The venom progresses, making Xin see spots in front of his eyes, but he still manages a critical hit on Yabin. Hotcha and Esh strike the transformed nagaji as well, and the sorcerer goes down!
The trauma to Tino's Toughest's souls is extreme. They will not regain consciousness for quite some time. You are able to carry them to shore and call on the friendly yokai of the island to watch them and ensure no harm comes to them.
You rest with the yokai to make sure you are at full strength again. The way to the Glass Lighthouse is clear now. The time has come to stop Syndara once and for all...
Yog rushes to Xin's side and starts prescribing him this and that alcohol while tending to his (poisonous!) wounds. "They sure did a number on you. Pfah, poison! I know some believe alcohol to be just that, but they're wrong!"
”Oh, I hope Tino and the gang will be their old selves again. I’m gonna need a drink myself.”
Hotcha takes a chalice from Yog’s belt. The fire wine chalice weighs more than the fairy, and it is bulky in her twiggy arms, but in these weeks Hotcha has actually become quite toned (if you look closely).
She can even air-lift the chalice! She finds a safe and somewhat private place for a very hot bath!
STR 12 now, and Glühwein really is served hot. Probably resisting 2d6 damage with her Resist Fire 15 earring.
Thanks to Yog, Hotcha is fully healed. She needs a half hour to get her ki back. Talking to her will disrupt her meditation if she answers, which she will as an excuse to prolong her hot bath!
I'll cast 'Foresight' on Esh when we leave. It lasts an hour and grants him various bonuses: a + 2 status bonus to initiative rolls, isn't flat-footed against undetected creatures or when flanked, AND, the following reaction: trigger - The target of foresight defends against a hostile creature or other danger - Effect: If the hostile creature or danger forces the target to roll dice (a saving throw, for example), the target rolls twice and uses the higher result, and this spell gains the fortune trait. But if the hostile creature or danger is rolling against the target (an attack roll or skill check, for example), that hostile creature or danger rolls twice and uses the lower result, and this spell gains the misfortune trait.
https://2e.aonprd.com/Spells.aspx?ID=127
You walk across the watery trench, reaching the Glass Lighthouse. With a sense of finality, Xin pushes the door open.
The Lighthouse’s front door opens into an impossible sight—not a single room, but a series of impossible vistas: a sandy desert under a yellow sky, transitioning to an icy midnight lake, then a verdant jungle of impossibly tall trees, a remote snowy mountaintop, a bustling city street, and more. The environment shifts around you every few seconds as you walk forward, leaving you somewhat disoriented. As the room becomes a mountainous vista with a waterfall cascading down, you spot four familiar figures waiting for you on a small island in the central pool--the Lightkeepers.
Each of the four warriors seems to have been empowered by Syndara's magic. Syu Tak-nwa's white hair writhes about her, the animated tresses supporting her off the ground like thick spider legs. Shino Hakusa's eyes and fingertips glow with bright ki energy, leaving trails of sparks with each movement. Ran-to flexes, the muscular goblin levitating a few inches off the ground in defiance of gravity! And Blue Viper clutches an hourglass in one hand and his poisoned blade in the other, seeming to flicker and stutter out of phase with time itself!
"You have faced us before," Syu Tak-nwa calls out. "But never at our full power. Here, in our domain, we can exhibit all of the sovereignty over this plane's laws that Syndara has granted us. You are no match for our Certain Kill Arts!" And with that, the Lightkeepers prepare to leap into battle!
Male Ancient Jininese Elf || HP 346; AC 44; Fort +34; Ref +32; Will +32; Perc +30 (+32 when Init)
Finally! Something I can hurt without guilt. I focus, and pull fire towards the Lightkeepers, creating a miniature sun in their midst before letting it explode, then wrapping the remaining flames around my blade.
Both Syu Tak-nwa and Shino Hakusa completely evade Esh's sunburst spell. Ran-to avoid some of it, but is still slightly burned. Blue Viper, however, critically fails, screaming out in pain and anger as the sunlight sears his retinas, permanently blinding him!
Syu Tak-nwa casts haste on all of the Lightkeepers then moves a bit closer and raises a magical shield.
Shino Hakusa leaps nimbly from stone to stone across the pool, running up to Esh. "Certain Kill Art! Swallows in Flight!" the ninja shouts, striking a series of pressure points on Esh's body with her fingers to try to redirect his ki to his heart, before following up with a palm strike to the sternum! Fortunately, the elf manages to block her fingers from reaching the right pressure points, though the palm strike does rock him back. Shino absorbs some of his vitality, her body glowing with golden energy.
Ran-to flies across the battlefield, getting all up in Hotcha's face! The goblin lashes out, critically punching the sprite and grabbing a hold of her. He slams her to the ground, then drops down to try to punch her again, but she rolls aside in time to avoid the blow!
Blue Viper stumbles blindly ahead, tripping and splashing through the deep water. He makes it to the treeline and moves to take cover!
33 bludgeoning damage to Esh. 62 bludgeoning damage to Hotcha. She is knocked prone and takes another 36 bludgeoning damage (DC 43 basic Fortitude save). Everybody may act.
Yog'Moi opens a seemingly empty vial and sucks up the air that fills the bottle. It once contained a drop of wine from a chalice Hei Feng allegedly used, and the evaporated remains are enough to turn the hobgoblin into an avatar of his god!
The already huge goblin quite literally becomes huge as his form expands in every direction. Sparks of electricity run over his skin and assault all those who dare defy him. He focuses his gaze on Ran-to and swings a massive sword at the goblin.
Actions 1+2) cast AVATAR | 3) Strike Ran-to Drunken Sword:1d20 + 33 ⇒ (8) + 33 = 41 Slashing Damage:4d6 + 6 ⇒ (2, 6, 4, 5) + 6 = 23 Splash Electricity:1d6 ⇒ 6 Splash hits both Ran-to and Hotcha, but only Hotch on a hit or crit
Blue Viper pulls out a vial of poison and hurls it in the air. "Certain Kill Art: Plum Rain Deluge!" he shouts. The poison vial bursts and showers down on everybody but Xin, and the ysoki accelerates the flow of time so that the poison runs its course faster!
29 bludgeoning damage to Hotcha. Everybody but Xin must attempt a DC 45 basic Will save against a 10th-level visions of danger (40 mental damage). Remember that until you disbelieve the illusion (Perception DC 45), you'll have to attempt another save against 11d8 mental damage if you enter the burst, or start your turn inside the burst.
Will, ☀️Will:1d20 + 29 ⇒ (6) + 29 = 351d20 + 29 ⇒ (20) + 29 = 49 ”Oh, right. We usually win by knocking her out first. Kicked their butts so many times, I forgot.”
She then ki-flurries her foe, turns invisible and flies 50 feet overhead!
Ki Flurry:1d20 + 38 ⇒ (7) + 38 = 451d20 + 33 ⇒ (16) + 33 = 49First strike is 48. Damage:8d8 + 14 + 14d6 ⇒ (7, 3, 7, 7, 7, 1, 5, 4) + 14 + (2, 1, 1, 5, 2, 1, 6, 3, 1, 1, 3, 1, 5, 3) = 90 DC43 fort or stun
Oops, I left out the effects of Blue Viper's poison. Esh, Hotcha, and Yog must each attempt a DC 46 Fortitude save against tears of death. His ability bypasses the poison's normal onset tiem. If a creature fails their save, the duration of any beneficial spells or effects affecting the creature are reduced by 3 rounds (or by 6 rounds on a critical failure).
Tears of Death:
Saving Throw DC 46 Fortitude; Onset 1 minute; Maximum Duration 10 minutes; Stage 1 18d6 poison damage and paralyzed (1 round); Stage 2 25d6 poison damage and paralyzed (1 minute); Stage 3 30d6 poison damage and paralyzed (1 minute)
Hotcha delivers a flurry of strikes to Ran-to, but he resists being stunned. As the sprite turns invisible, though, the goblin reaches out to punch her in the jaw! Luckily, it's not enough to disrupt her spell, and the sprite still vanishes and flies up in the air.
"Ran-to! On Xin!" Shino Hakusa shouts. Ran-to nods and steps over to set up a flanking position. The goblin lashes out at Xin, then the ninja moves to flank. "Certain Kill Art: Swallows in Flight!" she shouts as she attempts the move she tried on Xin. This time, she successfully redirects Xin's ki to his heart, then strikes his chest with her palm, causing the rogue's life energy to escape his body in a shower of bird-shaped sparks!
Blue Viper stumbles closer to the fight, then spits some poisoned needles at Xin before taking cover in the trees! One hits the rogue, afflicting him with black lotus extract.
32 damage to Hotcha. 197 damage to Xin, and he must attempt a DC 43 Fortitude save against Swallows in Flight, as well as a DC 42 Fortitude save against Black Lotus Extract. Anybody starting their turn in the area of visions of danger must attempt another DC 45 Will save against it. Esh must attempt another DC 46 Fortitude save against the tears of death poison.
Swallows in Flight:
Critical Success: The target is unaffected.
Success: The target takes 23 negative damage.
Failure: The target 46 negative damage, its life energy exploding violently from its back in a 30-foot cone originating from the target. All of Hakusa’s other enemies in the cone also take the negative damage (DC 43 basic Fortitude save).
Critical Failure: As failure, but the target takes 92 negative damage.
Rogue (Marshal) 20 - HP 221/268 , AC43 - Perception +29 (+31 Initiative) - F: +30/ R: +36 (crit failures are failures; successes are crits) / W: +29 (+3 v. Fear)(+3 v. demoralized target)(successes are crits) - Speed: 30 - Hero Points: 3
Fort save v. Swallows in Flight (DC 43):1d20 + 30 ⇒ (4) + 30 = 34Failure. Fort save v. Black Lotus Extract (DC 42):1d20 + 30 ⇒ (2) + 30 = 32Crit Failure.
Expend a Hero Point to reroll and hopefully avoid the Crit failure.
Fort save v. Black Lotus Extract (DC 42):1d20 + 30 ⇒ (15) + 30 = 45Success
I'm not sure how much damage I've taken or if I'm still conscious, so I'll wait to hear before I post actions.
Plagued by migraines today. May not post until tomorrow.
Rogue (Marshal) 20 - HP 221/268 , AC43 - Perception +29 (+31 Initiative) - F: +30/ R: +36 (crit failures are failures; successes are crits) / W: +29 (+3 v. Fear)(+3 v. demoralized target)(successes are crits) - Speed: 30 - Hero Points: 3
Like the wind and lightning of the hobgoblin's god, Xin feels fierce gale forces rush through him, body and soul, leaving him momentarily flush with energy.
Thanks, Yog!
1&2. To Battle! on Hotcha. Free Action: Master Strike 3. Strike.
Debilitations: -10 ft. movement and increase bleed to 3d6.
If critical hit: +3d8 ⇒ (6, 6, 2) = 14 damage and the electricity also harms up to two other targets within 10 ft.
Master Strike:
Trigger Your Strike hits a flat-footed creature and deals damage.
The target attempts a Fortitude save at your class DC (DC 42). It then becomes temporarily immune to your Master Strike for 1 day.
.....Critical Success The target is unaffected.
.....Success The target is enfeebled 2 until the end of your next turn.
.....Failure The target is paralyzed for 4 rounds.
.....Critical Failure The target is paralyzed for 4 rounds, knocked unconscious for 2 hours, or killed (your choice).
GM: When a creature within my melee reach is hit by a melee attack from one of my allies, I will use my reaction for Opportune Backstab.
Ran-to reels and staggers as the invisible Hotcha brutally attacks him. At Xin's command, the sprite delivers another hit, and Xin capitalizes on the opening to backstab the frost goblin! Ran-to lets out a guttural shriek before he crumples to the ground!
Esh fights off the poison and Syu Tak-nwa's illusion, roaring with fury. He steps to flank Shino Hakusa, tearing into her with his burning blade!
Shino pokes at Esh's pressure points with her fingers, wounding the elf before darting away.
56 piercing, 24 mental damage, and 24 electricity damage to Esh. He is also flat-flooted for 1 round. Esh and Xin take 65 negative damage (basic Fortitude DC 45). Everybody may act!
The colossal Yog reaches forward and pours a flask over Esh. He then calls down Hei Feng's wrath and smites their wicked foes - they deserve much, much worse than lightning!
Action 1) level 5 heal on Esh | Actions 2+3) Chain Lightning vs basic Reflex 42 starting with Syu, Blue, and then Shino Chain Lightning vs Ref 42:9d12 + 7 ⇒ (8, 9, 3, 2, 4, 3, 12, 9, 3) + 7 = 60
Debilitations: -10 ft. movement and increase bleed to 3d6.
If critical hit: +3d8 damage and the electricity also harms up to two other targets within 10 ft.
Master Strike:
Trigger Your Strike hits a flat-footed creature and deals damage.
The target attempts a Fortitude save at your class DC (DC 42). It then becomes temporarily immune to your Master Strike for 1 day.
.....Critical Success The target is unaffected.
.....Success The target is enfeebled 2 until the end of your next turn.
.....Failure The target is paralyzed for 4 rounds.
.....Critical Failure The target is paralyzed for 4 rounds, knocked unconscious for 2 hours, or killed (your choice).
GM: When a creature within my melee reach is hit by a melee attack from one of my allies, I will use my reaction for Opportune Backstab.
Syu Tak-nwa and Blue Viper avoid some of Yog'Moi's lightning. Esh's blade clangs against Syu Tak-nwa's magical shield, which deflects his blows. Xin lands a masterful strike on Blue Viper, greatly weakening him and leaving a bleeding wound.
Syu Tak-nwa raises another shield before lashing out at Esh with her animated hair!
Debilitations: -10 ft. movement and increase bleed to 3d6.
If critical hit: +3d8 damage and the electricity also harms up to two other targets within 10 ft.
Master Strike:
Trigger Your Strike hits a flat-footed creature and deals damage.
The target attempts a Fortitude save at your class DC (DC 42). It then becomes temporarily immune to your Master Strike for 1 day.
.....Critical Success The target is unaffected.
.....Success The target is enfeebled 2 until the end of your next turn.
.....Failure The target is paralyzed for 4 rounds.
.....Critical Failure The target is paralyzed for 4 rounds, knocked unconscious for 2 hours, or killed (your choice).
GM: When a creature within my melee reach is hit by a melee attack from one of my allies, I will use my reaction for Opportune Backstab.
Blue Viper falls to a flurry of critical strikes and backstabs! Hotcha zips over to flank Syu Tak-nwa with Esh, ready to finish off the Lightkeepers, once and for all!
Male Ancient Jininese Elf || HP 346; AC 44; Fort +34; Ref +32; Will +32; Perc +30 (+32 when Init)
Grapple:1d20 + 36 ⇒ (17) + 36 = 53
Strike 1:1d20 + 30 ⇒ (6) + 30 = 36
Strike 2:1d20 + 25 ⇒ (16) + 25 = 41
I tackle the witch, her spider-like hair flailing all over the place. I try and stab her but even with me pinning her down she's wily, and manages to wiggle away from my strikes.
If that grapple is a crit success, then she's restrained
Esh grabs Syu Tak-nwa and pins her down, restraining her. Yog'Moi strides through the air and strikes her with his electrified sword, though she pops her shield to reduce the damage.
Escape DC 46:1d20 + 35 ⇒ (11) + 35 = 46
The witch struggles mightily, using her animated hair to shove Esh off of her and escape the grab! She casts a powerful spell, filling your minds with fear!
Male Ancient Jininese Elf || HP 346; AC 44; Fort +34; Ref +32; Will +32; Perc +30 (+32 when Init)
Will:1d20 + 32 ⇒ (19) + 32 = 51
The fire in my sight overwhelms me for a moment, spiraling up and out of control, forming the familiar face of a roaring dragon. I shake my head, pulling the fire back down under my control, the throbbing in my head taking backseat to the rage in my chest.
Though Xin is overcome by fear and begins to flee, the rest of you lay into Syu Tak-nwa, scoring several critical hits. With the final blow, the witch groans and crumples to the floor.
With the Lightkeepers' defeat, the impossible vistas of the dojo fade away. You find yourselves in a room that contains sixteen one-foot-diameter spheres along the perimeter of a stone disc in the center of the room. Eight of the spheres are shattered, while eight are whole and open, shining with a faint light. A lone door exits the room to the south.
Altogether, the Lightkeepers have: +3 major striking greater shock handwraps of mighty blows, +3 major striking gauntlet, +3 major striking halfling sling staff (20 bullets and 5 greater explosive bullets), +3 greater resilient studded leather, +3 major striking shortsword.
