DM Brainiac's Stolen Fate: Table 1

Game Master Brainiac

After your excursion to the frozen north, you return to the warm and familiar confines of Harrowheart. The simulacra in the castle greet you as they go about the same routines they do every day, only wavering from their predetermined patterns if you interact with them.

You open another portal back to Absalom's markets to do some shopping. In the course of your dealings, you make your way back to Kraken's Ink Tattoos to visit Arhan and his friends. The big mastiff Apple woofs happily and wags his tail upon spotting you, and Arhan himself greets you with a wave.

"Welcome back, friends! I'm glad to see that you haven't gotten yourselves into any trouble that you weren't able to get yourselves back out of. Have you come for some new tattoos?"

"Arhan!" Visna sweeps the man up in a not-quite bonecrushing embrace "How fair you, and Brine too of course? Does Dieral still peddle within the city?"

Penelope hangs back from the rest but waves back with a smile. Then nearly gets knocked over by the lovely dog, making her laugh, bright and loud. "nice to see you too Apple" the wizard says as she scratches the massive ears with relish.

"Do you have any new pigments?" She manages to make it to Nana, pulling out her notebook, to not only take notes, but the start relating the colors of the night sky that Visna had shown them.

Briar gives Apple several good pats on the head, "Keeping the fort locked down while we've been away I hope." Looking up to Arhan she nods, "Of course nothing we haven't been able to handle and quite the sights to tell you of. If you've got the free time that is, perhaps it'll inspire some new tattoo ideas as well?"

Brine rolls his eyes. "Oh yes, my boyfriend's elven side-piece is still hustling his wares!" the azarketi says, eliciting a blush from Arhan.

"New shipment came in from Katapesh. Take a look," Nara says to Pen, the kobold showcasing the colorful inks in her display case.

"I would love to hear of your adventures!" Arhan says to Briar, smiling warmly.

After a nice visit with Arhan and friends, you return to Harrowheart.

***

Chapter 3: Queen of the Storval Stairs

Once you have arrived back in the keep, the simulacra servants of Harrowheart alert you that the portals in the throne room have become active again. The Arch of Hammers and the Arch of Shields remain filled with mist, while the mist in the other four Arches (Keys, Tomes, Stars, and Crown) clears to present identical views--rolling grasslands that feature a magnificent view of an immense flight of stairs sized for giants ascending to the top of a 500-foot-high cliff. The stairs are flanked to either side by massive statues of an imperious bald man in robes clutching a book and a polearm. You recognize the location as the infamous Storval Stairs.

The Storval Stairs were constructed ages ago by enslaved giants during the days of ancient Thassilon, many centuries before Earthfall. When Karzoug, runelord of greed, became the region’s ruler, he commanded that towering statues in his likeness be built along the stairs. Everything here was constructed for use by giants, as well as smaller humanoids, and is lofty and imposing in scope. Today, the Storval Stairs serve as a vital trade route between the Varisian lowlands and the arid Storval Plateau.

"If everything is built to that scale, I may wear a different skin once fewer eyes are upon us," Visna muses. "To walk among giants is a grand thing."

Briar shrugs, "I'm not sure where the other two lead to.. but to have four that aim us to the same location." She looks across the group, "This will be quite the test of our might, are we certain we have everything we need before we set off?"

When you step through the portal, you find yourselves in the middle of a ring of hide shelters, almost as if you just stepped out of the large campfire that burns at the center of the camp. The campsite itself is occupied by a small group of Shoanti, whose initial shock at your sudden arrival quickly subsides into what seems like sullen frustration. Despite this, one woman steps forward to greet you.

"Welcome! I am Shalda Falls-Far of the Shriikirri-Quah, the Hawk Clan. I have been telling my scouts that it would only be a matter of time before adventurers such as yourselves arrived. Every time the Storval Stairs have been conquered in the past, a band of heroes has arrived to help our clan take back the site. I am glad to see my faith has been rewarded."

Pen manages a quick welcome "Greetings, honored mother" she bows in deference, then asks just as quickly "What has taken the stairs?"

There is no reason to argue being the fated heroes, since fate itself seems to have thrust them into that role.

Sanjana bows as well, before looking around curiously at the Shoanti and their camp. "Your people do not seem to surprised to see us appear our of thin air. And perhaps not too pleased with our presence, either. Shalda Falls-Far, my name is Sanjana, and I am honoured to meet you. Please rest assured, we are not seeking glory or riches."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (4) + 25 = 29

"It is no secret why your Stairs would be so fiercely sought, but you are surely beloved of the gods to so often receive their aid."

Briar bows her head in respect to the matron of the people, "We have been aiding many in need as of late when fate demands it, so we should be glad to help yet more. Please though it would aid us to know which foe we face this day, so that we might prepare ourselves for the tasks ahead of ourselves."

Shalda nods. "For centuries, our clan has guarded this vital trade route from monsters of brigands who would use it as a stronghold to extort travelers. The newest arrivals to seize control of the Storval Stairs are a mercenary group called the Band of Blades. While most mercenaries wouldn’t pose us much of a problem, the Band of Blades is particularly powerful, as they work alongside giants and other creatures.

"I have faith that you all will be the 'key' to our victory. The card has told me so!" Shaldar says with a smirk. She produces a Harrow card--The Locksmith!

"Hmm of course, well then we have Harpies, men, and giants to tangle with. How are we all feeling about this? Do you have a route that would lead us to them that isn't just a full frontal assault against their entire force at once?"

Pen noticed the usage of 'our' in our victory "Will we be fighting them together?" she asks respecfully.

Visna's interest in a marauding giant bandit is at least as sharp as her axe, but she manages to ask about the Harrow card instead. "Then your card bears visions as its gift? We have been tugged along the skein of fate with knots of trouble and opportunity coiled around other cards such as this, but they have all been unalike as their omens."

Shaldar shakes her head. "Visions? No. It has made me deft of hand, and granted me the ability to free myself from unpleasant fates. It suddenly appeared among my belongings several weeks ago. I knew it was a sign of something greater, and now that you are here, I believe it belongs to you!" She eagerly hands over the card to you.

The Locksmith

"The enemies here are far too powerful for us to confront. Once you begin your assault on the Storval Stairs, we intend to break camp and make our way back to the quah’s heartlands in the plains to the southwest. I will report your arrival to our leaders, but it will likely take several weeks before my people can send a more robust force back here. If you can clear out the bandits by then, I am confident the Shriikirri-Quah will reward you well.

"We know of no easy way past the forces entrenched on the stairs, but perhaps you have magic that might help you? Traditionally, Shoanti have avoided venturing far into the indoor, underground chambers of the Storval Stairs. Some locations likely hide dangerous hazards or guardians left over from the ancient times. So beware!"

Visna nods, considering. "It may be that the simplest plan is best, but I know well that my companions oft possess skills and methods unforeseen. Have you thoughts on how a different Steps we might take?"

Shalda shakes her head. "As I said, we only know the layout of the surface areas of the Stairs. The mercenaries have those locations well-guarded. Perhaps if you can stealthily scout the area, you will have a better idea of their forces and can come up with a different plan of attack."

Briar looked on at the pathway ahead of them.

"Mountainous stairs, built by the hands of titans themselves. We seek to ascend the peaks and find there the foe who guards the path forward."

She nods to the others, "I can prepare myself to lead us through the terrain ahead, but I'll need time. Please if our hostess allows find comfort before we begin the climb."

Briar spends some time preparing herself for the upcoming journey and at the end of her preparation pulls out her bag of bone dice and the tiny ritual bowl.

"Never have you seen fit to grant me answers before. But I feel the days when I truly need your guidance are fast approaching. Mothers of mothers please grant me your aid, shall we take the high road or the low-lands to find the safest route to our upcoming test against the fates." She gently tosses the bones into the dish and exhales, hoping to receive some revelation from her ancestors wisdom.

Spending an hour to acclimate to the terrain and at the end i'm going to use one of my 2/day uses of Augury

Sanjana also consults the spirits, making offerings and meditating in a quiet spot, seeking to uncover glimpses of what might face them should they choose the low road.

Occultism, Consult the spirits, Tome: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (18) + 25 = 43

Pen seems torn about which of her companion's divinations to monitor (and take notes on).

She considers trying to hurry between the two, back and forth, recording each as best as possible in small snapshots. But the image in her mind of doing so causes disruptions to both, irritation in all, and failure across the board.

So she sends her little blue elephant to flutter on to a perch near Sanjana, while she stays near Briar. It isn't perfect. Puck's recollections tend to include things like 'She smells like black tea and yummy biscuits! Can we snuggle, please' instead of analytical facts, but something is better than nothing.

And better than causing irritation.

Briar's augury about taking the low road comes back as "woe." When Sanjana asks the spirits what to expect from the low road, they respond, "Wards and monsters from the time of ancient Thassilon."

Briar closes her eyes after seeing the die be cast letting her ancestors wisdom flow through her. The large gnoll seems to shiver as she experiences unclear dark visions, her great eyes pinch closed an her nostrils flare as the unshakable cold of ill tides wash over her.

She snaps to with a gasp for air as if it had been stolen from her lungs. Gazing down at the bones which read as nonsense now despite them not moving since the casting. She quickly gathers them up and speaks a short prayer to the mothers once again before standing to return to the group only to be met with Pen standing nearby. Holding the bag with her casting bones in her hand she struggles to find her voice, but the fear in her eyes speaks volumes. "W-we mustn't travel the low lands. Ancient bones rest there and they will be greatly upset by our disturbance."

Pen might be blind to many things, but not to Briar's distress. She stops making notes immediately, touching the large gnoll's shoulder. "Then we will not" her tone holding a promise that curiosity will never break. After one split second, the elf then hugs Briar tight. "It will be okay" she says in a soft soothing tone.

At Pen's touch, Briar seems to come fully out of her reverie and deflates a little, her short hair and ears no longer standing on end. Her entire body relaxes from the strange tension as she exhales and seems to collapse into the hug shortly after it's given. It might seem odd to see the immense woman worried to such a degree that her body involuntarily shivers under Pen's hand.

"Thank you." Her breath catches as if there might be more to say, but she holds out any true explanation and simply nods down to Pentella. "We should speak with the others."

Pen steps back and nods, a worried but sympathetic furrow in her brow. Slipping her notebook back in her pack, the wizard leads the distressed shaman the short distance to where Sanjana is finishing their consultation with the spirits with Puck hovering over their shoulder.

Sanjana comes out of their trance ever so slowly, siting motionless for long moments after the divination is finished. At last, the kashrishi climbs to their feet just as slowly, seeming to have aged decades in this short time.

They reconvene with the others, their face creased with worry. "The wards and guardians of the low road may be beyond us. The spirits spoke of remnants of ancient Thassilon, and I for one would not like to encounter them."

Visna doesn't look wholly convinced that hurling herself into battle against the ancient evils of Thassilon is a bad idea, but "It is clear. The low roads are not our chosen path this day."

Briar returns to the group alongside Pen looking as if she'd seen a banshee only moments before.
"I know not what dark things lay there, but I agree we should not disturb such ancient enemies if we can avoid it. The high roads are our pathway forward. I need but a few minutes to calm myself before we journey ahead, if you are all ready that is."

Once you are ready, you make your way from the camp to where the Storval Stairs stand. The Stairs lead up to the lowlands, but they are blocked by a row of boulders and a barricade of logs at a forty-foot-wide landing. To either side, stone platforms look out over the landing below from a height of ten feet. Towering statues of the infamous Runelord Karzoug loom just beyond these platforms, while the stairs themselves lead east, further upward to a larger landing.

From here, you can see the stone giant the Shoanti mentioned, as well as a dwarf in platemail with a greatsword and four other mercenaries with longbows keeping a watch out for enemies. As you draw near, the armored dwarf hops up on one of the barricades and points at you with his greatsword. "Stop right there!" he shouts. "This here's a checkpoint for travelers using the Stairs. If you want to pass, you've got to pay the toll!"

The stone giant near the dwarf hefts a rock in her hands, while the four mercenaries train their bows on you.

Visna nods thoughtfully as she listens to the dwarf's words. "Briar, it is through your wisdom and the aid of your ancestors that this path lies before us. Hwaet would you prefer? The giant? Or the Swordsman?"

Briar turns slightly to listen to Visna as if discussing the plan of the toll with her companions. "I believe I might be able to handle the giant while you and the others deal with the rest. Could you get up there if you needed to, or would you need a boost? I know you can jump quite high with your charms."

She casts a look to the edge, "I doubt they can fly either and such creatures are known to be rather clumsy sometimes. I bet I could send her tumbling from the heavens." Her gaze drifts towards Sanjana and Pen, "What are your thoughts?"

Pen listens and nods, accepting these bandits offer only violence or theft to travelers so they need to be defeated. Based on Briar's suggestion, she offers "I can help you get up there." she tells Visna, casting a quick fly spell to her when she is ready.

With a few hand movements and precise diction Pen casts flight on Visna, then waits as she grasps her staff. Loosely. Someone once gave her advice, that more or less was "You can't hold on too tight or you'll lose it when you need it most". It had been about holding your staff in battle, but at one point Pen started using it for most things in life.

As you move towards the checkpoint with obvious hostile intent, the dwarf scoffs. "Looks like we've got some would-be heroes here! Open fire!" he shouts

Everybody may act. Enemies are 40 feet away. The stairs up to them count as difficult terrain and the barricade gives them greater cover from attacks from below.

Briar surges forward clambering up the sheer face of the wall with ease with her short clawed hands before gnashing at the Giant and attempting to grab the much larger woman.

Raging Bite: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (13) + 25 = 38
piercing+pos/neg, acid, bleed: 2d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 5) + 6 + 3 = 201d6 ⇒ 21d6 ⇒ 4

Grapple: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (1) + 20 = 21
Heroic-Grapple: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (7) + 20 = 27

2action Rage for sudden charge, 1 action grapple extra 4 damage if that grapple lands

Sanjana moves a little farther back to get a better line of sight to their intended target - an area just beyond the barricade that would catch most of the defenders. Then they cast their mind back to the extraordinary spectacle they witnessed on the Shining Sea, trying to cast a pale imitation of it.

Cast Hypnotic Pattern, DC 32 Will.

Visna beams as Pentella's spell takes hold. "Thank you, my Pen. Your working lightens my heart in more than equal measure to my feet."

With blistering speed she soars into Sanjana's aurora with her eyes tightly shut, relying on her keen hearing to pick out her foes.

Alighting behind the Gorumite brigand, Visna traces the rune of a broken blade across the head of her axe. "It seems our battle will be a joyful one, a duet between two virtuosos of steel must surely please the gods that have so set our paths.

"Let us play."

Visna surges forward inside the dwarf's guard, catching hold of his free-flowing hair and slicing down with Maiden's Smile. As the axe descends a charm upon her haft, a replica of the Maiden herself in clay, flows and reshapes; the bite of the axe thickens, hulks, flattens, and when Maiden's Smile hits the Gorumite's armor it rings with all the clangor of a smithy in full furor.

Fly to the swordsman (flanking with Briar? Uncertain of position)
Esoteric Knowledge: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (12) + 24 = 36 Setting up a personal vulnerability.
Snagging Strike: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (8) + 25 = 33 Activating Malleable Clay to give Maiden's Smile Versatile B/S/P for the next minute
Bludgeoning+cold: 2d6 + 11 + 1d6 ⇒ (4, 5) + 11 + (1) = 21 +8 weakness and flat-footed til my next turn

Her companions move forward, back, and up to engage the enemies. Pen doesn't move at all. Her face shows a fretting worry about their safety before she puts that away to do her part.

Her part is a burst of speed to allow everyone additional moments of time to see the results they envision.

level 7 haste, so targeting every party member.

If it's cool, how do we feel about Pen's haste first, then Briar and Visna charge in (Vis with eyes closed) then Sanj dazzles (and fascinates?) our brave foes? If that works:

Without letting go of the dwarf, Visna twists her grip on the Smile and crunches it back into his side. "Elysium awaits one of us. In Gorum's hall you may seek those who have known Visna, Daughter of Freydis, Whetter of Blades, Horizon Devourer, Breaker of the Floor Steed's Rings. I would wish you an eternity without company."

Strike: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (18) + 21 = 39 Possibly vs. Flat-Footed if Snagging hit
Bludgeoning + Cold: 2d6 + 11 + 1d6 ⇒ (4, 2) + 11 + (4) = 21 +8 weakness

If Pen's haste goes off first then I suppose another attack after the grapple and all that, if the grapple landed additional benefit

Elbow breaking Raging Bite: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30
piercing+pos/neg, acid, bleed: 2d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 8) + 6 + 3 = 191d6 ⇒ 31d6 ⇒ 2

Will vs Hypnotic Pattern: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (11) + 23 = 341d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20

Pen hastes the party. Briar charges the giant, biting her twice but failing to grab a hold of her. Meanwhile, Visna snags the dwarf with her axe and follows up with another bashing blow! The dwarf resists Sanjana's hypnotic pattern but the giant is distracted by its presence.

"Gorum! Make me GROW!" the dwarf declares as he clutches his holy symbol. The dwarf swells until he is enormous, standing even taller than the stone giant! He bellows with laughter as he enters a resolute stance, drawing upon the might of stone to bolster his defense.

Meanwhile, the stone giant swings her club at Briar. The gnoll avoids her attacks.

Greatclub: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (3) + 23 = 261d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20

The mercenaries open fire, shooting at Briar and Visna. One arrow strikes Visna.

Longbows vs Briar: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 241d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 301d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 161d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 231d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 191d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Longbows vs Visna: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 291d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 241d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 161d20 + 18 ⇒ (19) + 18 = 371d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 311d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Damage: 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (7, 8) + 9 = 24

24 piercing damage to Visna.

Ducking under the massive club Briar seeks a new angle off attack and goes for the giantess' leg while she's off balance from the swing. Her muscles bulging with anger Briar let out a ferocious howl as she planted her feet and began a power lift that splintered the barricade under her. Lifting the gigantic creature partially and toppling the firmly rooted being.
grapple: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (14) + 24 = 38
trip: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (10) + 19 = 29

She then repositioned herself to force the fight Visna's direction and tore another chunk from the giant's flesh.
Raging Bite: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33
piercing+pos, acid, bleed: 2d8 + 7 + 7 ⇒ (4, 1) + 7 + 7 = 191d6 ⇒ 21d6 ⇒ 2

grapple deals 4 buldgeoning, trip no extra stuff, one action to stride to the side that'll allow shoving towards Visna's fight, and haste action to take a nibble.

Opportunity Attack!!!: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (15) + 25 = 40 If that was a crit, then his spell doesn't go off. Since a 33 hit, and now he's flat-footed and this is before the defensive stance (though sadly also before he gets Clumsy)... :fingers crossed:
Bludgeoning + Cold: 2d6 + 11 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 2) + 11 + (1) = 17 +8 Weakness. DC 24 Fort or Slowed 1 if it was a crit. 5 damage to another enemy if they're in reach on a crit

Visna traces out another baleful rune that shines fiercely from her Maiden's Smile and continues the assault, the axe whistling through the air to crunch into his breast plate, knocking him off balance while she tackles him, heaving him off balance, and then twisting to use his tremendous weight to send him flying through the air!

Empower Implement for +2 to hit
Haste Strike: 1d20 + 25 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 25 + 2 = 43
Bludgeoning + Cold: 2d6 + 11 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 5) + 11 + (4) = 21 +8 Weakness
Combat Grab: 1d20 + 21 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 21 + 2 = 41
Bludgeoning + Cold: 2d6 + 11 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 4) + 11 + (3) = 21 +8 Weakness
Whirling Throw: 1d20 + 25 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 25 - 4 = 35 The -4 is only if he's Huge
Bludgeoning (separate from any falling damage): 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 6, 4) + 4 = 15

As her companions charge forth, runes start weaving around Pen's hands, while her fingers form a complex pattern. "Catena fulgur" is shouted clear and bright, much light the lightning that pours out of her into the giant.

chain lightning, dc 32: 8d12 ⇒ (6, 8, 9, 6, 6, 4, 5, 5) = 49

using overwhelming energy, so if they have resistance it reduced by 13. Chain lightning jumps to the next enemy in 30 feet and so on until there isn't any others. Pen would try and hit whoever first seems like the lightning will hit the most.

slight retcon since I'm incapable of reading properly lmao. Swapping the raging bite for a whirling throw results are 38vs Giant's fort-2. Then stride to the giant's new location if she doesn't tumble off the edge of the mountain, towards new enemies otherwise.

After toppling the giantess Briar readjusts her grip on the massive woman's leg, sliding down to her feet and pulls digging her feet further into the rapidly crumbling wooden barricade. Heaving the giant around in a circle once, twice, then launching her towards the edge with a satisfied hyena cackle. Before continuing the pursuit.

"My friend has offered you her name. It is rude not to offer yours! I see not future in which you avoid defeat here," shouts Sanjana at the rude dwarf.

Unravelling Blast, DC 32 Will save. Mental damage: 20d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3, 3, 4, 3, 4, 4, 1, 2, 4, 3, 3, 1, 3, 1, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) + 3 = 63 Also flat-footed on failure, Stunned 1 on critical failure.

Then the kashrishi hurls their boomerang at one of the bowmen.

Strike, pacifying: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (1) + 24 = 25 Damage, non-lethal: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Reflex vs Lightning: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 171d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 321d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 291d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20
Will vs Unraveling: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (5) + 23 = 28

Pen's chain lightning wreaks havoc, terribly wounding the stone giant! It leaps to the dwarf, who avoids the worst of it, then to two of the mercenaries who are badly shocked! Briar bites the giant and then hurls her against the barricade. The giant hits with bone-crunching force before falling limply to the floor and lying still!

Meanwhile, Visna batters the enormous dwarf again and again, bludgeoning him profusely! She grabs the dwarf and sends him flying, and as he lands, Sanjana unleashes a powerful spell that shatters the wounded dwarf's mind! He groans as he, too, goes still, slowly shrinking back to his original size.

Panicked at the swift defeat of their commanders, the mercenaries turn to flee!