PF2E Stolen Fate

Game Master andreww

Sigourney looks around for the dog but she cannot see it. It definitely didnt turn invisible, it totally teleported in, bit and teleported out. It may be lurking out of sight behind some of the ruined walls. She racks her brains to think what these things might be but the knowledge just wont come.

However, she recognises the danger that the Eclipse represents. It is going to repeatedly hurl massive meteors (30' radius bursts) at the island, hoping to flatten you all. It could be disabled by attacking it or couteracting it (10th rank) but it is currently somewhere close to the sun and therefore out of range. Other than that, it is difficult at present to identify how it might be affected.

One thing I forgot to mention, the entire area is difficult terrain due to rubble.

Given Sigourney's information, Billy scans the island for cover.
Would the crumbling structures provide cover from the meteors? Could a Wall of Force rest atop 1 (or 2) of the structures to provide a "Roof of Force"?

When Sigourney comes up blank on the hound, Billy takes the witch up on her offer of some Loremaster's Etude to help identify the hound.
RK (2 rolls for the price of one): Religion +31, Occult +26, Nature +24

After sharing with the group, he says, "Now it's time for business." And he sings,
♫"An eclipse that is blocking the sun.
And hounds that just pop in and run.
.....The captain was praying.
.....'Don't go!', he kept saying.
We're heroes! We get all the fun."♫

Lingering Performance +VirtPerf, DC 38: 1d20 + 34 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 34 + 2 = 43
Success: Courageous Anthem duration 3 rounds. Cost: 1 focus point.
With Eternal Composition, always hasted to cast a comp spell.

He then sings out,
♫"The hounds and now this rubble. This island is a blast.
To help us out of trouble. Let's try to solve this fast."♫
Cast Haste (7th rank) for the entire party.

◆ RK, ◇ Ling Comp, ◇ CA (hasted via Eternal Comp), ◆◆ Haste

This took a while to put together.

Slick looks around the island they've just landed on. His warrior mind automatically appraises it and comes to the conclusion that with all the rubble scattered around, it would not make for a great battlefield. His eyes glance upwards when the sun is blotted out, but he remembers that looking at eclipses directly isn't a good idea and quickly looks away.

When the howls are heard in the darkness, Slick says, "Seems we're not alone with the Eclipse on this island. Maybe the doggie will be friendly..." but no sooner are the words out of his mouth that a massive hound appears out of nowhere and tries unsuccessfully to take a chunk of Sigourney with it before disappearing once again. "... or maybe not."

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

Realizing that the island was going to become a battleground after all, he mentally taps The Big Sky Harrow card to make the terrain less of an obstacle to movement.

Slick will touch himself, Billy (and Pine if he's within touch range).

Action 1 & 2 (◆◆): Activate an Item: The Big Sky - For 10 minutes, you and up to four creatures you touch ignore (greater) difficult terrain and any effects that would give a circumstance penalty to Speed.

He turns to Billy and Sigourney. "You guys can take care of the Eclipse while Pine and I go dog hunting. Let us know if you need our help." He then takes off towards the nearest of the likely hiding spots that the hound may have teleported to.

I've dropped a 35' green line showing the start of Slick's path around what appears to be a solid statue plinth of some sort. If Slick catches sight of the dog at any point, he'll change his path to aim directly for it and hopefully get within range of an enemy with the last 15' of his movement.

Action 3 (◆): Stride with Haste (50 feet)

Pine already ignores nonmagical difficult terrain due to Wild Strider.

"Abrupt." Pine can't see in the dark on his own, but he's had several methods for dealing with this situation prepared for some time now. With his free hand (that he somehow has at the ready despite holding three weapons) he pops his goggles over his eyes. Since it doesn't seem like he can do anything about the eclipse yet, he scans near the wall in front of him for where the beastly hound is hiding.

Scurrying forward, he ducks defensively close to the wall himself.

◆ activate obsidian goggles
◆ Seek near the wall in the center (Perception +28)
◆ Stride (towards enemy if he's spotted one, otherwise straight ahead)
◆ Strike if he can reach an enemy, otherwise Take Cover
Rapier: 1d20 + 33 ⇒ (5) + 33 = 38 for piercing damage: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 2, 3) + 6 = 12, precision damage (if it's an enemy who hasn't acted yet): 4d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 4, 5) = 14, cold damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 5, and spirit damage (holy): 1d4 ⇒ 1, plus spirit damage (holy): 1d4 ⇒ 2 if target is unholy
◇ Debilitating Strike, if an Off-Guard foe was hit. Prevent reactions and Enfeebled 1

Sadly Billy isnt much aware of what these beasts might be either. He promptly inspires and speeds up his companions.

Pine darts forward but finds nothing in this weird game of battleships. Likewise, it seems that Slick goes in the wrong direction too.

Then, suddenly, a second Hound appears, again next to Sigourney. Its jaws snap shut just in front of her face before it teleports away again.

Then, a massive meteor crashes into the centre of the island. hitting Billy, Sigourney, Reginald and Pine! As the dust and smoke clear the sky above you changes with a strange new vista. In the distance a massive bridge rears out of the gloom and a strange harbour seems to surround you...

Anyone who wants to can make a Religion or Fortune-Telling Lore check as a Recall knowledge action. If doing so only post this action please as you may learn additional information to your benefit.

Then, the first Hound reappears, again next to Sigourney. They seem to like the potential taste of her. This time it lands a solid bite and knocks her to the ground. It remains standing over her, teeth snapping at her as she squirms out of its way.

As meteors rain down, Billy tries to recall what he knows about the strange phenomenon.

Fortune-Telling Lore +30

Ignoring the meteor for now--he can't do anything about it, and it seems harmless anyway, Pine hurries over to help Sigourney with the hound.

Though he lets its attention stay on her as he's moving, so that it isn't at all ready when he jabs his blade towards its neck.

◆ Interact to activate anklets of alacrity
◆ haste Stride (triggers RS, if applicable)
◆ Strike Rapier: 1d20 + 33 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 33 + 1 = 54 piercing damage: 3d6 + 6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3, 5, 4) + 6 + 3 + 1 = 22, precision damage: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 2, 3) = 12, cold damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 6, spirit damage (holy): 1d4 ⇒ 3, plus spirit damage (holy): 1d4 ⇒ 4 if target is unholy. On crit add deadly damage: 2d8 ⇒ (6, 8) = 14, DC 34 Fort or Slowed 1, and Off-Guard one round. Total of 100, or 106 if target is unholy
◆ Strike Shortsword: 1d20 + 33 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 33 + 1 = 42 slashing damage: 3d6 + 6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2, 6) + 6 + 3 + 1 = 21, precision damage: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 2, 6) = 11, cold damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 4, spirit damage (holy): 1d4 ⇒ 4, plus spirit damage (holy): 1d4 ⇒ 1 if target is unholy. Total of 40, or 41 if target is unholy.
◇ Debilitating Strike: No reactions and Enfeebled 1.

Slick had been almost certain that the hound was hiding behind the plinth to the west, but his hopes are dashed when no sign of the doggie is to be found there. He spots Pine having a similar lack of success to the north. "Dang It! Where is it hiding?

He then hears the doggie trying to take another chunk out of Sigourney. "Sigh! Looks like our teleporting pup is back to its old habits." Slick prepares to return to the group when...

"BOOM!!!!"

"What in all the planes was that?" He quickly surmises that it was the work of the Eclipse and he's happy to have had cover from the explosion. Slick is wondering how his friends fared and how soon before the next explosion, when the sudden appearance from thin air of the big bridge and strange harbor surprises him. "Uh... that's a new one. I wonder where that came from." He once again assumes that this is the Eclipse's work, but he doesn't know what it means and doesn't recognize the bridge or harbor.

As usual, don't rely on Slick for RK rolls.

Slick then hears another hound attacking Sigourney, this time with more success. "Oh, that's just great, there's more than one of the creatures." "Keep it busy, Sigourney! We're on our way."

He waits a moment to let Pinebrush sneak in and do his worst...

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

Realizing that he's too far from the hound to reach it quickly, Slick mentally bumps his new Harrow card and instantly feels himself moving at incredible speed across the island towards the ravenous hound.

Action (◇): Activate an Item: The Cricket - This movement doesn't trigger reactions and you can move through creatures' spaces
- Action: Stride (50 feet)
- Action: Stride (50 feet)
- Action: Stride (50 feet)

Catching his breath, Slick leaps and brings his sword down on the fiery creature repeatedly.

Actions 1 & 2 (◆◆): Needle in the Gods’ Eyes
- Action: Leap with Greater Boots of Bounding - Up to 50 feet horizontally or vertically.
- Action: Strike (+3 Greater Striking Greater Flaming Holy Quickstrike Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem and Gang Up vs Off-Guard BG2
- Action: Strike (+3 Greater Striking Greater Flaming Holy Quickstrike Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem and Gang Up vs Off-Guard BG2

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 32 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 32 + 3 + 1 = 49 vs Off-Guard
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (9, 6, 7) + 14 + 1 = 37 slashing damage
Greatsword Flaming Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2 fire damage - no resistance
Greatsword Holy Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3 holy spirit damage

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 32 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 32 + 3 + 1 = 46 vs Off-Guard
Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (5, 2, 10) + 14 + 1 = 32 slashing damage
Greatsword Flaming Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5 fire damage - no resistance
Greatsword Holy Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1 holy spirit damage

Action 3 (◆): Strike (+3 Greater Striking Greater Flaming Holy Quickstrike Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem, Gang Up, Haste and MAP2 vs Off-Guard BG2

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 32 + 3 + 1 - 10 ⇒ (20) + 32 + 3 + 1 - 10 = 46 vs Off-Guard

Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (10, 4, 2) + 14 + 1 = 31 slashing damage
Greatsword Flaming Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2 fire damage - no resistance
Greatsword Holy Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3 holy spirit damage

A Crit Success! target is Off-Guard until the start of your next turn (Fighter Weapon Mastery of Swords).

A Crit Success! target takes an additional 2d10 persistent fire damage - no resistance (Greater Flaming).

A Crit Success! Assuming he hasn't already attempted the Demoralize on an earlier crit success, Slick will use a reaction to Demoralize his foe (Battle Cry).

Action (◇): Battle Cry
- Action: Demoralize with The Tyrant and Intimidating Prowess vs BG1 (or whatever enemy he can reach).

Intimidation (Demoralize): 1d20 + 30 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 30 + 3 + 2 = 42 vs BG2 Will DC

Given how much damage Pine and Slick just inflicted, I suspect that Slick's next Strike may not be necessary. If so, then Slick will throw up a Shield with his last action instead.

If BG2 Still Stands...

Action 4 (◆): Strike (+3 Greater Striking Greater Flaming Holy Quickstrike Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem, Gang Up and MAP2 vs Off-Guard BG2

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 32 + 3 + 1 - 10 ⇒ (16) + 32 + 3 + 1 - 10 = 42 vs Off-Guard

Greatsword Damage: 3d12 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (12, 3, 1) + 14 + 1 = 31 slashing damage
Greatsword Flaming Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2 fire damage - no resistance
Greatsword Holy Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3 holy spirit damage

One moment, Sigourney is on her feet deep in thought. The next thing she knows, two large dogs are surrounding her. One has knocked her on her back and she's desperately kicking at it with her shoes, trying to keep it from chomping down on her vital bits. She scans the battlefield and sees Slick and Pine come to her aid. But where's Billy?

She notices Billy trying to think and tries to give him some inspiration. Finding herself drawing a blank, she turns to Reginald who is clinging onto dear life on her shoulders. "Hurry Reginald, give me some focus back! Now!"

With Focus returned to her, she is able to cast Loremaster's Etude when Billy Recalls Knowledge (letting him roll twice and take the better on his Recall Knowledge check).

With a final, focused grunt, she pushes the hound off her and stands up. Not wanting to be anywhere near it, she Strides 20 feet away. The rough ground surrounding her impeding her retreat.

She joins Billy in thinking about the Eclipse. But instead of relying on Religion or Fortune-telling Lore, she Recalls Under Pressure factoids about the Eclipse she read in a book somewhere.

She gets to attempt this Recall Knowledge with an Academia Lore check (+35) . If the information she recalls ends up being helpful and positive in an obvious way before she take her next turn, she draws a random harrow card. She gains a +1 status bonus to saving throws for the remainder of the combat encounter as her morale soars or a +2 status bonus if the card she drew was from the suit of Books.

◆ Command Reginald, ◇ Loremaster's Etude, ◆ Stand, ◆ Stride 20 feet, ◇ (Recall Under Pressure), ◆ Recall Knowledge

1 for Hammers, 2 for Keys, 3 for Shields, 4 for Books, 5 for Stars and 6 for Crowns.

Harrow 1d6: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Reginald, upon being prompted, thinks very hard about the times Sigourney used her Focus Spells to wreak immense havoc on their enemies. Using his stronger bond to their patron, he beseeches her for more focused magic - and she answers.

◆◆ Familiar Focus

If it's still up...

Oh. Slick got its attention.

It's always nice when he does that! While its focus is on Slick, Pine gives it another jab.

⟳ Opportune Backstab Rapier: 1d20 + 33 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 33 + 1 = 39 for piercing damage: 3d6 + 6 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (5, 5, 2) + 6 + 1 + 3 = 22, precision damage: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 2, 6) = 11, cold damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 4, and spirit damage (holy): 1d4 ⇒ 4, plus spirit damage (holy): 1d4 ⇒ 3 if target is unholy. Total of 41, or 44 if unholy

Billy, with the aide of Sigourney, recalls an ancient parable about the first Eclipse. It is said that the first eclipse would have been a permanent event, except that Sarenrae realized that the object blocking the sun was closer than it appeared, and that by looking at it from different angles she was able to pluck the object from the sky, thereby making all eclipses temporary events. While this myth was meant to serve as a parable for Varisian children to approach seemingly insurmountable problems from different angles to find solutions, it provides a clue to dealing with this situation.

The Eclipse here is clearly showing scenes from different periods in time. By identifying those time periods, by the formation of stars in the sky and other clues, you might be able to bring it close enough to pluck the card from the sky.

Mechanically, once per round one person can try the Read the Stars activity (details on roll20). That will bring the Eclipse closer. Once it is close enough you may be able to target it with effects or even just grab it. Relevant skills are generally Nature, Perception, Society or an appropriate Lore. These are not recall knowledge checks.

Meanwhile Pine goes rushing off after the Hound. He stabs it twice, wounding it badly and then Slick is suddenly next to it, hacking it to pieces. Its badly mangled body collapses to the ground.

That was BG1 not BG2 I think.

Sigourney scampers out of the way and tries to recall more about the Eclipse, but clearly the stress of being snapped at is preying on her kind (and Unique level 20 DCs are hard).

Billy excitedly explains about the eclipse myth to the group. He tries to Read the Stars further.

Perception +goggles: 1d20 + 28 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 28 + 3 = 38
If that fails, let's use a Crowns/Other +4 harrow card reroll.
Perception +goggles +harrow: 1d20 + 28 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 28 + 3 + 4 = 43

Then, in an effort to avoid being a meteor pincushion, he moves to the nearest location and takes cover.
He has 45' speed to reach the wall to the W or N, the gray rectangles to the W or E, or the bush to the SE. He'll avoid areas where the hounds have been hanging out.
If one of those areas can be used, he moves and Takes Cover.

◆ RK, ◆ Read the Stars, ◆ Stride (hasted), ◆ Take Cover

Billy recognises the location as the Cyphergate, standing over the harbour at Riddleport. The Eclipse now appears closer, albeit still thousands of feet above you!

The Eclipse hurls another meteor at the group, hitting everyone except Billy who is hiding behind a massive lintel one of the statues previously stood on.

Pausing to check for rerolls

As the dust clears from the latest meteor strike the scene above you changes again. Now the area around you shows thick jungle. In the distance, peeking between the trees, you can just make out a massive arch of cyclopean red stones...

Then, the strange hound reappears again, this time next to Slick. It takes a chunk out of his shoulder before vanishing once more.

"BOOM!!!!"

Unfortunately, the protection provided by The Brass Dwarf is not enough to absorb all the fire damage from the Eclipse's blast, so Slick finds himself with a new tan in addition to being pummeled by the shockwave. He calls to his friend in the distance. "Billy! I hope you can figure out how to turn this thing off soon. Not sure how many more of these we can take."

Slick notices the weaker Sigourney taking damage at a faster clip than he'd like, but Sigh!, she's just a little too far away for him to redirect some of the damage to himself.

Range of Protector's Sacrifice is 30' and Sig is 35' away from Slick.

When the remaining hound appears and takes a chunk out of him before disappearing again, Slick rolls his eyes. "These doggies and their hide-and-seek tactics are getting annoying. Ready or not, here I come!"

Slick looks around to see if there are any nearby areas in which a creature that size could hide and still keep them in view. Since he wasn't hearing any cries from Billy to the west, he decides to head east instead.

He takes off and rounds the plinth of the fallen statue to the east of him.

Action 1 (◆): Stride with Haste (50 feet)

I've put down a pink line to indicate Slick's path to the east. If he spots an enemy anywhere along the path, he will redirect his motion to try and get within 50' of the creature.

As the eclipse gets noticeably closer, Billy continues reading the stars.
Perception to Read the Stars, +goggles: 1d20 + 28 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 28 + 3 = 39

Because Billy has an extra action...
After he spends time reading the stars, Billy looks around to help with the hound. Not seeing any trace of it, he touches his Phylactery of Faithfulness and prays aloud, "Oh, wise Desna, will this course of action involving Reading the Stars prove beneficial in solving this situation with the eclipse?"
Activating the phylactery gains the effect of an Augury spell. Note: With The Carnival, flat check is DC 3, not DC 6.

Then, as before, the little halfling bravely takes cover beneath the giant lintel.

◆ Read the Stars, ◆ Activate Phylactery (Augury), ◆ Take Cover

Sigourney seems really beat up for some reason, so Pine hurries over to tend her wounds.

He watches and waits for something to move, whether it's the Eclipse or the doggy.

◆ Stride
◆ Battle Medicine Sigourney (Legendary DC) Medicine: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (19) + 30 = 49 Success for Healing: 2d8 + 50 ⇒ (6, 4) + 50 = 60
◆◆ Disable if Billy reveals he can; otherwise ready to Strike an enemy that appears within his reach

Slick goes charging off and this time he chooses the right direction! Finding the creature he lands two powerful blows. Offended, it explodes in his face but he manages to duck in time.

Billy recognises that the scene shows the Mwangi Expanse, in particular an ancient Gate called the Doorway to the Red Star. This is said to be a door to the planet Akiton, used by Old Mage Jatembe in his war with the King of Biting Ants!

The Eclipse now appears to be a large sphere of darkness about a hundred feet in the air above you. His augury gives a decidedly positive yes to his query!

Pine brings some much needed relief to Sigourney and prepares to defend her.

Sigourney sees the dog wounded and barely clinging to life. Taking some inspiration from the Eclipse, she tries to bombard it to death with arrows.

7th rank Arrow Salvo

DC 40 Reflex Save, Piercing, CA: 9d10 + 1 ⇒ (7, 7, 9, 4, 3, 2, 4, 8, 6) + 1 = 51

She then quickly scoops Reginald up and places him back inside the safety of her sleeve's demiplane.

◆◆ Arrow Salvo, ◆ Interact

Sigourney bombards the hound with arrows. Its pin cushioned body slumps to the ground and quickly expires.

I am going to call this encounter here. You are well spread out, the meteor strikes cannot really take you out and you only need two more successful read the stars rolls to get the Eclipse to the point where you can just pick it up. There isnt a different disable option other than hitting it to death of dispelling it.

With the Eclipse halted and the card in hand you can go ahead and search the Islands.

Each of you can give me one Perception check to determine how much stuff you find.

Perception: 1d20 + 27 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 27 + 2 = 36

Sigourney is too busy simultaneously vindictively kicking the dog she shot to death and examining the card to give the island more than just a cursory search.

Slick takes a step back when he spots Sigourney's arrows approaching, but he needn't have bothered. Every. Single. Arrow hits home, proving to be too much for the fiery hound to handle.

He then takes cover behind the plinth and lets Billy and The Eclipse battle it out while he does his best to absorb any damage inflicted on the bard by the explosions. When the dust settles, he takes a peek and sees his friend holding the card high in triumph. "Good job, Billy. I knew you could do it."

He trots over and examines the card. "Not much for religion myself, but that one-a-day softening of a blow might come in handy to someone." He glances at both Sigourney and Billy when he says this.

Assuming it is now daytime, Slick will take to the air for his Search of the island. If not, then he won't bother.

Losing interest in the card, he turns, and with an "It's flyin' time," takes to the air and starts a methodical sweep of the small island to see if The Eclipse or the doggies left anything of value behind.

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

NOTE: Slick gains a +3 item bonus to Perception checks made while he is flying outside during the day (The Big Sky).

NOTE: Slick gains a +2 item bonus to Perception checks involving sight (Obsidian Goggles (Greater))

Slick only gets to fly for 5 minutes using his Bravery Baldric, so if this isn't enough time for the Search (or it isn't during the day), then reduce the item bonus from +3 to +2 (the backstop given to him for Visual Perception rolls given by his Obsidian Goggles (Greater))

Activity: Search with Obsidian Goggles (Greater) and The Big Sky

Perception (Visual Search): 1d20 + 26 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 26 + 3 = 47

With Desna blessing him, Billy manages to rein in The Eclipse while the others keep the enemies from bothering him. "Well done, everyone." Looking at the new card, he turns to Sigourney, "I already have my phylactery. You can probably make the best use of this." He hands the card to her.

After dusting himself off, he sings,
♫"Desna, oh so wise, she helped us find our card.
Taking to the skies. Let's search -- it's not that hard."♫

Billy casts Fly and help Slick look around the isles.
Perception +goggles: 1d20 + 28 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 28 + 3 = 45

The DC is only 30, I am going to assume that Pine passes but feel free to post.

Searching the little island chain you find a variety of interesting items. The items include a true endless grimoire, a clear spindle aeon stone, and gloves of storing that still hold a +3 greater striking starknife. You also find a rare tome titled "Of Observations Alghollthun and Other Esoterica and Theories", a book in Azlanti written by an anonymous author theorizing that alghollthus were manipulating Azlanti culture from the shadows. The book has been heavily annotated by an unknown critic who lambastes and mocks the author’s claims. It is worth 3,000 gp if sold to the right collector.

The Eclipse is also on roll20 and may be of interest to someone.

"A TRUE Endless Grimoire?" Sigourney can't believe what she is seeing. "Those books hold so much magical power...I must have it." She greedily grabs a hold of the book. "This one is mine. You all can have the other stuff, even the other book about the alghollthus. Those tentacled creatures are just some stupid conspiracy theory anyways. I mean, really? Aberrations controlling the most advanced human society ever from the shadows? That is so stupid."

Pine also takes to the air. He spots most of the same things that Slick does, but he lets the human think he found them first. (Mostly because it's true.)
Perception: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (16) + 28 = 44

He looks at the aeon stone. "Ooh, that might be useful! ...if my magic didn't already lets us all breathe underwater."

Flipping through the book, he adds, "Well, someone agrees with you."

Slick looks over all the loot they recovered during their search and nods in satisfaction. "Not a bad haul."

Loot sheet updated. we're at 5,206.03 gp per PC so far.

When Sigourney takes possession of the grimoire, Slick shrugs. "Just make sure to take good care of it. That book is worth a bundle."

Come up with 12,075.00 gp and it's yours.

Slick is eager to get back to the Harrow Court to epitomize the new card and take his chances against the desert. "It couldn't be any worse than what those pub crawl guys put us through. Could it?"

Billy looks through the new items as Slick logs them, although none of it particularly interests the little halfling. Turning to Sigourney, "I've heard about grimoires like this, but you'll make far better use of it than I."

To return to Harrowheart, I forgot: do we just envision ourselves back, or does Billy need to cast Teleport?

As they epitomize the new card, Pinebrush is excited. "Oh, we should all do that! That sounds easy."

He's entirely confident. After all, he's always confident, right? He has no doubts and fears. It's not like he's been faking it all along as things have escalated wildly beyond what he really feels confident handling and he's terrified that if the facade slips someone will notice.

Not at all. He can totally handle this.

Will: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (3) + 27 = 30 Failure. Cannot try again for one week.

Pine returns to Harrowheart shortly. "Eh, I wasn't really trying. Now that I know what it's like I'll get it next time."

Sigourney dumps all of her coin onto the table. "There. I own the Grimoire now. There are many like it, but this one is mine."

With the 5k from The Eclipse and 7068.73 from my savings, I have it.

She accompanies Pine to The Eclipse. Unlike the Sprite who appears to grow bored and leaves halfway, Sigourney stays and sees it through.

She sees her greatest failures and her most harrowing moments. The visions start with her flunking out of the Arcanamirium she worked so hard to get into. She sees herself walking out of the Wizard college with Reginald on her shoulder, her face crimson with fury and shame. The vision transitions to her and her best friend, Remilia, pouring over forbidden books out of their desperation to gain greater arcane power. She sees younger versions of herself and Remilia botch a summoning ritual to bind and summon a fiend of Nin, the vampire demon lord of unsolved mysteries. She relives her failure to heal Remilia of the curse of vampirism using half-baked arcane magic, fully aware that the Arcane tradition cannot remove curses but desperately hoping against hope for a miracle that never came. She witnesses Remilia transform into the Scarlet Devil she now hunts. She sees a desperate younger version of herself pledge herself to the Draconic form of her Patron, the only one who shares her hatred for fiends and was willing to empower her to hunt every last one down. She sees her dogged determination in the worst possible light as she abandons friends, family and a normal life all in service to her patron. She witnesses herself hurt others with naught but a cold, cruel glare plastered on her face.

Sigourney stands by silently as she watches herself kicked out onto the streets as Reginald gluttonously consumes them out of house and home. She sees herself join the party - and then fail to preserve the crystal in the Storval Stairs. She relives the last stand of Pine and herself against the Fiend army, watching on with renewed despair as Billy, Slick and Reginald flee mindlessly from the rampaging horde. She feels the lash of the horrifying Quoppopaks as they lash their tentacles relentlessly at the party, bringing Billy and herself down low. She sees Reginald, her beloved, loyal familiar, smashed, fried, shocked, frozen, bludgeoned, slashed, pierced and mangled by magic, over and over as she views every low point of their adventures as a helpless witness.

Terrible Friend. Incompetent Wizard. Cold-hearted Fiend. All of her doubts laid bare and evidenced through every single low point she's ever experienced throughout her life. Like a cacophonous choir of callous churls, The Eclipse attempts to crush Sigourney's self-confidence.

DC 38 Will Save, Will of the Pupil (ie Resolve): 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (13) + 30 = 43
That's a critical success due to Will of the Pupil since Success is upgraded to Critical Success.

But with every show of failure, every doubt laid bare, she forces herself to keep watching - and sees the other side to it. She sees every adversary and low moment as a learning experience which she's overcome and grown stronger. She sees her rage against fiends as what it truly is - nothing more than childish rage against a cruel, cruel world for slights long passed into history. But most important of all, she sees...she sees the good she's done for her friends. Billy's genuine smile, Pine's mischievous grin and Slick's sly smirks when they benefit from her magic. She remembers the people of Harrowheart and the cheers on their lips after the Demons were beaten back. She remembers the faces of those she saved from devils and demons - yes, those faces were full of fear, but also relief and gratitude.

Sigourney understands that her life was worth living. She isn't a failure - far from it. She is a hero. And by Nethys, she will find the Scarlet Devil - no, Remilia, and free her from her vampirism, one way or another.

After many hours, Sigourney returns to Harrowheart a changed woman. Gone is the vicious edge to her voice, the cold glare that pierces those around her, the aggression ever-present in every word she pronounces. In their place is a calm cadence, a gentle glance and a measured mouth.

She doesn't say a word at first to the party...except to open her arms and embrace each one of them, if they so choose to reciprocate.

"My friends...I return, a changed woman. The Eclipse has shown me my best self and my worst self. For all the times I have failed you as a magician and as a person, through my cruel words, my failure to keep you healthy and my vicious ways...I am sorry." She apologises to them in a quiet yet confident tone, making eye contact with each member of the party.

"And to you, Reginald, my ever-capable, ever-present familiar. Thanks...for standing by me throughout all this time." She kisses Reginald on the head tenderly.

"Aw...Sigourney, you don't need to thank me! I'm grateful to you for keeping me safe all this while. I've lived a more exciting life than I would if I remained an ordinary rat in the Arcanamirium. Just keep me safe and out of danger and I'll be happier."

Looks like we're heading back to Harrowheart and taking care of loot and such things. Bottom line is 5,206.03 gp for each PC. Sigourney has claimed the Grimoire. Slick will not claim the Retrieval Belt as the fine print states that it is for an item of Bulk 1 or less and his greatsword weighs in at Bulk 2.

Heading back to the Harrow Court, it seems everyone is eager to get The Eclipse epitomized so that they can throw themselves at the mercy of the dessert in the hopes of being rewarded. Trudging out to the nearest available dessert location, the card it epitomized and the sun immediately turns into a full eclipse; the temperature cools noticeably.

Pinebrush, Sigourney and Slick (and likely Billy) all head out into different parts of the desert to have their mettle tested. As Slick trudges along under the weight of perpetual twilight, he increasingly feels overwhelmed with doubt and the growing conviction that all he's accomplished in his life so far has been for naught...

Will Save vs DC 38 Magical Effect: 1d20 + 28 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 28 + 1 = 47

Ooooh! So sooooo close.

... Slick battles the (admitedly rather minimal) doubts he has over his life's accomplishments, but despite nearly attaining self-enlightenment, just barely falls short of fully conquering his inner demons.

Slick gets a +4 circumstance bonus on his next attempt.

No one is more confident than Billy Bardy. Pinebrush thinks he is, but Billy had fans throughout Absalom before these adventures began. And, thanks to the magic of the harrow, he's shared his musical genius all over Golarion. And his fan base is growing.

That being said, the darkening skies give him pause. He looks around for the others, but realizes they're gone. Lost in the darkness. He begins doubting how beloved he actually is. And wonders what life would be like without his friends....

Will +antimagic, DC 38: 1d20 + 32 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 32 + 1 = 39 (Gr. Resolve -> succ => crit succ)

While he had his doubts, he made it through. Like he knew he would. And he, somehow, feels a little more charismatic.

After your exertions in a ancient Azlant the group once again gathers together in Harrowheart to examine the location of the next set of cards on the map. This marker appears to be at a confluence of river tributaries in the Mwangi Expanse neat to Lake Ocota. Examinning the marker, it only seems to appear around dusk, suggesting that the cards are only apparent in the evening.

Assuming that you transport yourselves in the evening...

As the magical fogs fades away from your teleportation you find yourselves standing on the banks of a fast flowing river. In front of you a massive Termite Queen lounges on an ivory throne. Numerous tables, heavily laden with food and drink are scattered through the area. Behind one lounges a pure white unicorn. A humanoid figure wearing an elaborate mask lounges behind another. Small, bipedal, termites run between the tables serving the three creatures which are clearly the cards in Harrowkin form.

As you arrive the Queen raises an elegant goblet to her mouth, Oh, my dears, we have guests. How very unusual. Finally, something to spice up the Court. Welcome strangers, what brings you to my Court? she asks with a high pitched giggle.

On the morning of departure, Billy shuffles his harrow deck and draws his daily Harrow Omen card.

Before departing, Billy casts Musical Accompaniment reads his second scroll from the Mountain Man: Energy Aegis (rank 9). He then activates The Carnival card (with a DC 3, instead of DC 6 flat check) to learn about whom we'll meet.
Presumably the Termite Queen? Can she be trusted?

Upon arriving in front of the Termite Queen, Billy retrieves his own jug and raises in toast to the queen's own goblet. He smiles, "Greetings wondrous queen. It's a great pleasure to make your acquaintance." He bows and introduces himself, "I'm Billy, a performer from afar. My friends and I have been tasked with collecting harrow cards." Acknowledging the odd creatures, he continues "If I'm not mistaken, your other guests are harrowkin, yes? May we join you to chat further." Indicating his jug, "I always bring refreshments -- the finest honey mead in Absalom."

Diplomacy to Make an Impression +jug +music: 1d20 + 34 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 34 + 1 + 1 = 39
Hopefully enough. He activates The Publican to improve attitude by 2 additional steps.

The cards we're here to collect are: The Queen Mother, The Courtesan and The Unicorn.

While Billy engages with the The Queen Mother, Slick's roving eye lands on The Courtesan. He smiles broadly at the masked figure, and with a nod of greeting, winks at them knowingly. "How you doin?"

Activity: Make an Impression vs Courtesan

Diplomacy (Make an Impression): 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (13) + 24 = 37 vs Courtesan Will DC

Sigourney stays silent and sizes up The Unicorn with her Biographical Eye, not entirely sure of its role in this court.

DC 30 Hidden Society Check, Society + 30

Pine tries to stay out of sight for the moment, observing how they take Billy's introduction.

Billy gets the sense that the Queen can in fact be trusted.

The Queen titters at Billy's kind words, a rather disturbing sound from such a massive creature. She also smiles at Slick, Oh my, arent you both a pair of charmers, but scoundrels too I am sure. Now, leave my poor courtesan alone and listen to me. Obviously I know very well who you are and why you are here.

Sigourney realises that the Court is a creation of the Harrowkins magic. She realises that the Unicorn represented desire, searching and, ultimately, realising your potential.

The Queen addresses you all, Now my dears, I know that you want us to come with you but I would invite you to spend this one evening with us at my Court. It will be a marvellous evening of entertainment, fine food and wine, entertaining guests and a little party game of mine that I call the Battle of Lies. At that the entire court bursts out in excited tittering.

Let me explain, says the Queen. During the Battle you can all talk to anyone at the Court as well as any other guests who drop by. Some of them may tell you lies. At the end of the night you must tell me all of the Lies you have heard. It really is such fun, especially with new people to play with. Do you agree?

Upon hearing about the Queen's little game, Slick sighs inwardly. Then in a monotone voice loaded with irony, he says, "Oh, goodie! Another game. I loooove games like these."

He suspected that this particular game would be best played by Billy, but Slick wasn't a total slouch at such things and would likely not embarrass himself too much in the process. But it didn't really matter in the final analysis. These cards were coming back with them regardless of whether they succeeded at the game or not. It's just that in the latter case, things would likely get messy.

"Oh goodie, another game!" says Pinebrush delightedly, popping up where he has, of course, been openly sitting all along, "I love games like these!

"Do we get to lie, too?"

Huh. I never took Lie to Me? Drat.

Always ready to perform, Billy mimics his friends' reactions, "Oh goodie! Another game!" Unlike Slick, Billy is extremely sincere. "Sounds fun! I can't wait till the evening. How about you, big guy?" He playfully nudges Slick.

Turning back to the the queen, he asks, "Oh, your highness, will there be musical entertainment at this feast?" Too excited to wait for an answer, he continues, "Would you like some?" The bard retrieves his lute and strums a pleasing chord.

The Queen smiles at Pine indulgently. Of course you may employ deceptions of your own to get at the truth or otherwise of my various gusts. As for musical entertainment, of course Billy we would all love for you to perform for us but for now, off you go. Talk to any one you like, listen to their tales and see if you can winnow out the truth from the chaff.

OK< there are various people you can talk to at the moment. You can talk to the Queen the Courtesan, the Unicorn or the Queens servants. Other guests will also arrive from time to time. By default you can always use Perception to sense motive but each guest will also have other relevant skills.

Sigourney goes to talk to the Unicorn. As a creature whose desires ruled her for quite a long while, she thinks she's got something in common with it.

"Hello there, friend. I am Sigourney. A visiting magician whose temper is really quite mild. Might I have the pleasure of your name?"

The creature smiles at Sigourney, difficult as a horse. Why hello my dear, I am simply the Unicorn, the one, the only, the archetypal Unicorn is all of these lands. Its a pleasure to meet someone new, things have been a little dull here for a while.

I had thought to enjoy a nice canter through the jungle but when I did I came across a rather sad old man. Unfortunately he had contracted an unpleasant disease, horrible really. All red and yellow splotches on his face and arms. Sadly the jungle is filled with such things. I tried to aid him with my magic but it was not strong enough. Then I remembered an old tale which said that a certain fruit would act as an infallible remedy. I rushed off to find it but sadly the man slipped away before I returned. It was all very sad.

If you want to work out what might be false in the Unicorns tale then you can make a Perception, Medicine or Nature check.

Nature: 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (11) + 31 = 42

"Hmm. While I do not doubt your magical capabilities, I do not think fruit that cures illnesses simply grows on trees like that...I am going to fact check you." She says, doubtfully.

Sigourney checks her notes and The Owl.

"Well um..." Pinebrush sits on the ground before the queen, "Do you have a story to tell, your majesty?"

Not sure if we're all on our own, or if the whole group is listening to each story and making skill checks, so I'll cover both cases.

Since it seemed they had little choice but to play The Queen's Battle of Lies, Slick listens closely to The Unicorn's tale of the sad old man they met and how their attempts to cure him failed.

Perception vs DC XX: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (3) + 26 = 29

Slick then decides to make another attempt to woo The Courtesan. Approaching them, he dons a smile known well to the barmaids of Absalom. "Hello there," he begins, in a deep and slightly seductive tone. "Our earlier conversation was interrupted before I could properly introduce myself. I'm Slick, an adventurer whose fate is currently the plaything of a deck of cards. What about you? What's your story?"

Billy, a big fan of unicorns, sits cross-legged with a mug of honey mead, and listens intently to their story. "Aww, the poor man..."

Perception +goggles: 1d20 + 28 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 28 + 3 = 39