"Navia's scouting has been remarkable so far", Trevor concedes. "Yes. Please scout the way."
Navia heads up the stairs first, while the rest of you wait nearby. She peaks in the door at the top of the stairs first.
H30 Artisan’s Loft
This warm balcony overlooks the kitcens below and is used for a variety of chores, particularly in the chilly winter months. Most of the palace’s cobbling, sewing, and weaving happens here, where the head housekeeper can watch both the crafting tasks and the kitchen work below. There is also a ladder that leads directly to the kitchen.
No work is being done here at the moment, so Navia moves on.
Before Navia can explore the northern rooms, she spots a soldier made of metal walking towards her. She ducks back into the loft to hide. Observing the soldier, she sees that it was not coming after her but patrolling the north-eastern section of the palace in a circular route.
Lore – Knowledge (Arcana)
Trevor identifies the enemy as a Clockwork Soldier and can tell you the following information about it:
•A clockwork soldier’s type is construct (clockwork).
•The clockwork soldier is a mechanical mercenary that fights to the death for its creator. With the ability to wield most weapons with full proficiency, clockwork soldiers are versatile and wholly unpredictable foes.
•A clockwork soldier is vulnerable to adamantine weapons and electricity.
•Clockwork soldiers have specially designed hands that easily grasp and lock onto weapons and objects.
Construct and Clockwork Traits
•Immunity to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, morale effects, patterns, and phantasms).
•Immunity to bleed, disease, death effects, necromancy effects, paralysis, poison, sleep effects, and stunning.
•Not subject to ability damage, ability drain, fatigue, exhaustion, energy drain, or nonlethal damage.
•Immunity to any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects, or is harmless).
•Clockwork constructs must be wound with special keys in order to function.
"Hmmm..." the summoner does a headcount of himself and his allies. "Not nearly enough castings of invisibility to get us all through. And a team is only as sneaky as the loudest member." He taps himself on the chest to emphasize that.
Navia shakes her head. "No need. It's a big dumb construct, we can break it like the rest. We don't have the right kind of metal for it, so we just have to hit it really really hard, right?" She grins and crackers her knuckles together.
Trevor sighs in resignation. "You're right, Xallis. There's nothing for it than to destroy it. Cayden be with us!"
Tychus takes out one of his bolts and gives it a sad look.
"I kind of have reservations about this... But I don't think we have many other options. If we do this, Abadar will have to help me..."
You cast your preparatory spells and wait for the clockwork soldier to pass through the wider section of hallway. When it does, you rush up the stairs to face it.
The clockwork soldier reacts quickly and marches in your direction to attack first. It wields a halberd just like its human soldier counterparts.
The clockwork creature thrusts its weapon with a strength that no human soldier could achieve. It bypasses Henrika’s illusions and hits her hard.
Round 1
Initiative
15 – Clockwork Soldier
09 – Tychus (51/51 hp)
08 – Icabhod (41/47 hp)
07 – Trevor (47/47 hp)
06 – Xallis (51/51 hp)
06 – Navia (32/32 hp)
05 – Henrika (43/51 hp)
Active Spells/Effects
Henrika: ▲Heightened Awareness (28 min), ▲Mirror Image (4 images, 5 min), ▲Hermean Potential (2 rolls, 5 min)
Icabhod: ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 28 min), ▲Perceive Cues (28 min)
Trevor: None
Tychus: ▲Divine Favor (+2, 10 rd)
Xallis: ▲Mage Armor (28 min), ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 28 min)
Navia: ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 2 hr), ▲Mage Armor (28 min), ▲Unfetter (28 min), ▲Enlarge Person (6 min)
Everyone goes.
I fear that my weapons will do little against this. Icabhod will attempt to gracefully bypass the soldier to flank
Trevor steps back as Navia erupts in front of him into her Large size. Initially unsure how to help, the cleric realizes one of the party's best weapon stands before him. So the caydenite reaches out and touches the eidolon, granting her the Touch of Good Domain ability for her attack against the automaton.
You can touch a creature as a standard action, granting a sacred bonus on attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, and saving throws equal to half your cleric level (minimum 1) for 1 round. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.
This give Navia a +3 to all above for one round.
Henrika buckles slightly at the force of the clockwork soldier's attack. Then, planting her feet, she vows to return as good a blow as she received. She swings with her enchanted sword.
Xallis decides to test out his theory on this supposed 'strong grip' that the construct has on its weapon. He casts a conjuration spell, summoning a layer of oily goop that coats the clockwork soldier's weapon!
Meanwhile, Navia decides to try and 'disarm' her foe in a far more literal sense, swinging just over her allies' heads!
Knowing that not just any careless shot would do, Tychus takes a second to scout out a weak spot amongst the constructs many joints.
Meanwhile, Navia decides to try and 'disarm' her foe in a far more literal sense, swinging just over her allies' heads!
[dice=Navia's Claw (power attack)]1d20+9-2 [dice=damage]1d6+5+4
[dice=Navia's Claw (power attack)]1d20+9-2 [dice=damage]1d6+5+4
[dice=Navia's Claw (power attack)]1d20+9-2 [dice=damage]1d6+5+4
[dice=Navia's Claw (power attack)]1d20+9-2 [dice=damage]1d6+5+4
Round 1
Tychus’ shot bounces harmlessly off the construct’s armor-plating.
Icabhod tries to slip past the soldier but the robot’s defenses prove difficult to bypass. The soldier cuts Icabhod badly as he passes by. Icabhod feels like he can’t take another hit like that.
Trevor gives Navia his blessing then Navia, towering over Henrika, claws at the enemy.
Navia batters the soldier twice. Its armor-plating absorbs some of the damage but Navia still hits it hard enough to leave a mark.
Casting grease on the soldier's weapon. Reflex DC 16 to avoid dropping it, unless it has some ability to negate that.
Xallis greases the soldier’s halberd. It’s latched hands maintain their hold for now but the weapon remains slippery.
Henrika returns the favor against the soldier and leaves a dent on its body.
Round 2
The clockwork soldier raises its halberd and when it does so, the weapon slips from its grip and clatters to the ground, spoiling the attack.
The soldier tilts its head emotionlessly to look at the weapon on the ground then bends down and picks it back up.
When the clockwork soldier does so, the three of you surrounding it, take the opportunity to ruthlessly beat it down while it is defenseless. Icabhod is unable to harm the creature. But Navia then rips off a piece of the soldier’s chest plate and Henrika follows up by slashing the exposed section, severing some internal hoses and wiring. Oily fluid drains out of the construct’s body and within moments it collapses to the ground.
That was quick. Combat over.
Status
Henrika (43/51 hp)
Icabhod (19/47 hp)
Trevor (47/47 hp)
Tychus (51/51 hp)
Xallis (51/51 hp)
Navia (32/32 hp)
Active Spells/Effects
Henrika: ▲Heightened Awareness (28 min), ▲Mirror Image (4 images, 5 min)
Icabhod: ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 28 min), ▲Perceive Cues (28 min)
Trevor: None
Tychus: ▲Divine Favor (+2, 9 rd)
Xallis: ▲Mage Armor (28 min), ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 28 min)
Navia: ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 2 hr), ▲Mage Armor (28 min), ▲Unfetter (28 min), ▲Enlarge Person (6 min)
I’ll do a post about the nearby rooms in a separate post.
The clockwork soldier drops a magical halberd that you can pick up. Nothing else is worth salvaging from it.
With the guardian out of the way, you can safely check the rooms to the north. You peek in the servant room which is clearly being lived in but is currently unoccupied. You leave it alone and proceed to the observatory.
H27 Observatory
This large, window-lined room rises to a domed, glass ceiling, exposing the entire room to a spectacular view. The room looks barely used and there are scuff marks on the ground suggesting the clockwork soldier was probably stored here when not in use.
Below the observatory, the next room you check is the captain’s quarters.
H28 Captain’s Quarters
This spacious but sparse room was set aside for the palace’s guard commander, Gul Gusairne. He’s obviously not using it anymore. The room contains several books on elven history, organization, and psychology.
You spot a hollowed-out bedpost contains a keyring full of keys.
Next to the Captain’s Quarters is an armory.
H29 Armory
The palace armory contains extra equipment for soldiers and various family members. If you take the time to count it, altogether there are: an Aldori dueling sword, five halberds, five heavy crossbows, two rapiers, five short swords, two shortbows, 240 crossbow bolts, 144 arrows, and a masterwork large steel shield. In addition, you spot tucked in a corner, a book of crude, salacious drawings.
The last room you check is the palace’s arcane laboratory. Xallis recalls Count Bartelby briefly showing him this room on his last visit.
H26. Arcane Laboratory
The Lotheeds have a well-earned reputation for producing powerful arcane spellcasters, and generations of arcanists, magi, and wizards have studied their art have in the palace’s arcane laboratory. Steel and lead panels cover most of the walls to prevent accidental damage to the rest of the palace. Spellbooks within hold nearly every 1st- and 2nd-level arcane spell, as well as a number of higher-level spells to be studied by advanced students. The space also includes an alchemist’s lab.
The spellbooks technically belong to the crown and should remain here. Spells could be copied out of them while here but you don’t have time for that at the moment. In addition, a glass case set in the wall contains a well-used wand.
Henrika slowly shakes her head and relaxes slightly, only now recognizing how tense the fight against the clockwork soldier had made her. "These constructs are quite a challenge for my training," she whispers. "I must ask Jack to teach me some tricks I can use against them, if we are likely to face more such creatures in the future."
Before they move closer to the count's lair, Henrika casts Hermean potential on herself again.
Healing
Trevor uses one of your wands of cure light wounds to patch up Icabhod and Henrika’s injuries.
You refresh some spells then step through the doors to the upstairs parlor.
The bay windows here overlook not only the Palace of Birdsong’s exquisite gardens, but also much of the county’s most beautiful scenery beyond.
Count Bartelby sits in a large wooden chair that is carved to resemble a fearsome bear facing outwards and looking over the gardens. Although he reclines with a glass of red wine in hand, it is clear that he is prepared for battle. Those attuned to magic can sense that he has enhanced himself with a number of spells. One effect is visible: as he moves, multiple illusions echo his movements. Henrika can recognize it without needing to identify it, since it is one of her favorite tricks: mirror image.
He appears to be alone. Count Bartelby turns and stands when you open the door. He gestures towards the window. ”Beautiful, isn’t it? This land and all of its people. From here, I could see you approaching from a mile away, you know. Not the least bit subtle, are we?” In his other hand, he holds an unsheathed sword cane. He raises it and points it towards Xalls. ”Sir Xallis. I am most disappointed in you. When we first met, I thought us of similar minds. Being of superior intellect, I thought you’d see things from my point of view and understand that what I am doing here is not only just but necessary.”
“I welcomed you into my home! I offered you my hospitality! And this is how you repay me?!” Bartelby shouts and smashes the glass of wine to the ground. ”You think you are better than me?! You defy me laws! You steal my people’s hearts! And now you’ve come to steal my home!? How DARE you!? Such defiance will not go unanswered! You will pay for this outrage with your lives!”
When Count Bartelby shouts those final words, three guards burst through the door at the far end of the hallway. And in addition, the chair he was sitting on, twists and rears up to reveal itself as a flat, wooden bear construct.
Bear Construct Lore
•This is a wood golem.
•A wood golem’s type is construct.
•A wood golem is carved from rare woods, assembled into a roughly humanoid body with articulated limbs. This golem was carved in the shape of a chair.
•A chair golem is vulnerable to adamantine weapons and fire. It is immune to magic.
•A wood golem can launch a barrage of razor-sharp wooden splinters from its body.
•A wood golem is immune to any spell or spell-like ability that allows spell resistance, with the exception of spells and spell-like abilities that have the Fire descriptor, which affect it normally. In addition, certain spells and effects function differently against the creature, as noted below.
•Warp wood or wood shape slows a wood golem.
•Repel wood drives the golem back and deals damage to it.
•A magical attack that deals cold damage breaks any slow effect on the golem and heals the golem.
Construct Traits
•Immunity to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, morale effects, patterns, and phantasms).
•Immunity to bleed, disease, death effects, necromancy effects, paralysis, poison, sleep effects, and stunning.
•Not subject to ability damage, ability drain, fatigue, exhaustion, energy drain, or nonlethal damage.
•Immunity to any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects, or is harmless).
Round 1
Initiative
25 – Icabhod (44/47 hp)
19 – Lotheed Soldier (Red)
19 – Lotheed Soldier (Yellow)
19 – Lotheed Soldier (Blue)
18 – Henrika (51/51 hp)
14 – Xallis (51/51 hp)
14 – Navia (32/32 hp)
10 – Count Bartelby Lotheed
09 – Wooden Bear Construct
07 – Tychus (51/51 hp)
04 – Trevor (47/47 hp)
Active Spells/Effects
Henrika: ▲Heightened Awareness (27 min), ▲Mirror Image (4 images, 4 min), ▲Hermean Potential (2 rolls, 6 min)
Icabhod: ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 27 min), ▲Perceive Cues (27 min)
Trevor: None
Tychus: ▲Divine Favor (+2, 10 rd)
Xallis: ▲Mage Armor (27 min), ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 27 min)
Navia: ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 2 hr), ▲Mage Armor (27 min), ▲Unfetter (27 min), ▲Enlarge Person (5 min)
Count Bartelby: ▲Mirror Image (5 images)
Icabhod starts us off.
Henrika moves quickly into the opulent hall, past the construct as it is animating and putting herself next to the count. "Nonetheless, I persist. You are under arrest," she says, fixing him with her hypnotic stare. "Surrender and you may receive clemency, though your vile deeds make you undeserving of it. If you persist, you will die in this room, like the other soulless puppets that inhabit this palace."
Before battle, Icabhod drinks an Extract of Shield and applies Medium Spider Venom to his rapier
You are a worthless lord who cannot maintain your estate. He strikes out with his Rapier
Round 1
Icabhod rushes up and catches the Count off-guard causing a rainbow of emotions to race across his face. At first, Bartelby seems shocked by the accuracy of Icabhod’s attack. And then a look of panic when he realizes the blade was poisoned. Finally, he grins with smug satisfaction when his constitution staunches the poison from spreading. ”Bravo! A worthy opponent.” he retorts.
Henrika moves across the room and tries to slash Bartelby as well. However, an invisible shield rotates in front of the attack and stops the sword before it would connect with the Count.
Two of the soldiers (yellow and blue) spread across the width of the hallway and fire upon Henrika with heavy crossbows. ”Traitor!”
The soldiers’ bolts reduce Henrika’s images by two. Then they both reload.
The third soldier (red) rushes to flank Henrika, dropping his crossbow and bringing his halberd to bear as he runs.
Henrika sees a tell in the soldier’s attack and side-steps out of harms way.
Round 1
Initiative
25 – Icabhod (44/47 hp)
22 – Henrika (51/51 hp)
19 – Lotheed Soldier (Red)
19 – Lotheed Soldier (Yellow)
19 – Lotheed Soldier (Blue)
14 – Xallis (51/51 hp)
14 – Navia (32/32 hp)
10 – Count Bartelby Lotheed (17 damage)
09 – Wooden Bear Construct
07 – Tychus (51/51 hp)
04 – Trevor (47/47 hp)
Active Spells/Effects
Henrika: ▲Mirror Image (1 image, 4 min), ▲Hermean Potential (1 rolls, 6 min)
Icabhod: ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 27 min), ▲Perceive Cues (27 min), ▲Shield (6 min)
Trevor: None
Tychus: ▲Divine Favor (+2, 10 rd)
Xallis: ▲Mage Armor (27 min), ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 27 min)
Navia: ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 2 hr), ▲Mage Armor (27 min), ▲Unfetter (27 min), ▲Enlarge Person (5 min)
Count Bartelby: ▲Mirror Image (5 images), ▲Shield, ▼Hypnotic Stare
Xallis and Navia are next.
Xallis' expression grows more tired as he hears Lotheed speak. Despite that, he manages to retort with a smug, venomous tone. "An amusing accusation, to call me unsubtle. I was merely lowering myself to match your tone, considering it was you who sent your weak and noisy manservant to kill me. Had he been any less vital to your estate, I would have assumed you were sending an incompetent assassin on purpose as a grim prank. I hear it's all the rage among the nobles of Ustalav."
He shakes his head, and Navia assumes a combat stance. "But you have gone too far. You are short sighted, untested, and that show of force has allowed me a peek behind the mask of intellect you wear. And what I see disgusts me. Should you be unwilling to apologize, I'll be forced to show you how we do things in Cheliax."
Round 1!
Noticing the layers of protective spells, Xallis will begin by trying to strip some of them away by drawing their newly acquired wand of dispelling magic.
Meanwhile, Navia takes flight and looms over her foes, hovering above the floor by about five or six feet. The eidolon attempts to step on the construct as she makes her entrance!
Round 1
Dispel Magic the encore: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Xallis’ tests his wand against Bartelby’s magic but Bartelby’s spellcasting holds up. Xallis shares his knowledge about the golem to everyone.
”Apologize?! Does a man apologize to ants when he crushes them under his boot?”
Then Navia plants her foot into the golem’s face. Like with the other constructs, it absorbs some of the blow, but Navia hits hard enough to leave a mark.
”Let me return the favor, investigator.” Bartelby stabs at Icabhod with his cane. Electric energy crackles along its length and shocks Icabhod when the blade connects with his armor.
Then Bartelby retreats back, counting on his mirror images to protect him.
He avoids easily avoids attacks from Icabhod and Navia, but not from Henrika. His mirror images betray him, and Henrika cuts flesh. Bartelby growls in anger.
Then you can see why the Count backed up. The wood golem shudders and releases a barrage of razor-sharp splinters. The splinters shatter the windows, puncture the walls and furniture in the semi-circular room, and pierce the flesh of those within the room as well. Henrika, Icabhod, Navia, and one of the soldiers (red) are caught in the blast.
Reflex Saves for Half
Everyone manages to shield themselves, somewhat, although their cloaks and armors are left bristling as the shards of wood cling to them.
Finally, the golem swings two bear paws at Navia hovering above it. Ironically, her barkskin protects her from the wooden slams.
Round 1
Initiative
07 – Tychus (51/51 hp)
04 – Trevor (47/47 hp)
Round 2
Initiative
25 – Icabhod (2/47 hp)
22 – Henrika (37/51 hp)
19 – Lotheed Soldier (Red) (14 damage)
19 – Lotheed Soldier (Yellow)
19 – Lotheed Soldier (Blue)
14 – Xallis (51/51 hp)
14 – Navia (32/32 hp)
10 – Count Bartelby Lotheed (32 damage)
09 – Wood Golem (7 damage)
07 – Tychus (51/51 hp)
04 – Trevor (47/47 hp)
Active Spells/Effects
Henrika: ▲Mirror Image (1 image, 4 min)
Icabhod: ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 27 min), ▲Perceive Cues (27 min), ▲Shield (6 min)
Trevor: None
Tychus: ▲Divine Favor (+2, 10 rd)
Xallis: ▲Mage Armor (27 min), ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 27 min)
Navia: ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 2 hr), ▲Mage Armor (27 min), ▲Unfetter (27 min), ▲Enlarge Person (5 min)
Count Bartelby: ▲Mirror Image (5 images), ▲Shield, ▼Hypnotic Stare
Tychus, Trevor, Icabhod, and Henrika are next.
Round 1
Trevor levels himself with Count Bartleby, as he saw Xallis's attempt to rip some of those benefical spells on the wizard, and casts dispel magic on Count Bartleby.
"We need to deplete his Images if we hope to win!" Tychus shouts out gruffly as he hurriedly unleashes a volley of shots on the Count.
Round 2
Henrika follows Bartelby, dodging retaliatory attacks from the wooden construct and the soldier as she goes.
She ends up next to the count, where she guards against his spellcasting with her enchanted sword. She concentrates and casts a spell of her own .
"Contemptible coward! Surrender, thou pompous prat, and too all those who follow thee!" she shouts.
Round 1
Tychus fires three bolts but with all the fighting in the hallway he can’t get a clear shot with any of them.
Trevor tries his own dispel magic and this time it works. Count Bartelby’s mirror images are stripped from him, leaving only his true self remaining. ”Accursed Caydenite!” he growls in frustration.
Round 2
She ends up next to the count, where she guards against his spellcasting with her enchanted sword.
The golem claws and Henrika as she pursues the count, destroying her last image. The nearby soldier also attacks, thinking her illusions have ran out, but is surprised when two more pop into existence. Although his halberd destroys one of them as quickly as it appears.
Bartelby swings at Henrika as she casts her spell, destroying her last image, but she gets her spell off.
Fire Damage
Reflex Saves DC 14
Henrika’s words literally scorch those around her and the two soldiers in the back scream and catch fire.
The nearest soldier (red) steps to flank Henrika with the count. Without any illusions left, the soldier clips her shoulder. Fortunately, it is just a glancing blow.
The two soldiers with crossbows are ill equipped to use them is such close quarters, so they aim at Navia in the air where they have a clearer shot. Even so, their bolts miss their target. Instead of reloading, they drop their crossbows and switch to their halberds while stepping up to defend the count. Despite the fire, the soldiers refuse to show weakness with their master nearby.
Round 2
Initiative
25 – Icabhod (2/47 hp)
22 – Henrika (34/51 hp) (Defending +1 AC)
19 – Lotheed Soldier (Red) (21 damage) (Shaken 2 rd)
19 – Lotheed Soldier (Yellow) (13 damage) (On fire, Shaken 2 rd)
19 – Lotheed Soldier (Blue) (11 damage) (Shaken 2 rd)
14 – Xallis (51/51 hp)
14 – Navia (32/32 hp)
10 – Count Bartelby Lotheed (49 damage) (Shaken 3 rd)
09 – Wood Golem (7 damage)
07 – Tychus (51/51 hp)
04 – Trevor (47/47 hp)
Active Spells/Effects
Henrika: None
Icabhod: ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 27 min), ▲Perceive Cues (27 min), ▲Shield (6 min)
Trevor: None
Tychus: ▲Divine Favor (+2, 9 rd)
Xallis: ▲Mage Armor (27 min), ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 27 min)
Navia: ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 2 hr), ▲Mage Armor (27 min), ▲Unfetter (27 min), ▲Enlarge Person (5 min)
Count Bartelby: ▲Shield, ▼Hypnotic Stare
Icabhod and Xallis can go.
FInding him in ire straights, Icabhod withdraws to safety.
Round 2
Xallis steps forward, preparing another spell. He causes a splotch of grease to form underneath the construct in hops of toppling it.
"To think a man who shares my good fortune, born to a family skilled in both politics and the arcane, understands so little of both concepts!"
Not wanting to risk anything, Navia allows herself to drop the five feet the the ground so that she may properly focus on her opponent.
Round 2
Icabhod safely withdraws.
The wood golem slips on the grease and falls to the ground. It lets out a long bear roar on the way down. ”RRRrrrrrr”
With the golem prone on the ground, Navia takes the opportunity to rake deep claw marks around its body.
”You think you can best me with base insults. You’ve volunteered yourself to be the first to die.”
Instead of attacking with his sword, Count Bartelby casts a spell and reaches out with his off-hand. His hand glows with dark necromantic energy and when he lays his hand upon Henrika, she feels her life force drain out of her while invigorating Bartelby. The count let’s out a gasp of ecstasy, then he steps back to let his soldiers fight for him.
Meanwhile, the golem stands back up. Navia takes advantage of its vulnerable moment to scratch it again.
The golem takes another swing at Navia but so far she remains elusive and dodges again. Up close, Navia can see the splinters on its body slowly regrowing. If given enough time, it will be able to release them again.
Round 2
Initiative
07 – Tychus (51/51 hp)
04 – Trevor (47/47 hp)
Round 3
Initiative
25 – Icabhod (2/47 hp)
22 – Henrika (12/51 hp) (Defending +1 AC)
19 – Lotheed Soldier (Red) (21 damage) (Shaken 2 rd)
19 – Lotheed Soldier (Yellow) (13 damage) (On fire, Shaken 2 rd)
19 – Lotheed Soldier (Blue) (11 damage) (Shaken 2 rd)
14 – Xallis (51/51 hp)
14 – Navia (32/32 hp)
10 – Count Bartelby Lotheed (27 damage) (Shaken 2 rd)
09 – Wood Golem (38 damage)
07 – Tychus (51/51 hp)
04 – Trevor (47/47 hp)
Active Spells/Effects
Henrika: None
Icabhod: ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 27 min), ▲Perceive Cues (27 min), ▲Shield (6 min)
Trevor: None
Tychus: ▲Divine Favor (+2, 9 rd)
Xallis: ▲Mage Armor (27 min), ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 27 min)
Navia: ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 2 hr), ▲Mage Armor (27 min), ▲Unfetter (27 min), ▲Enlarge Person (5 min)
Count Bartelby: ▲Shield, ▼Hypnotic Stare
It’s Tychus’, Trevor’s, Icabhod’s, and Henrika’s turns.
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I believe Henrika still has an immediate action available, since she activated her implanted Mesmeric Mirror as a free action, so if it’s all right with you I would like to have her activate another Mesmeric Mirror trick with her Reflexive Trick feat when Bartelby hits her.
Round 2
Undeterred by the Count's insults, Trevor casts Hold Person on the wizard.
Round 2
As the extra guards join the melee, Tychus' line of sight to the Count gets worse and worse. Cursing his bad luck, Tychus moves up slightly and aims another shot at a guard.
Round 3
Extremely wounded, Icabhod drinks a CLW extract
Round 2
Tychus fires a bolt through the soldier whose back is towards him. The soldier drops his halberd and grasps at the shaft protruding from his chest in shock then falls over dying.
Trevor tries to paralyze Count Bartelby, but in his rage, his willpower is strong. ”You think your magic has power over me? Me?! A master mage, like my father?” he responds.
Round 3
Henrika decides to regroup after being drained by Bartelby. She takes a parting shot at the remaining soldier (blue) adjacent to her then takes a few steps back.
The fire on the last burning soldier goes out and he shouts, ”After her!”
The soldier chases after Henrika and slashes downwards. Henrika leaps over the blade and he ends up splitting open a couch cushion and spilling out the soft stuffing within. Between the wooden shards and this cut, the couch is unsalvageable.
The second soldier (blue) opts to move towards Navia instead of pursuing Henrika over the grease. Navia claws at the soldier as he approaches but the soldier is able to dodge. Then soldier then attacks Navia who blocks the attack with her foot and kicks it away.
Round 3
Initiative
25 – Icabhod (15/47 hp)
22 – Henrika (12/51 hp) (Defending +1 AC)
19 – Lotheed Soldier (Yellow) (13 damage) (Shaken 1 rd)
19 – Lotheed Soldier (Blue) (11 damage) (Shaken 1 rd)
14 – Xallis (51/51 hp)
14 – Navia (32/32 hp)
10 – Count Bartelby Lotheed (27 damage) (Shaken 2 rd)
09 – Wood Golem (38 damage)
07 – Tychus (51/51 hp)
04 – Trevor (47/47 hp)
Active Spells/Effects
Henrika: ▲Mesmeric Mirror (2 images, 6 min)
Icabhod: ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 27 min), ▲Perceive Cues (27 min), ▲Shield (6 min)
Trevor: None
Tychus: ▲Divine Favor (+2, 8 rd)
Xallis: ▲Mage Armor (27 min), ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 27 min)
Navia: ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 2 hr), ▲Mage Armor (27 min), ▲Unfetter (27 min), ▲Enlarge Person (5 min)
Count Bartelby: ▲Shield, ▼Hypnotic Stare
Xallis’ turns.
Running low on words to throw, Xallis focuses on his magic. Considering the circumstances, he decides to weave the flows of time into Old Reliable.
Feeling her movements quicken, Navia decides to try and finish off the construct before it can launch another wave of needles.
Round 3
Navia decides to try and finish off the construct before it can launch another wave of needles.
Navia releases a series of rapid strikes. The wood golem crosses its flat forearms in defense that keeps the attacks from doing anything more than superficial damage.
Count Bartelby draws a wand and a ray of fire shoots out at Navia. "Ignis fulmine!"
The ray is aimed at Navia’s face. Thanks to Xallis’ haste, she reacts quickly enough to avoid a direct hit. Nevertheless, she still gets burned.
The wood golem rears its arms back and hits Navia with two powerful cross slashes that bring the eidolon down.
The splinters on the golem finish regrowing.
Round 3
Initiative
07 – Tychus (51/51 hp)
04 – Trevor (47/47 hp)
Round 4
Initiative
25 – Icabhod (15/47 hp)
22 – Henrika (12/51 hp) (Defending +1 AC)
19 – Lotheed Soldier (Yellow) (13 damage) (Shaken 1 rd)
19 – Lotheed Soldier (Blue) (11 damage) (Shaken 1 rd)
14 – Xallis (51/51 hp)
14 – Navia (-2/32 hp) (Dying)
10 – Count Bartelby Lotheed (27 damage) (Shaken 1 rd)
09 – Wood Golem (38 damage)
07 – Tychus (51/51 hp)
04 – Trevor (47/47 hp)
Active Spells/Effects
Henrika: ▲Mesmeric Mirror (2 images, 6 min), ▲Haste (6 rd)
Icabhod: ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 27 min), ▲Perceive Cues (27 min), ▲Shield (6 min), ▲Haste (6 rd)
Trevor: ▲Haste (6 rd)
Tychus: ▲Divine Favor (+2, 8 rd), ▲Haste (6 rd)
Xallis: ▲Mage Armor (27 min), ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 27 min), ▲Haste (5 rd)
Navia: ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 2 hr), ▲Mage Armor (27 min), ▲Unfetter (27 min), ▲Enlarge Person (5 min), ▲Haste (5 rd)
Count Bartelby: ▲Shield, ▼Hypnotic Stare
Tychus, Trevor, Icabhod, and Henrika next.
Round 3
The cleric hold aloft his holy symbol and a wave of positive energy washes over his allies.
Henrika steps back and draws her trusty wand of color spray again. She activates it, covering the two soldiers (and also the bear statue, though she suspects it will do no good) with a mesmerizing wave of swirling multicolored rays.
Dodging one of Navia's arms as she collapses to the ground, Tychus is forced to step back and reassess the situation. The wall of enemies prevented him from getting a clear shot at the Count. With the last bolt in his clip, Tychus fires a shot at the southern guard.
Round 3
Tychus shoots the soldier through the throat. He gurgles as blood spills out of his mouth and he topples over against the smashed open window, dangling half-in and half-out.
Trevor provides his allies with some much needed healing which also revives Navia back to consciousness.
Round 4
Seeing Henrika reach for her wand, Icabhod holds before rushing in.
Henrika blasts the remaining guard in the face with an overload of color. The guard drops his weapon and wobbles in place blank-faced. Henrika can almost see the stars spinning around his head.
Once the color spray goes off, knowing Navia is still the best bet for taking down the golem, Icahbod takes a chance and dashes around to flank the creature.
The wood golem swings clumsily as it twists its body on the grease. Icabhod gets into position and stabs it. His weapon has difficulty against the golem’s resistances but he still manages to chip it.
The soldier is unable to act since he is stunned.
Round 4
Initiative
25 – Icabhod (28/47 hp)
22 – Henrika (25/51 hp) (Defending +1 AC)
19 – Lotheed Soldier (Yellow) (13 damage) (Stunned 4 rd, Blinded 3 rd)
14 – Xallis (51/51 hp)
14 – Navia (11/32 hp) (Prone)
10 – Count Bartelby Lotheed (27 damage) (Shaken 1 rd)
09 – Wood Golem (40 damage)
07 – Tychus (51/51 hp)
04 – Trevor (47/47 hp)
Active Spells/Effects
Henrika: ▲Mesmeric Mirror (2 images, 6 min), ▲Haste (5 rd)
Icabhod: ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 27 min), ▲Perceive Cues (27 min), ▲Shield (6 min), ▲Haste (5 rd)
Trevor: ▲Haste 5 rd)
Tychus: ▲Divine Favor (+2, 7 rd), ▲Haste (5 rd)
Xallis: ▲Mage Armor (27 min), ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 27 min), ▲Haste (5 rd)
Navia: ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 2 hr), ▲Mage Armor (27 min), ▲Unfetter (27 min), ▲Enlarge Person (5 min), ▲Haste (5 rd)
Count Bartelby: ▲Shield, ▼Hypnotic Stare
Lotheed Soldier (Yellow): ▼Color Spray (Stunned 4 rd, Blinded 3 rd)
Xallis and Navia go.
Round 4
Navia's body shudders as she is shocked back to life by the explosion of holy energy. Her dark eyes shutter open and focus on her opponent. Opting for volume of attacks against quality, she leans back on her shoulders and kicks at the constuct with her claws!
Deciding to aid his allies, Xallis makes another attempt against Lotheed with dispel magic.
Round 4
Navia kicks from the ground. Two of her claws reduce the golem’s shins to splinters. Unfortunately, it isn’t enough to topple to creature.
Xallis tries to dispel a spell on Count Bartelby. The two are nearly evenly matched but in the end, Bartelby’s magic prevails.
”Enough of your meddling spellcasting! You cannot best me at magic! Ignis fulmine!” Count Bartelby fires another fiery ray from his wand all the way across the room to erupt against Xallis.
”Get him!” Bartelby commands the golem, still pointing in Xallis’ direction. The golem obeys and marches forward.
Icabhod stabs the golem again but the golem does not react. It is purely focused on its instructions. Navia tries to kick it as well without luck. Trevor stands in the golem’s way and it swats at him as if trying to brush him aside.
Then, as predicted, the golem explodes out another volley of splinters at everyone and nearby.
Reflex Saves for Half
Fortunately, you were all prepared for this eventuality and throw up protection to shield yourselves from the worst of it.
Round 4
Initiative
07 – Tychus (38/51 hp)
04 – Trevor (28/47 hp)
Round 5
Initiative
25 – Icabhod (15/47 hp)
22 – Henrika (12/51 hp) (Defending +1 AC)
19 – Lotheed Soldier (Yellow) (13 damage) (Stunned 3 rd, Blinded 2 rd)
14 – Xallis (23/51 hp)
14 – Navia (11/32 hp) (Prone)
10 – Count Bartelby Lotheed (27 damage)
09 – Wood Golem (58 damage)
07 – Tychus (38/51 hp)
04 – Trevor (28/47 hp)
Active Spells/Effects
Henrika: ▲Mesmeric Mirror (2 images, 6 min), ▲Haste (5 rd)
Icabhod: ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 27 min), ▲Perceive Cues (27 min), ▲Shield (6 min), ▲Haste (5 rd)
Trevor: ▲Haste (5 rd)
Tychus: ▲Divine Favor (+2, 7 rd), ▲Haste (5 rd)
Xallis: ▲Mage Armor (27 min), ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 27 min), ▲Haste (4 rd)
Navia: ▲Barkskin (+3 AC, 2 hr), ▲Mage Armor (27 min), ▲Unfetter (27 min), ▲Enlarge Person (5 min), ▲Haste (4 rd)
Count Bartelby: ▲Shield, ▼Hypnotic Stare
Lotheed Soldier (Yellow): ▼Color Spray (Stunned 3 rd, Blinded 2 rd)
The soldier cannot act so everyone goes.
Henrika drops the wand so that she can use both hands on her sword, and with her increased speed moves around the grease patch and past the blind and stunned soldier.
She arrives next to Bartelby, and swings her sword at his head.
Icabhod backs Henrika up and pursues Barfelby, stabbing with his blade
Round 4
Trevor wants to assist in stripping the spells off the Count, but his healing skills are needed more. The cleric lets loose another Selective Channel.