TOZ's Last Call (Inactive)

Game Master TriOmegaZero

Kahl'Heel warns Flyn as well as the other Pathfinders about what happened on the ranger.
He flies back to look for traps.

Perception (+detect magic): 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (15) + 32 = 47

As Kahl'Heel flies lower to investigate, the same burning heat registers on his own forehead. Nothing appears to be trapped on the courtyard.

After being notified by the raven of his mark, Flyn frowns; rubbing his forehead, tells he speaks thru the dragon. Doesn’t seem to be harmful at the moment…perhaps it might just be a marker to identify intruders…I’ll press on…

Flyn pulls his hood up higher to cover his forehead and, if the coast is still clear, proceed to the nearest window and take a peek…

If any more checks are needed, I’ll take 10 for Stealth (42) & Perception (39)

The hood obscures the brand handily as Flyn makes his way across the courtyard. Sneaking up to the nearest opening, he sees that red garbed priests are present inside, but with enough stealth or guile, it is possible to move through the halls. Stairs going up to the upper level are present, but wider stairs leading below catch his eye as far more prominent.

Flyn thinks that Stealth is the most difficult method to enter, as he was almost spotted, while a Disguise or Sleight of Hand would be possible to let the party enter without attracting notice.

Shall we employ the mosquito ruse then? Perhaps evade any attention that way?

We can, but we will certainly marked. Maybe we can study first the mark and decides after.

Flyn, best to return. I am inclined to agree with Tamerius that we should study the mark you have been given, away from prying eyes. It should not take long. We can then decide how best to make our entrance.

Aye, if you think it best…I still feel no ill effect from it…and on another note, I was almost seen when I peeked thru the window…these Mantis folk might have heightened senses…we might do better with disguise and sleight of hand…

Flyn returns back stealthily to his friends

Taking 10 again

Flyn has no trouble returning to the side alley and meeting up with the rest of the party. Quenly and Tamerius detect a strong magical aura on the brand with their divinations, but it does not appear to be any spell they have ever heard of.

It seems that this magical symbol appears only when close. May be if we are able to magically teleport inside, it will not?
Did some of you have that type of magic?

Asks Tamerius

My suspicion is that this is a ward of some kind, there are many spells capable of protecting a wide area. But other than marking a visitor or intruder, the purpose of the particular spell escapes me.

Or perhaps you may have a Summons that could get us in?

Whilst Stealth might be a higher DC, we can all get access to Invisibility in one way or another I think, even if short lived? Or Darkness and Silence from Quenly.

That is worth a shot, as long as the temple defenders do not have counters like See Invisibility or Invisibility Purge. Darkness would be a little more obvious, plus there may be foes with See In Darkness as well.

When you guys have your preparations complete, go ahead and let me know how you proceed and make your rolls.

When his companions are ready, Flyn warily moves towards the temple entrance…

Taking 10:
Stealth: 10 + 32 = 42
Perception: 10 + 29 = 39

Tad waits for the help of an invisibility spell, and then tries to sneak along with the others.

stealth: 1d20 + 10 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 20 = 33

Tamerius uses his wand on Thaddeus then on himself after Quenly casts his spells but before he casts silence.

Stealth: 1d20 - 3 + 20 ⇒ (12) - 3 + 20 = 29

After some deliberation, Quenly draws the shadows about him. Dark tendrils reach out to touch his companions, quickening limb and thought. Blessing of Fervour.

Once Tad and Tamerius disappear, Quenly creates a zone of Silence centred on the dull grey ioun stone that orbits his head. Then, the shadows surround him completely; a moment later the shadows recede and in place of the elf floats a tiny black bat. The bat flits towards the Pagoda...

Time the Blessing to cast as Tamerius casts the second Invisibility; then Silence; finally Many Forms. Quenly's Dragon has Blindsense and so can co-ordinate movement to keep everyone (who wants to be) within range of the Silence area. BoF lasts 14 rounds, Silence is Extended by the Blessing and lasts 28 rounds.

We go.

Stealth, take 10, many forms: diminutive bat, hunter's blessing: 10 + 18 + 15 + 2 = 45
perception, hunter's blessing: 1d20 + 21 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 21 + 2 = 41

Hunter's Blessing is granting everyone a +2 Sacred bonus to both Stealth and Perception.

As the Pathfinders cross into the courtyard, Quenly, Tamerius, and Tad feel the unsettling heat on their brows, the only sign that the brand has also affected them as well. Moving into the pagoda proper, you see murals scattered throughout depicting pilgrims descending stairs to kneel before a many-eyed figure in a water-filled room.

As the party moves through the halls, acolytes and priests pass by, necessitating the maneuvering of the silence aura to avoid them. Either the edge of the spell crosses over at the wrong moment or one of the Pathfinders brushes by a tapestry in view of one. The masked assassin turns to stare, the eyes of the mask beginning to glow. Sawtoothed sabres slide out of scabbards as doors open and more defenders flood into the halls!

Pitched Battle with the Red Mantis Assassins

A platoon of assassins has engaged the party! While individually they are little threat, en masse they still require effort to overcome. Rather than a drawn out combat against low level foes, each party member can describe how they heroically overcome the enemy forces, expending resources from the list below.

Choose one of the following resources to expend:

• Randomly rolled HP damage. (Counted as slashing.)
  
• Randomly rolled number of spell levels. (The PC chooses which slots to expend, so long as they equal the number of spell levels rolled.)
  
• 1/4 of the daily uses of a key class ability, rounded down.
  
• A consumable item worth a minimum of 500gp.
  
• A comparable cost equivalent to the above examples, subject to GM approval.

Let me know which option you would like to use and how you fend off the defenders.

Quenly reacts to the approach of the mob of assassins by gathering the shadows around himself - and casting off the shape of the bat in favour of that of a metallic bull, the terrible gorgon!

A cloud of green gas escapes Quenly's mouth and at its touch the assassins turn to stone. Quenly charges down the petrified mantis, shattering them into hundreds of pieces.

Quenly uses 1/4 of his uses of Many Forms for the day - 4 minutes worth.

Flyn spends a ki point to increase his arrow damage in his attacks to fend off the attackers…

Increases his arrow damage to his unarmed damage (1d10); he has 6 Ki points a day so if 1/4 is rounded down, would that mean he has 5 points left?

I assume Tad will expend some firebolts, once Tamerius chooses we can move on.

Yes, Tad will use two firebolts (10/2 rounded down)

I can use my Firebolts too!

Tamerius calls for the fire of Hell to punish the Red Mantis trying to stop them.

The assassin defenders fall to Flyn's arrows and a flurry of firebolts, those that aren't petrified by Quenly's gorgon form. As the party recovers, the sound of more movement in the pagoda can be heard, suggesting more defenders are rallying.

You can guess you will need to make checks to escape the pagoda when you are done, but for now you can move freely. What does the party do now?

Lets find the Master. says Tamerius.

Following the murals, you find your way to the ten foot wide staircase leading down into darkness. Even the edge of your darkvisions only shows the stairs continuing further.

Flyn takes point, warily descending the stairs…

Taking 10:
Stealth: 10 + 32 = 42
Perception: 10 + 29 = 39

Quenly casts a Freedom of Movement spell upon himself in preparation for the inevitable encounter with the Master of the Pagoda.

Alas, the time for subtlety has passed. It seems we will have to force the information we need out of the Master after all.

As Flyn moves down the staircase, he notices he can hear nothing, not even his own heartbeat.

Silence extends down the entire staircase.

Flyn stealthily continues on down the stairs, going slowly, sending a telepathic message to his companions thru Quenly’s dragon…

Cannot hear a thing…must be a silence spell…

Still taking 10…

I hear only the voices of the gods. The Mantis hold no power over me.

If it should matter, Quenly's dragon has Blindsense 60'. The creature will stay close to Quenly and keep everyone within telepathy range.

As Flyn gets a hundred feet down the stairs, he can see the glow of light much further down.

300ft of stairs before it opens into a room.

Quenly casts a Deathwatch spell during the descent.

Duration 140 minutes.

Seeing the light, Flyn lets his friends know of the light and proceeds down into the room, peering at it from the dark before entering…

Still taking 10 on Stealth (42) and Perception (39)

Tad seems very nervous when the team notices the silence spell, realizing how much that will keep him from helping the team.

Remember, you need them alive. says Tamerius through Quenly's dragon.

His weapon in hands, he follows, Kahl'Heel on his shoulder.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

The Red Raven, still invisible, looks for traps or hidden passage.

Perception: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (13) + 32 = 45

A reflecting pool, several feet deep and filled with tranquil water, nearly fills the entire room, while an assortment of stone platforms rise above the water.

On the central platform stands an enormous golden statue of a praying mantis, embedded with gems. The walls of the room are lined with scores of alcoves, some of which contain slumped humanoid figures. Six massive silver, bronze, and steel bells gently float above the waters of the room.

Across the room, two red armored figures stand ready for combat. Flanked by its subordinates, the Master of the Pagoda assumes a martial stance, unblinking eyes fixed on you all, save Flyn.

Flyn gets a surprise round action! Slides have been updated.

29 Quenly
28 Tad
25 Kahl'Heel
21 Flyn
21 Tamerius
18 Red
13 Green
13 Master

Well, looks like the party gets the drop on them! Ceiling is 20ft tall and the water is deep enough to be difficult terrain for Medium and Small creatures. The bells float 5ft above their platforms, shining with light that illuminates the room.

Quenly gestures rapidly - the shadows that surround him reach out to touch his companions. As before, the elf's fellow Seekers find their thoughts and limbs quickened. Blessing of Fervour. Don't forget to choose your bonus!

A second gesture surrounds Quenly with a barrier of force. Quickened Shield of Faith.

Master of the Pagoda - we came to parley, stand down and you may yet profit. Resist and we will bring the very walls down upon you.

As well as Blessing of Fervour, Quenly's Hunter's Blessing is giving everyone +2 to hit and damage against humans, which might be relevant for the Master's guards.

Quenly flies into the chamber.

GM, I am guessing that Quenly's Deathwatch will confirm that the nearby slumped humanoids are alive?

The infidels have arrived. Slay them for their temerity. The voice is cold and alien in your minds, even more inhuman than the dragons. The two assassins hold saw-toothed sabres at the ready.

You are correct, no save needed for Quenly. As far as Deathwatch can tell, all creatures in the room are in full health.

Will Save: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (19) + 22 = 41

Flyn ignores the bell sound for now, focusing solely on the Master of the Pagoda, Ashe unleashes a barrage of cold iron arrows on the unsuspecting creature…

Listed my Surprise round attack along with my 1st round shots since they’ll basically go back-to-back. Spending 2 Ki points to activate Ki Arrows (swift action, once for surprise round, once for 1st round) to increase my arrow damage to 1d10; taking the extra attack option for Blessing of Fervour

To Hit: Dex+Base, Magic, Greater Bracers of Archery, Weapon Focus, Deadly Aim, Rapid Shot, Manyshot, Precise Shot, Improved Precise Shot, Point Blank Master, Improved Critical, Elven Ranger Racial Confirmation Bonus
Damage: Magic, Strength, Weapon Specialization, Greater Bracers of Archery, Deadly Aim, Holy, Clustered Shots

Magic Composite Longbow (Surprise Round) vs FFAC: 1d20 + 23 + 5 + 2 + 1 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 23 + 5 + 2 + 1 - 4 - 2 = 33
Magic/Cold Iron/Good Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 8 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 8 + (6, 6) = 38

Magic Composite Longbow (Manyshot) vs FFAC: 1d20 + 23 + 5 + 2 + 1 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 23 + 5 + 2 + 1 - 4 - 2 = 44
Magic/Cold Iron/Good Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 8 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 8 + (3, 2) = 31
Magic/Cold Iron/Good Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 8 + 2d6 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 8 + (2, 3) = 30

Magic Composite Longbow (Rapid Shot) vs FFAC: 1d20 + 23 + 5 + 2 + 1 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 23 + 5 + 2 + 1 - 4 - 2 = 45
Magic/Cold Iron/Good Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 8 + 2d6 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 8 + (1, 5) = 33

Magic Composite Longbow (Blessing of Fervour) vs FFAC: 1d20 + 23 + 5 + 2 + 1 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 23 + 5 + 2 + 1 - 4 - 2 = 36
Magic/Cold Iron/Good Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 8 + 2d6 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 8 + (4, 3) = 37

Magic Composite Longbow (Iterative) vs FFAC: 1d20 + 18 + 5 + 2 + 1 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 18 + 5 + 2 + 1 - 4 - 2 = 24
Magic/Cold Iron/Good Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 8 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 8 + (2, 1) = 24

Confirmation (Manyshot): 1d20 + 23 + 5 + 2 + 1 - 4 - 2 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 23 + 5 + 2 + 1 - 4 - 2 + 3 = 42
Magic/Cold Iron/Good/Crit Damage: 2d10 + 10 + 8 + 4 + 2 + 16 ⇒ (1, 5) + 10 + 8 + 4 + 2 + 16 = 46

Confirmation (Rapid Shot): 1d20 + 23 + 5 + 2 + 1 - 4 - 2 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 23 + 5 + 2 + 1 - 4 - 2 + 3 = 43
Magic/Cold Iron/Good/Crit Damage: 2d10 + 10 + 8 + 4 + 2 + 16 ⇒ (5, 1) + 10 + 8 + 4 + 2 + 16 = 46

Total Clustered Shots Damage (assuming all hit/confirm except Iterative): 261
Ki Points: 4/6

You were planning on stopping shooting once you dropped the Master, right Flyn? ;)

The master falls to the hail of arrows! The ringing of the bells ceases, sending the room into silence.

29 Quenly
28 Tad
25 Kahl'Heel
21 Flyn
21 Tamerius
18 Red
13 Green

Will saves no longer needed!

Tad rushes over to the master, checking if he's dead or unconscious. He will stabilize him if needed.

Tamerius was waiting to see if his comrade have a solution to take the Master alive, but Flyn seems to have preferred to kill someone rather than taking them alive.

Tamerius shrugs Paladin are not what they were before…

Nevertheless, two other Mantis were there, and still alive, so it was time to take them down.

He concentrates and quickly calls an infernal ally. Summon Monster VI - Erinye

Then points at the two mantis assassin Kill them.

The creature starts shooting at close range.

+1 flaming composite longbow: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 14 + 1 = 17
Damages: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 + (3) = 12
+1 flaming composite longbow: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
Damages: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 + (1) = 11
+1 flaming composite longbow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Damages: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 + (6) = 16