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Sadaf is at a complete loss when it comes to this entity.
"Which far realm are you from Nggilth-Tsa? Nggilth-Tsa turns its eyes to Sirlicks... -
Looking at Nggilth-Tsa a little timidly he says, "To further the question, any reason you wanted to be summoned to this particular place?" ...then to Strafe. -
"I don't think Nggilth-Tsa wanted to be summoned," Journeyman Fuln interrupts nervously while he fishes a bottle of sherry and some small clay cups out of his desk. "That much I think I was able to determine - but I was hoping to learn about the Beacons, and so far I've not been able to figure out how to broach the topic."
Not that it's hugely important, but there might come a time when you need to be truly single-file, so if Sadaf, Danduun, and Strafe could negotiate a more linear sequence in Slide 1 there? 'Sadaf, Danduun, & Strafe' - sounds like a heck of a law firm! ALSO: Sadaf/Danduun, that is neat how you linked your tokens together in the slides, how did you do that?!
"Excuse the interruption Journeymay Fuln, but we seek your guidance on the Beacons of Ralzeros. It seems 3 of them have become an issue for us and we need your guidance on how to deal with them. One of them is in fact in your office! " "Believe me, I am quite aware of...Wait, who are you? Hell with it, if you're familiar with the Beacons you may as well come in, come in...." The voice on the other side grows clearer as it approaches the door and opens it, and Maren Fuln, a forgettable-looking Human man, ushers you inside with a note of haste. The floor of this workplace is layered in charcoal and gravel, with mounds of incense burning in regularly spaced wall sconces and two metal braziers to the north. Worktables, chairs, and haphazard stacks of papers take up the eastern half of the room. A glass sphere floats above a desk in the western section of the room, holding a roiling mass of dark liquid. Faint motes of light fly from the orb to a wide summoning circle that has been carefully drawn in the stone and ash, illuminating its circumference with subtly shifting numerological sigils. Inside the circle is one of the strangest things you've ever seen: At first glance a dead and blackened tree teetering on exposed roots, they reveal themselves to be spidery legs as the thing shifts its position and stares at you with a cluster of eyes like those of a scallop with severe seasonal allergies. The moment you're all inside (or possibly a moment prior, pinched digits may be involved), Journeyman Fuln snaps the door shut again. "Ah-hah, heh-heh, I'm not very practiced at entertaining strangers, but I do seem to be getting my practice today," He says in an apologetic tone. "I don't know what happened: I checked one of them out for study, and for want of better information closer to hand, I tried binding a raelis, an azata, for consultation - but instead," He gestures toward the thing in the circle. "I got this! We've been...talking. It's not sure how it got here either." Fuln moves aside and midway between your group and the entity in a manner of congenial introductions. "Friends, this is Nggilth-Tsa; Nggilth-Tsa, these are...people I've never met before in my life. Sherry, anyone?"
Nggilth-Tsa focuses its gaze on you expectantly, and you perceive an inquiry in your minds: If you have skin, how do you leave memories behind?
Do you know Paucol the Gray? "I can't say I do; what's he 'Gray' for?" The clerk leads you to the door of Journeyman Fuln's office, then quickly departs. You hear a faint voice from inside. "I say, is somebody there? Shoo! Shoo! You're not supposed to be here...and I'm...busy."
In a stroke of uncanny intuition, Sirlicks is able to pull precisely the proper reference from the stack, and Linka is able to navigate its contents - it appears that these things have been dubbed “Beacons of Ralzeros”, and that of the remaining two, one is on display in the Blakros Museum, and the other is here on campus in the office of journeyman wizard Maren Fuln.
DC 10+:
The Dark Tapestry is the common term for the
lifeless space between the stars. DC 15+:
Most efforts to plumb the secrets of the Dark Tapestry drive researchers to madness. Whatever powers lurk in the void are hideously alien and, thankfully, pay little attention to life on this humble world. DC 20+:
One of the Pathfinder Society’s foremost scholars of the Dark Tapestry is Paucol the Gray, but the disturbing things he’s learned have left him unstable and driven to distraction. He accepts visitors only by appointment. DC 25+:
The object in that fungus-ridden vault resembles one astronomer’s depiction of Aucturn, the planet farthest from the sun in Golarion’s solar system. Not much is known about the enigmatic planet, other than that reaching it via teleportation or portal is exceedingly difficult and that only vile creatures can thrive in its poisonous atmosphere. DC 30+:
Another prominent scholar of the Dark Tapestry was a wizard called Ralzeros the Overwatched. Generations ago, he built laboratories designed to study extraterrestrial creatures and magic, before he mysteriously disappeared. Ralzeros’s laboratories eventually became the groundwork for the famous Blakros Museum, which was built upon the foundations of the wizard’s estate. "Oh, yeah, Journeyman Fuln," The clerk finally interjects, his overly-cheery demeanor finally finding temperance. "I can take you to him, you bet; he used to keep us apprentices heading in and out of his office like a damned bunch of honeybees because he figured his being a Journeyman meant we were his free labor, BUT higher hats than his caught wind, and I hear he's on probation for that now. I wonder what he wanted with that thing...?"
The clerk seems thoroughly swayed (and a bit startled) by Sirlick's persuasive manner and peculiar request. "WELL, I, uh....let me see if I can help you with that! I don't know anything about that, but let me see if there's anyone who does know, surely someone must..." He begins looking through a tower of reference-books behind his desk, but it soon becomes apparent that he doesn't really know what he's doing...
Strafe:
You're not the expert, but Zarta's departure from you does appears to involve much more hip and buttock movement than is strictly necessary for Human locomotion.
Your next step is to visit the Arcanamirium. The Arcanamirium is the oldest and largest magical college in Absalom, as well as perhaps the most prestigious academy of arcane arts in the entire Inner Sea region. The campus is dotted with gothic-style stone structures and imposing marble towers, with apprentice wizards hurrying between buildings on their way to classes. You easily enough find your way to the public reception desk, where what is obviously a student-employee greets you with a cheerful demeanor uncommon among seasoned secretarial staff. "What can I help you with?!" He asks with a grin that causes some of you to be mildly concerned for his sanity.
I understand your concern (and to some extent share it), but Warhorn is being used for signups for this convention. Will that be true for joining as a player as well? Would it be too much to ask/even possible for me to sign up (in either capacity) with someone else as proxy this time around?
Strafe: You are able to perform your assignment quickly enough to catch up with Zarta and deliver it before she or your party get too separated!: You've determined that the object has a resonant connection to two other devices; your deduction is that it was originally built as a beacon, but a mysterious alien force has corrupted its original function, causing erratic interactions with its surroundings such as the one you have just witnessed. "It's much as I suspected," Zarta replies with notes of wonder, triumph, and...something else??? "I do hope naming our section on alchemical weaponry 'the Strafe-Shelf' doesn't discourage too many visitors!" She says as she tousles your head for a little bit longer than you'd expect, and it does start to get weird...but suddenly that lingering nastiness in your skull clears up ! "Now," she continues, bending over toward you in what some might describe as a 'strategic' fashion, "What would really be impressive is if you could carefully - CAREFULLY, mind you! - secure any possible avenues for obtaining information straight from the source of this power! This is probably just wishful thinking, but considering what we've already seen, keep an eye out! IF you should find one of the Dark Tapestry's more coherent natives lurking about, do try an interrogation before resorting to violence - and if you could possibly arrange to have it, uhm, available for later questioning in a secure location, that would be -ideal-." She stands upright again as a somewhat confused look crosses her face. "Why am I even asking for this, I must be going a little mad myself...! Whatever, DO prioritize your own sanity over gaining information, I've already got one insane Wayang to worry about. Ta-ta...and good luck!!!"
Someome specifically asked about this but it never got answered. I figure past me liked the archetype enough to still play it. I see (EDIT: FAQ'd!); try pushing the issue again? I would if I were in your shoes, it's certainly been long enough since that was posted. If you do, I recently rediscovered the very interesting Opportunist-Fighter, maybe ask on their behalves as well.
Buying some vials... Are you not allowed to brew your own for 1/3 the price, like real Alchemists are (that would seem an exceptional pity for that Archetype)? Admittedly, you wouldn't have that kind of time at the moment.
On Warhorn... I don't suppose there's anywhere/any way I could register without needing to expand my online footprint any further? I kind of have a "thing" about that. No, there will be games here on the forums, too, if GMs sign up for them. I'd be happy to do this, if only there were a place here on the forums (or whatever those spreadsheets are you've been using for most things) where I could sign up.
No, there will be games here on the forums, too, if GMs sign up for them. Forgive me if I'm blind or something, but where can I sign up for those?
*investigates link* Is that going to ALL be on Discord?
"Take expectation"? What's that?
Extra-sorry for that delay, BTW; meant to post what I just did last night, but I got WAY derailed somehow.
There is a moment of tension when Sirlicks spots an errant bug and nearly risks a gruesome fate in trying to catch it, but with Strafe's help, the two of them have the situation very well in hand; the orb dims into darkness - taking the entire chamber along with it - as it floats gingerly to the floor. This is no obstacle to Strafe, of course, who is even able to harvest a good sum of poison from the fungal sprawl before it unceremoniously vanishes! Zarta lithely slips the wand back into the folds of her dress, her eyes darting around the blasted vault as she stands in the doorway's light. “Very nicely done! I’ll go to Ambrus and lift the lockdown. That being said, you still have work to do.” Her gaze falls upon the dormant glass sphere, its fluid contents now black and flecked with pinpricks of light. “I don’t know what caused this to happen, but I do recognize that item. The Society purchased it from the Arcanamirium a few weeks ago for further study when they told us they suspected its magic was somehow linked to the Dark Tapestry. It’s one of a set of three, and if this one's gone sour, I anticipate the others won’t be far behind.”
Searching the room, you find that it is mostly junk, too deteriorated even to have been part of those pseudo-golems! However, you are able to salvage the following: Six daggers, a starknife, a throwing axe, and a buckler, all of masterwork make; an implement of purpose and origin beyond your comprehension, but which seems serviceable as an adamantine light flail; a +1 Punching Dagger; and five +1 Aberration-Bane Arrows. Knowledge (Arcana) DC 20:
You notice that some of the remaining shreds of pseudo-golem junk still have just enough fight in them that you could make them work for you! You've carefully scooped them into 3 bags, each of which function as follows:
Strafe:
The Paracountess takes you aside, and presents you with the orb you and Sirlicks disarmed, now firmly nestled in its protective box. "Pardon a Human expression, but this is our golden opportunity: You handled this artifact expertly. I have to catch up with Ambrus before he barges his way straight into the Cairnlands, but if you can secure its counterparts, give them all a closer look and give me a brief report on whatever you can learn, why, I'll put your name over an entire wing ofthe Archive!"
Through seeker archtype oracle I CAN do magical traps. Son of a gun, I missed that. It would be very helpful if you embedded links to such weirdness in your character sheet. Personal True Cautionary Tale: I was once temporarily booted from a game because the DM* assumed I was trying to cheat her or something by using "obscure"** material with my character. We were able to rectify that misunderstanding***, but -anyway-, that's an example of how wrong things can go if DMs can't understand your character. * = who seemed to have one of those spiraling-personal-insecurity personality-disorders that've been going around
As Sirlicks approaches the thing, he is fortunately able to avoid touching it before realizing he has no idea how such a thing could be "disarmed" - Strafe himself might, though! It occurs to those of you who've tangled with the toxic fungus that this might be an opportunity, if you know what you're doing...
DM Screen:
Perception:
The remaining scrapping-scraps are brutally melted down and absorbed into the form of the flaming sphere; the room is silent.
That just leaves the strange light at the back of the room. Now that you have done away with the distractions, you realize just how obviously and literally connected it is to all this nasty fungus. As the section of such Seltyel had hacked away returns good as new, Zarta retaliates by leveling one of the hideous tree-like things. Strafe and Seltyel:
You suspect that whatever this exotic device is, it could probably be disarmed and disassembled like so many other mechanical traps you've faced in your time...no telling what it'll do if you screw up, though. Maybe the Paracountess would help if you asked very nicely...?
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KILLER-JUNKHEAPS SORTA FROM BEYOND!:
Sadaf and Danduun (flag +1), Linka (flag +1), Seltyel (barkskin, flag +1)
Sadaf, does flaming sphere count as an area attack? You'd think it might for swarm purposes (much like a Kineticist), but I can't tell from this. Danduun, am I to infer that you took the long way through the clearing Seltyel cut to avoid further risk of fungus-infection, and also that you are passing up my offer to keep your prior rolls (it'd be now or never, you understand)?
An impressive and well-aimed explosion takes out no small quantity of swarming detritus, and Seltyel opts to help Zarta with the gardening - in so doing, he discovers this stuff is quite amenable to a blade! - before bravely braving more of it!
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KILLER-JUNKHEAPS SORTA FROM BEYOND!:
Sadaf and Danduun (Courage +2, flag +1), Linka (Courage +2, flag +1), Seltyel (barkskin, Courage +2, flag +1)
I was referring to your previous action (an attempted full attack): I explained that as you'd moved onto a fungal strand you could not have made a 5'-step and hence not a full attack - you could, however, have made a standard action, so I took your first attack (a critical miss, unfortunately) as what you did that round and offered to let you keep the rolls you made in that post and apply them to the next time you had the opportunity to make them...which admittedly, would be now (though of course they lose some of their luster now since you can't crit swarms). Yes as they have no reach and have to enter your square. Riiiight...so they can't make attacks of opportunity against others, but the issue was whether others can do that to them. Since the swarm gangwayed its way past and through Danduun's and Seltyel's squares, I thought maybe Danduun was attempting an AoO. Were you? Maybe I misunderstood.
Fortunately, the sensation rapidly subsides for both of them.
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KILLER-JUNKHEAPS SORTA FROM BEYOND!:
Sadaf and Danduun (Courage +2, flag +1), Linka (Courage +2, flag +1), Seltyel (barkskin, Courage +2, flag +1)
I'm sorry, I'm not sure I understand what you're asking; I don't think you can make attacks of opportunity against swarms, can you?
Strafe likewise resists whatever foulness hides within these horrid strands - what's more, some minor god of artifice must be smiling in his direction, for his, Sirlicks's, and Mantis's healing wands all work near-perfectly, and more than half of his many injuries vanish just like that! It's a good thing, too...because with a shrill, metallic POP!, the remaining golem falls to pieces, and a split-second's sense of victory is instantly squashed when you see its parts begin swirling and tumbling angrily about the room, becoming a swarm of junk just like the last one! It rolls, bounces, and claws its way straight past Danduun and Seltyel in favor of the injured Strafe - and this time, Mantis is caught as well! They feel lacerations and prods as though they were at the mercy of an army of miniature torturers, followed by the horrible sensation within that Strafe has become far too familiar with...!
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KILLER-JUNKHEAPS SORTA FROM BEYOND!:
Sadaf and Danduun (Courage +2, flag +1), Linka (Courage +2, flag +1), Seltyel (barkskin, Courage +2, flag +1)
Hello GM, I think that I checked, and you had grey squares on the map which I assumed to be the normal ground after Zarta used her spell? And therefore, I thought that a 5 foot step would be possible? You are correct as to the nature of the grey squares, but the square you are on is not one of them. I'll believe you if you if you say you 5-foot stepped out of one, but you've stepped into a heavy undergrowth square...I'm pretty sure that either they both need to permit 5'-steps, or the one you're trying to enter does, especially since that was the square you meant to take your action in. Some damn good clw there! I just saw the Gameplay thread; no kidding!!!
The sensation passes for Danduun.
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KILLER-JUNKHEAPS SORTA FROM BEYOND!:
Sadaf and Danduun (Courage +2, flag +1), Linka (Courage +2, flag +1), Seltyel (barkskin, Courage +2, flag +1)
DM Screen:
Sadaf's molten ball bounces into the air, a most impressive sight, before landing right on top of...the empty floor. The remaining junk-golem has managed to bungle its way out of trouble. As Danduun clambers over the foul fungus, it feels very, very...icky...he tries to take a bite out of the thing now before him, but a sudden convulsion COMPLETELY throws him off. As Strafe desperately scrabbles for safety, he finds himself likewise making far more contact with this monstrous matter than is good for him... Sirlicks prepares to swoop in for first aid...but does nothing quite yet. Meanwhile, the fungal growths continue their duel with Zarta, the fungus regrowing, and the Paracountess shriveling it away with a wave of her wand; fortunately, she does seem to be destroying it at least a bit faster than it can grow back.
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KILLER-JUNKHEAPS SORTA FROM BEYOND!:
Sadaf and Danduun (Courage +2, flag +1, Danduun must make a Fortitude save), Linka (Courage +2, flag +1), Seltyel (barkskin, Courage +2, flag +1)
Cool! Makes me kind of amazed/disappointed they never thought to make a new spell (Horror Adventures would've been a good place for it) and made a higher-level version that turned it into a shoggoth-like thing - or whatever the heck that human-faced gray-globe ball from the heavens was in that one Monty Python Terry Gilliam animation I am now unable to find a clip of was! EDIT: I am sorry I did not catch this before: Danduun could not have made a 5' step or full attack this round; as I said when the combat started, those strands count as heavy undergrowth and require 4X as much movement from anything Small or larger. I went with his first attack (the "critical" failure), so I will let you "spot" the rest for his next opportunity if you wish.
What about the flaming sphere? That's what I was asking about.
Is it smaller than Small-sized, or are you including the fact that those fungal-strands all cost 4X as much to move through?
Again, much of the pain and buzzing in Strafe stop...but some of it doesn't; the pain, the buzzing, it's awful, he struggling to think...! Seltyel is quite finished screwing around, thank you very much, and delivers two mighty sword-swings to his foe; the thing is tough, but clumsy, so he hits both times, and although he can feel the construct's substance resisting beneath his sword, with sheer heroic strength he does indeed slash the closest hostile thing into pieces! Meanwhile, Linka casts down a small, hailstone-like pellet which lands at the heart of the ragged swarm and EXPLODES! When the flames clear, there is nothing remaining of it but a few small puddles of molten slag and freshly-made charcoal briquettes. Only one remains...
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KILLER-JUNKHEAPS SORTA FROM BEYOND!:
Sadaf and Danduun (Courage +2, flag +1), Linka (Courage +2, flag +1), Seltyel (barkskin, Courage +2, flag +1)
I apologize for my neglect (or at least languor); as fate would have it I've had an extra-bad last few days.
DM Screen:
The hindmost clumsy construct is glued to the floor by Mantis's strange weapon...but not for long; after a short struggle, it bursts its bonds! The other two continue to slowly accrue further junk from around the chamber to replace what they've been losing. The darkest one continues its duel with the darkest party-member...
...and impales the poor sot straight through the shoulder, while landing a less spectacular, but still solid blow to his massive Wayang schnozz...and as if that were not enough, the junk-swarm seems to sense Strafe is being hemmed in, and goes to work with countless tiny screws, barbs, prongs, and who knows what else!
His entire body (but especially his head) begins to flare with a mysterious buzzing agony....
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KILLER-JUNKHEAPS SORTA FROM BEYOND!:
Sadaf and Danduun (Courage +2, flag +1), Linka (Courage +2, flag +1), Seltyel (barkskin, Courage +2, flag +1)
Mantis, would you please link details for these "tangleshot bolts"? I cannot find them in the Archives of Nethys. While we're on the subject, everyone, it would be very helpful to me if you were to link such details whenever you used an uncommon item or spell or feat or whatever. Just embed it in whatever else you've written.
I would like to confirm if Woodland Stride work on those fungi That is an excellent question! The Scenario appears to be silent on the matter, but considering how it seems to otherwise behave like normal fungus, and that ability's open wording, I'll say yes.
Did you see your updated Chronicle? I sent it last (my) night. Also, might I suggest you pick up some tennis gear, so you're really prepared in the event you should run into your new Favored Enemy!
I have to say: You are nothing if not an uncommonly-good party for this fight!
With his supernatural fortitude, Seltyel overcomes the fungal toxins with ease. Strafe earns his name as his acid flask sails to the far side of the junk-swarm's reach, spilling its payload across the mass along the way; the result is an odor like qlippoth shoe-polish, and severe depletion of the swarm's components...but the threat is not neutralized yet.
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Sadaf and Danduun (Courage +2, flag +1), Linka (Courage +2, flag +1), Seltyel (barkskin, Courage +2, flag +1)
Linka and Mantis, it appears I still have not received your answers to these.
Again, this much ooc text is a good indicator that it would be better in this thread. That out of the way: If touching/crossing the vines is dangerous, I am not going to do it a second time in my turn. And I would have changed my route to end in front of the golem, if can attack in the same turn. Sensible. See the yakisoba-yellow strands everywhere? Any square with more than a bit of those is both a hazard and an obstruction, ditto those "trees" (see the earlier link to the foliage mechanics) - by contrast, that space 3 above your present position and just below the "G3" marker has a bit of strand in it, but I will rule that those don't count. The spot you are presently in is (literally) a corner-case, but I will be kind and say it's safe too. Granted. Would you like to keep the rolls you made before, or roll new ones? If your character were a type of candy, what would you be?: Also, I still need this very critical information from you! Reasons.
That much I know. Seltyel, you did catch that the strands are heavy undergrowth, right (and the mechanics for such)? I'm going to have to say you could only have made a double-move that round.
DM Screen:
Strafe overcomes the sensation. Sadaf's flaming sphere leaves a nice trail of molten slag as it steamrolls the junk-swarm, and Danduun wrecks a few select pieces from it. Linka opts to follow Strafe's lead, and tosses an incendiary down upon the black golem. As Seltyel clambers over one fungal strand and then another in his effort to reach the foe, he notices it is very foul to the touch... The fungal strands begin to spread again after shriveling under Zarta's wand...but she waves it again, and far more shrivels than regenerated!
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Sadaf and Danduun (Courage +2, flag +1), Linka (Courage +2, flag +1), Seltyel (barkskin, Courage +2, flag +1, make 2 Fortitude saves)
My mistake (the part about bludgeoning comes as a particular surprise!).
Long time indeed. I've been in stasis while time jumped forward. I wish I could say I didn't know the feeling.... Sadaf then directs Danduun to attack the mass as well. How is Danduun attacking the swarm? Regular attacks are worthless against swarms, your character would know that as a common-sense matter.
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