Protectors of Golarion (Wrath of the Righteous AP)

Game Master Sensen

Current Chapter: Sword of Valor
Wherein an army marches, a relic is rediscovered, and a victory claimed.
Date: Oathday, 18th of Rova (IX) 4713
Time of Day: Morning
Season: Late Summer
Weather: 20° F (-7° C), Grey Skies

4713 Calendar

General Purpose Maps:
The Worldwound

Mythic Trials Until Next Tier: 1


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They're not everywhere, per se, but if you don't have one in eyeshot, you can probably find a fair few just by going a block or two in any direction.

The dead silence falls on the square as the heroes shelter as best they can from the sky, broken only briefly by Verene's spell.

Verene:
Within a few seconds of finishing her spell, Verene spots it - a tiny translucent ram-horned demon with batlike wings. Wiry and green-skinned, it flaps over to a nearby building and stares down at them. Thankfully, it seems to be confident in its invisibility, because it is so small that if it had made any effort to actually hide, Verene's not sure she'd've seen it.


NG F Human Wizard (Diviner) 8 | Archmageᴹ 2 | HP 62/62 | AC 22 T 14 FF 19 (all +2 v. evil) | Foretell 8/8 | Prescience 2/10 | Mythic Power 4/7 | CMD 16 | Fort +8 Ref +9 Will +11 (+2 vs. insanity/confusion) | Init +15 (and Forewarned) | Perc +17 (+18 Thamyris) | Conditions: shield 10r, expeditious retreat 7m, mirror image (5/5) 7m, protection from evil 7m, see invisibility 7m, fox's cunning 9m, alter self 18m, tears to wine 59m, heroism69m, heightened awareness 79m, message 79m, mage armor 8h| Thamyris: HP 27/27; AC 20 (T 16, FF 18) | Conditions: tears to wine 60m, merge with familiar 8h

"I see it," Verene tells the others in the merest thread of a whisper, casting her eyes down the alley they came from and then back to the square. "Don't look that way yet, but it's landed on top of that building with the blue door. It's just watching us so far. You may or may not have time to repurpose those breastplates, I don't know. I'll tell you if it moves." The outline of a plan is forming in her head. She has nothing like a net, or enough powder to reveal an invisible creature's location, but...

"Anevia, could you cast your light spell on this bolt? If it comes closer, or if Merixia has re-armored and it still hasn't done anything, I'm going to shoot it. Those without a bow of some kind may want to have those cold iron daggers ready to throw." She moves next to the archer and holds out her crossbow as though for inspection, keeping the tiny fiend in the corner of her vision. It seems like every PC has a bow and some cold iron arrows/bolts, and Merixia also has the wand of spiritual weapon.

GM, is the quasit too high up to hit with melee weapons and/or color spray? Verene's current plan is to shoot the quasit, hopefully surprising it, with a light-glowing crossbow bolt so the others can see its location. She'll do this if it makes an aggressive move or the two heavier armored folks seem ready to go. Elliot: sure, I did say back when we refitted the arrowheads that Thesius would end up with 6 arrows, Anevia with 12, and she would want to share some of her six remaining cold-iron tipped bolts with Elliot. Let's assume she gave him three of hers, then, and he gave her seven of his regular bolts to make an even ten. She still should have all three, as she shot the crossbow five times yesterday and was able to retrieve the ammunition all five times.


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The quasit's about 15 feet up, on a rooftop. So not too high for color spray, but too high for even reach melee weapons. At the moment, it doesn't look especially aggressive, but that probably will change. It is a demon, after all.

Anevia approaches Verene with a frown, but nods. With a muttered word, she touches the cold iron bolt, and it begins to glow bright white. "Alright."

GM Roll:

Quasit Perception vs DC 18: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11


M M Aasimar Magus 8 (Bb, Hex) I Archmage 2. Init +10, Per +13. HP 77/77. AC 30/FF24/T19 +1 all vs evil. S: F+12, R+15, W+11 (+2 vs conf/insan) Att. +18, 1d4+12/15-20/x2. CMB +18, CMD 25. Conc (/w SC).: +16. VS SR: +10 /+14 (evil outsider). Darkvision. Current buffs/conditions: Shared training (100 min), Keen Edge 100 min, Alter Self (19 min), Blur (8 min), Blade tutor's spirit (8 min), Longarm (8 min), Shield, haste, heroism.

"A good idea. Just give the call, Verene." Elliot whispers through the spell, trying to look straight ahead through it all and not give anything away.

He'd need to look into getting a way to deal with invisibility on his own soon.


F Tiefling (Hellspawn) Cleric of Ragathiel 8 | Hierophant 2 | HP 58/72 | AC: 21 28 (13 tch, 27 ff) | CMB +11, CMD +22 | F +9, R +4, W +12 | Init +3 | Perc +17, SM +20 | Destructive Smite 7/8 | Touch of Good 8/8 | Rage 8/8 | Holy Lance 1/1 | Channel 4d6 3/3 | Pyrotechnics 1/1 | True Strike 2/2 | Protection from Evil 0/2 | Mythic Power 4/8 | Armor Blessing 0/1 | Armor Cure 0/1 | Effects: heroism, magic circle vs evil, weapon of awe, ironskin, tears to wine, divine favor, communal protection vs fire (106 points), wrathful weapon (holy)

Well, looks like new armor will have to wait. Merixia drops the corpse and emerges from the alley, drawing her sword. "I'll get the armor after the demon is dead. I might not be much help here, not unless you can get it to come down."


NG F Human Wizard (Diviner) 8 | Archmageᴹ 2 | HP 62/62 | AC 22 T 14 FF 19 (all +2 v. evil) | Foretell 8/8 | Prescience 2/10 | Mythic Power 4/7 | CMD 16 | Fort +8 Ref +9 Will +11 (+2 vs. insanity/confusion) | Init +15 (and Forewarned) | Perc +17 (+18 Thamyris) | Conditions: shield 10r, expeditious retreat 7m, mirror image (5/5) 7m, protection from evil 7m, see invisibility 7m, fox's cunning 9m, alter self 18m, tears to wine 59m, heroism69m, heightened awareness 79m, message 79m, mage armor 8h| Thamyris: HP 27/27; AC 20 (T 16, FF 18) | Conditions: tears to wine 60m, merge with familiar 8h

Verene breathes out slowly and lets the ghost-feeling of a premonition tremble through her: a warning. Not too high, or the bolt will sail over the rooftop and the quasit's head. "It's crouched on the rooftop, one foot left of the unbroken window. On my mark. Three, two, one-" Was trying to describe the space for the others here, so even if she missed or 'aim at the source of light' doesn't work for some other reason, they would still at least know which square to aim at.
Prescience, 3/7 remaining: 1d20 ⇒ 4

She abruptly lifts the crossbow and looses.
Attack, Light crossbow, damage 1d8: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 231d8 ⇒ 5
Critical confirm: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 211d8 ⇒ 3


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M M Aasimar Magus 8 (Bb, Hex) I Archmage 2. Init +10, Per +13. HP 77/77. AC 30/FF24/T19 +1 all vs evil. S: F+12, R+15, W+11 (+2 vs conf/insan) Att. +18, 1d4+12/15-20/x2. CMB +18, CMD 25. Conc (/w SC).: +16. VS SR: +10 /+14 (evil outsider). Darkvision. Current buffs/conditions: Shared training (100 min), Keen Edge 100 min, Alter Self (19 min), Blur (8 min), Blade tutor's spirit (8 min), Longarm (8 min), Shield, haste, heroism.

Elliot holds his breath as he trails the arrow in its flight. "Rooftop of the building with the blue door, one foot left of broken window..." he mentally repeats when it vanishes, and fires!

attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
damage, CI: 1d8 ⇒ 8
miss chance if required: 1d100 ⇒ 59


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Quasit Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 Welp, I don't think it's ready for this...

Combat Start

Initiatives:

Elyda: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Verene: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Merixia: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Thesius: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Elliot: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Anevia: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Aravashnial: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Quasit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Surprise Round

With swift, sure movements, Verene fires her crossbow directly at the quasit. The glowing bolt blurs through the chill morning air, and strikes home in the demon's chest. It lets out a surprised shriek, taken totally off guard by the sudden attack. Fortunately for the rest of the party, it appears that the bolt does not disappear when it penetrates an invisible foe - the glowing missile provides an excellent basis for their aim.

In the future, Elliot, make sure to mark whether low or high misses when rolling miss chance. I'll reroll in this case, because I don't think I could fairly say one or the other - knowing as I do whether that would make it a miss or a hit. Miss Chance 50%, Low misses: 1d100 ⇒ 87 Hit!

As soon as his sister has fired her shot, Elliot follows suit almost immediately, and his own crossbow twangs as he pulls the trigger. The bolt soars over the well and a burst of blood rewards the shot as another screech of pain echoes over the courtyard.

Verene:
The quasit is badly injured - it doesn't look like it has much fight left in it. However, that doesn't mean too much, as it will keep healing as long as it's alive.

Everyone else is up. Remember, only one action - this is the surprise round. Normal initiative is thus: Elliot, Aravashnial, Anevia, Merixia, Verene, Quasit, Elyda, Thesius.

Statuses:


Elyda: HP 24/24; AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 15; corruption resistance (good) 1/1, Judgement 1/1, Touch of Good 6/6, Track Teleportation 1/1, shield of faith 19/30
Verene: HP 13/17; AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 14; Prescience 5/7, mage armor, 2 hours, see invisibility 30 minutes; Thamyris: HP 8/8; AC 18, touch 16, flat-footed 16
Merixia: HP 20/24; AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 17; pyrotechnics 1/1, true strike 1/1, Touch of Good 6/6, Destructive Smite 6/6, Channel 2/3
Thesius: HP 21/21; AC 17, touch 12, flat-footed 15; Archeologist’s Luck 7/9, uncanny dodge
Elliot: HP 27/27; AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14, Arcane Pool 5/5, pyrotechnics 1/1


Male | Half-Elf | Archaeologist Bard 5/Evangelist 3/Trickster 2 | HP 10/64 | AC 20 T 14 FF 16; Uncanny Dodge | Fort +5, Ref +11, Will +8; +2 vs. enchantments; +2 sacred vs. insanity or confusion effects | Init. +9 | Perception +25 | Low-Light Vision | Archaeologist's Luck 10/12 left, Lore Master 1/1, Mythic Power 5/7 | Spells 1st - 4/5 2nd - 0/4 3rd 2/2 | Current buffs: n/a

Thesius takes note of the floating bolt and takes the time to set his morningstar to his side while realizing he should have swapped out his weapons before knowing the enemy had wings.


F Tiefling (Hellspawn) Cleric of Ragathiel 8 | Hierophant 2 | HP 58/72 | AC: 21 28 (13 tch, 27 ff) | CMB +11, CMD +22 | F +9, R +4, W +12 | Init +3 | Perc +17, SM +20 | Destructive Smite 7/8 | Touch of Good 8/8 | Rage 8/8 | Holy Lance 1/1 | Channel 4d6 3/3 | Pyrotechnics 1/1 | True Strike 2/2 | Protection from Evil 0/2 | Mythic Power 4/8 | Armor Blessing 0/1 | Armor Cure 0/1 | Effects: heroism, magic circle vs evil, weapon of awe, ironskin, tears to wine, divine favor, communal protection vs fire (106 points), wrathful weapon (holy)

The quasit looks almost dead, so there's probably no point in Merixia getting her crossbow out. Instead she steps up next to Anevia and concentrates, touching the other woman on the shoulder. She's a good archer, but a little extra help never hurts.

5 ft step and use Touch of Good on Anevia.


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Surprise Round Wrap-Up

Aravashnial hesitates, holding back for the moment, and Anevia pauses as well, giving Merixia the chance to bless the archer with her magic.

Once Ragathiel's grace is bestowed upon her, Anevia fires a shot in the general direction of the two bolts lodged in the creature. Unfortunately, the arrow goes wide, thumping into the roof behind the quasit's location. She curses in what is presumably Shadowtongue.
Anevia Shortbow vs. Quasit, flat-footed, Touch of Good: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 = 8

Elyda draws her own crossbow, loading it to ready for the creature's next move. Likewise, Thesius puts his morningstar aside, preparing to engage in the ranged assault.

Round 1

Demonic blood continues to dribble out of the invisible quasit's wounds.

Elliot, Merixia, and Verene are up. Your NPC allies delayed last turn, and thus are now after you.

Statuses:


Elyda: HP 24/24; AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 15; corruption resistance (good) 1/1, Judgement 1/1, Touch of Good 6/6, Track Teleportation 1/1, shield of faith 19/30
Verene: HP 13/17; AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 14; Prescience 5/7, mage armor, 2 hours, see invisibility 30 minutes; Thamyris: HP 8/8; AC 18, touch 16, flat-footed 16
Merixia: HP 20/24; AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 17; pyrotechnics 1/1, true strike 1/1, Touch of Good 5/6, Destructive Smite 6/6, Channel 2/3
Thesius: HP 21/21; AC 17, touch 12, flat-footed 15; Archeologist’s Luck 7/9, uncanny dodge
Elliot: HP 27/27; AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14, Arcane Pool 5/5, pyrotechnics 1/1


M M Aasimar Magus 8 (Bb, Hex) I Archmage 2. Init +10, Per +13. HP 77/77. AC 30/FF24/T19 +1 all vs evil. S: F+12, R+15, W+11 (+2 vs conf/insan) Att. +18, 1d4+12/15-20/x2. CMB +18, CMD 25. Conc (/w SC).: +16. VS SR: +10 /+14 (evil outsider). Darkvision. Current buffs/conditions: Shared training (100 min), Keen Edge 100 min, Alter Self (19 min), Blur (8 min), Blade tutor's spirit (8 min), Longarm (8 min), Shield, haste, heroism.

"Good shot, sis! Clever too - the trick with the arrow lighting the way. I'll have to remember that one," Elliot says, grinning, as he loads and fires another bolt!

attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
damage, CI: 1d8 ⇒ 1
Concealment, high=good: 1d100 ⇒ 6


NG F Human Wizard (Diviner) 8 | Archmageᴹ 2 | HP 62/62 | AC 22 T 14 FF 19 (all +2 v. evil) | Foretell 8/8 | Prescience 2/10 | Mythic Power 4/7 | CMD 16 | Fort +8 Ref +9 Will +11 (+2 vs. insanity/confusion) | Init +15 (and Forewarned) | Perc +17 (+18 Thamyris) | Conditions: shield 10r, expeditious retreat 7m, mirror image (5/5) 7m, protection from evil 7m, see invisibility 7m, fox's cunning 9m, alter self 18m, tears to wine 59m, heroism69m, heightened awareness 79m, message 79m, mage armor 8h| Thamyris: HP 27/27; AC 20 (T 16, FF 18) | Conditions: tears to wine 60m, merge with familiar 8h

Verene reloads the crossbow with her second-to-last cold iron bolt, lifts it again, focuses on the center of mass on the tiny, bleeding green-scaled fiend on the the other side of the square, and gently squeezes the trigger.

Attack, light crossbow, damage 1d8: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 161d8 ⇒ 5

So everyone can hear easily, she message-whispers, "You hit it solidly too, Elliot, and thank you, but we were very lucky in a number of ways. Thamyris's sharp ears hearing it, its arrogance in not trying to hide due to its invisibility, and then the bolt both hitting and sticking there instead of missing, breaking or striking it a glancing blow and skipping off somewhere else. Let's not get too confident now, for it will continue to heal until we truly kill it."


F Tiefling (Hellspawn) Cleric of Ragathiel 8 | Hierophant 2 | HP 58/72 | AC: 21 28 (13 tch, 27 ff) | CMB +11, CMD +22 | F +9, R +4, W +12 | Init +3 | Perc +17, SM +20 | Destructive Smite 7/8 | Touch of Good 8/8 | Rage 8/8 | Holy Lance 1/1 | Channel 4d6 3/3 | Pyrotechnics 1/1 | True Strike 2/2 | Protection from Evil 0/2 | Mythic Power 4/8 | Armor Blessing 0/1 | Armor Cure 0/1 | Effects: heroism, magic circle vs evil, weapon of awe, ironskin, tears to wine, divine favor, communal protection vs fire (106 points), wrathful weapon (holy)

Merixia mutters a curse in Infernal, sheathing her sword. The cleric grabs her light crossbow and a cold iron bolt. "I'm not much of a shot, but I'll give it a try."

Sheathe sword and draw crossbow. I'll have to wait for my next turn to load it.


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Round 1 Midpoint

Elliot's bolt goes wide, but Verene's strikes home, and the other bolts fall back, clattering onto the roof - presumably along with the quasit they were embedded in.

Verene:
Oh, it's still up there. Just unconscious and healing. Unfortunate, really.[/ooc]

Merixia sheathes her sword, drawing her crossbow.

Anevia hesitates. "Uh... is it dead?" She asks aloud, though she has another arrow nocked in her bow. Aravashnial keeps his staff ready, but doesn't make a move to cast anything.

Elyda and Thesius are up.

[spoiler=Statuses]

Elyda: HP 24/24; AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 15; corruption resistance (good) 1/1, Judgement 1/1, Touch of Good 6/6, Track Teleportation 1/1, shield of faith 18/30
Verene: HP 13/17; AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 14; Prescience 5/7, mage armor, 2 hours, see invisibility 30 minutes; Thamyris: HP 8/8; AC 18, touch 16, flat-footed 16
Merixia: HP 20/24; AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 17; pyrotechnics 1/1, true strike 1/1, Touch of Good 5/6, Destructive Smite 6/6, Channel 2/3
Thesius: HP 21/21; AC 17, touch 12, flat-footed 15; Archeologist’s Luck 7/9, uncanny dodge
Elliot: HP 27/27; AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14, Arcane Pool 5/5, pyrotechnics 1/1


NG F Human Wizard (Diviner) 8 | Archmageᴹ 2 | HP 62/62 | AC 22 T 14 FF 19 (all +2 v. evil) | Foretell 8/8 | Prescience 2/10 | Mythic Power 4/7 | CMD 16 | Fort +8 Ref +9 Will +11 (+2 vs. insanity/confusion) | Init +15 (and Forewarned) | Perc +17 (+18 Thamyris) | Conditions: shield 10r, expeditious retreat 7m, mirror image (5/5) 7m, protection from evil 7m, see invisibility 7m, fox's cunning 9m, alter self 18m, tears to wine 59m, heroism69m, heightened awareness 79m, message 79m, mage armor 8h| Thamyris: HP 27/27; AC 20 (T 16, FF 18) | Conditions: tears to wine 60m, merge with familiar 8h

"Cat dirt," Verene mutters as her bolt topples the demon inconveniently backward. To Anevia and the others she says, "It's fallen backward unconscious, but is no doubt healing as we speak. If you can still see the source of the light, shoot at it, but otherwise we need to figure out how to get up to that roof, or bring the quasit down, and finish it off. Who has the levitation scale?" Am I understanding it right that the quasit is no longer targetable by ranged attacks from the ground, GM, because it is prone at a higher elevation?


M M Aasimar Magus 8 (Bb, Hex) I Archmage 2. Init +10, Per +13. HP 77/77. AC 30/FF24/T19 +1 all vs evil. S: F+12, R+15, W+11 (+2 vs conf/insan) Att. +18, 1d4+12/15-20/x2. CMB +18, CMD 25. Conc (/w SC).: +16. VS SR: +10 /+14 (evil outsider). Darkvision. Current buffs/conditions: Shared training (100 min), Keen Edge 100 min, Alter Self (19 min), Blur (8 min), Blade tutor's spirit (8 min), Longarm (8 min), Shield, haste, heroism.

"I think I gave the scale to Master Aravashnial earlier, to breach the chasm," Elliot responds, as he keeps peering at the roof. "I guess we either need use that, or someone has to quickly climb the roof to finish it off."

"If I could do this on my own and not have to rely on Terendelev's scale... maybe if I study it when we rest somewhere..."


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That is more or less correct, Verene. Though you could possibly hit it, it'd be with cover and the bonus to AC from prone for a total of +8 to its AC.

Also, keep in mind that you don't have to give a scale to someone to use it on them. In the cloudwalking scale's case, that is polite, because otherwise you can levitate them without any input from them, but just something to keep in mind.


NG F Human Wizard (Diviner) 8 | Archmageᴹ 2 | HP 62/62 | AC 22 T 14 FF 19 (all +2 v. evil) | Foretell 8/8 | Prescience 2/10 | Mythic Power 4/7 | CMD 16 | Fort +8 Ref +9 Will +11 (+2 vs. insanity/confusion) | Init +15 (and Forewarned) | Perc +17 (+18 Thamyris) | Conditions: shield 10r, expeditious retreat 7m, mirror image (5/5) 7m, protection from evil 7m, see invisibility 7m, fox's cunning 9m, alter self 18m, tears to wine 59m, heroism69m, heightened awareness 79m, message 79m, mage armor 8h| Thamyris: HP 27/27; AC 20 (T 16, FF 18) | Conditions: tears to wine 60m, merge with familiar 8h

I guess Verene should still want Anevia to give it her best shot(s) then, since the quasit should also be taking some pretty hefty AC penalties for being unconscious: no Dex bonus, and an effective Dex of 0 for another -5. Reduced speed and no mundane climbing without help would probably make it hard for her to do anything else, anyway.

Did we use the scale at the crevasse after all, or determine that the slope was easy enough to climb that Anevia and Aravashnial could do it with mundane aid? Either way, as its bearer, Elliot probably would get it back afterward.

"Its body is still poking up a bit over the edge of the roof, at the place where the glow is coming from and there's a broken bit of masonry, and it's lying completely still," Verene adds, hoping more information will help others make their decisions about what to do.


NG F Human Wizard (Diviner) 8 | Archmageᴹ 2 | HP 62/62 | AC 22 T 14 FF 19 (all +2 v. evil) | Foretell 8/8 | Prescience 2/10 | Mythic Power 4/7 | CMD 16 | Fort +8 Ref +9 Will +11 (+2 vs. insanity/confusion) | Init +15 (and Forewarned) | Perc +17 (+18 Thamyris) | Conditions: shield 10r, expeditious retreat 7m, mirror image (5/5) 7m, protection from evil 7m, see invisibility 7m, fox's cunning 9m, alter self 18m, tears to wine 59m, heroism69m, heightened awareness 79m, message 79m, mage armor 8h| Thamyris: HP 27/27; AC 20 (T 16, FF 18) | Conditions: tears to wine 60m, merge with familiar 8h

Just missed the editing window, but: everyone can read the last Verene spoiler. Most importantly, Elyda and Thesius are up.


M M Aasimar Magus 8 (Bb, Hex) I Archmage 2. Init +10, Per +13. HP 77/77. AC 30/FF24/T19 +1 all vs evil. S: F+12, R+15, W+11 (+2 vs conf/insan) Att. +18, 1d4+12/15-20/x2. CMB +18, CMD 25. Conc (/w SC).: +16. VS SR: +10 /+14 (evil outsider). Darkvision. Current buffs/conditions: Shared training (100 min), Keen Edge 100 min, Alter Self (19 min), Blur (8 min), Blade tutor's spirit (8 min), Longarm (8 min), Shield, haste, heroism.

If Elliot has the scale again, he wouldn't object to someone taking it from his pockets. Otherwise he could do it himself on his turn.


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Round 1 Midpoint (Redux)

Anevia looks at Verene dubiously, but fires in the quasit's general direction regardless. Unfortunately, while it would've struck home if the quasit had still been standing, the arrow arcs over the creature's prone body and strikes the roof behind it.
Shortbow vs. Quasit, prone, unconscious, cover, invisible: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Okay, math time. It loses its Dex bonus, so subtract that. Loses 5 more, so subtract that... +4 from cover, +4 from prone... and wow, that misses.

"Can anyone climb up that? I'd do it myself, but..." Anevia waves at her leg.

"I'll go." Elyda moves forwards quickly, holstering her crossbow. As she arrives at the well, she grips her holy symbol and unleashes a burst of gold-white radiance. It erupts in a sphere around her, passing over the quasit's location.
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Quasit Will vs. DC 12: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Verene:
The quasit is hurt, but not dead yet - she can still see its wounds healing.

Thesius is up.

Statuses:


Elyda: HP 24/24; AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 15; corruption resistance (good) 1/1, Judgement 1/1, Touch of Good 6/6, Track Teleportation 1/1, Alignment Channel 3/4, shield of faith 18/30
Verene: HP 13/17; AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 14; Prescience 5/7, mage armor, 2 hours, see invisibility 30 minutes; Thamyris: HP 8/8; AC 18, touch 16, flat-footed 16
Merixia: HP 20/24; AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 17; pyrotechnics 1/1, true strike 1/1, Touch of Good 5/6, Destructive Smite 6/6, Channel 2/3
Thesius: HP 21/21; AC 17, touch 12, flat-footed 15; Archeologist’s Luck 7/9, uncanny dodge
Elliot: HP 27/27; AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14, Arcane Pool 5/5, pyrotechnics 1/1


Male | Half-Elf | Archaeologist Bard 5/Evangelist 3/Trickster 2 | HP 10/64 | AC 20 T 14 FF 16; Uncanny Dodge | Fort +5, Ref +11, Will +8; +2 vs. enchantments; +2 sacred vs. insanity or confusion effects | Init. +9 | Perception +25 | Low-Light Vision | Archaeologist's Luck 10/12 left, Lore Master 1/1, Mythic Power 5/7 | Spells 1st - 4/5 2nd - 0/4 3rd 2/2 | Current buffs: n/a

His hands still free from placing the morningstar away, Thesius decides to take a chance. Quickly he moves towards Elyda, descending the stairs at a rapid pace before breaking into a full-blown run, jumping as he nears the house in an attempt to grab the edge of the roof.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Realized I need to update his gear as well. He's wearing a masterwork chainshirt and the buckler, which is bringing his +6 down to the +4)


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Round 1 Wrap-Up

Thesius moves as quickly as his burdens allow him, heading for the roof as well.

Round 2

Elliot, Merixia, and Verene are up.

Statuses:


Elyda: HP 24/24; AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 15; corruption resistance (good) 1/1, Judgement 1/1, Touch of Good 6/6, Track Teleportation 1/1, Alignment Channel 3/4, shield of faith 18/30
Verene: HP 13/17; AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 14; Prescience 5/7, mage armor, 2 hours, see invisibility 30 minutes; Thamyris: HP 8/8; AC 18, touch 16, flat-footed 16
Merixia: HP 20/24; AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 17; pyrotechnics 1/1, true strike 1/1, Touch of Good 5/6, Destructive Smite 6/6, Channel 2/3
Thesius: HP 21/21; AC 17, touch 12, flat-footed 15; Archeologist’s Luck 7/9, uncanny dodge
Elliot: HP 27/27; AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14, Arcane Pool 5/5, pyrotechnics 1/1


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M M Aasimar Magus 8 (Bb, Hex) I Archmage 2. Init +10, Per +13. HP 77/77. AC 30/FF24/T19 +1 all vs evil. S: F+12, R+15, W+11 (+2 vs conf/insan) Att. +18, 1d4+12/15-20/x2. CMB +18, CMD 25. Conc (/w SC).: +16. VS SR: +10 /+14 (evil outsider). Darkvision. Current buffs/conditions: Shared training (100 min), Keen Edge 100 min, Alter Self (19 min), Blur (8 min), Blade tutor's spirit (8 min), Longarm (8 min), Shield, haste, heroism.
Merixia wrote:
Merixia mutters a curse in Infernal, sheathing her sword. The cleric grabs her light crossbow and a cold iron bolt. "I'm not much of a shot, but I'll give it a try."

"I could also give you a boost up so you can still cut it down?" Elliot suggests to Merixia as he draws out Terendelev's scale, eyes darting between the roof with the regenarting quasit and his allies.

If Merixia accepts, Elliot delays until after her to cast Levitate on her with the scale once she's adjacent to the building. I think that if she readies an attack after moving, that should allow her to attack it this round if Elliot casts the spell and then uses his move action to move her up 20 ft?


NG F Human Wizard (Diviner) 8 | Archmageᴹ 2 | HP 62/62 | AC 22 T 14 FF 19 (all +2 v. evil) | Foretell 8/8 | Prescience 2/10 | Mythic Power 4/7 | CMD 16 | Fort +8 Ref +9 Will +11 (+2 vs. insanity/confusion) | Init +15 (and Forewarned) | Perc +17 (+18 Thamyris) | Conditions: shield 10r, expeditious retreat 7m, mirror image (5/5) 7m, protection from evil 7m, see invisibility 7m, fox's cunning 9m, alter self 18m, tears to wine 59m, heroism69m, heightened awareness 79m, message 79m, mage armor 8h| Thamyris: HP 27/27; AC 20 (T 16, FF 18) | Conditions: tears to wine 60m, merge with familiar 8h

"That was very close. Dead center, just a little too high because it's lying prone. Lower your sights just a hair and you'll hit," Verene tells Anevia steadily, keeping her eyes on the quasit. She pulls back the crossbow string, slots her last cold iron bolt into place, and aims it again. "Great idea for you to raise Merixia with the cloudpillar scale, Elliot - just wait one second for me and Anevia to try another shot, please." Like the plan, would appreciate a delay so Elliot acts last of the four of Anevia/Merixia/Verene/Elliot this round, and Verene doesn't need to try to avoid hitting Merixia (shooting into melee/soft cover for quasit.)

Attack, light crossbow, damage 1d8: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 71d8 ⇒ 3 Not that it matters for Verene this time, anyway.


F Tiefling (Hellspawn) Cleric of Ragathiel 8 | Hierophant 2 | HP 58/72 | AC: 21 28 (13 tch, 27 ff) | CMB +11, CMD +22 | F +9, R +4, W +12 | Init +3 | Perc +17, SM +20 | Destructive Smite 7/8 | Touch of Good 8/8 | Rage 8/8 | Holy Lance 1/1 | Channel 4d6 3/3 | Pyrotechnics 1/1 | True Strike 2/2 | Protection from Evil 0/2 | Mythic Power 4/8 | Armor Blessing 0/1 | Armor Cure 0/1 | Effects: heroism, magic circle vs evil, weapon of awe, ironskin, tears to wine, divine favor, communal protection vs fire (106 points), wrathful weapon (holy)

Merixia nods to Elliot, putting her crossbow away. She runs over to the building, drawing her sword as she goes. "Sounds good. Hit me!"

Her crossbow wasn't loaded, so she wouldn't be able to attack this round no matter what. Fortunately her BAB is high enough to draw a weapon for free as she moves. So next turn she'll be able to run over and whack the quasit.


Encounter Maps | Geographic Map | Treasures | Important NPCs

Round 2 Midpoint

Anevia looks at the others, before nocking another arrow and firing in the general direction of the quasit. Unfortunately, her shot goes wide once more, thudding into the roof, rather than anywhere fleshy.
Shortbow vs. Quasit, prone, invisible, unconscious: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Verene fires her crossbow, but even with the ability to see the quasit, her aiming skills are not exactly the greatest, and the shot swings low, striking a pillar that holds up the small roof the demon lies upon.

Merixia moves quickly forwards, swapping her own crossbow for her sword, even as Elliot invokes the power of Terendelev's scale. The hellspwan feels a puff of air beneath her feet - the familiar misty cloud has appeared.

Verene:
The quasit is still healing, though it's not conscious yet.

Elyda and Thesius are up.

Statuses:


Elyda: HP 24/24; AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 15; corruption resistance (good) 1/1, Judgement 1/1, Touch of Good 6/6, Track Teleportation 1/1, Alignment Channel 3/4, shield of faith 17/30
Verene: HP 13/17; AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 14; Prescience 5/7, mage armor, 2 hours, see invisibility 30 minutes; Thamyris: HP 8/8; AC 18, touch 16, flat-footed 16
Merixia: HP 20/24; AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 17; pyrotechnics 1/1, true strike 1/1, Touch of Good 5/6, Destructive Smite 6/6, Channel 2/3
Thesius: HP 21/21; AC 17, touch 12, flat-footed 15; Archeologist’s Luck 7/9, uncanny dodge
Elliot: HP 27/27; AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14, Arcane Pool 5/5, pyrotechnics 1/1


Male | Half-Elf | Archaeologist Bard 5/Evangelist 3/Trickster 2 | HP 10/64 | AC 20 T 14 FF 16; Uncanny Dodge | Fort +5, Ref +11, Will +8; +2 vs. enchantments; +2 sacred vs. insanity or confusion effects | Init. +9 | Perception +25 | Low-Light Vision | Archaeologist's Luck 10/12 left, Lore Master 1/1, Mythic Power 5/7 | Spells 1st - 4/5 2nd - 0/4 3rd 2/2 | Current buffs: n/a

Thesius waits to see what occurs next. Most of them were not in a good position to assist, so he bided his time to act in accordance with the others.

Delay turn.


F Archon-Blooded (Lawbringer) Inquisitor (Cold Iron Warden) 3| HP 24/24; AC 18 (3 mins) Touch 11, FF 15; | F:+5, R:+2, W+6| Init +4; Perc +9| Darkvision 60ft |Corruption Resistance (Good) 1/1 | Judgement 1/1 |Touch of Good 6/6|Track Teleportation 1/1|Channel Energy, dmg 1d6, 3/4

Perception to find a better place to climb up the building to the roof: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Elyda surveyed the building, hoping to find a good place to climb up to the roof to reach the quasit. She moved 15ft to reach the building. (It's 15 ft up currently, yes? Are there any places on the wall of the house that Elyda can use as handholds or footholds? Or, is it a straight wall to the edge of the roof?)

Then she waited (holding to see what Merixia does next round) - hoping Merixia, with the aid of the levitation scale, would to get to the quasit and quickly end its life as it lay prone and wounded. (She'll be ready to climb up next round, if needed, to aid Merixia.)


Encounter Maps | Geographic Map | Treasures | Important NPCs

Yes, it is 15 feet tall, and there're enough ruined areas that she can fairly easily find handholds/footholds.

Round 2 Wrap-Up

Elyda moves forwards, quickly finding the easiest route up to the roof, but holds off on climbing until Merixia arrives. Thesius, meanwhile, holds off, waiting for a better chance to act.

Round 3

Anevia hesitates, before shaking her head. "This is pointless. Merixia, Elyda, I'll leave it to you!"

Elliot, Merixia, and Verene are up. Thesius can also take his action because he delayed.

Statuses:


Elyda: HP 24/24; AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 15; corruption resistance (good) 1/1, Judgement 1/1, Touch of Good 6/6, Track Teleportation 1/1, Alignment Channel 3/4, shield of faith 17/30
Verene: HP 13/17; AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 14; Prescience 5/7, mage armor, 2 hours, see invisibility 30 minutes; Thamyris: HP 8/8; AC 18, touch 16, flat-footed 16
Merixia: HP 20/24; AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 17; pyrotechnics 1/1, true strike 1/1, Touch of Good 5/6, Destructive Smite 6/6, Channel 2/3
Thesius: HP 21/21; AC 17, touch 12, flat-footed 15; Archeologist’s Luck 7/9, uncanny dodge
Elliot: HP 27/27; AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14, Arcane Pool 5/5, pyrotechnics 1/1


M M Aasimar Magus 8 (Bb, Hex) I Archmage 2. Init +10, Per +13. HP 77/77. AC 30/FF24/T19 +1 all vs evil. S: F+12, R+15, W+11 (+2 vs conf/insan) Att. +18, 1d4+12/15-20/x2. CMB +18, CMD 25. Conc (/w SC).: +16. VS SR: +10 /+14 (evil outsider). Darkvision. Current buffs/conditions: Shared training (100 min), Keen Edge 100 min, Alter Self (19 min), Blur (8 min), Blade tutor's spirit (8 min), Longarm (8 min), Shield, haste, heroism.
Merixia wrote:
Merixia nods to Elliot, putting her crossbow away. She runs over to the building, drawing her sword as she goes. "Sounds good. Hit me!"

"All right! I think I've got you. Just get a little closer and I'll lift you up!" Elliot calls to the cleric as she rushed forwards towards the building.

"This would be a really bad time for your magic to fail, scale. Please work with me, Terendelev, so I don't look like a fool?" he thinks, as he aims the scale and tries to get a bearing for the local interplay between atmospheric and arcane energies...

He moves Merixia up 20 feet with the Levitate spell when she gets adjacent to the building.

I think he has to stay within close range with the scale's caster level to move her even after it's cast, but not sure on that. Btw, what is the caster level on the scale? 3 as minimum to cast a second level wizard spell? Read back to the post and the description of their effects didn't state that.


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Encounter Maps | Geographic Map | Treasures | Important NPCs

All of the scales' caster levels are 19 - I did say that at some point, but not in the first post they appeared. Sorry 'bout that.


M M Aasimar Magus 8 (Bb, Hex) I Archmage 2. Init +10, Per +13. HP 77/77. AC 30/FF24/T19 +1 all vs evil. S: F+12, R+15, W+11 (+2 vs conf/insan) Att. +18, 1d4+12/15-20/x2. CMB +18, CMD 25. Conc (/w SC).: +16. VS SR: +10 /+14 (evil outsider). Darkvision. Current buffs/conditions: Shared training (100 min), Keen Edge 100 min, Alter Self (19 min), Blur (8 min), Blade tutor's spirit (8 min), Longarm (8 min), Shield, haste, heroism.

Cool. In that case, the range of levitate would be 70 feet and last 19 minutes. Not too shabby!


NG F Human Wizard (Diviner) 8 | Archmageᴹ 2 | HP 62/62 | AC 22 T 14 FF 19 (all +2 v. evil) | Foretell 8/8 | Prescience 2/10 | Mythic Power 4/7 | CMD 16 | Fort +8 Ref +9 Will +11 (+2 vs. insanity/confusion) | Init +15 (and Forewarned) | Perc +17 (+18 Thamyris) | Conditions: shield 10r, expeditious retreat 7m, mirror image (5/5) 7m, protection from evil 7m, see invisibility 7m, fox's cunning 9m, alter self 18m, tears to wine 59m, heroism69m, heightened awareness 79m, message 79m, mage armor 8h| Thamyris: HP 27/27; AC 20 (T 16, FF 18) | Conditions: tears to wine 60m, merge with familiar 8h

Poor Anevia couldn't catch a break with those rolls.
"Fair enough. It's a hard ask to hit something that small and invisible to boot." Verene nods to Anevia in understanding. She says to the group as a whole, "Between the missiles and Elyda's burst of light, which burned its flesh, it was seriously hurt, but is still healing, so not dead yet. I don't know when it will wake up. I'm out of cold iron bolts for the moment, so I'll hold off and do my best to describe its location and status for you." Delay.


F Tiefling (Hellspawn) Cleric of Ragathiel 8 | Hierophant 2 | HP 58/72 | AC: 21 28 (13 tch, 27 ff) | CMB +11, CMD +22 | F +9, R +4, W +12 | Init +3 | Perc +17, SM +20 | Destructive Smite 7/8 | Touch of Good 8/8 | Rage 8/8 | Holy Lance 1/1 | Channel 4d6 3/3 | Pyrotechnics 1/1 | True Strike 2/2 | Protection from Evil 0/2 | Mythic Power 4/8 | Armor Blessing 0/1 | Armor Cure 0/1 | Effects: heroism, magic circle vs evil, weapon of awe, ironskin, tears to wine, divine favor, communal protection vs fire (106 points), wrathful weapon (holy)

The moment she's level with the roof, Merixia hops over to solid ground- er, building- and charges toward the glowing crossbow bolt. Unfortunately, her armor is slowing her down.

Have to take a double move to get within melee range.


Male | Half-Elf | Archaeologist Bard 5/Evangelist 3/Trickster 2 | HP 10/64 | AC 20 T 14 FF 16; Uncanny Dodge | Fort +5, Ref +11, Will +8; +2 vs. enchantments; +2 sacred vs. insanity or confusion effects | Init. +9 | Perception +25 | Low-Light Vision | Archaeologist's Luck 10/12 left, Lore Master 1/1, Mythic Power 5/7 | Spells 1st - 4/5 2nd - 0/4 3rd 2/2 | Current buffs: n/a

"If you drop the quasit down here, we can assist. I'm curious if we could learn anything from it, but that may be too much of a risk currently," Thesius says as Merixia moves onto the roof.

Still holding.


Encounter Maps | Geographic Map | Treasures | Important NPCs

Round 3 Wrap-Up

Merixia moves forwards, getting to the edge of the building, and Elliot activates the cloud beneath her, lifting her into range. A few moments later, and she has cut the quasit down.

Merixia:
Once again, she feels the bloodlust swell within her, demanding the death of evil. She must be sure that this fragment of the Abyss is well and truly gone.

Combat Over

I figured I might as well skip the rest - it basically had no chance of healing enough to recover and fly away.

Merixia is able to retrieve the bolts and arrows that were fired at the quasit, and returns them to their respective owners.

Anevia nods her thanks. "I feel bad about missing so much, but honestly, I can't blame myself too much. I'm not exactly able to see invisible creatures."

Aravashnial nods gravely. "Well done, everyone. And yes, Thesius, I think it would have been too much a risk - quasits can't teleport, but they can, as you may have noticed, turn invisible. Add that to being remarkably deceptive, and I don't think we would have gotten much from it."

Klarah looks from one hero to the next. "Erm... I hate to push this again, but could we maybe go see to my parents?"


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M M Aasimar Magus 8 (Bb, Hex) I Archmage 2. Init +10, Per +13. HP 77/77. AC 30/FF24/T19 +1 all vs evil. S: F+12, R+15, W+11 (+2 vs conf/insan) Att. +18, 1d4+12/15-20/x2. CMB +18, CMD 25. Conc (/w SC).: +16. VS SR: +10 /+14 (evil outsider). Darkvision. Current buffs/conditions: Shared training (100 min), Keen Edge 100 min, Alter Self (19 min), Blur (8 min), Blade tutor's spirit (8 min), Longarm (8 min), Shield, haste, heroism.

"Good job, everyone! And well-struck, Merixia," Elliot says after he moves her back down to the ground, and collects two of his precious grand total of three coldiron bolts from her. "I think Terendelev's magic will last many minutes, so if you'd ever like to go back up, just let me know."

When Anevia laments her inability to hit it, the now-swordsman waves it off. "Don't worry about it. If I'm honest, I probably got very lucky with my shot."

He listens to Klarah speak her request and nods. "Well, now that the traitors are dead, it's probably safe to discuss your parents' wherabouts. Where can we find their shop? Is it somewhere closeby?"

"...Oh, and I suppose this would be a good time to take the armors from the former crusaders too, now that we have a moment," he adds, looking at the decapitated body wearing the breastplate. "If needed, I can help don it, or clean it to some degree with magic."

I looked back at original Elliot's charsheet and I can't for the life of me figure out why he didn't buy coldiron bolts instead of normal ones. He had plenty of spare gold. I guess it's an oversight on my part.


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F Tiefling (Hellspawn) Cleric of Ragathiel 8 | Hierophant 2 | HP 58/72 | AC: 21 28 (13 tch, 27 ff) | CMB +11, CMD +22 | F +9, R +4, W +12 | Init +3 | Perc +17, SM +20 | Destructive Smite 7/8 | Touch of Good 8/8 | Rage 8/8 | Holy Lance 1/1 | Channel 4d6 3/3 | Pyrotechnics 1/1 | True Strike 2/2 | Protection from Evil 0/2 | Mythic Power 4/8 | Armor Blessing 0/1 | Armor Cure 0/1 | Effects: heroism, magic circle vs evil, weapon of awe, ironskin, tears to wine, divine favor, communal protection vs fire (106 points), wrathful weapon (holy)

It takes a few minutes for Merixia to tamp the unearthly rage she feels at the quasit's presence down. Thanks a lot, Ragathiel. Some clerics might quail at the thought of sniping at their divine patron. But hey, Ragathiel knew what Merixia was like when he chose her. If he wanted unquestioning adoration, he should have picked someone else to smite evil on his behalf.

"That would be most appreciated, Elliot." Merixia looks over at Klarah. "Give me a few minutes to switch armor and I'll be happy to do what I can for your parents." She hands the bolts and arrows over to Anevia and Verene. "Oh! Before I forget again..." The cleric pulls a handful of crossbow bolts out of her quiver. The points have the dull finish of cold iron. "I forgot earlier that I had replaced all my bolts with cold iron before I left Almas. Anyone want some? I have twenty in total, but I'd like to keep a few for myself just in case."

Once the bolts have been sorted out, she begins stripping the dead woman of her breastplate. It looks like it'll fit well enough for now, although Merixia will need to get it professionally fitted by an armorsmith for long term wear.


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NG F Human Wizard (Diviner) 8 | Archmageᴹ 2 | HP 62/62 | AC 22 T 14 FF 19 (all +2 v. evil) | Foretell 8/8 | Prescience 2/10 | Mythic Power 4/7 | CMD 16 | Fort +8 Ref +9 Will +11 (+2 vs. insanity/confusion) | Init +15 (and Forewarned) | Perc +17 (+18 Thamyris) | Conditions: shield 10r, expeditious retreat 7m, mirror image (5/5) 7m, protection from evil 7m, see invisibility 7m, fox's cunning 9m, alter self 18m, tears to wine 59m, heroism69m, heightened awareness 79m, message 79m, mage armor 8h| Thamyris: HP 27/27; AC 20 (T 16, FF 18) | Conditions: tears to wine 60m, merge with familiar 8h

Verene lets out a silent breath of relief and gratitude as Merixia's oversized sword puts paid to the quasit's existence and any possibility of it drawing greater demons down on them. "It's dead," she says via message for Merixia and the rest of the group, as soon as she is sure its wounds aren't healing. "Good job, all."

Before doing anything else, she puts a hand up to her shoulder for Thamyris to hop onto, and swiftly kisses the top of his small feathery head. "You may have just saved us all, my clever bird," she murmurs to him alone. "Extra treats for you tonight, or as soon as I find any."

The rotund little thrush shakes out his feathers importantly and preens a little. "Welcome. Danger-caller is a big job. I watch for you. You watch for them. We all watch for each other. Treats or no treats."

After a moment he adds, "But treats is better. Please do not forget later, about treats."

"I solemnly swear," Verene promises, and he hops back to her shoulder, satisfied.

***

When Merixia comes down with the retrieved ammunition and offers some of her own as well, Verene takes her up on it happily. "Thank you for remembering those, Merixia, and sharing your own. A total of ten cold iron bolts, since I also have some simple steel, should be more than enough for me. I was lucky this time, with nothing between me and a stationary target, but I am not yet used to using the crossbow in battle. I am ready to go to Klarah's parents as soon as the group is. We have no safer place than their basement to offer them yet, but I am sure she will be easier in her mind with their immediate wounds tended." She nods to the girl. Verene would like seven of Merixia's cold iron bolts, if that's acceptable.

She helps Merixia or Elyda if requested with donning the ex-crusaders' armor, or if not, reloads her crossbow and stays alert and on guard with her detect fiendish presence cantrip up.


Encounter Maps | Geographic Map | Treasures | Important NPCs

As the heroes redistribute their equipment, Anevia turns to Klarah. "Do you know much about how the city fares? Other the obvious, I mean."

"Um... Well, I don't know that much, only rumors from more friendly faces than the ones we just dealt with." Klarah says.

"Have you heard anything about Irabeth Tirablade? Or the Eagle Watch?" The archer's voice is almost hungry, with an edge of desperation.

Klarah shakes her head. "Sorry, no."

"What of the Blackwing Library?" Aravashnial adds.

The young woman shakes her head again. "No, I've not heard about that either..."

"Why not tell us what you have heard, girl?"

Klarah looks frustrated, but nods. "Well, I've heard that the demons have killed Lord Hulrun and have his body on display somewhere in the inner rings of the city. Some say near the Kite, others somewhere in the north..." She shrugs. "There're also rumors about flies and other bugs with human faces on the streets, and one survivor claimed that his wife had heard that Areelu Voresh herself is coming to claim the city as a trophy soon."

Knowledge (arcana) or Knowledge (planes) DC 20 - Thesius, Verene, and Elliot get a +2 circumstance bonus:
The human-faced bugs sound like the horrific creatures known as demonic vermin. Warped by the Worldwound's Abyssal energies, these insects and arachnids have many qualities of demons, including resistance to non-cold iron weapons, fire, acid, and cold. They also are as intelligent as their humanoid heads imply - at least as smart as the average human.

Demonic vermin also have unique and disturbing abilities, though exactly what those are varies from one creature to the next, with the exception of such abilities as creating darkness or vomiting swarms of smaller creatures. The cults of Deskari are fond of using demonic vermin, so it is no surprise that they are present here.

Once everyone is prepared, Klarah begins to lead the heroes on their way. Feel free to continue talking with her, each other, etc. on the road.


NG F Human Wizard (Diviner) 8 | Archmageᴹ 2 | HP 62/62 | AC 22 T 14 FF 19 (all +2 v. evil) | Foretell 8/8 | Prescience 2/10 | Mythic Power 4/7 | CMD 16 | Fort +8 Ref +9 Will +11 (+2 vs. insanity/confusion) | Init +15 (and Forewarned) | Perc +17 (+18 Thamyris) | Conditions: shield 10r, expeditious retreat 7m, mirror image (5/5) 7m, protection from evil 7m, see invisibility 7m, fox's cunning 9m, alter self 18m, tears to wine 59m, heroism69m, heightened awareness 79m, message 79m, mage armor 8h| Thamyris: HP 27/27; AC 20 (T 16, FF 18) | Conditions: tears to wine 60m, merge with familiar 8h

Verene does not react to the rumor of Hulrun's death. The old witch-hunter has ruled Kenabres as long as she can remember, and he was not granted the position for being personally ineffectual in battle. She will need more evidence than this to believe he is dead. Insects with human faces, meanwhile, sounds like exactly the kind of nightmarish amalgamation the Worldwound is so good at producing, but not one she's particularly familiar with.

"Areelu Vorlesh... the cultists' letter we found also indicated she was coming to Kenabres, but to interfere with the Wardstone, not to claim the city. In fact, it seemed they thought that once she had accomplished her goal, Kenabres itself would no longer interest them."

Knowledge (planes) DC 20, +2 circumstance: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 2 = 14


F Archon-Blooded (Lawbringer) Inquisitor (Cold Iron Warden) 3| HP 24/24; AC 18 (3 mins) Touch 11, FF 15; | F:+5, R:+2, W+6| Init +4; Perc +9| Darkvision 60ft |Corruption Resistance (Good) 1/1 | Judgement 1/1 |Touch of Good 6/6|Track Teleportation 1/1|Channel Energy, dmg 1d6, 3/4

After the quasit was put to death by Merixia, Elyda moved back from the building to join her companions; acknowledging the good work to finish the creature off. Upon Merixia's offer of some of the cold iron bolts, Elyda declined, "I have some myself, so I leave those bolts to those who have a need for them. Thank you, Merixia."

Listening as Klarah began speaking, it did no surprise her that Hulrun was dead, but to have his lifeless body displayed thusly did not sit right with the inquisitor. Hulrun wasn't well liked and could do unspeakable things, yet a person deserved a consecrated burial. Elyda then turned her attention to the human-faced bugs and what she knew of such creatures as they walked.

Know. Planes (DC 20): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

"From what you've described, Klarah, the human-faced bugs sound like demonic vermin. Warped by the Worldwound's Abyssal energies, these insects and arachnids have taken on qualities of demons such as resistance to non-cold iron weapons, fire, acid and cold. They have intelligence, due to their humanoid heads, and are as clever as an average human."


Encounter Maps | Geographic Map | Treasures | Important NPCs

"That sounds bad." Klarah says, worried. "Wait, you've found a cultist's letter? Where have you been that you've had that chance?"


NG F Human Wizard (Diviner) 8 | Archmageᴹ 2 | HP 62/62 | AC 22 T 14 FF 19 (all +2 v. evil) | Foretell 8/8 | Prescience 2/10 | Mythic Power 4/7 | CMD 16 | Fort +8 Ref +9 Will +11 (+2 vs. insanity/confusion) | Init +15 (and Forewarned) | Perc +17 (+18 Thamyris) | Conditions: shield 10r, expeditious retreat 7m, mirror image (5/5) 7m, protection from evil 7m, see invisibility 7m, fox's cunning 9m, alter self 18m, tears to wine 59m, heroism69m, heightened awareness 79m, message 79m, mage armor 8h| Thamyris: HP 27/27; AC 20 (T 16, FF 18) | Conditions: tears to wine 60m, merge with familiar 8h

"Underground," Verene answers Klarah as they walk. "We fell far below the city when the rifts opened in the attack, into a network of caves and tunnels. The exit point we eventually found was through a disused sewer tunnel in the southeast corner of the Gate District. But a group of demon cultists had been using the sewer, and the complex of caves just below it, as a hideout. It seemed some of them, at least, had infiltrated the Crusade as false crusaders, and had successfully disguised their true allegiances for months or more in order to facilitate this attack. They were still in communication with Staunton Vhane, the dwarven captain of the Hammers of Heaven mercenaries who was exposed as a traitor and fled last year. We had to fight our way through them and their allies to get here."

She pauses and then adds, "When we heard you call for help, I thought at first that it was more false crusaders like that who had caught you. The truth was... perhaps worse. But my point, as I'm sure you know from living here on the edge of the Worldwound, is that appearances can be deceptive. Sometimes its effects are straightforward, like creating these nightmarish vermin with human heads." She nods to Elyda. "But other times, what looks fair can be monstrous, and what looks monstrous can be fair."

Verene looks at Klarah consideringly, gauging her reaction and deciding whether to say more. She would like to spread the word of the loyal forgotten children, so that people will not respond by once more driving them away with fear and hatred, if and when they do come to the surface. But not if the girl seems dismissive or prejudiced. She had not responded badly to Merixia, but that is no guarantee of anything.


M M Aasimar Magus 8 (Bb, Hex) I Archmage 2. Init +10, Per +13. HP 77/77. AC 30/FF24/T19 +1 all vs evil. S: F+12, R+15, W+11 (+2 vs conf/insan) Att. +18, 1d4+12/15-20/x2. CMB +18, CMD 25. Conc (/w SC).: +16. VS SR: +10 /+14 (evil outsider). Darkvision. Current buffs/conditions: Shared training (100 min), Keen Edge 100 min, Alter Self (19 min), Blur (8 min), Blade tutor's spirit (8 min), Longarm (8 min), Shield, haste, heroism.

Happy new year, everyone!

Elliot thanks Merixia when she graciously offers to share her coldiron bolts. "Then I'll take five, if that's all right. If I need to load the crossbow more than eight times in one fight, we probably should have picked it more carefully," he says, rather dryly, and cleans the blood off the breastplate with Prestidigitation. He consequently fumbles a bit with the leather straps on the back of the breastplate when the Tiefling puts it on, muttering something about 'infernal contraptions' under his breath, but fortunately there weren't that many possibilities and vague memories of a different life helped him out.

"There, that should do it! Looks good on you," he says, giving it an experimental tug, and finding it hold. His gaze glides to the body of its original owner and his mood sombers as he makes a silent prayer sign for her. "May you use it better than she would have," he adds mentally.

When Verene brings up the letter again after the conversation shifts from Elyda's description of the Vermin, he nods and turns to Klarah. "I don't suppose you know anything about the wardstone? From all of this happening, the demons got past it somehow. I first thought it must have been destroyed or disabled. But... it could get worse. We know Areelu Vorlesh herself is or was working on it. What if she manages to corrupt a powerful artefact like that, rather than just rendering it useless to us? How much harm could it do?" he wonders, then shakes his head.

"Well... maybe we should focus on that after we find any survivors. Say, Klarah, does this store of your parents have a name? It's not 'Topaz Solutions', by any chance, is it?" he continues, getting the name from Vorlash' letter. It would be an insane coincidence, and he wasn't sure what it'd mean if it were. But still...


F Tiefling (Hellspawn) Cleric of Ragathiel 8 | Hierophant 2 | HP 58/72 | AC: 21 28 (13 tch, 27 ff) | CMB +11, CMD +22 | F +9, R +4, W +12 | Init +3 | Perc +17, SM +20 | Destructive Smite 7/8 | Touch of Good 8/8 | Rage 8/8 | Holy Lance 1/1 | Channel 4d6 3/3 | Pyrotechnics 1/1 | True Strike 2/2 | Protection from Evil 0/2 | Mythic Power 4/8 | Armor Blessing 0/1 | Armor Cure 0/1 | Effects: heroism, magic circle vs evil, weapon of awe, ironskin, tears to wine, divine favor, communal protection vs fire (106 points), wrathful weapon (holy)
Elliot, the Red Heron wrote:
"If I need to load the crossbow more than eight times in one fight, we probably should have picked it more carefully," he says...

Merixia chuckles as she hands out her bolts to Verene and Elliot. "Isn't that the truth." She helps as best she can with the breastplate, but some places are too awkward for her to tighten the straps as much as they should be. "Thank you, Elliot!" The cleric straps her old armor and the male corpse's breastplate onto her pack.

"Okay, Klarah! Lead on. I can't make any guarantees without examining them, but Ragathiel willing I'll be able to help." The girl's news of demonic vermin is worrying, but not surprising. One problem at a time.


Encounter Maps | Geographic Map | Treasures | Important NPCs

Klarah blinks. "Underground? And the cultists infiltrated Kenabres? Guess Lord Hulrun was right about some things, then..." She shakes her head. "I think I remember hearing about Staunton Vhane... something about trying to infiltrate the Kite."

"Which makes sense, given what we now know of Areelu Vorlesh's goals with the wardstone." Aravashnial notes.

"Yes... Irabeth, my wife, fought him there. She was the one who discovered his treachery." Anevia says, reluctantly. "Gods, I hope she's alright."

"Wait, Irabeth? You're that Tirablade?" Klarah looks surprised. "I didn't realize. It's an honor to meet you in person... and I hope your wife is safe, too."

Anevia offers her a tired smile. "Thanks."

Horgus grunts. "You didn't mention that you knew more about Vhane." His tone is mildly accusatory, but mostly just grumpy.

"It wasn't relevant." Anevia turns a challenging gaze to him.

Klarah looks to Elliot. "No... my parents are just tailors, not alchemists. It was Fine Fittings, but now it's just ruins." To Merixia she nods. "Thank you."

I'll bring you on to Klarah's parents once you've had a chance to respond to this.


NG F Human Wizard (Diviner) 8 | Archmageᴹ 2 | HP 62/62 | AC 22 T 14 FF 19 (all +2 v. evil) | Foretell 8/8 | Prescience 2/10 | Mythic Power 4/7 | CMD 16 | Fort +8 Ref +9 Will +11 (+2 vs. insanity/confusion) | Init +15 (and Forewarned) | Perc +17 (+18 Thamyris) | Conditions: shield 10r, expeditious retreat 7m, mirror image (5/5) 7m, protection from evil 7m, see invisibility 7m, fox's cunning 9m, alter self 18m, tears to wine 59m, heroism69m, heightened awareness 79m, message 79m, mage armor 8h| Thamyris: HP 27/27; AC 20 (T 16, FF 18) | Conditions: tears to wine 60m, merge with familiar 8h
Worldwound GM wrote:
Klarah blinks. "Underground? And the cultists infiltrated Kenabres? Guess Lord Hulrun was right about some things, then..."

"Yes, the same way a blind cockerel is right once a day," Verene deadpans without thinking, and then immediately feels guilty. That was unkind, and perhaps insensitive to Aravashnial; and the man might be dead, after all. And no one ever questioned his loyalty to the Crusade. But is it both true and necessary? She thinks it is. "Sorry, Master Aravashnial, I shouldn't have phrased it that way, and meant no offense. It's just that until now, Staunton Vhane was the only confirmed proof of any cultist having infiltrated Kenabres in my lifetime. And finding him out was none of Lord Hulrun's doing. It's hard to stomach the thought that thirty years of his destructive paranoia might be even slightly vindicated by an attack his methods wholly failed to prevent."

I'm trying to figure out if Verene should have known before Anevia says it here that Anevia's wife, Lady Tirablade, the knight of the Eagle Watch and paladin who sold her sword, was the same person as the half-orc paladin Irabeth who discovered Staunton. It's possible that Verene only heard about the paladin who caught Staunton by her first name, and I think Anevia didn't call her by her first name until we emerged from underground, but from then on, Verene should have known. There can't be more than one paladin named Irabeth in the city.
Knowledge (local): Irabeth Tirablade?: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

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