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

Game Master chadius

I'll say Seoni heals herself.

After 20 minutes or so the team is in tip top shape. Nothing left to do in the temple but explore the central platform in the northern end. it once held a large copper telescope that gave its users views of the stars. Now there is a large pile of scrap.

You can feel you metallic weapons and armor tug towards the top of the platform, and your compasses spin wildly. A lone statue sits atop the stairs.

Feel free to move yourselves on the map, and explain how you will investigate this area.

"It could be pretty important to figure out just what this thing is.. maybe its got a weakness we can exploit. If you think you can figure out what that is, holler it out. Who knows just how much time we'll get up there." Scratch advises the others as they make their way to the center part of the building. AKA: Recall Knowledge could really be our friend here so use it if you've got a good bonus.

---

Scratch creeps down to the south, checking out the previous main entrance area that they haven't yet explored. Still rolling with stealth. Feel free to follow the expert if anyone is interested.

Isaku reloads and follows Scratch, keeping to the shadows.

20 minutes is enough time for Salaish to get both her Focus points back.

Does the statue look like a gargoyle? If so, where on the map is it and which way is it facing?

Before going further into the central chamber, Salaish plans her route, looking at each section from her current spot for traps. Since he's had all the time in the world to set them...

Perception +12

She then follows the expert (Scratch), sneaking into the central room and eyeing the pile in its center. (If that's too much for one round, stick with Perception.)

Occultism +8: Do any of her occult studies apply? She's interested in the magnetic resonances going on here.

Salaish sees a stone statue at the top. It looks like a bestial humanoid with wings and a twisted horn sticking out of its forehead. It seems to be facing East.

Luna moves into the room and studies the statue
(+12 arcana, +14 Occultism, +9 Nature, +12 Society, +9 Religion)

If he has a view of the top, Scratch takes up a defensive position down at the bottom, ready to provide long ranged hot steel support.

Caitlin assumes the statue is the gargoyle trying to con her. She sneaks.

Luna is unable to recall anything important about the statue, but given the description this is most likely the gargoyle, Paravaax.

Seoni makes a critical observation about him. Like most gargoyles, he is able to hide in plain sight as a stony statue. Given his unique lodestone physiology, he is highly resistant to physical attacks besides adamantine. His magnetic field will deflect metallic weapons and projectiles as well. He can fly and attack people who move under him with his claws as a reaction. This is Paravaax, right? The statue is unmoving until finally the head turns towards Salaish, Caitlin, Luna and Seoni.

The gargoyle rouses from his slumber, his glowing eyes blinking lazily as he stretches his wings. Lumki hisses in fear and stays back a bit, but he sees her too and shrugs.

"Ah, so I see I have visitors. Let me guess, you’re here to rid these poor iruxi of the big, bad monster?” the gargoyle says, smirking and waving a clawed hand dismissively at any iruxi present. “You’re not the first fools to try.” The beast stands upright, stretching his wings and limbs. “You see, I’m not just any monster. I am Paravaax, god among gargoyles. I’ve ruled this jungle for centuries. Do you expect to have the strength to drive me away?”

Just how long are we supposed to let the big evil boss give their opening speech before we try blowing their heads off? Scratch waits in hiding patiently for just the right moment.

Isaku crouches in the shadows beside Scratch. "Can our weapons even hurt that thing?"

Salaish glances all around, noting the locations of her teammates without letting her eyes linger in any particular spot. (She doesn't want to give away their hiding places.) (Also, not everyone's moved their tokens from the last fight.)

Once it's clear everyone's as ready as they'll ever be, she casts Roaring Applause on Paravaax, then starts singing:

DC 22 Will vs. Roaring Applause

Lingering Composition (Performance) DC 22: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22
Success. Inspire Courage lasts 3 rounds.

“Eye Of The Tiger” By Survivor
"It's the eye of the tiger
It's the thrill of the fight
Rising up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor
Stalks his prey in the night
And he's watching us all with the eye of the tiger

Face to face, out in the heat
Hanging tough, staying hungry
They stack the odds 'til we take to the street
For the kill with the skill to survive!
"

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

If that's too much to do before rolling initiative, I'll use the extra rolls and actions on her next turn.

Luna knows that tune and she sings to herself quietly enough not to ruin Salaish's performance"

Try the rye or the kaiser they're our special tonight
If you want you can have an appetizer
You might like our salami and the liver's all right
And they'd really go well with the rye or the kaiser

Never eats while on the job
He heard it's good to stay hungry
But he makes a pretty mean shishkabob
Have a taste they were made fresh today

"Hmpf! You intrude in my home and try to throw magic upon me?" Paravaax roars. "You didn't even offer the iruxi as a snack!"

Salaish begins her magic, but Paravaax is much too quick to react.

Round 1
Caitlin
Paravaax
Salaish (Pending Roaring Applause)
Seoni
???
Scratch
Luna
Isaku

>Observatory Map<

Caitlin Hunts the gargoyle as Prey. She then summons primal power into her spear with Gravity Weapon. She then moves closer to the gargoyle.

Caitlin's spear tip seems to grow slightly as she moves to the base of the stairs.

"Come, protect your master!" Paravaax calls out as he takes wing. He hovers 30 feet above the ground.

Salaish has an opportunity to change tactics. Maybe Roaring Applause isn't the best use of her magic. Or maybe she should press ahead anyway.

Round 1
Caitlin (Hunt Prey: Paravaax, Gravity Weapon)
Paravaax (30 feet above ground)
Salaish (Pending Roaring Applause)
Seoni
???
Scratch
Luna
Isaku

>Observatory Map<

This is Salaish's turn.

Salaish glances all around, noting the locations of her teammates without letting her eyes linger in any particular spot. (She doesn't want to give away their hiding places.) (Also, not everyone's moved their tokens from the last fight.)

Once it's clear everyone's as ready as they'll ever be, she casts Roaring Applause on Paravaax, then starts singing:

DC 22 Will vs. Roaring Applause

[dice=Lingering Composition (Performance) DC 22]1d20 + 16
Success. Inspire Courage lasts 3 rounds.

“Eye Of The Tiger” By Survivor
"It's the eye of the tiger
It's the thrill of the fight
Rising up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor
Stalks his prey in the night
And he's watching us all with the eye of the tiger

Face to face, out in the heat
Hanging tough, staying hungry
They stack the odds 'til we take to the street
For the kill with the skill to survive!
"

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

Looks like he had a success on his will save. As long as Salaish sustains Roaring Applause, Paravaax can't use reactions.

can't move my token, am on my phone. Pls move Seoni to square north of Luna

Seoni moves from her position and closes in on Paravaax. She let's fly a Ray of Frost at it.

◆stride
◆◆Spell Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31 Cold: 4d4 ⇒ (2, 2, 1, 3) = 8 16

Critical Success The target takes double damage and takes a –10-foot status penalty to its Speeds for 1 round

Salaish's music is quite catchy. Paravaax can't help but clap. "Your musician is quite inspiring. I'll spare her if she promises to entertain me for the rest of her days..." He spends his time clapping and is unable to quickly react to passers by.

Seoni takes advantage of this and moves into the room before firing her Ray of Frost at a critical time, hitting Paravaax square in the chest. He growls as the ice slows him down.

Two more Mephits appear atop the pyramid, where Paravaax took flight.

Round 1
Paravaax (30 feet above ground, Roaring Applause, 32 damage, -10 speed)
Salaish (Roaring Applause: Paravaax)
Seoni
Blue
Gray
Scratch
Luna
Isaku

Round 2
Caitlin (Hunt Prey: Paravaax, Gravity Weapon)

>Observatory Map<

I think the damage needs to be adjusted if I'm adding everything up. Seoni forgot to add in inspire courage, so the base damage is 9, doubled to 18. I think the GM doubled it a second time 16>32 on accident. Unless there's something else going on I don't know about.

The sound of inspiring music cue's Scratch into action. The sniper's rifle leaps into his hands like its got a mind of its own. Time to see if my aim is as good as its been all day... He sets his sights on the creature's chest, right where Seoni just blasted.

+1 Striking Arquebus: Concussive, Fatal d12, Kickback, Inspire: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 17 + 1 = 26
Damage (P/B): 2d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4, 5) + 2 + 1 = 12

Replace Damage with Fatal Damage if a Crit, then x2 (P/B): 2d12 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9, 9) + 2 + 1 = 21
Extra Fatal Dice Damage (P/B): 1d12 ⇒ 12

One Shot, One Kill (Precision): First Strike, Stealth for Initiative: 1d6 ⇒ 2

So 14 or 58!

He hightails it across the room, ducking and hiding behind another pillar while he reloads.

Strike Boss, Stride, Covered Reload: Hide

Thanks for the catch, Scratch. It should be 18 damage.
Scratch readies his rifle, takes a good shot. But the metallic bullet seems to curve at the last moment, barely missing the gargoyle.

Bullets are metallic, right?

Round 1
Paravaax (30 feet above ground, Roaring Applause, 16 damage, -10 speed)
Salaish (Roaring Applause: Paravaax)
Seoni
Blue
Gray
Scratch
Luna
Isaku

Round 2
Caitlin (Hunt Prey: Paravaax, Gravity Weapon)

>Observatory Map<

Luna had been saving her spells just for this encounter. So six magic missiles are sent Paravaax's way.
mm: 6d4 + 6 ⇒ (2, 3, 2, 3, 1, 3) + 6 = 20

Gun in hand, Isaku runs down to join the fray. He attempts to gain an angle on Paravaax.

Devise, Free action: 1d20 ⇒ 1

I think just rushing him with a toothpick should rattle him enough and...

Isaku disdainfully discards his daydream and shoots Gray.

+1 Striking Dueling Pistol, 60' range, Reload 1, CA: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 14 + 1 = 35 for Concussive, Crit, CA: 2d10 + 1 ⇒ (5, 2) + 1 = 8 Doubled to 16
Fatal: 1d10 ⇒ 1

He reloads.

◆ Stride
◇ Devise (Active Investigation)
◆ BANG!
◆ Reload

Caitlin swears in elven then stows her spear, pulls her bow and fires a pair of Hunted Shots at Paravaax.

Hunted Shot 1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 182d8 + 1 ⇒ (1, 4) + 1 = 6
Hunted Shot 2, MAP: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 282d8 + 1 ⇒ (6, 1) + 1 = 8
Precision on a hit: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Luna hurls a barrage of pure force at Paravaax, every thing hits true.

Isaku wishes he could join the action but decides better of it and shoots the Gray Mephit in a critical joint.

Caitlin realizes stabbing a flying creature isn't easy and trades her spear for a bow.
Caitlin, the Remaster introduced a new activity, Swap. You can spend 1 action to stow a weapon and draw another. You would still have 1 action after your Hunted Shot.

She notices her arrowheads are bending and warping away as they get close to Paravaax, but the second shot does hit his stony hide. She notices that it barely scratches him, proof of his physical resistance.
He has resistance 10 to physical damage, only Adamantine can bypass it.

He growls at Luna and dives down, with enough time to bite her once.
Bite: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20
Piercing: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (6, 5) + 8 = 19

He tries to react to everyone's movement, but Salaish's music causes him to start clapping. "Stop that racket, gnome! It's breaking my concentration!"

Round 2
Caitlin (Hunt Prey: Paravaax, Gravity Weapon on Spear, 1 action remaining)
Paravaax (30 feet above ground, Roaring Applause, 37 damage, -10 speed)
Salaish (Roaring Applause: Paravaax, Inspire Courage round 2/3)
Seoni
Blue
Gray (17 damage)
Scratch
Luna (19 damage)
Isaku

>Observatory Map<

Caitlin swaps the spear out again so she can go for the mephits.

Not sure if this will change your mind, but Paravaax is actually 5 feet above the ground, not 30. He would have to swoop down to bite Luna and threaten everyone.

"Stop that racket, gnome! It's breaking my concentration!"

Smirking, Salaish riffs along to the tune she'd been singing as she sustains the spell to keep Paravaax clapping to her beat. "Bum ba ba da da dah da!" With a flourish, she casts Slow on him.

Paravaax: DC 22 Fort save vs. Slow

◆ Sustain Roaring Applause, ◆◆ Cast a spell

Luna hisses as she is bit, a sure sign a tiefling is getting riled up.

Will Save: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (18) + 18 = 36
"I said knock it off!" Paravaax's movements slow down briefly as Salaish's magic briefly takes hold, but he quickly shakes it off. "Play a funeral dirge instead, once I'm done with them!"

Round 2
Caitlin (Hunt Prey: Paravaax, Gravity Weapon on Spear)
Paravaax (5 feet above ground, Roaring Applause, 37 damage, -10 speed)
Salaish (Roaring Applause: Paravaax, Inspire Courage round 2/3)
Seoni
Blue
Gray (17 damage)
Scratch
Luna (19 damage)
Isaku

>Observatory Map<

Seoni yells "Fulmina!" as a bolt of lightning streaks from her finger and strikes the flying creature. She then casts a defensive Shield cantrip on herself.

◆◆electric: 4d12 ⇒ (10, 4, 9, 3) = 26 DC21 Reflex
◆Shield

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14
"I said STOP PLAYING!" Paravaax screams at Salaish, and Seoni takes the opportunity to shoot him in the back with a bolt of lighting that streaks from her fingertips through the exposed sky.

Completely unprepared and not even looking at the bolt, the gargoyle explodes into chunks of rock and metal, spread among the ground like a powdered gravely mist.

The mephits slowly, awkwardly descend down the pyramid. Only one of them is able to attack. Caitlin realizes she's about to get a fist full of steel.

Fist: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
Bludgeoning: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (6, 1) + 5 = 12

Round 2
Blue (5 feet above ground
Gray (17 damage, 5 feet above ground)
Scratch
Luna (19 damage)
Isaku

Round 3
Caitlin (Gravity Weapon on Spear, 12 damage)
Salaish (Inspire Courage round 3/3)
Seoni

>Observatory Map<

"Wow! That worked beautifully!" Salaish exclaims, stepping away from the gray mephit and sending an Electric Arc at Gray and Blue.

Electric Arc: 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 4, 4) + 4 = 16
DC 22 Reflex Save

"Gosh, he should've spent more of those hundreds of years working out or something. Couch potato!"

◆ Step, ◆◆ Cast a spell

Luna sends another round of heightened missiles at Grey
mm: 6d4 + 6 ⇒ (2, 2, 2, 4, 2, 4) + 6 = 22

Yep. Lightning bolts are cool.

Isaku gapes in awe as the so-called god disintegrates. Reminding himself that there's still a fight to be won, he calculates an angle on gray.

Devise: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Discarding the idea, he rushes forward to get a shot at Blue and shoots it instead.

+1 Striking Dueling Pistol, 60' range, Reload 1, CA: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 14 + 1 = 16 for Concussive Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8

Unfortunately, he trips and discharges the pistol into the ground.

◆ Devise
◆ Stride
◆ Trip and shoot the ground

Scratch gives a grin as the mages quickly eliminate the gargoyle, he turns his sights as promised to the mephits, starting with blue.

+1 Striking Arquebus: Concussive, Fatal d12, Kickback, Inspire: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 17 + 1 = 32
Damage (P/B): 2d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4, 6) + 2 + 1 = 13

Replace Damage with Fatal Damage if a Crit, then x2 (P/B): 2d12 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2, 12) + 2 + 1 = 17
Extra Fatal Dice Damage (P/B): 1d12 ⇒ 10

Covered Reload: AC26

+1 Striking Arquebus: Concussive, Fatal d12, Kickback, Inspire: 1d20 + 17 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (8) + 17 + 1 - 5 = 21
Damage (P/B): 2d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6, 5) + 2 + 1 = 14

Replace Damage with Fatal Damage if a Crit, then x2 (P/B): 2d12 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1, 1) + 2 + 1 = 5
Extra Fatal Dice Damage (P/B): 1d12 ⇒ 11

Gray Reflex vs Electric Arc: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Blue Reflex vs Electric Arc: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Unlike their boss, the mephits do their best to dodge Salaish's lightning. They can't dodge Luna's Force Barrage, though.

Isaku has a plan but the best laid plans crumble before reality.

Scratch's gun is on point. With a critical aim he shoots the Blue tinged mephit. His follow up destroys the thing entirely.

Round 3
Caitlin (Gravity Weapon on Spear, 12 damage)
Salaish (Inspire Courage round 3/3) -
Seoni
Gray (47 damage, 5 feet above ground)
Scratch
Luna (19 damage)
Isaku

>Observatory Map<

"We're on the home stretch people, last one before we tap those kegs!"

Caitlin swiftly moves towards Grey, Hunting it as Prey and tries to impale it.

Gravity Weapon Stab: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 14 + 1 = 202d6 + 2 + 1 + 1d8 ⇒ (3, 4) + 2 + 1 + (3) = 13

Seoni casts a powered version of her Force Barrage spell, and Force bolts strike the grey foe.

◆◆◆Force Barrage: 6d4 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2, 3, 4, 3, 2) + 6 = 23

Seoni blasts the remaining mephit into steel chunks before it can do any more harm.

Combat Over

Investigating the raised platform, you find a large chunk of lodestone. Perhaps Paravaax used this to rest and recover.

Lumki breathes a sigh of relief. "He's gone... we can reclaim the observatory!"

You find no remaining threats within the building.

If you have nothing else to do here, we can fast forward to the conclusion.

Scratch reloads and slings his rifle over his shoulder, hooting in joy "Well done. Old God Mr P was no match for you guys magic and music!" He heads up to check out the carnage up on top of the stairs with the others.

"Nice rock... " He gives it a look over, wondering what sort of uses it could provide, or threats..

Luna just sits down to rest and allow her aeon stone to do it's work.

"I have to admit, I thought he was going to be tougher than that! Excellent use of magic. I'm sure that you can reclaim the observatory."

Caitlin takes a while to centre herself and let the adrenaline subside.

Excellent use of singing too. If I had known that one, I would have been tempted to join in.

"Well, once we get back, maybe we can plan a celebratory performance for everyone." Salaish can cast Soothe a bunch of times at various levels, so between that and Isaku's healing prowess, we should be good on that front.

Once the team is healed up, Salaish helps pour over the observatory, intent on catching details they may have missed as they were focused on eliminating the threats. For instance, what was that second group of mephits staring at so intently? "Lumki, is there anything you particularly want to look at or bring back?"

Sure. That'll be cool. Although I'm primarily a dancer than a singer.

Luna then does back to copying the constellations on the ceiling.

Isaku, disappointed with his failure on the battlefield, pulls out his medkit and treats Luna.

Treat Wounds, Risky Surgery, DC 20, Assurance: 4d8 - 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (7, 6, 8, 8) - (5) + 10 = 34

Save the soothe. I got this! :)

"I'm glad we resolved that quickly. We should report all of this back home."

Lumki bows repeatedly. "Oh thank you thank you thank you for killing that nasty creature. He wanted to eat me!" She shudders. "But now that I can study this closely, I can..." She pulls out a piece of parchment and starts scribbling.

"This is the star chart for the southern half of Garund." She holds up the map excitedly. "This should help you. I... oh, may I travel with you to Ekkeshikaar? I have to meet my professor and report my findings!"

Horizon Hunters realize this map is perfect for the goal of reopening trade and travel in the southern half of Garund.

With her initial investigation complete, she is ready to go and return home.

By the time you return to the village of Kihirat, you see several more ships on the shore. You also hear Calisro Benarry yelling at Eras the Needle.

"How much damage did you cause to my ship?" She fumes. "Or did you sail it into every cliffside on purpose?"

Eras the Needle clears his throat. "Repairs are almost complete, we'll be able to sail south to Ekkeshikaar tomorrow." He pulls out a compass and notices it acting normally. "Besides, it is my ship now."

Mirian Raas shrugs before she turns to you. "Looks like the Pathfinders are back. Did you defeat that squatter in the observatory?"