PF2E Stolen Fate

Game Master andreww

Pine kicks the overgrown troll, "Jerk! And I tried to help you."

He then gets out his medical tools. He doesn't respond to Bolti, but gives Slick a look.

"Wait. Let Billy take his time to refocus, then we will go."

Sigourney patiently waits on her Floating Disc. To pass the time, she examines the anatomy of the troll. She's curious as to how a multi-headed troll functions. Does it have multiple hearts, lungs, or stomachs?

Billy is about to settle down and refocus while the group heals -- until he hears Bolti whining. Again. He calls out, "Big picture, Sir Bolti. We brought you inside. I blessed you the gift of flight." Smiling he adds, "All we really need to hear from you is a civilized thank you."

However, when Bolti continues to complain, and dares to blaspheme the great tree referring to 'roots of the corrupt abomination', Billy has had it!

With his musical accompaniment taking a dark turn to reflect his mood, the little bard boldly walks up to the knight and yells up, "That's quite enough! Svarýr is great and wise and deserves far more respect from someone like you who is lucky to be here. He is not your enemy, so don't treat him as such!" Billy glares and orders, "Now shut it, so I can clear my mind with prayers to Desna."

Intimidation +music: 1d20 + 28 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 28 + 1 = 32
Halfling Luck which resets in 1 hr, thanks to Incredible Luck.
Intimidation +music: 1d20 + 28 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 28 + 1 = 42

Unless Bolti moves to attack, Billy returns to where he was seated, strums his lute and spends 20 minutes praying to his goddess.

Bolti gives an inarticulate snarl and stomps off away from the group.

OK, there are three possible locations to visit, the two items you need to open the door and Bolti's brother. Which is next?

Slick approaches the roots and considers. "I suppose the roots will take us wherever next they prefer, but I'd be interested in meeting this Speaker fellow that we're meant to declaw."

"Sure, let's exchange some words with the Speaker." Sigourney concurs without even looking up. Her nose is buried in her tome.

After praying to Desna, Billy stows his lute and nods to Slick. "I like to chat. Yes, let's visit the Speaker."

When the group is ready to go, Billy reactivates his Musical Accompaniment.

Sigourney silently and subtly Messages Billy with the Message Cantrip.

"I am quite amazed to see you lose your temper like that. Bolti is really something, huh. He did not even say thank you!"

Heading out of the cave you once again find yourselves amongst the branches of the great tree. It seems to understand your desires instinctively and you find yourselves being guided up and up and up until the people below are little more than specks and you are surrounded by clouds.

The branches lead you to what looks almost like a small, idyllic forest which grows from a layer of tightly entwined branches. In the centre of the forest is a glowing tree trunk that rises from the ground and continues up into the canopy of branches a hundred feet above. A stream flows out from a pond on the eastern side of the chamber and continues to the south before swiftly cascading off the branches to turn to mist below.

A beautiful human woman with green hair stands in front of the trunk of the massive tree and three nornhounds lurk in the branches of others nearby. The figure turns and regards you.

Welcome mortals, I am the Speaker. Your mission is know to me and I shall oppose you seeking my claws. Regretfully, you must prepare to die!

Bolti gives a roar of fury and rushes to the attack! Unfortunately for him the Hounds are all faster.

Slick : 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (5) + 29 = 34, +2 visual
Billy : 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (1) + 29 = 30, +3 item visual/hearing, +2 circ scout
Pinebrush, Stealth: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (9) + 32 = 41, Perception +27, +1 circ if visual, +2 circ scout
Sigourney: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (3) + 29 = 32, +2 circ scout, +2 item visual
Bolti: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Keeper: 1d20 ⇒ 1

The first hound flies forward and casts a spell at the group. Several of you find your limbs begin to grow stiff.

Its casting level 6 slow on everyone. I normally wouldnt pause for regular fails but given its slow I think its probably right to check if anyone wants to reroll.

As the magic takes hold of several members of the group the creature spits a ball of energy at Sigourney.

The other two hounds also leap forward spewing blasts of mystical energy at Sigourney, Billy and Pine. Sigourney and Billy find themselves somewhat battered but their energy aegis protects them from the worst of it.

The speaker is out of reach... and Pine is feeling too sluggish to get to them before they notice him. The hounds clearly already have, and he doesn't have a decent distraction.

But he did prepare for this, a little. He flings his eternal eruption up between the two closest hounds, where it detonates.

◆◆ eternal eruption of Sakalayo Lava Plume; hits Red and Blue DC 39 basic Reflex vs fire damage: 17d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 4, 1, 3, 1, 1, 3, 1, 4, 6, 6, 5, 4, 1, 5, 3) = 56
Can be used again in hours: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

Pine creates an explosion above you which catches two of the hounds.

Bolti snarls, More flying fools. You idiots deal with them, I will go after this so called Speaker. With that he lumbers off towards the Speaker but cannot reach her given he is slowed.

The Speaker raises an eye and regards the approaching undead. You keep strange company mortals she says as she creates a powerful charge of electricity and sends it flying at you. She then rapidly ascends the tree behind her to get away from the undead monster.

Sigourney recognises the spell as a 10th rank chain lightning! Well, that is two critical fails, guess I should pause to check for rerolls.

Billy had warned Pinebrush about a time when he'd be struck by lightning. Which had sounded very unlikely, but Billy's predictions were usually accurate, mostly.

Critical failure becomes failure, but I can't use this reroll on anything else anyway, so...
Harrow Keys Reroll: 1d20 + 35 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 35 + 1 = 39
Likely still a failure, but Pine takes half damage on a Reflex failure, at least.

Slick sees the lightning strike heading directly for his head and rather than stand there and take it, he decides to lean slightly to the left and hopefully avoid the worst of it...

Rerolling with my Harrow Ritual result: Keys (⚿): - Crit Success (+: reroll a Reflex saving throw with +4)

Basic Reflex Save with Antimagic and Bulwark vs DC ??: 1d20 + 29 + 1 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 29 + 1 + 1 + 4 = 47 Success -> Crit (Tempered Reflexes).

Assuming that's at least a success, then Tempered Reflexes bumps that to a critical success, which means that Pine doesn't have to bother spending his Harrow Reroll to avoid any damage.

Slick does indeed manage to dive out of the way at the last minute.

"Ohhhhh nooooo...Everrryyyyonneee isssss moooooving soooooo quiiiicklllyyy..." Sigourney doesn't like this situation. There is another huge, hungry fox looming over her, ready to swallow her whole (again)! She'd run, but she knows that she needs to get Slick in the air.

"Sliiiiiick...Go...skinnnn thaaat furrrrry freeeaaak abooove ussss." She orders sternly, although much of the impact of her command is lost due to the warped flow of time around her.

◆ ◆ Air Walk Slick

As he enters the forest, Billy is looking forward to some refreshment and good conversation. The little bard is sadly disappointed when their hostess launches an attack. He mutters, "She's not much of a Speaker, is she?" Turning back to the woman, he calls out, "You should really consider a name change: maybe 'Blaster' or 'Rude'."

Billy sings ... slowly,

♫"More nornhounds? Are things getting bleaker?
The good guys are slowed and are weaker.
.....But we're here for a reason.
.....It's hound-hunting season.
We'll win this -- let's start with the Speaker!"♫

Lingering Performance +VirtPerf +Music, DC 39: 1d20 + 36 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 36 + 2 + 1 = 42
Success: Courageous Anthem duration 3 rounds. Cost: 1 focus point.

He then sings to speed up the group.
♫"The nornhounds think they're bold. Returned to cause us trouble.
We'll beat them. It's foretold! And do it on the double."♫
Cast Haste (7th rank) for the entire party. Sadly, Bolti bolted out of range.

◇ Ling Comp, ◆ CA (quickened via Eternal Comp), ◆◆ Haste

Having dodged a lightning strike by the Speaker, Slick pauses a moment to decide on what tactics to use in the upcoming battle.

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

With Sigourney's Air Walk lightening his step and Billy's singing filling him with courage, Slick taps the hilt of his sword to his armor to activate the alloy orb hanging from it.

Action 1 (◆): Activate an Item: Alloy Orb (High-Grade) - The affixed weapon functions as cold iron for 1 minute, suppressing its original material.

Knowing that he may well end up inside the creature he's about to engage, Slick shrugs and leaps straight up to slice open the nornhound flying above him. He then uses his Air Walking to remain floating in the air just below the gargantuan beast.

Actions 2 & 3 (◆◆): Needle in the Gods’ Eyes
- Action: Leap with Greater Boots of Bounding - Up to 60 feet horizontally or vertically.
- Action: Strike (+3 Major Striking Greater Flaming Holy Quickstrike Cold Iron Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem vs Red.
- Action: Strike (+3 Major Striking Greater Flaming Holy Quickstrike Cold Iron Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem vs Off-Guard Red.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 34 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 34 + 3 + 1 = 55
Greatsword Damage: 4d12 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (2, 12, 11, 3) + 15 + 1 = 44 cold iron slashing damage
Greatsword Flaming Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3 fire damage - no resistance
Greatsword Holy Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1 holy spirit damage

If these are the same nornhounds as we've run into before, then that was a crit, so...

Target is Off-Guard until the start of Slick's next turn (Fighter Weapon Mastery of Swords).

Target takes an additional 2d10 persistent fire damage - no resistance (Greater Flaming).

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 34 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 34 + 3 + 1 = 55 vs Off-Guard
Greatsword Damage: 4d12 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (12, 3, 9, 2) + 15 + 1 = 42 cold iron slashing damage
Greatsword Flaming Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4 fire damage - no resistance
Greatsword Holy Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2 holy spirit damage

Looks like another crit, so...

Target is Off-Guard until the start of Slick's next turn (Fighter Weapon Mastery of Swords).

Target takes an additional 2d10 persistent fire damage - no resistance (Greater Flaming).

Action 4 (◆): Strike (+3 Major Striking Greater Flaming Holy Quickstrike Cold Iron Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem and MAP2 vs Off-Guard Red.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 34 + 3 + 1 - 10 ⇒ (8) + 34 + 3 + 1 - 10 = 36 vs Off-Guard
Greatsword Damage: 4d12 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (12, 11, 3, 6) + 15 + 1 = 48 cold iron slashing damage
Greatsword Flaming Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1 fire damage - no resistance
Greatsword Holy Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4 holy spirit damage

You can't win them all, I guess.

Sigourney gets Slick airborne while Billy speeds everyone up (except Bolti who is too far away) and encourages everyone to do their best!

Slick leaps upwards at the nearest hound. He lands two powerful blows, badly injuring it. The taste of cold iron makes the poor creature howl with rage.

Red snaps back out at Slick, given he is nearby. It savages his shoulder once before flying backwards, away from the dangerous warrior.

This provokes, feel free to take your reactive strike.

Green flies forward, opens its massive jaws, and unleashes a torrent of mental energy over the entire group! Slick takes the full brunt but the rest of you mostly manage to hold your nerve.

Going to pause to check for a reroll.

Slick takes the nornhound's counterattack in stride and swings his sword at the retreating creature as a goodbye gift.

Reactive Strike (↺) (extra reaction from Tactical Reflexes)
- Action: Strike (+3 Major Striking Greater Flaming Holy Quickstrike Cold Iron Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem vs Off-Guard Red.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 34 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 34 + 3 + 1 = 44 vs Off-Guard
Greatsword Damage: 4d12 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (2, 6, 3, 4) + 15 + 1 = 31 cold iron slashing damage
Greatsword Flaming Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2 fire damage - no resistance
Greatsword Holy Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1 holy spirit damage
If target is unholy, then add: Greatsword Holy Extra Damage to Unholy: 1d4 ⇒ 4 holy spirit damage

Not very impressive, but at least it's something.

When the nornhound's friend unleashes a torrent of mental energy at the group, Slick once again finds himself first in line for a major brain-scrambling. Slick grits his teeth and attempts to fortify his mind against the onslaught...

Rerolling with my Harrow Ritual result: Stars (★): - Crit Success (+: reroll a Will saving throw with +4)

Will Save with Antimagic and Bravery vs DC ??: 1d20 + 29 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 29 + 1 + 4 = 52

If it is a fear effect (which appears to be doubtful), then: Success -> Crit, and regardless, Frightened condition is reduced by 1 (Bravery)

Slick manages to hold himself together against the blast, shrugging off the effect entirely. Only Reginald is actually phased by it. The hound then lashes out at Slick with its long bushy tail but to no effect.

The third hound then also pounces forward and unleashes a second gout of mental energy, hitting everyone. Slick is engulfed for a second time but this time so is Sigourney.

Pausing for more rerolls. As a reminder, in case it matters, you all reset to 1 Hero point at the start of the book.

Stars Reroll, S > CS: 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (11) + 31 = 42

As Sigourney is engulfed, she thinks back to Billy's ritual and realises that the Bard's cryptic warnings were about this very moment. She steels her mind and weathers the assault.

With yet another of the nornhounds spewing yet another blast of mind-numbing energy their way, Slick wonders if perhaps the group should have spread out a little more to reduce the potential impact of these attacks. "Oh well, nothing we can do about it now except try and survive long enough to pay them back in spades."

Slick once again finds himself as the main target of the blast. As it rolls towards him, he begins to wonder how much longer his luck is going to hold out...

Rerolling with my Harrow Ritual result: Stars (★): - Success (•: reroll a Will saving throw)

Will Save with Antimagic and Bravery vs DC 40-42: 1d20 + 29 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 29 + 1 = 50

... He once again grits his teeth and successfully fortifies his mind against the attack. "Ha! Not today, Asmodeus"

Well, that's it for Slick's Will save Harrow rerolls. All he's got left is his single Hero Point, and The Paladin's reaction bump, to try and mitigate further Will saving throw fails.

Sigourney and Slick both withstand the assault and another tail swipe goes well wide.

"Pfft! That's not far enough away to be safe from us!" Pine zips straight towards the retreating creature, launched like an arrow.

The attack is probably too obvious, but that's fine because it was, um, totally a feint. Yeah, totally. To set up his next attack once he gets close, cutting at just the right point with his other weapon.

◆ Fly into Red's space
◆ Strike Off-Guard Red Minty Toothpick (+3 Major Striking Extending holy Greater Frost Rapier): 1d20 + 34 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 34 + 1 = 38 for piercing damage: 4d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 3, 4, 3) + 6 + 1 = 18, precision damage: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 2, 3) = 11, cold damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 3, and spirit (holy) damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3. Plus spirit (holy): 1d4 ⇒ 3 damage if target is Unholy. Total of 35 damage if it hit.
◆ Strike Off-Guard Red shortsword: 1d20 + 34 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 34 + 1 - 4 = 50 for slashing damage: 4d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 4, 3, 4) + 6 + 1 = 19, precision damage: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 4, 2) = 9, cold damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 6, and spirit (holy) damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1. Plus spirit (holy): 1d4 ⇒ 4 damage if target is Unholy. Total of 35. On crit, double damage, DC 34 Fort or Slowed 1, and target is Off-Guard one round.
◇ Master Strike (Incapacitation) on first hit. DC 41 Fort, unconscious 2 hours on critical failure.
◇ In the unlikely event both attacks hit and it's still up, on the second attack Debilitating Strikes. -10-foot penalty to all Speeds and no reactions

Pine zips straight up at Red. His first blow paralyses the poor creature which looks very puzzled.

Pine has a 35' fly speed and Red is 20 up. Going up is a half speed so I get that as two actions to reach him. While you get to ignore non magical difficult terrain flying upwards isnt actual difficult terrain, its just amending your speed as if it were.

Bolti scowls at the Speaker who has scurried up the tree.

Can one of you morons get me into the air again! he snaps.

He delays

The Speaker calmly regards Slick. You seem dangerous mortal. I shall have to do something about that. She intones a spell and the air grows heavy, flickers of energy reverberate about the clearing...

Sigourney recognises the spell as Detonate Magic and it seems to be converging on Slicks blade.

Pausing here to see if there are any reactions anyone wants to use.

Still wondering why the so-called Speaker refuses to chat civilly, Billy immediately reacts to their adversary's attack on Slick's weapon,
♫"Detonate? Might make Slick cry. But not today. A valiant try."♫
Billy reacts with Nullify.
Range: 120'. Auto-counteract up to 9th-rank spell. Billy takes 1d8/spell-rank damage.

Billy shatters the incoming magic before it can destroy Slicks weapon!

In response to Bolti's whining, Billy calmly says, "We could've have given you flight, if you wouldn't have run off." Adding helpfully, "And you would have been hasted." The little bard shakes his head, "Best I can do is bring the fight to you."

He sings, ♫"The monsters keep on flying. Bolti's most astounded.
Soon they'll all be dying. Once I have them grounded."♫
Cast Falling Sky. 30' radius positioned to bring down Red and Green.
20 hp damage to each and fall to ground. Fort Save DC 44 to determine stunned/prone.

"There you are, Bolti. You can have the glory of defeating the one next to you." Billy then saunters to a position further from the fray.

◆◆ Falling Sky, ◆ Stride (hasted)

Blissfully unaware of the critical danger to his precious sword that Billy had just defused, he pauses to watch as his friend takes two of the foxes down to the ground. "Good! That should give Bolti something to chew on." He looks around and briefly considers going after the Speaker, but she's a little too far away for him to reach easily. Instead, he turns his attentions to the remaining flying fox. "Looks like it's your turn, big boy!" he says, and launches himself at it with his still intact sword flashing in all directions.

Actions 1 & 2 (◆◆): Needle in the Gods’ Eyes
- Action: Leap with Greater Boots of Bounding - Up to 60 feet horizontally or vertically.
- Action: Strike (+3 Major Striking Greater Flaming Holy Quickstrike Cold Iron Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem vs Green.
- Action: Strike (+3 Major Striking Greater Flaming Holy Quickstrike Cold Iron Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem vs Green.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 34 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 34 + 3 + 1 = 43
Greatsword Damage: 4d12 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (12, 9, 8, 1) + 15 + 1 = 46 cold iron slashing damage
Greatsword Flaming Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5 fire damage - no resistance
Greatsword Holy Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4 holy spirit damage

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 34 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 34 + 3 + 1 = 55
Greatsword Damage: 4d12 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (10, 8, 5, 5) + 15 + 1 = 44 cold iron slashing damage
Greatsword Flaming Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5 fire damage - no resistance
Greatsword Holy Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4 holy spirit damage

The second one is a crit, so...

Target is Off-Guard until the start of Slick's next turn (Fighter Weapon Mastery of Swords).

Target takes an additional 2d10 persistent fire damage - no resistance (Greater Flaming).

Action 3 (◆): Strike (+3 Major Striking Greater Flaming Holy Quickstrike Cold Iron Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem and MAP2 vs Off-Guard Green.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 34 + 3 + 1 - 10 ⇒ (17) + 34 + 3 + 1 - 10 = 45 vs Off-Guard
Greatsword Damage: 4d12 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (2, 7, 3, 2) + 15 + 1 = 30 cold iron slashing damage
Greatsword Flaming Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1 fire damage - no resistance
Greatsword Holy Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4 holy spirit damage

Action 4 (◆): Strike (+3 Major Striking Greater Flaming Holy Quickstrike Cold Iron Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem and MAP2 vs Off-Guard Green.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 34 + 3 + 1 - 10 ⇒ (7) + 34 + 3 + 1 - 10 = 35 vs Off-Guard
Greatsword Damage: 4d12 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (3, 9, 6, 4) + 15 + 1 = 38 cold iron slashing damage
Greatsword Flaming Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5 fire damage - no resistance
Greatsword Holy Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2 holy spirit damage

With Haste granted to both Sigourney and Reginald, the Witch acts to output as much damage as possible.

Her Patron acts first, silently Commanding Reginald to do Reginald things.

Patron's Puppet (Reginald Stitching Strike Green).

Noticing Green becoming Off-Guard from Slick's assault, Sigourney launches some Cold Iron Needle Darts at it. "You thought to burst us down! - You thought wrong. I've got Cold Iron Needle Darts for you - they're nice and long." She mocks the creature as she assaults it.

Needle Darts, Cold Iron, CA vs Off-Guard Green: 1d20 + 34 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 34 + 1 = 49

Piercing, Cold Iron, CA: 12d4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2, 3, 1, 1, 4, 1, 2, 4, 1, 4, 3) + 1 = 30

Wanting to keep up the assault, Sigourney uses her psychic powers to Amped Message Slick. Slick hears his ally's familiar voice in his head.

'Good job Slick, but keep going. Strike Hard!'

Using Amped Message to get Slick to Strike Green as a reaction.

With Quickened steps, Sigourney Strides further away from the hungry, hungry jaws of these terrible foxes.

◇ Patron's Puppet, ◆◆ Cold Iron Needle Darts Green, ◆ Amped Message Slick, ◆ Hasted Stride

As Sigourney's Patron acts to Command Reginald, the fear on the heavily injured Familiar's face turns into grim determination. It unravels its body into strings which it then unleashes at Green, hoping to garrote it.

DC 44 Reflex Save, Slashing: 12d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4, 4, 4, 1, 3, 6, 5, 6, 1, 2, 2) + 1 = 41 On failure, target is immobilized for 1 round or until it Escapes against Sigourney's spell DC (DC 44). Reginald then reforms in its original square.

◆◆ Stitching Strike Green

After his flurry of slashes, Slick pauses to catch his breath. Suddenly, he hears Sigourney whispering in his ear and feels a burst of renewed energy. Raising his sword once more, he lashes out at his opponent.

Reaction (↺): Amp Heightened Message
- Action: Strike (+3 Major Striking Greater Flaming Holy Quickstrike Cold Iron Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem vs Off-Guard Green.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 34 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 34 + 3 + 1 = 43 vs Off-Guard
Greatsword Damage: 4d12 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (9, 12, 11, 2) + 15 + 1 = 50 cold iron slashing damage
Greatsword Flaming Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1 fire damage - no resistance
Greatsword Holy Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1 holy spirit damage

Hoped for a crit, but will settle for a hit.

Billy drives two of the poor foxes into the ground. Slick launches himself at Green, chopping away to great effect.

Sigourney peppers him with cold iron darts while Reginald nearly throttles it with his strands. Slicks psychically directed strike finishes him off.

Bolti roars and descends on the paralysed, prone fox, hacking away wildly. He swiftly dispatches it!

The remaining Hound bounds over to Sigourney and Billy but Billy manages to dodge the massive jaws.

The Speaker is still out of reach, but... only just! That's exactly why Pine carries a whip.

With the foxes out of the way, he zips towards her instead. He raises his sword as though he hasn't noticed she's still out of his reach, then starts to swing his whip one way--before finally snapping it in another.

◆ Fly
◆ Feint Deception: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (12) + 32 = 44 If that's a success against the Speaker's Perception DC, she's Off-Guard to all of Pine's melee attacks until the end of his next turn due to his Scoundrel Racket, and also takes -2 circumstance to Perception and Reflex while Off-Guard due to Distracting Feint.
If the Feint was successful, Pine attacks:
◆ Strike Whip: 1d20 + 34 ⇒ (15) + 34 = 49 for slashing (nonlethal): 4d4 + 6 ⇒ (1, 3, 3, 4) + 6 = 17, precision: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 6, 5) = 19, cold (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 2, and spirit (holy) damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3, plus another spirit (holy) damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1 if she's Unholy. On crit, double damage, DC 34 Fort or Slowed 1, and DC 41 Reflex or fall prone. Total of 41 damage.
◇ Master Strike (Incapacitation) if attack hit Off-Guard foe. DC 41 Fort, unconscious 2 hours on critical failure.
If the first Feint was a failure, Pine will Feint again, this time using Overextending Feint to impose a penalty on attacks against him instead of Off-Guard
◆ Feint Deception: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (4) + 32 = 36

Pine zips towards the remaining fox and feints it out. He stabs it in some highly sensitive spot and it is so surprised it falls out of the air, nearly crushing Sigourney and Billy!

A crit for 82 damage and knocked prone

From high up in her tree the Speaker launches a second chain lightning at the group. Fortunately this is a rather less potent one.

Rank 6, going for Sigourney, Reg, Billy then Pine. Pausing to see if anyone wants to use their Antimagic rune to try and counter it. It isnt often relevant at this level but may well be here.

Still annoyed the self-proclaimed "Speaker" is not interested in speaking, Billy activates his Anti-Magic rune against the Anti-Speaker's incoming spell.

Antimagic rune to Dispel: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (17) + 26 = 43

Antimagic Rune

"The armor attempts to counteract the triggering spell with the effect of a 7th-rank dispel magic spell and a counteract modifier of +26."

According to the Counteracting Rules - a Rank 7 Counteract counteracts a Rank 6 on a failure and a Rank 8 on a success.

So if I understand the counteract rules correctly, so long as we didn't critically fail to counteract versus the spell DC, the Antimagic rune counters Rank 6 abilities/spells ie the Chain Lightning coming our way.

If Billy's very powerful 43 didn't cut it...

Sigourney sees Billy try (and critically fail) to Counteract the Chain Lightning. She reacts by activating her own Antimagic rune.

Counteract with Antimagic Rune: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (5) + 27 = 32

That probably didn't work, so let me know if Billy critically failed and if I even needed to expend the activation.

Sigourney would need to go first as she was targeted first. That was a critical fail. Billy succeeds.

The spell fizzles as the runes on Billy's armour flash to life. The Speaker grunts in annoyance.

With his Sigourney-enabled final blow ending the existence of another fox, Slick turns to select a new target. He looks towards the Speaker, but when Pine brings down the remaining fox, his attention is redirected to the easier target. "The witch can wait. Let's take care of this one first."

Without further ado, he launches himself at the prone fox, sword flashing in all directions.

Basically a copy-paste of his last turn.

Actions 1 & 2 (◆◆): Needle in the Gods’ Eyes
- Action: Leap with Greater Boots of Bounding - Up to 60 feet horizontally or vertically.
- Action: Strike (+3 Major Striking Greater Flaming Holy Quickstrike Cold Iron Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem vs Prone Blue.
- Action: Strike (+3 Major Striking Greater Flaming Holy Quickstrike Cold Iron Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem vs Prone Blue.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 34 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 34 + 3 + 1 = 57 vs Off-Guard
Greatsword Damage: 4d12 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (3, 3, 8, 11) + 15 + 1 = 41 cold iron slashing damage
Greatsword Flaming Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1 fire damage - no resistance
Greatsword Holy Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2 holy spirit damage

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 34 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 34 + 3 + 1 = 57 vs Off-Guard
Greatsword Damage: 4d12 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (1, 1, 8, 2) + 15 + 1 = 28 cold iron slashing damage
Greatsword Flaming Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4 fire damage - no resistance
Greatsword Holy Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4 holy spirit damage

Those are two crits (Savage Critical), so for each one, ...

Target is Off-Guard until the start of Slick's next turn (Fighter Weapon Mastery of Swords).

Target takes an additional 2d10 persistent fire damage - no resistance (Greater Flaming).

Action 3 (◆): Strike (+3 Major Striking Greater Flaming Holy Quickstrike Cold Iron Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem and MAP2 vs Prone Blue.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 34 + 3 + 1 - 10 ⇒ (17) + 34 + 3 + 1 - 10 = 45 vs Off-Guard
Greatsword Damage: 4d12 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2, 9, 4) + 15 + 1 = 32 cold iron slashing damage
Greatsword Flaming Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4 fire damage - no resistance
Greatsword Holy Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2 holy spirit damage

... followed by a regular hit...

Action 4 (◆): Strike (+3 Major Striking Greater Flaming Holy Quickstrike Cold Iron Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem and MAP2 vs Prone Blue.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 34 + 3 + 1 - 10 ⇒ (5) + 34 + 3 + 1 - 10 = 33 vs Off-Guard
Greatsword Damage: 4d12 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (3, 9, 4, 8) + 15 + 1 = 40 cold iron slashing damage
Greatsword Flaming Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5 fire damage - no resistance
Greatsword Holy Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3 holy spirit damage

... and finally, a miss.

Sigourney dives for cover as the giant fox comes crashing down. "Good thinking Pine - although if you could have just knocked him a little to the right, I would not have needed to exert myself." The Witch comments distractedly as she straightens her now crooked hat.

With the fox distracted from having to Arrest its fall, Sigourney unleashes everything that she and Reginald had to offer.

"Reginald! Open your mouth wide. Calthaxitakin! I ask for your aid. Crush the fox's bones! Grind them to dust!" She commands Reginald to act.

After that, she throws some Clinging Ice on the fox, hoping to chip it down a bit more.

"I have had enough of your tricks, fox! Cold sign - Clinging Ice!" Sigourney angrily declares as sleet and ice gathers around the fox's paws.

Clinging Ice, DC 44 Reflex Save, CA, Cold: 10d4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 1, 4, 4, 4, 3, 4, 1, 4, 3) + 1 = 32

Expending more Focus, she then enables Slick to hit the fox again with another Amped Message.

"Slick Slivertongue...this witch does not want you to wait. Execute the fox!" Slick hears within his mind.

With Billy's spell still affecting her, she hastily Strides away - both to get away from any retaliation from the fox and also to get some line of sight on the Speaker.

◆ Command Reginald, ◆ Clinging Ice, ◆ Amped Message, ◆ Hasted Stride

I wonder if Pine has the reach to hit the Huge creature with his Whip using Opportune Backstab? Huge creatures are 15 feet tall generally and Pine is 20 feet up with a Reach weapon.

For the first time, Reginald's fear-filled features fade away, replaced with a far-away look. His jaw falls open, not out of surprised but purposefully. The rat's jaw distends an impossibly wide length until there is a eight foot gap between the top and bottom of his mouth. And then, from the deepest parts of Reginald's throat, a loud, draconic roar is heard. A declaration of intent - and an affirmation of Sigourney's plea for help.

From Reginald's distended jaws, a huge draconic claw as large as a human and covered in sharp silver scales rushes out from within. It flies directly into the fox, phasing through its grey-brown fur before clenching hard. The sound of bones cracking can be heard as Sigourney's Patron makes an appearance for the first time. She squeezes the fox like a furry tomato.

Patron's Claim, DC 44 Fort Save, Spirit, CA: 10d10 + 1 ⇒ (3, 4, 9, 5, 8, 2, 1, 3, 7, 5) + 1 = 48

Patron's Claim - Your familiar’s mouth opens impossibly wide before your patron’s grasping limb stretches forth from it at a creature within 30 feet, dealing 10d10 spirit damage with a basic Fortitude save against your spell DC. If the creature fails its save and takes damage, it is also drained 2 (or drained 4 on a critical failure) and you regain 1 Focus Point, up to your usual maximum, as your patron grants you additional magic in exchange for your gift of your opponent’s spirit.

◆◆ Patron's Claim

Let me know if Sigourney regains a Focus Point from this activity.

Assuming Blue is still with us after Sigourney and Reginald's barrage, here's another cut and paste Strike.

After his flurry of slashes, Slick pauses to catch his breath. Suddenly, he hears Sigourney whispering in his ear and feels a burst of renewed energy. Raising his sword once more, he lashes out at his opponent.

Reaction (↺): Amp Heightened Message
- Action: Strike (+3 Major Striking Greater Flaming Holy Quickstrike Cold Iron Greatsword) with Courageous Anthem vs Prone Blue.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 34 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 34 + 3 + 1 = 56 vs Off-Guard
Greatsword Damage: 4d12 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (7, 12, 8, 6) + 15 + 1 = 49 cold iron slashing damage
Greatsword Flaming Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6 fire damage - no resistance
Greatsword Holy Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4 holy spirit damage

Aaaand, this time it is a crit. If it wasn't dead already, this should finish the job.

Target is Off-Guard until the start of Slick's next turn (Fighter Weapon Mastery of Swords).

Target takes an additional 2d10 persistent fire damage - no resistance (Greater Flaming).

Between Sigourney, Reginald and Slick you bring the last of the Nornhounds low. The Speaker raises her claws, Enough mortals, I accept defeat and shall render up to you that which you seek.

What do you do?

Are we still in Encounter mode? If so, then it's Billy's (and Bolti's) turn before the Speaker's. Presumably Bolti will Delay, and knowing Billy, he may well Delay for the Speaker to see what she does. If Encounter mode is being paused for negotiations, then here is Slick's initial reaction.

When the Speaker offers to surrender, Slick frowns in suspicion. He pauses to try and determine if the woman can be trusted to keep her word or if this is just a ploy to gain the upper hand in the coming clash.

Action: Sense Motive with Obsidian Goggles (Greater) (Perception +27, +2 Visual) - SECRET

Billy is considering his options, when, much to his surprise, the Speaker finally speaks. The little halfling pulls out a mirror and comb and fixes his hair.

Properly presentable, the little halfling approaches and says, "Excellent. I hoped we'd prove our worth without hurting you." Glancing back at the hounds, "Sorry about your friends." Continuing, "I'm Billy. I enjoy chatting. Why do they call you The Speaker?"

"Finally, someone sees reason and does not fight to the death. We have not encountered a person with that much common sense since Arodeth, all those months ago." Sigourney remarks with a hint of approval as she walks over to Reginald, scooping the very injured rat in her hands.

"Well I am not sorry about those filthy foxes. They tried to eat me. Good riddance." Sigourney grumbles under her breath.

"I am Sigourney Knowledge, Witch of the Silent Snow. Unlike Billy, I would like to get to the point. We need your claws to open the Tripartite Seal. Is there any way we can get them without permanent injury or loss of your life? If you would allow us to remove your claws, my potent regenerative magic would let me regrow them for you. Alternatively, you could just accompany us to the Tripartite Seal and rip it open for us." Sigourney starts spit-balling suggestions.

Sigourney has Regenerate on her Staff of Healing.

Why does everyone keep assuming (correctly) Pine is a mortal? Although with all the fey about, the Speaker might be familiar with the Wingless.

He keeps an eye on the Speaker as she engages with the Talkers.

Slick detects no deception

I understand why you are here and do not concern yourselves about the Hounds. This place sits between your world and the First World. Their essence shall return there to be reborn in time.

She turns to Billy, I am called the Speaker for it is my task to tend to the Great Tree and to interpret its needs and desires. The Harrowing Three once had that task but over time their attention turned to their divinations.

She turns to Sigourney. I appreciate your offer but it is not necessary. The term "claws" is rather more figurative she says as she slips off a pair of slender gloves formed of bark. You may also find this useful she says, producing a small gem from within a flower.

The "claws" are +3 major striking handwraps. The Gem is a Third Eye.

I see you still have another item to recover to open the Chamber. I would remind you, the Three have commanded us to oppose you, and their servants will do so. I would also caution you against trusting this creature she says gesturing to Bolti. We have known him for many years, he is not worthy of your aid.

Good luck heroes, I trust you will reach the Three for your appointed meeting.

With that she quietly fades away. Bolti grunts in dissatisfaction. Enough time wasting, we must find my treacherous brother now!

What do you do?

Slick goes over and looks at items left behind by the Speaker. Picking up the handwraps, he examines them and can't help but be impressed. Nodding in approval, he says, "These are some impressive runes." He then looks down at his own hand. "Better than the ones on my handwraps"

Looks like it'll be on the order of 16000gp to upgrade Slick's handwraps. Better than the usual 30000gp, but my guess is that he won't have enough cash left to do that after upgrading his armor to a Major Resilient rune.

He frowns. "Not sure how these claws will help us unlock the Tripartite Seal." After a moment, he shrugs in resignation. "Maybe we have to punch it open or something. I guess time will tell."

The Third Eye also looks interesting, but he doesn't feel like the reaction time boost it would provide is worth keeping it. That money would be better used improving the runes on his armor.

Loot Sheet updated.

When Bolti starts getting impatient, Slick rolls his eyes. "What do the rest of you think? Should we go looking for Bolti's brother next? I'm fine with it." He leaves unsaid, "...and maybe we can finally get rid of this grumpy deadweight."