GM supervillan's Fiend series (Inactive)

Game Master supervillan

Neither Teric's nor Pai's divinations reveal anything. The only indication of anything potentially untoward is the spinning needle of Grone's wayfinder, flicking from southeast to northeast.

“Tiddles, Heel!”

How does that quaint Andoran expression go? Oh, yes …

“Aeliah gonna to ‘wake one for team.’”

The druidess moves past Daedîn, closer to the North-East corner of the ruined structure.

take 10 perception: 10 + 24 = 34

Aeliah boldly strides forward, highly trained half-elven senses alert for haunt manifestations...

Adjusted your position on the map slightly, to follow the wayfinder's direction.

...and as she reaches the point indicated by Grone's wayfinder she hears the crumbling of rocks falling, followed by a soft whimpering.

Haunt manifestation

Nina
Daedîn
Thoriel
Pai
Aeliah
Tiddles
Teric
Haunt
Inky

The bold may act!

This is a surprise round - only Aeliah may act because only she senses the haunt, everyone else is outside of its area of effect. Before it manifests the haunt can be affected by positive energy; once it manifests it can be suppressed with a successful Dispel Magic.

Round #0: AC 19, Touch 13

I’ve never understood how to get a Haunt to tell us how to put it to rest …

Aeliah doesn't hesitate, channelling the positive energy of the Elven god of the Hunt into the metaphysical point at which she senses the Haunt entering this Plane.

CMW on haunt: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (8, 5) + 10 = 23

“Restless spirit, tell nature priestess how bring you peace …”

She keeps her eyes focussed on the haunt as she hisses at her dino companion, “Tiddles, Down!”

The haunt dissipates before it can fully manifest - banished by the positive energy conjured by Aeliah. Sadly, no clue can be found to the manner in which you might lay the haunt to more permanent rest.

Grone's wayfinder looks different; only slightly dented and scratched now.

The needle points south from Aeliah's position.

Out of initiative!

“All Praise the elven god in the Moon!”

Aeliah turns to her companions, eyebrows raised high.

“Aeliah not sure if her did good or not? No use blubbin' ‘bout it, but. Us check for old Jitkin relics ‘fore moving on?”

The druidess sifts through the rubble looking for traps and buried treasure.

take 10 perception: 10 + 24 = 34

“Tiddles, defend Pai!”

“BRRAHH!”

“Me know you want be close momma, but for now momma want you Defend Pai!”

"Excellent work. If we can keep the haunts from even manifesting, it will be easier to help Eldis find himself, I think." Teric follows the others as they move south, looking for where the wayfinder points them to.

”Thank you, Tiddles. I appreciate your watching out for little ole me. I’m sure your momma appreciates you being so brave and helpful,”Pai says, quite happy the dino was beside her.

"Who knew haunt-busting could be this easy?" Nina cheerfully remarks as the group prepares to head south toward, presumably, the last haunting ground that they need to see to.

So who wants to provoke investigate the third haunt? Either individually or as a group?

Ooh, ooh, pick me, pick me!

Daedîn moves on towards the last area…

Stealth: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (8) + 28 = 36
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (5) + 23 = 28

“You wait Aeliah, Daedîn?”

The druidess advances with the archer, uncertain of what kind of positive energy or ✨magic dispelling resources he might possess.

“Pai, you OK keep Tiddles with you?”

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
take 10 Perception: 10 + 24 = 34

So no treasure at the last site, GM SV?

"Easy but booooring," Inky grumbles. "I like foes I can sink my teeth and claws into - even those hunks of stone are better than ghosts and spirits."

Thoriel stays a little back from the others who approach closer to the remaining haunt, with weapon drawn just in case. "Whistle if you need any help and I'll be there as quick as I can!" Based on what they've seen of the elf, this is likely to be very quick indeed.

Pai nods, keeping Tiddles away from danger while he does the same for her.

Teric follows the druid towards the last area. "That was handy with the wand, Aeliah. I think if you can do that again, it would be best."

Moved you on the map, following wayfinder directions.

A crumbling temple struggles to rise higher than the neighbouring wrecks. It leaves you with an inexplicable sense of dread. A small flight of stairs provides entrance to the former centre of worship wherein carvings of stone gargoyles and twisted imps cover the walls. The remaining wall’s arched openings suggest they once contained stained glass windows. Within the ruined temple a ten-foot-by-ten-foot cracked altar lies askew, surrounded by shattered pottery fragments. A dark stain, eons old, covers the fractured altar, hinting at foul worship.

Daedîn and Aeliah lead the way...

...Aeliah hears a growling stomach. It's not hers. It's not Tiddles'. She's almost certain it's not Daedîn's.

Taking the Perception rolls already made by A + D above.

The Transforming Hunger - manifestation

Thoriel
Daedîn
Pai
Aeliah
Inky
Nina
Teric
Haunt
Tiddles

The bold may act!

Surprise round - only Aeliah detected the haunt so only she may act before it.

Round #0: AC 19, Touch 13

“Aeliah not like hungry, growling undead. Teric, what him giant bony undead with famine breath weapon called?”

Aeliah ✨casts CMW on the ethereal presence, and unbeknownst to the druidess, her image ⚡ flickers ⚡ for a moment, momentarily replaced with that of a sepia-toned middle-aged elven archer.

CMW on haunt: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (4, 8) + 10 = 22

“FEAR the Wrath of the Hunter!”

This time, the haunt proves stronger. Aeliah's magic does not disperse the malevolent presence.

The Transforming Hunger, round 2

Thoriel
Daedîn
Pai
Aeliah
Inky
Nina
Teric
Tiddles

The bold may act!

No effect will be apparent until after Daedîn and Aeliah have attempted saves

Aeliah delays to let someone else have a shot at the glory, though she plans to act before Tiddles.

Pai casts Greater Dispel Magic on the haunt.

Dispel check 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 (+2 for a 23 if it's an enchantment)

Both Daedîn and Aeliah resist the urges that the haunt presses upon them, and the discomforting feelings soon subside.

You can save your spell, Pai. Passing the initial saves ends the danger.

Littering the floor of this ruined building are the shattered remains of several pieces of ceremonial pottery.

There was no treasure at the previous haunt site.

Grone's wayfinder has changed again. It is pristine - crafted of darkwood and silver. A sudden burst of brilliant energy erupts from the wayfinder, coalescing into a ghostly young man peacefully floating in midair. Three distinct yet similar voices emit from the spectre echoing as he speaks; “Thank you for freeing me, I owe you my salvation.” The spirit sways in the air, and a pervading sense of joy fills the area. “You seek my uncle Benton. Please let me tell you how to find him.”

"You will find my uncle at the place the morlocks call 'Fiendsmaw', a sunken citadel where they offer up their sacrifices."

The shade directs you to a cavern perhaps half an hour's walk away.

"Allow me to join with you. I may still be able to help."

Linguistics 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Know Planes 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (17) + 19 = 36

Pai moves closer and looks at the pottery. ”Oooooh, this is great as well! When you put the pieces together they show the Jistkan Magistry seeking shelter in a big black ziggurat with writing talons and tentacles drawn all over it. Uh oh, the iconography is tied to demons, qlippoth, and other nasties from the Abyss. I’d wager we run into some of those things sooner rather than later.”

Teric speaks to Eldis's shade as they walk. "Eldis, thank you for helping us. I do hope you know that we were not able to destroy the haunts, only stop them from manifesting for a while. It is enough to give you a respite, but they will likely return. Can retrieve your body or bones for a proper burial? If we can get your uncle out, he would probably want to give you rest." He shrugs. "I know something of being dead."

"Besides, is your uncle being held by the morlocks? What about another group of scholars? Do you know about them?"

Eldis Grone holds up a spectral hand: "You have granted me a reprieve, but the spirits that haunt this place are too numerous and too powerful. I can leave this place permanently only by going with you." The spirit stresses the word "with."

"Will you allow this?"

At this point I need an answer from every PC - do you allow Grone to go with you? (By the way Teric you already recovered Eldis Grone's physical remains - he had been turned into a zombie by Haliduras Karn in the last scenario).

“Rest of group have more experience with Grone Family than Aeliah. Her and Tiddles abstain BUT abide by others majority decision.”

In turn, Aeliah looks each of her companions in the eye. “Aeliah trust you judgement.”

GM sv, Aeliah will abide by the majority decision, and willingly accepts the consequences, positive and negative.

Pai nods. She’s been this far with Grone, so she was willing to go farther. ”Im in, Grone. You have my permission to travel with us.”

"If it helps you find peace, absolutely!" Nina nods, looking serious for a change. "What sort of people would we be if we just left you to haunt this place forever??"

Daedîn shrugs. ”Fine by me…”

Teric nods. "This should be a new experience. But Power is sought in so many different ways..."

“Daedîn, not sure if mention before. Aeliah impressed your bravery. Thank-you at standing with her.”

Yeah, Aeliah will just blurt out whatever’s on her mind.

“Also, Pathfinders. Aeliah out of healing spells. Her does have plenny CLW wand charges but.”

The Elf grins at Aeliah. ”No worries, m’Lady…you’re mighty brave yourself…and my sense of chivalry, what little that’s left for a rogue such as I, wouldn’t stand for letting you face it alone. But I must admit, while I was able to resist, that last haunt had you lookin’ mighty tasty for a second…”

"I'm totally fine with you coming with, as well." Thoriel adds her voice to the discussion. "I mean, what could go wrong?"

"... had you lookin’ mighty tasty for a second…”

"Me understand. Aeliah get that a lot."

Once the rest of you have assented to Grone's request, so too does Aeliah.

Grone smiles and nods. His manifestion breaks apart into six small lights, and one such light flies directly into each of you. You feel a comforting presence, which was not there before.

Grone's 'joining' with you grants you each the ability to reroll one failed Fortitude Save during the rest of the scenario.

Another post later today.

Aeliah ✨casts detect magic and re-examines the Grone wayfinder.

Spellcraft DC 20: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

“Oh yeah, Aeliah seen one these before. Maybe one recovered Thurl’s Lodge and stored Overflow Archives?”

She points at the reverse-engineered Azlanti artefact in Daedîn’s hands. “It actually ebon wayfinder. Give wielder darkvision and cast darkness once per day with command word.”

"What a nice ghost," Nina smiles, comforted by Grone's light. "I'm glad we could help him. Now, we gotta go save his uncle and those other people!"

You walk through the ruins of Rachikan, guided by Eldis Grone's directions. After half an hour, you know you have reached the place Grone spoke of.

Sinking into black waters, a proud citadel struggles to maintain its regality, but the ravages of time have clearly won the battle. This great structure leans towards the embankment of a forgotten cove that seems poised to swallow it whole. Crumbling staircases provide access to the slanted citadel in each of the four cardinal directions, and magnificently carved marble columns line the corridors into the citadel’s dark heart.

We are on Slide 7. You will need to zoom in. You begin in the lower right hand corner of the map. To the left are two further levels of the ziggurat-citadel, each 10 feet above the one below. Stairs around the outside of the structure lead up, or you can fly or climb up the centre: in the centre of the structure, stairs also descend into water.

A black obelisk rises from a flooded chamber toward the second story of the citadel. Etched carvings of grotesque tentacles and talons writhe over the obelisk in tribute to some long forgotten mystical power. Atop the obelisk’s platform, a faint humming breaks the silence. Several large, wall murals adorn the walls opposite of the obelisk, depicting a Golarion from long ago.

A creature atop the obelisk spies you. She leaps up out of sight, into the centre of the citadel.

"આવો, કેઓસ-ધેટ-ક્રોલ્સ આવો, આવો અને બધાનો વપરાશ કરો!" cries a guttural and unnatural tongue, echoing through the structure.

Combat round 1

Aeliah
Daedîn
Inky
Thoriel
GM
Teric
Mo'al
Pai
Nina
Tiddles

The bold may act!

“Aeliah thinks her get it.”

“The morlock was lookout, spot us, dive down narrow vertical shaft in middle Zig’rat to warn others all levels inside.”

She frowns. “Bah, should have snucked up visibility.”

“We be calm but swift in actions. Move together, so nobody separated. If shaft too narrow Tiddles, Aeliah may hafta carry companion him.”

“What think? Aeliah got multiple fly spells in potion or scroll if nec’celery.”

Aeliah effectively delays.

Are we still underground, GM sv?

Okay, so the levels go (from right to left across the map) bottom, center, top? Got it!

"Oi, Nina! Let's get ready to fly - but not too fast!"

Inky flaps her wings and ascends just enough that they can easily fly out and up if need be, but not enough to cause Nina to bump her head on the ceiling.

Fly (Hover @ 5 ft.; DC 15): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

Or rather, she tries but Inky clearly isn't used to trying to hover this low and she instead ends up dropping back to the ground.

"Man...my form's all rusty!"

Daedîn whispers to his companions, ”Stand guard…it called for the ‘Chaos that crawls’…not good…”

The Elf finds a patch of shadow and tries to conceal himself…

Stealth: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (17) + 26 = 43

…and readies a shot if this crawling chaos appears…

"So, what's the plan? Shall we head up, or wait here for this creepy crawly to come?"

Thoriel finds it hard to remain still at the best of times, definitely not in moments like these. "Perhaps we should head up and see what's upstairs?"

Also delaying to see what happens next before moving. Barring something appearing down here, Thoriel's plan is to head up using the stairs to the left of the group.

Aeliah processes Daedîn's warning rapidly, and the copper piece drops. "Aeliah think we wait."

"Something bad coming ... Casties maybe buffing for it innocent arrival."

She moves 20 feet adjacent to Daedîn and casts freedom of movement on him.

"Thoriel, you want stoneskin? Me also got scroll of freedom of movement."

"Thanks Aeliah, sure a bit of extra protection for the skin never goes astray. You can't keep looking this good without the right products!" Thoriel replies with a laugh.

Aeliah hesitates, until Daedîn reports the advent of the 'crawling chaos'. She casts a spell upon the archer - the pair lurking in the shadows of the citadel's avenues.

Moved you adjacent to Daedîn, Aeliah - you were on the other side of a wall from him.

Inky struggles with the lack of room to manoeuvre.

Thoriel considers the merits of a druidic skin-care routine. Effectively in delay.

Combat round 1

Aeliah
Daedîn
Inky
Thoriel - delay
GM
Teric
Mo'al
Pai
Nina
Tiddles

The bold may act!

To clarify, the creature that was atop the obelisk jumped up out of sight.

"What on earth was that? It went up above, did you see that?" Teric draws his Rime metamagic rod, but then casts Fly on himself. "Should we check the second level?"

Teric flies up just enough to peek into the second level, looking for any signs of movement.

Knowledge, Planes: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

He's not landing on the stairs, just wanting to try and track the creature.

Teric flies up around 10 feet, high enough to see into the second tier of the ziggurat, but sees no signs of life from his vantage point.

Below, stirred by an unseen hand, several of the marble support columns animate - the stone warriors advance on you slowly.

When you can see one or more of the statues you can attempt this knowledge check:

Combat round 1 / 2

Aeliah
Daedîn
Inky
Teric
statues
Mo'al
Thoriel
Pai
Nina
Tiddles

The bold may act!