I've been hoarding my spells on the assumption we wouldn't be able to rest, but I don't mind resting.
I can go through a few more fights, but prefer if I can get my contingency back.
I vote for resting personally.
Sorry for the slow-down in posting. I've been feeling a bit off lately (mental health stuff), which makes it hard to concentrate on writing. Unless you've come up with alternate plans in the meantime, I'll move ahead with Grymwold's earlier plan as soon as I feel up to it.
@Best DM: I hope you’re doing well! I’ve been feeling a bit down myself, and it’s probably the sleep apnea I got. Take care of your sleep and get a lot of sunshine.
@Party: I have a scroll of Dimensional Anchor. I can burn it on one of the devils if you want, but
I can’t otherwise trap them.
If you guys think it necessary (since devils like to pop in and out of combat), I can write the spell down and prepare a few in my spell slots.
@GM: That sucks, GM Neirikr. I hope you get feeling better.
Laree Cure Serious Wounds (CL14):
Level 3 - Caster level 13+1alchemical bonus
Market Price: 3x13x50 = 1950gp
Crafting Cost: 975gp
Elann Cure Moderate Wounds (CL7):
Level 2 - Caster Level 6+1alchemical bonus
Market Price: 2x6x50= 600gp
Crafting Cost: 300gp
Alchemical Creation
Laree's Elemental Flux:
Market Price 20gp
Crafting Cost: 60sp
Crafting Progress by Day: Taking 10 for a total of 43. 43xDC20= 860sp of progress/7 days of the week= 122sp of progress for the day. Double the DC means she completes it in half the time. So she can finish in their rest period.
This item will be applied to her hybridized alchemical fire flasks to change their elemental damage type to [random].
Elann can't make anything other than a single Cure Light Wounds potion (CL5). Anything else is too valuable enough to be finished in the time it takes to craft for one day for alchemical goods, so she'll instead make a flavor enhancer for the food they may eat. It should bring out the flavors of the butter and salt to new heights.
Downtime activity, if not sleeping, and when Maganrad has finished his spell prep, she will read books with him and Elann. These books grant bonuses found under Laree's Knowledge skills. When they are ready to go, she will drink her extracts and mutagen.
@Viridel: I don't think it's necessary. You don't, by chance, have the burn corruption spell, eh?
And if not...
@GM: Would that be a spell Laree's brother would know?
@GM: Hope you feel better. It's been a long couple of years, with many challenges. Be gentle with yourself, and take your time.
I've updated my spell list. Feel free to take a look and make suggestions if you think I've missed anything important.
@GM take all the time you need. We've got a solid group that will be here when you're ready.
Like they said, take all the time you need, GM.
I can cast Hero's Feast if it ever comes to it.
@Laree:
I didn't even know the spell existed.
Now that I played a high level wizard, I realize I could have made a lot better choices for a supposed demon-killer.
If our DM would like to extend this one-shot into something bigger, I will be sure to spend some downtime in changing some features.
Whew! My posting might still be a bit sporadic (especially so since I'll be out of town for most of the week), but I think I've broken through the worst of my writer's block. We'll see. Anyone who succeeds at the Knowledge checks can ask me for specific mechanical info, if needed—I didn't know what to include.
Ok, this is twisting the knife.
But a really cool scene too.
Can Viridel see one of the pages torn off before it's carried by the imps? If so, he might try to identify what Wolfe is doing.
That Burn Corruption spell is looking mighty attractive now, let me tell you whut.
@DM: Where can I get the burn corruption spell? I don't presume the devils here have a scroll lying around...
Edit: Alright, scratch that--it's an anti-demon not anti-devil spell.
The humble protection from evil would be enough to grant the possessed creature a new save against the effect, though if successful, the effect is only supressed for the duration (i.e. the possessor would still be in there, but unable to control the actions of its host for some minutes). Notably, the spell also completely protects a creature from possession when it's in effect, assuming it's not already possessed. Standing in a magic circle against evil might be enough to shield the entire group, if and when you manage to oust the devil. A circle might also be used to trap the possessed creature as if it were a fiend.
Any of the methods listed here, as well as cast out, should do the trick—there might be other applicable spells. Obviously, Wolfe's death would also force the devil to vacate the body, but I assume that's not your first plan. At least you have methods of bringing him back if things go horribly wrong.
Gidims are less powerful in natural sunlight, but otherwise have no outstanding weaknesses. They are naturally incorporeal and invisible, making them harder to hurt overall. As for their resistances and immunities: they've got DR/good an pretty high SR; they're resistant to acid and cold, but notably not immune to fire. Wolfe's body does not benefit from most of these resistances save for the SR, which might complicate any attempted exorcism.
PFS Legal Liberating (UI)
Source Ultimate Intrigue pg. 238
Aura strong abjuration CL 12th
Slot none; Price +2 bonus; Weight —
Description
This special ability can be placed only on a melee weapon. A liberating weapon grants its wielder a competence bonus equal to the weapon’s enhancement bonus on Sense Motive checks, and this bonus is doubled when attempting a Sense Motive check to sense enchantment (Core Rulebook 104). This increased bonus also applies on Spellcraft checks to identify an enchantment spell as it is being cast. When a liberating weapon is used to attack a creature under direct mental control, such as from possession, charm effects, or compulsion effects like command and dominate person, the weapon deals nonlethal damage and grants the target a new saving throw against the effect, with a morale bonus on the save equal to the weapon’s enhancement bonus. If this save succeeds, the effect is suppressed for 10 minutes. If the target is affected by multiple such effects, the weapon’s wielder chooses which effect the target can attempt a second save against. If the target fails this save, the effect is not suppressed and the target is immune to this effect of the same liberating weapon for 24 hours.
Unless a peaceful solution is found (unlikely) Grym will Flex onto his shield the Liberating enchantment and smack Wolfe with his shield inflicting non-lethal damage and granting him another save vs possession with a +5 bonus
Viridel can cover Magic Circle vs. Evil to pokeball the devil. Anethra also prepared dismissal, so the two casters can cover Wolfe as our martials cover the exit. Viridel also still kept the Wall of Force prepared, so there's that as well for action economy.
So initial plan:
1. Bayard grapples Wolfe to prevent any self-harm.
2. Viridel casts Wall of Force to hold the imps away
3. Grym Capt. America's the devil out
4. Anethra dismisses the devil
5. Laree intercepts at any point to support or block interference.
Any input on the plan?
1. having Bayard grab him to prevent self-harm would be a good idea.
2. I'm not sure if we need to worry about the Imps. Yes, their numbers are concerning, but a single AOE should take care of them. At our level Imps should be like horseflies to a lvl 1 adventurer. (I may have to eat these words later)
3. Grym should be able to knock the possessed man unconscious in 1 round. (Next round when he can attack, this round was spent prepping his shield w/ Liberating)
either through the Brawler Knockout attack or through cumulative non-lethal damage or maybe he'll successfully save with the +5 bonus.
Once the devil is cast out of Wolfe it'll likely seek to possess one of us. My apologies if Grym has to knock one of you unconscious ;)
4. If Anethra wants to go that route, it's proven to be an effective tactic before. Alternatively, she could Magic Circle trap the fiend within the circle, protecting us from possession and preventing it from escaping as we smash it to bits.
5 and Laree plays free safety doing whatever she deems appropriate
I can also cover the magic circle, assuming I go fast enough on initiative to get two spells off (starting off with wall of force).
I'd like to have the input of the rest. Anethra hasn't posted in a while.
Sounds like a good plan to me. I'll give the others until tomorrow to weigh in, and then I'll move us forward.
4. Anethra dismisses the devil
I believe Anethra just switched out banishment, since it doesn't really work in Belzeragna (a closed demiplane). The spell would still work for the exorcism (i.e. getting the devil out of Wolfe), but it would not send the devil to another plane.
3. Grym should be able to knock the possessed man unconscious in 1 round. (Next round when he can attack, this round was spent prepping his shield w/ Liberating)
either through the Brawler Knockout attack or through cumulative non-lethal damage or maybe he'll successfully save with the +5 bonus.
Once the devil is cast out of Wolfe it'll likely seek to possess one of us. My apologies if Grym has to knock one of you unconscious ;)
It's worth noting that Grymwold's liberating weapon is still an impermanent solution, since it only suppresses the possession for 10 minutes. Then again, the devil may well choose to abandon the body if it's knocked unconscious—it's a bit of a gamble.
I can also cover the magic circle, assuming I go fast enough on initiative to get two spells off (starting off with wall of force).
Maganrad can set up the circle, if you'd like.
We can have Maganrad set up the circle. It all sounds good.
Sounds good. It seems like the best plan to execute with our limited resources and time. I can also use https://aonprd.com/SpellDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Chains%20of%20Light to hold the devil.
I had thought to play out a few more steps of the plan to make things faster, but I don't really have the wherewithal. Since there are two swarms, you might need two walls to trap the imps. Fortunately, both Anethra and Viridel to have applicable spells prepared.
are the imps counting as a Swarm rather than as individual imps? Assuming yes, just want confirmation
Two swarms with the Swarm subtype, yes.
Anethra can cover the other side. I'll bot her doing that, assuming she doesn't post first.
It'll also help if Bayard can grapple Wolfe and toss him closer so the wall can stop both.
Sadly it seems the rest of the party isn't available to post.
The plan is to drag him out of the room
Laree is going to try to delay the beast, but the plan will be to continue to try to get him out. Hopefully, one of us has dispel, because it certainly isn't me.
Waiting for casters to dispel, after that, this guy is getting knocked unconscious
My apologies for not posting this before now. Grym has
Benefit: The DC to cast spells defensively increases by +4 for all enemies that are within your threatened area. This increase to casting spells defensively only applies if you are aware of the enemy's location and are capable of taking an attack of opportunity. If you can only take one attack of opportunity per round and have already used that attack, this increase does not apply.
and
Benefit: Enemies in your threatened area that fail their checks to cast spells defensively provoke attacks of opportunity from you.
Normal: Enemies that fail to cast spells defensively do not provoke attacks of opportunity.
Combat Trick (from the Combat Stamina feat)
When you hit a caster with an attack of opportunity it provoked by failing to cast defensively, you can spend 5 stamina points to daze the caster until the end of its next turn. If the caster succeeds at a Fortitude save with a DC equal to 10 + your base attack bonus, it is staggered instead.
Those feats would have come into play as Wolfe cast his spell. I should have mentioned this earlier. I am NOT asking for a retcon. I forgot I had those feats. And if I can't remember my own characters abilities I certainly don't expect the GM to.
I'm just posting this for future reference as a reminder to myself to remind GM of this when I'm within reach of a caster.
Let's continue as played without a retcon.
It's hard to remember everything on high-level character sheets. Especially stuff that isn't commonly used in reaction to something.
Rereading our last few posts, this is actually pretty tragic.
Laree's brother is straight-out possessed and likely has been for a very long time, having his soul twisted. Considering how time passes in this realm, it was probably decades of pure torture.
And then we are literally beating the devil out of him. His bones might break, he might cough blood, and (even assuming he heals) will forever bear the scars of this heinous ordeal.
The guy will have the darkest most f#*!ed up type of PTSD, probably will sleep only in upon consecrated ground and to LG religious hymns.
That or live the remainder of his life resisting the impulses or doubts he was never fully released and that his soul is sullied forever and that his life on the mortal world is only a brief respite from being sentanced once again to Hell Eternal.
Yeah, you would have to do a ritual of Fugue of Oblivion or something to permanently wipe his mind and make sure he levels back up in good clerical paths. She's traumatized from seeing you all bash the heck out him, but understands it's necessary.
Yeah...poor guy Mind Wipe would be the best thing for him. No way to recover fully from this. Hopefully it won't take too many hits to knock him unconcious
Even more unfortunate, this plane corrupts the soul. Not sure how to cleanse that...
@Everyone: My continued apologies for my awful posting schedule. I'll try to work up to at least two posts next week.
I'm just posting this for future reference as a reminder to myself to remind GM of this when I'm within reach of a caster.
Let's continue as played without a retcon.
Noted.
Laree's brother is straight-out possessed and likely has been for a very long time, having his soul twisted. Considering how time passes in this realm, it was probably decades of pure torture.
Well, I'm glad I've gotten across how awful this place is. >:)
Apologies, I'm back. I've been unable to log into my account, and clearing cookies from my browser wasn't doing the trick. I had to do that and then manually click on the padlock by the site's address on the browser bar and delete the cookies there before I could log back in.
Apologies, I should have made special note to you GM. Laree possesses a Ghost mask and can see through the fog, negating concealment. I would have made mention of it but I didn't know it had concealment from such an effect after the dispersals from her companions. Hopefully that means at least one bomb hits!
@Anethra
Thanks for the buff. Unfortunately Keen won't apply to Gryms shield as it's a bludgeoning weapon. Shield spikes don't work well with Throwing shields so his shield doesn't have them.
@Laree the Goz Mask was on Gryms shopping list but I ran out of funds :(
It doesn't come up often. But whenever running up against fogs that mask is nice to have.
I love it, especially because a lot of things see through fog, but it can even see through smoke and similar effects.
@Anethra
Thanks for the buff. Unfortunately Keen won't apply to Gryms shield as it's a bludgeoning weapon. Shield spikes don't work well with Throwing shields so his shield doesn't have them.
May as well save the spell, then. I've got Improved Critical (Greataxe), and I don't think they stack.
Gotcha. DM, can I change the spell?
Go ahead.
Can we shut the door and bar it?
as soon as his body starts to cross over the threshold of the library, he is whisked away by some unseen force, reappearing on the floor near the middle of the chamber.
I don’t understand. Did he teleport back to the library or is he in the corridor with us?
@Fiendism: Yikes. Sounds like the guy needs to Face his True Self to overcome this curse.
He teleported back.
Laree is confident that with enough time and research, she will be able to come up with a solution, be it alchemical, ritualistic, or some combination of the two. In the short term, spells that interact with the corruption subsystem (such as alleviate corruption or stave off corruption) might help to halt or even reverse the symptoms, though as long as Wolfe is trapped in Belzeragna—the source of his corruption—he cannot be cleansed entirely.
To instantly reverse such long-term and deeply ingrained infernal corruption would require deific intervention (equivalent in power to miracle or wish).
The thing binding Wolfe in the room is not a curse, and as such remove curse won't get rid of it. Him being unable to leave is not directly tied to the power keeping him trapped—indeed, it would be more accurate to say that him being unable to leave has resulted in his corruption.
Seeing as Wolfe was quite literally teleported back as he tried to leave, casting dimensional anchor or even dispelling the effect as it occurs might stop him from being whisked back, though in the latter case you would likely have only rounds until the effect resumes.
Talking with Wolfe might clarify the situation—you already have the pieces to this puzzle.
The latter would be the more logical choice, seeing as Wolfe has... uh... multiple different problems. I'll move ahead with the assumption that this is what you cast.
@Laree: Well done, I forgot we looted his spellbook!