Gameday XIV Hao Jin Cataclysm w/GM R4i (Inactive)

Game Master roll4initiative

The druid in yellow strides quickly along the path of violet pebbles, his eyes locked on Navatsiyk. He halts just short of her, thrusting his spear forward in a menacing jab that forces her back. With a low growl, he plants himself between her and the other Pathfinders, his stance daring her to try and pass.

Ekadan is up!

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Ekadan: -3 hp
Cyan Sorcerer:
Merisiel: @negative 3 hp (unconscious)
Moe: -3 hp
Aurelia:
Brat:
Navatsiyk:
Orange Druid:
Yellow Druid: -8 hp

All Pathfinders are up!

@GM: Just to clarify the yellow druid's position: You have him in front of Aurelia, not Navatsiyk. I'm guessing the druid is in the correct position on the map and you just mixed up which token it was? I moved Ekadan 15' (30' due to the difficult terrain) to where he can attack.

Ekadan moves closer to the remaining foe and slashes at him:

MW DGS: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 112d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 5) + 4 + 1 = 12

Oops! Yep. The yellow Druid is in the right spot. I just got the PC's names mixed up.

Ekadan stumbles on the purple gravel and misses his mark.

Move moves through the greenery.
Put Moe's route on the Map. Assuming the green squares/trees are difficult terrain, that takes a double move for Moe to get to.

If it is NOT difficult terrain, then Moe will throw a punch at yellow when he gets there.

Nava grasps the healing potion she hadd in mind and carefully uses it to revive Merisiel.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Brat moves up, casts a quick cantrip and throws a small blob of acid at the last standing foe.

acid splash, alchemically enhanced: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 (vs. touch AC)
acid damage: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 (+1 force damage)

Merisiel gasps as she's brought back to consciousness "Thank you..." She then grabs her rapier and stands up.

@Moe: Yes, the green is difficult terrain. Squares with the purple path are normal terrain.

Moe trudges through the undergrowth to get to the Yellow Druid.

Nava administers a healing potion to Merisiel.

Brat's acid bolt soars into the distance and fizzles out.

Aurelia is up!

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Ekadan: -3 hp
Cyan Sorcerer:
Merisiel: -4 hp
Moe: -3 hp
Aurelia:
Brat:
Navatsiyk:
Orange Druid:
Yellow Druid: -8 hp

***OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT***

Aram Zey speaks out through the tapestry. “The soul stitching is slowing down! The undead are under control. But the tapestry remains in danger. Fight on!”

Table GMs, the Undead Contained condition is in effect.

Suddenly, it becomes clear that the astral invaders’ retreat is merely a ploy. More invaders pour through the rifts to reinforce their companions. Their reckless assault tears the holes wider, and the entire demiplane begins to shift and fold. Locations fade and vanish, reappearing miles away, now separated by a wide expanse of barren, rocky wasteland. The invaders continue to pour through, and the tapestry’s exhausted repair mechanisms cease to function altogether. The triumphant attackers converge on the Pathfinders scattered across the wasteland.

Then, the sky turns red.

A primal screech pierces the tapestry, and a colossal ruby-flamed phoenix appears in the sky, its wings nearly blocking the sun. It swoops across the sky at tremendous speed, its tattered feathers leaving a trail of smoke. With another screech, it flaps its massive wings, and countless fiery feathers shoot towards the invaders. As the feathers strike, they explode, incinerating much of the invading force. Then the phoenix turns its attention to the other outsiders—the mass of Pathfinders—and beats its wings once more. A barrage of feathers strikes the wasteland, and from each resulting inferno emerges a bird of pure ruby-red flames.

Aram Zey’s voice echoes. “Can you hear me, Pathfinders? The tapestry is in its death throes! You are cut off—I cannot help you escape. Destroy the phoenixes—perhaps their magic can repair the tapestry!”

Table GMs, the Tapestry’s Last Defense condition is in effect.

You are whisked away from the garden in the temple and end up on a barren plain with ruby skies.

You have two rounds to make any preparations. I'll have the new map up soon and will start the new combat.

Ekadan swiftly gathers his wand and gets to healing.

"Sounds like things are not going well. Eh no one gets out of life without dying yes?"

CLW Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

He has time to heal one other PC so whoever needs it gets this roll:

CLW Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

"I would appreciate the healing, Ekadan. I don't know if anyone else does, but they did quite a number on me"

New map is up on slide 4. Please place yourselves anywhere in the red box.

With a few clinks of a mug and sips of the lips, Moe casts virtue on himself and then casts bless on the party.

"I would appreciate the healing, Ekadan. I don't know if anyone else does, but they did quite a number on me"

Go for it. I just wanted to make a roll so it was out there. I have no idea if the slow pace of all the tables or bad rolls landed us in the jackpot.

Nava first casts shield spell on herself and then summons an eagle. Both 2 minute duration

Aurelia clears the chamber and reloads...
really regretting not getting more buffs or something

All around, flaming feathers rain down in a blazing storm, striking the tapestry like falling meteors. Yet the scattered denizens of the demiplane remain untouched by the inferno—so too does the scorched, crimson-hued land.

Shrill screeches pierce the air as the sky darkens with motion. From the ruby-tinted horizon, tattered birds wreathed in living fire wheel and dive, closing in fast.

Pathfinders of all levels are technically in this combat, but with other creatures. Obviously, they're not depicted on the map. The creature on the map is the one that you're fighting. Without further ado...

Brat, Moe, Nava, and Merisiel are up!
Current party buffs: bless.

Brat:
Moe: -3 hp
Navatsiyk:
Merisiel:
Fire Bird:
Ekadan:
Aurelia:

With the nearest opponent presumably flying, Moe draws his blade as he takes up a defensive position, ready to strike if the create approaches.

Nava reloads her stonebow. Her eagle flies and bites the larger bird.

bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Brat moves up and gets ready to casts a cantrip, should the creature get in range.
move action: move, standard action: ready, condition: enemy is in 30 feet range

Readied action:
acid splash, alchemically enhanced, bless: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 1 = 13 (vs. touch AC)
acid damage: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 (+1 force damage)

Knowledge check for the fire bird?

Knowledge check for the fire bird?

Knowledge (Planes)

Brat, you're within 30 feet of the creature after your move. No need to ready the action.

Merisiel is up!

Okay, thanks. I wasn’t sure if the enemy was flying or not. Then Brat attacks immediately after moving.

Merisiel rushes down and readies an attack as well!

Nava's eagle manages to peck at the fire bird (ff AC 14). The eagle gets singed by the flames. It flaps it's wings in panic and tries to avoid catching on fire.
Reflex to avoid catching on fire DC 14: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 Fire damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1
If Reflex save is failed, Nava's eagle catches on fire, takes the listed damage, and is on fire for 1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds. It may make a new save at the beginning of its turn as a full round action to put out the flames.

Brat's acid bolt hits the firebird as it closes in.

Ignoring the eagle, the fire bird soars straight at Moe!
Moe and Merisiel attack the creature in tandem as it closes in. Both attacks are successful.

The flaming bird smashes into Moe...
Flaming Slam: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Fire Dmg: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

The eagle is completely off target.

----------------------

Ekadan & Aurelia are up!
Current party buffs: bless.

Brat:
Moe: -3 hp
Navatsiyk:
eagle: -1 hp
Merisiel:
Fire Bird: -24 hp
Ekadan:
Aurelia:

@GM: Is it critable? I ask because Merisiel rolled a 19 to hit and is using a rapier. We need all the help we can get. :( Also could you move the bird to its current location? Thanks.

Whoops! Token moved. Yep, it's critable.
Merisiel crit confirm: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 111d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Unfortunately, not a crit.

Ekadan's blood boils as the Pathfinders' situation looks dire. He strides forward and, in a rage, swings at the creature:

Entering Rage as a free action.

MW DGS, Bless, Rage: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 172d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 2) + 7 = 13

Ekadan swings and nails the creature with his giant-poker. The bird self immolates and leaves behind a ruby red feather.

Combat over (for now)!

See Handout #3 on Slide 3.

More info regarding the Repair action: The PCs can attempt a DC 18 Craft (cloth), Heal, Knowledge (arcana or planes), Spellcraft, or Use Magic Device check. A successful check consumes the feather, which crumbles to ashes. The ashes ignite into majestic ruby flames, which swirl through the air toward the colossal ruby phoenix in the sky. If empowered (see below), the DC of the skill check is only Average. If the PCs fail the check, the feather’s magic wanes. However, they can pass the feather to another table to be empowered, which restores its magic and allows a second chance to use the repair function. If the PCs fail a check to repair using a feather that has already been empowered, the feather’s magic fades away entirely.

Ekadan calms down as the bird dissipates.

Now that he's out of rage Ekadan can Channel to empower the feather. Does anyone have any of those skills?

"Snuffed," Moe concludes as he examines the fiery bird's remains.
None of the repair skills here.

Impressed by fate of birdf, Nava studies the feather.

Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

I moved Nava into position where she would be to study the feather. The feather turns into ashes and soars to the great Phoenix in the sky. More fiery birds fly all around. One of them notices your group and flies in your direction. You have two rounds to prepare. Make sure you're keeping track of your spells' durations. I'll start the next combat when I get home from work tonight.

I moved Nava into position where she would be to study the feather. The feather turns into ashes and soars to the great Phoenix in the sky. More fiery birds fly all around. One of them notices your group and flies in your direction. You have two rounds to prepare. Make sure you're keeping track of your spells' durations. I'll start the next combat when I get home from work tonight.

@GM: Ekadan didn't have a chance to channel?

Merisiel unfortunately lacks the knowledge to repair the feather. She instead dusts herself off and looks at Moe. "Indeed, gone as quickly as it came."

Moe takes a drink as he thinks about recent events.

Round 1 - Moe cast virtue on self.
Round 2 - Moe cast bless on party
Round 3 (First Combat round) - Moe moved and readied
Round 4 (Second Combat round)- Moe did not act against the foe, so will cast guidance on himself.

He then finishes his mug as he plans for the upcoming fight.
Rounds 5 & 6 - Moe preps by casting guidance on any ally who wishes to have it and then casts divine favor on self, realizing that another fight is about to begin.

Bless lasts two minutes (one round per level). Virtue, guidacnce, and divine favor each last 1 minute (10 rounds). If I did my math correctly, that is 4 more rounds of virtue, 6 more rounds of guidance for Moe, 7 more rounds of guidance for ally who takes it, 9 more rounds of divine favor, and 14 more rounds of bless.

@GM: Ekadan didn't have a chance to channel?

No need. Nava succeeded at the skill check. If she had failed then you needed to use a channel to reuse the feather and be able to attempt the skill again. Once you succeed at a skill the feather turns into ashes and does damage to the giant Phoenix above.

Ekadan Joshi wrote:

@GM: Ekadan didn't have a chance to channel?

No need. Nava succeeded at the skill check. If she had failed then you needed to use a channel to reuse the feather and be able to attempt the skill again. Once you succeed at a skill the feather turns into ashes and does damage to the giant Phoenix above.

Ah okay. :)

Ekadan says, "Incoming!" and prepares for further battle.

Round 1: Cast Shield. Round 2: Use Moe's wand on Moe.

Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

I believe Ekadan Joshi, Aurelia and Nava can profit from guidance. Ekadan can also cast it - on himself and another ally.
Unfortunately, Brat doesn't have any buffs to share - yet.

Brat moves next to Nava to get a better line of sight for throwing her acid blobs.

I believe Ekadan Joshi, Aurelia and Nava can profit from guidance. Ekadan can also cast it - on himself and another ally.

Unfortunately, Brat doesn't have any buffs to share - yet.

Brat moves next to Nava to get a better line of sight for throwing her acid blobs.

Stand in front of Ekadan if you want. And the GM wrote we have 2 rounds to prep so that's why I went with 2 rounds of actions.

I moved Aurelia's token forward to be closer to the group. She still has an action to take during the two rounds you have to prepare, if she so wishes. I also created a token for Nava's eagle and assumed it came back to you while inspecting the feather. I have no idea how many rounds it lasts. Is the eagle even still there?

Another bird composed of flames turns and soars in your direction. It appears to be about 50 feet above the ground when it notices your group.

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Brat & Merisiel are up!
Current party buffs: bless.

Brat:
Merisiel:
Firebird:
Aurelia:
Eagle: -1 hp
Moe:
Navatsiyk:
Ekadan:

Stand in front of Ekadan if you want. And the GM wrote we have 2 rounds to prep so that's why I went with 2 rounds of actions.

Crossposting is fun! I didn't see your latest post when I sent mine. ;-)

Brat gets ready to cast a cantrip, should the creature get in range.
standard action: ready, condition: enemy is in 30 feet range

Readied action:
acid splash, alchemically enhanced, bless: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7 (vs. touch AC)
acid damage: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 (+1 force damage)

If you wonder why she's not casting a stronger spell: Brat has only one first level spell slot left. :-/ And I heavily doubt that this is the final encounter...

Merisiel readies a strike!

The colossal ruby phoenix grows more resplendent and terrifying with each restored feather that soars into the sky to meet it. The magnificent bird lets out a final screech as its shroud of flames intensifies, utterly consuming it. The phoenix is gone. As ruby ashes drift towards the tapestry, the invaders, seeing the tapestry’s last defense has failed, pour through, their entire force pushing through the largest rift in a massive final attack. The entire world shudders as the rift widens.

The voice of the former Master of Spells echoes through the Tapestry. ”Finally! I am able to come through!” The last word can be heard more clearly as Aram Zey appears, stepping forward out of nothingness to stand under the falling ashes. “Pathfinders, you fought bravely and well, and your sacrifices were not in vain.” Aram Zey pauses, and his expression turns pensive. “But, the tapestry’s tale has not yet ended. Even though there is clearly a force at work here that is greater than we realized,” he gestures out toward the invaders, “Furthermore, we have not permanently repaired the demiplane—we have only patched the worst of the damage and prevented irreversible catastrophe. But I sense that…” Aram Zey’s voice trails off for a moment, “Yes, just as I thought.”

The ruby ashes begin to glow, faint as smoldering coals at first, and then intensifying, coalescing, and swirling in beautiful patterns as they lift Aram Zey into the air. He is unperturbed by this development. “It seems the key to defending the tapestry is allowing its guardian to be reborn. I will do whatever I can to provide the arcane energy necessary to keep the tapestry stable. In the meantime, I hope the Society will search for a more permanent solution. I refuse to believe that the knowledge of the legendary Ruby Phoenix herself has been lost to us forever.” The ashes and Zey converge on a single point, a great crimson ember in the sky. There is a spark, and then the ember explodes. A wave of fire engulfs the tapestry as the Ruby Phoenix emerges from the explosion with a triumphant, piercing cry. Aram Zey floats within its heart, his body engulfed in ruby fire. The explosion’s flames reach the invaders first, turning them to ash and cinders. The flames wash over the tapestry’s defenders without harming them. The tapestry burns—but like the phoenix the fires replenish it, scouring the wasteland and restoring the tapestry’s original environments. The phoenix beats its wings, sending wave after wave of fire into the Astral rift and searing the portal shut. Then it soars in a great arc across the sky and flies off toward the sun.

And that brings the adventure to a close! Thank you to all the GMs who volunteered to make this happen, and congratulations to the players for achieving the Radiant Ruby Feathers boon!

"I know it cost him his life but that was really cool to see! Hopefully someone can solve the problem so Aram Zey didn't sacrifice his life in vain."

I just got home from work to post! Sorry I didn't post for a couple days. I just started a new job and had orientation and other stuff this week. Thank you all for playing! You were an amazing group! I hope to see you newbies at one of my tables again soon.

"Yeah, it really was cool to see, Ekadan. Though I am not sure if Aram Zey is really dead. Maybe he just transformed..."