[PFS] Your Song of the Sea Wïtch (Inactive)

Game Master Yours is mined

sense motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Cade looks at the winged figure and does a double take at what his companions are telling him. "Are you sure? It sure looks like an angel to me."

Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Ferdrin eyes the scene suspiciously. It's not long before Xiao confirms his gut feeling.

He's glad Xiao saw through it, because at the moment his planar knowledge is failing him.

Not an angel? What then, a demon? A devil?

He looks back at the being, wary.

Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Raelene quietly moves about, looking around carefully and checking the bodies for signs of life.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Aldar’s holy water strikes the fire dead-center. Unfortunately, the water appears to have no effect. Though the monk realizes the flames do NOT give off any heat, nor do they appear to be spreading.

Because of the Outsider’s position relative to the fire, it receives no splash.

"This is not an angel!"

Raelene doesn’t get close enough to examine the fallen, before the ‘celestial’s façade burns away, revealing a seething Bearded Devil bearing a vicious, saw-toothed glaive.

Xiao Junior knows bearded devils or barbazu are the foot soldiers of Hell’s Armies. They resist damage from weapons that are not silvered OR good aligned. They also resist acid and cold, and have SR 16.

Party buffs: bless, flag-bearer. +1 to hit/+1 to damage.

Inspire courage is not up yet.

Xiao Junior
--
Barbazu (green)
--
Brakkik
Cade
Raelene
Aldar
Ferdrin

Xiao Junior leads us off!

The Battle Map is also at the top of the page.

Xiao starts off by casting grease on the Barbazu's weapon!

DC 17 Reflex Grease each round that he is holding the weapon: The spell can also be used to create a greasy coating on an item. Material objects not in use are always affected by this spell, while an object wielded or employed by a creature requires its bearer to make a Reflex saving throw to avoid the effect. If the initial saving throw fails, the creature immediately drops the item. A saving throw must be made in each round that the creature attempts to pick up or use the greased item.

"This is a Barbazu! Use good or silvered weapons and they are resistant to acid and cold!" he shouts.

Xiao Junior coats the haft of the baatezu’s glaive with a thin layer of grease.

Reflex DC 17, modifier added off screen: 1d20 ⇒ 3

How do you decide who's the Top and who's the Bottom?

The Pit Spawn makes a telepathic comment to all present about how close Xiao Junior and his Riding Dog might be, as the infernal-forged weapon slips from his hands.

It recovers quickly though, to step 5 feet to the south and attempt to tear into a flat-footed Cade with power attack.

power attack green claw vs flat-footed Cade: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 10 - 2 = 11
damage: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9

power attack green claw vs flat-footed Cade: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 10 - 2 = 15
damage: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9

Round #1/2:

Party buffs: bless, flag-bearer. +1 to hit/+1 to damage.

Inspire courage is not up yet.

Xiao Junior
--
Barbazu (green)
--
Brakkik
Cade
Raelene
Aldar
Ferdrin

Party up in any order!

The Battle Map is also at the top of the page.

"I told you this is going to be a great fight!" he shouts.

Inspire courage so together with flagbearer and Raelene's bless that is net +2 to damage and to hit. I assume everyone delays to benefit from inspire.

Looks like I'm going to need a little help from my friends! My planar friends. Kind of like this guy, but maybe a little smaller...

The mage begins a summoning incantation...

[full round; 1rd casting time] Cast summon monster ii, enhanced by an arcane reservoir point for CL+2 (CL6; for a longer duration.)

Raelene has no desire to be near the devil and little she can do against it. She watches her companions closely for signs they need assistance, draws her scimitar, just in case, and reaches out to touch Cade, "May Sarenrae grant you guidance in your time of need." (In case a saving throw is required.)

Guidance - +1 competence bonus on a single attack roll, saving throw, or skill check. It must choose to use the bonus before making the roll to which it applies.

Freddy ‘Scarface’ Ternyth begins summoning some little friends for the barbazu to say hello to.

Raelene prays for the Dawnflower to guide Cade’s next action. At the mention of the goddess of Light, the devil does a double-take causing some putrid beard-filth to splatter the doorway beside Raelene.

Xiao Junior's encouraging words boost the frontline’s efforts to combat Avernus’ foot soldier.

Round #2: Assuming Brakkik, Cade & Aldar delay for inspire courage.

Party buffs: bless, inspire courage, flag-bearer: +2 to hit/+2 to damage.

Xiao Junior
Brakkik
Cade guidance, +1 to next d20 roll
Aldar
--
Barbazu (green)
--
Raelene
Ferdrin full round ✨casting

Brakkik, Cade & Aldar are go!

The Battle Map is also at the top of the page.

Aldar draws his silvered monk's spade as he moves into a flanking position and slashes it at the Barbazu.
Provoking AoO

silvered monk spade, inspire, flag, flank: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 24
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

AoO green claw vs Aldar, power attack is on: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 10 - 2 = 20
damage: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9

Aldar dodges the baatezu's raking fist, to see what he can dig up beneath the creature's horny hide. *hit* for the full damage

Round #2: Assuming Brakkik & Cade delay for inspire courage.

Party buffs: bless, inspire courage, flag-bearer: +2 to hit/+2 to damage.

Xiao Junior
Brakkik
Cade guidance, +1 to next d20 roll
Aldar
--
Barbazu (green) -4
--
Raelene
Ferdrin full round ✨casting

‘Tis the turn of Brakkik + Cade!

The Battle Map is also at the top of the page.

Brakkik glumly tucks a vial back into his cheek and starts making his way across the room to the still form of the man he assumes to be the scholar. The tip of the chewed willow wand sticks out of his mouth like some strange tongue.

Double move, planning on healing dude-guy next round. Hopefully the devil doesn't have Combat Reflexes.

"A great fight indeed... I'll keep him busy while everyone else does their thing..."

Staring down the demon, Cade twirls his kukri with a flourish as he measures his foe, "Hey ugly, now I know why you tried to cover yourself up. At least I won't feel bad about not going easy on you."

kukri+1, TWF, power attack, bless, inspire courage, flank: 1d20 + 9 - 2 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 9 - 2 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 19
damage, power attack, inspire courage: 1d3 + 5 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 4 + 2 = 12

kukri, TWF, power attack, bless, inspire courage, flank: 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 2 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 29
damage: 1d3 + 3 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 4 + 2 = 10

The Hellbred questions Brakkik as he scampers past the melee.

அந்த பிச்சின் பெயரை அழைத்தவர் நீங்கள், சாரன்ரே

Interestingly, as he approaches the fire, the alchemist discovers it gives off no heat.

Confirm Cade’s Crit kukri, TWF, power attack, bless, inspire courage, flank: 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 2 - 2 + 2 + 2 = 11 no :(
extra crit magic damage: 1d3 + 3 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 4 + 2 = 10

Cade’s kukri’s *flash* twice at the barbazu, his main hand narrowly missing, while his off-hand scores a righteous wound in the creature’s side – though Cade feels he should have done more damage.

The bearded devil then takes a 5’ step to engage Xiao Junior.

power attack green claw vs Xiao Junior: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 10 - 2 = 18
damage: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7

power attack green claw vs Xiao Junior: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 10 - 2 = 26
damage: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10

Round #2/3:

Party buffs: bless, inspire courage, flag-bearer: +2 to hit/+2 to damage.

Xiao Junior ☤ 32/42 hp
Brakkik
Cade
Aldar
--
Barbazu (green) hit points tracked off screen
--
Raelene
Ferdrin full round ✨casting

Party up!

The Battle Map is also at the top of the page.

Raelene takes a clear look at the creature and tries to push it away. She uses her affinity with water to call forth a blast directed at their opponent.

Hydraulic Push/bull rush vs CMD: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 I am actually attempting to knock it over. The wording implies that is automatic but I wasn't sure so I included the bull rush attempt. If I can do both, push it back and knock it over, that is even better.

She then steps out of Ferdrin's way.

Hydraulic Push

Xiao uses his misfortune ability as an immediate action to
make Cade reroll his crit confirmation roll.

Then he goes into total defense.

Continue the inspire courage.

”You are almost there!! Get him!!“

Ferdrin finally breaks out of his incantation, and electricity begins to spark just next to the bearded devil. It continues and gains mass until it apparates into a small lightning elemental.

summon monster ii, round 1/6

It immediately slams into the devil...

slam attack, B damage, E damage: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 231d4 ⇒ 31d3 ⇒ 3
+3 to hit if devil is wearing metal armor or is wielding a metal weapon

Ferdrin then moves up behind Cade and sends a volley of force missiles at the devil.

[move] 5' north
[standard] Cast magic missile, 1 arcane reservoir point for CL+2
Force damage (3 missiles): 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4, 1) + 3 = 11

From astride Pars, Xiao Junior maintains his bardic performance and takes the total defense action.

Raelene’s actions potentially affect the positioning of the barbazu and Ferdrin’s summons, so I am going to wait to see if Raelene wants to re-do her Round #2 actions before resolving her and Ferdrin’s turn.

Round #2/3:

Party buffs: bless, inspire courage, flag-bearer: +2 to hit/+2 to damage.

Xiao Junior ☤ 32/42 hp, full defense
Brakkik
Cade Please re-roll Round #2 Crit confirmation; guidance, +1 competence bonus to Cade’s choice of d20 roll
Aldar
--
Barbazu (green) hit points tracked off screen
--
Raelene May redo her Round #2 turn
Ferdrin

Brakkik, Cade & Aldar … Cade also has a crit confirmation to re-roll.

The Battle Map is also at the top of the page.

Aldar steps forward back into a flanking position and swings his shovel at the evil creature. He harnesses his inner energy to speed up his swings into an aggressive spinning display.

monk's spade, inspire, flag, flank: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 24
silver slashing damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

monk's spade, inspire, flag, flank: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 23
silver slashing damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Ki point for an extra attack.
monk's spade, inspire, flag, flank: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 23
silver slashing damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

For not having a great attack bonus with this shovel, those were some nice rolls.

A torrent of water gushes from Raelene’s outstretched hand, striking the barbazu in its centre of mass. Small clouds of steam *boil* off its spiked chest as it is pushed east five feet.

Water soaks the floorboards, but drains steadily towards the open front doorway.

@Aldar + Ferdrin, I have re-positioned tokens you are playing to where I think they would be most advantageous for you as a result of the hydraulic push. Let me know if you’d prefer them in another position.

Ferdrin’s lightning elemental sends ⚡sparks⚡ flying as it rabbit punches the barbazu’s back. The devil doesn’t know which direction to curse at, as it is hit simultaneously in the front by three force missiles.

Aldar steps across five feet and delivers three blunt force impacts.

All of Ferdrin, his summons, and Aldar’s attacks appear to do full damage.

Round #3:

Party buffs: bless, inspire courage, flag-bearer: +2 to hit/+2 to damage.

Xiao Junior ☤ 32/42 hp, full defense
Brakkik
Cade Please re-roll Round #2 Crit confirmation; guidance, +1 competence bonus to Cade’s choice of d20 roll
Aldar
--
Barbazu (green) bloodied
--
Raelene
Ferdrin

Brakkik + Cade! Cade also has a crit confirmation to re-roll.

The Battle Map is also at the top of the page.

That position looks good. I appear to have left off *every* buff from the elemental's attack. Darnit.

Brakkik ignores whatever the spiky devil was saying and continues glumly toward the fallen man. He spits the wand half-heartedly into his hand, not even bothering to wipe the saliva off before tapping the man with it.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Move and use the wand. So sad to be an alchemist when fighting a devil. XD

Crit Check:

kukri, TWF, power attack, inspire courage, flank: 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 8 - 2 - 2 + 2 + 2 = 14

Meh, not much better, but thanks for the attempt :)

Cade steps up to keep himself between the devil and the left half of the party, coming own with with diagonal chops, both blades in parallel.

kukri+1, TWF, power attack, inspire courage, flank: 1d20 + 9 - 2 - 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 9 - 2 - 2 + 2 + 2 = 28
damage, power attack, inspire courage: 1d3 + 5 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 4 + 2 = 14

kukri, TWF, power attack, inspire courage, flank: 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 8 - 2 - 2 + 2 + 2 = 23
damage: 1d3 + 3 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 4 + 2 = 11

Crit check:

kukri+1, TWF, power attack, inspire courage, flank: 1d20 + 9 - 2 - 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 9 - 2 - 2 + 2 + 2 = 22
damage, power attack, inspire courage, killer: 1d3 + 5 + 4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 4 + 2 + 2 = 15

As is his want, Cade bravely stands his ground, ripping through the scaly-beast’s hamstring with his kukri, dropping it into an awkward crouch.

Now what, fool? Neither of your weapons are argent.

The halfling warrior has ‘heard’ enough. Grabbing the devil by the beard, Cade pulls the creature’s head back like it’s a tethered goat and calmly cuts its throat.

As the barbazu’s fallen glaive begins melting into a steaming pool of blood, a new bass voice speaks into Ferdrin’s mind.

With twin *HOWLS* erupting from the limp mouth and neck-gash of the dead fiend, its body transforms into a narrow column of hellfire which arcs across the room into the open book lying atop the altar.

As the fiery column merges with the burning crown above the tome, the latter slams shut with a THWUMP, immediately extinguishing the flames that lick the sides of the townhouse's southern wall.

COMBAT OVER!
The wounded: Xiao Junior ☤ 32/42 hp

After taking a moment to compose yourselves, the most obvious items in the room include the bodies of the two young women in the north-west, and the altar to the S-S-E of Aldar that holds the sealed book and a ceremonial dagger with an unusual stone handle.

Same Map

"DON'T OPEN THE BOOK!"

Once Brakkik applies a tap of his healing wand, the middle-aged man in the north-eastern corner sits up rapidly, like a vampire in its coffin.

Grasping Brakkik’s arm, he inspects the alchemist’s face with bulging eyes, before collapsing onto his back *coughing* and *wheezing*

Then he suddenly rises again, staring around rapidly.

"What happ...who...?" Eventually noticing Raelene’s wayfinder, a glimmer of relief plays across his face. "Ah, Pathfinders! Of course. So Lauralei got word to you? Is she..."

His face pales again as his glance lands on the two bodies in the corner. "Oh, no! Lauralei! Nicola! What have we..."

Xiao junior immediately goes to check on the two bodies and casts stabilize on them!

He then checks if they are alive at all.

heal: 1d20 ⇒ 19

"What did you do here!?!? You are endangering the whole city!" Xiao shouts at the old man accusingly.

Aldar approaches Xiao, "Calmness in the storm. Focus on the solution, not the blame."

Switching his focus to the man, "What do you need us to do? Can we stop any further harm from occurring?"

Ferdrin focuses for a moment, listening intently to the voice in his head. He believes he's supposed to be intimidated by it, but he's more so listening for context clues to the information that Zarta requested he collect.

Erebus you say... now that is interesting.

He wades further into the room, surveying the aftermath of chaos. Glancing at the two womens' bodies on the floor, he asks What was their purpose here?

While he waits for an answer he steps towards the book, but does not touch anything.

Hoping one of these reveals something about the setup here.

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20 If this was applicable, but not successful, Ferdrin can use tireless logic to reroll.
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

After the demons' charade, Cade examines the two bodies closely as Xiao instinctively tries to help them.

perception, +2 vs. illusions: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Raelene walks quietly into the middle of the room, surveying the situation she begins to pray to Sarenrae, asking for the Dawnflower's blessing to heal the injured and cleanse the room of evil.

Channel positive energy to heal 30 ft burst, DC 16 Will save to halve: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2) + 1 = 5

"Who still need assistance?" she asks of those assembled.

Cade and Xiao Junior confirm that both women are dead and rapidly going into rigor. One has been ripped open by a bestial attack, involving claws and long spikes.

The other has an unusual, ceremonial(?) dagger lodged in her chest. It matches the knife lying on the altar.

“As the Society sent you, I am sure you have figured out I am Yargos Gill.”

The middle-aged man gets slowly to his feet, assisted by Raelene’s boost of solar energy. “Thank-you for that, my dear.”

Xiao Junior ☤ 37/42 hp

“I guess my assistant Laur… Laurelai alerted your Venture-Captain to what happened. But allow me to elaborate.”

Stumbling over the name of one of his late aides, it is clear the old man is genuinely upset to learn both young women are dead.

“The now-closed tome on the altar has a fraternal twin called the Celestial Song which I dismissed as a preachy Hymn-book, in order to focus on the Infernal Incantation.”

"Sometime early this morning the ladies and I thought we had discovered a ritual that could decipher the potential of the diabolical tome. We... erred in our excitement."

He sighs. "You see, we did not realize that the Infernal Incantation itself was a gateway to a prison plane. Our ritual went awry, and the bindings on the book loosened."

“Believing I could probably still manage the problem on my own, I nonetheless sent Lauralei to the Grand Lodge for backup, and at the same time I asked Nicola to take the Celestial Song to the Pathfinder Silver Crusader, Ollysta Zadrian to see if she could work out a way it might be of use.”

“While they were gone, I scanned through the Infernal Incantation, looking for a hint as to how the broken bindings could be repaired. Unfortunately, some snippets implied neutralizing the Incantation involved conjoining it with the Celestial Song that I had just sent to Lady Ollysta. But before I could act on this information, I was struck from behind. Everything went black, and well... that’s when you came in.”

Auto success on kn nature.

Xiao takes the knife that is made of sharp coral and is of masterwork quality and asks the team who wants it.

kn planes: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

Xiao junior just shakes his head and looks at Aldar.

"Yeah, exactly. Be constructive in the face of idiotism! I am usually a cheerful halfling but this is ... this is just incredibly reckless!"

Ferdrin sighs rubbing the sides of his head as if at the end of the day... but knowing it's likely just beginning.

So, if I am to understand: we need to now go track down Lady Ollysta and recover the companion tome?

"That's what I'd recommend."

Gill shrinks from Xiao, but brightens at Ferdrin's quest-atement.

"Um ... What are you going to do with the Infernal Incantation?"

Brakkik starts to raise an hand and then slowly lowers it with a guilty look on his lopsided face.

Xiao junior walks to the book and takes a look at the Infernal Incantation.

Are there still flames/fire upstairs? We might want to take care of that first if there are...

As the fiery column merges with the burning crown above the tome, the latter slams shut with a THWUMP, immediately extinguishing the flames that lick the sides of the townhouse's southern wall.

I think we're good on that count...

I think we're good on that count...

Thanks...

"Um ... What are you going to do with the Infernal Incantation?"

"We'll be taking the book with us. If it's bonded with the Celestial Song, we'll need it to repair the bindings. Which means you should go with us as well..."

Raelene looks at her Handy Haversack and wonders out loud, "Is it worth popping it in this so it is basically out of harm's way and less obvious/detectable?"

Ferdrin nods vigorously at Raelene's suggestion. Yes please, stow it away and keep it safe, out of sight and mind for now! It's been tampered with enough for one day.

He shoots Gill a sideways look.

"We'll be taking the book with us. Which means you should go with us as well."

“That’s probably for the best.”

So, if I am to understand: we need to now go track down Lady Ollysta and recover the companion tome?

Gill slumps into a chair glumly, avoiding Ferdrin’s eyes. “Have you heard about Lady Ollysta’s nocturnal activities?”

“Word on the streets of Eastgate is she's been on a tear up and down Gilltown recently, buying up necromantic items to remove them from the open market.”

“She's likely to be about there now, seeing those kinds of things tend to be traded after the sun sets.”

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Ferdrin doesn't really focus on Gill's response at first, but the mention of "Gilltown" causes him to perk up and snap to attention. He cocks one eyebrow, intrigued by the specificity.

Why Gilltown? Do they favor necromancy in particular? I would think she has a much broader market to corner than that.

Can we research the book now or is that outside of the scope? :-)

Aldar listens but doesn't have much to add to a conversation about the care of magical texts, Lady Ollysta's nocturnal activities, or a necromantic market.

Worried that they may be getting distracted, Aldar asks Gill about the text, "Is time a factor for combining these texts?"

Why Gilltown? Do they favor necromancy in particular? I would think she has a much broader market to corner than that.

“I’ve really got no idea.”

The scholar shrinks from Ferdrin, like he’s afraid his answers will make the arcanist angrier. “You’re asking me to get inside the mind of a paladin.”

“There is talk of a new Player in the Eastgate Underworld making waves – maybe that’s the reason? But it could be as simple as Gilltown is not far from Lady Ollysta’s own mosque, the Star of Sarenrae in the Ascendant Court.”

"Is time a factor for combining these texts?"

Gill looks wide-eyed at Aldar. "Um … yeah. There’s dozens – possibly hundreds of devils that can escape through the Incantation."

"And without the Celestial Song to keep them locked up, they could break out at any time."

"That sounds like a start. Even if she's not there, we can alert the mosque that we're looking for her as well."