GM NovelEnigma's #8-24 Raid on the Cloudborne Keep (5-9) (Inactive)

Game Master asdffghjkl01

You hear the voice inside your mind once again (except Kahwen), "Well done, you have succeeded. The lift will take you to Grasping Storm for your rewards."

Kahwen checks to see if the doors on the left hand side are locked from the outside. If the creatures inside are prisoners, he wants to discuss the possibility of freeing them with his fellow Pathfinders. If they're here voluntarily, he doesn't want to announce his presence.

"We probably should not dally. The boss is getting ornery." she says looking at the space behind Kahwen.

The doors are not locked and the creatures sound non-humanoid.

Takes 10.
"They sound like air mephits."

"We'll just leave them alone, then. They're probably hear voluntarily," Kahwen says and heads for the elevator after collecting his bow. He keeps his sword out and at the ready.

With the sound of rushing wind, the elevator descends rapidly. After falling hundreds of feet and passing several other floors, the elevator finally settles upon a solid surface, and its gates fly open. A narrow landing protrudes into a cavernous cylinder, apparently the entire bare interior shell of the tower. Its massive span is only exceeded by its depth, as it plummets two hundred feet into a raging storm. A roaring sheath of wind and churning clouds like a tornado’s funnel conceals the tower walls. Throughout the length of the tower, stone balconies protrude from the vortex into the central shaft. Floating in the general center of the hall is a dark mass of clouds shaped into a throne. At the tower’s base, a tremendous ultramarine sigil glows brilliantly, spinning in time with the storm around it. Periodically, lightning bolts erupt from it, dancing up and down the height of the throne room like deranged courtiers.

This map is pretty strange, but it is basically a spiral staircase. While the PCs likely are able to fly, those who lack the ability can move around the chamber using these ledges. The ledges form a rough staircase, each level 20 feet below the next. The room’s total height is 300 feet—100 feet above the bottom of the elevator shaft and grasping storm’s throne, and 200 feet below it.

The storm creature flashes, "GREETINGS...MERCENARIES...COME AND GREET ME AT MY THRONE."

sense motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

"Hold. He means to kill us."

Who needs to be able to fly? Shonne has haste (for everyone, CL 8) and resist energy for the electrical discharges (probably for herself unless someone else needs it more).

Kahwen was just about to step off the ledge and glide down to the throne when Shonne voiced her warning.

He glared at the distant figure accusingly and drew his sword, instead.

"Plan? he asked, looking around at his companions.

{Crickets....}

Okay! In the white noise of everyone speaking at once nothing is heard. So just so we know where we are, there is a 100-foot drop from our current location--the elevator, and it is 200-feet up to the cloud throne, and no one else wants to fly? Shonne casts resist energy electricity on herself. If anyone has a quick 10ish points of healing magic to throw on her while she does so that would be great.

I am thinking grinding up the 20'-tall steps is the expected route if you can't fly. I would suggest spellcasters staying back and fighters pumped by spells ascending--the problem is that Shonne is both. I don't want to waste haste unless someone has some way of getting us closer first--though I might have to to get us closer.

So to quote Kahwen "Plan?"

I can fly. And I'll take haste. And any other buffs anyone wants to give that he'll let us take the time for. At only 200' any long range spells should be pretty close to within range. Maybe just a little moving. How about if we start to work our way up the stairs until he attacks or looks like he's going to then we rush him?

Going to be posting an update today, so make sure you have your plans/buffs/etc ready.

So is it just us then, Kahwen? Looks back in the elevator.

Ansha retrieves a scroll from the scroll case at her hip and unfurls it. Intoning the words, it crumbles to dust in her hands at its completion, and the elf feels herself feeling lighter, more buoyant (Fly).

"Shouldn't keep our paymaster waiting, hm?" the sylphishly-disguised elf says. She then intones a quick ward against evil (Protection vs evil).

Haste would be good.

I guess by soon, I meant tomorrow. Would have posted sooner, but a cold was slowing me down a lot yesterday.

Grasping Storm quickly catches on the ruse (somehow automatically), "INVADERS, DESTROY THEM IMMEDIATELY!" he roars over the storm.

Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Ansha
Kahwen
Blue Druid
Grasping Storm
Yellow Druid
Wind
Shonne
THE STORM

I need a little clarification on the map. Are we at A on the vertical map or F? Meaning...are we above the Throne or below it?

You are the platform near A indicated on the spiral on the bottom right. Added tokens to the spiral for clarity.

"Oh, come on. We just got here and you're already trying to kill us? This is why you had to hire mercenaries to begin with, isn't it? You keep killing the help!" Ansha says, masking an enchantment behind her words and gesticulations. As she completes the covert casting, Grasping Storm and both of the druids near him are nearly overwhelmed by a feeling of uncertainty and confusion. Confusion, DC 23.

Covert Casting Bluff: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (20) + 25 = 45
Covert Casting Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Per her Covert Spells prestige class ability, in order to notice that Ansha cast a spell (specifically, enchantments or divinations), observers must beat both her Bluff and Sleight of Hand rolls.

Also, her Subtle Enchantments feat means that even should a target make its save, there is a 50% chance it won't realize it just made a Will save.

So the elevator is higher than than the throne. "We have disembarked on the wrong floor." says Shonne stoically.

She casts haste (the spell not the boots) upon the party to complicate Kahwen's math on the other page.

Kahwen's eyes widen as Shonne casts her spell. Out of all the great things about being a Pathfinder, perhaps the best is Haste spells.

He's practically giggling as he draws his sword, rushes past his companions and dives head first over the edge of the platform. He falls like a stone at first then, about 60' above the platform below, he twists, extending his arms like wings. The feathers there catch the air and visibly slow his fall. He slices forward upright, darts past Grasping Storm and, at the last moment, lets himself drop, grabbing his sword with both hands and slashing down at the blue druid just before he lands.

I autopass the Fly checks for the Glide Ability, but I can roll if necessary. I can move laterally 5 feet for every 5 feet I go down.

Acrobatics to Avoid AoO from Grasping Storm: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (17) + 23 = 40

If that doesn't avoid, my AC is 30 vs. the AoO.

"I'll bet you bleed!" Kahwen says with glee as he slashes at the druid.

+1 keen elven curve blade: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 15 + 1 = 25
Slashing plus SA: 1d10 + 13 + 4d6 ⇒ (7) + 13 + (4, 5, 1, 2) = 32

If that hits and he's not immune to precision then he gets a -2 to attacks in general and a -4 to attacks vs. Kahwen. If he's not immune to bleed, he's bleeding 4.

will save, grasping storm: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
will save, blue druid: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30 did I make a save? 51+: 1d100 ⇒ 83
will save, yellow druid: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26 did I make a save? 51+: 1d100 ⇒ 12

Grasping Storm seems to be a bit confused now, but both druids seem unaffected. Only one of them seems non-magically confused by what occurred and fails to spot the source of the magic.

Kahwen easily glides past Grasping Storm and slashes one of the druids.

The druid steps away from Kahwen and into the air before healing themselves.
cure light wounds: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

grasping storm confusion: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Grasping Storm turns into shadowy fog and attempts to enter Kahwen's lungs!

The yellow druid begins casting a spell (summon natures ally 3).

The storm throws a lightning bolt at...
random number, using initiative order (can't target grasping storm): 1d6 ⇒ 3
the blue druid!
ranged touch: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
damage: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6
However, the bolt doesn't harm the druid at all.

Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Ansha
Kahwen, fort save needed
Blue Druid, -25hp
Grasping Storm
Yellow Druid, casting a 1 round spell
Wind
Shonne
THE STORM

Shonne weaves more magic before heading down.

fireball! DC 18: 8d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 3, 2, 2, 2, 1, 6) = 26

She places it to miss Kahwen by inches.

Kahwen does not smoke.

Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

And this is why.

"It's inside me, companions! It's in side me!" he exclaims, coughing ineffectually.

A moment later a fireball explodes near him and he twists away from it.

I may need a Reflex save from that fireball. If so...

Refl: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

The advantage of having the creature inside him is that the platform is now clear and he can dash across it to attack the other druid.

+1 keen elven curve blade: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33
Slashing plus SA: 1d10 + 13 + 4d6 ⇒ (1) + 13 + (5, 5, 2, 6) = 32

Crit?+1 keen elven curve blade plus Tengu Favored Class: 1d20 + 15 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 15 + 4 = 24
Slashing plus SA: 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

If that hits and he's not immune to precision then he gets a -2 to attacks in general and a -4 to attacks vs. Kahwen. If he's not immune to bleed, he's bleeding 4.

buff are only a shield cast with my wand

Winds step flies toward the enemies and shoots at the druid casting a spell. yellow

hornbow of the jarlsblood (Rapid Shot - PbS - fatigued - Haste): 1d20 + 15 - 2 + 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 15 - 2 + 1 - 1 + 1 = 15
Damages, P, magical: 2d6 + 9 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (6, 1) + 9 + 1 - 1 = 16
hornbow of the jarlsblood (Rapid Shot - PbS - fatigued - Haste): 1d20 + 15 - 2 + 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 15 - 2 + 1 - 1 + 1 = 27
Damages, P, magical: 2d6 + 9 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (3, 3) + 9 + 1 - 1 = 15
hornbow of the jarlsblood (Rapid Shot - PbS - fatigued - Haste): 1d20 + 15 - 2 + 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 15 - 2 + 1 - 1 + 1 = 34
Damages, P, magical: 2d6 + 9 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (5, 3) + 9 + 1 - 1 = 17
hornbow of the jarlsblood (Rapid Shot - PbS - fatigued - Haste) #2: 1d20 + 15 - 2 + 1 - 1 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (3) + 15 - 2 + 1 - 1 + 1 - 5 = 12
Damages, P, magical: 2d6 + 9 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (1, 1) + 9 + 1 - 1 = 11

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 15 - 2 + 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 15 - 2 + 1 - 1 + 1 = 22
Additional Damagesl: 4d6 + 18 ⇒ (1, 4, 1, 5) + 18 = 29

"B%@%~&&s," Ansha mutters, and incants a short arcane phrase. As she completes the casting, she vanishes from view. Greater Invisibility.

Kahwen damage: 3d4 ⇒ (2, 3, 1) = 6
reflex save, blue druid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
reflex save, yellow druid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Wind fires a hail of arrows at the druids, taking one out. The other doesn't dodge the fireball or Kahwen's blade and goes down as well.

The storm around the edges of the room hurls a lightning bolt at...Kahwen.
random target: 1d6 ⇒ 2
ranged touch: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34
crit confirm: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28
electric damage: 4d4 ⇒ (3, 2, 2, 4) = 11

Kahwen shakes off the electrical energy and easily opens a lethal wound in the blue druid.

confusion: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Grasping Storm is too confused to do much of anything, but it doesn't cause itself any harm.
self damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Kahwen needs a DC 22 fort save to cough out Grasping Storm or takes 3d4 ⇒ (2, 3, 3) = 8 more damage.

Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Ansha, invisible, 200ft
Kahwen, -17hp, fort save needed, 150ft
Grasping Storm, 200ft
Wind, 300ft
Shonne, 300ft
THE STORM

If anyone has Guidance or anything else that can help me with fort saves, I'll take it. As things stand at the moment, I only succeed on a 19 or 20. I'll make the roll after any buffs that might come my way.

Alas, no. Shonne could put some holes in Kahwen's chest from range for cross-ventilation if that would help. But beyond that....

Yeah sorry, your +3 fort save is incredibly rough at level 8. Might be a good reason to pick up your cloak of resistance after this scenario.

Ansha hesitates, unsure what to do about the thing infesting Kahwen's birdman-lungs. Delay. I got nothin' that helps Fort saves. And not much that can bit untargettable beings, either.

Winds decides to use the Horn of the Hurricane !

She gets it out and blows it !

Damages: 10d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 5, 2, 4, 5, 1, 4, 6, 6) = 42

This cone deals 10d6 points of electricity damage against creatures with the air subtype, and it ignores any immunities or resistances to electricity that such creatures may possess. A successful DC 17 Reflex save reduces the damage by half. Creatures with the air subtype take a –4 penalty on their saves against this effect.

Shonne casts fly on herself and leaps down the shaft. As she descends she takes hold and readies her magical flaming lightning rod spear.

Moves 90' (60' fly + 30' haste) closer to the throne.

Kahwen tries to get the thing out of his lungs sounding ever more like a crow.

Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

He has no luck.

Then he tries to get away from the horn blast (I assume it affects him?)

Refl: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

Curse you Dai Shrolla! You could have flipped those and both would have succeeded!

He then tries to slash at the thing half in and half out of him...twice.

+1 keen elven curve blade: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26
Slashing plus SA: 1d10 + 13 + 4d6 ⇒ (1) + 13 + (1, 3, 6, 3) = 27

+1 keen elven curve blade: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Slashing plus SA: 1d10 + 13 + 4d6 ⇒ (1) + 13 + (6, 4, 4, 4) = 32

As usual if he's subject to Precise Damage he's got a -2 to attacks and a -4 total to attack Kahwen.

Coming off of delay.

Covert Casting Bluff: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (12) + 25 = 37
Covert Casting Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

"It's really cramped in those bird-lungs, not to mention you're surrounded. Leave the lungs and fight at range instead." As Ansha speaks, she masks a Suggestion (DC 23) spell behind her words.

Per her Covert Spells prestige class ability, in order to notice that Ansha cast a spell (specifically, enchantments or divinations), observers must beat both her Bluff and Sleight of Hand rolls.

Also, her Subtle Enchantments feat means that even should a target make its save, there is a 50% chance it won't realize it just made a Will save.

Sorry...disregard the sneak attack damage. I'm so used to it happening I forgot that it doesn't apply this time. I rolled the same damage for both attacks so it's 14 per attack that hits.

@Kahwen I give you my 5* Reroll (thanks to my Coin Award) to reroll this fortitude save ;-)

reflex save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14

Grasping Storm gets blasted by the horn of the hurricane, "INSOLENT MORTAL! LIGHTNING IS MY DOMAIN!" he rages from taking electrical damage he is normally immune to.

Shonne moves around a bit.

THE STORM: 1d4 ⇒ 3
ranged touch, wind: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30
damage: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5

A bolt of lightning strikes Wind, but deals no harm. The bolt arcs to Grasping Storm, however, charging him up slightly. He heals for the 5 damage

will save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Grasping Storm leaves Kahwen's lungs, "YES! THAT IS AN ACCURATE STATEMENT OF WHAT I AM GOING TO DO!" he yells.

Both of Kahwen's attacks hit Grasping Storm and cut into his cloudy form.

The Belker is now confusion locked onto Wind and aims an air blast at them and Kahwen.

ranged touch, wind: 1d20 + 17 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 17 - 2 = 27
untyped? bludgoening damage: 6d6 + 10 ⇒ (5, 1, 2, 5, 4, 2) + 10 = 29

ranged touch, kahwen: 1d20 + 17 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 17 - 2 = 25
untyped? bludgoening damage: 6d6 + 10 ⇒ (6, 2, 2, 2, 6, 5) + 10 = 33

Both of you need DC 19 fort saves or you become permanently deaf.

Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Ansha, invisible, 200ft
Kahwen, -50hp, fort save needed, unconscious at -7, 150ft
Grasping Storm, -65hp 200ft
Wind, -29hp, 180ft
Shonne, 300ft
THE STORM

Kahwen has only a moment to be pleased that he's no longer sharing his lungs with someone else before he gets blasted.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Can I use the reroll for that one, instead since Grasping Storm is out of my lungs, anyway? If so...

Fort Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

...it doesn't matter.

Stabilization Check: 1d20 - 7 ⇒ (19) - 7 = 12

At least that one worked!

Kahwen is not bleeding out and dreams of very quiet storms.

Shonne alights upon the throne cloud and ignites her spear.

+1 flaming spear v Grasping Storm (fatigued, haste): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16 damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 fire damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Kahwen becomes deaf, but stable as he lays unconscious.

Shonne tries stabbing Grasping Storm, but can't quite find a good spot to aim for in the dark cloud.

Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Ansha, invisible, 200ft
Kahwen, -50hp, deafened, unconscious at -7, stable, 150ft
Grasping Storm, -65hp 200ft
Wind, -29hp, 180ft
Shonne, 300ft
THE STORM

Ansha incants the words to a spell, sending a quartet of magical darts streaking into the belker's form. She then immediately relocates, relying on her greater invisibility to keep her out of harm's way.

Magic Missile, CL8: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3, 3, 4) + 4 = 16

Don't blow up if >20%: 1d100 ⇒ 60

Winds blows again the horn and blast Grasping Storm!

Damages, E: 10d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 1, 4, 4, 2, 3, 2, 6, 6) = 35

The horn blast and the magic missiles tear apart Grasping Storms form. As his body disperses into the clouds, the storm in this room booms loudly with thunder one last time then ends.

Both druids currently lay dead, though their life force clings close to their bodies. (still within breath of life range)

Ansha, invisible, 200ft
Kahwen, -50hp, deafened, unconscious at -7, stable, 150ft
Wind, -29hp, 180ft
Shonne, 300ft

When the hurricane ends, a wall alcove at floor level becomes visible behind the clouds. In this small hoard is a ‘portrait’ of Hshurha: a glass sphere etched so the interior seems filled with clouds and gleaming eyes (750 gp). The hoard also contains a set of 1-foot-tall humanoids sculpted out of cloudwall. As a set, they are worth 300 gp. Additionally, the alcove holds a small chest filled with assorted coins worth 500 gp, as well as a primal elemental gem (air). This gem functions as a standard elemental gem except that it summons a Huge air elemental (CL 11th). Additionally, the belker keeps a clamor box tucked away with his other treasures. All the sounds the box produces are actually recordings of some of Grasping Storm’s favorite massacres of non-elemental beings it has committed. The alcove also contains an eversmoking bottle and a glass tube with three pinches of dust of dryness.

And once again the Society does the dirty work for the Concordance. Shonne wonders if the Concordance of Elements will now attempt to deal with the party as most people deal with their pet assassins and kill them to hide their own complicity.

Shonne tends to Kahwen.

wand of cure light wounds v Kahwen: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 8, 8) + 3 = 24

"Can you walk?" Shonne asks Kahwen. "We must leave before the rest of the citadel discovers we have slain their lord."

She avoids the sylph druids no matter how much the GM points them out and winks and nudges--not that she could do anything for them. ;)

To her way of thinking even the janitors on the Death Star knew who they were working for, and Shonne had no more connection to these two nameless druids than she had to those nameless goblin raiders in that one dungeon she once visited. Besides she (and her player) have never really trusted the Concordance since their introduction. They seem little better than the Aspis Consortium, or (after this adventure) the Pathfinder (Assassin's) Society itself. Why not try to turn or recruit Grasping Storm, or Efwurwa’s Fury, at least they had names right? ;)

Ansha, invisible, 200ft

Kahwen, -50hp, deafened, unconscious at -7, stable, 150ft
Wind, -29hp, 180ft
Shonne, 300ft

WOOT! Shonne has the most feet!

With Grasping Storm defeated, you can return to Port Eclipse. Captain Beysal offers to return you to Port Eclipse. She takes you on board and eagerly asks you to share tales of your adventures. She has a few additional stops on her route to complete before returning to Port Eclipse, but is happy to have you along for the ride.

When the you arrive, Norden Balentiir and Ashasar meet up with you. Grasping Storm’s downfall pleases them both; while the belker lord’s defeat doesn’t end Hshurha’s menace, it does channel and limit the path of her retaliation, and sends a strong message to any other of her lieutenants planning strikes on her behalf.

The End