PF2E Stolen Fate

Game Master andreww

Pine... throws up.
Haven't bothered doing that since I was most likely to just fail the save again, but now Pine can just spend all of his actions until he succeeds within a couple of rounds.

He retrieves a "vampire fang" that he saw get knocked out during the fight, his dropped whip, and a twig from the tree. "I don't need a unicorn to fly, but it would be much faster," he says as he gets out his medical tools. "Maybe I should try using a shield, though..."

At 17th level The Juggler gives a fourth effective hand. Although Pine doesn't have Shield Block so it doesn't matter if it's Sturdy anyway. I'll probably just keep it free so I don't have to drop a weapon every time I do Battle Medicine or similar.

Sigourney spends quite a few minutes in silence, thinking about how close she was to death. She helps Reginald throw up and feel better about his life. Once her connection to her patron has been replenished, Sigourney takes a few seconds to look through the items. The Wand of Phantom Steed catches her eye first.

"Before we go back and inevitably sell it, let me try out the Wand of Phantom Steed." She says to the party. "I've always wanted one of these so I can travel in style."

If the party permits, Sigourney will spend 30 minutes refocusing and 10 minutes to cast Phantom Steed to produce the mount.

As Slick reminds the party to take trophies, Sigourney looks over the pile of armour that was Algon and the chopped-up firewood that was that terrifying tree. She takes Algon's helmet and takes a nice bloody branch from the tree, trying not to think too hard as to whose blood was on the object. She takes 2 bloody pears and attaches them to her belt for easy reach by Reginald.

She smiles reassuringly at Billy as he suggests going back home. "Thanks Billy, but I'll be fine. We should get going before Sonnorae realises that too many of her evil fiends are dead."

"Oh and lose the sword, you look ridiculous welding it. The comedic kind, that is."

OK, it looks like you are pressing ahead which is fine.

You make your way through the thick, forested interior of the demi-plane, pushing through entangling briars and thorn bushes. Emerging from the undergrowth you find yourselves in the wide, blasted, rocky death which surrounds the interior. Heading around the circle after an hour or so you come in sight of the Striding Fortress, which once appeared like a giant, mobile, stone bug of some kind.

It has clearly suffered significant damage and is no longer capable of movement. The central section has suffered the worst damage but it is still mostly in one piece. A wide opening at the rear of the fortress appears to be the only way inside.

When the group decides to press on without going back to Harrowheart, Slick shrugs. "Fine by me. The Mountain Man can wait. After we take care of Sonnorae, we'll have even more stories to tell him."

Having worked their way through the thorns and briars of the forested interior of the Harrowed Realm, Slick is happy to finally spot the remains of the Striding Fortress. Finally! All that traipsing around in the underbrush was beginning to wear on me."

Looking about the fortress, he spots the opening at the back of the structure. "Looks like this is the only way in." He beckons for the rest of the group to follow as he heads into the fortress. "Let's see if Sonnorae is in the mood to talk."

Before leaving, Billy carefully places five of the pears into his Bag of Holding. "For Sonnarae."

As the group approaches the fortress, Billy brings up his background music. "We come bearing gifts, so there's no need to sneak." He looks to the group and asks, "Shall I announce our presence or shall we see ourselves in?" Billy, ever-optimistic, hopes this encounter doesn't require bloodshed.

Billy them snaps his fingers. "Give me a few seconds to activate my Phylactery of Faithfulness." He activates the magic and asks aloud, "Might it be beneficial in our dealings with Sonnorae to boldly introduce ourselves by offering these pears as gifts?"
This 1/day activation (1 action) has the effect of an Augury spell. Thanks to The Carnival, the Augury flat check is DC 4 instead of DC 6.

Billy gets the clear impression that his proposed cause of action would be of benefit.

When Billy suggests announcing their presence before entering, Slick frowns and looks around. "Fine by me, but I don't see a footman around. Perhaps we'll have better luck finding someone to announce our presence to the lady of the house once we've broached the foyer." He points to the opening and tilts his head as if to say, shall we?

Billy shares the results of his Augury with the group. In an uncharacteristically bold move, he trusts in Desna's guidance and leads the group to the rear of the fortress.

With his background musical accompaniment, carrying his jug in one hand and one of the pears in the other, the bard calls into the fortress, "Mistress Sonnorae. I'm Billy. My friends and I come bearing gifts. We'd be honored if you were to grant us an audience." He waits for a response.

If no one answers, he leads the way (hopefully with Slick at his side) into the fortress.

Sigourney follows along, hoping for a peaceful encounter. Somehow, she highly doubts that things will go peacefully. She takes a position behind Slick and hopes that he'll take the blows for her.

The group make their way into the massive fallen fortress, Billy in the lead calling out cheerily. Black, tattered banners flap and tremble on bent poles above a slanted courtyard of cracked, dirty cobblestones and garden beds full of weeds and dead plants.

As you step inside, a pair of massive, hulking creatures with multiple heads step into view. One of them growls, in Jotun

before they move to attack!

Initiative
Slick : 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (11) + 26 = 37
Billy : 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (2) + 26 = 28, +2 item visual/hearing, +2 circ scout
Pinebrush, Stealth: 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (12) + 31 = 43, Perception +25, +1 circ if visual, +2 circ scout
Sigourney: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (8) + 24 = 32, +2 circ scout, +2 item visual

Pine springs into view and answers in Common. "The visitors aren't too keen on the lady, from what we've learned of her so far. But we thought we'd give her a chance to impress us."

He draws his rapier, but it flies from his hand--or at least the tip doe, as he magically extends it.

◆ Draw rapier
◆◆ Extending Strike vs Red (should be Off-Guard due to Surprise Attack) Rapier: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (20) + 30 = 50 for piercing: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 4, 2) + 6 = 18, precision: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 5) = 9, spirit: 1d6 ⇒ 4, and cold (ignores resistance) damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4. On crit, double damage, add deadly damage: 2d8 ⇒ (5, 2) = 7, target is Off-Guard for one round, and DC 34 Fort or Slowed 1. 77 damage total.
◇ Debilitating Strike. -10 to Speed and Enfeebled 1

Pine jabs one of the massive creatures in the face, much to its surprise! The creature roars in pain and grabs at its face. As it drops its massive, clawed, hand you can see much of the damage has already repaired itself.

Red bellows in furious rage, a sound unlike any you have heard before and amplified in the cavernous chamber you have entered. Surely nothing in a mile can have failed to hear the noise!

Pausing here to see if Billy wants to counter perform as this is an auditory effect.

Pausing here to see if Billy wants to counter perform as this is an auditory effect.

Sure. Why not? Billy can spare a focus point...

Upon hearing the raging noise, Billy sings to counter it.
♫"Stop! Hey, what's that sound? Everybody look. I'll take it down."♫

Performance to Counter +vert perf +mask +music: 1d20 + 29 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 29 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 50
Counter Performance: You and allies in the area (60' emanation) can use the better result between your Performance check and the saving throw.

I shall assume everyone will use Billy's 50 and not bother rolling.

Billy calls out, soothing the stupid beast. Or perhaps not as it then throws a rock at him which catches him full in the chest! Clearly he is no appreciator of art.

The second creature, seeing the group unphased, rushes forward, crushing the ancient flowerbeds underfoot. Its massive head snaps out at everyone...leaving bloody wounds in its wake!

Sigourney sighs internally as she sees another creature with regeneration. "Not again..." She groans as she tries to figure out how to stop it's regeneration.

Recalling knowledge to find out how to stop Red's regeneration. She uses her Loremaster's Etude to give her advantage on this check. Holding the rest of my actions until I get the results of my check.

Billy sings out inspiration.

♫"Here in a cave, on our way.
To find the betrayed Sonnorae.
.....These pears sure to please her.
.....But tisn't all leisure.
Let's first kill some giants. Hooray!"♫

Lingering Performance +VirtPerf +Mask +Music, DC 34: 1d20 + 29 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 29 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 50
Crit Success: Courageous Anthem duration 4 rounds. Cost: 1 focus point.

Staring up at the large giant in front of him, Billy is quickly remembering why he doesn't normally lead. He needs to teleport away. And fast.
♫"I've had a lovely time. But now I need to go.
One more little rhyme, to move my bardic show."♫
Billy casts Time Jump to teleport away.

In his new location, he swaps out the pear for his staff.

◇ Ling Comp, ◆ CA, ◆ Time Jump, ◆ Manipulate (swap item)

Uh oh. Looks like we've got another regenerating monster on our hands. We need to find out what it takes to turn that off. Hopefully Sigourney can figure it out for us. I'm about to see if slashing, electricity, sonic or fire will do the trick.

As soon as they enter the courtyard, Slick spots the huge jotun-grunting brutes. "I don't know Billy. These guys don't look like the talkative type. Maybe I should try some of my brand of diplomacy instead. I suspect it will have more of an impact on them than yours."

He takes the creature's attack in stride and pauses momentarily to let Billy and Sigourney to do their thing before deciding what to do next.

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

It would be nice to send Slick after the wounded and off-guard Red, but that would take an extra action and would trigger reactive strikes from both giants (assuming they have them), so probably not worth it. Will beat up on Blue instead.

Without further ado, he screams blue murder at the nearest of the creatures, then launches himself at it to start cutting it down to size.

Action 1 (◆): Scare to Death with Guise of the Smirking Devil vs Blue

Intimidation (Scare to Death): 1d20 + 28 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 28 + 2 = 32 vs Blue Will DC

Ugh! Probably a fail, but that should put it at Frightened 1.

If Pine has his whip in hand, then maybe Slick gets Off-Guard from Gang Up. We live in hope.

Actions 2 & 3 (◆◆): Needle in the Gods’ Eyes
- Action: Leap with Greater Boots of Bounding - Up to 20 feet horizontally; Up to 6 feet vertically and 5 feet horizontally onto an elevated surface.
- Action: Strike (+3 Greater Striking Shock Thundering Greater Flaming Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem vs Frightened 1? Blue.
- Action: Strike (+3 Greater Striking Shock Thundering Greater Flaming Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem vs Frightened 1? Blue.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 29 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 29 + 3 + 1 = 43 vs Frightened 1?
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (12, 3, 9) + 13 + 1 = 38 slashing damage
Greatsword Shock Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6 electricity damage
Greatsword Thundering Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1 sonic damage
Greatsword Flaming Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1 fire damage - no resistance

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 29 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 29 + 3 + 1 = 50 vs Frightened 1?
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (11, 10, 10) + 13 + 1 = 45 slashing damage
Greatsword Shock Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5 electricity damage
Greatsword Thundering Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6 sonic damage
Greatsword Flaming Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3 fire damage - no resistance

The first strike might be a crit, but the second should definitely be a crit.

Billy inspires his companions and bravely runs away.

Sigourney cogitates. She recognises that they are powerful specimens of a rare type of Troll, the multiheaded Jotund Troll. In common with most trolls, their regeneration can be deactivated with acid or fire.

I will wait on dealing with Slicks turn until Sigourney completes hers.

"Ohhh...It is a troll! Use fire or acid, everyone! I will...make my way out of here."

Sigourney steps twice out of the Giant's reach.

Away from keyboard so unable to move myself at the moment.

◆ Step, ◆ Step

Sigourney steps away from the unpleasant troll. Slick leaps at the troll, as he does so it snaps its jaws at him, sinking its teeth into his shoulder. He lands two solid blows and it does not like the fire on his blade!

Thats is a hit and a crit.

Its attention is on Slick and he's already set it on fire.

Well. Easy enough to see what to do next, then.

Pine ducks behind the troll and jabs at its back and legs. "Too big. Too many heads. We gotta trim that down."

◆ Stride
◆ Strike Rapier: 1d20 + 30 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 30 + 1 = 48 for piercing: 3d6 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2, 6, 4) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 21, precision: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 1) = 6, cold (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 4, and spirit damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6. On crit, double damage and add deadly damage: 2d8 ⇒ (6, 1) = 7, target is Off-Guard one round, DC 34 Fort or Slowed 1, and it provokes RS from Slick as though it used a manipulate action. 37 total, or 81 on crit.
◆ If it's down, draw whip. Otherwise Strike Rapier: 1d20 + 30 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 30 - 5 + 1 = 43 for piercing: 3d6 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1, 4) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 16, precision: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 1) = 10, cold (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 2, and spirit damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1. On crit, double damage and add deadly damage: 2d8 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6, target is Off-Guard one round, DC 34 Fort or Slowed 1, and it provokes RS from Slick as though it used a manipulate action. 29 total, or 64 on crit.
◇ Debilitating Strike. Prevent Reactions and Enfeebled 1

As Pine darts forward, the huge monsters jaws snap out again! Pine manages to land a pair of nasty blows in return for the pound of flesh.

Yes, they have more than 1 reaction per turn

Red comes stomping down the chamber. He sinks his teeth into Slick and grabs on. With a gulping motion he tries to swallow our brave fighter but he cannot fit him down his throat. Blue takes the chance to have a go at the discommoded warrior and takes another chunk of flesh.

Since Slick delayed for Billy for CA, officially Billy is before Slick. Just confirming that with Blue "offguard start Slick turn 2", that counts for Billy now, I hope.

From his relatively safe distance, Billy takes advantage of the injured troll being offguard. He sings,
♫"You are not so scary ... (now I've moved away).
I'm extraordinary! Try my color ray!"♫
Billy casts Chromatic Ray at Blue.

Chromatic Ray (6th rank) + CA vs Blue: 1d20 + 27 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 27 + 1 = 32
If that fails, use Guiding Luck for a reroll
Chromatic Ray (6th rank) + CA vs Blue: 1d20 + 27 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 27 + 1 = 45
1:Red (40 fire dmg), 2:Orange (50 acid dmg), 3:Yellow (60 elec dmg), 4:Green (35 poison dmg + enfeebled), 5:Blue (Flesh to Stone), 6:Indigo (Confusion), 7:Violet (Slowed) + teleport, 8:Intense (Dazzle/Blind + reroll): 1d8 ⇒ 1
Fire Damage + Dangerous Sorcery: (40) + 6 = 46
Note: If crit, double damage.

He then brings up a magical shield.
◆◆ Chromatic Ray, ◆ Shield

Sigourney follows Billy's lead and also exploits the injured Blue troll's weakness. She snaps her fingers and a bolt of flame bursts from her fingers and flies towards the head that is holding onto Slick's body.

Ignition, CA: 1d20 + 27 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 27 + 1 = 31

Fire, CA: 8d4 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2, 1, 2, 4, 4, 2, 1) + 1 = 18

Seeing that her ability to aim is still rather poor, she looks and Reginald and Commands him.

"You know what to do - stop him from moving before Slick gets swallowed up!"

◆◆ Ignition, ◆ Command

Reginald, for the first time in a long while, has the chance to do Reginald things without being slowed, sickened, frightened or otherwise unable to act. With an acknowledging squeak, he disassembles himself into threads and attempts to strangle the Blue Troll.

Stitching Strike, DC 37 Reflex Save, CA: 14d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 3, 4, 3, 6, 2, 5, 4, 2, 1, 2, 5, 5, 5) + 1 = 54

On failure, target is immobilized for 1 round or until it Escapes against my spell DC (DC 37).

◆◆ Stitching Strike

Slick is beginning to feel a little like the main course at a troll banquet with the two brutes taking alternating bites out of him. "Guys, guys! Come on now. Slow down! There's plenty of me to go around."

Unfortunately, Slick's words have little effect as the healthier of the two trolls grabs onto him and tries to toss him down its gullet. Slick reacts quickly and spreads his legs to make himself too big for the creature's throat. "Whoa, Nelly! You have to get up pretty early in the morning if you want to have me for breakfast."

His attention being rather focused on his new opponent, the flash of light and heat smashing into the troll he was just attacking, comes as a bit of a surprise. "Holy smokes there Billy, that was too close for comfort. Doesn't look like our new friend here enjoyed it much though." He doesn't waste any more time on his old opponent. "If Billy didn't just finish it off, then Pine will. I've got bigger problems."

He pauses momentarily to let Sigourney do whatever she was planning before turning his attentions back to the remaining brute. "Okay, big fella. It's your turn next." Slick then emits a gut-wrenching bellow at his grabby opponent before stretching out and bringing his sword down on it twice.

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

Action 1 (◆): Scare to Death with Guise of the Smirking Devil vs Red

Intimidation (Scare to Death): 1d20 + 28 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 28 + 2 = 47 vs Red Will DC

Going to assume a success (perhaps even a crit), so Red should be either dead, or at Frightened 2.

Action 2 (◆): Lunge - +5' reach
- Action: Strike (+3 Greater Striking Shock Thundering Greater Flaming Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem vs Frightened 2 Red.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 29 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 29 + 3 + 1 = 45 vs Frightened 2
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (4, 8, 7) + 13 + 1 = 33 slashing damage
Greatsword Shock Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2 electricity damage
Greatsword Thundering Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3 sonic damage
Greatsword Flaming Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5 fire damage - no resistance

If that was a crit (see below for extra effects), then that puts Red off-guard to the following Strike.

Action 3 (◆): Lunge - +5' reach
- Action: Strike (+3 Greater Striking Shock Thundering Greater Flaming Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem and MAP1 vs Frightened 2 and Off-Guard? Red.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 29 + 3 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 29 + 3 + 1 - 5 = 48 vs Frightened 2 and Off-Guard?
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (9, 5, 3) + 13 + 1 = 31 slashing damage
Greatsword Shock Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5 electricity damage
Greatsword Thundering Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6 sonic damage
Greatsword Flaming Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2 fire damage - no resistance

And a nice nat-20 to finish up with. Sweet!

Billy blasts a hole through Blue's skull, he slowly topples over, quite dead.

That is a crit due to off guard.

Sigourney is about to blast Blue with fire and embarrass herself with a miss. She sees Billy beat her to the punch. She gives him a thumbs up before focusing her attentions on the next troll.

She moves closer into the ruined room and focuses on the elemental powers around her, conjuring up a ball of caustic acid. With a murmured “Try dodging this one now,” she flings the ball of acid over the troll.
Caustic Blast, DC 37 Reflex Save, Acid, CA: 4d8 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4, 3, 5) + 1 = 15

◆ Stride, ◆◆ Caustic Blast

The troll takes Sigourney's acid blast full in the face. Slick screams at it, leaving it highly startled and allowing Slick to land two massive blows.

Both crit due to the frightened condition.

"Aw, are you scared big guy?" Despite his taunting, Pine steps carefully as he gets closer--precision and care are part of why he isn't afraid of the giant, after all.

But if he can be distracting enough, such care won't be necessary. And they probably don't want the troll to get away at this point, right?

◆ Step
◆ Step
◆ Strike Rapier: 1d20 + 30 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 30 + 1 = 44 for piercing damage: 3d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 4, 6) + 6 + 1 = 18, precision damage: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 2) = 10, cold damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 6, and spirit damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6. On crit add deadly damage: 2d8 ⇒ (7, 1) = 8, Off-Guard another round, and DC 34 Fort vs Slowed 1. Total of 40, or 88 on crit.
◇ Debilitating Strike: Speed -10 and no reactions

Pine carefully approaches the furious, burning troll and pokes it in the knee. Terrified of Slick, the troll flees and slick nearly detaches its leg with his blow. Still on fire, it vanishes into the bowels of the fortress, never to be seem again although its howls of pain echo through the building for several seconds before the fade away, the poor creature succumbing to the fiery death.

COMBAT OVER

What do you do?

With the last troll fleeing to a burning death elsewhere in the fortress, Slick heaves a breath of relief and twists his body left then right to release all the kinks in his spine. "Oof! That one had quite the grip."

After everyone gets healed up and the area is searched for anything of interest (presumably without success), Slick looks at the three doors leading out of the courtyard. "I can't say I'm terribly impressed by the welcome we've received so far. Let's see if we can't find the lady of the house and proffer a complaint."

1-South, 2-West, 3-North: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Slick heads to the western door. "This way seems as good as any." Before going through, he looks at the sword in his hands and then at Billy. "Are we still going to try the diplomatic route?"

Assuming the answer is yes, Slick will once again sheath his sword, though he won't be be happy about it.

While the group searches the area and Dr. Pinebrush heals the wounded, Billy strums his lute softly and refocuses his energy.
Billy refocuses to regain 2(?) focus points. Assuming we spend ~30min searching/healing (and considering we spent ~30 after the tree), has it been about an hour?

When Slick asks about the strategy going forward, Billy cheerfully responds, "Of course we're going the diplomatic route, my friend. Why else would we be toting around these pears?" He retrieves his jug as he heads to the western door. "Surely, you don't blame Sonnorae for a couple trolls who don't know any better."

When a combination of Pinebrush and Slick open the door, Billy tries again, "Mistress Sonnorae. I'm Billy. My friends and I come bearing gifts. We'd be honored if you were to grant us an audience."

While Slick searches the area and Pine heals wounds, Sigourney joins Billy in the Refocusing of points. It takes her only 10 minutes to do so, after which she searches the trolls for anything valuable.

When Slick complains about the inability to walk in swords drawn, Sigourney drily says "Sounds like a problem only you are facing. I'm plenty dangerous without needing to draw a weapon."

She thinks for a second. "If you would trust Reginald and I with your sword, I could hold onto it and have Reginald pass it to you if things go wrong. Surely the two seconds you save from not having to draw your sword will be useful."

If you pass me your sword, I can use Patron's Presence and Item Delivery to give you your sword as a free action at the start of my turn.

"...I also have swords," says Pine, though he's put them away in favor of needle and thread.

It takes Pine most of an hour (also he may have jabbed Reginald with a needle, oopsie), but he gets everyone fully patched up.

Reginald squeals in pain as Pine jabs him in the rear with a particularly ill-placed needle. Rubbing his behind with his dexterous paws, he sulks for the duration of the time spent sitting around, desperately wishing he wasn't here.

You patch yourselves up and spend some time exploring this part of the fortress. The place has clearly sustained a significant amount of damage. You find an old chapel with candles, scrolls, and broken sculptures scattered over the floor. Most nooks in the wall are empty, although a few contain weird statuettes. In the room’s center sits a cracked altar full of hollows that might once have held jewels.

Upstairs lies an old, dusty apartment containing tattered and tumbled furnishings of dark wood, black linen, and crimson leather. Books litter the floor. Among the tomes are jumbled bones in ragged crimson robes, a crushed miter adorning the loose skull. A gleaming unholy symbol of Asmodues, carved from gold and set with rubies lies abandoned on the floor (it is worth 500gp).

You find an enormous galley kitchen which smells of baked clay. Heaps of simple furniture, utensils, and sculpted edibles are placed here and there. Much of the clay food is broken or cracked. Narrow windows let in weak light, revealing the motes of dust filtering through the stale air and covering all surfaces.

A central chamber lacks a roof. Rubble, broken vats, and shattered wood—all weathered and stained—crowd the floor. A hole gapes near the rear wall. Clambering or flying into the hole, you find it full of broken furniture, with one small bed swathed in stained silks still intact. Water and earth leaks through the broken walls, pooling mud on one side and the whole place reeks. Searching the are you find an old potions and a necklace of small bronze beads (greater potion of electricity resistance and a necklace of fireballs type IV).

Further in you find a huge room where tarnished brass pipes poke through the walls. In the center of the floor is a shallow depression, once a ceremonial pool. Tattered silks cover some walls, and stained pillows are scattered about. Beyond a broken wall stands a complex helm with a cracked ship’s wheel; behind it, windows reveal a bleak view of the Dearth. The room smells faintly of ozone.

Sigourney can easily tell that can tell that this room was once a power center. The depression in the center used to contain alchemical charging fluid that allowed the fortress to walk. The forward compartment was the vehicle’s control center. Side rooms contain clockwork machinery for the fortress’s legs. Both are wrecked, though the southern area holds more rubble and dirt. Similarly, debris blocks the southern stairwell up.

Inside the now empty pool lie several gleaming tiles, made of platinum! (You find 7 tiles worth 20gp each).

Taking the northern stairwell, you come to a massive chamber where he ceiling towers eighty feet overhead. Tattered and torn tomes, scrolls, and papers cover much of the sloped wooden floor, along with broken glass, shattered furniture, and bizarre implements. A few books and documents remain on myriad shelves. In the center is a twisted heap of brassy metal that could once have been a telescope. Fused with the wreckage are huge, blackened bones, including a dragon’s skull. Past this debris is an open archway with two massive doors broken on the floor before it.

As you enter the chamber a figure rises into the air beyond the structure. This is clearly Sonnorae.

Who are you to invade my home! You are the ones who caused the destruction of the Fortress yes. Have you come to finish the job! I smell the stink of the Harrow on you. Explain and quickly!

There is a picture of her on roll20. I have moved you all to the chamber.

As Billy makes his way through the fortress, he can only imagine how grand it once was. He muses aloud, "I would have enjoyed entertaining at a place like this." He smiles confidently, "And the guests no doubt would have enjoyed me."

Upon entering the massive chamber, and being admonished by their host, Billy cheerfully steps forward. "Ahh, there you are, Madam Sonnorae! We've been looking for you." He holds his hands up defensively, holding only his jug and one of the pears.

He continues cheerily, "We come bearing gifts. We heard you enjoyed the pears from the ..." he clears he throat "...aggressive tree out in the courtyard." He holds the pear high, offering it to her.

Billy assures her, "We're not the ones who destroyed your wonderful fortress. Perhaps together, we can find out who did and make it right? Maybe you'd care to join us for drinks while we chat?" The little halfling looks up at her, hoping not to be destroyed.

Diplomacy to Make an Impression +cloak +jug +music: 1d20 + 27 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 27 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 32
Yikes! Harrow (Books) reroll at +4!
Diplomacy to Make an Impression +cloak +jug +music +harrow: 1d20 + 27 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 27 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 4 = 45

If successful, Billy activates The Publican to improve attitude an additional step.

Slick is unimpressed with the baubles they found amongst the wreckage of the fortress. "Looks like someone's already picked over this place." He wonders who the unfortunate dragon astronomer was, but guesses that it was likely another of the plotters that faced Sonnorae's wrath upon her return.

Once in the presence of Sonnorae, Slick feels a little naked without his sword in hand. He trusts Billy to do his best, but given what they've seen and heard of Sonnorae, he's pretty sure this is going to end in violence.

He's surprised to see her all alone and looks about for any additional Velstrac body guards who may be hiding in the shadows. When Billy opens up negotiations with the woman, Slick puts on his winningest smile and opens up his arms to show he means no harm. "Billy is right. We didn't have anything to do with the destruction of your fortress. We're only recent arrivals to the Harrowed Realm. By the way, Billy's brew there is like nothing you've tasted before." He drinks some of it to show that it's not poisoned.

Reaction (↺): Aid Diplomacy (T)

Diplomacy (Aid) vs DC 20?: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (18) + 22 = 40

"Mmm, mm. Delicious!"

Sigourney searches her mind for things to say that won't make Sonnorae angry. She decides to settle on compliments. "Look, uh, I really appreciated the shadow magic used in this place. When it wasn't trying to kill us, I thought that it was rather ingenious how...aesthetic your realm looks."

After saying her piece, she focuses on Sonnorae with her Biological Eye, trying to ascertain details about her.

Secret Society check (+29 with +1 circumstance bonus for engaging her in conversation) vs DC 30.

As Billy offers up the pear Sonnorae's head twitches from side to side and she sniffs loudly. A pear! You brought me a pear she screeches loudly at Billy as she swoops down to him. Give it to me she snaps, grabbing it from him before he has a chance to hand it over. She begins to eagerly devour the bloody fruit, the bright red juices running down her chin.

Hmm, maybe I dont have to kill you all now after all she murmurs as she returns to her floating perch. What were you saying mortal? Who are you and what are you doing here?

She appears a little calmer and willing to talk to you. Billy has shifted her attitude.

Billy is quite scared as Sonnorae swoops down to snatch her gift. But trusting in Desna and the augury, the little halfling stands bravely in place.

Gathering courage to continue, he bows with a flourish and responds, "Forgive our intrusion, your highness. I'm Billy. These are my friends. We're adventurers." He pauses and continues, "We understand some of your ... colleagues ... have recently betrayed you. We're very sorry that happened. You deserve better." He sips his honey mead.

He continues, "As we said, we're not the ones who destroyed your fortress, but perhaps we can work together to find out who did. And deliver justice." He retrieves another pear from his Bag of Holding, and offers it to her.

Pine stays quiet, and perhaps even unnoticed, to better keep his options open for intervention.

Also, gross.

When Sonnorae swoops down for the pear, Slick's hands automatically start moving towards the pommel of the greatsword sticking up over his left shoulder. If she so much as scratched Billy, Slick would be on her in an instant. Fortunately nothing happens, so Slick leaves his sword where it is.

He is taken a little aback by the velstrac's, um... eating habits, but tries not to show it. He's also a little sad at the loss of such a valuable item and lightly groans when Billy pulls another one out of his bag to feed her.

Sonnorae swoops down and snatches the second pear, devouring it in an equally disturbing way. Billy is spattered with a little bloody juice as she chooses to remain at ground level. She looms over him, sniffing at his hair. Yes, my realm was damaged recently and I cannot work out what happened. Why would you be interested in this event, what is it to you? As for betrayal, no, that was years ago and that particular ledger has been well and truly settled.

She floats backward, a wistful look in her alien eyes. Billy does notice, as she is quite close up, that there is a Harrow card tucked into her belt. It is rather smeared in blood.

As a reminder you are here looking for a telescope so you can locate the Deck of Harrowed Tales and through that find the base of the Prince of Wolves. Just in case anyone needed a reminder. This room does contain a very much demolished telescope.

Billy looks up at Sonnorae. The nervous halfling hopes his voice comes out clear, "We believe the Prince of Wolves is behind much of the evil and choas affecting the world." Billy holds up The Publican card he just used and said, "We've been tasked with keeping these powerful cards out of the Prince's paws."

Show of hands who remembered we were here for the telescope? If everyone says yes, then Billy fake-remembers too. And he's willing to make a Deception check to prove it.
Looking over the room, Billy notices some telescope parts. He explains, "If we could fix your telescope, might we use it to look for the Wolf? That be the first step in ending his reign of terror."

Noticing a harrow card on tucked away on Sonnorae, the halfling snaps his fingers, "I can't help but notice you have such a harrow card on your person." Activating The Marriage and unfurling his Cloak of Repute, Billy makes a formal request, "If you could provide us your harrow card and allow us repair your telescope, we'll be that much closer to making everything right. Won't you help us try to restore your Fortress?"

Diplomacy to Make Request +marriage +jug +music: 1d20 + 27 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 27 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 34
Damn...Halfling Luck 1/hr reroll skill check.
Diplomacy to Make Request +marriage +jug +music: 1d20 + 27 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 27 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 44
With Cloak of Repute, normal success for Request becomes a crit Success.

Slick adds his own two cents hoping to further clarify the situation to Sonnorae. "Yes indeed. This Prince of Wolves is a dangerous opponent. We believe he used the Deck of Harrowed Tales to access your Harrowed Realm and then used your realm as a jumping-off point to attack our own Harrow Court. Based on the timing of both events, I suspect it was this transient use of your realm that caused the destruction you experienced."

He then points to the card tucked into her belt. "We are here to secure the missing cards from our Deck of Destiny so that they cannot be used by the Prince of Wolves to access either of our realms. We also intend to use them to pursue him back to his own realm and attack him there before he recovers from the drubbing we gave him and returns. Your Harrowed Realm may not survive another such incursion."

"We've been told that there is a powerful magical telescope within this realm called the Outreaching Eye that would allow us to find the way to the realm of the Prince of Wolves." Slick points to the remains of the telescope and its previous owner. "This is the only telescope we've come across here that fits the bill." He makes a sad face. "It is a pity that it has been damaged so severely, but perhaps it is not beyond the powers of our Sigourney to repair."

"We have no further interest in your realm beyond this. Once we've collected all the cards from our Deck of Destiny and eliminated the threat of the Prince of Wolves, we will happily return to our own Harrow Court and leave you alone to reign over your Harrowed Realm."

PRINCE OF WOLVES, PRINCE OF WOLVES! Who is this fiend and how dare he damage my Realm. You shall destroy him for me!

Sonnorae rises into the air, bloody spittle flying from her mouth.

Such an action is intolerable. It shall not be borne. I shall claim his miserable head, the despicable worm. And you shall be my instruments, yes, that makes sense.

She pauses at the mention of Harrow cards. Harrow Cards, yes, I know much of the Harrow. She slowly sinks back down to the ground. These cards have dominated my destiny for so very long, ever since I created the Deck of Harrowed Tales. In retrospect, that may have been a mistake but nevertheless this so called Prince must now be my priority. You say you need my telescope to locate him. I assume this means that he has my Deck. The telescope is beyond repair but no matter. What you actually need is the Lens which I still have.

She floats over to the wreckage, seemingly calmer and more contemplative. You are collecting cards for this new Deck you say. It is strange that I have not sensed its presence in the world. Certainly one of these cards recently came into my possession. She draws it from her belt.

I shall make an agreement with you. I shall loan you my Lens which can be used to find the Deck. You shall find and kill this Prince and recover my Deck. Return here with the Deck and his head and I shall give you my card from this new Deck.

Slick is a little wary of Sonnorae's seeming calm and rationality. He examines her closely to see if he can tell whether her word can be trusted.

Action: Sense Motive (Perception +24) - SECRET

She appears to be telling the truth, as far as you can tell. Of course, she could just be very good at lying.