Chkirri's page

Chkirri looks at the portal to Hao Jin's vault, with the option of anything his heart could desire. In the end, though, he turns his back on the opportunity and makes his way toward his old haunts, in the meanest part of Goka's underbelly.

He walks into a familiar gambling hall and grins. "I told you I could do it. And I'm ready to make a new bet!" he pulls out one of the magical bows he's wielded over the last days. "Here's what I've got. I'll bet you I can guess what the rest of Victorious Secret will request! Khorash is going to ask for his skin and the rest of his flesh back. Lazarus will get back all his old memories of being a wizard. And Storm Adder ... well, he's going to ask for another friend as good as ol' Chkirri! What d'you say? Any action on that?"

"Ha! I knew it!" Chkirri exults. "I bet them I could win, and I did!"

He looks toward the vault and then back at the others to see if they're interested.

"OH MY GODS! SHE'S BACK FROM THE DEAD! THAT'S HAO JIN, THE RUBY PHOENIX HERSELF, RISING LITERALLY FROM THE FLAME AND ASHES!!!" Chkirri's voice breaks as he seems to have finally screamed himself hoarse.

"THIS DOESN'T FEEL LIKE WINNING!" Chkirri screams. He activates his snapleaf. I have no idea how long that's been on my armor. I was looking to see if I have something to give me flight and noticed it, and it's perfect!

"IT'S ALL OVER, SYNDARA! LOSER LEAVES LIFE, AND YOU'RE ABOUT TO MEET PHARASMA!" Chkirri screams, casting spells and firing arrows again.

Inspire courage, cast overwhelming presence again (DC 44) just in case, Strike!
+3 major striking greater flaming thundering shortbow (range 60 feet): 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (3) + 31 = 34 Might as well use my Hero Points, since I don't think I can take them with me...
+3 major striking greater flaming thundering shortbow (range 60 feet): 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (11) + 31 = 42
Piercing: 4d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 6, 5, 4) + 2 = 21
Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Fire damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 2

"He's got him in his grasp! An abomination hug? Can Lazarus get out?!" Chkirri screams, his voice starting to crack as the constant cries over the course of the battle.

He starts casting spells faster than he ever has before before firing again at Syndara. Casting three one-action spells... The flaming shaft flies toward his target, and then seems to almost miraculously adjust to slam into the horror!

Inspire COURAGE; cast liberating command on Laz, cast true target, Strike!
+3 major striking greater flaming thundering shortbow (range 60 feet): 1d20 + 31 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 31 + 1 = 47
True target: 1d20 + 31 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 31 + 1 = 52
Piercing: 4d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4, 1, 1) + 2 + 1 = 11
Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Fire damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 5
Crit? (deadly d10): 2d10 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11 If the target of the critical hit is adjacent to a surface, it gets stuck to that surface by the missile. The target is immobilized and must spend an Interact action to attempt a DC 10 Athletics check to pull the missile free; it can’t move from its space until it succeeds. The creature doesn’t become stuck if it is incorporeal, is liquid (like a water elemental or some oozes), or could otherwise escape without effort.
Crit? 2d10 persistent fire damage, ignores resistance

"The sky is falling! The sky is falling! And they still emerged unscathed! What can Syndara do next?!" Chkirri screams.

He quickly casts another spell to heal Storm Adder, then fires again at Syndara.

Inspire defense, cast soothe, Strike!
Soothe: 7d10 + 28 ⇒ (3, 3, 6, 7, 7, 9, 6) + 28 = 69

+3 major striking greater flaming thundering shortbow (range 60 feet): 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (18) + 31 = 49
Piercing: 4d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 1, 6, 1) + 2 = 15
Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Fire damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 6
Crit? (deadly d10): 2d10 ⇒ (1, 10) = 11 If the target of the critical hit is adjacent to a surface, it gets stuck to that surface by the missile. The target is immobilized and must spend an Interact action to attempt a DC 10 Athletics check to pull the missile free; it can’t move from its space until it succeeds. The creature doesn’t become stuck if it is incorporeal, is liquid (like a water elemental or some oozes), or could otherwise escape without effort.
Crit? 2d10 persistent fire damage, ignores resistance

FYi, I'm on vacation through Thursday. I may have some changes to post, but I'm not sure. Feel free to bot me (GM or players) if necessary.

"He threw him away like he was a bad piece of bao!" Chkirri says, going back on the offensive. His arrow again goes flying past Syndara.

Inspire COURAGE, cast overwhelming presence (DC 44 Will), Strike
+3 major striking greater flaming thundering shortbow (range 60 feet): 1d20 + 31 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 31 + 1 = 41

"What?! By the GODS, I thought it was over! WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING?! THIS IS MADNESS!!!" Chkirri scream, going hoarse with it.

He adds to the healing benefits for Lazarus and fires an arrow again at Syndara.

Inspire defense, cast 7th-rank soothe on Laz, Arms of Balance (fire, on my bow) (free), Strike
Soothe: 7d10 + 28 ⇒ (7, 7, 2, 6, 10, 5, 6) + 28 = 71

+3 major striking greater flaming thundering shortbow (range 60 feet): 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (8) + 31 = 39 Will Hero Point that
+3 major striking greater flaming thundering shortbow (range 60 feet): 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (10) + 31 = 41 Well, a little better; hopefully enough
Piercing: 4d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 1, 4, 3) + 2 = 13
Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Fire damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 6
Fire damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6

Whoops!

"He's doing the Worm!" Chkirri screams. "What an utter waste!"

He ducks back away from Syndara and casts another spell, helping his allies fight! He fires an arrow directly into the sorcerer's face.

Inspire heroics (COURAGE!), Stride, cast True Target (one action), Strike!
Performance to inspire heroics vs. DC 45 (very hard level 20): 1d20 + 36 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 36 + 2 = 46 Success: The status bonus from inspire courage or inspire defense increases to +2!

+3 major striking greater flaming thundering shortbow (range 60 feet): 1d20 + 31 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 31 + 2 = 53
True target reroll: 1d20 + 31 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 31 + 2 = 39
Piercing: 4d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4, 4, 4, 4) + 2 + 2 = 20
Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Fire damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 3
Crit! (deadly d10): 2d10 ⇒ (8, 4) = 12 If the target of the critical hit is adjacent to a surface, it gets stuck to that surface by the missile. The target is immobilized and must spend an Interact action to attempt a DC 10 Athletics check to pull the missile free; it can’t move from its space until it succeeds. The creature doesn’t become stuck if it is incorporeal, is liquid (like a water elemental or some oozes), or could otherwise escape without effort.
Crit! 2d10 persistent fire damage, ignores resistance

"He reversed it! I shot him and it hit me! How is that possible!" Chkirri screams as he watches his companions fall and realizes he probably needs to change tactics.

He casts another spell, and tries another arrow, hoping Syndara will be unable to respond.

Inspire heroics (defense again), cast a spell uncontrollable dance (DC 44), Strike

Performance to inspire heroics vs. DC 45 (very hard level 20): 1d20 + 36 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 36 + 2 = 44 Failure: Your inspire courage or inspire defense provides only its normal bonus of +1, but you don't spend the Focus Point for casting this spell.

+3 major striking greater flaming thundering shortbow (range 60 feet): 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (13) + 31 = 44
Piercing: 4d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4, 1, 4) + 2 = 14
Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Fire damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 5

"By the gods, he's fighting us off! Four on one, and I think he's winning!" Chkirri screams.

Seeing Storm Adder and Lazarus help the kholo, he turns his attention to Khorash, who now seems to be down to about 103 bones, and sends soothing in his direction, before firing an arrow toward Syndara.

Performance to inspire heroics vs. DC 45 (very hard level 20): 1d20 + 36 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 36 + 2 = 50 Success: The status bonus from inspire courage or inspire defense increases to +2!.

Soothe: 9d10 + 36 ⇒ (6, 1, 4, 8, 2, 8, 10, 3, 3) + 36 = 81

+3 major striking greater flaming thundering shortbow (range 60 feet): 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (10) + 31 = 41
Piercing: 4d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 5, 1, 3) + 2 = 13
Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Fire damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 3

Will (legendary), greater resolve, +1 status vs. magic: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (15) + 32 = 47

"Whoa!" Chkirri exclaims. "This is crazy! Hao Jin is nothing but ash and the whole plane is against us! But this is what we've been waiting for, and we're not going to throw away our shot!"

Free action to cast inspire heroics (defense), three actions to cast fated confrontation on Lazarus and Syndara! Note that lets you teleport, Laz!
Performance to inspire heroics vs. DC 45 (very hard level 20): 1d20 + 36 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 36 + 2 = 47 Success: The status bonus from inspire courage or inspire defense increases to +2!

Chkirri whispers to his companions: "This is it! For all the marbles!"

Before going up, he casts heroism on his companions 9th level on Lazarus, 6th on Storm Adder and Khorash, and then casts disappearance on Khorash if he wants; it will let him always get sneak attack -- but I'm not sure from the spell description if we'd be able to see him to heal him if necessary and foresight on Storm Adder.

OK, I think I'm ready now.

I assume we have time to upgrade my bow with the +3 major striking runes. If no one else wants one, I'll upgrade both bows.

"I never liked them anyway!" Chkirri says as he quickly strips the traitorous combatants of their weapons.

Realizing the pillow's power, his eyes widen. "Excuse me while I meditate for a minute!" he says, doing just that. Oooh, refreshing my spells is sweet!

"He's already dead, so they can't kill him, but they just tried! That was as bloody as Achaekek!" Chkirri screams, encouraging his companions on as he fires another arrow at Ran-to.

Harmonize, inspire heroics (courage), inspire defense, Strike!
Performance to inspire heroics vs. DC 45 (very hard level 20): 1d20 + 36 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 36 + 2 = 46 Success: The status bonus from inspire courage or inspire defense increases to +2!

+2 greater striking greater flaming thundering shortbow (range 60 feet): 1d20 + 30 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 30 + 2 = 44
Piercing: 3d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1, 2, 1) + 2 + 2 = 8
Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Fire damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 4

Khorash hasn't posted since May 23, so botting him again...

Khorash closes in on Ran-to, flanking Stormy, his whip cracking.

Stride, Strike x2
+3 Greater Striking Thundering Shifting Whip: 1d20 + 34 ⇒ (12) + 34 = 46
Slashing: 3d4 + 9 ⇒ (1, 3, 2) + 9 = 15
Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Sneak Attack: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 6, 4) = 21
Deblitations: 3d6 bleed, enfeebled 1

+3 Greater Striking Thundering Shifting Whip, iterative: 1d20 + 34 - 5 ⇒ (5) + 34 - 5 = 34
Slashing: 3d4 + 9 ⇒ (4, 2, 4) + 9 = 19
Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Sneak Attack: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 4, 3) = 17
Deblitations: no reactions, no flanking

Reaction: Reactive Interference Trigger An adjacent enemy begins to use a reaction. Grabbing a sleeve, swiping with your weapon, or creating another obstruction, you reflexively foil an enemy’s response. If the triggering creature’s level is equal to or lower than yours, you disrupt the triggering reaction. If the triggering creature’s level is higher than yours, you must make an attack roll against its AC. On a success, you disrupt the reaction.

"They just won't stop!" Chkirri exclaims, trying to keep Lazarus alive. He fires an arrow toward Ran-to for good measure.

Inspire defense, ninth-level soothe on Lazarus, Strike vs. Ran-to
Healing: 9d10 + 32 ⇒ (4, 9, 3, 8, 9, 6, 1, 6, 10) + 32 = 88

+2 greater striking greater flaming thundering shortbow (range 60 feet): 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (12) + 30 = 42
Piercing: 3d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 5, 3) + 2 = 12
Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Fire damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 1

Botting Khorash, to make things easier for Brainy:

Khorash closes in on Blue Viper or someone else if BV is down and thundercracks his whip.

+3 Greater Striking Thundering Shifting Whip (Disarm, Finesse, Nonlethal, Reach, Trip, Evocation, Magical, Sonic, Magical, Transmutation): 1d20 + 34 ⇒ (18) + 34 = 52
Slashing, plus sneak attack: 3d4 + 9 + 4d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 4) + 9 + (2, 2, 6, 6) = 36
Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Plus debilitations: 3d6 bleed, no reactions

+3 Greater Striking Thundering Shifting Whip (Disarm, Finesse, Nonlethal, Reach, Trip, Evocation, Magical, Sonic, Magical, Transmutation), iterative: 1d20 + 34 - 5 ⇒ (2) + 34 - 5 = 31
Slashing, plus sneak attack: 3d4 + 9 + 4d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 2) + 9 + (3, 4, 2, 1) = 29
Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Plus debilitations: -10 speed, enfeebled 1

Spinning tombstone! Spinning tombstone! By Hei Feng's windy sword, he just broke his neck!" Chkirri screams, his voice going up three octaves. "He's not going to get up after that!!!"

Trying to heal his friend, he sends an arrow at Ran-to to try to get the goblin to back off.

Inspire defense, cast 7th rank soothe on Laz, Strike with bow vs. Ran-to
Soothe: 7d10 + 28 ⇒ (6, 9, 5, 2, 7, 6, 5) + 28 = 68

+2 greater striking greater flaming thundering shortbow (range 60 feet): 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (11) + 30 = 41
Piercing: 3d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 1, 4) + 2 = 12
Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Fire damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 5

"We've got them panicking now!" Chkirri calls out, urging his companions on to finish the battle quickly. "Tak-nwa's about to go down!"

Harmonize, inspire heroics (COURAGE!), inspire defense, Strike vs. Tak-nwa
Performance to inspire heroics vs. DC 45 (very hard level 20): 1d20 + 36 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 36 + 2 = 50 Success: The status bonus from inspire courage or inspire defense increases to +2!

Sky-piercing bow (+3 greater striking ghost touch composite shortbow, range 60 feet): 1d20 + 31 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 31 + 2 = 36 Hero Point!
Sky-piercing bow (+3 greater striking ghost touch composite shortbow, range 60 feet): 1d20 + 31 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 31 + 2 = 34 For f!%+'s sake. That's the second wasted Hero Point this morning.

Will: Will (legendary), greater resolve, vs. phantasmagoria: 1d20 + 32 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 32 + 2 = 51 Crit success!

Fortitude (expert) vs. black lotus extract: 1d20 + 30 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 30 + 2 = 49 Success!

"Look! Syndara's power has no effect on me!" Chkirri calls. "He's going to Goku Harbor you! You need to turn on him!"

Cast fabricated truth that Syndara will betray them (DC 44 Will for all of them), cast inspire defense

Will (legendary), greater resolve, +1 status vs. magic (DC 38 curse): 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (11) + 32 = 43

"Oh my gods! I'm dead!" Chkirri screams, writing in agony. He quickly casts a spell to try to make sure he doesn't actually die, encouraging his companions too.

Cast 8th-level soothe, inspire heroics (defense), liberating command
Soothe: 8d10 + 32 ⇒ (8, 4, 7, 3, 9, 5, 10, 8) + 32 = 86
Performance to inspire heroics vs. DC 45 (very hard level 20): 1d20 + 37 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 37 + 2 = 45 Success: The status bonus from inspire courage or inspire defense increases to +2!

Acid: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 2, 4) = 13
Flat check: 1d20 ⇒ 20
98 hp after my turn; that includes temp hp from zealous conviction, my healing, and the persistent acid damage, which then ends.

"I bet you we KO him," Chkirri says confidently, stretching before he pulls his bow out and nods. "Let's do this!"

Chkirri, final level up!
+ability boosts: Str, Int, Wis (the rest would only go up half a point, so doesn't really matter)
+1 to everything
+12 hp

+class feat: Perfect Encore: +10th level slot!
+skill feat: Steady Balance (I guess? I've already taken all the high-level things I can)
+archetype feat it looks like we don't actually have free archetype in this game. :D

"I bet no one saw that coming!" Chkirri says, looking around to see if anyone would take the bet.

"Get back!" Chkirri calls, moving into position to use his spirit song to hopefully free their friends from these evil spirits. Let's see how this works.

Inspire defense, Stride, cast spirit song (DC 43)
18d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 2, 6, 6, 2, 2, 3, 4, 6, 2, 5, 5, 2, 1, 5, 1, 1) = 63

"Yabin's going to bite it! Bet your life on it!" Chkirri cries as he casts another spell.

Inspire defense, cast 6th-level blistering invective (DC 43 Will save) vs. Yabin and Takatorra, strike vs. Yabin

+2 greater striking greater flaming thundering shortbow (range 60 feet): 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (18) + 29 = 47
Piercing: 3d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 4, 3) + 2 = 14
Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Fire damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 6
Crit? (deadly d10): 2d10 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6 If the target of the critical hit is adjacent to a surface, it gets stuck to that surface by the missile. The target is immobilized and must spend an Interact action to attempt a DC 10 Athletics check to pull the missile free; it can’t move from its space until it succeeds.
Crit? 2d10 persistent fire damage, ignores resistance

If Takatorra is still paying tribute, I'll target Yabin.

"They're paying respect the way they should!" Chkirri narrates. "And one of them is down on the ground!"

He fires an arrow at Tino, waiting until all of them are down to use his spirit magic to hopefully restore their friends.

Harmonize, inspire defense, inspire courage, Strike!
+2 greater striking greater flaming thundering shortbow (range 60 feet): 1d20 + 29 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 29 + 1 = 42
Piercing: 3d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2, 6, 1) + 2 + 1 = 12
Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Fire damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 1

That'll add +1 to Laz's attack and damage

Chkirri groans as he takes a beating -- "but he doesn't go down, he's still fighting!" -- and decides that maybe being nice isn't going to work so well here.

"This is no way to treat us! After the tournament, we're like gods!

Stunned 1, inspire heroics (defense), cast overwhelming presence (I think I can get everyone, but if I need to move, I'll Stride instead of inspiring, DC 43 Will
Performance to inspire heroics vs. DC 44 (very hard level 18): 1d20 + 35 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 35 + 2 = 46 Success: The status bonus from inspire courage or inspire defense increases to +2!

"And they're down, but they're not out!" Chkirri calls out, urging his companions on as he quickly steps back from Takatorra and casts a spell.

Inspire heroics (defense), Step, cast 7th-level haste, so getting everyone.
Performance to inspire heroics vs. DC 44 (very hard level 18): 1d20 + 35 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 35 + 2 = 57 Critical Success: The status bonus from your inspire courage or inspire defense increases to +3!

If Takatorra (or anyone else, I guess) attacks me, will use my reaction
Activate Armor [reaction] Interact Trigger A creature adjacent to you targets you with a melee attack; Effect The creature takes 4d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 1, 6) = 13 piercing damage as previously invisible magical spines leap outwards from the armor to punish them for the attack.

Fortitude (expert), +1 status vs. magic: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (7) + 29 = 36

"No one could have seen this coming!" Chkirri says, "I'd bet my life on it! Tino's Toughest have gone bad!"

Still, his words somehow lack conviction, and he shakes his head to clear it. [b]"The Steps of the Sun had it right!" he declares, activating his Affinity Ablaze ability, to blast their one-time friends with the power of friendship. He follows it up with an arrow at Takatorra, because nothing makes a point better than an arrow head.

Inspire heroics (offense), Activate Armor, Strike!
Performance to inspire heroics vs. DC 44 (very hard level 18): 1d20 + 35 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 35 + 2 = 41 Failure: Your inspire courage or inspire defense provides only its normal bonus of +1, but you don't spend the Focus Point for casting this spell.

• Steps of the Sun: Grand Harmony [two-actions] Your heart harmonizes with those of your comrades before pounding once in a devastating shock wave. You deal 18d4 sonic damage in a 60-foot cone. Enemies can attempt a basic DC 43 Fortitude save. If you are adjacent to at least 1 ally, this deals d6s, if you are adjacent to at least 2 allies, this deals d8s. Sonic: 18d8 ⇒ (2, 1, 6, 6, 4, 3, 5, 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 2, 1, 2, 6, 8, 6) = 65

+2 greater striking greater flaming thundering shortbow (range 60 feet): 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (18) + 29 = 47
Piercing: 3d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3, 1) + 2 = 9
Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Fire damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 4
Crit? (deadly d10): 2d10 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8 If the target of the critical hit is adjacent to a surface, it gets stuck to that surface by the missile. The target is immobilized and must spend an Interact action to attempt a DC 10 Athletics check to pull the missile free; it can’t move from its space until it succeeds. The creature doesn’t become stuck if it is incorporeal, is liquid (like a water elemental or some oozes), or could otherwise escape without effort.
Crit? 2d10 persistent fire damage, ignores resistance

Chkirri can hardly believe they've done so much. Even he's not sure he'd have bet they could have handled all those challenges so easily ... though he probably would have. It's not a problem as long as he keeps winning!

"Do you think Mokku would let us take that conch shell?" he asks the turtle.

"OH MY GOD! IT ALMOST ATE HIM WHOLE IN A SINGLE BITE!" Chkirri screams, encouraging his companions -- slightly -- to avoid just that fate.

Harmonize, inspire heroics (defense), inspire courage, Strike!

Performance to inspire heroics vs. DC 44 (very hard level 18): 1d20 + 35 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 35 + 2 = 38 Failure: Your inspire courage or inspire defense provides only its normal bonus of +1, but you don't spend the Focus Point for casting this spell.

+2 greater striking greater flaming thundering shortbow (range 60 feet): 1d20 + 29 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 29 + 1 = 45
Piercing: 3d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5, 2, 3) + 2 + 1 = 13
Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Fire damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 6

"We're one-sixth of the way there!" Chkirri exclaims. "I bet we'll have this done before dinnertime!"

"We're wearing it down!" Chkirri encourages, though he's not sure whether it or Lazarus will last longer.

Harmonize, inspire heroics (defense), inspire courage, Strike
Performance to inspire heroics vs. DC 44 (very hard level 18): 1d20 + 35 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 35 + 2 - 1 = 40 Failure: Your inspire courage or inspire defense provides only its normal bonus of +1, but you don't spend the Focus Point for casting this spell.
+2 greater striking greater flaming thundering shortbow (range 60 feet): 1d20 + 29 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 29 + 1 = 36
Piercing: 3d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2, 6, 6) + 2 + 1 = 17
Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Fire damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 5

Oh, damn!

Will (legendary), greater resolve, +1 status vs. magic to resolve curse (would have been done beforehand): 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (3) + 30 = 33 So still cursed, which means that inspire heroics was a failure.

"OH GODS! THAT WAS THE OCCIPITAL PROTUBERANCE!" Chkirri screams. "If we don't move quickly, he's going to be dead!"

His words inspire his companions to move with alacrity as he fires another arrow at the lion.

Inspire heroics (defense), cast haste on everyone, Strike
Performance to inspire heroics vs. DC 44 (very hard level 18): 1d20 + 35 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 35 + 2 = 50 Success: The status bonus from inspire courage or inspire defense increases to +2!

+2 greater striking greater flaming thundering shortbow (range 60 feet): 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (4) + 29 = 33
Piercing: 3d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 6, 4) + 2 = 18
Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Fire damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 5

"DID YOU HEAR THAT?!" Chkirri screams, even though he didn't hear it at all. Or at least not enough that it hurt him the way it did Storm Adder.

"I bet it can't do that again!" he announces as he fires an arrow right into its open mouth!

Harmonize, inspire heroism (defense), inspire courage, Strike

Performance to inspire heroics vs. DC 44 (very hard level 18): 1d20 + 35 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 35 + 2 - 1 = 43 That's a failure if I didn't get a chance to rest to remove the curse from the ritual, but possible a success if I did... (so +1 AC but maybe +2)

+2 greater striking greater flaming thundering shortbow (range 60 feet): 1d20 + 29 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 29 + 1 = 50
Piercing: 3d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3, 5, 3) + 2 + 1 = 14
Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Fire damage (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 3
Crit! (deadly d10): 2d10 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4
If the target of the critical hit is adjacent to a surface, it gets stuck to that surface by the missile. The target is immobilized and must spend an Interact action to attempt a DC 10 Athletics check to pull the missile free; it can’t move from its space until it succeeds. The creature doesn’t become stuck if it is incorporeal, is liquid (like a water elemental or some oozes), or could otherwise escape without effort.
Crit! 2d10 persistent fire damage, ignores resistance

"Hao Jin!" Chkirri exclaims. "And another tournament! I bet we can beat your champion -- and then you! -- without even breaking a sweat!"

He pauses and looks around, realizing they're all relatively in good condition.

"Or maybe we'll just take that back right now!"

Have we gotten at least one day's end to attempt a Will save to remove the penalty we got from the Celestial Dragon ritual?

Wooden armor here!

"Oh, that's one down, but they're closing fast!" Chkirri calls, initially focusing more on his narration before suddenly realizing what he's saying and that he better help!

Athletics (trained, +2 item bonus to Swim, Stealth in water, to High Jump and Long Jump): 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (5) + 24 = 29 Going to Hero Point that; 2 remain!
Athletics (trained, +2 item bonus to Swim, Stealth in water, to High Jump and Long Jump): 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (19) + 24 = 43

Perception (master): 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (20) + 25 = 45

His attention wrenched back to the present crisis, Chkirri cries out with a sharp point -- "That way! They're getting closer, and I don't know if we can avoid them!"

Going to trade in my eelskin for linnorm's sankeit, which I figure our Linnorm King friend can have helped procure. I figure that'll probably leave me broke.

Perception (master): 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (3) + 24 = 27

Chkirri's going to point out the proper path, but he's so amazed by what's happening around him, he completely forgets.

Chkirri, level 18 to 19!
+1 to everything
+12 hp
+ General feat: Legendary Negotiation (I guess; don't think I'll ever use it but there just aren't many high-level general feats)
+ legendary spellcaster: proficiency ranks for occult spell attack rolls and spell DCs increase to legendary
+ magnum opus: You have tuned your spellcasting to the highest caliber. Add two common 10th-level occult spells to your repertoire. You gain a single 10th-level spell slot you can use to cast one of those two spells using bard spellcasting. You don’t gain more 10th-level spells as you level up, unlike other spell slots, and you can’t use 10th-level slots with abilities that give you more spell slots or that let you cast spells without expending spell slots.
+ skill increase: Diplomacy to Legendary

+2 10th-level spells: fabricated truth and xxx?

Thoughts on my last spell: Alter reality basically would give me almost any spell; fated confrontation feels like it would be awfully cinematic (and appropriate for Chkirri), but definitely would need one of you to buy in. Could also do gate, considering we're doing some extraplanar travel, but that feels unnecessary.

Chkirri is actually speechless for a moment as he realizes what Lazarus almost gave up, and with the feeling of power from the dragon and their fellow teams.

"You're right! I bet we can't lose now!" he exclaims.

Oh, damn, that last one. Really hoping the dice like you. (Or I guess you could just spend all your Hero Points.)

"I bet I'm good enough I could still do everything I need to even without my greatest abilities!" Chkirri declares, giving up his talent.

Deception (expert): 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (8) + 30 = 38

His brave facade doesn't quite manage to hide that he's actually quite worried about this.

-1 to Performance, and since I rolled so badly on Deception, we'll say the second -1 is to Diplomacy, since those two are tied for the next highest skill.

"Well done!" Chkirri exclaims. "I knew you could do it all along!"

Chkirri looks across the plain.

"I bet we can fly across it?" Chkirri says with much less than his usual assuredness. Feels like that might avoid some of the hazards at least.