The party wisely steps back and spread out from the explosive demons while Cecily does her best impression of a carnifex.
The demons likewise are wary of the party and Cecily coming right for them and strip her of her magical protections. I believe that mage armor, lucky number, and shield are now gone from Cecily.
Nurah follows behind Ahmose as he enters what looks like a destroyed clerical office.
Chaplain's Office
A nest of cushions and linens squeezes between this room’s rear wall and a battered desk covered in folded paper animals. Dried ancient blood stains the fabric and paper. A sculpted emblem of a warhammer overlooks the otherwise ransacked room.
The fear subsides at the sudden appearance of the ghostly child and everyone is able to return to the house if they so choose.
The child nods still tracking her spot, "His name is Cleve, Notary Five, of the Harmonium. He's very adamant that you should turn in Eighttoes and throw yourself at the mercy of the Harmonium, and a number of other thing as well, he has quite the list. I don't know how you get there my vision didn't see your journey."
The Harmonium as a reminder is the faction in Sigil that functions as the city watch. They believe that everyone should live in harmony, or else.
When the conversation turns to her brother, "The Strangler took him as he was leaving the Looking Glass. I can't move from this house otherwise I would have tried to help Deidarth, its been a several weeks since he was taken."
CE Female Halfling | Bard 8 | HP 79/79 | AC 22, Touch 17, FF 16 CMD 28 | Fort +6 Ref +13 Will +8, +2 vs fear, +4 vs bards, sonic, language | Init +4 | Perception +12 | Speed 20ft Conditions: Lucky Number 7, Life Link from Thawm, Cat's Grace, protection from evil (Thawm)
Usable/day, spells:
Performance 11/22, 1st: 5/5, 2nd: 0/5, 3rd: 2/3
Nurah adds, ”Yeah what the Lady says is true. So addressing Queen Galfrey you would want to say ‘Your Majesty’ and then ‘ma’am, after that. If she had an heir you would need to address them as ‘Your Royal Higness.’ At least she’s not a stickler about it when she’s not addressing the masses, but other nobility get uptight about that sort of thing.”
Ahmose and Aroden come to the same conclusion at the same time, that the statues are constructs animated by Deskari’s will through his cult. Such constructs are blessed by their patron’s divine influence. Their weapons could cut deeper, or in this case bash with more strength against Deskari’s foes or shatter fragile objects without so much as touching it. Construct traits, they could deal an additional 1d6 damage against good or lawful creatures, have a better enhancement bonus to attack, or cast shatter.
Dorek manoeuvres forward, wary of attacks. Tandyn tosses radiance at one of them cracking its stone slightly. Hit and 12 damage. Cecily’s fist meets stone and as usual when that happens, the flesh breaks not the stone. She pulls her hand away thankfully she hasn’t broken her wrist. Miss
I need a spell resistance check from Thawm, and action from Ahmose.
Skee and Xibalba flee the house as well, leaving only the undead or mostly undead left in the house. The ghostly child’s empty eyes track Rinika’s dead spot as it flits about her body. Her eyebrows raise in shock, seemingly ignoring Rinika’s question. She finally speaks, but it's distant, as if spoken from another room, ”That’s just awful! I can’t release you, I’m sorry. Your spirit has been intertwined tightly to Rinika’s and you will only be released when she finally meets her maker on a ship of Chaos in the blasted Plain of Infinite Portals. And yes, I’ll ask, I have no other choice.”
The child turns to Rinika and finally addresses her, ”It was mine and my brother’s house. But he was taken by the Strangler after drinking too much. I tried to warn Deidarth but I saw it and so couldn’t stop it. Will you find him?”
LE F Half-Ork | Infernal & Destined Bloodrager 1 | HP 11/11 | AC 14, FF 12, T 12, CMD 16, 17 vs grappled | Fort +3 Ref +2 Will +1, +2 vs fear | Init +3 | Perc +1 | Speed 40ft | Conditions:
Usable/day:
Hellfire Strike 2/3, Bloodrage 5/6, Hero? 1/3
It'd also be nice to know generally where we stand with them too, so we're not wasting actions on someone who's already part of our crew.
You've been through the main part of the sally port, taking the prisoners to your army, but not the side rooms. The west room has rubble that you could climb over or you could go around to either side and use the door.
Entering the missing oracles house and rifling through his things Rinika finds that Deidarth was poor sod. The gem is little more than worthless glass, non-magical and basically worthless. Though it could be a component for a divination.
Under the single bed is a piece of paper with a number of names written on it. All the names are crossed off except one, someone you've already met, Ghuntomas of Thorn on Narrowstone Way.
Will:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Nik sends out controlling energies and a translucent form reveals itself, now under the necromancer's control. Not a woman but a translucent child dressed in shabby clothes. Her empty eyes staring at you, driving a spike of ice cold fear into your hearts.
Once she is visible everyone needs to make a DC 14 will save or be frightened for Rounds:1d4 ⇒ 3
CE Female Halfling | Bard 8 | HP 79/79 | AC 22, Touch 17, FF 16 CMD 28 | Fort +6 Ref +13 Will +8, +2 vs fear, +4 vs bards, sonic, language | Init +4 | Perception +12 | Speed 20ft Conditions: Lucky Number 7, Life Link from Thawm, Cat's Grace, protection from evil (Thawm)
Usable/day, spells:
Performance 11/22, 1st: 5/5, 2nd: 0/5, 3rd: 2/3
Nurah lowers her sword while shifting back to her normal form. She explains before Thawm can, "Pity about Oscar. We're gonna tie you up Gabrielle, Rudy, and Tamir. You'll be judged fairly, no one's gonna mistreat you during your capture."
LE F Half-Ork | Infernal & Destined Bloodrager 1 | HP 11/11 | AC 14, FF 12, T 12, CMD 16, 17 vs grappled | Fort +3 Ref +2 Will +1, +2 vs fear | Init +3 | Perc +1 | Speed 40ft | Conditions:
Usable/day:
Hellfire Strike 2/3, Bloodrage 5/6, Hero? 1/3
Just one more thing.
Lily goes through her pack before she takes to her hammock. She tore through it accounting for everything twice before she said in a low growl, "Someone took it."
She looked around for the thief and not seeing any likely suspects she punched the deck, leaving a fist shaped burns in the boards. She dreamed of her parents that night.
Ahmose uncharacteristically claws out one of the cultist’s eyes! Causing them to fall to the ground and eventually bleed to death. Red dead, no redemption. Ahmose tries the same thing to the neighboring cultist but they side step the rabid kobold.
Tandyn, with luck on his side, thrusts Radiance into a tattered vulture wing. 2nd attack hit and 15 damage
Dorek easily carves out the demon’s stomach, and spleen, leaving dead on the ground in an instant. First two attacks hit and full damage.
After dispelling one image, Cecily headbutts the vrock right in its face with bone cracking success, she follows up with a gut punch which strikes nothing but phantasm. Two images down and crit hits but doesn’t confirm for 10 damage. Vrock is already shaken by the Doom song but neither effect stack.
Thawm burns the burns away as the room explodes into gentle healing fire.
Nurah dashes behind the remaining brimorak and it slashes its flaming sword too high. Nurah is easily able to duck under it, she gives it a toothy reptilian smile.
The vrock gives the cultists a withering look and their expression turns pained. It seems to be waiting for something. A volley of arrows strikes Tandyn’s illusory images leaving him with 4 images left. The cultist holding a falchion begins to remove Ahmose’s goo.
The nearby brimorak ignores the lucky halfling-cum-kobold, and slices into another of Tandyn’s doubles and kicks a hoof into a second, Tandyn is now left with only 2 images.
The vrock bears down on Tandyn. It leaps up into the air, raking two talons against an illusory Tandyns. Next the demonic bird clamps down its wickedly viscous beak onto Tandyn’s left shoulder, the strain of groaning metal fills the room as it pierces his armor. The vrock does not stop its assault on the Iomadaean, with one claw sinking into Tandyn’s flank, punching through his armor once again.
Tandyn is hit with the bite for 7 damage and one claw for 15 damage. He has 1 image left by my count.
Ahmose throws another bomb at the cultists and is mildly successful, the accumulated mass of burning ick seems to have slowed one of them down as severe burns begin to develop. The remaining three cultists are again unaffected. Ahmose hit and did 10 damage plus entangle to the red cultist.
Cecily delivers a pounding to the nearest brimorak in a one-two that crushes in its skull. Hit twice and did 45 damage, no cold damage was enough to beat resistance. She quickly shifts her footing and quickly punches an illusion which disappears.
Aroden advances and thrusts his sword at a brimorak; the demon’s boiling blood splashes him. Aroden hit and did full damage, boiling blood did 1 damage but I believe Aroden is resistant currently.
Tandyn advances, interposing himself between the Vrock and Nurah. I’m not seeing any AoO with the Brimorak dead and the Vrock blind.
Dorek tumbles past the nearby goat demon and in a graceful move decapitates it. Hit and 46 damage, lol.
Thawm doesn’t waste time, knowing that her allies' lives depend on her, she sprays them with warm healing energies.
Nurah looses her bullet at the brimorak but the shot goes wide. She nimbly dodges out from underneath the vrock’s retaliation, closing on the Brimorak as she does. In a flash her short sword is in her hand threatening the demon, she winks at Dorek, and continues her mocking tirade.
With one swipe of its mighty claws Konnie rips the entangling strands asunder, freeing it. It then looms over Tandyn, and swipes its far too sharp claws into his flank, both drawing blood and fracturing one of Tandyn’s ribs. Tandyn deflects a mighty claw with his shield and parries low one of its wicked taloned feet. But it's all the paladin can do to fend off the onslaught as the vulture demon rends his ankles with its other claws. Tandyn hit for 21.
Then the spore cloud around the vrock grows thick, easily finding entry through cracks in Tandyn’s armor and past Cecily’s defenses as well. The pair feels pressure on their skin as it grows pregnant with putrid demonic vines. Each take 1 damage now and 2 damage on their turn, if they aren’t treated with a bless spell or holy water before.
Ahmose again takes an arrow, this time to his other knee, as the front two cultists drop their bows in favor of menacing falchions. Ahmose is hit again for 10 damage
The remaining brimoraks line up their shots and spout a torrent of their boiling blood onto Nurah, Thawm, and Tandyn. DC 17 reflex for half, 14 fire to Thawm, 17 to Tandyn
JLN F Half-Elf | Alchemist (Vivisectionist) 3 | HP 32/32, San 31/34 | AC 24, T 17, FF 18, CMD 20, ST 2, Edge 17 | Fort +5 Ref +10 Will +2, +2 vs Enchantment, Poison | Init +9 | Per +11 SM +0 | Speed 30ft | Conditions: scotomaphobia (1 day) DC 14, dex feral mutagen, shield, shaken
The vrock blind, gooey, and afraid does what one does in this situation, duplicate themselves by budding. Six identical illusory images of the vrock appears.
The four cultists carrying heavy looking bows advance on Ahmose, he tosses a bomb at one but it strikes their flank, burning them slightly, but not hampering their movement in any way. Ahmose hit and did 13 damage after DR, splash damage did nothing.
The archers with trained practiced precision volley fire into the blue kobold, he feels pain and alive for the first time in a long time. Ahmose is hit once and takes 9 damage.
The room then explodes in successive blasts of fire and brimstone. Dorek, Cecily, Nurah, and Tandyn catch the worst of the blasts, with Ahmose catching a stray from the blinded brimorak. Dorek, Cecily, and Tandyn owe me 3 DC 15 reflex saves with half damage on success. Fire damage: 16, 29, and 26. Ahmose owes me 1 DC 15 reflex with half damage on success; fire damage 20.
Nurah coughs out a puff of smoke and yells, ”Is that the best you got? Fire demons my scaly cloaca .” She advances into the midst of the demons and draws her sling and loads it.
NG Female Human | Wizard 3 | HP 23/23 | AC 19, Touch 14, FF 15 CMD 14 | Fort +4 Ref +6 Will +2 | Init +4 | Perception -2 | Speed 30ft | Conditions: resist energy fire 10, mage armor, darkvision, see invisibility, aid; Loot
Usable/day, spells:
Arcane Bond 0/1, Battleshaping 4/6, 0th: Detect magic, disrupt undead, read magic, 1st: Alarm, Mage Armor, Reduce Person, Magic Missile, 2nd: Darkvision, See Invisibility, Resist Energy
Tiff comments, "Oh! I can get you down there. And maybe myself and one other. But! Do you think we'll need to get back up?" Tiff considers pushing Sammy and jumping down after him.
LE F Half-Ork | Infernal & Destined Bloodrager 1 | HP 11/11 | AC 14, FF 12, T 12, CMD 16, 17 vs grappled | Fort +3 Ref +2 Will +1, +2 vs fear | Init +3 | Perc +1 | Speed 40ft | Conditions:
Usable/day:
Hellfire Strike 2/3, Bloodrage 5/6, Hero? 1/3
Also of they're new to the boards they may not realize they had a PM. I know that happened to me way back when.
LE F Half-Ork | Infernal & Destined Bloodrager 1 | HP 11/11 | AC 14, FF 12, T 12, CMD 16, 17 vs grappled | Fort +3 Ref +2 Will +1, +2 vs fear | Init +3 | Perc +1 | Speed 40ft | Conditions:
Usable/day:
Hellfire Strike 2/3, Bloodrage 5/6, Hero? 1/3
Also Jacques and Jacquelyn, be prepared for one or both of you to be nicknamed, you got very similar first names.
A blob of acid splashes one of the mimics and all it does is clean some of the dust that has stuck to it. Thawm hit, barely, no damage The rolling ball of fire does not light, Thawm’s healing flames are warm, not burning.
Cecily tightens her grip on the mimic, grasping its tentacle with an arm and holding it down to the floor, she leverages her weight to keep its wide maw from doing any arm either, though its not terribly threatening with its wide goofy grin. Pin success!
Ahmose throws an alchemist fire, direct hit, the fire burns away the dust Thawm missed. Hit and no damage.
With two quick sword strokes the pinned mimic goes limp, though still stuck to Cecily to it. Tandyn turns to the banner mimic. First two hit and full damage. Redirecting 3rd attack and hit.
Dorek maneuvers to a more beneficial position, striking the banner on the reverse side. Hit and 18 damage after unbeaten DR.
Nurah walks up casually, takes out another bottle of some dark brown liquid and pours it on Cecily, ”I’m getting a premonition of your bachelorette party.”
The remaining mimic slams into Tandyn's unprotected head, holding the Iomedaen fast as it begins to crush him to death. Hit and 27 damage
PCs go! You've defeated one mimic and done 18 damage to the remaining one, Tandyn is grappled and unable to escape without a stiff drink!
In a moment that seems to stretch out forever, the altar and the banner begin to undulate and each grows glistening wet tentacles and improbably wide maws open, filled with thick teeth.
The banner-mimic swings its tentacle at Tandyn’s head and glances off his helmet, fortunately only his helmet is ripped off violently as it sticks fast to the tentacle.
Aroden’s vision comes to pass as the altar-mimic slams into the unawares rogue, and Dorek is grasped violently in the shapechanger’s bone-crushing grip. Dorek quickly finds out that the glistening is not water but some sort of glue, which Aroden’s magic cannot counter. Dorek hit for 26 damage and is grappled.
Dungeoneering 21:
In addition to viscerally verifying the potency of the mimic adhesive you know that no kind of acid will harm. These also seem to have been corrupted by the Worldwound’s influence and may share some resistances that demons possess.
With a little effort Tandyn manages to locate the sconce that doubles as a lever to open the false vault. Knowing that there was a secret door was immensely helpful. +20 circumstance bonus thanks to saving Aron from his addiction.
Two statues stand midway into this room. They each depict an armored woman with her sword raised. Numerous smashed and empty chests sit on the floor. Again the party finds no loot, if Aron is to be believed there is another secret door nearby.
This is Delmoth's submission, apparently I had built her for S&S already. Let me know if Fate’s Favored trait won't be allowed, at least I didn't take sacred tatoos along with it.
CE Female Halfling | Bard 8 | HP 79/79 | AC 22, Touch 17, FF 16 CMD 28 | Fort +6 Ref +13 Will +8, +2 vs fear, +4 vs bards, sonic, language | Init +4 | Perception +12 | Speed 20ft Conditions: Lucky Number 7, Life Link from Thawm, Cat's Grace, protection from evil (Thawm)
Usable/day, spells:
Performance 11/22, 1st: 5/5, 2nd: 0/5, 3rd: 2/3
Nurah walks forward and cries out, "Hey Janeamine! Yeah! I know you're a succubus, so drop the act! You think your Inheritor bit is cute? Real crusaders know better. What did you have these schmucks do last night? I see you haven't got past your mummification phase. That's really tame, gods you could be more creative."
Skee has to guess the number and position of their tracheae when performing his tracheotomy, since the woman is unresponsive. Lucky for Jaspan, Skee guesses correctly and bypasses her crushed airway. After briefly fluttering her eyes open she passes out again, a victim of Myress' pheromones.
Myress' grits his teeth as Rinika tears up his insides by briefly commanding his skeleton. The nubimancer fights though it uncharacteristically well. 16 damage
Nik's curse appears to passes through Myress like a stone trying to hurt a strong breeze.
Myress lifts off from the alley dust flying picking up as the wind carries them aloft. Flying over to Rinika he seizes her by the throat. He says through gritted teeth, "I will choke the life from you and all of your kind until Air is pure again."Provoke from Skee, Rinika is grappled (unless immune) and DC 24 will, compulsion, mind-affecting, to Rinika and Xibalba or they fall asleep (unless immune).
PCs are up! Except those who are asleep. You've done 16 damage so far.
Jaspan vs Sleep:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 Fortitude vs Bones:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28 Will vs Curse:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25 Grapple vs Rinika, one hand:1d20 + 22 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 22 - 4 = 31
Round 1 Cecily <-------------
Aroden <-------------
Ahmose <-------------
Tandyn(Tandyn only has a standard action after detect evil and stare.) Thawm <-------------
Evil Iomadae Dorek Nurah Crusaders
CE Female Halfling | Bard 8 | HP 79/79 | AC 22, Touch 17, FF 16 CMD 28 | Fort +6 Ref +13 Will +8, +2 vs fear, +4 vs bards, sonic, language | Init +4 | Perception +12 | Speed 20ft Conditions: Lucky Number 7, Life Link from Thawm, Cat's Grace, protection from evil (Thawm)
Usable/day, spells:
Performance 11/22, 1st: 5/5, 2nd: 0/5, 3rd: 2/3
Lucky Number:1d20 ⇒ 7
"How about some spell components, my armor, and weapon too? Not that I don't want your protection but you can't ever have enough."
Xibalba's magic fails to remove the thick cloud obscuring vision. Skee swoops in but his wings strike solid planes of air and slide off.
The party can hear the woman in the alley begin to draw in a ragged breath.
Myress regards Skee with some bit of annoyance. He points at Nik and intones, "Give that wolf a banana!" Nik feels nothing special, but everyone near him can smell him suddenly, and he smells absolutely delicious. Jek's mouth waters as Nik suddenly smells like Arborean ginger grass, delicacy when he was a young kid. An intrusive thought enters Jek's head, Just one bite.
If you are within 15ft of Nik, I think just Jek at the moment, you need to give me a DC 24 will save, mind-affecting, polymorph, see spoiler below if you fail
Will fail:
Your form partially transform into a yellow haired wolf. Long sharp teeth sprout from a long muzzle that now juts from your face. Your fingernails thicken and elongate into sharp points. The world around you is now rich with delectable flesh.
You gain a bite and two claw attacks appropriate to your size, you gain the scent ability, you are confused and act as if Nik had attacked you last.
A moment after Myress casts the mysterious spell another scent arises from Myress himself. A sweet chamomile that makes you drowsy and starts to overcome your conscious thoughts.
Anyone who begins their turn or ends their movement within 5ft of Myress must make a DC 24 will, mind-affecting, compulsion, or fall asleep. You get a -4 penalty if you have the scent ability. I know Skee is immune to the effect. So again just Jek.
The tower’s open rooftop seems to have once featured a gold-and-ivory inlay of a conjuration circle, but only the faintest remnants of the magic circle are visible today. It is no longer functional for that purpose.
One Level Below
An open-air terrace looks out from the northwest side of the citadel, its interior shattered and broken. A pile of treasure lies gathered in the southeast corner, while a narrow band of stairs is half-seen just above the nearby rubble choking the entrance.
Assuming you’re not going to spend the time cataloging the treasure since that would be an encounter. You can tell it's quite the haul though.
Ground floor, tower, outer
There are seven ballistae that are gathering dust here.
Northern Arcade
One wall of this long arcade features several arrow-slits looking out over the northern part of Drezen. A trio of soldiers in shining breastplates and carrying well cared for two-bladed swords and composite longbows lounge lazily within the walls here. Two of them track Aroden’s arcane eye, instead of getting help they give the eye a rude gesture. That’s one encounter.
Parapet
A cascade of rubble has fallen through from the upper parapets into this ruined armory, creating a rise of debris that allows access to the citadel’s northernmost parapet. A quartet of Brimorak demons stand watch here. Upon spotting the eye, one teleports away somewhere unseen. That's two encounters, ending the spell.
Secret Vault
A metal rod on which hangs a magnificent banner depicting a sword before a sunburst is raised up in the hands of a statue of an armored woman to the north. Just south of the statue sits a gleaming alabaster altar. Another four statues flank the room, each wearing a real suit of metal armor, while to the south hangs a tattered red and gold tapestry.
Perception 30:
The statue and the altar are twitching very subtly, as if a muscle was spasming.
Your assembled advisors give a look of concern as Thawm randomly bursts into flame. Nurah face palms and says, "Ugh, get a tent you two." She walks off.
Your advisors seemed ready to argue for something but when the Knight Commanders volunteer to infiltrate the citadel themselves the concern evaporates. Each suggests what they can do to contribute in the days ahead while the Citadel is cleared of evil.
Irabeth
She salutes and says, ”As you command Knight Commanders.”
Anevia, Aron, Amelia, and Sosiel
Aron says, ”I can skirt the edges of the citadel and find places where I can cause distractions. I hit them and then run. Sabotage equipment they’re using, if we find no opposition.”
Amelia curtly adds, ”I will assist.”
Aneiva smiles and adds, ”You’re not going to have all the fun! I’m in too. We’ll be real quiet like, and then loud. They’ll be chasing ghosts! Ha!.”
Sosiel pales as the trio suggest such dangerous work, ”But you could be injured. If you insist on such action please let me be on stand by, just in case you require healing.”
Horgus, Junior, Lann, and Aravashnial
Horgus blusters, ”Quite right Tandyn, trade must be reestablished here in order to rebuild. With armies stationed here again they will need merchants and skilled tradesmen to support them. And of course the soldiers will want entertainment in their off hours and luxury goods to spend their salaries on. I will begin sending missives right away to my contacts about the opportunities that wait here. To that end, I’d like to take a small number of soldiers with me to take stock of what remains in the city.”
Junior sneaks up behind Horgus and slaps the noble on the back, ”Oh yeah! That’s a good idea! I’m sure there’s a lot of stuff we could gather and sell too. Hey Lann! How about you and me buddy? I can tell you all about Fred’s plans while we look for stuff.”
Lann just smiles and nods. Horgus looks aghast at Junior calling out his own plan so plainly and then confused at the mention of Fred.
Aravashnial, oblivious, adds, ”I suggest I search for magical supplies for you to use. The magic for finding it is simple enough.”
Nurah
She simply says, ”I’m coming with you.”
End of dungeon, all buffs except day long buffs end. Did you want to rest before starting the next?
All your advisors, even Nurah, are in agreement, now is the time to strike before your armies lose momentum and hope.
You mass safely across the Ahari Bridge thanks to the small force Irabeth stationed there and the disabling of the catapults. Tandyn orders the Knights of Kenabres in first as a shock troop. Horse hooves thundering across the landscape, while the mercenaries follow behind on foot.
The knights volley arrows at the dretches corralled in front of the entrance, a mass of murderous minor demons meant to wall you off. As they are pelted with arrows, they summon more of their kind and masses of nauseating vapor to stymie the assault. Tieflings rain arrows of their own down from behind parapets, arrow slits, and fire ballistas from the walls of the citadel itself. It seems that Iomadae herself is guiding the paladin’s arrows as they advance, in a matter of minutes the demon forces are slaughtered, leaving only the summoned demons left which disappear as quickly as they appeared.
The tiefling’s arrows pelt your mercenary army, wounding a few soldiers as they advance. The recovered armor protects them well.
The mercenaries are damaged for 1 hp, advancing to melee phase, please choose a strategy track for each army and roll.
Nik opens his wizard senses and attunes himself to the subtle vibrations of the plane he's on. Also he notes the physical evidence since arriving to Blurophil. He can say with some confidence that he is on the Elemental Plane of Air, which doesn’t touch the Astral plane required for most teleportation spells. He remembers a book he read, Sabrina Sierra Sara Sablesash's brief Taxonomy of Elemental Phylum and Other Interesting Phenomenon such as Xeg-Yi's Affinity for Embracing, a tome numbering over five thousand tightly scripted pages in Gnomish; Sabrina notes that she has only ever been able to summon creatures native to Air, Smoke, Lightning, and Vacuum, and that they are uncontrolled once summoned.
Nurah chuckles at Dorek, ”I’m a survivor Dorek. I don’t think I’ll die today. But the sentiment… is appreciated." She takes the vial, pricks he finger with a knife and mingles her blood with that in the vial. And then stows it, "If my end is near I'll break the glass on my forehead, I think that's the tradition? So much Sarkoran culture was lost I'm mot sure."
She warns Dorek, "You should know that Thelvihix knows you’re here. He still has your eye, I’m afraid that he can use that against you. Blood or any part of you can be used as a channel for magical energy by skilled practitioners. While he’s nominally supporting the war, he has his own designs and I’m sure you’re a part of it.”
Tomorrow I'm going to start rolling for mass combat for the Battle of Drezen If you intend to lead either army or roll for your armies please put that in a post by tomorrowafternoon.
In an explosion of blades, claws, water, and magic the foul Moxsahbuul is undone and its corpse rests again. In Cecily’s reckless assault claws are raked across her face, causing a superficial injury. Easily healed by Thawm later.
For the record, Dorek the first attack hit and did 30 damage, the most out of any single attack from the party.
The crypt’s chill darkness still lingers even after the ghoul commander's demise.
AoO vs Cecily:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30 Cecily Fort vs Para:1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 13 + 2 = 32 Nurah is helpful, is she not?:1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 2 = 14
Tandyn throws his sword at the winged horror, this time carving a chunk of real flesh from it. Cecily’s javelin hits the ceiling, nearly flying through a hole. The others advance, prepare or wait in ambush. Tandyn hit and did 10 damage.
Nurah pulls out the spell component given to her by Aroden, making herself invisible. Thawm immediately responds but finds that her spell does not function within the darkness of the building, shedding no light at all.
See Invisible:
Nurah looks at Thawm’s non sequitur in confusion.
Nurah speaks in a strong voice, ”The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place, and I don’t care how tough you are; it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit, how much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done. Now, if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you are because of her, or him, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that!”Inspire courage +2
Thawm needs to give me a will save now.
The berbalang charges at Tandyn to which Dorek jumps from out the corner delivering his line better than his sword. Miss
Moxsahbuul tears its claws across Tandyn’s tabard, rending cloth but little else. It spits, ”How did you find me?!”
Myress is apparently waiting, but Rinika strongly suspects that he is using magic to suffocate Jaspan. She cannot be certain exactly how without further evidence. Detect magic or similar.
JLN F Half-Elf | Alchemist (Vivisectionist) 3 | HP 32/32, San 31/34 | AC 24, T 17, FF 18, CMD 20, ST 2, Edge 17 | Fort +5 Ref +10 Will +2, +2 vs Enchantment, Poison | Init +9 | Per +11 SM +0 | Speed 30ft | Conditions: scotomaphobia (1 day) DC 14, dex feral mutagen, shield, shaken
Nurah gives Thawm a peery eye until she rebukes Ahmose for his comment. "I'll come and assist, if I can get an eyelash encased in tree gum. I know that the kobold and Aroden can see invisible things so don't think that I'll run away. Its for my own protection."This is an item Aravashnial recommends to not give her.
Haunted Vault
You arrive at the location Anevia indicates, on the western edge of the graveyard. This stone mausoleum is cloaked in rippling shadows despite the sun rising high in the early afternoon daylight. Dim light within 20ft of the structure. Despite the age of the graveyard no vegetation dares to grow up the tomb, adding to the sheer desolation of the area abandoned by the living and demons alike. When you approach and become enveloped in the shadows you feel ill at ease. The twin stone doors stand tall and are steadfastly locked. DC 30.
If Nurah's demand is met:
She explains, "This is the demesne of Moxsahbuul. A powerful kind of ghoul that can project a kind of spirit to feed. Staunton kept peace with the ghouls with a promise. If we captured any crusaders and they escaped the ghouls could hunt them down and transform them. He gave orders to Pozlixt, the vrock general, to let them escape regularly. He delighted in giving those captured false hope."
Vassilon nods in thanks and regards the party carefully, their multifaceted eyes stare while shifting metallic sheen plays across their skin. You feel their watchfulness somehow in your souls, reverberating uncomfortably and betraying your true nature.
They begin to say, ”Before we can exchange information an agreement with precise language must be drafted and a binding cast on you to enforce compliance.”
The great bird shakes his head and squawks, frustrated, ”That’s going to take forever! The killer’s name is Myress. He met with us, you know? Wanted Vassilon’s council. They were about as helpful then as they are now.”
Ert points with his antlers, ”There’s his house. But he’s not there right now. He’s about to kidnap a woman named Jaspan. She lives in that tenement there. I mostly watch the people in the city when I’m not hunting.”
Ert looks up at Vassilon, ”There’s not much else I’m allowed to do. I don’t have any idea why your kind of people call anything anything.” You’re able to pick out the kips that Ert points out but not other specific details from this distance.
Vassilon gives Ert a look and answers Jek’s question, ”To ensure equity in our dealings. Now that Ert has so wisely disrupted that I will ask what you know of the blight afflicting the city.” Again you feel the puissant gaze of Vassilon assessing your response, if any.
With a snappy retort and an even snappier snap of radiance the berbalang is dispelled from Tandyn’s tent. Unfortunately it does not hear Dorek’s tirade. Tandyn knows that the creature has not truly been harmed and can project its spirit again tomorrow night.
The ghoul army suddenly retreats, thankfully your well motivated armies take advantage and it quickly turns into a route. The majority of the ghouls are killed and the remaining dregs flee into the Worldwound. Unfortunately the rescued mercenaries were wounded and stricken with ghoul fever. Your paladins fared much better, ready and eager for another fight tomorrow.
Once the camp was cleared of any stalking undead cannibals you manage to finally rest and recover. Unfortunately many of the mercenaries are lost to death, or disease over the coming days.
Combat and mass combat over.
Just before noon your armies are ready for your orders.
Sosiel gives his report, ”The ghouls targeted the mercenaries specifically. I believe they were intent on making more of their kind. I’ve instituted quarantine procedures as best I can and am doing my best to contain the outbreak. Through divine provenance the Knights are unaffected.”
Irabeth apologises but it's clear she’s extremely angry, ”I’m sorry we were taken unaware. Thank Iomadae we found the strength and destroyed them despite the surprise and darkness.”
Later during the meeting Anivia adds, ”Within the curtain wall there are hundreds of cultists and lesser demons. I’m suspicious that they haven’t rushed out to help their allies here, but their position is defensible and they know that we can’t lay siege indefinitely.”
Horgus clears his throat, ”Of course I’m grateful for your assistance last night Knight Commander Jones. Hopefully it won’t be needed again. Our supplies are well in order and will last at least another week. Morale is high despite the troubles last night and there isn’t a doubt in the soldier’s minds that we will prevail.”
Things to do yet: Investigate the haunted vault and order the attack on Drezen. Once you defeat the armies in the way you can start raiding the citadel itself.
Morale to withdraw vs Knights:1d20 ⇒ 16 Morale to withdraw vs Knights:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 Morale to withdraw vs Mercenaries:1d20 ⇒ 5 Morale to withdraw vs Mercenaries:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Thawm, immolated with her healing fire, turns her back on the nearby ghoul to attend to more pressing concerns. It bites her shoulder as she turns and its head immolates, leaving a smoking wreck in Thawm’s wake. She passes through Sosiel, healing the cleric of a minor wound and repeats her performance with a ghoul that lunges at her. Thawm hit twice for 12 damage.
Round 3 Aroden Moxsahbuul (35 damage) Thawm Just some ghouls Dorek <-------------
Ahmose <-------------
Cecily <-------------
Tandyn <-------------
Allies
Horgus cries out, ”You filthy piece of distended rectum!” Unfortunately his verbal barbs do not help him as a ghoul bites a chunk from his neck causing him to pass out from blood loss. The nobleman’s blood spraying three feet or more from where he lies in the dirt distracts Dorek long enough for a ghoul to sneak up from behind and deliver their own bite into his forearm. Dorek is hit for 3 damage and must make a Fort save DC 13 or become paralyzed.
The rest of the party through clever application of alchemy, strong armor, or just dumb luck, weather the horde of ghouls well. Your allies, with the exception of Horgus and a few minor injuries remain steadfast in the battle.
Dorek:
You do not recognize the voice of your grandfather.
Round 2 Aroden Moxsahbuul (12 damage) Thawm Just some ghouls Dorek <-------------
Ahmose <-------------
Cecily <-------------
Tandyn <-------------
Allies
Cecily frees a momentarily stunned Nurah. She takes up the short sword and doesn’t stand yet. In a loud voice she begins to speak in a bombastic manner that can be heard over the din of battle, ”In less than two weeks we joined forces from around the world, and you will be launching the most important battle in the history of Golarion. We can’t be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests. Perhaps it is fate. We will be fighting for our freedom. Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution… but from annihilation. We’re fighting for our right to live. To exist. We will not go quietly into the night! We will not vanish without a fight! We’re going to live on! We’re going to survive!”
Everyone gains a +2 competence bonus to attack and damage roll, inspire courage.
Tandyn struggles with the incorporeal monster besetting him. Radiance flashes through the specter and wounds it! A gash appears on the berbalang, dripping with ectoplasm. Hit but no crit due to incorporeal subtype, 12 damage
Dorek quickly dispatches the ghoul facing him, while Thawm feels fire burning where the ghoul nicked her. The sensation is not unpleasant.
Your allies begin to organize, a number of the foul beings falling to their blades, bows, or magic, with the exception of Horgus who struggles with his rapier, compared to the other crusaders.
You hear Irabeth cry out, ”Iomadae, in your name we cleanse this place of evil!”
Aravashnial begins to chant over and over, seemingly doing nothing else for now.
Round 2 Aroden <-------------
Moxsahbuul (12 damage) Thawm Just some ghouls Dorek Ahmose Cecily Tandyn Allies
Wann beams at Rinikas questions, ”Yer a spunky feller aren’t you? Well I made the balloon myself!” He chuckles cheerily before counting on his fingers and continuing to answer the battery of questions, ”I sure know how to fly it, only took me one, two, five times getting caught in the windmills. I wouldn’t be pointing any weapons at it but don’t ya worry, y’a’ll just fall forever, unless you hit the city first. Name’s Wann, pleased ta metcha!”
With the non-flyers secured in the basket of the hot air balloon you find that Wann’s promise of a three hour tour was a misnomer. The man got distracted by every bird, of which there seemed to be an unreasonable amount, and ended up following a few around before getting around to flying you to Sorrow’s roost.
With a higher vantage you’re able to see the entirety of the metal disc that Blurophil was built on. Beyond it is nothing more than clear blue sky with that ever present glow of daylight with no sun in sight, in every direction. The sight is a little dizzying at first.
Sorrow’s Roost appears to be a haven for birds and other flying animals, colorful and varied plummages abound before the creatures take flight again into the boundless blue of this plane. Among the birds you find a curious humanoid, you get the impression that they are female but their features in that regard are muted enough to make you question your assumptions. They have slight and youthful features but their skin gleams with a liquid silver that flows and shifts with every movement. Their eyes are a crystalline rainbow of colors with no discernible iris or pupil. They sit reposed in a lotus position and don’t acknowledge you.
Near the strange person is a large “bird” that stands 5ft tall, resembling a dark blue eagle, except that its head is plucked from a black stag. Its horns glitter like polished obsidian. It regards you with cruel intelligence behind dull orange-red eyes.
The darkness of night creeps over the city like mold on a house with no roof, slowly and inevitable. Unnatural sounds disturb your rest, wind that sounds like someone speaking with vocal cords of rusted iron and animals that shriek and wail, pouring their suffering and malice in equal measure into the darkness.
Aroden’s dreams are troubled. The buzzing of locusts as they devour a field. A man in manacles who speaks his name, ”Maranse Delaskru.” Thawm bursting into flame unharmed, vengeance incarnate. A dwarf in supplication to Droskar. Dorek consumed by his shadow and the black void that remains opens myriad eyes to look into the diviner’s soul. A spectral figure looming over him, glowing eyes above a lolling tongue, a bat-winged horror, almost invisible and ready to plunge its claws into his heart. Aroden realizes just in time that his eyes are open and the last threat is real.
Aroden is prone but his abilities have warned him just before the thing strikes.
I’m pretty sure that only Aroden can act in the surprise round here because of his surprise round powers.
Below check applies when you can see the attacking creature.
Religion DC 21:
This incorporeal horror is called a berbalang by some cultures. A type of ghoul that can project its spirit to consume flesh. Incorporea, touch damages con. Undead and common ghoul traits apply.
Surprise! Aroden <-------------
Moxsahbuul Thawm Nothing to see here Dorek Ahmose Cecily Tandyn
Thawm sees no lingering fiendish presences on Nurah. She ignores Thawms questions with a dismissive look and seizes on Dorek’s suggestion, ”Yeah Aron probably wouldn’t like that would he. We could infiltrate but that but it won’t happen with those two in charge. We’re at an impasse for the time being. You won’t trust me enough to prove my sincerity with actions and you don’t trust my word either.”
Junior bids Cecily a hearty farewell and promises to scribe her the scroll she requested after they return from the battle.
Before the battle Sosiel’s eyes light up as he’s given a king’s ransom in diamond dust. ”Thank you! I’ll have both Dorek and Aron healed in no time.”Dorek’s negative level is removed. He completely forgets how pudgy Ahmose has gotten.
Paradise Hill
The crusaders march toward Paradise Hill after establishing a camp in Southbank, the sun is starting to dip in the sky once the forces are able to be mobilized again for an assault on the fortified city district. Irabeth orders the army to surround the fortifications forcing the enemy to decide on whether to dilute their own power or to concentrate on one part which will surely take heavy casualties.
The crusaders from horsetop rain arrows down on fortified guildhalls full of schir demons guarding unlucky prisoners of war. Unfortunately for the paladins the defenses are too much for them and few of the demonic goats fall. 3 damage to schir army.
The opposing general rises into the air to command their forces, a merciless Vrock, screeches commands in their foul language, assaulting everyone’s ears. Irabeth commands your army via drum beat, calling for a reckless charge, hoping to finish the schirs quickly, the enemy receives the charge with gleeful abandon. Scores of demons die in the initial assault as they prove unorganized and unwilling to work together to defeat the tight coordinated maneuvers of the crusaders. Still the sheer ruthlessness of the schirs cuts down isolated pockets of crusaders. 7 damage to Knights of Kennebres, and 19 damage to the defending schir army defeating it.
The battle is over quickly with the last remnants of the demons teleporting to gods knows where, including the vrock commander after the quick but brutal melee. After an exhaustive search you find a large number of captured mercenaries, at least 200 in fighting form. If you outfit them with the gear captured from Southbank they can form an effective fighting force. You also find the food and water intended to support the prisoners. 6 units
Rescued Mercenary Army ACR 3
LG Large army of humans (fighter 2)
DV 13 OM +3
Special bravery +1
Speed 1, Morale +0, Consumption 1
JLN F Half-Elf | Alchemist (Vivisectionist) 3 | HP 32/32, San 31/34 | AC 24, T 17, FF 18, CMD 20, ST 2, Edge 17 | Fort +5 Ref +10 Will +2, +2 vs Enchantment, Poison | Init +9 | Per +11 SM +0 | Speed 30ft | Conditions: scotomaphobia (1 day) DC 14, dex feral mutagen, shield, shaken
