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"Oh! I get it! Haha, good one!" Khiari slaps her knee.
Auntie Wu unconscious gives us 2 failures if we don't revive her. I could spend a round casting Heal to revive everyone else. The danger is that we need to have more successes than failures. We're at +1 Success. I have +14 Athletics, I can keep pushing ahead OR I can stop and heal, but we need more successes. How does the team feel?
Understood. Gah! I misread the spell. The duration is "Sustained for up to 1 minute." I assumed it was always active. It was the 1 spell that got through. Let's say it's not working anymore as I wouldn't have actions to sustain it while escaping.
Professor Bun Bun makes a demand, and the Hellknights seem to comply. "Your words cut through their will like a blade." Khiari snorts. "I mean, duh... Look at those bones! He's deadly!" Bella grins and dashes into combat, hopping and skipping as far she can in a single ◆Stride. She hopes this catches the attention of the Red armored fiend as she makes a ◆Fascinating Performance.
She manipulates her >◆Dancing Scarf< to make herself hard to hit. ↺ Use Flashy Dodge on her first attack
"Not much of a hot dog anymore, huh?" Khiari tips the icy hound sculpture over. "Sis and I don't really use shields, so it's all yours Faehild."
"Sis. Fire!"
"Yes, I see..." Bella adjusts her glasses. "Sis. Fire!"
"Yes, I see!" Bella shrugs. "Assist Faehild and the goblin scout." Bella raises her hand as ice forms around the hound with Blue flames.
Khiari ◆Strides to break formation and avoid getting roasted.
Sigurd feels Kugatpee claw at him, silencing his call to Shizuru. Xin-Yue gives a cryptic taunt at Lan and then glances at Sigurd. What? Lan has always followed Shizuru. More lies from her false god. Kugatpee must have heard him, as the hand seems to grow large and reach into his very spirit.
Sigurd grins. "No matter what your fell patron does to my magic, Shizuru will always guide me!"
Ah, the boss has an 85% chance of nullifying my magic. Halp Hopefully it's just divine magic she can stop, in which case Primal Magic will help.
"Perhaps... we shall leave it alone." The treasure chest really is full of goods and equipment. But Sigurd puts his faith in Sangpotshi and rejects the goods. He raises his shield and prays to Shizuru. Shizuru, I am forever faithful for your intervention. If this is my final hour, know that I spent it helping my teammates and my community. Otherwise please grant me the strength to banish this evil, cleanse the temple and protect Willowshore from this great evil. Kolphanir, guide my hand. Sigurd raises his shield, ready to Defend himself, and descends...
The abomination known as Xin Yue cackles, brimming with confidence. He lets her talk some more. She is well aware of the cycle and it means she must have experienced defeat during those cycles, only to be pulled from oblivion by her fell master. It gives him confidence. If he did it before he can do it again. He takes a moment to recall the information >Yen Rui< told them. A kind storyteller was able to compile the information.
"Zhi Hui sends her regards." His Sword and Shield are ready. "You scoff at enlightenment but know your master sees you as nothing more than a tool. Not once did he ever scream your name when we repelled him. He has snatched you away from your true purpose and leaves you here to be naught but a stumbling block on our way to victory. Surely you must understand this."
"What do you seek to gain from this? Eternal life? Infinite power? Or to sit in this basement and fight us for the rest of time?" Sigurd attempts a philosophical argument. He knows this will come to blows but he wonders about her mentality - what would drive someone to these limits?
That's a nasty kukri. Cirri proceeds to use >◆Ocean's Balm< on Maruta to help alleviate the cut. "Drink up!" It heals for about hit points. Cirri thinks about shrieking, but the cute scorpion is in the way. And is providing a flank. Cirri ◆Steps into danger to help set up future flanks, and then she swings at the Red reflection. "You can stop doing this at any time, you know!"
Her water blast splashes into the floor. "Aaaaanytime..."
"Really..." Cirri finds herself under attack. "Well, I don't think this will be easy." "Winds of the north!" She reels back from the first kukri. "Seas of the south!" She backsteps from the second. "Come to my aid!" Water streams around her, briefly forming into a cudgel she can use to bash the Blue reflection. She ◆Channels Elements and Strikes for free.
"Well, it was worth a shot. Four Winds! Propel us to victory!" >◆◆Four Winds< propels Cirri, Maruta, Francine and Ghardak into battle!
Bella ◆Strides behind Blue Aramis. "Vardarel, the international man of mystery!"
As Bella lands, she performs the lightest roundhouse kick she can think of- and yet she is so damn confident! Khiari comes ◆Striding from behind. "Well, Vardarel is pretty Great..."
Bella and Khiari share a glance at Professor Bun Bun's words.
"What." Bella utters, dropping her polite demeanor for pure confusion. Khiari thinks for a minute before replying. "Sis, he said sabulous." "Of course he did. I knew that." Bella clears her throat. "Smooth your attire sabulous"
She tilts her head. "Bah. I'll think of a better rhyme later. We don't have much time." "Now, who wants Heroism?"
Bella and Khiari write a play about traffic circles, roundabouts and rotaries in which a pair of buffoon devil drivers argue over their differences while refusing to exit the circle. Their master is unamused but is bound by traffic law. For plausible deniability the passenger is not Asmodeus.
"Through the thoroughfare!"
"Sis, they're called rotaries!" Khiari calls out. "No, they are officially traffic circles. This is what happens when you drink that awful coffee from that restaurant." "I needed caffeine!" Khiari bleats. "Besides, traffic circles aren't roundabouts! They're different!" It's not clear if the sisters are paying attention to the nausea, but it does serve as a role model for everyone else.
Khiari frowns as they tilt away from the marketplace and onto the road. Bella does all she can to hide her hissy fit. "It would have been so grand! I bet there's a glazier festival going on right now! Or maybe a cabbage harvest!" "MY CABBAGES!" Khiari mockingly screams as she pretends to watch the carriage smash through her harvest.
The duo dance along with the momentum. Khiari rolls alongside the driver. "Hey, I was wondering, do you want to get a drink after this? I know this wonderful pub in Absalom, serves an ale called the Devil's Gourd that will blow your socks off."
Two tall, wooden linnorm statues mark the finish line to the harrowing Balgirdtrek. Crossing the line, the gathered crowd of spectators and participants cheers and applauds. Racers are met with blankets, soup, and medical supplies almost as soon as they are within the village of Frostgarten, where spectators are gathered to celebrate the competition and those who completed it. Dahlia is the first to greet you all. ”Well done, Path- I mean, Power Rangers. I think you did your organization proud.” Spectators see you and flood the path, drowning you in a mass of questions, inquiries, and chants. Dahlia has to part her way through the crowd, with the officials parting a path. ”Come on, hurry up already before the Fangs of the Rhemoraz catch up.” She arranges you in a circle on top of a small mound of snow. ”This has been a year of firsts. The Varki competed. We made a new route. And Power Rangers, accomplished Pathfinders, scored their first ever victory. Balgird himself would be proud. Three cheers for our victors! Go, go Power Rangers!” She raises her hands and hands each of you a wooden mug as the crowd cheers, held back by the officials and some hired security. Dahlia turns to you. ”Let’s get inside, quick. All of that hot cocoa isn’t going to drink itself. Besides, it’s a lot warmer and comfortable without your adoring fans.” Dahila leads you inside the victory lodge and gestures at a wooden table. ”By the way, winners are responsible for preparing the feast and tending to the wounded. Don’t give me that look, of course I’ll help. And by I, I mean my staff will help. See ya!” Dahila laughs and leaves the lodge before you have a chance to protest.
Purrlock's blast blazes through the air like a sword, cutting through Da Bear. Sparks flyout from Purrlock's weapon and the bear seems to explode in a fantastic manner that leaves everyone else unharmed but looks pretty cool. By the time you reach Ostog and Signe you see one of the officials wearing a black cloak and a tuxedo mask. "They are both stable. My job is done here." He tips his hat and retreats into the treeline before you can ask any questions.
Within a few more minutes Gruen returns alongside several officials and medics, who quickly tend to Ostog and Signe. Gruen looks at you. "Thank you all. I will make sure they are alright. Once you have recovered, go and complete the race."
Thank you all for letting me GM. RPG Chronicles should have sent emails containing your chronicles. You can also click >HERE< to download them. Please check for any errors, as I initially had to submit them for Outpost.
"We'll take good care of Narcela." Venture-Captain Zongnoss waves some more medics over. "We owe her greatly for saving the scholars. Also Revecka has been asking me every hour for an update. She's quite tiring." She grins. "Come on, everyone. Time for a rest." She leads you into one of the makeshift cottages to get check up, healed and fed. The next day, some of the guards mention the Hag's Claw started to depart on its own. A purple crystalline shell formed around it and repelled them as rose into the clouds before disappearing. --- Aslynn grimaces as the guards plead and beg forgivness for their failure. She snaps her fingers as her Seneschal drags them off to places best not mentioned. "Pathfinders, a blight on my plans!" She snarls. "It is best I take matters into my own hands..."
"Whether we live or die, Willowshore's safety is paramount." Sigurd puts a hand on his chest where Zoudou's dagger bore into him, reaching at his heart. Perhaps that's how he failed during a previous cycle. A vision of a grim reminder of what's at stake. "If we drive Kugatpee's minion from this monastery, would you be able to restore it to its full strength? I assume we will be too occupied to tend to the monastery. And reaching here would be difficult for anyone else." He closes his eyes and silently prays to Yeri. "How long can we maintain peace in this grove without it falling into ruin?"
At this point I think we need to defeat Yeri before she breaks Auntie Wu's focus. I suspect cleansing all of the statues will help us when we fight Kugatpee's lieutenant. I wonder what item we needed to appease her. Oh well.
Isaku admits he's always wanted to try this out. Jakoby knew it all along. Wavering between consciousness, she is barely able to stand let alone avoid the shot. This is it, one last joke from Old Bullseye, death by gunshot. ...So why does it feel good?
The stronger Skelm continues his assault on the prone BakBat.
He impales BakBat, punches him unconscious. "No more fire, little one. Witness your so-called friends as they abandon you!"
The Elite Skelm smiles at Doc Bloodshanks, one hand on his Yellow Sash. "Debasing yourself in front of deities we cannot even see. But I see you worship the heights of alchemy instead. Your friends mock you for your foolishness." He begins to cast a spell...
Isaku studies Bremix and finds a spot to shoot him. Anticipating trouble, his gun is drawn and he fires before reloading. He calls to Itka and the other skelm looks to Itka.
Itka feels a sense of >Paranoia< settle over her. Is anyone her friend here? Why are they helping a hag like Narcela escape?
Bella frowns as the interlopers declare themselves. "You call that a war cry? Children of Galt could teach you many lessons in proper declaration!" The creatures respond by roaring at Bella and attacking her.
"The blood of Galt"
Bella loosens the ◆>Dancing Scarf< around her waist to make herself Concealed.
Then she finishes with a ◆kick to the fiend's midsection.
Isaku and Doc Bloodhsanks quickly revive Itka. Jakoby is busy cursing Erastil when her aim suddenly steadies, guided by an invisible hand. It critically cuts through the dream, destroying it. Itka
Don't forget, >Lumna can help< deal damage and also provide a good night's rest + Daily Preparations.
Looks like Erastil is "can choose holy" and you'd like to choose Holy. Go for it. I have no idea how holy/unholy affects your weapons, I'll have to look it up some more. Divine Lance definitely will do holy damage since it has the Sanctified trait.
Looking at Tailwind, it has the specific target of "You", so Auntie Wu can only use the wand on herself. Rangers cannot cast spells by default, they need the Cast A Spell action. Kazuki took a feat that gives him access to a specific spell, but that does not grant access to the Cast A Spell action. The >Trick Magic Item< skill feat will be useful here. Kazuki can try to use the Nature skill to emulate Primal spellcasting. A 2nd Rank wand is a Level 5 item, so I would guess the DC is 20. For a fire-and-forget item like wand of Tailwind that's not too bad. TLDR, Kazuki needs to swap one of his old skill feats to take the Trick Magic Item feat instead to use the wand on himself. Or he can hold onto it until level 8 and get TMI to use the wand. He could also get a Dedication that can cast Primal spells (like Druid or Sorcerer)
Bella and Khiari bow politely as the staff members look down at them as uncultured murder hobos. Both are thinking about snappy retorts but keep quiet. Bella is certain she could demonstrate her agility to the Starwatch Captain. Khiari wonders if she could spin a tale about the First World to the Keeper of Secrets. The First Lady of Laws is such a BORE. Best not to talk to her. Bella could also speak to the Diplomatic Minister and get advice.
Khiari takes a close look at the ring. "Looks kinda small, but I guess it's how you use it."
GM Screen:
Katniss nor Purrlock are able to get much more information. Savan finds a particularly chatty merchant. "Hey there kitty! Between you and me, I think your team name is alright. You Pathfinders are sailors, right? Did you consider Sailor Scouts? Just saying." She bids Savan to lean in close. "I'm also betting on you to win so... the first event is going to be a Tree Climb. You'll want to look for good footholds and maintain your balance without unsettling the top..." She keeps whispering, giving Savan critical advice.
You notice some of the officials are already sledding out of town, en route to the first check point. Others are returning to the town square to officially begin the race. You finish your purchases and return to the starting position. Already the other teams have lined up at the start line. "Come on, slowpokes! Enough tourism for today, you've got a race to win!" The lead official Dahila waves you over as some of the crowd chuckles. "As Balgrid once said, persistence will save the day but speed will keep your butt warm! Good luck to everyone here. We'll see you in four days at the finish line. Now go!" One of the officials makes an arcane gesture and sparkles fly into the air giving a loud POP!
BakBat incinerates the robed man before he can prepare a second fireball. Doc Bloodshanks decides to Delay. The creature in Red sees Isaku and tries to clobber him.
The creature in White pulls out his warhammer and casts magic at Jakoby. She feels her muscles starting to seize up.
Here were the remaining questions from the last time we spoke to Zhi Hui that were not answered or asked: 6) Are we Dead?
◆ Khari Strides through the weeds nipping at her hooves. "Giving fey a bad name, here..." She manages to set up a flank with Bella before preparing a headbutt. ◆ Khiari Strikes!
Bella is poisoned.
Bella prepares a ↺ >Flashy Dodge< if she is attacked.
"Incoming." Splinters fly at Bella and Khiari.
Bella maintains a stiff upper lip even as she makes a misstep on one of the splinters. Then the plants reach up and try to entangle the duo.
Bella agrees and attempts a ◆>Quick Jump<.
She leaps to the opposite side of the Brown creature. "Now, sister!" She calls out.
It takes about 20 minutes for you to find an opening and a way through without alerting the guards. A long hallway leads to a series of locked doors. Each cell contains a smattering of straw on the floor, a thin blanket and a bucket. The smell of filth and misery fills the air. Narcela keeps chatting with the guards outside, trying to convince them to take a quick break. Meanwhile, you find two Ardis Scholars are quite talkative. One is a genial, absent-minded human. "Did you know my name is Venruth Zserle?" He introduces himself. "This is quite unexpected! Do you know Dinetrie's being punished for trying to escape, right? You've found where the workshop is? Where Cetezar's working?" The other one, a male Aiuvarin, interrupts the man. "Of course they don't know that!"—and interrupts you to give his opinion. And he has an opinion on everything. He hates everything. Aslynn. These cells. The Ardis Scholar's poor defenses. Your taste in clothing. The "miniscule" rescue squad sent to rescue someone of his status. Venruth tells you one of the Ardis Scholars was taken to the workshop to create weapons for Aslynn, while another is being punished for trying to escape. "One is still working in the Workshop, while the other is imprisoned in the Onerium. Which one should be freed first?" "Who cares." Bremix grumbles. "You're helping me first, right? Where's the extraction point? We'll wait there for the real rescue squad to arrive."
Congrats GM!
"My dear, have you ever considered cooking your food? Fire goes a long way!"
"Interlopers! Poisonous interlopers!" Bella huffs.
"Besides, they should put the poison in a pestle."
While they've been rambling, Khiari has been trying to understand the nature of the attackers. What are they? How is their Willpower?
@GM: How many actions does it take to activate the key? The original post doesn't say. Hmm, let me rewrite the key's description. The key starts with 10 charges. ↺ The hallajin key offers some protection against electricity and mental punishment; takes 1 charge ◆ The hallajin key can be used to harm an enemy; takes 1 charge ◆◆ The hallajin key can be used to harm an enemy and double the damage OR change the area to a 15 foot cone. Either option takes 2 charges and can't be used again for 1d4 rounds. (10 minutes) The hallajin key offers rest and reset as though one had an entire day to relax, almost like it speeds the passage of time, but doesn't; takes 5 charges (1 minute) The hallajin key transports the wielder across the planes; takes 2 charges Note: None of this works without Lumna and working on fewer charges causes them great pain and distress!
The key's Bulk is L, so you can hang it off of your belt or attach it to a wayfinder. I will say you need to hold it in a hand to actually activate it. In the Netherworld, the radius of all light spells and sources are halved. Any spells with the Light trait need a DC 6 flat check to activate. If the spell has the Darkness or Shadow trait they get a +1 Circumstance bonus to DC and attack rolls with the spell.
"I suspect Shinzo has found a way to interfere with time without raising suspicion." Sigurd ponders. "That or if he explained it to us flat out we wouldn't believe him. We barely tolerate his merchant cover."
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