Male Shapeshifting Griffon RoW maps Technomancer 20
Vulpiano:
Vulpiano is walking down a surprisingly deserted stretch of road when he hears a sudden yell behind him. Turning, he sees a savage orc charging at him with a huge axe!
Male Shapeshifting Griffon RoW maps Technomancer 20
Gardolf:
Gardolf is traveling between towns one fine day when he hears the tread of an armored man behind him.
"There are none to save you from the wrath of Asmodeus here," a deep voice intones.
Turning, Gardolf sees a huge man--obviously under the effects of (Un)Righteous Might, at his height--in armor with the symbol of Asmodeus etched onto his breastplate pointing at him with a morningstar.
I'm assuming part of this encounter is that we don't have any buffs prepared? What about things that Gardolf can have ready indefinitely, like the potion of enlarge person he holds in his blood stream with Manipulate Alchemy, or the Destructive Blast he keeps in his Spell Storing staff?
Bella (Gardolf's familiar) peers out at the enemy from Gardolf's shoulder, just beneath the brim of his enormous hat. (She has constant detect magic and detect evil, so she can confirm if their enemy is indeed evil, and if it's an illusion I believe this counts as "interacting" with it.)"Beware, O great celestial councilor," she murmurs to him, "the enemy's flail, for it doth swing as thou would not expect."
Move action (Bella): She offers Combat Advice to Gardolf.
Standard action (Bella): She readies a Focusing Formula to administer to her master after he hits the enemy.
Gardolf frowns at the voice. "An ambush, by the servants of Asmodeus? You shall not prevail against me, you corrupted wretch!" He brandishes his blackened and gnarled ash staff and turns to rush at the enemy.
Free actions (Gardolf): Rage, activate enlarge person potion (if allowed), wield staff as two-handed reach weapon (if medium) or double weapon (if large).
Move action (Gardolf): move up to 30' to bring the enemy within his reach. If he is already within reach, he will instead use martial flexibility to temporarily gain the Furious Finish feat.
Gardolf swings at the Asmodean assassin!
Standard action: Attack action, applying Brutal Strike, Dual Attack (if his staff is a double weapon), Heavy Swing, and Vital Strike.
Attack 1 (Blackstaff), Combat Advice (competence), furious (enhancement), Power Attack, rage:1d20 + 17 + 2 + 2 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 17 + 2 + 2 - 2 + 2 = 32(-2 if Dual Attack is applied) Damage 1 (bludgeoning, magic), Brutal Strike, furious (enhancement), Power Attack, rage, Vital Strike:2d6 + 7 + 20 + 2 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 7 + 20 + 2 + 4 + 2 = 40(+6 if wielded two-handed, +2/+3 enlarge person) Brutal Strike: The foe is battered until end of Gardolf's next turn. Furious Finish: Deal maximum damage and end rage.Nonlethal damage instead of fatigue:1d6 ⇒ 5(If Furious Finish is triggered, Gardolf will activate his rage again afterward.) Heavy Swing: Fort save DC 21 or staggered 3 rounds.
Male Shapeshifting Griffon RoW maps Technomancer 20
Valas:
Valas is traveling down a trail when he hears something behind him. Turning, he sees a human in simple robes, his head shaven, charging towards him, hands balled into fists.
Male Shapeshifting Griffon RoW maps Technomancer 20
Sifso:
??:1d20 ⇒ 2 ???:1d20 ⇒ 11
Sifso is traveling between towns on an empty trail when he notices a soft sound nearby. Looking in its direction he doesn't see anything immediately until he notices a slight movement in the underbrush, indicating something moving unseen.
Male Drow Incanter (Reincarnated Master)|Fey Adept 10 | HP 80 | AC 24 t18 ff18 | CMB+5 CMD 21 | F+11 R+17 W+16 | Init+14 | Perception+18, Sense Motive+15 | Speed 30ft | Spell Points 44/46 | Shadow Points 11/13 | Cheat Death 1/1 | Truesight 10/10 | Dancing Lights 1/1 | Faerie Fire 1/1 | Darkness 1/1 | Active conditions: none
GM:
The drow looks over his shoulder and pushes his hair to the opposite side. He calmly looks at the human curiously.
Do you mean to pass me, sir?
He turns fully around, facing the charging man to see what he will do. After a brief moment, he begins focusing inward to prepare for the potential impact, letting extra energy rise up from his body and well at the forefront of his head. This is perhaps not precisely how it goes, but he makes a point to visualize his psionic energy as flowing through his body in this way. The rivers flow up and down it, carrying energy from where it rests to where it is needed. It's more of a focus or meditative aid.
He prepares a manifestation... and waits for an answer or for the man to reach him.
[standard] Ready action: Teleport (warp sphere), spending a spell point to increase distance to long range (up to 800 ft). Trigger: when the human reaches 5 ft away
IF the human stops and appears willing to parley...
Spoiler:
The Valas will hold the action but wait cautiously to see what the human has to say, or what further action he might take.
IF/WHEN instead the readied action is triggered...
Spoiler:
The mysterious drow suddenly disappears from the human's vision and reappears 800 ft. forward (in the direction he is facing, which is very far behind the human). If the human were to trying to tackle the drow at the last moment, or otherwise launch himself at him, he would fall forward onto the path.
When the drow re-appears, he turns and watches the human to see how he reacts, now 800 feet away.
Male Human Scholar(Astrologian) 10/Investigator(Spheres, Cerebral Analyst) 10(quasi gestalt)
GM:
Vulpiano's keen analytical mind senses something's not quite right about the charging orc. He isn't quite sure what is off about it, so he readies himself for battle. 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32 Will Save. Swift action to activate Study Combat. Standard action to spend a spell point to grant him the Foreshadow sense.
Sifso turns in the direction of the noise. As usual when "walking", he floats a foot off the ground, seemingly carried along by the breeze that surrounds him. The breeze carries him along the trail until he's 20' from the stranger.
"Ndiyabulisa, mhambi. Greetings, fellow traveler. May Shimye-Magalla protect you from growing parched on your travels. I am Sifso. Please, introduce yourself."
While he seems relaxed and pleasant from the outside, instinct honed over decades leads the warrior to tense for trouble.
NOTE, In every 10 rounds (unless I post otherwise, or am unconscious) I use a Swift the following Sage abilities:
R1: Mental Escalation
R6: Enhancer (Physical, Combat Form). What round am I in that cycle? Round:1d10 ⇒ 1 ...so I need to spend a Swift this round to maintain.
.
Free: -2 AC; +13 THP
Swft: Mental Escalation
Move: Float until within 15' of the source of the noise.
Stnd: Ready to attack if attacked. (Reach is 20')
.
NOTE: 1/round, can take an AoO if a foe casts a spell (or SLA) defensively.
Active: Tremorsense 20'. Physical will need to be renewed in R6.
.
If the stranger moves toward me aggressively, or casts an aggressive spell, I'll take an AoO, and use my readied action
Male Shapeshifting Griffon RoW maps Technomancer 20
Gardolf:
You did have to move, yes, so it's only a single attack. I don't feel like putting an Energy Strike in a spell storing weapon would trigger another weapon attack. Instead it counts as already having hit since you hit with the melee attack.
Fort:1d20 ⇒ 14
Both of you make Will saves against a mind-affecting effect.
The vile cleric grunts at the blow, but grimly presses on his assault.
Male Shapeshifting Griffon RoW maps Technomancer 20
Valas:
The man makes no sign he heard Valas. Instead his fist swings through the air where moments before the drow's face was. Without a word he turns towards Valas's new location and starts running.
Male Shapeshifting Griffon RoW maps Technomancer 20
Vulpiano:
The berserk orc finishes his charge and swings his axe at Vulpiano.
Ax:1d20 + 24 ⇒ (15) + 24 = 39
A thousand little things about the attack clue him in to the fact that his enemy isn't entirely real--likely some sort of variation on a shadow conjuration, given it seems to have some degree of substance behind the illusion.
Enough that it still stings to get hit.
Nonlethal damage:1d12 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26Take half, but it ignores any resistances you have specifically to non-lethal damage.
Male Shapeshifting Griffon RoW maps Technomancer 20
Sifso:
The stranger's response is an arrow.
Shortbow:1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35
While precisely aimed, Sifso is able to block the shot with his shield. His attacker flickers into visibility now, a Mwangi man in leather armor with a bow and a pair of daggers.
Male Drow Incanter (Reincarnated Master)|Fey Adept 10 | HP 80 | AC 24 t18 ff18 | CMB+5 CMD 21 | F+11 R+17 W+16 | Init+14 | Perception+18, Sense Motive+15 | Speed 30ft | Spell Points 44/46 | Shadow Points 11/13 | Cheat Death 1/1 | Truesight 10/10 | Dancing Lights 1/1 | Faerie Fire 1/1 | Darkness 1/1 | Active conditions: none
GM:
Valas frowns as the man turns and continues to charge at him. 800 ft is quite a distance though and he has to wear out at some point. He folds his arms and stares down his approach, scowling viciously.
[standard] Ready action: Powerful Suggestion (Mind), subject to spell resistance Trigger: When the man is 210 away (his mind-sphere range)
He lets the energy well up again, this time much more of it. Others might liken it to eating too much and feeling ill after. Valas braces himself. Sometimes during his training the expenditure of energy would induce massive headaches or nausea. Right now he can afford neither.
DC15 Fortitude:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
He yells out: Stand still where you are!
DC 24 Will save to resist
Suggestion (Powerful Charm) wrote:
This works as the lesser charm, but the creature obeys any course of action given, so long as the suggestion is not obviously fatal or against the target’s nature. Basic requests cause the save to be made with a -2 penalty, while very simple requests cause the save to be made with a -4 penalty.
Male Shapeshifting Griffon RoW maps Technomancer 20
Gardolf:
Gardolf realizes that his foe is only quasi-real. It seems like some variation on shadow conjuration. Halve the damage you've taken, and it's actually non-lethal damage, though it ignores any particular resistance or immunity you mihgt have to non-lethal damage.
Belladhriel gasps as Gardolf takes three blows in quick succession, including the last that nearly stove his chest in. "Master!" she cries out in alarm.
"Bah," mutters Gardolf. "It is not real. A shadow." His expression flickers from annoyance to grim curiosity as he looks around briefly, seeing if there is anyone else nearby who could be involved in this ambush.
"Oh, thank the heavens!" Bella replies. She peers at the cleric. "Your assault has made the enemy vulnerable, so that another blow to the head may befuddle him!" she suggests.
Move action (Bella): She offers Combat Advice to Gardolf.
Standard action (Bella): She readies a Focusing Formula to administer to her master after he hits the enemy.
Move action (Gardolf): Use martial flexibility to temporarily gain the Furious Finish feat.
Gardolf, having been holding his staff sideways almost parallel to the ground, turns it 45 degrees and strikes again at the shadow creature with both ends in quick succession.
Standard action: Attack action, applying Brutal Strike, Dual Attack, Heavy Swing, and Vital Strike.
Attack 1 (Blackstaff), Combat Advice (competence), Dual Attack, furious (enhancement), Power Attack, rage:1d20 + 17 + 2 - 2 + 2 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 17 + 2 - 2 + 2 - 2 + 2 = 22 Damage 1 (bludgeoning, magic), Brutal Strike, enlarge person, furious (enhancement), Power Attack, rage, Vital Strike:2d6 + 7 + 20 + 2 + 2 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2) + 7 + 20 + 2 + 2 + 4 + 2 = 41 Brutal Strike: If hit, the foe is battered until end of Gardolf's next turn. Furious Finish: Deal maximum damage and end rage.Nonlethal damage instead of fatigue:1d6 ⇒ 4 Heavy Swing: Fort save DC 21, staggered 1 round on success, or dazed 1 round and staggered 3 rounds on fail.
As the attacker fades into view, Sifso gives him a disappointed look. "Again, who are you, brother? You can't know who I am or you'd know the folly of your assault."
Round 1
Sifso knocks the arrow back at the archer, and then punches him twice, trying to knock him unconscious.
Redirecting Shield: Hits AC of 33 or less (attack roll of 35-2). If it hits, it deals damage as normal for the archer on a successful hit (presumably without precision/sneak).
Active Defense: +4 to AC.
If foe attacks me and misses, Immediate to recover MF
If foe tries to leave threatened space, to cast defensively, to take a 5' step, or otherwise triggers, I'll take an AoO to trip him (DC 25 Reflex or tripped)
Male Drow Incanter (Reincarnated Master)|Fey Adept 10 | HP 80 | AC 24 t18 ff18 | CMB+5 CMD 21 | F+11 R+17 W+16 | Init+14 | Perception+18, Sense Motive+15 | Speed 30ft | Spell Points 44/46 | Shadow Points 11/13 | Cheat Death 1/1 | Truesight 10/10 | Dancing Lights 1/1 | Faerie Fire 1/1 | Darkness 1/1 | Active conditions: none
GM:
Does this mean that the man is able to close 210 ft within a round (!!) or should there be some intervening time after the spell doesn't work when he is still charging and Valas gets actions.
Male Human Scholar(Astrologian) 10/Investigator(Spheres, Cerebral Analyst) 10(quasi gestalt)
GM:
Realizing that the creature, and thus his wounds, aren't truly real, Vulpiano nonetheless winces as the axe hits him. He reacts quickly however, drawing his sword cane and striking a blow in return. He then quickly studies his target, looking for any weaknesses and to determine how accurate his attack was.
1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28 Attack for 1d6 + 8 + 3d6 + 1d8 ⇒ (3) + 8 + (2, 3, 4) + (5) = 25 Expending my martial focus to add 3d6 via Skewer(If the feint is successful) and Inspiration Point to add 1d8 via Inspired Strike. I am not going to expend my Studied Strike however.
After his attack hits(assuming it lands), swift action to Scout via Perception, also using Diseren Condition.1d20 + 34 ⇒ (19) + 34 = 53
Male Shapeshifting Griffon RoW maps Technomancer 20
Valas:
I mean he used Abundant Step to instantaneously cover the distance between you and him. Sorry if I got too artistic in my description instead of being clear.
Male Shapeshifting Griffon RoW maps Technomancer 20
Vulpiano:
While Vulpiano can tell his opponent is at least partially illusory, it still reacts to his distraction and strike as if flesh-and-blood. Which is to say that the wound makes it even angrier, and it attacks again.
Only one of its wild swings connects, and knowing the unreality of the axe only partially detracts from the pain. Still half damage, all of it nonlethal.
Male Shapeshifting Griffon RoW maps Technomancer 20
Valas:
Valas realizes that his opponent is... not entirely real. It seems like some advanced variant of shadow conjuraction, an illusion with a limited amount of substance to it.
I applied the damage from the first hit (half of 22 is 11, DR 1/- makes that 10; half of 3 is 1 and DR 1/- makes that 0), and I'm waiting to see if the second one crits before I apply the rest of the damage. :)
"Secrets, is it?" Gardolf roars in response. "You have secrets, do you? Very well, keep your secrets. I will learn them from your master in good time, I am sure."
Belladhriel squints up at the shadow creature. "He bears the symbol of The Archfiend, so your enemy may be protected against fire. Brute force may be your best option, O great wanderer."
Gardolf frowns. "I thought I told you not to call me that anymore," he grumbles between strikes.
"Apologies, elf-friend. I forget sometimes." Her voice has a slight teasing edge to it.
Move action (Bella): She offers Combat Advice to Gardolf.
Standard action (Bella): She readies a Focusing Formula to administer to her master after he hits the enemy.
Male Drow Incanter (Reincarnated Master)|Fey Adept 10 | HP 80 | AC 24 t18 ff18 | CMB+5 CMD 21 | F+11 R+17 W+16 | Init+14 | Perception+18, Sense Motive+15 | Speed 30ft | Spell Points 44/46 | Shadow Points 11/13 | Cheat Death 1/1 | Truesight 10/10 | Dancing Lights 1/1 | Faerie Fire 1/1 | Darkness 1/1 | Active conditions: none
GM:
Oh...
Valas smiles at the realization and gathers energy for an entirely different psychic maneuver. He imagines his energy wrapping around the illusion to constrict it and snuff it out. He envisions the illusory body yielding to the constriction.
Male Shapeshifting Griffon RoW maps Technomancer 20
Gardolf:
With Gardolf's last strike his foe goes translucent, the quasi-real substance that had once lent weight to the illusion's strikes vanishing from it, along with the symbol of Asmodeus on its armor.
The illusion steps back and bows. "Well, I'd call that a pass," it says, in a rough, high-pitched voice very different from the one it had spoken with before. "More than capable of what will be required, I judge."
"I would apologize for the suddenness of my test, but I needed to know if you were as good as your reputation--and if you could deal with the unexpected well. You see, I am recruiting for a job of significant stakes, one whose dangers I can only dimly guess at, beyond the fact that they will be great."
The illusion begins pacing as it speaks. "To explain, I've been tracking a number of incidents across the face of Golarion--incidents that bear a disturbing resemblance to certain prophecies from before the Age of Lost Omens. The kind of prophecies no one sane really wants to come true. Now, I know all the reasons why such things should not be trusted, but I have my reasons to believe that these prophecies still have some substance to them... or that there is something out there trying to make there be substance to them."
It stops pacing and faces Gardolf directly now. "I don't want to go into full detail before I've gathered everyone I'm trying to recruit in one place, because going through this over and over again would get rather tiring when I'm maintaining this many spells at once. But I will say that I do have some contacts on the celestial planes--and despite my bit of deception here they're largely cordial--and I would certainly make sure they heard of your heroism in getting to the heart of this matter before it reshapes the face of this world for the worse. So... do I at least have your interest?"
Male Shapeshifting Griffon RoW maps Technomancer 20
Sifso:
As Sifso strikes his foe, he realizes that the 'man' is actually not entirely real. There's some substance to them, but most of it is seeming rather than reality.
What substance there was to the would-be assassin vanishes after Sifso's last blow, leaving the 'man' only a hazy see-through shadow. He stands up and bows.
"Faster than I'd anticipated--and underestimating is good in this case," he comments. His voice is higher-pitched then fits his appearance and rough. "That leaves no doubt that you're just who I need."
"I would apologize for the suddenness of my test, but I needed to know if you were as good as your reputation--and if you could deal with the unexpected well. You see, I am recruiting for a job of significant stakes, one whose dangers I can only dimly guess at, beyond the fact that they will be great."
The illusion begins pacing as it speaks. "To explain, I've been tracking a number of incidents across the face of Golarion--incidents that bear a disturbing resemblance to certain prophecies from before the Age of Lost Omens. The kind of prophecies no one sane really wants to come true. Now, I know all the reasons why such things should not be trusted, but I have my reasons to believe that these prophecies still have some substance to them... or that there is something out there trying to make there be substance to them."
It stops pacing and faces Sifso directly now. "I don't want to go into full detail before I've gathered everyone I'm trying to recruit in one place, because going through this over and over again would get rather tiring when I'm maintaining this many spells at once. Including one for recruiting a wayward friend of yours, if my information is correct. Now, do I have your interest?"
Male Shapeshifting Griffon RoW maps Technomancer 20
Vulpiano:
Vulpiano creates another opening in the illusory orc's defenses and then stabs it in what would be a lung if it were real. The illusion staggers rather realistically, but keeps swinging--which is also realistic for an enraged orc barbarian.
Gardolf raises his bushy eyebrows in surprise or perhaps disbelief. "A test?" he grumbles, and he frowns as his rage begins to lessen somewhat.
Rather than answering the question right away, he pauses, perhaps reluctant to let the mysterious illusionist control this entire encounter. He considers for a moment. If this unseen auditor has the information and influence they claim to have, this might be an important step on my path of purpose. They do well to entice me with prophesy, but could this not be some kind of fiendish trick by the Prince of Darkness?
Belladhriel watches, her eyes flitting back and forth between the two figures. She respectfully remains silent.
When he finally replies, he tries to keep annoyance as well as curiosity out of his voice. "Do you require me to decide without knowing who or what you are?" he says, with a note of irony and a hint of a smile.
Male Shapeshifting Griffon RoW maps Technomancer 20
Gardolf:
The illusion is still for a moment, then morphs into the shape of a raven... a raven with two jewel-like growths, one violet one in its forehead and the other, azure in color, in its chest. Small pale circles on each move about... are they eyes?
"Brennus. I doubt you've heard of me," the illusory bird states. "And I'd really rather not explain all of this seven times. I'm not asking for agreement yet, but explaining to all of you at once means getting all of you together in the same place at once, and I'm not opening a portal if you're not going to step through."
Male Shapeshifting Griffon RoW maps Technomancer 20
Valas:
Valas doesn't feel like he got any closer in unraveling the illusion than last time. Struggling with the magic for a while gives him a sense that whoever created this illusion is very powerful.
The illusory warrior abandons subtlety and unleashes a flurry of attacks.
This time one of the punches lands, and Valas discovers that, for all that he knows it's an illusion, it still hurts to get hit by it. Even for a shadow conjuration it's behaving oddly...
Damage:1d10 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7Because you know it's an illusion, you take half damage and the damage is non-lethal, though it ignores any resistances to non-lethal damage.
Male Shapeshifting Griffon RoW maps Technomancer 20
Vulpiano:
Vulpiano deftly knocks the battleaxe out of the illusory orc's hands as it's winding up for another swing. The weapon falls to the ground a few feet away and lies still. The orc, meanwhile, stares in dumb shock at him for a moment, than screams in rage and starts trying to pummel him with its fists.
He doesn't have Improved Unarmed Strike, so this provokes an AoO.
Gardolf purses his lips. The illusionist was being respectful, though it was said that Asmodeus could also adopt a pleasing aspect. If this were an elaborate ruse, however, it was always Gardolf's way to challenge it head-on, rather than by hanging back and hiding in fear. "Very well then," he says in response as he makes up his mind, "let this be another step towards cooperation and trust between us, so that we may work in tandem and together grow hale and strong. Open me your portal, and let us meet in council."
This time the welling of a massing amount of energy gets to him and additional warm waves wash over him. He feels slightly queasy as he pushes throw to try to shred the shadow conjuration.
Sickened 1 round
[standard] Spending 1 spell point to Counsterspell the illusion Dispel check (MSB):1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
[ooc]Unclear if this applies to MSB:[ooc]
Sickened wrote:
The character takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.
Sifso frowns and lowers his arms (without truly lowering his guard). ”I do not care for your methods. Rude, at best. I will be honest with you: I’d far rather collaborate with someone who understands that even in times of haste, there is time for a civilized conversation.
“That said…well, you have great arcane power. That, I must respect. More importantly, you claim both knowledge of dangers afoot and a desire to quell them. I would not serve the memory of the
Mashujaa Kumi wa Uchawi–nor the will of Shimye-Magalla–if I didn’t hear you out.
“Be warned though, I do not care for lies, any more than I care for needless violence. There is too much needful violence around, I’m afraid.
"Now, who is this friend of which you speak” Hopefully Gardolf the Great hasn't gotten himself in Greatly over his head again. Shimye-Magalla, Great Freeing Wind, forgive the thought...but some days I wish I I could only keep him on a leash...
Sense Motive (how honest and trustworthy is he?):1d20 + 34 ⇒ (20) + 34 = 54
