Master of the Fallen Fortress (Inactive)

Game Master TriShadow

Swarm examines the scrolls. Simultaneously, a dozen sets of arthropod and arachnid eyes peruse the documents - the eyes of some of the multitude that dwell within the melted man - as well as those of another of swarm's inhabitants: a warty toad that pushes its way out of Swarm's mouth and hops down his arm to the vellum pages.

"I could employ either of these spells" Swarm advises "though the invisibility spell will be more difficult to incant. Bry-Anne?"

The toad croaks - insistently.

"If the scrolls remain unused when our exploration is concluded, we would consume the healing scroll and absorb its power for later use."

The toad nods emphatically. Satisfied, it pushes its way back inside Swarm's mouth and vanishes down the magic-user's gullet.

Gross. Cool, but so, so gross!

“Correct - I calculate the current likelihood of successful casting this spell from this scroll is ninety percent.”

Assuming he found nothing wonky about it during his search, Beleg will attempt to open the door to the NE or try to pick it if it be locked…

Disable Device: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Swarm holds on to the healing scroll, but passes the spell of Invisibility to Bry-Anne. "You will likely have more use for this."

Invisibility is not on the Witch list - though Swarm's UMD is high enough he'd have a chance of casting.

As Beleg opens the door, he hears a whimper. Light reveals a manacled human who has been clearly beaten. Shying away, he holds up his hands defensively. Head turned away, "Please! No more!" After a moment of silence, he looks over and realizes that Beleg is not a large troglodyte. "Oh! Thank Desna! We don't have much time. He'll be back at any moment."

Nuwa rushes forward to aid.

”Who are you? Aoa let’s open these!!“ and they both try to release the captive.

"If you refer to the large trogolodyte, it is dead" Swarm tells the captive. "The reptiles captured you. Inside the tower, or elsewhere?"

The malnourished man gratefully offers his manacled wrists forward. "Thank you! My name is Balenar. I foolishly thought I could discover this tower's secrets on my own. They captured me nearly as soon as I arrived. What is the day? I'm afraid I've lost all track of time." He notices the eidolon struggle with his chains. "If the big one is dead, he wore the key around his neck."

Beleg realizes that is the same key that opened the chest.

Am I correct in assuming you are freeing him? It is clear the armor and other gear may have been tailored to fit Balenar.

Beleg uses the key to free the man, informing him of the current date as he does so. ”I am Beleg; you are a Pathfinder, yes? In the chest outside this room, there is gear that I presume belongs to you…”

He nods at the recognition. "Why yes, yes I am. Very astute of you. I wanted to have a tale to tell and a song to sing all about this tower throughout the Inner Sea. Not gonna lie, I almost gave up hope." He retrieves his gear and dons his armor. He seems to size you all up as he gets dressed. "Personally, I have seen, and smelled, quite enough of this place. That said, I'm not one to leave when things get tough. You guys saved my life. So, if you're staying, I'd be happy and honored to accompany your you'll have me."

Nuwa smiles.

”Great that you’re alive!! We’re all aspiring pathfinders and can surely learn from you!! Let’s search the tower properly again to be sure we didn’t miss anything!!“ the Tian half-elf says beaming.

Swarm hands over the scroll that he just examined, to the sound of a muffled croak.

"This must be yours. I trust you are able to use it."

Balenar accepts the scroll. "Yes I can." He then turns back towards Nuwa, "If you are all agreed on completing your search, I will assist you to the best of my ability."

So, not much else to do here. You can go after the frog or head up the stairs.

"The frog is of no interest. We should continue our ascent."

Beleg nods. ”Aye, let’s press on…but perhaps we should ask our new friend here first. Any idea what might await us above? Any more troglodytes here that you know of or was the big troglodyte the last one?”

Aoa does not speak to the man and just moves forward after the team’s discussion is over.

GM, is there another room we haven’t checked on this level? If not then please move Aoa and Nuwa to the next level via the stairs. Thanks :-)

Balenar shakes his head. "No, that big one ain't the top dog of this pack. Believe it or not, the one in charge is scarier. Near as I could tell, he's planning on sacrificing me to his god. His name's Tasskar, and he's a zealot."

The only other door left unchecked is in the room with the frog. However, Bry-Anne believes he saw daylight coming through the cracks.

Any preparations before rising? From what you recall, the next level should be the top floor.

Beleg draws his bow and moves quietly, concealing himself as he can, keeping an eye alert to danger…

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

I used the single file march order up the staircase. Balenar is in the rear. As of now, Beleg and Bry-Anne are 'on' the top floor. Aoa is on the last step or two, and everyone else is behind her. The stairs are difficult terrain.

The ceiling is 20 feet high in this room; it is dimly lit by the daylight shining through the archways.

The four wings of the tower are completely open on this level, forming one great, cross-shaped chamber with arched ceilings. A stone railing surrounds a 5-foot-wide walkway that completely encircles the tower.

The decayed remnants of a carpet run from the doorways at the end of each wing, meeting in the center, where a spiral staircase drops out of sight below. A large, throne-like chair stands in the middle of the eastern wing next to a big chest.

As you first enter, a troglodyte is standing near the eastern archway. Clearly, this is the leader Balenar warned of. As Beleg approaches cautiously, the slayer believes the shamanic priest is gazing longingly at the city in the distance. Perhaps he is daydreaming about his future surface empire and the fall of Absalom. Whatever it is, it holds his attention as he seems oblivious to the elf's arrival.

Aside the throne, however, lays a pink-eyed, white-skinned reptile. Initially, it seems a bit lethargic in the cooling evening. As Beleg moves clear of the stairs, a low growl begins to rumble. Surely his master will notice him soon enough.

The trog has not noticed you, but the giant, white, lizard-thing was facing the stairs.

In mere seconds the cult leader will realize you are here. From the base of the stairs, a rich tenor begins signing an ancient tune that stirs your blood. This is it Pathfinders! How will you pursue your glory?

A PANORAMIC PUMMELING!! SURPRISE ROUND Bold may act.
BUFFS: Inspire Courage: +1 to hit and damage

Snapjaw
Bry-Anne {SURPRISE ROUND! Single move or standard action only!!}
Balenar
Beleg {SURPRISE ROUND! Single move or standard action only!!}
Aoa {SURPRISE ROUND! Single move or standard action only!!}
Tasskar
Nuwa {SURPRISE ROUND! Single move or standard action only!!}
Swarm {SURPRISE ROUND! Single move or standard action only!!}

We are on Slide 1.

Nuwa and Aoa both move up the stairs!

Both take a single move action.

Bry-Anne’s fingers drift into the air as if to begin tracing a familiar sigil, but stop before the pattern of light can actualize. “Inefficient. Mobilizing.”

Move.

Swarm ascends the stairs.

know.nature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

"An albino cave crocodile. Clearly out of its natural habitat. A creature belonging to the trogolodytes."

Move action.

Several of the team race up the stairs in preparation for the impending battle.

A PANORAMIC PUMMELING!! SURPRISE ROUND Bold may act.
BUFFS: Inspire Courage: +1 to hit and damage

Snapjaw
Bry-Anne
Balenar
Beleg {SURPRISE ROUND! Single move or standard action only!!}
Aoa
Tasskar
Nuwa
Swarm

We are on Slide 1.

I will give Beleg another day to post and then we will move forward.

Sorry, hammered at work, will post during lunch hour…

Beleg fires at the white croc…

To hit: Base/DEX, MW, PBS, IC
Damage: STR, PBS, Studied Target, IC

MW Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 21
Cold Iron/Piercing Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 8

…and steps 5’ back…

@Beleg. From your last position, you could not 5' step behind Nuwa. I moved you 5' northeast to the carpet.

Beleg's arrow sinks deep into the pigment deficient scales. Cold red eyes lock on the slayer as he steps off to the side. With startling and frightening speed, the crocodile closes the distance. It lunges at the elf, but thankfully the deadly maw catches nothing but air as Beleg nimbly dodges back.

Continuing his stirring song, Balenar finally reaches the top of the stairs. "Oh my! That's a big fella. He's a little far from the water, am I right?"

A PANORAMIC PUMMELING!! Round 1 Bold may act.
BUFFS: Inspire Courage: +1 to hit and damage

Snapjaw {-8/?? hp}
Bry-Anne
Balenar
Beleg
Aoa
Tasskar
Nuwa
Swarm

We are on Slide 1.

Aoa ignores the crocodile and immediately moves to the large troglodyte with her bardiche in hand!

“You will not cast any spells!!“ she shouts.

Bry-Anne circles around the crocodile and channels a sliver of magical energy into his staff. He reaches out with the now-glowing oaken pole, trying to tap the reptile on its skull.

Staff, IC, Pool: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 16
Bludgeoning damage, IC, Pool: 1d6 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 8

Move (circling around to avoid AoO), Swift action to use Pool point to give staff a +1 enhancement bonus, standard to attack.

Beleg steps back 5’ NW and fires again at the white croc…

To hit: Base/DEX, MW, PBS, Studied Target, IC
Damage: STR, PBS, Studied Target, IC
MW Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 30
Confirmation: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 13
Cold Iron/Piercing Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 11

Bry-Anne's staff crashes into the base of the crocodile's skull. As it roars out in pain, Beleg's arrow pierces the eye and buries itself into the soft material of the beast's brain, ending both its pain and life simultaneously.

The shaman snarls at the azata as he draws a sword from his belt. He surprises the eidolon by going on the offensive. He knocks the polearm aside. Before she can bring her weapon back on guard, Tasskar strikes! Emotionlessly, he stabs her through the chest. He then slashes his claw across her throat for good measure. The troglodyte does not pull his scimitar free so much as Aoa slowly sinks to the ground, sliding off the blade. She collapses in a heap, blood rapidly forming a puddle on the ground. The sigil on Nuwa's forehead flares briefly, then rapidly dims as Aoa's time on this plane nears its end.

Nuwa, you can use your Life Link ability to take some of Aoa's damage.

A PANORAMIC PUMMELING!! Round 1 & 2 Bold may act.
BUFFS: Inspire Courage: +1 to hit and damage

Nuwa
Swarm
Bry-Anne
Balenarb
Beleg
Aoa {-5 hp (dying)}
Tasskar

We are on Slide 1.

"It is a vicious beast, but it is only flesh and flesh is weak."

With this pronouncement, Swarm commences spellcasting. Sleep, 1 round cast time.

“Nooo!!“ the young half-elf shouts and she runs forward.

“We will kill you!!!“ she threatens the creature and casts a spell on his weapon.

Casting grease beneath his feet. DC 16 reflex.

and casts a spell on his weapon.

Casting grease beneath his feet

@Nuwa: I just need you to clarify what the target is, weapon or floor. It may have a determining effect on what everyone else decides to do.

Ahh sorry, beneath his feet. I changed my post but not properly. ;-)

Both Swarm and Nuwa cast spells in the shaman's direction.
Nuwa, go ahead and mark the squares you would like Greased.

A PANORAMIC PUMMELING!! Round 2 Bold may act.
BUFFS: Inspire Courage: +1 to hit and damage

Nuwa
Swarm
Bry-Anne
Balenarb
Beleg
Aoa {-6 hp (dying)}
Tasskar

We are on Slide 1.

stabilization : 1d20 + 1 - 6 ⇒ (13) + 1 - 6 = 8

She continues to bleed.

Beleg studies his new target and fires at the trog Chief…

To hit: Base/DEX, MW, Studied Target, IC
Damage: STR, Studied Target, IC

MW Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 25
Cold Iron/Piercing Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

Whoops, sorry folks!

Bry-Anne observes the interaction of troglodyte and lubricant before acting. Sigils float around his hand, alternating between blue-white hexagonal shapes and circular green diagrams.

Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 13

If the troglodyte is prone:
He nods decisively, then advances on the pair of fallen combatants. The spell finishes, edges furling with fractal patterns.

Frostbite, IC vs Red Touch AC: 13 + 3 + 1 = 17
Nonlethal Cold damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 (and Fatigued until nonlethal damage is removed)

Cast frostbite, then move and touch.

—————————————————————

If the troglodyte is standing:
He shakes his head, then shifts his fingers to prioritize the green orbs of acid conjugation that he can hurl from a distance.

Acid Splash, IC vs Red Touch AC: 13 + 1 + 1 = 15
Acid damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Cast acid splash from current location.

Huwa pulls a viscous, ectoplasmic film from an unnamed plane to coat the area. Tasskar puts a clawed foot on the fallen form before him to help maintain his balance. He grins, feeling confident that the throne will keep the ranged attackers thwarted. In his arrogance, an arrow slams into his stomach. As the reptilian grunts in pain, a green fist of acid hammers into the shaman's chest.

Ducking down out of sight, the Pathfinders hear chanting.

Due to the throne, your adversary currently has total cover.

A PANORAMIC PUMMELING!! Round 3 Bold may act.
BUFFS: Inspire Courage: +1 to hit and damage

Nuwa
Swarm
Bry-Anne
Balenarb
Beleg
Aoa {-7 hp (dying)}
Tasskar {-9 of ??/hp}

We are on Slide 1.

Nuwa moves 5 ft, reloads her crossbow and shouts at the troglodyte.

“This will be your undoing!!“

demoralize intimidate : 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Swarm's spell completes, bidding sleep upon the trogolodyte shaman. AoE is a burst so Swarm doesn't need to see the trog, just centre the burst within 10' of him. Will DC17 avoids.

The melted man steps up, and reaches out towards Aoa with his magic.

"Your time will come. But not today."

Cast Stabilise on Aoa.

Beleg drops his bow, moves 30’ east, drawing his Elven sword as he does, swinging at the prone trog…

To hit: Base/STR, MW, Studied Target, Prone Target
Damage: STR, PBS, Studied Target

MW Curved Elven Blade: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 4 = 21
Slashing Damage: 1d10 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

Bry-Anne likewise advances and attempts to rap the reptile’s skull with his staff.

Quarterstaff, Pool, IC: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 17
Bludgeoning damage, Pool, IC: 1d6 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 7

Nuwa threatens the priest, fully intending to send a bolt through his heart.

Swarm funnels a spark of magic into the fallen angelic form.

Beleg moves forward menacingly. With a sure stroke, he stabs his blade deep into the troglodyte.

Fort Bry-Anne: 1d2 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
As Bry-Anne steps into the 'east wing' of the floor, the debilitating stench threatens to overwhelm the magus. Still, he moves forward, raising his quarterstaff to attack...

Without warning, the tower shudders! Everyone freezes for a moment, paralyzed with fear. Then the floor suddenly drops away, racing toward the earth sixty feet below!

Nuwa, Swarm and Balenar can only watch in helpless horror as enemy and ally alike scramble for their lives!

If more than four Medium-sized creatures (two Small creatures count as one Medium creature) stand in the shaded area on the map, the easternmost 20-foot section of floor falls away. Characters standing in the affected area may make DC 15 Reflex saves to jump to safety. Failure means falling to the ground below for 6d6 points of damage.

Reflex (Taskar): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Taskar roars in fear as he slips in the grease coating everything around him making it impossible to find safe purchase. He falls along Snapjaw's limp form.

A PANORAMIC PUMMELING PLUMMETING!!

Beleg {DC 15 Reflex. If you fail, open the 'Falling' spoiler below}
Bry-Anne {DC 15 Reflex. If you fail, open the 'Falling' spoiler below}

Reflex, Sickened vs DC 15: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 1 - 2 = 9

Bry-Anne looks like he very much would like to complain about the construction methods used when erecting this tower, but is gone before a word can escape his lips.

Reflex, Sickened vs DC 15: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 - 2 = 3
Reflex, Sickened vs DC 15: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 1 - 2 = 6
Reflex, Sickened vs DC 15: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 - 2 = 2 Folio Reroll!
Reflex, Sickened, Stars vs DC 15: 1d20 + 1 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 1 - 2 + 4 = 20

When the dust clears, the magus lies unmoving atop the broken stones of the second floor.

Stabilize vs DC 12: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Stabilize vs DC 13: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Unconscious and stable at -3 hitpoints (Con 14).

reflex, unconscious so DEX 0: 1d20 + 5 - 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 - 5 = 2

reflex, unconscious so DEX 0: 1d20 + 5 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 - 5 = 20

Unfortunately, Aoa is not able to leap clear of the falling platform as she is unconscious.

She realizes subconsciously that she might be able to grab another part of the tower and luckily manages to land somewhat ungracefully on an exposed portion of the fourth floor.

But the fall is still almost fatal and the Azata dies!

Her broken body does not breathe anymore and then ...

... her body vanishes!

Beleg quickly reacts to the crumbling tower…

Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

..and manages to jump clear to avoid the long fall…

Nuwa shouts out in surprise and pain!! Her friend is dead!! Dead!! She is devastated!

"Aoa!! Nooo!!" she suddenly shouts and is almost shocked and grabs her head as if it is going to explode.

"Arghhhhh!! Wha ... what are you doing to .... to me ... to my mind ... where ... where are you??!" she shouts and suddenly all over her body wounds start to open up!

Blood is flowing down Nuwa's arms, "I ... I am bleeding ... please ..."

And when Nuwa is almost unconscious because of the pain and the blood that is flowing out of the slashes that opened up across her body something happens ... the body of the Azata suddenly appears back in front of her feet although also Aoa is in terrible shape!!

Nuwa is at 0/14 hit points and staggered and Aoa has been healed for 14 hp and is back at 1/6 hit points.

"A fascinating display. I would suggest that the azata fragment is possessing you in some fashion. She can only stave off the inevitable for a time before both she and you decay of course."

"I doubt that the trogolodyte survived. Bry-Anne is also likely dead."