve another day when death is nigh is indeed the greatest victory a field agent could hope for."
With a huge flourished bow, he descended the stairs with that certain look that performers get after what they believe to have been an enjoyable performance.
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Felver stands and applauds both his comrades stories and makes his way to the stage. Tenzo comes and stands behind him holding up his wing in a sign of the beginning of the tale.
attend to me Kalinahat that I may speak this tale well and true. High among the Mendor mountains above Cheliax lies a place called the Maze where Kellid tribes once roamed. There was a claim by a dwarf named Stom. His group had a Pathfinder contact who found a strangely inscribed ingot. Osprey assembled a mighty group of Pathfinders including Tenzo and myself.
Tenzo makes galloping motions to show them riding and arriving and holds a wing over his eyes looking back and forth mimicking various parts of Felver's take.
near Stom's claim was a lake called the Silver Tarn which our wizard was able to determine historically was a place of an ancient evil curse before we began. As we arrived we were beset by evil twisted aquatic eel like men who struck with raging force. We defeated these and found Ospreys contact along with some useful equipment and magic and carried on. From there we convinced groups of survivors to give us not one but six ingots inscribed with celestial and mentioning Aroden and a being named Nicoroux. We found a near by ancient temple of Aroden and beneath it held a Naga and an ancient Tome of Memory which told of Nicoroux the pit fiend sealed in a prison in the Silver Tarn which could only be renewed by the six ingots!. Again Tenzo mimics battle and amazement at finding the time and shivers with fear and then puffs out his chest as they learn of the ancient prison and what they must do.
Felver continues to the end of the tale: we came back up only to have to fight a possessed Stom himself and knocked him unconscious and bound him leaving him in the care of the other survivors until we could reset the prison. Our cleric cast water walk on some of us and the wizard cast fly on Tenzo which he truly enjoyed and also himself and we crossed the water to the middle of the Silver Tarn. As we set about our task the weather went terrible and a giant fiendish water elemental attacked. We held it off as the ingots were set to their task to seal the prison. Our enemy was mighty and I was glad not to be in a boat for the fight! Finally we killed the foul thing and once more closed the prison for another thousand years! and Felver and Tenzo bow.
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Extending their enthusiastic applause to both of their remainign companions to spin their tale, Kai bounds up the stairs towards the Bannister, Tugging at their coat, they make it vanish - appearing at the centre stage in just their frilly shirt and waistcoat - looking all the part of the Rakish Swashbuckler. Taking a bow before the assembled Agents and dignitaries.
"Wonderful Stories from my new allies a tough act to follow indeed!" they cough and smile. "Whilst we are talking of times of near Death - Permit me to tell you the tale of the time I sailed a Legend - none other than the King Xeros - A Planar traveller from a bygone age. It is also a fitting tale, because I was given the mission by none other than the Guest of Honour - Captain Hestram"
Allowing a dramatic pause, they begin their tale. "You see, I was waiting at the Grand Lodge when the good Captain called a meeting of skilled agents for a Legend had just materialised into the Port - not sailed, materialised. A ship made of Crystal with no sail - and the Grand Council had tasked the Society with checking the Ship out. Little could we know what we would face when we got there."
They once again pause, taking a drink of Galtan Wine. "We followed the Harbour Guard to the ship who had already begun their own search - however when their good Captain sought to force entry to the vessel, they were attacked by Crystal guardians that appeared from the very deck of the ship. The good captain and their crew were soon overwhelmed, but our group were quick to react – our Summoner, a charming Gnome used their magic to enhance our reflexes and I flew to the deck along with a Ranger and their Large Wolf companion. As my allies set to the Golems and saved the Guards – I rushed to attack the Ship’s other defenses, truly wonderful Cannons crafted from the same material of the Ship and belching flame. With a single Swipe of my blade, forged by the esteemed Captain Smine and my own lightning.” they pat their Scimitar lovingly.
”With the guards down, we first had to go to the Ascendant Court to get one of our companions – a poor tortured soul named Valais as the Crystal had embedded into her and prevented healing from our allies. With that done we could enter the bowels of the ship and let me tell you it was the strangest thing I have seen. First the door into the ship was a shimmering portal – so I am not convinced the inside of the Ship was in the same place as the deck. As I stepped through the Portal I was set upon by Xill – terrible Planar Pirates that paralyse their enemies and try to implant their young into their carcass - a dire fight that saw many of us close to Death as we were set upon separately moving through the door – for we could not all pass at once – I was saved due to a stout Cleric that liberated me from that fate.” they Shudder remembering the ordeal and the gruesome maw trying to devour them.
”It turned out that the Xill had taken the ship and were using it as their personal vessel to stock up on a larder for their hive. Deeper into the ship we discovered how the Xill manipulated the Ship to travel – the Azlanti Owners had captured a Night Hag and bound it to their will with powerful spells, using it to power the ship and Phase it through the Planes. Despite their Evil nature, they had been enslaved and so we allowed her to leave and pressed on to fight the rest of the Xill hive. Our teamwork once again proved too much for the foul foe and they were soon bested by Blade and Spell. We then discovered the people captured by the Xill for their larder – a group from the Mwangi whom we were able to rescue and I escorted back to their homes. As we left the ship, curiously it vanished back into the Aether – who knows where it has ended up.”
Their story finished, they take a bow before hopping off the Stage back down to the floor, their Hex softening their fall. As they do, with a tip of their hat, the coat re-appears. They make their way back to Doormouse.
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Doormouse is entranced by the story of a disappearing ship powered by a hag and slightly jealous of Kai’s skirt.
They are even cooler than Captain Freewyn!
“You make ships sound so awesome. Maybe I should take to the sea to do what you do. Oh, maybe not. I can’t swim. Or sail. Like, at all.”
She looks disappointed at this self realization but smiles, shrugs and goes back to pushing her uneaten food around her plate.
“This has been some of the most fun I’ve had in a while. Why does it have to be over so soon?”
When the last of you has finished recounting your victories, Osprey arises from a comfortable chair and clears his throat. “Assembled fellow Pathfinders,” he says. “You have represented yourselves well, and your victories reflect upon the leadership of your venture-captain leaders. Which brings us to the man of honor, Adril Hestram. Adril, will you please take your place on the balcony? I wonder, after hearing all of this, what you consider your greatest victory.” Osprey flashes a quick glance at Eliza Petulengro, who furrows her brow and looks to the floor. “And how that victory serves the greater good of the Pathfinder Society.”
Adril Hestram, beaming with pride, smiles a wide grin beneath his bushy beard as he bounds up the central stair to the balcony. As he looks at each of you in turn for a moment, the hulking warrior of a man releases a mirthful chuckle, as if considering a private joke. His bearclaw hands grasp the balcony’s railing as he addresses the group.
“I have never stopped adventuring. From my year lost in the Mwangi Expanse a decade ago to my tenure as a venture-captain in Abaslom all the way through to today, I’ve kept looking for new challenges and opportunities in the face of danger that would melt the hearts of ordinary men. And in all that time, I’ve learned a simple lesson that I’d like to share with you today—”
What at first seems like a tiny tremor soon erupts into a jerking and heaving cataclysm that shakes the entire room. Adril falls silent, a look of dumb surprise erasing the arrogance and confidence in his weathered face. For a single moment he looks utterly lost. Then, two enormous shapes—writhing, living leviathans of bright red chitinous plates—burst through the floor in the back corners of the room. Eliza screams, and the chamber erupts into chaos.
The bright red chitinous worm in front of Eliza crashes into the balcony, causing rubble to fall on her and trapping her.
The worms themselves after crashing into the room, and vomit forth large constructs with the heads of ravens.
The masked servants begin scurrying to safety and Osprey casts Shillelagh, intent on using his walking stick to defend the lodge.
Felver
Doormouse
Kai
Vos
Talespinning crashers
Tenzo
Felver avoids being buried by the rubble, but it does hurt quite a bit as he blocks it falling on him.
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"Adril! Watch behind you! Kai calls across the room, spotting the smoke before spinning on the Golems. Quickly sharing what they know with the others, Kai bursts into action, first drawing Maiden's Kiss from it's scabbard and running their fingers across the blade, causing it to become sharper.
They then strike out at the golem next to them, hoping to begin this dance.
for
for
They then step out of a disadvantageous position.
Several pathfinders see the threat and choose to go invisible to avoid potentially crushing attacks. Kai instead pulls her blade and hacks a large section of stone out of the raven headed construct.
Felver 18 damage {invisible}
Doormouse {greater invisible}
Kai
Vos {Reflex save}
Construct1 34 damage
Construct2
Worm1
Worm2
Tenzo
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"If I'm not going to parties or fighting runelords, I'm guarding expeditions to the MWangi Expanse or ancient Osiriani tombs. I'm a full-time agent, and I love my job."
"What are you going to school for?"
Vos takes a 5' step then shouts an explosion of sound erupts among the two enemies to the right of the room.
The enemies seem unable to pinpoint the invisible pathfinders, focusing on their visible threats.
The construct and the worm are damaged by the thunderous burst, but reamin free to act. Osprey moves around to try to flank with Kai and the worm shoots higher into the air like a missle, and comes down a top Osprey, with him being grabbed into the beasts mouth. The last thing you see are his boots disappear as they slide down its gullet.
The worm next to Vos bites him and sends its tail stinger into Tenzo.
The construct next to Vos attacks him twice.
The construct next to Kai attacks her twice.
Upstairs, a tall, dark haired man in a tattered red robe with a primative headdress and red paint upon his face suddenly appears behind Adril as his sword stabs him in the heart. Adril falls, lifeless. The man shouts a booming warning," The Red Raven Strikes for the Revolution".
Almost simultaneously, a rain of arrows appears from formerly invisible foes on the balcony.
The barrage of arrows misses Kai entirely, while the first arrow in the second finds its target. A single arrow similarly finds its mark into Vos as he doesn't see it coming. The final barrage against Tenzo has the axebeak wondering why they tried to piece his thick, even unaware, hide. The other 4 similar looking foes rain their arrows into masked servants and other pathfinders.
Felver 18 damage {invisible}
Doormouse {greater invisible}
Kai {74 damage, bleeding}
Vos {99 damage, grappled, bleeding}
Construct1 {65 damage}
Construct2
Worm1 {31 damage}
Worm2 {grappled}
Red Raven
Scallywag1
Scallywag2
Scallywag3
Scallywag4
Scallywag5
Scallywag6
Scallywag7
Scallywag8
Tenzo {23 damage, FORT SAVE}
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Doormouse's eyes try to focus on what is happening around her as she regains her bearings. Then she catches the sanguine smell in the air and her reasoning skills start to fly out the window.
AHHH! So much blood, need to focus.
Invisibly, she begins frantically casting spells. An illusory double pops into existence and sticks her tongue out at the stone man.
Tenzo feels the poison take hold in his veins, and it causes his usually sharp beak to miss. Felver moves to protect his mount, and makes a series of precise strikes.
The Doormouse invisibly sends a force punch at the creature
Felver 18 damage
Doormouse {greater invisible}
Kai {78 damage, bleeding}
Vos {95 damage, grappled, bleeding}
Construct1 {65 damage}
Construct2
Worm1 {31 damage}
Worm2 {grappled, 156 damage}
Red Raven
Scallywag1
Scallywag2
Scallywag3
Scallywag4
Scallywag5
Scallywag6
Scallywag7
Scallywag8
Tenzo {23 damage, 4 strength damage, poisoned}
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As the golem's strikes rock them, Kai winces as they clearly feel bruises begin to form and ribs crack. Narrowing their eyes - they allow a flood of Arcane mastery through their limbs, causing them to physically speed up, their reactions heightened. Then, they begin to strike out at the Golem, hoping to take one foe out of the fight.
They spin Arcane magic first, their skin turning has hard as teh Golem they are fighting - before striking.
for
for
for
for
for
Doormouse hits the worm quite hard and afterwards Vos manages to twist away. Kai almost misses, but destiny intervenes causing a critical strike that brings down the large construct in front of her.
In the south of the room, the worms renew their attacks, with one attacking Vos and Felver, and the other starting to lodge itself across to attack Kai. As it does so, you notice it lurch a bit in the air, as a huge earth elemental that you recognize must be Osprey, bursts forth from inside of it, killing the beast.
The construct attack at Tenzo after seeing Felver plucked into the air by the worm.
The Scallywags who were firing arrows give pause at seeing half of their forces destroyed or brought down by Osprey and Kai, say We're doomed! Run for it! and begin to flee. The Red Raven himself raises his cloak in a whirl, and disappears as instantly as he had appeared and killed Adril.
Felver {69 damage, grappled}
Doormouse {greater invisible}
Kai {82 damage, bleeding, Stoneskin 110 remaining}
Vos {109 damage, dying, fort save vs poison}
Osprey
Construct2
Worm2 {47 damage,grappled}
Red Raven
Scallywag1
Scallywag2
Scallywag3
Scallywag4
Scallywag5
Scallywag6
Scallywag7
Scallywag8
Tenzo {52 damage, 4 strength damage, poisoned, fort save}
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Felver sees Tenzo is on his last leg so he attacks while Tenzo is there and then gives the command Down Tenzo, Down! after his attack hoping Tenzo can withdraw away. For his attack Felver hastes and draws his knife stabbing at the worm madly and as a swift action lay hands upon himself before making his two attacks
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Breathing a sigh as Doormouse's healing seals the bleeding wounds, Kai spys Vos bleeding in the corner. Closing their eyes for a heartbeat, suddenly a midnight-black mantle materialises over their shoulder and the temperature drops noticeably around them. Using the boost from that and haste - Kai darts around the Golem to make it next to their downed ally. Then, with a quick hex - Vos' wounds begin to close and the bleeding stops.
Felver pulls a knife and stabs at the worm, but can barely get it out of his boot and misses the slash. Tenzo hears ‘down’ and very cautiously bobs his head back and forth as he steps slightly back, ensuring he doesn’t get struck again by the large predators.
Kai nimbly dodges under the constructs legs, gives a shushed clear as she jolts Vos back to life. Vos eyes go wide, as he casts another healing spell on himself and stands. The construct makes a single swing against him as he does so.
The worm attempts to swallow Felver.
The constructs attacks once at Kai and Vos, connecting against Kai against her adamantine skin. It keeps her alive, but she falls under the crushing blow. Being surrounded now, it lets out some mists.
Felver {82 damage, grappled}
Doormouse {greater invisible} {Will save vs Slow}
Kai {58 damage, prone, dropped weapon, Stoneskin 100 remaining} {Will save vs Slow}
Vos {78 damage} {Will save vs Slow}
Construct2
Worm2 {47 damage}
Osprey
Tenzo {52 damage, 6 strength damage, 1 rd poisoned, fort save, will save vs slow}
Osprey see's Kai's dire position, and the elemental casts a healing spell upon her to try to return her to the battle.
Tenzo delays for a moment after seeing Felver swallowed, hopeful that if he follows his instructions, everything will work out as it always has. A few moments later his hopes are confirmed as Felver cuts his way out, taking a nasty slice out of the worm in the process. The doormouse takes heart at seeing Felver emerge, hurt, but not dead! She is even happier when she sees the worm attack at her illusionary doppleganger.
Tenzo, slowed and poisoned, follows Felvers last command and slowly backs away.
The worm finds Felver to be too spicy, having given him indigestion, and tries again to eat the non-illusionary doormouse that just sent a force punch his way.
Unfortunately, the worm is able to deftly find The Doormouse, having sensed the tremors from her empowered spell, and promptly puts her in its mouth.
The poisoned tail comes down at Felver, intent on ending his life. At that moment Vos casts his readied spell, taking Felver and himself to safety.
The golem continues its assault
Osprey casts yet another healing spell on Kai, intent on keeping the brave pathfinder in the fight.
Felver {82 damage}
Doormouse {54 damage, greater invisible. grappled}
Vos {70 damage}
Construct2 {55 damage}
Worm2 {124 damage, grappled}
Osprey
Kai {55 damage, Stoneskin 100 remaining}
Tenzo {52 damage, staggered, 7 strength damage, 2 rd poisoned, fort save on his turn}
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Kai shakess their head at Vos. "I'm staying my friend!" they reply. Nodding at Osprey in thanks as the odd agent heals them again.
Hearing, rather than seeing Doormouse struck by the worm as their blood materialises in the air. Knowing they don't have much chance but to take out the Golem, Kai begins their combat dance once again.
Kai winks out of existence too, before striking out at the Golem.
[ooc]Cast Greater Invis and then Sepll combat[/dice]
for
for
for
Kai turns invisible, continuing her assault, but unfortunately the golems armor is entirely due to the stone and not it's agility. Felver says a quick thank you to Vos as he heals him and himself.
Felver {75 damage}
Doormouse {54 damage, greater invisible, grappled}
Vos {63 damage}
Construct2 {72 damage}
Worm2 {124 damage, grappled}
Osprey
Kai {46 damage, Stoneskin 80 remaining, greater invis}
Tenzo {52 damage, staggered, 7 or 10 strength damage, 2 rd poisoned}