PF2E Stolen Fate (Inactive)

Game Master andreww

The goblin shakes the plant matter back and forth in his mouth, shaking sap everywhere as he growls.

Dramiil healed 44.
Just as a note, a crit on battle medicine just adds an extra 2d8, you dont get the rest of the numbers.

Billy provides some much needed healing while Slick buffs himself, fearing further battle. His fears are well realised as a massive dragon barrels out of the cave mouth and lands on the rock in the lake. She bellows at you, “Thieves and trespassers! You will pay with your lives!

As a reminder, Blegkenu did ask that you try not to kill her if possible. Of course she may not give you that opportunity!

Initiative
Dramiil : 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28
Slick : 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 20 + 2 = 26
Billy : 1d20 + 23 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 23 + 2 = 32
Nubnonk : 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26

As the dragon swoops towards you, a wave of terror washes over the group! Billy and Slick are unaffected but Nubnonk and Dramiil both feel fear creeping into their bones!

Billy crit passes, Slick crit passes due to Bravery, Nubnonk and Dramiil fail. I am going to pause to see if there is anything you can or wont to do about that. The dragon is now also on the map.

Dramiil focuses on the Stars card drawn a while back, visualizing it in his mind.

Will reroll: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27

aw #$%.

Dramiil and Nubnonk find themselves feeling rather overwhelmed!

I assume Nubnonk is not rerolling. Both of you are Frightened 2

The dragon swoops forward and engulfs the group in a massive thundercloud!

Dramiil critically fails, Billy and Nubnonk fail, Slick passes. Pausing here again to consider rerolls.

OK, I assume no rerolls.

Dramiil crumpls to the ground while Billy and Nubnonk both take a powerful blast of electricity!

As the dragon sends out his blast of electricity, Billy sings a quick song to counteract the dragon's magic.

♫"Forgive all my bias,
But please do not fry us!"♫

He casts Shadow Siphon in an attempt to counteract the magical effect.
Casting at level 5, but spell says to treat counteract level as 2 higher.

Counteract (counteract at level 7): 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27
Sigh ... assuming that's a failure, let's try a hero point...
Counteract (counteract at level 7): 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (15) + 21 = 36
If successful, any creatures damaged by the spell take half damage.

After hopefully transforming some of the electricity to mere illusion, Billy considers his options. He waits for his allies to act, so they can take advantage of his lingering inspiration. He then sings out,

♫"This dragon's breath! Oh dear!
I wish he'd leave us be.
I don't want to stand here.
We gotta find that key!"♫

He uses his Quickened Casting feat to spend 1 action (instead of 2) to cast Dimension Door.
Billy disappears, and teleports 120' west into the dragon's cave.

Once inside the cave, he strides deeper inside, out of immediate sight of the dragon, and searches for the key.
Perception to Seek: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (13) + 23 = 36

↺ Shadow Siphon (on previous turn), ◇ Delay (for allies), ◇ Quickened Casting, ◆ Dimension Door (1 action due to Quickened Casting), ◆ Stride, ◆ Seek

Billy manages to siphon off some of the power of the dragons breath weapon (it has the evocation trait so I am treating it as a magical effect). As a result, Dramiil remains standing!

HP values have been adjusted. Everyone is up. You will have the benefit of IC as Billy is delaying until you have all acted.

Slick turns at the sound of the dragon charging out of the cave. "Oh, there you are. We've been waiting for you." He is apparently unaffected by the presence of the creature as it takes to the air and swoops down on them. "Do your worst!" A blasting thundercloud washes over them and lightning strikes out at everyone. Slick's armor manages to ground the bolt that strikes him and he avoids the worst of the damage.

I'm assuming here that the dragon has landed.

As the dragon's breath begins to dissipate, Slick charges around behind the creature and closing one eye, says, "Show me." Everything around him seems to come into sharper focus as his vorpal blade goes snicker-snack.

Action 1 (◆): Stride (45 feet)

Action 2 (◆): Cast a Spell: True Strike

Action 3 (◆): Strike (+2 Greater Striking Grievous Greatsword) with Inspire Courage vs Flat-Footed Sedisserax.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 23 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 23 + 2 + 1 = 38 vs Flat-Footed
Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 23 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 23 + 2 + 1 = 36 vs Flat-Footed
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (7, 2, 5) + 8 + 1 = 23 slashing damage

Action 4 (◆): Strike (+2 Greater Striking Grievous Greatsword) with Inspire Courage, Haste and MAP1 vs Flat-Footed Sedisserax.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 23 + 2 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (17) + 23 + 2 + 1 - 5 = 38 vs Flat-Footed
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (7, 10, 6) + 8 + 1 = 32 slashing damage

Reaction (↺): Attack of Opportunity

Slick rushes around the dragon and strikes twice at it. She roars in anger more at the insult to her pride than anger at the blow!

That is two hits. A reminder that you were asked to take her alive.

Dramiil casts Amplified Guidance upon Nubnonk, but something about the aura of his spell is different...waves of soothing energy deflect back upon the psychic, attempting to remove the horrible cloud of dread that has overcome him.

Mental Balm

Another Will Save, I think.

Will Save, Frightened -2, Mental Balm +2: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (19) + 21 = 40

He then exudes a burbling casting from his fingertips that ripples the air in with something that seems strangely slow and turgid, like clear honey, or a waterfall slowed down. "We're not here to take any lives!" he shouts, although his voice still quavers. It streaks towards the dragon and seems to encase her in a rippling shell that distorts image and sound.

Stagnate Time

Guidance - 1 action (Mental Balm doesn't add any action), Stagnate Time - 2 actions

Mental balm doesnt give an extra save, it allows you a chance to counteract an effect. Your roll however will be sufficient to do so.

What's the roll to counteract?

What's the roll to counteract?

Counteract rolls use your spell attack modifier. I have just applied the number you rolled for the save (19) which removes the fear effect. You can find the counteract rules Here

OK, I am going to bot Nubnonk to move us on.

The brave little goblin focuses his efforts on the horrible dragon, trying to discern its weaknesses.

Exploit vulnerability, frightened, guidance: 1d20 + 23 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 23 - 2 + 1 = 39

Sadly, she has no resistances or weaknesses which he can take advantage of. He does recognise that she is a cloud dragon and, in addition to her frightful aura, breath weapon and ranged attack deflecting wings she can turn herself into a gaseous form and fly at her regular fly speed.

Armed with this information he screams angrily at her, trying to intimidate the beast!

Intimidate, fear: 1d20 + 27 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 27 - 2 = 39

Which startles the dragon somewhat!

He then strikes out at her with his starknife.

Starknife, fear, IC, vs flatfooted: 1d20 + 21 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 21 - 2 + 1 = 27

But his blow is turned aside by her thick hide.

Billy then vanishes, disappearing into the cave! Inside he can see a large pile of treasure. The key is easily spotted on the basis that it is about 4 feet long and leaning against the cave wall.

You dont need to seek to find it so Billy has 1 action left.

Upon entering the cave, Billy sees an enormous pile of treasure. And the key! Striding over to the key, he grabs it.

◇ Delay (for allies), ◇ Quickened Casting, ◆ Dimension Door (1 action due to Quickened Casting), ◆ Stride, ◆ Interact (grab key)

The Key is Bulk 6, can Billy carry it?

The Key is Bulk 6, can Billy carry it?

Yikes!

Billy has Hefty Hauler with a -1 Str penalty, so he can carry 6 bulk, or up to 11 encumbered.

He's carrying:
Bag of Holding (1 bulk), Lute (1 bulk), Healer's Tools (1 bulk) Chain Shirt (1 bulk), Cloak of Repute (1 bulk), Random (< 10) Items of Light Bulk
Total: 5+ Bulk

Realizing how heavy the key is, Billy instead considers stowing it in his Bag of Holding. (Type 2, holds 50 bulk)

If he cannot fit the key in his magical bag, he'll reluctantly drop his lute (free action) onto the existing pile of riches as he struggles to hold the key. He whispers, "Sacrifices must be made for the greater good, my old friend. But you're in esteemed treasured company in your new home." He wipes away a tear.

Without the lute, his belongings (including the key) would be 10+ bulk -- Encumbered, but under his 11 bulk limit.

It will fit in the bag but you must be holding the bag in both hands to use it. You could drop the lute as a free and draw the bag this round. Alternatively you can just pick it up and become encumbered.

Billy grabs the Key. Meanwhile, outside, the dragon shrugs off Dramiils time manipulations. Beating her wings, she takes to the air as she sees Billy disappear into her Lair.

Thief!

she bellows as she heads after him, taking a painful slash from Slick as she does so.

She takes 32 damage from Slicks OA.

She swoops into the cave and descends on Billy full of rage and fury! She impales him with her horns but both claw strikes go wide!

Billy takes 23 damage

"Slick, Nubnonk. Remember that clarity of purpose allows the mind to relax as one strikes," says Dramiil cryptically, as he advances near them. "I'm going to make a tunnel over to the other side in a moment." He steeples his fingers and tries to peer into the cave.

Actions: 2 moves, and Recall The Teachings as an Aid move for Nub or Slick, if possible.

That is two hits. A reminder that you were asked to take her alive.

Whoopsy! I'd forgotten. I expect there's still plenty of HP to go before we have to worry about her getting close to 0, but a couple of big hits by Slick might do it. Best be careful.

Slick takes one last swipe at the departing dragon as she leaves to protect her hoard from Billy's sticky fingers. He then examines the landscape and decides that it would take too much effort to try and reach the dragon anytime soon. Better to spend the time preparing himself for the creature's arrival.

He first stomps his foot and says, "Time to put on my big boy pants." He then sends a small prayer to Gorum for some healing; and finally moves himself into position to greet the soon to be incoming dragon. He positions himself so that when the dragon reaches him, Nubnonk is in a position to provide flanking.

Action 1 & 2 (◆◆): Cast a Spell: Enlarge on Slick

Action 3 (◆): Cast a Spell: Lay on Hands [L6] with Accelerating Touch on Slick

Slick recovers 36 hit points and gains a +10-foot status bonus to his Speed until the end of his next turn (Accelerating Touch).

Action 4 (◆): Stride with Haste (55 feet - Accelerating Touch)

Slick is now 2x2 squares in size and has a Reach of 10' I can't change the size of his token on the map, but his current location should be the top-left square of the 2x2 squares he currently takes up.

Billy's grand plan was to grab the key, encumbered and all, and teleport a mile back towards the cave. However, he considers that his friends don't have a similar escape plan to flee the angry dragon.

Instead, he decides to let the dragon think he's turning invisible. He sings, in draconic, to make sure Sedisserax understands.

♫"All alone in this cave.
This surely must be fixable.
I'll stand here and be brave!
As long as I'm invisible."♫

Billy disappears! However, instead of casting invisibility, he casts (a heightened 5th level version of) Dimension Door to teleport up the path near the others.
Not sure how this works, but unless the dragon can see invisible, my hope is that she thinks Billy is simply invisible in the cave.

After dropping the key beside him, he performs some in-battle healing on himself for the second time this encounter.

Battle Medicine DC 20: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (14) + 21 = 35
Damage Healed +Medic: 2d8 + 10 + 5 ⇒ (3, 6) + 10 + 5 = 24
Crit Damage Healed: 2d8 ⇒ (1, 8) = 9
Medic Dedication => 1/day can Battle Med immune. Billy regains 33hp.

◆◆ Dimension Door, ◇ Drop Key, ◆ Battle Medicine

Slick makes his preparations and grows to prodigious size. Billy tries to fool the dragon but she simply grins and licks her lips as he vanishes.

I shall find you little thief!

Appearing outside Billy provides a little healing to himself but will it be enough...

Nubnonk delays, hoping the dragon returns. I cannot see that he has anything that would help prep wise.

Which she promtly does. She comes hurtling out of the cave and her eyes alight on Billy.

I will crunch your bones you tiny morsel of a snack!

She has a 160' fly speed, she easily makes it to Billy but she will provoke from Slick. Go ahead and make your own AoO as your first roll of your turn.

Landing, the dragon impales Billy in the chest with her horns and then rakes him with her claws. Blood spurts everywhere and the little halfling crumples to the ground and lies very still...

"Well, perhaps we can resurrect her later if we kill her," says Dram grimly to the kobold near him.

He moves near Nubnonk and casts a truly demoralizing spell--visions of the end of entire universes flicker into being briefly and flow into the dragon's mind.

Phantasmal Calamity

If she fails save...: 11d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 4, 5, 5, 4, 4, 5, 4, 4, 2) = 49

If she makes her save, Dram will use Foreseen Failure to try a different spell.

Actions: move 1, cast 2

When Billy appears next to him, Slick is a little surprised. "Oh, hey there Billy. Where you been? Nice key." But before he can say anything more, the dragon swoops out of nowhere and attacks Billy. Slick reacts fast enough to take a swipe at it as it flies past him.

Reaction (↺): Attack of Opportunity: Strike (+2 Greater Striking Grievous Greatsword) with Enlarge and Inspire Courage vs Sedisserax.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 23 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 23 + 2 + 1 = 38
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8, 6, 12) + 8 + 1 + 2 = 37 slashing damage

Slick's demeanor darkens as he sees the dragon gleefully tearing into Billy. "You'll pay dearly for that bub.". With a quiet, "defend," the space around him shimmers for a moment. He then bends down and with a quick prayer to Gorum, touches Billy on the cheek. Finally he decides to let his inner wild thing free and starts slashing at the dragon with abandon.

Action 1 (◆): Cast a Spell: Shield [L6] - AC 33 (+1 Shield, -1 Clumsy), Hardness 15

Action 2 (◆): Cast a Spell: Lay on Hands [L6] with Accelerating Touch on Billy

Billy recovers 36 hit points, gains a +2 status bonus to AC for 1 round and a +10-foot status bonus to its Speed until the end of its next turn (Accelerating Touch).

Action 3 (◆): Strike (+2 Greater Striking Grievous Greatsword) with Enlarge and Inspire Courage vs Sedisserax.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 23 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 23 + 2 + 1 = 36
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5, 1, 11) + 8 + 1 + 2 = 28 slashing damage

Action 4 (◆): Strike (+2 Greater Striking Grievous Greatsword) with Haste, Enlarge, Inspire Courage and MAP1 vs Sedisserax.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 23 + 2 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 23 + 2 + 1 - 5 = 37
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4, 10, 1) + 8 + 1 + 2 = 26 slashing damage

Unfortunately, Billy's Inspire Courage ran out last round. But maybe there are still damage bonuses, thanks to Nub's regalia.

As the dragon tears into him, Billy regrets not going with his original plan and teleporting far away. As life starts slipping away, he hears Slick's prayer and his eyes flutter open. "Ahh, my old friend. He didn't gore my face, did he?"

The halfling realizes it's time to make himself scarce. He sings,

♫"I'm no longer dying.
I'll now take my leave.
Is the dragon still crying?
About his lost key?"♫

Billy casts Time Jump, to stand up and (with his bonus 10' movement from Slick's Accelerating Touch) stride away from everyone. He then follows up the escape song with a healing hymn and casts Soothe:

♫"Thanks to Slick I'm better.
But wounds must be addressed.
If she flees, we let her.
This bard could use some rest."♫

Soothe (6th level): 6d10 + 24 ⇒ (8, 7, 3, 3, 8, 2) + 24 = 55

◆ Time Jump (stand and stride), ◆◆ Soothe
(3rd level and 6th level spell slots expended ... running low)
Billy has +2 AC for 1 round thanks to Lay on Hands and +2 status bonus to mental affects for 1 minute thanks to Soothe.

Slick lands a painful slash as the dragon flies in. She entirely shrugs off Dramiils spell (this triggers Foreseen Failure so you can choose a different spell. I will pause resolution until I know which. Note, this only triggers on critical passes/failures, not regular ones).

Dramiil furrows his brows and cups his hands, one facing one way, the other the opposite direction, building up a ball of blinding light, and then fires it at Sedisserax.

8d4 Inner Radiance Torrent H+1: 8d4 ⇒ (4, 4, 4, 3, 4, 2, 3, 1) = 25

Inner Radiance Torrent

Cmon, dragon, have a bad Reflex save.

As the blast of light hurtles towards her the dragon tries to twist away but instead puts her face directly in the line of fire!

She takes 50 damage and is blinded for a round!

Slick gets Billy back into the fight and strikes twice. The first atack would miss but as Dramiil has rewritten time and she is now blinded both attacks land!

Thats another 52 damage taking off inspire. She looks badly wounded.

Billy promptly flees, err, tactically repositions himself!

Nubnonk see's that the group are in trouble. He knows that dragons are dangerous and, when they land serious blows, they can often then reuse their breath weapons! He raises Guiding Light, gives vent to a battle cry and rushes forward!

He plunges his starknife into her big toe and she screams in rage! Seeing that she is outmatched Sedisserax beats her wings and takes to the air, seeking to flee!

Slick can take his OA first. Decide whether or not you want to strike for nonlethal first. If you dont take her down then she is likely to be out of sight as on her turn she will fly three times with a 150' fly speed.

As I'm being reminded by the GM of the possibility of nonlethal damage, and as we were warned that killing the dragon was not the recommended approach, and as it appears the dragon is running out of hp, and as the dragon is trying to flee, Slick figures that the dragon is history regardless of whether he hits it or not... so nonlethal damage it is.

Slick reacts quickly as the dragon seeks to flee. "Not so fast there, bub. We still have some unfinished business." He swats at the dragon with the flat of his blade as it tries to take off.

Reaction (↺): Attack of Opportunity: Strike (+2 Greater Striking Grievous Greatsword) with Enlarge and Nonlethal vs Sedisserax.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 23 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 23 + 2 - 2 = 40
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (1, 5, 11) + 8 + 2 = 27 nonlethal slashing damage

With a crash Sedisserax crumples to the ground. All around you the jungle grows still.

COMBAT OVER

Billy strides confidently out of the brush, now that Sedisserax is safely napping. "Excellent, my friends. Just like we drew it up!" Rubbing his aching side, the halfling walks over to the clearing and, with some effort, slides the heavy key into his Bag of Holding.

Looking at the unconscious dragon, Billy suggests. "Maybe we leave a note that we're just borrowing the key?" He asks, "We are planning on returning it after Blengkennu studies it, yes?"

Billy thinks for a bit and adds, "I could create an illusion of the key back in his cave. Which would last for an hour. And probably not fool her." After a minute, he offers, "I could also do an object reading of the key, to see what has happened to this key in the past week." He pauses and admits, "It's probably just been sitting in this cave." He frowns. "There you have it. I've exhausted all of my useless and unhelpful ideas." He brightens quickly, however, and says, "You're welcome! Shall we return to Blengkennu?"

This is your friendly reminder that Billy did see an awful lot of treasure in her cave. Of course, you may not want to take it with you...

Assuming someone brings up the dragon's hoard....

Billy's eyes flutter. "Oh, there was an impressive amount of treasure in that cave." The bard sighs dreamily. "But I don't view us as common thieves." Indicating his Bag of Holding, he adds, "We need to borrow the key to save the world. And ... maybe Blengkennu can get back into Sedisserax' good graces by returning the missing key." He smiles brightly. "I call that a win-win!"

If the group wants to plunder the cave, Billy can be talked into it. He's chaotic after all -- well, he was up until November 15th. As a player, I'd very much love having more loot. But that wouldn't be Billy's first choice.

Slick looks down at the unconscious dragon. "I'm pretty sure Sedisserax here will need a good night's sleep to recover her wits, so I don't think we're in any hurry here. How about we go collect our hard-earned reward?"

When Billy (and the GM :) suggest that that perhaps claiming their defeated foe's ill-gotten hoard might be considered theft, and that the dragon may take it badly, Slick scoffs. "Are we seriously concerned about the sensitivities of a creature that just tore poor Billy apart without so much as a by-your-leave and then tried to do the same to the rest of us? Really?"

He looks around at the others to gauge their feelings on the matter. "The only reason that I didn't kill her was because Blengkennu felt sorry for the beast, but come on now. Are there really going to be no consequences for her attempt to kill us all?"

Slick's general philosophy in life is that if someone tries to kill him, then they've forfeited their lives and their fortunes. But as I'm getting the feeling that leaving Sedisserax alive and not too unhappy about life is somehow the goal of this mini adventure, then I expect it won't take a lot of effort to get Slick to leave Sedisserax's loot alone and return with just the card.

"I think that a small penalty to remind Sedisserax not to just attack anyone could serve as a reminder. We could leave a note: 'We only needed to borrow the key; however, as you were rude, we will be exacting a fine. The next time people come by to parley, it would serve you well to grant them an audience. Yours, The Harrowers.'" His eyes twinkle. "We just need a bit of parchment."

There seems to be a general tendency towards taking at least some of her hoard. I assume you at least go and have a look. She will be unconscious for quite some time.

The group heads over to the cave, possibly with the assistance of a magical tunnel so they dont get their feet wet. Inside you find a small fortune in coins as well as a number of interesting looking objects.

In coins there is 312 gp, 6,802 sp, and 1,054 cp

The items include a beautiful jewelled sceptre (400gp), a pair of golden goblets (375gp each) and an intricately carved mask with a scroll inlaid inside of it (Mask of Terror).

Other objects include a darkwood club (+2 striking), a small crystal vial containing a glowing yellow liquid (oil of repulsion) and a small pouch of alchemical reagents (greater tanglefoot bag).

In pride of place however sits a set of sparkling blue scaled armour (+1 resilient standard grade cloud dragonhide armour which protects against electricity).

Let me know what, if any, of her loot you choose to take.

With the group together in the cave, Billy, in grandiose fashion, says with dramatic effect, "Oh, isn't it amazing?!" Gesturing excitedly to the left, "And here is the darkwood club I told you about...." Then moving to his right, "...and this is the reagents and scrolls section ..." Then stepping around some bejeweled goblets, he can barely contain his excitement as he points to the centerpiece item. "And this my friends, is some of the finest dragonhide armor I've seen." He looks longingly at it. "Perhaps if it was leather, not scale ..."

But he snaps out of his reverie quickly, "However, while Sedisserax did hope to fry me and eat me ... this is still her stuff. Let's merely borrow the key and suggest Blengkennu return it." After a quick pause, "Perhaps such an act of kindness will bring peace to the area. Dare to dream...."

Billy realizes how this hoard could help finance their operation, but he reluctantly turns away and heads back through the tunnel. And he hopes the others follow.

Slick casts an expert eye over the dragon's hoard. "Looks like all this stuff's worth about 8000 gold give or take. We can probably clear 5000 gold if we sell it all." He seems happy with the result and is about to ask Billy for the bag of holding when the bard decides to drop his bombshell.

Pausing in his examination of the jewels encrusted on the scepter he'd just picked up, he turns to face his friend. He struggles to find words. "I.. I thought you were just joking out there, Billy. You really think we should just leave all this loot behind?" Slick sees that Billy is quite adamant about his opinion and knows his friend well enough to realize that he is unlikely to be convinced otherwise. All the dreams he'd formed of what he'd spend his new fortune on melt away before his mind's eye.

He gives the scepter one last longing stare and drops it to the ground. His shoulders slump slightly in disappointment. "Fine! Whatever! Let's go collect The Juggler from Blengkennu and get our butts back to Harrowheart."

The group head back up the mountain to Blengkenu. As you enter the cave his greets you with arms wide open and a big grin on his face. I see you must have succeeded he shouts, gesturing to the altar where the Juggler card now sits at rest.

Taking the Key he seems relieved. Excellent, I can now complete my ritual and call upon Balumbdar's Herald. You are welcome to stay but its likely to take a couple of weeks. Feel free to take the card, I think you can take it now.

Approaching the card and reaching for it that turns out to be entirely true.

The card is now available to you on Roll20.

Returning to Harrowheart you can spend some time relaxing, resting and generally recovering from your various exertions. Several days later, on a trip back to one of your regular haunts, you find that a set of packages have arrived. A note accompanies them from the leaders of the dwarven city of Cloudspire. They thank you for interceding with Sedisserax. It seems that your actions spurred the dragon to seek a reconciliation with her former home.

Inside the packages you find the following items marked for each of you:

For Slick a Baldric of Bravery (Flight). Given you can just have people shout at you at the start of the day we can assume it starts each day fully charged.

For Nubnonk, a Greater Brooch of Inspiration.

For Dramiil a Mind's Light Circlet.

For Billy an Accompaniment Cloak.

Please check your invested item limit (10 normally, armour counts, weapons dont). Obviously you are free to sell these if you want but at half price.

When Slick retrieves The Juggler from Blengkennu's cave, Billy admires the performer on the card. "That's some real talent!" Studying it further, he adds, "If I'm reading it right, investing in the card allows you to hold three items instead of two." Looking at his 2-handed lute and at Slick's greatsword, he turns to the others, "Nubnonk? Dramiil?" While they're deciding, Billy adds, "Wow! When we epitomize it, we can create a portal to any city we've been to. Nice!"

Back at Harrowheart, he quickly casts Prestidigitation on his bloodied garments, before Baines notices. Much to his chagrin, it doesn't all come out, and he stands tall (for a halfling anyway) and accepts Baines admonishment.

[When gifts arrive ...]
Billy unwraps a Greater Persona Mask. He tries it on, and it fits perfectly. Excitedly, he beams, "Can't wait to try it out for my performances this week!"

[During the weeknight evenings at The Gutless Griffin...]

At The Gutless Griffin, Billy sits on stage, wearing his shiny new mask, strumming his lute, and singing glorious tales of trumpet plants and cloud dragons.

Performance +Virt Perf +Mask: 1d20 + 23 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 23 + 2 + 2 = 31
Success at DC 30, for a level 12 check
Performance (master) => 10gp x 7 days = 70gp
The crowd loves him, naturally. Still, he has a feeling this new mask is really helping.

Billy spends the following week with Slick at Harrowheart working on improving his mastery at investing magical items.
Billy spends 1 week retraining Incredible Investiture instead of Incredible Initiative.

Online character sheet updated with all changes. Does Billy regain his spent hero point?

Once safely back in Harrowheart, Slick takes off his armor and hands it off to Baines, along with any other equipment that needs cleaning and mending. "One of these days, Baines, we'll come back from one of our little adventures and not be covered in entrails. Unfortunately for you, this isn't one of those days."

When Billy holds up the new harrow card, Slick shrugs. "Doesn't do me any good. Just in case though, we shouldn't epitomize it until we need it."

When the gifts show up from the dwarves of Cloudspire, Slick liberates his new baldric from the pile. He tries it on for size and is satisfied with the fit. He takes his greatsword and slides it over his shoulder and into the back sheath; it's as if the baldric had been made specifically for his weapon. He calls out in a loud voice. "Baines! You don't have to worry about cleaning that ratty old baldric of mine. This new one I just got is even better."

Once everyone has recovered and is ready for a new adventure, Slick reviews their options. "We've taken care of four of the six portals. All that's left to retrieve is: The Trumpet, hidden somewhere in a barren wasteland full of aberrations; and The Silent Hag, hidden somewhere in a beautiful landscape of rolling hills. I don't know about you, but the second one sounds far more pleasant to me right now. What do you all say?"

Slick is once again unable to support himself using any skills available to him. Instead he will spend one of the two weeks retraining his Level 11 General Feat Untrained Improvisation to Incredible Investiture, and the other week hanging around The Gutless Griffin listening to Billy and chatting up the ladies with stories of his great adventures.

Baines silently takes Billy's equipment for cleaning. He clearly notices the flecks of blood the prestidigitation didnt remove but, diplomatically, says nothing.

Spending some time looking around you discover that the castle has undergone further improvements. The moat has been dredged and is now filled with cool, clear water. Small pike pursue smaller fish through the weeds. The drawbridge has been completed and the outer walls are now back in good order.

Inside things have improved. A small staff of maids has bee hired to see to the day to day tasks of running a castle and the various furnishings have been cleared of their dust sheets. Ancient cobwebs wave been swept away and carpets and rugs have been beaten into cleanliness. Slick discovers an ancient piano hidden away in an old store room, whether he tells Billy is an open question...

A rather formidable middle aged woman called Ms Prenderghast has taken over as Housekeeper. Baines appears to be both terrified of and besotted by her although also horrified that she has confiscated the keys to the wine cellar.

However, just as you are getting settled in Baines calls you to the Great Hall. The two remaining arches are glowing erratically, it seems the quest for the cards is calling for your attention once again.

OK, time to pick a location, Silent Hag or Trumpet. Everyone resets to 1 Hero point.

Every time the group returns, Billy is amazed at the positive changes to their new home.

Upon meeting the new housekeeper, Billy cheerfully introduces himself. "Ms. Prenderghast! It's a pleasure. Baines speaks highly of you." The bard winks at the butler, as he puts in a good word, and continues, "But where are my manners? I'm Billy. Billy Bardy. If you're a fan of the musical arts, you may have heard of me. I'm quite well-known throughout Absalom."

He looks around and muses aloud, "If only this place had a piano..."

Back in the Great Hall, Billy looks at the remaining gateways. He nods to Slick. "I like peaceful rolling hills. Sure, let's try The Silent Hag next."

Upon finding the piano in the storeroom he'd inadvertently entered looking for the nearest kitchen, Slick thinks of his friend. "Cool. I'll have to tell Billy about this when I see him later." But no sooner does he exit the storeroom than he spots the kitchen and his steadily increasing hunger almost instantly erases the existence of the instrument from his mind... perhaps forever.

"Billy, do you really think your music resonates to this demiplane?" Dramiil is particularly amused.

"Ms. Prendergast, a prea--er, a pleasure. Did I hear something about locking up the wine cellar? I think we might want to celebrate our rendering of a rather obstinate dragon to the realm of slumberland--for a short time, that is. They'll be all right, and probably incensed. I mean angry, not smelling good. They didn't really smell that good at all--sort of like lightning-ozone and halitosis."

He looks at the Mind's Light Circlet and then pulls out his Pendant of the Occult. "Hmm...I think I'd better sell this."

Dram turns to Billy again. "The Juggler is a lovely card, but generally speaking, I carry nothing in my hands. I tell you, though, I should be using The Big Sky, and we should consult The Carnival more often. It could tell us about these various annoying creatures we find ourselves up against. They won't all be flammable plants...I hope."

Billy responds, "Why Dramiil, my music resonates with many people far and wide. Why wouldn't it reach to the outer planes? As long as people experience the magic, and those people travel, there are no limits."

When the psychic mentions consulting The Carnival more often, Billy looks confused. "But Dramiil, we do use it as often as we can. In fact, we all visited the carnival together when I got the last vision of Blengkennu the Dwarf." Billy looks with concern and adds, "Are you feeling okay? Perhaps just a rest and hot meal! That always works for me. My favorite is second breakfast!"

While the group is milling about in the Great Hall, Billy studies the Silent Hag archway. With his focus on The Vision card, he envisions the rolling Hills beyond and attempts to recall what he knows.
GM, please make a secret Recall Knowledge check for the Silent Hag. Using the Vision card, Billy is at +21 at Hills Lore or any other appropriate lore.

After a week has passed, and after the group has decided on entering The Silent Hag, Billy suggests, "It's been a week. Shall we visit our friends at the magic Carnival and learn more about the day ahead?" Billy leads the way for anyone who wishes to join him at the Carnival.

And one last thing, GMAndrew, can we arrange another Circus visit to give us any premonitions of the coming day?

Ms Prenderghast bores into Dramiils mind with her steely gaze. [b]Sir, I do not approve of the consumption of alcohol save for a small sherry on High Holidays. I am quite sure none of you would approve of public drunkenness[b] she says with a knowing glare at Baines.

With that se turns with a swirl of her skirts and stalks out of the chamber.

Yes, you can go ahead and deal with any card epitomise abilities. I will make any relevant secret rolls before I move you on to the Silent Hag. I will look to recruit a 5th first. I hope to move us on by Monday, which should also hopefully avoid disruption from Slicks travels.

Dramiil slaps his forehead. "I completely forgot! My head has been in cloud cuckoo land for some time now, I fear. I think a sherry would be fine, perhaps then second sherry, followed by something hot in a mug."

Pinebrush stays quiet and out of the way, observing the staff. His explorations have brought him to this unexpected place, and now he needs a moment to assess.

Need to finish reading the thread...