[PFS2] 1-13 Devil at the Crossroads (GM Watery Soup) (Inactive)

Game Master Watery Soup

"...and what gives you the impression that we need a guardian devil?"

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

"No matter how wicked, I cannie see a good reason to consign a soul to hell. There always be a chance he be redeemed." scowls Khaul.

"I think I know a better way for returin yer to yer home..." he suggests, stroking his hammer as he does so.

Why is it us that you wanted to help you? Did we just show up at right time?

"Sort of. The ritual must be conducted on the night of the new moon, which is tonight."

"It must be hard to be a servant for so long."

"We imps are made to be servants. I don't mind being a servant - I do mind not being able to fulfill my mission!"

Any character with knowledge of Hell would consider this to be consistent with what they know. Unlike the NE plane (Abbadon?) or the CE plane (Abyss), Hell is a place where order is sought, and there is method to the evil.

"My question is: What's the stuff you don't want us to know? Would we only be able to destroy the chest, allowing you--or your preferred party--to grab the artifact?"

"It's not what I don't want you to know. It's that my contract forbids me from providing explicit information about how to destroy or seal the artifact. However, as with all Asmodean contracts, as long as the contract is technically fulfilled, I am free to achieve the objectives however I deem fit."

Nal doesn't sense any deception from Zirzip. As a matter of fact, no one will sense any deception from Zirzip.

"if he be immortal... where be he now?"

"He resides within the trading post itself!"

To be clear, so this doesn't drag on long, Linneus's spirit is what is causing the entire haunting - and trapping you inside.

"...and what gives you the impression that we need a guardian devil?"

"If you can take care of this yourself, be my guest. I'll just have to wait for the next new moon if you fail ..."

If you (plural) would like to decline Zirzip's help, he will simply go invisible and wait. But, I do need a group consensus on accepting or rejecting Zirzip's help.

"No matter how wicked, I cannie see a good reason to consign a soul to hell. There always be a chance he be redeemed." scowls Khaul.

This would be inconsistent with the way planes work in Golarion. The souls assigned to each of the outer planes deserves to be there, and there is no implied imbalance or unfairness in the way souls are judged. Linneus made a pact with Hell, one that he has cheated to date.

"I think I know a better way for returin yer to yer home..." he suggests, stroking his hammer as he does so.

Zirzip doesn't have a stat block. Functionally, if you decline his help, he will simply disappear for the remainder of the scenario, we can call that you smooshing him.

Realization starts to set in for the little goblin.

It... may feel a little different cooperating with imp, but we want out of here too. Linneus made his choice, and it's going to continue to cause problems at inn until we break curse.

He looks back at Zirzip, asserting

And once we all done you return to hell to find some other work to do, away from here?

Vote to help

Khaul is a redeemer by nature as well as by subclass. He fundamentally believes that before the soul makes it to hell it has a chance to be redeemed. Once it is reborn as a devil-or whatever- that is another story.

Khaul scowls at the little devil.

"What be the choice little evil? And why is Linneous causing all these problems now?"

Suppressing a sigh, Nal considers what the group knows. She doesn't like it, but it looks like Zirzip's goals overlap with the Pathfinders', more or less. "Guys. If Zirzip leaves the inn, the murders ought to stop. So even if you don't like it, let's focus on the greater good. We gotta do this, and he can help us do it faster."

Vote to help.

Zhao Kang has been staying quiet thus far, the gears in his brains grinding away as he tries to consider all angles.

"From what I can see, we are choosing between two evils, so which is the lesser one? On one hand, Linneus has artificially extended his life, into this unholy presence within this trading post, where he has caused much evil. Nor would Lady of the Graves be particularly pleased over. On the other hand, by dismissing his immortality, the little devil gets its hands on its soul. One could argue that Linneus deserves his fate, but I am wary about casting judgement - that is for the gods, and I do not aspire to be one. So to damn one man, one man who should have passed long ago, or to leave his evil to continue to infest our world."

He pauses here, as if he has not already argued himself to a conclusion, then continues, "I say we exorcise him."

"We're not damning him. He chose that willingly. It's on him."

Mindartis lets out a sigh. "If helping them (Zizrip) means getting out of this cursed abode so let it be."

Vote to help

Khaul listens to the arguments, his face stony. When Kang speaks he does nod his head a a moment.

"Alright. Yer have a point. If Linneus were to be redeemed, he'd be needin to be makin an effort. "

He glares at the building around him. "Yer hearing me Linneus? Be yer willin ta be makin amends for yer wrongs? Or yer just gona keep hidin here in this inn and causin more problems for good folk? Speak up man, or spirit, or ghost, or possessed house. If yer be wantin ta make good on yer actions now is the time to show us. Either way yer evil be stoppin one way or th' other."

He then glares at the imp. "But I be makin no deal with a devil. If we be puttin the artifact in that there chest, it be to stop an evil here, not to make yer job less onerous. If I had me way, I'd be wanting to find a way to keep yer meddin fingers tied up in this dammed inn for eternity so yewr not be bothering good folk either."

I see four votes to accept Zirzip's aid, and it seems like you've figured out putting the artifact in the box will accomplish the same thing. I'll tell you what Zirzip tells you, and you can decide which to use.

Zirzip leads the Pathfinder back upstairs to the lounge, where he instructs the party to remove the painting from the wall, but is otherwise forbidden to say what to do. The Pathfinders discover the missing pages from Linneus’s research folded and neatly tucked into its frame. The entry is written in a patois of Infernal and Common that makes analysis difficult, but a DC 20 Society check or Annavinia's cooperation can translate.

These missing pages detail a ritual capable of destroying the artifact Linneus created: the candelabra must be lit, then extinguished using three drops of blood from a member of the Narikopolus bloodline. This ritual must be performed during the new moon in the hour before dawn. You have Annavinia's cooperation, as well as the vials of blood you found in her chamber, either will work (let me know what you choose).

As Kang pointed out (and Khaul remembers), putting the artifact in the box will accomplish the same result. But I'll still need to know which you pick - to reiterate, there's putting the artifact in the box, performing the ritual with Annavinia's blood, or performing the ritual with the vials of blood you found in her room.

"I'm thinking that destroyin the artifact be a shameful thing ta be doin." states Khaul.

Assuming the artifact itself is not sending out the evil emanations?

"If we be puttin it in the box, that will send our wicked host to his end? Then the Society can maybe be stuydin it in the future to see if some good may be comin from this sad story."

The brass candelabra on the mantelpiece flickers back to life and reveals a wizened man draped in bloodstained robes standing in the center of the common room. The apparition bellows, “Not a demon! A devil! Beware the devil who haunts this place!” He raises a trembling finger to point at each guest in turn. “For it serves a cruel master and is responsible for my death! Even now its master lurks within these walls! None shall escape until this night’s end, or till the devil is revealed and the one responsible for my death is brought to justice!” The vision quickly disappears.

Thinking back on Linneus's spirit's words, Nal begins to wonder. "Linneus's spirit said none would escape unless we reveal the devil and bring justice to the one responsible for his death. Presumably those are one and the same. So how does destroying this artifact accomplish that?" She gives Zirzip a discerning stare. "It's possible that Zirzip tampered with the artifact's creation ritual to prevent Linneus from fully achieving immortality in the way he wanted. ... Zirzip, are you the devil his spirit referenced, and are you responsible for his current state of unlife? If you can't answer those questions directly, please tell us so." Not that I'll believe you if you claim innocence and forthrightness.

Assuming the artifact itself is not sending out the evil emanations?

I guess technically, it should, but it's supposed to be innocuous when first encountered in the seance, so I guess it doesn't?

"If we be puttin it in the box, that will send our wicked host to his end?"

Yes.

GM Watery Soup wrote:

The brass candelabra on the mantelpiece flickers back to life and reveals a wizened man draped in bloodstained robes standing in the center of the common room. The apparition bellows, “Not a demon! A devil! Beware the devil who haunts this place!” He raises a trembling finger to point at each guest in turn. “For it serves a cruel master and is responsible for my death! Even now its master lurks within these walls! None shall escape until this night’s end, or till the devil is revealed and the one responsible for my death is brought to justice!” The vision quickly disappears.

Thinking back on Linneus's spirit's words, Nal begins to wonder. "Linneus's spirit said none would escape unless we reveal the devil and bring justice to the one responsible for his death. Presumably those are one and the same. So how does destroying this artifact accomplish that?" She gives Zirzip a discerning stare. "It's possible that Zirzip tampered with the artifact's creation ritual to prevent Linneus from fully achieving immortality in the way he wanted. ... Zirzip, are you the devil his spirit referenced, and are you responsible for his current state of unlife? If you can't answer those questions directly, please tell us so." Not that I'll believe you if you claim innocence and forthrightness.

The spirit that appeared during the seance was not Linneus. It's possible that I implied or even said it was - I was a little confused at the beginning, myself. But it was a victim of Linneus.

Zirzip explains that Linneus subtly corrupted crusaders and would-be heroes traveling to battle the Worldwound, while himself earning a fair bit of coin on the side. He used the souls and life energy harvested by his corrupt bargains to create the Covetous Flame. His murders have not abated since then, his spirit continues to murder. The poltergeists, upstairs, and the haunt, downstairs, were both manifestations of his spirit. The spirit that appeared during the seance was a random murdered spirit.

Zirzip insists he has neither the expertise - nor the motivation - to tamper with the Covetous Flame. "It's a magnificent artifact, and I'll take it to Hell with me if you don't want it," he explains. He just wants to complete his mission.

"Well, if Linneus be not choosing redemption, then to the hellfires with him. He's been given a chance. But no, little devil, you will not claim the artifact. I can see dozens of ways you would use that to twist other souls to your own ends. We will be takin it back to the lodge, where others may see if it can do some good, or whether it too shall be put to the forge and hammer."

"I suppose it's true one shouldn't make deals with devils.. or demons.. or whatever you are... " Farnguy says.

"Technically, you aren't making a deal with me. You're helping enforce a perfectly legitimate contract that was mutually agreed upon by both signing parties," smirks Zirzip.

"It's fine if you want to keep the Covetous Flame. I welcome seeing it sealed away in the Grand Lodge until all the mortal souls who know of its dangers have passed on, and then cheering as some unsuspecting soul unleashes it upon the world once more."

To prod things along ...

Selik chimes in. "It's almost dawn. We need to decide if we're putting the artifact in the box, performing the ritual with Annavinia's blood, or performing the ritual with the vials of blood you found in her room."

Welll... we mortal humanoids aren't that patient or disciplined. It go to Grand Lodge alright! Then to Dark Archive. (Very cool place really, you should stop in some time). Then PhD apprentice have thesis due some day, they crack box open, and you know how it go from there.

The little goblin motions at the box suggestively to his companions.

Arfsnarf is fine if we "help" the imp by taking the artifact away.

Farnguy also votes to take the artifact away.

Mindartis votes to put it in the box.

Moving the party forward with the Brad Pitt "what's in the box" scenario.

As Khaul moves to place the artifact in its chest, Dehliana bursts into the room, her arms broken and dangling from their sockets as she dislocated her shoulders to escape whatever bonds the team had placed on her earlier.

"I WISH TO COMMAND DIVINE POWER!" she screams.

The candelabra’s three tapers ignite into black flames as the artifact grants her wish. Black smoke streams from the walls, floor, and ceiling, filling Dehliana's broken body into a 7-foot-tall infernal monster with black, feathery wings, gnarled horns, and cloven hooves. The entity’s facial features resemble an amalgam of Dehliana and Linneus, and they speak in a resonant, multitoned voice.

Dehliana’s triumphant laughter rings through the air as a violent earthquake wracks the trading post, sending objects clattering to the floor as a rapidly expanding chasm rips the building in half.

The room’s familiar furnishings seem to melt and disappear into the fracture, replaced by rising walls of warped stone. A massive stone dais crowned with a flaming pentagram towers where the fireplace once stood.

Enlarged human skulls sprout like a ring of macabre flowers around the podium, and the wails of the damned echo in an unearthly choir.

The transcendent being of hooves and feathered wings surveys their domain from atop this throne. They produce a fire-wreathed mace from their outstretched hand and speak in a polyphonic voice: “Behold our ascension and despair!”

The vaulted ceiling soars to a height of 50 feet above a plateau of craggy gray stone. In the center of the chamber a fiery pentagram blazes between five sculptures of human skulls within a raised, circular dais.

See Slide 8. Apologies for the homemade map - the original map is 10x8 and absurdly crowded, I just cut and paste extensions around the dias so that I can actually fit all the icons.

I'm rolling Perception for Arfsnarf, Nal, and Kang, as Stealth wouldn't apply here.

The Ascendant raises their mace and intones: “For our first act as a living god, we shall perform a resurrection!” The ascendant summons the shuffling corpses of Kellvan, the housekeeper, and three other corpses that were buried in the inn, who enter the common room and kneel to praise the ascendant.

Mechanically, I'm marking them prone, as they will need an action to rise from kneeling and they are flat-footed while kneeling.

--Round 1
Khaul (100/100, shield raised)
Farnguy (63/63)
Arfsnarf (60/60)
Nal (57/68)Kang (56/56)
Mindartis (66/66) / Mialee (39/39)
Red Zombie (-0 hp, prone, Recall: Religion)
Yellow Zombie (-0 hp, prone, Recall: Religion)
Green Zombie (-0 hp, prone, Recall: Religion)
Blue Zombie (-0 hp, prone, Recall: Religion)
Purple Zombie (-0 hp, prone, Recall: Religion)
--Round 2
The Ascendant (-0 hp, +20' off the ground, Recall: Religion)

Environmental: The dais is 20 feet high and requires a DC 16 Athletics check to Climb.

"Um, can we try the box? I'm really curious to study how it works!" Kang exclaims excitedly, seemingly forgotten the gravity of the situation.

---

Kang immediately turns sober.

He raises his head, taking a moment to study the flying creature.
◆ Recall Knowledge on The Ascendent. Religion +11

He then turns to look at the zombies that have been summoned. Raising his staff, he chants some arcane words, conjuring a bolt of lightning running through two of them.

◆◆ Cast Spell (Lightning Bolt)
vs yellow, green: lightning damage: 4d12 ⇒ (5, 10, 6, 5) = 26 Basic Ref DC22

Nal mutters while the Ascendant is talking: "Figures. It had to go sideways."

She's not a fan of the arrival of the undead fan club. "I'm not sure you know what the term 'resurrection' means. Maybe use your power to summon a dictionary." She quips dryly as she draws her shortsword. Once the zombies have knelt, she imposes herself between the purple-robed zombie and Arfsnarf and takes a swift swing.

+1 Striking shortsword: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33
Slashing damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 4) + 4 = 13
Sneak Attack damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4
If that's a crit, please double the damage. The shortsword's critical specialization effect makes the target flat-footed until the start of her next turn.

◆ Interact, ◆ Stride, ◆ Strike

Kang recognizes that the Ascendant will function as some kind of devil, although he's never seen anything like this specifically. Devils are generally immune to fire; they are also resistant to physical attacks, with the exception of silver weapons. They are evil creatures and vulnerable, if not weak, to good damage. There may be other resistances and weaknesses that this specific devil has that's uncommon to other devils.

Yellow Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 vs DC 22
Green Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 vs DC 22

The lightning bolt fries both zombies, but they don't seem to take as much damage as expected. Resistance to electricity!

Nal runs up and slashes at Purple, critically wounding it. In addition to the damage she'd expect against a mortal, she sees the blade sever several sinews. Weakness to crits, but also resistance to slashing!

--Round 1
Khaul (100/100)
Farnguy (63/63)
Arfsnarf (60/60)
Nal (57/68)
Kang (56/56)
Mindartis (66/66) / Mialee (39/39)
Red Zombie (-0 hp, prone, Recall: Religion)
Yellow Zombie (-26 hp, +resistance(x1), -weakness(x1), prone, Recall: Religion)
Green Zombie (-52 hp, +resistance(x1), -weakness(x1), prone, Recall: Religion)
Blue Zombie (-0 hp, prone, Recall: Religion)
Purple Zombie (-34 hp, +resistance(x1), -weakness(x1), prone, Recall: Religion)
--Round 2
The Ascendant (-0 hp, +20' off the ground, Recall: Religion)

Environmental: The dais is 20 feet high and requires a DC 16 Athletics check to Climb.

Khaul steps forward to intercept the giant yellow zombie.
"Yer may be wantin to put the candles in the box. Ta put this to a quick end." he mutters.

Raising Myrsa up he takes a swing at the zombie.

strike vs yellow: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26
damage(Blunt,magic): 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3) + 4 = 9

* raise shield
* stride
* strike

Arfsnarf steps up next to Nal and opens his tiny mouth. Out of it erupts a great stream of electricity that envelopes two of the creatures.

◆ Step
◆ Cast a spell (focus) Dragon Breath: line covering RED/PURPLE
Electricity damage RED/PURPLE, DC22 Basic Reflex Save: 5d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 2, 2, 5) = 17
◆ Cast a spell Shield

You see a faint outline of scales glow on Arfsnarf's form.

Blood Magic Draconic scales grow briefly on you or one target, granting a +1 status bonus to AC for 1 round.

Because he cast a bloodline spell

Mindartis marks yellow as their prey and commands Mialee to attack it. He then moves back to get a clearer view of the encounter.

Jaw: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Piercing + Precision: 1d6 + 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + (4) + 2 = 11

◈Hunt Prey, ◈Command Animal, ◈Stride

Khaul makes a powerful swing against Yellow, critically smashing it. Okay, I think I made a mistake on the last tracker - Yellow and Green had resistance to electricity, but neither of them had weakness to anything. So now Yellow has two resistance units, and one weakness units, and Green only has one resistance.

Arfsnarf Dragon Sneezes in a line.

Purple Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 vs DC 22
Red Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 vs DC 22

The sneeze shocks them. Purple collapses.

Mialee flies towards Yellow, pecking it critically, while Mindartis steps back.

--Round 1
Khaul (100/100, shield)
Farnguy (63/63)
Arfsnarf (60/60, +1 AC 1/1, shield)
Nal (57/68)
Kang (56/56)
Mindartis (66/66, hunting Yellow) / Mialee (39/39)
Red Zombie (-34 hp, +resistance (x2), prone, Recall: Religion)
Yellow Zombie (-66 hp, +resistance(x3), -weakness(x1), prone, Recall: Religion)
Green Zombie (-52 hp, +resistance(x1), prone, Recall: Religion)
Blue Zombie (-0 hp, prone, Recall: Religion)
Purple Zombie (-68 hp, +resistance(x1), -weakness(x1))
--Round 2
The Ascendant (-0 hp, +20' off the ground, Recall: Religion)

Environmental: The dais is 20 feet high and requires a DC 16 Athletics check to Climb.

"Oh dear.. what a mess.." Farnguy produces some goodberries and guides Khaul.

◆◆ Goodberries
◆ Guidance on Khaul

Farnguy produces some goodberries. They look a little anemic in the evil environment.

The zombies stand, taking orders from the Ascendant to kill everyone.

Red stands and moves towards Arfsnarf. Zombies are permanently slowed 1, so only two actions.

Yellow stands and swings a fist at Khaul.

Fist: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Bludgeoning: 1d12 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 plus Improved Push

Green stands and moves around Yellow.

Blue circles around the dias.

The Ascendant speaks in Infernal, and casts a spell at Khaul. DC 23 Will save.

It then fires a barbed needle at Nal.

Needle: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (16) + 17 = 33
Piercing: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 3) + 4 = 13 plus Evil: 1d6 ⇒ 5

This is a crit, and the evil damage doesn't apply because Nal is CN. However, I had Nal's HP wrong on the tracker before, she should have been full at the start. She takes 26 piercing, and is at 42/68.

--Round 2
Khaul (100/100, shield, guidance, DC 23 Will save first)
Farnguy (63/63)
Arfsnarf (60/60, +1 AC 0/1, shield)
Nal (42/68)
Kang (56/56)
Mindartis (66/66, hunting Yellow) / Mialee (39/39)
Red Zombie (-34 hp, +resistance (x2), prone, Recall: Religion)
Yellow Zombie (-66 hp, +resistance(x3), -weakness(x1), prone, Recall: Religion)
Green Zombie (-52 hp, +resistance(x1), prone, Recall: Religion)
Blue Zombie (-0 hp, prone, Recall: Religion)
Purple Zombie (-68 hp, +resistance(x1), -weakness(x1))
--Round 3
The Ascendant (-0 hp, +20' off the ground, Recall: Religion)

Environmental: The dais is 20 feet high and requires a DC 16 Athletics check to Climb.

Uh, how did the zombies become large creatures? They used to be medium.

"Arfsnarf, you gotta stay out of reach!" Nal admonishes her pal. Again stepping between him and the red zombie, she tries stabbing it this time, to see if the blade does more damage that way.

+1 Striking shortsword: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
Piercing damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 4) + 4 = 9
+1 Striking shortsword: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Piercing damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 6) + 4 = 14

◆ Step, ◆ Strike, ◆ Strike

What? They haven't got me yet! he exclaims confidently.

He sends a spectral acidic hand out at the nearby zombie and then backs away as Nal suggests.

◆◆ Cast a spell: acid grip (formerly acid arrow) RED; Duration 1 minute
Acid damage: 2d8 ⇒ (7, 3) = 10 and 1d6 persistent acid damage
A creature taking persistent damage from this spell takes a –10-foot status bonus to its Speeds.

will: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
That is a success... checking the spoilers, the same details are there for success and failure.... Either way it looks like creatures I am hostile to (zombies) I can continue to be hostile to. Really just affects whether I can use my reaction if others are injured.

"Nopw Myrsa, this be more like what you've been waitin for!"
he mutters, keeping Myrsa between himself and the big uglies.

Khaul strikes again at the zombie in yellow.
strike: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 15 + 1 = 27
B damage: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 = 11

* raise shield
* strike
* TBD based on whether yellow goes down.

Farnguy steps towards Nhal and feeds her some goodberries.

"Hey stop tossing stuff into my friends!"

◆ Step
◆ Feed 2 goodberries to Nhal Heal: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 2) + 4 = 11
◆ Guidance on Nhal

Mindartis commands Mialee to continue attacking the Yellow Zombie. He then fires two arrows at Yellow.

Jaw: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Piercing+Precision: 1d6 + 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + (2) + 2 = 6

Jaw: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (6) + 10 - 5 = 11
Piercing: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Longbow: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24
Magic Piercing+Precision: 3d8 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1, 6) + 1 = 12

Longbow MAP: 1d20 + 14 - 5 ⇒ (18) + 14 - 5 = 27
Magic Piercing: 2d8 ⇒ (3, 7) = 10

◈Command Animal, ◈Quick Draw, ◈Strike

GM, to clarify, the Ascendent is flying, right? Wouldn't it need to use an action to hover, otherwise it would fall?

Not quite sure which zombies would still be up, so let me save my lightning bolt.

With the party focusing on clearing the zombies, Kang turns his attention to the flying devil. He chants words of power, and a wave of lethargy sweeps over it.

◆◆ Cast Spell (Slow) Fort DC25

He then points his staff at one of the zombies, and with another quick word, sends it flying at the undead. Kang will target whichever zombie looks the most wounded.

◆◆ Cast Focus Spell
hand of apprentice (+1 striking staff of divination): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29 bludgeoning: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (5, 6) + 4 = 15

Uh, how did the zombies become large creatures? They used to be medium.

These are special zombies.

Either way it looks like creatures I am hostile to (zombies) I can continue to be hostile to. Really just affects whether I can use my reaction if others are injured.

Correct, for all intents and purposes, you have no reaction this round because you have no allies.

GM, to clarify, the Ascendent is flying, right? Wouldn't it need to use an action to hover, otherwise it would fall?

The Ascendant is standing atop a dias, not flying.

---

Nal slashes the Red zombie twice, bringing it very close to re-death.

Arfsnarf casts acid grip.

Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 vs DC 22

The initial damage kills it outright. Red down.

Khaul strikes Yellow with his hammer, flattening its skull. Yellow down. I will bot Khaul as Striding towards Green, but let me know if he's climbing the dias instead.

Farnguy gives Nal a snack and a pep talk.

Mindartis, yellow is down by your turn, but given your modus operandi, I'm going to bot you as Hunt Prey (Green), Command an Animal (Stride to flank with Khaul, Strike), and then Strike. I'm taking your first two attack rolls for Mialee and Mindartis.

Mialee pecks at Green crit and then Mindartis's arrow is enough to fell it. Green down.

Kang casts Slow.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35 vs DC 25

The Ascendant laughs maniacally, and Kang's staff strikes him on the head. However, not all of the damage goes through.

The zombie army has been whittled to one, but that doesn't make them less hostile. The remaining zombie steps up and swings at Nal.

Fist (10'): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Bludgeoning: 1d12 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 plus Improved Push

The Ascendant's ire focuses on Kang, and steps forward to casts a spell back at him. Kang, DC 23 Will save.

--Round 3
Khaul (100/100, shield, paranoia)
Farnguy (63/63)
Arfsnarf (60/60)
Nal (53/68, guidance)
Kang (56/56, Will save first)
Mindartis (66/66, hunting Green) / Mialee (39/39)
Red Zombie (-81 hp, +resistance (x4), +weakness(x1))
Yellow Zombie (-88 hp, +resistance(x4), -weakness(x1))
Green Zombie (-76 hp, +resistance(x3), +weakness(x1))
Blue Zombie (-0 hp, prone, Recall: Religion)
Purple Zombie (-68 hp, +resistance(x1), -weakness(x1))
--Round 4
The Ascendant (-15 hp, +resistance(x1), Recall: Religion)

Environmental: The dais is 20 feet high and requires a DC 16 Athletics check to Climb.

One left. Nal ducks under the remaining zombie's cumbersome blow, stepping up to deliver a couple of quick jabs with her shortsword.

+1 Striking shortsword: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
Piercing damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 = 8

+1 Striking shortsword, MAP: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Piercing damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2) + 4 = 9

◆ Step, ◆ Strike, ◆ Strike

Yeah! Arfsnarf melts their faces! Again!

The goblin jumps with juvenile glee and redirects his power to the ascendant.

◆◆ Cast a spell: acid grip (formerly acid arrow) WHITE; Duration 1 minute
Acid damage: 2d8 ⇒ (2, 7) = 9 and 1d6 persistent acid damage
A creature taking persistent damage from this spell takes a –10-foot status bonus to its Speeds

With most of the zombies now a pile of once-again-dead flesh, Khaul turns his attention toward the pillar with the ascendant on top of it. And he's not so sure about some of his so-called-allies, now he things about it. Climbing the pillar will solve both problems. Space from the other pathfinders, and a foe he can smash.

"Yer'll need ta do better than that.." he growls.

athletics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Not sure how many actions that takes, but if it is just once..

Once at the top he arranges Myrsa "Ye'll want to be seeing this one lassie. That there was a lassie once herself, now she be thinkin she's a god."

strike?: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21
damage: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (5, 8) + 4 = 17

* climb
* raise shield
* strike.

"Let's speed you up Nal!" Farnguy says. They cast Haste on Nal and raise their shield.

◆◆ Haste
◆ raise Shield

With most of the zombies down, Mindartis turns his sights on the Ascendant. He commands Mialee to support him by attempting to blind the Ascendant. He then fires an arrow.

Longbow: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25
Piercing+Precision: 3d8 + 1 ⇒ (4, 6, 2) + 1 = 13

◈Hunt Prey, ◈Command Animal (◈Stride, ◈Support), ◈Strike

Lol, I've love this imagery of Kang and the Ascendant tossing spells back and forth at each other.

will DC23: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
A wave of psychic energy sweeps over Kang, stunning him momentarily but he shakes it off quickly.

Kang glares at the Ascendant, and those nearby hears him mutter, "There's more where that came from..."

Grasping his staff tightly, he concentrates briefly to draw arcane energy stored within, then repeat the same incantation he used earlier, sending a wave of miasma over the Ascendant.

◇ Drain Bonded Object (L3 - Slow)
◆◆ Cast Slow; Fort DC22 Sorry, typo earlier. DC is 22, not 25, but either way, it crit succeeded.

"Yeeeah!" Nal crows as Farnguy speeds her up.

Nal weaves closer and jabs the zombie once, but the second hits a loose flap of flesh and doesn't do any damage.

Arfsnarf casts another spell.

Ascendant Reflex, vs. magic: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 13 + 1 = 28 I forgot to include a +1 bonus vs magic last time.

The devil only dodges about half. Tell me which direction they should be pushed.

Khaul, Climb requires both hands free, so Khaul cannot Raise Shield and then Climb. Characters that can cast Shield (which only requires verbal) can be shielded while climbing, though.

I'm going to bot you as Climb (x3), rolling one more d20 for the third check.

Khaul Climb: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Khaul climbs 15' up. You'll need one more Success to get to the top.

Farnguy hastes Nal.

Mindartis fires an arrow at the Ascendant, which bounces off its thick hide. AC > 25! Mialee flies up. Ascending is double movement, so 35' horizontal + 40' vertical = 53' of movement.

Kang is briefly stunned, but recovers to cast a spell.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33

The Ascendant sneers at Kang.

The remaining zombie swings at Nal with two fists.

Fist (10'): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Bludgeoning: 1d12 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 plus Improved Push (5')

Fist (10'), MAP: 1d20 + 11 - 5 ⇒ (9) + 11 - 5 = 15
Bludgeoning: 1d12 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 plus Improved Push (5')

Its slow, lumbering punches are easily dodged.

The Ascendant's mace, however, is far more deadly. I apologize in advance, Mialee. It has +20 to its attack so it's got a 55% chance of critting.

Flaming Mace: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (7) + 20 = 27
Bludgeonging: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (4, 2) + 9 = 15 plus Evil: 1d6 ⇒ 5 plus Fire: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Mialee lives!

The Ascendant starts beating its wings furiously - not taking off from the dais, but sending powerful blasts of air radiating outward. Everyone within 20' - this is Khaul and Mialee but not Farnguy or Nal due to the vertical difference - must make a DC 23 Reflex or be pushed 5' away from the Ascendant. Khaul, this means you will fall 15' if you fail. Mialee, fliers take an additional penalty: a failure will constitute a critical failure for fliers, so they will be pushed 10' away.

As the Ascendant expends its physical and magical energy, the toll on its physical body begins to show. The devil seems metastable, capable of disintegrating after a while.

Selik quips, "We may not need to defeat it, just survive a few more rounds until it falls apart on its own!"

--Round 4
Khaul (100/100, Reflex save first)
Farnguy (63/63, shield)
Arfsnarf (60/60, shield)
Nal (53/68, hasted)
Kang (56/56)
Mindartis (66/66, hunting White) / Mialee (14/39, Reflex save first)
Red Zombie (-81 hp, +resistance (x4), +weakness(x1))
Yellow Zombie (-88 hp, +resistance(x4), -weakness(x1))
Green Zombie (-76 hp, +resistance(x3), +weakness(x1))
Blue Zombie (-8 hp, +resistance(x1), Recall: Religion)
Purple Zombie (-68 hp, +resistance(x1), -weakness(x1))
--Round 5
The Ascendant (-19 hp, +resistance(x1), 25 < AC <= 27, Recall: Religion)

Environmental: The dais is 20 feet high and requires a DC 16 Athletics check to Climb.

reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Khaul looks as if he was about to hold on... about to but not quite.

With a growl he picks himself up and decides to finish off the zombie first.

"What say you deal with a real threat rather than picking on th' ladies?" he says to the giant zombie.

* stand
* stride
* stride

Oh, *I'm* not a real threat?! Nal gives Khaul an incredulous look.

Seems like Khaul's under a mind affecting effect, so this RP should be fun. ;D

The devil only dodges about half. Tell me which direction they should be pushed.

5' to the West so it's more accessible to the party and more ready to be surrounded ")

I'm going to be honest, I don't get how the duration of acid grip works. There's no "sustain" so can Arfsnarf move it, or does it just sit in place, or does it stay with the target and induce saving throws every round?

Arfsnarf's hands swirl around in a gesticulation and he sends a barrage of force shards at the ascendant.

◆◆◆ Cast a spell: force barrage (formerly magic missile)
force damage (3 shards): 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 3, 4) + 3 = 14

UPDATE Oh I see, the duration is just a timeout on the persistent damage if it's not overcome with a flat check by then (that's weird...). In this case the persistent damage was avoided, so the spell is just over. Reference

Mialee Reflex Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Mialee gets pushed back and Mindartis calls for her to fall back. "That was very brave of you!"

Mindartis fires two arrows at the Ascendant.

Longbow: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24
Piercing + Precision: 3d8 + 1 ⇒ (8, 1, 5) + 1 = 15

Longbow: 1d20 + 14 - 5 ⇒ (7) + 14 - 5 = 16
Piercing: 2d8 + 1 ⇒ (8, 4) + 1 = 13

◈Command Animal, ◈Strike, ◈Strike