Protectors of Golarion (Wrath of the Righteous AP)

Game Master Sensen

”Elyda!” Merixia slashes viciously at the darkmantle in front of her, channeling her fear into fury. ”She’s down and the creature is choking her! Three steps in front of the entrance to the left!”

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Damage +1 Destructive Smite: 1d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 = 12

Thesius inspects the stone figures as they pass by...

Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

...he gleans little from them, but is caught unaware as the battle ensues.

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

After cursing himself under his breath, he moves the dancing lights from behind him up to the edge of the darkness to try to get a better view of what was happening.

"Fear not Aravashnial, it is I moving past you," he says as he moves past the blind mage and up towards the front. Invoking a spell of curing as he does so.

Is moving through an ally difficult terrain or can Thesius make it next to Elyda? I treated them as difficult terrain for the moment, but he'll move up further if able.

"Where is she?" he asks while trying to catch a glimpse of her so that he can cure her.

In case he is able to reach out and place the spell of healing upon Elyda.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Round 1

With the pain in her shoulder and the creature now attached, squeezing and choking her, Elyda felt a warmth spread through her upon someone's touch (I think Elyda can't see it's Thesius from the creature's grapple?) and attempted to escape the darkmantle's clutches - leveraging her blade to try to remove it from her.

Combat maneuver to break the grapple: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 vs creature's CMD

===

Current Status & Conditions: 8/10 HP

Round 1 Wrap-Up

Elliot moves swiftly into the room, before unleashing a blast of (monochrome, ironically) color at the darkmantle, which shudders slightly, but seems to totally ignore the colors otherwise.
Will Save vs. DC 16: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Merixia, meanwhile, calls upon the wrath of the General of Vengeance and cleaves off a significant portion of the top of her foe's stalactite-like body. It collapses to the ground, where it gradually spasms and goes still.

Thesius, aware that the darkness will consume his dancing lights, brings them to just outside its radius, enabling him to see Elyda clearly. Invoking the healing magic endowed by his natural prowess, he helps restore her throat to working condition even as she fights off the creature's grasp. Elyda is now at 8 hp, and is not grappled any more.

Aravashnial stumbles slightly as Thesius brushes past him, but remains upright. "Where is it?" He calls, fingers of his left hand flexing as he lifts it slightly, as though to invoke some sort of magic.

Round 2
Anevia, granted some light albeit dim by Thesius' spell, steps forwards to attack the badly wounded (and sole remaining) darkmantle. It floats out of her reach, and slaps the sword for its temerity in approaching it.
Shortsword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
20% Miss Chance (Low Bad): 1d100 ⇒ 86

Verene is up.

Verene finishes her casting and Merixia surges up toward the ceiling, doubling in size. Thesius's clever use of his dancing lights allows her to see the distressed thrashing of the injured darkmantle as Elyda breaks its grasp with her blade and heaves it off herself, but they are dim shapes in a shadowy tableau. She moves left around the side of the cavern and reloads her crossbow, preparing to shoot at it in the unlikely event that the darkmantle is not quickly handled by her more martially capable companions. Move to the square northwest of Elyda, move action equivalent to reload crossbow.

On her way she calls to Aravashnial, "Master Aravashnial, you can stay your hand for now. Merixia killed one of the darkmantles and Thesius has aided Elyda, who then broke free of the remaining one's hold. The second monster is badly wounded and will soon fall." She hopes she hasn't spoken too soon.

Round 2 Continued

Verene unleashes her spell on Merixia, who grows rapidly taller and broader. She then repositions, preparing her crossbow to fire again - just in case. Meanwhile, Aravashnial lowers his hand slowly, though he remains on guard.

The sole remaining darkmantle's tentacles slap out at Anevia, sending her staggering in one direction with a strike to her temple, then in the other as it cracks her ribs. Swiftly, it wraps its tendrils around the woman, who manages one quick breath before it begins crushing the life from her.
Slam vs. Anevia: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 Why can't my PC rolls be this high this consistently?
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Grab vs. CMD 16: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Constrict Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 Why do I even bother?

Elliot, Merixia, Thesius, Elyda, wrap it up!

"Whoa!" Merixia is startled out of her anger by the foreign sensation of being much bigger. Her horns are brushing the ceiling! It might actually be harder to hit the darkmantle like this, it looks so small now. She calls upon Ragathiel's power for a bit of guidance, then brings her now-enormous sword down on the creature.

Using Touch of Good for +1 attack to cancel out the -1 from being Large. Temporary +2 Str from enlarge person.

Attack w/+2 Str: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 = 12

Damage: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (4, 4) + 4 = 12

Thesius dances through Merixia’s square and around the creature to engage from the opposite side of Elyda. A prayer to Desna upon his lips as he lashes out with his sword hoping to end this battle.

Having issues moving my character from my phone, but using the full 30 movement to prevent attacks of opportunity and enter into a flanking position and invoking archaeologist’s luck as a swift.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 2 + 2 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 = 9

"You've GOT to be kidding me..." Elliot grumbles, staring at the darkling that shrugged off his most powerful spell like it was nothing.

Well... that sucked. And as a nice bonus, it was absolutely hammering Anevia now as well. Great.

Not knowing what else to do, he draws his crossbow and attempts to hit it.

attack into melee: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3

His shot goes wide.

Round 2

Seeing the darkmantle wrap Anevia in its tendrils and her companions attack to kill it, Elyda attacked the creature, hoping to pry it off the woman for good.

Longsword attack on red lined darkmantle with flank bonus: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 2 = 19
Damage, if hits: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

(Terrible time to roll a 1 on dmg!)

===

Current Status & Conditions: 8/10 HP

Round 2 Wrap-Up

Elliot fires his crossbow into the melee, aiming for the darkmantle, but it soars off into the darkness, clattering against the far wall. Meanwhile, Merixia, startled by her new size, thwacks her horn against a nearby lip of the stone ceiling, which throws off her aim - despite calling upon Ragathiel to aid her in her blow.

Thesius sweeps in evasively, despite the shadows, and slashes at the darkmantle with his longsword, but the creature sways out of the way, leaning closer to tighten its grip on Anevia's neck.

Seized by inspiration, Elyda weaves a web of steel around the darkmantle, slowly closing it and offering it a death of small cuts. It collapses into a heap on the floor, shuddering briefly before falling still.

Combat Over.

Anevia falls to her knees, coughing and hacking as she struggles to regain her breath. "Okay, I'm going farther back. This sword-swinging..." She coughs. "Isn't my thing."

"Are they fallen?" Aravashnial asks from behind. "What's going on?"

Watching as the darkmantle's grip on Anevia fell away and the creature slid to the ground in death, Elyda breathed out and answered Anevia, "Breathe slowly and the air way will clear in due course. They certainly have a strong grip, Elyda understood well enough as it was only recently she fought her way out of its grip. "I am grateful for you coming to my assistance, Anevia. I am sorry it put you in such peril. I agree, it is better you remain further back and aid with your bow, where possible."

"Are they fallen?" Aravashnial asks from behind. "What's going on?"

"Master Aravashnial, the creatures have fallen and we are standing."

Turning to Thesius, "Your healing was certainly a boon as I was wrapped in its death grip. I thank you, Thesius."

Looking to her other companions, "Thank you for all your brave efforts with these fell creatures." The very tall Merixia was an imposing figure inside the cavern.

Then pulling a rag from her pack, she wiped her blade and sheathed it; stowing her buckler and dirty rag, so she could investigate the area and what was on the darkmantles (anything of note or value).

Perception to search: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

"I do not see anything of note in this chamber. The crusader statues' strange, melancholic expressions continue to draw my gaze," Elyda expressed quietly, while her eyes continued surveying the stone cravings across the walls. Out of some curiosity, Elyda began casting Detect Magic, focusing on the statues nearest her.

Meanwhile, Merixia rubs her horn, waiting for Verene's spell to wear off. "I think this spell will take some getting used to." Once it does, she hurries over to Anevia to cast a quick spell and look her over.

Heal w/ +1 Guidance: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 1 = 21

Aravashnial steps gingerly into the chamber, using his staff to check the floor and vicinity before him for anything that might trip him up. "Statues? Could you describe them for me?" When someone does so, he ponders for a moment, before brightening. "Excellent! I knew it. These are probably carved by the children of those crusaders who fled from persecution after the First Crusade."

"Thanks." Anevia offers Merixia a wry, tired smile, before slowly using her crutch to push herself upright. "I think I'll be sticking around Thesius in the back from now on. I definitely prefer to shoot my enemies rather than try to stab them."

Meanwhile, Horgus glowers at the room. "When will the darkness go away? I can't see a damn thing."

Yes, the darkness is still present. It's going to stick around for about five minutes, if you want to wait it out. Verene, Horgus, and Anevia can see in dim light to about where Elyda is, whereupon it gets dark. Thesius can see in dim light two squares further.

Verene breathes a sigh of relief and lowers her crossbow slightly as soon as the darkmantle drops, but she doesn't let go of it yet. "Thank goodness. Well done, all. But I for one am not letting my guard down, and I don't think we should stay in this place long, for I'm not at all sure that either of these darkmantles was the 'he' Lord Horgus referred to as we were entering this chamber. That 'he' could be on his way right now."

With a muttered word and a snap of her fingers, she calls her light to the new bolt in her crossbow (which means it's now gone from the original bolt that hit the darkmantle) and walks back along the right (south) edge of the chamber, skirting the cloud of unnatural blackness summoned by the darkmantle as best she can, to get a better look at the statues she barely registered before. But she knows nothing further about them than what Elyda and Aravashnial have already mentioned, so she keeps quiet. Already did that roll at the beginning of the combat.

Knowledge (arcana) to know that darkness can be blocked by a lightproof covering just like light can?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 Probably?

The wizard approaches the tunnel at the southeastern edge of the cave, lighting her crossbow bolt once more and peering into it. Thesius and their human companions swiftly lose sight of her, blocked as she is by the supernatural darkness.

"What 'he?'" Horgus asks waspishly, though he seems resigned to his confusion at this point.

Aravashnial looks reluctant. "So much could be learned from these... ah, well. Perhaps there will be more discoveries that could aid the cause further on. Ideally, a way out, too."

Verene relays back to the others, "There's a short, narrow passage here that would be a bit of a squeeze for you in your current state, Merixia, but after a few feet it opens up into a much larger cavern where you'd have plenty of room to stand up without brushing the ceiling. Sorry for the trouble; with your horns you're functionally even taller than I thought you would be. I don't see any immediate danger there, but much of the space is still hidden to me."

"Elyda, if you can find the object the darkmantle called darkness to with your magical senses, and cover that object, the darkness should be contained by it just as a light spell would."

"I will try, Verene."

Using her darkvision to see within the magically darkened area, Elyda began to cast Detect Magic upon the stalactite on the roof of the cavern where the darkmantles were hanging when they had entered the space.

Meanwhile, Elliot is looking at the statues with his master. Was there anything noteworthy about them that they might be able to use later, assuming they found the 'molepeople' and not died horrible deaths on the way?

History: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

"Darkness has a fairly limited radius, right, something like twenty feet? And we have at least three of us who can see through it. I say don't bother with finding the object and covering it. Everyone can link hands with one of us and we'll guide you through until we come out the other side," he absently notes as the light topic comes up. "We shouldn't overthink a problem when a simple solution exists before us."

Elyda discovers that the stalactite that the darkmantle was hanging onto earlier is the source of the darkness. While significantly smaller than it appeared with the darkmantle attached, it's still not exactly... small

I'll let Merixia do a Strength test if she wants to pursue the "break it down and into pieces" approach. Otherwise, it'll probably be a whole lot of effort to cover the thing and/or get it down in a reasonable amount of time.

"Verene, the stalactite is the source of the darkness. Do you wish it broken down and covered or leave it as Elliot has suggested and we guide those who cannot see through the darkness until we have passed the radius?"

Thesius sighs in relief as the battle concludes. These events were taking a toll on him, but he was glad they had been able to make it through so far. Their teamwork already seeming to improve in the face of uncertainty. He raises his gaze at Elyda’s comment and responds, “I’m glad I was able to make it in time and Aneva’s presence in the back would help ease my mind should I need to move to assist others.”

With a side thought he renews his dancing lights spell. He was starting to do so about every 30 seconds at this point to help ensure it would stay up for a bit should they encounter something.

He has been keeping the lights trailing them to give those in front more coverage and allowing him to keep an eye further behind for any lurking threats.

"Don't worry about it, Verene. Most people aren't used to taking horns into account." Ah, the joys of tiefling life.

"Verene, the stalactite is the source of the darkness. Do you wish it broken down and covered or leave it as Elliot has suggested and we guide those who cannot see through the darkness until we have passed the radius?"

"Hmm, let me give it a try. If I can't get it down quickly we can just lead the others like Elliot said." Might as well get some use out of the enlarge person spell. Merixia braces herself, grabs hold of the stalactite, and pulls with all her might.

Strength check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Though she struggles mightily, even with her additional size and leverage, Merixia proves incapable of tearing the stalactite from its place in the ceiling. Thesius' dancing lights are suppressed within the area of darkness, plunging it into complete blackness, save for a dim light that probably represents Verene's own spell on the far side.

"I have no preference for whether we deal with the darkness or move through it." Aravashnial says dryly. "It is quite literally the same to me."

Anevia shrugs, a motion only barely visible to Thesius. "I say we go."

Horgus remains unnervingly silent, apparently disinterested in the question.

Elliot gently pats his master on the shoulder. "Don't worry, master. We'll get through this yet."

When Merixia fails to tear down the stalactite - or was that stalagmite? He always switched them up but would never tell anyone about it! - Elliot nods and walks forward. "Good try, but it looks like we're walking through. Now, everyone who can't see in the dark, link hands in a line behind me. I'll guide us at the head. Merixia and Elyda can seperately walk out in front of us with their weapons drawn in case we'd run into trouble."

There was a slightly impatient tone to his voice, which was also more commanding than usual. "We need to get out of here as quick as possible. Who knows what's going on up there, and I, for one, would never forgive myself if something horrible happened to my parents or sister while I was stuck here. Let's move!"

Elyda simply nodded, drew her sword and fixed her buckler, positioning herself in front. When everyone was ready to move, hands linked behind Elliot, the young inquisitor steadily and carefully led the party forward through the darkness.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

As Elyda enters the room, peeking around the corner, she hears a chanting from beyond the range of her vision - a spell of some sort. Once it is completed, a voice raw with disuse shrieks. "So, you have finally come for me, have you? To take me to your prisons again? Caused even these," the voice says a word that none of the heroes recognize, "to stop me! I'll never go with you again! Come!"

From the dark, a filthy dwarf dressed in ragged clothing emerges. His beard is wild and knotted, and he clearly has spent more time down here than is healthy. Most notable, however, is the fact that his outline shifts and flickers, making his position hard to define even for the planestouched.

Combat Start
Anevia, lost in the darkness and still clutching Elliot's shoulder, groans. "Can't we go more than an hour without encountering something or someone that wants to kill us?"

Thesius and Verene are up. Initiative order goes Anevia, Thesius, Verene, mystery dwarf, Elyda, Elliot, and Merixia. Check the discussion thread for reminders of the light/dark situation.

Spellcraft DC 17: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Verene stiffens at the ragged cry from ahead, her heart pounding. Hunted and haunted. Right on cue, she thinks grimly. But this man, however strange and misled, was intelligent and had spoken to them. That meant there might be a chance to avoid violence.

"Whoever he is, he just cast a defensive spell to make himself harder to hit, not an offensive one," she says to her companions. "This might just be a tragic misunderstanding. Maybe we can still avoid bloodshed."

Verene swallows hard and peeks over Elyda's shoulder, around the corner, at the dwarf-shaped flickering form in the shadows ahead. She pitches her voice as loud as she can while still being soothing. "Sir— kind sir, I swear we mean you no harm. We are lost, and have wounded people with us. We were not looking for you, or for anything except a way out. Please, we don't want to fight."

Is a Diplomacy roll appropriate here? I know it's usually not in combat, but in case it is, I'll roll it. Verene is being completely honest, if that makes a difference to the dwarf's reaction. Verene will wait until the dwarf responds verbally or takes a further hostile action, which might mean she delays and becomes part of the Elyda/Elliot/Merixia group.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

"Liars! I've heard it all before! You want to steal my knowledge and throw me into the war again!" The dwarf shrieks at Verene, spittle flying from his mouth to his beard.

You can take your turn, Verene - this exchange can be a free action, since he's too far gone to respond coherently to such an outreach.

Verene sighs and moves forward, through the little passage, and to the right inside the cavern. "I don't want to hurt you, or steal your knowledge, or make you fight any wars. But if you try to hurt us, I will shoot," she warns the dwarf, raising her crossbow with its glowing bolt. Move so that he's within the area of her light, ready action to fire crossbow at the dwarf if he starts casting again. If against all odds it hits, he'll have to make a Concentration check or lose the spell.

Merixia groans softly at the thought of trying to squeeze through that passage. "Elliot, Thesius, Anevia, Aravashnial, you'd better all go ahead of me. I might be able to get through there, but I might end up having to wait until this spell wears off."

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

"We mean no harm. We fell down here during the catastrophe that happened above. We are trying to find our way back, but are unfamiliar with the way," Thesius adds trying to further the cause of no further bled being shed.

Diplomacy to Aid: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Round 1

As Verene and Thesius enter into the larger room, trying to calm him, the dwarf is given brief pause. "Not here for that? Impossible. Liars, all of them... but even if they're not..." He casts a brief, furtive look at the two. "Half-elf, human, yes... possible to transfer the power? No. Maybe with...?" He looks up, smiling widely. "Yes, you will do wonderfully. Welcome to Millorn's palace! The memories of this wonderful home will last your entire lives."

In the dark of the previous cavern, Elliot notices Aravashnial starting. "Millorn?! Did I hear that correctly?"

The dwarf who is presumably Millorn steps forwards, his smile widening manically, before he gestures back towards the other end of the cavern. "You should make yourselves comfortable. This will only hurt until you fall unconscious." Whipping his hands back towards the intruders, he flicks his fingers as he begins to weave his magic.

Quick to respond, Verene launches her bolt at him, but it skitters of into the darkness before cracking against the wall, the enchantment fading as the item breaks.
Bolt Safe? Low Survival: 1d100 ⇒ 73 Nope.

"You will prove perfect. It has been so long since those untainted with the Abyss have visited! Please, feel free to scream." He flings out his hand, and a pair of bursts of grey-green energy fly out to strike Thesius and, behind him, Elyda. The missiles fly forth, whirling around and smashing into the heroes. Thesius takes his in the chest, whilst Elyda is feels her head snap back as a powerful force smashes against her forehead.
Damage, Thesius: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Thesius is, to the best that I can figure, at 2 hp now.
Damage, Elyda: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 Elyda is now at 3 hp.

Elyda, Elliot, and Merixia are up.

Round 1

Spellcraft (DC 16): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Elyda's temple was stinging, gripped in the squeezing pain from the grey-green energy which had forcefully hit her in the forehead. Her being was certainly taking a beating this day and it would not do for her to succumb from consistent injury and leave the party with one less warrior to aid them. It is better I am standing in order to fight.

"The dwarf Millorn is shooting magic missiles at us," was all Elyda could say to warn the companions behind her.

Momentarily swapping her sword into her other hand, and, rummaging inside her pack, Elyda drew out the healing potion she had placed in there earlier. Unstopping it, she drank the potion in an effort to heal some of the damage she had incurred.

CLW potion on Elyda: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

That's all she can do this round.

==

Current Conditions: 7/10 HP. No healing potions remain on her person now.

Delaying until Elliot moves into the next room.

Once Merixia gets into that tight passage, she'll be a sitting duck at her size. She's not sure if Millorn is evil or just crazy, but she might as well try a protection spell just in case. The cleric chants a spell in Celestial, her enlarged form briefly shimmering with energy.

"Once more into the breach..." Taking a deep breath, Merixia sucks it in as best she can and tries to get through.

Casting domain spell, protection from evil. +2 AC, +2 all saves, extra saving throw vs. charms and compulsions at +2, immune to possession by evil creatures, cannot be touched by evil summoned creatures.

"Okay, this one is a little too insane for my tastes. Time to knock him down a notch."

Quick post with phone as im away for most of the day. Elliot walks forward to where he can hit the dwarf and casts grease on him with an arcane reservoir point to make it dc 16 reflex or fall prone.

Round 1 Wrap-Up

Elyda warns the others behind her, drinking her potion in preparation to go engage the dwarf wizard.

"Elliot, wait-" Aravashnial says before Elliot rushes forwards (leaving his master behind), and draws upon his well of arcane power to reinforce the spell he conjures at the dwarf. A suddenly glistening Millorn staggers, swaying, before falling flat on his back with a crash. He screams what's probably a curse in Dwarven.
Reflex vs. DC 16: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 Aren't you glad you spent that reservoir point now?

Meanwhile, Merixia invokes her own spell of protection, and feels Ragathiel's gaze upon her, a shield against the vile foes she must face. Before she can move further, though, Aravashnial puts a hand on her. "Wait. This will help." Drawing a wand from within his cloak, he touches her with it and mutters a command phrase.
False Life: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 Well now. Merixia gets max temporary HP. She now has 10 temporary HP, bringing her total to 20 HP.

Round 2
"I need your help to get to someplace I can see, Merixia." Anevia says, an edge of impatience to her voice. The tiefling woman gently grabs her from behind and ushers her out of the spell's range, whereupon she trundles forwards, behind Elyda, and draws her bow. "Thanks." She says quickly.

Thesius and Verene are up.

Thesius is torn on what to do with their newest threat. This is not a simple threat, but a sentient one which seems to be suffering from some kind of mental episode. He moves in with a prayer to Desna as he attempts to use the flat of his blade to knock out the prone dwarf, his lights leading the way.

Free action to move lights over the dwarf, swift action to activate archaeologist's luck, move action to get within striking distance without stepping into the grease, and standard to attack. Please feel free to adjust my character if it's where the grease was supposed to be.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 + 2 = 20 -4 for a 16 with nonlethal. Hopefully with him being prone, that hits.
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 2 = 10

Go Elliot! Good roll, Thesius!

"Millorn, if that is your name, please just stop! I understand if you don't want to fight in the war, but as thinking beings we are all on the same side against the Abyss, are we not? At the very least, we shouldn't be fighting each other!"

Verene reloads her crossbow, but does not make use of it, as the dwarf is still flickering, and on the ground presenting a smaller target, and Thesius is engaging with him. She draws a bit of butter from her spell component pouch, rubbing it between her fingers as she chants two words, hesitating over the final one. She should wait for the right time to make this count. Move action equivalent reload, ready action to cast grease (DC 15) on the same patch of ground as Elliot if the dwarf successfully stands and tries to cast or move away, OR on any item he holds, like a material component or any kind of arcane focus, if he tries to cast while on the ground.

Round 2 Continued

Thesius approaches the dwarf, slapping down with his longsword at the prone man. Despite the shifting, flickering outline that the dwarf has, the longsword cracks down on him nonetheless, dazing him momentarily. "Oh, for that you'll pay..."
20% Miss Chance, low misses: 1d100 ⇒ 93 Well, he tried with the blur, he really did.

Millorn stumbles to his feet, drawing forth a dagger, and the archeologist uses the chance to smack at him again, but the blade bounces off some invisible force that surrounds him. "You'll not take me alive, I swear!"
Thesius AoO, Nonlethal, Archeologist's Luck: 1d20 + 2 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 2 - 4 = 11

With a quick gesture, he begins casting with his dagger - something Thesius is out of position to take advantage of. Verene notices this and casts her spell to try to send him onto his backside once more, but he manages to keep his feet this time, shooting her a venomous glare.
Reflex vs. DC 15: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

With that, his fingers crackle with electricity and he slaps out at Thesius, who feels his blade tugging him towards the spell. This pulls him off-balance, and the dwarf's filthy, clawed fingers strike him in his flank. His veins burn and his vision goes black as he feels a pleasant numbness slowly overtaking him.
Shocking Grasp, touch, metal weapon: 1d20 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 2 + 3 = 14
Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 1) = 9 Uh-oh. Thesius is now at -7 hp and dying.

Thesius falls to the ground in a heap, his sword clattering against the hard stone, and his dancing lights wink out, leaving the room in utter darkness. Verene cannot see anything any more, as is the case with the other humans. For his part, Millorn giggles madly. "I told you! You won't take me alive!"

Everyone else is up.

Round 2

Swapping her sword back into her true hand, Elyda carefully moved into the cavern (Not sure where the grease area is at the moment - on the same ground as Elliot? Should that be Thesius? Trying to figure out the 10ft square exactly for the grease as it lasts a minute. Elyda will move 30 ft around the square hopefully to reach Millorn), having seen Thesius fall and not stand.

The dwarf was dangerous and there was no reasoning with his madness. He would kill them all if she didn't try to stop him.

If necessary if Elyda has to step onto a greasy patch to reach Millorn

Reflex save to not slip if grease is near Millorn (DC 15): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

And, she stands beside the fallen bard and attacks the dwarf,

Longsword attack on Millorn: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Dmg, if hits: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Confirm crit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 (Doesn't confirm)

===

Current conditions: 7/10HP.

Don't forget the miss chance from blur, folks. 20% Miss Chance low misses: 1d100 ⇒ 27. Close, but it's still a hit. Just a gentle reminder.

Sorry about that, GM. I'll keep it in mind. And, thanks for drawing in the grease squares on the map.

"Thesius! Gods damn it." Elliot curses as the bard goes down. "Please let this work once," he whispers to whichever diety would listen and forgive him for prior language, then he walks forward and attempts to knock the dwarf out with illusion magic.

Arcane point 3, color spray #2. DC 16. Out of spells.

Once the aasimars have moved forward, it's Merixia's turn. She exhales and squeezes into the passage, just managing to shimmy through. Taking a deep breath on the other side, she raises her holy symbol. "Ragathiel, grant me your healing light!" The familiar fiery gold light briefly fills the room.

Channel positive energy, healing: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Ooh... Oh my. How interesting.

Round 2 Wrap-Up

Elliot moves forwards once more, blasting at Millorn with a monochrome burst of "color" once more, hoping against hope that it would at least stun him. Against the odds, the dwarf staggers, his dagger dropping to the floor and his hands going to his eyes as he wheezes. "Damn you! I'll kill you all!"
Will vs. DC 16, Hardy: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13 Wow, I did not expect him to fail that.
Blinded & Stunned: 1d4 ⇒ 3 3 rounds blinded & stunned, 1 round of just stunned.

Elyda takes advantage of both his blindness and his stunned state to cut at Millorn deeply, cleaving away a chunk of his beard and carving into his chest. He staggers back, a low whine escaping from his lips...

Then Merixia emerges from the tunnel, and with a lift of her holy symbol, calls upon Ragathiel. Her god fills the cavern with a brief burst of crimson-gold light, and her comrades' wounds seal, restoring Elyda to her full vigor, aiding Anevia, and stabilizing the poor, shocked Thesius.

Unfortunately, it also surrounds and heals Millorn, whose wheezing grows gentler, and a malevolent giggle erupts from his numbed lips. This, folks, is why Selective Channel is a really good feat.

Round 3
Anevia mutters something under her breath, and a bright light erupts from her crutch. She pushes herself forwards, stopping behind Merixia and waving her light at the cave within. Verene can now see clearly within 4 squares of Anevia, and dimly in 4 more.

Verene is up.

Verene walks up beside the fallen Thesius and trains her crossbow on the mad dwarf-mage that almost killed her friend, calmly taking aim at one of his sightless eyes...

"People get strange when aren't around others too long," says a little voice in her ear. "Yesterday. You said."

She hesitates. The quarrel's point wavers. She glances at Thesius, down but breathing.

The crossbow droops, and Verene instead picks up the dwarf's fallen dagger. "Can someone quickly tie him up? I am not skilled in such things, and have no rope."

Round 3 Midpoint
Millorn continues giggling, though the sound turns into a cough as he chokes on his own spittle.

Before anyone else can act, however, a dart flickers out from the eastern part of the cavern, striking Verene in the back of her neck. She feels her muscles tense around the pinprick-pain, before she topples forwards, deep in fragmented nightmares.
Hand Crossbow vs. Verene, flat-footed: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2 Verene is at 5 hp.
Verene Fort vs. Poison: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Uh-oh. Verene is unconscious.

A dark-skinned elf woman with pale eyes stands at the edge of the cavern, glaring at the heroes, a small crossbow in her hand. At her feet a small white snake hisses quietly.

Everyone else is up.

I believe it was for that round. It was still that round so I applied the penalties. If it continues, then I may need to look into using the spear.

Yeah, you need to beat it once to become immune to that brimorak's aura. Unfortunately, the dice roller isn't cooperating with you guys.

Just dropping by quickly, with pink being entangled and fatigued on top of prayer he has at least another -3 to attacks, and Elliot has both shield and alter self(small humanoid) up buffing his ac to 27. Which unfortunately means the primary longsword still barely hits as well at the hoof on a nat 20 but the secondary long sword as well as both the crit confirm for the longsword and the hoof should miss (I think nat 20's on crit confirms still miss if the number is too low but please correct me if I'm wrong). It reads as if the primary longsword would have hit for 6 damage and the hoof for another 6, for 12 total putting him at 46/58.

Also thanks to Meri's prayer for saving me some damage!

And jeez... 4 out of 5 attacks against this thing were natural 1's or 2's on my end and almost all his attacks on me were nat 19's or nat 20's, with double nat 20's on the hoof? O_O

Afaik, there’s nothing that removes the ‘natural 20s always hit’ rule for confirmation rolls (so, probably the hoof will still crit)?

Huh, I forgot to include the entangled/fatigued conditions in my notes. Ah well. I'll adjust that in the morning.

GM, when a creature makes a caster level check to dispel magic with the target of another creature (so that any single spell on it might be dispelled), the caster of dispel magic rolls just one CL check, and the result of that single check is then compared to the DC for each spell currently affecting the target creature in descending order from highest DC to lowest until it has dispelled one spell or failed to dispel all of them. The DC for each spell is 11+[that spell's caster level]. So the black-lined brimorak's result of 7 on its CL check against Verene is first compared to DC 19 (for communal resist energy at CL 8), then DC 17 (for prayer and fly at CL 6), then DC 12 (for endure elements, mage armor, and shield, all at CL 1.) It's not greater than any of these, so the dispel magic attempt fails against her.

But it's not all good news for us. For Thesius, I thought at first that a CL check of 16 from the white-lined brimorak would indeed hit none of his spells up, under the process described above. But then I remembered that I declared earlier that his fly effect was the one Verene cast from the scroll she scribed. That means it was CL 5, as I noted when she created it, because there was no particular reason then to scribe it at CL 6 instead of the standard CL 5 on a third-level spell, and it would have cost around 50 gp more. So the DC to dispel that casting of fly is only 16, which it just hits. Poor luck for us.

I'm just all over with the rules, aren't I? Thanks for the help. I was hoping I'd done okay this post, but alas no.

Not at all. It's a lot to keep track of, especially with ten magic-users in this combat and a lot of buffs and debuffs flying around.

Indeed, there is a lot going on. Mistakes are bound to happen. You're efforts are appreciated.

My understanding is that Thesius lost fly which means he drops 5 feet. Looks like a 10 feet drop is necessary to worry about damage and potentially going prone. So he should land on his feet. I'll go with that, but please adjust if my understanding is wrong.

Oh, I forgot he was still flying. Then yeah, he does drop, but no damage.

Fly also calls out that if it ends prematurely, including being dispelled, the fly recipent gets a safe fall distance.

Weirdly, brimorak have cold resistance 10 and vulnerability to cold, meaning the one that Elliot knocked out should technically still be up, but I'm just gonna let that one lie.

They have over 90-ish hp? Wow.Tough brimoraks!

Chiming in to confirm that if fly ends prematurely it's the same as if the duration expires while you're airborne: you float down at 60 feet/round (as in feather fall) for 1d6 rounds, then fall any remaining distance.

And agreed, these guys do seem very tough compared to the last brimorak. But also we're not hasted, and we've just been rolling badly. It happens.

I don't know how you were adjudicating it, GM, but when a creature has both resistance and vulnerability to energy damage of the same type, the vulnerability is applied first to get the total damage, then the resistance subtracted from the total. This is the opposite of the way it worked in 3.5, but Pathfinder removed that text and James Jacobs has confirmed that this is how it is supposed to work in PF. So when Elliot did 20 nonlethal cold damage to the brimorak on his crit, it would indeed be 20 in practice: 20*1.5 = 30 - 10 = 20.

Merixia, are you sure your base damage numbers shouldn't be a bit higher? With 18 Str and a +1 bastard sword wielded in both hands (right?), that's a base of 1d10 + 7 (4 Str * 1.5 for two handed weapon, +1 weapon enchantment). Then Mythic Power Attack adds +3 (instead of normal Power Attack's +2) for each -1 of penalty you would be taking. With a +4 base attack bonus, you're taking a -2 penalty to hit for +6 to damage. That +6 is then increased by 50%, again because of using a weapon two-handed, so it's a total of +9 damage from Mythic Power Attack.

Basically, I think you're shorting yourself by 5 damage here. Not a lot individually, but it could add up.

I’m not wielding it two-handed, though. Merixia has a buckler, remember?

Although I might consider ditching it in the future for the sake of more damage.

Oh, I see. I thought that was why you had the buckler - so that you can still wield your sword two-handed sometimes and use the buckler for its defensive bonus sometimes.

Well, if I fight two-handed I don’t get the buckler’s AC when the enemy hits back. The way I see it, Merixia’s role in the group is not to do massive amounts of melee damage. Her primary role is divine spellcasting with melee second. She needs to stay alive and conscious in order to heal everyone else after the combat is over.

Does she know that IC? Sort of. She doesn’t like it, and would rather be slaying demons personally, but she’s too self-aware to not realize that she’s never going to be as good at swordplay as Azira and Elliot are. It’s going to take time for Merixia to truly accept a role as a primary spellcaster, in large part because she has anger issues and chopping off demon heads feels good.

It really does.

Makes sense!

There's always unhindering shield as a feat though (with GM approval) if the shield is important to her, and I think between mythic powerattack, keen bastard swords, divine buffs and high str that Meri could still dish out lots of damage if she wished to and built for that. Especially since mythic power attack has this weird additional clause that causes crits to be extra deadly and probably wasn't needed with how well it already scales.

And agreed, these guys do seem very tough compared to the last brimorak. But also we're not hasted, and we've just been rolling badly. It happens.

Plus they're all advanced with max HP for their HD. I was tired of having you walk over the enemies. :P

I don't know how you were adjudicating it, GM, but when a creature has both resistance and vulnerability to energy damage of the same type, the vulnerability is applied first to get the total damage, then the resistance subtracted from the total. This is the opposite of the way it worked in 3.5, but Pathfinder removed that text and James Jacobs has confirmed that this is how it is supposed to work in PF. So when Elliot did 20 nonlethal cold damage to the brimorak on his crit, it would indeed be 20 in practice: 20*1.5 = 30 - 10 = 20.

I wasn't actually sure either way, but I think I did end up doing it the proper way. Still, it would've been up because its HP is more than 20 at the moment, but I'm still not going to retcon that.

As for the Unhindering Shield, I'd allow it. It is a lot of time to invest in it, though, for someone not primarily a fighter/smash-y character.

It's definitely easy to fill behind in damage in comparison to Azira and Elliot. Generally why I reserve Heroism for Thesius is so he has a chance to keep up with at least hitting. Having used it earlier in the day for multiple people when going after the queen is definitely effecting his capabilities now.

It's still a bit out, but eventually he should have the ability to put Mythic Heroism on people for 24 hours. That's at least two mythic tiers away though if he focuses on that though.

Mythic heroism is awesome, yeah.

By the way this probably doesn't affect anything this turn but Elliot's attack is actually 1 higher at +17. Base +11, Bane +2, arcane pool +1, alter self: small +2 (dex+1, small+1), prayer +1 = +17.

Gotcha. I'll try to remember that. xD

A few things:

Verene rolled Prescience last turn for this reason, and actually got a good roll last time, so I would like to have substituted that for the 2. If Merixia's 17 made it, her Reflex save using the Prescience will also succeed for half damage of 23. So only 11 fire damage to Verene, leaving her at 29/40 hp.

Merixia and Elliot (? I think? It said Thesius for the roll, but it would have to have been Elliot if Merixia was affected) are still affected by communal resist energy at CL 8 for fire resistance 20, not 10. After both making their saves for half damage, they would take no damage from the remaining 11 fire damage.

Thesius rolled a 20 on his last attack, and Merixia a 21. If he hit, so should she have, and if she missed, he should have missed too. Assuming the brimoraks are identical in their stats.

The longsword against Azira for 29 just hits her AC even with Verene's protection from evil up. This was discussed back here at the desecrated ghoul temple. Her current AC is accurately noted in your status spoiler. The brimoraks continue to be extremely fortunate in their rolls.

Gray-lined is dead from Verene's burst of radiance, right? That's why it's been taken off the map?

This fight has been a bit of an unlucky slog, but we're still doing okay. 2/6 down, 1 blinded, 3 hurt. Turquoise, Black, White and Yellow have all used their dispel magic SLAs, so hopefully they can't do so again. Black and Yellow have already used their fireball SLAs. Verene is at 29/40, Elliot at 38/58 , Merixia at 49/54, Thesius at 42/54, and Azira at ??/61 HP. If all of these brimoraks are advanced and have max HP, that's going from roughly 300 HP to roughly 600 HP for us to chew through, so the slog element is not surprising. It's probably going to take another 3-4 rounds if we continue to roll badly.

Goddammit, I specifically made note of that before I began writing yesterday, and totally forgot. My apologies, Verene. And you're correct in the damage as well, for some reason I missed it was 20 rather than 10, as well, with Merixia and Elliot being the other two targets.

Thanks for keeping me honest. :P And yeesh, there's a lot I need to adjust.

Damage to Azira, prayer: 1d6 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 - 1 = 7 She's at 48 hp.

And yes, grey is dead from the burst of radiance.

As for the hit/miss thing with Merixia/Thesius, I've been remiss in not pointing it out - but the sickened roll (and subsequent penalties) happen at the beginning of one's turn. Ergo, Thesius' roll is actually at 22 rather than 20.

EDIT: Due to the stresses of workers in and out of the house, etc. I'm unable to promise a post today. Apologies for the delay, everyone.

No worries. Thanks for the update. Hopefully it all goes smoothly.

Yes, no worries at all, GM! Thanks for understanding and as always, we appreciate all you do. That makes sense on Thesius and the sickened condition. I hope the work on the house goes well.

I have an action for Verene in mind, but I'll wait for it to be officially the next round in case what Azira or Merixia do changes things. :)

Why hast thou forsaken me, dice roller? T_T

Hopefully today's the last day we'll have workers in the house, but I also hope to get a post up today, since I'm feeling a bit better.

Glad to hear that. Can be stressful having people in your space.

All's done today, so I'm planning to get a post up soon.

Sorry about the delay. I couldn't access the site all of today due to the scheduled maintenance.

Oh, I forgot Prescience and spell resistance rolls. It didn't occur to me to check if magic missile was SR-mediated since it's just force damage, but I guess it is. Spells cast from wands and scrolls use the item's caster level for the caster level check, not the user's, and don't benefit from user abilities like Eldritch Breach.

Prescience, 2/8 remaining: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Caster level check to overcome spell resistance, Yellow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Whew, just makes it I think. Please use the Prescience if better for any save Verene has to make before her next turn, etc.

Doesn't verene have both CL 6 and the +4 bonus from riftwarden orphan to overcome SR checks on evil outsiders? Shouldn't it be +10 instead of +5?

Verene does, and her normal CL check to overcome SR on a demon would be at +10, yes. But the magic missile was produced by activating the wand, and as I noted above, spells from wands and scrolls use the creator's caster level for all purposes and don't get to apply the activator's CL or abilities, like Eldritch Breach, or the Riftwarden Orphan trait (or the Augment Summoning feat, or etc. etc.)

Staves are good partly because they're the exception to this rule — they use the activator's CL and ability score bonuses for all purposes.

Interestingly, SR doesn't get boosted by the advanced template, so that does pass.

I'll give Thesius a bit to post before botting him.

Sorry about that. Post is up. Hopefully the blinded condition and lack of sickness gets him through for the hit.

It does! Fortunately.

GM, should Black be able to teleport away here? Gray and Yellow were here to start, then summoned reinforcements with Yellow's fireball. Black, Pink, Teal and White showed up via teleport the same round. Most demons only get one teleport per day. Are these guys different? I ask because this could be important for how fast reinforcements get here.

Unfortunately for Azira, a 1 on a save is always a failure, but fortunately for her, Verene's communal resist energy still eats that 19 fire damage. You're welcome :)

P.S. Why is the weapon Thesius is using listed as a "copper" mace? Isn't it cold iron?

Oops. Well, I'm sure it can run away via air-walk, if nothing else... I guess. Alas.

Could you let us know what it did and where it currently is? This could change what we do going forward. If it cast air walk, Verene at least will likely pursue it with fly and more magic missiles. Merixia and Elliot are also capable of flying after it and attacking. It also would have needed to make a Concentration check to cast while threatened, or else accepted an attack of opportunity, to move any real distance in the same round it cast air walk, since creatures can't 5-foot step and also take any other form of movement in the same turn. And it would have provoked from Azira or needed to make an Acrobatics check against her CMD of 26 by moving more than a 5-foot step away from her even with air walk, if it did so.

All true.

Concentration, Combat Casting: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32
Acrobatics vs. CMD 26: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

Yeah, it wandered off the east of the tower - it's about 30' away now.

If Black does go unconscious, it falls. This also applies to us if one of us gets knocked out, stunned, put to sleep, or paralyzed while flying (as opposed to having the spell end), so be wary!

Um, can I retcon my earlier post to instead attack black? If it's critically injured and trying to escape, Elliot would prioritise that one especially with Merixia and Azira about to destroy teal anyway. I guess I wasn't keeping track of remaining enemies properly; with black's token off of the map i assumed it was already dead. With his starting position next to yellow, Elliot should be able to just charge it through the air.

I feel almost sure this set of magic missiles will take Black down, Elliot. It's taken 108 damage by my count after that spell*. And this way you're in position to make a full attack against Teal next round.

But, if Elliot would go after Black as an in-character decision, I also think he'll take it down, so GM, please switch Verene's magic missile target to White, to help Thesius.

*Azira did 21 in Round 3, Thesius did 10 in Round 4, Verene did 16 with burst of radiance in Round 4, Azira did 40 on a crit in Round 4, Verene did 12 from magic missile in Round 5, and now she did 9 more from magic missile in Round 6. The burst of radiance damage bypasses DR and isn't reduced by half on a save, and the magic missile force damage, as energy damage, also bypasses DR.

Okay, I'll trust your judgment and stay on teal then.

Wow...just wow...Desna why you do him like this?

Triangle is where he moves if taking his first shot at the fleeing brimorak (black-lined) and diamond is where he moves if he winds up using fleet charge.

We PCs might need to make a group offering to Desna after this...

Why. Just... why. I think a group sacrifice to Desna is definitely in order.