Leaving the Varisian camp behind, along with at least a couple of former captives, the group, along with Festus and Candalreth set out back towards the Pauper's Graveyard, backtracking their steps along the Lost Coast Road.
It takes the better part of two hours to get back to the place where you can see the overgrown resting place and the broken-down gates and fence that mark the outline of the place. No flash of metal is visible this time, as the spider who was trying to bait you before are now killed.
The sun is starting get low in the sky now however, and the cemetery, which is heavily tree-covered is in darkness. It does not look particularly inviting from the road and Candalreth lets out a low whistle. "You want us to go in there in the dark? Can any of you make lights? Or shall we wait until daylight?" It's pretty clear he is leaning towards the latter option.
27 Celas (undetected)
27 Elarion
21 Noble Man (prone)
18 Buttercup (undetected)
17 Orange Thug
17 Yellow Thug
15 Impasha
15 Purple Thug
13 Red Thug
12 White Thug
10 Bellara
9 Green Thug
8 Myron
7 Blue Thug
Celas, Elarion, and Buttercup may act first in this round. Celas and Buttercup are currently undetected by any of the thugs
Both Buttercup and Celas move to the end of the alley and try to stay in shadows enough to be undetected as they get a look at what's going down in the alley.
They see a group of the Chelish supporters, similarly dressed and equipped as those who started the riot. There appear to be 5 or 6 of the rioters, and they have a well-dressed man cornered and shoving him. The man bleeds from a wound on his scalp already, and as the others watch, he is tripped and knocked to the ground, while the mob poises above him ready to do more bodily harm.
Myron is not being particularly stealthy, but he has good cover as he peeks around the corner. He does not recognize the victim here and can tell its certainly not his idol Shensen. Other than the assault in progress, he can't make out details.
Bellara knows that a group of eager Iomedean knights called the Glorious Reclamation defeated a group of Hellknights called the Order of the Godclaw in neighboring Isger. That unexpected victory started outbreaks of rebellion against the infernal government, but martial law was instilled and the nascent rebellion was crushed with an iron fist. Any hint of getting out of line has been immediately dealt with since the arrival of Thrune in Kintargo as well.
I'm going to put us in rounds now, as I expect at least Impasha will react.
Ari is able to dig deep in his mind, and come up with the willpower to overcome the sensations of wrath that began to fill his mind.
Similarly, Grod shakes off the slumber effect, and fires his hornbow at the small flying quasit, but unfortunately, she is nimble and very hard to hit, and his arrow misses by a narrow margin.
Izzy continues her inspiring vocal performance, and also shuts the door to keep the flying demon from escaping.
Tot moves to flank the remaining sinspawn, taking advantage of positioning to drive her sword through the creature. It is hurt quiet badly, but not dead yet.
Waiting on Zorlen to close the round.
Misses, even with Inspire Courage added to the attack.
I will give Zorlen till tomorrow to post before moving on with the round, but if he does not post, I will just auto DM-PC him until his player actually appears so it doesn't slow us down anymore.
Tartuk is the nascent leader of the kobolds, and is in their warren, not here where the mites live under the Old Sycamore, Meepo tells you rolling his eyes a bit. Meepo explains he was not conscious when they brought him underground and has been chained to this wall ever since. He does not know what else is in the mite's lair, but he wants to find out, and possibly kill some in the process.
When the deceased zombie is taken back into the desert environment, with the heat, the wind, and the red sun, Alpha is not terribly surprised when the corpse slowly starts dissolving and blowing apart like the grains of sand upon the wind, and soon he is left holding a strange garment and some shortswords and that is all.
Upon investigation, its clear the same thing happened to the skeletons when they were put down. The home-like environment allowed them to finally be free, and they melted away leaving barely a trace.
Rage doesn't have a times per day limit in 2E. In the Remaster, it doesn't even make you fatigued when it ends; it just puts a one-minute cooldown on getting the THP from the Rage action.
I misread the counter on Hero Lab which is for rounds spent raging not number of activations. Thanks for the heads up
The harrow cards are not magical just used to tell fortunes for those who understand such things. There is no psychic traces on them unfortunately. The crystal is not magical either, but is worth 25gp if sold.
Festus and the others gather their things. The elven druid Melaria says, "I will not be joining you as I intend to meet my friend still even if somewhat delayed. May the Sea and Sky watch over you. I owe you all a debt for freeing me." She bows low, and then as you watch, she changes shape into a large raven and takes flight leaving you all behind.
Candalreth shrugs, "I've got nowhere better to go, and Sandpoint has a place or two to make some coins on stage. Sure, I'll come along."
Festus says, "I will see you rewarded if you help me find my brother, and perhaps the Brown Stone he was seeking, and these others are apparently after. I would be more comfortable if that were in the Temple of the Maker rather than in the hands of some creature claiming to be a long-dead warlord."
Are you just going back to Sandpoint, or are you showing Festus the way to the graveyard etc?
Still looking for ZM to post. I will run him tomorrow if we don't see an update. Meanwhile the silverfish fails their save and looks pretty badly hurt.
As the group takes a moment to recover, restore, and discuss, their conversation is interrupted by the sounds of harsh cries, steel clashing against steel, and a cry of pain. It sounds like those sounds of conflict are coming from just around the corner.
See the map at the top margin. Not in combat yet, but if you wish to enter it, roll your own initiative, but do not post combat round actions until the order is set. If you wish to do other things, now is the time to do them outside of rounds.
I will let the healing without the kit ride, but will need it from now on. Could borrow from another PC, but that extends the time needed if you are both using the same kit. Celas is now fully healed.
Flinging a divinely crafted stone at the many-limbed bad guy, Alpha is gratified when the stone cracks on the head of the creature, and while the damage is very light, its just enough to topple him. With a crash, the lone foe falls but you do see the light that has been behind its green eyes go out as it dies on the floor.
End of Combat
Alpha 47:
Killing the juju skeletons and the juju zombies after the sun and wind effects of their home world were turned back on is effective enough to prevent their regeneration. The site of their home planet's rad sun, even if artificial, was enough.
28 Ikto (7/24hp remain)
26 Za Minyahil (27/30hp remain)
25 Green Scrit (4hp dmg)
24 White Silverfish (7hp dmg)
21 Blue Scrit (9hp dmg)
18 M'Baba (17/26hp remain, sickened 1)
17 Purple Silverfish(6hp dmg)
11 Iovia (12/28hp remain, prone in grease)
10 Orange Scrit
10 Red Scrit
M'Baba is able to fight off the harmful effects of the poison though he does remain sick to his stomach and a bit dizzy for a moment or two longer.
Iovia, from her prone position, casts divine healing on the very injured Ikto, and restores much of his ability to stay in the fight. She then successfully stands in the slippery goo.
Orange Scrit moves around the library after M'Baba how has taken cover behind the bookshelves. The scrit fails to see M'Baba, and spends some time looking for him, rather than making further attacks.
Red Scrit laughs at the slip and fall antics of Iovia and then turns to attack Za Minyahil from behind. The stab works, and with their shield already broken, the ghoran takes all the damage, including potentially poisoning.
End of Round 4
ZM takes 7hp dmg, and needs a DC14 Fort vs Poison. On to the next round.
Perception:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 Red Scrit finger vs ZM, off-guard:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 hit
Piercing Dmg vs ZM:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
The Varisians tell Neppka that the harrow deck is what Olga used to tell the future in certain strange occult rituals. The green vials she offered to clansmen who were hurt and they magically became better. The crystal, they believe, is just a valuable art piece.
The surprised dwarf exclaims: "It's my brother Fingrin! That's why I am here, to look for him. He was sent by my leader here months ago, but then never came back. These letters are from my temple giving him orders to come to Varisia and search for something called the Brown Stone, which was believed lost in this area, maybe centuries ago. Have you heard of the Brown Stone before?"
The quieter Varisian say: "Ja! The Brown Stone, that vhat dwarf mate us searchink for." She motions with his hand a round stone about the size of a grapefruit maybe. "Ve never see dis stone, ja?"
Bahir whips off his bladed scarf and swings it at the kasatha foe, scoring a surprisingly successful blow that cuts the flesh deeply hurting the enemy badly, though surprisingly, no blood escapes the serious lacerations.
28 Ikto (7/24hp remain)
26 Za Minyahil (27/30hp remain)
25 Green Scrit (4hp dmg)
24 White Silverfish (7hp dmg)
21 Blue Scrit (9hp dmg)
18 M'Baba (17/26hp remain, poisoned, sickened)
17 Purple Silverfish(6hp dmg)
11 Iovia (12/28hp remain, prone in grease)
10 Orange Scrit
10 Red Scrit
M'Baba moves away from the fighting, feeling the poison burn him from the inside, and although its a fairly weak venom, he can't quite make it stop. He hides though takins shelter from any of the foes in the library.
Purple Silverfish approaches Za Minyahil and takes a bite or two at the ghoran. One of the bites would hit the magus, but the magical shield takes most of the bite damage before bursting. Za Minyahil gets only a scratch.
ZM takes 1hp dmg, and is at 26/30. M'Baba gets 1hp more of poison damage and is at 16/26 and still needs a DC14 Fort or take more poison damage. He is still also sickened by the poison. Iovia is up now, but starts her action prone in the grease.
"Old Sharptooth is our totem. A symbol of our god. The mites snuck into our beautiful home and stole it from us. We will take it back, even if they are all dead. Pink skins help us? You give me weapon, I help kill mites myself. I don't know where they keep it, but will help you look."
Ari continues melee combat with the remaining sinspawn, but his attack fails to connect.
The small quasit casts a spell at Grod, who made quick work of her minions, and the large orc yawns drowsily, starting to doze off on his feet.
Green Sinspawn attacks Ari with bite and claws. The claws miss narrowly but the bite connects, and Ari is hurt, but also consumed by wrathful thoughts.
Ari takes 6hp dmg and is at 9/15. He also needs a DC12 Will or be sickened. Grod needs a DC13 Fort save or fall asleep. Everyone but Ari is up in round 3. (Garen has already acted)
Green bite vs Ari:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 hit
Green Claw 1 vs Ari:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 Green Claw 2 vs Ari:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 Piercing dmg vs Ari:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Shaking off the fear effect mostly, Zorlen advances to the base of the stairs and casts his sonic attack spell on the flying quasit. The effect is quite limited unfortunately.
Grod is able to cut down the sinspawn nearest him, and then takes aim at the quasit with his bow. Then swiftly casts a spell granting him divine luck for when the shot is taken.
Pending action from Zorlen. I will run his turn, if no post by tomorow evening. Ari can prep round 3 actions if he wishes.
As Neppka relates what he knows about Grimbeard to the others, Festus nods along in agreement. "Dwarven pride is sometimes over-sized, and that was the case with Grimbeard of old. The Father of the Forge teaches us to accommodate strangers and celebrate the different gifts elves and men (and tengu or leshy or tripkee) can bring. It is not the dwarven way, nor was it ever."
He finally looks at the papers written in dwarven that Neppka left with him right before the fighting started and looks awestruck as he reads, his face turning ashen pale. "Where did you find these did you say? I must go there at once!"
Neppka has heard of Grimbeard before. Long ago, and far away near the Five Kings Mountains, there was a dwarven warlord by that name who led a revolt against the established rulers. Grimbeard left the dwarven society taking with him a faction bent on dwarven rule of the surface world, and the subservience of all other ancestries on Golarion, including elves and men.
Ultimately, when his faction attacked an Elvish settlement, they were defeated, but Grimbeard the leader's body was never found. But since he was never heard from again, until now apparently, the elves assumed he perished somewhere during the fight.
He was quite a prolific warrior by all the old stories but his intolerance of others unlike him led to his undoing. Neppka had not heard of Grimbeard doing magic, especially not teleportation magic, like you just witnessed.
That was a pretty good roll...Any other questions about that old history?
Karina launches her instrumental familiar at the kasatha and the music is loud and discordant, injuring the hearing of the target, and creating a dazzling space around it.
Efni steps to the creature, and swing a pair of massive strikes with her over-sized maul. Unfortunately, the foe turns aside the first strike with his many shortswords, and the second just misses, caroming off the metal floor with a sharp CLANG.
Seoli also works her way adjacent to the single target and she is able to land just one blow, but the bludgeoning punch seems not to faze the creature in the slightest.
Still waiting for a post from Bahir. I will run his spot tomorrow if we don't see an update.
Responding to Teela, Meepo says, puffing his chest out rather comically. "We Sootscales, we always have upper hand! Many mites die! Pay for taking Old Sharptooth!"
Draconic, to Quintessa:
:"it is true there is a new leader among the Sootscales. He is a strange purple-skinned kobold from somewhere to the west. His name is Tartuk. Chief Sootscale is still technically in charge, but Tartuk makes all the rules and many follow him. I prefer the old ways. But we must get Old Sharptooth back before there can be peace."
Note the new Quest given by Meepo which will be added to the Loot Tracker page: The Sacred Statue
Elarion is able to talk some sense into Bellara, and the pair retreat along with the rest from the overwhelming power of House Thrune. Nox calls out to the retreating firebrand, "I'll be right here, ready and waiting your ladyship! Whenever you want it!"
The crowd disperses along with the fighting which quickly comes to a halt. The dottari sweep the area, assisting their own injured, arresting several protestors who were overcome in the battle, and generally securing the area.
By coincidence, the six of you, who fought the most against the establishment, end up in the same alleyway south or Aria Park near the edges of Old Kintargo where you pause to rest, recuperate, and regroup.
Some of you know each other, even if only peripherally, but you might take a moment to introduce yourselves, heal up, etc
Inspire Courage active +1 to attacks, dmg, and saves vs Fear
27 Ari (shaken)
16 Quasit
16 Green Sinspawn
12 Izzy (shaken)
21 Garen (18/22hp remain; frightened 3 rounds)
16 Tot (16/21hp remain; shaken)
9 Blue Sinspawn (15hp dmg)
9 Grod (9/18hp dmg; shaken)
17 Zorlen (readying door closure, shaken)
Ari does hit Red Sinspawn, hurting it, but not putting it out of the fight.
Izzy fights through the fear, but she is still a bit off-kilter from the experience, and her sling stone flies just wide of the target.
Struck with fear, Garen turns from the fight, and gets to the closed doors, opening them in order to continue to flee. Blue is able to take a swipe as Garen runs away.
Despite the shakiness she feels, or maybe because of it, Tot tosses away her shield, and swings her blade with both hands cutting the injured sinspawn in front of her to ribbons.
Blue Sinspawn steps around Grod and makes a set of full attacks against the adjacent orc warpriest. One claws lacerates Grod's exposed skin and the creatures foul mouth successfully bites his neck. The damage isn't very severe, but Grod's mind is filled with wrath for all the sinful things he's done in his life.
Garen is frightened for 2 rounds more. Everyone else is shaken until the quasit's next turn. Garen his hit for 4hp dmg and is at 14/22 now. Grod is hit twice for 5hp dmg but is at 9/18 from prior fight. Grod needs a DC12 Will or become sickened with wrath. Grod and Zorlen are up now.
Zorlen DC12 Will, inspire:1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 1 = 18 success
Garen Frightened duration:1d4 ⇒ 3 Blue AoO vs Garen:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 hit
Claw dmg vs Garen:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 Blue bite vs Grod:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 hit
Blue claw 1 vs Grod:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 hit
Blue claw 2 vs Grod:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17 Bite dmg vs Grod:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Claw Dmg vs Grod:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Bless, +1 to attacks and damage, active if within range of Alpha. Victor's Wreath adds +1 to attacks/dmg if within 15' of Bahir. Note: they do not stack.
Raika steps into line of sight with the remaining creature, firing two arrows in rapid succession. The first hits, seeming to do no real damage, and the second misses.
Alpha-47 also moves forward casting a spell that generates a cloud of small darts. Those magical projectiles strike the remaining bad guy, piercing its skin in several places. Again, piercing damages seem less effective against this body type, but some damage is still dealt.
The four-armed creature scuttles forward, attacking the closest of the newcomers, which is Bahir. The shortsword is super-quick and has sliced Bahir before he can react.
Bahir takes 8hp dmg, and is at 26/34. Rest of the group is up now/
The appearance of the hellhound and another dozen dottari do what has not really been possible before, dispersing the crowd. Melting away in all directions, rioters, protestors, vendors and the like all run like ants from a kicked over anthill, leaving only a few standing in the park, where formerly the crowd was dense.
Buttercup, Celas, and Myron are among those that run. Impasha takes a once over of the woman Nox, not at all liking what she sees. Nox is tall with chain mail armor, and a large halberd like pole-arm weapon. It's clear she knows how to use it, but the most disturbing thing is Nox's eyes: they are pupil-less and glow a fiery red color. Discretion wins out over valor this time, and Impasha also flees but not before noting Nox, and silently vowing they will meet again.
What do Elarion and Bellara do now that the others have mostly fled and the overwhelming might of the guard is about to be unleashed. The area is no longer difficult terrain.
28 Ikto (19/24hp remain, prone in grease)
26 Za Minyahil (27/30hp remain)
25 Green Scrit (4hp dmg)
24 White Silverfish (7hp dmg)
21 Blue Scrit (9hp dmg)
18 M'Baba (17/26hp remain, poisoned, sickened)
17 Purple Silverfish(6hp dmg)
11 Iovia (12/28hp remain)
10 Orange Scrit
10 Red Scrit
Ikto is able to stand and slowly get out of the greasy pool without slipping again. He raises his shield to defend if the bugs or the gremlins attack him next.
Za Minyahil casts Ignition on their weapon and attacks Red Scrit with a spellstrike. The strike misses badly, and the magus spins up their magical shield as a follow up
Green Scrit casts more greasy goo on the floor under the feet of Iovia and Za Minyahil. Both need extra good balance to keep from falling prone.
Blue Scrit comes down from atop the bookshelves to attack Ikto with its ink-stained finger, but hte druid is able to use his shield to ward off the attack.
White Silverfish bites at Ikto as well, and this time the shield doesn't stop the attacks, though it does block some of the damage. A pair of chomps cause serious damage to Ikto.
ZM sword vs Red:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 miss
Blue vs Ikto:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 White Silverfish bite vs Ikto:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16 hit
White bite vs Ikto, MAP:1d20 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 5 = 23 critical hit
Piercing dmg vs Ikto:1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 Crit piercing dmg vs Ikto:1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 10 total
Iovia and ZM need DC16 Reflex or fall prone in the grease. Ikto uses shield block to avoid 3 dmg, but takes 12 total and is at 7/24 remaining. M'Baba is up now. He is sickened and needs a DC14 Fort or take more poison dmg at the end of his turn.
No. Grimbeard is the dwarf-thing in the camp that just disappeared with Olga the Varisian Witch. Malgrath is an as yet-unseen person who wrote Grimbeard thing asking him to find the stone.
Festus has yet to look at the documents you gave him before the fight. But he will. And there will be some story to that too.
Here is Vasily's updated stat block, if you want to review further. Made the change to his feat but not much else changed. I think Vasily is ready for opening curtain.
Vasily Stat Block:
Vasily
Human swashbuckler 1
Medium, Human, Humanoid Heritage versatile human
Background sword scion
Perception +5
Languages Common, Hallit, Skald
Skills Acrobatics +7, Athletics +5, Deception +5, Diplomacy +5, Society +3, Survival +3, Warfare Lore +3
Str +2, Dex +4, Con +1, Int +0, Wis +0, Cha +2
Items studded leather, aldori dueling sword[BAT], dagger (2), shortbow, arrows (20), backpack, bedroll, chalk (10), compass, flint and steel, rations (1 week) (2), repair toolkit, rope (50 feet), signet ring, soap, torch (5), waterskin, purse (1 gp, 9 sp)
--------------------
AC 18; Fort +4; Ref +9; Will +5
HP 20
--------------------
Speed 30 feet
Melee [1] aldori dueling sword +7 (versatile P, finesse), Damage 1d8+2 S +2 S/Prec
Melee [1] dagger +7 (versatile S, thrown 10 ft., agile, finesse), Damage 1d4+2 P +2 P/Prec
Ranged [1] dagger +7 (versatile S, thrown 10 ft., agile, finesse), Damage 1d4+2 P +2 P/Prec
Ranged [1] shortbow +7 (range increment 60 feet, reload 0, deadly d10), Damage 1d6 P
Confident Finisher [1] (finisher, swashbuckler) You make an incredibly graceful attack, piercing your foe’s defenses. Make a Strike with with the following failure effect.
Failure You deal half your precise strike damage to the target. This damage type is that of the weapon or unarmed attack you used for the Strike.
Ancestry Feats Natural Ambition
Class Feats Extravagant Parry, Flashy Dodge
General Feats Toughness
Lia, some backstory.:
Use how you wish. I can modify as you see fit to better work into your thoughts on the game in front. Vasily will take more detours with the party away from Brevoy, if it means gaining wealth, power and skill.
Vasily is from the Rostland noble house of Antonov. His father was the thane up until recently. With the disappearance of the Rogarvaians recently, Thane Antonov was opposed to the usurpation of the Surtova's and was eventually dispossessed and his house and lands given to the loyal Lebeda family. With his father ill and broken, Vasily looks to regain his family lands, but the power of the Surtova's is too great. He looks for opportunities to find wealth, power, skill, nd allies to eventually overthrow the false king, restore his family lands, and rule in his father's place. If the opportunity arose to travel to Absalom and gather powerful adventurer's, he would leap at it.
Druid adds a bit more flexibility and healing ability. Looks like you can keep most of the features of Beastmaster, and perhaps add some. I support that idea, if you want to shift, but no pressure.
It takes the better part of an hour, but the team is healed, mostly. Refocusing and meditation for those who use it is also done, restoring some abilities.
The only one not fully healed is Alvis at 31/32 but I am guessing that's acceptable.
Meepo the kobold nods his head as Quintessa speaks in his own tongue, assenting to some form of healing and freedom from the chains. He also hungrily wolfs down any food or drink offered to him. He says, again in mostly understandable Common. "Mites bad. Fight Sootscales many times. Sootscales win some, mites win some. Meepo captured. Not good. Not good at all. Yes leader. There." He points the way the survivors of this fight fled, which leads down and to the east. You notice he makes no mention of the silver ring. "You let Meepo go now? Back to Sootscales. No trouble."
The Varisian says very emphatically, "There was no trouble until he came here. Olga was a nice old woman who healed us, told the future with her cards, and led us with her wisdom but something happened when he arrived and things took a dark turn. It is not natural." He makes a forked finger sign and spits over his left shoulder to ward evil spirits.
Festus the dwarf looks at the most recent papers gathered by Neppka. "Aye, this is in the writing of my people." He takes a few moments scanning the letters, his heavy brows getting more and more furrowed as he reads. "This can't be!" he says stamping his heavy boot. "Grimbeard's been dead for 100 years." Without further comment he keeps reading, shuffling the papers a bit. Finally he says, "I don't know about this but it appears to be a letter from something called Malgrath to your recently departed friend there, who is, apparently the reanimation of a long dead dwarven warlord named Grimbeard. Apparently this Malgrath wants Grimbeard, the long dead dwarf, to find this stone, I guess the same one they've been pestering travelers for. The stone is purported to be in this area of the Lost Coast but this Malgrath doesn't know exactly where. 'Stop at nothing', it says very plainly." He takes a beat reading the letter again before looking up at you. "What have we stumbled upon here?"
There are some possible Knowledge checks that could give some background, so include your reasoning and modifier and I will roll secret checks to see if you paid attention when you should have...
I think I forgot to tell you that I am traveling this weekend. My posting will be spotty as a result. Yours will be the next game I update, but it will be in the AM. Sorry for the slowness, but I'll be back in the groove starting Monday PM.
"one other kind of information". Resistances or immunities?
Quasits are very resistant to cold, fire, and electricity. They have ninor resistance to spells, and are hard to damage with most weapons etc unless they are cold iron or good aligned.
