Brethí helps Dolamite and Gurkagh get the heavy throne door open, while Lissa’s cleaning attempt just spreads the humor-less mess a little wider.
The Varisian reads nothing in the entrails.
🐓
Pushing onward, a side tunnel leads you into an irregularly-shaped cavern, perhaps 100 feet by 150 feet by 50 feet high. Splitting this cavern is a deep chasm, crossed by a natural stone arch bridge.
DC 20+ Knowledge (dungeoneering):
You figure you’re about 200 feet underground.
DC 25 Knowledge (dungeoneering) or DC 25 Survival:
If this spot was projected to surface, the apex of the Bent Pyramid should be within a mile or two of it.
Eight narrow stone pillars mark the edges of the bridge, each with a dimly-burning human or half-human skull on top. The eight skulls provide a little light—enough to illuminate the bridge, give hints about the dimensions of the cavern, and glint off a pool of water on the western side.
As you take in the cavern’s scope, four medium sized dogs pad towards you from out of the darkness. Two from the north towards Dolamite, Brethí and Tessara, one from the south towards Gurkagh and the fourth over the bridge heading east towards Lissa.
DC 10 Knowledge (nature):
They’re an Osiriani dog breed called Pharaoh Hound.
They whine as they see you, like they’ve been abandoned in this place.
Though their approach is head-down and cautious, they keep moving closer, closer, closer …
"Poor doggies!" says Gurkagh, leaning down. "All doggies are good doggies. These doggies be Gurkagh friend." Suddenly, Gurkagh begins barking like a dog as he breaks apart some food for them.
Dogs Only!:
"Hi Doggies! Me Gurkagh. Me friend. Where your masters go? Gurkagh have food."
Gurkagh has the Feral Speech hex, and will speak with mammals as he breaks up a day's rations as a snack for them.
Gurkagh's always ready for animals! If he can soothe them with a Handle Animal check, he'll Take 10 for a total of 21. If they get spooked or turn aggressive, he's got one charm animal prepared (DC 14 Will). If (Pathfinder being Pathfinder) these dogs aren't really dogs, he's got a detect animals or plants ready if he has any reason to be suspicious.
| Witch 12 | AC 15 (19 w/Mage Armor) T 14 FF 12 | HP 86/86 ( 12 temp HP)| F+12,R+11,W+13 | Evasion | Init +3 | Perc +18 | Lowlight Vision | +2 to recover from continuous effects such as such as ongoing poison damage, daily saving throws against disease, a hold person spell, or lingering damage from an attack |
Know. Dungeoneering 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22
”Id guess we are about 200’ down,” Tess whispers as she looks around the area.
Lissa pauses and pulls back just a little bit, to let the 'diplomatic' approach try to sedate the dogs. However, as a measure of caution, she focuses for a moment, and streams of water gather around her and lift her slightly off the ground, just in case.
Activating Kinetic Form to be Large sized until otherwise noted.
Imago and Dolamite’s friendly approach sets the Red and Blue dogs’ tails wagging.
Green approaches Gurkagh, but when the shaman starts barking, the animal blinks twice and emits a strange syllable.
d̶̵̛̻̹̥̩͖̙͇̹x҉̢͏͙̱̘z ͉̫͔͇̕͟
Abyssal:
"WTF?"
Yellow inclines its head curiously as Lissa begins gathering her aquatic power, but as the Varisan rises slowly into the air on water-wings, the dog begins barking aggressively.
Ingrge:
There’s something not right about the dogs and this situation.
Ingrge can’t work out if the Green-eyed hound is barking because of Lissa’s rise into the air, or because the canine thinks any magic = BAD.
Nevertheless, the Zen Archer is certain Lissa’s hydrokinetic activities have initiated combat.
| Witch 12 | AC 15 (19 w/Mage Armor) T 14 FF 12 | HP 86/86 ( 12 temp HP)| F+12,R+11,W+13 | Evasion | Init +3 | Perc +18 | Lowlight Vision | +2 to recover from continuous effects such as such as ongoing poison damage, daily saving throws against disease, a hold person spell, or lingering damage from an attack |
Know. Planes 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
Immunities, please.
”Those aren’t dogs! They are quasit demons!”
Tess delays to see if her teammates could finish the demons before expending her magical power.
Male Oread Sacred Fist Warpriest 7/Monk 2 | AC: 30/23/27| HP: 73/73| Fort +12, Ref +10, Will +15 | CMB +13, CMD 36/40 vs trip | Init +6 | Perc +21 & Darkvision
Unsure if there are any buffs running that affect Dolamite - he has both Mage Armor and Delay Poison going ...
Dolamite hears the party mage declare that these seeming dogs are really demons and does not hesitate. He 5' steps and unloads a series of strikes at the one on to the west near the bridge. Strikes count as Cold Iron, Silver, Adamantine, and Magic
Tessara identifies the hounds as disguised quasit demonlings, and delays to see how much of her arcane resources are likely to be required to defeat the creatures.
Dolamite steps forward and crushes the Phake Pharaoh-hound’s skull with an efficient display of controlled-power.
✊
Green stops wagging his tail. He has a little gift for Gurkagh:
| Witch 12 | AC 15 (19 w/Mage Armor) T 14 FF 12 | HP 86/86 ( 12 temp HP)| F+12,R+11,W+13 | Evasion | Init +3 | Perc +18 | Lowlight Vision | +2 to recover from continuous effects such as such as ongoing poison damage, daily saving throws against disease, a hold person spell, or lingering damage from an attack |
"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised...." Lissa mutters, before forming a long tendril of water. she brings it down twice on the remaining dog, before pulling it back to her, in case it survives long enough for another go around.
Male Oread Sacred Fist Warpriest 7/Monk 2 | AC: 30/23/27| HP: 73/73| Fort +12, Ref +10, Will +15 | CMB +13, CMD 36/40 vs trip | Init +6 | Perc +21 & Darkvision
Once the fight is over Dolamite frowns at Gurkagh. What you just broke took thousands of years to form. Do you make a policy of defacing natural beauty?
| Witch 12 | AC 15 (19 w/Mage Armor) T 14 FF 12 | HP 86/86 ( 12 temp HP)| F+12,R+11,W+13 | Evasion | Init +3 | Perc +18 | Lowlight Vision | +2 to recover from continuous effects such as such as ongoing poison damage, daily saving throws against disease, a hold person spell, or lingering damage from an attack |
Tess withdraws to the south, not wanting to get hit with whatever poison the enemy had.
Gurkagh shrugs at Dolamite with his palms facing upwards in the traditional 'what choice did I have?' gesture. "Gurkagh say rock spirit tell Gurkagh 'Hey Gurkagh, why don't you throw me? Me want to see world.' So Gurkagh throw."
4.6 billion years of Golarion’s energy and stony flesh goes into sculpting the unique Underdark stalagmite that Gurkagh has a greater need for …
He misses.
Lissa shows the shaman how it’s done, double-slicing the canine’s body with her high-pressure water tendrils, until the demon doggie is reduced to a dark sludge washed into the cavern’s chasm by the surplus of the hydrokineticist’s labor.
Ingrge holds his fire, as Tessara maneuvers south.
The pair’s actions, plus Dolamite and Gurkagh’s awkward banter suggesting the group doesn’t think combat is over quite yet …
The Pathfinders’ caution proves warranted, as two horned demons crawl up over the far side chasm edge and stand to taunt the party.
Male Oread Sacred Fist Warpriest 7/Monk 2 | AC: 30/23/27| HP: 73/73| Fort +12, Ref +10, Will +15 | CMB +13, CMD 36/40 vs trip | Init +6 | Perc +21 & Darkvision
Dolamite looks doubtful at Gurkach, but unsure. really? Well if it wanted to go...
Seeing the new threat the monk casts divine favor, 5' steps to better guard the bridge, and motions the demons toward him. This is my bridge demons. You cannot pass.Unless you can teleport :)
| Witch 12 | AC 15 (19 w/Mage Armor) T 14 FF 12 | HP 86/86 ( 12 temp HP)| F+12,R+11,W+13 | Evasion | Init +3 | Perc +18 | Lowlight Vision | +2 to recover from continuous effects such as such as ongoing poison damage, daily saving throws against disease, a hold person spell, or lingering damage from an attack |
The appearance of the additional demons makes Lissa's face harden slightly. She closes her eyes, and in response, the sounds of surf crushing against rocks begins to echo throughout the chamber. Likewise, small motes of water and frost begin to coalesce around her, before flowing into a single point in front of her. She grasps at it, and mentally reshapes it into a 2 foot long spike of ice, before aiming it to fire at the southerly demon.
Move action - Gather Power Standard action - Extended Range Ice Blast vs. Blue
The hastily gathered Pathfinder team responds swiftly and professionally to the new threat.
Dolamite moves to anchor the front line on the Party’s side of the bridge.
Dolamite wrote:
You cannot pass.
WE SHALL SEE CREATURE
Ingrge prefers to let his bow speak for him, delivering a hammer-blow of piercing, cold iron to Red – which bloodies the demon.
Brethí moves into position to defend the bridgehead as ordered, while Tessara adds a little urgency to the party.
Once the dust settles from Imago’s spell, it’s The Abyss 2, Golarion 0 as both demons remain free.
1d20 ⇒ 9
However, the druid may derive a modicum of satisfaction from hearing the high-pitched *Squeal* of a third demonic voice, which quickly fades, as if the squealee is experiencing an uncontrolled fall down the chasm.
Lissa turn aquatic prose into a pragmatic, deadly and strangely beautiful missile of ice that snow pierces the Blue demon, though not all the kinetic energy is transferred to the target.
⛧
Unsure of what spell Tessara has cast, Red targets the Witch with a general targeted dispel magic.
dispel magic DC 21:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17*Fails to take down haste*
Meanwhile Blue greater teleports behind Tessara, ready to make her day next round.
Round #2/3:
Party Buffs: haste
Dolamitemage armor, delay poison Tessara☤ -2 hp Ingrge
Lissa Imago
Brethí
--
Blue Demon -38
Red Demon bloodied, hp tracked off screen
--
Gurkagh
Male Oread Sacred Fist Warpriest 7/Monk 2 | AC: 30/23/27| HP: 73/73| Fort +12, Ref +10, Will +15 | CMB +13, CMD 36/40 vs trip | Init +6 | Perc +21 & Darkvision
Current Buffs: Mage Armor, Delay Poison, Divine Favor, Haste. Current AC is 31.
With the extra movement from haste, Dolomate moves to defend his new friend Tessara. What are these things? He calls out to those more skilled than he in the knowledge of other planes.
Casting banishment on the demon across the bridge (DC 19 Will negates). Probably not necessary given this group's damage output, but I might as well use it since who knows if there'll be another opportunity.
| Witch 12 | AC 15 (19 w/Mage Armor) T 14 FF 12 | HP 86/86 ( 12 temp HP)| F+12,R+11,W+13 | Evasion | Init +3 | Perc +18 | Lowlight Vision | +2 to recover from continuous effects such as such as ongoing poison damage, daily saving throws against disease, a hold person spell, or lingering damage from an attack |
Know. Planes 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
Tess delays, waiting to see if the others could deal with the blue demon before she reacted.
Seeing the archers pepper the foolish demon that teleported to them with arrows, Lissa brings her attention to the other foe. she skates forward on a little wave of water to the southern edge of the chasm and fires off a geyser at the demon.
After ordering Brethí to hold and ready, Imago manages to land two clustered arrows on Blue, for modest damage.
Dolamite also lands a solid blow on Blue, but on withdrawing his fist finds it covered in acidic blood.
Dolamite, if you fail a Reflex DC 18 save:
Take acid damage:1d8 ⇒ 1
Gurkagh’sbanishment falls on deaf ears, as the shaman fails to penetrate Red’s SR.
Tessara delays after relaying that the creatures are Rutterkin. Evolved but deformed larval growths, which are amongst the weakest of demon-kind. These pathetic mutants are completely unbound by masters, societies or causes.
Ingrge drops Blue with his Multishot, before switching targets to Red. In short order, the red-horned demon is also reduced to a pool of boiling black tar, filled with corroded arrows.
Lissa, you may save your water blast if you wish.
The Hydrokineticist prepares another unconventional water-based attack, but Ingrge’s efficiency means she doesn’t have to use the weapon in this fight.
♒
Once the battle is over, the cavern is ROCKED by an underground explosion!
Everyone, Acrobatics DC 10 or fall prone.
The explosion causes small rocks to fall from the ceiling in this cavern, but fortunately nobody gets hit by falling debris.
Knowledge (dungeoneering or engineering) DC 15:
You think it unlikely the explosion will cause any large collapses in the cavern.
ie. Rocks fall, nobody dies.
Once the dust settles, over the stone bridge to the south-west you can hear a subtle thrumming sound, like a large waterfall.
Perception DC 20:
A faint, white light shines from the only passage out of the large cavern, which is similarly over the bridge to the S-W.
As Imago tumbles to the ground, they notice that the ceiling is remaining stable despite the tremors and that there is a light coming from over the bridge to the southwest.
| Witch 12 | AC 15 (19 w/Mage Armor) T 14 FF 12 | HP 86/86 ( 12 temp HP)| F+12,R+11,W+13 | Evasion | Init +3 | Perc +18 | Lowlight Vision | +2 to recover from continuous effects such as such as ongoing poison damage, daily saving throws against disease, a hold person spell, or lingering damage from an attack |
Gurkagh sits up with a groan, rubbing his head. "Gurkagh know! Gurkagh ask rock spirits what to do."
If we're not in a big hurry, Gurkagh will case commune with nature. It'll have a more limited range since we're underground, but may provide some interesting info. Or may not. Rock spirits can be cheeky that way!
After the dust has cleared, twenty minutes have passed since the last demon was slain.
Gurkagh:
You make contact with an underground skarn rich in polymetallic minerals, hosted in much older Paleozoic limestone perhaps five miles away to the N-N-E.
At less than 66 million years old, the skarn is very young.
WHAAA! We don’t want to have a nap and go dormant. We want a story! Ooh, who’s this?
Mister, you know any stories? You want us to tell you a story?
@Gurkagh, you can maintain this conversation as the game progresses if you like.
☥
Standing steadfastly among the Darkland debris, Lissa suggests the team move into the light ...
Several clusters of stalagmites block parts of the floor, all of them canted slightly toward the large limestone pyramid built into the ceiling on the west end of the room. The lowest part of the pyramid—its tip—is blasted open, leaving large scorched areas on the stone. It is situated approximately 30 feet above the cavern floor.
Knowledge (engineering) DC 20:
It seems likely the broken pyramid apex had something to do with the recent explosion.
The tip has certainly blown out (and down) from the pyramid’s outer structure.
Visible through the open tip, at the bottom of the inverted pyramid is a pillar of blue and gold light extending out from the pyramid’s center and projecting downward toward the ground.
(If anyone has visited the Luxor casino in Las Vegas at night, it’s like that BUT upside-down, with the light shooting down to the ground, instead of up into the sky.)
The light-pillar also seems to be making the rushing, waterfall-like noise, making it difficult to hear incidental sounds.
Please add your tokens to the top right quadrant of the New Map!
