Kal's eyes flash white and the room darkens slightly- magical aura's becoming clearly visible to him. He stands next to Shonne, as she scans the room. His hand rests on the length of the pole arm, waiting.
Shonne easily finds the final secret door on her second pass through the chamber. On the other side is another cell much like the others - fodder, water trough and food slab, though no other sign of habitation.
She, Kioshi and Kal'Ryon all find magic in the statue to the north. Literally inside of it.
After opening the door in the leg, they find that it is hollow and there is a ratfolk inside, apparently slain by the area affect attacks of the battle that took place. There are also 4 levers. With some squeezing and experimenting, it turns out those levers control the doors to the secret chambers.
The ratfolk has a potion of bull’s strength, a potion of cure moderate wounds, a +1 dwarf bane bolt, a +1 human bane bolt, a screaming bolt, 2 alchemist’s fires, a tanglefoot bag, a masterwork chain shirt, a masterwork buckler, a masterwork light crossbow with 20 bolts, and a masterwork rapier.
Mounting the stairs, they find a chamber, finished in jet-black marble, standing atop the Pagoda of the Rat. Four diamond-shaped pillars and a larger round central column support the ceiling high above. A staircase winds down around the column to the floors below. Carved writing covers much of each of the smaller pillars. Barred windows in each direction open onto the dark cavern outside. Thousands of faceted crystals set into the dark stone ceiling shed faint light, mimicking stars in the canopy of the ebony night sky. Small tables and chairs sit beyond the pillars in three of the four corners of the room. The fourth corner holds a larger table holding a pair of maps and several tattered journals.
GMy Stuff:
Percep:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29
Shonne finds another secret door about halfway up the pillar (the stairs continue all the way up to the celing.)
DC19 Survival Check:
About a day ago, both humans and ratfolk climbed the stairs and went through the secret door.
Dozens of rats, both mundane and dire fill the chamber, though, like the others you've encountered don't seem to be a threat.
Ruby Phoenix Tournament | NG male (he/him) human (Varisian) alchemist 12 | AC 26 (T 15, FF 22) | HP 111/111 | P +20, I +4 | F +14 (+16 vs poison), R +15, W +10 | Bombs: 22/22, Fly: 12/12, Clover: 3/3 | Active Conditions: ant haul
Aid Survival:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Diazepane asks if anyone would like to like an extract of greater invisibility for exploring this secret door.
Shonne finds evidence that the secret door has recently been used. While she's examining it to see if it is further secured two of the larger rats in the group move purposefully toward the group.
As they get closer the shape of one of them shimmers and shifts until a ratfolk woman stands before you.
"You are the heroes who defeated the dragon Xiangnuer, a great threat to my people. I am Krella. I hope that you are willing to destroy an even greater threat to those living in this pagoda. The Undying Empress Durriya cares nothing for her people and I fear that, even now, she is brokering a deal with the other outlanders that will benefit her but bring the rest of us nothing but suffering.
"I see you have found the secret door. As she said, Durriya and two humans went through the door yesterday and have not returned. If you allow it, I will come with you to help you destroy both threats to my people."
Female Elf Ranger 2/Transmuter 5/Eldritch Knight 3 | hp 79 | AC 23 T 16 FF 18 | CMD 27 | F +9 R +10 W +7 (+2 v Ench) | Spd 30' {60'} (Run x5) | Init +6 | Kn(Arc, Geo, His, Loc, Nat, Pla, Rel) +8*, Perc +14* (low-light), Scrft +10 (+12 ID), SensM +1* | Arcane Bond 1/1 | boots of spd 9/10 | wand of clw 14/50 | wand of cmw 9/11 | *Favored Enemy (human) +2 | bless, haste 9rds life bubble 18hrs
EbonFist wrote:
Shonne finds evidence that the secret door has recently been used. While she's examining it to see if it is further secured two of the larger rats in the group move purposefully toward the group.
As they get closer the shape of one of them shimmers and shifts until a ratfolk woman stands before you.
"You are the heroes who defeated the dragon Xiangnuer.
Shonne raises an eyebrow in an expression that reads as who?
Ruby Phoenix Tournament | NG male (he/him) human (Varisian) alchemist 12 | AC 26 (T 15, FF 22) | HP 111/111 | P +20, I +4 | F +14 (+16 vs poison), R +15, W +10 | Bombs: 22/22, Fly: 12/12, Clover: 3/3 | Active Conditions: ant haul
Male N Kitsune (always in human form) from the Forest of Spirits in north-eastern Tian Xia | Exploiter Wizard 9 | HP 84/84 + 0/0temp HP| Baahuush Familiar 42/42 HP | AC 17 T 13 FF 14 | CMB +1, CMD 16 | F: +16, R: +15, W: +14 & +1 vs. spells/spell-like ab./poison | Init: +5 | Perc: +16, Dipl: +19, Bluff: +19, SM: +5 | Lesser Rods: Extend 3/3, Piercing 3/3, Intensified 3/3 | Folio Reroll 1/1 | Chaldira Reroll 1/1 | Arcane Reservoir 5/7 | Speed 30ft | Resistances: Elec. 3, Acid 3, Fire 2, Cold 1 | Active c.: Height awareness, heroism,
Kioshi nods.
”Yes, yes! We were the ones that destroyed the evil and quite arrogant dragon!“ he says as a matter fact.
”Of course you may assist us in learning more about everything that is behind the door but we will not attack anybody and we will of course try to understand what the situation is! So let us go together with and see what happens!“
Ruby Phoenix Tournament | NG male (he/him) human (Varisian) alchemist 12 | AC 26 (T 15, FF 22) | HP 111/111 | P +20, I +4 | F +14 (+16 vs poison), R +15, W +10 | Bombs: 22/22, Fly: 12/12, Clover: 3/3 | Active Conditions: ant haul
"Yes, we were the one who slew the big, evil, named dragon that appears in both halves of a two-part adventure!" Diazepane nods enthusiastically.
"Very good, come with me," Krella says and leads the way into the secret door.
Beyond the secret door, a 5-foot-wide shaft runs down the center of the pillar to a hidden cavern beneath the Pagoda of the Rat. The 150-foot descent is eased by a ladder built into the shaft.
Braziers burning with green flames keep this cavern well lit. In one corner, a fine carpet leads to an opulent throne. In the other, a curtain blocks off a portion of the cave. A ladder vanishes through a hole in the ceiling, the only visible means of egress. Not far from the ladder, chairs surround a modest table; one chair is larger and grander than the rest. A thick leather book and the remains of a meal sit atop the table. A number of clay jars stand against the wall
An exceptionally large ratfolk woman in long robes sits in a throne while two human agents wearing Aspis badges stand nearby.
"Intruders! Slay them!" the ratfolk woman declares.
Round 1. The BOLD may act.
You guys start in the red square at the top. The ratfolk outlined in Green is Krella, the one in Purple is the Undying Empress.
Bullet
Aspis
Shonne
Empress
Kioshi
Kal'Ryon
Diazepane
Krella
Ruby Phoenix Tournament | NG male (he/him) human (Varisian) alchemist 12 | AC 26 (T 15, FF 22) | HP 111/111 | P +20, I +4 | F +14 (+16 vs poison), R +15, W +10 | Bombs: 22/22, Fly: 12/12, Clover: 3/3 | Active Conditions: ant haul
Can Diazepane tell if the ratfolk woman is undead?
Female Elf Ranger 2/Transmuter 5/Eldritch Knight 3 | hp 79 | AC 23 T 16 FF 18 | CMD 27 | F +9 R +10 W +7 (+2 v Ench) | Spd 30' {60'} (Run x5) | Init +6 | Kn(Arc, Geo, His, Loc, Nat, Pla, Rel) +8*, Perc +14* (low-light), Scrft +10 (+12 ID), SensM +1* | Arcane Bond 1/1 | boots of spd 9/10 | wand of clw 14/50 | wand of cmw 9/11 | *Favored Enemy (human) +2 | bless, haste 9rds life bubble 18hrs
So are we in the process of climbing down from the ceiling as we enter? If so I am guessing that the 5' wide hole is in the center of the red square and that the ladder descends to the floor from that point. How high is the ceiling in the chamber?
The ladder descends all the way to the floor. The ceiling is 20' up.
Diazepane:
You know the Undying Empress is not undead. In fact, now that you can see her, you note all the signs of a Rakshasa.
Silver lands a hit on one of the Aspis. Neither that one nor his partner appreciates the assault and they move to counter, proving that they have quite a bit of skill at inflicting harm on humans and downing him instantly.
=Round 1. The BOLD may act.
You guys start in the red square at the top. The ratfolk outlined in Green is Krella, the one in Purple is the Undying Empress.
Bullet -80
Aspis White -13
Shonne
Empress
Kioshi
Kal'Ryon
Diazepane
Krella
Ruby Phoenix Tournament | NG male (he/him) human (Varisian) alchemist 12 | AC 26 (T 15, FF 22) | HP 111/111 | P +20, I +4 | F +14 (+16 vs poison), R +15, W +10 | Bombs: 22/22, Fly: 12/12, Clover: 3/3 | Active Conditions: ant haul
Sorry...that check was good enough that you know more about her. She's resistant to any physical attacks unless they are both piercing AND good. She has no energy resistances or immunities. She's a powerful spellcaster.
Female Elf Ranger 2/Transmuter 5/Eldritch Knight 3 | hp 79 | AC 23 T 16 FF 18 | CMD 27 | F +9 R +10 W +7 (+2 v Ench) | Spd 30' {60'} (Run x5) | Init +6 | Kn(Arc, Geo, His, Loc, Nat, Pla, Rel) +8*, Perc +14* (low-light), Scrft +10 (+12 ID), SensM +1* | Arcane Bond 1/1 | boots of spd 9/10 | wand of clw 14/50 | wand of cmw 9/11 | *Favored Enemy (human) +2 | bless, haste 9rds life bubble 18hrs
Shonne looks at what's left of Bullet and sighs. She thinks about using her wand, but really what would be the point he would just use all that health again.
Instead she casts haste on the more-vertical members of the party and their ally.
She draws her spear and takes cover behind the table.
Durriya reaches out with her sorcerous magic and imposes her will upon Shonne.
Round 1/2. The BOLD may act.
You guys start in the red square at the top. The ratfolk outlined in Green is Krella, the one in Purple is the Undying Empress.
Bullet -80
Aspis White -13
Shonne -DC20 Will Save
Empress
Kioshi
Kal'Ryon
Diazepane
Krella
Can Kal spend his Quibble to give Shonne another roll at her Will save? I suppose that would assume that he knew something was happening
Sensing the danger spread in the room, Kal uses the arcane energy emanating from Shonne to quickly move across the room Provokes one AoO. 35 feet of movement. As he moves, the room dims slightly to his vision, and his eyes open up to the multiple universes of time/space inhabiting this moment Rage
As he approaches the Rakshasa, he swings his blade around in feighting blow, threatening an outright attack before actually attempting to sweep out her feet from under her. As he does, his weapon glows in a bright cackle of electricity.
Trip, haste:1d20 + 18 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 18 + 1 = 32
If the trip is successful, he will use his blood conduit ability to swift cast shocking grasp
Shocking Grasp:5d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 2, 1, 1) = 8
Blood Conduit:
At 5th level, as long as a blood conduit is wearing light or no armor, he can deliver bloodrager spells with a range of touch through bodily contact. When he succeeds at a combat maneuver check to bull rush, grapple, pin, reposition, or trip an opponent, or makes an unarmed strike against an enemy, he can as a swift action cast a touch spell on the creature that he affected with the combat maneuver, requiring no further touch attack roll. If this spell would usually require a successful touch attack, his successful combat maneuver check counts as this attack. This ability replaces uncanny dodge and improved uncanny dodge.
Ruby Phoenix Tournament | NG male (he/him) human (Varisian) alchemist 12 | AC 26 (T 15, FF 22) | HP 111/111 | P +20, I +4 | F +14 (+16 vs poison), R +15, W +10 | Bombs: 22/22, Fly: 12/12, Clover: 3/3 | Active Conditions: ant haul
Diazepane drinks an extract of greater invisibility and moves up to Bullet.
Taking a hit along the way before tripping the Empress and (maybe) electrocuting her.
She has Spell Resistance so you need to make a check to overcome it.
Diazepane turns invisible and moves up to assist Silver.
Round 1/2. The BOLD may act.
You guys start in the red square at the top. The ratfolk outlined in Green is Krella, the one in Purple is the Undying Empress. The Empress has Spell Resistance so make checks as necessary.
Bullet -81
Aspis White -13
Shonne Another Chance at a DC20 Will Save
Empress Prone maybe -8HP depending on Spell Resistance check
Kioshi
Kal'Ryon -11HP
Diazepane
Krella
Your Undying Empress speaks directly into your mind. "Kill the invaders." You feel compelled to obey.
If killing the invaders would be against your nature, you receive another saving throw with a +2 bonus.
Round 2. The BOLD may act.
The Empress has Spell Resistance so make checks as necessary.
Bullet -81
Aspis White -13
Shonne
Empress Prone
Kioshi
Kal'Ryon -31HP
Diazepane
Krella
As the already wounded Aspis agent strikes, Kal releases the stored energy in his shinny new armor Spell storing, Shocking Grasp and a blast of electrical energy flows into the white Aspis.
Shonne considers for a long moment made shorter because of haste. She drops her spear and from her position of cover draws her bow. As she does she speaks the words of a spell into her quiver of arrows.
Curse you, outlander! You'll regret your choice! You could have been my faithful servant. Instead, I'm going to eat your eyeballs! the Empress' mental voice fades even as her threat is made as you break the connection.
Kal'Ryon's magic fails to affect the Empress but it gives the Aspis agent who attacks him quite a...shock.
Shonne breaks the mental cage of the Empress' commands and casts a spell on her arrows, though they don't seem to impede her, the strap holding her quiver draws down and tight as though bearing a great weight.
From her place on the ground, Durriya cast's a spell, being careful not to leave herself vulnerable to the raging man standing over her.
Casting Defensively:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31
That triggers Kioshi who flings what are usually completely reliable missiles made of magic at her but they dissipate just before hitting her just before she dissipates from view.
"I'll take care of our fallen comrade! You deal with the Empress and her lackeys!" Krella declares and moves up to heal Silver.
CMW:2d8 + 8 ⇒ (3, 2) + 8 = 13
Round 2/3. The BOLD may act.
The Empress has Spell Resistance so make checks as necessary.
Bullet -68
Aspis White -30
Shonne
Empress Invisible
Kioshi
Kal'Ryon -31HP
Diazepane
Krella
Male Human Fighter 7: spd:30, Init:7, AC:24, FF:20, T:15, HP:74/74, Fort:8, Ref:6, Will:4 (+2 vs fear)
Silver stands up while picking up his dropped sword and moves to the right to get out of danger, maybe next round he'll do something, but for not he has to get out of dodge.
Ruby Phoenix Tournament | NG male (he/him) human (Varisian) alchemist 12 | AC 26 (T 15, FF 22) | HP 111/111 | P +20, I +4 | F +14 (+16 vs poison), R +15, W +10 | Bombs: 22/22, Fly: 12/12, Clover: 3/3 | Active Conditions: ant haul
"Use weapons that are both piercing and good-aligned," an invisible Diazepane says.
Diazepane drinks an elixir of see invisibility and calls out the Empress's location.
The caster disappears from Kal's view, and he groans.
"One of those types, huh. I don't have anything 'good', so uh... that might make this more difficult"
Instead of flailing blindly for the Emperess, Kal chooses a more brash approach. Stepping back, he takes a deep breath in before bellowing out flame in a large cone towards the Aspis- hopeful it might also catch the invisible empress in its blast. Breath Weapon, 30 ft cone
Male N Kitsune (always in human form) from the Forest of Spirits in north-eastern Tian Xia | Exploiter Wizard 9 | HP 84/84 + 0/0temp HP| Baahuush Familiar 42/42 HP | AC 17 T 13 FF 14 | CMB +1, CMD 16 | F: +16, R: +15, W: +14 & +1 vs. spells/spell-like ab./poison | Init: +5 | Perc: +16, Dipl: +19, Bluff: +19, SM: +5 | Lesser Rods: Extend 3/3, Piercing 3/3, Intensified 3/3 | Folio Reroll 1/1 | Chaldira Reroll 1/1 | Arcane Reservoir 5/7 | Speed 30ft | Resistances: Elec. 3, Acid 3, Fire 2, Cold 1 | Active c.: Height awareness, heroism,
Kioshi draws his piercing rod and casts Greater Aggressive Thundercloud!
Spending arcane reservoir point to increase dc by 2 with potent magic arcana. 9 rounds active. 6d6 points of electricity damage reflex dc 24 to prevent. The first creature damaged by the cloud is also stunned for 1 round (Fort dc 24 negates); this is a sonic effect. .
Thundercloud dc 24 reflex and fort save :6d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 4, 6, 1, 1) = 18 caster level :1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Kal'Ryon breathes out a gout of fire. Both of the Aspis agents manage evade it entirely with impressive skill. A gasp and curse from the invisible empress suggests she wasn't quite so lucky.
Diazepane tells everyone that the Empress is right in front of her throne in a very un-empress like position (crawling on the ground.)
Kioshi unleases a tiny thunderstorm inside the cavern, resting it on the most injured of the Aspis agents.
Refl (White):1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
He manages to avoid that as well.
The two agents follow Kal'Ryon and try to finish him off before he can spit hot fire again.
Round 3. The BOLD may act.
The Empress has Spell Resistance so make checks as necessary.
Bullet -68
Aspis White -30
Shonne
Empress Invisible -15HP
Kioshi
Kal'Ryon -69HP
Diazepane
Krella
Female Elf Ranger 2/Transmuter 5/Eldritch Knight 3 | hp 79 | AC 23 T 16 FF 18 | CMD 27 | F +9 R +10 W +7 (+2 v Ench) | Spd 30' {60'} (Run x5) | Init +6 | Kn(Arc, Geo, His, Loc, Nat, Pla, Rel) +8*, Perc +14* (low-light), Scrft +10 (+12 ID), SensM +1* | Arcane Bond 1/1 | boots of spd 9/10 | wand of clw 14/50 | wand of cmw 9/11 | *Favored Enemy (human) +2 | bless, haste 9rds life bubble 18hrs
Shonne casts glitterdust (Will DC 16) over the last area that she saw the queen in and the adjacent areas away from where everyone else was before they all moved. If this means she still hits either white or black so much the better. I don't remember the exact placement of everyone last round.
She herself moves 5' to the west. (Moved.)
Krella takes the full brunt but doesn't stop fighting. Realizing that she probably won't be able to do much against the Empress, she goes to bolster Silver more.
CLW:1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Round 3/4. The BOLD may act.
The Empress has Spell Resistance so make checks as necessary.
Bullet -60
Aspis White -30 (blind)
Shonne
Empress Invisible but glittery -15HP
Kioshi -35 DC18 Refl for half
Kal'Ryon -69HP
Diazepane -35 DC18 Refl for half
Krella -35
Female Elf Ranger 2/Transmuter 5/Eldritch Knight 3 | hp 79 | AC 23 T 16 FF 18 | CMD 27 | F +9 R +10 W +7 (+2 v Ench) | Spd 30' {60'} (Run x5) | Init +6 | Kn(Arc, Geo, His, Loc, Nat, Pla, Rel) +8*, Perc +14* (low-light), Scrft +10 (+12 ID), SensM +1* | Arcane Bond 1/1 | boots of spd 9/10 | wand of clw 14/50 | wand of cmw 9/11 | *Favored Enemy (human) +2 | bless, haste 9rds life bubble 18hrs
Friendly buff reminder:haste is still in effect for all allies, including Krella. It does impart a small bonus to your reflex save, among other things.
Ruby Phoenix Tournament | NG male (he/him) human (Varisian) alchemist 12 | AC 26 (T 15, FF 22) | HP 111/111 | P +20, I +4 | F +14 (+16 vs poison), R +15, W +10 | Bombs: 22/22, Fly: 12/12, Clover: 3/3 | Active Conditions: ant haul
A reminder that Diazepane is invisible as well. It seems like she had good reason to send the lightning bolt his way even without knowing he was there, but unless she can see invisibility, she shouldn't know he's there.
Reflex:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
Diazepane throws three bombs at the Empress. Extending splash to White: splash is 13 cold, DC 23 Reflex for half (or none, I guess, since they have evasion).
Frost Bomb, RS, PBS, haste:1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 11 - 2 + 1 + 1 = 17 vs touch (also FF if she can't see him)
Cold, PBS:5d6 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2, 5, 6, 4) + 8 + 1 = 29 plus DC 23 Fort vs staggered
Miss?:1d8 ⇒ 2NE, splashes Empress and White
Frost Bomb, RS, PBS, haste:1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 11 - 2 + 1 + 1 = 26 vs touch (also FF if she can't see him)
Cold, PBS:5d6 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1, 5, 5, 4) + 8 + 1 = 26 plus DC 23 Fort vs staggered
Miss?:1d8 ⇒ 4SE, bumping to S, splashes Empress only
Frost Bomb, hasted attack, PBS, haste:1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 11 - 2 + 1 + 1 = 22 vs touch (also FF if she can't see him)
Cold, PBS:5d6 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (6, 4, 1, 4, 1) + 8 + 1 = 25 plus DC 23 Fort vs staggered
Miss?:1d8 ⇒ 5S, splashes Empress only
---
@GM: I've been forgetting about Diazepane's Sticky Bombs! He has Sticky Bombs, meaning on a direct hit, they should take splash damage (13) the following turn. I'll make a note of this in the next round's post.
Only one of Kal'Ryon's attacks connects and, as expected doesn't do as much damage as it would on someone made purely of flesh and blood.
All three of Diazepane's bombs hit the Empress and splash onto the Aspis in white though he manages to avoid one of them entirely. The Empress is not able to overcome the cold from all of Diazepane's bombs.
Refl:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Refl:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Refl:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Fort:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Fort:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
Fort:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
Kioshi places a rain cloud over the blinded agent, again and once more he completely avoids the effects.
Refl:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
The Empress is not so lucky and the wizard manages to add yet more cold to her unpleasant circumstance.
Kioshi Refl:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18
Round 4. The BOLD may act.
The Empress has Spell Resistance so make checks as necessary.
Bullet -60
Aspis White -56 (blind)
Shonne
Empress Invisible but glittery -135HP
Kioshi -17
Kal'Ryon -69HP
Diazepane -17
Krella -35
Round 4. The BOLD may act.
The Empress has Spell Resistance so make checks as necessary.
Bullet -60
Aspis White -56 (blind)
Shonne
Empress Invisible but glittery -135HP
Kioshi -17
Kal'Ryon -77HP
Diazepane -17
Krella -35
