GM Peachbottom's War for the Crown

Game Master Peachbottom

"Do we have any actual idea what's going on here? That's clearly not our halfling, what is she?" Liraela asks the group quietly before moving into the room with the table.

Knowledge (nobility): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Does Lir recognize the little girl from somewhere?

She holds her dagger hand to her side, clearly not threatening but also not putting it away.
"It's okay, we're not here to hurt you. Who is your 'daddy'?"

Oh come on now Liraela! Innocent looking children and princesses in a place like this are threats despite their appearances. Don't be fooled by appearances.

Round 3

Henrika emerges from the smoke swinging. The cultist sees the attack coming and sidesteps out of the way.

Henrika misses Silent Cultist (Red).

Daylight is a touch spell, so I’m moving Trevor up to the edge of the table.

Trevor causes the long table to glow and the magical darkness is dispelled.

Since Tychus is at the edge of the smoke and not attacking through any squares with the smoke, he can see the enemy without penalty and can make an attack. I’ll assume he wants to.

Tychus Crossbow, PBS, guidance: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 10
Damage: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Nevermind. Tychus misses.

Does Lir recognize the little girl from somewhere?

She doesn’t look like anyone you recognize. She is not wearing anything that would imply she is nobility; just a commoner’s dress.

Silent Cultist (Red) Shortsword vs. Henrika’s AC 15: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

The cultist attacks Henrika back and their two swords clash together.

Silent Cultist (Red) misses Henrika.

Round 4

"It's okay, we're not here to hurt you. Who is your 'daddy'?"

The girl’s scared demeanor fades and changes to a murderous stare. ”You killed my daddy. And I’m going to hurt you!”

The girl climbs on top of the table and crouches on all fours like an animal. She glances behind Liraela and a spiritual dagger appears out of thin air.

Spiritual Weapon vs. Liraela’s AC 17: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Force Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

The dagger swipes at Liraela but she easily dodges it.

The girl’s spiritual weapon misses Liraela

The effect is obvious but if anyone who can see it wants the details of the spell, they can make a Spellcraft on it.

Trevor can also note without needing a Spellcraft roll, that the girl is not using any verbal or somatic components. She is using spell-like abilities rather than casting spells as a spell-caster.

Initiative
Round 4
28 – Girl?
22 - Henrika* (22/27 hp)
14 – Trevor (17/24 hp)
09 – Icabhod (27/27 hp)
09 – Tychus (24/27 hp)
09 – Liraela (27/27 hp)
07 – Xallis* (27/27 hp)
03 – Silent Cultist (Red)

*Active Spells:
Henrika (Heightened Awareness 30 min)
Xallis (Mage Armor 50 min)
Navia (Mage Armor 50 min)
All (Message 20 min)
Effect (Smokestick 8 rd)

Everyone’s up.

Henrika swings her sword like she is making the same attack as last time, inviting the cultist to parry, but at the last second she cuts low.

Move action feint, standard attack.
Bluff to feint, trait: 1d20 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 3 = 19
Attack (longsword), Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 - 1 = 11
Damage (slashing), Power Attack: 1d8 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 3 = 10
If the feint is successful and the attack lands, she'll add 1d8 of painful stare damage.

Round 4
Trevor advances toward to evil little girl. "Her magic is innate. Be careful!"
+1 Rapier: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Confirming: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 Now, THAT, is a thing of beauty!
Dmg.: 1d6 + 1 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + (1) + 1 = 5
GM Peachbottom, can we rule that an insta-kill?

Since Tychus is at the edge of the smoke and not attacking through any squares with the smoke, he can see the enemy without penalty and can make an attack. I’ll assume he wants to.

...

Nevermind. Tychus misses.

That's my bad. Forgot about that part of the smoke effect. Although I must have had a premonition about the ensuing double fail ;P

Tears start to form as he blinks the smoke out of his eyes, clearly affecting his aim.

"Just... Hold... STILL!"

He chambers a new bolt and tries a new shot, conscious of the difficulty of shooting through his allies.

Free Action Reload, Move Action Study, Standard Attack. Apply Cover penalties as appropriate.

Attack (PBS, ST): 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 23
Damage (PBS, ST): 1d10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8

Round 4

Henrika feints and cuts low. The cultist fails to block but her attack is only glancing; only scraping against his chain armor. The cultist responds with an angry growl.

Henrika successfully feints but her attack is a miss.

Trevor Will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Trevor stabs at the girl’s heart. His aim is true but the tip of his sword does not pierce soft human flesh. Instead, it is stopped by something much harder. At first, Trevor thinks her skin is made of porcelain. But then the girl emits an inhuman laugh of something not of this world. Her skin cracks apart and barely covers a black, insectile carapace underneath. And where her arms once were, now protrude multiple spiderlike legs. However, only Trevor sees the girl’s true form. (The Will save was to disbelieve the illusion). To the rest of the observers, she still looks like nothing more than a young girl.

Trevor hits the girl with a critical hit. However, her DR absorbs the 5 damage and she takes 0 damage. The creature is surrounded by an aura that masks her true form. Only Trevor sees what she is so far. Since Trevor can see her, he can make a Knowledge check on it.

As a consolation prize, I’ll give Trevor a hero point for seeing through the creature’s illusion.

Lore on the Girl

Tychus fires again and finally someone is able to hit the elusive enemy. The bolt spins him around but he still stands ready to fight.

Tychus hits Silent Cultist (Red) for 8 damage.

Initiative
Round 4
28 – Girl?
22 - Henrika* (22/27 hp)
14 – Trevor (17/24 hp)
09 – Icabhod (27/27 hp)
09 – Tychus (24/27 hp)
09 – Liraela (27/27 hp)
07 – Xallis* (27/27 hp)
03 – Silent Cultist (Red) (8 damage).

*Active Spells:
Henrika (Heightened Awareness 30 min)
Xallis (Mage Armor 50 min)
Navia (Mage Armor 50 min)
All (Message 20 min)
Effect (Smokestick 8 rd)

Icabhod, Liraela, and Xallis still go next.

Knowledge (planes, untrained): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
"It's a..a Fantionette!" Trevor stammers, amazed to be in the presense of such a creature.
"It's an evil servitor of a halfling deity! Akin to a devil or demon!!"

Since Henrika missed on her attack, she wasn't able to use her painful stare, but she can activate it when Tychus hits for an additional point of damage.

Icabhod moves into the room and climbs onto the table in order to reach the 'child'

Liraela will slide forward along the wall, attempting to dodge through the...thing's guard to strike from behind.

Attack, +1 silver dagger: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 = 9 Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (5, 1) = 11
Acrobatics vs its CMD: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Round 4

Updated Silent Cultist (Red) to take 1 extra damage from Henrika’s painful stare. He has 9 damage.

Fantionette AoO vs. Liraela’s AC 17: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Liraela tries to tumble past the girl but has trouble squeezing behind the large chairs. The girl turns her head towards Liraela and her true form is revealed to Liraela when the Fantionette attacks. Liarala now sees the creature as a spider-like being wearing the cracked pieces of a porcelain doll over its carapace. The Fantionette lunges forward and bites Liraela with sharp fangs.

The Fantionette hits Liraela with an attack of opportunity for 5 damage. Fortunately for you, although spider-like, the Fantionette does not inflict poison with its bite.

The creature’s form shocks Liraela who fumbles her attack.

Liraela misses the Fantionette.

Unable to get closer to the enemy in the narrow hallway, Xallis casts guidance on Henrika.

The cultist grasps the holy symbol around his neck and thrusts its towards Henrika. ”If I’m going to my grave, let Norgorber take you with me!”

Channel Negative Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 2

The cultist’s holy symbol emits a painful burst of negative energy that causes blood to drip from your eyes and nose.

Henrika and Xallis take 1 negative energy damage (Passed the Will save). And Tychus takes 2 negative energy damage (Failed the Will save).

Henrika AoO, Power Attack, Guidance: 1d20 + 7 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 7 - 1 + 1 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 3 = 14

The cultist turns to flee and Henrika cuts him down before he can escape.

Henrika hits Silent Cultist (Red) with an attack of opportunity for 14 damage and kills him.

Round 5

”Priest of a lesser god, I will show you the power of a servant of almighty Thamir Gixx.”

Fantionette – Bite vs. Trevor’s AC 19: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Fantionette – Claw vs. Trevor’s AC 19: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Fantionette – Claw vs. Trevor’s AC 19: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

The Fantionette lashes out at Trevor with a flurry of bites and claws. One claw finds a gap in his armor and pierces into his flesh.

Trevor is hit once for 2 damage.

Spiritual Weapon vs. Liraela’s AC 17: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Force Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

The Fantionette’s spiritual dagger follows after Liraela and slashes through the air at her. Liraela manages to dodge in time.

The spiritual weapon misses Liraela.

Initiative
Round 5
28 – Fantionette
22 - Henrika* (21/27 hp)
14 – Trevor (15/24 hp)
09 – Icabhod (27/27 hp)
09 – Tychus (22/27 hp)
09 – Liraela (22/27 hp)
07 – Xallis* (26/27 hp)

*Active Spells:
Henrika (Heightened Awareness 30 min)
Xallis (Mage Armor 50 min)
Navia (Mage Armor 50 min)
All (Message 20 min)
Effect (Smokestick 7 rd)

Everyone’s up.

Although Icabhod still sees the creature as a child, since Trevor named it as a Fantionette, if Icabhold wants to make a Knowledge (Planes) check on it, he can. If so, use the same spoiler I posted above.

Round 5
Trevor fliches as the Fantionette slashes at him with it's claws. By the cleric has claws, too.
Trevor takes a step back then casts align weapon (good only) on his +1 rapier.
The Kastner noble then retaliates.
+1 rapier, align weapon (good): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Dmg.: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Tychus reloads once again and pauses to assess the situation.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Obviously we aren't aware of what is happening to the others. Trying to listen for sounds of battle.

Henrika looks back over her shoulder and frowns. "Tychus, Xallis and I have dispatched the enemies here in the hallway," she magically whispers through her message spell, "with only minor injuries to ourselves. The smoke will clear in about a minute. Is everything all right back there?"

Round 5

she magically whispers through her message spell

That message spell is really coming in handy.

When Trevor takes a step back, the fantionette’s limbs go limp and invisible strings lift its body to hover a few inches off the ground like a marionette. The fantionette is pulled across the length of the table, following after Trevor. ”Going somewhere, mug-drinker?” It taunts.

(The fantionette has the following step feat. I flavored it for its marionette-like properties. It moves 10 ft. to the right.)

Trevor Concentration DC 19: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Since Trevor is unable to escape the creature’s reach, he casts his spell defensively.

Trevor successfully casts defensively and his spell is cast without triggering an attack of opportunity.

Tychus reloads once again and pauses to assess the situation.

Tychus hears the muffled sounds of combat and the shouting of multiple voices. Due to the distance, he can’t make out what is being said. (Tychus can take advantage of the message spell just like Henrika did. All six of you have the message spell cast on you, so you can all communicate with each other.)

(Although technically, per the spell’s description, you need to be able to see the recipient of the message, I’ll take some liberties with the part that says the message can travel the spell’s range (130 feet) as long as there is an open path between you (which there is) and allow the message spell to work.)

Initiative
Round 5
28 – Fantionette
22 - Henrika* (21/27 hp)
14 – Trevor* (15/24 hp)
09 – Icabhod (27/27 hp)
09 – Tychus (22/27 hp)
09 – Liraela (22/27 hp)
07 – Xallis* (26/27 hp)

*Active Spells:
Henrika (Heightened Awareness 30 min)
Trevor (Align Weapon 3 min)
Xallis (Mage Armor 50 min)
All (Message 20 min)
Effect (Smokestick 7 rd)

Icabhod, Liraela, and Xallis up.

If someone responds to Henrika, I'd like to move her if that's possible? I think I remember that other characters can say up to six words during another character's turn.

Round 5

Henrika wrote:

she magically whispers through her message spell

That message spell is really coming in handy.

When Trevor takes a step back, the fantionette’s limbs go limp and invisible strings lift its body to hover a few inches off the ground like a marionette. The fantionette is pulled across the length of the table, following after Trevor. ”Going somewhere, mug-drinker?” It taunts.

As the fantionette taunts Trevor, the aasimar speaks through the magical connection.

I guess that's enough information for Henrika to realize that her colleagues are under attack?

Henrika shoots Tychus and Xallis a look and then runs back to the room through which they entered the corridor. When she gets there, she looks around and listens for evidence of an ambush.

I'm assuming from there she can see where the rest of the party went.

"Weird doll demon stabbing us, could use some help." Liraela sends through the message, focusing on the fight at hand.

Lir jumps up on the table to join the doll thing, and takes another stab at it.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 = 14 Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (6, 3) = 14

Icabhod stabs at the nasty

Rapier: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 201d6 ⇒ 2

Xallis looks back at the smoke. Was that a scream and a thud? Seems like their opponent didn't make it out alive. "Right. Let's check on the others. Shame it takes a whole minute to bring Navia out."

With his knife at the ready just in case, the summoner marches through the smoke and turns the curner. And one again he can hear the sounds of battle. "Ugh. What is it now?"

Double moving. Simple as.

Round 5

Henrika and Xallis rush back to rejoin the other party members. (Seeing the other characters move, if Tychus wanted to move after his Perception check, I’ll still let him.)

Where Xallis is at the end of his move, he can see through the tunnel that his allies are fighting a young girl atop a long dining table. The girl is biting and scratching like an animal.

Icabhod Will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

When the fantionette moves closer to Icabhod, he too sees her for what she is. He attacks the fantionette with his rapier and hits but he doesn’t penetrate the creature’s chitin.

Icabhod hits the fantionette but its DR reduces the damage to 0.

Liraela flanks with Icabhod and stabs at the fantionette. One of its spider legs smacks the dagger harmlessly out of the way.

With flanking, Liraela’s 16 to hit is a miss.

Round 6

Fantionette – Bite vs. Trevor’s AC 19: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Crit Confirmation: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Fantionette – Claw vs. Liraela’s AC 17: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Fantionette – Claw vs. Icabhod’s AC 16: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Crit Confirmation: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Spiritual Weapon vs. Liraela’s AC 17: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Force Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

After Trevor’s spell is complete the fantionette subtly eyes the weapon warily. Surrounded by enemies, the fantionette lashes out in all directions. It hits dangerously close to Trevor’s and Icabhod’s vitals. Liraela manages to defend against her claw but is caught off guard by the dagger slashing at her back.

Trevor is hit with a bite for 2 damage. Icabhod is hit with a claw for 4 damage. And Liraela is hit with the spiritual weapon for 3 damage.

Initiative
Round 6
28 – Fantionette
22 - Henrika* (21/27 hp)
14 – Trevor* (13/24 hp)
09 – Icabhod (23/27 hp)
09 – Tychus (22/27 hp)
09 – Liraela (19/27 hp)
07 – Xallis* (26/27 hp)

*Active Spells:
Henrika (Heightened Awareness 30 min)
Trevor (Align Weapon 3 min)
Xallis (Mage Armor 50 min)
All (Message 20 min)
Effect (Smokestick 6 rd)

Everyone up.

Note: Oh, also. It hasn't come up yet, but I'm going to say that you can move on or off the table without needing to make a skill check. But similar to stairs, you cannot 5-ft. step on or off the table.

Round 6
Trevor yelps in pain from the Fantionette's bite. The caydenite stabs with his magic weapon.
+1 Rapier, flanking: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12
Dmg.: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Henrika races down the tunnel to emerge in the room with the little girl on the table. She stares at it-- partially in disbelief, partially in retaliation.

Double move again, and activating her hypnotic stare as a swift action.

Round 5

Henrika and Xallis rush back to rejoin the other party members. (Seeing the other characters move, if Tychus wanted to move after his Perception check, I’ll still let him.)

Appreciated.

Tychus stares at the little girl with a mixture of curiosity and confusion. He glances down at the casing sticking out of his crossbow, noting that he is down to 2 shots left.

Trusting that his allies are doing the right thing, he aims at the flailing little girl.

Spending a point of Grit to target Touch AC.

Attack (DA, ST): 1d20 + 7 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 - 1 + 1 = 22
Damage (DA, ST): 1d10 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8

5 Foot Step closer, Move Action Study, Standard Attack. Spending the Grit as part of the Standard Action.

Round 6

Henrika Will save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

When Henrika gets close enough, the veil over the creature fades away and she also sees the girl for the spider-creature that she is.

Trevor stabs at the creature and her ‘strings’ yank her out of harms way. She is clearly making efforts to avoid Trevor’s good-aligned weapon.

Trevor misses the fantionette.

Tychus takes aim and fires a bolt down the hallway. It strikes the fantionette square in the chest. Instead of the blood he was expecting, the strike sounds like a shattering plate and porcelain shards burst from the wound. The creature hisses as Tychus draws first blood.

Tychus hits the fantionette. His bolt does not bypass the creature’s DR. After DR, Tychus deals 3 damage, plus 1 additional damage for Henrika’s painful stare.

Initiative
Round 6
28 – Fantionette* (4 damage)
22 – Henrika* (21/27 hp)
14 – Trevor* (13/24 hp)
09 – Icabhod (23/27 hp)
09 – Tychus (22/27 hp)
09 – Liraela (19/27 hp)
07 – Xallis* (26/27 hp)

*Active Spells:
Henrika (Heightened Awareness 30 min)
Trevor (Align Weapon 3 min)
Xallis (Mage Armor 50 min)
All (Message 20 min)
Fantionette (Hypnotic Stare)
Effect (Smokestick 6 rd)

Icabhod, Liraela, and Xallis go.

Icabhod grunts and tries aiding Trevor's efforts in fighting the doll.

Aid another: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

"Once more, with feeling!" Liraela calls out before taking another stab/

Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 2 = 27
Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (1, 6) = 12

Attack, crit confirm: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 2 = 22
Damage, crit: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

"Oh, that doesn't look good." Xallis hussles forward to get closer to the fight.

double moving again. Since I'm phone posting, could someone slide my mini into the room for me?

Round 6

Icabhod distracts the fantionette providing an opening for Trevor’s next strike.

Trevor will receive a +2 bonus to hit on his next attack.

Liraela shatters the fantionette’s back with a powerful thrust. Its insectile anatomy is not hampered by what would have been a paralyzing strike against a humanoid.

Liraela hits the fantionette with a critical hit for 13 damage after DR.

Round 7

Fantionette Bite vs. Liraela’s AC 17: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Fantionette Claw vs. Liraela’s AC 17: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Fantionette Claw vs. Liraela’s AC 17: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Rend Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Spiritual Weapon vs. Liraela’s AC 17: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Force Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Fantionette Acrobatics DC 18: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29 (Icabhod’s CMD 14 +2 for Trevor and +2 for Liraela)

"No more playing!" The fantionette spins and unleashes her full fury on Liraela in retaliation. The fantionette’s bite falls short but then it latches onto Liraela with two of its spider limbs and rends open a vicious wound. Liraela is able to maintain her composure enough to parry the spiritual dagger that is still harassing her as well.

The fantionette hits Liraela with two claws for 6 damage. When it hits with two claws, it can then rend. Liraela is rent for 4 more damage, for a total of 10 damage altogether. Its bite and spiritual weapon attacks miss.

Then the feeling of the presence of an overwhelming evil briefly fills the room as the fantionette’s deity master, Thamir Gixx takes direct control of the fantionette’s body. The fantionette’s body is lifted into the air like a dancing marionette and whirls around to the opposite side of Liraela. The creature's eyes roll up into its head in ecstasy from being touched by its deity in this way.

The fantionette used a supernatural ability to gain an extra move action. It succeeded on its Acrobatics check to avoid attacks of opportunity.

Initiative
Round 7
28 – Fantionette* (17 damage)
22 – Henrika* (21/27 hp)
14 – Trevor* (13/24 hp) (Aid +2 to hit)
09 – Icabhod (23/27 hp)
09 – Tychus (22/27 hp)
09 – Liraela (9/27 hp)
07 – Xallis* (26/27 hp)

*Active Spells:
Henrika (Heightened Awareness 30 min)
Trevor (Align Weapon 3 min)
Xallis (Mage Armor 50 min)
All (Message 20 min)
Fantionette (Hypnotic Stare)
Effect (Smokestick 5 rd)

Everyone’s turn.

Henrika charges around the table in a mad dash to keep up with the strange, puppet-like creature, risking its retaliation in order to help Liraela maintain her advantage. She swings her longsword at table-height, trying to catch the creature's insect limbs with a powerful cut.

Attack (longsword), flanking, Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 2 - 1 = 18
Damage (slashing), painful stare, Power Attack: 1d8 + 4 + 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 4 + (5) + 3 = 19

If it takes an attack of opportunity against her, she will activate her Mesmeric Mirror trick.

Icabhod gets off the table and moves up so he can aid Liraela's strikes

Aid another: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Round 7

Dispensing his last shot, Tychus mumbles a quick prayer to Abadar.

Attack (PBS, ST, DA): 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 15
Damage (PBS, ST, DA): 1d10 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 + 2 = 5

Move Action to get closer, Standard Attack. Fresh out of bolts now.

Grateful for Henrika's help and struggling to finish the fight, Lir stabs again.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 = 9
Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + (6, 4) = 16

She is too distracted by her grievous wounds to connect, however, and her blade goes wide.

"This isn't going very well, I think."

Looking at the resilient foe, Xallis decides to call for backup. With a sweeping gesture and a furrowed brow, he concentrates to quickly conjure a creature from another plane.

Dust appears in a small sphere, which consolidates into stones. And these stones come together to form a vaguely humanoid shaped creature made out of living rocks.

Standard action summoning, small earth elemental

The sentient pile of rocks rears up and comes down on the Fantionette, attempting to crush it flat!

Slam (power attack + earth mastery: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 1 = 9 damage: 1d6 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 1 = 12

At least I assume being on the table counts as 'touching the ground' for this. Also that natural 1 is gross.

Hero Point Reroll: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 1 = 14

Rerolling that attack with the use of a Hero Point.

Attack, reroll: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 = 16

Round 7

Fantionette AoO vs. Henrika’s AC 16: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Mesmeric Mirror: 1d2 ⇒ 1

The fantionette snaps at Henrika as she passes. Henrika’s form splits in two in an attempt to trick the fantionette but it gets lucky and avoids the illusion. Then once in position, Henrika sweeps her sword with a powerful strike that cuts into one of its spider-limbs and leaves it broken and dangling.

The fantionette hits Henrika with an attack of opportunity for 3 damage. The Henrika hits the fantionette for 14 damage (after DR).

Trevor stabs at the fantionette again. This time, he hits and his sword slides into her body with ease. Her flesh sizzles at the weapon’s touch. The creature unleashes an otherworldly howl in pain.

Trevor hits the fantionette for 3 damage. His good-aligned weapon bypasses its DR.

Unfortunately, everyone else misses.

Tychus, Liraela, and Xallis’s earth elemental all try to finish the creature off but the fantionette curls up into a defensive ball and smacks away all the attacks.

At least I assume being on the table counts as 'touching the ground' for this.

Actually, I’m going to rule that the table does not count as touching the ground. Earth elementals follow “the floor is lava” rules. Creatures actually have to be standing on the floor.

Round 8

Overwhelmed and at death’s door, the fantionette attempts to flee or at least regroup. A magical doorway opens in front of her. (This will provoke attacks from everyone around it.)

Henrika AoO: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 - 1 = 28
Crit Confirmation: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 2 - 1 = 9 Oh well.
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 3 = 11

The fantionette tries to step through the portal but Henrika hits her with one more powerful strike and her body shattering into thousands of pieces. The portal fades away unused.

Henrika hits the fantionette with an attack of opportunity for 6 damage and kills it. Combat over.

Current Status
Henrika* (18/27 hp)
Icabhod (23/27 hp)
Liraela (9/27 hp)
Trevor* (13/24 hp)
Tychus (22/27 hp)
Xallis* (26/27 hp)
Small Earth Elemental (17/17 hp) (3 min)

*Active Spells:
Henrika (Heightened Awareness 30 min, Mesmeric Mirror [1 image] 3 min)
Trevor (Align Weapon 3 min)
Xallis (Mage Armor 50 min)
All (Message 20 min)

With the last enemy dead, you can finally take a breather.

Looking around the room you are in, it is clear that Martella used this chamber as a meeting and planning area for assigning missions or assisting Eutropia’s other agents in their own complex plans. The maps display all of Taldor. They are marked up with Martella’s notes but are written in secret codes and ciphers that would take time to decipher.

You check the western door and discover that is merely opens up to a connecting hallway with the bedrooms where you fought the cultists. Neither the meeting room or the bedrooms have any treasure to discover. The four cultists do have a few items that you can collect though.

(I’m going to say all of the cultist’s potions are labeled and do not require identification.)

Altogether you collect the following gear:
Potions of cure light wounds (x8)
Potions of hide from animals (x4)
Smokesticks (x6)
Tindertwigs (x20)
Masterwork chain shirts (x4)
Masterwork short swords (x4)
Silver unholy symbols of Norgorber (x4)
20 gold

Henrika smiles. "We must tell Lady Martella that we removed the bug in her meeting room," she quips, as she collects the fallen cultists and their possessions. She raises an eyebrow at the potions. "I wonder what they were doing that they all needed to be able to hide from animals?" She looks at the others and shrugs. "If no one objects, I think those of us who are injured should drink these cure potions now, and then press on quickly to find where The Fantabulous has imprisoned our employer."

Cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Henrika again implants her Mesmeric Mirror trick on herself.

Trevor looks around at his coterie, stammering for breath. "That! ..That was a Fantionette! A evil servitor to an evil halfing god!
I've..only read about those damnable things in an obscure holy text!"
The aasimar looked to Henrika. "Well struck, Lady Karthis..!"

The caydenite chooses a masterwork shortsword, as a backup weapon. Then Trevor distributes the potions of cure light wounds to his coterie.

The cleric looks at the Lady Maetella's meeting room. "No wonder Norgorberites would love this place. What draws them more than a secret location?
I sure hope Lady Martella is still alive and well here somewhere!"

Henrika bows slightly to Trevor in acknowledgment of the compliment.

To Xallis, she says "Shall we take a few moments for you to bring back our friend Navia? I mislike delaying while Lady Martella's fate is undetermined, but methinks we have all developed a rapport with her that your new earthy companion lacks."

Tychus gladly accepts a potion with a stern nod. He downs it without a second thought.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

He tucks the empty bottle into his backpack, while also retrieving a new bolt casing to reload his crossbow. He looks at the Fantionette corpse with disdain.

"We should probably keep hold of these maps. Don't want them falling into enemy hands again. They could also prove useful to us later."

So which direction now?

Henrika looks at Ichabod. "Which direction would you suggest, Master Tilneros? You are perhaps the most learnéd member of our company, so I would appreciate any advice that your five wits can produce."

"That's a good idea, I think." she says to Henrika's idea.
If no one objects, Lir will take two of the potions and drink them.

"I find myself missing your infernal companion, actually. It isn't quite the same without her, I will admit." she continues playfully to Xallis.

Healing potions: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (8, 5) + 2 = 15

24 out of 27? That’s good enough for me, let’s get a move on!

Let us backtrack and move south

Henrika nods her assent. "Agreed, then. Let us go south down that corridor we found." She will lead the way once everyone is ready to proceed. She listens at the door to get an idea of what they are walking into, and reports her findings to the group in a magical whisper (using her message spell). Then she throws open the door and quickly moves inside.