PF2E Stolen Fate

Game Master andreww

As soon as they get clear of the jungle, Slick spots the rocs circling above and flattens himself against the cliff "There's no way I'm ending up as birdfood today." Unlike Billy with his nimble little fingers, he'd never been good at building things; As a city boy, he hadn't spent a lot of time in nature like Sigourney; and though he'd learned ways to move around quietly, a big guy like him in full plate was never going to move around as stealthily as a tiny sprite in regular clothing.

But he was strong, and years of training had taught him how to use that strength effectively. Slick grips the stones beside him and pulls himself up the cliff face moving from foothold to handhold until he's shielded by an overhang. He then works himself across the face, moving quickly up or down to put as much overhanging rock between himself and the massive flying raptors above.

Athletics with Armbands of Athleticism vs DC ??: 1d20 + 26 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 26 + 2 = 45

The group makes a swift descent down the cliffs and into the jungle. Behind you the two massive oozes emerge and begin making their way after you. The massive Rocs take the chance to pounce on potential prey. This is a very big mistake and soon there are oozes multiplying all over the place. The Rocs are torn to shreds and the oozes begin fighting with one another over the remains. Deciding discretion is the better part of valour and the idea of fighting a dozen or more very angry random oozes is a very bad idea you slip away into the thick jungle of the lower city. You may want to take a different route back to base when you return. This part of the city will be very dangerous for quite some time to come.

Heading deeper into the jungle you make your way to the Pit. The area surrounding it is thick with plants and you emerge, rather suddenly, into a clearing filled mostly with a deep, dark, hole. The pit’s edges are smooth, but jungle creepers and other plants have found purchase on the shaft’s walls, making for natural ladders, paths, and resting spots. At several points around the pit, water cascades from gaps and plummets into the dim depths. The pit itself is a good fifty feet across and its depth is uncertain, certainly more than a hundred feet. Sounds of intense battle boil in the gloom. The thundering croak of an amplified voice echoes from the bottom. Come! Our home overflows with enemies. Come! Fill it with their blood! Protect the mouth of the mother! Defend the magic she has given us! The Lost must not be lost!”

It seems that you have arrived at some pivotal moment in the lives of the morlocks you know live here. What do you do? If you want a chance to secure the card then it seems likely you have very little time to act.

Earlier, just after escaping from the oozes...

Sigourney and Reginald run for their lives, not daring to look back until the sounds of rocs being torn apart die down. Leaning against a tree, Sigourney takes deep, heavy breaths.

"By Nethys' never-ending nightmares, that...was very unpleasant. Let us never go back there and never speak of oozes again." She says between sharp gasps of air.

Sigourney spends a long while in contemplation. First, she Refocuses. Then, she spends an hour communing with nature through The Owl card.

Nature DC 30: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (3) + 27 = 30

We get one question to the primal spirits of nature that can be answered with a yes or no. The spirits know about animals, beasts, fey, fungi, plants, topography, and natural resources in the area. I'm thinking that we ask about what lives in the Pit, but I'm not sure what to ask.

The adrenaline pumping through her veins from the last encounter greatly distracts her. She is barely able to concentrate on maintaining the connection with a spirit. Knowing that she has only enough time to ask one question, she quickly consults with the party before calling out to the spirit.

Back to the present.

Sigourney peers down the pit. "It's quite deep. We had better get down there with magic or climb." She remarks.

Sigourney casts Air Walk on herself.

"Everyone ready?" She asks the group. Once she hears their assent, she walks on air down to the bottom of the pit.

Slick is happy to leave the oozes and rocs to fight it out while the group quietly slips away. Watching the battle from a safe distance, Slick tut-tuts to himself. "Doesn't look great for the rocs. When we're done, we better go back the long way around or we're likely to end up facing a small army of oozelets"

When they finally reach the Pit, Slick looks in trying to determine its depth with little luck. He listens to the clash of arms below, then to the booming voice of what he presumes is the leader of one of the sides in the conflict. It was likely that of the morlock leader, and the verbal capitalization of The Lost was not lost on him. "Sounds like the morlocks may be dealing with some unwelcome visitors intent on capturing the Harrow card we're here to obtain. We better get ourselves down there before it's too late."

He waits impatiently while Sigourney and the rest ready themselves. He then closes his eyes and with an "It's flyin' time", activates the Bravery Baldric and feels himself getting lighter.

Action: Activate an Item: Bravery Baldric: Gain effects of Fly - Duration: 5 minutes

Responding to Sigourney's question with a "I'm ready. Let's go!" he grips his sword tightly and dives head-first into the Pit.

Action: Fly (45 feet) with Bravery Baldric (Flight)

Once safely clear of the oozes and rocs, Billy brings up his ambient music as they head for The Pit.

Now that we know the situation, a yes/no question of the nature spirits is unlikely to be helpful. You could ask, "Would the natives of the Pit consider us friends?" or "Do the natives of the Pit need our help?" But at this point, it seems rather moot.

Upon arriving at the destination, Billy sings,
♫"We made it to the Pit. Are people down there dying?
To make quick work of it, we all need to be flying."♫
Billy casts Air Walk on himself.

Striding quickly into the Pit, he introduces himself to the worried locals, "Greetings! I'm Billy. These are my friends. We're travelers sent here to help protect your home. If you'll let us try, please tell us what's happening."

If allowed...
Diplomacy to Make an Impression +cloak +music: 1d20 + 26 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 26 + 2 + 1 = 46

The spirits reply to Sigourney with a resounding YES!

Rushing to the Pit you fly or air walk down into the depths. Billy is all prepared to make more friends but as you emerge into a huge cave its apparent that isnt going to be an option for now. The cavern is filled with a mass of howling, shrieking and cavorting demons, tearing morlocks apart as they do so.

As you emerge into the cave the demons notice you, look up and begin to screech in rage as they turn on new, fresh meat.

The morlocks are gathered to the south east, apparently trying to protect the cave beyond. You are currently 30' up. These are obviously more troops. Given the need for speed there is no time for exploration activities.

Initiative
Slick : 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (8) + 25 = 33
Billy : 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (2) + 25 = 27, +2 item visual/hearing
Pinebrush, Stealth: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (1) + 25 = 26, Perception +24, +1 circ if visual
Sigourney: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (17) + 23 = 40, +2 item visual

Sigourney's eyes widen in recognition as she spots the fiendish foes massed below.

"Demons!" She yells with anger in her voice. "I won't let you destroy this place like Harrowheart!" She cries as she rushes down.

Noticing the hoards of demons gathered so close by below the party, Sigourney knows it will be difficult to hit the enemy without hitting her friends...Without divine intervention, that is.

Raising her hands into the air, Sigourney requests the aid of Atreia's divine herald. She begins the long chant required to summon such a powerful creature.

"With my connection to the Plane of Fire, I call out to you." She begins her incantation in a tinny voice.

"With my voice, I request that you eliminate the corrupted, unholy demons which are anathema to you." She continues, trying to reason with the herald by referencing Atreia's anathema.

"With my knowledge, I bind you with your True Name" " - To do my bidding!" She yells the last line of the incantation, her chanting reaching its apex in intensity and volume.

"Prometheus! Come, Herald of Atreia! Remove the corruption that these demons bring to this plane!"

Using the spell Summon Elemental Herald, I summon a Huge creature 30 feet below us. It has the effects of the Fire Elemental Herald's Arrive effect on this turn and gets one move action and a Depart effect next turn.

With her spell complete, the cave rumbles as the ground below the party ferociously shakes. Giant cracks open in the ground as a volcanic eruption in miniature takes place! Viscous lava flows out of a multitude of cracks, enveloping and burning the demons while magically flowing around the morlocks and the party.

Fire, DC 36 Reflex Save, Area: 10d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 4, 5, 3, 5, 5, 1, 6, 1) = 41

Fire, DC 36 Reflex Save, Persistent damage: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 6) = 11

Arrive (fire) Magma Flow: The herald of fire flows into the area as living magma, dealing 10d6 fire damage and 3d6 persistent fire damage to all enemies in a 60-foot emanation with a basic Reflex save. Given the response of the spirits earlier, I don't consider the Morlocks an enemy.

Pine works a spell as he drops into the pit, so that he'll be able to see once the party reaches its depths.

Cast Darkvision before we get to the bottom.

Sigourney unleashes fiery death at the massed demons in the cave.

Below, the demons scream in rage at Sigourney. Two of the massed demons hurl a mix of rocks, bits of morlock and other debris at the party. Sigourney takes a morlock torso to the chest but otherwise everyone is unscathed.

Billy springs sings into action.

♫"We find ourselves here at The Pit.
Where demons advance and don't quit.
.....But heroes are strong.
.....Inspired by song.
Let's kill them. And not give a shizzit."♫

Lingering Performance +VirtPerf +Mask +Music, DC 34: 1d20 + 28 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 28 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 34
Let's reroll using the 1/day Greater Persona Mask reroll.
Lingering Performance +VirtPerf +Mask +Music, DC 34: 1d20 + 28 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 28 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 41
Success: Courageous Anthem duration 3 rounds. Cost: 1 focus point.

He then hastens the party.

♫"The morlocks need a hand. The demons are horrific.
I'm Billy, one-man band. Some haste would be terrific."♫
Cast Haste (7th rank) for the party.

◇ Ling Comp, ◆ CA, ◆◆ Haste

In about 8 hours I will be getting on the first of what will be a 24+ hour set of flights that will end up with me in Perth, Australia. You will probably not hear from me during that time, especially not during the 16-hour flight from San Francisco to Melbourne. Two weeks from now I will be doing the same thing all over again but in reverse.

Slick pauses a moment to let Billy do his usual fine job of prepping the party with musical courage and speed. He then drops to the ground next to the most damaged looking of the demon troops and starts cutting his way through them.

Action (◇): Delay: Until end of Billy's turn.

Action 1 (◆): Fly (45 feet) with Fly Spell - Now at 0 feet in the air.

Action 2 (◆): Strike (+2 Greater Striking Grievous Keen Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem vs Red.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 28 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 28 + 2 + 1 = 40
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (5, 11, 10) + 13 + 1 = 40 slashing damage

Action 3 (◆): Exacting Strike - On a miss, next Strike uses same MAP
- Action: Strike (+2 Greater Striking Grievous Keen Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem and MAP1 vs Red.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 28 + 2 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (18) + 28 + 2 + 1 - 5 = 44
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (7, 3, 11) + 13 + 1 = 35 slashing damage

Assuming a hit, possibly an actual crit, so next attack at MAP2, possibly versus Off-Guard.

Action 4 (◆): Strike (+2 Greater Striking Grievous Keen Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem, Haste and MAP2 vs Off-Guard? Red.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 28 + 2 + 1 - 10 ⇒ (3) + 28 + 2 + 1 - 10 = 24 vs Off-Guard?

If the last time we ran into these guys is anything to go by, this is a miss, and even assuming that the last strike was a crit, this will not take Red off the board. Will use a harrow ritual reroll to try and finish the job.

Rerolling with my Harrow Ritual result: Hammers (⚒): - Crit Success (+: reroll Strike check with +4 status bonus)

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 28 + 2 + 1 - 10 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 28 + 2 + 1 - 10 + 4 = 39 vs Off-Guard?
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (12, 4, 9) + 13 + 1 = 39 slashing damage

Pine follows Slick, diving into the mass of demons. He zips and darts around, stabbing and slicing at as many of them as he can.

◆ Fly
◆ Strike Rapier: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (3) + 28 = 31 for piercing: 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (1, 6, 5) + 8 = 20, precision: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 5) = 9, and spirit damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2
◆ Strike shortsword: 1d20 + 28 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 28 - 4 = 30 for slashing: 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 6, 3) + 8 = 20, precision: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 2) = 9, and spirit damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2
◆ Strike shortsword: 1d20 + 28 - 8 ⇒ (18) + 28 - 8 = 38 for slashing: 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (6, 4, 3) + 8 = 21,precision: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 1) = 3, and spirit damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Assuming they're immune to Debilitating Strikes as a single-target non-damaging effect, but if it works then if at least one attack works it's Enfeebled and takes persistent bleed 3d6

Billy does Billy things, enabling Slick and Pine to tag team the demons. Both feel the familiar wash of fear as they get closer to the cavorting demons. Slick is fine, Pine feels his limbs quaking.

Slick descends onto one of the masses and begins hacking away.

Hit for 40, Crit for 70, no off guard, troops are immune to that sort of single target nonsense, hit for 39. Red is still there.

Pine then descends into the midst of them but, as he does so they tear and claw at him but he easily evades them. However, even as quick as he is, they largely evade him.

Only the last attack hits, they ignore individual stuff like debilitating strikes. Red survives, but is much reduced in force.

Od the remaining throngs, one advances on Slick, trying to tear him apart, but he easily evades them. The other throws more detritus at Billy and Sig, screaming at Billy to such up with the awful racket. None of it even comes close to touching either.

Sigourney laughs as the herald of fire wreaks havoc on the demon's ranks. She is so busy laughing that she doesn't notice the morlock torso flying directly into her and gets hit right in the stomach. Fortunately, given that it's just a morlock torso, it doesn't hurt that much. She continues cackling at the feeble attempts by the demons to hit her.

"Pathetic! Let's end this quickly." She says as she begins to cast more spells.

To add to the elemental storm, she creates freezing sleet and heavy snowfall around the legs of the Red demon horde, freezing and burning them at the same time.

8th rank Clinging Ice vs Red.

DC 36 Reflex, Cold, CA: 8d4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 3, 1) + 1 = 26

After that, she gathers up a bolt of lightning in her hands. Pointing them at the Blue horde, she watches as the bolt arcs from horde to horde.

7th rank Chain Lightning vs Blue, Red, Green and then Orange.

DC 36 Reflex, Electricity, CA: 9d12 + 1 ⇒ (12, 10, 12, 9, 3, 12, 6, 4, 5) + 1 = 74

The Herald of Atreia sees that its job here is done. It disappears in a pillar of fire that burns all demons still left alive.

Depart (fire) Flame Vortex: Each enemy in a 60-foot line takes 6d6 fire damage and 3d6 persistent fire damage with a basic Reflex save as the fire herald whips into a fire pillar before vanishing.

DC 36 Reflex, Area, Fire, CA: 6d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 5, 2, 3, 1, 3) + 1 = 19 + 3d6+1 Persistent Fire

◆ Clinging Ice, ◆◆ Chain Lightning

Sigourney pours elemental power down into the cavern. The ice encases the red throng, shattering their resolve and scattering them. Electrical energy erupts amongst all of them, dealing terrible damage. Finally, the mass of lava rises up into a huge column and sweeps through a pair of them.

I am going to assume Green and Orange as they are the most damaged

In the aftermath of the devastation the cavern is much damaged and the hordes significantly dispersed. Rocks crack, having been subject to severe cold and heat in such quick succession and the smell of ozone is heavy in the air.

Much reduced, but still very angry, the blue horde hurls debris at Sigourney and Billy. Billy takes a bit of the flak but is mostly fine.

Hmph. The individual demons were so inconsequential that Pine didn't need any fancy tricks against them, and it wouldn't be useful if he did--most of the swarm wouldn't even be able to see anything he did. Even turning invisible didn't seem that useful, with that many demons swinging at him.

So the only thing to do... He raised his sword and used its power to skewer some of the demons in the decimated group to the southwest, before hurrying forward to cut into the rest of them.

◆◆ Extending Strike Green Rapier: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (9) + 28 = 37 for piercing: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 3, 1) + 6 = 15 and spirit damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3. On a crit, double and add deadly damage: 2d8 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5
◆ Stride. Pine will move into Green's space adjacent to Billy if it's still up, otherwise into Orange's space where I optimistically placed him on the map
◆ Strike shortsword: 1d20 + 28 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 28 - 4 = 29 for slashing: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 1, 3) + 6 = 11 and spirit damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

With the demon troops he was attacking now scattering to the winds, Slick turns to face the remaining throngs. With a blood-curdling yell, he goes into a battle frenzy and charges the biggest mass of fiends. He slices into them viciously with his greatsword before quickly moving on to the next group and then the last, repeating his attacks against each demonic legion in turn. Finally running out of steam, he makes one last wild attack against the demons he finds himself next to.

In order, Slick will target Blue, Green, and lastly Orange, twice.

Actions 1, 2 & 3 (◆◆◆): Path of Iron
- Action: Stride (45 feet)
- Action: Strike (+2 Greater Striking Grievous Keen Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem vs Blue.
- Action: Strike (+2 Greater Striking Grievous Keen Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem vs Green.
- Action: Strike (+2 Greater Striking Grievous Keen Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem vs Orange.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 28 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 28 + 2 + 1 = 49 vs Blue
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (5, 4, 11) + 13 + 1 = 34 slashing damage

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 28 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 28 + 2 + 1 = 51 vs Green
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (2, 7, 6) + 13 + 1 = 29 slashing damage

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 28 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 28 + 2 + 1 = 35 vs Orange
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (1, 9, 3) + 13 + 1 = 27 slashing damage

Action 4 (◆): Strike (+2 Greater Striking Grievous Keen Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem, Haste and MAP2 vs Orange.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 28 + 2 + 1 - 10 ⇒ (4) + 28 + 2 + 1 - 10 = 25 vs Orange
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1, 1) + 13 + 1 = 18 slashing damage

After being pelted by debris, Billy casually brushes himself off and air walks away from the largest troop. He happens to wind up strategically near Slick. Gripping his Staff of Final Rest he sends a vial of holy water at the remaining troops and casts Holy Cascade at the unholy demon horde.

With a 20' burst, he should be able to hit 2 adjacent troops (either green/orange (1st choice) or green/blue (2nd choice). If only blue/orange left, target orange. If only blue left, blue it is.

Bludgeoning/Water Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 3) = 8
Spirit to Unholy: 6d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 5, 4, 3, 6) = 26
20' Burst. Basic Reflex Save DC 36

He then brings up a magical shield.

◆ Stride (hasted action, ◆◆ Haste, ◆ Shield

Pine launches his rapier at the mass of demons who are very surprised. He then rushes forward into the mass of demons, easily avoiding their clumsy blows but his momentum throws off his aim with his second strike.

Slick then barrels through them all, dispersing Green. Finally Billy dumps a load of holy water over orange which scatters, screaming in pain at the holy burns.

From her position above the demons, Sigourney watches the destruction below her with mirth. Unleashing all this magical power on demons that definitely deserved it is...intoxicating. She composes herself for a moment before flinging more cold and acidic magic at the last horde.

8th rank Clinging Ice Vs Blue

DC 36 Reflex, Cold, CA: 8d4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2, 1, 2, 1, 1, 4, 2) + 1 = 16

8th rank Caustic Blast Vs Blue

DC 36 Reflex, Acid, Area damage, CA: 4d8 + 1 ⇒ (3, 3, 7, 6) + 1 = 20

◆ Clinging Ice, ◆◆ Caustic Blast

The demons shriek and howl as they are engulfed in more elemental energy. They hurl a bunch more debris at Sigourney but she easily avoids the rubble. At that point the rest of the group descend on the few remaining demons and shatter them!

Going to call this here, the troop is nearly defeated as is.

As the rest of the group descends to the cavern floor a voice called from the cave to the south east.

Combat status

Slick [233]
Billy [186], 5 damage, see invisibile,
Pinebrush [201]
Sigourney [188], 27 damage
Reginald [105]

A rock goes flying by Sigourney's head as she casts spells on the demons. "You should be more worried about the armed men next to you instead of me." She remarks as Slick and Pine tear the remaining demons to pieces.

Dropping down to the surface of the cave, she is convinced that the threat of the demons have been dealt with. Happy with a job well done, she steps onto her floating disc and acts like she's above it all (by a few inches, at least).

She idly listens to a voice call out in a language she doesn't understand. "No clue what they just said, but it's not speaking in Demonic. Probably nothing to worry about." She says in a completely unconcerned tone.

Activating her staff, she lets out an emanation of Healing energy to cure the light wounds the party endured.

5th rank Heal, Staff of Healing (Major): 5d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 8, 1, 1, 6) + 3 = 27

"Ready to go whenever you all are." She says, as she Sustains her disc in whichever direction the party goes.

Pinebrush doesn't understand the language, so he looks hopefully toward the others (Billy?) to see if they have a solution other than resorting to pantomime.

Though he's ready to do that, too.

When the last of the demons scatter under the group's relentless attaks, Slick doesn't bother chasing down the remnants. "I wonder if these guys were sent by The Prince of Wolves. Seems likely, eh? I guess he won't be happy when the stragglers report back to him as to what happened here. Heh, heh, heh." He chuckles at the thought.

Turning to face the voice in the cave, he cannot make head nor tail of what is being said. He turns to Billy. "Yo, Billy! You're good with languages. Can you understand them?"

Looking at his sheet Billy doesnt understand it either. Assuming you head in anyway...

The entrance to the south eastern cavern is barricaded and guarded by half a dozen exhausted looking morlocs. Seeing you, they reluctantly pull the blockage aside, allowing you entrance. Beyond you see a large number of wounded morlocks sprawled on the floor, some dead or dying.

The rough-hewn hall still has features of a natural cavern. To the west, between two tunnel openings, a stylized statue of a winged jackal with three eyes looms over a seat carved from the same part of the wall. A human skeleton lies sprawled at the throne’s feet.

Seated on the throne is a powerfully built female morlock. Snarling, she barks out at you again, this time in a different language.

Slick turns to Billy again. "Any luck this time? I think she's speaking a different language."

While Billy does his diplomatic best to avoid another bloodbath, Slick holds up his empty hands in a sign of peace and uses them to try and show that he can help the dead and dying. If allowed to approach, he will use his healing touch to heal the wounded morlocks.

Slick can Lay on Hands twice immediately and then once again every 10 minutes after that. He also has Mercy to reduce fear and paralyzation effects.

Pine doesn't understand the words, but the situation seems straightforward. He holds up his medic's tools.

Sigourney floats through the entrance without meeting resistance. Seeing the morlocks in such a sad state tugs at her heartstrings. She enters the hall with the intent not to immediately start a fight.

The morlock on the throne cuts an imposing figure, although less so given the number of dying morlocks around her. Sigourney raises an eyebrow in alarm at the overt threat from the morlock. She translates the message for the party, saying to them in Taldane: "She says that the Lost is theirs and we will never take it. Also that she will feast on our bones."

Whispering into Billy's ear, she asks if he speaks Abyssal or if he's got a spell that lets him do so.

Billy is relieved when the last of the demon hordes disperse. "Where should we..." but is interrupted by a strange language. With his accompanying music still playing, he sings:
"A language I don't know. The fun, it never ends.
Let's put on a good show. Time to make new friends."
Billy casts Translate (4th rank) so the entire party (and Reginald) can speak Undercommon.

After hearing/understanding their threat in Abyssal, the bard stows his Staff, retrieves his Jug, and boldly leads the group into the next room.

Holding his jug in a non-threatening manner, he says, in Undercommon, "Greetings. I'm Billy. We heard you were being attacked and we're here to help." He smiles and pours drinks. "My friends took care of the demons back there. Perhaps theres more we can do to prove our good intentions. Care to join us in celebratory libations?" Billy takes a sip and offers drinks to their leader.

Diplomacy to Make an Impression +cloak +jug +music: 1d20 + 26 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 26 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 43

As the group begin to speak to the morlock priestess they are interrupted by the arrival of a massive, monstrous creature. At least 12' tall, with the head of a wolf, the body of a muscular, six armed man and the tail of a huge serpent, the creature wields a blade in each hand.

With a roar it calls out, So many victims in such a small place! The Prince of Wolves will regret not leading this invasion personally!

Initiative
Slick : 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (7) + 25 = 32
Slick Battle Cry: 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (2) + 31 = 33
Billy : 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (6) + 25 = 31, +2 item visual/hearing, +2 circ scout
Pinebrush, Stealth: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (4) + 28 = 32, Perception +24, +1 circ if visual, +2 circ scout
Sigourney: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (15) + 23 = 38, +2 circ scout, +2 item visual

The priestess reacts first and casts two spells in quick succession. The first surrounds her in a disturbing aura of yellow light, the second is clearly shield.

I have put an aura on the priestess, if you enter it please make a will save.

The wolf headed monster casts a spell, raising their blades they unleash a barrage of duplicate weapons.

Going to pause to see if anyone wants to reroll.

To avoid the spell, Billy responds by drawing a Harrow card.
Chaotic Destiny reroll from Crown of Chaos background.

Chaotic Destiny reroll: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (16) + 25 = 41

Harrow Omen Suit - 1:Hammers (Strikes), 2:Keys (Reflex), 3:Shields (Fort), 4:Books (Skill), 5:Stars (Will), 6:Crowns (Other): 1d6 ⇒ 6
Hooray! With suit of Crowns (see Crown of Chaos link above), improve roll by one step.

Reflex, Harrow reroll +0, +1 v magic: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (20) + 26 = 46

For a moment, it seems as if Sigourney is going to be cut to pieces by a mass of really sharp blades.

But with the power of Billy's harrow, time seems to slow down for her moments before she is about to be impacted by the blades. Seizing the opportunity, she walks through the barrage, completely unharmed.

Thanks Billy.

Billy's harrow card deflects the incoming blades while Sigourney twists her way through them. Only Pine is mildly sliced by them. Seeing him harmed, the monster bellows in fury at Pine, who quails a little.

Sigourney glares at the wolf-headed being. "Your day will get a lot worse." She says to him in Abyssal. Biding her time, she waits for Billy to do his usual song and dance.

Delay for Billy's Haste and CA.

At the start of her turn, Sigourney's patron takes control of Reginald.

Patron's puppet to Command Reginald.

A blue bolt then appears over her head.
Using the most relevant lore at Legendary proficiency (+28), she then tries to Recall Knowledge about what she overheard at any point in time about Drendroz and his lowest defence. She wants to know the details of his lowest save, and if she critically succeeds his best known feature.

With haste in her step, she moves away from Drendroz to the back of the cavern. At a safe distance away, she casts Sure strike, focusing herself to make sure her next spell strikes true.

"You're going to burn, Drendroz. In brightest day, in darkest night, I release my Fire sign - Holy Light! " She intones in Abyssal.

Casting 6th rank Holy Light.

Holy Light, CA, Albatross Curse: 1d20 + 26 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 26 + 1 + 1 = 48

Holy Light, CA, Albatross Curse: 1d20 + 26 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 26 + 1 + 1 = 42

Critical Hit with Nat 20.

Fire, CA: 11d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 6, 4, 2, 1, 6, 5, 1, 3, 2, 2) + 1 = 34

Spirit, Holy: 11d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 3, 6, 5, 4, 5, 1, 6, 2, 5) = 45

Double damage for 68 Fire and 90 Spirit if enemy is Unholy.

◇ Patron's Puppet (Command), ◇ Recall Knowledge (The Vision), ◆ Stride, ◆ Sure Strike, ◆◆ Holy Light

Just before Sigourney's turn...

Reginald's head jerks up unnaturally as if compelled by a voice only he can hear. He stands up on his hind legs and points a finger at Drendroz. He Casts a Spell at Drendroz, saying to him in Abyssal: "Let's see how you like having this around your neck."

Casting Albatross Curse on Drendroz. Attacks against Drendroz gain a +1 circumstance bonus with no save. If Drendroz wants to remove this bonus, he must Strike the albatross and then make a Will save.

Reginald then hastily strides towards the back of the cave.

◆◆ Albatross Curse, ◆ Stride

When the new creature appears, Slick's focus quickly shifts from the relatively harmless priestess to the far more dangerous looking newcomer. "Aha! Seems I was right about The Prince of Wolves being behind this attack."

Slick casually ducks under the barrage of blades sent their way and looks over the six-armed serpentine monstrosity they're up against. Knowing that The Prince of Wolves was no idiot and must have a pretty good idea of their capabilities by now, Slick assumes that the solitary opponent they were now facing must be an extremely powerful demon requiring their very best efforts to vanquish.

As he waits for Billy and Sigourney to do their thing, he decides to try and buttress his defenses with a ward. Slick strides forward to get the demon within range and with an "It's mighty morphin' time", he lashes out at it with his greatword before following it up with another wilder strike hoping for a lucky hit.

Action (◇): Delay: Until end of Billy's turn.

The following assumes Courageous Anthem, Haste, and Albatross Curse are in place. The +1 status to attacks of Courageous Anthem stacks with the +1 circumstance of Albatross Curse

Action 1 (◆): Stride with Haste (45 feet)

Action 2 & 3 (◆◆): Cast a Spell: Warding Aggression
- Action: Strike (+2 Greater Striking Grievous Keen Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem and Albatross Curse vs Drenodroz.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 28 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 28 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 43
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (2, 7, 5) + 13 + 1 = 28 slashing damage

I'm assuming a simple Success here for a +2 status bonus to AC for 1 minute (making it 39 vs Drenodroz). A failure means only a +1 bonus to AC.

Action 4 (◆): Strike (+2 Greater Striking Grievous Keen Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem, Albatross Curse and MAP1 vs Drenodroz.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 28 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (3) + 28 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 5 = 30
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (5, 12, 6) + 13 + 1 = 37 slashing damage

Billy glares at the wolf-serpent-demon, "Excuse me, Sir. We're talking here. And you're interrupting." Shaking his head at the demon's rudeness, Billy inspires the team and then provides some magical haste.

♫"To show the great priestess we're brave.
Slay demons, right here in this cave.
.....Its arms: there are many.
.....My charms: I have plenty.
It's time to dig Wolfy a grave."♫

Lingering Performance +VirtPerf +Mask +Music, DC 34: 1d20 + 28 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 28 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 37
Success: Courageous Anthem duration 3 rounds. Cost: 1 focus point.

♫"The demon-wolf is cursed: It thinks that we're out-classed.
It may have acted first, but we'll be moving fast."♫
Cast Haste (7th rank) for the party.

◇ Ling Comp, ◆ CA, ◆◆ Haste

Billy does Billy things.

Sigourney searches her memories for what she might know about the wolf headed monster. It seems likely he is some variant marilith but she isnt quite certain. Regardless, she then burns him with holy flames. He screams in agony at the blast.

Meanwhile, Reginald produces a magic bird from, somewhere. Probably best not to ask where.

Slick rushes forward and as he does so the massive tail lashes out, catching Slick in the side. As he goes to cast a spell the monstrosity reacts again, leaving a bloody wound across the chest and disrupting his spell. This blow clearly throws Slick off and his attack goes well wide. The monster grins unpleasantly at him.

Reacting to the monster's tail strike, Sigourney casts a spell on Slick. His body suddenly erupts into white, shiny scales. She hopes that these newly formed scales save Slick from some damage.

Casting 4th rank Hidebound on Slick. This gives him resistance 8 to physical damage except against adamantine for 1 round.

Oh. No.

Pinebrush considers going invisible, but that might just make it focus more on Slick. Let's just shut that down instead.

"I don't think I even like her much, but I like you less," he says, invoking the magic of his weapon to strike from a distance, before dashing in to follow up.

◆◆ Extending Strike (this does have Manipulate, so it might not help if it has 15 foot reach) Raper: 1d20 + 28 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 28 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 38 vs Off-Guard for piercing: 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 1, 2) + 8 = 15, precision: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 1) = 4, and spirit damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2
◇ Debilitating Strikes. If the attack hit, the demon can't use reactions and is Enfeebled 1
◆ Stride
◆ Strike Shortsword: 1d20 + 28 + 1 + 1 - 1 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 28 + 1 + 1 - 1 - 4 = 33 vs Off-Guard for slashing: 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 6, 6) + 8 = 24, precision: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 6) = 12, and spirit damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Sadly Drenodroz only seems to have reach with his tail and it isnt 15'

Pine stabs out with his magically extending rapier and just manages to poke the monster in the thigh, distracting it. Flying in, his second attack goes well wide.

Xiuli casts another spell, her body transforms, she grows a third eye, her face elongates and her ears become strangely pointed. Her limbs lengthen and add an extra joint and she rises into the air.

Drenodroz glares over at Sigourney. He would very much like to eviscerate her but sees that he has a pair of dangerous opponents to deal with in front of him. He narrows his gaze on Slick and all six blades he wields begin to twist and turn in a deadly symmetry. Then, suddenly, he strikes twice but only a single blade pierces Slicks defences. His remaining blades fall into a defensive pattern. His tail then flicks out at the bird circling him, crushing it mercilessly.

"...I don't like the way he's looking at me." Sigourney comments nervously.

Sigourney looks at Slick and gives him some much needed healing.

Casting 5th rank Heal. on Slick.

Heal, Staff of Life: 5d8 + 43 ⇒ (3, 8, 8, 6, 5) + 43 = 73

She then glances over at the marilith-like creature. In a low voice, she threatens the creature with pain if he harms Slick."Mind Sign - Needle of Vengeance. Harm my friend Slick and your headache will get worse."

Casting 8th rank Needle of Vengeance on Drendroz. If he takes a hostile action against Slick for as long as I sustain the spell, he takes 16 mental damage with a basic Will save.

◆◆ Heal, ◆ Needle of Vengeance

Slick was half expecting the demon to tear him to pieces and is more than happy to find himself with only one more hole added to the count. He calls up to the large creature. "Come on, now! Put your back into it. I've seen you do worse than that."

Just as he's about to pick up where he left off with Drenodroz, he feels a wave of wellness spread over him. Several of the holes and cuts in his body seal up in response. "Good one Sigourney. Saves me from having to do it." Hefting his greatsword, he pauses to let Billy act first, then gets back to the task of cutting the demon down to size.

Action (◇): Delay: Until end of Sigourney and Billy's turn.

Action 1 (◆): Strike (+2 Greater Striking Grievous Keen Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem and Gang Up vs Off-Guard Drenodroz.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 28 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 28 + 2 + 1 = 44 vs Off-Guard
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (9, 10, 4) + 13 + 1 = 37 slashing damage

Action 2 (◆): Exacting Strike - On a miss, next Strike uses same MAP
- Action: Strike (+2 Greater Striking Grievous Keen Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem, Gang Up and MAP1 vs Off-Guard Drenodroz.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 28 + 2 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (5) + 28 + 2 + 1 - 5 = 31 vs Off-Guard
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (8, 11, 12) + 13 + 1 = 45 slashing damage

Assuming that was a miss. Next Strike uses same MAP1.

Action 3 (◆): Exacting Strike - On a miss, next Strike uses same MAP
- Action: Strike (+2 Greater Striking Grievous Keen Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem, Gang Up and MAP1 vs Off-Guard Drenodroz.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 28 + 2 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (17) + 28 + 2 + 1 - 5 = 43 vs Off-Guard
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (12, 12, 9) + 13 + 1 = 47 slashing damage

Assuming that was a hit. Next Strike uses MAP2.

Action 4 (◆): Strike (+2 Greater Striking Grievous Keen Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem, Haste and MAP2 vs Off-Guard Drenodroz.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 28 + 2 + 1 - 10 ⇒ (18) + 28 + 2 + 1 - 10 = 39 vs Off-Guard
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (12, 1, 5) + 13 + 1 = 32 slashing damage

With the group inspired and hasted, Billy strategically backs away. Then, considering how well Sigourney's holy fire worked, Billy tries it himself. He sings out:
♫"It nearly took Slick down. This demon packs a punch.
No more playing 'round: A holy fire lunch."♫

Holy Light (5th rank) +CA: 1d20 + 26 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 26 + 1 = 46
Fire Damage: 9d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 5, 1, 6, 2, 1, 5, 6) = 38
Spirit Damage +Dangerous Sorcery: 9d6 + 5 ⇒ (1, 5, 3, 5, 1, 4, 4, 2, 6) + 5 = 36

Finally, he says, "wield shield" to bring up a magical shield.

◆ Stride (hasted), ◆◆ Holy Light (120' range), ◆ Shield

Pine exploits the distraction Slick presents with a vicious jab of his own.

"Yeah, I can see why you're a regrettable choice," he says as he hops up, focusing on the power of one of his harrow cards as he delivers a magical sting with a light touch of his rapier--and then a more physical one with the same weapon.

He finishes with a brutal cut, impossibly deep.

⟳ Opportune Backstab (assuming Slick hit at least once there) Rapier: 1d20 + 28 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 28 + 1 + 1 = 47 for piercing: 3d6 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5, 6, 2) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 22, precision: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 4) = 15, and spirit damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5. If crit, double damage and add deadly damage: 2d8 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8, Off-Guard one round, and he provokes RS from Slick as though he'd used a manipulate action. Total of 42 damage, or 92 on crit.
◆◆ use The Snakebite to cast purple worm sting. DC 35 Fort save.
◆ Strike Rapier: 1d20 + 28 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 28 + 1 + 1 = 50 for piercing: 3d6 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2, 2) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 16, precision: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 1) = 7, and spirit damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2. If crit, double damage and add deadly damage: 2d8 ⇒ (8, 7) = 15, Off-Guard one round, and he provokes RS from Slick as though he'd used a manipulate action. Total of 65 on crit.
◆ Strike Shortsword: 1d20 + 28 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 28 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 32 for piercing: 3d6 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1, 3) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 15, precision: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 2) = 8, and spirit damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5. If crit, double damage, Off-Guard one round, and he provokes RS from Slick as though he'd used a manipulate action. Probably a miss, but total of 28.
◇ Debilitating Strike. No reactions and Enfeebled 1 round. If already Enfeebled from purple worm sting, instead take 3d6 persistent bleed.

Sigourney brings some much needed healing to Slick and invades the mind of the demonic entity. It doesnt seem to notice. Slick unleashes a flurry of blows but the creatures blades seem to be everywhere, meeting his attacks. Two manage to slip past his guard. Distracted by warding off Slick, Pine manages to jab him (this causes Dreondroz to provoke from the opportune backstab but I assume Slick doesnt want to take his RS here as I believe it would be at MAP as it is occurring on his turn)

Billy then blasts him with holy flames, sadly preventing whatever denigrating quip he was about to unleash, as his body is utterly immolated by divine flame.

Xuili however still remains, regarding you all from about 15' above her throne and transformed into some strange golden eyed hyena/morlock hybrid...

Pine may change his actions as Drenodroz dies on Billy's turn.

Seeing the way the queen is looking at them, Pine brushes his hand against his wayfinder to invoke its aeon stone before acknowledging the demon's fall.

"We're glad we were here to help your people." Remembering that she didn't seem to understand Common, he repeats his words in Jotun--she probably doesn't understand that either, but he doesn't speak Undercommon so trying something else is the best he can do.

Coiling up his whip, Pine moves over to Slick to quickly patch his wounds.

◆ Cast whield
◆ Stow whip
◆ Stride into Slick's space
◆ Battle Medicine (Master DC 30) Medicine: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (19) + 24 = 43. Crit, Slick heals healing: 4d8 + 30 ⇒ (3, 4, 4, 4) + 30 = 45

Xuili looks down at you all with her three eyes. She speaks, I do not know you but you do not seem to be servants of the demons. Who are you and why are you here?

For now she is not attacking so we can come out of initiative.

Billy's 4th rank Translate has a 1 hr duration, so the entire group (including Reginald) should have plenty of time left to converse in Undercommon. It was cast just before the demon fight.

After the battle, Billy returns his attention to the queen. His inspirational musical accompaniment magically changes to soothing background music. He bows and says, in Undercommon, "Madam Queen, as I was saying before we were so rudely interrupted, my name is Billy and it's our pleasure to meet you and to help protect your people from the demons." He retrieves his jug and pours drinks all around. "Care to join me in celebratory libations?"

After taking a sip, he offers a mug to the Queen. "My friends and I are adventures, tasked with collecting these harrow cards so the Prince of Wolves and his demon friends don't take over the world."

Diplomacy to Make an Impression +cloak +jug +music: 1d20 + 26 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 26 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 48

With the big demon having been sent back to the abyss to sweat out a new body, Slick looks around to make sure there there are no remaining minions of The Prince of Wolves to cause them trouble. Satisfied of their absence and that Xuili is not an immediate danger to them, he slides his sword into its back sheath. "Looks like that was the last of them. The Prince is not having a lot of luck picking minions to send against us."

Turning to face Xuili, he smiles in a friendly manner and opens his hands to indicate that he is no danger to the morlock. He lets Billy do the talking and makes no threatening moves, but he does pay close attention to Xiuli to determine if she is hiding something.

Action: Sense Motive (Perception +23) - SECRET