HP: 29/74 l AC: 26 (31), T 15, FF 24 (28) l CMD 24 l F +10 (14) , R +8 (13), W +8 (12); +2 vs. illusions, +2 vs. fear/despair l Bond Senses (9/9), Eternal Hope (1/1), Maker's Call (0/1), Summon Monster V (7/7) l L1: 5/6, L2: 3/5, L3: 3/4 l Init +6 l Senses: Low-Light Vision, Perception -1
HP: 49/54 l AC: 25 (34), T 13 (14), FF 22 (30) l CMD 23 l F +7, R +8 (+9), W +4; +4 vs. enchantments l Immune: Fire, Paralysis, Sleep l Resistance: Electricity 10 I Init +7 l Senses: Darkvision, Perception +10
You're at 55' Daedîn. Every second diagonal is 10'. I've left a white square on the map to show the bhuta's position at the start of your turn.
Daedîn unleashes a storm of arrows. The barbs fly straight through the "horse" which lets out an unearthly scream as they do so.
Everyone who witnesses this may attempt a DC22 Will Save
if you pass the save:
You see through the illusion. The ghostly bhuta is humanoid, floating above the ground on backwards-facing feet. It wears tattered rags, and glares at you with eyes of blue fire.
The horse gallops towards you - rather slowly, for a horse. But look at the poor thing's legs! It gallops right through the wall of the shrine and up to Daedîn to nuzzle him.
The horse brushes against Daedîn, and hideous wounds open up on the elf. Daedîn bleeds profusely. You may attempt a second DC22 Will save Daedîn, and open the spoiler above if you succeed.
HP: 29/74 l AC: 26 (31), T 15, FF 24 (28) l CMD 24 l F +10 (14) , R +8 (13), W +8 (12); +2 vs. illusions, +2 vs. fear/despair l Bond Senses (9/9), Eternal Hope (1/1), Maker's Call (0/1), Summon Monster V (7/7) l L1: 5/6, L2: 3/5, L3: 3/4 l Init +6 l Senses: Low-Light Vision, Perception -1
Female Gnome Unchained Summoner 9/Fighter (Dragoon) 1 l Active Conditions: Extended Barkskin & Heroism, Endure Elements, Haste
Will (DC 22):1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
"Oh, oh wow you're right, that's definitely not a horse!"
Unfortunately the creature moves a bit too quickly for her and Inky to react and closes on the group, rendering it impossible to make a charge from their current position.
"Dang...come on Inky, we still gotta get in there!"
The pair move up and into range for Nina to try a stab with her lance...
HP: 49/54 l AC: 25 (34), T 13 (14), FF 22 (30) l CMD 23 l F +7, R +8 (+9), W +4; +4 vs. enchantments l Immune: Fire, Paralysis, Sleep l Resistance: Electricity 10 I Init +7 l Senses: Darkvision, Perception +10
Will Save (PfE):1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 2 = 27
"Gah!" Teric steps back as the horse comes straight through the wall. He finally gets a good look at it. "Oh, yes, the horse is some sort of ghostly illusion."
He conjures a ball of flaming ice right at the bhuta's form. He twists the rules of the universe at the right moment and it tries to cloy and catch at the ghost.
Cold Flaming Sphere with Rime Spell (Reflex Save DC 22 for half, plus entangle):3d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 4) = 8 Failure on the save means full damage, slowed, and entangled.
Almaas looks at the thing and immediately sees through the illusion.
Will save:1d20 + 20 ⇒ (14) + 20 = 34
Knowledge: Religion +8 (Rank 4, Class +3, Int +1) +15 to identify abilities of creatures ‘Inquisitor monster lore’:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17
Having no idea what this is but seeing that it moved through walls, Almaas activates his undead bane ability and shoots arrows at the enemy that targeted his companion.
Almaas's does not have normal arrows hut his standard arrows are cold iron.
Is it allowed to make an educated guess about what bane makes sense or do I have to identify the monster first before I can use bane? if possible Swift action: Undead bane 12/13 remaining.
Shel identified it as an undead bhuta, Almaas, so you're fine to activate Bane (undead).
Shel's kukri slices through the insubstantial undead, eliciting another furious inhuman screech.
Seldanna heals Daedîn's bleeding wound.
Nina thrusts her lance into the creature, to some effect.
bhuta reflex DC22:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
The 'horse' dodges Teric's icy attack.
Almaas sends a volley of enhanced cold iron, one arrow making a telling strike. Your full attack without bane looks like +14/+14/+9 including PBS and Deadly Aim.
Daedîn also follows up with another volley, his double-shot inflicting more damage.
The monstrous creature attacks its closest foe, Shel:
Horrific wounds open up on the halfling. The bhuta retreats into the wall!
You're all getting Will saves against its illusion every time you see it hit by a volley of arrows, or if it hits you or you hit it, some I'm going to replace the horsey with the actual bhuta image. It's only medium, not large, so it can retreat into the wall with a 5' step. (It's not very clear how Veil interacts with attacks against the Veiled creature when it mimics something that's a different size, so I've just let you target any square of the "horse" without adjusting the monster's AC for size).
Since Shel's turn is right after the bhuta's she's taking bleed damage from both wounds at the start of her turn. I've already marked the hp off.
HP: 29/74 l AC: 26 (31), T 15, FF 24 (28) l CMD 24 l F +10 (14) , R +8 (13), W +8 (12); +2 vs. illusions, +2 vs. fear/despair l Bond Senses (9/9), Eternal Hope (1/1), Maker's Call (0/1), Summon Monster V (7/7) l L1: 5/6, L2: 3/5, L3: 3/4 l Init +6 l Senses: Low-Light Vision, Perception -1
Female Gnome Unchained Summoner 9/Fighter (Dragoon) 1 l Active Conditions: Extended Barkskin & Heroism, Endure Elements, Haste
"Oh man, that's not fair at all," Nina groans as the bhuta brutally attacks Shel and then disappears back into the wall. "Inky, we need to get away from the walls!"
The eidolon obligingly takes a step away from the nearby wall while Nina readies her lance for when and if the creature shows itself again...
HP: 49/54 l AC: 25 (34), T 13 (14), FF 22 (30) l CMD 23 l F +7, R +8 (+9), W +4; +4 vs. enchantments l Immune: Fire, Paralysis, Sleep l Resistance: Electricity 10 I Init +7 l Senses: Darkvision, Perception +10
"Right-o," Inky replies, for once not arguing or offering her summoner any lip. She steps away from the wall and in front of Seldanna and Teric, clearly intending to act as a shield if necessary. Then, she also readies herself to attack if the bhuta comes within reach of her teeth...
Daedîn you have no target. The bhuta has entered the walls (it's incorporeal). I'll take your first attack roll as a readied action for when it emerges.
As a player I hate incorporeals. They break so many rules! At least this one has a weakness that substantially increases the damage it takes ;)
HP: 29/74 l AC: 26 (31), T 15, FF 24 (28) l CMD 24 l F +10 (14) , R +8 (13), W +8 (12); +2 vs. illusions, +2 vs. fear/despair l Bond Senses (9/9), Eternal Hope (1/1), Maker's Call (0/1), Summon Monster V (7/7) l L1: 5/6, L2: 3/5, L3: 3/4 l Init +6 l Senses: Low-Light Vision, Perception -1
Female Gnome Unchained Summoner 9/Fighter (Dragoon) 1 l Active Conditions: Extended Barkskin & Heroism, Endure Elements, Haste
"Yeesh...I hope there aren't any more lurking around," Nina remarks as she lowers her lance slightly and casts a nervous and distrustful glance around at the nearby walls. Though she figures the chamber ahead is probably safe, she pats Inky as a signal to hold her ground as she begins to scan the area for any additional magic auras.
Teric flicks his finger and the ball of cold fire rolls into the room the Bhutan had been in. He glances in, using the magical light to look around and then enters to look around.
If there's anything hostile still in the room, Teric will roll the ball into it.
The room that once held the "horse" is empty, save for the ancient bloodstains on the floor. The bas reliefs on the walls suggest that the blood came from Lissalans self flagellating in worship of their goddess.
The double doors obviously lead back to the chamber where the Marquis and the others are waiting.
HP: 29/74 l AC: 26 (31), T 15, FF 24 (28) l CMD 24 l F +10 (14) , R +8 (13), W +8 (12); +2 vs. illusions, +2 vs. fear/despair l Bond Senses (9/9), Eternal Hope (1/1), Maker's Call (0/1), Summon Monster V (7/7) l L1: 5/6, L2: 3/5, L3: 3/4 l Init +6 l Senses: Low-Light Vision, Perception -1
Female Gnome Unchained Summoner 9/Fighter (Dragoon) 1 l Active Conditions: Extended Barkskin & Heroism, Endure Elements, Haste
"Looks like nowhere to go now but back the other way then! At least we don't have to worry about a freaky ghost sneaking up on us through the walls."
Once everyone else is ready, Nina and Inky pad back around to the entrance and then obligingly wait for someone more skilled at such things to examine the doors leading south.
While the others inspect the doors, Teric is chatting with the Marquis, explaining a recent problem he's had with permits in Magnimar. If only the Marquis could speak to the right people, Teric would be appreciative and willing to show his thanks to the Marquis...
If Teric learns that the dwarf woman is interested in mining the stone for profit, he'll probably be interested.
Marquis Heywood replies "Get me to Magnimar in one piece, Prince Cain, and I'll be glad to help. What was that infernal screech back there? Gave me the willies, I say!"
Seldanna you seem to have left Lonan behind - assume that's not intentional? Let me know if you're putting him in his cage, otherwise I'll assume he sits in your hood if he's in the same square as you on the map.
I'll reveal the contents of the next room later today.
"Splendid, Marquis! It is always good to see a man willing to help a friend, yes? And don't worry about the sounds, just a bit of difficulty we had to deal with, but we are experienced in this sort of thing. It's why we're here after all! Now, we'll be back in short order, hopefully with the Fat Man who can pay for what he's done to you."
"Compensation, eh? Dashed right! Better bring the Fat Man to Magnimar to face justice, we'll not find any in Kaer Maga."
Shel opens the door. As suspected it swings smoothly and easily.
The rotted pews, the collapsed pulpit, and the giant Sihedron mosaic on the floor indicate that this room once housed Lissalan worshipers. A circular door set in the northern end of the eastern wall has no apparent handles or hinges, though an obviously magical key hole lies in the centre of the door. Stone double doors also rest in the eastern wall, farther south. A reminder - north on this map is to the left; the double doors are the ones you've just opened.
Within the chapel waits an armoured knight atop a skeletal charger. She couches a lance wreathed in flame. As you open the door she speaks in a harsh and ancient language, her voice rasping and unlovely.
"Οι αντίπαλοι της πίστης δεν επιτρέπονται μέσα σε αυτόν τον ιερό χώρο!"
Thassilonian:
"Opponents of the faith are not permitted within this sacred site."
Knowledge (religion) DC23 - when you can see the knight:
The chapel's guardian is a Graveknight - an evil undead warrior whose will refuses to submit to death. Driven by her obsessive obedience to Lissala, this creature's soul is bound to her armour much like a lich's is bound to a phylactery. Graveknight armour is similarly difficult to destroy.
DC28
Spoiler:
Graveknights have many defences: they are immune to cold, electricity and in this case also fire (the latter a consequence of the manner of her death and profane rebirth).
DC33
Spoiler:
Graveknights are highly resistant to mundane weapons - only enchanted arms can readily pierce their armour DR. They also resist spells and positive energy channeling. They radiate an evil aura that boosts the abilities of undead whilst making positive energy difficult to conjure with. Concentration check to use positive energy within 30 feet eg channel, healing spells.
DC38
Spoiler:
A Graveknight's attacks are equally powerful. Her weapons are wreathed in the energy associated with her revivification (in this case fire). She can create a blast of this energy 30' cone. She can command hordes of lesser undead.
DC43
Spoiler:
A Graveknight's mount is similar to that conjured by a phantom steed spell, but can be re-summoned at will. Only one hour need pass after such a steed is destroyed before the Graveknight can call it back from the Beyond.
Seldanna you seem to have left Lonan behind - assume that's not intentional? Let me know if you're putting him in his cage, otherwise I'll assume he sits in your hood if he's in the same square as you on the map.
I'll reveal the contents of the next room later today.
A few moments ago...
"Lonan, what are you doing you silly bird. Get back in your cage!"
Lonan CAAAAWS and curses as he shuffles back into his box.
Now...
Seldanna moves up behind the group to get a look at their new opponent.
Kn. Religion:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
"Oh dear! That looks like a Graveknight! Undead. Evil...and an obsessive servant of Lissala, no doubt. This creature's soul will be bound to her armour, much like a lich's is to its pylactery. It's armour will be tough to destroy!"
Seldanna then gives the group a bit of a magical boost to hopefully help them deal with the threat.
Cast Haste on the whole group (excluding herself).
Teric flicks his wrist and a metamagic rod appears in his hand. He waves his other hand and two crackling balls of cold lightning appear and lash the graveknight with frost.
If a target is wearing metal armor, it takes a -4 to the reflex save. Any failure means the graveknight is slowed for 1 round as well as taking the full damage.
HP: 49/54 l AC: 25 (34), T 13 (14), FF 22 (30) l CMD 23 l F +7, R +8 (+9), W +4; +4 vs. enchantments l Immune: Fire, Paralysis, Sleep l Resistance: Electricity 10 I Init +7 l Senses: Darkvision, Perception +10
HP: 29/74 l AC: 26 (31), T 15, FF 24 (28) l CMD 24 l F +10 (14) , R +8 (13), W +8 (12); +2 vs. illusions, +2 vs. fear/despair l Bond Senses (9/9), Eternal Hope (1/1), Maker's Call (0/1), Summon Monster V (7/7) l L1: 5/6, L2: 3/5, L3: 3/4 l Init +6 l Senses: Low-Light Vision, Perception -1
