GM Chadius presents Star Crossed duology 1-09 and 1-23 (Inactive)

Game Master chadius

"The Pathfinder Society has much to offer, I see. Even beyond your raw strength and rare artifacts. You are all quiet patient, too." She sniffs her clothing. "And quite good at cleaning."

She laughs. "Well, you Pathfinders saved me from becoming a statue. I'll support you during negotiations tomorrow." She picks up a tea kettle, still warm. "Tea?"

Tea ... would be nice ... and thank you. And it's not the first time I've had to clean blood out of a garment for someone.

"Aye, a quick tea be great. Get that blood thinned out a bit for the rest of the day!" Scratch happily accepts the brief rest, both for the free snack and not to be rude. He does however make sure the group doesn't doddle too long, they've still got another task to go.

The tea is warm, with a hint of jasmine and cinnamon.

With your discussions complete, you return to the embassy. Eras and Calisro are reading the documents when they look up at the door opening.

“Well, seems you’re pretty fair diplomats yourselves,” Calisro remarks by way of congratulations, raising her glass as though in salute. “Having Kesstraka’s support will go a long way towards getting this trade deal in the bag. But the day’s not done just yet. We have one more lizardfolk for you to wrangle.”

Eras rolls his eyes and sighs slightly at Calisro’s comment, before resuming his previous pleasant demeanor. “Other than the fact that they prefer the term ‘iruxi,’ and that we wouldn’t want to imply any disrespect by comparing them to farm animals, my colleague here is correct: there is one more local whose support we hope you can secure. It’s one of the members of the Council of Stars, the ruling body of Ekkeshikaar that we’ll be arguing our case to tomorrow. His name is Lashweather—apparently he gained it in his youth, when he served as a weather mage aboard an iruxi...” he coughs meaningfully “...shall we say, ‘privateering vessel?’”

This time it’s Calisro who rolls her eyes, jabbing Eras playfully in the ribs. “The word you want is ‘pirate,’ Eras. No need to dance around it here.”

Eras frowns uncomfortably. “If we’re too loose with our words in private, it becomes all the easier to slip up and say it in person. And the last thing we need is to offend the man.”

Calisro snorts. “I’ve never known a pirate who couldn’t handle being called a pirate. Hells, it’d probably be a good way to win him over.”

“With any luck,” Eras retorts, “we won’t need to win him over. Our sources indicate he’s predisposed towards our cause, the problem is that he apparently hasn’t been seen in days and isn’t responding to messengers. We’re worried he may not show. Apparently, it wouldn’t be the first time. So, we want you to head to his observatory—it’s a tower on the edge of the city, you can’t miss it—and make sure he’ll be there tomorrow.”

“And try not to do anything that’ll make him change his mind about voting our way, yeah?” Calisro adds playfully. “Lumki said she would meet you there- apparently she was his apprentice?"

You can ask the Venture-Captains for more information or inform them of more events. Or you can move on to the observatory.

"Meet up with Lumki at Lashweather's tower outside the city. Get 'im to the meeting tomorrow.. when tomorrow again?" Scratch starts counting on his fingers and taking notes in the air with one stubby finger.

"Any chance this ex.. sailor likes fancy booze?" He grins.. "Oh, or gunpowder!" Fella must have some good recipes kickin' around from the old days I bet... those pirates know how to pack a cannon!

"Does he have a favorite drinking place?"

"You said it wouldn't be the first time he's gone MIA? What do you know about the other times? And can you tell us anything else about him? Interests, job, goals--anything we can use to make a connection?"

--anything we can use to make a connection?"

Scratch pulls out that bottle of fine booze and wiggles it before stuff it back under his leather armor. Its definitely not full anymore.

"He's a researcher now. Astrology is big in Ekkeshikaar culture, science and society. He will sometimes get buried in his research and post it as his priority. He'll lock himself up in his laboratory for months at a time..." Eras grunts. "Time we can't spare."

Scratch looks a bit disappointed at that information.

The walk from the embassy to the observatory takes 15 minutes.

The observatory takes the form of a spiraling white stone tower, worn smooth by age or craftsmanship, that rises some forty feet into the air before widening rapidly to create a circular platform, covered by a glass dome, creating the overall impression of a giant egg in a stone nest. A set of chimes made from hollowed bones hangs next to the only visible entrance, a round stone door at ground level.

The door is locked, but a simple knock is enough to alert your presence.

Luna knocks politely at the door in a particular rhythm

Knocking

"Nice building." Salaish comments, staring up the smooth facade toward the platform. Waiting is so awkward. She starts humming to pass the time.

Seoni has no expectations, but braces herself for anything.

Scratch hangs back in the shadows, just in case things aren't what they expected. Stealth for now, as far away as possible with line of sight to the door area.

The door opens, and a female iruxi opens the door. "Greetings, I'm sorry, Lashweather is busy- oh! It's you!" Lumki smiles. "It's good to see you again. Come in, come in!"

It seems as though every inch of space in this cluttered tower is spoken for. Rising from cramped living quarters on the ground floor, successive floors require navigating a narrow, meandering path between pieces of furniture piled nearly to the ceiling with books and tomes on astrology, astronomy, and weather patterns, both magical and mundane, as well as star charts and the various tools used to make them. Only on the top floor is there any space to speak of, with the various desks and tables all pushed to the edge of the circular room, leaving a large circle in the middle where various constellations have been inlaid into the stone floor in silver.

Lashweather is already glued to the massive telescope.

Combat Over

Caitlin (21 damage, Wounded 1, Battle Medicine)
Salaish (14 damage)

Retconning some healing, if allowed:

2nd level Soothe on Caitlin: 2d10 + 8 ⇒ (5, 8) + 8 = 21
2nd level Soothe on Salaish: 2d10 + 8 ⇒ (5, 3) + 8 = 16
Perfect!

Scratch hustles over to the group once Lumki greets them in no obvious distress "Hey Lumki, keepin' busy with Lashweather? Care to give us the skinny on what's going on here?" He asks as they climb the tower stairs.

Luna gives Lumki a hug. At the top, she looks amazed at the decor then wanders from constellation to constellation, trying to remember the names of each one that Lumki had taught her earlier.

"It is good to see you too, Luna. Hello Scratch!" Lumki manages to disengage one hand and wave. "Once you reclaimed the observatory, I simply had to report it to the professor. He was so excited, it brought him out of... well, he says he was in a slump. But now..."

Lashweather either hasn't heard you enter or he doesn't care. The telescope is all he needs...

"Er, professor? We have guests. Perhaps you could listen to them?" Lumki interjects.

Lashweather sighs. "Oh, I suppose..." He finally turns towards you.

Professor Luna tries to emulate her best friend and put on her best diplomatic face. Ah .. pardon the interruption but we are representatives of the Pathfinder Society to ... erm ... ask you for your support at the trade talks tomorrow ... and which constellation is that one again? I forget.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

"It is good to see you too, Luna. Hello Scratch!" Lumki manages to disengage one hand and wave. "Once you reclaimed the observatory, I simply had to report it to the professor. He was so excited, it brought him out of... well, he says he was in a slump. But now..."

Salaish chuckles. "From one end of the pendulum to the other, eh? Well, let's see what we can do."

Luna's got the right idea: butter him up nice and fine. Leaning in, she comments: "It's been amazing seeing constellations on this trip that I've never seen before. Maybe after the trade talks tomorrow we can trade notes on constellations from the north and south."

Diplomacy to Make an Impression: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

As soon as Seoni enters the room, she exclaims "Organized Chaos! I love it! Much like the stars and constellations!"

Lashweather nods along as you mention the constellations. "Of course! Of course! You see, I would gladly teach you about the constellations once I complete my research. There is a celestial alignment that is happening tonight. I must observe it now and spend several days analyzing the results before it is over." As you keep talking he seems to nod off and fall asleep, before-

"Good news, everyone!" Lashweather snaps to attention. "I can try an alternative technique that can solve my research tonight! I call it the Cho'aatan!" He pauses and thinks. "So does everyone else..."

He raises a finger. "I will have to attune myself to the very elements. Sadly this will also conjure elementals who will try to reduce me to shreds! I will need someone to protect me from these errant elementals! That will be your job. If my concentration is disrupted, then the Cho'aatan will fail. Then it's back to my week long study."

"During the ritual, the constellations on the floor will be charged with astrological energy. Anyone who stands on them as they charge will be imbued with their power. Just imagine, creatures from the great beyond will give you powers we have barely begun to understand..." Lashweather grins. "I am jealous!"

Seoni calls for the memory of her ancestors to borrow from them their knowledge of the Occult. ancestral memories > Occultism

Occultism: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

"It is good to see you too, Luna. Hello Scratch!" Lumki manages to disengage one hand and wave. "Once you reclaimed the observatory, I simply had to report it to the professor. He was so excited, it brought him out of... well, he says he was in a slump. But now..."

"Ahh yes, a slump buster! I've got some of my own tricks for that problem!" He grins.

--

"Good news for sure Professor, we're the right crew for the job! So anything that turns up we knock down, that's the plan right?" He wrings his hands together while wandering around looking at the runes on the floor.

"Power? Like uncontrolled mystery powers? Sounds.. experimental. You sure this isn't going to turn into the next Cataclysm?"

Occultism DC25: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

"Oh! You wish to know what the constellations will do?" Lashweather comes to life, gesturing and pointing to each symbol, explaining their benefits for standing on them. Lumki is scribbling down every word he says.

Seoni's ancestors confirm the professor is quite knowledgeable, and agree with his assessment.

>Observatory Map<

The bottom of this slide has the layout of the symbols. You can also check out the slide below it for more detail. Lashweather is the green square near the center. Please put your icons in position.

"Ooo!" Salaish hops onto the Shal'mokk constellation, drops her Persona Mask over her face, and raises her buckler in a defensive posture. "I'm ready! Who wants to stand by me? I'll start singing as soon as we see something."

11. Shal’mokk (Family):
Shaped like a primitive nest, this constellation is associated with home and family. A creature standing on it gains no benefits but grants each adjacent ally a +1 status bonus to all attack rolls, damage rolls, AC, and saving throws.

"Ooo!" Salaish hops onto the Shal'mokk constellation, drops her Persona Mask over her face, and raises her buckler in a defensive posture. "I'm ready! Who wants to stand by me? I'll start singing as soon as we see something."

11. Shal’mokk (Family):
Shaped like a primitive nest, this constellation is associated with home and family. A creature standing on it gains no benefits but grants each adjacent ally a +1 status bonus to all attack rolls, damage rolls, AC, and saving throws.

Much of that, or at least the big ones for Scratch: Attack and Damage, won't stack with Inspire Courage.. which I'm assuming you'll be using?

Scratch listens to the list and then goes back to look over Lumki's shoulder for a rehashing. "Korlan sounds good. Never know when your powder is gonna be finnicky in this humidity..." He qualifies his misses as environmental, certainly not poor aim.

"Hey, someone help me with this desk." He heads over to a desk along the southern wall and starts dragging it just north of the Korlan rune. "Always helps to have somethin' to duck for cover behind!"

Luna is also taking notes.

Yes. Lumki was kind enough to show me around the night sky on the trip over here. Maybe I might just stay a bit after the talks and learn some more, take up your kind offer.

occultism: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

Seoni stands on Sharbosh.

A creature standing on it gains a +2 status bonus to AC and saving throws.

"Alright! Now make sure I am not reduced to shreds during the attunement! Elements from the greater beyond will certainly seek my scaly flesh!" He chuckles before standing in the center of the room and burying his head within a book, only pausing to stare up at the sky. He's not paying attention to you at all.

A brief rainshower blows into the observatory, followed by a heat wave and cold snap that lasts less than a minute. Some of the weather patterns coalesce into a single spot. This can't be good.

Two aquatic sharks jump in through the rain. Scratch pops behind the desk.

Round 1
Scratch
Brine Shark
Luna
Seoni
Salaish
Caitlin

>To shreds you say!<

"Time to die.. shark thing?" Scratch hollers as he pops the rifle barrel over the dusty teak desk, blasting at the shark to the left, figuring its closer to their charge.

I'll use my reaction on the second shot for a double roll.

BOOM!

+1 Striking Arquebus: Concussive, Fatal d12, Kickback: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18
Hero Point: +1 Striking Arquebus: Concussive, Fatal d12, Kickback: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31
Damage (P/B): 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (6, 1) + 2 = 9
Replace Damage with Fatal Damage if a Crit, then x2 (P/B): 2d12 + 2 ⇒ (1, 2) + 2 = 5Extra Fatal Dice Damage (P/B): 1d12 ⇒ 7
One Shot, One Kill (Precision): First Strike, Stealth for Initiative: 1d6 ⇒ 6

So 15 or 29 vs Offguard

He ducks for some cover while he reloads, then pops up again for some mystically enhanced shootin'!

BOOM! Korlan Strike, reaction used.

+1 Striking Arquebus: Concussive, Fatal d12, Kickback: 1d20 + 17 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 17 - 5 = 16
+1 Striking Arquebus: Concussive, Fatal d12, Kickback: 1d20 + 17 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 17 - 5 = 26
Damage (P/B): 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (1, 7) + 2 = 10
Replace Damage with Fatal Damage if a Crit, then x2 (P/B): 2d12 + 2 ⇒ (12, 6) + 2 = 20Extra Fatal Dice Damage (P/B): 1d12 ⇒ 5

10 or 45 vs offguard? I forget if you get it vs more than one strike.

Ok lots going on there.. AC26 for the round. Strike, Covered Reload, Strike. Gun is unloaded currently.

Scratch pops behind the desk and pops one of the sharks twice, his first shot with a critical aim.

The sharks swim ahead and try to bite you.

Blue Black bites (1 for Luna, 2 for Caitlin): 1d2 ⇒ 1
Bite: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Blue White bites Saliash: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24
Blue White bites Saliash: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Salaish counts her lucky stars; the constellation lights up with astrological protection and keeps her safe!

Winds whip throughout the observatory.

Round 1
Scratch
Brine Shark (Blue with Black outline, 39 damage)
Brine Shark (Blue with White outline)
Luna
Seoni
Salaish
Caitlin

>To shreds you say!<

Seoni fires a ray of frost at the brine shark (blue with black outline). She then arms herself with a dart.

◆◆spell attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20 Cold: 4d4 ⇒ (4, 2, 1, 2) = 9
◆draw weapon (dart)

Seoni freezes one of the sharks, shattering it.

Winds continue to pick up.

Round 1
Scratch
Blue Brine Shark
Luna
Seoni
Salaish
Caitlin

>To shreds you say!<

Luna slashes at that shark with her starknife
1: Draw starknife
2: Slash sk: 1d20 + 10 - 0 ⇒ (2) + 10 - 0 = 12 slashing: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2) + 1 = 6
3: Slash sk: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 10 - 4 = 20 slashing: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 3) + 1 = 6

Salaish is not a fan of having a shark in her face. But first her team needs a boost, and this constellation rune isn't strong enough to reach all of them (or any of them, right now). So she starts singing.

Lingering Composition (Performance), DC 22: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23
Success: Inspire Courage lasts 3 rounds.

To the chorus from "Fight for Your Right" by the Beastie Boys:

"You gotta fight! For your right! To learrrrrn things!
You gotta fight! For your right! To learrrrrn things!
You gotta fight!
You gotta fight!"

And *then* gives that shark a face full of fire.

Produce Flame, 3rd level: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 1 = 33
Fire damage: 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1, 3) + 4 = 9 (Double this for the crit)
+3d4 persistent fire damage on a Crit.

"Who wants roasted shark shank?" She calls.

◇ Lingering Composition, ◆ Cast a spell, ◆◆ Cast a spell

Salaish stands her ground and rallies her allies, before critically torching the shark. As it's made of water, it does resist some of the flames, but most of it gets through. Luna tries to follow up, and hits it once.

The winds roar as a hawk made of wind flies up the stairs into the observatory. The winds die down and an heat wave picks up.

Scratch and Caitlin have a chance to act quickly.

Round 2
Scratch
Caitlin
Blue Brine Shark (24 damage, 3d4 persistent fire)
Yellow Zephyr Hawk (Off Guard)
Luna
Seoni
Salaish

>To shreds you say!<

Does anyone want to bot Caitlin? I haven't heard from her in a while. Then again the site is acting really odd...

Salaish stands her ground and rallies her allies, before critically torching the shark. As it's made of water, it does resist some of the flames, but most of it gets through. Luna tries to follow up, and hits it once.

The winds roar as a hawk made of wind flies up the stairs into the observatory. The winds die down and an heat wave picks up.

Scratch and Caitlin have a chance to act quickly.

Round 2
Scratch
Caitlin
Blue Brine Shark (24 damage, 3d4 persistent fire)
Yellow Zephyr Hawk (Off Guard)
Luna
Seoni
Salaish

>To shreds you say!<

Does anyone want to bot Caitlin? I haven't heard from her in a while.

Scratch peeks up and sees their charge is still face deep in the telescope, he glances over to see Salaish singing and roasting up a shark "Save me the tail, make it extra crispy!" He hoots before turning his attention to the new, unaware threat at the top of the stairs. A deep fried bird sounds like a nice dinner! He quickly ◆ reloads, levels his sights and fires!

I'll use my reaction on the strike for a double roll.

BOOM!

◆ +1 Striking Arquebus: Concussive, Fatal d12, Kickback, IC: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 17 + 1 = 26
Korlan: ◆ +1 Striking Arquebus: Concussive, Fatal d12, Kickback, IC: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 17 + 1 = 37

Damage (P/B), IC: 2d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5, 7) + 2 + 1 = 15
Replace Damage with Fatal Damage if a Crit, then x2 (P/B): 2d12 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5, 6) + 2 + 1 = 14Extra Fatal Dice Damage (P/B): 1d12 ⇒ 7

So 15 or 35 vs Offguard Yellow

Then he ducks for some cover while he ◆ reloads.

AC26 for the round. Reload, Strike Yellow, Covered Reload.

Scratch scores a critical hit with his opening blast, almost destroying the hawk outright.

With her longbow ready, Caitlin takes a Step back. She marks the hawk as her prey and tries to finish it off.

Ranged +1 Striking Composite Longbow
Longbow, Inspire Courage: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 14 + 1 = 20
Longbow, Inspire Courage: 1d20 + 14 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 14 + 1 - 5 = 26
Piercing: 2d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5, 3) + 1 + 1 = 10
Fire: 1d6 ⇒ 5

The Cho'sath constellation lights up as she steps on it and lights the hawk aflame, destroying it.

The shark, undaunted, sees a tasty meal and chomps on Salaish, managing to hold onto her arm. The flames continue to rage but they don't do much to it.
Bite: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
Piercing: 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Athletics to Grab: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Bite: 1d20 + 11 - 5 ⇒ (9) + 11 - 5 = 15

Persistent Fire Damage: 3d4 ⇒ (3, 1, 1) = 5
Flat Check to stop damage: 1d20 ⇒ 5

The heat wave continues through the observatory.

Lashweather remains glued to the telescope, although he is tapping his feet to match Salaish's anthem.

Round 2
Scratch
Caitlin
Blue Brine Shark (24 damage, 3d4 persistent fire, Grabbing Salaish)
Luna
Seoni
Salaish (Grabbed by Blue Brine Shark)

>To shreds you say!<

Salaish tries to wrench herself free from the shark's jaws.

Escape: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

"Ow! Fine! You don't mind fire. How 'bout lightening?!" Salaish slaps her hand onto the shark and sends a pulse of electricity through it (making sure the energy's shortest path to the ground is *away* from her).

Electric Arc: 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 2, 3) + 4 = 10
DC 22 basic Reflex save

◆ Escape, ◆◆ Cast a spell

Salaish quickly wriggles free from the shark's grasp and tries to shock it.
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

It's quite effective. So effective she almost destroys the shark entirely.

Round 2
Scratch
Caitlin
Blue Brine Shark (44 damage, 3d4 persistent fire)
Luna
Seoni
Salaish (17 damage)

>To shreds you say!<

"Hey don't over cook it Sal!" Hoots Scratch from behind the desk as the sizzling smell of fish wafts past.

Luna flings her returning starknife at the shark
sk: 1d20 + 10 - 0 ⇒ (2) + 10 - 0 = 12 P/S: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1) + 1 = 6
sk: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 10 - 4 = 8 P/S: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1) + 1 = 6

She then snaps up a magical shield as well as cursing in abyssal as both throws go wide.

"Hey don't over cook it Sal!" Hoots Scratch from behind the desk as the sizzling smell of fish wafts past.

"Beef burnt ends are so good, I thought I'd try fish!" Salaish replies, taking a quick glance at the bleeding bite marks on her arm.

Seoni conjures a ray of frost and tries to blast the shark with it.

Ray of Frost: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 11 + 1 = 16
Cold Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 = 8

She mumbles something unpleasant under her breath and conjures a magical shield.

The heat wave seems to peak as a rat wiggles into the observatory, covered in smoke. It's difficult to see its exact location.

"My my, it's getting dusty in here." Lashweather reaches for a cleaning cloth to wipe off the sand and dirt that is sweeping through the observatory's windows.

Round 3
Scratch
Caitlin
Blue Brine Shark (44 damage, 3d4 persistent fire)
Red Cinder Rat
Luna
Seoni (Shield)
Salaish (17 damage)

The Red Cinder Rat has a 5 foot radius of smoke surrounding it. It is Concealed. Anyone who enters the smoke or starts the turn there must make a DC 22 Fortitude save or be Sickened 1.

>To shreds you say!<