”The last remains of this wave of the Asmodean Inquisition sided with a group of devils to put down any dissenters. We couldn’t get there fast enough; it was a bloodbath.”+4 Authority, +15 casualties
1d100 ⇒ 10 Abduction
+4 Authority from the two abductions. See after this spoiler for more information.
The doubling of casualties due to Inquisition! is now over.
*
As morning comes around, it is Rexus who gives the status update for the day. But he is more than a little frazzled. ”We have a big, big problem! Lictor Sabinus and Lady Docur are gone! We haven’t been able to get a hold of Lady Docur, and her Lacunafex agents haven’t seen her for several hours. And soon after you all left Bleakbridge yesterday, Octavio and the other Hellknights—sorry, armigers—were attacked on Bleakbridge. There were no casualties, but they managed to knock out Octavio and kidnap him! All we managed to recover was Octavio’s halberd.”
At this, Rexus presents Vitalis with a halberd that he recognizes as Octavio’s. But when Rexus does so, something strange happens. Suddenly, a magic aura envelops the blade of the halberd as the PCs are overwhelmed by an obviously-illusory stench of hay, urine, and hot feces. A magical whirling script flies off of the halberd, and a disembodied, female voice speaks the text aloud:
” 你的朋友是一切的開始“
Translation (Tien):
”Your friends are where it all began.”
And just as suddenly as it began, the strange text, voice, and stench cease.
All of the checks below are to Recall Knowledge.
Arcana or Occultism DC 23:
That was the effects of a rank 4 embed messageTechnically a remaster spell; it’s basically a more versatile magic mouth.
If you get a critical success, open the spoiler below
Spoiler:
The stench is actually a specific part of the message; the caster had to actively choose to include the smell as part of the message.
Nature or Survival DC 30, or Bardic Lore DC 25:
In lieu of being too descriptive about scatological stuff: The excrement that you smelled was specifically horse feces.
“Well, that was interesting! A magically embedded message! And those smells were so real! That unique smell of hay, piss, and horse crap! It must be from a stable somewhere. At least, I hope the urine smell was from a horse - it isn’t as easy to distinguish, for some reason. Anyway, I wonder what it has to do with Octavio! Did anyone understand the message?”
"A relatively simple spell," she says, twisting up her nose, "though I don't enjoy their personal spin on it. Based on the message itself and its...unique odor, I think the Fair Fortune Livery makes the most sense. An odd choice."
LG Human Champion 13 |99/190 hp (Resist Mental 4, Slashing 4, Bludgeoning 3) | AC 36 | Fort +23 (Sacred Body), Ref +16 (+19 vs. Damage), Will +21 (Divine Will) | Perc +18 | Focus: 0/1 | Hero Pts 1/3 |
"It would seem that our liberation of Bleakbridge has gone unappreciated by some of Thrune's agents. The Fair Fortune Livery does seem to be what this mystery person is alluding to. I'd obviously a trap but we have no choice but to rescue our friends."
LG Human Champion 13 |99/190 hp (Resist Mental 4, Slashing 4, Bludgeoning 3) | AC 36 | Fort +23 (Sacred Body), Ref +16 (+19 vs. Damage), Will +21 (Divine Will) | Perc +18 | Focus: 0/1 | Hero Pts 1/3 |
Well if it weren't for those reprisals, I'd say do a covert infiltration action, but I'd prefer to avoid more deaths, so I guess just go over there and kick their butts.
"Well, we know where the Livery is. If we're all healed up, let's make our way over there. It would seem like these kidnappers didn't get word of what we did to those who captured Hetamon. We'll just have to deliver the message in person."
Fair Fortune Livery is still the ramshackle former-stable that it was the PCs experienced the first time they were here all those months ago. The PCs make their way through the stables in the front of the building, and unfortunately do not find anything. They recall the secret door leading down to the basement. Map Updated
When the PCs reach the basement, they are soon greeted by a familiar voice: ”Hello?! Is someone there?!”
The PCs move over to a nearby square pit and find Mialari Docur at the bottom, her hands bound with manacles. ”Oh thank the gods! A group of Thrune’s agents accosted me! Please get me out of here!”
Using rope, the PCs manage to get Lady Docur out from the pit. ”Oh thank you! We must be quick, or else—“ Lady Docur finally cuts herself short, staring at Edrakk, her eye suddenly twitching. She suddenly shouts ” 該死！這個詭計對天狗不起作用！見鬼去吧！”
Translation (Tien):
”Dammit! This ruse can't work against a tengu! To hell with it!”
All of a sudden, the cloth on Lady Docur’s back rips as eight spider legs pierce straight through, having grown out of her back! She snarls as a set of insectoid mandibles suddenly grows from her mouth and she flies into a rage!
FYI, The only reason I didn’t allow any kind of pausing to comtemplate the situation was because this thing rolled a nat 20 on Deception against y’all, so y’all found nothing wrong with the situation.
Lady Docur easily tears through the chain of the manacles binding her through sheer strength alone! Her hateful glare turns from Edrakk to Chance as she says ”First things first!” and she ◆◆ Casts a Spell!
Male Tengu Alchemist (Toxicologist) 13 | HP 123/123 | AC 34, Resistance (Poison) 6 | F : +21 (Chemical Hardiness) R: +22 W: +21 | Perc: +19, Stealth: +24 | Speed: 25 ft (30 w/ harness), Swim: 15 ft | Hero Points: 2/3 | Infused Reagents: 0/11 | Club 2/2 Wort 1/1 Pummel 2/2 Purple 2/2 Galvanic 2/2 Cocktail 2/2 | Versatile Vials 7/7, Cloak 2/2, Fan 2/2 | Active Conditions: None
Prep before going in:
- Blight Bomb, Greater x9
- Bottled Lightning, Moderate x4
- Frost Vial, Moderate x2
- Blisterwort x3 (throwing knives)
- Curare x2 (throwing knives)
- Scarlet Mist x1 (throwing knife)
- Camouflage Dye, Greater x2
- Mistform Elixir, Moderate x2
- Elixir of Life, Moderate x4
- Galvanic Chew x2 (if possible, Edrakk would have put one in his mouth when entering)
- Numbing Tonic, Moderate x2
2 reagents in reserve
GM Xavier Kahlvet wrote:
Using rope, the PCs manage to get Lady Docur out from the pit. ”Oh thank you! We must be quick, or else—“ Lady Docur finally cuts herself short, staring at Edrakk, her eye suddenly twitching. She suddenly shouts ” 該死！這個詭計對天狗不起作用！見鬼去吧！”
Edrakk, who until that point was just as certain of Docur's truthfulness as everyone else, is somewhat taken aback by the declaration, and meets her gaze of ire with a gaze of confusion, having to mentally stop himself for feeling as though he did something wrong.
Quickly, he tightens the straps of his vaultbreaker's harness, takes a step around to get a good shot, and hurls a vial of fungus, now a darker yellow-green with a much stronger smell, at the spider-creature.
Chance begins to sing an inspiring song.
“In the stable’s basement,
At the scene of the trap,
She’s got spider legs
We’ll crush her with a slap!
Spider Lady! Spider Lady! Unfriendly murderous Spider Lady!…”
Oh yeah, forgot about Battle Cry. That is unfortunately a failure on the Battle Cry.
GM Screen:
2d20 ⇒ (4, 20) = 24
Chance, that is, unfortunately, STILL a failure on the reroll!
Chance:
I’m using the remaster’s Recall Knowledge guidelines (Player Core pg. 232) as a general place to start, assuming that Chance would want to know “Are any of its defenses weak?”
Bardic Lore: This is a jorogumo, a deceptive and murderous spider woman. You know that, while they are surprisingly hardy, they are still relatively frail of constitution. Translation: weak defense is Fort.
It's Hei-Fen! She’s the one who kidnapped Octavio and Lady Docur! You’re 100% certain of it!
…You’re 65% certain of it!
Chance stops to think then pulls out the rapier Reprisal.
Edrakk throws a bomb at the spider-woman, but she quickly moves four of her weird-spider-legs to shield herself from the bomb! ↻ Darting Legs: gives her a +2 circumstance bonus to AC against the triggering attack. When she’s hit, though, she seems only slightly inconvenienced by the bomb. I’m just gonna tell you that she has resistance 15 to poison, so that only did 1 damage and the persistent damage does nothing. Does 3 damage to Chance and nothing to Vitalis due to the greater backfire mantle
Vitalis attacks the spider-woman then shoves her into the pit! Retroactively applying inspire courage to the rolls. Reminder that Shove applies MAP, so that should be a 37 (with inspire courage) to Shove. But that’s still a success. And she already used her reaction, so she can’t Grab an Edge.
Reread book 1, and I realize now that that was just supposed to be a “depression” in the ground, and does not clarify further. Welp, I guess it’s a 10-foot deep pit now. So 5 falling damage and landing prone.
Gonna give Jisara the benefit of the doubt and say that she can target the spider-woman in the pit BEFORE moving. Jisara casts a hex upon the spider-woman.
”Lady Docur”:1d20 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 20 = 23Facepalm
The spider-woman uses her weird-spider-legs to quickly leap off the ground ◇ Kip Up*
*Tangent:
No, it doesn’t say it in its statblock, but any reasonable PC that’s a master in Acrobatics would immediately take that skill feat, so any monster that’s a “master” in Acrobatics gets it too. The monster stats almost never have anything analogous to skill feats among its abilities, because those are relatively minor and situational in most cases. This is a GMing style I stand by.
The spider-woman then ◆ Climbs the side of the pit using her weird-spider-legs and immediately moves to bite at Edrakk with her mandibles!
Vitalis can make a ↻ Retributive Strike to protect Edrakk, but can’t make the actual Strike part because he’s not properly wielding his halberd. However, thanks to a new ability at level 11, EDRAKK can actually use his reaction to melee Strike at a -5 against the spider-woman. I have no idea what Edrakk usually wields, so I’ll just assume a beak Strike, because there’s no reason not to.
↻ Edrakk Retributive Strike vs “Lady Docur”; inspire courage:1d20 + 19 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 19 - 5 + 1 = 16 Damage; inspire courage:1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8I’m gonna try to get better about crossing out this stuff for clarity.
“Guildmistress! Hey, everybody, it’s Guildmistress Hei-Fen! From the Lucky Bones! Anyway, I recognize you from the portraits painted on the wall there. Anyway, why would you ambush us like this? We didn’t murder all your friends, that was Barzillai! And you seemed so nice at the Queen of Delight’s party in Vyre! Or at least not quite so hostile. And you didn’t have quite so many legs. And Edrakk, didn’t the Queen of Delights say that Guildmistress Hei-Fen was a wererat?”
“Jorogumo, jorogumo,
Unfriendly, murderous jorogumo!
Lots of legs,
but sort of frail,
She might collapse
If she breaks a nail!
Watch out, here comes the jorogumo!”
Links to the prior posts with the information that Chance remembers (or thinks he remembers) are in the GM’s last post under the spoiler to Chance.
Peering more closely at the jorogumo, Chance interrupts his song to add another thought. “No, wait, you’re not Hei Fen, are you? Another shapeshifter from Tian-Xia, you can see how I got confused in the excitement! But I bet Hei-Fen is behind all this, isn’t she? Because she wants to reclaim the Lucky Bones, right? Well, I’m sorry, but we’re using it now. We thought it had been abandoned because EVERYONE IN IT WAS SLAUGHTERED BY BARZILLAI THRUNE, YOU KNOW, THE GUY WE’RE TRYING TO OVERTHROW?”
Sorry - GMXK explained that I had misunderstood the result of Chance’s Recall Knowledge check.
Chance begins singing then sends a rock at the spider-woman. ↻ Darting Legs, but that’s still a hit.
Edrakk turns invisible then begins healing himself. You did not Sneak away, so she still knows you’re there.
Vitalis jumps over then slices into the spider-woman.
Jisara maintains her hex then sends a rock at the spider-woman.
The spider-woman ignores Chance’s barrage of out-loud thoughts and snaps her gaze over to the corner of the room and sends a mass of web at the invisible Edrakk! ”Stay STILL!”
◆ “Lady Docur” web vs Edrakk:1d20 + 21 ⇒ (7) + 21 = 28 DC 11 flat:1d20 ⇒ 17
Edrakk narrowly dodges from the mass of web, but the spider-woman ◆ Climbs along the outer wall of the pit before climbing out right next to Edrakk and slashes with her claws!
Chance continues singing and sends a rock at the spider-woman—a jorogumo, apparently. ↻ Darting Legs, but it still hits.
Edrakk attempts to sneak away then applies camouflage dye to himself.
Vitalis moves forward and cuts down the jorogumo!
Although it probably doesn’t need to be said: As the PCs examine further, they find that the jorogumo was wearing fake ears and contacts—it was definitely not Lady Docur.
LG Human Champion 13 |99/190 hp (Resist Mental 4, Slashing 4, Bludgeoning 3) | AC 36 | Fort +23 (Sacred Body), Ref +16 (+19 vs. Damage), Will +21 (Divine Will) | Perc +18 | Focus: 0/1 | Hero Pts 1/3 |
Vitalis looks around. "So...This place isn't that big. Are Lictor Sabinus and Lady Docur even here?"
Vitalis searches the surrounding area for any secrets or signs that anyone else was present.
Perception:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31
"If this creature was working with Hei Fen, this could have been a trick to lure us out here. If we don't find anything here, we better check on the Lucky Bones again."
Giving Edrakk a Hero Point for tanking the jorogumo’s attacks. I’m also gonna move on because most of the important remastering stuff has been done.
The PCs settle down in an attempt to patch themselves up. Chance and Jisara begin Refocusing as Edrakk waits for his invisibility to end so he can properly see the wounds on himself that he needs to patch up. About two minutes pass meaning the camouflage dye and the vaultbreaker’s harness end, and as Vitalis begins looking around, he hears soft footsteps coming from the southeast, and he remembers who he is dealing with: Norgorberites. They are thieves and murderers—they know no honor or dignity, only backstabbing and underhanded tactics. To believe that they would simply stand by and wait for their enemies to regain their strength is simply foolish! Gonna treat that as Vitalis Scouting, so everyone gets a +1 on this initiative check (which doesn’t stack with Jisara’s Incredible Initiative feat).
FYI, those bars in the southeastern corner of the room were opened by Rexus when y’all first came here, and no one bothered to close them in the interim. So I’m just going to treat them as if they weren’t there.
”I beseech thee, Father, to bless our weapons that we may strike down these sinners in our quest of atonement!”
A female voice echoes throughout the chamber, as swirling gray shadows manifest near the staircase to the southeast—someone invisible is clearly there, and their spellcasting gave away their position. ◆◆ Cast a Spell. Position marked by the white circle.
An argument could be made that Jisara can’t use her reaction to Recognize Spell because she was unaware of their presence, but the reaction also specifies that the creature must be in line of sight, so that settles things.
Tangent:
There is some slight ambiguity about if invisibility blocks line of sight, but I’m gonna go with my gut and say “you can’t see them, thus you do not have line of sight.”
FYI, all of the creatures can Sneak at their full Speed. If they fail to move stealthily, then I’ll show what their movement was for that failed Stealth check. Otherwise it just appears to come out of nowhere.
Red tries and critically fails to ◆ Sneak forward. ”Father, bring down the shadows of fear upon these sinners!” ◆◆ Cast a Spell
Vitalis succeeded at the Perception check pre-combat, so I’ll say he had his reaction. As Green’s invisibility ends, Vitalis uses his halberd in an attempt to protect Jisara! ↻ Retributive Strike. Green’s too far away for the actual Strike part, though. But that gives Jisara resistance 13. I’m gonna presume Jisara doesn’t use her reaction to Strike Green at a -5.
Because Green failed at his Stealth check, I’ll say Jisara CAN use her reaction here: As Green slices into Jisara’s chest, the witch’s eyes glow as she curses the Norgorberite to share her wounds! ↻ blood vendetta
Green Fort:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17 Critical Failure only barely, though
An argument could be made that Green immediately heals the persistent bleed because he’s at full HP, but that’s dumb, so I’ll ignore it. (But he will get rid of it if he heals to full on subsequent turns)
But as Jisara curses her attacker, she feels Norgorber’s “blessing” hit her—divinely-granted poison!
Chance manages to dodge away and spin around to see Blue as his invisibility ends. The gnome then hears more footsteps from behind him and is ready as an invisible Yellow slices out at him!
@Vitalis: All these guys have the unholy trait, so your holy rune deals 2d4 to them instead of the normal 1d4.
Sins of the Father
Round 1
==============
White {invisible}
Red
Blue
Yellow
Green (-11) {4d6 persistent bleed & weakness 1 to P and S}
Edrakk (-28) {invisible}
Jisara (-39) {frightened 2; Blackfinger’s Blades Stage 1: Enfeebled 1}
Chance (-3)
Vitalis
==============
Chance yanks Reprisal from its scabbard and stabs at the yellow cultist. “Hey, ugly! Did your mother make you that mask so she wouldn’t have to look at your face?”
Without waiting to see if his attack strikes its target, Chance bolts out from between the Norgorberites but stops just a few steps away. “Why the long face? I’m right here, all these sins in one cute tiny package! Come and strike me down!”
Jisara tries to clear a way out of the flank using her corset knife, then retreats. Thatch, meanwhile suddenly begins to glow with an intense display of flashing colors, darting behind the cultist just recently cursed by his partner.
Male Tengu Alchemist (Toxicologist) 13 | HP 123/123 | AC 34, Resistance (Poison) 6 | F : +21 (Chemical Hardiness) R: +22 W: +21 | Perc: +19, Stealth: +24 | Speed: 25 ft (30 w/ harness), Swim: 15 ft | Hero Points: 2/3 | Infused Reagents: 0/11 | Club 2/2 Wort 1/1 Pummel 2/2 Purple 2/2 Galvanic 2/2 Cocktail 2/2 | Versatile Vials 7/7, Cloak 2/2, Fan 2/2 | Active Conditions: None
Sorry, crashed a bit. I am always surprised when a break from school results in me having less energy than during it, and yet, it keeps happening.
Edrakk, staying absolutely still as the newcomers approach, slowly starts drawing one of his daggers from his bandolier, taking the opportunity to quickly stab the one in front of him before they notice!
◆◆ +2 Striking Returning Throwing Knife, Undetected, Blisterwort:1d20 + 21 ⇒ (18) + 21 = 39, 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2) + 1 = 6 + Blisterwort, DC 30, Pinpoint Poisoner (I couldn't see anything about Blisterwort specifically, so I'm assuming it functions the same way?)
Upon, reappearing, he begins to regret his decision and quickly moves out of the way.
◆ Stride
↻ Galvanic Chew if hit, it should still be up
Jisara then casts a hex, which causes Thatch to seem much more imposing of a threat. Unfortunately, due to the nature of fast healing, you don’t get the healing this turn.
Bleed Damage:1d6 ⇒ 1 DC 15 flat:1d20 ⇒ 6
Chance pulls out Reprisal and attacks Yellow, but misses as the cultist is too nimble.
Vitalis makes a set of terrifying attacks against two of the cultists! Crits on both. The second one only crit BECAUSE the newly-remastered Thatch was providing flanking. Gonna assume that you move Green…I dunno, let’s go with SE.
However, both of the cultists attempt to curse Vitalis for daring to harm them! ↻ rank 2 blood vendetta
Oh, would you look at that, Chance, Edrakk, and Jisara made a perfect line. Checks to see if anyone has enervation Damn it. Ah well, previous choice, then.
Suddenly, the female voice echoes out once more. ”Father, grant your loyal servants the resolve we need to strike down these blasphemers to Your will!” Once more, divine runes shine around her, giving away the invisible woman’s position—and that’s not where the PCs thought she was ◆◆ Cast a Spell. Updated the white circle on the map.
Suddenly, all of the Skinsaw cultists seem to grow even more bloodthirsty—a fact the PCs did not think was possible. Their movements determined with the zeal of a crusade! For the sake of transparency, that was a casting of zealous conviction, meaning that all of the cultists (including White) gain 12 temp HP and a +2 status bonus to Will saves against mental effects (technically this is metagaming, but it’s easier than just me hoping I remember down the line without putting it in the initiative card).
GM Screen:
Stealth:1d20 + 24 ⇒ (15) + 24 = 39
Jisara Fort vs Poison; frightened 1:1d20 + 19 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 19 - 1 = 31 Failure
Poison Damage:2d8 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8 plus enfeebled 1
Red ◆ Strides over toward Edrakk, Chance, and Jisara, and slices into the witch! Fear the Father: frightened creatures are also off-guard to the Skinsaw cultists.
◆ Red vs Jisara OG w/frightened 1:1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19And that wastes a perfectly good dose of divine poison! Damage; Sneak Attack, backstabber, Skinsaw Mask:2d4 + 7 + 2d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2) + 7 + (3, 6) + 1 + 1 = 22
You are so lucky that first Strike wasted the poison.
Yellow points their straight razor at Vitalis and utters ”Father, show this sinner true misery for his actions against Thee!” ◆◆ Cast a Spell. I’m gonna presume that Jisara is going to opt not to do Recognize Spell, saving her reaction for Fight with Fear (since these guys seem to benefit quite a bit from dishing out mental effects).
Seeing Vitalis resist his magical prayer, Yellow ◆ Strides over to be flanking Edrakk.
Seeing Vitalis continue to be a bulwark against all of their prayers to their god, Green opts to give the paladin a wide berth. Green makes a simple motion ◆ Cast a Spell that closes some of his wounds.
Healing:1d8 ⇒ 2
They then siphon off some of that lingering divine energy into their straight razor! ◇ Divine Weapon; until end of turn, Green’s attacks with that weapon become unholy and deal an extra 1d4 spirit damage (2d4 against a holy target). Green then ◆ Strides over and attacks the frightened Jisara!
◆ Green vs Jisara OG w/frightened 1:1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25Missed by 1. Damage; Sneak Attack, backstabber, Skinsaw Mask:2d4 + 7 + 2d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1, 3) + 7 + (3, 3) + 1 + 1 = 19Spirit Damage:1d4 ⇒ 1
Blue ◆ Strides then ◆ Steps over to flank against Chance, then swipes his razor at the gnome!
◆ Blue vs Chance OG:1d20 + 18 ⇒ (18) + 18 = 36Misses a crit by 1. Damage; Sneak Attack, backstabber:2d4 + 7 + 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1) + 7 + (1, 2) + 1 = 14
Chance briefly flickers out of existence ↻ Unexpected Shift, but is nevertheless inundated by the toxin seeping into his skin through the tiniest cut that Blue managed to inflict!
Chance Fort:1d20 + 19 ⇒ (17) + 19 = 36Oh, you lucky son of a b*tch! XD
ALL THE PERSISTENT DAMAGE!!!:
Blue Fire:1d10 ⇒ 9 DC 15 flat:1d20 ⇒ 15
Yellow Bleed:1d6 ⇒ 3 DC 15 flat:1d20 ⇒ 7
Green Fire:1d10 ⇒ 1 DC 15 flat:1d20 ⇒ 8
Green Bleed:4d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 3, 4) = 10 DC 15 flat:1d20 ⇒ 19
At the start of her turn, Jisara heals 12 HP.
Sins of the Father
Round 2
==============
White (+12) {invisible; +2 status to Will vs mental}
Red (+12) {+2 status to Will vs mental}
Blue (-62; +3) {+2 status to Will vs mental}
Yellow (-16; +9) {1d6 persistent bleed; +2 status to Will vs mental}
Green (-72; +1) {1d10 persistent fire; +2 status to Will vs mental}
Edrakk (-28)
Jisara (-57) {frightened 1; Blackfinger’s Blades Stage 2: Enfeebled 1; Fast Healing 12: Round 1 of 4}
Chance (-6)
Vitalis
==============
Chance slips away from Red to flank Blue with Edrakk.
“Maquerade! Ugly faces on parade!
Masquerade! Hide your face so the world won’t have to see it
Masquerade! Cultists of Father Skinsaw
Masquerade! Look out Edrakk, there’s another jerk behind you!” I should’ve used this song during Barzillai’s ball.
The gnome sings a bit of inspiring verse as he lunges forward at the blue-garbed cultist. “Cayden Cailean sends his regards to your evil Daddy!”
Edited to add the bonuses from Courageous Anthem - not that it will make a difference here, but I don’t want to forget next round - and to flank with Edrakk.
Botting Jisara (with some guidance from her player): Jisara notices the remaining invisible combatant and casts see invisibility see the unseen from her staff.
Jisara connects the dots then Points Out ”It’s Hei-Fen in her hybrid form! She’s still in the same place as she cast the spell: about 20 feet away from me!”
This makes all of the cultists turn to her—she knows Hei-Fen’s identity.
Thatch Strides over while maintaining a wide berth.
Chance moves over and begins singing as he stabs at Blue (and misses)
Botting Edrakk: Edrakk pulls out another poisoned dagger (with blisterwort) and stabs at Blue!
Edrakk vs Blue OG; courageous anthem:1d20 + 21 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 21 + 1 = 23 End of the month, let’s use that reroll!:1d20 + 21 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 21 + 1 = 39 Damage (doubled from crit); courageous anthem:2d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4, 4) + 1 + 1 = 10
Blue, as he’s stabbed, leans close to Edrakk’s ear and whispers ”Father Skinsaw will char your feathers for your sins!” Fear the Father: Blue Demoralizes, and on a success Edrakk doesn’t reduce his frightened value below 1 at the end of this turn for 1 round.
Blue Demoralize vs Edrakk Will DC w/courageous anthem:1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18
Yellow ◆ Strides toward Chance and slams a hand against the gnome’s chest. ”Father, let all know that this sinner is marked for death!” ◆◆ Cast a Spell
Chance Fort:1d20 + 19 ⇒ (7) + 19 = 26 Success
Suddenly, the image of a black mask with a single glowing eye (the symbol of Norgorber) flashes over Chance’s heart before immediately vanishing.
Green ◆ Strides over to flank Vitalis and attacks the paladin!
White comes out of Delay. Ever the rogue, White [/ooc] Sneaks [ooc]at full Speed over toward Chance Not gonna make a roll for it since Jisara can see her and soon everyone will too.
Then a flash as Chance is attacked by the unseen White.
White vs Chance OG w/”Marked for Death”:1d20 + 22 ⇒ (5) + 22 = 27 Damage:2d6 + 13 ⇒ (4, 3) + 13 = 20
Suddenly appearing next to Chance is a female wererat with Tien clothing. She wields a shortsword in one hand (what just hit Chance) while clutching a scroll in the other. And if Jisara is to be believed: this is Hei-Fen.
Hei-Fen then ◆ twirls her shortsword in her hand, changing her grip to wield it backwards so that the blade is pointed at the ground. And when she does, the sword reveals itself to be almost fashioned similar to the religious symbol of Norgorber, just cut out in the vague shape of a sword. But when she presents the shortsword, an ephemeral image connects the pommel to the crossguard to the tip of the blade, filling in the gaps and magically making it into an ACTUAL religious symbol of Norgorber.
Persistent Damage:
Yellow Bleed:1d6 ⇒ 5 DC 15 flat:1d20 ⇒ 10
Green Fire:1d10 ⇒ 10 DC 15 flat:1d20 ⇒ 2
Sins of the Father
Round 2
==============
Red (-23) {+2 status to Will vs mental; frightened 1}
Blue (-94) {+2 status to Will vs mental; Blisterwort Stage 1: weakness 2 to physical & force}
Yellow (-16; +4) {1d6 persistent bleed; +2 status to Will vs mental}
Green (-127) {1d10 persistent fire; +2 status to Will vs mental}
Hei-Fen (+12) {+2 status to Will vs mental}
Jisara (-58) {Blackfinger’s Blades Stage 3: Enfeebled 2; Fast Healing 12: Round 2 of 4}
Chance (-31) {“Marked for Death”: Round 0 of 1}
Edrakk (-28)
Vitalis (-12)
==============
“I know not everyone likes my singing, but don’t you think it’s an overreaction to say it’s so bad that I deserve to be marked for death? Tell you what, let’s try a different tune!”
Chance starts singing again.
“The hooded faces of these goons
Caricatures of Norgorber
Oh, they are foul, smell like baboons
Hiding ‘neath grim old stables
Skulking in gloom through empty halls
And yet they don’t remember
No masquerade’s forever
(No masquerade’s forever)
When they see the price they’ll pay
I’m sure they’ll flee and quit the masquerade…”
The gnome steps next to Edrakk to get away from the flank, then stabs at the badly wounded, poisoned cultist next to him (Blue).
Sins of the Father
Round 3
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Hei-Fen (+12) {+2 status to Will vs mental}
Red (-83) {drained 1; +2 status to Will vs mental}
Yellow (-80) {1d6 persistent bleed; Blisterwort Stage 2: weakness 4 to physical & force; drained 2; doomed 1; +2 status to Will vs mental}
Jisara (-59) {Blackfinger’s Blades Stage 3: Enfeebled 2; Fast Healing 12: Round 3 of 4}
Chance (-121) {frightened 1; Weakness 2 to slashing}
Vitalis (-12)
Edrakk (-28)
==============
The drained conditions DO show the HP reduction as “damage,” because I know I’ll forget if I DON’T do that.
Chance attacks Blue. The 27 hit, so no need to reroll. Blue uses ↻ Fear the Father in response, though.
Blue Intimidation vs Chance Will DC w/courageous anthem:1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33Frightened 1 and doesn’t reduce below 1 this turn.
Based on Edrakk’s words I’m going to assume he Delays until after Vitalis.
Vitalis cuts down Green, moves over, and attacks Red but misses.
At the start of Edrakk’s turn:Blue Fort:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24 Poison Damage:5d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 2, 2, 6) = 21 plus weakness 4 to physical and force
Edrakk moves over and attacks Hei-Fen, but she uses ↻ Protect the Master! She and Yellow swap places and Edrakk’s attack now resolves against Yellow. And because of flanking that’s a crit.
Yellow Fort; drained 2, Pinpoint Poisoner:1d20 + 13 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 13 - 2 - 2 = 13 Poison Damage:5d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 4, 1, 6) = 15 plus weakness 4 to physical and force
”Hold!”
Hei-Fen commands her followers and the cultists Delay until after her. Technically they all take persistent damage by doing that. I’m still gonna save Jisara’s save against the poison until the start of their ACTUAL turns.
Reminder that bleed damage is a type of physical damage.
Hei-Fen Void (for good measure):4d8 ⇒ (7, 8, 4, 4) = 23 DC 15 flat:1d20 ⇒ 18
Hei-Fen turns to Chance ”You have recovered secrets never meant to be seen. You have tarnished my connection with the Father. Killing you will be the final step of my atonement. Your skin shall flense easily by the will of Father Skinsaw for your sins against Him,” She then places her knuckles on Chance’s sternum. ”This I swear!” ◆◆ Cast a Spell
Blue begins speaking ”Father, gift me this sinner’s life!” His hand then fills with void energy as he slams it into the small of Chance’s back. ◆◆ Cast a Spell
As Blue falls to Vitalis’s blade, Hei-Fen quickly says ”Father, do not let their death be in vain!” ↻ Cast a Spell The woman then seems far more invigorated. Hei-Fen gains 14 temp HP.
At the start of her next turn, Jisara heals 12 HP.
Sins of the Father
Round 3
==============
Hei-Fen (-23; +14) {drained 1; +2 status to Will vs mental}
Red (-27) {+2 status to Will vs mental}
Yellow (-81) {1d6 persistent bleed; +2 status to Will vs mental; drained 2; doomed 1; Blisterwort Stage 2: weakness 4 to physical & force}
Jisara (-53) {Blackfinger’s Blades Stage 2: Enfeebled 1; Fast Healing 12: Round 3 of 4}
Chance (-112) {frightened 1; Weakness 2 to slashing}
Vitalis (-12)
Edrakk (-28)
==============
Chance tries to yell as it feels like every blade in the room stabs into him while his soul is being ripped into pieces, but it comes out as a disturbingly wet gurgle. He staggers blindly past Vitalis and Hei-Fen until he’s out of arms reach, and manages to sing - weakly - his healing song.
Yellow waves his razor and utters ”Father, strike fear into these blasphemers!” ◆◆ casting rank 3 fear. Being sure to include Thatch in it as well (since that cat is really irksome).
Sins of the Father
Round 4
==============
Hei-Fen (-31) {fatigued; drained 1; +2 status to Will vs mental}
Red (-53) {4 persistent spirit; +2 status to Will vs mental}
Yellow (-124) {1d6 persistent bleed; +2 status to Will vs mental; drained 2; doomed 1; Blisterwort Stage 3: weakness 6 to physical & force}
Jisara (-66) {frightened 1; 2d6 persistent spirit; Blackfinger’s Blades Stage 1: Enfeebled 1}
Thatch (-3) {frightened 1}
Chance (-33) {frightened 1; +2 vs mental; weakness 2 to slashing}
Vitalis (-28) {2d6 persistent spirit}
Edrakk (-36)
==============
Vitalis growls through the pain of being on fire with unholy flames. He wants to deal with that witch but decides it would still be strategic to deal with the cultists first. He steps arounds Red then attacks the two remaining cultists; Yellow then Red.
Thatch remains undeterred and circles around Hei-fen, trying to distract her for Vitalis. Jisara tries to maintain her curse, but grows frustrated as the cultist manages to fight the spell off. She then decides to follow it up with a different approach, attacking Hei-fen's ability to act at all.
Jisara
◆ Sustain curse of death
◆◆ Cast slow on Hei-fen, DC 29 Fort save
↻ Cast blood vendetta
Thatch
◆ Step
Chance picks up the tune of his inspiring song again, then sings out shouts to the wererat, “Oh, Hei-Fen! Come and meet your doooooom!”
An enormous, spectral, six-sided die appears in the air over Hei-Fen, spinning slowly. Each side of the die has a single pip at the center - whichever side lands up, it will be a “1”.
“Go on, cast another spell! Take a chance!”
◆: Cast a spell, inspire courage
◆◆: Cast a spell, suspended retribution Hei-Fen knows what the triggering action is: cast a spell. Unless she first spends a total of three actions (which are not required to be consecutive) to ward off this omen, Hei-Fen takes 70 mental damage if she casts a spell (DC 29 basic Reflex save, rolled if/when she triggers the omen).
Male Tengu Alchemist (Toxicologist) 13 | HP 123/123 | AC 34, Resistance (Poison) 6 | F : +21 (Chemical Hardiness) R: +22 W: +21 | Perc: +19, Stealth: +24 | Speed: 25 ft (30 w/ harness), Swim: 15 ft | Hero Points: 2/3 | Infused Reagents: 0/11 | Club 2/2 Wort 1/1 Pummel 2/2 Purple 2/2 Galvanic 2/2 Cocktail 2/2 | Versatile Vials 7/7, Cloak 2/2, Fan 2/2 | Active Conditions: None
Edrakk steps back to patch up some of Jisara's wounds, before turning around and throwing a bomb at one of the nearby cultists. Then, hoping to get a chance to attack momentarily, he draws another knife.
