The final pech cannot withstand the triple assault and slides into helplessness with his companions.
Janus still needs help and do you wish to stabilize the pechs?
Combat Over!
Yaiho <DR 3>
Janus <magic vestment, unconscious> -59 damage
Grax <longstrider, air walk 3 feet up> -10 damage
Claudia <bear's endurance>
Doran <shield of faith> -13 damage
Morait
Room description again for your convenience...
Triangular designs etch the floor of this octagonal chamber, whose smooth walls of bluish crystal rise eighty feet to a peaked, eight-sided dome. A pair of two-foot-tall triangular daises of blue-tinged stone stands between double doors set into the north and south walls. Stacks of hundreds of inch-thick glassy plates tower higher than the doorframes.
Human (ulfen) Inquisitor (green faith marshal, sanctified slayer) 6| AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | HP 54/54 | F +9 R +7 W +9 | CMD 21 (22 v disarm)| Init +5 | Perc +11 (+13) | Spells (-, 5/5, 4/4) | Bane (6/6)
Janus has a potion of cure moderate wounds that you can pour down his throat.
Javon flies in once he's heard the fighting stop. He lands on the side of one of the pillars and looks around. "Perhaps we can talk like civilized people now? We mean you no harm. We just need help finding some information."
As Janus and the rest of the group heals, Doran stabilizes the pechs easily. You can take 10 with your bonus to stabilize.
There are hundreds of crystalline plates here. It would take an hour or more to truly sort through them.
The resonate hum grows louder as the seconds tick by and small cracks start to develop in the corners of the room.
The pechs are now stable. Do you want to heal them more so you can talk to them, start the hour long search through the plates, or move on through the next door?
Combat Over!
Yaiho <DR 3>
Janus <magic vestment> -59 damage + CMW potion
Grax <longstrider, air walk 3 feet up>
Claudia <bear's endurance>
Doran <shield of faith> -13 damage
Morait
Human (ulfen) Inquisitor (green faith marshal, sanctified slayer) 6| AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | HP 54/54 | F +9 R +7 W +9 | CMD 21 (22 v disarm)| Init +5 | Perc +11 (+13) | Spells (-, 5/5, 4/4) | Bane (6/6)
cmw potion:2d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 8) + 3 = 13 ->46 damage
Janus regains consciousness thanks to the potion - but their reptilian counterpart does not return.
"We underestimated the pech's strength. We have departed. We will return."
The ulfen continues to mend their wounds, doing the same for the other wounded pathfinders with the PCs own wands - Janus has enough to heal themself though this time.
potion of cure moderate wounds, 4 mwk heavy picks, boots of friendly terrain (underground), cloak of resistance +1, four mithral xorn figurines (worth 250 gp each)
It will take 15 points of healing to bring the pech leader around.
What the leader says:
It takes a fair amount of time for the leader to calm and realize her hopeless position and to speak plainly in very broken common.
"We are the protectors of the Crystal Womb and all within, we maintain and sustain the rocks until the day the Builders return. The unseen causes the Archive to shake. We will protect this place. You cannot help. We only ask that you leave. Time is running out. We must save the crystals. Do not enter the Ruby Tower." She gestures to the door further in. "None but our masters may enter such sacred spaces. The unseen that lies within will destroy you and then us, then all this knowledge and wisdom will be lost to the ages." She nods to the crystalline storage plates.
Human (ulfen) Inquisitor (green faith marshal, sanctified slayer) 6| AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | HP 54/54 | F +9 R +7 W +9 | CMD 21 (22 v disarm)| Init +5 | Perc +11 (+13) | Spells (-, 5/5, 4/4) | Bane (6/6)
Janus' potion was one that we found earlier in the mission. Janus will happily keep hold of the new one for later use, or it could be used to help wake the Pech leader. I think Doran should decide. Either way, Janus is willing to wake the leader.
Relying on their Tongues spell, Janus addresses the Pech.
"We serve the Green. All shall return to the Green in time. For now, we will recover the knowledge that you protect.
Who or what is the 'unseen'? An enemy of the Builders? Why would it destroy all?"
@Doran Should roll them outCLW:5d8 + 5 ⇒ (4, 1, 1, 3, 5) + 5 = 19
The leader grows more frustrated, knowing little more than you do. The unseen is unseen. Since it came... the stones quiver. Now they start to crack. Perhaps a day is left for this place. We tried to wait it out, hope it would die. Now our time is gone."
Human (ulfen) Inquisitor (green faith marshal, sanctified slayer) 6| AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | HP 54/54 | F +9 R +7 W +9 | CMD 21 (22 v disarm)| Init +5 | Perc +11 (+13) | Spells (-, 5/5, 4/4) | Bane (6/6)
"Then we will end the unseen, by the will of Imbrex. Do the stones speak to you? What do they say?"
Janus has a scroll of See Invisibility which they will use when appropriate.
"If destruction is imminent, we should see what information is here." Javon flies over to examine the crystal plates closer. He tries to read the information and see what might be held here.
Despite his learned nature, the bird only knows common. However, he has all the knowledge skills.
"We feel their pain. We try to heal their wounds, but they multiply. They sense their time is ending. We will protect what we can if you free us. But we beg you - do not go through that door. If it can raze mountains, what chance have you? The unseen will destroy you!" The pech leader exhorts.
At least one of you understands Terran, so you can spend an hour sorting through the crystalline plates to attempt a Knowledge (arcana) check.
Human (ulfen) Inquisitor (green faith marshal, sanctified slayer) 6| AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | HP 54/54 | F +9 R +7 W +9 | CMD 21 (22 v disarm)| Init +5 | Perc +11 (+13) | Spells (-, 5/5, 4/4) | Bane (6/6)
"You are free, servants of the Stone" Janus answers the Pech. "We will examine these fragments before we confront the unseen. Either we will end it, or it will end us. Either way, the will of Imbrex be done."
Janus is in favour of studying the plates. Their Arcana bonus is +9.
Eventually, Janus uncovers a broad disk entitled Steel Meditations. This treatise presents the ageless koans of an earth elemental mystic, and it functions as a unique spellbook with a special preparation ritual.
Details on the Steel Meditations:
STEEL MEDITATIONS (LEVEL 7 TRANSMUTER)
This large crystalline disk contains countless, minute inscriptions that trace their way through its interior.
Opposition School Air
Value 2,300 gp
SPELLS
4th—elemental body I, stone shape, stoneskin
3rd—gentle repose, protection from energy
2nd—bear’s endurance, glitterdust, shatter, stone call
1st—detect secret doors, endure elements, expeditious excavation, magic weapon, stone fist
PREPARATION RITUAL
Deep Earth Mysteries (Su) Once per day as a swift action, expend this boon’s effect when you cast one of the following spells on yourself to gain a +2 enhancement bonus to your Strength or Constitution score for the duration of the spell (maximum 20 minutes): elemental body I–IV (earth only), stone fist, or stoneskin. You must prepare at least three spells (not including cantrips) from this spellbook in order to use this boon.
Unfortunately, it is not the information you seek, which means it is time to enter the Ruby Tower or go home empty handed.
Go ahead and prep and place your self where you want to be when the doors are opened. After an hour, only air walk on Grax and magic vestment on Janus are still up...
Grippli Magus 8 | HP 56/56 | AC 25, T 17, FF 20 | F: +7 R: +7, W: +7 | Perc +1 | Init +9
The fierce, brave little froggie places herself right behind the front line. If someone moves the front line forward, feel free to move Claudia further forward, too.
Human (ulfen) Inquisitor (green faith marshal, sanctified slayer) 6| AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | HP 54/54 | F +9 R +7 W +9 | CMD 21 (22 v disarm)| Init +5 | Perc +11 (+13) | Spells (-, 5/5, 4/4) | Bane (6/6)
"We must be better prepared."
The pale ulfen casts a couple of spells, and activates two wands.
Defending Bone, Shield of Faith; Comprehend Languages and Heightened Awareness from wands. Will burn H.A. for +4 initiative if combat breaks out.
I'm not able to view the map except on my phone, GM. (Same for your Veiled Flame game). I am finding that Slides tends to crash my browser, although not in every case. I get a huge memory leak. Unfortunately I am using an old mac that I badly need to update, changing browsers doesn't help me.
Javon nods and bobs. "Yes, it seems we must go in. If we can quell this beast, then perhaps we can save the entire place."
He flies over to land on Grax's head and looks down at him upside-down. "Gerald, be ready with that oversized sword you have. Who knows what this beast will be."
Human (ulfen) Inquisitor (green faith marshal, sanctified slayer) 6| AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | HP 54/54 | F +9 R +7 W +9 | CMD 21 (22 v disarm)| Init +5 | Perc +11 (+13) | Spells (-, 5/5, 4/4) | Bane (6/6)
Before opening the Ruby Tower, Janus asks the pech how large the interior is.
If small, Janus reads their scroll of See Invisibility. If large or multi-level they wait until they're inside and have an idea of the layout.
@Janus More than half the size of the current room. I assume the spell would be up.
Grax and Yaiho swing the doors open once all are ready. A noticeable sonic pressure drop occurs as they do so and the destructive sound waves grow almost deafening.
A two-foot-high triangular dais occupies the center of this octagonal chamber, and shallow grooves ripple outward from the platform. Stacks of red-hued crystalline plates are scattered throughout the room. A thrumming buzz causes minute distortions in the air, and the ruby walls seem to flex and bend slightly from invisible forces.
Two animated, spiny insect legs extend from the floor itself and glide across as if skating on ice. They stop and turn toward you as soon as the doors open.
DC 13 Knowledge Arcana:
The insectoid legs are actually stony animated objects, constructs with hardness.
What Janus can see with the spell up:
In the center of the room - about twenty feet off the ground - is a faintly glowing ball of light that bobs gently in the air, the nebulous image of what might be a skull visible somewhere in its depths. DC 21 Knowledge Dungeoneering to identify.
Human (ulfen) Inquisitor (green faith marshal, sanctified slayer) 6| AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | HP 54/54 | F +9 R +7 W +9 | CMD 21 (22 v disarm)| Init +5 | Perc +11 (+13) | Spells (-, 5/5, 4/4) | Bane (6/6)
Male Half-orc Eldritch Guardian/Mutation Warrior Fighter 5 (HP: 49/49 | AC: 23 21/11/22 20 | F+10 R+5 W+5* (+1 vs. fear/mind-affecting)| Init +1 | Percep +9 SM +3)
Grax rushes into the room after Janus, assuming that whatever he sees and is talking about will be near where he's attacking. The half-orc 'climbs the stairs' up to hover just over the dias and lashes out with his magic greatsword.
Despite not seeing it with his own eyes, Doran believes it is a will-o’-wisp, but given the sonic nature of the assault on the tower, it might be a lesser known variant known as a Thunder Wisp with with natural invisibility and a sonic damage attack.
Switched Grax to the other construct to maximize Janus' powers, delayed Doran to the next group.
Grax scampers in and slashes into the southern leg followed by Janus who repeats the devastation on the northern one. The thrush sage finds a careful perch along the crystalline walls near the towering collection of plates.
The northern leg retaliates first, striking the ground hard just next to the green faith devotee. Grax feels a stinging pain as "something" zaps him with vibrating energy. coming from where the grey circle is, above his head.
Male Half-orc Eldritch Guardian/Mutation Warrior Fighter 5 (HP: 49/49 | AC: 23 21/11/22 20 | F+10 R+5 W+5* (+1 vs. fear/mind-affecting)| Init +1 | Percep +9 SM +3)
With the strange thing blown to pieces, Grax looks up and 'climbs the stairs' up to the where he felt the lightning come from. "Janus! Is it still here?" He swings blindly with his greatsword, trying to connect with something.
Human (ulfen) Inquisitor (green faith marshal, sanctified slayer) 6| AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | HP 54/54 | F +9 R +7 W +9 | CMD 21 (22 v disarm)| Init +5 | Perc +11 (+13) | Spells (-, 5/5, 4/4) | Bane (6/6)
"It is still present" Janus directs their fellows to the wisp's location.
GM, is the wisp within Janus' reach or can Janus 5' step to get within reach?
@Janus It is within reach (5 feet above the floor) if you move 20 feet to the south. I have been trying to keep up with a 3-D side view on the second slide since we have flying creatures to show height.
