Kasvot motions his hand towards the bodies splayed in front of the door. "Clearly, we're not bothered by that." He looks at the Pathfinders and shrugs his shoulders. He speaks without attempting to conceal anything from the Oni. "Seems like a fairly good deal. We'd have to reconsider if we discover that Tanbaru is lying to us, of course, but Oni typically stand by their word, as far as I know."
The creature sighs, "Listen, I'm not asking for a damn blood contract. Just let me help lead you to the assbag and if you kill him when he tries to slaughter you all, then it's a win-win for everyone. Savvy?"
"Whatever. Yeah, sure. Let's go then." grumbles LGZ.
'Pushy little bug thinks it's got the upper hand...I really hope we find this supposed evil doer and he's knitting sweaters for homeless children or something.'
"If you would be so kind as to lead the way." he asks, forcing a smile.
Tanbaru claps its hands together in glee, "Alrighty then! It's a big complex and I'll do the best I can to guide you, but it's up to you all to navigate well and avoid patrols! Now, who wants me stuck to their face?"
"What? After letting him smack you upside the head, you don't want him to hide the bruises?" quips LGZ with a grin.
Glancing around, he considers the situation. 'Niza might have issues shifting with that thing attached...Dimple needs to keep her face shining for the world to see...Kasvot...'
His thoughts trailing off, he stares at the sorcerer for a long moment before sighing. "Fine. Hop on and ride me. Errr...you can mount my face. I mean...I'll wear you if it must be done."
"Wait wait wait!" Kasvot interjects. "Why don't you explain what 'stuck to our face' means. Just so it's clear, that's not a common thing where we're from..."
The oni raises an eyebrow as if this is news to him. He lands on one of the statues, "Well, like... I attack myself to your face and then you can see and navigate better? So I use these little prongy thingies here (he shows a hand) and it's sorta like a starfish holding onto a clam. I meld right in there and you can still see but I can use my innate guidance to point you in the right direction. I mean... I GUESS I could just point out directions and stuff, but that wouldn't be as good."
So, Mechanically speaking, instead of facing off against a couple hundred (maybe up to a thousand, the scenario isn't clear) Duergar, the scenario has you doing Survival or Knowledge Dungeoneering Checks to get to places of interest. This dude can provide a small bonus by giving directions or a larger bonus by attaching to a face. I'd suggest the Survival route since all of you can attempt to Aid, where K: Dungeoneering I think only two of you are trained.
He points up at the solid door leading into the mountain, "But first things first, you all gotta get that beast open."
The doors are heavy Iron and locked. Taking 10 by Dimple or Niza isn't enough to get them unlocked and there are no keys on any of the guards or the Oni.
Female | HP 46/46 | AC 19, T 14, FF 16 | CMD 16 (13FF)| F +6 R +9 W +9; +2 vs. fear | Init +9 | Perc +13 | Speed 30ft | Bard Spells 1st 6/6 | 2nd 4/4 | Bardic Performance 24/24 | Cleric Spells 2/2+1 | Channel 1d6 7/7 | Active Conditions: |Agile Feet 4/4 | Bit of Luck: 4/4 | Reroll 1/1
Still not certain this is such a great idea, Dimple tries to open the doors. She does not see the connection between helping her friends by opening the door and providing the means for them to commit the rampant murder she is so morally opposed to.
Turning to Kasvot as he implores the beasty to give out the particulars, his grin widens. "There, you see? It's like a good face hug. You look like you could use one of those... Why not give it a go?"
'Phew. I'd rather him than me anyway...alas if he turns it down I'm sure I could survive it.'
Wiping his blade clean, he moves towards the massive door. "Whenever you all are ready, we should push on. Kasvot? Whatcha say? Going to put on a face mask? I hear they are marvelous on the skin..."
"I mean, I will--the novelty of the experience should be remarkable--but I'm not sure that I'm the best for it. Arboreal, you're the real survivalist among us; I think you could make the best use of its advice."
Arboreal has the best Survival bonus by far, so is mechanically the best target for this. Kasvot, though, is definitely willing if Arboreal still refuses for RP reasons.
Tanbaru zips over to Arboreal, "That's the right attitude! Now, pucker up... so I don't cover your mouth."
With a disgusting slurping popping sucking sound, the Oni attaches to the summoner's face. Soon though, the incessant pain of his pores being invaded by foreign tendrils fades and only becomes a minor distraction. No words need to be spoken in guidance as he feels his face tugged in the right direction. At least he thinks it is the right direction, this cave makes little sense to a surface dweller. There are a couple close calls with patrols of Duergar, but the pathfinders manage to avoid being noticed. It takes a half hour to get this deep into the mountain.
Success, BARELY.
_____________________
Arboreal is quite sure they are on the right path towards their goal of finding the big boss as the tunnel they are in is well worn and crafted. Most of the other tunnels in the mountain were just very utilitarian. He whispers, "We need to go through there."
The smell of musk and hot iron saturates the thick air. Heat is everywhere, with regular blasts of hot wind blowing past in time with the bellows. A single iron sculpture leans on the east wall. Though it bears a strong central frame and several barbed twists, it remains far from complete. The air tastes bitter and metallic.
A tough looking Duergar with a very prominently crafted iron symbol depicting fire under a stone arch is welded to their breastplate and shield.
Trained Religion check to ID the holy symbol. She is obviously a Duergar, so the same info about them that you all found out in the last fight still applies.
She seems to be well aware of the group as they come up to the doorway and calls out, "'Tis Droskar the Dark Smith who sustains us and all who live within the tapestry. He forged us after his own image; hard and strong like iron. He gave us a home and iron from the earth, and laborers to toil in his name and for our sake. Welcome to your final endeavor, slaves. Trust that your new god will remake you in his mines."
A squat beast is also present in the forge. It is as wide as it is tall. Strangely symmetrical, it has three arms, three legs, three eyes, and one huge mouth.
If Trained, you may roll Knowledge “Planes”. With a success on your roll I will ID the creature. This ID will include basic type/subtype and one tidbit of knowledge. I will dole out the tidbits starting with signature special abilities and then working to more mechanical things like DR and other resistances. Multiple rolls from multiple players, assuming they both beat the DC, will grant additional information and not duplicate tidbits.
The map is up, how do you all respond? Dimple can see the creature. LGZ and Arboreal can see both creature and forgemaster.
"What's this talk of slaves, then?" Kasvot whispers ahead to his companions, not quite wanting to create the crowd at the door that would be required to get a good view into the space.
Since he is out of sight, though, he takes this opportunity to renew his mage armor.
Actions:
Move: retrieve wand of mage armor Standard: cast mage armor
"As for slavery...I appreciate the offer, but I'll have to pass. The only thing that will enslave me is my heart." Pausing a moment, his eyes shift behind him. "Perhaps, an accord can be reached. I'm not skilled with pretty words...just in removing limbs, so I'll defer to my companions."
Liet-Gar and Dimple quickly identify the holy symbol as belonging to a lesser known deity, Droskar. Droskar is part of the Dwarven Pantheon and not a friendly deity (Artifice, Charm, Darkness, Evil & Trickery Domains). The placement and prominence of the symbols are probably clues that this Duergar is a high ranking priest.
Arboreal thinks it looks pretty. Or ugly. I guess beauty is in the eye of the summoner.
Liet-Gar and Arboreal quickly recognize the creature as a Xorn, a Neutral Outsider (Earth, Extraplanar). Between the two of them, they know quite a bit about it. Like most earth-plane creatures, it can glide though dirt or stone as easily as a fish swims through water. The unique placement of its eyes also gives it all-around vision, meaning there is no way to flank it. The skin appears quite tough, probably resistant (5) to anything but bludgeoning weapons. Lastly, one of them recalls it has an impressive array of resistances and immunities to cold, fire and electricity.
Dimple thinks it is a giant rock-lobster.
The smithy replies, you think they may be female but it's a bit hard to tell, "Ah, praise be to Lord Ironwhip then, bringing in surface folk to uphold the glory of Droskar! What Holy Mission are you embarking upon and do you require smithing or divine assistance?"
Sense Motive DC 21:
Bluff:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
She is definitely disguising her intentions here. Probably trying to get information about who sent you and why you are here.
"That's an abrupt change of attitude there," Kasvot calls from the hallway as he moves to get a better view. "From slavery to aid, in the span of a heartbeat. What amazing diplomacy, there, Liet-Gar! I have no reservations about that change of heart what-so-ever!"
She quirks an eye at the half-orc, "Slaves aid our cause, it is the will of Droskar. There is no change of heart. Slaves, allies, enemies and the faithful all serve Droskar, in their own way. Now, how can I assist your holy mission? It would help if I knew more about it."
While you all may have been deceived by her smooth questions, the pathfinders just stand there with dull looks on their faces for too long and the Deurgar gets bored.
"Fine, don't tell me. I'll pull it out of you later with torture, your choice."
She speaks in a gravely voice at the Xorn, "Torrwch nhw i ffwrdd, peidiwch â gadael iddyn nhw redeg."
She smirks as the group is too slow on the uptake and smiles at the half-elf up front, "You're pretty, I'll save you for last. But let's not go crazy here and let you use that big ole monster weapon you got." She casts a quick spell targeting LGZ* and then with another separate motion, suddenly there are two of her!
Spellcraft DC 18 ID the Spell:
Blindness
Spellcraft DC 16 ID the Spell-like ability:
Mirror Image, 1 image only
*Liet-Gar, please make a Will Save vs. Necromancy (Curse). I will provide the results as quickly as possible. You are welcome to use a re-roll at any point before those results are given, unless said re-roll specifically grants you the ability to do so after the result is given.
The Unflankable Molly Xorn Round 1!
2x Duergars?
Kasvot
Dimple
Niza & Albis
Liet-Gar (Will Save first)
Arboreal & DB
Xorn
Kasvot decides to take a risk, hoping the arms of that xorn didn't have any reach. He darts into the room beside the duergar, and attempts to infuse it with something entirely unfamiliar... laughter!
Actions:
Move: 30' drawing dagger Standard: laughing touch vs. duergar
Don't forget all the crazy stuff in my first post, but since Kasvot is top of the que here we can resolve a couple things he did. It may change what everyone else does too.
The half-orc darts into the room, easily staying out of the reach of the elemental earth creature. He steps up and attempts to touch one of the two Duergar Priests.
1-50 misses:1d100 ⇒ 43
He connects with a shoulder and then pushes right on through. His target crackles into char and a whooshing sound follows as the embers of the copy blow away into the ether.
Copy is gone which I'm guessing is one of two positive outcomes with that action there, well done.
The Unflankable Molly Xorn, Round 1!
Duergar
Kasvot
Dimple
Niza & Albis
Liet-Gar (Will Save first)
Arboreal & DB
Xorn
NG Gnome Wizard 5 & Rogue 2 | Perc: +14 (+1 vs. traps), Low-Light, SM: +2 | HP: 72 (-0) (+X Temp HP) | AC/Tch/FF 20/15/17 (+4 Dodge vs. Giants) | F/R/W +7/+8/+6 (Evasion, +4 vs. illusions) | CMD 17 | Init: +2 Active conditions: False Life? | Speed 20ft | Spells in Profile, Telekinetic Fist 6/6, Shirt ReRoll 1/1
Niza moves into the room to get a view of what is going on, "What have we here... oh that thing is ugly. You said bludgeoning right? Okay, come here buddy and hold still please. I'll make it quick."
She moves up just past the Xorn and pulls out a club, swinging it hard in a two-handed downward slam at the exposed eyeball.
Dimple blesses the group with focused aim. Niza uses that aim and moves up to whack the stone. It just tilts its head and the club deflects off the side, doing no damage (Missed even with FF and Bless).
Arboreal identifies the spells but doesn't share what they are. Best to leave his allies surprised. He begins summoning his own surprise though. Tricksy half-elves!
Liet gar gets a flash in his eyes. A burning sensation similar to when he woke up this morning and took a lea... well enough about that! He blinks a few times, wiggles his nose and looks around, fully capable of vision.
(That would have failed, but I messed up and made you take a will save instead of a fort save as required. With your fort modifier you easily made the save. You may act LGZ, good to have you back!)
The Unflankable Molly Xorn, Round 1!
Duergar
Kasvot
Dimple
Niza & Albis
Arboreal & DB
Liet-Gar
Xorn
"Hey now, don't be casting bad juju at me." calls out LGZ with a smile. "You're lucky I took those anger management courses. That could have made me a tad upset."
Rushing around the side of the room, he swings at the rocky beast before hopping onto the table.
Using Spring Attack vs Xorn +1 Adamantine Ranseur, Bless:1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 1 = 21 for Piercing:2d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 = 9 x3 crit
Liet-Gar strikes true, carving a small chunk of stone off like wet clay. The creature doesn't seem to care as it provokes further attacks to zip out the door and complete its command.
This provokes from LGZ and Niza. DR reduces both LGZ's initial strike and his AoO.
It takes the free opportunity of a nasty bite against Arboreal.
I believe this will require Arboreal to complete 2x Concentration checks to keep the spell. Both would be vs. DC 28.
The Duergar steps back away from her two assailants, does the same motion as before and a quick duplicate springs into place. Both Duergar summon a nasty bit of crackling black magic into their palm, which quickly begins to produce inky black tendrils wrapping around her arm and reaching out towards the pathfinders.
Spellcraft DC 18 to ID the black necro spell:
Bestow Curse, charge held.
The Unflankable Molly Xorn, Round 2! (Bless is up!)
Duergar
Kasvot
Dimple
Niza & Albis (Plus a free AoO on the Xorn)
Arboreal (-32 HP, 2x concentration checks) & DB
Liet-Gar
Xorn (-9 HP)
NG Gnome Wizard 5 & Rogue 2 | Perc: +14 (+1 vs. traps), Low-Light, SM: +2 | HP: 72 (-0) (+X Temp HP) | AC/Tch/FF 20/15/17 (+4 Dodge vs. Giants) | F/R/W +7/+8/+6 (Evasion, +4 vs. illusions) | CMD 17 | Init: +2 Active conditions: False Life? | Speed 20ft | Spells in Profile, Telekinetic Fist 6/6, Shirt ReRoll 1/1
AoO Small MW Club + Bless:1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 = 21 for Bludgeoning 2-handed:1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Niza takes a hack at it with a dull thud the result, "Yeah, eat that you stupid rock... wait no, don't eat it, it's just a figure... nevermind!"
She turns and levels her gaze at the Duergar twins, "Now you, you I can flank. I'm sure our Bard and Wizard out there will make quick work of your minion. And I'll make quick work of your internal organs!"
The feisty gnome darts past the priest while drawing her rapier in the other hand, readying to stab with it if Liet-Gar (or any ally) moves into flanking.
"You, half-elf with the big weapon. We got her surrounded so give me some help here."
Move while drawing weapon (this provokes if opponent has a weapon), Readied Attack per the above conditions.
the xorn does not appear to have moved but I believe is adjacent to Arboreal before he makes his five step leaving a bloody trail Our knowledge checks didn’t reveal any immunities but arboreal may learn it has acid immunity the hard way this may be his last contribution to this fight
Female | HP 46/46 | AC 19, T 14, FF 16 | CMD 16 (13FF)| F +6 R +9 W +9; +2 vs. fear | Init +9 | Perc +13 | Speed 30ft | Bard Spells 1st 6/6 | 2nd 4/4 | Bardic Performance 24/24 | Cleric Spells 2/2+1 | Channel 1d6 7/7 | Active Conditions: |Agile Feet 4/4 | Bit of Luck: 4/4 | Reroll 1/1
Dimple takes a step back as she draws a wand. "I think what you need is more people to play with." Suddenly, a small army of Arboreals pop into existence.
Wand of Silent Image. DC 15 Will save to disbelieve IF INTERACTED with.
Arboreal, I have issues with the map not updating when I use my phone or tablet to view slides. I have to back out of the slide, refresh the files and open it again before it finally updates.
_________________
Niza whacks the Xorn as it zips out of the room. She then bolts passed the priest, provoking a punch from that nasty little crackling energy holding hand. It easily connects and the negative energy crackles around the gnome.
AoO vs. Touch:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Niza, please make a Will (this one IS will, :D) Save vs. a Necromancy Spell. I will provide the results as quickly as possible. You are welcome to use a re-roll at any point before those results are given, unless said re-roll specifically grants you the ability to do so after the result is given.
The gnome readies to stab the crap out of her in response.
Dimple summons a large chunk of images (Silent Image seems to indicate only one image, but there are a lot of arguments either way so I'll allow multiples of the same image) that all look injured. Arboreal steps back and blasts away with his acid ball. It is moderately effective, sizzling a bit of earthy flesh away.
Liet-Gar steps up, which triggers the angry gnome to stab at one of the images. The one she hits screeches in pain as the rapier stabs deep (Crit Confirmed)!
1-50 misses:1d100 ⇒ 78
The half-elf's own strike comes in and...
1-50 misses:1d100 ⇒ 71
...pierces right through the priest, spraying blood everywhere!
The Unflankable Molly Xorn, Round 2! (Bless is up!)
Duergar (-27 HP)
Dimple
Niza & Albis (Will Save Due)
Arboreal (-32 HP) & DB
Liet-Gar
Kasvot
Xorn (-14 HP)
The cleric cackles in glee as her spell seems to put a fog over Niza's mind. The gnome shakes her head a bit, but everything seems fuzzy. Does she need glasses now? Jeeze.
Niza was hit with and failed to save against Bestow Curse: -4 penalty on attack rolls, saves, ability checks, and skill checks. This is a Permanent Effect, which means you need a "remove curse" casting completed upon you to get rid of it.
Kasvot lightens up the room a bit though, speeding up everyone's actions a bit. The cleric sneers, "Puny magics are no match for my God!"
The Xorn pays little attention to what is happening in the room, instead focusing on his target. It seems to briefly be annoyed when that target steps away and is replaced with a bunch of them but quickly decides to go after the one he can feel touching the ground (tremorsense). It disappears into the floor (earthglide) and re-appears on the other side of Arboreal, biting away with that massive jaw.
The cleric laughs as the Xorn rips the half-elf's throat out, "Your friend is dead, just like you'll be soon!" Both images step into Liet-Gar's blind-spot and pull out warhammers. They both touch their holy symbols and a wave of negative energy rolls over everyone in the room, "Feel the touch of Droskar, infidels!"
Negative Channel:3d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 1) = 12
Kasvot, Niza & Liet-Gar need Will Saves for half.
The Unflankable Molly Xorn, Round 3! (Haste 6 rds, Bless is up)
Duergar Cleric (-27 HP, 1 mirror image)
Dimple
Niza (-12 or -6, Will Save Due, Cursed, -4 to most d20 rolls) & Albis
Arboreal (-53 HP and Unconscious, Stabilization needed if not healed prior) & DB
Liet-Gar (-12 or -6, Will Save Due)
Kasvot (-12 or -6, Will Save Due)
Xorn (-14 HP)
Kasvot steps up and strikes quickly, trying to dispel the other image so that his melee friends can make their attacks more effective.
Actions:
5' step Full round: full attack
(I don't know if I can use laughing touch--a spell-like ability that's delivered with a touch attack--in a full attack; if not, I've included the damage roll for a dagger attack as well (they have the same attack bonus).
laughing touch, melee touch attack, haste (or dagger):1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 + 1 = 18 Damage, P (if laughing touch can't be used in a full attack):1d4 - 2 ⇒ (4) - 2 = 2 1=duergar, 2=image:1d2 ⇒ 2
NG Gnome Wizard 5 & Rogue 2 | Perc: +14 (+1 vs. traps), Low-Light, SM: +2 | HP: 72 (-0) (+X Temp HP) | AC/Tch/FF 20/15/17 (+4 Dodge vs. Giants) | F/R/W +7/+8/+6 (Evasion, +4 vs. illusions) | CMD 17 | Init: +2 Active conditions: False Life? | Speed 20ft | Spells in Profile, Telekinetic Fist 6/6, Shirt ReRoll 1/1
Will - Cursed:1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 5 - 4 = 11
Cringing as her life force is drained even more, Niza yells out a suggestion to her allies in the room, "LIET-GAR, PLAN HAS CHANGED. GO HELP ARBOREAL!" She nods to the knife wielding half-orc, "Kasvot can do fine in here helping me beat on this leech."
I hope.
Delay to see if LGZ will move out as requested. Also hoping that allows Kasvot to adjust their actions and move into flanking.
Kasvot's eyes go wide in shock as Niza suggests that he could possibly fill in for Liet-Gar in combat. "Wait, what? I can?"
Niza and Albis wrote:
Delay to see if LGZ will move out as requested. Also hoping that allows Kasvot to adjust their actions and move into flanking.
It's highly unlikely that Kasvot would subject himself to an attack of opportunity to take LGZ's position this round. He was really hoping to dispel the image so you two flankers could wallop the cleric.
1. A lot depends on LGZ. If he stays to try to beat down the cleric then things probably won't change and I expect Niza will come out of delay to act.
2. I will allow Kasvot to adjust their actions to a move and Standard instead of a 5-ft and Full Attack, IF they wish to do so. This is the constant issue with PbP. Initiative order is almost impossible to manage properly so I try to give as much leeway as possible to fit within people's posting times.
3. Hasted movement should give you enough to avoid an AoO, if that is the sticking point.
4. From everything I can piece together, Laughing Touch is a Standard Action so can't be used with full round attacks.
