Curtain Call

Game Master Super Zero

The girtablilu leader pauses and waits for an opening.
The Guardian Delays for his allies...

The injured one jabs at Marine with her stinger, but misses entirely. She does manage to clobber her with a pincer, and with a jubilant shout of triumph attempts to push her advantage by trying to restrain the centaur with a twist of her pincer. This... goes poorly for her. "I got her! I got--awk!"
◆ Strike Stinger: 1d20 ⇒ 2 Critical failure
◆ Strike Pincer: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (19) - 4 = 15 Hit for bludgeoning damage: 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (6, 3) + 9 = 18
◆ Grab Athletics: 1d20 ⇒ 1 Critical failure... she is either Grabbed by Marine or Prone, Marine's choice

The other one also attempts to sting Marine. This one is closer, almost scratching her armor. He retreats back off of the rope bridge and draws his sword.
◆ Strike Stinger: 1d20 ⇒ 8 Failure
◆ Stride
◆ Interact to draw temple sword

The leader fires a shot into the distance. He's probably using the flaming arrows to illuminate anything hiding in the shadows. That would make sense if these people weren't living in dark caves, proving that they can see in the dark. His second arrow hits Marine, though to his dismay the fire doesn't seem to affect her. He also draws his sword.
◆ Strike Marine (just barely, only one in his first range increment) Shortbow: 1d20 ⇒ 1 Critical failure
◆ Strike Shortbow: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (17) - 5 = 12 Hit for piercing: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (2, 5) + 6 = 13 and fire damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6--but you resist the fire, right?
◆ Interact to draw temple sword

"You killed my little pet,
But now you take your lumps.
You'll see what you will get--
I'm ready for you chumps!"
A chant and mocking laughter echo from above. A pair of eyes and a wide grin look down from the cave opening above, but whoever lurks up there doesn't seem to be doing anything yet.

All PCs' turns. The bridges are sturdier then they may look on the map and are normal terrain, but A9b (where the Guardian is) is 10 feet higher then the rest, so going uphill on that bridge is difficult terrain. The lake bed is 30 feet below. Athletics DC 20 to climb the walls.
Initiative:
Callistro (AC 30/32, 138/140 HP, Cursebound 1, courageous anthem)
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30/31, 89/105 HP, shield)
Jayma (AC 28/29, 107+5/107 HP)
Marine (AC 33/34, 136/162 HP, airwalk, warding statuette)
Orange Girtablilu Sentry (AC < 31, -98 HP, bloodied, Off-Guard until start of Marine's turn.
Green Girtablilu Sentry
Girtablilu Guardian

At the chant and mocking laughter from above, Jayma glances up and spots the creature's countenance. "Our new friend does not appear in a hurry to join the festivities. Doubtless we will meet soon enough." She then redirects her focus to the two girtablilu that have pulled out their swords, especially the one that retreated to the end of the bridge before doing so.

She is initially confused by their actions. "Why switch to swords when bows would appear to be more effective at that range?" She then opens her eyes wide as a thought strikes her. "Perhaps I am being overly paranoid, but I suspect we may soon be looking for a less traditional method of crossing this chasm."

There's not much she can do to prevent the girtablilu from cutting down the bridges, so she directs her energies to the wounded one currently attacking Marine. She flicks her wrist to send a stone flying and then refreshes her personal pink force field.

Actions 1 & 2 (◆◆): Cast a Spell: Telekinetic Projectile [L6] with Courageous Anthem vs Orange Girtablilu Sentry

Telekinetic Projectile Attack: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 20 + 1 = 33
Telekinetic Projectile Damage: 7d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 2, 4, 5, 2, 1, 6) + 1 = 25 bludgeoning damage

If a crit, you deal double damage.

Action 3 (◆): Cast a Spell: Shield [L6] - AC 29 (Hardness 15)

Getting used to the Callistro's words of encouragement, Dr. Lazarus waits, just barely within earshot, for more inspiration.
Delay for Callistro

He then studies the near opponent for an attack strategy.
Devise a Stratagem, vs Orange: 1d20 ⇒ 5 (Roll is used for subsequent attack roll.)

He doesn't find his usual gaping hole, but thinks his hammer might find its mark, given the creature is off his guard. "Please give our regards to your dearly departed friend when you see him." He flings his hammer twice in a row ...

+2 Striking Returning Cold Iron Grabthar's Hammer (w/ Stratagem) +CA, vs Orange: 1d20 + 22 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 22 + 1 = 28 (vs offguard)
Bludgeoning Damage + Enhanced Strategic (precision) +CA: 2d6 + 3d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 5) + (3, 2, 6) + 6 + 1 = 26

+2 Striking Returning Cold Iron Grabthar's Hammer +CA +map, vs Orange: 1d20 + 21 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 21 + 1 - 4 = 27 (vs offguard)
Bludgeoning Damage +Ongoing (precision) +CA: 2d6 + 3 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 4) + 3 + 6 + 1 = 18

... and then casts his magical Shield.

◇ Delay (for Callistro), ◇ Devise, ◆ Strike, ◆ Strike, ◆ Shield

Jayma clobbers the fallen girtablilu with a stone, and then with two solid hits from Lazarus she crumples and tumbles off of the island into the pit below.
All hits. It takes all three, but she's down.

Callistro and Marine's turn. The bridges are sturdier then they may look on the map and are normal terrain, but Ab (where the Guardian is) is 10 feet higher then the rest, so going uphill on that bridge is difficult terrain. The lake bed is 30 feet below. Athletics DC 20 to climb the walls.
Initiative:
Callistro (AC 30/32, 138/140 HP, Cursebound 1, courageous anthem)
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30/31, 89/105 HP, shield)
Jayma (AC 28/29, 107+5/107 HP, shield)
Marine (AC 33/34, 136/162 HP, airwalk, warding statuette)
Green Girtablilu Sentry (AC 26-29)
Girtablilu Guardian

Callitro finds himself well out of position from the rest of the group and a little perturbed by the sound of what could be Swirly mocking them from somewhere above. He jogs forward across the bridge, grumbling as he goes, This running around is all very exhausting, this silk shirt will be ruined if it gets all sweaty and covered in blood and sand. You lot need to hurry up and finish this!

"Uh, no. That is the most obvious trap I've seen." Marine says, commenting on the Gilbratu's actions. "I'm not letting you do that."

Marine Air Walks over to the Green Sentry and attempts to snatch the temple sword out of her hands. "That's mine now, thank you very much!"

Athletics to Disarm vs Sentry Reflex DC: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (13) + 24 = 37

If that was not a critical success.

Marine slashes at the flabbergasted enemy.

Snagging Strike, MAP 1, CA: 1d20 + 24 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 24 + 1 - 5 = 24
Slashing, Spirit, CA: 2d8 + 8 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 5) + 8 + (3) + 1 = 22 That's 19 Piercing and 3 Spirit. If it had hit, Green would be off-guard until the start of my turn. With my Warding Statuette, giving my +1 Status bonus to AC to myself.

If that was a critical success.

Marine snatches the sword out of the Sentry's hands. Looking over it, she admires it, saying: "It's a really nice sword - but I don't want that near the ropes. Tell you what - surrender and I'll go get it back for you. If not, it's staying down in the pit." She quips as she tosses the sword over her shoulder.

◆ Stride, ◆ Disarm, ◆ Interact to toss Temple Sword/Snagging Strike

The sentry watches as he sword sails away.
That is indeed a crit.

So instead he strikes at Marine with his stinger. It hits--but she doesn't even notice any burn of venom. Disappointed, he snaps at her with his pincers, which does not work, before retreating back a few steps.
◆ Strike Stinger: 1d20 ⇒ 16 for piercing damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 5) + 9 = 15 and Marine Fortitude: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (19) + 22 = 41 Critical success
◆ Strike Pincer: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (7) - 4 = 3 Critical failure
◆ Step

"It's not a trap, I just don't want you to come over here!" The guardian slices through one of the supports, then the next. The bridge connecting to his little island falls away.
◆ Strike Temple Sword: 1d20 ⇒ 14
◆ Strike Temple Sword: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (19) - 5 = 14
◆ Stow sword
If one of you would like to do that, you can first attempt a DC 28 Perception check to analyze the bridges and find the weak points, then a DC 25 Strike for slashing damage (the girtablilu already know the weak points and don't need to make the Perception check).

All PCs' turns. The bridges are sturdier then they may look on the map and are normal terrain, but Ab (where the Guardian is) is 10 feet higher then the rest. The bridge to that area has been destroyed. The lake bed is 30 feet below. Athletics DC 20 to climb the walls.
Initiative:
Callistro (AC 30/32, 138/140 HP, Cursebound 1, courageous anthem)
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30/31, 89/105 HP, shield)
Jayma (AC 28/29, 107+5/107 HP, shield)
Marine (AC 33/34, 121/162 HP, airwalk)
Green Girtablilu Sentry (AC 26-29, disarmed)
Girtablilu Guardian

When the guardian chops down the bridge, Dr. Lazarus doesn't look too bothered. He studies the guardian from afar.
Devise a Stratagem, vs Guardian: 1d20 ⇒ 10 (Roll is used for subsequent attack roll.)
Feeling he needs to be closer, he says, "My dear guardian, you're under the misguided assumption that we need bridges to cross." With Gentle Landing prepped just in case, and wearing his Boots of Bounding, the Doctor gets a running start and attempts to Long Jump across.

Athletics, DC 15: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (16) + 19 = 35
On Success, Leap a distance equal to the check: 35'.

Reaching the other side with ease, and still just within earshot of Callistro's inspiration, Lazarus swings his hammer at the guardian.
+2 Striking Cold Iron Grabthar's Hammer (w/ Stratagem) +CA, vs Guardian: 1d20 + 22 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 22 + 1 = 33
Bludgeoning Damage + Enhanced Strategic (precision) +CA: 2d6 + 3d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 6) + (8, 8, 4) + 6 + 1 = 36

◇ Devise, ◆◆ Long Jump, ◆ Strike

How unfortunate that the poor man is wielding his bow, and therefore not wearing his shield.
A hit.

Callistro, Jayma, and Marine's turns. The bridges are sturdier then they may look on the map and are normal terrain, but Ab (where the Guardian is) is 10 feet higher then the rest. The bridge to that area has been destroyed. The lake bed is 30 feet below. Athletics DC 20 to climb the walls.
Initiative:
Callistro (AC 30/32, 138/140 HP, Cursebound 1, courageous anthem)
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30/31, 89/105 HP, shield)
Jayma (AC 28/29, 107+5/107 HP, shield)
Marine (AC 33/34, 121/162 HP, airwalk)
Green Girtablilu Sentry (AC 26-29, disarmed)
Girtablilu Guardian (AC 24-33, -36 HP)

Jayma looks on with surprise and alarm as Thurston readies to jump the 35' rift where the fallen bridge used to be. "Oh! Thurston dear! Do be careful and mind the gap. It's ever so far to the bottom." She cringes and half closes her eyes, but he makes the leap with ease. Jayma lets out a sigh of relief and claps her hands in glee. "Good show, my dear. I knew you had it in you all along."

Unfortunately, the very thought of making a similar leap is enough to send her mind reeling. She pictures her poor shattered body lying prone at the bottom of the pit and shivers. Even if she were to go all the way to the very end of the fallen bridge, the girtablilu guardian would be beyond her easy magical reach. She decides instead to cross the still viable bridge and go help Marine with her sentry. Once close enough, she sends another stone flying with a flick of her wrist.

Action 1 (◆): Stride (45 feet)

Actions 2 & 3 (◆◆): Cast a Spell: Telekinetic Projectile [L6] with Courageous Anthem vs Green Girtablilu Sentry

Telekinetic Projectile Attack: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 20 + 1 = 34
Telekinetic Projectile Damage: 7d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 5, 2, 5, 3, 5, 3) + 1 = 25 bludgeoning damage

If a crit, you deal double damage.

Callistro and Marine's turns. The bridges are sturdier then they may look on the map and are normal terrain, but Ab (where the Guardian is) is 10 feet higher then the rest. The bridge to that area has been destroyed. The lake bed is 30 feet below. Athletics DC 20 to climb the walls.
Initiative:
Callistro (AC 30/32, 138/140 HP, Cursebound 1, courageous anthem)
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30/31, 89/105 HP, shield)
Jayma (AC 28/29, 107+5/107 HP, shield)
Marine (AC 33/34, 121/162 HP, airwalk)
Green Girtablilu Sentry (AC 26-29, disarmed, -25 HP)
Girtablilu Guardian (AC 24-33, -36 HP)

Callistro grumbles, All this running is getting exhausting. I really need a drink, and maybe a nice mango. Did anyone remember to pack any mango's? Probably not, just my luck, nothing but dried cactus. Hurry up and finish these two off please.

Stopping at the edge of the pillar and peering down to see all of the bones he grimaces, Wouldn't want to fall in there he says as he brings up a protective shield of force.

"Oh, quit your bellyaching Callistro. When this is done I'll whip up some mango-flavoured Bravo's Brew. A little exercise might do your figure some good!" Marine calls back, trying to tease the hot and bothered actor.

Marine Steps in front of Jayma but close to the Sentry, intending to act as a barrier from the Sentry to her ally.

With a quick Snagging Strike, she attempts to pull the wool over the Gilbratu's head by yanking their scarf over their face before she cuts into the six-legged sentry.

+2 Astral Aldori Dueling Sword, CA: 1d20 + 24 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 24 + 1 = 31
Slashing, Spirit, CA: 2d8 + 8 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 4) + 8 + (1) + 1 = 18 That's 17 Slashing and 1 Spirit. If it had hit, Green would be off-guard until the start of my turn. With my Warding Statuette, giving my +1 Status bonus to AC to myself.

She then defensively raises her sword, preparing for a Dueling Parry.

◆ Stride, ◆ Snagging Strike, ◆ Dueling Parry. Net +3 to AC if the first Strike hit.

As Marine reaches the edge of the bridge, she can see the area beyond it more clearly. Although this circular platform appears carved from worked stone, erosion has revealed its ancient nature. A five-foot-deep sandy channel in the middle appears to have once funneled waters from further within the cavern to the south down to the now-dry lake bed to the north. Four pillars support a roof forty feet above—each pillar adorned with angry faces and hieroglyphs. To the west, a ramp leads to an upper floor, presumably the area where the mocking voice is coming from; along this ramp, two rag-shrouded bodies hang from ropes attached to pitons driven into the cave wall. Further into the cavern, large nests of bones, dry desert grass, and sand are scattered near the ancient dry riverbed.

Marine slices into the girtablilu again, while snagging his armor and throwing off his balance.
That is a hit.

He strikes at her with his stinger and attempts to catch her by surprise by smacking her with a pincer; this works poorly enough that he's the one injured in the exchange. He then falls back, moving towards the ramp that leads up into the darkness.
◆ Strike Stinger: 1d20 ⇒ 10 Failure
◆ Strike Pincer: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (5) - 4 = 1 Critical failure; Marine's Dueling Riposte hits.
◆ Stride. The effects of Snagging Strike end as he's no longer in her reach.

"Good for you, now you're right where I want you!" It would have been a little more impressive if he'd managed to hurt the doctor. It was very close, scraping against his armor, but not quite close enough.
◆ Strike Temple Sword: 1d20 ⇒ 7 Failure
◆ Strike Pincer: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (3) - 4 = -1 Critical Failure
◆ Strike Pincer: 1d20 - 8 ⇒ (14) - 8 = 6 Failure

All PCs' turns. The bridges are sturdier then they may look on the map and are normal terrain, but Ab (where the Guardian is) is 10 feet higher then the rest. The bridge to that area has been destroyed. The lake bed is 30 feet below. Athletics DC 20 to climb the walls.
Initiative:
Callistro (AC 30/32, 137/140 HP, Cursebound 1, courageous anthem)
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30/31, 89/105 HP, shield)
Jayma (AC 28/29, 107+5/107 HP, shield)
Marine (AC 33/34, 121/162 HP, airwalk, +3 to AC)
Green Girtablilu Sentry (AC 26-29, disarmed, -66 HP)
Girtablilu Guardian (AC 24-33, -36 HP)

Telekinetic Projectile is getting a little boring. When she levels up I'll have to consider upgrading her firepower so she has other things she can do in this situation. Meanwhile... cut & paste it is.

Jayma huffs as the girtablilu sentry moves out of her range. "Ah, do be a dear and hold still. It'll all be over much quicker that way, I promise." Fully expecting Marine to push ahead of her, she moves in unison until she's once again in range and flicks her now sore wrist once more.

Action 1 (◆): Stride (45 feet)

Actions 2 & 3 (◆◆): Cast a Spell: Telekinetic Projectile [L6] with Courageous Anthem vs Green Girtablilu Sentry

Telekinetic Projectile Attack: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 20 + 1 = 40
Telekinetic Projectile Damage: 7d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 6, 6, 2, 2, 6, 2) + 1 = 31 bludgeoning damage

If a crit, you deal double damage.

X verse, same as the X-1--but effective!
A crit, which bloodies him.

Callistro, Lazarus, and Marine's turns. The bridges are sturdier then they may look on the map and are normal terrain, but Ab (where the Guardian is) is 10 feet higher then the rest. The bridge to that area has been destroyed. The lake bed is 30 feet below. Athletics DC 20 to climb the walls.
Initiative:
Callistro (AC 30/32, 137/140 HP, Cursebound 1, courageous anthem)
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30/31, 89/105 HP, shield)
Jayma (AC 28/29, 107+5/107 HP)
Marine (AC 33/34, 121/162 HP, airwalk, +3 to AC)
Green Girtablilu Sentry (AC 26-29, disarmed, -128 HP, bloodied)
Girtablilu Guardian (AC 24-33, -36 HP)

Dr. Lazarus sees Jayma doing the same thing over and over again. "If it doesn't appear to be broken, there is no need to attempt to repair it." The stodgy doctor may not have the phrasing exactly right...

Nevertheless, he devises an attack strategy against his foe ...
Devise a Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 9 (Roll is used for subsequent attack roll.)

...swings twice ...
+2 Striking Cold Iron Grabthar's Hammer (w/ Stratagem) +CA: 1d20 + 22 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 22 + 1 = 32
Bludgeoning Damage + Enhanced Strategic (precision) +CA: 2d6 + 3d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2) + (4, 4, 2) + 6 + 1 = 20

+2 Striking Cold Iron Grabthar's Hammer +CA +map: 1d20 + 21 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 21 + 1 - 4 = 33
Bludgeoning Damage +Ongoing (precision) +CA: 2d6 + 3 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 4) + 3 + 6 + 1 = 15

...and brings up his magical Shield.

◇ Devise, ◆ Strike, ◆ Strike, ◆ Shield

The same is unfortunately true for the moment of the guardian, who weathers both hits.
Both hits.

Callistro and Marine's turns. The bridges are sturdier then they may look on the map and are normal terrain, but Ab (where the Guardian is) is 10 feet higher then the rest. The bridge to that area has been destroyed. The lake bed is 30 feet below. Athletics DC 20 to climb the walls.
Initiative:
Callistro (AC 30/32, 137/140 HP, Cursebound 1, courageous anthem)
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30/31, 89/105 HP, shield)
Jayma (AC 28/29, 107+5/107 HP)
Marine (AC 33/34, 121/162 HP, airwalk, +3 to AC)
Green Girtablilu Sentry (AC 26-29, disarmed, -128 HP, bloodied)
Girtablilu Guardian (AC 24-32, -71 HP)

Bellyaching, bellyaching! My dear, I do not bellyache. I extemporise, I intone, I evoke, sometimes I even overact for comic effect but never bellyache. Just for that you shall have to forgo my excellent advice!

With that he jogs across the bridge and sends a small ball of fire at the rapidly running Girtabillu. As for you, why dont you just stay where you are and be killed!

"See, there you go again. So many words just to say one thing. Can't you be petty when we aren't in a life or death situation?" Marine begins to complain when Callisto denies her his anthem.

She decides to take out her anger on the Sentry by smacking him alongside the head twice with some Snagging Strikes.

+2 Astral Aldori Dueling Sword: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (15) + 24 = 39

Piercing, Spirit: 2d8 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (8, 3) + 8 + (3) = 22 That's 19 Piercing and 3 Spirit. If it hit, Green would be off-guard until the start of my turn. With my Warding Statuette, giving my +1 Status bonus to AC to myself.

+2 Astral Aldori Dueling Sword, MAP 1: 1d20 + 24 - 5 ⇒ (2) + 24 - 5 = 21

Piercing, Sneak Attack, Spirit: 2d8 + 8 + 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 8) + 8 + (3) + (4) = 24 That's 18 Piercing and 1 Spirit. If it had hit, Green would be off-guard until the start of my turn. With my Warding Statuette, giving my +1 Status bonus to AC to myself.

◆ Stride, ◆ Snagging Strike, ◆ Snagging Strike

Marine dispatches the second sentry with a devastating blow.
That first one was a crit, though it didn't need to be. Go ahead and take your last action along with your next turn.

The mocking voice overhead cackles.
"Those crunchy bugs are breaking,
I guess they're not so tough,
But I'm your doom in making
And you'll never be enough!"

The last girtablilu looks up at the cave mouth, aghast. "Are you just waiting for us to die??" Angrily, he lashes out at Lazarus with stinger, sword, and pincer. And, unfortunately for the doctor, he does so with great effect this time...
◆ Strike Stinger: 1d20 ⇒ 15 Hit for piercing damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (3, 3) + 12 = 18 and Lazarus Fort: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20, failure which inflicts poison damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11 and Enfeebled 1 (the DC is 28 if you'd like to reroll it)
◆ Strike Temple Sword: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (15) - 5 = 10 Hit for slashing damage: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (3, 8) + 12 = 23 and fire damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
◆ Strike Pincer: 1d20 - 8 ⇒ (14) - 8 = 6 Miss

All PCs' turns. The bridges are sturdier then they may look on the map and are normal terrain, but Ab (where the Guardian is) is 10 feet higher then the rest. The bridge to that area has been destroyed. The lake bed is 30 feet below. Athletics DC 20 to climb the walls.
Initiative:
Callistro (AC 30/32, 136/140 HP, Cursebound 1)
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30/31, 31/105 HP, shield, Enfeebled 1, Stage 1 Girtablilu Venon)
Jayma (AC 28/29, 107+5/107 HP)
Marine (AC 33/34, 121/162 HP, airwalk, warding statuette, 4 actions)
Girtablilu Guardian (AC 24-32, -71 HP)

Lazarus will shield block the stinger attack.
(Hardness: 15. Shield is on a 10-min timeout.)
And he'll use some halfling luck to withstand the poison.
Detective's Readiness allows the +2 Pursue a Lead circ bonus to apply to saving throws.
Fortitude +DetReadiness, DC 28: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 16 + 2 = 26
Bummer ...

He winces from the attacks, but nods to the girtabilu. "Touche. You're a worthy adversary. Who won't live much longer."
Devise a Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 2 (Roll is used for subsequent attack roll.)

Alas, in his weakened condition, he doesn't see an opening. Instead, he slaps a battle dressing on his wounds.
Battle Medicine (master) DC 30: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (12) + 22 = 34
Damage Healed +master +medic +investigator: 2d8 + 30 + 10 + 11 ⇒ (5, 1) + 30 + 10 + 11 = 57

He then tries to treat the poison...
Medicine to Treat Poison, DC 28: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (2) + 22 = 24
...unsuccessfully.

If he gets another Fort Save either at the end of his turn or the girtabilu's turn ...
To better prepare to fight off the poison, the Doctor activates his pendant to cast Guidance on himself.
Fortitude +DetReadiness +Guidance, DC 28: 1d20 + 16 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 16 + 2 + 1 = 30
DetReadiness is circumstance and Guidance is status, so they stack.

HP: 31 (before turn) + 15 (shield block) + 57 (battle med) = 103 (current)
◇ Devise, ◆ Battle Med, ◆ Treat Poison, ◆ Guidance

Lazarus quickly recovers from the poison. And everything else.
Yes, Stage 1 is one round so you get your next save. That's a success, so you recover.

Callistro, Jayma, and Marine's turns. The bridges are sturdier then they may look on the map and are normal terrain, but Ab (where the Guardian is) is 10 feet higher then the rest. The bridge to that area has been destroyed. The lake bed is 30 feet below. Athletics DC 20 to climb the walls.
Initiative:
Callistro p/b](AC 30/32, 136/140 HP, Cursebound 1)
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30/31, 103/105 HP)
[b]Jayma (AC 28/29, 107+5/107 HP)
Marine (AC 33/34, 121/162 HP, airwalk, warding statuette, 4 actions)
Girtablilu Guardian (AC 24-32, -71 HP)

With the last of the sentries going down under Marine's ferocious attacks, Jayma turns her attentions to Thurston and the last of the girtablilu he's battling. She hurries up to the edge of the chasm with a worried look on her face. "How do you fare, Doctor? I shall do what I can, though I fear the span between us may prove too wide."

The closest she can get puts her 35' away from the girtablilu which leaves it out of range of her many 30' range spells.

She's only momentarily distracted by mocking voice from overhead, which she now assumes must be their nemesis. "Oh, don’t puff yourself up, vile Swirly. We’ve flushed you away once before, and I daresay, we’ll do it again with pleasure should we meet again face to face."

A little frustrated by the distance across the chasm, Jayma decides to unleash a little fire against the girtablilu. She brings her hands close together and a small fiery ball appears between them. Then, with a "scorching sparks sizzle scorpion," she throws the ball across the opening and detonates it behind the creature. Thankfully, the expanding flames stop short of enveloping Thurston.

Action 1 (◆): Stride (45 feet)

Action 2 & 3 (◆◆): Cast a Spell: Fireball with Sorcerous Potency

Fireball Damage: 6d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5) + 3 = 30 fire damage vs DC 30 Basic Reflex

Dropped a 20' burst where the fireball explodes to show that it can be done. Feel free to delete it once the effects are felt.

Caught just on the edge of the spell, the girtablilu dodges (mostly) out of the way, and seems largely unbothered.
Guardian Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 15 Success.

Callistro and Marine's turns. The bridges are sturdier then they may look on the map and are normal terrain, but Ab (where the Guardian is) is 10 feet higher then the rest. The bridge to that area has been destroyed. The lake bed is 30 feet below. Athletics DC 20 to climb the walls.
Initiative:
Callistro (AC 30/32, 136/140 HP, Cursebound 1)
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30/31, 103/105 HP)
Jayma (AC 28/29, 107+5/107 HP)
Marine (AC 33/34, 121/162 HP, airwalk, warding statuette, 4 actions)
Girtablilu Guardian (AC 24-32, -86 HP)

Life or death my dear, life or death? I think you vastly overrate the risk these scorpion cousins of yours pose to us. As for Swirly, that rhyme lacked his usual whimsical flair, are we sure he is back?

With that he sends a stream of flakes of metal at the remaining enemy.

"Well, the Doctor had to heal himself. He might have been in danger 6 seconds ago...Although, maybe it's not Swirly. His material this time does seem rather trite. Ah well, I'll find out after we deal with the Guardian."

Marine double Strides through the air to reach a position where she can flank the Guardian. With two quick Snagging Strikes, she hopes to dispatch her quickly.

+2 Astral Aldori Dueling Sword, CA: 1d20 + 24 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 24 + 1 = 41
Slashing, Sneak Attack, Spirit, CA: 2d8 + 8 + 1d6 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (7, 2) + 8 + (1) + (3) + 1 = 22 That's 18 Slashing, 1 Precision and 3 Spirit. If it had hit, the Guardian would be off-guard until the start of my turn. With my Warding Statuette, giving my +1 Status bonus to AC to myself.

+2 Astral Aldori Dueling Sword, CA, MAP1: 1d20 + 24 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 24 + 1 - 5 = 34
Slashing, Sneak Attack, Spirit, CA: 2d8 + 8 + 1d6 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 1) + 8 + (1) + (3) + 1 = 19 That's 15 Slashing, 1 Precision and 3 Spirit. If it had hit, the Guardian would be off-guard until the start of my turn. With my Warding Statuette, giving my +1 Status bonus to AC to myself.

◆ Stride, ◆ Stride, ◆ Snagging Strike, ◆ Snagging Strike

The remaining girtablilu dodges under the metal spikes, but comes up in time for Marine to drive into him.
Callistro misses. Marine crits and hits.

Looking rather worse for the wear, he lashes out desperately. He manages to sting the doctor, who again feels his strength ebb.
◆ Strike M/L: 1d2 ⇒ 2 Stinger: 1d20 ⇒ 15 Hits for piercing damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (2, 6) + 12 = 20 and Lazarus Fort: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 16 + 2 = 26 Failure for poison damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5 and Enfeebled 1
◆ Strike Marine Stinger: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (4) - 5 = -1 Critical failure
◆ Strike Marine Stinger: 1d20 - 10 ⇒ (13) - 10 = 3 Failure

All PCs' turns. The bridges are sturdier then they may look on the map and are normal terrain, but Ab (where the Guardian is) is 10 feet higher then the rest. The bridge to that area has been destroyed. The lake bed is 30 feet below. Athletics DC 20 to climb the walls.
Initiative:
Callistro (AC 30/32, 135/140 HP, Cursebound 1)
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30/31, 78/105 HP, Enfeebled 1, Stage 1 Girtablilu Venom)
Jayma (AC 28/29, 107+5/107 HP)
Marine (AC 33/34, 121/162 HP, airwalk, warding statuette)
Girtablilu Guardian (AC 27-31, -149 HP, Off-Guard)

Oh whoops, sorry I overlooked something. I was paying such careful attention to Marine and Callistro's positioning, but I missed Jayma's.

One of the bodies hanging from the wall suddenly lurches to life as Jayma draws near, writhing and screaming with a voice muffled by the bandages that gag her. Jayma realizes that it isn't a corpse, but still alive. Furthermore, she knows exactly who it is--Astoria.
Of course, even if she didn't know that that was exceptionally unlikely, Jayma has already encountered several of these Cruel Welcomes. While intellectually knowing it's illusory doesn't necessarily make her immune, it certainly helps.
Jayma Will: 1d20 + 19 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 19 + 4 = 32 Success. No effect, but the trap enters Initiative.
Since you know exactly what they are now I'll also put the other one on the map so you can see where it is, but that one hasn't been triggered yet. Based on what you've seen so far, they seem to be triggered by proximity...

All PCs' turns. The bridges are sturdier then they may look on the map and are normal terrain, but Ab (where the Guardian is) is 10 feet higher then the rest. The bridge to that area has been destroyed. The lake bed is 30 feet below. Athletics DC 20 to climb the walls.
Initiative:
Callistro (AC 30/32, 135/140 HP, Cursebound 1)
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30/31, 78/105 HP, Enfeebled 1, Stage 1 Girtablilu Venom)
Jayma (AC 28/29, 107+5/107 HP)
Marine (AC 33/34, 121/162 HP, airwalk, warding statuette)
Girtablilu Guardian (AC 27-31, -149 HP, Off-Guard)
Red Cruel Welcome

Jayma is momentarily startled to see what looks like her old friend Astoria bandaged and hanging from the nearby wall. She's then further shocked to see her lurch to life and start screaming. "My goodness! Astoria? What..." She stops as the realization sinks in that this is another of the creature illusion traps like those they'd run into earlier. "NOT, Astoria. Definitely not her."

She moves closer to the creature and works her occult magic to try and quieten it. "Begone cruel apparition. You are not wanted here."

Action 1 (◆): Stride (45 feet)

Action 2 & 3 (◆◆): Disable a Device vs Red Cruel Welcome

Occultism (Disable a Device) vs DC ??: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32

As Jayma approaches, the other one also starts to writhe. She ignores this, and quickly counteracts the magic on the first one. Without the illusion, it resolves itself to be a body, lying entirely still. Well, hanging entirely still.
Jayma Will: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (12) + 19 = 31

Callistro, Lazarus, and Marine's turns. The bridges are sturdier then they may look on the map and are normal terrain, but Ab (where the Guardian is) is 10 feet higher then the rest. The bridge to that area has been destroyed. The lake bed is 30 feet below. Athletics DC 20 to climb the walls.
Initiative:
Callistro (AC 30/32, 135/140 HP, Cursebound 1)
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30/31, 78/105 HP, Enfeebled 1, Stage 1 Girtablilu Venom)
Jayma (AC 28/29, 107+5/107 HP)
Marine (AC 33/34, 121/162 HP, airwalk, warding statuette)
Girtablilu Guardian (AC 27-31, -149 HP, Off-Guard)
Blue Cruel Welcome

Dr. Lazarus winces as he's poisoned once again. "Okay, my stinging friend. This is getting rather annoying." He waits hopefully for some inspiration from the bard while he considers his options.
Delay for Callistro, just in case.

In spite of the poison, he looks for an opening.
Devise a Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 7 (Roll is used for subsequent attack roll.)

Before attempting an attack which might work, the Doctor takes advantage of his medical background and tries to counteract the poison's effects by treating the enfeebled condition.
Medicine to Treat Condition, DC 28: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (7) + 22 = 29
Success: Reduce the enfeebled condition by 1.

Then, with the creature off-guard, the Doctor swings his hammer.
+2 Striking Cold Iron Grabthar's Hammer (w/ Stratagem): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (7) + 22 = 29
Bludgeoning Damage + Enhanced Strategic (precision): 2d6 + 3d8 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2) + (1, 7, 4) + 6 = 23
If Callistro has CA up, increase each of the above totals by 1.

End of turn Fort Save
Fortitude +DetReadiness, DC 28: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 16 + 2 = 26
Hero Point
Fortitude +DetReadiness, DC 28: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 16 + 2 = 31

◇ Delay (for Callistro), ◇ Devise, ◆◆ Treat Condition, ◆ Strike

Its OK Marine. says Callistro, I am nothing if not magnanimous, I forgive you your cruel words. Now, be so kind as to put the Guardian out of his misery.

As for you, he says, looking over at the suspicious body hanging on the post, you can just be quiet.

"Aww, really? Well I'm sorry Callie for being mean. I shouldn't have called you out right now. We're all a bit hot and bothered here." She apologises, happy to have the Anthem back up.

She continues to beat up on the off-guard Gilbratu with 2 Snagging Strikes before she poses dramatically in a dueling parry.

+2 Astral Aldori Dueling Sword, CA: 1d20 + 24 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 24 + 1 = 33
Slashing, Sneak Attack, Spirit, CA: 2d8 + 8 + 1d6 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 8) + 8 + (5) + (5) + 1 = 31 That's 21 Piercing, 5 Precision and 5 Spirit. If it had hit, Guardian would be off-guard until the start of my turn. With my Warding Statuette, giving my +1 Status bonus to Lazarus.

+2 Astral Aldori Dueling Sword, CA, MAP 1: 1d20 + 24 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 24 + 1 - 5 = 34
Slashing, Sneak Attack, Spirit, CA: 2d8 + 8 + 1d6 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 4) + 8 + (2) + (5) + 1 = 21 That's 14 Piercing, 2 Precision and 5 Spirit. If it had hit, Guardian would be off-guard until the start of my turn. With my Warding Statuette, giving my +1 Status bonus to AC to Lazarus.

◆ Snagging Strike, ◆ Snagging Strike, ◆ Dueling Parry

The party may be feeling hot, but the girtablilu seems notably more bothered. He collapses under the wait of Lazarus and Marine's attacks.
29 hits while he's Off-Guard, and both of Marine's attacks hit. He's down, and the Cruel Welcome is disabled.

The respite, however, is extremely brief as several figures leap out of the cave mouth overhead.

"You came running when I called,
But now I'll kill you all!"

Quite suddenly, they're everywhere. There's almost a dreamlike quality to it. They leaped, and then they were there without falling through the intervening space.

"Now you've been bruised and battered,
My vengeance wins the day.
You beat me when it mattered,
But now you'll be fl--hey, that was MY line!"

It's Swirly and his werecrocodile minions. But was he always so.. robust? His story has grown with the telling, and so, apparently, has the larger-then-life villain himself. The minions as well seem more... twisted, somehow. There's something about them that seems out of a nightmare.

Lazarus and Marine's turns. The bridges are sturdier then they may look on the map and are normal terrain, but Ab (where Marine and Lazarus are) is 10 feet higher then the rest. The bridge to that area has been destroyed. The lake bed is 30 feet below. Athletics DC 20 to climb the walls.
Initiative:
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30/31, 78/105 HP)
Marine (AC 33/34, 121/162 HP, airwalk, +3 to AC)
Orange Werecrocodile?
Green Werecrocodile?
Pink Werecrocodile?
Jayma (AC 28/29, 107+5/107 HP)
Swirly?
Purple Werecrocodile?
Callistro (AC 30/32, 134/140 HP, Cursebound 2, courageous anthem)

After the last girtabilu falls, Dr. Lazarus starts to ask, "Besides yours truly, who needs hea...?" He's interrupted as a bunch of were-crocs appear. He calls to Marine, "My dear Marine, care to help me with this one near me?"
Delay for Marine.

Hoping that Marine can make the nearest one off-guard, Lazarus devises an attack strategy.
Devise a Stratagem w/ Known Weakness, vs Green: 1d20 ⇒ 6 (Roll is used for subsequent attack roll.)
Known Weakness provides a free Recall Knowledge: Arcana +22 +2 (lead).
If crit success on RK, Lazarus and all allies get a +1 circ bonus to their next attack roll.

Hopefully, attacking with the benefit of off-guard, the Doctor hurls his hammer, twice in a row.
+2 Striking Returning Cold Iron Grabthar's Hammer (w/ Stratagem), vs Green: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (6) + 22 = 28
Bludgeoning Damage + Enhanced Strategic (Precision): 2d6 + 3d8 + 6 ⇒ (5, 6) + (1, 8, 5) + 6 = 31

+2 Striking Returning Cold Iron Grabthar's Hammer +MAP, vs Green: 1d20 + 21 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 21 - 4 = 34
Bludgeoning Damage +Ongoing (precision): 2d6 + 3 + 6 ⇒ (2, 5) + 3 + 6 = 16

He then activates his shiny white healing gloves.
Greater Healer's Gloves: 4d6 + 15 ⇒ (6, 2, 4, 6) + 15 = 33

Delay (for Marine), ◇ Devise, ◇ Known Weakness, ◆ Strike, ◆ Strike, ◆ Activate Healer's Gloves

"Sure thing, Doctor! This guy will be crocodile jerky in no time at all." Marine calls back.

She Steps into the werecreature's ugly mug. "Well, I'm sorry things have to go this way. I don't suppose you'd surrender, would you?" She chatters as she attempts to Snagging Strike it.

+2 Astral Aldori Dueling Sword, CA: 1d20 + 24 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 24 + 1 = 32
Slashing, Spirit: 2d8 + 8 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (7, 8) + 8 + (5) + 1 = 29

With her final action, she raises her sword in a dueling parry.

◆ Step, ◆ Snagging Strike, ◆ Dueling Parry

Marine cuts into the crododile thing. It does not have an answer for her.
A hit.

Dr. Lazarus notices a few things about these creatures that are unexpected. They are indistinct around the edges. He couldn't say exactly how they look different from the last time he encountered them, but they seem somehow more ominous, especially when he's not looking directly at him. They remind him of his nightmares. ...and their feet don't quite touch the ground.
He realizes these aren't solid creatures at all, but the living nightmares known as animate dreams. These creatures from the Dimension of Dreams are made of collected bits of nightmare. Usually they resemble the dreamers who spawned them more then the monsters they fear, but really they can look like just about anything--and given that Swirly's minions were victims of transformation, perhaps their own nightmares about Swirly's attack were the most profound. In any case, Lazarus knows they're not solid and are difficult to physically hurt, but for that same reason they don't put enough effort into avoiding attacks. Like most bullies, they're weak-willed.
Lazarus's first strike might not be as effective as he had hoped as his weapon passes through it, dispersing some of its form like a mist but not impacting anything solid. The next hit still leaves it reeling.
Critically successful RK. They are Incorporeal, and like most incorporeal creatures they are immune to precision damage and have Resist All with some exceptions--in this case force, ghost touch, and void damage. (Marine's weapon has ghost touch, so she dealt full damage.) Much of that you would have immediately figured out from the result of your attack anyway, so I will also say their worst defenses are AC and Will, but they have a bonus to saves against magic.
Your first attack hits and your second crits. It's immune to the precision damage and has some resistance to your damage, but the crit still bloodies it.

One of them circles around Callistro, gliding as much as walking. It turns towards him and unleashes a torrent of water that hits him and slams into Jayma behind him.
The doctor notes that animate dreams normally don't have any water-based powers. It seems these ones are shaped by the potent nightmares that spawned them in more ways then just their appearance.
◆ Fly
◆◆ Cast hydraulic torrent. Bludgeoning damage: 8d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 6, 5, 2, 1, 4, 1) = 24 Callistro Fort: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (14) + 19 = 33 Success and Jayma Fort: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 22 Failure; Jayma would be pushed, but there's nowhere for her to go in that direction

The injured one attempts to bite Marine. The effort is so ineffectual that it leaves an opening for her to slice through it. The two pieces melt away into nothing but harmless wisps of darkness.
◆ Strike Nightmare Jaws: 1d20 ⇒ 13 Failure
◆ Strike Nightmare Jaws: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (9) - 4 = 5 Critical failure with your AC bonuses; Marine's Dueling Riposte crits and kills it

The next one glides up to Jayma and attempts to bite her, which doesn't work. Until it does. Its teeth aren't real, and she doesn't feel them pierce her skin. Instead, she feels like tendrils of darkness are winding into her body, draining her energy and making her feel tired.
◆ Fly (they have no land Speed and cannot Step)
◆ Strike Jayma Nightmare Jaws: 1d20 ⇒ 5 Failure
◆ Strike Nightmare Jaws: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (13) - 4 = 9 Hit for Void damage: 4d8 ⇒ (4, 5, 8, 4) = 21 and Jayma Fortitude: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 18 = 21 That makes you Fatigued from Stage 1 Endless Nightmare. It is a curse if that matters, and the stages are measured in days--so feel free to reroll, but otherwise you don't need to roll any further saves for now

Jayma's turn. The bridges are sturdier then they may look on the map and are normal terrain, but Ab (where Marine and Lazarus are) is 10 feet higher then the rest. The bridge to that area has been destroyed. The lake bed is 30 feet below. Athletics DC 20 to climb the walls.
Initiative:
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30/31, 105+5/105 HP)
Marine (AC 33/34, 121+5/162 HP, airwalk, +3 to AC, reaction used)
Orange Living Nightmare (AC 23-26, hydraulic torrent used)
Pink Living Nightmare (AC 23-26)
Jayma (AC 28/29, 67/107 HP, Fatigued, Stage 1 Endless Nightmare)
Swirly?
Purple Living Nightmare (AC 23-26)
Callistro (AC 30/32, 122/140 HP, Cursebound 2, courageous anthem)

Jayma was having a pretty good day so far. The bad guys had been going down like dominoes and she'd made it through all the combat almost unscathed... until now, that is. Swirly had finally decided to join in on the fun and had brought several friends with him. Before she could react, two of Swirly's ghostly minions target her with spells and violence.

She watches in mild horror as the living nightmare nearest Callistro casts a spell, and a blast of water heads her way. She's about to be smashed against the wall with its full force when...

Action (◇): Halfling Luck vs Hydraulic Torrent

Basic Fortitude Save vs DC ??: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (18) + 18 = 36

...she miraculously finds a crack in the wall that provides her with some (possibly even complete) protection from the damaging jet of water.

Before she has time to clean up her newly sodden clothing with a little prestidigitation, the nearest nightmare flies over and tries to clamp its ghostly jaws onto her. As it approaches for the attack, she puts on her best impression of a damsel in distress and brings up her trademarked fear hands to ward off the blow. In a pitiful wail, she calls out. "Nooooo! Don't hurt me. I am but an innocent gnome that has done you no harm" "...yet"

Reaction (↺): Empathetic Plea with Messenger's Ring vs Pink Living Nightmare

Diplomacy (Empathetic Plea) - Master: 1d20 + 22 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 22 + 2 = 39 vs Pink Living Nightmare Will DC

If Will is their worst save, then I'm thinking that may well be a crit success and thus the nightmare can't use its last action to attack Jayma and she avoids the Endless Nightmare for the time being.

Having mitigated the attacks as best she could, Jayma decides that she's far too close to the action and uses her quick feet to put as much distance between her and her attacker. She then turns and focuses on their nemesis in the distance. "Ah, Swirly, darling... Hiding behind your nightmarish minions are we? How quaint. But never too far from my magic. Time for another trip down the drain."

Action 1 (◆): Stride (45 feet)

Action 2 & 3 (◆◆): Cast a Spell: Disintegrate vs Swirly
Triggers: Blood Magic

Disintegrate Attack: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (20) + 20 = 40
Disintegrate Damage: 12d10 + 6 ⇒ (4, 5, 6, 6, 5, 8, 8, 1, 5, 10, 5, 3) + 6 = 72 damage (no damage type) vs basic Fortitude

If a crit, the target gets a result one degree of success worse than the outcome of its Fortitude save.

Blood Magic—Imperious Defense
Until the start of your next turn, you gain a +1 status bonus to AC. Now at AC 29.

Jayma avoids the torrent of water entirely. She also manages to make a being of pure living nightmare hesitate.
Critical success on your rerolled save. Critical success on Empathic Plea, which means I need to redo Pink's third action...

Instead, it fixes its gaze on Callistro and whispers something. He can't quite make out what it says, but it sounds so familiar as it bores into his mind. It's something he's heard before, in his worst nightmare... but he's heard it all before, and so ignores it.
◆ Demoralize Callistro Intimidation: 1d20 ⇒ 9 Failure

"The mortal plays with spells,
She thinks she's rather strong,
But I'll drag you all to--Augh! Stop that!"
That's a crit (obviously), so Fortitude: 1d20 ⇒ 11 Success becomes failure.

"I'll get you!" Swirly snaps. He raises his scepter and swings it in her direction, firing a beam of force that--Jayma blocks with the lingering magic from her spell. Snarling, he turns to look at Marine and Lazarus, pointing at them with his other hand and grinning wickedly as he draws a swirling motion with a finger. At once the lake seems full again, overfull even as a swirling whirlpool pulls at the to adventurers. The vision is gone as suddenly as it appeared, though leaving the two a little battered. Swirly doesn't seem to care that one of his own minions was caught in the blast, and even seems surprised that it seems entirely unharmed. "Wow.
"Survive my blast unfazed?
Then stick it to these heroes!
You might even get a raise--
What's 2% of zero?"
◆ Strike Beam: 1d20 ⇒ 3 ...a miss because of Imperious Defense
◆◆ Swirling Blast Purple Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 Critical Success, Marine Reflex: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (19) + 20 = 39 Success, Lazarus Reflex: 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 20 + 2 = 36 Success. Marine and Lazarus each take half of cold damage: 14d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 3, 6, 2, 6, 1, 6, 6, 5, 6, 2, 4, 5) = 64

The nightmare leaps at Marine and catches her surprise, tearing at her throat and killing her.
But she sees through the illusion and knows that it hasn't even moved. With a small huff of frustration, it glides away from her. If there was any doubt that they could fly, it is now dispelled as it hovers over the pit.
◆◆ Cast phantasmal killer Marine Will: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (2) + 19 = 21 Failure becomes Success against Fear effect. Marine is Frightened 1, which she ignores, and takes half of Mental Damage: 8d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 5, 2, 2, 3, 5, 3) = 32
◆ Fly

Callistro, Lazarus, and Marine's turns. The bridges are sturdier then they may look on the map and are normal terrain, but Ab (where Marine and Lazarus are) is 10 feet higher then the rest. The bridge to that area has been destroyed. The lake bed is 30 feet below. Athletics DC 20 to climb the walls.
Initiative:
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30/31, 78/105 HP)
Marine (AC 33/34, 83/162 HP, airwalk)
Orange Living Nightmare (AC 23-26, hydraulic torrent used)
Pink Living Nightmare (AC 23-26)
Jayma (AC 28/29, 107+5/107 HP, Imperious Defense)
Swirly? (AC<41, -73 HP)
Purple Living Nightmare (AC 23-26, phantasmal killer used, 40 ft over pit)
Callistro (AC 30/32, 122/140 HP, Cursebound 2, courageous anthem)

Callistro looks around the cavern at the various enemies, well spread out. Why, this is marvellous, we now have a proper audience. You know what that means he says as he starts to dance. Its time to play the music, its time to light the lights, its time to meet Callistro, on the Callistro show tonight!

"Haha! Yes!" cheers Swirly, "Now you're getting into it! Mine are better, obviously."
Two of the dreams are overcome, clapping and cheering. The third doesn't seem to understand what all the fuss is about and looks quizzically at its boss.
Orange Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Critical failure
Pink Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 Critical success
Purple Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14 Failure
Swirly Will: 1d20 ⇒ 12 Success

Lazarus and Marine's turns. The bridges are sturdier then they may look on the map and are normal terrain, but Ab (where Marine and Lazarus are) is 10 feet higher then the rest. The bridge to that area has been destroyed. The lake bed is 30 feet below. Athletics DC 20 to climb the walls.
Initiative:
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30/31, 78/105 HP)
Marine (AC 33/34, 83/162 HP, airwalk)
Orange Living Nightmare (AC 23-26, hydraulic torrent used, Slowed 1, can't use reactions, triggers RS on its turn, Fascinated by Callistro)
Pink Living Nightmare (AC 23-26)
Jayma (AC 28/29, 107+5/107 HP, Imperious Defense)
Swirly? (AC<41, -73 HP, can't use reactions)
Purple Living Nightmare (AC 23-26, phantasmal killer used, 40 ft over pit, Slowed 1, can't use reactions, triggers RS on its turn)
Callistro (AC 30/32, 120/140 HP, Cursebound 2, courageous anthem)

Marine squeals with joy as Callistro announces that the Callistro show has begun. "Hey! I love that show! Wanna know why? Because the audience loves it so much that they can't stop themselves from being hit by me!"

"And you -" She points her Dueling Sword towards Purple and Strides towards it- "Are about to get front row seats to the centaur comedy hour!"

With a quick Snagging Strike, she aims to set Purple up for Dr. Lazarus.

+2 Astral Aldori Dueling Sword, CA: 1d20 + 24 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 24 + 1 = 30
Slashing, Spirit, CA: 2d8 + 8 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 1) + 8 + (4) + 1 = 20 That's 16 Slashing and 4 Spirit. If it had hit, Purple would be off-guard until the start of my turn. With my Warding Statuette, giving my +1 Status bonus to AC to myself.

In preparation for Swirly's Supreme Spinny Shots, she holds her sword in another Dueling Parry.

◆ Stride, ◆ Snagging Strike, ◆ Dueling Parry

The crocodile seems to disagree about how comedic nature of Marine's attack.
A hit.

Lazarus's turn. The bridges are sturdier then they may look on the map and are normal terrain, but Ab (where Marine and Lazarus are) is 10 feet higher then the rest. The bridge to that area has been destroyed. The lake bed is 30 feet below. Athletics DC 20 to climb the walls.
Initiative:
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30/31, 78/105 HP)
Marine (AC 33/34, 83/162 HP, airwalk)
Orange Living Nightmare (AC 23-26, hydraulic torrent used, Slowed 1, can't use reactions, triggers RS on its turn, Fascinated by Callistro)
Pink Living Nightmare (AC 23-26)
Jayma (AC 28/29, 107+5/107 HP, Imperious Defense)
Swirly? (AC<41, -73 HP, can't use reactions)
Purple Living Nightmare (AC 23-26, -20 HP, phantasmal killer used, 40 ft over pit, Slowed 1, can't use reactions, triggers RS on its turn, Off-Guard until M's turn)
Callistro (AC 30/32, 120/140 HP, Cursebound 2, courageous anthem)

With the creatures largely immune to his precision striking, Dr. Lazarus sees Marine injured and decides to make a Doctor's Visitation to heal her.
1 action: Stride & Battle Med
He used Battle Med on Marine when the giants welcomed us, but with Medic Dedication, he can battle med someone "immune" 1/hr.

Battle Medicine (master) DC 30: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (8) + 22 = 30
Damage Healed +master +medic +investigator: 2d8 + 30 + 10 + 11 ⇒ (6, 3) + 30 + 10 + 11 = 60

Even though he knows he won't be super effective, the stubborn elf looks for an attack strategy against the nearest shadow.
Devise a Stratagem vs Purple: 1d20 ⇒ 3 (Roll is used for subsequent attack roll.)

Thanks to Marine making the creature off-balanced, Lazarus figures he'll throw his hammer twice.
+2 Striking Returning Cold Iron Grabthar's Hammer (w/ Stratagem) +CA, vs Purple: 1d20 + 22 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 22 + 1 = 26
Bludgeoning Damage + Enhanced Strategic (precision) +CA: 2d6 + 3d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 2) + (3, 3, 4) + 6 + 1 = 25

+2 Striking Returning Cold Iron Grabthar's Hammer +CA +map, vs Purple: 1d20 + 21 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 21 + 1 - 4 = 19
Bludgeoning Damage +Ongoing (precision) +CA: 2d6 + 3 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 6) + 3 + 6 + 1 = 18

◇ Devise, ◆ Doctor's Visitation, ◆ Strike, ◆ Strike

26 hits, though it's immune to precision and resists the rest of your damage. I think it's fairly typical for incorporeal creatures to have weaker other defenses--Resist All is strong, and if anything even stronger at higher levels where characters often add a few points of different damage types.
Nat 1 19 is a critical failure, though. It's not that low.

The living nightmare can't look away from Callistro. So it lunges at him, tearing him apart. Callistro dismisses such an unlikely outcome as clearly illusory and is unaffected.
◆◆ Cast phantasmal killer Callistro Will: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (18) + 22 = 40 Critical success, no effect

The next one is unaffected. It glides forward, rising over the walkway's railing, and attempts to bite Callistro; it fails.
◆ Fly
◆ Strike Nightmare Jaws: 1d20 ⇒ 4 Miss
◆ Strike Nightmare Jaws: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (9) - 5 = 4 Consistency is important!

Jayma's turn. The bridges are sturdier then they may look on the map and are normal terrain, but Ab (where Marine and Lazarus are) is 10 feet higher then the rest. The bridge to that area has been destroyed. The lake bed is 30 feet below. Athletics DC 20 to climb the walls.
Initiative:
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30/31, 78/105 HP)
Marine (AC 33/34, 143/162 HP, airwalk, warding statuette)
Orange Living Nightmare (AC 23-26, hydraulic torrent and phantasmal killer used, Slowed 1, can't use reactions, triggers RS on its turn, Fascinated by Callistro)
Pink Living Nightmare (AC 23-26)
Jayma (AC 28/29, 107+5/107 HP)
Swirly? (AC<41, -73 HP, can't use reactions)
Purple Living Nightmare (AC 23-26, -30 HP, phantasmal killer used, 40 ft over pit, Slowed 1, can't use reactions, triggers RS on its turn, Off-Guard until M's turn)
Callistro (AC 30/32, 120/140 HP, Cursebound 2, courageous anthem)

Jayma continues her relentless attack against Swirly. She generates a small ball of flames between her open hands and flings it at their nemesis in the distance. A quick wave of her hand throws up her usual magical pink force field.

Action 1 & 2 (◆◆): Cast a Spell: Fireball [L5] with Sorcerous Potency

Fireball Damage: 10d6 + 5 ⇒ (6, 3, 4, 1, 3, 4, 6, 6, 4, 6) + 5 = 48 fire damage vs DC 30 Basic Reflex

Action 3 (◆): Cast a Spell: Shield [L6] - AC 29 (Hardness 15)

"Oh no, aaawawaaaugh!" shouts Swirly as the flames engulf him. He throws up his arms to protect himself, and he's pretty quick. But not quick enough! He should still be pretty badly singed--but then he lowers his arms and grins at Jayma. "Kidding!"
As a fey creature associated with water, Jayma remembers that Swirly had a little resistance to fire, but it seems that power too has grown significantly. He certainly wasn't immune before!
He looks over at his equally unscathed minion. "Wow, that guy's pretty good. Better not be aiming for my job!"
Okay, I think you can't quite also hit purple with that, but I'm going to give it to you because this feels so mean.
Swirly Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 12 Success for 24 fire damage no damage, because he is immune to fire.
Purple Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 20 ...I tried.

With a casual wave of his hand, Swirly sends another blast of swirling water at Marine and Lazarus. He then aims his scepter at Jayma a little more carefully and sends another beam her way--this time it hits.
◆◆ Swirling Blast, basic save against cold damage: 14d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 3, 5, 3, 2, 6, 5, 1, 6, 6, 2, 5, 3) = 51
Marine Reflex: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (9) + 20 = 29 Failure
Lazarus Reflex: 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 20 + 2 = 32 Failure
◆ Strike Jayma Beam: 1d20 ⇒ 8 Hit for Mental damage: 3d4 + 13 ⇒ (3, 4, 4) + 13 = 24

The nightmare seems distracted applauding Callistro, and Marine punishes its distraction. It bobs in the air, but bites back. The teeth don't physically pierce her, but she feels cold tendrils of darkness inching into her--but she shakes it off.
Marine's RS hits.
◆ Fly
◆ Strike Nightmare Jaws: 1d20 ⇒ 18 Hits for Void damage: 4d8 ⇒ (5, 2, 2, 7) = 16 and Marine Fort: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (11) + 22 = 33 Success, no effect

Callistro, Lazarus, and Marine's turns. The bridges are sturdier then they may look on the map and are normal terrain, but Ab (where Marine and Lazarus are) is 10 feet higher then the rest. The bridge to that area has been destroyed. The lake bed is 30 feet below. Athletics DC 20 to climb the walls.
Initiative:
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30/31, 27/105 HP)
Marine (AC 33/34, 76/162 HP, airwalk, warding statuette)
Orange Living Nightmare (AC 23-26, hydraulic torrent and phantasmal killer used, Slowed 1, can't use reactions, triggers RS on its turn, Fascinated by Callistro)
Pink Living Nightmare (AC 23-26)
Jayma (AC 28/29, 88/107 HP)
Swirly? (AC<41, -73 HP, can't use reactions)
Purple Living Nightmare (AC 23-26, -50 HP, phantasmal killer used, 40 ft over pit, Slowed 1, can't use reactions, triggers RS on its turn, Off-Guard until M's turn)
Callistro (AC 30/32, 120/140 HP, Cursebound 2, courageous anthem)

Jayma is flabbergasted that her spell had no effect on Swirly. She frowns. "Why did we not know about his invulnerability to fire from our previous encounter?" She sighs to herself. "This is going to make things somewhat more difficult."

As she's trying to figure out an alternative plan, she sees Swirly toss another magical beam her way. "Uh, oh!" It slams into her force field, which collapses under the impact, sending the remaining shrapnel her way. "You wretched cad! How dare you strike a noble lady. You will pay dearly for this effrontery."

Reaction (↺): Shield Block - Hardness 15

Soooo, 24-15 = 9 hp of damage.

Dr. Lazarus reels from the next water blast. In critical condition, and unable to heal himself any further, he again tries to help Marine with the near enemy.
Devise a Stratagem, vs Purple: 1d20 ⇒ 1 (Roll is used for subsequent attack roll.)
Alas, even the stubborn elf realizes it's pointless to attack the shadow creatures.

Staring over at Swirly, he mutters, "Enough is enough!" He takes a running start and attempts to long jump back over the chasm.
Even if he falls, he has Gentle Landing prepped, and he'll hopefully be out of the line of fire as he climbs up. Honestly, it's probably better if he falls...
Athletics to Long Jump, DC 15: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (13) + 19 = 32

Good news! Or is it? He easily makes the leap. Glaring at Swirly, he hurls his hammer from point-blank range.
+2 Striking Returning Cold Iron Grabthar's Hammer +CA, vs Swirly: 1d20 + 21 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 21 + 1 = 39
Bludgeoning Damage +Ongoing (precision) +CA: 2d6 + 3 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 3) + 3 + 6 + 1 = 16

◇ Devise, ◆◆ Long Jump, ◆ Strike