Male CG Human (Shoanti/Varisian) Cavalier (Strategist) 11 - Init +2, Senses: Normal Vision, Perception +1, Lookout Perception +11, AC 30/ touch 12/ ff 28; hp 92/92, F+10, R+6 W+5, Speed 20 ft.; Challenge 3/4; Tactician (60') 4/4. Continuous Auras: 30 feet: +6 morale bonus on saves vs. fear; 60 feet: +3 morale bonus on saves vs. fear and +2 morale bonus on charge attacks. BUFFS:
Chaine readies Silvermane for the road, cleaning his hooves and brushing his coat. He readies his gear and helps Tiber clean up the camp. "Thanks for your watch last night Private Corvinus. And your coffee is legendary, might I add."
"Pleasure's mine, Lance Corporal. I'm a night owl, and love the night. But I admit that this artificial moonless and breezeless place gives me the shivers, and I won't complain when we return to the real world..."
The walk to the town spotted from the air last night goes much, much faster than expected. And when you draw close, you realise it's Geb's Rest! But that should be at least another day's walk away. And even more oddly, this Geb's Rest is like a shining, brand-new version of the run-down town you saw previously. Here, every building is whole and brightly painted, the streets are made of packed dirt and well-lit by giant lanterns, and giant, leafy-green trees line every avenue.
But as you make your way toward the town square, you see a distressing sight. In the middle of the town, surrounding the fountain, are dozens of enormous cages, twenty to thirty feet on each side, and packed with hundreds of dirty human figures!
Around the fountain are six corpses; on the north side of the fountain, a monstrous figure seemingly comprised of bone with a long, scorpion-like tale is struggling to read a book while pushing a townsperson toward the fountain. Another such creature stands nearby, while waiting at parade rest is a troop of the ancient warriors you fought recently, along with more zombies!
They did not set a guard and are not expecting trouble, so you each get a Surprise Round (one move action or standard action only). I'll then roll Initiative.
This encounter is on Slide # 2. The rank of five tokens closest to you are spearman, while the rank of five tokens furthest from you are zombies. You won't have any trouble recognising the bone devils. The figure next to the closest bone devil is the townsperson mentioned in the description. The cages full of prisoners are the green rectangles (treat as impassable terrain).
This is a good point. There is no way that Xilt would enter the town without putting up more defensive buffs. I would keep it in line with what he was putting up during his visit to the actual Geb's Rest to be fair.
Male CG Human (Shoanti/Varisian) Cavalier (Strategist) 11 - Init +2, Senses: Normal Vision, Perception +1, Lookout Perception +11, AC 30/ touch 12/ ff 28; hp 92/92, F+10, R+6 W+5, Speed 20 ft.; Challenge 3/4; Tactician (60') 4/4. Continuous Auras: 30 feet: +6 morale bonus on saves vs. fear; 60 feet: +3 morale bonus on saves vs. fear and +2 morale bonus on charge attacks. BUFFS:
If we were able to buff on the way to town, Chaine will have downed a potion and fed one or two to Silvermane on the way there; let me know if that is the case and I will alter my header. The following assumes no pre-battle buffs. Also: "If you are able to take only a standard action on your turn, you can still charge, but you are only allowed to move up to your speed (instead of up to double your speed) and you cannot draw a weapon unless you possess the Quick Draw feat. You can’t use this option unless you are restricted to taking only a standard action on your turn." Assuming Chaine rode into town with his lance and banner already out:
Chaine yells a battle cry as the charge begins! Swift: challenge black
+1 Cold Iron Valiant Lance, Mount Charging, Power Attack vs. black:1d20 + 22 - 3 ⇒ (8) + 22 - 3 = 27 vs. Flat-Footed AC
cold iron magic piercing dmg, Valiant, Challenge, Power Attack:3d6 + 3d8 + 60 + 27 ⇒ (4, 6, 4) + (8, 6, 5) + 60 + 27 = 120 plus trip (Mighty Charge) trip:1d20 + 14 + 1 + 4 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (1) + 14 + 1 + 4 + 2 - 3 = 19vs. black's CMD; failed: rolled a natural 1
30 feet +6 morale bonus on saves vs. fear [Rallying Shield] 60 feet +3 morale bonus on saves vs. fear and +2 morale bonus on attacks made as part of a charge [Banner]
Map updated; lance attack occurred 5-ft north of final shown position, and horse attack occurred at current final position. Silvermane triggered an AoO by moving and attacking the final 5-ft distance if black has Combat Reflexes.
Companion to Chaine "The Butcher" Alazario | Male N Horse Animal Companion | HD 9| Class Level 11th | HP76/76 | AC 33 T 14 FF 30| CMD 28 (34 vs. Overrun) | F +12 R +11 W +6 (incl. pro vs. evil)| Init +3| Low Light Vision, Scent, Perception +5 | Speed 80 ft | Buffs: Feather Step
Silvermane also attempt to add his own punctuation, snorting assertively!
Silvermane AC 31 due to charge; if Bone Devil makes an AoO against Silvermane's AC of 31, Chaine uses Mounted Combat feat to negate the attack if it exceeds the Bone Devil's attack roll: Ride, Mounted Shield:1d20 + 23 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 23 + 3 = 44
Male N Salt Mephit | Buffs: | HP 41/41|DR 5/Magic| FH 2 Arid Env|AC 25 T 14 FF 22|CMB +5 CMD 18|F +4 R +5 W +7|Init +6|PER +14 DV 60' SM+1|30' Fly 40'+18 Stealth+20|Improved Evasion,SR 16
Tzleztor grabs his spark staff in hand as he flies closer to the battle. He does not want the cavalier to be the only one in the party to receive top billing.
"Chaine, wait for me your glory hound!"
Move action to fly forward and grab a weapon. Tzleztor is 25 feet off the ground.
I don't want to slow down the game unnecessarily so I will post Xilt's action and the additional buffs he would put up before entering town.
Xilt is too far away to be of any good against the other Bone Devil. He is not at all concerned with the soldiers and the zombies who he considers to be simply fodder.
As Silvermane trots forward, Chaine dispatches one of the bone devils with ease! Hell itself should fear these Pathfinders!
Black is destroyed, and its AoO missed.
@Setare: You still have your Surprise Round action, and then I'll roll Initiative.
You crazy kids and your buffs. In my day, we just hit the bad guys over the head and took their stuff! But yes, I'm not going to quibble if you believe you'd have particular things active before the encounter begins.
@GM Jhaeman - Setare is apparently out of action until Thursday as per her OOC comment. She asked to be botted. In my day we came to the table with pencils and graph paper and mapped out the dungeon by hand and people did not worry about the lead content in their figurines. Most importantly loot meant something as did merit and when my gnome illusionist pocked the rude and smelly half-orc's gold when he was knocked unconscious by a wandering ogre (after saving his life mind you) it was considered good role playing.:)
Setare darts around the fountain, ready to impale some spearmen with her cestus! At the same time, each of the zombies move with eerie alacrity as they pull forth potions and down them in one gulp!
Botting Setare as doing a double-move to get into melee combat.
Male N Salt Mephit | Buffs: | HP 41/41|DR 5/Magic| FH 2 Arid Env|AC 25 T 14 FF 22|CMB +5 CMD 18|F +4 R +5 W +7|Init +6|PER +14 DV 60' SM+1|30' Fly 40'+18 Stealth+20|Improved Evasion,SR 16
Xilt and Tzleztor's old tricks don't work on the bone devil! The monster's scorpion-like tail whips back and forth to keep its eyes free of the glittering particles, and it manages to avoid the worst of the lightning. Monkey Boy manages to land one good hit though!
The bone devil makes the save vs the glitterdust and the lightning bolt.
Monkey Boy's first attack hit, but didn't succeed in tripping the devil. The other attacks hit but didn't get past DR.
GM Dice:
Will vs glitterdust:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 Reflex vs lightning:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
"I'll crack your sternum and chew on your lungs!" promises the bone devil coldly, as it launches into the air toward Xilt! Its tail lashes right toward the flying wizard, only to strike an illusory duplicate instead!
The bone devil is flying. This movement will provoke an AoO from Monky Boy. It will then make an attack vs Xilt with its tail. The attack would hit, but instead only pops an image.
Next, as a free action, it activates a fear aura. Xilt, please attempt a DC 19 Will save vs a mind-affecting fear effect. On a failure, you are panicked for 1 round. On a success, you are shaken for 1 round.
Will Save, Grand Destiny vs Fear:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24
While the wizard is not happy to have this much devil right in his face he is managing not to freak out. At least for now. Xilt attempts to quip back but his tone is flat as clearly the devil's aura is having some effect.
Companion to Chaine "The Butcher" Alazario | Male N Horse Animal Companion | HD 9| Class Level 11th | HP76/76 | AC 33 T 14 FF 30| CMD 28 (34 vs. Overrun) | F +12 R +11 W +6 (incl. pro vs. evil)| Init +3| Low Light Vision, Scent, Perception +5 | Speed 80 ft | Buffs: Feather Step
Chaine spurs Silvermane to another charge, but clicks his tongue twice to indicate a high jump this time.
Silvermane high jump, 10' running start:1d20 + 30 ⇒ (8) + 30 = 38--> 9.5 feet high; Chaine normally threatens 10'-20' in the vertical, and only required a 5' high jump to threaten 25'
30 feet +6 morale bonus on saves vs. fear [Rallying Shield] 60 feet +3 morale bonus on saves vs. fear and +2 morale bonus on attacks made as part of a charge [Banner]
The bone devil is destroyed instantly! Seeing the unstoppable power of Chaine's lance, the zombies and spearmen flee into the wastes. Shouts of gratitude come from the cages, along with an urgent query: "Can you get us back home?"
Xilt calls out to the caged people as he hovers above the ground.
"Sure, getting you home should be easy enough."
The wizard is curious about the book that the devil was struggling with before. He tries to determine if it has any magical properties or if it is trapped.
Male N Salt Mephit | Buffs: | HP 41/41|DR 5/Magic| FH 2 Arid Env|AC 25 T 14 FF 22|CMB +5 CMD 18|F +4 R +5 W +7|Init +6|PER +14 DV 60' SM+1|30' Fly 40'+18 Stealth+20|Improved Evasion,SR 16
"Hang tight people, we will break you out and get you home. These big baddies must have the keys around here somewhere."
Tzleztor goes searching for the keys to the cages and any loose treasure of course. The mephit puts away his staff for now so that both of his hands are free.
Male CG Human (Shoanti/Varisian) Cavalier (Strategist) 11 - Init +2, Senses: Normal Vision, Perception +1, Lookout Perception +11, AC 30/ touch 12/ ff 28; hp 92/92, F+10, R+6 W+5, Speed 20 ft.; Challenge 3/4; Tactician (60') 4/4. Continuous Auras: 30 feet: +6 morale bonus on saves vs. fear; 60 feet: +3 morale bonus on saves vs. fear and +2 morale bonus on charge attacks. BUFFS:
Chaine proceed to smash the locks with his adamantine lance. He then tends to the wounded the best he can with bandages, water and some food.
For the seriously injured, he kindly asks Tzleztor to use his healing wand on them.
"Do not worry folks, we are leaving no one behind. We are returning to Golarion this night! we will rest only if you cannot move, and the more injured in your midst can travel on my horse. He can carry at least three or four of you, with some saddle adjustments. Now, are you all willing to depart soon? Gather only what you absolutely need: our lodge can equip you with the basics upon your return!"
Diplomacy:1d20 + 19 ⇒ (17) + 19 = 36+1 with crusaders of Mendev or citizens of Andoran; +2 with nobles or citizens of Absalom, or dwarves
With the enemy vanquished, Xilt is able to recover the book the devil was reading and examines it carefully. Meanwhile, Tzleztor (with keys) and Chaine (with a lance!) free the captives. Grateful for their unexpected salvation, it's clear the townsfolk will do whatever the Pathfinders ask.
Xilt:
You don't believe the book is trapped. Once you flip through it, you realise that, combined with the information in the other three journals, you could probably do the necessary ritual to return everyone to the real world! I'd need a Knowledge (arcana) check to actually perform the ritual.
@Tzleztor: Potions of protection from good. For all the good it did them! :)
Male N Salt Mephit | Buffs: | HP 41/41|DR 5/Magic| FH 2 Arid Env|AC 25 T 14 FF 22|CMB +5 CMD 18|F +4 R +5 W +7|Init +6|PER +14 DV 60' SM+1|30' Fly 40'+18 Stealth+20|Improved Evasion,SR 16
Tzleztor sees Monkey Boy going all ape on the chains. He is not exactly sure why as everyone is already free. Perhaps some anger management issues he has still to deal with.
"Don't mind him. He is really harmless. Nothing to see here."
As Monkey Boy starts pummelling the steel chains with his rock-hard fists, Xilt begins enacting a previously-lost magical ritual to return everyone home! The talented wizard is aided by his spunky mephit companion, and everything works perfectly! In minutes, the pristine alternate-reality version of Geb's Rest is replaced by the aged and weathered buildings of the true village. If there's an irony in the townsfolk's joy, it's completely lost to them as they cheer and hug each other--and the Pathfinders too! "We'll never forget what you did for us! You'll always be heroes to the people of Geb!"
And as for the Pathfinder Society, Venture-Captain Hestram is saddened to eventually hear about Rijana's fate. But he has only compliments for his agents' speedy work in recovering all four of her journals, which he promises will be published in the next installment of the Pathfinder Chronicles--once they've been suitably edited, of course, to make sure no one else starts tampering with reality in Geb!
And that's a wrap! Please feel welcome to RP any epilogue material. I'll get to work on the Chronicles and have a link in the Discussion thread for them in the next day or two. Thanks for playing!
Female LG follower of Sarenrae | human (actually mostly human Ifrit) | freckles, sweet, naive, fierce personality in battle | Outsider (Native), Humanoid (human) | Resistances: Elec. 3, Acid 3, Fire 2, Cold 3 | Smite 1/1 | Boots of Speed 10/10 | Swashbuckler 5, Paladin 2, Unchained Monk 3, Bloodrager 1 | HP 106/106 | Protector Familiar HP 53 | with mage armor/rage: AC 35, T 30, FF 24 | CMD 37 | F: +23, R: +25 (Evasion), W: +17 | Init: +13 | Perc: -2, SM: -2 | Ki Pool 7/7 | Stunning Fist 6/6 | Rage 6/6 | LoH 7/7 | Panache 6/6 + Plume 1/1 | Reroll 1/1 + Lesson of H. 1/1 | Eefriti Magic 1/1 | Darkvision 60ft | Speed 40ft | Active cond.: +4 Dex
Setare is clearly unbelievably happy that all the inhabitants of the town are now safe!
"It i ... is sad that our companion is dead bu.. but the knowledge we gained was good it seems. But th... the possibility to re.. rescue those that were da .. damned by this ritual was great!" she says with a smile.
