Upon sighting the pillars, Mauro calls forth a skeletal warrior and gives it his MW chain shirt to wear. He also casts some of spells - Rags to Riches (targetting his ranseur and his breastplate, both become +2), Message, and False Life.
It takes some time to decipher the symbols on the pillars, Crispin drifts forward to peer at them intently. "Amazing! This is a teleportation circle of great power. Some of the destinations are for other worlds in fact!"
Becky realizes the symbols resemble what modern spellcasters use in teleportation magic. And Crispin expands on the young bard's observation, noting some of the symbols depict extraterrestrial locations. Crispin reveals it would require days, weeks, months, or even years of research to determine the precise calculations required to use the device as intended.
Mauro summons a skeletal servant and casts False Life on himself. Asher casts Gravity Bow and Huntress looks up at her master, curious. Talath offers to cast Fly on anyone who needs it.
As the group organizes themselves, casting spells and instructing animal companions, something happens!
In Round 1, a long-limbed quadruped appears atop a nearby pillar and stares at Asher! Asher, please make a Fort DC18 check or take: Ripping Gaze:5d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 6, 5, 6) = 23(bypasses DR/magic and slashing)
Darkvision/Light Sources + See Invisibility:
The red creature also vanishes from atop one pillar to reappear on the shortest! It opens its toothy maw and attempts to chomp down on Crispin!
Another creature of the same type appears on the smallest pillar and attempts to chomp down on Crispin! Bite (Attack):1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27 Bite (Damage):2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 5) + 3 = 11
༊*·˚
Becky Knowledge Planes:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29
Knowledge Planes DC22 (Creatures):
You recognize these gaunt, long-limbed quadrupeds - they're Hound of Tindalos!
Becky or Knowledge Planes DC27 (Creatures):
You recognize these gaunt, long-limbed quadrupeds - they're Hound of Tindalos! These creature have the special ability "Angled Entry," which allows them to move through the dimensions in ways other creatures cannot comprehend. They may use Greater Teleport (self only) once per round as a Swift Action and Plane Shift (self only) three times a day. These creatures also possess an "Otherworldly Mind," meaning anyone attempting to telepathically speak with these creatures may become confused and take damage. These creatures also have a "Ripping Gaze," which it seems to have done to Asher!
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
"What Crispin said!" Becky calls out, evoking the power of her Naturalist ability. "Watch out--they're shifty! As in 'able to shift' between places and dimensions!" Next the bard casts a sound burst spell behind and between the two hounds, positioned so that they'll get whammed but (hopefully) not Mauro's skele-friend.
Becky Beys sound burst sonic damage:1d8 ⇒ 2(Fort DC 14 save or be stunned 1 round)
In Round 1,Talath controls a spiritual weapon is Desna to cut the red hound! The blade draws a trickle of blood! Asher shakes off the blue creature's stare! Then, the ranger turns, firing two arrows at the red one. The second arrow hits! Becky makes a sound of epic proportions!
Red Fort DC14 (Sound Burst):1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28 Blue Fort DC14 (Sound Burst):1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Mauro and his skeleton crowd the red hound, but only Mauro seems to land a hit! Crispin appears to possess a similar skill as the hounds as he disappears only to reappear next to Becky! The arcanist then casts Glitterdust, coating both hounds.
Red Will DC16 (Glitterdust):1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9Blinded Blue Will DC16 (Glitterdust):1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
In Round 2, the blue hound stares down Mauro! Mauro, please make a Fort DC18 check or take: Ripping Gaze:5d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 3, 4, 2) = 15(bypasses DR/magic and slashing)
Meanwhile, the blinded red hound disappears and reappears on the tallest pillar! See Combat Map
Although his skeletal servant cannot reach the foe, it step to follow him, and unhooks the underwater heavy crossbow from where it hangs on his pack. Then it spans the crossbow...
Male CG Aquatic Elf Male Cleric 7 | HP 59 / 59 | AC 24 / 14 T / 22 FF | CMD 16 | Fort + 11 Ref + 6 Will + 11 Init +2 | Perception +15 (Low-Light Vision)| Speed 40 ft. |Conditions: None (Fish Person) | Effects: None | Channels: 4/5
Talath steps forward enough to grant Asher a Bit of Luck from Desna!
Meanwhile the photon torpedo glowing Starknife follows RedBerry and continues attacking him!
As a reminder: "Bit of Luck (Sp): You can touch a willing creature as a standard action, giving it a bit of luck. For the next round, any time the target rolls a d20, he may roll twice and take the more favorable result. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier."
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Becky lets out a startled "Eep!" as Crispin suddenly appears by her side. "I don't suppose you have a magic weapon spell prepared, do you? Anyone?" The bard is eyeballing the hound atop the tallest pillar and seems to be considering switching weapons to her short bow.
"I'd need to enchant my arrows to be able to hurt that thing...unless I get lucky and hit it in the eye," she adds.
Male CG Aquatic Elf Male Cleric 7 | HP 59 / 59 | AC 24 / 14 T / 22 FF | CMD 16 | Fort + 11 Ref + 6 Will + 11 Init +2 | Perception +15 (Low-Light Vision)| Speed 40 ft. |Conditions: None (Fish Person) | Effects: None | Channels: 4/5
Becky Beys wrote:
Becky lets out a startled "Eep!" as Crispin suddenly appears by her side. "I don't suppose you have a magic weapon spell prepared, do you? Anyone?" The bard is eyeballing the hound atop the tallest pillar and seems to be considering switching weapons to her short bow.
"I'd need to enchant my arrows to be able to hurt that thing...unless I get lucky and hit it in the eye," she adds.
"I have the spell on a scroll; it's here on my bandolier."
Talath gestures with his hand at where the scroll is located.
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Becky looks a tad disappointed that she won't get to practice her sniping, but she keeps ticking off how best to attack the hounds so that Asher and Mauro can finish them off (and get all the glory).
In Round 2,Talath uses his faith in Desna to grant AsherBit of Luck. Asher focuses on the blue hound, landing two arrows in the creature's flank! Becky continues to inspire her allies with information. Mauro's reach weapon just manages to spear the blue hound!
In Round 3, the blue hound howls and disappears, but doesn't reappear. The red hound went still at the blue hound's howl and similarly disappears! Seconds pass and Becky thinks perhaps they must have Plane Shifted away.
On the tallest of the pillars, you spot something glinting in the moonlight. Perhaps someone can Fly or climb up to retrieve it.
Top of highest pillar:
At the top of the highest pillar, you find a circlet of persuasion and a dusty rose prism ioun stone. A strange, almost magnetic force holds the items in place, making it difficult to pull the items from the stone. DC15 Strength to loot the items.
Agreed, Asher has the fly spell on him, so up to him to find what's up there. If he needs help, I can get myself up there to support in a round or two... But assuming that's it for combat, we need to figure out where else there is to go on this island, so we can find our missing colonists.
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Becky draws her magical rapier, knowing that should be able to harm the hounds (if only a little). She warns the others that the creatures could have shifted almost anywhere and could return at any moment. She keeps her eyes peeled as Asher flies to the top of the tallest pillar.
Asher flies to the top of the tallest pillar and manages to pry two interesting items from the stone. It feels as if the items were magnetized to the stone, but they both lose their magnetic attraction once pulled off.
Even with Becky's astute knowledge, there doesn't seem to be any explanation of the magnetism. (Read: Book doesn't give any explanation.) Perhaps the ioun stone partially molded to the site or the veil between dimensions is particularly thin here. Becky thinks the pillars are leeching energy from the surrounding area (60 feet surrounding pillars), which makes it seem darker here than the larger surrounding area.
Trained Use Magical Device (pillars):
You deduce that it is probably possible to disrupt the creatures’ connection with the pillars by realigning the symbols.
Use Magic Device/Spellcraft DC25 (pillars):
You determine the right alignment
for the symbols to disrupt the connection, but you think you'll have a 50/50 chance on getting it right. A DC 12 Strength check is required to move the ancient metal dial.
In the far distance, someone thinks they spot a torch along the southwestern coastline!
What would you like to do? The clock is ticking to rescue the kidnapped colonists, the hounds could reappear to this location, and there was the light of a torch southwest.
He hypothesizes "I think we re-aligned the symbols on the pillars, that might make it very difficult for those Hounds of Tindalos to find their way back to this place..."
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Becky's frustrated that the pillars seem to be beyond her understanding. When Asher speaks, she looks up from her thorough examination and asks, "Torches?"
I would suggest a botted Crispin spellcraft check, with Talath, Becky and Mauro aiding (we all made the DC 10 to aid):
Crispin Bot Spellcraft:1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 13 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 27
+13 character sheet +2 aid another (Mauro)+2 aid another (Becky)+2 aid another (Talath)
Then, I agree, off to investigate the torches, as I see nothing else to do...
