"Aye then." Bharak said. "Let's get this going then. We start off with a hail of spells and crossbow bolts, and then I'll charge in right after."
----
For the surprise round, Bharak will charge the closest foe who is still standing
15-20 Crit range (On a critical hit from a spine flail, the victim must succeed at a DC 15 Fortitude save to resist being permanently blinded by the blow.)
Charge vs flat footed:1d20 + 19 ⇒ (15) + 19 = 34 Damage:1d6 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 20 = 23 Acid:1d6 ⇒ 5
CN Human Arcanist 12 ~ AC 20 (t 18, ff 18) | F+10, R+10, W+14 | Init +10/12, Per +12 | Arcane Reservoir: 14/15 | HP 86/86
When we are ready, Axton is going to cast chains of light on one of the qlippoths. Spending an arcane reservoir point to make the DC 26 reflex to negate.
F Cleric 10 (HC)/Bard 1. HP 92/92, AC 24 T 15 FF 20. Saves: F+13, R +13, W +19, +2 vs charm/illus. +1 branced spear +11, 1d8+10 P (18-20/x2). CMB +11, CMD 23 init +8, Perc. +24. Wand: CLW 25/25, Bless 16/25, HA 43/50. Daily resources: BoL 10/10. IH 10/10. Channel 5d6 5/5, Inspire courage 24/24, Luck domain Reroll 1/1, horseshoe +3 save 1/1. Conditions: none.
"Sounds like our usual tactics. And they've worked so far." Elena says, as she readies herself to support the martial characters and Axton should he need it.
Elena will use her buffs at the start of the surprise round as is her wont. Also, I apologize for the large delay... so many things have happened that kept me distracted and tired. But I'm trying to get into the habit of posting again.
Can't beat that DC. I gave him a chance for a Nat20, but no good. So he's helpless and gets slaughtered. Fight over almost immediately..
The Werebears are immensely grateful that you have freed them from the mind control of the Shoggti's!
This wing of rooms was once used by the acolytes of the abbey-each bedroom features a bunk bed and accommodations for two. While all of the acolytes were slain during Ardathanatus's attack, a family of four werebears that served the abbey were spared the slaughter-but only after they were charmed and controlled by a pair of shoggti qlippoth called from the Abyss to serve Ardathanatus.
The shoggti dwell here still, horse-sized, four-limbed, mollusklike monstrosities that enjoy commanding and manipulating the emotions
and minds of the werebears. The were bears themselves are four adventuring brothers who became gifted with lycanthropy as a reward for servitude in Erastil's name against a particularly violent band of bandits who dwelled in the Churlwood.
The rangers returned to Windsong Abbey with news of their success against the bandits, and were willing to return to the woods to live out their lives in isolation, but the priests of the abbey were welcoming and understanding of their condition and asked them to stay on as hunters and scouts. The four brothers were overjoyed at the offer and joined the abbey-a mere half-year before it was fated to fall at Ardathanatus's attack.
The Were-bears are unable to tell you much, they were enslaved by the Shoggti almost as soon as the attack happened, but they can tell it is Ardathanatus, the former Cleric of Pharasma who went insane with the fall of Aroden.
As happened with many of Pharasma's priests, the failure of prophecy drove Ardathanatus mad. He became convinced that Iomedae had murdered her mentor, that she assassinated Aroden in a blatant attempt to seize his power. So enraged, Ardathanatus murdered Windsong's Masked Abbess, for as a priestess oflomedae, he blamed her as much as her deity for the onset of the Age of Lost Omens. Several other priests died that day as well, all laid low by the mad cleric of Pharasma. By the time Ardathanatus fled the abbey, no fewer than seven of the abbey's clerics had been murdered by one of their own.
Loot:
Much of the armory (area C4B) has been destroyed, along with the weapons within, but a successful DC20 Perception check reveals not only a masterwork longsword and a masterwork longbow, but also seven
+I undead bane arrows.
Well, that was a lot less difficult than I thought it would be! The Were-bears are very low level and wouldn't last long coming with you. so you send them away to safety.
"Well done." Bharak said. While the group had made it *look* easy, that was only because they got the drop on the demons. He hadn't forgotten how the last..well, apparently not demon...outsider...thing...had gotten in his head. The fact that the were bears had proven to be friendly was a welcome surprise. And a warning for all of them as towards what might happen to them if they let their guard down.
"West." He said, motioning for the others to follow.
Thank you for the doc context. It makes the place much more engaging. Bharak will take 10 on his stealth and perception if allowed
Perception add 2 for stone and 1 for traps:1d20 + 22 ⇒ (5) + 22 = 27 Stealth:1d20 + 19 ⇒ (16) + 19 = 35
The sounds of battle had died down to near silence, other than the sounds of shifting with armor and weapons, almost impossible to completely keep silent underground in an echoing stone chamber like this.
Smells like blood too. Well if this group is half as good as they sound, it's likely some poor bastard who crossed them.
Aware of just how on edge anyone who just finished a life and death battle was likely to be, Ryn makes her way down the last few steps, taking the risk to call out, rather than walk into an ambush.
"Hello...I'm looking for a group working for the Pathfinders... Shiela sent me." she says cautiously, stepping around the corner, her shield raised defensively...just in case.
CN Human Arcanist 12 ~ AC 20 (t 18, ff 18) | F+10, R+10, W+14 | Init +10/12, Per +12 | Arcane Reservoir: 14/15 | HP 86/86
Ryn Mero wrote:
"Hello...I'm looking for a group working for the Pathfinders... Shiela sent me." she says cautiously, stepping around the corner, her shield raised defensively...just in case.
Axton cautiously steps out into view of the newcomer.
"Sheila Heidmarch sent you, you say? What is the pass-phrase we have for this sort of situation?"
From out of the pack slung over his shoulder, a large rat skitters up the pack's strap to Axton's shoulder. His squeak directed at Axton is obviously a question.
Axton responds, "Well, we can't just trust any stranger who waltzes down into a dungeon claiming to be our ally.
"No offense intended," Axton says to Ryn Mero before his attention is drawn back to another squeak from Intrepid, the rat on his shoulder.
"I just think we should have a pass-phrase for situations just like this, and I was hoping Sheila had also realized this, and our new friend could tell us what it is.
”The pass phrase is shut up Axton.” Bharak replied, gently elbowing his comrade in the side. Then, to the newcomer he said ”Welcome. And good timing. I’m Bharak. I handle traps and locks. Ye’ve met Axton. Damn good mage. The lass be Elena. Keeps us all on our feet. And that there with the crossbow is Vhane.” He said this all as he kept moving. ”Fill us in on who ye be as we go, aye?”
Arching an eyebrow at the mention of a pass phrase, Ryn Shrugs, shifting out of a defensive stance into a more relaxed position as she retrieves a letter from her pack.
"By that logic I could have just blurted out anything couldn't I?" she replies to the mustachioed man, Axton. "Pleased to meet you all. I'm Ryn!" she says, presenting the letter from Sheila.
Standing at six feet with a solid, powerful build, Ryn is the very image of an amazon. Her statuesque and somewhat imposing form is a perfect study of the blend of raw power and strength and a bold femininity, pronounced in little visual touches here and there. Her supple leather-skirted armor, dyed a deep blue and red, bears embellishments of gold, and accents that are purely aeastetic.
Long raven black hair and piercing, almost crystalline blue eyes stare out of a naturally pretty, open face, quickly studying each of her new companions as they're introduced, and taking a moment to make solid eye contact in acknowledgement.
Her tanned skin gives her something of an almost rustic charm, which is only enhanced by her full lips being set in a bit of a default smirk. Her posture and body language at once portray a certain confident ease and a constant readiness to spring into action.
Bharak handed the letter to Elena and Axton, trusting the two of them to be inclined to want to read it. "Welcome." He said, looking at her with an appraising glance. "Doesn't look like ye'll break in the front line." He remarked as a matter of fact. "Good. Let's go then. I'm told that the last scout, my predecessor, died in the line of duty. So be on your guard and we'll watch each other's backs."
Aura of Misfortune (Su)
A chernobue radiates an aura of evil malaise to a radius of 30 feet. All lawful or good creatures in this area take a –1 penalty on attack rolls and weapon damage rolls. Lawful good creatures take a –3 penalty and upon first entering the aura must make a DC 20 Fortitude save or be sickened for as long as they remain in the area. This ability is Charisma-based.
Horrific appearance Will DC20 (Su)
Creatures that succumb to a chernobue’s horrific appearance become paralyzed with disgust for 2d6 rounds; a paralyzed creature gets a new save each round to recover from the effect, provided he is no longer aware of the chernobue or within 30 feet of it.
Red giggles in delight at having something to play with and casts Confusion on the party.
CN Human Arcanist 12 ~ AC 20 (t 18, ff 18) | F+10, R+10, W+14 | Init +10/12, Per +12 | Arcane Reservoir: 14/15 | HP 86/86
Knowledge (Planes):1d20 + 22 ⇒ (2) + 22 = 24<-- Failed Fortitude vs. Aura of Misfortune:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20<-- Passed, but it doesn't matter because I'm paralyzed! Will vs. Horrific Appearance:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17<-- Failed, this is what paralyzes me Paralyzation duration:2d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10 Will vs. Confusion:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23<-- Passed, but it doesn't matter because I'm paralyzed
Axton starts to say something about this creature, but he doubles over and starts dry heaving.
K Planes:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 Fort vs misfortune:1d20 + 17 ⇒ (19) + 17 = 36 (25 hardy)
Will vs horrific:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12 (16 hardy)
Will vs confusion:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23 (27 Hardy)
Paralyization:2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10
Axton starts to say something about this creature, Bharak started to charge forward to attack the creature, but he doubles over and starts dry heaving.
Ryn feels the presence of the creature before she sees it, a vile sensation that she easily shrugs off. Then she looks at the thing, a sheer twitching mass of utter....wrongness that leaves her frozen in place, even as he mind tries to react violently.
Knowledge (Planes)(Aid):1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13 Fortitude vs. Aura of Misfortune:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29<----PASSED Will vs. Horrific Appearance:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18<----Failed, PARALYZED 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3 rounds Will vs. Confusion:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10<----Failed 1d100 ⇒ 75 Self-harm fortunately paralyzed.
fort save:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31 will save:1d20 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22 will save:1d20 + 19 ⇒ (10) + 19 = 29
Almost whiffed the first will save of course.
Elena resists the Qlippoth's foul aura, appearance and magic. She then casts Good hope on the party.
This spell instills powerful hope in the subjects. Each affected creature gains a +2 morale bonus on saving throws, attack rolls, ability checks, skill checks, and weapon damage rolls.
To be clear Elena beat Ryn & Bharak in the initiatives. So she cast the mist first. As her Dex is higher than Axton's she went before him as well. Bharak is in the room so no change for him. But Ryn & Axton can reroll to not be paralyzed!
Unfortunately if you enter the room and see the Qlippoth again you roll for it's back to rolling against being paralyzed. :(
CN Human Arcanist 12 ~ AC 20 (t 18, ff 18) | F+10, R+10, W+14 | Init +10/12, Per +12 | Arcane Reservoir: 14/15 | HP 86/86
Will vs. Horrific Appearance[/dice:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24
Axton puts his hand on the wall to steady himself, but seems to recover once he can't see the qlippoth. But while he was retching, Maligast was devising a plan; and as soon as Maligast devised it, Axton knew it.
Axton reaches into his handy haversack and pulled out his wand of monster summoning IV. He points to a nearby area and summons...
1d3 ⇒ 2
...lantern archons. He quickly explains that it's too dangerous for the minor celestials to see the enemy, and that they should please fire where he's pointing and they can all hope for the best.
Total Concealment wrote:
If you have line of effect to a target but not line of sight, he is considered to have total concealment from you. You can’t attack an opponent that has total concealment, though you can attack into a square that you think he occupies. A successful attack into a square occupied by an enemy with total concealment has a 50% miss chance (instead of the normal 20% miss chance for an opponent with concealment).
1 is miss, 2 is hit
Lantern Archon 1 first hit chance:1d2 ⇒ 2 Ranged touch first attack:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 Light damage:1d6 ⇒ 5
Lantern Archon 1 second hit chance:1d2 ⇒ 1 Ranged touch second attack:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 Light damage:1d6 ⇒ 2
Lantern Archon 2 first hit chance:1d2 ⇒ 2 Ranged touch first attack:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17 Light damage:1d6 ⇒ 6
Lantern Archon 2 second hit chance:1d2 ⇒ 1 Ranged touch second attack:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 Light damage:1d6 ⇒ 4
If any of those hit, I want to point out that the Chernobue has a light vulnerability weakness.
The Qlippoth didn't like being hit by light so it casts Chaos hammer centered on Lt. Vhane. 20' radius.
You unleash chaotic power to smite your enemies. The power takes the form of a multicolored explosion of leaping, ricocheting energy. Only lawful and neutral (not chaotic) creatures are harmed by the spell.
The spell deals 1d8 points of damage per two caster levels (maximum 5d8) to lawful creatures (or 1d6 points of damage per caster level, maximum 10d6, to lawful outsiders) and slows them for 1d6 rounds (see the slow spell). A successful Will save reduces the damage by half and negates the slow effect.
The spell deals only half damage against creatures who are neither lawful nor chaotic, and they are not slowed. Such a creature can reduce the damage by half again (down to one-quarter) with a successful Will save.
CN Human Arcanist 12 ~ AC 20 (t 18, ff 18) | F+10, R+10, W+14 | Init +10/12, Per +12 | Arcane Reservoir: 14/15 | HP 86/86
Where is the "good" component of that chaos hammer damage coming from? It seems like the spell damage only varies based on the Law/Order axis of alignment, not the Good/Evil axis.
Axton Will:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16
Archon 1 Will:1d20 ⇒ 10
Archon 2 Will:1d20 ⇒ 2
Okay, so I messed up a little bit. A summon monster spell has a casting time of 1 round, even if from a wand, which means the lantern archons wouldn't have appeared until this round. So, Axton will not have any affect this round, and he will begin to use his summon monster wand again, which will take effect next round.
Both of the summoned archons are torn apart by the chaotic energy of the qlippoth's spell. Axton grips his wand and begins to summon again.
Thanks to literal divine intervention, as facilitated by Elena, Bharak finally broke out of the magically induced paralyzation. While sluggish, more due to the mental trauma of the even than anything else, he still reacted with as much alacrity as he could muster. Blades flashing, he tore into the creature, driven as much by desperation to see it destroyed as by anger for getting into his head.
Bharak. You take 1 point of Can damage from the slam. You need to make two DC23 Fort saves from the bite or you are poisoned!
The poison:
Poison (Su)
Bite—injury; save Fort DC 23; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d2 Con drain; cure 1 save.
The thick, orange poison injected by a chernobue is semi-alive. As soon as the poisoned victim is cured of the poison (by making a save, being targeted with an effect like neutralize poison, or enduring the full duration of the poison), the orange fluid bursts from the victim’s body, causing 1d6 Charisma damage and rendering the victim unconscious for 2d6 rounds unless he makes a final DC 23 Fortitude save. The save DC is Constitution-based.
