[GD14] PF2e - 06-20: Overthrow of Ambition (P1) (Inactive)

Game Master UncleFroggy

B, no B: 1d2 ⇒ 2

Pip sends a swarm of sharp rocks against Blue. It strikes the middle of the swarm but isn't as effective. Brix hurls a brick through the same space and does more damage. Hobbs breathes a cone of flame but the swarm suddenly shifts as one and avoids the flame entirely. Salliss manages to avoid getting bitten but is left with some singed hair (just for flavor).

Brix meanwhile makes a run for the lodge (you'll be relieved soon).

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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 5
Tactical Map

Active Conditions: Courageous Anthem

Special Conditions:
* Creatures inside the swarm are concealed
* Immune to Disgusting Chorus: Salliss, Makie, Brix, Hobbs/Erinaceinae, Pip, Marta/Everness

Before your Turn:
DC 28 Basic Reflex vs 9 Piercing: Salliss
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Those with ** may go

Salliss - AC 31 (32 w/shield; H15; Holy; Quickened) 104/140 (Concealed)
Blue (-56; AC <= 25)
Marta Sanz - AC 28 107/107; Everness AC 28 55/55
Brix - AC 30 127/127
Pip - AC 30 82/129
Hobbs Picklesmith - AC 27 (28 w/shield; H15) 96/96; Erinaceinae AC 27 50/50
**Makie Masamune - AC 31 171/188 (Resist F/A/C: 10; Quickened; Stupefied 1)
GM

Rinse and repeat! Makie moves, strongholds, flurries blue and moves back away.

2 Str Flaming Corrosive Fists: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (14) + 23 = 37
bludgeoning: 3d8 + 7 ⇒ (5, 4, 5) + 7 = 21
corrosive: 1d6 ⇒ 5
fire: 1d6 ⇒ 3

2 Str Flaming Corrosive Fists: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (8) + 19 = 27
bludgeoning: 3d8 + 7 ⇒ (5, 6, 1) + 7 = 19
corrosive: 1d6 ⇒ 5
fire: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Makie charges Blue and disperses the swarm.

AC 25, 107 hp; Resist: Bludgeon 5, P/S 8, Immune to acid

Another swarm joins the fray. As you prepare to engage it, Rain in Cloudy Day, followed by Knights of Lastwall run into the clearing.

"Zarta sent us to cover your retreat! Quickly, the Knights will cover you while you follow me back!"

As you reach the balcony, it looks far different from when they met with Zarta earlier today. Eando, Valais, Urwal, Shemis, and Jorsal of Lauterbury stand spaced around the ritual circle, as well as Hesla if she was brought to the Grand Lodge alive. They have been waiting, albeit impatiently, for you to arrive, and the tension is palpable.

The comfortable chairs and coverings of the overlook have been pushed to the sides of the balcony, clearing the floor for the ritual at hand. A chalk circle has been drawn onto the ground, lined with blood red candles. In the center stands Zarta, holding the Resurrection Grimoire with the items gathered earlier in the day at her feet. The others are standing around the circle's edge, and Zarta beckons.

"For all the blood you've shed today, I apologize to say I have one more request of you. In order to destroy Ingalor, we need to bind him power. This is done by using the determination that raised them against them—we have Hesla, and the items representing her fury and determination, and now all we still need is Ingalor himself. For that, we stand here at the ready, and once he enters the grounds we will complete the incantations, then someone must wield Riftcarver and bring it down upon his head. As you have been so instrumental in preparing us for this moment, we ask that you join us—and possibly be the ones to take the dread scythe in hand. Will you be so kind as to acquiesce to this request?"

Wield? Brix looks at the scythe in his hand. You mean actually stab him in the head with this?

He turns to Zarta How 'bound' is your magic gonna make this thing? Because if this is an honest-to-Gods demon lord brought back to life - which we still don't even know how Hesla got that to happen by the way so who knows what other surprises she might've built in there - I'm not sure how any of us will be able to even get close enough before we're swatted away.

Looking to Valais, Salliss asks “Would the weapon even allow me to use it?”

I have the Holy trait. I would expect to be Enfeebled 2 and maybe Drained. Since it has shown itself to be an intelligent weapon, it seems reasonable to expect it to fight against Salliss using it.

Text wise there's nothing in the scenario that addresses this but I would assume that the ritual they're about to perform will render Riftcarver inert so that any PC can wield it

"The ritual we are about to perform will bind Ingalor and render him immobile. The ritual will have an effect on Riftcarver as well, rendering the sentience inert"

So I'm making this up out of whole cloth. Anyone who has played PF1 and knows their Ingalor lore, please feel free to correct me! :)

“Then I’m willing to make the leap.”

I don’t know any lore related to Ingalor but the above works for me. I agree, there is nothing in the scenario warning about a holy creature handling Riftcarver. There probably should have been, but I don’t recall anything.

If you think you can handle it. Best of luck. Brix brings the scythe over to Salliss.

To Zarta he asks So what’s the ritual. What do you need from us to do?

Salliss sets it Riftcarver down near the ritual circle, waiting for more instructions.

Zarta directs you to your places and then explain the ritual itself.

"Knowing that Ingalor is coming our way with the intent destroy the Grand Lodge, and the Society itself, Shemis used her foresight to work with Ambrus, directing teams of Pathfinders and their allies to locations across the city and the Lodge grounds to ensure he is corralled into the area directly in view of this balcony. Once Ingalor comes into their sight, we will complete the incantation, utilizing their skills to empower the casting. I will be the primary caster, with everyone surrounding the edge taking the role of support. If all goes correctly, Ingalor with be momentarily frozen, and while he is Riftcarver will be powerful enough to finish him. Salliss has volunteered to take up this task, as to make sure they hit him squarely in the head, they will need to take a running jump off this balcony."

Zarta looks to you. "Any questions?"

“What can we do to help with the ritual?”

Pip raises a hand. "And what can we do to aid Sallis? Salliss, would you like some really nice Heroism?"

"Aid in what sense?" Zarta asks, "I will discuss what you can do to aid the ritual afterwards."

"Alright, we'll concentrate on the ritual first. What can we do to help?"

Before Zarta can continue, Hesla stands up and says "Hold on. Let's deal with the elephant in the room first. This balcony is over 100 feet in the air. How is making this jump safe?" Before anyone can reply, Eando interjects, "Honestly, it’s not, but none of this is. We have healers stationed close by to assist if at all possible, but yes, there is a possibility of lethal injury to whomever takes up the scythe to put down its original maker."

Zarta begins to explain the ritual but suddenly the lodge itself begins to shake violently from the roar of the skeletal demon as he enters the grounds. Zarta tells the group to ready themselves as they watch him throw the crushed bodies of Pathfinders across the grounds. Finally, he comes into view, and Zarta shouts, "NOW!"

The ritual to bind Ingalor is a mix of magic and might. With Zarta as primary caster, everyone else around the edge act as secondary casters. The PCs can focus their efforts on intensifying the power of the ritual with magic, towards bolstering Riftcarver directly with might, or on Ingalor directly with their direct knowledge of him and those who follow him. As for the NPC casters, Eando, Jorsal, and Hesla (if she's participating, which she only will if she came willingly) focus on might, while Valais, Urwal, and Shemis concentrate on magic.

Ritual Details:
* Instead of successes giving the primary caster bonuses to their check, the secondary casters need a threshold of Ritual Points, based on their degree of success.
* Successes generate Ritual Points (RP) - CS/S/F/CF: +2/+1/0/-1
* To intensify the magic: DC 27 Arcana/Nature/Occultism/Religion
* To bolster with might: DC 29 Athletics/Acrobatics/Intimidation
* To focus directly on Ingalor: DC 25 Cult/Demon Lore

TL;DR - the ritual is a victory point skill check exercise. You earn Ritual Points with skill checks. Number of total Ritual Points determines the final outcome. I was going to give everyone a free hero point but it appears you each have enough to reroll your check.

Salliss uses his knowledge of demons to reinforce the parts of the ritual dealing with Ingalor.
Salliss's Lore Demon (T): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28

Is it just one roll each, or more?

Pip's Occultism (M): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (10) + 22 = 32

"Ah yes. I see now." Pip works to intensify the magic, spinning in a dance whose music only she can hear.

one roll each. you are aided by NPC Casters doing the same. For your part, you need 4 successes (well, 2 after Pip and Salliss)

Marta lends her magical knowledge.

Arcana: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (6) + 22 = 28

Brix curses himself for forgetting to grab a flying potion for Salliss earlier as he steps forwards towards the ritual circle.

The goblin crouches down. He starts to draw on the bits of Occult know-how he's picked up over the years, but he can't focus. Instead his anger keeps bubbling up. Anger at Zarta's weird coyness - even now! - about what they seem to know or have known about this demon lord. Anger at Hesla and how she decided mass-murder and conquering was an easier endgame than just sharing her plan with any of the dozens of groups who would have gladly helped her. Anger at how the city authorities seem happy to leave handling the arrest of a fraudulent international terrorist to the Society, but also so eager to blame us if the problem they kicked over to us to handle got handled the 'wrong way'. But moslty anger at the looming demon lord itself. Killing so many - driving others to kill against their nature and damning themselves in the process - all for nothing but sadistic glee.

Brix feels that anger boil over. And channels that rage into a honed point to be sent directly into Ingalor's throat.

Initimdation: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (15) + 24 = 39

Salliss does not seem worried about the height of the balcony. Unfortunately there was no time to reassure the others that it would not be a large problem.

For Salliss it will only be a 50’ fall because of Cat Fall. He can survive the fall, although he will be prone when he lands.

arcana: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (13) + 22 = 35

"Hmm...yes, simple. It seems that we need to hypertextualize the aetheric waves with a judicious amount of mystical leverage to the polyfractal microglyphic stream. Oh and be careful of any spectral feedback."

The goblin's hands weave complex patterns as he distorts the laws of spacetime and compels the energies thus released to do his bidding.

Brix channels his rage into Ingalor while Pip, Hobbs, and Marta lend their mystic power to the ritual. Salliss contributes his knowledge to the ritual as well.

Golden and pearlescent ropes of energy wrap themselves around Ingalor, tightening their bonds and restraining him mid-attack on a group of venture-captains protecting the dorms. As he roars in anger, Zarta looks to those gathered, her face somber.

"Agents, you are the ones who have led the charge this day, and one of you should have the honor of sending this demon back to the hells from where he came. Decide quickly who will, then take up Riftcarver and bring it down upon his head."

All right Salliss, now's your chance to ham it up. Describe how you're going to grab Riftcarver and slam it onto Ingalor's noggin' :)

Before Salliss does so, Pip casts fly on him.

Salliss grabs up the profane weapon and leaps off the balcony. Realizing that he is flying, Salliss uses the flight to gain slightly more height before diving down to slam the blade of Riftcarver into the skull of the demon-lord Ingalor.

There is an explosion of energy as Riftcarver strikes Ingalor, breaking the weapon and Ingalor into hundreds of pieces and sending Salliss flying back. The flight spell allows Salliss to recover in the air and safely land on the grounds below. Healers rush up, only to find his injuries are minor.
1 Action innate Heal: 6d8 + 48 ⇒ (2, 6, 1, 6, 2, 2) + 48 = 67

Once he has reassured the healers that he is fine, he flys back up to the balcony. Looking to Pip he says “Thanks for the spell, I would have taken more damage without it.” Looking to Hesla, he says “I imagine that Eando had told Zarta I could survive the fall. Although it would have hurt, as you can see they had healers waiting below.”

He hands Eando a charred stick, saying “This is all that remains of Riftcarvers’ haft.” Looking over the balcony, he adds “It is going to take some effort to find and contain the other broken pieces.”

Smiling brightly, he says “Still, this is a time for celebration. A demon lord and a foul weapon have both been broken. Ketephys will certainly be pleased by the results of this hunt.”

"Did you say it's time to celebrate?" Pip swirls Hobbs into a dance. "We saved Absalom! Let's party!"

Performance (dance) E: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (9) + 22 = 31

Salliss grabs up Riftcarver and jumps. He flies higher and makes a blistering dive at Ingalor's head. The moment Riftcarver connects with Ingalor there is an enormous explosion and both Ingalor and Riftcarver shatter into a million pieces. Salliss is thrown in a random direction from the blast. As he lands, healers rush to his aid, casting healing spells.

From the scenario text, Salliss would have taken 100hp damage from the drop and the resulting explosion. Healers would have cast Breath of Life to prevent him from dying

As he floats back up the balcony, Pip does a happy dance and ...

"STOP!" comes a forceful voice. Pip's celebration comes to a screeching halt as Jorsal of Lauterbury stalks up to the Pathfinders. "You may have saved Absalom but I have NOT forgotten the assault on my person when asking me would have sufficed. I do fully intend to have you all prosecuted for assaulting a Venture Captain. However..." at his point, his voice softens, and you can see hints of laughter in his eyes, "... I suppose that can wait until after the debrief and celebration. Ambrus, I ask that these Pathfinders be sent to muck out the smelliest, stables you can find for a couple of months. That should teach them there are better ways of achieving a goal!"

As the ripples of energy from the destruction of Ingalor and Riftcarver fade, and stones from the Grand Lodge crash to the ground, silence blankets the space that was moments before filled with demonic hums. The grass surrounding the Wall of Names is red, soaked in the blood of innumerable locusts, demons, and those who stood together against them. Knights of Lastwall lay fallen next to Pathfinders and their allies, and battle medics are systematically going through the battlefield, checking for signs of life on all of the fallen. The clouds in the sky part ways, and rain starts to fall, washing away some of the signs of the fight. Ambrus looks at the those standing on the balcony, asks for all to follow him to his office. On the way there, he calls for Rain in Cloudy Day and asks him to head to the infirmary check on the person who took on defeating Deskari. Once there, he offers all a blanket and a warm cup of tea, in a futile effort to calm them all before they attempt to debrief.

Hesla and Falwynd are among those gathered. Even if she wasn't convinced before, having seen the destruction caused today, Hesla now understands the extremes that she had gone to in her quest for revenge and sincerely wants to make amends. Eando will inform her that the first thing she can do is go with him and Falwynd to the Starwatch, along with the evidence the Society has gathered, and be completely honest with them. Valais will assure both Falwynd and Hesla that this is for the best, as they will prosecute her for her crimes in a court of her peers, evaluating all the evidence in as unbiased a way as possible. However, with all that has happened, and the true change she can see in Hesla's heart, Valais will ensure that someone from the Society is there to stand as a witness of her newfound character and changed goals.

No matter the outcome for Hesla, Ambrus Valsin turns to you. While most of Riftcarver and Ingalor were destroyed by the blast, one, faintly glowing, rune carved piece of Riftcarver has survived. Ignoring the glare from Eando, Ambrus hands it to you. "It could be very helpful for you to take the time to safely move it to a weapon of your own. Now I'm not sure what you did to Jorsal, but report to the novices stables tomorrow morning at first light."

As the credits roll on you busily mucking out the stables, you may post your outros!

FIN

Thanks for playing -- this was fun!!

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Pip is used to mucking out stables and badger pens. That was her family's business. She does make use of some magic for the muckiest parts, but happily hums away as she mucks out the stables and then spends time caring for and grooming the horses.

The best part?

NOT ONE SINGLE LOCUST.

Hobbs leaves the celebration early, having eaten only half a roast goose, two loaves of bread, three bowls of cabbage soup, one lemon tart and three slices of pumpkin pie. The wizard is eager to tell Mama the story of his adventures.

Back at home while eating a small snack of three ham and anchovy sandwiches and a dozen pickles that Mama prepared for him the wizard recounts in great detail the events of the day. His mother is shocked to hear of Jorsal's punishment while his father simply smiles. That night after Hobbs heads to bed. Zari drags her husband into the kitchen. "Ahhh! What are these Pathfinders doing to my poor boy? He saves the city and they make him muck stables. How can they do such a thing? And you. Smiling at your son's misfortune. Shame on you, Papa. I want you to go there in the morning and tell those wretched captains that under no circumstances will my dear boy be mucking out any stables."

Quiznup Rolaldaeganizer shakes his head slowly. "No Zari. I can't do that. This sort of thing happens all the time. I remember getting scolded back in my academy days. Why, did I ever tell you about the time that Dioppabblosup and I got caught smuggling a clutch of griffin eggs into our dorm room. It was early in our second year..."

"Oh no you don't. Don't change the subject by telling me a story you know full well I've heard at least a dozen times. It gets more outrageous with every telling, too. What are you going to do about this grave injustice?"

Quiznup shakes his head. "Nothing. It won't hurt the boy to do a little work for an afternoon. Besides I've been meaning to borrow Dioppabblosup's decanter of endless water for a research project I have in mind. Hobbs can pick it up for me in the morning before he has to go to the stables and bring it to me when he comes home. He'll be just fine." He smiles mischievously.

Zari frowns at her husband. "Fine, but if that Ambrus keeps bullying my boy I'm going to have words with him."

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The next day at the stables Hobbs spends his time gleefully using the decanter's geyser function to power wash the stables while carefully avoiding the monsters (horses).