GM supervillan's 5-05 The Elven Entanglement (Inactive)

Game Master supervillan

"Sounds like a plan to me," Nina agrees with a resolute nod. "I don't need the arrows but I'll take one of those lesser restoration potions and an antitoxin for sure."

She hefts her lance. "I'm most useful when I've got Inky by my side but even without her, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve that'll hopefully come in handy out there."

Kargen inspects the belt. "I could use this, though I think it will only enhance my Strength. I could use one of the antitoxin and lesser restoration potions though." He nods at Gervase to take the cold iron arrows.

"Ahh, you were referring to the Gygaxian taxonomy. Of course, hmmm. That's practically ancient history, and there's many Pathfinders who've never even heard of the old Dungeoneer," Amestra says as she looks at the very interesting drawing. "I'd forgotten all about that. Thanks for the reminder." She then makes a small note in the margin of her notebook to review and compare alternative demon classifications when she gets back to Absalom. If she gets back.

"Um, Kargen, I've never really gotten around to upgrading mine," she says patting the worn leather belt across her slim hips. "I always seem to find other things I want more," she explains shyly, "but I definitely need to do that after this is all done. In the meantime, would you mind much it I used that?"

She'd also lay claim to one antitoxin, but would understand if Quiella needs an extra for Turin.

"Cecilla, thank you for agreeing to guide us. I've no doubt your expertise will make this a much smoother journey."

She salutes the rest of the Uprooters and wishes them a safe journey back. In Elven, of course.

Kargen hands the belt to Amy. "Here you go. That should help a lot."

"Cecilla, how far is it to this demon-lair, do you think?"

"Hard to say precisely" Cecilla answers. "We know Fihralaz lairs beyond the ruins of Kethalia, deeper in the Tanglebriar. How long it takes to get there depends on how you cope with the terrain, but as long as the terrain doesn't kill you it can't be more than a day away."

Cecilla leads the way.

The trek through Tanglebriar weaves between trees drawn into moaning visages whose cracked bark sweats black sap. Tortured howls punctuate the constant buzzing of blood-red flies, and at times the ground itself seems to spasm as if alive. Approximately a mile from Mount Armiya, a twisting briar patch of arm-thick vines with thorns like armour spikes impedes further travel south, leaving only narrow gaps that a creature might step through.

It takes you two hours to cover this first mile of travel - unless you have some long-duration method of speeding up Nina.

Everyone please attempt 2 DC14 Fort saves - this is versus both Disease and Poison and you need immunity to both in order to not need to make these saves.

"We call this 'claw brush.' It's about half a mile thick, and runs east-west for around three miles in all. We can go 'round it or through it" Cecilla informs you.

Soaring high in the sky, Amy and Kargen spot a large, winged creature. Amy's keen eyes determine that it is a demonic creature, and she recognises it as a Vrock (formerly known as a "Type I minor demon").

"Or I suppose we could all fly over it, if you have the means" Cecilla adds. "We Uprooters go through the claw brush if we're in a hurry, or around it otherwise. Going through it is faster, but it's painful. Those thorns will pierce even elven chain, and they carry disease. You decide."

"Gragh...walking is the pits," Nina grumbles as the group slogs their way along through the Tanglebriar.

Fort #1 (DC 14): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Fort #2 (DC 14): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

But whatever detrimental effects the trek might have don't seem to bother the little gnome. As the group reaches a decision point, she considers the options.

"Well, even if we do fly, we'll have to deal with that," Nina remarks, gesturing up at the winged demon soaring overhead. "So if it's easier to hide in the claw brush and it's quicker...maybe we should just suck it up and go through."
______________

Whichever option take, Nina will cast an extended Barkskin and Heroism on herself; should be good for 3 hours.

FORT 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
FORT 2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

"I actually don't mind a good walk to keep in shape, but this particular track doesn't rank highly on my list." Thoriel grimaces as she surveys the thick briar patch blocking their progress. "It's never a good sign when the trees sweat more than you do, and you have to strain to hear the tortured howls over the buzzing of flies. I guess we may as well press on through the armor-piercing brush. At this point quick and painful sounds slightly more appealing than long and less painful, but still rather annoying."

Fort Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Fort Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Kargen winces at some of the scrapes along the way, but he nods. "Yeah, I think it's far better to push through this and get farther without our presence being noticed."

Poison : 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 = 15
Disease : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Amestra eyes the oozing thorns and doesn't like what she sees. But she doesn't like what she sees in the sky either. "I realize time is of the essence, but arriving sickened and injured won't help either. Damned if we do, damned if we don't, I guess," she says with a shrug and prepares to follow the others into the briars.

Huh, I wrote the post right after GM posted last night and thought for sure I'd hit Submit.

Gervase ✨taps herself with her wand of longstrider and then passes it to Nina.

“It’s a personal spell, so you’ll have to UMD the wand yourself to make it work, Nina.”

“Keep it with you, and use as many charges as you like until it runs out. I hardly use the wand anymore because I usually memorize the spell every day.” (28 charges left)

Fort: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26
Fort: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17 *Fail*

"I'm also good with pushing through the claw brush, rather than going around."

Does Gervase even realize she's contracted something nasty from the twisted trees?

"Even though you only saw the one Type I Demon, what's to say there aren't others loitering about, waiting to pounce on oblivious flyers."

Whether or not Nina successfully works the magic of the Longstrider wand will affect your travel time, so I'll wait for a couple of UMD checks. Nina if you're happy for me to bot those checks the rest of the way it will save a bit of time though.

"May I?" Amestra asks with her hand out to take the wand that Gervase offers. She pulls a strange coil of wires from her pack and gently twines them onto the handle of the wand before handing it to Nina. Then she pulls out one of her two wayfinders and activates the magic within the finely carved jade.

"That should help a little," she informs her friend.

The first bit is a "thaumatic coil," my flavoring of a masterwork tool for the UMD skill, but which only works for the limited purpose of activating wands. Guidance from a jade wayfinder. +3 total for Nina's UMD.

"Hrm...that's an interesting contraption," Nina muses as Amy adds a small coil to the wand to help in the activation process. "I might have to get one next time we're in town! I've got some experience in activating these things but it's been awhile and I'm a bit out of practice," she admits as she focuses and attempts to get the borrowed wand to work...

UMD w/ Help (DC 20): 1d20 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 3 = 26

...and succeeds!

"Hah! Alright, let's get going while the gettin' is good!"
______________

UMD w/ Help (DC 20): 1d20 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 3 = 12

The second time doesn't go so well, however.

"Biscuits! Well, at least it saved us a *little* time," Nina sighs as she hands the wand back to Gervase, having been unable to get it to work the second time around.

So a success for the first hour, and abject failure the second time around, which prevents her from trying to activate it again for 24 hours.

Uprooter Cecilla wrote:

“Fihralaz is a hezrou demon. It has its lair scarcely a day's travel into the Tanglebriar.”

Gervase exchanges a glance with Quiella. “Hmm … that distance implies we should be well-rested before assaulting the creature in its lair.”

Cecilla wrote:

“We should leave now. It's best to keep moving.”

Gervase again exchanges glances with Quiella. “I think it best to go along with the expert. No doubt the longer we delay, the lesser the chance the elven captives survive.”

“Perhaps we’ll get the opportunity to rest along the trail?”

Quiella nods in agreement with Gervase's comments "A chance to rest might be prudent... but we'll have to see what we find when we get there. It is possible that more delay will hasten the corruption or destruction of the captives."

She'd also lay claim to one antitoxin, but would understand if Quiella needs an extra for Turin.

I can't think of any particular reason that Turin should have a potion or antitoxin? His Fort save is decent

Quiella, fortitude: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31
Quiella, fortitude: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24

Túrin, fortitude: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Túrin, fortitude: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Nina's temporary speed boost means it takes 1 1/2 hours to reach the claw brush rather than 2. Which may or may not make a difference ;)

Situational modifiers to poison or disease do not help with these saves unless they apply to both poison and disease.

Before you reach the claw brush, Amy and Gervase are already feeling sick.

STR damage, Amy: 1d4 ⇒ 1
STR damage, Gervase: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Nina's mojo runs dry and her borrowed wand shorts out.

Conferring with Cecilla, you decide to push on through the brush. The Uprooter leads the way.

Cecilla survival: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35

Cecilla moves quickly through the brush, and it's difficult for you to avoid the stabbing thorns.

Everyone needs to give me a Survival check please, as well as another DC14 Fort save vs poison / disease.

“I still think we’ve made the right decision, peeps.”

Gervase consults her wayfinder before deciding to just plunge in on after Cecilla.

Rolls is order requested

Survival: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16 +2 circumstance bonus to avoid getting lost

Fort: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26

Kargen nods. "Better than announcing our approach by tangling with that flying demon. We press on." He looks at where Gervase is going. "No, Navy. This way..."

Survival: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32 +2 to avoid getting lost

Fort Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

"Hehe, maybe her wayfinder only works at sea," Amestra giggles before the laugh turns into a wracking cough. "Mmmm, not feeling my best," she observes looking at the oozing scratches on her arms. She withdraws her own lovely jade wayfinder, rubs it for luck (guidance), and nods at Kargen's choice of direction.

Survival, Inspiration, wayfinder, guidance: 1d20 + 1d6 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + (5) + 1 + 2 + 1 = 28
Fort : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Using a point of Inspiration on a skill that's not one of her free skills (Survival, in this case) adds 1d6+1 due to her Elf FCB. The extra +1 is accounted for in her skill bonuses for those skills that always allow her to use it for free. 

As the group continues to trudge along Nina pulls out a small compass, looking at it and then up at what she can see of the sky overhead. "Hmm..."

Survival (Compass): 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 1 + 2 = 18

Fort (Extended Heroism): 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 2 = 23

Survival, wayfinder: 1d20 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) - 2 + 1 = 8

Quiella, fortitude: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34

Quiella is clueless about how to navigate the wilderness, so she tries to just follow the lead of her woodsier companions.

Turin, fortitude: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

sad day

Spending as much time trying to pluck the thorns out of her robe as she does watching where she is going, Thoriel trusts that others more adept at trudging through weeds will be able to pick the best route.

Survival: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13
FORT: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

It's hard going through the brush. Despite Cecilla's expertise, not everyone can avoid getting scratched by the thorns. The Tanglebriar saps your strength with every step you take...

Kargen STR damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Turin STR damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Thoriel STR damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Party Status

Amy -1STR
Gervase -1STR
Kargen -1STR
Nina -1hp
Quiella -4hp
Turin -10hp, -2STR
Thoriel -3hp, -2STR

I've used Quiella's Survival check for Turin. Wayfinders and Compasses helped, Guidance did not because the check represents an hour's travel.

It takes a further hour of travel on the other side of the claw brush to reach the ruins of Kethalia. Here, Cecilla takes her leave. "I can go no further with you. I'm disobeying orders, being out here now. All Uprooters have been recalled. Fihralaz lairs in the swamps beyond Kethalia. Good luck." With that, Cecilla turns and vanishes into the Tanglebriar.

What was once the settlement of Kethalia is now a vine-choked ruin. Shattered white marble structures now stained with sap and filth still reflect what little light filters in. Rubble from collapsed levels obscures much of the ground, and, like ghouls from a grave, trees have tenaciously clawed their way through the debris, their roots expanding in all directions to buckle paving stones and crack mortar.

"Oof...getting around here on foot won't be much of a picnic either," Nina whispers as she cautiously looks around. "Guess we should take a quick breather before pushing on?" she queries, noticing that most of her companions look a little green around the gills from the scratching thorns.

“Don’t mind me, mates …”

Gervase lowers her pack and bends over a particularly hideous piece of Abyssal-tainted foliage – fertilizing it with a technicolour yawn.

Unwilling to admit the effect the claw brush is having, she gestures at Kargen and Amestra. “I get a bit land-sick if I have to guide my Doggie and Zoomie too far.”

She looks back. “And Cayden driving the Big White Porcelain Airship! That sick plant actually enjoyed my offering!”

The dive ranger rinses her hands in water she’s brought with her, wiping them on spare clothing before drawing some healing wands.

Gervase’s CLW wand on Nina: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Gervase’s CLW wand on Quiella: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Gervase’s CLW wand on Turin: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Gervase’s CLW wand on Quiella: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Gervase’s CLW wand on Turin: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Gervase’s CLW wand on Thoriel: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Finally, Gervase puts a scroll of five lesser restoration spells into Quiella’s hands. “Can you please ✨cast the spell on me, Quiella, and then on anyone else who requires it?”

STR restored: 1d4 ⇒ 1

“Don’t forget we also have five potions of lesser restoration, Pathfinders.”

Before heading off again, Gervase will give herself another ✨tap from her wand of longstrider.

When did folks take damage? I thought Gervase healed everyone up to 100% before we set off.

Assuming that we did take damage, Quiella would absorb all 10 of this damage to Turin via life link, and so only she would need to be healed between the two of them. That would be 14 dmg, so you can take back the second two charges you used for her and Turin. (She also gets +2 hp back for every die of healing rolled, so she heals faster than others.) Quiella still has 7 level 1 spell slots left, so I would be inclined to use at least one of those in place of your wand charges.

Quiella soothes Túrin's sapped strength

Quiella, oracle, lesser restoration: 1d4 ⇒ 2

She then uses the offered scrolls on Amy, Gervase, Kargen, and Thoriel.

Quiella, scroll, lesser restoration, Amy: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Quiella, scroll, lesser restoration, Gervase: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Quiella, scroll, lesser restoration, Kargen: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Quiella, scroll, lesser restoration, Thoriel: 1d4 ⇒ 1 Looks like Thoriel's normal strength is 13, so this should get her back to full functioning, even though she's at -1STR. Otherwise Quiella can burn a spell slot or use the other scroll

Unless we think we'll be resting soon, in which case she would use up the last 3 of her level 2 spell slots before using the scrolls

As Gervase and Nina heal the group, Kargen pulls out his own metamagic rod and casts some spells to help him going forward.

Using Extended metamagic rod to cast Heroism and See Invisibility.

Damage was caused by your journey through the claw brush - though not to everyone, it depended on a combination of Survival checks and Armour.

It quickly becomes apparent that Kethalia has long since been stripped of anything of value. A handful of partly-intact buildings offer some shelter, and within a ruined temple you find signs of recent occupation: a small bedroll (such as might suit a halfling or a gnome), several unfinished potions, and a portable alchemist’s lab. There are also stale bread crumbs in a nearby gallery. You easily find a trail that leads from these buildings to a partially collapsed hall. As you consider the trail, you hear hooting and howling noises coming from the hall...

Half an hour has elapsed since your arrival at Kethalia. What do you do?

survival to track: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17 Add +6 if demons are involved

Do I know how many creatures we face?

“I think we should move up and appraise the general layout of the occupied hall before moving inside.”

One creature - either a gnome or an immature humanoid judging from the size of the bootprints (surely not a halfling in boots, the very thought is preposterous) - travelled from the temple to the hall not more than a day ago, possibly more recent than that.

"Lead the way" Quiella says, nudging Túrin to stay close to the ranger.

Amestra peers at the alchemy gear and carefully checks the potions. Concluding that there's not much more to it, she follows the rest to the collapsed ruin

You follow the tracks - and the howling - into the ruined Kethalian hall. There you come across two grotesque red-skinned creatures threatening a terrified gnome that cowers atop a tree stump. The two monsters leer at you.

New victims! I will enjoy you!

Mortal playthings to twist and break

Bonuses vs demons apply to this check:

Combat round 1!

Amy
Thoriel, -1STR
Gervase
Kargen
Magenta
Red
Gnome
Nina
Quiella + Turin

The bold may act!

We are on Slide 4

Knowledge, Planes (heroism): 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 2 = 23

"Babau demons! Leave this place and the gnome to us." He glances at the others. "Be careful of their acidic slime!"

He calls on the power of Erastil and moves to line up a clear shot on the demons, knowing they will be unlikely to heed his threat.

Cast Divine Favor.

Kn(Planes), Insp, Hat : 1d20 + 13 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 13 + (5) + 2 = 35

"You're absolutely correct, Kargen. And like many demons, they're immune to electrical attacks and poison. They're aberrant physiology also resists cold and fire, and of course since they use acid in their attacks, they resist that, too." She pauses to catch her breath. "And as we were warned, cold iron and blessed weapons work best."

Just as she finishes, Amestra looks up to see if anyone was actually listening. But instead, an unexpected movement catches her eye. That ... stump ... just moved. She looks at the rest of her team to see if anyone else noticed and realizing no one else did, she studies the stump and the gnome more closely.

Kn(Dungeoneering), Insp, Hat : 1d20 + 13 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 13 + (3) + 2 = 24

"Wait! That stump's not a stump and the poor gnome is almost certainly already dead.. It's a wolf-in-sheep's clothing. An aberrant shapechanger that lures victims by posing as a tree stump with an innocent creature - typically the hollowed out remains of a former victim - sat atop it."

She shifts around a little to get a better perspective. "This one is an especially large and powerful specimen. Do be very careful, please."

She summons the magic in her scarf and moves forward to protect Kargen (not that he really needs it, but she feels kinda bad after what happened last time.)

 Saving the 5 inspiration die for a roll vs the demons. Swift to get reach with rapier. Move 30', ready to attack a demon that approaches within her reach.

Readied attack, reach : 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29
damage : 1d6 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Round #1: longstrider

“The gnome is almost certainly dead. Got it!”

The archer doesn’t hesitate, drawing a bead on Magenta with the Uprooters' cold iron arrows.

multishot 2x cold iron arrows + favored enemy: 1d20 + 17 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 17 + 6 - 2 = 23 vs flat-footed?
magic, CI piercing damage: 2d8 + 12 + 12 ⇒ (5, 4) + 12 + 12 = 33

iterative cold iron arrow + FE: 1d20 + 12 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 12 + 6 - 2 = 27
magic, CI piercing damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

rapid shot cold iron arrow + FE: 1d20 + 17 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 17 + 6 - 2 = 26
magic, CI piercing damage: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (4, 4) + 12 = 20

Gervase's improved precise shot defeats all cover except total cover.

She then takes a 5 step.

Thoriel quickly imbues herself with enhanced speed and then conjures up some mirror images of herself before moving in towards the demons, ready to serve both as a distraction for them and to launch her own attack.

Spend 1 arcane point to enter Spell Dance.
Mirror Image: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Army recognises the demon threat and calls upon his hunter god.

Navy doesn't wait, and looses a volley of cold iron. Her arrows pierce one of the babau, causing severe wounds even as the creature's acid eats away the shafts.

Amy dishes out the details about the enemy and readies her blade.

Thoriel employs a little illusion and a lot of flair as she flits forwards to do battle.

The crimson fiend works magic against the oncoming magus...

red vs Thoriel: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Purple pauses an instant - and suddenly a mass of root-like tendrils burst out of the earth underneath Thoriel!

tentacle vs elf: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25
tentacle vs elf: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18
tentacle vs elf: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (17) + 17 = 34image? 1=true: 1d5 ⇒ 1damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9grab?: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (16) + 26 = 42constrict: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
tentacle vs elf: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20
tentacle vs elf: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (16) + 17 = 33image? 1=true: 1d5 ⇒ 1damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6grab?: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (13) + 26 = 39constrict: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
tentacle vs elf: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (16) + 17 = 33image? 1=true: 1d5 ⇒ 2
tentacle vs elf: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25
tentacle vs elf: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24

bite vs elf: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26

Neither her agility nor her trickery prevent Thoriel being captured by the root-tentacles, which wrap around her and crush as the pull her towards the wolf-in-sheep's-clothing's toothy maw.

The purple fiend - who evidently expected this attack - cackles with glee. In the blink of an eye it hurls a chakram at Nina before ducking into the cover of the ruins.

chakram vs Nina, range: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 11 - 2 = 29damage: 1d8 + 7 + 3d6 ⇒ (6) + 7 + (1, 1, 4) = 19
confirm?: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 11 - 2 = 26crit damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Combat round 1 / 2

Amy
Thoriel, -1STR, -36hp, grappled
Gervase
Kargen
Magenta, -69hp, cover
Red
Gnome, grappled
Nina, -19hp
Quiella + Turin

The bold may act!

GM, does Kargen have line of sight to all the enemies? Do any of them have cover? I'm not sure which of the terrain might block.

Round #2: longstrider

Spellcraft DC 18: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Knowledge (planes) on babau: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31

"Does anyone know if the babau are advanced specimen?"

(If possible, Gervase would like to know hit dice and SLA, please GM)

As the first demon takes cover, Gervase switches target to the ‘Wolf-in-Sheep’s-Clothing,’ launching another Uprooter arrow flurry downfield.

multishot 2x cold iron arrows: 1d20 + 17 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 17 - 2 = 30
magic, CI piercing damage: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (1, 2) + 12 = 15

iterative cold iron arrow: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 12 - 2 = 19
magic, CI piercing damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

rapid shot cold iron arrow: 1d20 + 17 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 17 - 2 = 26
magic, CI piercing damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Both babau have cover against you Kargen but the wolf' does not. The dark rectangle on the map is a shallow pit

Gervase, the babau knowledge check spoiler is in this post. For the sake of both (pbp) speed and verisimilitude I prefer to lay out knowledge checks in this way rather than have everyone in a party happen to know different things about a creature, but I try to tailor these to a party to some extent. Archers want to know DR, blasters want to know energy resistance and immunities, etc. If you have general preferences for knowledge check information let me know.

I can tell you that the babau are not ordinary specimens though.

Kargen fires a series of cold iron arrows at the tentacle creature. "Thoriel, look out!" He turns his bow towards it and Erastil's wrath hones in on the wolf-in-sheep's clothing.

Activate Bane
Attack (RS, DF, Bane): 1d20 + 12 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 12 + 3 + 2 = 21
Cold Iron Damage (DF, Bane): 1d8 + 3 + 3 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 3 + 2 + (2, 6) = 20

Attack (RS, DF, Bane): 1d20 + 12 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 12 + 3 + 2 = 21
Cold Iron Damage (DF, Bane): 1d8 + 3 + 3 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 3 + 2 + (3, 2) = 17

Attack (RS, DF, Bane): 1d20 + 7 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 3 + 2 = 25
Cold Iron Damage (DF, Bane): 1d8 + 3 + 3 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 3 + 2 + (5, 6) = 23

Clustered Shots applies for any DR.

As she feels the tentacles about to wrap around her, Thoriel calls on her arcane reserves to protect herself with a magical shield.

Immediate action before first tentacle hits to spend 1 arcane point to get +4 shield bonus to AC until end of next turn, bringing it up to AC 36.

At the last instant, Thoriel summons a shield of force that deflects the attacking tendrils, causing them to shatter her false images instead!

Kargen targets the wolf-in-sheep's-clothing, but only a single arrow has any noticeable impact.

Combat round 1 / 2

Amy
Thoriel, -1STR, arcane shield, 1 image remains
Gervase
Kargen
Magenta, -69hp, cover
Red
W-I-S-C, -23hp
Nina, -19hp
Quiella + Turin

The bold may act!

will adjust map, since Thoriel did not get pulled in.

Nina yelps in pain as the demon's chakram sinks into her shoulder. "Gah! Fine, time for even more cover fire!"

Utilizing her innate talents for conjuration, Nina focuses and calls out across the planes and the ether for aid...and gets an answer! An elf-like creature appears on the field, silver-white hair the color of a lightning strike whipping around him and eyes swirling with vibrant colors.

"Hi, hello, thanks for answering me! We could use a little help, please!" Nina calls out as she moves up a bit, angling to try and get into some cover herself.
______________

Nina uses her SLA to cast Summon Monster V as a standard action, then moves to her current map position. A bralani azata enters the fray! (And I'll post for them accordingly in a moment.)

Though the azata can't quite see all of the party's foes, he can at least see the WISC; his eyes narrow and he nods.

"Understood!"

The azata focuses for a moment and suddenly, multiple images of him spring up...

Mirror Image: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

...and he then rises up into the air, drawing out a longbow as he does.
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The azata uses his Mirror Image SLA & then ascends into the air; not sure how high the ceilings are here but he'll go up about 20 ft. if he can.

Spellcraft, Insp : 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 9 + (6) = 27

"Well, we learn something new every day, don't we," Amestra muses as the demon's attempt at magic sputters out. "Apparently babau's can dispel magical spells and effects. I'm not sure how often they can do that, but it's likely the ugly Purple one could still try, too."

Then when the wolf's tentacles burst from the ground, she's happy to learn more. "Ooh, I didn't realize how long those tentacles were. Learned something else. Sorry, I've never encountered one of these before, and they're not very well documented," she adds in apology even as she resolves to dissect it to learn more. Assuming they survive, of course.

She moves back across the battlefield and watches Nina summon the azata for help. As it prepares to attack the wolf', she focuses on Purple, studies its combat stance, and prepares to attack it should it approach.

Readied attack vs Purple, Studied : 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 16 + 2 = 30
Damage, P, Studied: 1d6 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 13 + 2 = 20

I've been remiss in not getting her a reasonable ranged attack option.

Seeing the ferocity of the foes, Quiella pops out her wand of shield and taps herself with it, then draws her lance.

Quiella, UMD, wand of shield, don't roll a 1: 1d20 ⇒ 15

AC is now 32