lostsole31
  
 
    DRAMATIS PERSONAE    
     Character
[Player]
  
  Speech Color  
  AL
  
  Race [Ethnicity]
(Gender ID)
  
  Side #1
  
  Side #2
  
  Faith  
  Campaign Trait  
  Shard Holder  
 
    Iluvar
[Tippnick]
   
   Dark Green
   
 LN 
 Half-Elf [Vudrani]
(m) 
 Inquisitor 9 
 Monk 9 
 Pharasma 
 Favored Son
[Sheriff] 
  Shard of Greed  
 
    Myki
[NPC]
   
   Violet
   
 ?? 
 Elf
(f) 
 Investigator 9
[Lamplighter] 
 Harbinger 6/
Swashbuckler 1
[Inspired Blade]/
Landsknecht 2 
 Bharnarol 
 Black Sheep
[Bitter Noblewoman] 
 -- 
 
    The Scribe
[NPC]
   
   Fire Brick Red
   
 LN (LG) 
 Human
[Chelaxian???]
(m) 
 Epilektoi 8/
Slayer 1
[Bounty Hunter] 
 Bard 2
[Chronicler of Worlds]/
Investigator 1
[Spiritualist]/
Pathfinder Chronicler 4/
LA 2 
 Irori 
 Exchange Agent
[The Tails] 
  Shards of Lust
Shard of Pride
  
 
  
lostsole31
  
 

After the PCs recover the most recent shard of the Sihedron, and the new agents join the group (introductions to be conducted in Discord channel:  #shattered-roleplaying ), communion with the  Shard of Lust  grants them visions of a singular sight: the city of Kaer Maga. In the meeting with Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch (who facilitates the introdution between the O.G. Seekers of the Star and the newcomers) in preparation for the trip, she supplies the PCs with her latest acquisition: a  cracked pink rhomboid ioun stone  with which the PCs can activate the  Shard of Gluttony  when they find it and thus defeat its curse. Sheila also tells the PCs about another Pathfinder agent’s journey to Kaer Maga. This was a man named Eando Kline—currently in exile (although, Sheila quickly points out, she doesn’t agree with the Society politics that led to his banishment). He succeeded in uncovering a valuable  ioun stone  in Kaer Maga, bolstering the place’s reputation as one filled with ancient Thassilonian artifacts, so it comes as no great surprise to Sheila to learn that one of the fragments of the  Shattered Star  lies within the ancient monument-city. Of course, as the PCs draw near to Kaer Maga, the visions that led them there will grow indistinct, just as before with the shards that lay below the Crow and within the Lady’s Light. Once they arrive at Kaer Maga, they need to seek local aid in determining where exactly the  Shard of Gluttony  resides.

The easiest route from Magnimar to Kaer Maga is by river, joining with the extensive traffic that heads east up the Yondabakari River to trade with towns like Wartle, Whistledown, and the other settlements of Lake Syrantula and beyond. Most cargo barges being towed up the river stop at Whistledown—itself a journey of at least 2 months—but a few make the roughly 600-mile trek to the foot of the great cascades where the Yondabakari comes streaming down from the Storval Rise, depositing goods and passengers just a few miles from where Kaer Maga perches on the side of the cliff.

Fortunately for the PCs, the Society doesn’t expect them to spend months riding a slow, donkey-pulled raft up the river. Instead, they’ve arranged for the PCs’ passage aboard the  Lucky Jenny , a halfling trading vessel whose magical paddle wheel is capable of propelling the riverboat up the wide, sluggish river at an astonishing 50 miles per day, getting them to Kaer Maga in just 2 weeks. The captain, one  Othlo Janke  (male halfling), is a middle-aged halfling with a bewhiskered chin, a face weathered from hours of reflected glare off the water, and a penchant for wide-brimmed hats. Having extracted a rather exorbitant sum from the Society for the party’s passage, Captain Othlo is a jolly fellow, and a useful source of information regarding the Yondabakari and everything along its length (his help grants PCs a bonus on related Knowledge [local] checks regarding the region). His crew of three halfling sailors are all escaped indentured servants from Korvosa, and thus more reserved, communicating almost exclusively in Halfling. The  Lucky Jenny ’s speed allows the vessel the luxury of traveling only during the day, and Captain Othlo is fond of stopping at night to camp on solid ground when possible.

The  Lucky Jenny  (named for the donkeys that used to pull the barge before its enchantment) is 60 feet long and blunt-nosed, with several forward cabins for the PCs and Othlo’s stateroom aft. Most of the middle is left open for cargo, and the crew sleeps there or on deck when not on duty at the helm, taking soundings or maintaining the huge magical paddle wheel that extends off the stern. Though the ship is large, all of its rooms and facilities are designed for halflings, leaving human-sized passengers feeling cramped and confined or constantly playing limbo with the ship’s various lines and spars—much to the halflings’ loud amusement.

 

The  Lucky Jenny ’s route takes the PCs up the Yondabakari to the swampers’ stilt town of Wartle, then on to the more bourgeois gnome town of Whistledown on the edge of Lake Syrantula, whose friendly residents are at odds with the weird, haunting melodies played at night by the town’s hundreds of wind chimes. Once across the 100-mile-long lake, the river twists through more heavily settled farmlands, the toll-levying mill town of Melfesh, the communist enclave of Abken, and the Korvosan secessionist haven of Sirathu before finally becoming impassable at the Storval Rise, just miles from Kaer Maga.

 

After many days on the water, the  Lucky Jenny  finally arrives at the bottom of the great cataracts that come pouring down the Storval Rise, a thousand-foot-tall cliff face that slices Varisia nearly in half and separates the fertile lowlands from the rough and craggy Storval Plateau. Othlo and his crew can go no farther. The barge moors to one of the piers
alongside several other ships that have traveled up the Yondabakari to visit the Asylum Stone. Once on foot, most of these travelers head east, taking the long, steep road that follows the Yondabakari up through the narrow crack the river cuts in the cliff wall. A few brave souls even portage canoes and other small boats up the trail.

Othlo, however, points the PCs toward a smaller, less traveled road that breaks away and trails northeast along the bottom of the Rise. He informs them that this is the fastest way to Kaer Maga, and leads just a few miles to the Twisted Door and the bottom of the Halflight Path. Once the PCs are ashore, Othlo and his crew wave and thank them for their business, then quickly turn the riverboat around and speed away with the current back toward Magnimar.

The Scribe informs you that the Halflight Path is the most famous entrance to Kaer Maga, used primarily by those who value speed over safety. From a door in the foot of the Storval Rise, this subterranean tunnel winds its way up through the cliff to emerge near the city entrance called Meatgate. Originally part of the mysterious and extensive dungeon complex beneath the city, the path has had its many branchings carefully bricked up in order to create a single passageway usable by merchants and travelers. This route is maintained by the Duskwardens, Kaer Maga’s elite society of rangers and spelunkers dedicated to keeping the path open and safe, and to keeping the dangerous creatures of Kaer Maga’s Undercity from getting out and terrorizing the city proper. The path is open each day from dawn to dusk, as night is when the Duskwardens cease guiding groups and focus on patrols, explorations, and maintaining the defenses.

The trail from the piers soon terminates in an open field nestled up against the cliff face. Several corrals, hitching posts, and other amenities stand in a rough circle, and a small group of traveling merchants sit queued up in a line at the clearing’s edge. In the center of the clearing, a huge set of bronze double doors stands embedded in the rock face, the portals embossed with strange runes. The runes are in no known language, and anyone who stares for more than a moment at the door discovers that the apparently simple construction plays tricks on the eyes—the gate’s edges subtly twist and warp, so that while all the edges seem straight and simple, anyone attempting to follow one with her eyes or fingers finds herself somehow at a different one, the outer edge becoming the inner one without seeming to twist, and so on.

Standing next to the door is a small knot of authoritative-looking figures carrying weapons and wearing light armor. All are dressed in brown and gray uniforms with a sigil on the right breast—a golden arch against a midnight blue background. These are the Duskwardens. They nod politely to the PCs, and motion them toward the other travelers waiting in line, though they don’t approach unless a PC seems about to try opening the door (in which case they move quickly to intervene).

After a few minutes of waiting, one of the Duskwardens breaks from the group and approaches the PCs. Looking about 30 years old, with a thick brown beard and hard but handsome features, the man introduces himself as Abra Lopati, a member of the Duskwardens. He shakes the PCs’ hands and jovially informs them that as a bunch who look like they can pull their weight, they get to jump to the front of the line. He then waves over several more people waiting in line—a fat merchant named  Bolgar Grumm  (male human) and his strapping but dull-looking teenage sons  Tuggus  and  Marl . Once the merchant family has hauled its cart of trade goods over, Abra lays out the rules for the ascent.

Each of the PCs is charged 2 gp to use the Halflight Path—the bare minimum allowable, Abra assures them—while the merchant with his cart is charged significantly more. Once they pass through the Twisted Door, there is to be no talking unless absolutely necessary, and absolute silence when Abra signals for it. Bolgar, stinging from the fee, looks inclined to object, but Abra emphasizes that while the Duskwardens attempt to keep the path safe, there are still things in the Undercity that they don’t want to risk meeting, and that the whole reason they operate in small groups is to maintain a certain level of stealth, as well as to make it easier to fight in cramped quarters if necessary. At that last addendum, he looks significantly at the PCs.

(The 2 gp has been deducted from each PC's sheet.)

  "Any questions?"   Abra asks.
DrK
 Darius 

Darius grins and nods as he chats to his new adventuring friends, closer now after the long trip on the river. As he joins the crowd and gazes at the doors. At the guards words he looks cautiously at the door.   ”Whats it like in the tunnels? Do we march in the dark? Any advice for what beast we may face?  
lostsole31
 
 Originally Posted by DrK 
 Darius  ..   ”Whats it like in the tunnels? Do we match in the dark? Any advice for what beast we may face?"   
 

  "We have some places that are wide paths, but usually close and cramped. No telling the numerous monsters that might be fought in the Darklands, and our Duskwardens have fought them, believe me. What do you mean by 'match in the dark?'"   Abra asks.
Qazgir
Nodding at the Duskwarden's answer, Jin pipes up, asking "  How long is the climb, and how likely are we to come across any such monsters?  "
lostsole31
Abra nods,   "Good question. Passage through the Halflight Path normally takes two hours, though that merchant's cart may slow us a little, but not more than three hours.  Honestly, we patrol the Path enough to scare off or kill anything that breaks through the many barriers, and we're usually putting those barriers up again. Most large groups like this actually don't attract too much attention because a lot of Darklands creatures smart enough to bother with persistence in getting through barriers know better than to attack a large, armed party. But like any predator, they try to pick off a stray here or there. So, best be on your guard, regardless."  
bcool999
 Genki 

Bowing incrementally to the Duskwarden Abra, Genki asks,   ”Will light deter or attract any creatures who may be in the tunnel?”  
lostsole31
  "Well, of course light would attract them,"   explains Abra.   "But if they are in the tunnels, they broke down our blockages, anyway. Besides, NOT having light means that we move that much slower, and the exertion of untrained in the dark means that people are usually louder as well. So, keep your light sources well and goodly lit for your own protection."  
DrK
 Darius 

Darius listens closely and nods.   "Very well. I hope we have a gentle walk through your caves then Master Abra. I am sure that I can offer suitable aid should something break through your barricades deeper in tunnels."   Looking back to the others he grins, his normally slightly terse manner gone,   "I do like it when we enter the depths. I know that I may be more suited to the classroom, but I must confess this is the part of the job I enjoy the most"  

As they get closer to the door he'll pull the wayfinder dangling from a chain around his neck out from under his shirt, whisper to it and wait for its diffuse a soft light to give him some light within the caves. As he does he does eye the Scribe, Iluva and Telegarana and their shards with no little envy before shaking his head and following the caravan towards the entrance to the tunnels.
Tippnick
  "I believe we are prepared to proceed Duskwarden Abra Lopati. I am not sure if any of my companions want to cast light or any other magical preparations. But we are ready or will soon be"  , Iluvar tries to prompt his party members to cast their spells.
bcool999
 Genki 

Nodding at the guide’s words, Genki focuses his mental energy on a certain tattoo near his eyes. As the energy fills the tattoo, it flashes visibly to those watching and his eyes are left with a soft glow. Genki nods to Iluvar to indicate his readiness.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Manifest Heightened Vision for 3 PP. Darkvision 60ft, 8 hour duration.
 
Qazgir
 Jin 

Jin retrieves a pair of spectacles from a pocket, placing them on his face with a flourish, the lenses glinting unnaturally. He then swipes his buckler in front of himself in a cross shape, and it appears that the face adorning it surface begins to scowl. Finally, he unclasps a bangle on his ankle and moves it to his wrist.   "I believe that is sufficient preparation on my part"   he says.




 
 Spoiler: Magic! 
Cast Heightened Awareness, duration 80 minutes. Cast Bullet Shield, duration 80 minutes. Move least akashic catalyst from feet to wrists.
 
Tippnick
  "Scribe, remind me to buy more torches once we find a place in the city that would be likely to have them"  , Iluvar says worriedly after going through haversack and only finding one.   "I would hate to be stuck on my own with only 1 torch in the dark."  
DrK
 Darius 

Overhearing Ivular's comment about torches Darius reaches back and fishes into his backpack pulling out a stout metal bar with a golden tip. He throws the sunrod to Iluvar,   "Here you go, have a spare, just in case."   He taps his glowing wayfinder,   "I should be okay."  
Tippnick
Iluvar nods in appreciation and stuffs it in his pack. It is obviously an extra dimensional space.
lostsole31
As everyone seems to have asked what they will ask, Abra hands each traveler a small crystal on a thong - an item he calls a  halflight charm . These small magic items glow as bright as a  torch but without the smoke and hassle, and in case of emergencies or   if a traveler becomes separated, the wearer can use it to call for  help.  Though worn about the neck, they do not take up the neck slot.  Once  everyone is wearing one, he nods, swings open the great bronze  gates of  the Twisted Door, and leads them through.

Beyond the Twisted  Door, the Halflight Path is a roughly 15-foot-wide,  15-foot-tall tunnel  that winds up through the cliff at a steep but  manageable slope. The  tunnel begins as a natural-looking cave, with  minimal work done to widen  it, but as it climbs, it passes through  numerous distinct  regions—places where the tunnel has been painted with  crude pictographs  or decorated with elaborately carved pillars and  frescoes, or where it  becomes a mirror-smooth tube or a square-walled  path filled with right  angles, like a labyrinth in which every wrong  turn has been blocked off.  Sometimes it emerges briefly onto narrow  ledges along the cliff face,  and at one point the tunnel even opens up  into a larger chamber where  both walls are carved with elaborate  porticos and balconies, its many  doors and archways all carefully  locked and barred or bricked up  completely. Abra explains that  maintaining the barricades that separate  the Half light Path from the  rest of the passages below Kaer Maga is one  of the Duskwardens’ chief  jobs.

Passage through the Halflight  Path takes 2 hours, with the limiting  factor being Bolgar Grumm and his  hand cart, which takes up most of the  tunnel (filling a 10-foot-square)  and is pulled by his two sons. All  three Grumms are noticeably nervous  in the tunnel, and flinch at every  distant roar or shriek that filters  through the walls. Because it is  absolutely possible to have too much  light, and cause  glare, all PCs  who have (or just gave themselves) darkvision will be  assumed to have  put their charm under their clothing for now. Then,  because glare is  still a bit much, the only ones who have their charm  out and burning  are ALL of the merchants in the back because of fear.  Abra,  interestingly, does not have his own charm lit. The half-elves   (Telgarana and Iluvar) get plenty of light from everyone else so have   their charms obscured. Once you travel a bit, even Bian Jin secures his   light, because there is too much coming from the Grumms,  and the  merchants refuse to put away what, for them, are safety  blankets. But  .... in case of danger, at least you still have them  should you be  separated.

After awhile, you get a new section of  passage. The tunnel here is long  and straight, maintaining its 15'  diameter. On the right wall,  elaborate carvings depicting a falling star  wreaking havoc on a  humanoid populace flank an enormous archway carved  with twining vines  that almost obscure leering skulls. The space inside  the arch has been  crudely bricked up, with many of the bricks broken or  sticking out at  right angles.

As the party passes the archway, Abra pauses to look at the poor brickwork on the barricade and mutters,   “That isn’t right.”

    Surprise Round!  

At that precise moment, the unmortared brickwork explodes outward as a trio of slithering horrors come barreling through.

 Everyone , roll three Will saves. These saves must be rolled in spoilers here in the IC, not Discord.
silphael
Having confirmed her lack of additional questions before leaving, Erima expected something, but is still taken by surprise by it.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Will saves !

  Will  - (1d20+10)[ 17 ] 
  Will  - (1d20+10)[ 29 ] 
  Will  - (1d20+10)[ 26 ] 
 
DrK
 Darius 

Darius has enjoyed the journey, happy to stop in each of the caverns and examine the carvings and reliefs as he waited for the hand cart. As they enter the tunnel he looks at the depiction of the falling star,   ”Interesting, I wonder if it depicts the fall of….”   The slithering beasts end his trail of thought as they attack!

 
 Spoiler: Will saves 

 (1d20+9)[ 16 ] 
 (1d20+9)[ 27 ] 
 (1d20+9)[ 27 ] 
If  roll 3-5 on a save spend 2 IPs and add  (1d8)[ 4 ]  (first save impacted only)
 
bcool999
 Genki 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Will Save1:  (1d20+7)[ 21 ] 
Will Save2:  (1d20+7)[ 19 ] 
Will Save3:  (1d20+7)[ 15 ] 
 
Qazgir
 Jin 

Reacting an instant before the brickwork explodes, Jin readies the Key to the Boneyard.

 
 Spoiler: Saving Throws 

Will Save #1  (1d20+10)[ 21 ] 
Will Save #2  (1d20+10)[ 13 ] 
Will Save #3  (1d20+10)[ 12 ] 
+2 racial bonus on saves vs. disease &amp; mind-affecting effects.
-1 penalty on saves vs. sonic effects &amp; spells.
Reminder, Jin can always act during surprise rounds due to the effects of Impulse Earrings.
 
Tippnick
 Iluvar 
 
 Spoiler: will saves ×3 


Will saves
 (1d20+17)[ 20 ] 
 (1d20+17)[ 25 ] 
 (1d20+17)[ 21 ] 
 
LazarX
Telgarana

 
 Spoiler: Will Saves 


Will Save  (1d20+11)[ 15 ] 
Will Save  (1d20+11)[ 25 ] 
Will Save  (1d20+11)[ 19 ] 


+2 racial vs Enchantments and
+2 insight vsTramutation

immune to sleep
 
lostsole31
 Surprise Round ....

S25:  Monster #1 (Green)  emerges! Everyone feels like some alien presence is attempting to  communicate with them, but the means of communication is such a  disconnect - and this creature's nature so inexplicable in its present  reality - that it gnaws at each of you, melting your resolve!

 S23:   Genki ,  you sense horror and dread all around from these massive creatures,  swirling your mind. What do you do? 
 Spoiler: Clock Watcher 
To be clear,  being able to act normally in a surprise round simply means that you are  allowed to act, even if you otherwise would be surprised ... as in, if  you could act in a surprise round, you may act normal ... per a surprise  round. It does NOT mean that you may act as if in a "normal"  (non-surprise) round in a surprise round.
 
bcool999
 Genki 

Seeing the creatures emerge in close proximity, Genki brings Jade Dragon up defensively in his hands and shifts closer to impede the creatures from threatening more of the group.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
SwA: Spent because Clockwatcher was initiated.
Move Action: Draw Jade Dragon wielding it for two weapon fighting to activate situational defenses (AC 28).
Non-action: 5ft step East adjacent to Green creature.

Forgot that Aegis was a thing. Allies get +2 morale bonus to AC and Will saves within 20ft.
 
lostsole31
 S23:  Seeing the creatures emerge in close proximity, Genki brings  Jade Dragon   up defensively in his hands and shifts closer to impede the creatures  from threatening more of the group, ready for a spinning defense for  himself while barking quick defensive orders to those around him.

 S22-18:   Red and Blue finish their smash through the walls now as well, the same  weird discordant and mentally stultifying effect now compounded.

 S13:   Bian Jin ,  your impulse earrings flash, allowing you to go, but you get the worst  of it, as you are completely overwhelmed with psychic energy and unable  to do anything or respond to your surroundings!

 End Surprise Round, Begin Round One ...

  R1T27:   Iluvar   looks like at himself in horror and anguish, but something on Green  twitches and Iluvar's focus changes, his eyes leveled against Telgarana  with growing, malevolent intent. He calls out while holding his holy  symbol as a life line,    "Pharasma, give me the power to destroy my enemies!"    and instantly he is imbued with power, sacred power of blue-white light limning his fists.

He  does a leaping, spinning hook kick to Erima, but his foot clanks off of  her helmet. He lands in a low crouch, and continues his circular motion  there, knocking Erima off of her feet. A power-focused axe kick from  the monk only gets Erima's armor again. Iluvar quickly focuses, putting  all of his ki and destructive focus into a left fist to knock the wind  out of her, striking her with a light crit to her belly for  18 mod , but she resists the fatiguing effect.

 R1T24:   Red does a twitch of its body, and The Scribe gets into a fighting  stance and looks Bian Jin over, studying him and says something in a  language nobody understands, steps back, and then attacks Bian Jin with  Xin-Rithux  (a silver emanation about its blade), the ranseur being stopped by Bian Jin's yellow robes.

 R1T23:   Genki was able to resist Green, but not the others. He looks like he  might rally and act normally, but Green had redoubled and now Genki is  under the same peril as others. Even then, under the effects of Red and  Blue, as those two seemed momentarily distracted with a focus on Iluvar  and The Scribe, Genki is able to act normally!

 Genki , what do you do?
bcool999
 Genki 

Entering into a martial stance, Genki assesses threats a moment before bursting forth violently at the entity before him. Jade Dragon comes alive in Genki’s hands becoming a whirlwind as it lashes out.

Genki keeps a wary eye on his allies, some obviously being affected by the beings before them and worrying about his own mental state.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
FA: Knowledge Check (with the Free Inspiration) against these creatures.
SwA: Enter Broken Blade Stance
FRA: Full Attack targeting Green primary and Red secondary should Green fall.

First successful Hit will use Entangling Pattern which will minimize disrupt damage on that attack to 10 damage. Target must make DC20 ref save vs Entangled. Genki will also use Dislocating Pattern to any hits with Disrupt Pattern DC 20 will save vs -2 penalty to many checks.

If an attack connects Genki will also Armiger Mark the target giving a penalty to target others.

Main Hand 1: Attack:  (1d20+12)[ 17 ]  Damage:  (1d6+9)[ 12 ]  Bludgeoning +  (1d6+6)[ 9 ]  +  (3d6)[ 17 ]  Disruption
Main Hand 2: Attack:  (1d20+12)[ 17 ]  Damage:  (1d6+9)[ 14 ]  Bludgeoning +  (1d6+6)[ 12 ]  +  (3d6)[ 8 ]  Disruption
Main Hand 3: Attack:  (1d20+7)[ 22 ]  Damage:  (1d6+9)[ 13 ]  Bludgeoning +  (1d6+6)[ 10 ]  +  (3d6)[ 8 ]  Disruption
Off Hand 1: Attack:  (1d20+12)[ 26 ]  Damage:  (1d6+6)[ 7 ]  Bludgeoning +  (1d6+6)[ 8 ]  +  (3d6)[ 10 ]  Disruption
Off Hand 2: Attack:  (1d20+12)[ 13 ]  Damage:  (1d6+6)[ 10 ]  Bludgeoning +  (1d6+6)[ 10 ]  +  (3d6)[ 11 ]  Disruption
Off Hand 3: Attack:  (1d20+7)[ 10 ]  Damage:  (1d6+6)[ 11 ]  Bludgeoning +  (1d6+6)[ 8 ]  +  (3d6)[ 8 ]  Disruption

If Genki needs to make a Will save before next round spend 2 Inspiration as an Immediate Action to add 1d6 to the save.
 
lostsole31
 R1T23:  Entering into a martial stance, Genki assesses threats a moment before  bursting forth violently at the entity before him.  Jade Dragon   comes  alive in Genki’s hands becoming a whirlwind as it lashes out. His first  attack is blocked by the monster as its tail/tentacle (?) holds a short  sword with which it has dedicated to defense. Spinning with his  off-hand, he manages to land a blow in the upper midsection; the staff  itself doesn't seem to do anything, but the monster takes   18 disruption  .  Undaunted, Genki continues his attack sequence, getting blocked once,  and on the return the monster's defense smacks the midsection of the  staff so that it smacks Genki in his nose for  5 + ( 1 bleed ) .  The stinging nose is enough that is other attacks miss. Genki keeps a  wary eye on his allies, some obviously being affected by  the beings before them and worrying about his own mental state.

 R1T22:   Blue, like Green, shifts to a completely defensive nature as the  delicious chaos is given before them. Meanwhile, the mental static it  throws out continues to play havoc. Genki, still in control of himself,  digs deep within to resist.

 R1T19:  Telgarana  looks around in her mental fog and sees the offspring of the enemy of  her people ... an orc on the ground. She is not fooled into thinking  this too vulernable or needing mercy, for all orcs are treacherous. She  draws  Jiyū no yoru , her black blade, and wielding it with one  hand, arcane energy courses along the weapon to make it deadlier and  sharper. For the several new folks from Tian Xia, it is an uncommon  style for a common, focused on one-handed fighting. She attacks the  downed Erima with everything she has in a single stroke of death. While  Erima's armor's reinforced joints don't help, the sheer brawn of her  armor keeps this from being a deadlier stroke as Telgarana only scores a  soft crit to Erima's chest for  26 mod .

 R1T18:  Red, as its fellows, commits to defense as his mental static rages.

 R1T15:   Abra looks like he almost rallied, but blue twitched, and now Abra  focuses on Genki, repositioning south as he takes out his longsword and  completely misses with a two-hand power strike.

 R1T13:   Bian Jin .... treachery! You were right not to trust this "Scribe" who  from his discussion previously is only "tangentially" part of the team.  He must have set up this ambush.  He  must have betrayed his  Pathfinder brothers. And now, two polearm masters commit to see who has  the greater mastery. He burns mental energy in his understanding of  change and his combat prowess to have greater understanding of polearm  fighting, and then commits to a power attack that is easily deflected.

 R1T8:   Darius ,  though overwhelmed by the static, almost gets enough mental leverage to  act normally when Red twitches, and the man realizes that the  Duskwarden - who he just witnessed attack his fellow Pathfinder Genki -  must have lead the group into a trap! He puts his hand on the pommel of  his sheathed blade and gives a longer study of Abra than needed before  drawing his longsword in a flash, cutting a line across Abra's stomach  for  23 . Though his stroke was perfect, Darius noticed  that even with this unbeatable attack, yet Abra was not unaware and was  almost able to defend. He adjusts his placement to be nearer to more of  his fellow betrayed.

 R1T4:  Erima stands, having  been attacked by the faux-lavender tressed half-elf, and the red-eyed  half-elf. Nasty, dirty halfs-elves! Even trying to stand, Iluvar kicked  at her and Telgarana scored another soft crit against her back for  20 mod .

She  has to take down the woman first, for she is more dedicated to the arts  of war than her companion. She looks around quickly, seeing she has not  the room to grow. No room to grow, but she has room to transform. She  steps a little away from Iluvar, her back protected by Bian Jin, and she  tries to concentrate, but her transformation but Telgarana is too  threatening. Worse, when she moved away, Iluvar followed!

The three merchants just sit and babble incoherently to themselves.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T27:   Though overwhelmed by the static, Iluvar's mind fights for normalcy,  but Red's body twitches oddly and now Iluvar has blood on his mind  again, still focused on Telgarana. Knowing her to be a devastating  axe-wielder, he changes from aggressive to defense as he enters a  martial stance. This time, he does a beautiful, leaping crane kick, but  finds only armor, and just as before, he crouches down and scissor-trips  Erima to the deck. He elbows her hand for  1 mod  before popping back up, doing a quick focus and axe kicks her upper arm for  9 mod .

 R2T25:   Green is no longer dedicated to defense, but a wave of energy pulses  out from it. Who knows what malice fills its thoughts, and towards whom?

 R2T24:    "You want me, Bian Jin?"   asks the Scribe,   "then come and get me!"  

Faster than mortal eyes can possibly register, The Scribe moves north, leaping over Erima. As he does so, he slaps Bian Jin for  1 NL   on the top of his head, and continues northwards and into the darkness,  slowing down himself (but still going unbelievably quickly) as his  charm is not activated and he has but human eyes.

 R2T23:   Genki , you take   1 bleed  .  Having been attacked by Abra, the one who led you into this trap, you  move to flank with Darius, whose wroth was also so focused. Genki begins  his withering assault. His first strike rings Abra's bell with a strike  to the man's temple for  21 +  12 disruption     + 2 INT + sickened   + entangled  .

And  yet, so overconfident that his backswing would be just as perfect,  Genki overcommits and completely misses ... as his swing comes right  back around for him to smack himself in the arm for  12 + 10 + pattern dislocated . That doesn't stop the man, though, and he begins his second volley, as he strikes Abra in the belly for  10 +  19 disruption + pattern dislocated  .  Abra blocks the backswing, but Genki just uses the backswing  redirection to crit Abra again, this time crushing his intestines for  16 +  15 disruption + 1 CON    and Abra drops, but Genki can't control himself, using his remaining  two strokes and the power of his dirsuption to completely wreck the  man's body.

 R2T22:  Another wave of energy from Blue as it simply sits there, prepared to defend itself.

 R2T19:   Telgarana adjusts to the south, partly to protect the innocents to the  south from the rampaging orc, and calls upon her black blade to give her  more power. Using arcane power to focus her delivery, she attack the  treacherous pignosed spawn again. It would have been a crippling nerve  strike, but Erima's armor fortifies her against the crit to only take  11 mod , but Telly attacks again against Erima's helm for  9 mod .

 R2T18:  A wave of mental static from Red as it maintains defense.

 R2T13:   Bian Jin ,  furious (and insane), will not let such a humiliating slap go  unanswered! The foolish human ran off into the darkness, where - despite  the shame of his birth - Bian Jin can go freely. As the creepy,  super-sized, eggplant colored monstrosities aren't focused on him, he  simply book it dues north after adjusting the energies from his ring to  his treads. He has to hustle get to where The Scribe is now.

 R2T8:   Darius salutes his fellow Pathfinder for bringing down the traitor, but  as he begins to drool, and think of many wonderful intellectual  theories, he realizes that Abra could not have been acting alone (as Red  twitches), and turns slowly to look at the Pharasmin inquisitor.  Surely, the Pharasmin knows that we will have to rob a few graves to get  to the prize, and always this naysayer would tell us why not. No!

He  shifts to the side of the cavern, getting into a malevolent style to go  with his malevolent stance as he studies Iluvar. He lashes out with a  bewildering display of swordsmanship, but Iluvar recognizes some of the  threat at the last minute, but still getting hit with a hard crit in his  upper left arm for  57 ( +4 bleed ) .

 R2T4:   Erima again tries to stand. Strangely, Iluvar does not attack her this  time, as his focus is now entirely on Darius, who has come to your aid.  Telgararana attacks again with a crit, and again Erima's armor holds  true as she takes a hit in the calf for  11 mod . Erima  ambles away from Iluvar, who does not go after her. Putting all of her  power into her swing, she attacks Telgarana with her axe but completely  misses.

 End Round 2. We Pause for Station Identifiation .... 
lostsole31
 Begin Round 3 ... 
 R3T27:   Iluvar , the mission isn't betrayed,  you   are! You remember the critical skills and combat exercises on the barge  on the way up. You might have to wear away at him, but get the blades  out of Darius' hand, and it will go well for you. It's only then that  the man's cutwork is even more evident as you suffer   4 bleed  .  Iluvar reaches throws a straight jab to the chest, but as he does so  Darius' body flickers multiple times. Iluvar still manages to land the  blow, though, for  12 , and what Darius expected and  defended against didn't even happen. Next is a leaping kick that the  man's armor stops, followed by a quick jab. Then, Iluvar does his real  focused strike to Darius' solar plexus, and it is too late for Darius to  defend as he gets hit in the solar plexus for  12 + stunned , the wind knocked out of him and dropping his sword.

 R3T25:  Green, as before ...

 R3T24:   Xin-Rithux  alights with flame. The Scribe looks at Bian Jiin.   "Better?  You are not a shard-holder. But the two major artifacts down there, and  the one I have, are in peril. Despite friendship, I am inclined to call  those who can hear me to safety, hunting down the enemy in the  aftermath."  
 R3T23:   Genki  suffers   1 bleed  .  He sees the handiwork he put upon the party's duskwarden guide, and  still feels the armiger's mark, but before he can take his vengeance on  the real enemy, Green twitches and Genki beats himself with the center  of his staff for  9  as a means of self-mortification for his murder of another.

 R3T22:  Blue, as before ...

 R3T19:   Telly trips her left wrist sheath as a wand comes into her hand, she  concentrates on a spell that would run over Erima while giving herself  some distance, but the spell fails. She sidesteps to be nearer to  Iluvar.

 R3T18:  Red, as before ..

 R3T13:   Bian Jin ,  you are a full double move just to get to one of these things. Your  mind is once again your own. You don't even feel yourself fighting  against the mental static like you did initially. Do you say anything to  The Scribe? What do you do?

Helpless party members on deck and in the hole ...
Qazgir
 Jin 

Jin closes his eyes and shakes his head vigorously,before reopening his eyes and nodding at the Scribe. Turning towards the creatures, he bangs the butt of the Key to the Boneyard on the cavern floor, filling himself and the Scribe with energy. He advances towards the creatures, wary but ready to defend his comrades.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 

Free: Assess the creatures.
Standard: Cast Haste targeting himself and the Scribe.
Move: Move 35' South and 5' East, to end up in the square 15' N of Genki and 10' NW of Red.
 
lostsole31
 R3T13:  Jin closes his eyes and shakes his head vigorously before reopening his  eyes and nodding at the Scribe. Turning towards the creatures, he bangs  the butt of the  Key to the Boneyard  on the cavern floor,  filling himself  and the Scribe with energy. He advances towards the creatures, wary but  ready to defend his comrades. Even this close, he feels the ebb and  flow of insanity seeking to wear his mind down from these  incomprehensible horrors though his mind does recall something about  them.

 R3T8:  Darius reels, stunned.

 R3T4:   Erima desperately needs defense against that elven sword witch. She  concentrates again quickly, and again Telgarana's magical ways surely  ruin that concentration. In anguish from her prone position she tries a  guarded strike. She surprises herself in that her axe strikes off of  Telly's armor, but that is still not enough.

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T27:   Iluvar , your mind has been slowly, desperately fighting back this whole time, and at last your mind is free! You take   4 bleed  . What do you do?

Green on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar takes stock of everyone's positions and a quick glance at the creatures. Concentrates as he calls on Pharasma to close his wounds and heal him. Then steps through an opening and quickly disappears. 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SwA: inactive his second judgment for Healing
Free action assense the creatures
Drop bane
MA: (su) uses 2 ki to use abundant step 600 feet away back down the path we traveled. (Hopefully not filled with more creatures)If we haven't traveled that far he would appear where there are more Duskwardens)
2nd MA: Reaching into his handy haversack to retrieve a CSW potion.
 
lostsole31
 R4T27:  Iluvar takes stock of everyone's positions and a  quick glance at the  creatures. He concentrates as he calls on Pharasma to close his wounds  and  heal him. Then steps through an opening and quickly disappears.   
 Spoiler: Iluvar 
That was the first time you've ever managed that. You've  meditated on the mysteries for years, and it finally succeeds. What you  didn't expect, however, was just how jarring the trip would be. When  you get to a landmark you remember several hundred feet back, it is all  you can do to steady yourself, and don't grab your potion like you had  expected. That jarring also took you out of Crane Style.
 

 R4T25:  The mental static from Green continues.

 Jin ,  Genki ,  Telgarana ,  Darius , and  Erima  .... all of you roll Will a single Will save in a spoiler, below.
silphael
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Text to be able to roll

  Will  - (1d20+10)[ 21 ] 
I have Stalwart if it matters.
 
DrK
 Darius 
 
 Spoiler: Will Save 

 (1d20+9)[ 21 ] 
Spend 2 IPs as well if the d20 is &lt; 15  (1d8)[ 1 ] 


EDIT: Well that was a shocking lack of inspiration
 
Qazgir
 Jin 
 
 Spoiler: Will Save 

 (1d20+10)[ 26 ] 
+2 racial bonus on saves vs disease &amp; mind-affecting effects.
-1 penalty on saves vs. sonic effects and spells.
 
bcool999
 Genki 
 
 Spoiler: Will Save 
 (1d20+7)[ 19 ] 
 
LazarX
 
 Spoiler 


Will Save

 (d20+11)[ 24 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R4T25:  The mental static from Green continues.

Meanwhile,  a thin mist - not one that necessarily hinders or obscures vision -  rises up in the middle of the hallway. None of the already insane people  are affected, but someone came in with a (re-)"fresh"(-ed) mind, and  while nothing particular is happening, he feels like this mist is  sapping his will, making it very hard to focus his thoughts and be wary  of his surroundings.

 R4T24:   The Scribe comes flying in from the north  along the western wall, comes off it so as not to collide with Darius  and for a brief second he is in the middle of the hallway. For the  shortest moment, he seems to have to realign from breathing in the mists  but finally rallies, and with  Xin-Rithux  he stabs both Green and Blue  20 +  1 fire   before he continues well south.

 R4T23:  Genki takes   1 bleed  . He performs self-harm again for  4 .

 R4T22:  Static from Blue continues. Iluvar, The Scribe, and Bian Jin are too far to be affected. Genki no longer needs to roll.

 Darius ,  Telgarana , as before ... Roll a Will save in spoilers  here in Giants  please. This is a crucial save. As before you cannot "do" anything to increase the save (like inspiration).
DrK
 Darius 
 
 Spoiler: Will save 

Always with some trepidation when GM says it’s a critical save

 (1d20+9)[ 11 ] 

No conditional mods I’m aware of
 
LazarX
 
 Spoiler: Will Save 

 (d20+10)[ 28 ]    +2 vs enchantment/charm  +2 vs transmutation
 
lostsole31
 R4T22 (Cont'd):  Now with Bian Jin's will completely  eroded, he succumbs yet again to the mental static as before. Another  mist forms in the hallway even as Blue scuttles back from the entrance.

 R4T19:   Telgarana  roll a Will save!
LazarX
Telgarana


 
 Spoiler: Will Save 
  (d20+10)[ 24 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R4T19:  Telgarana is too wrapped up in her own mental  schism to be bothered by anything like will-sapping mist. She cuts  herself with the edge of her super-sharp sword for  9 .

 R4T18:  Static from Red ....

 Bian Jin  and  Telgarana , please roll a Will save!
LazarX
Telgarana's will save

 
 Spoiler: Yet Another Will save 
  (1d20+10)[ 25 ]    +2 vs charm +2 vs transmutation
 
lostsole31
 R4T18:  Telgarana finally breaks free fully from the  grasp and Red, recognizing a free agent on the field, sends a mental  image directly into Telly's mind. Having long ago worked through her  fears, she is completely unbowed by the attempt to slayer her from  within her own mind.

 R4T13-11:  Jin feels  himself valiantly repel the static screen and imagines himself slaying  the creatures. Meanwhile, the creature he goes to vanquish that he  thinks is one of these big, eggplant-colored slugs ... is actually  Genki! He switches the energy in his earrings, which has him briefly  slur for a second or two, but he is still in control of timing after  that, and now his gauntlets and polearm's blade roils with even more  violent energy. Remembering ... something about .... what he sees, he  goes for normal precision rather than focused aggression or defense. All  three attacks sent, and all three rebuffed.

 R4T8:   Darius cleared his head several seconds earlier, early enough to see  the coward Iluvar leave. He picks up his sword, takes a quick study of  Genki, steps forward to give a falcon strike but it is a clumsy miss.

 R5T4:   Erima , roll three Will saves!

Iluvar on deck, Green in the hole ...
lostsole31
 R5T4:  Erima stands, but Telly has a sense of what is  afoot, and is careful not to take advantage of Erima's vulnerability,  which would send her back into a death spiral.  Erima looks at first  like she's about to cry out in anguish and hurt herself, but Telly sees  Blue twitch and knows what to expect. Or at least, she thought she  would, for there is a sound of snakes hissing all about, which then  begins to concentrate as coming from Erima as the half-orc now sees  Telly almost in a doubled-vision to help guide her blows to greater  brutality.

Erima launches an attack with her greataxe, but Telgarana's defense is peerless. She  redirects the blade from her and performs a riposte right to Erima's  chest for  8 mod .

 End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T27:   Iluvar , from hundreds of feet away and with no sense of the battlefield or its changes, you take   4 bleed  .  You have destruction and healing judgments - perfect for a Pharasmin  who operates in life and death. But not operating in battle right now,  those judgments (incl. healing) are dormant. As mentioned before, this  was the first time ever using that power successfully, and you weren't  ready for its effects. Also, you are no longer in Crane Style as you  weren't really focusing after that. You never got your potion out as  intended. What do you do?

Green on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar fumblles a bit in the sudden change of light. His eyes adjusting. He reaches into his pack and brings out a potion vial.


 
 Spoiler: healing 

SwA: if possible  changes destruction judgment to purity
MA: Reaches in handy haversack to get CSW potion
2nd MA: Drink said potion
Potion healing
 (3d8+5)[ 15 ]   Healing

 
 
lostsole31
 R6T27:  Iluvar fumblles a bit in the sudden change of  light. His eyes adjusting, he realizes that not being in a combat he can  neither call upon nor adjust his current judgment. He reaches into his  pack and brings out a potion vial and downs it, receiving   15 healing  .

 R6T25:  A burst of mental static from Green and inches back some from the opening.

  Jin   &amp;  Telgarana  need to make Will saves (here or in Discord is fine).

 Telgarana ,  ONLY IF you succeed at that save will another attack come in, so roll a  second Will save, and just in case, follow that up with a Fort save.
LazarX
 
 Spoiler: A Three Course Meal of Saves 


+2 racial vs Enchantments +2 insight vs Transmutations

Will Save :  (1d20+10)[ 20 ] 

Will Save 2:  (1d20+10)[ 14 ] 

Fort Save:  (1d20+11)[ 26 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R6T25:  It is a hell of a battle, but finally, Telly is worn down and her mind succumbs yet again to the mental static.

 R6T24:   The Scribe sees that mist, and knows what it likely is. He takes out a  wand and uses it on himself while looking for inspiration. He studies  Erima and calls out,   "Telly, it  looks like Erima is lost to us. I would say you should bring her my way  so we can knock her out. If she attacks, use non-lethal attack, if  possible."  

Of course, The Scribe doesn't realize that Telly herself just redescended into the mental scrum herself.

 R6T23:  Genki takes   1 bleed  . He suddenly begins to move at an increased rate and makes a vicious spinning kick to Darius, missing.

 R6T22:   Blue's static goes outward. Meanwhile, it moves back forward, even  crossing Green's track so it can sight the troublemaker to the south.  The Scribe seems to grit with mental energy resisting something, but it  passes quickly.

 R6T19:  Telly quickly tries to  perform self harm rather than hurt Erima again. She still carries that  guilt of the reflexive defense, and can't bear ... can't bear ... (Green  twtiches). Telgarana the destoyer has returned, her face and mind set  on murder of the foolish half-orc. She is very careful with  concentration this time, as with one hand she throws colored sand out at  Erima, though the latter resists the strobing effect easily enough. But  that wasn't the real attack, just a visual distraction as her katana is  given a draw cut across the back of Erima's knee for  14 mod , and then a cut across the side of Erima's belly for  12 mod .

 R6T18:   Mental static from Red, and it moves forward to the lip of the entrance.

Once  more, mist rises up in the hallway, this time to the south. The Scribe,  figuring it was going to go for maximum dispersal, was ready for it.

 R6T11:  Jin adjusts to flank with Darius and attacks Genki, who in turn attempts and fails an acrobatic counter. The  Key to the Boneyard  makes its first inauspicious strike as Genki is struck in the lower chest for for  16 +  4 cold  +  3 electricity  +  6 sonic  . On his second attack, Genki ducks and strikes in a critical chi line for   1 CON  . The third attack is, amazingly, deflected by Genki's toughened skin.

 R6T8:  Darius claims Genki. He switches to a one-handed stance, and then quick draws his kukri across Genki's chest for  41 .

 R6T4:   Erima steps away from Telgarana ... finally. The sound of hissing  snakes from without and finally centering on Erima is once again heard.  She shifts and becomes a lot larger, but not as large as she could so  she can maintain her distance from Telly. She swings downward, and it is  obvious now that she is trying to shatter the black blade. Telly sees  through this and simply does a twirling dodge deflecting it more out of  irritating her foe than needing the parry.

 End Round 6, Begin Round 7 ...

R7T27:   Iluvar , what do you do? You are no longer bleeding, though still badly wounded.

 Jin , roll two Will saves (static from Blue and Red).
Tippnick
Iluvar casts a healing spell and begins moving towards his compatriots .
 
 Spoiler: healing 


SA: casts cure moderate wounds
 (2d8+8)[ 18 ]  healing
MA: move 50 feet towards the battle
 
lostsole31
 R7T27:  Iluvar casts a healing spell on himself (  18  ) and begins moving towards his compatriots.

 R7T25:  Green sends out a wave of static, but otherwise prepares to defend itself.

 R7T24:  The Scribe puts his wand away and zooms just off the north end of the map. He takes a big breath as his mental energies realign.

 R7T23:  Genki takes   1 bleed    and recovers his balance. With the kukri in his off-hand, it throws off  Darius' defensive combat. It was fine for a cheap attack, but he didn't  have the werewithal to toss the kukri when done and is now more  vulnerable. Genki cracks the professor in the head for  20 +  18 disruption + entangled  . Genki's return strike hits Darius in the back for  20 +  16 disruption    to drop the professor. He steps up to Bian Jin to get blocked on the  leading strike but the return strike hits his fellow Tian in the jaw for   11 +  9 disruption  . His final two strikes are blocked.

 R7T22:  Mental static from Blue as it moves back some and gives Green space to maneuver. Blue prepares to defend itself.

 R7T19:   Telly ,  roll three Will saves (mental static from all three). If you manage to  make all three saves and regain control of your mind, what do you do?

Red on deck, Bian Jin in the hole ...

 Bian Jin , please roll three Will saves (static from Green and Blue, and then Red, as it goes before you).
Qazgir
 Jin


  
 Spoiler: Will Saves Galore 

Will Save 1:  (1d20)[ 4 ] 
Will Save 2:  (1d20)[ 19 ] 
Will Save 3:  (1d20)[ 1 ] 
+2 racial bonus on saves vs. disease &amp; mind-affecting effects
-1 penalty on saves vs. sonic effects &amp; spells
 
LazarX
 
 Spoiler: Another set of will saves}

[roll0 

 (d20+10)[ 11 ] 
 (d20+10)[ 13 ] 

+2  racial vs enchantment  +2 insight vs transmutation

In the highly unlikely event that I make all 3 will saves I will use all actions to head back out of the mist and these bloody snakes are of influence. After using up my standard and move actions I will trigger my Quickrunner shirt for another move action if needs be to get out of this area.
 
lostsole31
 R7T19:  Telly doesn't even hesitate with other thoughts  of action, stepping right up to Erima to strike her with as much focus  and power as she can manage, striking Erima through a crack in her  armor's upper right arm for 20 mod, dropping her half-orc rival.

 R7T18:  Static from Red, who drifts back and prepares for any incoming attack.

 R7T11:   Jin is likewise focused on attack, moving back and striking Genki in his right thigh for  17 +  6 cold  +  3 electricity  +  2 sonic  . This drops Genki, but then Jin continues, ravaging Genki's body with the  Key to the Boneyard .

 End Round 7, Begin Round 8 ...

R8T27:   Iluvar , what do you do, so many hundreds of feet away?

Green on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...

 Jin  and  Telly , roll a Will save (Red's static).
Qazgir
 Jin


  
 Spoiler: Will Saves 

Will Save:  (1d20)[ 13 ] 
+2 racial bonus on saves vs. disease &amp; mind-affecting effects
-1 penalty on saves vs. sonic effects &amp; spells
 
LazarX
 
 Spoiler 



Telgarana's Will Save

 (d20+10)[ 13 ]   +2 racial vs enchantment/charm  +2 insight vs Tranmutation
 
Tippnick
Iluvar moves forward after casting another healing spell.

 
 Spoiler: healing 


Casts cure moderate wounds
 (2d8+8)[ 17 ]  of healing to himself.
Then moves 50 feet closer
 
lostsole31
 R8T27:  Iluvar moves forward after casting another healing spell.

 R8T25:  Static from Green.

 R8T24:  The Scribe moves in for an attack run. He still moves very quickly with the  haste   spell, but not quite at an impossible rate of speed. His ranseur  impacts through a magical shield and off of Blue's scales. Before Blue  can counter, The Scribe is already past Telgarana and to the south,  resisting the last of the mists he has breathed in.

 R8T22:  Static from Blue, but Jin is to far away. Blue moves fully out into the hallway, rolling over Abra's body.

 R8T19:   Telly , roll three Will saves (Red and Blue's static, and then an AoE mental attack from Blue).

 Jin , roll a single Will save (Red's static).
Qazgir
 Jin 
 
 Spoiler: Will Save 

Will Save:  (1d20)[ 10 ] 
+2 racial bonus on saves vs. disease &amp; mind-affecting effects
-1 penalty on saves vs. sonic effects &amp; spells
 
LazarX
 
 Spoiler 


Will Saves   +2 vs enchantment/charm effects  +2 vs transmuttion

 (d20+10)[ 26 ] 
 (d20+10)[ 20 ] 
 (d20+10)[ 16 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R8T19:  As if listening to voices whispered inside her,  Telly looks at Erima. To any normal person, Erima would be vanquished,  but a hissing sussuration in her mind tells her that her enemy is not  yet defeated. She performs a coup de grace on Erima, using a weapon  uniquely designed for just such a task. Erima's head is removed, and her  body returns to normal size, and her crystalline axe shatters to a  hundred crumbling pieces.

 R8T18:   Static emits  from Red, though at the time only Telgarana's mind feels it. Red comes  out of its hole and mental energy enters into Bian Jin's mind.

 R8T11:   Bian Jin , roll a Will save, followed by a Fort save!

 Telly , roll a Will save (Red's static)!

Iluvar on deck, Green in the hole ...
Qazgir
 Jin 
 
 Spoiler: Saves 

Will Save:  (1d20)[ 9 ] 
Fort Save:  (1d20+11)[ 16 ] 
+2 racial bonus on saves vs. disease &amp; mind-affecting effects
-1 penalty on saves vs. sonic effects &amp; spells
 
lostsole31
 R8T11:  Some of the insane received mercy when they were  killed. But for Bian Jin, it is horror, not mercy. A monster straight  out of his homeland's collective nightmares appears and attacks him ...  in his mind. Outside of his mind, Bian Jin screams in high-pitched  terror before his heart stops and he falls down stone dead.

 End Round 8, Beginning Round 9 ...

R9T27:   Iluvar ,  in the distance you hear a scream that carries and echoes in the  tunnel. It was the sound of a man (or woman) pushed beyond the possible  bounds of terror. What do you do?

 Telly , roll a Will save (Red's static)!

Green on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar steels himself to either fight these monsters or his friends. He casts a spell and the concentrates and steps through a portal.

 
 Spoiler: let's go 

SA: Divine favor
SwA: (if possible enter crane style, if not will wait)
MA: abundant step to 20 feet south of the creatures where he last saw them
 
lostsole31
 R9T27:  Iluvar steels himself to either fight these  monsters or his friends. He  casts a spell, gets into a fighting stance,  and then concentrates as he disappears from his current spot ... to a  spot where he sees scenes of death and current combat. He is just  outside a hallway filled with mist that extends southwards as far as the  glare from so many halflight charms allow him to see. Only Telly and  The Scribe stand well to the south, though he does not know there state.  As for himself, that style of travel is so jarring that it takes him  out of stance.

 R9T25:  More mental static from Green to wash over  Telly. Green then comes out into the passageway, "hustling" in its  slug-like movements over dead bodies.

 R9T24:  The Scribe looks at the dreadful scenes of  death. He sees Iluvar appear to the north, and the hallway now  obstructed by these accursed things. He keeps his position, and at the  top of his lungs begins orating a famous Pathfinder story that Iluvar  has heard before, steeling Iluvar's limbs with vigor and courage. He  doesn't close, though.

 R9T22:  Mental static from Blue washes over Telly and  Iluvar's mind. It then waves the short sword in its tail-tentacle  defensively as it drifts way back into the side passage.

 R9T19:  Without missing a beat Telly is focused on  killing, and with Blue having moved away, there's a man to the south  with a big staff that needs to die. She casts  shocking grasp  on  her blade and closes on the Scribe. He tries to disarm her but it is a  weak attempt. As she stands before him she uses arcane power to focus on  his weaknesses, but even with that, he senses her psychological  weaknesses and blocks the attack.

 R9T18:  Mental static washes out from Red to roll over Iluvar. It moves out into the hallway over bodies, and is very defensive.

 End Round 9, Begin Round 10 ...

R10T27:   Iluvar , roll one Will save save (Red's static)!  Then, I need you to roll one Will save pre-emptively for the static  you'll receive from Green. What do you do?

 Telly , roll three Will saves (Red, Green and Blue's static)!
LazarX
 
 Spoiler 



Will Saves   +2 vs enchantment/charm effects  +2 vs transmuttion


 (d20+10)[ 28 ] 
 (d20+10)[ 27 ] 
 (d20+10)[ 11 ] 
 
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: will saves 

 +6 vs enchantments
 (d20+17)[ 22 ]  vs red
 (d20+17)[ 22 ]  vs green
 (d20+17)[ 25 ]  vs green
 

Iluvar calls out to the Scribe and Telgarana,   "This does not look good. What is the plan?"  


He then concentratrates and jumps through the air to attack green.

 
 Spoiler: om the attack 

Swa: bring up the purity judgement
FRa: flurry of blows
Flying kick stunning fist
 (d20+17)[ 19 ]  dc 19
Damage  (d10+5)[ 14 ] 
 (d20+17)[ 37 ] 
Damage  (d10+5)[ 8 ] 
Iterative
 (d20+12)[ 32 ] 
Damage  (d10+5)[ 10 ] 
 
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: crits 

Iluvar has the crit threats

 (d20)[ 17 ] 
 (d20)[ 6 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R10T27:  The Pharasmin monk's judgments return,  including FH3, though he quickly takes a measure to mentally ask for  different blessings. Iluvar calls out to the Scribe and Telgarana,   "This does not look good. What is the plan?"  

He then concentrates and jumps through the air to attack Green. His  power was almost lost, and it seems Green was defending with everything  it could. and blocks the attack. Iluvar  leaps upwards with an elbow to  rattle its skull for  15 mod , then a snap kick for a second but softer crit for  6 mod .  It's then that Iluvar realizes this strange mist has a deleterious  effect, but he is able to resist that as well. It is pretty definite  that while he is throwing out some powerful punches, even his crits are  having significantly reduced effects.

  "They're aberrations, Iluvar!"   the Scribe calls.

 R10T25:   Mental static flares out from Green, and Iluvar resists handily. With  Iluvar standing so close, he notes that the monster's wounds are  knitting (  FH5  ). It moves back a few feet, and piercing mental energy attacks Iluvar, but he resists this as well.

 R10T24:  The Scribe continues his oration, but peppers in what he can with shouts from down the hallway.   "Spell  resistant. They can modify impulses of the insane to suit their needs.  Immune to mental effects themselves as well as poison. Can use any  magical or psionic item expertly."  

All of this  verbosity succesfully served to act as a good fake-out, but The Scribe  still failed his intended action ... as he tried to reach in from the  top of Telly's clothing to grab the lanyard that has the  Shard of Greed ,  but even then he was unlucky or she is too good (likely the latter).  Still at blinding speed, he hops up on top of the merchant cart, moves  to the other side, hops down from the forward end, rushes forth across  bodies - all the while acrobatically to keep out of reach of the elven  swordswoman and seugathi, and finally a vicious strike against Green  that seems to just drift right through its hardened defenses to hit it  for  15 +  6 fire  .

  "Iluvar, flank!"  
 R10T22:  Blue moves up to the edge of the side passage, and its tentacles wave. Iluvar feels his  divine favor  spell ripped from him.

  "We've got to..."   the Scribe begins again.

 R10T19:   With The Scribe having tried to steal a valuable artifact from Telly,  she is having none of it and she charges him. With her off-balance on  the charge, he just manages to trip her.

 R10T18:   Mental static from Red. It uses a wand in its tail to fire several  bolts of arcane force at The Scribe, but the monster is enraged when it  realizes that human is protected by a  shield  spell, completely nullifying the attack.

 End Round 10, Begin Round 11 ...

R11T27:   Iluvar , you need to make one Will save (Red's static). Meanwhile,   FH3  . What do you do?

 Telly , roll five Will saves (Redx2, Green &amp; Blue's static .... and finally Red's passive AoE effect)!
Tippnick
Iluvar moves to the south west quickly to flank aberration and launches his attack.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

Will save +6 vs enchantments + 2 for purity (not added)
 (d20+17)[ 20 ] 


SwA: activate bane aberration
5ft step to the SW for the flank
FRA: Flurry of blows: flanking: bane (not added)
 (d20+17)[ 36 ] 
Damage  (d10+5)[ 12 ] 
Bane  (2d6)[ 6 ] 
Precise Strike  (d6)[ 3 ] 

Flurry
 (d20+17)[ 19 ] 
Damage  (d10+5)[ 11 ] 
Bane  (2d6)[ 8 ] 
Precise Strike  (d6)[ 3 ] 

Iterative
Roll]d20+12[/roll]
Damage  (d10+5)[ 7 ] 
Bane  (2d6)[ 3 ] 
Precise Strike  (d6)[ 2 ] 
 
LazarX
 
 Spoiler 



Will Saves   +2 vs enchantment/charm effects  +2 vs transmuttion


 (d20+10)[ 25 ] 
 (d20+10)[ 13 ] 
 (d20+10)[ 26 ] 
 (d20+10)[ 29 ] 
 (d20+10)[ 25 ] 

really?
 
lostsole31
 R11T27:  Iluvar stumbles a step, and it is his purity  judgment that saves him from damnation. He moves to the southwest  quickly to flank the aberration and launches his attack. He demi-voltes  into a low crouch facing away to give a low elbow to the seugathi for  11 mod ;  attempts a high chagi kick over his shoulder that gets deflected, and  then spins back around for a right jab that is likewise deflected as  Green was focused on defense.

  "...either save Telgarana..."   continues the Scribe.

 R11T25:   Green's mental static flows outwards. This time, the continued assault  even against so mighty a mind as Iluvar's cannot take the pressure and  Iluvar feels the static. 😦 Green then concentrates, and rips away the  haste  effect on The Scribe. The Scribe can't help but let out a little chuckle.

 R11T24:   The Scribe stops speaking to Iluvar, realizing that Iluvar's demeanor  has changed, though he continues his oration for himself. He switches to  a less defensive stance for speed, and begins more acrobatic  legerdemain. Instead of going around, he jumps up on Red, rolls over its  back to the east and then south until he attacks with his ranseur  simultaneously at Red and Telly, even though Red is 15' away. The  dual-attack fails, but he does command the attention of the room.

 R11T22:   Mental static from Blue. Seeing Green tear away something of magic,  Blue uses its wand on The Scribe, only to find that whatever magic was  taken, it wasn't the  shield  spell.

 R11T19:   Telly seethes, recovering from the charge and then standing. The Scribe  tries to disarm her but fails miserably and has to drop his polearm.  Xin-Rithux '  light gutters out now that it is no longer held, though that at least  cuts down on glare in the passage. She steps forward to attack with a  single devastating stroke, but the sword glances off of his mithral  shirt without discharging.

 R11T18:  Mental static from Red ...

 Telly ,  roll eight Will saves .... Red static; Green static; Blue static; Red's  passive AoE effect; Red's second static; Green's second static; Blue's  second static; Finally, Red's most recent static that ends this round.
lostsole31
 R11T18:  Mental static from Red ... along with the  continuous onslaught she's received from these inconceivable horrors,  Telly's mind finally and fully snaps, and she laughs maniacally.

 End Round 11, Begin Round 12 ...

  R12T27:  Iluvar (  FH3  )  tries to control his ailing mind with prayers to the Gray Lady, but (as  Green twitches), the mental torture is too much and he tries to control  himself through physical pain, doing  6  to himself.

 R12T25:  Static from Green as it slugs over dead bodies back into the side passage, and just barely manages to finally tear away the  shield  spell from The Scribe.

 R12T24:  The Scribe continues his stories of  Pathfinders old. He fails again to grap the lanyard from the prone Telly  and then zooms south while he can just to the very edge of the dim  light, dodging so as not to get his ankles cut.

 R12T22:  Static from Blue, and bolts of arcane force follow The Scribe to hit him squarely this time.

 R12T19:   Telly  recovers from her charge and stands and turns on the slug, only to hurt herself for  7 .

 R12T18:  Static from red as it goes into the side passage, and then with its wand also zaps The Scribe with three bolts.

 End Round 12, Begin Round 13 ...

R13T27:   Iluvar , you get   FH3  . You need to roll three Will saves (static from all three). If you succeed on all three, what do you do?

Green on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: crucial will saves 

Static will saves
Red
 (d20+17)[ 24 ] 
Green
 (d20+17)[ 34 ] 
Blue[d20+17[roll]
 



Iluvar shouts to scribe   "I will try to get the piece she brought with her!"   Hopefully in a code they aberrations do not understand.

He moves to the northwest of his friend, fellow half-elf, fellow survivor of their adventures in Korvosa.   "I hope the Gray Lady directs you fast to your final rest."  
 
 Spoiler: steal the thing 


SwA: Change healing judgment to justice
MA: move 30 feet south (plan is to be nw of Telly) in reach of the amulet and a valuable staff.
SA: Steal the amulet off her neck
 (d20+13)[ 15 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R13T27:  A few seconds prior was but an errant run in Iluvar's  mind. This time, his mind easily rallies against all three of the  seugathi. Iluvar shouts to The Scribe,   "I will try to get the piece she brought with her!"    Hopefully the aberrations do not understand the surface common of  Taldane, but given their telepathic prowess, there is poor hope in that.

He moves to the northwest of his friend, fellow half-elf, and fellow survivor of their adventures in Korvosa.   "I hope the Gray Lady directs you fast to your final rest."  

She was focused to the south and on herself when his hand reaches around  to grab the shard on the lanyard under her tunic. She spins around and  easily bats his clumsy attempt away, though he likewise deflects her  riposte.

 R13T25:  Green's static washes out, and Iluvar is almost caught  off guard, having to fight with his great purity to maintain himself. A  wave of area mental energy hammers around Iluvar, but while it stirs up  the same type of confusion, it is of a lower order than the static and  Iluvar easily ignores it. It moves out into the hallway.

 R13T24:  The Scribe continues his inspiration, hoping the echoes  of the hallway do not diminish anything for Iluvar. He takes out his  wand, and has to really pull upon a prayer to make it work to give him  another use of  shield . He steps forward a few feet, but more behind the cart. His wounds from getting list up by magic start to show ( 15 ).

 R13T22:  Blue's static is like Green's ... and Iluvar feels his  entire nervous system overwrought and jittery from the effort to ignore  the indescribable cacophony in his mind. Iluvar might not have noticed  it before, but as the last wound Blue had suffered seals up, Iluvar is  suddenly struck with the realization that the monsters have a healing  factor he was unaware of. Blue moves forward and with its fellows it  blocks the northern and side passageways. Blue does a directed mental  attack, just like Green did, but at this point it is more pathetic than  attritive against the powerful monk's mind.

 R13T19:  As of the last of the extra "oomph" her weapon had given  her goes away, Telly says something in a foreign language to her sword.  The faint thrum of power restarts and even more visible arcane energy  transfers from Telly to her black bladed katana. But that energy she  just put into her sword must be something, because her nose begins to  bleed and her features seem flushed. Her sword is now wreathed in flame,  practically roaring and crackling. She doesn't go for power, but she  does go for penetrating accuracy as she makes a direct stab into  Iluvar's stomach for  21 +  6 fire  . She then steps to the south to cut off a straight-run retreat.

 R13T18:  The static from Red is easily ignored. Yet another  directed mental attack against Iluvar, which he again ignores. And now Red moves out into the  hallway, seemingly cutting off retreat, unless Iluvar were to run deep  into the seugathi's own home side passage.

 End Round 13, Begin Round 14 ...

R14T27:   Iluvar , what do you do?

Green on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: crunch time 

SwA: change band to elf
SA: steal amulet from Telgarana's neck
 (d20+13)[ 18 ]  (justice and bane not added)
MA: If successful abundant step 200 feet south: if not: will adopt crane style: if that is not possible then will 5 ft step to the north
 
lostsole31
 R14T27:  Iluvar, committed now, focuses on defeating his  now-enemy, his fellow half-elf Telgarana. While she successfully repels  him, she seems too tired to be able to parry and riposte, which would  be her normal tactic. This tells Iluvar that her arcane well is empty,  and that is just what's on her blade now. He goes into Crane Style.

 R14T25:  Iluvar ignores Green's static, and then the directed mental attack. Green moves closer a few feet.

 R14T24:   The Scribe continues his oration and studies Telly. He puts his wand  away, but also speed zips to flank with Iluvar to trip Telgarana. He  grimaces before he does it, but curb stomps Telgarana with a crit to her  thinky bits for  29 + 1 INT .   "Iluvar, you get that shard, you go  north  as far as you've been or can see, and then open datum. Don't go backwards."  
 R14T22:   Mental static from Blue, which is ignored easily by Iluvar, though the  Scribe struggles some. Blues closes off all lines of escape for Iluvar  that don't involve jumping over the fallen half-elf. A directed attack  washes over Iluvar and The Scribe.

 R14T19:  Telgarana goes to stand. Iluvar snap kicks her arm for  22   while she deflects The Scribe's attack. It's at this point that Iluvar  realizes that he is being flanked by Telly and Green. She slashes, deep  into his hand, right in between the index and middle fingers of his left  hand and her fiery katana flares up spectacularly for  25 +  7 fire  . Iluvar cries out in pain and distress.

The Scribe's eyes go wide,   "Iluvar, go!"  
 R14T18:  Mental static and directed mental attack from Red, even as it inches a little southwards, leaving a slight physical gap again.

 End Round 14, Begin Round 15 ...

R15T27:   Iluvar , what do you do?

Green on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...
Tippnick
  "Datum?"  ,Iluvar questions.

 
 Spoiler: The Endgame 

SA: Steal
 (d20+13)[ 21 ] 
if successful MA: abundant step 80 feet north
If not SwA: to change justice to Healing
 
lostsole31
 R15T27:    "Datum?"   Iluvar  questions as he tussles with Telly in trying to steal that artifact.  Finally, with a distraction from The Scribe, Iluvar is successful! He  disappears from sight.

Sounds of anguished, unearthly screams. He hears something coming up the passageway in the dark, but now he, too is in the dark. Before reactive punches are thrown, Xin-Rithux lights up in The Scribe's hands.   "Quickly, let's begone from this bedeviled pit!"  
lostsole31
Iluvar couldn't help notice that The Scribe is alive and fighting off death, though the monk learned long ago that is a  very  misleading reading on his deathwatch eyes. A seasoned adventurer could have a light wound and be far, far from falling over, but either from a reduction in luck, a little bit of battle exhaustion, or perhaps a solid contusion or cut ... that's as fine a reading as his magic item can give on living creatures. That was never its purpose, of course, as it was more for those who are dead, dying, undead, or other.

After walking for a little bit, using only the light of The Scribe's flaming ranseur rather than the halflight charms, The Scribe says, trying to muster some compassion as he often comes off clinical.   "Iluvar .... we should stop for just a second. You are in a bad way, my friend. Have you healing for yourself?"  

When Iluvar looks at The Scribe, the reading has changed, as The Scribe is no longer "fighting off death," but is "healthy."
Tippnick
  "Right you are, Scribe, best be prepared"   ,Iluvar agrees with the scribe.
He begins to heal himself.
 
 Spoiler: pause for healing 


Cmw:  (2d8+8)[ 22 ] 
 (2d8+8)[ 17 ] 
 (2d8+8)[ 19 ] 

Clw
 (d8+5)[ 8 ] 
 (d8+5)[ 7 ] 
 (d8+5)[ 12 ] 
 (d8+5)[ 7 ] 
 (d8+5)[ 12 ] 
 

  "What is our first priority once we get to the city? Does anyone Kaer Maga even care about this?"  , he gestures back the way they came.   "Tell me about this city."  
lostsole31
  "I can tell you interesting historical tidbits and hearsay, but no matter how much I've studied,"   he answers,   "and no matter how much I've read about a place, it never does well to lean on the printed word instead of the living pulse of the city. I'll tell you as we go."  

The young man signs as you begin again (it is so easy to forget he is in his early 20s), and he sees that it was quite a spellcasting effort combined with the day for Iluvar (3 CMWs, 2 CLWs) to feel tip top again.
  
"We need to report to the Duskwardens what happened, especially the fall of their man - give a full reporting, for we know they'll send men in to beat the seugathi back. They'll need to prepare any who go in to fight and shore up the tunnels with meditation tea - before they go to bed to rest for the excursion, and then several vials with them once they go.

"We need to find a place to lay low, set up a base of operations in a flop somewhere. Telly kept demanding on the boat ride that we surely had a more focused plan than we did, but that's because as smart as she was I think other people were mission planners so just had to be ... aimed. It's not like that. Not everything we Pathfinders do is painted in neon lights so we know where to go. I think with you checking in with the  Shard of Lust  - or me, we'll talk more at length about that - given what things were like with this before, since you don't know, if it is in the city, we're not likely to have it easily guide us to a single outcropping type of place. No, we're going to have to do this the old-fashioned way, and it's going to take time. So ... plan? In the works right now.

"Truth be told, I have a couple things I've had people in Magnimar ask of me, and they might be useful just in helping us take time to get a feel for the city. But .... food and shelter, Iluvar. Really, that simple to start."  

Iluvar and The Scribe will likely have more discussion on the walk. 
 Spoiler: OOC 
.... if the Discord RP channel for Iluvar is used.
 


When at last the travelers emerge, sweating and out of breath, they do so in a bunker-like structure of stone and mortar just a stone’s throw outside a district known as the Warren, allowing easy entrance to the city.

The Scribe looks around, seeing that there is no Duskwarden manning the bunker and says,   "Okay, then. I guess the first thing we do will be to hire ourselves a guide, and have them guide us to the Duskwarden Guildhouse. I know it is in a place called Bis, but I've never been here before ... unless you have a better idea?"  
lostsole31
  
 
The Scribe is sure to give Iluvar - as requested - a quick primer on what (little) he knows of Kaer Maga, the City of Strangers.

 

Kaer Maga is possibly the oldest settlement in Varisia, and is certainly one of the most mysterious. Rather than being constructed as a typical city, the structure is instead an enormous hexagonal stone ring many hundreds of feet thick, with its citizens living in the vast hollows and stacked empty chambers inside the stone walls themselves rather than in the open space in the ring’s center. Diverse and cosmopolitan, with no centralized government, the City of Strangers has become famous throughout the region for its acceptance and anonymity, creating an anarcho-capitalist paradise of escaped slaves, thieves, heretics, marginalized social groups, and anyone else seeking to reinvent herself.

No one knows Kaer Maga’s true origins, yet a few of the most learned sages believe the monument was already standing when Xin founded the Thassilonian Empire, specifially the territory of Thassilon later ruled over by the Runelord of Greed.

Today, the city is a hub of commerce, a laissez-faire enclave of rival gangs and sects that protect their own while balancing each other out to ensure that no single faction ever gains too much power. The city-wide motto of “Your business is your business” means that organizations like the abolitionist Freemen can exist alongside orc slavetraders from Urglin, and priests of Pharasma alongside the zombie servitors of Ankar-Te. The city is rife with both monstrous residents—such as the “wormfolk” nagas and self-mutilating troll Augurs—and disturbing humanoid citizens, such as leech-covered bloatmages and lip-stitching Sweettalkers.

 

The two of you stand out front of an 80-foot-high section ..... of emptiness. Well, not at all emptiness, but where you come out to Kaer Maga, it is as if some unimaginably tall titan came through long ago and with one great heave burst open this section of wall. This is called the Gap, a massive break in the ring of Kaer Maga's walls where an ancient explosion or other catastrophe tore away thousands of pounds of stone. This carnage has been mostly filled in by the district called the Warren, a many-storied shantytown of rickety scaffolding and makeshift shacks, yet a wide corridor still runs through the center and plays host to a constant stream of traffic in and out of the city.

As soon as the pair enter the Gap, they’re swarmed by mobs of local children offering themselves as guides (and doing their best to quietly pick the PCs’ pockets while they’re
distracted—and failing miserably). One, however, immediately distinguishes himself by locking eyes with Iluvar.   "Hail, Pathfinders!"   he calls.

Perhaps 16 years old, the boy is skinny and wears ragged clothes, yet carries himself with a confidence his compatriots recognize, getting out of his way and leaving the PCs to him.   "M'name's Gav Nahli, guvs, and I'm the best guide in the city!"   he introduces himself with a deep, but respectful bow.   "I congratulate the two of you on havin' the perspicacity to engage my services for the laughably low price of 5 gold coins per day."  
Tippnick
  "Well Gav Nahli, lead us to an inn with close access to the market or at least a market"  , Iluvar directs the young man.
lostsole31
The Scribe takes 5 gold from party treasury and hands it to him.   "How did you recognize us as Pathfinders?"  

He winks and says,   "Musta' been a lucky guess, guv. Now there are markets throughout,"   and here he is walking (and we're walking, we're walking), leading you into the shadow of the Gap,   "and most 'hoods got the means of getting scraps fit their way. It'll help me know where to take you if I know what you're wanting from our city. Just touring? Passing through? or specific things? A good answer from you means a great location from me."  

Gav is indeed as talented a guide as he claims, and can easily give the PCs the rundown on the city and how it works, as well as finding them anything they need, from magical items (  “The Wheel Unbroken is good for custom work, gov, but if you want cheap, it’s Gadka down at the corner of Fever Street and Half-a-Chicken Walk”  ) to the most exotic of brothels (  “If you want ’em cold, it’s the White Lady up in Ankar-Te—there’s some things you just can’t do with a live girl, neh?”  ).

The Scribe makes a bold move verbally.   "We're here seeking a specific magic item said to be hidden somewhere in the city."  
  "Right-o! There's prolly two best avenues of inquiry for that gov, the great library called the Therassic Spire, and the mysterious troll oracles called Augurs."  
  "But first,"   the Scribe cuts in,   "we need to go to the Guildhouse of the Duskwardens in Bis to return these charms and inform them of the death of their man."  

That quiets Gav some,   "Poor blighter. Only fools and heroes what work at the Duskies, and those boys are full parts of the other. We on the surface owe our lives to the nutters there for keeping the monsters from coming up. Sure, guv. I'll take you."  
Tippnick
Iluvar follows along and takes in the city. Trying to memorize how to navigate the streets. If he picks up any type of misdirection from their you guide he will speak up.
lostsole31
  "Since you're going 'a Duskwardens, guv,"   Gav focuses on The Scribe since he paid,   "We're gonna forgo the Gap. Instead, I'll bring you in at the southernmost portion of the overall, well, gap ... but not Gap with a capital 'G,' which includes that big long thoroughfare headin' southeast."  

He takes you due south, paralleling a wide field of built-on rubble, and then enters the city through a narrow point between where the vast main wall picks up again heading south and other built-upon sections of the Warrens. Meanwhile, he is chattering away about his city, some of which you witness, and the rest that Gav tells you ...

The fabled Balconies of Bis are far and away one of the most recognizable landmarks in Kaer Maga, and no traveler who ventures among them ever forgets the sight. In the southwesternmost district of the city, called Bis, the multi-floored structure found in other Ring districts long ago fell and gave way to a single cavernous space, so vast that huddled but freestanding buildings rise several stories into the gloomy, foggy air. Yet it is not the crowded streets or the shocking amount of airspace within the chamber that makes newcomers stop short, but rather the fact that the people of Kaer Maga have literally climbed the walls to create more room for themselves, building fresh or repairing outcropping ledges of old masonry to line the chamber with eight stories of towering cliff dwellings.

In need of continual repair due to the strain placed upon them, the buttressed platforms of the Balconies rise up the eastern and western walls of the chamber like shelving or tree fungus, sometimes protruding hundreds of feet from the walls. While they tend to be small and separated from each other, with each balcony holding a few structures at most, there are generally at least three ledges on any vertical patch of wall, and sometimes as many as five, with the topmost structures brushing the ceiling. The means of accessing these structures vary, from narrow spiral staircases to ladders carved into the chamber wall itself, and the hassle involved in hoisting up any significant amount of material means that, in Bis, the height of one’s balcony frequently reflects one’s wealth and social standing. Though members of the powerful Ardoc family are above such petty games and live wherever they please (often near the Kiln for the sake of convenience), the rest of Bis has an unofficial system of social rank based on who lives higher than (and thus “shades”) whom, leading to the constant and sometimes ill-advised repair of aging balconies, and construction of new ones wherever possible.

In reality, of course, the idea of shading is somewhat ludicrous, as the entire cavern exists in a permanent twilight, with the lights of the businesses and homes on the Balconies creating a shimmering, twinkling waterfall. For the center of the district, where the light from the walls is merely decoration, the citizens have foregone streetlights in favor of enormous lanterns that hang from the ceiling 80 feet above at staggered intervals, like a swarm of motionless firef lies. These lamps are tended by the district-funded Lamplighters’ Union, who operate the complex system of ropes and pulleys necessary to keep the lamps suspended and frequently change their positions in artful ways, making the lighting of Bis a constantly shifting work of art.

One of the most orderly districts in the city, Bis is watched over by the Ardoc family, a cabal of golemcrafters bound by blood and marriage who rule with quiet but absolute power. Somewhere between magistrates and mafia dons, most of the Ardoc brothers are content to work in the massive factory workshop known as the Kiln, producing golems and constructs for sale and district use, but all are ready and capable of pronouncing judgment on any found breaking the district’s strict yet just laws.

While any citizen of Bis has the right to request the brothers’ official judgment, most know better than to bother them with trivial matters—even minor crimes—as the chisels that all Ardoc brothers wear on their belts to proclaim their status aren’t just for golem-crafting. Penalties for crimes are generally given in terms of “knuckles,” with the punishment carried out on the spot by the brother passing the sentence. Each knuckle represents the removal of a single f inger joint, with the punishment spread equally across both hands. For example, a criminal sentenced to 10 knuckles—such as a rapist or a major thief—would still have eight single-jointed fingers and two stubby thumbs with which to work and attempt to atone for his misdeeds. Given the nature of the average Kaer Maga resident and the amount of trade that flows through Bis, such mangled digits are common throughout the city.

More often, problems in Bis are solved by simpleminded golems programmed to keep the peace and report incidents to the nearest brother, or else by residents consulting the brothers in an unofficial capacity under the guise of asking advice. While not all brothers possess great wisdom—their status being based entirely on nepotism and magical ability—they are overwhelmingly a lawful and methodical sort and tend to be good at finding logical solutions to conflicts.

Along with the Balconies, Bis is distinguished from other districts primarily by the prevalence of magical constructs. In addition to those creations that act as the eyes and muscle of the Ardocs, close relationships with the Ardocs mean that the citizens of Bis have comparatively cheap and easy access to construct labor. As a result, many houses on the Balconies have simple arcane machines that exist solely to haul up dumbwaiters and elevator platforms, and it’s not uncommon in the marketplace to see twiggy, bird-like messenger golems running errands for their masters.

Finally, you make it to the Duskwarden Guildhouse, a squat building in the district of Bis marked with a placard of the Duskwardens' Twisted Door badge. Within are a few offices for ranking officials of the group,  barracks for new recruits (or any member with no other place to sleep),  workshops, and a modest store of equipment.Gav will respectfully stay outside and wait for you while you do what business you need to do.

The Scribe and Iluvar go inside to surrender their  lesser halflight charms  and to give a full accounting of the attack they survived ... and that Abra Lopati and their own friends and coworkers did not, nor the merchant family.

 Iluvar , do you have anything to add here?
Tippnick
  "I will say a prayer for the fallen Duskwarden to Pharasma. Also would gladly say rites for his chosen god if you know of it  ", Iluvar says to the Duskwarden on duty.
lostsole31
  "I appreciate your report,"   says the dwarf on duty, which by his demeanor is also the HMFIC.   "The intelligence you gave us will do well for a squad to load up on what is needed to handle this threat. Yes on the prayers; no on the rites. He has his own familiy and religion to see him, and while you might be a Pharasmin, you're an itinerant. No, those at the Godsmouth Ossuary will see to his remains should we recover them."  
Tippnick
  "Gav? Can you show us this Therassic Library?",   Iluvar asks once they are out of earshot of the Duskwarden.
lostsole31
  "Well, I would, guv, but like I hinted at before, there's a problem with the Therassic Spire. The Therassic Spire is currently locked tight, and nobody knows why—the doors closed several days ago, and the resident librarians have refused to open up for anyone. That wouldn't be an issue, except  my  first choice - the Augurs - well, they've gone on strike because of a conflict with the powerful Ardoc family here in Bis, and as of yet they've been unable to find someone to resolve the issue. It would have to be someone from outside the city, with no previous ties and affiliations—someone like .... you, in fact!"  

Before the PCs can object, Gav darts into the crowd, leading them ever onward.

Do you not follow for some reason?
Tippnick
Iluvar follows Gav but motions the Scribe.   "The first sign of trouble we leave. If we get separated meet back at the Duskwarden headquarters"  ,Iluvar advises.
lostsole31
  "Can't you read his soul to determine his honor, stain of sin, morality, insanity, etc.?"   The Scribe says bemusedly, poking fun.

Gav leads you east to a great inner wall that marks the inward end of Bis before heading north as Bis gives way to the Warrens. He leads you on a circuitous path of the southern Warrens until you are in the Gap heading southeast now. While traversing the Warrens and the Gap, there are many eyes on the two noticeable strangers, but the two of you must project strength, as nobody wants to mess with you.

Now you are in Downmarket. Gav is sure to tell you about Downmarket, but much of it is relatively obvious.

The Warren may be the first district new visitors to Kaer Maga see, but the crowded stalls and wagons of Downmarket are invariably their destination. The primary commercial center for foreign trade, this is where caravans off load their goods and purchase new cargo, cutting deals both large and small. Though prices tend to be slightly higher here, as merchants catering primarily to foreigners trust the dizzying crowds of the market to discourage newcomers from doing a lot of comparison shopping, even native Kaer Magans are forced to shop in Downmarket on a regular basis, as the selection is simply too good to ignore. The belief that anything can be bought or sold in Kaer Maga stems in large part from the merchants of Downmarket, and no good or service is off limits here, no matter how taboo.

Unlike most of the other districts in Kaer Maga, Downmarket contains very few permanent structures, instead consisting of a constant shuffle of carts, tents, wagons, and awnings. This is primarily to accommodate the steady stream of traders who, rather than simply selling their goods to local merchants, are equally likely to set up small shops of their own for as long as their stock holds out, reaping greater profits by selling directly to consumers. Most business is conducted during the day, when the swirling crowds of shoppers and hawkers are shot through with pickpockets, palanquins, solemn Augurs, and gawking foreigners, but the carts that don’t pack up at sundown often do business long into the night, catering to those souls drawn by shows at the amphitheater or restless merchant guards eager for entertainment.

Do you try to stop Gav to shop for something at this time?
Tippnick
Iluvar does not stop Gav to shopm
lostsole31
Gav leads you through the surging crowds over a large walking bridge where the collected water is in the center of the city, by a place called the Lakeside Ampitheatre at the northeastern part of the district. Shortly thereafter you transition from Downmarket to Hospice.

The writhing, glistening center of Kaer Maga’s commercial zone, the district known as Hospice advertises itself to anyone who’ll listen as the district with something for everyone. And in fact, that statement isn’t far from the truth—for between the wealth brought in by traveling traders and the city’s notorious lack of scruples and boundaries, Kaer Maga’s Hospice is the most lavish and degraded red-light district in Varisia—and perhaps in all of Avistan.

Being one of the two Core districts catering to visitors, Hospice is more than just a conglomeration of cathouses and cabarets. With the highest concentration of inns, stables, and hostels in the city, Hospice is responsible for housing, feeding, and entertaining all those itinerants and traveling merchants who conduct their business in Downmarket during the day, or who are too new to the city to have made friends and contacts in other districts. Its nightlife is second only to Oriat, and lacks the manic edge of youth and danger that the artists’ sector invites. Instead, Hospice has an old, firmly seated decadence with the weight of history and the smoothness of a well-oiled machine. Far from catering solely to tourists, the numerous restaurants, gaming halls, back-alley theaters, and wine shops are a powerful draw for locals and newcomers alike, and prime real estate in Hospice is worth enough that many of the finer establishments have been there for centuries, their ownership changing hands but their marquees remaining untouched.

Yet no matter how hard other businesses in the district might try to distinguish themselves—the hostlers and off beat temples, the farriers and caravan outf itters—there’s still no question among any who visit as to Hospice’s primary trade. Lascivious catamites and lithe streetwalkers catcall from every window and alley, making passersby flush pink and red with their illicit suggestions and strategically bared flesh. In Hospice, it’s said, you can find anything you want, but you’d better be sure you want it—for few cities can offer the same extreme selection in their pleasure houses, and several of the darker establishments here have been known to turn seasoned warriors and slavers into mewling babes and send them running for the nearest priest or confessor.

Finally, as you get close to your destination - The Sorry Excuse - Gav will tell you a little more about this next stop. This inn does brisk business with first-time visitors of the city, but only because its owner,  Harmon Fisk  offers the best kickbacks in the city to guides who recommend it. In fact, the Sorry Excuse lives up to its name in almost every way, as Harmon long ago realized that kickbacks are cheaper than amenities and repeat business is rarely worth the effort. A rat hole with seemingly reasonable base rates, its prices quickly mount with extra fees for things like windows, candles, mattresses, and bathing basins, but the inn’s corpulent bouncer  Gurd  keeps most travelers from quibbling over the bill. Because Harmon’s tricks are designed solely to bilk unwary foreigners, locals have little problem with his blatant crookedness, and in fact the Sorry Excuse wins considerable goodwill by using a fraction of its take to subsidize ale for loyal patrons, attracting a rowdy crew of drunkards every night of the week.

  "I know it don't look like much, guvs, but sounds like you got business to do that it'd be better to do if a lot of people in finer places aren't taking notice of you. You'll still pay the same, and the meals and drink aren't great ... but you'll be surprised at the security of anonymity."  

Does Iluvar want to ignore the guide and recommend going to someplace more amenable to party funds?
Tippnick
Iluvar has had a mostly sheltered life but has seen his share of bad  accomodations. The recent dungeon 8nclided.   "This will do Gav. Scribe when do you want Gav to come back and show us the Augurs location?"  , Iluvar defers to the Scribe.
lostsole31
  "Oh, guv, you hired me for the day as a guide,"   reminds Gav.   "Unless you release me for the evening, you don't want me back and forth. I can wait out front until you say it's time for me to turn in, but if you wait too long until the dark of night, I'm assuming our day is done. And if you need me about for tomorrow, I can do that as early as you want. Did you want to go to the Augurs today or tomorrow?"  
  "Today,"   says The Scribe emphatically, before he softens and turning to Iluvar asks,   "Unless the stress of the day requires rest first?"  
Tippnick
  "We can begin our search today"  , Iluvar says to the Scribe.
lostsole31
Iluvar and The Scribe go in to procure rooms, and he pays for separate, but adjoining, accommodations.

Iluvar, do you want to take a break, a (short) rest, or anything else while in your room, or head right back out?
Tippnick
  "I am ready to go as soon as you are. Maybe a little street fare for a meal"  , says Iluvar smelling the days old pot of food on the fire.
lostsole31
The Scribe's nose wrinkles even as his own borborygmy makes itself known.   "Yes, let's get some street fare back in Downmarket."  

But Gav is hanging out in the common room of the Sorry Excuse and hails you when he sees you come back downstairs. Gav had quickly located an Augur sitting alone at a wooden table filled with troll-sized mugs of ale. He respectuflly greets the oracle, and indicates that The Scribe and Iluvar should do the same, which The Scribe does.

Iluvar?
Tippnick
Iluvar greets the troll,   "Hello, I understand you are an Augur. Thanks for speaking with us. Gav here said you needed help resolving a dispute with the Ardoc family. Can you tell us the issues here? Hopefully we can help you and then maybe there is something you can do for us."  
lostsole31
The troll waves her hand dismissively at all of Iluvar's questions and lack of decor in not having followed as Gav and The Scribe did. She takes the group in with a glance, a longer glance where Iluvar is concerned, and motions for Iluvar and The Scribe to sit.

Iluvar, do you sit?
Tippnick
Iluvar sits.
lostsole31
Once the two of you are seated, the troll introduces herself as  Vargun . To PCs who have interacted with trolls before, this one appears incongruously civilized, with careful mannerisms, a thoughtful look, and a long purple toga with a horizontal slit in the stomach covered in old bloodstains.

She asks in Taldane,   "Tell me a little bit about yourselves and what you seek."  
Tippnick
  "We are newly come to the city. We lost several of our companions beneath the city by an attack of mind affecting creatures"  , explains Iluvar.
  "We came to the city in search of something that was once a piece of a whole. It is old and probably lost or hidden but it is here."  
lostsole31
  "I'm with him,"   says The Scribe.   "I was 'their' chronicler for their deeds, but now I guess I am just 'his' chronicler."  

Vargun looks sly at the ranseur he had set across the wall when he sat.  "You must write in a very big book. I took you for a painter." 
  "I don't like to be fixed to a single medium."  
 "And yet,"  she smiles broader.  "A medium is what you sought, isn't it." 
  "Seer? Yes. Medium, no. I'm not much for ghosts."  

She nods slowly.  “I presume the boy has already explained the nature of our organization. While it’s something of an open secret that many of our divinations are, shall we say, more logical than magical, this is not always the case. There are those among us who still retain the old gifts.

“My brother Augustille is gifted. His visions are unique and frequently unmarketable, which is why he rarely leaves the temple. Yet someone wants to harness that ability.

“The Ardoc brothers are artificers and golem crafters—the most powerful family in Bis. They run everything in that district, and we have long-standing relationships between our factions that must be maintained. Yet one of their younger members—an arrogant little tinkerer named Berkanin—has gone off on his own and arranged the kidnapping of Augustille from the very foot of the temple steps, and holds him hostage even as we speak, ‘studying’ my brother like one of his machines.

“The Ardocs have ignored our requests to rein in their rogue brother. We cannot engage them within their own territory, nor can any of our usual agents. But you are different. Bring back my brother, and we will bring you the information you seek.” 
Tippnick
  "Is your brother's or the rogue Ardoc's location known to you? What is the description of your brother and this Ardoc? Have they had dealings with each other before?"  , Iluvar asks a series of questions.
 Code: 
 He is disxerning lies now. 
lostsole31
The Scribe, knowing Iluvar's perspicacity, look at Iluvar for counsel. 
 Spoiler: Iluvar 
You do not sense lies.
 
Tippnick
  "We will look into your brother's kidnapping. In return we ask for you help in search of what we seek. Hopefully, it benefits us both"  , Iluvar decides.
lostsole31
 "Berkanin  should  be, when home, at the Hanging Manse in Bis,"  Vargun says.  "Though I don't know where that is as I stay out of Bis." 
  "It's alright, Guv,"   reassures Gav,   "I know wher the Hanging Manse is, and I can recognize him."  
Tippnick
  "Scribe, even though we are healthy we are lacking some resources and abilities if we run into trouble. Also our minds might need a rest. Do you think it wise to start looking into this tomorrow?"  , Iluvar asks.
lostsole31
The Scribe nods and remarks,   "We're also severely short on manpower. Well, we're here at the Sorry Excuse."  

He looks (up) at Vargun,   "Thanks, we lost a lot of people today, and it's been traumatic, but we'll start tomorrow. Thanks."  

And with that, the two of you let Vargun finish her meal in peace.

As he gets a table for the two of you to sit down as Gav flits about he says,   "Did I hear ya' say you're looking for more hands for this job? It just so happens two cutters strolled into the City but yesterday. Siblings. Big Folk. Rumor has it they came to the Gap even bigger than we see 'em now, standing a couple mes high, but I think people just have too much time on their hands. They're big though. They actually make me think of you, guv."  

That last comment seemed pointed at Iluvar.
Tippnick
  "Of me, Gav? How so?"  , Iluvar asks.
lostsole31
He shrugs.   "I dunno, a feeling. Like some flourishes on clothing decoration, and the like."  
Tippnick
  "Where are these two staying, and would they be amenable to being approached?"  , Iluvar asks Guv.
lostsole31
  "I know they were staying here, actually,"   says Gav, gesturing to the "larger than human" options such as the table where you met Vargun.   "I told you .... ' Big  Folk.' Some kind of giant. But they were doing some job for the Lamplighter's Guild. Some elf in the guild ... calls herself 'Myki' ... she hired them a couple days ago so they been hanging around here less. Might be you could underbid the Lamplighter, because they were a couple of right bruisers."  
Tippnick
  "Well we won't have to look too hard. I am willing to start in the morning Scribe, unless you are wanting to stay up and for them to return?"  , Iluvar looks to the Scribe for his opinion.
lostsole31
  "No, I need to go to write my report, and then after today's loss, hiding in sleep will be most welcome. I don't feel much like eating,"   The Scribe answers.   "Gav, come back tomorrow before they serve breakfast, and we'll cover your breakfast."  

Gav needs no further spur with that, and heads out.

 Iluvar , do you do anything before you go to take an early evening meal and head to bed?
Tippnick
Iluvar watches the Scribe head to his room. Iluvar only eats a light meal then asks for a bottle of wine and a glass from the server. Then heads to his adjoining room. He will drink enough to help him sleep and leave enough in case he wakes up needing a drink.
lostsole31
    Oathday, 2 Gozran 4714 AR    
 lluvar , you wake up and commit to your one hour of prayers, meditations and combat drills. Then what?
Tippnick
Iluvar goes to the common area either to wait for The Scribe or join him. We will rehire Gav when he shows up.


  "Good morning Scribe, hopefully your sleep was recuperative. Have we seen any of these two that Gav has spoken of?"  , Iluvar greets the Scribe.
lostsole31
So, it usually takes The Scribe an  extra hour  of morning preparations. It comes from the fact he dabbles in so many fields.

So well before your intended statement above, you take your seat and are served a simple hot lamb porridge and bread for breakfast. You had expected Gav to already be here, but you don't see him yet. Shortly after you are served breakfast, a tall elven - pure elven - woman comes to your table. She is only an inch taller than you, but as you are half-human, you probably have a good 30 pounds on her. She has light red hair, almost luminous light green eyes, and is well-dressed but not to the point of noble, rich, or fashionable, though she does possess accents of very fine jewelry in a ring and some bangles. An  ioun stone  of a soft carnelian circles her head.

She speaks,   "You are..."   and here she does a very comical job (and not particularly good) of adopting Gav's patois, but more parody than impression   ".... the friend o' the guv what pays."  

Returning to her normal speech, she says,   "Gav Nahli sends his deepest apologies, but he saw a regular come into town late last night and wanted to switch service. He briefly sought me out and told me what you seek. You may call me Myki*. I am a member of the Lamplighter's Guild. I had employed the two ... men ... that Gav had recommended to you yesterday on a personal mission of my own. It touches on a great sadness, and their prowess does not end my sadness, but helped me provide closure on five years of anguish and misery and my own investigations. My time spent on this investigation and my payment for services rendered to the pair proposed to you and your partner have put me in peril of pawning my property.

"Gav's apologetic statement is a cover, and I believe it is really the young boy's kindness, not some other service that is why he basically recommended me as your guide, though it is true I am very knowledgeable of Kaer Maga. Still, for being a human adolescent, his knowledge of Kaer Maga's living spaces is cyclopean, and he shall not want for custom.

"Are you fine with me taking his place as your guide? I will submit to any divinations, as long as you let me know what they are ahead of time. But my history and past are my own. You may not demand them of me."
   
 Spoiler: Iluvar 
 *"Myki": Pronounced just like "Mikey," is Elven for "Emerald Void." 
 
Tippnick
  "Well Myki, Gav earned his custom from us by being bold. He proved his worth by being knowledgeable. If he directed us to you, and I won't say he didn't, so you have two points in your favor. For now, I will say your hired. If the Scribe, my companion, agrees we will take you on"  , Iluvar says.   "I am Iluvar."   Iluvar stands and extends his hand to shake

He will try to get a good sense of her.
lostsole31
 
 Spoiler: Iluvar 
She is a healthy, living creature. However, hers is a significant departure from your own worldview as she possesses faint auras of both chaos and good. Given she is an elf, and that is the most common aura read from an elf, that part is not surprising. I used one round of  discern lies  and it seems she is telling the truth. What your magical senses don't register, but your excellent skill with people does, is that she hides a great sadness and anger, but also something more primal he can't put a finger on that she hides well.
 

Iluvar and Myki sit quietly together, mainly having some small talk, but otherwise awkward around each other. possibly interacting over the next hour before The Scribe finally shows up. Introductions are made, and The Scribe seems fine with the change in guide. As soon as the 5 gp is paid and then the Scribe orders breakfast for himself (his and Iluvar's is on a "tab"), she orders food for herself as well out of her own coin. When she drops the four coins into her pouch, the only clinking sound made is of the coins going in ... her pouch was empty, and Iluvar now understands that "primal" sense is that this woman in strange finery is fiercely hungry.

The three of them finish up their meal (Iluvar might have eaten earlier), and she takes you around a large horseshoe section of the bar back to the "Big Booths" where you met Vargun yesterday.  At a table are two massively muscled giants, both bedecked in heavy armor. While they wear full plate each, still their skin tone and general trappings indicate they come from much warmer climes far away. Iluvar can instantly see that both of these giants are some type of Jalmeravian giants, so specified because while of a general Vudrani nature, the accents and touches of their garb speak specifically of the island nation in the Obari Ocean.

Myki .... who was the giants' employer the past few days in tracking down and slaying a negative planar creature called a sceaduinar that had pilfered and stolen children from an orphanage in the Bottoms... approaches the table. Business had been concluded, and she paid well enough for the good deed she sought from the giants, but here she is again. This time, there are two more humans with her.

  "Honored brothers Vedavyasa,"   Myki begins,   "our recent business admirably concluded, I thought you might be back on the market for a new job. May I introduce to you Iluvar, of the Pathfinder Society, and his chronicler, The Scribe."  

Okay .... INTRODUCTIONS &amp; DESCRIPTIONS!
DrK
 Akif 

Akif looks up from his platter of food as the young woman and two strangers approach. Glancing to his brother he utters in giant &lt;  "We have guests it would appear"  &gt; before looking up at the approaching strangers. Akif is massive, there is no other way to describe it. Not only tall, topping 15ft he is wide and bulky, made only more so by the huge plates of ornate armour strapped onto his form. He gently takes off his helmet revealing a smooth dark skinned face with a jagged scar down one cheek. Piercing purple eyes look at Iluvar, Myki and the Scribe, his height meaning he still looks down at them even when seated

Switching to common he greets the young woman,   "Greetings little Myki. You have new friends with you? I am named Akif Vedavyasa how may my brother and I be of service to you on this fine day."  
Qazgir
 Sisir
 
Seated across the table from his brother, Sisir is similarly massive. Slightly shorter than his brother, with an athlete's build, Sisir wears a suit bronzed full plate. His helm is off, revealing the same dark skin as his brother, although instead of a scar, Sisir's cheek sports a star surrounded by a circle. His long brown beard is pulled into three braids. Hearing his brother's words, he looks up from the book in his hands and turns to face Myki and her new companions. As his brother introduces himself, Sisir eyes the two new arrivals with interest.

Once his brother finishes introducing himself, Sisir speaks up,   "Good morning Myki, and good morning to your companions as well."   He stands, stepping out from the table, shrinking to half his previous size as he does. Walking up to Illuvar and the Scribe he says   "my name is Sisir Vedavyasa, it is a pleasure to meet the two of you, any friend of Myki's is a friend of mine. Might I have the pleasure of knowing your names?"  , as he extends a hand to Iluvar to shake.
Tippnick
In Vudrani Iluvar says,   "Greetings, my name Iluvar. Myki has sang your praises."  
Iluvar is an athletic looking half-elf male with easily recognizable Vudrani lineage, with dark skin and black hair. His hair is usually shaved at the sides. His eyes have a red tint to them. His is unarmored but seems like he is able to defend himself.

  "Myki says you might be available to help us find what you are looking for. We are looking for an ancient item hidden somewhere here in the city. And indeed we are part of the Pathfinders"  , he continues in Taldane.
lostsole31
Even sizing down to human portions, as Sisir stands by Iluvar he is still a hulking and nearly impossibly tall man at 7' 9" .... nearly two feet taller than Iluvar (5' 11") and Myki (6').

  "It seems our guide is to be commended on her knowledge,"   says a tall-for-a-human man in scholar's robes (6'4"),   "for either she recognized us thus, or our previous guide who recommended her let her know, but with a bound book at her side I am one to think the former, even if the latter situation is a truth, for they need not be exclusive. You may simply refer to me by my professional appellation, for I am called The Scribe."  

The Scribe is of a lean build, though with broad shoulders under his flowing robe. His skin is pale in hue, nearly as white as snow. He has jet black hair with a widow's peak, though to Sisir's trained eye this man seems to still only be in his early 20s (at best). His eyes are a piercing violet, not possessing the luminous quality of Akif, but not less stunning for his other coloration. Sisir recognizes what seems to be very classical, patrician handsomeness in an old Chelaxian style in this otherwise young man. He is almost .... "too Chelaxian" .... even for a Chelaxian. This makes him seem something of an oddity or a standout among that ethnicity, and even more so among any other human ethnicity. He seems to recognize this, though, and his scholar's hood is worn to put shadows on his pale skin, hide the widow's peak, and darken the purple eyes such that people are likely to not notice.

Wielded as a walking stick is a incredibly ornate ranseur made in a style that neither brother recognizes. A finely crafted longbow is set in a quick-snap release leather thong attached to an expertly crafted rucksack with a bedroll bound to top while this rucksack seems to be moderately full of equipment, as well a single quiver of arrows mostly full. He possesses several accoutrements at his belt line, including a couple wands and a couple unusual bird-hunting weapons (bolas).
  
"My peer speaks true, though that is an endgame to our purposes here in the City of Strangers. Yesterday, we entered into an agreement with Vargun of the Augurs to rescue her brother Augustille from Berkanin Ardoc in Bis, to keep the troll seer with real talent from being vivisected. Once we return Augustille safely to the Augurs, it is possible that Augustille may point us towards our prize. For reasons of internal security, we cannot at this time discuss the nature of that item, but once we are successful, if you get us to that end point, then we can let you know more. But again, for now, it is Pathfinder business.

"We do not offer mercenary rates, but we do offer partner extensions ... except our singular prize is not any of our 'treasure share' as it is The Mission. That said, wholesale looting of people's homes is frowned upon. We have a mission .... get the troll safely out. If something falls in your lap, use your best judgment, but don't put your lap up against everything so you can claim 'to the victor go the spoils.'

"Are these acceptable terms?"  
Qazgir
 Sisir
 
  "A pleasure to meet you Scribe, you've certainly brought us an interesting proposition."   He turns to his brother, saying in Giant   "What do you think? It seems like a good cause, restoring a broken family, I'm in favor of assisting them."   He turns back to the Scribe, once again speaking Taldane,   "while my brother deliberates, I don't suppose you would be willing to reveal any more information?"  
DrK
 Akif 

Akif listens to the scribe watching man keenly and listening to everything he says.   ”So. You wish us to search for a mystery object by taking a troll home.”   He chuckles slightly,   “But you will not pay us nor tell us what you seek.”  
  “These northlanders are amusing no?”   he asks Sisir. But then nods his head   “We have little else on, and this intrigues me. I agree let us go on this merry quest.”  
lostsole31
  "If you will all please follow me,"   says Myki,   "I will guide you to the Hanging Gardens of Bis."  

For her part, your guide is an even six feet in height - which is relatively standard for a female elf, and bears the classic willowy frame of an elf, but with lean muscle. She possesses dark red hair, similar to the bark of a mahogany tree, and her eyes are a soft green. Though her skin is very pale, betraying an urban upbringing, yet she doesn't appear to have any markings of a Forlorn about her.

She wears tasteful elven noble wear, and with rings and necklace and bangles she possesses the bejeweled accoutrements to carry it off. Or rather, she would, as her clothing is beginning to wear, something most people thought elven wear didn't do while the wearers were yet living. Many old russet-color stains (definitely blood) and the other odd chemical stains discolor her once finery. There is a coral-colored stone that orbits her head. She has a top-quality backpack and bedroll, not necessarily full, however. She sports a variety of small pouches about her waist. It appears that as she goes without armor, she goes almost unarmed but for a very finely crafted basket-hilt rapier.

She is relatively well trained at interacting with others, but that is what it seems to be ... training. Otherwise, it seems that this woman would be just fine in solitude cogitating over whatever happens to be her elven specialty. But even at rest, she is possessed with that classic elven grace and beauty.

She will take you on almost exactly the same path Gav took Iluvar and The Scribe on to get to the Sorry Excuse. On the way, she will regale all with her knowledge.

 THE BALCONIES OF BIS 
The district called Bis is one of the most storied vistas in Kaer Maga. Here the usual honeycomb maze of chambers inside the city’s great ring wall gives way to a single enclosed, cavernous space. While the floors are cluttered with shops and boarding houses, many of which stand several stories tall, the true elite of the city have gradually crawled up the great walls of the chamber to distance themselves from the rabble. These are the Balconies of Bis, enormous buttressed ledges that stick out from the walls like shelves and support the manors and workshops of the wealthy, with the higher balconies being harder to reach and thus more prestigious. The lights of the balconies cascade down the walls like a glowing waterfall, while the primary light sources at the district’s center are great lanterns that hang down from the ceiling 80 feet above, illuminating streets packed with residents, construct servitors both large and small, and the occasional Ardoc brother who walks through keeping the peace, offering opinions or passing sentences on criminals with his bloodstained chisel of office.

Do you seek to know more from her about Bis and the operations of the Ardoc family, or is that enough?
Tippnick
  "Myki, what can you tell us about this family and if we go after one member would expect reprisals from the rest of the family?"  , Iluvar asks.
Qazgir
 Sisir 
  "Do we have any idea why they kidnapped this particular troll? Do we think his prophetic powers known to them, and if so, what are they looking to do with him? If not, why kidnap him in the first place?"   Sisir rattles off a series of questions after Iluvar finishes speaking.   "How long will it take us to walk there, and should we expect resistance when we arrive?"   Having asked these final questions, he thinks for a moment before saying   "well, as we will be working together, it is only proper that I offer you a measure of protection. If you would take my hand for a moment, I would gladly offer you a boon. Akif, the usual for you."


   
 Spoiler: Tricks 
If the other members of the party take Sisir up on his offer, he will impart the following tricks on them: Scribe - Compel Alacrity, Myki - Mask Misery, Iluvar - Mask Misery, Akif - Mesmeric Mirror and Compel Alacrity. He will implant Mask Misery in himself, for a total of 6 tricks implanted if everyone accepts. Each implantation is a standard action.
 
Tippnick
Iluvar accepts Sisir's hand.
lostsole31
Myki begins her masters-level dissertation ....

The fabled Balconies of Bis are far and away one of the most recognizable landmarks in Kaer Maga, and no traveler who ventures among them ever forgets the sight. In the southwestern-most district of the city, called Bis, the multi-floored structure found in other Ring districts long ago fell and gave way to a single cavernous space, so vast that huddled but freestanding buildings rise several stories into the gloomy, foggy air. Yet it is not the crowded streets or the shocking amount of airspace within the chamber that makes newcomers stop short, but rather the fact that the people of Kaer Maga have literally climbed the walls to create more room for themselves, building fresh or repairing outcropping ledges of old masonry to line the chamber with eight stories of towering cliff dwellings.

In need of continual repair due to the strain placed upon them, the buttressed platforms of the Balconies rise up the eastern and western walls of the chamber like shelving or tree fungus, sometimes protruding hundreds of feet from the walls. While they tend to be small and separated from each other, with each balcony holding a few structures at most, there are generally at least three ledges on any vertical patch of wall, and sometimes as many as five, with the topmost structures brushing the ceiling. The means of accessing these structures vary, from narrow spiral staircases to ladders carved into the chamber wall itself, and the hassle involved in hoisting up any significant amount of material means that, in Bis, the height of one’s balcony frequently reflects one’s wealth and social standing. Though members of the powerful Ardoc family are above such petty games and live wherever they please (often near the Kiln for the sake of convenience), the rest of Bis has an unofficial system of social rank based on who lives higher than (and thus “shades”) whom, leading to the constant and sometimes ill-advised repair of aging balconies, and construction of new ones wherever possible.

In reality, of course, the idea of shading is somewhat ludicrous, as the entire cavern exists in a permanent twilight, with the lights of the businesses and homes on the Balconies creating a shimmering, twinkling waterfall. For the center of the district, where the light from the walls is merely decoration, the citizens have foregone streetlights in favor of enormous lanterns that hang from the ceiling 80 feet above at staggered intervals, like a swarm of motionless fireflies. These lamps are tended by the district-funded Lamplighters’ Union, -- of which Myki herself is a member -- who operate the complex system of ropes and pulleys necessary to keep the lamps suspended and frequently change their positions in artful ways, making the lighting of Bis a constantly shifting work of art.

One of the most orderly districts in the city, Bis is watched over by the Ardoc family, a cabal of golemcrafters bound by blood and marriage who rule with quiet but absolute power. Somewhere between magistrates and mafia dons, most of the Ardoc brothers are content to work in the massive factory workshop known as the Kiln, producing golems and constructs for sale and district use, but all are ready and capable of pronouncing judgment on any found breaking the district’s strict yet just laws.

While any citizen of Bis has the right to request the brothers’ official judgment, most know better than to bother them with trivial matters—even minor crimes—as the chisels that all Ardoc brothers wear on their belts to proclaim their status aren’t just for golem-crafting. Penalties for crimes are generally given in terms of “knuckles,” with the punishment carried out on the spot by the brother passing the sentence. Each knuckle represents the removal of a single finger joint, with the punishment spread equally across both hands. For example, a criminal sentenced to 10 knuckles—such as a rapist or a major thief—would still have eight single-jointed fingers and two stubby thumbs with which to work and attempt to atone for his misdeeds. Given the nature of the average Kaer Maga resident and the amount of trade that flows through Bis, such mangled digits are common throughout the city.

More often, problems in Bis are solved by simpleminded golems programmed to keep the peace and report incidents to the nearest brother, or else by residents consulting the brothers in an unofficial capacity under the guise of asking advice. While not all brothers possess great wisdom—their status being based entirely on nepotism and magical ability—they are overwhelmingly a lawful and methodical sort and tend to be good at finding logical solutions to conflicts.

Along with the Balconies, Bis is distinguished from other districts primarily by the prevalence of magical constructs. In addition to those creations that act as the eyes and muscle of the Ardocs, close relationships with the Ardocs mean that the citizens of Bis have comparatively cheap and easy access to construct labor. As a result, many houses on the Balconies have simple arcane machines that exist solely to haul up dumbwaiters and elevator platforms, and it’s not uncommon in the marketplace to see twiggy, bird-like messenger golems running errands for their masters.


 

You are well in the Balconies of Bis as Myki finishes her tour-guide script and says,   "Berkanin is a bit of an embarrassment to the family, though I don't know why. I couldn't answer why he would have a troll kidnapped, since most Ardocs much prefer more concrete sciences and forms of magic."  

The Scribe and Myki both take the boon offered by Sisir, both feeling a little funny as there is a faint, almost perceptible psychic transmission.

  THE HANGING MANSE  

Berkanin’s mansion-turned-laboratory is situated on the southwestern wall of Bis, a prominent balcony 40 feet above the floor of the district, with no other structures beneath it. From below, all that’s visible is the extensive stone buttressing that supports the massive weight of the complex above. The two most obvious ways up are an arched entrance in the wall leading to an enclosed stone staircase and a complex affair of ropes and pulleys attached to a wooden platform that currently rests on the ground. Scaling the stone wall leading up to the balcony would be a challenging endeavor and both hands must be free ... meaning that the two party members with polearms and oversized spears would be left behind or having to find their way in the first two means.

What do you wish to do?
DrK
 Akif 

Akif nods his thanks to his brother at the psychic mask then listens to Myki nodding and smiling.   "My thanks for the history lesson little Myki, I appreciate the lessons of your city here."   As they stare at the dwelling he gauges the doorways and allows him to slowly shrink from his towering 15ft height to a merely "big" 7 or so feet tall.   "I will will hopefully fit more easily now in these small dwellings."  

Looking further he points at the archway,   "Shall we enter and retreive this wayward little troll?"  
lostsole31
  "I might not be the sharpest nib on the quill,"   says The Scribe,   "but if that archway leads to something like a front door upon which to knock first, I'm all in."  
Qazgir
 Sisir
 
  "Myki, what are the odds a diplomatic approach might work, given the circumstances? I'd imagine they're nonexistent, but you are the expert here."   Sisir pauses to brush off some dust, real or imagined, from his armor, before continuing.   "If it is the case that there is no diplomatic way to go about this, then I'd prefer going through the door to going up the ropes, but I could be convinced either way."  
lostsole31
Myki gives a doubtful look, but The Scribe says,   "It's not about 'chance of success.' It's more a matter that we tried, and should our actions be under review one day, we can answer that we attempted the proper course first. I have no standing bet that would say this is the winning tactic .... just the right one."  
Tippnick
  "Let us go up to the door and try. But first prepare yourselves for trouble"  , Iluvar advises
lostsole31
  "Allow me to go first,"   offers Myki.

It is important to note that the stairwell is a 5-foot-wide area.  V-sibs , will you squeeze on the way up?

Also,  ALCON  what order do you recommend?
DrK
 Akif 

Akif, now medium size looks at the others and then nods slowly as he follows Myki, his spear leaning casually against his shoulder as he follows the small child.   "I will follow you little Myki"   Akif booms as he follows her towards the doorway, eyes and ears alert for any danger.
lostsole31
Who is next (or recommended next)?
Qazgir
Sisir

  "I'll take up the rear, unless you want that position Iluvar"   Sisir says as he shrinks down to his smaller size.
Tippnick
  "I will go last"  , Iluvar informs the group.
lostsole31
The Scribe watches the transformation with rapt fascination, as well as the handling of the oversized weapons as he takes the only place leftover ... the middle.

A five-foot-wide stairway is situated inside the wall of Kaer Maga itself, accessed through an arched opening at ground level whose surrounding stone is perfectly smooth save for many tiny lines or slits carved haphazardly along its length. The stairs wind upward inside the wall toward the Hanging Manse on the wide, buttressed balcony forty feet above.

As soon as Myki - the first of your group - approaches w/in 5' of the entrance to the stairs, the dozens of lines carved into the archway twist and snap open, revealing blankly staring eyes of the same gray stone. A chorus of high, discordant voices calls out:   “No solicitors, petitioners, inquisitors, or social calls! This is your only warning.”   With a sound like shuffling cards, all of the eyes swivel to focus on the closest figure, Myki. A single tiny voice then sings out,   “This means yooo-oou...”  
Qazgir
Sisir

Hearing the warning and seeing the eyes, Sisir smiles before speaking up,   "We have business with the master of the house, could a message be taken to him?"   
lostsole31
The eyes all shift in unison to Sisir, but then back to Myki, blinking every now and then.

Myki shakes her head.   "It's a programmed illusion that mixes the elements of a  magic mouth . There is no intellect here with which to converse."  
DrK
 Akif 

The big titan upon hearing that the door is an artifact of magic rather than sentience leans forward to push gently upon it to see if it will open.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Strength check if needed  (1d20+9)[ 20 ] 
 
lostsole31
Sensing that trouble might be brewing, The Scribe gets into a preparatory stance. Myki takes an extract and does so as well.

The group makes their way up the tightly turning stairwell. By the time Myki gets to the top with Akif right behind her .... and everyone on the stairwell behind but not seeing what is above. Myki (and Akif) are the first to see the following, though as they come up the others will see as well .... The staircase emerges onto a cobblestone path leading through a well-landscaped garden. Five feet from the top of the stairs, the path passes though a freestanding stone arch carved into the form of two angels facing away from each other and blowing trumpets, backs arched and great wing tips touching at the apex.

But before anyone moves forward, Myki makes sure Akif can see, and asks that he clearly and completely conveys what is seen to those behind.
DrK
 Akif 

Akif pauses for a second behind Myki and looks cautiously at the garden.   "A garden beckons"   he mutters to his colleagues before checking his helm is secure he motions for Myki to let him past, but pauses, watching carefully for some 12 seconds with his magical senses. Assuming no magic radiates he'll draw his shield and heft his spear and advance some 20ft into the garden

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Detect magic for 2 rounds then (as long as the angels don't glow) he'll advance into the garden
 
lostsole31
Myki switches spots with Akif, and he senses one magical aura down his line of bearing. Does he concentrate for a third round?
DrK
 Akif 

Akif pauses as he senses some magic ahead. Squinting through the narrow bars of his face plated helmet he waits patiently trying to ascertain the source before he advances further
lostsole31
There is a single moderate aura of divination coming from the arch, properties unknown.
DrK
 Akif 

Akif grunts and looks at the arch before striding through, a curt   ”They would seek to divine our attentions.”   as a warning to the others
Qazgir
Sisir

Hearing his brother's warning, Sisir nods,   "best to proceed with caution then."   He closes his eyes briefly, tapping his finger on his side and concentrating, when he opens them he seems more alert to the potential dangers surrounding the group.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Cast Anticipate Peril targeting himself: next time within 80 minutes he rolls initiative, discharge spell for a +5 insight bonus to initiative.
 
lostsole31
  "Myki, can you check the area for traps? I recommend you avoid the arch, if possible,"   asks the Scribe.

She nods and says,   "There's room."  

She asks for Akif and her to switch places again. She moves to the inboard side of the arch and around the structure, even standing on the edge of the 40' drop to the streets of Bis below when she says,   "It seems clear. While there is magic on the arch, it is not a trap, but that doesn't mean that it helps us. Everyone circumvent the arch."  
Tippnick
When it becomes his turn Iluvar will avoid the archway as well.
lostsole31
The Scribe waits for Akif to move....
DrK
 Akif 

With space to slip around the edge Akif will do as the others slipping around the arch and heading into the centre of the courtyard. There he’ll slowly look around scanning the 4 quadrants for other signs of magic whilst waiting for his brother
lostsole31
The Scribe comes up, and for the sake of getting 'er done, Sisir and Iluvar come up as well.

The staircase emerges onto a cobblestone path leading through a well-landscaped garden. Five feet from the top of the stairs, the path passes though a freestanding stone arch carved into the form of two angels facing away from each other and blowing trumpets, backs arched and great wing tips touching at the apex.
Tippnick
Iluvar motions everyone to be quiet and tries to listen to see if there is movement or anything to be concerned about nearby

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


Once the group stops moving Iluvar tries to listen for danger or anything of interest

 (d20+19)[ 21 ]  Perception check
 
Qazgir
Sisir

Once he has enough space, Sisir returns to his full size. In a hushed tone he says   "a beautiful garden, not exactly what I expected to find here. But let us not linger here too long."   
lostsole31
Iluvar doesn't notice anything.
DrK
 Akif 

Akif grins at his brother.   ”Does it feel good to stretch?”   still smiling he will keep his spear ready as he advances south to the corner and peers around ready for trouble
lostsole31
As he peers around the corner, Akif sees that this large balcony has been sculpted and landscaped into a wide garden that runs all the way to the unfenced edge, where short vines trail off into empty space. The plant life that clusters in low mounds is a mixture of shade-loving forest undergrowth and brilliantly colored mushrooms and other fungi. The entire garden is lit to a soft twilight by eight-foot-high lampposts with glowing yellow-orange globes at their tops, and neat stone footpaths carve winding trails around and between them.

The entire garden is considered an area of dim light. The garden is clearly artificial; the dirt and plants were dragged up here by servants when Berkanin first built the place, and the plants are sustained by the meager but  continual light  cast by the lampposts. The view from the edge is fantastic, taking in the whole twinkling vista of the cavernous district, and the garden itself is quite pleasant.

Of course, even in the dim light, sees two massive mounds of plants hiding in portions of the undergrowth some distance away. He might have missed them, if he didn't notice that some type of vine-tentacle slowly moving in both mounds!
DrK
 Akif 

The Titan chuckles as he warns the others.   ”Be wary my friends. Some of these plants may be more than decorative.”   Pausing he stretches his muscles and slowly begins to expand stretching and growing to his towering full height and massive broad shouldered width.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Full: grow to full size
Wait to see if anyone has information on the moving plants
 
lostsole31
  "Back up, biggle man, and let an elf take a look at these plants,"   Myki says to Akif.
DrK
 Akif 

Akif, now large, happily steps back to allow Myki to peer around the corner. Akif readies his spear and nods to his brother,   "I suspect some aggressive pruning will be required. Ready yourself."  
lostsole31
Myki says, now softly as she readies herself,   "Stay here."  

She begins a stealthy approach along the side of the building. She goes very, very slowly so that in time her silhouette is almost lost. In fact, you now recognize that her almost brick red clothing and her light blue trim - while seeming to be something to call attention to itself - breaks up her silhouette nicely. Her healthy, pale complexion with a light ruddy tinge also seems made to hide amongst urban surroundings. The Scribe, the only one directly observing her right right now, softly hisses in tension. "She has gotten .... right ... up on one of those things."

A few minutes later, she returns to report.   "There are two massive plants - at full vertical extension they'd be 20' tall. I'd estimate each one coming in right around two tons or so. There's a massive central maw to them, and they possess whipping vine tendrils. I'm pretty sure these things are tendriculoses."
  
With her observations and her own significant knowledge of natural philosophy, she feeds the human data machine that is The Scribe, and here is what he offers (44)...
   
 "Yes, tendriculos, a plant creature. Most people don't realize that while not possessing eyes, plants can 'see' as they respond to anything in the visible light spectrum ... as they are wont to respond to sunlight for nutrition, yes? Even the intelligent plant creatures have completely alien thoughts to us, and mind-affecting magics do not work on them, so charms, compulsions, morale effects, patterns, and phantasms are all out. Their biology is vastly different from expected, so any kind of paralysis, poison, sleep effects .... stunning, Iluvar ... will not affect them.

          "A tendriculos is a creature brought into being through a corruption of nature, often where foul magic has seeped into the environs for many years, or where the boundaries between the Material Plane and the mysterious realm of the fey have worn thin. Tales and myths speak of arcane manipulation from other planes, while others speak of a tendriculos as being the manifestation of an angered spirit of nature. A voracious carnivore, the tendriculos is an active hunter when it needs to be but it prefers to rely on ambush tactics, choosing well-traveled areas in the forest where it can lie in wait in the undergrowth. The creature is quick to swallow any prey it happens to catch in its vines, relying upon the acid-filled reservoir in its trunk to finish off prey that may still have a bit of fight left in it. This acid not only consumes organic material with shocking ease, but also contains a powerful paralytic enzyme that further reduces a creature’s chance of escape once it’s been gulped down by the plant."   
   
  "Of course,"   adds Myki,   "We could attempt to infil into the double doors just a few feet from our position around the corner."  
lostsole31
The Scribe nods, and both Myki and The Scribe slowly move around the corner and up to the double doors to study and then return.

The Scribe says,   "The entry double doors are not trapped and appear unlocked. Akif, Vedavyasa ... until we have a better handle on what conditions are like inside, since you've proven you both size down to something almost-normal, I recommend you do that before we enter. Otherwise, we may get into a position where we're getting in each other's way."  
DrK
 Akif 

Akif after a grin to his brother nods,   "I bow to your wisdom"   and after a  few seconds  once more is merely looking at 7ft tall rather than truly giant. Eyeing up the double doors he glances round the corner again at the plants,   "Let us hope they don't move to a sunny patch of garden outside these doors when we return."   But makes ready to follow Myki through the double doors.
Qazgir
Sisir

  "Ah well, so much for stretching"   he says with a rueful smile, as he shrinks back down to his smaller size,   "let us hope that our jaunt inside can be just as uneventful as our stroll through this lovely garden."  
lostsole31
Myki and The Scribe leave the door opening to the big armored guys.

Akif and Sisir, do you each open a door at the same time?
Qazgir
Sisr

Sisir steps up to the door and glances at his brother, saying   "count down like usual, won't you."   He then turns to the others,   "well, into the breach we go, I expect we'll have a lovely time."   He laughs, before squaring his shoulders and nodding to Akif.
DrK
 Akif 

Akif nods,   ”As you say brother. I’ll take left if you will take the right.”    With his spear sling in the loop on his back he counts down before pushing open the door, holding the shield
Up and peering over it.
lostsole31
And with that, the brothers open the doors.

This hall has ornate  wooden double doors on opposite walls to the east and west. A third door  made primarily of opaque glass stands in the northern wall. On the  southern wall, a huge clock ticks off the seconds, its exposed gears and  whirring pulleys spread out across the entire wall in a single  artistically arranged layer. Over the western double doors, a tiny  mechanical eyeball with wings and arms is mounted on the wall, its limbs  pinned out in a majestic pose. To either side of these doors, a marble  podium holds a small potted plant. 
 Spoiler: Compass Headings 
The  descriptions are given in relation to true north, and this map has SW to  the top. As usual, for the purposes of combat, all definitions of aim,  movement, and the like should still be given in "relative" north ...  where north is the top of the display, regardless of actual true  north.
 
Two mechanical figures made from brass and steel stand  at attention in the center of the room, but do not move with the doors  opening. They motionlessly look south directly at you, and would  probably do a fine job of scaring away a thieving fool.

What do you do?
DrK
 Akif 

Akif pauses, eying the mechanical figures cautiously, raising his shield he draws the spear dropping into a heavy phalanx like stance and seems to exude an air of indefatigability.   "Let us see if they are merely for decoration..."   he says before stepping forward, continuing to  advance until he can reach out and lightly tap the one in front of him with the tip of the spear on its metallic head.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

draw spear

 Start Indomitable Presence (Ex):  All allies w/in 30' of his position gain the benefits of the Diehard feat, and may gain +5 morale bonus [CHA] to Fort saves vs. death effects, fatigue or exhaustion effects, or poison effects. 

Adopt: Phalanx Lancer stance

5ft forward (directly north on the map) and tap the nearest one on the head (gently)
 
Qazgir
Sisir

  "A good thought"  , Sisir focuses his gaze on the mechanical figure in front of him. Drawing his shield and mace, Sisir advances alongside his brother, pushing the head of his mace into the figure's chest.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Draw mace and shield.

Attempt to use Hypnotic Stare on the mechanical figure in front of him. If it is a creature, it takes -3 to Will Saves and Attack Rolls. If the target is immune to mind-affecting effects, then it +2 to any related saves and have a 50% chance to ignore the Stare's effect every round.

Move 5' North and push figure directly North in the chest with his mace.
 
Tippnick
  "Our new companions are not shy"  , Iluvar says to the Scribe. Iluvar then looks for any motion or sound that might contain a threat.
lostsole31
 
 Originally Posted by DrK 
 Akif pauses, eying the mechanical figures cautiously, raising his shield he draws the spear   dropping into a heavy phalanx like stance   and seems to exude an air of indefatigability.   "Let us see if they are merely for decoration..."   he says before stepping forward  ,  continuing to  advance until he can reach out and lightly tap the one  in front of him with the tip of the spear on its metallic head.    
 


 
 Originally Posted by Qazgir 
   "A good thought"  ,  Sisir focuses his gaze on the mechanical figure in front of him.  Drawing his shield and mace, Sisir advances alongside his brother,   pushing the head of his mace into the figure's chest.   
 

As they do this ...
 
 Originally Posted by Tippnick 
   "Our new companions are not shy"  , Iluvar says to the Scribe. Iluvar then looks for any motion or sound that might contain a threat. 
 

Just  as the brothers step into the room, but before they can boop the bronze  statues, clockwork gears in them spring to life! The sudden shift from  quiescence to menace is enough to drop Akif out of stance and tactical  presence, and Sisir burns his magic to become more responsive even as  his hypnotic stare is interrupted.

 Begin Round One ...

R1T37:   Myki's rapier is in her hand, and nobody saw it happen, and she gets  into a loosey-goosey fighting stance. With her other hand she seems to  down some type of pharmaceutical. She then darts in and acrobatically  gets into a flanking position with Akif.

 R1T27:  A  stance the Scribe seems to have been in is re-adopted while at the same  time he adds in some other element. He then moves in past the others  and carefully gets to the far side of the room near a  conspicuously-placed potted plant.   "Clockwork soldiers!"   he calls out.   "Mindless  constructs built to fight to the death for its creator. Versatile and  wholly unpredictable, and programmed to wield a variety of weapons with a  variety of tactics."  
 R1T21:  Red (clockwork soldier) steps into the nearest corner, and completely fails to disarm Akif of his weapon.

 R1T18:   Iluvar , what do you do?
Tippnick
Iluvar concentrates briefly and then  moves into the building trying to dodge any attacks and using his allies to shield any blows. He then tries to remove the weapon from blue. He says,   "Coming through, don't mind me."  
 
 Spoiler: crunch 


SwA: Bane construct
MA: 4 squares to just west of blue
Will move acrobatically to avoid aoo
 (d20+16)[ 18 ]  acrobatics
(He has dodge for +5 vs aoo)
(He has escape route teamwork feat)

SA: disarm attempt on blue

 (d20+12)[ 24 ]  disarm attempt

Did not add in bane or deft maneuvers, did add in weapon attunement +1
 
lostsole31
 R1T18:  Iluvar concentrates briefly and then  moves into the building trying to  dodge any attacks and using his allies to shield any blows while saying,    "Coming through, don't mind me."   He then  tries to remove the weapon from Blue, and doesn't even remotely come close.

Blue steps up into a flanking position against Iluvar and attacks twice, but the fast half-elf completely stymies the construct.

 R1T10:   Sisir , you had burned off your  anticipate peril . Your hypnotic stare was interrupted by the sudden breakout of combat (i.e., initiative). What do you do?

Akif on deck, Myki in the hole ...
Qazgir
Sisir

Blinking at the sudden movement, Sisir focuses his gaze on the figure ahead of him once again.   "With me, if you please"   he says, his voice booming as he steps forward, swinging his mace as he does so, striking out twice at the head of the automaton.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Swift Action: Hypnotic Stare on Blue. It takes -3 to Will Saves and Attack Rolls. If the target is immune to mind-affecting effects, then it +2 to any related saves and have a 50% chance to ignore the Stare's effect every round.

Free Action: Speak &amp; make a 5' step NE.

Full Round Action: Make two Mace attacks against Blue.

Attack Roll #1:  (1d20+14)[ 18 ] 
Damage Roll #1:  (2d6+8)[ 19 ]  Bludgeoning damage and trigger the first Painful Stare of the round dealing  (2d6+4)[ 8 ]  Precision damage and forcing a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.

Attack Roll #2:  (1d20+9)[ 28 ] 
Damage Roll #2:  (2d6+8)[ 13 ]  Bludgeoning damage and trigger the second Painful Stare of the round dealing  (2d6+4)[ 11 ]  Precision damage and forcing the same save as above.

Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any moderate condition as defined by Touch Treatment, activate Mask Misery.

Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time Blue gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force the same save vs confusion as above.
 
DrK
 Akif  

Akif bellows a great laugh as the automaton attacks him. Spinning the spear he drops into a low stance, inspiring his fellows once more and thrusts savagely at the thing before following up with a great smashing shield.

 
 Spoiler: OOC  


Swift: phalanx lancer stance
Standard: Golden swipe manuevre ,  risky strike included   (1d20+16)[ 30 ]  dam  (2d6+16)[ 23 ]  + (6d6)[ 17 ]  move opponent directly west (so into wall to keep him there)
** free shield bash  (1d20+16)[ 25 ]  dam  (2d6+16)[ 23 ]  with Vanguards shield ability
Free: use tactical presence: indomitable presence
 
lostsole31
 R1T10:  Blinking at the sudden movement, Sisir focuses his gaze on the figure ahead of him once again.   "With me, if you please,"     he says, his voice booming as he steps forward, swinging his mace as  he  does so, striking out twice at the head of the automaton. The first  attack is merely a probing attack, checking the enemy's armor, which is  stout. Blue lists its halberd high for protecting the head, and Sisir  simply hits it in the midpoint of upper torso and abdomen for  8 mod , though he didn't feel his stare affect the creature (this time), despite trying to trigger it.

 R1T9:  Akif bellows a great laugh as the automaton  attacks him. Spinning the  spear he drops into a low stance, inspiring  his fellows once more and  thrusts savagely into the thing's left  shoulder for  31 mod  before following up with a great smashing  shield into the thing's head for  7 mod . The soldier gets hit up against the wall, but not pinned against the wall, and just takes its footing as normal.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ....

R2T37:  Myki gives Blue a dark look and sidesteps to the northwest before stabbing Blue through the upper back for  18 mod   + confused , and then stabs it through the left elbow for  15 mod .  Where the men strike with bone crushing power, she strikes with the  supernal speed of a viper. 
 Spoiler: Sisir 
The first strike got the  benefit of the stare, but when it got struck with the second (which it  ignored from your stare), it sealed in that it would attack her. Just  letting you know how follow-on attacks work when confusion effects are  in play. There will be no "confusion roll effect."
 

 R2T27:  The Scribe makes a quick study of Blue and cuts its leg for  14 mod + prone . 
 Spoiler: Akif 
Which  plays "hot potato" with the confusion effect by now having The Scribe  draw aggro, since he was the most recent to attack.
 

 R2T21:  Red attacks Iluvar (who dodges) and continues along to strike Akif in the hip for  16 mod .

 R2T18:   Iluvar , do you maintain your bane-construct? What do you do?

Blue on deck, Sisir in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar goes for damage over disarm.   "Pharasma guide my blows."  
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

He maintains another round of bane
SwA: judgments justice and destruction (+2,+3 not adding in)
FRA Flurry of blows, risky strike on blue down
Stunning fist

 (d20+13)[ 29 ]  to hit
 (d10+9)[ 15 ]  normal damage
 (2d6)[ 11 ]  bane damage
 (d6)[ 2 ]  precision damage from flanking

Flurry attack

 (d20+13)[ 15 ]  to hit
 (d10+9)[ 10 ]  normal damage
 (2d6)[ 5 ]  bane damage
 (d6)[ 4 ]  precision damage from flanking

Iterative attack

 (d20+8)[ 11 ]  to hit
 (d10+9)[ 13 ]  normal damage
 (2d6)[ 6 ]  bane damage
 (d6)[ 6 ]  precision damage from flanking

If at any time blue goes down he will attack red
 
lostsole31
 R2T18:  Iluvar goes for damage over disarm.   "Pharasma, guide my blows."  

Iluvar goes for what best passes as a throat punch on the fallen soldier for  26 mod .  There is a slight pause to see if the soldier was additionally  affected, but it was not. He then just manages to kick it in the lower  back for  21 mod  (painful stare). It is just enough,  with seemed to Iluvar more damage than expected, to cause the clockwork  soldier to deactivate, so he throws out a threatening kick at Red.

 R2T10:   Sisir , what do you do?

Akif on deck, Myki in the hole ...
Qazgir
 Sisir

As Iluvar strikes down Blue, Sisir flashes him a smile.   "Well struck Iluvar"   he says before turning and focusing his gaze on Red, then striding past Iluvar he strikes out at Red.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 
 
  
 Spoiler: Action! 
   Free Action: Speak   
   
   
   Swift Action: Hypnotic Stare on Red. It takes -3 to Will Saves and Attack Rolls. If the target is immune to mind-affecting effects, then it +2 to any related saves and have a 50% chance to ignore the Stare's effect every round.   
   
   
   Move Action: Move 15’ West   
   
   
   Standard Action: Attack Red   
   
   
   Attack Roll #1:  (1d20+14)[ 15 ]    
   Damage Roll #1:  (2d6+8)[ 12 ]  Bludgeoning damage and trigger the first Painful Stare of the round dealing  (2d6+4)[ 10 ]  Precision damage and forcing a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.   
   
   
   Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any moderate condition as defined by Touch Treatment, activate Mask Misery.   
   
   
   Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force the same save vs confusion as above.    
   
   
   Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.   
 
lostsole31
 R2T10:   As Iluvar strikes down Blue, Sisir flashes him a smile.   "Well struck Iluvar,"    he says before turning and focusing his gaze on Red. He strides past  the monk, but in doing so makes leaves himself open and is struck in the  right left upper arm with its halberd for  7 mod , which throws off Sisir's own attack.

 R2T9:   Akif , what do you do? 

Myki on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...
DrK
 Akif 

As he feels the cut into his leg Akif's brow furrows in irritation as he snarls,   "You dare touch me clock work monster..."   he mutters as he leans in stabbing with the spear with an elegant thrust before following up with a savage smash from his shield.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Standard: Silver knights blade  (1d20+17)[ 24 ]  dam  (2d6+9)[ 15 ]  +  (1d6)[ 6 ]  stance +  (4d6)[ 13 ]  sacred
 ++ Heal Akif = Sacred damage
Free: Vanguard shield:  (1d20+17)[ 21 ]  dam  (1d8+9)[ 15 ]  +  (1d6)[ 6 ]  stance

If attacked [Immediate] counter with: Iron Shell  (1d20+17)[ 35 ]  to negate attack
Free: Vanguard shield:  (1d20+17)[ 36 ]  dam  (1d8+9)[ 16 ]  +  (1d6)[ 6 ]  stance
 
lostsole31
  R2T9:   As he feels the cut into his leg Akif's brow furrows in irritation as he snarls,    "You dare touch me, clock work monster,"     he mutters as he leans in stabbing with the spear with an elegant  thrust to the monster's chest for  29 mod  (and himself gaining   13 healing  ) before following up with a savage smash from his shield into its abdomen for  16 mod .

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T37:   Myki, seeing the battle well in hand and no way to get to the foe,  steps down to the door to the east and carefully listens. As calmly as  if there were no battle she says,   "I  saw something like an indoor garden through the window this way when we  came in. I sense no latent danger, and hear signs of no creature past  this portal."  
 R3T27:  With an  impressive bit of footwork The Scribe darts over, fails a disarm against  the soldier, and then heads north next to the double doors.

 R3T21:  The soldier counters with a cut against the side of Akif's right knee for  12 mod  before attacking Sisir and being beaten back by a shield.

 R3T18:   Iluvar , what do you do?

Sisir on deck, Akif in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar presses the attack

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


Drops bane
FRA Flurry of blows
Swa: if the target doesn't drop after the iterative attack he will spend a ki to gain another attack


1st attack

 (d20+16)[ 19 ] 
 (d10+3)[ 5 ]  damage

2nd attack
 (d20+16)[ 27 ] 
 (d10+3)[ 5 ] 

Iterative
 (d20+11)[ 23 ] 
 (d10+3)[ 12 ] 

If necessary ki spend for extra attack

 (d20+16)[ 23 ] 
 (d10+3)[ 6 ] 

Reminder of judgments still active
 
lostsole31
 R3T18:  Iluvar presses the attack. He does a drop knee down onto its right foot for  3 mod , then up with a high elbow dig to the lower chest for  3 mod , and finishes with a power knee to the groin for  10 mod .  It is still (barely) upright, so Iluvar keeps his momentum and does a  digging elbow drop to the upper part of its chest, and finally  destroys/deactivates the soldier.

 Combat Ends! 

Pharasma's servant's job complete, Iluvar's judgment goes away.

Myki heads north with the Scribe to listen at the door.  Hearing nothing, Myki says.   "Okay, double to north, or single to east ... and from the window I saw the east has an inner garden or something."  

Recommendations? What do you do?
DrK
 Akif 

Rubbing his knee where he was struck he grins,   ”A warm welcome. Maybe east but be wary lest they have more dangerous plants on the next garden.”   Heading to the eastern door he glances at his brother,   “Are you well?”  
Qazgir
Sisir

  "Quite well"   he says, grinning back at his brother,   "and what about the rest of you? You mortals aren't quite as tough as we are, so it's a good thing we took most of the hits, yes?"   Laughing, he moves to stand next to his brother.   "Now, which of these intriguing doors do we want to pass through next?"  , he says, gesturing in turn to the northern and eastern doors.
Tippnick
  "Akif, do you mind letting me heal the wound on your knee?"  ,  asks Iluvar.

 
 Spoiler: Pause for healing  

If he does not object
Casting cure moderate on the wound
 (2d8+8)[ 18 ]  healing

If that is not enough casts cure light
 (d8+8)[ 10 ]  healing
 
lostsole31
The mortals are all fine.

It only takes one casting to heal Akif's knee.

I take it Sisir will put his weapon in his shield hand so he can open the door? Or, will Akif put away his shield and have a hand on his spear to open the door (assuming from conversation you are heading to the east0?
DrK
 Akif 

Akif inclines his head and thanks Iluvar as the bruises on his knee fade away.   ”Small yet mighty.”   he offers to his brother motioning at Iluvar and Myki.   “please allow me..”   he adds as he slings his spear onto the sheath on his back and reaches out with his hand to pull open the eastern door and see what lies beyond.
lostsole31
The ceiling and two outer walls of this room are made entirely of panes of glass. The light coming through the windows seems amplified, and the room is as bright as noonday. Several tables and racks stand covered with green, leafy plants in pots, as well as four identical marble busts of the same young, clean-shaven man. A plain wooden chair sits in the center of the room, facing a small desk with a mechanical arm protruding from the top. Part of the wood is scarred and stained.
DrK
 Akif 

The giant enters the greens house carefully, not bothering to unsling his spear yet, but stops short of tye desk and looks around carefully. The pointing at a bust,   ”Little Myki, you are a native to here yes? Do you know this man?”  
lostsole31
  "Your constant need to define a relative title,"   says Myki as she follows in,   "is inefficient, as it is not a socially accepted title born of something achieved ... or failed. It is based on a quality that is outside of my ability to control. Therefore, you are simply ignorant of its effect as a pejorative, or you seek to establish psychological dominance because all of your muscles fail you when it comes to your self-esteem. Attempting the likely-prepared, 'but it is a true statement' is meager and threadbare when posited against my previous statement. Truth can be used as a weapon. Before speaking, don't just ask 'Is it true?' ... but also ask 'Is it kind?'"  

She walks the length of the path and back, looking into both sides of the plant area, and then beckons the rest of the party in.   "Clear. I don't recommend a search because we're not here to rob a man's house, but to verify and rescue an alleged kidnapping victim. But I'm just an outside contractor. Do what you do, or don't, and let's move on."  
Tippnick
Iluvar says,   "Let us not tarry, the occupant of this house seems devious and has not a care for the dangers his contraptions and pets present. I care not to let him be more prepared than he already is."  
lostsole31
  "Gods forbid we should be involved in a Terry stop for tarrying,"   says The Scribe, eager to move on.
Tippnick
  "Brothers, as long Myki says iit is clear,  can you lead us through the door?"  , Iluvar queries.
DrK
 Akif 

With no more discussion of the owner Akif shrugs, letting Myki’s words wash over him.   ”Let us see what else lies in this place.”   he offers quietly crossing the greenhouse to the next door
Qazgir
Sisir

Following his brother, Sisir moves to stand beside the door.   "Once more into the unknown"   he says, before turning to Akif and gesturing to the door,   "after you, dear brother."  
lostsole31
Assuming the door is opened ...it looks like there is a parlor of some type beyond (more info once you move in and see more).
DrK
 Akif 

A glance behind him to shrug Akif moves forwards   "No more gardens here"   he mutters as he advances into the room, shield ready and fist clenched.
lostsole31
The room is dark, and Akif sees no more of it than he did behind the door jamb.
DrK
 Akif 

In the darkness Akif pauses and raise a hand. Holding it out he ignites a cool blue light to help him see and he then attaches the blue light to the front of his shield.

 OOC

Akif casts light on his shield and looks around the room

 
lostsole31
This large room has a staircase in the corner and several overstuffed armchairs facing each other on a large and ornate rug. Along the walls stand various cases or hangers displaying an assortment of strange trophies, such as a spear with a glass reservoir at the end, a small mannequin elaborately carved from bone or ivory, a marble lion head, and a number of framed schematic drawings.
Qazgir
  "Well, anything worth seeing brother?"   Sisir asks, seeing his brother light up the room. He walks up behind Akif before saying with a grin   "Get a move on, I'm right behind you, two are better than one when investigating a room after all."  
DrK
 Akif 

Akif advanced to the centre of the room and looked around shining a light into each corner.   ”Nothing to note here, of if it is I cannot see it.”   He moves to the far side to stand near the exit and allow the others to look around the room in more detail.
lostsole31
As Akif moves in and looks around, he notices something has changed from when he first stepped in. There was a little bone doll that was displayed, but it's not there anymore.
Tippnick
After Brother Akif says there is nothing see, Iluvar moves in to look around the area
DrK
 Akif 

Akif spins around and cautiously walks towards where he last saw the doll, a low growling   "And where did you go little thing"   as he peers around the area where it had last been.
Tippnick
  "What little thing are you talking about?"  , Iluvar asks.
DrK
 Akif 

Still peering around Akif glances at Iluvar,    "A small thing. Like a doll a human child would play with. It may have fallen"   and he mimics his shambling feet suggesting he could have just caused a disruption with his bulk   "" But I feel uneasy here and I would like to be sure."  
lostsole31
Myki and The Scribe enter, leaving Sisir in the previous room.
Qazgir
Having let everyone pass him into the room, Sisir enters the room. Seeing that nobody seems to be investigating the eastern hall, he moves in that direction.
lostsole31
Sisir moves past The Scribe and to the edge of area  A12 .  One wall of this hallway is covered in an elaborate mural of a pastoral  landscape in which every object—trees, animals, and even people—is its  own clockwork mechanism of exposed gears and belts.

 Surprise Round ... 

Something suddenly bites Akif's left foot with an oversized pair of jaws  20 mod + grabbed !

 Begin Round One ... 
 R1T29:   The Scribe laughs. He can't help himself, but then covers by telling a  story of brave Pathfinders who fared well against a race of small  creatures in a spelunking expedition. It is both inspiring and comical,  heartening the efforts of his friends.   "It's a tupilaq, a type of scrimshaw construct, not undead,"   he adds while getting into a mixture of style and stance and moves around a chair to threaten the doll with his ranseur.

 R1T25:   Iluvar , what do you do?
Tippnick
Iluvar moves to engage the construct in close melee.


 
 Spoiler: crunch 

FA: Iluvar takes a five foot step to the west
FRA: Flurry of blows, risky strike
 (d20+13)[ 27 ]  to hit

 (d10+9)[ 19 ]  damage

Flurry attack

 (d20+13)[ 30 ]  to hit

 (d10+9)[ 10 ]  damage

Iterative strike

 (d20+8)[ 28 ]  to hit

 (d10+9)[ 19 ]  damage
 
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: crit roll 

 (d20)[ 20 ] 
 (d10+9)[ 16 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T25:  Iluvar moves to engage the construct in close melee. He gives several quick kicks to it for  11 mod ,  2 mod , &amp;  11 mod .

 R1T22:   Myki rushes past Iluvar while drawing her rapier, studies the tupilaq  and puts some special reagent on her blade. She stabs it for  9 mod + sickened .

 R1T19:   Akif , you have a scrimshaw doll with an oversized jaw grabbing your feet. What do you do?
DrK
 Akif 

Akif looks down in surprise as he feels the sudden sharp pain in his foot.  " Ah, a foot snatcher, get it off me. "  he exclaims loudly as he raises the shield and smashes it down with extreme prejudice before seeking to kick it off with the other foot.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Free: Raise Rallying Presence

Standard: Silver Knight's Blade (with risky attack)  (1d20+15)[ 34 ]  dam  (1d8+15)[ 22 ]  +  (4d6)[ 16 ]  sacred
 Akif also heals the sacred damage 

Swift: Inner sphere Stance (bonus to AC and Will saves)

(Not including the -2 grapple penalty here)
 
lostsole31
 R1T19:  Akif looks down in surprise as he feels the sudden sharp pain in his foot.  " Ah, a foot snatcher! Get it off me! "   he exclaims loudly as he raises the shield and smashes it down with  extreme prejudice for  14 mod . While a solid strike with  the shield, Akif finds that he doesn't have the proper body alignment  while grappled for either the maneuver he attempted or for entering his  stance.

 R1T17:   Sisir , what do you do?

Tupilaq on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...
Qazgir
Sisir laughs, saying   "always getting into trouble little brother, even on the job. Well, I'm sure you have it well in hand."   Sisir then advances down the eastern hallway, cautiously and with his weapon and shield drawn, ready to strike should an enemy appear.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Move Action: Move 20' east, and if nothing there's nothing obviously hostile, 10' North, otherwise 10' towards the hostile.
 
Swift Action: If a hostile appears, activate Hypnotic Stare on them, they  take -3 to Will Saves and Attack Rolls. If the target is immune to mind-affecting effects, then it +2 to any related saves and have a 50% chance to ignore the Stare's effect every round.  
 Standard Action: Attack anything that enters his range with his mace, and if nothing appears in the next room, ready an action to attack anything that enters his range.

 Attack Roll #1:  (1d20+14)[ 33 ]     Damage Roll #1:  (2d6+8)[ 16 ]  Bludgeoning damage and if Hypnotic Stare is applied to the target then trigger the first Painful Stare of the round dealing  (2d6+4)[ 10 ]  Precision damage and forcing a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.  
   Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any moderate condition as defined by Touch Treatment, activate Mask Misery. Tricks do not require Line of Sight to activate, and Sisir knows if their triggering condition is met, but any effects that interfere with telepathy block the activation of tricks.   
   
   
   Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force the same save vs confusion as above.    
   
   
   Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.   
 
lostsole31
 R1T17:  Sisir laughs, saying   "always getting into trouble little brother, even on the job. Well, I'm sure you have it well in hand."    Sisir then advances down the eastern hallway, cautiously and with his  weapon and shield drawn, ready to strike should an enemy appear. Once at  the end of the hallway, he hadn't set up a light himself, relaying on  his brother.

 R1T13:  Somehow, the little tupilaq keeps on Akif's foot with a tenacious bite for  17 mod .

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T29:   The Scribe continues his oration of Pathfinders preceding and studies  the creature further for his own purposes. He then attacks with his  polearm twice. Both strikes hit but the weapon damage seems completely  stopped by the hardened bone, though it still takes   9 fire   from the combined strikes.

 R2T25:   Iluvar , what do you do?

Myki on deck, Akif in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar continues the attack, but seeing the sturdy beings ability to take damage he quickly sends a plea for help to Pharasma.


 
 Spoiler: crunch 


SwA; Turn on bane construct

FRA: Flurry of Blows, risky strike

1st attack
 (d20+13)[ 14 ] 
Damage
 (d10+9)[ 16 ]  unarmed
 (2d6)[ 2 ]  bane

2nd attack
 (d20+13)[ 30 ] 
 (d10+9)[ 14 ]  unarmed
 (2d6)[ 11 ]  bane

Iterative attack
 (d20+8)[ 13 ] 
 (d10+9)[ 10 ]  unarmed
 (2d6)[ 7 ]  bane
 
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: saving throw or d20 roll for nat 1 

 (d20)[ 13 ] 
Saving throw or d20 roll
 
lostsole31
 R2T25:  Iluvar continues the attack, but seeing the  sturdy being's ability to take damage he quickly sends a plea for help  to Pharasma. His first attack is wild and embarrassing, but he quickly  rallies. He curb stomps the tupilaq on his next attack for  19 mod  before missing again with his iterative.

 R2T22:   Myki misses wildly on the first, and then on the second misses wildly  again. She hits the solid wall, and that flexes her tendons badly as she  takes  3 STR  and drops her weapon from the pain. She then steps away while holding her injured wrist.

 R2T19:   Akif , what do you do? Your foot is still grabbed by the doll.

Sisir on deck, Tupilaq in the hole ...
DrK
 Akif 

The slightly smiling, joking expression fades as it continues to savage his foot and he grunts in pain at the little teeth.   "This is no longer funny..."   he grunts as he smashes down with all his force twice with the rim of the shield.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Full attack with risky attack (no other penalties / mods included other than risky strike)

 (1d20+15)[ 31 ]  dam  (1d8+15)[ 19 ] 
 (1d20+10)[ 18 ]  dam  (1d8+15)[ 20 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T19:  The slightly smiling, joking expression fades as it continues to savage his foot and he grunts in pain at the little teeth.   "This is no longer funny..."   he grunts as he smashes down with all his force twice with the rim of the shield. The first one strikes hard for a crushing  21 , but the second attack only gets stopped by the hardened bone.

 R2T13:   Sisir , what do you do?

Tupilaq on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...
Qazgir
Sisir

Sisir touches his hand to his mace, and with a word causes it to glow with a grey light. With the room illuminated, he peers around, and if no obvious danger presents itself, moves further in.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Standard Action: Cast Light on his mace.

Move Action: If he sees nothing obviously dangerous, move 10', else move 30' W.
 
lostsole31
 R2T17:  Sisir touches his hand to his mace, and with a  word causes it to glow  with a grey light. With the room illuminated, he peers around, and if no  obvious danger presents itself, moves further in, realizing this is  where the hallway ends in this alcove where there are three doors.

 R2T13:  The tupilaq can no longer maintain its grip as Akif kicks it off of him, and the bone doll steps north into the little alcove.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T29:  The Scribe continues his orations and moves in, but fails to skewer the fast little bugger.

 R3T25:   Iluvar , what do you do? Do you maintain construct-bane?

Myki on deck, Akif in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar pauses at the situation.   "Step back and let it come to us. Only one  or 2 of us will get a good shot on it there."

  
 
 Spoiler: Crunch 

Will release bane
FA: what is this creature and what do I know of it. Will use IP if roll is 6-20
Ready an action to trip the creature if it moves within reach
 (d20+16)[ 26 ]  trip
 
lostsole31
 R3T25:  Iluvar pauses at the situation.   "Step back and let it come to us. Only one  or 2 of us will get a good shot on it there."  
 R3T22:  Myki nods, waiting and ready, but does ask while switching her rapier to her other hand,   "Iluvar, you're a priest of sorts. Can you heal torn wrist tendon?"  
 R3T19:   Akif , what do you do?

Sisir on deck, tupilaq on deck ...
Tippnick
Iluvar answers,   "No, sorry Myki."  
lostsole31
Iluvar answers,   "No, sorry Myki."  
 R3T19:   Akif , what do you do?

Sisir on deck, tupilaq on deck ...
DrK
 Akif 

Akif breathes a sigh of relief as the beast slips off his foot and steps into the alcove. He spins a savage glowing kick into it before stepping back to force it out the alcove


 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Swift: inner sphere stance
Standard: silver knight blade with slam  (1d20+18)[ 28 ]  dam  (1d8+11)[ 12 ]  and  (4d6)[ 9 ]  sacred dam to enemy and healing to Akif

5ft step to the east away from the beast
 
lostsole31
But it seems that it will not follow him out, for as the fighters are in a semi-circle of death around the alcove, they realize that last kick shattered and destroyed the bone doll.

 Combat Ended! 
DrK
 Akif 

Looking at the wreckage Akif shakes his head.   ”A nasty prank for the unwary. Thanks be for stout boots.”   he jests looking at the shoes with blood still leaking from them.   “A moment please brother.”   he calls, pulling out a wand and gently tapping his toes three times

 
 Spoiler: Wand CLW 


3 taps of his wand  (3d8+3)[ 23 ] 
 
Qazgir
Sisir

Hearing his brother's call, Sisir returns to the room the rest of the parts are standing in. "  My apologies brother, I did not expect the little creature to put up such resistance. There will be no more little excursions from me in this manor, you can be sure,"   he says, looking at once apologetic and amused.
lostsole31
Myki looks at her wrist and winces in pain.   "Too bad I never learned a  lesser restoration  extract ... &lt;ssss&gt; ... How about anyone else?  Lesser restoration ?"  

Anyone looking at her can tell that the injury causing her pain is enough that she is now carrying a medium load ... which is problematic for a person dependent on speed.
DrK
 Akif 

Akif flexing his feet looks at Myki.   ”Let me have a look, I can help you.”   he offers, a giant yet surprisingly gentle hand checking her shoulder before he prays to his gods to heal the damage

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Cast lesser restore on Myki  (1d4)[ 3 ]  stat damage healed
 
Tippnick
Iluvar will also check out the wound.   "Do you need the wound healed as well?"  
 
 Spoiler: healing 


Will assess the wound after the lesser restoration.

Will also use a wand to heal Myki completely up to full HP
 
]
lostsole31
Her tendon is fully healed now. Iluvar sees she wasn't wounded.   "No,"   she explains,   "I torqued my own wrist badly when rapier hit hard and flexed oddly against a wall stud."  
Tippnick
Iluvar says,   "Sisir, go ahead and continue your exploration to the east. But let me caution you about opening new areas of exploration while the rest of the party is still dealing with something. It cost a group I was with several of their lives and almost mine."  
DrK
Akif, testing his foot nods to his brother and goes to follow Sisir.   ”I’ll join you brother. Let us see what lies this way, mind your feet!”   he adds making sure to crouch now and then and peer under the furniture in case any more nasty biting dolls are present.
Qazgir
Sisir nods at Iluvar's warning before walking back into the room to the east. With Akif in toe, he takes inventory of the room, searching for any signs of hazards or foes.
lostsole31
 Iluvar , do you do anything in this room?

The Scribe doesn't go poring over the resident's business, but patiently waits for Iluvar.

Myki follows the brothers.

This isn't a "room" to the east, but more of an alcove end of the hallway that has three doors - one each to the east, the south, and the west.
Tippnick
Iluvar will walk the perimeter of the room but will join his companions without doing much else
Qazgir
Sisir

Seeing three ways forward, Sisir will turn to the group.   "Unless we have some reason for choosing another door, I'd say that door"  , he makes a sweeping gesture at the western door,   "is my first choice. What say you all?"   
lostsole31
  "I say,"   states Myki emphatically,   "that you should stop putting your Tem Gohan's* everywhere until I safety check things. Back off a little, please."  

[* = EDITOR'S NOTE: Tem Gohan is a famous gnomish cobbler whose shoes are in demand among the elite.]
Qazgir
Sisir

Sisir stops and turns around, saying   "Of course Myki, please take the lead."   
lostsole31
Myki does a quick circuit of the doors, ending with,   "All clear."  
DrK
Akif smiles at Myji's warning, offering a slight bow. As she offers an all clear he'll advance to the door tat was nominated and push it open and head through it. Shield ready to defend himself and a meaty clenched fist.
lostsole31
The door to the west is opened. This room is lined with bookshelves, each packed to bursting with tomes, folios, and scroll tubes. A stuffed chair upholstered with a bear pelt sits in the corner, the bear’s head rising from the top of the high back and holding a glowing glass orb in its jaws.
DrK
Akif slowly walks into the library looking about and eyes the bear's head carefully. Concentrating for a second he starts to  detect magic  scanning the room and the orb for any magic and what it may be.   "Lots of books in here should you wish to take a look"   he calls to the others, stepping to the side to allow them into the room as well.
Tippnick
Iluvar says,   "Let's bypass this until we need to search more thoroughly."  
lostsole31
  "I'm not even going in there,"   says the Scribe,   "or we won't leave for awhile, and I don't want to be tempted to take anything. Right now, we are hinging everything on the augur having told us true, and that this is the home of a kidnapper and we might find Augustille here. Technically, though, that is alleged hearsay and we're taking a bit of a risk in that regard."  

The only magic aura is the glowing orb, and it doesn't take much skill to realize that it is simply a  continual flame  spell.
Qazgir
Sisir

  "Well Myki, where to next? I'd go for the eastern door, but I'll bow to your decision"   Sisir says after hearing Iluvar's comment.
lostsole31
  "Really, Random Wanderer?"   Myki asks.   "Because  my  decision would be to go back in that other room and check out the two doors there that were completely whiffled."  
Qazgir
Sisir

Sisir smiles and raises his hands placatingly,   "As you wish Myki. Simply a difference of opinion about the best path to take, no need to get riled up."   Sisir raises his arm towards Iluvar, indicating he will follow the others.
lostsole31
  "The best path to take is one where we look everywhere since somebody has been kidnapped,"   she says as she heads back to the first main hallway.   "I am not saying I expect success. Given their position, they seem like just closets, possibly, but we should check instead of wandering about listlessly."  

The Scribe follows her, giving the warm light of the flame from his ranseur.

She checks and opens the door to the west, already guessing as to its function. This is an ordinary privy, with a stone seat and a small standing washbasin with a copper faucet and drain. She steps in and does a quick once over, and then shuts the door.

She then goes to the western door to the north that was closer to the tupilaq's wall display. She checks and opens that door as well. The storeroom is packed with crates and bins filled with bolts, cogs, chains, tubes, bricks of clay, and other supplies seemingly suited for an artist or mechanic. On a table in the middle of the room lies a pile of three round, eyeball-shaped constructs with spindly arms, all of them broken and battered.

  "Yeah, that's not creepy,"   she remarks, and only she and The Scribe can fit in there. They look around for only a minute before coming out and making their way back down the hallway to the second alcove.

She checks the door to the east and mentions that it is clear before stepping back and nodding to Akif.
DrK
Akif looks at Myki,   ”if that way is all clear we may have to go through the garden then or go through that door there?”    he suggests pointing to the door to the west that lay beyond the entranceway
lostsole31
  "We won't know until you open the door, armored fella',"   she says.
DrK
Akif shakes his head grinning at the response and strides back towards the door to the far west and pushes it open to have a look beyond. Opening back into the library he pauses and shakes his head.

  ”Ah, wrong room I am turned around.”   he says pointing to the large room where he had been assailed by he foot biter (A10). There he points at the door on the western side leading west just beyond the double doors that presumably lead back to the entrance hall where they had fought the statues
lostsole31
  "We already checked out both western rooms. The one door farther west is the loo,"   says The Scribe.   "The other is a storage room. Both have been checked."  
DrK
Akif glances down the corridor and shakes his head.   "This place is like this city. A small maze of confusing tunnels and corridors. Where do you suggest Myki and Illuvar? I shall follow your lead,"  
lostsole31
  "Outer edges inward,"   she says and points to the door to the east.
Tippnick
Iluvar nods,   "You are doing great."  
DrK
Akif nods to Iluvar,   ”My thanks. In my home the dwellings are open and the forests lush.”   At the door to the east he checks the grip on his shield and with his empty hand pushes open the door and walks through.
lostsole31
This kitchen appears partially automated, with several spindly mechanical arms extruding from counters and holding rolling pins or chef’s knives. To the northwest, a window looks out over a scrap heap and the edge of the balcony. A smaller door stands in the southern corner. By far the largest feature in the room is a potbellied iron stove along the western wall, its several extruded arms holding pots and skillets.

As soon as Akif enters the kitchen, the various mechanical arms snap to attention.
DrK
Akif looks about the room looking for any more exits from the room. Seeing one on the west wall by the door he steps into the room and then pushes open the door on his left whilst keeping his shield facing the cooking devices
lostsole31
Myki moves in and starts to close on him for a close follow, but she only gets to the doorway and is too late to stop Akif.  Akif steps in front of the stove, and as soon as he does so the entire stove explodes, engulfing the entire room in flame and blowing out the window. Myki is able to just duck a lick of flame.

Akif is surprised enough that he can't get his shield up to protect him, but his amazing reflexes do help him to crouch so that he only takes   25 fire  .
Qazgir
Sisir

As the heat of the explosion washes over Sisir, he cries out   "Akif!"   He rushes around the corner and towards his brother, before stopping in front of Myki,   "Myki, it is good you are unharmed. Brother, are you badly injured? Regardless, this expedition is getting out of hand, between the two kinds of constructs, and now trapped mundanities, clearly Berkanin is more prepared that I at least gave him credit for."   
Tippnick
Iluvar says,   "Let's step up the caution. The dangers will only get worse from here on out. Is there a bypass Myki, do you think it resets?"  

Iluvar will come up to examine the damage.   "Akif, Myki do you need healing?"  
lostsole31
Myki looks at Iluvar incredulously.   "Not unless the completely blown apart stove reconstitutes itself. If it does? That's it. I'mma' peace out."  

The stove is, as mentioned, completely destroyed, as is much of this room, and the various mechanical kitchen aids, and ... as mentioned, the window was blown out.
DrK
Akif stops, coughing up smoke and blood.   ”hostile place and not a safe kitchen.”   At his brothers question he shakes his head,   “i will be well in a moment.”   he adds blessing the wound with his magic

 
 Spoiler: OOC  


Convert spiritual weapon —&gt; Cure moderate
Healing  (2d8+4)[ 16 ] 

If &lt; 10 healing then convert Summon Monster II as well

Healing  (2d8+4)[ 7 ] 
 
lostsole31
Akif prays to Kerkamoth to give him healing, even sacrificing one of his most powerful spells in hopes that Kerkamoth hears his servant .... but the spell is wasted, and no healing is forthcoming.

It was a shot in the dark and simply hope, as Akif's magic does not grant him spontaneous casting like a true cleric.
Tippnick
Seeing the wound not heal, Iluvar says,   "That still looks bad. Here let me use my healing if you don't mind."  
 
 Spoiler: healing 


If he accepts healing
Iluvar uses a cmw
 (2d6+8)[ 17 ]  healing
 
DrK
Akif nods his thanks to Iluvar before kicking the now exploded oven.   ”I do not like this house.”   With frustration vented he’ll move to the door as planned and pass through to the other side
lostsole31
The ceiling in this room rises to fifteen feet, and a  single enormous picture window takes up most of the northeastern wall. A  long, elegant wooden dining table and eight high-backed chairs stand in  the center of the room. The only decorations are two life-sized clay  statues of soldiers in exotic armor, one standing at attention to either  side of the doors leading in from the garden. With Akif bursting  through the door, the clay soldiers animate in martial readiness.  Because in this house of horrors ... of course they do.

 Round One Begins ...

R1T35:    Myki just barely catches a glimpse of something moving in the other  room. She downs an extract and then flies (literally) past Akif and into  the room to the south, gaining enough altitude to be out of hopefully  out of reach of the things.    "Terra-cotta  soldiers! Constructs! Better response reflexes than most. They work  best fighting side-by-side. Highly skilled multi-blade combatants, with a  keen skill in both long and short blades."   

She takes a good look around the room from her elevated position.    "No other bogeys."   
 R1T21:  True to her warning that they have  surprisingly good response time, one of the constructs is already on the  move. It hustles to get around the table to threaten Akif from the  west.

 R1T19:  The Scribe darts into the room,  ducks carefully away from the first soldier, and gets into the  southeastern corner of the room, gets into multiple combat stances while  studying Blue.   "Only thing to add  is that seconds after combat is joined, their swords become  supernaturally sharp ... and it's easier to smash their clay-like  exterior than to cut or pierce them."  

Blue hadn't had a chance to respond yet, and the Scribe disarms it of its longsword.

 R1T18:   Iluvar , what do you do?
Tippnick
Hearing the fight starting and the description of the opponents, Iluvar takes a moment to cast a spell that will add to his fighting efficacy. He thens moves into the room and closes on the construct that the Scribe has disarmed.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SA:
Iluvar casts divine favor

SwA:
Gets into crane style and activates defensive
Stance
Will move into the room and will move to the opponent The Scribe is facing.

Will use acrobatics if he will face an AOO to get into position

 (d20+16)[ 19 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T18:  Hearing the fight starting and the description  of the opponents, Iluvar  takes a moment to cast a spell that will add to his fighting efficacy.  He then moves into the room, dodging a swing from one terra-cotta  soldier, and then continuing until he is right in the Blue's grille.

 R1T17:   Akif , what do you do?
DrK
Akif ducks down behind the shield and smashes it outwards to drive back the terracotta warrior.   ”Must everything in this thrice cursed house attack us.”   he snarls as he swings the shield hard.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Free action: start Indomitable presence
Swift: enter Phalanx lancer stance
Standard: smashing shell risky attack
  (1d20+15)[ 22 ]  dam  (1d8+15)[ 22 ]  +  (5d6)[ 14 ]  DC19 Fort Vs Daze

Free: Vanguard shield bonus attack   (1d20+15)[ 27 ]  dam  (1d8+15)[ 19 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T17:  Akif ducks down behind the shield and smashes it outwards to drive back the terracotta warrior.   ”Must everything in this thrice cursed house attack us,”   he snarls as he swings the shield hard to clobber Red for  36 , then follows up with another for  19 .

 R1T16:   Sisir ,  you were watching the kitchen from the alcove previously. Everybody  left the kitchen heading through the southern doorway of the kitchen.  You have mace (light) and shield in hand. What do you do?

Blue on deck, Myki in the hole ...
Qazgir
Sisir

  "More fighting,"   Sisir shakes his head   "back into the fray I suppose."   He strides down the corridor and turns into the kitchen moving, shield and mace at the ready. As he passes his brother he fixes his gaze on the adjacent construct and swings his mace down, striking at its head.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Move Action: 15' East and 15' South, to end 5' South of Akif.

Swift Action: Hypnotic Stare on Red. It takes -3 to Will Saves and Attack Rolls. If the target is immune to mind-affecting effects, then it +2 to any related saves and have a 50% chance to ignore the Stare's effect every round.

Standard Action: Attack Red.


Attack Roll #1:  (1d20+14)[ 34 ] 
Damage Roll #1:  (2d6+8)[ 16 ]  Bludgeoning damage and trigger the first Painful Stare of the round dealing  (2d6+4)[ 12 ]  Precision damage and forcing a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.


Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any moderate condition as defined by Touch Treatment, activate Mask Misery.


Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force the same save vs confusion as above.


Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
 R1T16:    "More fighting,"   Sisir shakes his head.   "Back into the fray, I suppose."   He  strides down the corridor and turns into the kitchen moving, shield and  mace at the ready. As he passes his brother he fixes his gaze on the  adjacent construct and swings his mace down, striking at its head. The  creature deflects the block from the head, but the mace still glide way  down to slam into its left upper leg for  16 .

 R1T15:  Blue nicks Iluvar in his right upper arm for  3  with its short sword, steps back, and picks up its longsword.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T35:   Myki does a quick study of Red (including applying something to her  blade) before flying down directly behind it and stabbing it in a  critical section of its back upper arm for  28 mod + sickened . Sisir's surprising stare still sleeps.

 R2T21:   Red spins around to face Myki and with spinning blades it is parried at  every turn. With a riposte, Myki slaps her rapier into its foot,  crumbling it, and the rest of the terra-cotta soldier falters and falls  to the ground, shattering in many pieces.

 R2T19:   The Scribe zooms around the table to the other side, fails a fancy trip  attempt, and steps back. He shrugs good-naturedly, nonplussed about  missing.

 R2T18:   Iluvar , you are in Crane  Style, but you have yet to begin attacks with which to gain benefit from  it (with Defensive Stance). What do you do?

Akif on deck, Sisir in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar moves to engage the construct closest to him. He fight style seems that he his take extra care to avoid attacks.


 
 Spoiler: crunch 



FA: takes a 5' step to the west

FrA: Flurry of blows defensive stance

 (d20+16)[ 35 ]  1st attack
Damage  (d10+5)[ 7 ] 

Flurry attack
 (d20+16)[ 36 ] 
Damage  (d10+5)[ 11 ] 

Iterative attack
 (d20+11)[ 21 ] 
Damage  (d10+5)[ 14 ] 

If it is not down he uses a swift action to spend a point of ki to get another attack

 (d20+16)[ 21 ] 
 (d10+5)[ 11 ]  damage

If the creature takes a five step Iluvar will use step up feat to follow
 
lostsole31
 R2T18:  Iluvar moves to engage the construct closest to him. He fights in a style where he seems he takes extra care to avoid attacks. His first attack is a left hand chop to what passes for a neck for  7 ; a right-hand downward hammer blow to its left forearm for  11 . He continues his downward torque into a spinning crouch to come around with a knife-hand strike to its left shin for  14 , and finishing off with a rising knife hand to the underside of its right wrist for  11  before returning at height to a chambered position.

 R2T17:   Akif , what do you do?

Sisir on deck, Blue in the hole ...
DrK
Akif happy with the creature’s destruction scrambles over the table to the south and lashes out with the shield to smash the other stone guardian with a pair of powerful smashing shield blows.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Akif moves 10ft (SW then S)
Golden swipe  (1d20+17)[ 31 ]  dam  (1d8+9)[ 13 ]  +  (6d6)[ 27 ] 
— CMB  (1d20+16)[ 29 ]  to beat CMD and push foe west provoking AoO from Iluvar

If still in range
Vanguard strike   (1d20+17)[ 18 ]  dam  (1d8+9)[ 14 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T17:  Akif - happy with the creature’s destruction -  scrambles over the table to  the south. He lashes out with the shield to  smash the other stone  guardian in the stomach for  40 , and knocking it away from him. In doing so, Iluvar does a high knee strike to its upper left arm for  8 . But the Scribe, also with a reach weapon, likewise strikes at Blue to strike it in the lower back destroying it!

 Combat Ends! 
Tippnick
Iluvar watches his wound to see if it will continue to bleed.

After a moment, with it not bleeding he says,   "I didn't see anyone else get hurt, are we good to continue?"  
DrK
Akif standing atop the table looks down at Iluvar and the Scribe grinning behind the faceplate of his helm.   ”We fight well together my friends. Look at this team work.”   he states loudly in a happy voice.

With the constructs destroyed he moves to a quick look around the room for anything relevant to their quest for the small children
lostsole31
It takes 2-1/2 minutes to do a quick search of the dining room to verify no clues for the troll's brother Augustille (not a "small children"), during which time Iluvar's  divine favor  falters.

  "We should check the what is likely a small pantry that offshoots from the kitchen, just for completeness' sake, before heading upstairs,"   counsels Myki.
DrK
Akif pauses and nods.   "Very well Myki. "   he adds, stepping aside and waiting for Myki to search the pantry whilst glancing up at the stairs.
Qazgir
Sisir

  "When we do find the kidnapped troll, as I have no doubt we will do so, what is our exit strategy? Shall we simply return the way we came, or perhaps attempt to leave through a window?"   He turns to the scribe, asking   "you can't simply teleport us out by any chance?"   
Tippnick
Iluvar ponders the question then responds,   "He is a troll and will be a burden if he is unable to move on his own. We might want to worry about that to. Maybe make a travois or something similar. Keep an eye out for materials. However, I would not suggest a window. We don't know what kind of shape he will be in."  
lostsole31
Myki checks the small room attached to the northwest of the blasted kitchen. This small closet is packed tight with sacks, jars, and crates of foodstuffs. It takes her less than a minute for a once-over before she's satisfied and steps out.

As the party makes its way to the stairs back to the west, The Scribe answers Sisir.   "We should come back the way we came, because the way we came includes known areas that we've cleared of hostiles."  

In relation to Akif's question The Scribe seems taken aback.   "I don't know whether to be flattered or dumbfounded. We do have a teleporter in the group, and I have only recently discovered that in the last battle,"   he says, looking to Iluvar.   "But I can't help but think that was a recent plateau of ki sorcery .... and the first time he's ever done that?"  

He looks back to Akif,   "But what about our association makes you think I muster magics of anything even remotely of that power? Besides, I doubt Iluvar could teleport  everyone , so that isn't useful in this case, as it would split the party's strength.  We entered in force; we leave the same way."  
Qazgir
  "Ah well, no easy way out, not that I really expected you to be capable of such a thing, but one can always hope. I suppose the best we can wish for then is that taking the troll raises no more of an alarm that our present activities."   Sisir looks bemused, and seeing that Myki has finished her inspection of the pantry says   "shall we proceded upstairs then?"   
DrK
At the lack of magical solutions Akif merely shrugs.   "If my brother and I hold to our true forms we can easily carry a troll out. They are only small"   he says, with a slight laugh.   "Well, small for giantkind."   he clarifies with a wink to his brother, happy that they both know that titans are the mightiest of all creatures. Waiting for the the choice of doors to be decided he stands ready to move deeper into the maze like house.
lostsole31
While Akif is confused and looking for a choice of doors ... Myki - who knows that all doors have been explored, or at least the places on the other side of them have been explored - begins to carefully head upstairs. She takes the lead, but she taps Akif to begin following her, and everyone else begins to fall in line.

She only gets a little bit up the stairs before she looks to switch with Akif.   "You'll have to go first with your light since it seems dark upstairs. Just .... stop charging ahead, okay? I mean, you do you, but I might sense danger before you, and if you only move a little bit at a time, that gives me time to catch up behind you and search and sense the area for danger. Deal?"  
DrK
Akif nods to Myki,   "Very well. Then stay by my side and stay in the light"  . He'll renew the light spell before heading upstairs but pausing at the fist door he finds to allow Myki to examine it before he opens it, even his movements up the stairs are slow as he allows Myki time to scan the ground in front of them before moving forwards
lostsole31
Right at the top of the stairs is a door just past a small bit of hallway quickly turning south (then east), so Akif clears that and goes around the corner as Myki goes to the door. While Akif is up here, he notes several doors in this localized "nook," and then a long open-air walkway (as in outside, not inside the manor) that continues from this portion of the building to another portion of the building.

Myki listens at the door, and then she and Akif switch places for him to open the door. What does Akif have in hand? Shield stowed and spear in hand? Because he is opening doors, but he can't "stow" this massive spear.
DrK
With Myki's nod after checking the door Akif leans the spear against the wall to free up a hand to open the door (and assming nothing leaps out) he'll grab the spear up again before advancing into the room, a nod of   A more prudent approach I see."   to the young lady.
lostsole31
Akif opens the door. Against the far wall of this small chamber stands a small shrine made out of interlocking gears, topped with an artistic mask of a female face formed from metal plates. The two walls to either side hold long tapestries, one of a naked clockwork woman reaching down from a cloud to lift up a young man in robes, and another showing the same man standing triumphantly on the shoulders of an enormous humanoid machine as it stomps across a crowded marketplace. A mat sits on the floor before the shrine, a bowl of incense overturned in front of it. Both the tapestries are ripped and askew, and the shrine itself is dented.
DrK
Akif enters the room and steps to the east as he does so. Holding the spear upright (so as not to threaten) he looks at the man.   ”Greetings, who would you be?”   he asks firmly
Tippnick
Iluvar looks around trying to see who Akif was talking to.   "I don't see anyone in here. This looks like a shrine. Let us try to figure out who this shrine is to. Maybe we can gleen a clue about the owner of this building."  
 
 Spoiler: hmm 

Is there anything familiar or recognizable about the symbols here?
 
lostsole31
Akif must've meant west, not east?

The religious scholars determine that the clockwork lady is a representation of Brigh, goddess of clockworks, invention, and time.
DrK
Akif shakes his head, and rattles his helm slightly,   "This place. It sees to be confusing me."    he says to the others as he approaches the small statue and then inspects the room carefully.   "Something must have happened in here  . Looking at Myki he gestures at the spilled bowl and ripped cloths,   "Any idea what may have caused this"  
lostsole31
Myki moves into the now crowded shrine.    "Doesn't look like a battle. Looks like vandalism."  
Tippnick
Iluvar will let Myki check the doorway and then hurry everyone on.   "Let us not waste time."  
lostsole31
Since they are side-by-side, Myki will check the two doors to the south that are side-by-side, and nod that it is safe.
DrK
Akif, nods to Myki,   "Safe you say. That is good."   he adds as he heads to the first (the westerward) of the southern doors and pushes it open. Pausing to pick up his spear he heads into the room cautiously.
lostsole31
This air in this room is a heavy mix of perfume and animal stink. In one corner lies a mass of fine blankets and pillows that have been slashed and raked into a crude nest. In another stands a vanity with a tall mirror and an impressive array of crystal perfume bottles. Between the two, a wooden trunk sits against the wall. Feathers and streaks of white litter the floor.

Iluvar and Sisir see Myki grit her teeth and facepalm when Akif just blithely walks in.
Tippnick
Iluvar asks Myki,   "Can you check the trunk? Scribe can you help identify these feathers. Everyone be wary. There might be a resident still here."  
lostsole31
With Myki pulling back Akif to lead the charge (for safety), the room is quickly searched.

The perfumes on the vanity are estimated at 50 gp in total (though left alone unless someone does something).

The Scribe will check the trunk, and Myki mentions it seems safe. The Scribe easily unlocks it, despite it being a very good luck. With are the following ...
 
 human skull 
 masterwork ukelele 
 a magical amulet wrapped in a cloth 
 leather-bound journal 
 

The Scribe identifies the feather as likely belonging to a harpy - a monstrous humanoid with a bewitching voice.

It's the journal that interests The Scribe has he asks everyone to gather in and shut the door while he peruses it.  It is only a one-minute perusal, but the journal is filled primarily with the author's mundane thoughts and rants, written in scrawling Taldane, but The Scribe's quick study has him quickly realizing that the harpy took the job primarily to be close to Kanya, with whom she’s hopelessly infatuated and wants to become “nest mates.”
Tippnick
  "Hmm, a harpy. Well, let us proceed as we were. Myki, the door to the south please. Akif, back her up."  , Iluvar says showing no interest in any item.
DrK
Akif nods, also content to not steal things from the house. He nods to the door and to Myki,   ”follow me through, I have a bad feeling on this one.”   he adds glancing around before leaning his spear against the wall opening the door and (after grabbing the spear) jumping into the room
lostsole31
This is a small office with a window looking out over the garden and district. A desk holds stacks of documents, blank paper, and other writing materials. A large silver mirror hangs on one wall.
Tippnick
Iluvar walks into the room to search for dangers and clues quickly.

  "If this has no other exit than the window. Let us explore down the nearest hallway and see if we can find a way up or someone who knows where the troll is."  , Iluvar directs the group.
DrK
Akif nods at Iluvar after seeing another empty room.   "Yes, seek the troll. The primitive ones should know their place in things"   he adds the latter looking at his brother for agreement as he start heading east down the corridor.
lostsole31
It only takes a little more than 30 seconds for a quick search of the room, ignoring the locked cash box, mirror, and other items, and no clues are noted. Akif, Myki, and Iluvar get out into the hallway....

 Surprise Round ...

  S27:  Akif  thinks he sees something in the shadows at the end of the hall,  squinting he is too late to respond when a figure erupts from the shadow  on the other side of the walkway to shoot very wide at Akif. The winged  archer seems less hostile and more upset or beleaguered by something,  shrieking loudly.

 Begin Round One ...

R1T34:   Myki takes an extract and then rushes past Akif to jump off the walkway  as she begins flying and takes out her rapier as she goes.

 R1T27:  The winged archer jumps off the south side of the walkway and then southwest and out of sight.

 R1T22:   Iluvar ,  you had gotten back out into the hallway of this portion of the  building and you saw this from across the open-air walkway. What do you  do?
Tippnick
Iluvar will move to the East 50 feet.

 
 Spoiler: assense 

As he moves east and if he sees the creature he will attempt to assess them.
SwA: activate his slippers of the lightest step.
 
lostsole31
 R1T22:  Iluvar moves to the east. He clicks his heels to begin the magic of his sandals while taking a look at the flying creature.

 R1T21:  The Scribe heads out to the middle of the walkway and studies the creature that he sees and gets into a combat stance.

 R1T20:   Sisir , what do you do?
Qazgir
Sisir

Sisir raises his shield and strides out the door and down the hall, attempting to fix his gaze on the flying creature.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Standard Action: Total Defense for +4 dodge bonus to AC.

Move Action: Move 5' North and 15' East.

Swift Action: Use Hypnotic Stare on the first enemy that comes within 30' of Sisir. The target takes -3 to Will Saves and Attack Rolls. If the target is immune to mind-affecting effects, then it +2 to any related saves and have a 50% chance to ignore the Stare's effect every round.

Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any moderate condition as defined by Touch Treatment, activate Mask Misery.


Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.


Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
 R1T20:  Sisir raises his shield and strides out the door  and down the hall, attempting to fix his gaze on the flying creature,  but doesn't see her.

 R1T16:   Akif , what do you do?

Myki on deck, Winged Archer in the hole ...
lostsole31
 R1T16:  Akif moves out onto the bridge, spear and shield readied as he gets into a defensive stance, and rallying the others.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T34:   Myki takes an extract mid-air and becomes really small at only a single  yard in height. She darts after her prey, helping the others see where  she's going (and where her prey must be).

 R2T27:   The harpy withdraws at a far greater speed than Myki can advance,  moving around the building and out of sight to the south and west.

 R2T22:   Iluvar , what do you do?

The Scribe on deck, Sisir in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar calls out,   "Myki, don't get drawn away. If they wants a fight they will have to come to us. Everyone off the   walkway as quick as we can do we are not targets!"

Iluvar looks at the door for dangers. And will open it if he finds none.
lostsole31
 R2T22:  Iluvar calls out,    "Myki, don't get drawn away. If they wants a fight they will have to come to us. Everyone off the     walkway as quick as we can do we are not targets!"    

Iluvar  looks at the door for dangers. He doesn't notice anything askew, and  opens the door. As soon as he does, there is strange feeling, and he  looks down at his chest where now there is an arrow protruding for  24 + disoriented ( +5 bleed )  that nearly staggered him.

 R2T21:    "New contact to the east on Iluvar!"    The Scribe calls out. He then begins an oration of brave Pathfinders  crossing a chasm while being attacked by boulders from stone giants, and  his story brings fire to the heroes in his company. Meanwhile, he moves  to the west while taking out his bow and sets his ranseur down.

 R2T20:   Sisir , you are in total defense right now. What do you do?

Akif on deck, Myki in the hole ...
Qazgir
Sisir

Continuing down the walkway, Sisir attempts to fix his gaze on the creature to Iluvar's east. Stopping behind his brother, Sisir examines creature, and casts Mirror Image on himself. Speaking to Akif, he says   "I've got your back, push forward!"  
 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Move Action: Move 15’ East

Swift Action: Hypnotic Stare on enemy east of Iluvar. It takes -3 to Will Saves and Attack Rolls. If the target is immune to mind-affecting effects, then it +2 to any related saves and have a 50% chance to ignore the Stare's effect every round.

Free Action: Examine enemy east of Iluvar.

Standard Action: Defensively cast Mirror Image, [roll]1d20+14[/roll] vs DC 19 (15 + 2*2).

Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.

Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.

Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any moderate condition as defined by Touch Treatment, activate Mask Misery. If Akif is attacked, activate Mesmeric Mirror. If the Scribe starts his turn within range of an enemy, activate Compel Alacrity.
 
lostsole31
 R2T20:  Continuing down the walkway, Sisir attempts to fix his gaze on the  creature to Iluvar's east. Stopping behind his brother, Sisir examines  creature, and casts  mirror image  on himself (3 images). Speaking to Akif, he says   "I've got your back, push forward!"  
 R2T16:   Akif , what do you do?

Myki on deck, winged archer in the hole ...
DrK
Akif spins the shield to cover from where the archer hovers and then glimpses the figure beyond Iluvar,   "You I can reach!"   he bellows and strides 10ft east towards the foe driving the long spear over Iluvar's shoulder at the foe on the other side of him a roar of battle to inspire his allies echoing in the small area.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Free: Adopt Rallying presence
Move: Move 10ft East to beside Iluvar
Swift: Encouraging Roar boost (+2 morale attack/damage for 1 round)
Standard: Risky attack, Silver Knight blade, Cornugon Smash
 (1d20+15)[ 32 ]  dam  (2d6+8)[ 14 ]   +  (4d6)[ 11 ]  sacred (Iluvar heals the sacred damage)

If he is shot he'll use deflect arrow feat to deflect the first one

 Not included hit/dam effects
Risky attack -3/+6
Encouraging Road +2/+2
Any other spell effects
 
 
lostsole31
 R2T16:  Akif spins the shield to cover from where the archer hovers and then glimpses the figure beyond Iluvar,   "You I can reach!"    he bellows and strides 10' east towards the foe driving the long spear  over Iluvar's shoulder at the foe on the other side of him a roar of  battle to inspire his allies echoing in the small area. His spear strikes the tiger-like woman in the right hand for  36   + shaken + confused , even as Iluvar heals   11   from silver, glowing energy.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T34:  Myki disappears around the southwest of the building. Her voice is heard calling out distantly,    "Contact!"   
 R3T27:  This  is in turn followed by a very angry screech, and then the winged woman  appears from the north and west and flies out so she is 25' due north of  Sisir, 15' above the level of the bridge.  The winged woman doesn't  appear to have a bow anymore.

 R3T22:   Iluvar , what do you do? You are no longer bleeding, but you are a little disoriented.

Tiger-lady on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar studies this tiger lady for a moment and calls upon Pharasma for aid and engages them.   "Nice shot!"  , he says to them.

 
 Spoiler: Iluvar crunch 


Free action assess the tiger person

Swift action Judgment (justice, protection)
First attack action disarm the bow, Flurry of blows if possible
 (d20+13)[ 30 ]  for disarm

Not included deft maneuvers bonus, judgment bonus, attunement

He will spend a ki point for an extra attack action

He will attempt to disarm again if failed with extra attack
 (d20+13)[ 30 ]  for disarm
If she was already disarmed he will use the extra attack to damage

Extra attack
Stunning fist attack also
 (d20+16)[ 30 ] 
 (d10+3)[ 6 ]  for damage

Flurry of blows (2nd) stunning fist if he had to try to disarm twice
 (d20+16)[ 28 ] 
 (d10+3)[ 10 ] 

Iterative attack
 (d20+11)[ 15 ] 
 (d10+3)[ 5 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R3T22:  Iluvar studies this tiger lady for a moment and calls upon Pharasma for aid and engages them.   "Nice shot!"    he says to them. He tussles for a second as she does not easily lose  her grip on her bow, but Iluvar's superior combat and inspiration  finally have her weapon slip out of her hands to the ground. He then  does an elbow drop to her knee for  13 , but she seems too distracted by other things to notice the pain. He does a snap kick to her left hand ( 13 ) to finish off his sequence.

 R3T21.5:  The catfolk is now wild-eyed and focused on Iluvar. She draws her short sword and stabs wildly at the monk.

 R3T21:   The Scribe continues his oration to buoy his allies' efforts. He then  zooms past Sisir on the walkway, over the heads of Akif and Iluvar, and  opposite the catfolk. With a kick he strikes the catfolk from behind for   41 NL + prone .

 R3T20:   Sisir ,  the flying woman (now without bow) is 20' north and 15' higher than  your position (off map). Your hypnotic stare has done wonders to tear  down the other assailant. What do you do?

Akif on deck, Myki in the hole ...
Qazgir
Sisir

Sisir shakes his head, saying,   "Let's hope Myki makes it back in one piece, and without any new friends."   Bowing his head momentarily, he recalls the feeling of sitting at home and looking out of the window at the early morning fog, as an illusory mist appears to his left, obscuring the walkway. Obstruction in place, he advances to once again stand behind his brother.

 
 Spoiler 

Free Action: Speak

Standard Action: Cast Minor Image, creating the illusion of a dense fog filling the 4 10' cubes North of Sisir that are adjacent to the walkway, as well as the 4 10' cubes above those. Creating what appears to be a 10' thick 20' tall fog wall north of the walkway, with DC 18 to disbelieve.

Move: 15' East, ending behind Akif.

Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any of the following conditions activate Mask Misery: Confused, dazed, frightened, sickened.


Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force the same save vs confusion as above.


Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
 R3T20:  Sisir shakes his head, saying,   "Let's hope Myki makes it back in one piece, and without any new friends."    Bowing his head momentarily, he recalls the feeling of sitting at home  and looking out of the window at the early morning fog, as an illusory  mist appears to his left, obscuring the walkway. Obstruction in place,  he advances to once again stand behind his brother.

 R3T16:   Akif , what do you do?

Myki on deck, Winged woman in the hole ....
DrK
Akif is pleased as his allies surround this strange foe and his brother appears to protecting them from arrows. He stabs down again at the foe over Iluvar's shoulder seeking to send the foe flying and open to his allies as he drops into a more protected stance.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Swift: Enter Phalanx Lancer stance
Standard: Golden swipe (risky attack, cornugon attack)  (1d20+15)[ 25 ]   dam  (3d6+12)[ 22 ]  +  (6d6)[ 28 ] 
  * If hit push foe 10ft provoking AoO from allies
  * Intimidate  (1d20+27)[ 41 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R3T16:  Akif is pleased as his allies surround this strange foe and his brother  appears to protecting them from arrows. He stabs down again at the foe  over Iluvar's shoulder and into the catfolk's left lower leg for  55 ,  but with Iluvar and The Scribe (and the house itself) crowding the  prone woman, she doesn't go anywhere. Especially since she falls limp  from that blow.

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T34:   Sisir, seeing through his own illusion, notes that when Myki enters the  cloud she seems to instantly sense the illusion and goes to engage the  winged woman, stabbing her in the right wing for  20 + sickened .

 R4T27:  The winged woman tries to get away from Myki, but Myki stabs her in the upper right side of the chest for  16 + sickened .  The winged woman continues to open datum while drawing her longsword.  She comes in low over the middle of the walkway, but seeing something to  the east she alights and calls out, pointing to the fallen catfolk,   "PLEASE!  Stabilize Kanya. If you do, I will surrender and we can talk. Why have  you broken into my master's home so armed and with such violence!?"   
 R4T22:   Iluvar , what do you do?

The Scribe on deck, Sisir in the hole ...
Tippnick
  "We will hold!"  , Iluvar calls out, "  We do not seek to kill. I can stabilize Kanye."   He points to the downed catfolk.
He then casts a spell directed at the catfolk.

 
 Spoiler: action 

SA: Iluvar casts stabilize on Kanye the catfolk
 
lostsole31
The Scribe delays.

Sisir, Akif, do you drop out of initiative for parley?
DrK
Akif steps back and holds up his spear.   "Let us hear what you say then?"   he offers hold the spear at a neutral angle and looking to see if Illuvar or the scribe can offer the fallen catfolk some healing.
Qazgir
Sisir

Following his brother's lead, Sisir will rest his mace on his shoulder and put away his shield.   "Well then, we've stood down, and our companion here is aiding Kayne. Let us talk like civilized folk. Might I have the pleasure of knowing your name"   he says, resting his free hand on his stomach.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Sisir is attempting to show off his Ring of Austere Majesty to his new conversational companion.
 
lostsole31
 Initiative Ends ... 

Myki, seeing a drawdown as she approaches, continues past and then loops around to the southwest out of sight again.

  "My name is Herifax,"   calls the woman.   "I would like to approach and verify the continued health of my friend before we go to far, though you can give me your names and why you broke into Berkanin Ardoc's house with such violence. But first, let me to my friend ... whose name is 'Kanya' ... not 'Kayne' and definitely not 'Kanye.'"  
Tippnick
  "Sorry, mis-heard the name. You can check on your companion."  , Iluvar moves away from Kanye.

 
 Spoiler: assessment  

As Harifax approaches he will assess.

As the conversation goes on he will discern lies when they answer any questions.
 
lostsole31
 Akif , will you move aside so she can get to her fallen?
DrK
Akif nods in silence and steps aside to let her past, although he does a close grip on his spear to watch out for any nonsense or betrayal as she moves past him and see's to her fallen friend.
lostsole31
Herifax goes over and kneels over Kanya's unconscious form.

  "Yes, she is gravely injured, but not comatose,"   reassures The Scribe as he begins to bind the catfolk female's wounds.   "I had struck her with painful, non-injurious blows when I attacked, so she is merely unconscious for now, not comatose."  

Herifax looks up and around.   "If you heal the damage you caused her as she was merely in the performance of her duties as a guardian of this place, and if you promise that Kanya will come to no harm, I will aid you in killing the master of the house."  
Tippnick
Iluvar looks at her closely.
 
 Spoiler: hmm 

Iluvar will try to figure out what she is saying is truthful or in line with how she is acting.
 
DrK
Akif turns in surprise at the woman’s offer, watching her as he weighs up her words searching for a falsehood. After a moment he asks carefully   ”So… why would you offer that? Has the master of the house wronged you?”  
lostsole31
  "He is not worth protecting,"   she says matter-of-factually.   "To expect such grace ..."   and here she gestures to her fallen friend,   "...to be thrown away against people like yourself. Not because he deserves my rancor, but by making foolish decisions and capturing giant kids, he has made..."   and here she gestures to the party,   "... such powerful enemies."  
DrK
Akif nods at the explanation.   ”We do not wish undue mayhem or destruction. We are not hill giants.”   he adds the last with a wry smile and a wink at his brother.   “Can you take us to the children then we can take them away from this place.”  
lostsole31
  "Nah, just one ... a troll,"   says Herifax.   "And I won't do any of that until you heal up Kanya."  
Tippnick
Iluvar pulls out a wand from his haversack and says,   "Excuse me, this will help."  
He then uses a charge from the wand until she is conscious.
lostsole31
It takes three uses of Iluvar's wand to just barely bring Kanya to a woozy consciousness, though her injuries are grievous, indeed.

 "Who are you?"  she asks groggily.  "Why did you attack our home, but then heal me?"

 About this time, Myki returns with Herifax's bow. The Scribe looks at Myki and points to Herifax. Myki shrugs, knowing how quickly alliances and feuds shift in the City of Strangers, handing the bow back to the harpy.
Qazgir
Sisir

Sisir turns to address Kanya,   "    Herifax agreed to surrender and talk in return for healing you.     As for why we've invaded Berkanin Ardoc's house, well, we're looking for a kidnapped troll."   Nodding to Herifax, he speaks again,   "now, with the health of your friend demonstrated. Let us turn our attention to the matter of the kidnapped troll. What can you tell us about where he is being held, what kind of guard he is under, and why Berkanin Ardoc is holding him."


  
Tippnick
Iluvar will listen to the catfolk closely. 
 Spoiler 


Iluvar will use discern lies for the next  half minute
 
lostsole31
Kanya gives Herifax a dark look.  "I will not betray my  mate ,"  and she closes her mouth with a look of resolution.

That last word seems to have a physically wounded effect on Herifax, who turns away.   "I don't go up there. Only Kanya does,"   Herifax admits.
Qazgir
Sisir

  "So Kanya, you don't want to tell us about the troll? Well, that is unfortunate, given the position you find yourself in, but I am sure we can come to another agreement. Do you have anything to add Herifax?"   Sisir says, an amused smile faint on his face.
Tippnick
  "The end result does not have to be the death of your master. Is there anyway he could agree to give up the troll?"  , Iluvar asks.
lostsole31
Kanya appears completely unwilling to be helpful, until she falls asleep rather quickly ... courtesy of a surprise application by The Scribe. He says carefully to Herifax,   "I'm not killing her. There is no lasting injury. She's just going to sleep for a bit."    After several seconds he says,   "There, that should be about 2-3 hours before she wakes up, at least."  

Herifax says,   "I see I have been rejected. I had hoped to impress Kanya, but she has given herself to Berkanin.  Yes, I will still help you, if only now to slake my anguish that she would never choose me and I may kill the one she chose in my place."  
DrK
Akif watches the interplay curiously, intrigued by the complex games these lesser faces play. Looking to his brother he nods,   ”I am content then. Show us to the lost troll and your former master. What can you tell us of him?”  
lostsole31
  "He is a powerful wizard with a penchant for gear-toys,"   says Herifax as The Scribe holds up his hand for people to wait.

The Scribe crosses the bridge to retrieve his dropped ranseur, and then returns to the party.

She is then ready to take the party to the east and up the stairs.

In this time, the following effects have stopped:
 
 Myki's  displacement , but she is still half size. 
 Herifax' sickened condition. 
 Iluvar's  sandals of the light step  (for this usage) and judgement (duh). 
 The Scribe gets back into  Silver Crane Waltz . 
 Sisir's illusory fog cloud. 
 Akif's stance. 
 

With Herifax taking the lead, Myki goes to the very back. Only a few feet to the east and you are in a bedroom that is large and airy, with thick, expensive rugs and windows overlooking the district. A massive bed sits against the northeastern wall, next to a wardrobe and a metal staircase that twists up through a hole in the ceiling. In an entryway to the southeast, one door stands ajar, while in the southeastern wall, a lever protrudes from a mechanical box by another door.

The Scribe carries Kanya and puts her unconscious form in this bed.

Does anyone do anything before heading up the stairs?
Tippnick
Iluvar cast s a spell on himself.

 
 Spoiler: spell 

Casts protection form energy electricity
 
Qazgir
Sisir

  "Herifax, how long will it take to get to the troll, and how much resistance should we expect to face along the way?"   Sisir asks, considering his options.
lostsole31
Herifax shrugs.   "He never trusted me to go to the upper floor where the master bedroom is, and I warrant some type of workshop."  
DrK
Akif nods to his brother.   "Are you ready my brother?"  , assuming his brother is ready he'll nod and give his agreement.   "I stand ready. We shall meet this master of yours."  
Tippnick
  "I am ready."  , says Iluvar.
Qazgir
Sisir

  "One moment please,"   Sisir raises his hand to cover his eyes before speaking,   "Kerkamoth grant us the sight to see through the clutter of the world."   As he removes his hand, it is covered in a light haze. He offer his hand to each party member in turn, saying   "if you would, please take my hand and receive Kerkamoth's blessings."   After addressing the party, Sisir focuses for a moment, before a number of images of himself appear around him. Preparations finished, Sisir nods to his brother,   "I am always ready, but now I am prepared. Let us go and meet our host."   
 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Cast Ashen Path, splitting the 50 min duration between Sisir, Akif, Iluvar, the Scribe, and Myki.

Offer to implant Mesmeric Mirror into Iluvar, the Scribe, and Myki.

Cast Anticipate Peril on self, and Mirror Image creating  (1d4+2)[ 5 ]  images.
 
lostsole31
Herifax sees all this powerful magic and buffing going around and says,   "Well, up those stairs is his workshop. But I'm not leading the way as your pin cushion since you have all of the protections. I'll be in the back."  

Myki shrugs, allowing Herifax take the very back, but she doesn't move to the very front.   "This is assault time, so you hopefully don't need me up front anymore."  
Tippnick
  "Brothers? Can you lead the way? Herifax, please give the most direct route."  , Iluvar nudges the group forward.
lostsole31
  "Again,"   Herifax says,   "up the stairs is all I know. This building isn't that wide, so I don't expect too much space up there."  
DrK
Akif, with massive shield held now in front nods to Iluvar,   "Let it no be said that the Vedavyasa brothers lack conviction"   he suggests. Then as they start ascending the stairs he'll offer some advice.   "Remember to surround the enemy if you can"   and with that he'll stride the way indicated by Herifax


 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Activate Warleader to share outflank for 8 rounds.
Head upstairs
 
lostsole31
As Akif gets to just shy of the top of the stairs, he sees a clockwork soldier ready for him.

 Begin Round One ... 
 R1T16:  Red steps up and strikes Akif in his lower right arm for  19 mod , and then catches him again on the right shoulder for  20 mod . The sounds of battle are heard throughout, though the stairs with the big soldier blocking the top will make things difficult.

 R1T15:   Myki takes an extract, and her skin takes on a browner cast with bits  of discoloration like the grains of wood. She then gets into a more  utilitarian combat stance, sniffing the air for any trouble from unseen  foes.   "Report for all when you can!"   she calls from way in the back.

 R1T14:  The Scribe takes out a wand and activates it on himself, and for a brief section a shimmering globe of force surrounds him.

 R1T13:  A man's voice is heard casting in the room above.

 R1T12:   Iluvar ,  you are behind Sisir, who is behind Akif, who is at the last bit of  stairs. You can only just barely catch a glimpse (improved cover) of the  clockwork soldier, and if you try to tumble past and fail, you will  fall down the stairs back to this spot (as well as get hit). Those  behind you (The Scribe, Myki) are simply buffing up for when they can  move. What do you do?
Tippnick
Iluvar will use his turn to get a defensive style and stance.

 
 Spoiler: stance dance 


Iluvar uses his SwA to activate a ki point for High Jump
Iluvar gets into crane style and defensive stance
 
lostsole31
 R1T12:  Iluvar prepares himself for incredible leaping, as needed.

 R1T11:  Herifax delays ...

 R1T10:   Akif , what do you do?
DrK
Akif grunts in pain at the savage battering from the clockwork soldier. He leans into the shoulder seeking to slam to backwards to allow more space for them all to advance

 
 Spoiler: OOC 



Swift: inner sphere stance
Standard: Golden swipe  (1d20+17)[ 23 ]  dam  (1d8+9)[ 15 ]  +  (6d6)[ 24 ] 
     CMB  (1d20+16)[ 31 ] 
     Free: vanguard shield  (1d20+17)[ 29 ]  dam  (1d8+9)[ 10 ] 

If they are kicked back he’ll move up after them
 
lostsole31
 R1T10:  Akif grunts in pain at the savage battering from the clockwork soldier.  He leans into the shoulder to bash it in the head for  34 mod ! Since Akif attacked from below, the clockwork soldier is knocked 5' into the air and 5' backwards, but lands on its feet.

 R1T9:   Another clockwork soldier vaults over a table to stand in front of Akif  and strikes the titan in his lower right arm with its halberd for  15 mod .

 R1T8:   Sisir ,  what do you do? The stairs are tight ... no room to go overhead, and  tight enough to restrict the normal ability to move freely through  allied squares.
Qazgir
Sisir

Recalling the feeling of seawater spraying on his face, Sisir will call forth a mist, filling the stairwell and spilling out into the room above. He then focuses his gaze on the automaton at the top of the stairs.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Standard Action: Defensively cast Obscuring Mist,  (1d20+14)[ 31 ]  vs DC 17 (15 + 2*1). Everyone with Ashen Path should be able to see through the mist.

Swift Action: Hypnotic Stare on Blue. It takes -3 to Will Saves and Attack Rolls. If the target is immune to mind-affecting effects, then it +2 to any related saves and have a 50% chance to ignore the Stare's effect every round.

Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any of the following conditions activate Mask Misery: Confused, dazed, frightened, sickened.
If anyone with Mesmeric Mirror is attacked or targeted by a spell which requires an attack roll, trigger Mesmeric Mirror, creating two images with each image lasting for 8 minutes or until destroyed.


Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force the same save vs confusion as above.


Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
 R1T8:  Recalling the feeling of seawater spraying on his  face, Sisir wills forth a mist, filling the stairwell and spilling out  into the room  above. He then focuses his gaze on the automaton at the top of the  stairs that his own powers allow him to perceive through his own fog.

 R1T7:   A curious little (size Tiny) clockwork dragon appears through the mist  to hover above Blue's shoulder. It opens its mouth and a bolt of magic  leaps forth to strike Akif in the center of mass for  4 force .

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ... 
 R2T14:    "Myki just walked away,"   comes The Scribe's voice from below.

 R2T13:  Yet another incantation is heard from the room above.

 R2T12:   Iluvar ,  what do you do? You are now surrounded by fog, though you can see just  fine. You also saw Myki simply shrug and duck out of view.

Akif on deck, Blue in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar casts a spell.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 


Iluvar casts Divine Favor
Iluvar will take notes of the spells cast to determine this mages abilities if possible
 
lostsole31
 R2T12:  Iluvar casts a spell, and Pharasma fills him  with favor for the fight to come. Unfortunately, because of the  distances and terrain involved, Iluvar is unable to determine what  spells he heard being cast.

 R2T10:   Akif , what do you do?

Blue on deck, Sisir in the hole ...
DrK
Akif grunts in pain again as he is hit repeatedly.   "You shall fee my rage creature"   he grumbles in giant as he smashes out with his shield repeatedly.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Standard: Smashing shell [T]  (1d20+15)[ 21 ]  dam  (1d8+15)[ 22 ]  +  (4d6)[ 9 ]  and Fort save Vs Daze
 Free: Vanguard shield  (1d20+15)[ 34 ]  dam  (1d8+15)[ 22 ] 

If attacked Immediate counter Iron shell to negate attack  (1d20+15)[ 30 ] 
 Free: Vanguard shield  (1d20+15)[ 17 ]  dam  (1d8+15)[ 18 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T10:  Akif grunts in pain again as he is hit repeatedly.   *&lt;"You shall fee my rage, creature,"&gt;*   he grumbles in Giant as he smashes out with his shield repeatedly, striking the soldier in the upper right arm for  30 mod + confused , and then the upper left arm for  17 mod .

 R2T9:   It was confused for a millisecond before it was then attacked by Akif  again, so Sisir is unable to control Blue attacking his brother again,  only to have the first attack battered away, and the second attack  blocked by the shield directly.

 R2T8:   Sisir , what do you do?

Little metal dragon on deck, Myki in the hole ...
Qazgir
Sisir

Strapping his mace to his side and tapping his forehead, Sisir chants in Giant,   "Kerkamoth guide my mace. Kerkamoth guide my shield."   Looking up and again speaking in Giant, he says   "brother, if you could push through them the rest of us might be able to actually lend you a hand."


   
 Spoiler: Action! 

Move Action: Sheath his mace.

Standard Action: Cast Divine Favor.

Free Action: Speak.

Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any of the following conditions activate Mask Misery: Confused, dazed, frightened, sickened.
If anyone with Mesmeric Mirror is attacked or targeted by a spell which requires an attack roll, trigger Mesmeric Mirror, creating two images with each image lasting for 8 minutes or until destroyed.


Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force the same save vs confusion as above.


Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
 R2T8:  Strapping his mace to his side and tapping his forehead, Sisir chants in Giant,   *&lt;"Kerkamoth guide my mace. Kerkamoth guide my shield."&gt;*   Looking up and again speaking in Giant, he says,   *&lt;    "Brother, if you could push through them the rest of us might be able to actually lend you a hand."    &gt;*  
 R2T7:  The little dragon figure belches another bolt at Akif for  2 force .

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

  R3T14:  The Scribe delays ...

 R3T13:   For only a brief few seconds, hundreds of mosquitos buzz from upstairs  in the cloud downstairs past Akif, Sisir, and Iluvar in a most  unsettling fashion, but disappear almost as quickly, never having gotten  as far as the The Scribe. Disturbing, creepy, seemingly inexplicable,  very momentary ... but harmless.

 R3T12:   Iluvar , what do you do?

Akif on deck, Blue in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar will delay
lostsole31
 R3T12:  Iluvar delays ...

 R3T10:   Akif, what do you do?

Blue on deck, Sisir in the hole, Iluvar delaying ...
DrK
Akif glances back before spinning round, grimacing as more blows rain down upon the shield.   "I am trying brother. I do not like these narrow stairs"  . The done he lashes out wth the spear and shield to crush his opponent

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Silver knights' Blade [T]:  (1d20+15)[ 17 ]  dam  (2d6+12)[ 24 ]  +  (4d6)[ 12 ]  that Akif heals
 -- Vanguard shield  (1d20+15)[ 21 ]  dam  (1d8+15)[ 21 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R3T10:  Akif glances back before spinning round, grimacing as more blows rain down upon the shield.   "I am trying brother. I do not like these narrow stairs"  .  The done he lashes out with the spear and shield to crush his opponent.   The spear, unfortunately, does not strike (and heal), but the shield  hits the soldier center of mass for  16 mod .

 R3T9:   When Blue attacks again, it is not a berserk construct, but a  controlled machine of war again. Akif is ready this time, having studied  its combat style, and uses spear and shield to deflect the attacks.

 R3T8:   Sisir , what do you do?

Little dragon in the hole, Iluvar delaying ...
Qazgir
Sisir will delay.
lostsole31
 R3T8:  Sisir delays ...

 R3T7:  The little dragon spits at Akif again for   3 force  .

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

  R4T13:   The man's chanting voice is heard again, but this time, it is not as  distant. There is a loud crack and buzz and a bolt of electricity drives  right down the stairway from above the head of the clockwork soldier.  The noise and smell of ozone is enough for Akif to hunker down and only  take   17 electricity  . Sisir, tuned in to his brother, likewise drops into a crouch for only   18 electricity  . Iluvar and The Scribe both completely dodge the effect.

Now,  at last, the enemy is visible (but wasn't at the time of casting). It  is a tall, clean-cut, good-looking blond man with an odd set of  mechanical wings flying 10' off the ground and above Red.

 R4T10:   Akif , what do you do?

Blue on deck, Little dragon in the hole, Iluvar/ Sisir delaying ...
DrK
Akif bellows in pain as the lighting courses over his body.   "Brother, I am wounded, a mage!"   he shouts out before launching an all out attack on the construct in front of him.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Full attack straight ahead with shield
[T]  (1d20+15)[ 34 ]  dam  (1d8+15)[ 16 ] 
[T]  (1d20+10)[ 19 ]  dam  (1d8+15)[ 16 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R4T10:  Akif bellows in pain as the lighting courses over his body.   "Brother, I am wounded - a mage!"    he shouts out before launching an all out attack on the construct in  front of him. He rams the edge of his lower shield into the soldier's  shin for  15 mod . He tries to hit the other shin, but now the soldier is wise with a low guard.

 R4T9:   As Blue attacks, two duplicates of Akif appear in and around him; they  don't protect him, but his armor does. Unfortunately, the mesmeric  mirrors don't protect against the soldier's second attack, either, as  the halberd cuts into the lead titan's chest for  15 mod .

 R4T7:  Another bolt escapes the tiny dragon's mouth to hit Akif in the chest for   4 force  .

 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 .... 
 R5T13:  The wizard casts a spell, and then is no longer visible to those on the stairs.

 R5T10:   Akif , what do you do?

Blue Soldier on deck, tiny dragon in the hole, Iluvar/ Sisir delaying ...
DrK
Akif feels the impacts, blood pouring down his flanks but with enemies ahead and his allies behind on the narrow stairs he is wedged in an unenviable position. He lashes out forwards with the shield seeking to batter a path forward a great roar on his lips as he tries to spur himself and the others onwards

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Swift: Encouraging roar
Full attack [T] with spear
 (1d20+15)[ 25 ]  dam  (2d6+12)[ 19 ] 
 (1d20+10)[ 17 ]  dam  (2d6+12)[ 17 ] 

(Bonus from Encouraging roar boost not included)
 
lostsole31
 R5T10:  Akif feels the impacts, blood pouring down his flanks, but with enemies  ahead and his allies behind on the narrow stairs he is wedged in an  unenviable position. He lashes out forwards with the shield seeking to  batter a path forward a great roar on his lips as he tries to spur  himself and the others onward. His spear catches the soldier in the belly for  18 mod , but the second doesn't push through its metal form.

 R5T9:   Blue counters with a strike to Akif's right calf only to get rid of a  mesmeric mirror Akif then shield blocks the second attack, and the  second image goes away.

 R5T7:  The little dragon shoots forth another bolt from its mouth to strike Akif for   5 force  .

 End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T13:   Distantly, spellcasting is heard downstairs, followed by an indirect  glare of red that Iluvar and The Scribe see below in the haze,  accompanied by a cry of pain from a female.

 R6T12:   Herifax calls from around the corner, below.   "I'm hit! Berkanin is down here!"  (Sounds of arrows being released and a man's distant voice exhibiting pain.)

 R6T10:   Akif , what do you do?

Blue on deck, Mini-dragon in the hole, Iluvar/ Sisir delaying ...
Tippnick
Iluvar looks at the scribe and points to himself and the down the stairs. Then hold his index finger up to his lips. He thens moves quietly down the stairs and will try to get a picture of what is going on.

 
 Spoiler: out of delay 

Iluvar comes out of delay
Free action: indicates his intentions to the scribe
Ma: sneaking down the stairs to the bedroom

SA: will try to asses what is going on in the bedroom
 
DrK
Akif spins the shield and the spear aggressively. Now relieved, despite the damage and wounds to his sides and chest.   "I will hold them here... Deal with the mage"   as he jabs upwards twice hoping glancing back to see if there is space to retreat

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Full attack [T]
 (1d20+15)[ 18 ]  dam  (2d6+12)[ 23 ] 
 (1d20+10)[ 15 ]  dam  (2d6+12)[ 14 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R6T11:   Iluvar looks at the Scribe and points to himself and the down the  stairs. Then hold his index finger up to his lips. Moving quietly down the stairs, he tries to get a picture of what is going  on.

 R6T10:  Akif spins the shield and the spear aggressively. Now relieved, despite the damage and wounds to his sides and chest.   "I will hold them here. Deal with the mage,"    he commands as he jabs upwards twice as both attacks are deflected. He  sees that Iluvar vacated his spot, so there is now a space to retreat,  if needed.

 R6T9:  Akif and the clockwork soldier both are unable to land blows this round, their weapons and shield in contest.

 R6T7:  The tiny dragon belches another bolt into Akif's chest for   2 force  .

 End Round 6, Begin Round 7 ...

R7T13:   The sound of casting is heard from within the bedroom, but Iluvar is  not at a good vantage point to see down at the corner where he is. Right  then, from the corner behind where he stands, webs blast forth from  that point to go up the stairs and south along the eastern wall! The  webs roll forth to cover over Iluvar, The Scribe, Herifax, and even  Sisir. However, all four of them are able to keep from getting stuck -  they are inside the web, but not (currently) held fast.

 R7T12:   Herifax works her way out of where she is and out of Iluvar's sight. A  beautiful, enchanting song is heard. It works at the will of the heroes,  but none of the PCs are especially affected by it.

 R7T11:   Iluvar , you are within - but not stuck in - thick sheets of webbing. What do you do?

Akif on deck, Blue in the hole, Sisir delaying ...
Tippnick
iIluvar will advance to the west carefully while trying to get to mage.


 
 Spoiler: Crunch 

He will use a swift action to enact his Judgment for this combat Justice and Purity
Not sure which one is better at the moment but will use either but will use CMB or Escape artist to move through the webs

Once he sees the mage he will assess to determine race (for bane purposes)

If he does reach the mage he will attack with an unarmed attack and stunning fist (stun)
 (d2+16)[ 17 ]  stunning fist
With divine favor and justice not added in
Unarmed damage
 (d10+3)[ 7 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R7T11:  Iluvar will advance to the west carefully while  trying to get to mage. Once he corners him, he throws a focused punch  right  into the spellcaster's throat for  15 + crushed trachea (cannot breathe/ speak) !  towards what he thinks is the spellcaster's throat, but being unable to see him in the dark bedroom, he misses.

 R7T10:   Akif , what do you do?

Blue on deck, Little dragon in the hole, Sisir delaying ...
DrK
Akif ducks back, again wincing at the small nip from the force blast again. He stabs upward twice more with the spinning spear to drive back the constructs before stepping back to keep close to the others


 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Full attack
 (1d20+15)[ 30 ]  dam  (2d6+12)[ 16 ] 
 (1d20+10)[ 28 ]  dam  (2d6+12)[ 21 ] 
5ft step away down the stairs
 
lostsole31
 R7T10:  Akif ducks back, again wincing at the small nip  from the force blast  again. He stabs upward twice more with the spinning spear to finally  destroy the clockwork soldier in front of him. Unfortunately, with Sisir  directly behind him (and in webbing, at that!), Akif is unable to step  back at all.

 R7T9:  Red steps forward, wading through the pieces of its fallen kin, its halberd slamming hard against Akif's armor.

 R7T8:   The Scribe uses his flaming ranseur to clear away the webs in his square.

 R7T7:  The little dragon belches at Akif again for   4 force  .

 End Round 7, Begin Round 8 ...

R7T14:  A terribly wounded looking troll comes into Akif's view behind the clockwork solider.

 R7T13:   There is the sound of mechanical wings moving away from Iluvar.

 R7T12:   Herifax stops her song. Above, Akif notes that the bloodied troll seems  to blink and look around confused. In the darkness, Iluvar hears  several bow twangs from behind (north) him. Only one sound like it hit  its mark, but it definitely helps Iluvar realize where the mage is now.

 R7T11:   Iluvar ,  you cannot see in the dark bedroom, but you do know that the mage is 5'  above you and to your relative southeast from the cry of pain, sound of  wings, and even some other noise. What do you do?

Akif on deck, Red in the hole, Sisir delaying ...
Tippnick
Iluvar reaches into his handy haversack to pull out a sunrod and light it. 
 Spoiler: crunch 



MA: reach into haversack to pull out a sunrod.
SA: light the sunrod
 
lostsole31
 R7T11:  Iluvar reaches into his  handy haversack  to pull out a sunrod and lights it.

 R7T10:   Akif , what do you do?

Red on deck, The Scribe in the hole, Sisir delaying ...
lostsole31
 R7T10:  Akif had called for his brother to aid, but his  brother seems to be locked in some type of tactical confusion. Akif  calls out loudly - using various war cries, imprecations, and the like  for his allies that may yet hear him to know that they will yet last out  the day. Meanwhile, he focuses on destruction as he thrusts out with  his spear, only for his lack of accuracy to pay him back with a glance  off the soldier's armor. Or so it seems, for his secondary attack was  the real attack as his criticial thrust with the second spear attack  hits the construct in the head for  19 mod . He exhorts Sisir,   "Brother! If not to me, then to them!"  
 R7T9:  The soldier hacks down to cut Akif's left thigh for  22 mod , and the second attack cuts deep into his left shoulder also for  22 mod .

 R7T8:    "I'm sorry, Sisir, but this will keep you out of the webs and might bring you to focus again,"   says The Scribe, who uses his flaming ranseur to burn away the webs in Sisir's square, but also burns Sisir for   7 fire  .   "If you can't heal your brother, move past me that I may."  
 R7T7:  The little dragon belches at Akif to hit him for   5 force  .

 R7T6:   Sisir ,  you have been directly prompted by two allies (and even burned by one  of them, though that was to help unimpede your movement). Do you come  out of delay?
Qazgir
Sisir

  "You have my thanks Scribe"   Sisir says, moving down the stairs, past the Scribe. Rounding the corner of the stairs, Sisir will grimace at the darkness, and focusing on the image of a flickering candle illuminating a room, attempt to illuminate the spaces in front of him, and focusing his stare on whatever enemy he sees.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Free Action: Speak

Move Action: Move 10' East, and 5' South, to end up in the square 5' North and 10' East of Iluvar.

Standard Action: Cast Faerie Fire defensively.  (1d20+14)[ 16 ]  vs DC 17 (15+2).

Swift Action: Should Sisir see anyone, either upon rounding the bottom of the stairs, or after, hopefully, casting Faerie Fire, activate Hypnotic Stare targeting the enemy that is closest to Iluvar if more than one are seen.

Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any moderate condition as defined by Touch Treatment, activate Mask Misery. If anyone with Mesmeric Mirror is attacked or targeted by a spell which requires an attack roll, trigger Mesmeric Mirror, creating two images with each image lasting for 8 minutes or until destroyed.


Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force the same save vs confusion as above.


Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
 R7T6:    "You have my thanks, Scribe,"    Sisir  says, moving down the stairs, past the Scribe, but as soon as he passes  him, Sisir finds himself pushing past thick webs. Rounding the corner of   the stairs while slogging through the webs, Sisir sees the bright light  of a sunrod in Iluvar's hand. Sisir had hoped to add a little light, but  spent too much time pushing through the webs and now with the sunrod it  seems he need not bother. Standing on the bed over the unconscious  catfolk is a handsome man with close-cropped, blond hair and wearing a  mechanical backpack with wings. The man seems to have just opened the  window there. At the same time, Sisir can't get exact features, as the  man's form seems to be vibrating extremely quickly. Knowing this to be  his quarry, Sisir focuses his stare on the man.

 End Round 7, Begin Round 8...

R8T14:  Upstairs, Akif thought he saw a horrifically wounded troll behind Red, but then the troll is gone again.

 R8T13:   Downstairs, the metal-winged man slips to the other side of the window,  and then casts a spell directed at the bottom corner internal wall of  the stairs. A blast of conjuration energy erupts - not only throughout  the room - but up the stairs as far as Akif, but not far enough to  include the clockwork soldier. Thick, inky black tentacles erupt from  every horizontal surface and reach around. The unconscious, helpless  catfolk is instantly snatched up (and takes  7  from  constriction). Sisir, Iluvar, and Herifax resist being grabbed, but the  unconscious catfolk surely can't take too much of this.

Upstairs, however, to add insult to injury, Akif is snatched up by the tentacles and takes  7 mod  from the squeezing! The Scribe easily slides away from the tentacles.

 R8T12:  Herifax has tears in her eyes and says,   "If only you were willing to have been my nestmate, Kanya Ismahe, you would not have been left insensate for your cold heart."   She then pushes past the tentacles to exit to the west.

 R8T11:   Iluvar ,  black tentacles all around, plus the webs to the east. You may have all  the light you need, but it is hard to see. The wizard went out through  the window. You also see the helpless catfolk unconscious and being  squeezed by tentacles right in front of you. You know that while you  escaped the first grasping of the webs, that they whip around and hold  onto everything so you aren't exactly safe, either. What do you do?

Akif on deck, Clockwork soldier on deck ...
Tippnick
  "The wizard has left out the window, Scribe find the troll, everyone else get out of reach of the tentacles."  , Iluvar directs. He changes into a defensive posture. He concentrates a moment. He then uses a teleport ability to travel.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


Free speech
SwA: Defensive stance
SA: activate hast from the shard
MA: spend ki to use abundant step (appearing 1 square south of Akif and 2 squares east.
 
lostsole31
 R8T11:    "The wizard has left out the window. Scribe, find the troll. Everyone else, get out of reach of the tentacles,"   Iluvar directs before concentrating and disappearing from sight. 
 Spoiler: Iluvar 
You take  2   damage and appear .... well, you're pretty sure you are no longer at  the Hanging Manse now ... but on the streets of Kaer Maga with plenty of  surprised people looking at you!
 

 R8T10:   Akif , you are in the grips of black tentacles. What do you do?

Clockwork Soldier on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...
DrK
Akif bellows in pain, the world spinning around him as his vision darkness and he feels faint with the strangling tentacles.   "Brother... save me."   he gasps as she hes truggles and pushes with the last of his strength seeking to push his way free.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


CMB to break grapple  (1d20+16)[ 35 ] 
(Does armband of brawler apply? [not included here]) then move down the stairs towards allies.
 
lostsole31
 R8T10:  Akif bellows in pain, the world spinning around him as his vision darkness and he feels faint with the strangling tentacles.   "Brother... save me."    he gasps as she he struggles and pushes with the last of his strength  seeking to push his way free. Succeeding grandly, he then pushes through  tentacles to pass by The Scribe and make his way down - but not yet off  - the stairs, and entering into areas of mixed webs and tentacles, and  finally next to his brother.

 R8T8:  A tentacle  wraps around The Scribe and squeezes, but he just shrugs and steps out  of the tentacle, grabs a potion, and pours it down Akif's throat for   9 healing  .

 R8T6:   Sisir , you get wrapped up by tentacles for  3 mod + grabbed . What do you do? Also, roll a Ref save...
Qazgir
Sisir

As he struggles with the tentacles grabbing him, Sisir addresses the Scribe,   "you have my gratitude to healing my brother. Once we are clear of these tentacles let us follow Iluvar. Now, let us see if I can break this frustrating spell."   Centering himself for a moment, Sisir pictures a beach, where a waves splashes onto the shore, washing away a sand castle, he then gestures at the tentacles, as if to wave them away.
 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Reflex Save:  (1d20+18)[ 34 ] 

Move Action: Center himself for purposes of thought component.

Standard Action: Attempt to cast Dispel Magic.

Concentration check:  (1d20+14)[ 34 ]  vs DC 13+CMB

Dispel check:  (1d20+8)[ 22 ]  vs DC 11+CL

Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any of the following conditions activate Mask Misery: Confused, dazed, frightened, sickened. If anyone with Mesmeric Mirror is attacked or targeted by a spell which requires an attack roll, trigger Mesmeric Mirror, creating two images with each image lasting for 8 minutes or until destroyed. If Iluvar is within 180' (100+10*Mesmerist Level) tricks implanted in him can still be triggered, even without line of sight, unless something blocks telepathic contact between us.
 
lostsole31
 R8T6:  As he struggles with the tentacles grabbing him, Sisir addresses the Scribe,   "You   have my gratitude to healing my brother. Once we are clear of these   tentacles let us follow Iluvar. Now, let us see if I can break this   frustrating spell."   Centering himself for a moment,  Sisir  pictures a beach, where a waves splashes onto the shore, washing  away a  sand castle, he then gestures at the tentacles, as if to wave  them away. Magical energy rushes forth from Sisir to remove the black  tentacles spell - not just on the stairs - but throughout as well.

 R8T5:  The clockwork soldier makes its way down the  stairs to The Scribe. It attacks with its halberd only to be blocked by  the ranseur, but the second attack gets past The Scribe's defenses and  looks like its going to hit him, but the roiling mist throws off the  soldier's aim.

 R8T4:  The little dragon flies down and belches a bolt at The Scribe to hit him, though the wound doesn't seem to show.

 End Round 8, Begin Round 9 ...

R9T13:  The man flies back into the room, a few feet off the ground and casts a spell at Sisir.

 Sisir , roll a Will save!
Tippnick
Iluvar shakes his head and says,   "I didn't go back in time far enough."   He then disappears.

 
 Spoiler: second verse, same as the first 


SA: goes full defensive
MA: uses ki to go where was at the beginning of last round in the mages houses.
 
Qazgir
Sisir

Sisir does his best to resist whatever foul magic has been cast on him.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Will Save:  (1d20+19)[ 31 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R9T13:  Sisir does his best to resist whatever foul  magic has been cast on him, and as a mesmerist, finds the domination  attempt laughably easy to endure. The mage is now hovering off the  floor.

 R9T11:  Iluvar shakes his head and says,   "I didn't go back in time far enough."    He then disappears and appears where last was in the bedroom, but doing  that drops his focus ... and his defensive stance.  Well, ALMOST where  he expected to be, but he is now a few feet south and in the SW corner  of the bedroom because the mage with mechanical wings flapping is where  he would have appeared.

 R9T10:   Akif , what do you do? You are currently in webs. If you want to move, you have to make a Ref save to move freely.

The Scribe on deck, Sisir in the hole ...
DrK
Akif releases his grip on the spear to free up a hand, coughing on the healing potion as with his fre hand he presses his own hand to his holy symbol to try and repair some of the damage, happier now in webbing rather than constricting tentacles.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Free: Drop spear to free up a hand
Standard: cast prepared cure light wounds
   * Concentration if needed  (1d20+9)[ 21 ] 
   * Cure light  (1d8+5)[ 6 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R9T10:  Akif releases his grip on the spear to free up a  hand, and the webs obligingly hold his spear where he releases it. In  doing so, however, his stance fully ends. He also notices that the webs  are currently holding him fast. He coughs on the  remains of the healing potion as with his free hand he presses his own  hand to his holy  symbol to try and repair some of the damage, happier now in webbing  rather than constricting tentacles.  He concentrates despite the webs,  and still provides himself with   6 healing  .

 R9T8:   From his position, The Scribe enters adds to his current fighting  stance by blending something else in as well - something more cerebral,  observant and defensive. He chokes up on the length of his ranseur,  which seems to leave him a bit more vulnerable, but in doing so he can  now attack the soldier right in front of him. He engages in an extreme  tussle, but just at the last second he finally trips the clockwork man.  As soon as it falls onto the steps (not down) he strikes it in its left  lower leg for  21 mod . The wounds you expected The Scribe to sport earlier finally begin to show, though a bit lessened now ( 7 ).

 R9T6:   Sisir , what do you do? Roll a Ref save first to make sure you aren't entangled by the webs.

Clockwork Soldier on deck, Lil' Dragon in the hole ...
Qazgir
Sisir

Doing his best to move past the webbing, Sisir moves out of the flight of stairs, and addresses the mage,   "Ah, and you would be our esteemed host I presume. A pleasure to meet you, if I could have a moment of your time."   As he finishes speaking, Sisir sets his gaze on the mage, focuses briefly, and imagines sets of manacles closing around wrists.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Reflex Save:  (1d20+18)[ 24 ] 

Free Action: 5' Step South and speak.

Swift Action: Hypnotic Stare on the mage. It takes -3 to Will Saves and Attack Rolls. If the target is immune to mind-affecting effects, then it +2 to any related saves and have a 50% chance to ignore the Stare's effect every round.

Move Action: Center himself for purposes of thought component.

Standard Action: Cast Hold Person on the Mage, DC 18.

Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any of the following conditions activate Mask Misery: Confused, dazed, frightened, sickened. If anyone with Mesmeric Mirror is attacked or targeted by a spell which requires an attack roll, trigger Mesmeric Mirror, creating two images with each image lasting for 8 minutes or until destroyed.


Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.


Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
 R9T6:  Doing his best to move past the webbing, Sisir  moves out of the flight of stairs, and finds that moving even 5' through  the webs is much more difficult than expected. He addresses the mage,   "Ah, and you would be our esteemed host I presume. A pleasure to meet you, if I could have a moment of your time."    As he finishes speaking, Sisir sets his gaze on the mage, focuses  briefly, and imagines sets of manacles closing around wrists. With his  intent gaze, it is too much for the mage to deal with, even with a  relatively strong mind, and to Iluvar's eyes it seems that the mage is  held fast in place - seemingly paralyzed!

 R9T5:   On the stairs, the clockwork soldier attempts to regain its feet and The  Scribe's ranseur slams against its chest without effect. Once on its  feet, it strikes The Scribe in his left elbow ( 22 DDP ).

 R9T4:   The little dragon belches to hit The Scribe with (  4 force DDP  ).

 End Round 9, Begin Round 10 ...

R10T15:  A half-sized Myki suddenly appears, having truck the clockwork dragon for  30 !

 R10T13:  The mage works hard and breaks out of his paralysis, stepping a few feet north to the hallway entrance.

 R10T11:   Iluvar , what do you do (currently  hasted )?

Akif on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar moves after the mage and engages him.




 
 Spoiler: Crunch 


If Iluvar can use his step up feat he will, If not he will take a 5foot step and engage the mage.
SwA: Activate Bane Human
FRA: Flurry of blows, stunning fist (bane, judgment, divine favor, possible flank not included)
 (d20+16)[ 24 ]  to hit with stunning fist
 (d10+3)[ 10 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 9 ]  bane damage
 (d6)[ 6 ]  precision damage from flanking

2nd Flurry
 (d20+16)[ 26 ]  to hit
 (d10+3)[ 4 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 10 ]  bane damage
 (d6)[ 6 ]  precision damage from flanking

Haste attack
 (d20+16)[ 33 ]  to hit
 (d10+3)[ 10 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 7 ]  bane damage
 (d6)[ 2 ]  precision damage from flanking

Iterative attack
 (d20+11)[ 24 ]  to hit
 (d10+3)[ 6 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 6 ]  bane damage
 (d6)[ 5 ]  precision damage from flanking
 
lostsole31
 R10T11:  Iluvar moves after the mage and engages him.  His first attack gets noped by the high-speed visual vibration effect  from the mage, which in turn spoils Iluvar's Stunning Fist. The next is a  right punch to the mage's chest for  24 + confused ; a low knee drop onto his shin for  25 ; finally, a rising knee jumping attack to his jaw for  20 .

 R10T10:   Akif , what do you do? You are currently entangled in the web.

The Scribe on deck, Sisir in the hole ...
DrK
Akif, still struggling with the grievous wounds pulls out his wand and taps one of the injured parts

 
 Spoiler: OOc 


Draw wand of cure light
Tap self  (1d8+1)[ 5 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R10T10:  Akif, still struggling with the grievous wounds pulls out his wand and taps one of the injured parts for   5 healing  .

 R10T8:  Given inspiration, The Scribe sees a spot between plates of metal on the prone soldier and stabs the clockwork soldier for  18 mod . Once done, The Scribe's most recent wounds show ( 23 DDP ).

 R10T6:   Sisir , what do you do?

Enemies on deck and in the hole ...
Qazgir
Sisir

Drawing his mace, Sisir steps towards the mage and strikes, aiming for the mage's torso.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Move action: Draw his mace.

Free action: 5' Step west, to end up adjacent to the mage.

Standard Action: Attack the mage with the mace.

Attack Roll #1:  (1d20+14)[ 33 ] 
Damage Roll #1:  (2d6+8)[ 18 ]  Bludgeoning damage and trigger the first Painful Stare of the round dealing  (2d6+4)[ 13 ]  Precision damage and forcing a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.


Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any of the following conditions activate Mask Misery: Confused, dazed, frightened, sickened. If anyone with Mesmeric Mirror is attacked or targeted by a spell which requires an attack roll, trigger Mesmeric Mirror, creating two images with each image lasting for 8 minutes or until destroyed. If Akif begins his turn within an enemies reach, trigger Compel Alacrity, allowing him to move up to 15' as a free action, without provoking AOOs, and which doesn't count against his movement for the round.


Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.


Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
 R10T6:  Sisir goes to grab his mace, but finds that in  the interim he has become stuck in the webs! He manages to get his mace  into his hands, but he is held fast by the webs.

 R10T5:   Not having any true tactical awareness, the clockwork soldier foolishly  attempts to stand. Myki stabs it right through the head, destroying it  in one fluid, perfect stroke.

 R10T4:  The little dragon belches at Myki to strike her for   2 force  . The clockwork flyer then tries to get away from Myki, but her blade finds it as well, doing  14  to it as it flies up the stairs and away.

 End Round 10, Begin Round 11 ...

R11T15:  Myki gives chase, flying after the thing ...

 R11T13:   The mage is confused, but Iluvar had followed up the confusion strike  with more violence, so now the mage is given to return violence. He  steps back a few feet to get partial cover from the corner and casts a  spell. A bead of flame is sent to the far southeastern corner of his own  bedroom before it blossoms out into a fireball that covers the entire  bedroom, but not him in the hallway. Iluvar hunkers down by the wall and  uses the bed to shield himself. Sisir's grappled position in the web  hurts him as   28 fire  . The catfolk laying on the bed unconscious takes   33 fire  ;  she may or may not be dead, you don't know. Then, to add insult to  injury, all of the webs in the bedroom (minus the webbing on the stairs  proper holding Akif) foes up in flame as well, with Sisir taking another    3 fire  , and Kanya Ismahe taking another   4 fire  ,  but at least Sisir is no longer restrained by webs. Iluvar's lenses  tell him that it was the webs that finally killed the catfolk female.

One thing of note is that the mage no longer seems to be moving with hyperspeed.

 R11T11:   Iluvar , what do you do?

Akif on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar will once again move to where he can engage the mage in close combat.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


Iluvar will continue bane and
Use stunning fist and risky strike
 (d20+13)[ 15 ] 
Unarmed damage  (d10+9)[ 14 ] 
Bane damage [2d6]

If the mage 5ft steps away he will use step up to close the distance.
 
lostsole31
 R11T11:  Iluvar doesn't need to move to where he can  engage the mage in close combat, though he will be fighting around a  corner. He makes a single attack in hopes of bringing the mage down  quickly, but it ends up being a clumsy attack that strikes the corner of  the wall he's fighting around. He also recognizes that his high jump ki  power is no longer in effect.

 R11T10:   Akif ,  you are currently held fast in the last remaining 5' section of webs.  You have a wand of healing in one hand, a shield readied in the other,  and your spear politely held by those same webs. What do you do?

The Scribe on deck, Sisir in the hole ...
DrK
Seeing fireball flying and the damage wrought by them Akif frantically hits himself again with the wand to try and desperately recover some of the injuries

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Cure Light Wounds  (1d8+1)[ 4 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R11T10:  Seeing  fireball  flying and the damage wrought by them, Akif frantically  hits himself again with the wand to try and desperately recover some of  the injuries, gaining   4 healing  .

 R11T8:  A few seconds prior, The Scribe's  shield  had  faltered, but he's confident that another application is unneeded. He  looks at Akif and the weak effect the wand has on him.   "Don't hate me for this, but..."   and he applies his flaming weapon to the webs holding Akif. They flare up, doing   5 fire    to Akif, but the last vestiges of webbing is now gone. Akif's spear  clatters to the bottom of the stairs. He then zooms downstairs to engage  the wizard.

 R11T6:   Sisir , what do you do?

Off-camera combatants on deck and in the hole ...
Qazgir
Sisir

Seeing the Scribe rush past him, Sisir takes a moment to center himself, before images of manacles closing around wrists appear in his mind again.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Move Action: Center himself for purposes of thought component.


Standard Action: Cast Hold Person on the Mage, DC 18.


Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any of the following conditions activate Mask Misery: Confused, dazed, frightened, sickened. If anyone with Mesmeric Mirror is attacked or targeted by a spell which requires an attack roll, trigger Mesmeric Mirror, creating two images with each image lasting for 8 minutes or until destroyed. If Akif begins his turn within an enemies reach, trigger Compel Alacrity, allowing him to move up to 15' as a free action, without provoking AOOs, and which doesn't count against his movement for the round.


Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.


Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
 R11T6:  Seeing the Scribe rush past him, Sisir takes a moment to center himself,  before images of manacles closing around wrists appear in his mind  again. The mage's mind struggles well, but the hypnotic stare undermines his will and soon the mage is once again paralyzed!

 R11T4:   .....

 End Round 11, Begin Round 12 ...

R12T15:   Pint-sized Myki flies into the hallway from outside to the west,  quickly studies the mage, and then stabs him in the back of his upper  left arm and into his brachial artery. The paralysis instantly ends, and  the mage's lifeless corpse flops to the floor.

 Combat Ends! 
DrK
Akif breathes a sig of relief seconds after pulling his arm with a wince free of the flaming webs.   "I do not like these clockwork soldiers"    he says kneeling slightly to catch his breath as he taps the wand on the various wounds seeking to recover at least some the grievous damage done to him.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


If we have 1 minute he'll tap himself 10 times with the wand of Cure light. If we do not have 1 minute please remove any un-needed ones
 (10d8)[ 8 ][ 4 ][ 2 ][ 4 ][ 1 ][ 3 ][ 2 ][ 3 ][ 3 ][ 1 ](31) +10
 
lostsole31
Since that battle took a lot out of people, there is no reason to believe you don't take a 1-minute breather (healing/ charges updated).

As people catch their breath, the half-size Myki says,   "I freed Augustille from a contraption up above. I told him to hide in a corner to regenerate. The contraption seemed to have kept wounding him to overcome his regeneration and keep him in a badly injured state, so he needs time as well."  
Tippnick
Iluvar will cast cure light wounds the cure moderate to speed up the process. He will use his available spell slots and those appropriate levels per spell. He will also pull out his wand to top everyone off. 
 Spoiler 



Healing
4 first level slots
 (d8+5)[ 10 ] 
 (d8+5)[ 10 ] 
 (d8+5)[ 11 ] 
 (d8+5)[ 11 ] 

3 second level slots
 (2d8+8)[ 16 ] 
 (2d8+8)[ 11 ] 
 (2d8+8)[ 19 ] 
 
lostsole31
Iluvar has the healing magic, and The Scribe (assisted by Iluvar) have the healing know-how for triage. They look over everyone and begin applying healing, with the exception that The Scribe does not allow himself to be looked over or healed. All three CMW go to Akif; one CLW goes to Iluvar; three CLW go to Sisir.

Once this healing has been passed around ...
Akif: ~65%.
The Scribe: Healed.
Iluvar: ~92%.
Myki: Faint scratch.
Sisir: ~80%.
Qazgir
Sisir

  "Well, I agree with my brother, but for now I believe our thoughts should turn to removing ourselves and Augustille from this aggravating place. If we want to take a direct route, I can cushion the falls of four of us, but no more. Otherwise I suppose we will be retracing our steps, unless we have anything else we need to do here first?"   He says, tilting his head towards Myki to indicate the question is primarily addressed to her.
lostsole31
Myki screws up her face.   "Umm, fly spell active, thanks anyway. But if you could remove your mist-spell. Yeah, I see big things through it but also seeing mist makes it ... weird. It's not a perfect vision for fine-tuned searching. Anyway, I am heading up to check on Augustille."  

The Scribe says,   "Before you go, do you all remember how careful I was about not being a bunch of crazy looters? Well, things have panned out that he was the kidnapper and he's dead now. So, we should loot away. Also, as a service to the community, we do need to kill the plant monsters in the garden. Now that the owner is dead, they'll get hungry, and then go rampaging through town."  

Myki nods,   "Yeah, as a lamplighter in a near-lawless town. I say we're justified doing the 'to the victor go the spoils' .... though I know the real estate itself would be owned by the Ardocs-at-large, so we can't become squatters."  
DrK
Akif breathes a sigh of relief as the worst of the wounds are healed and he offers a nod of thanks to the others.    "My thanks for saving me."    He adds,   "Now let us see what this fellow has on him."   he adds as he approachs the downed mage and the broken constructs to help loot them.   "I agree we can do the weeding in the garden on the way out."   
lostsole31
  "Shall we go upstairs and tend to Augustille, first?"   asks The Scribe.
Tippnick
Iluvar agrees,   "Let us attend to the troll."  
DrK
Akif, making sure to grab up his spear and stow his wand, nods.   "I agree. Let us finish this place and be done."   Though he does glance at his brother switching to their Giant tongue,   &lt;"Brother, I will not rush ahead this time. I was most sorely pressed by these metal clockwork soliders."&gt;   
lostsole31
The group heads upstairs, and by request Sisir drops his  obscuring mist . This large room has walls fifteen feet high, with tall, narrow arches for windows. The chamber has no roof of its own, and  instead the walls are freestanding, with a five-foot gap between their tops and the stone of the district’s ceiling. Papers and diagrams cover the walls and several work benches, and half-finished meals and pieces of machinery lie in haphazard piles on the floor. Against the northwestern wall stands a huge metal apparatus, upon which is painted the blood of its former troll prisoner.

A half-healed (and quickly regenerating) troll is cowering up there, giving a half-hearted wave while the party takes in the scene.

Myki will tell you what she saw when she came up here to free the troll. The strange mechanism (and its numerous reinforcing struts) that restrained Berkanin’s captive troll Augur takes up almost an entire wall of the workshop. In the center, Augustille had been hung spread-eagled from deep spikes driven through his wrists and ankles. His stomach was flayed open, the skin held that way with hooks, and ropes of his innards and organs were held in front of him by a metal basin that protrudes from the apparatus on extendable arms. Long tubes ran from painful-looking ports in the troll’s skin to clear glass alembics and sealed vessels of steel and copper. Sparks leap sporadically between contact points on the rack, and a fan of tubes like pipes on an organ rises up to almost the top of the wall. Several styluses on mechanical arms were scribbling on sheaves of paper, while the apparatus as a whole constantly cut and tugged and adjusted to offset the troll’s regeneration, maintaining the tormented creature in an equilibrium of torture.

   "It took me several seconds to be able to free him from the device,"    admits Myki.

From what you can see looking at Berkanin's notes, this apparatus is Berkanin’s masterpiece: an attempt to simultaneously enhance the “reception” on the troll’s oracular abilities (the tubes are designed to capture and amplify “divine resonances”) while gauging and recording the prophecies in hopes of reproducing the phenomenon mechanically. The whole mechanism is an incredible work of engineering and art, but so far what it was best at was keeping the troll in constant pain.

It mentions that Augustille was fed numerous psychotropic drugs and sedatives, and it is obvious now looking at the troll that he is staggered and loopy.

By the time you are done looking at the machine and Berkanin's notes, the troll is fully healed ... but still fully drugged.
Qazgir
Sisir

  "What a fascinating and monstrous device, but with Augustille in hand, we really should take our leave."   Sisir says, before addressing his brother in Giant,   &lt;"I think it's fair to say you've done nothing worse than me today brother."&gt;  
DrK
Akif looks at the troll warily before glancing around the room. As the explanation is given he shakes his head   "The savagery of the younger races is a think is a thing I find sad."   he says quietly to his brother. Before looking to the scribe and Myki.   "Is there much else you wish to do here?"  
lostsole31
The Scribe looks to Myki,   "If you don't mind, we'd like you to look over our charge," and here he points to Augustille, "while the rest of us go through the house for a quick looting before heading outside to deal with the carnivorous plants."   Turning to the rest,   "Gentlemen, sound like a plan?"  
Tippnick
  "Yes, let us see what we can find and then take on the plants."  , Iluvar agrees.
DrK
Akif nods,   "Yes, we can clear the house of danger and magical trinkets"   he suggests gesturing for them to lead on as they can sweep the building.
Tippnick
  "Let us retrace our steps if we have everything off the mage and this room."  , Iluvar directs.
Qazgir
Sisir

  "I believe thats the case, after you."   Sisir gestures towards the door.
Tippnick
If the bedroom is also searched then Iluvar will head west and down the stairs.
lostsole31
The party loots (which will be handled afterwards) ...

 Administrative Tracking ...

 The following spells/ effects all drop in the meantime..
 
 Everyone's  Ashen Path . All stances and fighting styles. 
 Myki:  She is now full size again, significantly less agile (though still  insanely dexterous), and no longer flying. Several extracts + mutagen  still active. 
 Augustille: Fully healed, guided by Myki who is now in the rear of the looting/ plant-killing bravos. 
 Iluvar:  Haste, divine favor  lapsed. Lit sunrod still in hand. Judgment and bane stopped with battle's end.  Protection from energy [electricity]  still active. 
 Akif: Tactical presence. Reset  light  on spear. 
 The Scribe: Nothing else active. 
 Sisir:   Divine favor  and  mirror image  lapsed.  Obscuring mist  assumed dropped, and useless now anyway because of fixed position. Reset  light  on shield. 
 

The idea is to kill big plants you saw deeper in the garden to the east.

How do you proceed?
Tippnick
Iluvar suggests,   "Attacking one at a time and from range as long as we can should be best. Let us advance quietly until we see one. Brothers, are you able to lead us?"  
Qazgir
Sisir

Sisir returns to his normal size and nods,   "I believe we can take the lead."  
 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Sisir's size returns to large.
 
DrK
Akif also nods, pausing to expand, swelling to fill the cramped hallway as he stretches, smiling as he returns to his normal size.   "That is better, to not be so small and constrained."   he adds before odding,   "My brother and I can form a wall to crush them upon."   
lostsole31
Of course, with the vegetation of the garden, they are unable to stand side-by-side but to go single-file down the garden path, anyway. With their new height advantage, they easily see the plant-monsters, though they are just as easily seen themselves. The plant creatures signal this by giving squealing roars each.

 Begin Round One ...

  R1T39:  Myki readies to attack to protect Augustille.

 R1T19:   Iluvar , you are currently holding a sunrod, and have protection against electricity. What do you do?
Tippnick
Iluvar waits until the large brothers are in place.

 
 Spoiler: delay 
delay
 
lostsole31
 R1T19:  Iluvar waits until the large brothers are in place.

 R1T18:   The Scribe gives a smile and starts telling a story about a Nirmathi  warrior woman who cut down many blighted plants in the Fangwood of her  home country. The story instantly has a verve that puts a steps into  every warrior's heart. He then gets into a fighting stance and zooms  down the path but takes a sharp turn south towards the edge of the  Hanging Manse itself, though his story is still harder to hear from that  point.

 R1T16:  Sisir, what do you do?

Iluvar delaying ...
Qazgir
Sisir

Images of plate armor being forged fill Sisir mind, as his skin changes to resemble iron. Defenses in place, Sisir strides past his brother towards the Scribe, fixing his gaze on the first enemy he sees.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Standard Action: Cast Ironskin.

Move Action: Move 5' South and 25' East.

Swift Action: If Sisir sees an enemy Hypnotic Stare on it. It takes -3 to Will Saves and Attack Rolls. If the target is immune to mind-affecting effects, then it +2 to any related saves and have a 50% chance to ignore the Stare's effect every round.

Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any of the following conditions activate Mask Misery: Confused, dazed, frightened, sickened. If anyone with Mesmeric Mirror is attacked or targeted by a spell which requires an attack roll, trigger Mesmeric Mirror, creating two images with each image lasting for 8 minutes or until destroyed.


Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.


Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
 R1T16:  Images of plate armor being forged fill Sisir  mind, as his skin changes  to resemble iron. He then intones the words of magic and calling on  Kerkamoth inscribes the mystic symbols in the air. Defenses in place,  Sisir strides past his brother  towards the Scribe, fixing his gaze on the first enemy he sees, though  by going south instead of passing his brother, he stumbles around in the  bushes, slowing his progress. Still, he sees "Red" and gives it a royal  stare.

 R1T13-9:  The plant monsters squeal-roar  again and close. From 15' away, Red comes into view and snaps at Sisir  as the titan steps out from some bushes. Meanwhile, Blue on the far side  takes a page out of Sisir's book and moves through the plants  themselves slowly to amble towards The Scribe.

 R1T8:   Akif , what do you do? If you go through a square that has 50% more of vegetation, it is difficult terrain.

The Scribe on deck, Sisir in the hole, Myki/ Iluvar delaying ...
DrK
Akif, now towering to his full height and feeling happy and full of his own personal strength looks at the plant creature over the bushes and leaps into the bush darting around the vegetation as he starts swaying in a mobile defensive posture before jabbing forward it.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Free: Enter indomitable prescence
Swift: Enter inner sphere stance
Move: Advance 10ft
Standard: Golden Swipe [risky attack]  (1d20+19)[ 29 ]  dam  (3d6+17)[ 32 ]  +  (6d6)[ 21 ]  and reposition  (1d20+20)[ 29 ]  (if succesful move south)
Free: Vanguard strike with shield  (1d20+16)[ 35 ]  dam  (2d6+12)[ 17 ] 
 *On vanguard included Risky strike penalty as not on the spear due to furious focus
 
lostsole31
 R1T8:  Akif, now towering to his full height and feeling happy and full of his  own personal strength looks at the plant creature over the bushes and  leaps into the bush darting around the vegetation - with a big bite failing to get through his armor - as he starts swaying  in a mobile defensive posture before jabbing his spear forward into it for  58 + confused ,  and forcing the impaled creature south a few feet before withdrawing  his spear. Now in a better position, he clobbers the monster with his  shield for  18 .

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T18:   The Scribe continues his helpful oration. Where he stands he seems to  set up a dizzying defense with his polearm while at the same time,  afterimages follow with him as he charges Blue to the east, having set  up both a boost and a charging maneuver. He moves far too quickly and  with great skill for Blue to counter before the smaller man reaches the  massive plant monster for  24 +  6 fire  .  Despite the incredibly powerful blows of the titan causing muffled  murmuring sounds from his target, for some reason the less damaging  strike from the Scribe draws forth a notable scream of pain.
Tippnick
Iluvar senses it is time to get into the action moves his way carefully to the south and east and will use his move lment to get all the way to the Scribes side.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

Double move
Will use his double move to get just east of the Scribe.
(Reminder he has escape route feat)
 
Qazgir
Sisir

Sisir steps forward and strikes out twice at the plant creature.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Free Action: 5' Step East

Standard Action + Move Action: Full attack Red.

Attack #1:  (1d20+15)[ 31 ] 
Attack #2:  (1d20+10)[ 26 ] 

Damage #1:  (3d6+11)[ 21 ]  Bludgeoning damage and trigger the first Painful Stare of the round dealing  (2d6+4)[ 14 ]  Precision damage and forcing a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.
Damage #2:  (3d6+11)[ 20 ]  Bludgeoning damage and trigger the second Painful Stare of the round dealing  (2d6+4)[ 11 ]  Precision damage and forcing a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.

Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any of the following conditions activate Mask Misery: Confused, dazed, frightened, sickened. If anyone with Mesmeric Mirror is attacked or targeted by a spell which requires an attack roll, trigger Mesmeric Mirror, creating two images with each image lasting for 8 minutes or until destroyed.


Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.


Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
 R2T16:  Sisir steps forward and strikes out twice at the plant creature for a total of  43 , and Red drops.

 R2T15:  Iluvar senses it is time to get into the action moves his way carefully  to the south and east and will use his move lment to get all the way to  the Scribe's side.

(Awaiting path from player...)
lostsole31
 R2T15:  The plant monster attacks Iluvar, but Sisir sees  it and switches on Iluvar's mesmeric mirror, but the monster still hits  him with a bite for  10 , and with the other two tentacles it only swats the illusory protection away.

 R2T9:   Meanwhile the plant-monster to the north springs to life and tries to  bite Akif, clamping onto his spear. The titan wrenches his spear quickly  in a spin, spraining the monster's jaw for  3 DEX . One tentacle goes wild as it recoils in pain, but it then catches Akif with a lucky strike for  7 mod , but can't hold the giant.

 R2T8:   Akif , what do you do?

The Scribe on deck, Sisir in the hole ...
DrK
As the plant whips him back Akif bellows in rage and spins around with shield and spear, jabbing forward repeatedly even as he bellows an encouraging roar for his fiends to goad them into attacking

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Swift: Encouraging roar boost (+2 hit/dam for allies)
Full: Full attack with spear [risky strike] (Encouraging roar not included)
(1d20+16)[25] dam (3d6+17)[24]
(1d20+11)[19] dam (3d6+17)[27]

If attacked: Use Defensive Prowess to use Iron Shell to try and negate attack
Counter rolls (1d20+18)[26]
EDIT: typo, should have been +19

If use counter freeattack with Vanguard strike
(1d20+19)[29] dam (2d6+12)[16]
 

 Last edited by DrK; Today at 08:08 PM. Cut and pasted from Tyrants grasp where I had posted in the wrong thread 
lostsole31
 R2T8:  As the plant whips him back Akif bellows in rage and spins around with  shield and spear, jabbing forward repeatedly even as he bellows an  encouraging roar for his fiends to goad them into attacking. He stabs it for  27  and it drops, and then stabs it again, most assuredly killing it!

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T18:   Despite already facing off against a plant monster, The Scribe ignores  the current one. Too quickly for Blue to respond to, The Scribe -  continuing his oration - zips around and stabs his flaming ranseur into  the mass of the fallen plant monster (Red). That is when Akif and Sisir  realize that these things have incredible regeneration.   "That one is dead now ... fire."  
 R3T16:   Sisir , what do you do?

Iluvar on deck, Blue in the hole ...
Qazgir
Sisir

Sisir nods to the Scribe before speaking,   "a welcome observation, now let us dispense with the rest."   Images of a hall of mirrors fill Sisir's mind, as multiple illusory copies of himself appear round him, he then strides towards the next creatures and fixes his gaze on it.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Free action: Speak

Standard Action: Cast Mirror Image, creating  (1d4+2)[ 4 ]  images.

Move Action: Move 30' east.

Swift Action: Hypnotic Stare on Blue. It takes -3 to Will Saves and Attack Rolls. If the target is immune to mind-affecting effects, then it +2 to any related saves and have a 50% chance to ignore the Stare's effect every round.

Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any of the following conditions activate Mask Misery: Confused, dazed, frightened, sickened. If anyone with Mesmeric Mirror is attacked or targeted by a spell which requires an attack roll, trigger Mesmeric Mirror, creating two images with each image lasting for 8 minutes or until destroyed.


Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.


Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
 R3T16:  Sisir nods to the Scribe before speaking,   "A welcome observation, now let us dispense with the rest."    Images of a hall of mirrors fill Sisir's mind, as multiple illusory  copies of himself appear round him. He does feel a spot of mental  fatigue, but otherwise pushes on. He then strides towards the next  creature by stomping through the body of the fallen, and fixes his gaze  on it.

 R3T15:   Iluvar , what do you do?

Blue on deck, Akif in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar will attack the creature. He will make a flying kick against the plant creature to the East.and then continue with his other attacks.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


Free action assess the creature(if I roll less than 8 he will spend an IP)
SwA: active bane plant if his assessment says it is plant, even if he is not sure
FRA: Flying kick with flurry of blows while using Risky strike

Flying kick
 (d20+13)[ 17 ] 
Unarmed damage  (d10+9)[ 10 ] 
Bane damage  (2d6)[ 7 ] 

Flurry strike
 (d20+13)[ 21 ]  to hit
 (d10+9)[ 17 ]  damage
 (2d6)[ 6 ]  bane damage

Iterative attack
 (d20+8)[ 25 ]  to hit
 (d10+9)[ 13 ]  damage
 (2d6)[ 8 ]  bane damage
 
lostsole31
 R3T15:  Iluvar makes a flying kick towards the  plant-monster. It chomps at him but misses the deft monk. Iluvar lands  with a kick atop its ... "head" ... the encouraging roar and The  Scribe's oratory carrying the strike through for  22  as he somersaults back and lands on the ground to then deliver and upwards shovel punch under its low mass for  32 + confused , and finally with a spin kick to press deep to its side for  30 .

 R3T13:  Confused and enraged, the monster regenerates a lot of its damage ( 10 ) and unloads on the painful bug that hurt it, but Iluvar stymies it at every turn.

 R3T8:   Akif , what do you do? Your  encouraging roar  was very helpful, but has since subsided.

The Scribe on deck, Sisir in the hole ...
DrK
Akif grins inside the helm as the first one falls, then looks tothe south east where he can hear more fighting, even if he can't see. On his long legs he bounds that way closing (if possible) to last out with a devastating shield strike.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Move: To 10ft from blue
Standard: Smashing shield  (1d20+19)[ 38 ]  dam  (2d6+12)[ 19 ] +  (4d6)[ 13 ]  and Fort save vs Daze
Free Vanguard strike shield  (1d20+19)[ 24 ]  dam  (2d6+12)[ 17 ] 

If attacked Iron shell to negate attack shield  (1d20+19)[ 30 ] 
Free Vanguard strike shield  (1d20+19)[ 32 ]  dam  (2d6+12)[ 19 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R3T8:  Akif grins inside the helm as the first one  falls, then looks to the  southeast where he can hear more fighting, even if he can't see. On his  long legs he bounds that way closing, but all of the vegetation and his  own massive size get in the way of him getting to the monster.

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T18:  The Scribe continues his oration, zooms to the east and effortlessly puts his lance into the mass of vegetation for  16 +  2 fire  , and then turns north and continues several feet. He is many feet away and stops when the monster finally falls.

 R4T16:   Sisir , what do you do?  Both monsters are down.

Iluvar on deck, Akif in the hole ...
Qazgir
Sisir

Sisir grins and nods to his brother, before walking past him and fixing his gaze on any new foes he sees.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Move Action: Move 5' East, 10' South, 5' East, to end up East of Akif.

Swift Action: If Sisir sees an enemy, Hypnotic Stare on them. It takes -3 to Will Saves and Attack Rolls. If the target is immune to mind-affecting effects, then it +2 to any related saves and have a 50% chance to ignore the Stare's effect every round.


Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any of the following conditions activate Mask Misery: Confused, dazed, frightened, sickened. If anyone with Mesmeric Mirror is attacked or targeted by a spell which requires an attack roll, trigger Mesmeric Mirror, creating two images with each image lasting for 8 minutes or until destroyed.


Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.


Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
 R4T16:   Sisir grins and nods to his brother, before  walking past him and fixing his gaze on any new foes he sees (which are  none at this time).

 R4T15:   Iluvar , what do you do?

Akif on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar moves to the East and then North. Looking for threats.   "Does anyone see a threat? If not, keep an eye on these creatures."   
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

MA: moves 20 feet North then 30 East.
SA:If he does not readily see a threat he will cast detect poison and look over his wounds.
 
lostsole31
 R4T15:  Iluvar moves to the northeast. Looking for threats.   "Does  anyone see a threat? If not, keep an eye on these creatures."  

He casts a spell over his wounds, but senses nothing amiss.

 Combat Ends! 
DrK
Akif breathes in, taking a deep breath as he surveys the garden. He'll scan the windows of the building carefully in case there is anyone waiting to ambush them and keep his shield raised. A cautious,   "Is there anything else here that you wish to do in this house or shall we take our troll back to where he belongs?"  
lostsole31
  "We're done here,"   says the Scribe.   "We should go back through town with Augustille .... carry out loot as well ... inventory it out there. In public. In the bar. For all to see ... not to rub greed in stranger's faces, but as a show of strength that even the Ardocs better not seek filial vengeance.

"Iluvar, can you think of anything else here?"  
Tippnick
Iluvar says,   "Can we gather the dead and lay them out, maybe even do this in front of the building? I will say a few things to even grace their way to the Boneyard."  
lostsole31
  "No. That is your religious observance, not mine,"   says the Scribe,   "and this Hanging Manse isn't in walkways other would notice. Let the family deal with the corpse, but if I am not treating an enemy's corpse with honor, then I keep it where it lays."  
Tippnick
  "Fine, I will be done with this house then. Let us return our find to where he belongs."  
Qazgir
Sisir

  "Very well, let us leave this place. Brother if you would take the lead, I will follow just after you."  
DrK
Akif nods,   "As you say Brother, let us go. This place was not enjoyable."   he spins the spear, flexes his arms from where he was so sorely wounded and heads back towards the entranceway. Before he leaves the garden he'll also pause ad concentrate, shrinking back to down his merely towering 7ft form to fit back through the doors.
lostsole31
Back you go ... precious cargo and valuable cargo both in possession, and Myki guides you back the circuitous way you came to get to the Sorry Excuse. Unfortunately, Augustille constantly falls into a rabid insanity, so the party has to subdue him .... probably some wounds to show but none too bad as a single adolescent troll doesn't offer quite so much fight. You knock him unconscious, and Akif will heft him while his brother carries his spear.

The Scribe guides him up to his personal room and Myki looks over him as well. They determine that his touch on reality is really bent right now ... not just the trauma, but he has a whole cocktail of inciting and psychotropic drugs in his system that have to work their way out.
Tippnick
  "Next step is to contact our troll's family. Myki, can you contact them?"  , asks Iluvar.
lostsole31
  "Umm, no-o,"   says Myki in a vaguely sing-song way on the last word.   "I'm the lamplighter who helped you on the job, and is looking for her share. You guys interface with the client. Besides, you should probably wait until he's lucid before that."  
Tippnick
  "Fair enough, I was not thinking of leaving out of the share. Sorry, I put that thought into your head."  , Iluvar apologizes.
DrK
Akif looks at the still semi-mad troll.   ”Very well. Let’s stash him safely until he recovers. He is of the jotun blood so should recover quickly.”  
  ”Shall we examine our collected treasures and eat and drink whilst this troll gets better enough to speak to his kin.”  
lostsole31
The Scribe wants to wait until Augustille has cleared the drugs from his system .... mainly because identification duties are primarily going to fall upon him (and Myki).
DrK
Akif nods, happy to wait, though will make sure to get some food and drinks to help them recover. As they wait he looks to Myki and the Scribe.   "You are handy and powerful adventurers. What are your next plans? I am curious to see more of this land."  
lostsole31
  "I am a lamplighter,"   says Myki,   "and I am a servant of Kaer Maga's people - to light the dark places."  

The Scribe seems a little more confused by the question.   "You forget, Akif Vedavyasa .... you and your brother were hired for share-of, excepting the artifacts themselves we seek as we take them in custody for the Pathfinder Society ... as my associate Iluvar perform our mission as far as it will take us in Kaer Maga, and beyond. The question is turned around to  you  and your brother. I am sure we can use the help for continuance .... and you, Myki, for our term in Kaer Maga."  
  "That is acceptable to me,"   says Myki.
Tippnick
  "We extricated the troll in payment for information about the artifact we are seeking. Hopefully this information leads us to it."  , Iluvar states
DrK
Akif taps his head,   "Apologies Illuvar. The clockwork solider may have delivered too many blows to my head."   He looks at Myki,   "Can you tell us more of these lamp lighters in this city then?"  . He'll continue to make small talk, mainly with requests of where to go or fats about the city as they wait for the dugs to clear the troll's system and they can get their clue of where to go next
lostsole31
Myki explains that since there is no law in Kaer Maga, but there is a  need for justice to keep things from being lawless, the Lamplighter's  Guild is a guild of investigators who are publicly and privately funded  to look into mysterious goings-on. Since there isn't always steady work,  they actually work as the literal lighters of the lamps in most  sections of the city come evening, and douse them in the morning.

It  is time now for an accounting of what was found and subsequently  identified at the Hanging Manse that you was portable enough for the  group to bring with them here:
 
 2 sets of schematics: 1 are revelatory instructions regarding the construction of a dangerous, fire-bellied guardian called a tophet, to partial instructions for buidling an Alkenstar firearm (total worth 1,500 gp to right collector. 
 Adamantine dagger 
 Mithral chain shirt 
 200 gp worth of random cogs &amp; other finely machined clockwork parts 
  Universal solven t(3 doses) 
 A flipbook in which several animated clay golems couple with their creator—a handwritten note on the back reads: “Copied from a student at the Arcanamirium—quite diverting.” (50 gp value) 
  Clay golem manual  
 Exotic spices from Tian Xia &amp; Casmaron (200 gp value) 
  Incense of meditation  (1 stick) 
 Masterwork ukelele 
  Golembane scarab  
 Coffer with petty cash: 500 gp 
  Wand of false life  (CL 10th, 6 charges) 
  Lesser wings of flying  
 Wizard's Spellbook (Value TBD) 
 
lostsole31
Several hours later, the Scribe guides an unsteady Augustille down to the Sorry Excuse's common room ... which garners all sorts of strange looks, but only for a courtesy second in the City of Strangers. He is exceptionally thankful and apologetic. Augustille is a cultured troll, though with a haunted look in his eyes and a tendency to stare off into space or break off mid-sentence as mystic visions take hold of him.

  "Unless anyone has any questions, now that our patient has worked out the drugs in his system,"   says the Scribe,   "we now have to deliver our precious cargo to the Augur Temple in Downmarket. Everyone coming along?"  

Myki is coming. Anyone else?
Tippnick
Iluvar comes along. Iluvar would expend his his spells healing himself and anyone else who needed it.
lostsole31
Even using his most powerful magic to cast lower-order miracles, Iluvar  completely  empties himself out, getting a headache and a bloody nose. Akif, Myki, and Sisir now only have light wounds.

Akif and Sisir, will you be joining, or holding down the fort at the Sorry Excuse while the boss-men finish off their mission?
Qazgir
Sisir

  "Yes, let us return him to his family."   Sisir stands, stretches, and gets ready to leave.
lostsole31
And with Sisir, Akif will follow. The group leaves the Sorry Excuse and walk the main thoroughfare that divides the Widdershins from Hospice and down to the waterfront. From there, it is the road that parallels the Hospice homes that skirt the shore and into Downmarket. From there, Myki leads you to the Augur Temple in Downmarket.

Vargun and the rest of the Augurs are ecstatic to see their friend alive, and walk quickly down to meet him and the PCs at the steps of their white, columned temple. In return for this aid, Vargun has already employed her network to discover a promising lead regarding the lost shard of the  Sihedron . Before she can relate it, however, the crowd of trolls steps back as Augustille falls to the ground in the grips of what looks like a seizure, his back arched and lips frothing. In a hoarse bellow, he cries out the following prophecy in Aklo (which Vargun promptly translates as only The Scribe and Myki speak so esoteric a language).

      The owl will seek but will not find,
but spire of knowledge pays in kind
in secret kept in secret keep
in forest dark and cavern deep.

The abbey of the glutton moon
will flow with blood, the wind in tune
to finish that begun before
and open wide the doomsday door.

The shattered star with seven shards
for seven lords with seven swords
the queen of blue in distant skies
will kindle new the ancient wars.

The seas will rise and men will drown
And what was lost shall claim the crown.    
  

When Augustille is finished, his body relaxes and he returns to his senses. The other Augurs nod sagely and help him up, leading him into the temple. Vargun informs the PCs that they’ve witnessed a genuine prophecy, and that she suspects this one is for them.
DrK
Akif listens curiously at the rambling and then looks on. He glances at the others,   ””What do you think it means?”   he asks at large to the others.   “I confess I am intrigued!”   he states looking to his brother
Tippnick
  "Maybe it tells of the challenges facing us as we seek the pieces of this star the prophecy speaks of."   ,Iluvar muses
Qazgir
Sisir

  "Its meaning escapes me as well. Perhaps the keep and abbey are the locations of two parts of this shattered star. I am most intrigued by the claiming of the crown, and I certainly dislike the idea of a doomsday door. Iluvar, Scribe, in your previous endeavors collecting the artifacts, do you recall anything that might relate to this prophecy?"   
lostsole31
 
 Originally Posted by lostsole31 
       The owl will seek but will not find,
but spire of knowledge pays in kind
in secret kept in secret keep
in forest dark and cavern deep.

The abbey of the glutton moon
will flow with blood, the wind in tune
to finish that begun before
and open wide the doomsday door.

The shattered star with seven shards
for seven lords with seven swords
the queen of blue in distant skies
will kindle new the ancient wars.

The seas will rise and men will drown
And what was lost shall claim the crown.    
   
 

The Scribe begins,   "I think the first stanza is likely the next linear place we must focus, but I don't know what that means ... yet.

"Abbey ... wind ... doomsday door .... I don't know yet about the second stanza.

"The third stanza is the  Sihedron , which is what as Pathfinders our mission is about. Iluvar and I already carry three of seven shards, and are looking for the next one. The 'seven lords with seven swords' sounds to me like the ancient Runelords of Thassilon, and while they each held a polearm as a scepter and symbol of their power personally, they had lackeys that had special swords that would go out into the land to do their Runelords' will."

He holds out his ranseur, "this is NOT Alazanist - the Runelord of Wrath's - famous ranseur, but is a magical version that was found in a crypt under Magnimar. Even then, it is a powerful weapon, named  Xin-Rithux , or 'Hateful Doom' in Thassilonian."

"Back to the prophecy. Everything follows from the first stanza, naturally, and the nature of the shards of the Sihedron are such that each one in succession helps find the other. That is how we knew to come to search for the next in Kaer Maga. But, annoyingly enough, once you get to close - it seems within the area of a city or so - the mental reading is too close and ends up dispersed, so there is no way to hone it in further with the shard, but with good, old-fashioned investigation, research, and persistence."
  
He turns to Myki and Vargun.   "Myki, Vargun .... this is your town. Any idea what the 'owl' or the 'spire of knowledge' might be?"  

Vargun says,   "I may have a line on that, but let me check my contacts to be sure, and I can go with you. I am curious to attend to Augustille's prophecy. Will you be willing to rest the day while I work, and then I can call on you in a day or two with what I find?"  
Tippnick
  "Retrieving Augustille took a lot of effort from all of us. I will ask for a rest before doing anything else so strenuous."   , Iluvar states.
DrK
Akif looks relatively baffled by many of the clues, before nodding to Iluvar,   "You seem well versed in these riddles. I can rest for a day before we follows this twisting tal in search of more of these stars that you seek."   He looks at his brother,   "THese small ones are interesting no Sisir?"  
lostsole31
  "In that case, unless someone has their eye on something in particular (and you don't way what that is, by the way), we can hold off on treasure divvy for now,"   says the Scribe, as all of you head back to the Sorry Excuse to await Vargun's word.

Once there, do you do anything before turning in? With Augustille's "purge time" it is getting rather late.
DrK
Akif shakes his head.   "None of the trinkets interested me anyway. They can wait. But I was sorely wounded this day and will need sleep to recover"    says Akif.   "In the morning we can work out what to do next in untangling these strange words."  
lostsole31
Everyone goes to sleep in their respective rooms for sleep.

That night, there is a faint dinging above The Scribe. 😎

 

    Fireday, Gozran 4714 AR (Waxing Crescent) 
Weather: 65/ 45 F. Winds N 20 mph. Dry.   

Everyone wakes up for the new day. Does anyone change anything about their daily lineups?
DrK
Akif rises, stretching the morning as he prepares for a new day. The night had been restful ad he felt better for the sleep, despite the wounds and battering he had suffered. A brief wash before gtting dressed he heads downstairs to the inn dining room ready for breakfast, despite his current "human size" he still eats for a creature of twice this size.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


No changes to spells or line-up of prepared stuff
 
Tippnick
Iluvar does his meditation and exercise first thing in the morning like he always does. His routine is always the same. After working up a sweat and cleaning up he comes down to join his companions.
lostsole31
  
 

Everyone gathers, and Myki meets you here as previously agreed upon, and soon you are met by Vargun - who in thanks pays for the room and board thus far, and for three more nights, of the heroes.
And now for her payment, as agreed upon between her and the Scribe, for information is ever a worthy currency ...

While the PCs were rescuing Augustille, Vargun was putting together some pieces of information that have been puzzling her of late. The word on the street is that the Council of Truth—a powerful order of scholars, engineers, and arcanists that vanished without a trace many years ago—has either returned or has been reformed, and people have been seeing the Council’s wide-eyed owl sigil showing up in strange places. Now the Therassic Spire has shut its doors—an unheard-of event for the great institution—and isolated itself from communication with the outside world. Realizing the two might be connected, Vargun called in some favors, and was able to discover that the two organizations have quietly put together a team of adventurers to illegally enter the Undercity in search of a powerful artifact—something they refer to as “the Runelord’s Shard.”

The Scribe listens closely, and using heightened speech and language to clue you in that he is not being conversational, he intones ...

      The owl will seek but will not find,
but spire of knowledge pays in kind
in secret kept in secret keep
in forest dark and cavern deep.      
Having gotten the table's attention, he explains.   "'The owl will seek but will not find' ... sounds like your Council of Truuth, but they have failed, are failing, or are on the path to fail their quest.

"'...but spire of knowledge pays in kind...' refers likely to the Therassic Spire, though what 'payment in kind' means is unknown.

"'...in secret kept in secret keep...' is either unknown to all or known only to a privileged few, and likely refers to the next piece of the  Sihedron , the 'Runelord's shard.'

"'... in forest dark and cavern deep...' sounds like more than just the Undercity, but possibliy farther underneath. I am guessing a forest of mineral formations rather than a literal, forest of trees.

"Thoughts, anyone?"  
Tippnick
  "How far does the caverns go underneath this city. But I guess some of the passages we came through getting to this city might take us underneath into the caverns below. Unless anyone local knows a better way to get into the caverns below."  ,Iluvar ponders aloud.
lostsole31
  "I think instead of guessing and trying to go in from any old direction, we pay attention to Augustille's prophecy,"   warns The Scribe.   "I think in trying to follow this Council of Truth, they - will they or no - inadvertently show the path. We go in from some completely different direction, Iluvar, we are in danger of Springbloom egging."  

Vargun says,  "I can take you to visit the ancient library, if that's the way you wish to go." 
Qazgir
Sisir

  "Would this visit to the library be to enter the Undercity to begin our search for this 'Runelord's shard',     if such a thing is possible, or an interm    ediate step to gather information before going forward?  
lostsole31
  "It is the path forward that will reveal which is which,"   says The Scribe.
DrK
Akif nods.   "Is the undercity of this place no dangerous. We hear trouble of deaths and people being devoured in the caverns under this place"   he adds eyeballing the scribe slightly.   "But if the library is where to start then we can about, there is no sense in delaying these things."  
lostsole31
And with that, Vargun leads the PCs out of the Sorry Excuse and back down to the center pool, clockwise around the inner edges of Hospice right to where it meets Downmarket, but then south away on that central path from there. She leads you through the gated section into the Highside Stacks, an upper-class neighborhood.  Here the rich dwell in tall buildings overlooking the Core Districts,  far removed from the chaos which characterizes the rest of the city.   Some of the inhabitants of the Stacks sequester themselves completely  from their neighbors, handling all day-to-day necessities through  servant intermediaries.

Continuing south and up you get to the southernmost portion of the Highside Stacks and cross footbridges where a confluence of streams frame the Therassic Spire in picturesque fashion. Often called simply the Great Library, the Therassic Spire is believed by many to be the oldest repository of written knowledge in Varisia. A circular tower eight stories tall, the structure is rumored to extend an equal number of stories belowground. The librarians who run it are a reclusive sect that lives within its walls, and part of the library’s fame comes from the fact that all knowledge is welcome, no matter how trivial, dangerous, or profane—though finding it in the twisting, bizarrely organized stacks is another matter entirely.

When Vargun and the PCs approach, the huge iron-bound doors of the library are shut tight, a small, meticulously lettered sign announcing that the library is closed until further notice. Vargun ignores it and pounds on the door with a meaty fist, keeping it up for a full minute. At last, a panel in the doors slides open, and a pair of beady eyes stare out through ornate metal grillwork.   “If you can’t read the sign,”   a prim voice says,   “then there’s nothing in here for you anyway.”  

Vargun lets the PCs take the lead in the conversation. Since it is the Pathfinder's mission and The Scribe is the better conversant, he begins to talk to her, and the librarian does her best to heap abuse on him, but as soon as The Scribe mentions the "Council of Truth," the eyes behind the grating go wide, and then the door cracks open. A hunched human woman in red robes ushers them inside quickly, closing and barring the doors behind them.

The librarian’s name is  Koifa  (female old human). Once she has asked enough pointed questions to ensure that The Scribe actually knows what he's talking about, she sighs irritably and explains the library’s situation..........

Unbeknownst to most people, the librarians of the Therassic Spire are not the first scholars to take up residence in Kaer Maga, nor are they the best. Far below them, in a subterranean realm called Xavorax, dwells a race of extraplanar researchers and historians known as the caulborn. Much like the giant monument-city itself, the caulborn predate the empire of Thassilon, and even served the runelords for generations before finally being driven below the surface by the calamities of Earthfall.

In recent years, the librarians of the Therassic Spire have occasionally made telepathic contact with the caulborn in order to answer specific esoteric questions, though always at a price.

Koifa attempts to brush past the matter, but when pressed by The Scribe, she reveals that the caulborn consume thoughts and memories, and that their payments always take this form.

Weeks ago, however, the caulborn contacted the librarians directly, offering to help the surface-dwellers recover an artifact of great power—a shard of Xin’s great  Sihedron —from another legendary realm below the city called the Dark Forest. In doing so, the caulborn revealed to the librarians something none of the scholars knew: that their own tower contained a secret door, hidden for thousands of years, which leads down into a hitherto undiscovered portion of the Undercity that contained one of Karzoug’s many workshops. The caulborn informed the librarians that if they could send a band of adventurers or mercenaries to meet emissaries from Xavorax in “the chamber of the  black menhir , beyond the River of Memory,” the caulborn would aid that band, using the  black menhir  to transport the adventurers to the heart of the Dark Forest, where the blind creatures’ research has indicated the  Shattered Star  fragment rests.

Ever enigmatic in their ways, the caulborn had little more to say on the topic, but what they had said was enough. Greedy for the chance to study the item and chronicle its recovery, the scholars agreed, and under the pretense of resurrecting the great Council of Truth, the librarians recruited an adventuring party to travel into the hidden dungeon below to meet the caulborn emissaries. The entire endeavor—to send the recovery team down through the lost workshop to the meeting point with the caulborn, then into the Dark Forest for a quick snatch-and-grab—was supposed to take only a few days at most.

Yet something has gone wrong, and the team hasn’t returned, nor has it apparently reached the rendezvous with the caulborn. Fearful of what they may have awoken in the city’s depths, the librarians set up a constant guard around the secret door, and dare not let anyone into the library for fear that visitors might notice something amiss and contact the Duskwardens. (The whole operation is highly taboo, as unauthorized expeditions into the city’s depths put the whole populace at risk of increased monster activity, and the library wants to avoid responsibility for any death or damage their hubris may cause.)

At this point, Koifa really just wants the whole problem to go away. She fears a possible scandal, and is desperate for someone competent to fix whatever’s gone wrong. The PCs give her hope—if they can delve into the chambers beyond the secret door, find out what happened to the team the librarians sent down there, ensure that the caulborn emissaries haven’t been harmed or otherwise betrayed, and then continue the mission to retrieve the fragment from the Dark Forest, she agrees to let them keep whatever treasures they find in the chambers below, including the so-called Runelord’s Shard.
Tippnick
  "Of this previous party of adventurers, how many were there and what can you tell of them?"  , Iluvar asks.
lostsole31
Koifa readily answers Iluvar's inquiry. The adventurers that comprised the first, and now missing, expedition: a female human monk named Hasari; a male halfling rogue named Perotus; a male gnome bloatmage named Luonim the Vast; and, a female dark naga named Silasni. Koifa would like to learn what happened to all four of these mercenaries, and would like to have their bodies returned to her care so she can at least see that they’re returned to their people for burial. Koifa knows the ways of adventuring and does not press the matter if some of these bodies return missing pieces of their equipment.

For each body returned to Koifa (provided the body is recognizable as the missing adventurer in question), the librarian promises to pay 1,000 gp. For each living mercenary returned safe and sound, this reward doubles to 2,000 gp per rescue.
DrK
As the situation is explained Akif looks intrigued and looks to his brother.   ”It is dangerous no for all these little races to build atop things that should remain sealed. But if these Caulborn I have not heard so I would like to meet one.”  

As he hears of the other party filled with gnomes and halfling he smirks.   “I look forward to seeing this vast halfling. I shall see how vast he is.”   He waits to see if the others are ready to head down to the secret door
Qazgir
Sisir

Sisir smiles at his brother,   "they certainly have a habit of building over what should be left to rest, but that is how the little ones are."   Seeing his brother is ready to get started, Sisir addresses the group, "  shall we begin our search?"  
lostsole31
  "Alright, you bigoted jackasses,"   says Myki,   "only because you both are now giving whole hog, broad strokes about the 'little races' and what 'we've' built upon. Sit down a second and I want you to think for a second. Who built what over what? What is the origin of Kaer Maga, or is it the way of big races to be dumb? (No offense, Vargun.)"  
Tippnick
  "Before we run off to the depths of caverns. We might need some supplies. Rations, torches and the like."  , Iluvar states.
lostsole31
  "Since this is otherwise unpaid and you have done us Augurs such a service with Augustille, I will take care of that for you, as long as it is very simple. We shouldn't need torches, though, as they are just an extra hand. Between me and the rest of you, surely you have the light, don't you?"   answers and asks Vargun.   "In the meantime, you can settle this little internal squabble by completely upsetting the titans' world view concerning who built what and when."  
DrK
Akif grins at Myki shrugging, confident in the Titan's right to rule, but wise enough not say as much. Patting the pockets of his bag he nods,   "We have been wandering long. I have food, the blessing of my blood can help with water and we have no need of light"    He adds the last tapping the roundel on the shield that springs forth into a bright blue light.   "I am ready whenever we are, there is no strife here"   he says with a gentle pat on Myki's shoulder.
lostsole31
  "Then instead I shall return in 30 minutes with some victuals that are friendlier to human palates, and outfitted for exploration,"   and with that Vargun is gone.

While you wait, The Scribe smiles, looking at Akif.   "Non sequitur evasion. Point to Myki. Seriously, though, do you know the history of Kaer Maga, and who built what and when?"  
DrK
Akif pauses, the shakes his head.   ”I do not Master Scribe, My brother and I are wandering to explore and learn of these things.”   He looks where the others left,   “We have a moment, tell me of the history if you would?”  
lostsole31
The Scribe begins, as if a professor at a lecture.   "Ladies and gentlemen, you are standing in a massive, ancient fortress that just might be the truly last. great. unknown. wonder."  

He lets that linger.

  "That's not an easy feat. And when I refer to it like that, I am referring worldwide, not just local.  Kaer Maga is, as you saw, a cyclopean structure made of 80' high seamless stone some half-mile in diameter in the shape of a hexagon. The massive stone skullworks overlooking the Storval Rise were only duplicated and exceeded through the use of runeslaves in ancient Thassilon, and it is ancient Thassilon that is important here.

"Most of Varisia sits on a kingdom so old it defies description to those who have not yet prepared their minds to understand the scope of history.  Half a score of millenia ago, Thassilon was an empire made up of seven confederate parts - each ruled by a Runelord whose rule exemplified one of the classic cardinal sins, which itself is related to our quest, but not to this discussion.  Thassilon was wiped out by a massive ecological disaster - called Earthfall - when a Brobdingnagian stone fell from the heavens to land atop Thassilon's parent civilization - the Azlanti Empire. But Earthfall was so widespread that great earthquakes and tsunamis laid all of Thassilon low.  Earthfall was what ushered in what is now known as the Age of Darkness ... and it affected humans so as to completely dismantle most forms of civilization for centuries and created the Inner Sea.

"Your people ... your form of life that call yourselves 'titans' .... while impressive so far, are not related to the titans of our mythology, even if you might share some of their power. It was during the Age of Darkness that some forms of life left our world - such as the great retreat of the elven race through the Sovyrian Stone - and some came here. That is as far back as your history goes on Golarion. That's it. No great wars, empires, or the like. Your small numbers and your own feuds with fellow ... what we scholars call 'Strangers' ... and your long lifespan coupled with a tragic birth rate  ..... that is your history, always in the shadows, never claiming your own lands for want of the numbers to do so.

"But back to Kaer Maga. Now that you've had a chance to digest that some 10,000 years ago, an advanced human civilization that was 1,187 years old by the time it came to its end, and itself was sired by an even more advanced civilization out in the Arcadian Ocean, the lost continent of Azlant which now are nothing more but a series of broken isles, for all of that ....

".... Kaer Maga predates it all.  It is known that the cyclopes had a super-civilization in prehistory, but peoples adorn their arts either with monsters, or more likely versions of themselves. But if you look at the skull stones of Kaer Maga, they have two eyes like humans.  An ancient race of ophidian peoples are in Azlanti writings as a great aggressor and having an empire of their own more to the south in modern-day Garund, but again Kaer Maga is human-like skulls with human-like proportions. And from everything that can be determined? Kaer Maga predates even those, long before the rise of man.

"So, were they human? Possibly, given the proper dimensions of the skulls being more human than any other humanoid creature such as giants. But what humans, if so? It is so old, it predates all known civilizations of people.

"Now, as far as the 'little humans' building on top of structures? It's true, in most places. But I am of a mind that Kaer Maga wasn't necessarily built atop something to repurpose it, but that something was built under the already established city of Kaer Maga. Either way, in a few minutes .... we might just see some clues one way or the other."
   
 Spoiler: Perform: Oratory 
If you are curious, he absolutely used various bits of dramatic pauses and shifts of voice and scored a  31  on his Perform (Oratory) check, to give you an idea of how well he delivered it.
 
DrK
Akif listens spell bound, a weakness for mythos and great sagas as he loved them and the scribe's tone and intonation was masterful as Akif felt that he could almost feel the impact of the Starfall and the thunderous steps of the Cyclops that built this place. he grins at the Scrbe,   "You speak sagas well. I would hear more later when there is time, or as we warm our hands upon a fire as we explore the depths."  

He looks at his brother,   "We will see if the one eyed ancients built this place? And this Scribe knows tales of our people. This will be a good trip"   He stands ready, looking forward to going down and exploring these ancient depths.
lostsole31
Koifa, likewise, seems moved as much by The Scribe's performance as by his knowledge

About this time, Vargun returns, but now she is no longer in her long white robe with the belly of her tunic ripped open and bloody for auto-haruspicy, but in a set of dark red studded leather armor. Though most feral trolls are stooped, the civilized trolls of Kaer Maga have learned to walk upright. Though not as tall as the titan brothers when they are not suppressing their natural heights, she is still impressively large at some 14' in height.

She carries no weapons, her armor is sparse above the midriff, and she has no armor along her right arm.

Does anyone do any long-term preparation before the "descent?"
Tippnick
Iluvar remembering the last time he went into the depths of Kaer Maga mentally goes through a few mental focusing excercises. He hopes it goes better than the last time.
lostsole31
What are your recommendations for marching order? Participants are Vargun, Akif &amp; Sisir Vedavyasa, Iluvar, Myki, and the Scribe.

Also, it will be assumed that all those that can make light .... do, unless you state otherwise.
DrK
Akif look down the passage and smiles,   "I can bring some light and Vargun can tell us the way. Shall I and my bulk shield the rest of your?"   he offers, happy to lead the march, although happy if someone wants to scout ahead of the main body of them. If its dark from the outset he'll summon an orb of pale blue light to sit upon his spear tip
Tippnick
Iluvar will bring up the rear unless Vargun feels more comfortable trailing.
lostsole31
Vargun is fine trailing behind.

 Sisir , where do you wish to be in relation to Myki in the middle?

Koifa, the old woman, says she will take you downstairs to the opening and then down the main passage before leaving you to it.
Qazgir
Sisir

Sisir will take up the place in front of Myki.
lostsole31
Koifa leads the group down to the barricade. The maze of cluttered bookshelves has been cleared away from the wall in this deep storeroom far under the Spire’s ground floor. In its place, several wooden reading tables have been overturned and stacked to create a curved barricade surrounding a portion of the stone wall. A lighter patch shows where a tapestry once hung—now crumpled and forgotten on a nearby shelf—and a stone door, so perfectly made that it would be almost invisible when shut, hangs slightly ajar.

A full dozen librarians—old and strangely stunted humanoids of various races, all in red robes—sit on cushions and chairs around the barricade, keeping watch against anything that might come through the door. Several have wands or staves close at hand. No one makes any protests when Koifa explains the situation, nor does anyone try to stop the PCs from clambering over the barricade and passing through the door.

Looking beyond with her darkvision, Vargun gasps.   "I am sorry. I saw that claustrophobic tunnel. I will only slow you down. Worse, I just got a premonition that should I dare to trespass below, I will die ... not might die. I am sorry to have wasted your time for the past hour, but I see now that the vigor and verve of my youth has left me. So, here is where I leave you, and I wish you all luck. Send word to the Augur Temple should you survive."  
DrK
Akif looks at the troll and then shrugs.   "So be it. Can you at least offer some advice n the initial tunnels to take"  . He looks at his brother,   "Shall we head in then and see what can be done."  
Tippnick
Iluvar indicates he is ready, also says,   "Last chance for any prepatory spells."  
lostsole31
Vargun shakes her head.   "I have never been here, and never even knew of this entrance to the Undercity before the past day."  
Qazgir
Sisir

Sisir nods to his brother,   "let us head below."   
lostsole31
Led by the old librarian Koifa, the party heads down. This long stone hallway is only 5 feet wide, and curves frequently as it leads steadily downward, at times turning into a staircase. The passage extends for hundreds of feet before finally reaching a stone door similar to the one in the spire. Though it is tricky to notice, Koifa points it out, including the opening mechanism.

  "I will go no farther than this,"   she says, and returns above.

 Akif , she showed you how to operate the secret door. Do you do anything before opening? Note that the passageway is just narrower under 5' enough that the party at this point cannot switch positions.
DrK
Akif looks at the narrow tunnel and sizes himself to his medium frame, renewing the light on the tip of his spear he looks back,   ”are we ready?”   before opening the door and plunging into the unknown

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Size = medium
Recast light on spear
 
lostsole31
This chamber is bare save for a single ornate, high-backed wooden chair against the wall. In the room’s center, a head-sized blob of condensed purple fluid slowly pulses and warps, like a drop of heavy oil suspended underwater.

When Akif enters, the blob pulses and a pleasant female says something in a language he does not understand.
DrK
Akif pauses momentarily in surprise then looks back,   ”the strange orb does speak, but I do not understand the words”.   he adds as he crosses the top of the room to NE corner making space for others to come in
lostsole31
Sisir ... do you follow in behind Akif as he moves in?

Iluvar, if Sisir moves (because the hallway is too tight) and others move, do you also move up?
Tippnick
Iluvar will move up.
Qazgir
Sisir

Sisir follows behind his brother.
lostsole31
It was only a few seconds from the time the blob spoke, to the time that Akif was already moving in with everyone else, and then the blob's apparent response to the lack of a coherent reply in the language used. The blob reshapes into some type of arcane rune that glows slightly - enough to have light of its own for those that don't see in the dark to see it ... if the person being queried didn't already have a light source (which you do).

 Everyone , roll a Fort save!
Tippnick
After Iluvar moves in and the arcane sigil appears.

 
 Spoiler: fort save 


Fortitude save
 (d20+11)[ 20 ] 
 
DrK
 
 Spoiler: Akif Fort Save 

 (1d20+22)[ 41 ] 
Hardy: +2 vs Spells/SLA/Poison
Allegiance: +2 morale vs mind affecting
Allegiance: +2 sacred vs evil EVIL
 
Qazgir
Sisir

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Fort Save:  (1d20+19)[ 25 ] 
 
lostsole31
 Surprise Round ... 

The rune throws forth an enervating power that strikes Iluvar for a crippling  11 STR damage ! Myki, on the other hand, is completely overwhelmed as she fall unconscious.

The rune disappears, turning back into a blob.

 Begin Round One ... 
 R1T29:   Iluvar ,  what do you do? 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I adjusted your STR and the fact you are  now carrying a medium load, but I have not touched your combat  chart.
 
Tippnick
  "That wave weakened me tremendously, I can try to move Myki out of here."  , Iluvar says.
He then focuses his mind to overcome his weakness.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

He does an assessment of the blob as a FA.
 If he rolls less than a 10 he will use an IP
MA: He will use disciplined body to pick up Myki
SA: He will bring her out of the room from the way we come.

If the door is closed first he will open it then pick her up using disciplined body

If he discovers what this is he quickly shout  "It is a ...." 
 
lostsole31
 R1T29:    "That wave - it is from a powerful magical trap, not an ooze - weakened me tremendously, I can try to move Myki out of here."  ,  Iluvar says. He then focuses his mind to overcome his weakness. He  cannot pick her up, not even drag her, and that brief insight leaves his  mind as quickly as it came.

 R1T21:    "Everyone out!"   commands the Scribe.   "Drop a weapon if you have to, but one of you brothers take Myki. I am staying behind to attempt to disarm this thing."
  
He then moves up to the blob, drops his ranseur, and takes out some tools.

 R1T17:   Akif , you have spear and shield readied. What do you do?
DrK
Akif nods and straps his spear to his side before stepping by his brother and scooping up the unconscious Myki,   "Do we go back or press on?"   he asks nodding a head at the door where they entered on the exit from the room.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Move action: Sheath/stow Spear
5ft Step: SW
Move action: Pick up Myki
 
Qazgir
Sisir

Sisir nods to his brother and says   "let us head back up at least a little ways and we can reassess the situation when the Scribe is finished with this trap."  
lostsole31
 R1T17:  Akif nods and straps his spear to his side before stepping by his brother and scooping up the unconscious Myki,   "Do we go back or press on?"   he asks nodding a head at the door where they entered on the exit from the room.

 R1T13:  Sisir nods to his brother and says,   "Let us head back up at least a little ways and we can reassess the situation when the Scribe is finished with this trap."  

Presumably he does just that.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T29:   Iluvar , what do you do?

The Scribe on deck, Akif in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar moves out of range of the effect the rune had. 
 Spoiler: crunch 

Tries to move at least 35 feet away
 
lostsole31
 R2T29:  Iluvar moves out of range of the effect the rune  had, though he does get stopped by Sisir's bulk, and the passageway is  such he can't move past him. It is also dark now in the passage.

 R2T21:    "Get her out of here,"   says the Scribe, getting to work on attempting to disarm the thing.

 R2T17:   Akif , what do you do?

Sisir on deck, Iluvar in the hole ...
DrK
Akif, clutching Myki looks to the Scribe and nods,   "Scream if you need help"   he suggests as he carries Myki out, squeezing past the others if needed.
lostsole31
 R2T17:  Akif, clutching Myki looks to the Scribe and nods,   "Scream if you need help"   he suggests as he carries Myki out, double moving and getting to Iluvar.

 R2T13:   Sisir , do you delay, waiting for word from The Scribe? If not, what do you do?

Iluvar on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...
Qazgir
Sisir glances at the Scribe before following Iluvar and his brother up the stairs.
Tippnick
Iluvar waits until he moves further up the stairs.   "I think we should move further until the Scribe has disabled the rune."  
 
 Spoiler: Ready 


Iluvar readies an action.
He will move further up the stairs once there is space
 
lostsole31
 R3T29:  Iluvar waits until he moves further up the  stairs.  very long passage back to the entrance.   "I think we should move further until the Scribe has disabled the rune."  
 R3T21:  ...

 R3T17:   Akif , do you drop out of initiative to wait on The Scribe or do something?

Sisir on deck, Iluvar in the hole ...
DrK
Akif nods to Iluvar and moves a bit further away carrying Myki. A bellowed   "Shout or scream we will come back for you master Scribe"  ...

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

He'll move away dropping out initiative until the scribe resolves his Disable attempt
 
lostsole31
 Initiative dropped. 

Several seconds later, you hear The Scribe call out,    "It's done. Come back." 
   The party briefly returns to that room to be able to see each other properly to discuss what best to do next with Myki and Iluvar as they are (as the passage is just too cramped).   
DrK
Akif, at the shout from the scribe heads down to the chamber, still easily carrying the limp Myki.   "So, what was this strange creation?"   he asks gesturing at the strange pillar and the ooze. Laying Myki down carefully he presses a hand carefully to her chest and channels a spark of divine energy into her seeking to restore some of her strength

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Cast lesser restoration on Myki for  (1d4)[ 3 ]  stat damage back
 
lostsole31
  "Magical rune trap with an effect I've never seen or heard of before. Quite powerful,"   answers The Scribe.

Akif's spell provides   3 STR healing  . Myki awakens, but she is still so weak she can barely move ... definitely not ambulatory.

  "I'm surprised at the strength and will of the group that came before  us. Even if someone was affected, they obviously continued on instead of  falling back,"   remarks The Scribe.   "Speaking of, we might just need to pull back for the day. That was a hell of a hit Iluvar and Myki took. Unless you have a whole lot more  lesser restorations , this was just the opening act. They're not ready for the floor show."  
Tippnick
Iluvar agrees,   "I have never felt so weak in my life  ."
Qazgir
Sisir nods,   "Very well, we will return tomorrow, more prepared than we were today. Clearly this expedition below will be more difficult than we had perhaps hoped. Iluvar    , if you need assistance     I can certainly carry you back."  
lostsole31
Iluvar will need to be carried to go up that long rocky passage back to the exit.

The Scribe makes sure to call out well early so the party isn't hit by multiple magic wands, staves, and rods from the librarians camped there.

Iluvar can be set down now, but still needs to be helped (carried better), and Myki absolutely has to be carried.

Myki whispers to the party weakly.   "I'm too weak to deal, but there is somebody I know who has magics that may help me and Iluvar. It won't be cheap. They'll demand to know where we went, and then they'll demand to come along for a share. That sounds like a good deal at first, but they are .... an acquired taste. They also aren't as powerful as the rest of you."  
DrK
Akif shrugs slightly,   "I had no need for the jewels and magics from the alchemist's. if you associate can accept them as payment that will be fine Myki. It will not do to miss you and Iluvar fighting at our sides."  . he'll happily carry Myki wherever she needs until she can get patched up more as he's out fo lesser restorative magic for the day
lostsole31
It's all the way back to the Sorry Excuse for today, then.  At that point, Myki writes something down and gives it to The Scribe and whispers something in his ear, and with his super-speed that is as yet unexplained, he zooms off back into the city, leaving Iluvar to convalesce in his room and Akif and Sisir to either keep him company or sit in the common room.
lostsole31
Several hours later, The Scribe returns with a man ... definitely Kellid in ethnicity. His hair is wild and unkempt, and his beard looks like it might get shears to even it once a month or so. Yet, he has crisp blue and white tattoos and wears blue war paint on face, much of which does little to obscure a wide scar on the left side of his face. His clothes are unkempt and ratty, and his scythe appears to be both well made but also well-worn. The smell of decay and compost wafts around him, making him altogether unpleasant to be around. Otherwise, he is average height and of top-heavy build (5'10", 210 lbs).

The Scribe introduces him,   "This is a 'composter' named Tunak. He will do what he can for Iluvar and Myki today, but the payment is that he is to go with us underneath on our foray below the Therassic Spire to see what is to be seen."  
DrK
Akif looks with interest at the man and then offers a massive meaty hand in greeting.   "Well met. I am Akif, this is my brother Sisir."    Glancing at the scythe and the unkempt appearance he appears slightly curious and asks,   "Company of most sorts will be welcome in the depths here, they have proved treacherous for many it seems. But I would know, what does a "composter" do? Is it a job title or honourific of some kind"  
lostsole31
  "Like, you want what I can do or you don't, but I don't care to know you, nor to answer the questions for you to know me. This is a job, not a social club,"   answers Tunak.
Tippnick
Iluvar stares at the man for a long while and says nothing.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


Iluvar will detect the alignments of the man. He will detect law, chaos, good and evil.
 
Qazgir
Sisir raises an eyebrow,   "very well, perhaps you would be willing to disclose how you fight, as we will certainly see combat before our job is done. We will of course reciprocate."  
DrK
Akif looks slightly insulted at the abrupt response from the stranger,   "We must get to know each other if we are to fight togther"   he glances at his brother and shrugs switching to the giant tongue,   [So brother, this one is not as friendly as the others]  . Then switching back to the others   "Fine, if we are ready you can show us the way."  
lostsole31
  "Show you the way .... where?"   asks the man, annoyed.   "I came here to heal two friends, and it looks that you,"   and here he points to Iluvar,   "definitely needs that as well just looking at him, as he can barely stand. That's stuff I can do. I have magic, lots of it, but it I will spending so much on the two of them. So, that's what I can do."  
DrK
 Akif 

Akif breathes a heavy sigh and nods.   "As you say. I apologise for the sharpness of my words. I am frustrated by the delay before heading back into the depths to investigate the ruins"   . He'll wait for their allies to be healed before they can head back into the depths
lostsole31
 
 Originally Posted by DrK 
  Akif -  He'll wait for their allies to be healed before they can head back into the depths 
 

Which, given that The Scribe made the deal with Tunuak, who in turn exhausted a significant amount of fortifying and spells, won't be until tomorrow.

Anyone else?
Tippnick
Iluvar says,   "Thanks for your efforts, I am pleased to make your acquaintance."  
Qazgir
Sisir will watch the newcomer tend to Iluvar before moving to the common room to relax.
DrK
 Akif 

Seeing the healing going well Akif nods and joins his brother in the common room.    "So brother, another day resting in an Inn. These depths seem treacherous. They have lost comrades and traps abound it seems. But it will be interesting"    He'll then see to ordering a platter of food and some drinks for his brother their companions
lostsole31
Even with healing, Iluvar will want to rest after the ordeal.

Is this the functional end-of-day for Sisir and Akif?
Qazgir
Sisir will nod slowly before speaking,   "certainly, if the first trap we encounter puts us out of commission, I shudder to think what other dangers lie ahead of us. Never the less, I expect things will go better our second time down."


   
 Spoiler: Action! 

End of Sisir's day
 
lostsole31
    Starday, 4 Gozran 4714 AR    

Time to prepare for the morning.

Does anyone change anything about their daily lineups (spells, maneuvers prepared, etc.) and/or leave any equipment behind in their room?
lostsole31
The party wakes, does morning routine, has dinner, and makes their way to the Therassic Spire.

Outside the Therassic Spire, you meet up with Tunuak who is waiting for you. As you get close to the man, the rich, pungent, cloying, almost burning scent of compost, rot, fungus, and decay overwhelms your noses.

 Everyone , roll a Fort save!
Qazgir
Sisir wrinkles his nose, endeavoring to not pull a face at the smell.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Fort Save: [roll]1d20+22[/roll]
 
Tippnick
Iluvar stares at the man and his eyes begin to water.

 
 Spoiler: fort save vs smell  


Fort save
 (d20+11)[ 28 ] 
 
DrK
 Akif 

Akif looks at the man, and shakes his head.   "What is that stench? I have smelled ghasts that are more aromatic than you"   he mutters looking to his brother with some surprise

 
 Spoiler: Fort Save 

 (1d20+22)[ 27 ] 
 
lostsole31
Tunuak grins, seeing as everyone (incl. the NPCs) resisted being overcome by the smell.   "Biological defense. You all passed. It might be unpleasant, but you won't have to worry about it - other than the olfactory annoyance - for the rest of the day."  
Qazgir
  "How intriguing"   Sisir says, before turning to his brother and speaking in Giant,   "what an interesting new companion Myki has found us."  
lostsole31
Myki screws up her face in confusion (and lingering disgust from the spell) and looks at the Scribe, who simply just shakes his head slowly.

  "Let us enter,"   says the Scribe.   "Tunuak, you stay behind us as we will need you to advance for healing matters."  

The group enters the Therassic Spire and the librarian is overcome by the smell she goes ahead to clear out her fellow librarians to give a wide stench-berth for the party to get through and enter the ancient, cracked, long, winding, irregular passage.

On the passage nearing that first room, does anyone prepare any long-term buffs (i.e., 10 min/ level or longer)? Sisir, what psychofrackitses do you set up with whom?
Tippnick
  "I am ready to go as soon as you finish any prepatory spells."  , Iluvar says to the group at large.
DrK
 Akif 

Akif looks at his brother, grimace on his face at the stench. [in giant]   "Most of the companions we have met here have been unusual, it has been an illuminating quest in these foreign lands"   [/giant]. At mention of the biological defence he shakes his head   "An unusual response to stress"   he replies and nods towards the way forward walking alongside their smelly guide.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


No spells cast for Akif
 
Qazgir
  "Please, allow me to impart a defensive measure before we continue,"   Sisir says as he reaches out to his companions one by one.

 
 Spoiler: Psychofrackitses 

Sisir will impart the following Tricks if allowed:
Akif - Mask Misery
Iluvar - Mask Misery
Scribe - Mesmeric Mirror
Myki - Mask Misery
Tunuak - Compel Alacrity
 
lostsole31
The party winds up in the room where there was the strange blob security defense that has the door. Myki checks the door clear and nods to Akif to open the door, which ostensibly he does, revealing a 30'-long passageway (5' wide) heading to the east before it seems to curve away to the northeast.

Meanwhile, 15 down on both sides (north and south) are two doors.

 Akif , you are in front. What do you do?
DrK
Akif looks suspiciously at the corridor then with a sigh walks up to where the doors and pauses to listen at the North and South door. If he doesn't hear anything he'll make some room for Myki and nod,   "friend Myki, could you check that there is nothing untowards on the doors?"  
lostsole31
Myki nods after she looks over the doors.
DrK
With Myki’s nod Akif leans the spear against the wall beside the door and with shield held in front of him goes to forcefully push open the door, a brief   ”Make ready!”   to the rest before he throws it open…
lostsole31
Ummm ... which door? There are two facing doors ... one each to north and south.
DrK
Akif looks between the two doors and after a seconds pause wrenches open the door to the north,

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Apologies, I was going to start with the North  door.
 
lostsole31
Dusty, decomposing red drapes hang from this room’s ceiling, and tall iron candle holders stand in each of the chamber’s corners. Inlaid into the floor in wide, iridescent lines is a circle of runes, its center filled by a seven-pointed star. Floating above the chamber's center is a disembodied head of a snake, weeping multicolored tears.
DrK
Akif pauses in the doorway looking at the unusual creature and the runes before stepping further down the corridor to make some space,   ”a strange creature and glowing runes, I do not what this is.”  
lostsole31
Myki is not currently holding a light source (despite being a lamplighter for the city, so The Scribe moves forward with the fire-light offered by his flaming ranseur.

He studies it for a bit and then says,   "So, that head belongs to a 'couatl,' a creature who comes from beyond our world, but most of whom have spent so much time on it that they are as if born to it, and so they must eat ... usually the same food as snakes. They are usually servants of deities of righteousness and justice, though some operate independently of any greater being. Their name itself in an ancient Azlanti simply means 'serpent.' Ancient peoples strongly associated couatls with wind, war, agriculture, and the morning star.

"What bothers me is that it is a disembodied head over what is obviously some type of magic circle in the form of the  Sihedron  - enscribed onto the floor. Though not a trap, per se, yet I am sure that any creature entering this room will be a living catalyst that triggers the summoning circle so that the bound couatl will be taken from durance vile and brought forth. Given the symbols I see, it doesn't matter its own morality, for it seems that being trapped by a calling like this, it may prove that it is bound by magic to attack whomever summoned it, that is, the person who came into the room and in turn finished the binding."  
DrK
Akif listens curiously and peeks into the room at the floating head.   "Maybe something for later then my friends?"   he watches it carefully and instead, after moving his spear from the north door to beside the south door gently opens the southern door instead, curious to see if more heads and summoning circles will lie beyond.
Tippnick
Iluvar comes up to look in the room with the floating head. He will look at the creature and use his Deathwatch Eyes to determine if the creature is undead.   "If it undead, I say we destroy it."  , says Iluvar as he moves to view it.
Qazgir
At Iluvar's statement Sisir will shrug,   "that is acceptable to me, otherwise, unless one of us wishes to investigate it further, I will agree with my brother and say we move along."  
lostsole31
The Scribe solves it by shutting the door and then trading places with Akif. He and Myki check the southern door safe.

Now what?
DrK
As everyone seems happy enough Akif will open the southern door.
lostsole31
This chamber contains several grooved stone tables of various sizes, and the floor slopes gradually toward several large drains. The ceiling is obscured by what appears to be a woven mesh of spiked metal chains suspended eight feet overhead, while a few gray robes and cloaks still hang on the wall to the east of the door. Also inside are a trio of creepy-looking women. Wickedly barbed chains adorn their lean figures, and gaps in the bindings reveal deathly pale flesh etched with jagged scars.

Despite their look, they smile to Akif. Very warmly and enthusiastically they wave him in,   "Welcome, warrior. I am Nili, and these are my sisters Nezhi and Nahi. We have been trapped in this chamber for millenia. We once were given what were needed for our work, but that stopped an eternity ago, and we have existed in his chamber in boredom. You, mighty warrior, have freed us."  
lostsole31
The Scribe touches Akif's shoulder to switch places with him so he can see. He concentrates, then looks in, his eyes glowing silver.

Then he simply shuts the door.   "Those are kytons, evil creatures created by Zon-Kuthon with uncanny control over the chains in the ceiling. I would rather just make them come get us or leave us alone, rather than us step in where they have the advantage to control the chains hanging in the ceiling. Agreed?"  
DrK
Akif looks at the room, at the chains and the strange women He listens to the Scribe and nods,   "Not the women I would choose to have fun with to be sure."   he adds grabbing the spear back in hand from where he'd left it on the wall.

  "Ladies... stay there   he adds as the Scribe closes the door on them
lostsole31
CORR:  The above post did NOT happen as noted by the player. This is the correction.

 

Akif looks at the door, thinking of the chains and strange women he briefly saw as he listens to the Scribe and nods.   "Not the women I would choose to have fun with to be sure."   he adds, grabbing the spear back in hand from where he'd left it on the wall.

As the party gets ready to continue, he says a sort of hopeful prayer,   "Ladies... stay there."  

Fifteen feet to the east, the corridor curves in a sort of concave north-and-east pattern for some 20' before righting itself again to the east and revealing a long passage going some 45' before curving off again. Akif gets near a door to the south ... and there are a couple other doors along this passage as well.

Myki doesn't sense anything amiss with that southern door.
lostsole31
The Scribe mentions a new tactic. Because of the tight passages and long passages, at least for the time being, Akif should relinquish door duty and instead take a vanguard position just east against any unknown dangers that may scramble your way. Akif agrees and moves off a little.

  "Sisir, you are extremely well-defended as well - especially against hardened surprise attacks,"   says The Scribe,   "are you willing to take over door duty?"  
DrK
Akif nods to the scribe heading past the doors and keeps an eye out, as he waits he does glance back at the others,   ”does it worry you all having those creatures behind us? They haven’t pursued us yet but that doesn’t mean they won’t soon.”  
lostsole31
   "Pfft,"    Myki says in a soft voice.    "They have to deal with Tunuak's stench if they do."   
Qazgir
Sisir will nod, and move to the head of the party. He focuses for a moment, picturing a warrior ready to fight, raises his shield, and opens the southern door.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Cast Anticipate Peril on Sisir.
 
lostsole31
He opens the door, and sees nothing as The Scribe and Akif are too far too each side. Calling on his birthright, Sisir puts a midnight blue glow atop his helm to provide his own light.

Almost every angle in this roughly circular chamber is smooth and curved. Though its walls and 20-foot-high ceiling are flat, the flat planes all curl to meet each other—even the doors are curved, making a total lack of hard edges or corners, save for two broken sections on the western and eastern walls where long cracks have marred the perfect surface. In the center of the room rests an elaborate clockwork construct of spheres. At its heart is a barrel-sized representation of the sun, while around it, metal struts suspend much smaller metal balls. Just north of it, a smooth four-foot-tall podium rises like a stalagmite, its top bearing a small brass wheel and a lever.
Qazgir
Sisir will relay what he sees to the rest of the party before moving to open the door to the northeast.
lostsole31
Sisir passes his brother and opens the door to the northeast. He doesn't see enough of the large room within to get a solid read, though it does seem like the room is open to the night sky.
DrK
Akif nods at the description,   ”Let us see this orrery Sisir.”   Akif suggests as he walks a few steps back and advances into the room to gaze upon the mechanical contraption of sun and spheres. He’ll gaze at it trying to fathom if it’s working and what it may represent
lostsole31
Akif has no idea what it is, never having seen anything like this before.
DrK
Looking at the strange spheres and planets he looks back to the others,   "Do any of you know what this might be or its purpose here?"   he asks loudly
lostsole31
Myki and The Scribe both enter the room, standing beside Akif. They easily recognize the apparatus in the center as an orrery, a model of Golarion’s solar system. They further recognize that, though the celestial bodies are not to scale, their positions represent their relative positions in their orbits for the current date.
Tippnick
Iluvar looks in with interest but says,   "Very interesting, an eclectic grouping of rooms. But I don't see how this brings us further to our goal."  
lostsole31
Tunuak moves up in the corridor, but politely keeps his distance.

Do you intend to search the room with the orrery or leave it?
Tippnick
  "Let us either do a quick search or let us move on."  , Iluvar states flatly.   "I can help with the former."  
DrK
Akif shrugs,   "If there is little more to be gained from the stars and planets then we can move on."   he adds, pausing briefly at doorway as he leaves to gaze at the scene before following everyone else onwards
lostsole31
Myki is knowledgeable, but not her cup of tea. On the other hand, The Scribe is interested in checking out the orrery.

 Sisir , what are your thoughts?
Qazgir
Sisir turns and address the party,   "I see no harm in a quick search of the room, but we should press on rather than linger here. Scribe, is your interest in this orrery purely academic, or something more?"  
lostsole31
  "More than just academic,"   answers The Scribe.   "Why an orrery belowground? Is it just a clock for the ancient denizens? or, is there more that makes this orrery. And why the meticulous lack of angles in the build of the room? No, too much effort went not only into the orrery itself, but also in the construction of the room, to ignore. We might not learn an answer here, but I think we can get useful data."  
Tippnick
Iluvar will begin a search of the room to appease the scribe. Then he will help study the orrery.
Qazgir
Sisir will step into the room, nodding to the Scribe,   "a good assessment, let us study the orrery, though we should not take over long if its secrets evade us."   Sisir will offer to assist the Scribe however he can.
lostsole31
A magical detection spell will note that the entire room exudes a strong aura of transmutation. Manipulating the spheres by hand does nothing, nor does turning the wheel on its own. Once the lever is pushed, however, any planets that have been moved snap back into their current-date positions, and hidden projectors transform the walls, ceiling, and floor into a panoramic view of Kaer Maga and its surroundings, as seen from several hundred feet in the air. The illusion is picture-perfect, with the PCs, podium, and orrery appearing to float in midair, though PCs can still feel the stone floor beneath their feet and the walls under their fingers. Only the two long cracks in the wall remain visible, marring the projection.

The view is a live feed, and though PCs cannot alter their position or “zoom in,” they may recognize particular people or locations in the city. If the wheel is turned counterclockwise, the various celestial bodies move backward in their orbits, and the projected view changes accordingly, rewinding backward through time. Turning the wheel slightly causes the view to rewind slowly, while turning it all the way causes years to shoot past in seconds. Turning it clockwise causes years to progress forward at a similar rate—in this case, living creatures and some structures become translucent and flicker, representing the uncertain nature of the predictions, with the flickering spreading to more objects and becoming more erratic the farther into the future the device attempts to peer.

Unfortunately, the magic controlling the orrery is old and failing. As the machine is being used to peer nearly 100 years past, Myki recognizes the machine is under duress and might explode. She notes the same thing if the machine is brought to more than a year in the future. The lever is used to default the machine to current exact date. That is when the party sees a dark spot forming above the city. Over the course of 3 more rounds, the spot grows steadily larger, until on the last round it suddenly splits and becomes recognizable as two horrible, long-limbed quadrupeds with toothy maws and enormous, alien eyes. The creatures emerge from the illusion and attack!

 Begin Round One ...

R1T26:   Iluvar , you find yourself right next to one of these strange creatures. What do you do?
Tippnick
  "They are hostile!"  , Iluvar shouts.


 
 Spoiler: assess 

Will assess the creatures
Spending an IP if the dire roll is 5 or higher
If he recognizes the creatures he will state what they are and also some pertinent facts

Also he will SwA bane for the creature type
 


Iluvar readies a series of punches, kicks and other unarmed blows.

 
 Spoiler: attack 

Full round attack action, flurry of blows, risky strike, stunning fist on the first attack


First attack, stunning fist
 (d20+13)[ 19 ]  to hit
 (d10+9)[ 16 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 3 ]  bane


Flurry attack
 (d20+13)[ 15 ]  to hit
 (d10+9)[ 14 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 8 ]  bane


Iterative attack
 (d20+8)[ 23 ]  to hit
 (d10+9)[ 14 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 4 ]  bane
 
lostsole31
 R1T26:    "They are hostile!"   Iluvar shouts.   "Hounds  of Tindalos. Monsters from beyond the veil that see farther in darkness  than any mortal creature. Do not touch their minds if you have the  means, for their alien thoughts will surely drive you mad."  

Iluvar readies a series of punches, kicks and other unarmed blows. His first punch lands heavily for  21 , a kick swing around to the back flank to just catch for  24 , and he knees it in its tentacled maw for  20 .

 R1T25:  Magic fumbles as Red tries to conjure something mentally but carefully and it fails.

 R1T24:   Myki steps up by The Scribe to create a block and gives Red a fell look  and she draws her rapier and attacks in a fluid action for  40 + blind .

 R1T15:   Sisir , what do you do?
Qazgir
Sisir will move next to Iluvar, focusing his gaze on the nearest Hound, and strikes at the beast's body with his arm.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Swift Action: Hypnotic Stare on Blue. It takes -3 to Will Saves and Attack Rolls. If the target is immune to mind-affecting effects, then it +2 to any related saves and have a 50% chance to ignore the Stare's effect every round.

Move Action: Move 10' NE and 15' E to end adjacent to the far wall, past Iluvar.

Standard Action: Attack Blue with a Slam
Attack Roll #1:  (1d20+13)[ 15 ] 
Damage Roll #1:  (1d8+10)[ 17 ]  Bludgeoning damage and trigger the first Painful Stare of the round dealing  (2d6+4)[ 11 ]  Precision damage and forcing a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.

Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any of the following conditions activate Mask Misery: Confused, dazed, frightened, sickened. If anyone with Mesmeric Mirror is attacked or targeted by a spell which requires an attack roll, trigger Mesmeric Mirror, creating two images with each image lasting for 8 minutes or until destroyed.

Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.

Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
 R1T15:  Sisir hustles to cross Iluvar, even as Blue  lashes out with its creepy face to bite against his armor. Sisir then  focuses his gaze on that hound.

 R1T13:  The Scribe picks up  Xin-Rithux   from where he set it against the orrery while he was operating it, and  gets into a complex fighting stance before lashing out with a twisting  attack for  35 + prone .

 R1T10:  Blue disappears from view, which in turn breaks Sisir's stare.

 R1T7:   Tunuak moves away from the blind hound and to the south, but looks  across the way at Iluvar, nodding at him to let the monk know something  is coming his way. Tunuak casts a spell that hits Iluvar, and fills him  with a powerful zeal (and  4 THP ). 
 Spoiler: Contagious Zeal 
The target gains a +2  morale bonus  on  attack rolls  and weapon damage rolls, 1d6  temporary hit points , and a +4  morale bonus  on saving throws against fear effects and to the DC of  Intimidate  checks attempted against her.

Once  per round, the target can select one other creature to gain this bonus  as well. The chosen creature can be no farther from the target than 45',  and a creature can’t be  selected more than once in this way. Such allies gain only the bonuses  and  temporary hit points ; they don’t continue to spread it to other creatures. The additional creatures’ bonuses and  temporary hit points  share the original spell’s duration, so when that duration ends, all affected creatures lose their bonuses and any remaining  temporary hit points  from this spell.
 

 R1T4:   Akif , you have your shield readied w/ a  light  spell, and nothing else in hand. What do you do?

Iluvar on deck, Red in the hole ...
DrK
Akif turns to look at the beasts and waves a hand releasing the blessings of Kerkamoth upon the party then hefts up his spear, spinning to see the strange beast and moves 5ft directly to the south deeper ino the room, twirling the spear and settling into an aggressive stance.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Standard: Cast bless
Move: Ready spear from beside him
Swift: Enter inner sphere stance
 
lostsole31
 R1T4:  Akif turns to look at the beasts and waves a hand - releasing the  blessings of Kerkamoth upon the party - then hefts up his spear, spinning  to see the strange beast and moves 5' directly to the south deeper into  the room, twirling the spear and settling into an aggressive stance.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T26:   Iluvar , what do you do? You have bane (evil outsider) and   Contagious Zeal   current.

Red on deck, Myki in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar easily moves into flanking position just North or the Hound. And nods to Myki.


 
 Spoiler: crunch 


He targets Myki as the next target for Contagious Zeal
MA: 5Ft step to SE to just North of Red hound

FRA: Full round attack action
Maintain bane

Flurry of blows, risky strike

First attack, stunning fist
 (d20+13)[ 29 ]  to hit
 (d10+9)[ 19 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 6 ]  bane
 (d6)[ 1 ] 

Flurry
 (d20+13)[ 28 ]  to hit
 (d10+9)[ 10 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 10 ]  bane
 (d6)[ 3 ] 


Iterative attack
 (d20+8)[ 21 ]  to hit
 (d10+9)[ 15 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 11 ]  bane
 (d6)[ 2 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T26:  Iluvar easily moves into flanking position just north of the hound and nods to Myki while completely obliterating Red.

 R2T24:  Myki moves around to the southwest portion of the room, ready to stab out if the second hound should reappear.

 R2T15:   Sisir , what do you do? Your stare ended when you could no longer see your prey.

The Scribe on deck ...
Qazgir
Sisir moves back towards his original position and draws his mace.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Move Action: Move 15' W and 5' SW.

Standard Action -&gt; Move Action: Draw mace.
 
lostsole31
 R2T15:  Sisir moves back towards his original position while drawing his mace (and his shield w/ light was already readied).

 R2T13:  The Scribe backs up against the eastern wall, changing his stance to something much quieter as he begins to scan the room.   "I sense the evil, but I need more time to sense its actual position."  
 R2T10:  A thick cloud billows out from the southwestern part of the room, and the cloud fully covers the entire room now.

 R2T7:  Tunuak makes his way to Iluvar, and casts a spell on Iluvar's right fist, which now brims with power.   "Use that fist as often as possible in preference to your other striking surfaces."  
 R2T4:   Akif , what do you do?

Iluvar on deck, Myki in the hole ...
DrK
Akif snarls a curse as the mist surrounds him.   "Brother where are you?"   as he readies his shield to bash an enemy that attacks

 
 Spoiler 


Ready an action to sheld bash an enemy that comes wthin reach
 (1d20+17)[ 23 ]  dam  (1d8+9)[ 11 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T4:  Akif snarls a curse as the mist surrounds him.   "Brother, where are you?"   He readies his shield to bash an enemy that attacks.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T26:   Iluvar , what do you do? Contagious zeal active.

Myki on deck, Sisir in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar takes a quick movement to the Northwest. He sees Sisir and passes the benefits of the spell to him. And readies himself for action

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


FA: 5ft move to Northwest
FA: give benefits of contagious zeal to Sisir
SA: Ready a punch if the hound comes into reach
Risky
Stunning fist
 (d20+13)[ 18 ] 
No bane
 (d10+9)[ 17 ]  unarmed damage
 
lostsole31
 R3T26:  Iluvar takes a quick movement to the northwest. He sees Sisir and passes  the benefits of the spell to him before readying himself for action.

 R3T24:    "I sense it!"    calls Myki before appearing to Iluvar's SE a few seconds later. She  then does a speed draw of her rapier to the spot north of her, but  hitting nothing and speed re-sheathing her rapier.   "Against the wall, east of Iluvar."  
 R3T15:   Sisir , you get the advantage of  Contagious Zeal  as a partial recipient (not the main). What do you do?

The Scribe on deck, Hound on deck ...
Qazgir
Sisir will look towards the location Myki called out, ready to stare at the creature should it reappear.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Standard Action: Ready a swift action to activate Hypnotic Stare on the next enemy he sees.

Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any of the following conditions activate Mask Misery: Confused, dazed, frightened, sickened. If anyone with Mesmeric Mirror is attacked or targeted by a spell which requires an attack roll, trigger Mesmeric Mirror, creating two images with each image lasting for 8 minutes or until destroyed.


Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.


Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
 R3T15:  Sisir will look towards the location Myki called out, ready to stare at the creature should it reappear.

 R3T13:    "Myki, point me towards it!"   says The Scribe as he moves in.

She does so as he moves around her, while focuses power into  Xin-Rithux ,  its whole haft and blade glowing silver in addition to the flames, and  he lances out to where Myki attacked, striking with a flash of that  silver energy for  33 +  5 fire  !

 R3T10:    "It's moved west!"   calls Myki.

 R3T7:   Tunuak casts a spell, and his skin takes a on woody, bark-like  appearance before stepping out of Myki's (or anyone else's) view.

 R3T4:   Akif,  your readied attack never went off. What do you do?

Iluvar on deck, Myki in the hole ...
DrK
Akif hearing the commotion joins the others striding west and around Myki and the scribe as needed, a hurried   ”Where is it?”  

If he stumbles into it he’ll lash out with a shield strike

 
 Spoiler: OoC 


Move to the west where the others are and if he finds it he will shield bash

Risky strike  (1d20+14)[ 30 ]  dam  (1d8+15)[ 22 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R3T4:  Akif hearing the commotion joins the others striding west and around Myki and the scribe as needed, a hurried,   ”Where is it?”  

He gets to a wall and his brother is there.

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T26:   Iluvar , what do you do? Remember that your right fist has the Danny Rand treatment right now. Also, do you give  contagious zeal  to The Scribe or Myki?

Myki on deck, Sisir in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar says,   "Moving towards, yell out if you are in contact with it."  
He moves west and north, prepared to punch the hound.


 
 Spoiler: crunch 


Iluvar moves 1 square NW and the continues west until he encounters the creature of the wall. If he encounters the creature he yells  "Here to the west!" 

Also he will try to hit it with his right hand, stunning fist and risky strike.
He will hit with his right hand with stunning fist, risky
 (d20+13)[ 23 ] 
 (d10+9)[ 14 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R4T26:  Iluvar says,   "Moving towards, yell out if you are in contact with it."  He moves northwest, which is right in the doorway, prepared to punch the hound.

 R4T24:  Myki steps north of The Scribe, and into Iluvar's sight.   "I  am now in the 'center' between The Scribe and Iluvar. The two of you  ... call out so that others can link to you. We need to create a line  first, then slowly advance that line as best as possible as if a Vudrani  line beating the bushes to flush out a tiger."  
  "Right here...."   says The Scribe, and will continue to give his position between turns.

 R4T15:   Sisir ,  the big machine begins not far to the east of you, and you hear The  Scribe's voice across from you in that direction. Myki's voice is heard  north and west of you. Iluvar was heard last in about the same place.  What do you do?

The Scribe on deck, Enemy in the hole?
Qazgir
Sisir will cautiously make his way east, towards the Scribe's voice, ready to strike out should he encounter their foe. He calls out as he moves,   "I am moving towards the center of the room, unless I find one of you or our foe first."  
 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Move Action: Move E in 5' intervals until he encounters either the Hound or one of his allies other than his brother.

Standard Action: Ready a standard action to attack the first enemy he sees.

Attack:  (1d20+17)[ 33 ] 
Damage:  (3d6+11)[ 22 ] 

Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any of the following conditions activate Mask Misery: Confused, dazed, frightened, sickened. If anyone with Mesmeric Mirror is attacked or targeted by a spell which requires an attack roll, trigger Mesmeric Mirror, creating two images with each image lasting for 8 minutes or until destroyed.


Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.


Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
 R4T15:  Sisir will cautiously make his way east, towards the Scribe's voice,  ready to strike out should he encounter their foe. He calls out as he  moves,   "I am moving towards the center of the room, unless I find one of you or our foe first."  

He  only steps 5' east and bumps into the outer lower of the orrery, so he  has to adjust to the northeast to get closer to people, going around the  north side of the orrery. Five feet brings him next to Iluvar, Myki,  and the Scribe.

 R4T13:  The Scribe steps only 5' to the east out of Sisir's view to spread out the line and not be so clumped.

 R4T10-9:  There's a strange occurrence of magic in the cloud towards the southwest, followed by the sound of a weapon cutting flesh.

  "Got him!"   shouts The Scribe.

 R4T7:   There is a terrifying screech of pain!

  "Come from south!"   calls The Scribe.

 R4T4:   Akif , your readied action didn't go off. What do you do?

Iluvar on deck, Myki in the hole ...
DrK
Akif stands and lets out a shout of frustration and then moves south towards the sounds of the scribe,   "Keep shouting scribe, I come"   seeking the creature and will smash if with his shield if he can find it

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Using all movement to move south towards the scribe, if he finds the creature
Risky strike  (1d20+14)[ 16 ]  dam  (1d8+5)[ 12 ] 

EDIT: typo on the damage, should be +15 not +5
 
lostsole31
 R4T4:  Akif stands and lets out a shout of frustration before moving south towards the sounds of The Scribe.   "Keep shouting, Scribe, I come,"    he says while following The Scribe's voice and seeking the creature.  Moving south, though, requires him to move away from The Scribe while  tracing a path around the orrery, and then heading north again, passing  Tunuak. Hustling, he finds his way to the hound, but it took much travel  to be able to strike it.

 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T26:   Iluvar gets a glance from Myki, who points to the southeast. Do you give contagious zeal to Sisir or Myki? What do you do?

Myki on deck, Sisir in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar begins to move southeast, as he passes Myki he gives her the benefit of the contagious zeal. He makes his around the orrery until he he is south of it and adjacent to a party member or runs into the hound.


  "Coming around!"  
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

MA: Move around the orrery headed in a clockwise pattern. Starting se through Myki's square. The SE again 1 square. Then south 2 squares, sw 1 square, and west 1 square.
SA: Readied action: If he sees the hound he will risky strike, stunning fist

 (d20+13)[ 18 ]  to hit
 (d10+9)[ 17 ]  unarmed damage
 
lostsole31
 R5T26:  Iluvar calls out,   "Coming around!"   and begins to move southeast, giving Myki the benefits of  contagious zeal   as he passes her. He makes his around the orrery - passing Myki, and in  passing The Scribe to go south he sees the hound and the limited space  forces him south of The Scribe to stand over the dead hound, but not  before the thing bites Iluvar in his foot for  27 .  Iluvar does a hammer fist to the thing's back to break its spine and it  drops, and the rest of the party fall on it with weapons to make sure  the monster is dead.

 Combat Ends! 

Does the party wait for the fog to dissipate through the open doors?
Tippnick
Iluvar states,   "We should wait out of the fog until it clears. I will be in the hallway from where we came."  

He then leaves the room carefully wary of dangers the noise of the battle might have alerted.
lostsole31
The battle ended, the party waits a few minutes for the cloud to dissipate.

Now what?
Tippnick
  "Well, hopefully it is safe enough to study and search."  , Iluvar gestures for everyone to begin. He will also search the area.
lostsole31
The Scribe continues his exploration of the orrery as the rest of the group finishes searching the area ... finding nothing else of interest.
DrK
Akif examines the strange beasts,   "What manner of beasts where these?"   he asks widely before standing, spear and shield ready by the door allowing his colleagues time to examine the orrery
Tippnick
Iluvar states,   "Hounds of Tindalos, evil creature not from our world, with many abilities. Not sure what they were doing here. I do not see any pattern of the creatures we have come across. All have been evil and not from our world."  
Qazgir
Sisir ponders Iluvar's statement before speaking,   "Perhaps their being not of our world is all the pattern there is. Possibly bound here by someone who cared only for their effectiveness as guardians?"  
lostsole31
  "That's not a bad connection to draw, Sisir,"   nods The Scribe, his time spent with the orrery done for now.   "Might not be it, but it is more of something than nothing. Well done, sir."  

Myki asks,   "What next?"  

The Scribe sees the door to the south, but says,   "I recommend we go with where we've been than where we haven't. Akif, what did you see in the room to the north of the hallway? Anything interesting?"  
DrK
Akif shrugs,   "I didn't get a good look. We have seen only strangeness in three of the rooms so far with the strange spike, the chained ladies and now this. But I shall have a look"   he offers crossing the corridor to look at the door to the NE that had seemed open to a night sky, impossible as that may be given the depths they have descended to
lostsole31
To reiterate what was seen before ... This ceiling of this room seems to be open to the night sky, yet one that features two moons. Alcoves along the walls appear to have been barred or glassed-in cages, but all are empty, the bars bent and glass shattered. The floor of the room is covered in a twisting carpet of vine-like plants.

This time, unlike last time, there is a 25' foot tall plant that now takes up the middle of the room, and Akif is completely taken by surprise as he looks up and up to get the full measure of this titanic plant - a twisted trunk with bulbous blossoms holding up a gaping mouth ready to swallow a victim whole. It rustles along the ground a few feet and the massive maw comes down at Akif, but it doesn't quite bite through his brawny armor.

 Begin Round One ...

R1T34:  Myki resets her  preparedness stance, but is too far to see or attack the threat, so she  takes an extract and keeps watch to the east while waiting.

 R1T28:   Iluvar ,  some massive plant thing tried to bite Akif, but you have the same  issue as Myki being her mirror in the formation, not seeing the threat  nor likely being able to get to it. What do you do?
Tippnick
Still feeling his injuries from the previous fight with the hounds, Iluvar takes a pragmatic action and cast a healing spell.   "What is it? Can anyone see?"  
 
 Spoiler: healing 


SA: casts cmw
 (2d8+8)[ 13 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T28:  Still feeling his injuries from the previous  fight with the hounds, Iluvar takes a pragmatic action and cast a spell  that gives him   13 healing  .   "What is it? Can anyone see?"   
 R1T23:   Akif , what do you do?
DrK
Akif ducks back, glad that the armour and shield has warded off the massive plant. He shakes his head,   "I have found an angry plant..."   he'll mutters before sloping back the shield and spar he thrusts and batters at the creature.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Free: Indomitable presence
Swift: Phalanx lancer stance
Standard:
--&gt; Spear: Golden swipe  (1d20+17)[ 18 ]  dam  (2d6+8)[ 13 ]  +  (1d6)[ 4 ]  stance +  (6d6)[ 26 ]  strike
   CMB:  (1d20+16)[ 31 ]  +2 from powerful maneuver feat to push back 10ft to make some space
--&gt; Free Vanguard shield  (1d20+17)[ 25 ]  dam  (1d8+9)[ 10 ]  +  (1d6)[ 3 ]  stance

Immediate: If attacked Iron Shell  (1d20+17)[ 34 ]  vs attack roll to negate attack
--&gt; if negated Free Vanguard shield  (1d20+17)[ 33 ]  dam  (1d8+9)[ 10 ]  +  (1d6)[ 2 ]  stance
 
lostsole31
 R1T23:  Akif ducks back, glad that the armor and shield warded off the massive plant. He shakes his head,   "I have found an angry plant..."    he mutters before sloping back the shield and spar. He thrusts and  batters at the creature. The creature's hide is surprisingly tough, and  Akif's spear springs back to that the haft bonks him in the head to stun  him, causing him to drop his spear, his presence, and his stance.

 R1T21:  Even drawing on inspiration of atemi healers, The Scribe fails to touch the proper nerve plexus to alleviate Akif's stun.

 R1T15:  Tunuak moves into the hallway behind Iluvar.

 R1T14:  The massive floral beast bites Akif for  16 mod + grabbed , whips him with a tentacle for  9 mod , and strikes him with another tentacle for  5 mod .

 R1T8:   Sisir , what do you do?

Myki on deck, Iluvar in the hole ...
Qazgir
Sisir concentrates for a moment, imagining a roaring bonfire, as he conjure an illusion of such a fire in the doorway in front of Akif. As he does so, he speaks in Giant,   "hopefully this will distract it brother."  
 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Standard Action: Cast Minor Image in Akif's square, creating the image of a roaring fire filling the entire space.

Free Action: Speak

Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any of the following conditions activate Mask Misery: Confused, dazed, frightened, sickened. If anyone with Mesmeric Mirror is attacked or targeted by a spell which requires an attack roll, trigger Mesmeric Mirror, creating two images with each image lasting for 8 minutes or until destroyed.
 
lostsole31
 R1T8:  Sisir concentrates for a moment, imagining a roaring bonfire, as he  conjure an illusion of such a fire in the doorway in front of Akif. As  he does so, he speaks in Giant,   "&lt;Hopefully this will distract it, brother.&gt;"  
 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T34:   At the sight of a sudden fire engulfing Akif and the part of the  monster grabbing him, Myki backpedals to the far end of the hallway to  the east.   "What in the Plane of Fire is  that ?"  
 R2T28:   Iluvar , what do you do?

Akif on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...
Tippnick
Not being able to move in, he instead will buff himself and move back.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


SA: casts divine favor
MA: moves in the doorway of the room with the orrery
 
lostsole31
 R2T28:  Not being able to move in, Iluvar instead buffs himself and moves back.

 R2T23:   Akif is stunned, but clears his head at the end of his turn. Only to  find that not only is he grabbed, but there is a conflagration right  where he is!

 R2T21:  The Scribe begins telling stories of a Pathfinder in the Mwangi Expanse who fought off a forest of predatory plants.

 R2T15:  Tunuak likewise buffs himself.

 R2T14:   The massive plant roars as if in pain. It swallows Akif quickly,  pulling him out of view of everyone else and keeping the Big Plant from  the pain of the fire. Akif takes  7 mod  from being crushed and   5 acid   from enzymes.

 R2T8:   Sisir , what do you do?

Myki on deck, Iluvar in the hole ....
Qazgir
  "Brother"   Sisir calls out as Akif is pulled from view. Sisir dashes into the room, fixing his gaze on the plant, and attempting to strike at it with his mace.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Sisir stops concentrating on Minor Image.

Free Action: Speak

Move Action: Move 5' E, and up to 25' N, until within 5' of the Plant.

Swift Action: Hypnotic Stare on the Plant if possible. It takes -3 to Will Saves and Attack Rolls. If the target is immune to mind-affecting effects, then it +2 to any related saves and have a 50% chance to ignore the Stare's effect every round.

Standard Action: Attack the Plant if possible.

Attack 1:  (1d20+15)[ 32 ] 
Damage 1:  (2d6+8)[ 14 ]  Bludgeoning damage and trigger the first Painful Stare of the round dealing  (2d6+4)[ 15 ]  Precision damage and forcing a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.

Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any of the following conditions activate Mask Misery: Confused, dazed, frightened, sickened. If anyone with Mesmeric Mirror is attacked or targeted by a spell which requires an attack roll, trigger Mesmeric Mirror, creating two images with each image lasting for 8 minutes or until destroyed.


Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.


Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
 R2T8:    "Brother!"    Sisir calls out as Akif is  pulled from view. Sisir steps directly into the conflagration of his  own making, unharmed by the flames. The great plant blocks any further  way in. He fixes his gaze on the plant and strikes it with his mace for  30 .

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T34:  Myki delays ...

 R3T28:   Iluvar , what do you do?

Akif on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar delays
lostsole31
 R3T28:  Iluvar delays ...

 R3T23:   Akif , you are surrounded by .... something that is crushing against you for  5 mod , and digesting you for   8 acid  . What do you do?

The Scribe on deck, Tunuak in the hole ...
DrK
Akif slowly comes to from the blow to his head, sadly caused by his own weapon! The pulsing mass of plant flesh and the sting of acid was all he registered as he felt the crushing walls of the beast all around him.  Fumbling at his belt he yanks out his dagger and tries to cut his way out!

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Move action: Draw dagger
Standard action: Start cutting my way free  (1d20+16)[ 28 ]  dam  (1d6+8)[ 13 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R3T23:  Akif slowly comes to from the blow to his head, sadly caused by his own  weapon! The pulsing mass of plant flesh and the sting of acid was all he  registered as he felt the crushing walls of the beast all around him.   Fumbling at his belt, Akif is unable to draw the dagger in his constricted condition.

 R3T21:  The Scribe continues his oration.

 R3T15:  Tunuak casts  mage armor  on himself.

 R3T14:   The massive plant snaps at Sisir, but he was ready for so great a maw,  but less ready for the leafy tentacle that snaps him in the upper left  arm for  5 mod .

 R3T8:   Sisir , what do you do?

Akif on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...
Qazgir
  "Damnit,"   Sisir yells,   "there isn't enough room!"   He brings his mace down on the plant twice.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Free Action: Speak

Full Round Action: Full attack the plant.

Attack #1:  (1d20+15)[ 20 ] 
Attack #2:  (1d20+10)[ 16 ] 

Damage #1:  (2d6+8)[ 18 ]  Bludgeoning damage and trigger the first Painful Stare of the round dealing  (2d6+4)[ 11 ]  Precision damage and forcing a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.
Damage #2:  (2d6+8)[ 16 ]  Bludgeoning damage and trigger the second Painful Stare of the round dealing  (2d6+4)[ 10 ]  Precision damage and forcing a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.

Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any of the following conditions activate Mask Misery: Confused, dazed, frightened, sickened. If anyone with Mesmeric Mirror is attacked or targeted by a spell which requires an attack roll, trigger Mesmeric Mirror, creating two images with each image lasting for 8 minutes or until destroyed.


Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.


Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
 R3T8:     "Dammit!"    Sisir yells,    "There isn't enough room!"     He brings his mace down on the plant twice, and both times the pliant,  almost rubbery outside makes his mace bounce both times without effect.

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T23:   Akif , you take  6 mod +  6 acid   from the squeeze-and-sizzle. What do you do?

The Scribe on deck, Tunuak in the hole ...
DrK
Akif mumbles in pain surrounded by the fleshy plant as he abandons the dagger and just goes to rotate and slash with the spiked edges of his shield

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


As shield is one handed assuming I can use that whilst grappled?
 (1d8+17)[ 25 ]  dam  (1d8+9)[ 17 ] 
 (1d8+12)[ 16 ]  dam  (1d8+9)[ 10 ] 

* not included -2 to attack whilst grappled
 
Tippnick
Iluvar moves into action. He moves as close as he can to see into the room.


He prepares to act



 
 Spoiler 

Comes out of delay
MA: He moves north 5 ft and east until he is as close to the door as he can be.
He will try to spot a place in the room the creature is not occupying.

If he can see a spot he will activate abundant step and travel to there as his second move action
     else he will assess the creature, he will invest an IP if he rolls a 3-10 on the die
 
lostsole31
 R4T23:  Akif mumbles in pain surrounded by the fleshy  plant as he abandons the  dagger and just goes to rotate and slash with the spiked edges of his  shield, which is enough for him to tear out! He finds he is on the  inside of the room, east of the creature, and he didn't tear his way out  of the plant, but out of a pod he seemed to have been cocooned within.

 R4T22:   Iluvar leaps into action, moving as close as he can to see into the  room, but finds that he sees very little, and only of the plant, not  past.

 R4T21:  The Scribe continues to orate mighty stories of his organization in the Mwangi.

 R4T15:  Tunuak delays ...

 R4T14:  A powerfully bright pulse of light is emitted from the thing.

 Akif ,  Iluvar , &amp;  Sisir  .... roll a Fort save!
Tippnick
Iluvar fort save
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

 (D20+11)[ 26 ]  fortitude
 
Qazgir
Sisir Fort Save

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

 (1d20+22)[ 31 ] 
 
DrK
 
 Spoiler: Fort save 

Akif fort save  (1d20+22)[ 23 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R4T14:  Akif is blinded!

 R14T8:   Sisir , what do you do?

Akif on deck, Iluvar in the hole ...
Qazgir
  "Iluvar, switch with me,"   Sisir calls out as he moves past Iluvar.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Free Action: Speak

Move Action: Move 10' W to end just past Iluvar.
 
lostsole31
 R4T8:    "Iluvar, switch with me,"   Sisir calls out as he moves past Iluvar even as his illusory fire winks out of existence.

 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T23:   Akif , you are blinded. What do you do?

Iluvar on deck, the Scribe in the hole ...
DrK
Akif bellows in alarm as his world goes dark.   brother, I cannot see! Where is it?”   he will shout before swinging at where he things the bulk of the creature would be

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Blinded, this feels familiar!
Attack the square to the west
 (1d20+17)[ 25 ]  dam  (1d8+9)[ 12 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R5T23:  Akif bellows in alarm as his world goes dark.   "Brother, I cannot see! Where is it?”   he shouts before swinging at where he things the bulk of the creature would be, hitting nothing.

 R5T22:   Iluvar , what do you do?

The Scribe on deck, Seymour in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar moves five feet to to the door and briefly studies the creature, then enacts a judgment.  
 Spoiler: crunch 


MA move to the door way
FA assess the monster adding an IP point if roll is below 15
SwA:  judgment :protection and purity
Ma:  spend 2 ki for abundant step if he is able to see into the room
If he can't abundant step he will touch the plant with his domain ability gentle repose

 (d20+16)[ 30 ]  melee touch
 
lostsole31
 R5T22:  Iluvar moves five feet to to the door and  briefly studies the creature, then enacts a judgment. Because of the  lack of any light at the right angle, Iluvar is unable to see in the  room well. He touches the creature, which staggers it.

 R5T21:  The Scribe continues his oration. Meanwhile, Akif's vision is restored.

 R5T14:   The monster snaps down at Akif, though sighted he gets out of the way.

 R5T8:   Sisir , what do you do?

Akif on deck, Iluvar in the hole ...
Tippnick
  "Fire, use fire!"  , yells Iluvar.
Qazgir
  "I can't do much in this tiny hall,"   Sisir says as he steps closer to Iluvar.

 
 Spoiler: Action 

Sisir readies an action to fix his gaze on the plant should he gain sight of it.

Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any of the following conditions activate Mask Misery: Confused, dazed, frightened, sickened. If anyone with Mesmeric Mirror is attacked or targeted by a spell which requires an attack roll, trigger Mesmeric Mirror, creating two images with each image lasting for 8 minutes or until destroyed.


Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.


Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
  "Fire, use fire!"  , yells Iluvar.

 R5T8:    "I can't do much in this tiny hall,"   Sisir says as he steps closer to Iluvar.

 End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T23:   Akif , what do you do?

Iluvar on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...
DrK
Eyes cleared, bloodied and skin still burning Akif spins and with a great encouraging  roar lashes out with his shield seeking to smash the plant into paste with his shield

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Swift: Encouraging roar boost
Standard: Burnished shield [risky strike]  (1d20+14)[ 17 ]  dam  (1d8+15)[ 22 ]  +  (4d6)[ 13 ]  and Fort or dazed
Free: Vanguard shield :  (1d20+14)[ 26 ]  dam  (1d8+15)[ 23 ] 

(Encouraging roar +2 hit/dam not included)
 
lostsole31
 R6T23:  Eyes cleared, body bloodied, and skin still burning, Akif spins and with a  great encouraging  roar lashes out with his shield seeking to smash the  plant into paste with his shield. Unfortunately, his attack misses as the monster is out of reach.

 R6T22:  Iluvar, what do you do?

The Scribe on deck, Audrey in the hole ....
Tippnick
Iluvar attempts to hit it and then seems to step out of the space he is in.
 
 Spoiler: Crunch 

SwA: activate Bane plants
SA: Hit with stunning fist but will use the sickened aspect of it
 (d20+18)[ 23 ] 
Damage  (d10+5)[ 13 ]  unarmed
 (2d6)[ 6 ]  bane damage
If flanking  (d6)[ 1 ]  precise strike damage
MA: spend 2 ki points to abundant step to the space he can see east of the plant
 
lostsole31
 R6T22:  Iluvar - boosted through his focus on plants and  The Scribe's storytelling - overcomes the plant's significantly thick  hide for  12 mod . He then seems to step out of the space he is in.

 R6T21:   The Scribe continues his oratory and sidesteps into the place formerly  occupied by the monk. He gets into a fighting stance, and chokes up high  on his polearm before stabbing the plant for  8 mod +  1 fire  .

 R6T14:  Audrey bites and uses two leafy tentacles at Iluvar, but the monk is too squirrelly.

 R6T8:   Sisir , what do you do?

Akif on deck, Iluvar in the hole ...
Qazgir
Sisir steps next to the scribe, and continues to wait for a glance at the creature.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Free Action: 5' Step E to end adjacent to the Scribe.

Sisir readies an action to use his gaze on the plant should he gain sight of it.


Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any of the following conditions activate Mask Misery: Confused, dazed, frightened, sickened. If anyone with Mesmeric Mirror is attacked or targeted by a spell which requires an attack roll, trigger Mesmeric Mirror, creating two images with each image lasting for 8 minutes or until destroyed.




Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.




Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
 R6T8:  Sisir steps next to The Scribe, and continues to wait for a glance at the creature.

 End Round 6, Begin Round 7 ...

R7T23:   Akif , what do you do?

Iluvar on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...
DrK
Akif grunts in frustration as he steps up to the plant smashing the shield into trying to knock it back to allow the others in

 
 Spoiler: OOC  


Free: 5ft to the left adjacent to plant
Str: [risky strike] Golden swipe  (1d20+14)[ 30 ]   (1d8+15)[ 19 ]  +  (6d6)[ 21 ] 
  — reposition  (1d20+16)[ 25 ]  vs CMD to move 10ft north
Free: vanguard shield  (1d20+14)[ 29 ]   (1d8+15)[ 16 ] 

If attacked
Immediate: iron shell  (1d20+17)[ 34 ]  vs attack roll
Free: vanguard shield  (1d20+17)[ 32 ]   (1d8+9)[ 15 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R7T23:  Akif grunts in frustration as he steps up to the plant smashing the shield into it for  31 mod , though not moving it. He then slams it with the shield again for  7 mod .

 R7T22:   Iluvar , what do you do? Do you maintain bane?

The Scribe on deck, Audrey II in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar goes full out attack on the plant creature

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


Maintaining bane
Full attack with risky strike flurry of blows and a possible ki strike of it is still up

1st attack of flurry, risky
[Roll]d20+15[/roll
 (d10+11)[ 17 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 4 ]  bane damage
 (d6)[ 1 ]  precise

2nd attack of flurry
 (d20+15)[ 17 ] 
 (d10+11)[ 14 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 11 ]  bane damage
 (d6)[ 1 ]  precise

Ki strike with ki points spend
 (d20+15)[ 24 ] 
 (d10+11)[ 20 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 8 ]  bane damage
 (d6)[ 4 ]  precise


Iterative attack
 (d20+10)[ 11 ] 
 (d10+11)[ 17 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 4 ]  bane damage
 (d6)[ 2 ]  precise
 
lostsole31
 R7T22:  Iluvar goes full out on the attack against the plant creature. He throws an elbow for  12 mod ; misses with second and third attacks, even taking   1 bleed   on a thorn; and then hits with another elbow for  19 mod .

 R7T21:  The Scribe continues his oration and makes a special maneuver as he stabs the plant monster for  21 mod +  4 mod fire  .

 R7T14:  Iluvar gets slapped by the plant's tentacle against his upper arm for  10 , but the other tentacle causes a strain, doing  1 DEX  damage to the plant.

 R7T8:   Sisir , you just can't get a look at the plant from your spot. What do you do?

Akif on deck, Iluvar in the hole ...
Qazgir
Sisir grinds his teeth, waiting for an opportunity to act.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Free Action: Sisir delays, waiting to see if the Scribe moves or something else happens to allow him to gain line of sight/effect to the enemy.

Tricks: If anyone with Mask Misery implanted become affected by any of the following conditions activate Mask Misery: Confused, dazed, frightened, sickened. If anyone with Mesmeric Mirror is attacked or targeted by a spell which requires an attack roll, trigger Mesmeric Mirror, creating two images with each image lasting for 8 minutes or until destroyed.
 
lostsole31
 R7T8:  Sisir grinds his teeth, waiting for an opportunity to act.

 End Round 7, Begin Round 8 ...

R8T23:   Akif , what do you do?

Iluvar on deck, The Scribe on deck, Sisir delaying ...
DrK
Akif continues to wade in with his shield, looking at the door and where his spear had fallen with some frustration. He calls out,   "Brother, my spear..."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Swift: Phalanx lancer stance
Full attack with [risky attack]
    (1d20+14)[ 26 ]  dam  (1d8+15)[ 18 ]  +  (1d6)[ 1 ] 
 (1d20+9)[ 17 ]  dam  (1d8+15)[ 21 ]  +  (1d6)[ 3 ] 

If attacked:
 Burnished shell counter  (1d20+17)[ 36 ]   vs attack roll
  --&gt; Free Vanguard shield  (1d20+17)[ 23 ]  dam  (1d8+9)[ 11 ]  +  (1d6)[ 6 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R8T23:  Akif continues to wade in with his shield, looking at the direction of the door and where  his spear had fallen with some frustration. He calls out,   "Brother, my spear..."  

His shield slams on the first attack for  10 mod , missing the second.

 R8T22:   Iluvar , you take   1 bleed  . What do you do?

The Scribe on deck, Twoey on deck ...
Tippnick
Iluvar takes notice of his bleeding for a moment and concentrates. Then continues his attack.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SwA: change one his judgments from purity to healing
Full attack action: Flurry of blows, risky strike, with bane
1st attack
 (d20+15)[ 16 ]  to hit
 (d10+11)[ 16 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 6 ] 

Flurry attack
 (d20+15)[ 28 ]  to hit
 (d10+11)[ 17 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 6 ] 

Iterative attack
 (d20+10)[ 24 ]  to hit
 (d10+11)[ 15 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 8 ] 
 
Tippnick
Fumble save for first attack, flat 20
 
 Spoiler: no whammies 

 (d20)[ 10 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R8T22:  Iluvar takes notice of his bleeding for a moment  and concentrates before continuing his attack. His first attack wildly  misses. He spears the center of mass, dropping it before doing an atomic  elbow drop to make the guts of the thing explode, definitely killing  it.

 Combat Ends! 
Qazgir
Following the Scribe into the room, Sisir picks up his brothers spear, and hurries to hand it off to him.   "You gave me quite the scare brother, with so little room to maneuver I couldn't help at all. I do hope we stop being stuck in these cramped corridors soon"   Sisir says. Once the Scribe is done tending to Iluvar, Sisir claps him on the shoulder.
Tippnick
Iluvar pulls out a wand,   "Those that need healing from up. I have a wand that heal you with some charges left."  
 
 Spoiler: pause for healing  

He will heal himself and whoever else needs healing with his clw wand
 
lostsole31
The Scribe does a triage of everyone ... Akif: 63%
Iluvar: 76%
Sisir: 97% 
Iluvar, how much to whom (maximum)? Akif, Sisir, if you get in on the healing action, let me know.
Tippnick
Iluvar will use all the charges on the wand if necessary to get himself and Akif full. If Sisir wants he will also heal him with a couple of spells. 2 clw
lostsole31
Iluvar and Akif are now fully healed.

 Sisir , are you fine, or do you request healing?
Qazgir
Sisir will decline healing,   "I'm barely scratched, best to wait until the healling truly necessary."  
Tippnick
"  Let us check out this room and clean up Akif."  , Iluvar says.
DrK
Akif nods his thanks   "I did not enjoy being eaten by the plant."  , patting the wounds and the slightly raw skin from where the plant's corrosive juices had burned him he shakes his head,   "My thanks for the healing."  

Lookin at Iluvar he nods,  "Maybe the plant was guarding something of value?"  he suggests as he join iluvar ins searching the room for anything of value. Initially scanning the area for magical auras before resorting to mundane searching.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


scan room with detect magic
 
lostsole31
A three-minute quick search doesn't reveal anything of interest. The Scribe and Myki discuss the illusion (the only thing Akif detects with  detect magic ).  They theorize that the unfamiliar starfield is a view from the green planet Castrovel. The ceiling's actual height is 40' high and it is quite a complex, quite realistic  permanent image  of the night sky above the alien planet. The room itself infuses the chamber with a sustaining magic that keeps plant life within well fed.

The "moonflower" was 25' high at full height (before the party killed it), a plant not native to Golarion.

There is nothing else of interest in this room.
Tippnick
  ""Asir, can you lead us through the western exit?"  , Iluvar asks.
lostsole31
The Scribe looks at Iluvar curiously.
DrK
Akif, now healed and with spear and shield restored nods.   ”Aye, an impressive scene but one of little value.”   he mutters as he heads to door and yanks it open
lostsole31
This chamber is a squat cylinder with perfectly smooth walls, ceilings, and floors. In the center rises a stepped dais like a five-foot-high ziggurat, with a flat platform on its top. On top of the dais stands a blood-stained, green-haired gnome with beady red eyes, standing by a lever. What do you do?
DrK
Akif pauses at the doorway. He looks back to the others,   "Brother, friends... There is a small creature here. I do not know what it is"  
Qazgir
Speaking in Giant, Sisir says   "Does it look hostile, has it seen you?"   He readies his weapon and shield once again incase a new fight breaks out.
lostsole31
Returning in  Giant  comes a reply:  
 Spoiler: Giant 
  *&lt;"I speak Giant, so your deceptive speech avails you not. I am Luonim the Vast. Who are you that has come to challenge my magic!"&gt;*  
 
Tippnick
  "At least they are intelligent and not attacking on sight."   Iluvar says
DrK
Akif smiles and speaks in giant &lt;  "You do not seem vast to me."  &gt;, then switching to the more common tongue he shouts back.   "Illuvar, master Scribe, this creature may have information that would assist you."  
lostsole31
Luonim says in Giant,   *&lt;"Tell me you've ever seen a more wonderfully corpulent gnome!"&gt;*  

The Scribe answers Akif,   "Luonim the Vast was the name of one of the people that went missing, actually."  
DrK
Holding his spear and shield slightly away from his body to not appear threatening Akif will advance into the room slightly to allow space for the others to follow him in. Still in giant he will reply, after a moment to look the gnome side to side, &lt;  "You speak the truth, I have not seen so large a gnome in my travels. How did you accomplish such a feat?"&gt;  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Moving slowly 10ft south 5ft west
 
lostsole31
Iluvar ... Sisir ... do you follow in as well?
Tippnick
  "A couple of us should stay outside just in case. I am not trusting anything down here."  , Iluvar cautions.

Iluvar enters the room.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


If the gnome begins speaking
Iluvar will use discern lies for 3 rounds
 
Qazgir
Sisir will follow, standing just inside the doorway.
lostsole31
Switching to Taldane, Luonim says triumphantly,   "I have mastered the hemotheurgy of Kaer Maga's bloatmages!"  

And with that, he engages and throws the lever to a different position. Gears somewhere below scream into life and the whole room begins spinning clockwise around the dais, remaining horizontal. All three of the heroes keep their footing. The sudden shift of so much vast draws a vacuum that slams the door shut.

 Begin Round One...

R1T27:  The Scribe wrenches open the door to this room, calling to those outside,   "Somebody help me pin this door open!"  
 R1T26:  Myki takes The Scribes polearm, and then jams it between the door and door jamb.

 R1T20:   Sisir , what do you do?
Qazgir
Sisir directs his stare at Luonim. He pictures a handshake, projecting a feeling of camaraderie onto the Gnome, and says   "hold on just a moment everyone, there's no need for things to escalate now, is there?"  
 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Swift Action: Hypnotic Stare on Luonim. He takes -3 to Will Saves and Attack Rolls. If the target is immune to mind-affecting effects, then it +2 to any related saves and have a 50% chance to ignore the Stare's effect every round.

Standard Action: Cast Charm Monster on Luonim.

Free Action: Speak
 
lostsole31
 R1T20:  Sisir directs his stare at Luonim. He pictures a handshake, projecting a feeling of camaraderie onto the Gnome, and says.   "Hold on. Just a moment, everyone, there's no need for things to escalate now, is there?"   
 Spoiler: Sisir 
It  is very difficult, but you managed to concentrate on your spell. Note  that it is considered violent weather, but you also take a -10 penalty  on all concentration checks unless you take a MA to center yourself  first.
 
Sisir's powerful mind manages to concentrate despite the  noise and pull of this room, but finds his spell all but shatter  against Luonim's vast mental defenses.

 R1T18:   Iluvar , what do you do?
Tippnick
  "Maybe the hemotheurgy has mastered you. You don't look well."  , Iluvar says to Luonim.

Iluvar moves up to the gnome and engages him in melee.

 
 Spoiler: melee 

Free 5' step
Full attack action, risky strike

1st attack with stunning fist
 (d20+15)[ 27 ]  to hit
 (d10+11)[ 17 ]  unarmed damage

2nd attack of flurry
 (d20+15)[ 19 ]  to hit
 (d10+11)[ 14 ]  unarmed damage

SwA: ki points for extra attack
 (d20+15)[ 21 ]  to hit
 (d10+11)[ 17 ]  unarmed damage

Iterative attack
 (d20+10)[ 20 ]  to hit
 (d10+11)[ 18 ]  unarmed damage
 
lostsole31
 R1T18:    "Maybe the hemotheurgy has mastered you. You don't look well,"    Iluvar says to Luonim, moving up to the gnome and engaging him in  melee. He does a drop elbow to the top of the gnome's palm for  21 .  It is a nerve pain point, but all of the fat makes it hard for Iluvar  to find those nerves to stun him. The next three strikes get blocked by a  combination of significant magical protection and raw corpulence.

 R1T17:   Akif , you are unable to keep your footing and you get thrown against the spinning wall, taking  2 mod  from the impact. You are now pressed up against the wall. What do you do?
DrK
Akif grunts as he is thrown against the wall. Spinning around he snarls a curse and then bellows,   "So you like vast eh? I shall show you vast"   as he then shudders and contorts his body doubling in size!

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Full round action to become Large
 
lostsole31
 R1T17:  Akif grunts as he is thrown against the wall. Spinning around he snarls a curse and then bellows,   "So you like vast eh? I shall show you vast"   as he then shudders and contorts his body doubling in size!

 R1T14:  Tunuak delays ...

 R1T6:  Luonim the Vast disappears from view!

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T27:     "Don't play on his terrain!"    calls The Scribe.    "I am moving out of the way to clear an exit for those that can manage it."   

He then moves away from the doorway, unseen in the hallway beyond.

 R2T26:  Myki likewise backs away to allow for allies to try to exit.

 R2T20:   Sisir , your hypnotic stare ended when Luonim went invisible. His counter on the map is merely where you last saw him. What do you do?

Iluvar on deck, Akif in the hole ...
Qazgir
Sisir nods as he hears the Scribe, and he back out the door, moving far enough to allow the others through. Once out, he focuses on the image of dancing lights, preparing a spell should he gain some insight into Luonim's location.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Move Action: Move 15' N.

Standard Action: Ready an action to cast Faerie Fire should Sisir gain some information about Luonim's location, either from the invisibility dropping, or some other method.
 
lostsole31
 R2T20:  Sisir nods as he hears the Scribe, and as soon  as the spinning room comes back around to the entrance they came in  Sisir times it and jumps out into the hallway and then moves far  enough to allow the others through, though not quite as far as hoped as  Myki and The Scribe are lined up in the northern corridor. Once out, he  focuses on the image of  dancing lights, preparing a spell should he gain some insight into  Luonim's location.

 R2T18:   Iluvar , your quarry has disappeared (counter represents last known location). What do you do?

Akif on deck, Luonim in the hole, Tunuak delaying ...
Tippnick
Iluvar tried casting a spell then tries to locate the gnome.


 
 Spoiler: crunch 


SA: casts see invisibility
Concentration check if necessary
 (d20+13)[ 20 ]  concentration
If he succeeds casting the spell he will call the gnome's location.   "He is near...."  
MA: will move towards the gnome
If he gets an attack of opportunity he will hit the gnome
 (d20+18)[ 36 ]  to hit
 (d10+5)[ 12 ]  damage

If not able to complete the spell, he will move out of the room far enough to let Akif out of he was medium size.
 
lostsole31
 R2T18:  Iluvar casts a spell, and his eyes now see  colors beyond the human spectrum, and the gnome appears to him, not  having moved from where he was last seen. He calls out to the others.   "Here! He is still here on the dais!"  
 R2T17:   Akif ,  what do you do? You are pressed up against the spinning wall, and  getting larger didn't change that ... except to increase the amount of  mass affected by the centrifuge.

Luonim on deck, The Scribe in the hole, Tunuak delaying ...
DrK
Akif struggles against the pressure seeking to slide into his traditional fighting stance, where with the long reach of the spear and his massive arms he can jab towards the dais where the gnome was last seen and Iluvar had nominated

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Not sure if checks are needed due to the spinning but...

Free: Start Rallying Presence ((Ex):  +5  morale bonus to Will saves vs. fear, death effects, or compulsion effects to all allies w/in 30' of his position)
Full attack [risky ataack] the square on the dais where he was last seen:
 atk  (1d20+16)[ 36 ]  dam  (2d6+17)[ 22 ]  01-50% miss chance  (1d100)[ 71 ] 
 atk  (1d20+11)[ 18 ]  dam  (2d6+17)[ 23 ]  01-50% miss chance  (1d100)[ 11 ] 

Immediate: If attacked Iron shild counter  (1d20+19)[ 26 ] 
then Vanguard shield, shield bash  (1d20+19)[ 36 ]  dam  (1d8+11)[ 16 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T17:  Akif struggles against the pressure, seeking to slide into his  traditional fighting stance, where with the long reach of the spear and  his massive arms he can jab towards the dais where the gnome was last  seen and Iluvar had nominated, but misses twice.

 R2T6:   Luonim defensively casts a spell, being seen by Iluvar, and heard by  all. Iluvar sees him attempt to fly away a little, and strikes him with  an elbow drop to the knee for  12 . He gets to a 5' altitude - the most he can get in this 10' tall room - and backs away from Iluvar and Akif.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T27-26:  The Scribe &amp; Myki delay ...

 R3T20:   Sisir , your readied action didn't go off, because you didn't have a LOS to where Iluvar had originally indicated. What do you do?

Iluvar on deck, Akif in the hole, The Scribe/ Myki/ Tunuak delaying ...
Qazgir
Sisir steps into the doorway, speaking as he does,   "Iluvar, Brother, I'm going to silence the room, try to corner him!"   Directing his gaze to Luonim if possible, he takes a moment to center himself, pictures a mouth sown shut, and focuses on a point just above the center of the room.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Free Action: 5' Step SW to end up adjacent to Tunuak and the doorway and talking.

Swift Action: Hypnotic Stare on Luonim if possible. It takes -3 to Will Saves and Attack Rolls. If the target is immune to mind-affecting effects, then it +2 to any related saves and have a 50% chance to ignore the Stare's effect every round.

Move Action: Center himself for Thought component.

Standard Action: Cast Silence on a point in space 5' above the ground in the center of the room.


Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.


Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
 R3T20:  From outside the room, the inside of the room is spinning very quickly. Sisir steps into the doorway, speaking as he does,   "Iluvar, Brother, I'm going to silence the room, try to corner him!"  

Unable to direct his gaze to wherever Luonim might be in a room  moving too quickly to track things visually anyway, he takes a moment  to center  himself. Focusing on a mouth sewn shut, he focuses on a point just above   the center of the room .... the only point he can properly target with  the rest of the room spinning about. Akif's bulk is mostly in the way,  and the spinning outer walls means that there aren't many times that the  single spinning doorway offers a chance to see inside, but Sisir  expresses and manifests his psychic power, hoping it got his target.

 R3T20:   Iluvar ,  what do you do? You see Luonim, and he is now floating 5' off the  ground (the ceiling is 10' high, so he can't go any higher).

Akif on deck, Luonim in the hole, The Scribe/ Myki/ Tunuak delaying ...
Tippnick
  "He is by the SE door 5 feet in the air." 
 Iluvar seeming flies through the air to kick at the invisible gnome. Then attempt other attacks. 
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

style strike flying kick as part of a full attack action using risky strike and will use stunning fist on the second strike
 (d20+15)[ 34 ]  to hit with flying kick
 (d10+11)[ 17 ]  unarmed damage

2 flurry blow /stunning fist
 (d20+15)[ 22 ]  to hit
 (d10+11)[ 19 ]  unarmed damage

iterative attack
 (d20+10)[ 13 ]  to hit
 (d10+11)[ 19 ]  unarmed
 
 
lostsole31
 R3T20:    "He is by the doorway there, 5 feet in the air,"    Il uvar points.

He seemingly flies through the air to kick at the invisible gnome, kicking his shoulder for 17before  dropping to the ground, expertly avoiding a swipe of the dagger from  the gnome. From below, Iluvar tries to attack twice more but doesn't  land a blow.

 R3T17:   Akif , you feel  pinned by the force of the room. That said, you did see where Iluvar  attacked and apparently hit something. What do you do?

Luonim on deck, Sisir in the hole, The Scribe/ Myki/ Tunuak in the hole ...
DrK
Akif grunt as the wall spins and then tries to step into the centre of the room, spar in hand before lunging at the point nominated by his new found friend.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Move to centre of room
atk  (1d20+16)[ 33 ]  dam  (2d6+17)[ 22 ]  01-50% miss chance  (1d100)[ 80 ] 

Immediate: If attacked Iron shild counter  (1d20+19)[ 22 ] 
then Vanguard shield, shield bash  (1d20+19)[ 21 ]  dam  (1d8+11)[ 16 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R3T17:  Akif grunt as the wall spins and then tries to step into the center of  the room, spar in hand, but can't separate his massive bulk from the wall.

 R3T6:   Since it is apparent that Iluvar can see the gnome, the gnome stares at  Iluvar in anger. He concentrates on a spell and is then surrounded by  thin, wispy green flames. He moves, but Iluvar punches him in the face  with a crit for  27 . In turn, the green flames are cool to the touch and the monk takes   23 cold  , something about the cold flames being particularly painful.

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T20:   Sisir , there is the indirect glow of green near you, but around the corner inside of the high-speed spinning room. What do you do?

Iluvar on deck, Akif in the hole, The Scribe/ Myki/ Tunuak delaying ...
Qazgir
Sisir steels himself for a moment before stepping into the room as it spins past. Once inside he moves to the center of the room and casting his gaze around the room, waiting to focus on the Luonim.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Move: Move 20' S to the center of the spinning room.

Standard: Ready an action to use Hypnotic Stare on an enemy. It takes -3 to Will Saves and Attack Rolls. If the target is immune to mind-affecting effects, then it +2 to any related saves and have a 50% chance to ignore the Stare's effect every round.

Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.


Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally
 
lostsole31
 R4T20:  Sisir steels himself for a moment before timing  the rotation and jumping through the doorway. He successfully gets past  the limited aperture without getting crushed, but stumbles and falls  once inside, and then stands.

 R4T18:   Iluvar ,  what do you do? You see the green-flamed Luonim and felt the bitter  cold. He is still flying 5' off the round in this 10 high room.

Akif on deck, Luonim in the hole, The Scribe/ Myki/ Tunuak delaying ...
Tippnick
Iluvar casts a spell of protection from energy and moves just south of the Gnome's position.

  "He is directly North of me 5 feet in the air and has a protection that does cold damage when you hit him."



   
 Spoiler: Crunch 

Free action assess the gnome

SA: Cast Protection from energy -cold
MA: 1 square NE then 1 square North to be just to the South of him.
 
lostsole31
 R4T18:   Iluvar casts a spell of  protection from energy  and moves just south of the Gnome's position, calling out,   "He is directly north of me, five feet in the air, and has a protection that does cold damage when you hit him."  
 R4T17:   Akif , you are still held against the wall. What do you do?

Luonim the Vast on deck, Ssir in the hole, The Scribe/ Myki/ Tunuak delaying ...
DrK
Grunting by the spinning Akif just lunges at the space in the air nominated by Iluvar

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Full attack the space in the air
 (1d20+19)[ 25 ]  dam  (2d6+14)[ 21 ] 
 (1d20+14)[ 18 ]  dam  (2d6+14)[ 20 ] 

If attacked
Iron shell counter  (1d20+19)[ 30 ] 
--&gt; Free vanguard shield bash  (1d20+19)[ 25 ]  dam  (1d8+11)[ 18 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R4T17:  Grunting by the spinning Akif just lunges at the space in the air nominated by Iluvar, but hits nothing.

 R4T6:   Still staring invisibly at the one person that can clearly see him,  Luonim flies south and a little east. As he does so, Iluvar gives a high  side kick that strikes the gnome's left hand for  7 . Once in position, the gnome carefully casts a spell, and then lets out a tremendous shout. Iluvar takes   38 sonic + deafened + sickened   by the pain from his bleeding ears. Akif resists for only   9 sonic   and Sisir resists for   7 sonic  . In the hallway, Tunuak resists, yet take   12 sonic  .

The  green-flame lit gnome is now visible. As soon as that happens, Sisir  concentrates and there is a burst of purple light that surrounds Iluvar  and Luonim, though Luonim's green flame makes the purple flame all but  unseen.   "Now you see why I am called 'Vast,"   Luonim crows.   "Not because of my size, but my power!"  

Tunuak says,   "Sisir, move!"  
 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T17:   Iluvar , you find yourself flung against the centrifuge room's wall for  5 . What do you do?

Akif on deck, Luonim the Vast in the hole, The Scribe/ Myki/ Tunuak delaying ...
Tippnick
Iluvar screams out,   "He is on the far east side of the room, still in the air. I am very injured."   He then concentrates and disappears.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

MA:Ki spend to abundant step
Will appear North and East of the door he came in.
 
lostsole31
 R5T18:   Iluvar screams out,   "He is on the far east side of the room, still in the air. I am very injured."   He then concentrates and disappears, reappearing immediately next to Myki.

 R5T17:   Akif , what do you do?

Luonim on deck, Sisir in the hole, The Scribe/ Myki/ Tunuak delaying ...
DrK
Akif, despite being pressed against the wall grins as the little gnome appears. He thrusts forward savagely seeking to send him bouncing around the wall as he pushes off the wall to launch himself to the centre of the room

  
 Spoiler: OOC 


Move 10ft east to the centre or the room
Stab Lumin with Golden Swipe =  (1d20+19)[ 22 ]  dam  (2d6+11)[ 14 ]  +  (6d6)[ 27 ] 
 --&gt; CMB to push him rund the wall  (1d20+20)[ 28 ] 
 
 
lostsole31
 R5T17:  Despite being pressed against the wall, Akif  grins as the little gnome  appears. With great effort, Akif moves east several feet nearly to the  center of the room, just north of the dais that is too small for his  current form. He thrusts forward savagely - unable to get the proper  footing and posturing to invoke a martial maneuver (or stance for that  matter) properly, and his attempt to do so gets through a lay of magical  force only to be stopped by a second.

 R5T6:  The  gnome's stare now falls squarely upon Akif. He flies forward a few  feet, and this time Akif's spear manage to just make its way past the  layers of magical protection and the gnome's corpulent body to stab him  in the right forearm for  12 mod , but in doing so that  green flame surrounding the gnome flares up the length of the spear to  wash over Akif for a particularly painful   34 cold  .  Luonim concentrates carefully and casts a spell on his hand and then  lightly taps Akif's midsection with his finger, magical energy pouring  into Akif. Instantly Akif feels his body rally and fights off some type  of magical poison. It was easy enough generally, and yet he does note  some discomfort that made it a little more difficult than normal.

 R5T5:   Sisir , what do you do?

Iluvar on deck, Akif in the hole, The Scribe/ Myki/ Tunuak delaying ...
Qazgir
Moving past his brother, Sisir focuses his gaze on Luonim, and strikes out with his mace.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Move Action: Move 5' SW, 15' S, 10' E to end up SW of Luonim.

Swift Action: Hypnotic Stare on Luonim. It takes -3 to Will Saves and Attack Rolls. If the target is immune to mind-affecting effects, then it +2 to any related saves and have a 50% chance to ignore the Stare's effect every round.

Standard Action: Attack Luonim

Attack #1:  (1d20+17)[ 35 ] 
Damage #1:  (3d6+11)[ 24 ]  Bludgeoning damage and trigger the first Painful Stare of the round dealing  (2d6+4)[ 12 ]  Precision damage and forcing a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.

Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.


Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
Iluvar recovers from feeling sick (though still deafened).
 
R5T5:   Sisir moves only a few feet before he fails to account for the room's  spinning and gets slammed against the side wall, his titan flesh keeping  him from being jostled too hard. He does at least manage to stare at  the fat little gnome.

 End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T18:   Iluvar , your ears are still ringing painfully, precluding you from hearing anything around you. What do you do?

Akif on deck, Luonim in the hole, The Scribe/ Myki/ Tunuak in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar catches his breath and casts a cure spell.
  "Maybe there is a way to untrigger the spinning of the room."  , he shouts to the brothers in the room


 
 Spoiler: crunch 

Free Action: assessing the gnome again
SA: casts cure moderate wounds on himself
 (2d8+8)[ 17 ]  of healing.

EOT
 
lostsole31
 R6T18:  Iluvar catches his breath and tries to cast a cure spell, but his deafness causes him to flub and lose the spell. 
    "Maybe *&lt;???*&gt; is a way to untrigger the spinning of the room, "   he shouts to the brothers in the room, his voice only deforming on one word despite his deafness.

 R6T17:   Akif , what do you do?

Luonim on deck, Sisir in the hole, NPCs delaying ...
DrK
Akif lunges out again stealing himself against the inferno annoyed the room spoils his stance

 
 Spoiler: OOc 


Attack  (1d20+19)[ 24 ]  dam  (2d6+11)[ 17 ] 
If attacked iron shell counter  (1d20+19)[ 34 ] 
And vanguard strike  (1d20+19)[ 35 ]  dam  (1d8+10)[ 18 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R6T17:  Akif lunges out again stealing himself against  the annoying room. His spear pierces a couple layers of magical  protection, but is stopped by the gnome's corpulent body. Though there  is some faint blood and a poke, it didn't penetrate far enough past the  adipose layer to actually harm the gnome, nor to engage his magical  counter-offense.

 R6T6:  Luonim then flies away from Akif, who fails to connect again, this time stopped by a force field. He calls out,   "My bloat powers are beyond what you can comprehend, beyond your own petty magics!"  

Casting  a spell, a powerful wintry blast washes over the two brothers in the  room. Both brothers were ready for danger though, ready on the dodge and  Sisir takes   24 cold  . Despite putting up his shield in time to minimize damage, still the cold is particularly painful for some reason as he takes   37 cold  .

The burst of cold only barely escapes just the small area past the door, but one thing that doesn't escape the blast is  Xin-Rithux ,  The Scribe's flaming ranseur that was set into the doorway to hold it  open. The ancient weapon is rimed in ice, killing the flame, and the  pressure of the wave destroys it! As soon as that happens, the vacuum  drawn by the room's spinning slams the door shut.

  "Now, giant. It is just us. What will win ... the power of steel, or the might of blood!"  
 R6T5:   Sisir , you are currently pinned against the spinning room's wall. What do you do?

Iluvar on deck, Akif in the hole, NPCs delaying ..
Qazgir
Sisir grunts, focusing himself as he spins, picturing a wave washing away the gnome.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Move Action: Ceter himself.

Standard Action: Cast Dispel Magic targeting Luonim.

Dispel Magic Roll:  (1d20+8)[ 9 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R6T5:  Sisir grunts, focusing himself as he spins,  picturing a wave washing away the gnome, but the spinning room is too  much for him and he loses his focus and the power he gathered for it.

 R6T4:    "Goodbye, old friend,"   says The Scribe respectfully.   "You served me faithfully through many adventures, ending many demons.

"Somebody - Myki, Iluvar - provide some light, please."  
 R6T3:  Myki's voice in the darkness says,   "I have failed my profession and my guild as a lamplighter. I apologize, but I am without any means of light."  
 R6T2:   Tunuak, hearing the request, comes around the corner, the shadowy light  now giving some sight to those in the northern corridor.

 End Round 6, Begin Round 7 ...

R7T18:   Iluvar , you didn't hear any of that exchange - you still can't hear. What do you do?

Akif on deck, Luonim the Vast in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar reaches into his haversack to get his wand. He uses the wand to heal himself.    "I can't hear a thing."  , he says.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

MA: pull wand out of handy haversack
SA: use CLW wand on himself
 (1d8+1)[ 2 ]  of healing
FA: speak
 
lostsole31
 R7T18:  Iluvar reaches into his haversack to get his wand. He uses the wand to heal himself (  2 healing  ). Unevenly, he shouts to those around him, not hearing himself,     "I can't hear a thing."   
 R7T17:   Akif ,  b ack in the room, you're able to hold steady despite the spinning. What do you do?

Luonim on deck, Sisir in the hole ...
DrK
Akif hisses as more cold washes over him and he feels heavily wounded again by the strange gnome.   "Brother finish him"   he bellows loudly seeking to inspire his allies as he launches an all out attack with spear and shield.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Swift: encouraging roar (+2 hit/dam for allies)
Move: 15ft South (to get within 10ft of the gnome)
Standard: Smashing shell  (1d20+19)[ 37 ]  dam  (1d8+11)[ 14 ]  +  (4d6)[ 12 ]  and save vs Dazed
 - Vanguard strike   (1d20+19)[ 20 ]  dam  (1d8+11)[ 19 ] 

* not included bonuses from encouraging roaar
 
lostsole31
 R7T17:  Akif hisses as more cold washes over him and he feels heavily wounded again by the strange gnome.   

"Brother, finish him!"    he bellows loudly, seeking to inspire his allies. Something about his  bellow worries him, however, as he doesn't feel he had the freedom to  get the proper breath in al the spinning for his maneuver.  He has to  move around the 5' tall dais (yellow square) because of the lever and  machinery and moves around it to get to where he wanted to go, and that  opened him up from a feeble attempt by the gnome whose dagger tings off  of the massive man's armor.

Once set, Akif launches an all out attack with spear and shield. The spear strikes the gnome in his right elbow for  18   - a poor thrust on an average day for Akif, who realizes that his body  fighting against the spinning room keeps him from getting his proper  body alignment for his martial strike, but at least buoyed in pain by  his brother's stare.  Meanwhile, the green flames flare over Akif for   29 cold  . The sudden sharp-then-blunt, wind-stealing cold is enough to throw off his shield attack.

 R7T6:   Luonim concentrates and casts a spell, and a small bead of read flies  past Akif's under arm to 5' shy of the door and then blossoms out with a  massive flare of heat - catching Sisir and Akif, but just shy of the  gnome hitting himself. Both brothers were ready for it, and Sisir only  takes   20 fire  , and Akif takes   29 fire  .

Luonim  then seeks to get out of the gap he's in, and Akif stabs out with his  spear, thrusting through the gnome's wounded elbow ... only to find it  was double that suddenly and briefly appeared and winked out of view  when struck!

 Iluvar , your hearing finally returns.

 R7T5:   Sisir , what do you do?

The Scribe on deck, Myki in the hole ...
Qazgir
Sisir squares his shoulders and grows back to his full height.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Full Round Action: Return to Large Size.

Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.


Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
 R7T5:  Sisir squares his shoulders and grows back to his full height.

The Scribe, Myki, &amp; Tunuak delay ...

 End Round 7, Begin Round 8 ...

R8T18:   Iluvar , what do you do?

Akif on deck, Luonim in the hole ..
Tippnick
Iluvar attempts to cast a cure spell again.
  "We need to get the door open."  
 
 Spoiler: healing 

SA: cast CME
 (2d8+8)[ 20 ]  of healing
 
lostsole31
 R8T18:  Iluvar attempts to cast a cure spell again, and  finds that with his healing returned, so is his caster confidence as  Pharasma blesses him with   20 healing  .   "We need to get the door open."  
 R8T17:   Akif , what do you do?

Luonim the Vast, Sisir on deck, The Scribe/ Myki/ Tunuak delaying ...
DrK
Akif hisses in pain as the freezing cold fire washes over him leaving painful blisters on his hands an arms.   "We need the others"   he shouts to his brother as he hefts the shield up and slides 5ft to the north to put some distance between him and the gnome. As he stands defensively he looks around for a switch, a door or anything that may be a suggestion of how to deactivate the spinning

 
 Spoiler: OOC 


5ft north
Take total defence action and look for a switch or something that may allow the spinning to stop
 
lostsole31
 R8T17:  Akif hisses in pain as the freezing cold fire washes over him, leaving painful blisters on his hands an arms.   "We need the others!"    he shouts to his brother as he hefts the shield up and slides 5' to  the northeast - stepping around the dais - to put some distance between  him and the gnome. As he stands  defensively he looks around for a switch, a door or anything that may be  a suggestion of how to deactivate the spinning. Of course, it happens  that he is standing next to it.... the 5' tall dais in the center of the  room has a lever that the gnome pulled in the beginning to start the  room spinning.

 R8T6:  Luonim, crowing about his  superiority, brazenly flies to the east and south. Sisir misses with his  mace, but Akif is too busy on defense to counter. Luonim flies to the  southwest of the room and casts a spell. A blast of fantastically frigid  air blasts forth over the brothers. Sisir turns away to only take  21 cold ,  but his brother is not so quick as he is fighting to keep balance and  had to do a hard turn, only to get fully caught by the blast for   52 cold  , partially encasing him in ice. No longer in control of himself, the unmoving Akif is thrown against the wall for  3 mod . His spear falls from his hand, only to be stuck against the wall.

Luonim stares at Sisir.   "A fellow mesmerist, I see,"   and now he sees ... with his own hypnotic and painful stare!

 R8T5:   Sisir , what do you do?

Iluvar on deck, The Scribe/ Myki/ Tunuak in the hole ...
Qazgir
Seeing Akif covered in ice, Sisir cries out in Giant,   "brother!"   He reaches out and pulls the lever on the dais before stepping forward and striking out at Luonim.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Move Action: Pull the lever on the dais.

Free Action: 5' Step S

Standard Action: Attack Luonim with his mace.

Attack 1:  (1d20+17)[ 28 ] 

Damage 1:  (3d6+11)[ 22 ]  Bludgeoning damage, trigger the first Painful Stare of the round dealing  (2d6+4)[ 12 ]  Precision damage, and force a DC 20 Will Save vs 1 round of Confusion. They roll twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.

Other: Should Sisir fail to trigger Painful Stare twice on his own turn, he will attempt to trigger it any time the target of his Hypnotic Stare gets hit before his next turn, up to a maximum of two time in the round. Every such activation will deal 4 precision damage, and force a DC 20 Will Save vs becoming Confused for 1 round, for which it rolls twice to determine its actions while confused, and I choose which roll to use.


Confusion Preferences In Order: attack self, do nothing, attack nearest, act normally.
 
lostsole31
 R8T5:  Seeing Akif covered in ice, Sisir cries out in Giant,   "Brother!"    He drops his mace - which slams against the wall - to have a hand free.  He then pulls at the lever, but it doesn't budge. Failing that, he  pulls his mace back off the wall.

 R8T4:   The door to the north opens, Tunuak having pulled it open.
 
R8T3:   The Scribe times it perfectly and runs down the hallway at high speed  and through the opening just as it appears, and tucks on his jump so as  not to be squashed. Once inside, he takes a look around to get a measure  of things, seeing the Akif-cicle and calls out,   "Akif is down! We need some healing in here! Be very careful, timing getting through the entrance is tricky."  
 R8T2:  Myki just barely keeps from getting clipped as she comes in. Once she does get in, she is thrown against the side wall.

 End Round 8, Begin Round 9....

R9T18:  Iluvar, what do you do?

Akif on deck, Luonim in the hole ...
DrK
 
 Spoiler: Stabilise  


Stabilisation check  (1d20+7)[ 11 ] 
 
Tippnick
Iluvar shouts worriedly,   "We need to get him out of there!"
  
He then casts a spell and tries to maneuver to the unconscious Akif.

 
 Spoiler: Once more into the breach 

SwA:
He activates Judgment
Purity
Healing

SA:
Cast cure moderate wounds
 (2d8+8)[ 14 ]  healing

MA: Moves to Akif to apply the spell

1 sq south west
2 squares south
and touch Akif
 
lostsole31
 R9T18:  Iluvar shouts worriedly,   "We need to get him out of there!"
  
He then casts a spell on himself for   14 healing    and tries to maneuver to the unconscious Akif, only to find once he is  in the spinning room safely - not splattered by the limited doorway -  that Akif is farther than he thought, on the opposite side of the  spinning room.

 R9T6:  In addition the logorrhea  of crazy coming out of his mouth, Luonim is seemingly pleased to see  Iluvar. And once again, Iluvar feels the weight of the gnome's baleful  stare. Hovering in place, he casts a spell and a red bead darts to the  doorway where the bead blossoms into a mass of fire that engulfs  everyone .... including the fallen Akif. Tunuak takes the blast full  bore for   38 fire  . The Scribe dodges fully. Sisir completely fails for   35 fire   and his light shield shatters into burning splinters, destroyed. Despite sacred protection, Iluvar fails and takes   48 fire    - a combination of fire and the pain of the gnome's stair; it is enough  to drop the Pharasmin monk, the spell on his hand guttering out, and his body sliding up against the wall of the spinning room. Myki  dodges to take   16 fire  , but does a special maneuver to reflect energy back to the gnome to do  16 untyped  damage.

But Akif? The ice splits and explodes with steam, and has a quite a ruinous effect on his now very obviously deceased body.

 R9T5:   Sisir , what do you do as you are pressed against the wall of the spinning room and with your brother now dead?

Tunuak on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...
Qazgir
Staring at the corpse of his brother, Sisir call out to the rest of the party,   "get Iluvar out of here!"   Turning his gaze back to Luonim, he drops his mace and pushes himself along the wall towards Luonim before reaching out and attempting to grab his brother's killer.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Move Action: Move 10' S and 5' W to end up against the wall adjacent to Luonim.

Standard Action: Strangling Fight to make a slam attack with the Grab and Constrict properties.

Attack:  (1d20+15)[ 17 ] 

Damage:  (1d8+10)[ 14 ]  and attempt a grapple with a  (1d20+17)[ 27 ] . If the grapple is successful, Constrict inflicts  (1d8+10)[ 16 ]  additional damage.
 
lostsole31
 R9T5:  Staring at the corpse of his brother, Sisir call out to the rest of the party,   "Get Iluvar out of here!"  

Turning his gaze back to Luonim, he drops his mace and pushes himself  along the wall towards Luonim before reaching out and attempting to grab  his brother's killer, but being repelled by a deflection field.

 R9T4:  Tunuak continues to brace to keep the door open, casting a spell on himself for   22 healing  , unable to reach Iluvar as he is without risking getting crushed by the spinning room constantly closing off the doorway.

 R9T3:    "We can't,"   says The Scribe, taking out a small vial.   "His body is too large for something we would normally carry, and that means the wall would crush what life remains."  

He pours the vial down Iluvar's throat for   5 healing  . As Iluvar's eyes flutter, The Scribe says,   "You need to get out of here if you can."  
 R9T2:   Myki is unable to extricate herself from where she is stuck on the wall  right now. She takes out a small vial and downs its contents, and her  skin becomes darker and now includes striations as if from the bark of a  tree.

 End Round 9, Begin Round 10 ...

  R10T18:   Iluvar  gets   FH2  . You have purify and healing judgments active, as well as  see invisibility, faerie fire  on your body, and  protection from energy [cold] .  Your body is oddly positioned on the wall, as if you were prone (and  you need to de-pronate yourself before any other physical movement).  What do you do?

Luonim the Vast on deck, Sisir in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar rights himself then disappears.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 


MA: depronate
MA: abundant step to the room where we killed the plant monsters. Next to the door of that room
 
lostsole31
 R10T18:  Iluvar rights himself then disappears, finding  himself in darkness, but feeling the relief that the gnome is no longer  looking at him with his baleful glare.

 R10T6:   With Iluvar escaped from his clutches, Luonim the Vast says as he levels  his gaze at Sisir, "So, he was your brother? Then this day, Luonim the  Vast shall fell two giants with his unstoppable mastery of magic!"

He flies quickly to the east, and Sisir pounds the puffy prestidigitator in the pelvis for  14 ,  but the cold energy flares up - backed up by searing pain from the  gnome's own mastery of what Sisir felt to be his domain - and Sisir  takes   37 cold  .  Luonim affected only by a small amount of extra pain, once away from the  giant's clutches he casts a spell, and five bolts of force rips into  Sisir's chest for   18 force  , and the remaining Vedavyasa brother now barely stands.

 R10T5:   Sisir ,  maybe it was the combination of pain and the breath being taken out of  him by cold and the pounding on his chest, but Sisir loses his footing  and gets caught pressed up against the wall. His mace is dropped, but  shield in hand. His own stare is on Luonim, while being stared at in  return. What do you do?

Tunuak on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...
lostsole31
 R10T5:   Sisir continues his stare against Luonim.  Realizing the gnome's mind is too powerful, he tries to attack the  gnome's magic directly.  While plastered against the wall, he centers  himself to concentrate, and then visualizes the flying gnome and the  magic that must sustain him, lashing out with psychic power to try to  rip that power from the gnome. It is a powerful battle between psychic  and arcane, but in the end, the gnome's magic is stronger and Luonim  protects his flight. But in his attempt to maintain his flight he leaves  his defenses open, and Sisir tears away the bloatmage's  mage armor !

  "If that is enough for my friends to avenge us, it will be enough, creature!"    Sisir spits at Luonim, blood trickling down his nose not only from  mortal wounds, but from the exertion at the maximum of his power.

 R10T4:  Tunuak keeps the door open.

 R10T3:  The Scribe pulls out a potion vial from his robe's deep pockets and looks at it.   "Hm. Forgot I had this,"   he says just before downing it.

 R10T2:   Myki fails to pull herself off the wall though she does get her rapier  into hand. She stares at the gnome to quickly study him. She downs a  more substantial-looking vial this time.  Her form shift and lengthens  and she becomes much more feral-looking.

 End Round 10, Begin Round 11 ...

R11T18:   Iluvar ,  you are in darkness, the smell of the dead monster-plant all around  you. Your judgment is held in abeyance while you are out of combat. What  do you do?

Luonim on deck, Sisir in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar ignores the darkness around him and casts a cure spell.

 
 Spoiler: cure 


SA: Cast clw on himself
 (d8+5)[ 8 ]  of healing

EOT
 
lostsole31
 R11T18:  Iluvar ignores the darkness around him and casts a cure spell for   8 healing  .

 R11T6:   Luonim maintains his flight, and casts a spell. A massive wave of cold  washes over Sisir, The Scribe, and Tunuak. The Scribe spins in place at  high speed, creating a type of heat shield for himself. For his part,  trying to brace the door open, Tunuak gets nailed for   38 cold  .

Sisir  just closes his eyes, mentally whispering a brief prayer to Kerkamoth  before he is completely ripped to shreds and frozen.

 R11T4:    "I can't keep it open to just get hit,"   says Tunuak as he releases the door, with The Scribe and Myki in the room alone with the gnome.

Iluvar sees the glow from Tunuak's  light   on his clothes coming through the doorway, and in that Iluvar realizes  he landed 5' "off course," probably because the body of the dead  plant-monster was too big to land in/on. Tunuak calls out,   "Iluvar!  I heard you casting a spell. Where are you? They're dead, man. The  giant brothers are dead, and you might as well count your pal and the  elf dead, too!"  
 R11T3:   The Scribe moves up to Luonim and punches up into the gnome's stomach for  7 +  3 mod fire  , taking   9 mod cold   himself, and Myki in turns gain   7 healing  .   "Myki, get out of here, find Iluvar, and cover their retreat."  
 R11T2:  Myki wriggles off the wall and moves to the door, taking a vial once there.

 End Round 12, Begin Round 13 ... 
 R13T18:   Iluvar , what do you do?

Luonim on deck, Tunuak in the hole ...
Tippnick
  "I am in the room with giant plant in the dark. I need healing."  

Iluvar then cast a healing spell again.

 
 Spoiler: cure 

SA: cast clw on himself
 (d8+5)[ 9 ]  of healing.

He then moves to the door
 
lostsole31
 R13T18:    "I am in the room with giant plant in the dark. I need healing."  

Iluvar then casts a healing spell again for   9 healing  .  He uses the wall to guide him towards the door, pushing into the ruined  guts of the moonflower and to the doorway. It seems his calculation was  off even more, as he had to go through 10' of plant goo to get to the  doorway.

 R13T4:  Tunuak steps up to the doorway, casts a spell, and touches Iluvar for   17 healing  . "Come with me," he says half hysterically to Iluvar.   "Your  friends are surely dead. We can come back with the promise of what they  had to pay for any quality mercenary in town, or we can quit this place  altogether. You're a Pharasmin, you know that some roads surely lead to  death!"  
 End Round 13, Begin Round 14 ...

R14T18:   Iluvar , what do you do?
Tippnick
  "We can go a little away. If they do not come in a few minutes then surely they are dead. Then we can go back and figure out what to do.  ", Iluvar says quietly.
lostsole31
 R14T18:    "We can go a little away. If they do not come  in a few minutes then surely they are dead. Then we can go back and  figure out what to do,"    Iluvar says quietly.

 R14T6:   Luonim flies away from the couple - both of whom miss him as he gets to  the door. He carefully concentrates and casts a fireball far enough  away to not him, but to include them, yet both dodge the effects.

 R14T4:    "Suit yourself, man,"   Tunuak says, casting a spell on himself for   13 healing  ,   "but what do you think that magic murder machine's gonna do when they're dead!? He's gonna run us down!"  

And with that, Tunuak abandons Iluvar mostly in darkness as he heads west, leaving everyone to die.

 R14T3:  The Scribe self-heals   FH4   as he is thrown against the wall.  He takes a set of bolas out and throws them at Luonim and hitting him for  8 NL .

 R14T2:  Myki stands back, getting into a stance and crits Luonim in the lung for  21 . Luonim falls out of the air and his body rolls over to the side and gets pressed up against the wall.

  "Got him!"   Myki calls, in case Iluvar or Tunuak hear.

The Scribe also calls out,   "Iluvar, Luonim's down!"  
 End Round 14, Begin Round 15 ...

  R15T18:   Iluvar ,  you heard the above shouts, though you still hear the loud spinning of  the mechanical room. You sense your judgment is no longer held in  abeyance, but simply ended. What do you do?
Tippnick
  "Tanuak! They got him, come back! I will be there shortly!"  , he shouts.

He grabs a tindertwig out of his haversack and lights it. Taking a step into the hallway.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

MA: grapes tindertwig form his haversack.
SA: lights it
FA: five foot step out the door
 
lostsole31
 R15T18:    "Tanuak! They got him, come back! I will be there shortly!"   he shouts as he grabs a tindertwig out of his haversack and lights it before taking a step into the hallway.

 R15T4:  Tunuak hustles past Iluvar.

 R15T3:   Iluvar hears the sounds of the room gearing down, as if something  turned off the mechanism, but it needs to decelerate at a given pace  rather than wrench stop.

 R15T2:  Myki's voice is heard saying something (behind the door).

 Combat Ends! 

The Scribe's voice is heard calling out,   "If Iluvar or Tunuak are out there, gives us about 30 seconds for the room to safely spin down so nobody gets hurt in the doorway."  
Tippnick
Iluvar will join Tanuak by the door and wait for the spin cycle to complete.
lostsole31
Once it sounds done, a feral-looking Myki opens the door to see Iluvar and Tunuak waiting there.

  "Two valued employees, and an ancient ranseur modeled on the one used by Alaznist, the Runelord of Wrath,"   says The Scribe ruefully.   "Today has enacted a heavy price."  
Tippnick
  "Any clues to what this gnome was doing here? Let us search this room and retreat back to the city. Somehow we have to let the brother's next of kin know they have perished and have been avenged."  , Iluvar says sadly.
lostsole31
The Scribe answers,   "We already know the answer to that. What we don't know is  why  he was here - madder than a hatter - and looking for blood."  

Myki says,   "Remember that we were preceded by a list of adventurers, as told to us by Koifa the librarian: a female human monk named Hasari, a male halfling rogue named Perotus, a male gnome bloatmage named Luonim the Vast, and a female dark naga named Silasni. Koifa would like to learn what happened to all four of these mercenaries, and would like to have their bodies returned to her care so she can at least see that they’re returned to their people for burial. Koifa strikes me as knowing the ways of adventuring and likely won't press the matter if some of these bodies return missing pieces of their equipment."
  
Tunuak shrugs near Sisir's body,   "Well, looking through their things, they are each others' next of kin, and no contact information for family. Besides, they look like rare foreign humans I've seen before .... just bigger. I also didn't find any post-mortem directives, so my order assumes never to  reincarnate  unless expressly asked in post-mortem directives and NOT by the wishes of friends and family. They're going to be too big to move properly. I think you should leave them with their armor and weapons in a restful pose side-by-side, but otherwise leave them to what nature will do here after whatever services you might render, Pharasmin."  
Tippnick
Iluvar will do what he can to lay the brothers out with their armor, weapons and clothes in some sense respectable repose. His duty to the dead letting him ignore the horrible burns from flames and cold on the bodies of the brothers Akif and Sisir.
He says a prayer to Pharasma to help the brothers along their way to the dead roads.
lostsole31
Most of the manhandling of the bodies will be conducted by The Scribe, with the rest of the three of you helping with finer adjustments.

While the brother's armor and weapons will remain for respect, the remainder of their gear - collected in two oversized backpacks - will be brought along for resale, a "resurrection fund" as the party is quite light on any incidentals the party may have, and for other party incidentals.  Likewise, the gnome's gear - very limited as it is - is collected, as is the gnome's body itself for return to Koifa.

 Iluvar , are you ready to clear out of here for the day?
Tippnick
Iluvar indicates he is ready and limps back defeated.
lostsole31
It's going to take some time, but the party exits with items and with Luonim's body.

Koifa is sad that they couldn't save Luonim, but understands when it is mentioned that two of the party were killed - titans at that - little can be done.  She hands The Scribe 50 platinum, which is put in party funds, and they head back to The Sorry Excuse.

It is a quiet night, and as they sleep, there is a faint dinging above Iluvar's head.
lostsole31
    Sunday, 5 Gozran 4714 AR (Waxing Crescent)
 65 / 45 F. Winds WNW 20 mph. 
  
Everyone spends the morning in private prayer, dedication, or meditation as befits their religion.

That afternoon, the four of them get together and The Scribe gives Tunuak his severance. Tunuak is philosophical about it, as he still got some cool leeches and pay for a day's work ... showing no interest in those who had fallen.

The next part of the afternoon is spent divvying up usable items among the three remaining - The Scribe, Iluvar, and Myki.

Complete with that task, the intention is to then have The Scribe go through town to sell what is remaining over the next day or two in the city to then disburse capital to zero out the treasury.
lostsole31
    Moonday, 6 Gozran 4714 AR (First Quarter)
 70 / 50 F. Winds WNW 5 mph. Dry.   

Today is dedicated to going about town and getting the best value while selling off everything.

It is a long day, but it is actually done in a single day.

 Iluvar , your share is a gross value of 5,622.44 gp, which already accounts for taxes and money changing fees. In what denomination would you like that? Remember that for currency compression, your gem options are only denominations of 5000/ 1000/ 500/ 100/ 50/ 10 gp gems.
Tippnick
3x1000gp gem
20x 100gp gem
60 pp
22gp
4sp
4cp
lostsole31
The Scribe and Myki, each in their way, also subtly put out the word for more mercenaries to enter the Therassic Spire.

 Iluvar , is there anything you want to accomplish that day?
Tippnick
Iluvar will not seek out anything to do. He is accompanying the duo around the city
lostsole31
    Toilday, 7 Gozran 4714 AR (First Quarter)
 50 / 35 F.    

The weather drops to much colder than yesterday. The Scribe asks around for a wizard to take a commission to make him a new weapon. Finding one, he privately sets forth what he seeks. It will take the smith six working days to craft, and The Scribe is scheduled to pick up his new weapon on the fifteenth, on the celebration of Taxfest.

The rest of his day is going around and shopping for all manner of knickknacks and odds and ends that he feels might be useful. He finally ends up purchasing a simple, serviceable, no frills ranseur from an armorer.
Tippnick
Realizing he needs some mundane items from the shops, the next day Iluvar will get some adventuring gear.

Silk rope 10gp 5lbs
6 sunrods 12gp 6lbs
10 halfling rations 20gp 5lb
Healer's kit 50gp 1lb
Grappling hook 1gp 4lb
Bedroll 1sp 1lb
Blanket 5sp 3lb
Cold weather outfit 8gp 7lbs

Total 101.6 gp weight 32lbs all in HH
lostsole31
    Wealday, 8 Gozran 4714 AR (First Quarter)
 35/ 15 F.  Light Snow (1").   

Iluvar goes shopping, and scores everything on the list EXCEPT ... he couldn't find halfling trail rations.  Does he get any other adventuring food stuffs?
Tippnick
He will get regular rations instead and get 10 trail rations 5gp 10lbs
lostsole31
He easily finds what he needs to put together a fortnight worth of preserved food for travel.

Are there any services that Iluvar seeks that he can't easily get elsewhere, like retraining, or is he all good?
Tippnick
Iluvar will seek out a master to retrain.


 
 Spoiler: Retrain 

1st retrain - ki power
retrain Feather Balance to learn Floating Breath
 https://www.aonprd.com/MonkUCKiPowers.aspx 

2nd retrain feat
retrain Amateur Investigator to learn Domain Strike (Gentle Rest)
 https://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/comba...strike-combat/ 
 https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/cor...repose-domain/ 

If not available would learn the Feat Wrist Grab
 https://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/comba...t-grab-combat/ 
 
lostsole31
Which ONE of these do you look for first? Note that the higher-level a requirement ability or power is, the harder it is to find someone (and/or convince them) for retraining.
Tippnick
He seeks to learn the Ki power first.  
 Spoiler: crunch 
If it will take longer than the 4 weeks he will seek to find someone to train him to learn the Domain Strike Feat.
 
lostsole31
It is going to take Iluvar five hours of asking around just to: a) find that, yes, there is someone in town that can help you, and b) that they are a teacher.

It turns out that in Kaer Maga, there is a warring faction of Brothers of the Seal, but that war has disillusioned some that have left the order behind. Iluvar can find a teacher that can work with him, but it will cost Iluvar 450 gp and 5 days.

Do you commit to learning under this master with this time and cost?
Tippnick
Iluvar pays and commits to the time, letting the Scribe know where he will be.
lostsole31
What currency does Iluvar use to pay for training?
Tippnick
He will pay with 42pp 30gp
lostsole31
Your teacher agrees to give you focused, private ki mediation and training, beginning with the next day.

Do you conduct any other business this day?
Tippnick
Nothing else for Iluvar that day.
lostsole31
Iluvar, when you go about town ... about your training ... in the various minor errands you do ... do you take a very insular tack, or are you looking to strike up any conversation if you see anyone that might be of "worth" adventuring? or, do you leave the recruitment to The Scribe and Myki (both of whom are more people-persons ... or is it person-people? .. than yourself)?
Tippnick
Iluvar will ask around about adventures willing to follow a Pathfinder in his tasks.
lostsole31
Is Iluvar looking for a general skill set, or just whatever shows that he might get along with upon meeting?
Tippnick
Iluvar will look for a divine spellcaster that can cast restorative magic and can either defend themselves well or can take a lot of damage or an arcane caster.
lostsole31
    Oathday, 9 Gozran 4714 AR (Waxing Gibbous)
 30 / 15 F. Winds WNW 10 mph. Dry. Wind Chill: 15/ 0 F.   

A chilly, blustery day today as winter does not yet wish to give up its grasp to spring. Iluvar thinks about his time yesterday, how most of it was productive. When he asked around, he was able to get a few insights or names to potential leads, but he cannot spare time to think about that now. Giving The Scribe his schedule - which is focused on his training - Iluvar heads off for his first grueling day of training under the former Brother of the Seal that was to be his teacher.  Oathday, a day of forging contracts and renewing oaths, makes this a perfect day to begin.

After his full first day of training, does Iluvar ask around on his way back to the Sorry Excuse for potential helpful mercenaries as before?
Tippnick
Iluvar does ask around for mercenaries that fit his requirements.
lostsole31
In a city that includes many powerful mages - most of them are guilded in one way or another, aligned, or otherwise isolate and not to be bothered for missions. Quests. Things.

One name comes up though. Not an archmage by any stretch of the imagination, but definitely some guy who gets his name out there on the local hire circuit for more capable, established mercs. His name is Koli, and rumor has it he is quite the master magician.  By all accounts a very impressive fellow.
Tippnick
Iluvar will let The Scribe and Myki know he has a lead on a mercenary that is an arcane caster named Koli.
lostsole31
It turns out that Myki got into a fight in the early evening ... an intellect devourer had come up through one of the small fissures of below and went on a rampage ... and though a tough battle her speed and senses hunted it down and killed it.

The Scribe and Myki have both heard of him. By all accounts, this Koli is an impressive master of magic, though it is not known if he is a specialist, a generalist, or what his particular type of magic might be.

  "Do you want one of either of us to try and contact him?"   asks The Scribe of himself and Myki.   "I know we both are more trained in such things and you have your lessons, but it was your lead, so you have the right to run it down yourself."  
Tippnick
  "You can setup a meeting.i would like to be there if possible."  , says Iluvar.
He also checks Myki for wounds and ailments from her skirmish.
lostsole31
Myki had already tended to her wounds, as she never had to use a healing extract until after the battle, but she appreciates the gesture.

That night, there is a faint dinging sound above Myki's head.

 

    Fireday, 10 Gozran 4714 AR (Waxing Gibbous)
 35 / 15 F. Dry.    

Iluvar has a grueling day of mental and spiritual training, which is what he paid for, after all.

After training, it only takes an hour of asking around for Iluvar to find that Koli keeps his custom at the Satyr Tavern, also in the Hospice, but more to the southwestern section that is nearer to Highside Stacks, as compared to Iluvar's stay at the Sorry Excuse at the northern tip of Hospice.

What do you do?
Tippnick
Iluvar will go to the Saturday Tavern and ask around for someone to point out Koli. He pays for several drinks spending up to 10gp for drinks to help people feel more forthcoming.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

If Koli is pointed out without Koli noticing Iluvar will detect alignment on him.

If Koli notices the attention Iluvar will go up to Koli or once Iluvar discovers the basics of his alignment.


     "Hi, I am Iluvar and I am part of group consisting of a Pathfinder and another  besides me.  We are following the Pathfinder on a search for an object here in the city. We are looking for more people willing to about this business."     


If you are willing to discuss this with our group I would point you to the sorry excuse. Come tonight or tomorrow evening and ask for me."

If he does not find Koli there he will leave a note for the tavernkeeper to deliver. It reads as the speech above.
 
lostsole31
Iluvar returns to the Sorry Excuse which is just outside the Twisted Door at the north point of the Hospice district. It is a rowdy building with rooms for very low prices, where for extra coin The Scribe and Iluvar have their rooms (Myki has a flat on the other side of town). Nodding to the burly bouncer Gurd, Iluvar heads into the boisterous tavern, where the price of ale is subsidized by the cheap rooms.

Iluvar passes a plaque which reads:   "On 3 Desnus, 4707 AR, Pathfinder Eando Kline stayed a night at the Sorry Excuse while climbing the Storval Rise."  

Harmon Fisk - the proprieter and publican - sees Iluvar and yells,   "Hey, aiu-whatsit! Uh .... Illy-vair! Head up to your pal's room. He's babbling with a pack o' geese up there ... two are hot, but one is  really  long in the tooth."  
lostsole31
    Starday, 11 Gozran 4714 AR (Waxing Gibbous)
 30 / 15 F. Winds WNW 15 mph. Wind Chill: 10/ -5 F.   

It is damnably chilly today. It is warmer than the above temperatures ... as some of Kaer Maga's structure cuts down on the wind and there is a heat bloom related to a city, but it is still freezing when Iluvar goes to his lesson.

Lesson carries normally, and nothing special afterwards.  There will be no lesson tomorrow because it is Sunday (a holy day for most, and a holiday for all), but that means his lessons carry one day longer than expected from a calendar count.

That night, The Scribe admits he met Koli. There is definitely something about the man, but he is arrogant. Koli was willing to speak to the Scribe, but was not interested in the rescue mission, but possibly check with him after the rescue mission is done, as he might be willing for glorious exploration.


 

    Sunday, 12 Gozran 4714 AR (Waxing Gibbous)
 35 / 15 F. Moderate Precipitation (1-1/4" wintry mix). Winds WNW 5 mph. Dry. Wind Chill: 30 / 10 F.   

That evening, Iluvar will meet a very interesting "person" ...
lostsole31
    Moonday, 13 Gozran 4714 AR (Waxing Gibbous)
 30 / 15 F. Winds WNW 20 mph. Dry. Wind Chill: 5 / -10 F.   

Iluvar has another day of tutelage. When he gets back to the Sorry Excuse that evening, he finds that other than various personal errands or sightseeing, most of the rest of the group has been training together variously during the day.

Instead of sticking around, The Scribe heads out to the Therassic Spire for private research. Armida - despite being some type of holy ghost - is a brilliant deceiver and shares her knowledge of deceptive practices &amp; psychology to Zinjo, Calirianne, &amp; Estra and her late husband Honaire - so Iluvar gets to meet Honaire for the first time. Since everyone is occupied, Iluvar takes this as a great time to focus on his god-granted ability to detect lies and deceptions.

 

    Toilday, 14 Gozran 4714 AR (Flood Moon)
 18 / 10 F. Moderate precipitation (2" snow) &amp; Hail. Winds WNW 20 mph. Dry. Wind Chill: -7 / -15 F.   

Today is a freezing day with blustery winds, hail, and snow.  Just the perfect type of weather to show resilience and devotion as Iluvar still makes it to his appointed lesson. This is Iluvar's last lesson with his master.

That night, upon returning home and people are more forthcoming with their magical gifts, Estra and Iluvar get together for a divine casting partnership, sharing trips and tricks each other news, and in turn training Zinjo, who only has a very little bit of wilderness magic granted him by a fey power, one of the Eldest, he calls "Imbrex." As far as Estra, she casts her divine spells much in the same way a Iluvar - spontaneously. She has a divine connection with Desna, though she doesn't seem to be an oracle. In that time, he learns that Estra's magic comes as a result of an intuitive desire to help and aid to celestial creatures, rather than her seeking to learn divine magic or being tapped by a deity in youth. Honaire looks on quietly.

Meanwhile, The Scribe and Armida get into a next-level discussion about engineering. Calirianne is out on personal business tonight.


 

    Wealday, 15 Gozran 4714 AR (Full Moon) - Taxfest!
 30 / 15 F. No precipitation. Winds S 5 mph. Dry. Wind Chill: -25 / 10 F.   

Though it is freezing without the city, enough has been done by various factions of the city to celebrate Taxfest in their own twisted way in each district. This is NOT the Taxfest Iluvar knows from other, more civilized cities.

Most of the rest of the group goes out into the chaos to see what the turnaround of Taxfest is like, but Estra's too old to want to be out in the cold. She asks Iluvar to work with her Honaire. As a monk, she knows Iluvar must know a lot of ways to avoid area effects, and she asks Iluvar to work with Honaire on techniques for minimizing the effects of such attacks. Armida, though incorporeal, can still be harmed by similar magical attacks and learns from the monk as well.

Iluvar learns that Honaire isn't a ghost, nor even a "celestial spirit" like Armida, but something called a "phantom" ... not an undead, but a type of outsider. The actual soul of the deceased sent back to this world to protect or watch over a loved one. Honaire is bound to Estra, a spiritualist, who can call Honaire forth to act as her protector, or release him to her own mind where even hidden from the world his strength girds her mind from outside influences.

In the afternoon, Estra is a little more mobile and she and Iluvar talk again and share their divine casting secrets.
lostsole31
    Oathday, 16 Gozran 4714 AR (Full Moon)
 30 / 15 F. No precipitation. Winds S 5 mph. Dry. Wind Chill: 25 / 10 F.   

It's a free day for the group. In the morning, The Scribe gives guided meditation to center the mind and enhance awareness.

In the afternoon, it's a completely different tack.  Because you might find more survivors, hopefully it isn't to be so deadly and if they have been driven insane like Luonim, perhaps instilling fear in them might get them to pause long enough they can be more easily subdued. As it turns out that Zinjo is friendly, but can be terrifying, with Calirianne a close second. Zinjo teaches the group ways to capitalize on various psychological techniques to cow opposition, or at least create uncertainty.

The Scribe leaves briefly and comes back with his new ranseur that he has dubbed  Persuasion, the Ranseur of Silence .

That evening, with the Scribe so newly outfitted, it is a perfect time to do some combat training. It doesn't take long to figure things out. Overall, combat experience, adaptability, combat psychology, and combat awareness are shared pretty evenly by Calirianne, Zinjo, Iluvar, and the Scribe. Putting putting weapon on target is still the primary task, to which Iluvar and Zinjo come out as the ones who likely will be running combat training for the group for now. It still gives everyone a sense of confidence that a six-person group has four heavy hitters, two of which are extremely combat proficient.

 

    Fireday, 17 Gozran 4714 AR (Full Moon)
 30 / 15 F. No precipitation. Winds S 5 mph. Dry. Wind Chill: 25 / 10 F.   

Iluvar, it's time to get back on mission. Will you be leaving anything in your room or doing any kind of changes before attacking the undercroft of the Therassic Spire?
Tippnick
Iluvar wants to get diamond dust and will go to a large temple of a major diety. If there is not a Pharasmnlan temple he will go to an Abadaran temple to ask for as much as 500 gp in diamond dust. He will use the 100 gp gems to pay and coin for the exchange rate.
lostsole31
Iluvar has to ask around, but he finds that Pharasma has a small chapel in Kaer Maga, and Abadar has no formal, open presence. Even then, he can't purchase diamond dust there, but must ask around and find a place that can sell him that. Both lines of inquiry and purchase take a total of 5 hours while the group will meet him at the Therassic Spire, researching and making use of the above ground library while waiting for him. To cover the exchange rate, he has to pay two platinum. He puts the small bundle of ground diamond in a compartment of his spell component pouch.

He then meets up with his new roster at the Therassic Spire as before, and as before, librarians are sharing vigil for any dangers that come up (or the return of the last group, which might satisfy the first part as well).

 Iluvar , what is YOUR recommendation for marching order, or do you defer to The Scribe's leadership?
Tippnick
Iluvar is willing to have The Scribe dictate the order of match. He is interested in how the others will fit in around him.

"  "Go ahead, you probably know the capabilities of our group better than I."   , he says to The Scribe.

He lets Estra know if there is a need for restorative spells he has a little diamond dust.
lostsole31
Estra nods appreciatively to Iluvar.

The Scribe outlines the plan regarding the opening facing doors with the couatl to the north and the kyton coven to the south.

 
 Calirianne will take the forward-most position at the end of the hallway, right at the turn to be forward guard and provide plenty of life in the hallway. 
 Armida will share the space with Estra (an ability she has), and Honaire will be stowed for now to cut down on moving bodies. They'll be behind Calirianne. 
 The Scribe will be next, ready to open the northern door... 
 While Zinjo will be at the back ready to open the southern door ... 
 Iluvar has the toughest job. He will stand in the hallway between both doors. Once both doors are open, he is to step into the northern room to trip whatever pressure/magic trap will release the couatl, and then immediately reverse and go to the south to engage the kytons. 
 

The others will NOT move in to aid Iluvar until either the couatl follows him in, or The Scribe orders the others to move if that doesn't happen.

 Iluvar , does the plan sound good to you?
Tippnick
Iluvar indicates that he is good with this plan.   "The good creature fist then the devils."  

He casts a couple spells right before the door opening.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

He activates he sandals of the lightest step
He casts Protection from Energy from Fire
He then casts divine favor.

He then nods The Scribe and Zinjo for the doors to be open. He will move to the room with couatl.
If he notices it stirring he will immediately move to the southern door and get as close as he can to Kyton.
If he can touch one he will use the domain power Gentle rest
Touch attack  (d20+18)[ 23 ] 
If not he will move into the southern room and take full defense action
 
lostsole31
The Scribe gets into a combat stance.

Calirianne doesn't prepare anything, wanting a sense of the layout  before she commits resources, other than having her shield ready. Estra  likewise holds off on casting anything. Zinjo gets his very large claws  ready.

The Scribe and Zinjo open the doors. Unfortunately, all of Iluvar's spellcasting was enough to alert the Sisters of Torment.

 

 Begin Round One ...

R1T30:  Iluvar steps into the northern room, but he steps into  relative darkness in doing so, not sure if it is searching or not, and  realizing that at his position without a light, and without knowing, it  gives him pause, so instead he prepares completely for defense here.

 R1T28:  The Scribe partially solves the lighting issue  by heading into the southern room with his flaming ranseur, providing  some light into the northern room, jumping up onto a dissection table,  and then attacking one of the kytons, but his blade strikes through  chains and against her hide.

 R1T26:  Estra moves up behind Iluvar and casts a spell  on his tunic so that he may now have light, and he now sees the weeping,  disembodied head of the couatl.

 R1T25:    "I am Nezhi. Is there someone you see that you wish to see again?"    says one, and Iluvar instantly sees in Nezhi's face a lost loved one,  but he ignores it. Then, she holds out her arms as waves them around  like a music conductor, and a series of chains lash out at The Scribe.  He gets slashed in the belly for  7 DDP , struck in the upper left arm for  6 DDP , and he avoids the next two.

 R1T23:    "I am Nili. It's me you remember, isn't it?"   coos a second as the same thing happens. Chains strike The Scribe in the belly for  8 DDP ; strike off his armor; he sidesteps a third; and his armor catches a fourth.

 R1T21:    "I am Nahi, and in my face you will see loss,"   says the third. Her chains strike The Scribe in the left shoulder for  6 DDP ; he dodges the next, gets struck in the upper left arm for  6 DDP ; and blocks the last.

 R1T19:  In Celestial, the couatl says,   &lt;*"I am sorry, my friends,*&gt;   before it manifests in the flesh to attack. It concentrates,   &lt;*"Please, leave this room and out of my sight to keep you from being harmed by me."&gt;*  
 R1T16:  Around Calirianne's neck a thick bevor of golden  scales appears; a sarong appears around her torso; and a pair of dark  metal bracers appear around her upper arms. In addition, there is a halo  of fire that sourrounds her body. She passes Estra and steps into the  south. In passing Estra, a chain strikes Calirianne's shoulder for  7 . Regardless of The Scribe's position, she breathes out a heavy gout of fire. Nili gets struck for   28 fire  ; The Scribe jumps up high and out of the way; Nezhi partially dodges for   13 fire  ; but the breath weapon fizzles against Nahi.

 R1T14:  ...

 R1T10:   Zinjo takes out a few pebbles from a pouch and concentrates on them until they glow.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T30:   Iluvar , roll a Will save. What do you do?

The Scribe on deck, Estra in the hole ...
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: will save 

Will save
 (d20+17)[ 34 ] 
 

  "Forgive me for intruding, we will put you to rest if we can."  , Iluvar says to the spirit.
Shouting Iluvar says,   "Ware, there is a spirit here."  
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

FA: assess the spirit
FA: enter crane style
SwA: activate judgments of Protection and purity
SA: defensive melee touch attack to use Gentle rest domain power
 (d20+16)[ 19 ]  to hit touch ac

MA: spend two ki to appear to the east of Calirianne
 


Iluvar concentrates then reaches out to touch the spirit.
lostsole31
 R2T30:    "Forgive me for intruding, we will put you to rest if we can."  , Iluvar says to the spirit before shouting a warning behind him,    "'ware, there is a spirit here."   

In  adopting a defensive style, that took more focus than Iluvar remembered  and he doesn't get his judgment ready quite yet. He dodges a bite from  the massive serpentine head as he calls on Pharasma's power, but then  has to step up to it to be able to touch it. He does so, and the couatl  is  staggered .

 R2T28:  The Scribe  acrobatically moves to ground near the other table, taking up a more  defensive tack and entering his scholarly fighting style. He uses his  most powerful maneuver to strike Nezhi in the left shoulder with  Persuasion, the Ranseur of Silence  on its first successful strike in battle, dealing  32 mod +  2 fire  + prone ! Seeing his success he calls out,   "They have no protection against fire!"  
 R2T26:  Estra steps out of the doorway to cast a spell on herself.   "Mind you, those hell harlots are best hurt by weapons of silver or good!"   she adds.

 R2T25-21:  ..... Nili steps south and focuses her hatred against The Scribe, but with a  focus now on defense, he only gets hit in the left thigh by one for  6 DDP + 3 ,  as the wounds are now beginning to show. Nahi steps to flank The Scribe  and focus on him as well. Her chains start with a crit to the neck  spine for  14 ; a strike to his upper left arm for  7 ; and a strike to his left hand for  8 .

 R2T19:  The couatl concentrates and a brief glimmer of light around it appears before fading.

 R2T16:   Calirianne concentrates and grows tall enough to reach the ceiling. Her  skin is covered in golden scales, and has draconic wings of the same  color. She now appears to be a half-dragon (gold or brass?)! Now at  size, she gets into a fighting style.

 R2T14:     "Grazie, Grandmama! I have-a just the thing!"    Armida calls before briefly praying,   "Lady of Butterflies, give me the ability to smite my enemies with your grace an virtue."  

There is a cry of inhuman pain and a sizzling sound followed by a clatter of chains falling.
 
R2T10:   Zinjo enters the southern room. A chain slams past his armor to be  stopped by his thick hide. He throws one of those pebbles at Nahi,  striking the sister in her left elbow for  8 mod .

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T30:   Iluvar ,  what do you do? There is a sense of malice from the south that Iluvar  constantly fights (easily) to ignore, adn it seems to diminish a little.

The Scribe on deck, Estra in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar concentrates to inact a judgment. He then disappears from the room and appears in the room next to The Scribe. He then attacks Nili.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

FA: checks to see if the couatl is undead
SwA: enable judgements Protection and destruction
MA: abundant step and appears just north of The Scribe
SA: risky strike stunning fist
 (d20+15)[ 27 ]  to hit
 (d10+10)[ 18 ]  damage
 
lostsole31
 R3T30:  Iluvar concentrates to enact judgment. He then disappears from the  room and appears in the room next to The Scribe. He immediately knees Nili in the stomach for  17 mod .

 R3T28:    "I appreciate the help, Iluvar, but get back in there and subdue the couatl,"   says The Scribe as he steps south and   FH4  .  He then shortens the grip on his ranseur and strikes at Nili, also  catching her in the belly as if her armor wasn't there, and doing  22 mod +  4 fire  . Then  29  damage shows up on him that hadn't shown prior.

 R3T26:  The sounds of magic starting up out in the hallway around the corner.

 R3T25-21:  The sisters that are standing all   Reg-2  . Nili steps against the wall and sends chains towards Armida. The first chain goes through her belly for  3 mod ; her shoulder for  4 mod ; her other shoulder for  2 mod ; and a miss. Nahi steps north and sends chains towards The Scribe. A chin hits him in the head for  5 DDP , two misses, and one deflected off his armor.

 R3T19:  The couatl intones a spell, and mist pours into the room and surrounds Iluvar in a fog.

 R3T16:    "Ohh, come on!"   sounds off an annoyed Calirianne, and her full semi-draconic attack sequence is heard.   "Bah! Scored only a light wound on her neck."  
 R3T14:   There is a horrific sizzling sound to Iluvar's southwest, accompanied  by the smell of holy energy burning away corrupted flesh. Armida pipes  up,   "One down permanently."  
 R3T10:   Zinjo - who seems nervous about something - puts a couple pebbles in  his pouch, steps around the torture/ dissection table, and slashes  Nahi's shoulder for  14 mod .

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T30:   Iluvar , what do you do?

The Scribe on deck, Estra in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar takes an quick attack against Nahi and heads toward the other room with the couatl trying to move nimbly through the combat.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


SwA: enter crane style
Defensive attack, stunning fist
 (d20+16)[ 31 ] 
 (d10+4)[ 6 ] 

MA: move acrobatically 1 SW NE into Calirianne's space
 (d20+17)[ 30 ] 
Move north 1 square into hallway
Move acrobatically into northern room
 (d20+17)[ 27 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R4T30:  Iluvar makes a quick atemi strike to Nahi's  right hand but is foiled by the mist. He then heads toward the other  room with the couatl trying to move nimbly through the combat, but can't  get through the door because now the couatl is right at the door, and  now stands in hallway next to Estra.

 R4T28:  The Scribe (  FH4  ) moves up behind Nahi and trips her.

 R4T26:  Estra casts a spell that sends broad magic to attack the mist, but nothing else happens.

 R4T23-21:  Nili steps away from the wall, sending chains at Armida, with two passing through her for  4 mod   each. Nahi sends down chains to return the favor. The Scribe keeps his  footing, but Zinjo is knocked down as another chain slams against his  armor.

 R4T19:  The couatl intones a spell, becoming even more iridescent and vibrant.

 R4T16:  Calirianne now moves in front of the door and bite Nahi in the head for  7 mod , grazes her in neck for  2 mod , and strikes with her tail for  7 mod .

 R4T14:  Armida maintains her position in the corner, passing her hand through Nili's elbow with a sizzle for  7 .

 R4T10:  Zinjo goes to stand, ducking a chain. He drives a claw towards Nahi, but is foiled by the mist.

 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T30:   Iluvar ,  what do you do? You are now in the hallways between the doorways and  still in the mist, and the couatl blocks the doorway to the north, and  Calirianne is taking up the doorway to the south.

The Scribe on deck, Estra in the hole ...
Tippnick
  "The couatl is at the doorway to the north.It is known to cast spells like a sorcerer."  , Iluvar informs everyone.
Iluvar forgoes the defensive attack in the most at goes for a full attack.

 
 Spoiler: crunches 

SwA: bane native outsider
Full attack action: risky strike, stunning fist on first attack
First attack, stunning fist
 (d20+15)[ 29 ]  to hit
 (d10+10)[ 12 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 9 ]  bane damage

Flurry attack
 (d20+15)[ 30 ]  to hit
 (d10+10)[ 17 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 7 ]  bane damage

Spend a ki point for an extra attack
 (d20+15)[ 32 ]  to hit
 (d10+10)[ 15 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 9 ]  bane damage

Iterative attack
 (d20+10)[ 27 ]  to hit
 (d10+10)[ 16 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 5 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R5T30:    "The couatl is at the doorway to the north.It is known to cast spells like a sorcerer,"   Iluvar informs everyone. He forgoes the defensive attack, going in for a full offensive, striking for  27 + 30  + mist miss + hits the door frame on the last strike.

 R5T28:  The Scribe is heard beginning an oration of a story of brave  Pathfinders following shadow assassins of Zon-Kuthon, the latter  themselves kytons.

 R5T26:    "Might want to soften those blows, young man,"   says Estra to Iluvar, taking a pause to cast a spell that again won't remove the mist.   "Same force, but not deadly. That is a celestial servitor after all, likely forced through some magic to do what he's doing."  
 R5T23-21-10:  Battle sounds to south ...

 End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T30:   Iluvar , what do you do?

The Scribe on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar responds to Estra with   "You are right, I will apologize to the being."   He thens speaks in Celestial to the couatl   "Sorry for the pain I caused you, I will try to subdue you now."  

He starts hitting and kicking in a slightly different way that will ensure he will not kill the creature.


 
 Spoiler: second verse same as the first 


Iluvar does a full attack action: All are risky strike, non-lethal, bane is maintained for another round, first strike is with stunning fist
1st attack: non-lethal (NL), risky strike(RS), bane, stunning fist
 (d20+15)[ 30 ]  to hit
 (d10+10)[ 12 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 6 ] 

Flurry blow: NL,RS bane
 (d20+15)[ 33 ]  to hit
 (d10+10)[ 17 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 5 ] 

Ki spend for extra attack
 (d20+15)[ 22 ]  to hit
 (d10+10)[ 14 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 9 ] 

Iterative attack
 (d20+10)[ 14 ]  to hit
 (d10+10)[ 19 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 2 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R6T30:  Iluvar responds to Estra,   "You are right, I will apologize to the being."   He then speaks in Celestial to the couatl,   *&lt;    "Sorry for the pain I caused you; I will try to subdue you now."&gt;*  

He starts hitting and kicking in a slightly different way that will  ensure he will not kill the creature. His first strike hits for  25 NL ; the second strikes for  29 NL .  He depends on his focus to throw out another accurate punch, but it  takes his bane and The Scribe's oration for his last knee strike to land  for  30 NL . His last attack bounces off of its scales.

 R6T28:  The Scribe (  FH4  )  continues his oration as he steps around the table to flank the last  standing kyton. He studies her briefly before doing an elbow drop on her  for  19 mod   and drops her while Armida gets   12 healing  .   "Last kyton down. Armida, clean up, please."  
 R6T26:  Estra casts  guidance  on Iluvar.

 R6T23-21:  ...

 R6T19:  The couatl concentrates and casts a spell over Iluvar.   "Defend me from your friends."  
 Iluvar , roll a Will save!

 R6T16:  Calirianne reduces her size and passes Iluvar to head into the hallway next to Iluvar on the western side.

 R6T14:  Armida finishes off Nili, then heads over to Nahi.

 R6T10:  Zinjo moves out to the hallway and passing Estra.

 End Round 6, Begin Round 7 ...

R7T30:   Iluvar , roll a Will save. Note that you have  guidance  cast on you. What do you do?

The Scribe on deck, Estra in the hole...
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: will he or won't he 


Will save
Will use guidance
 (d20+17)[ 34 ] 
 

If he saves  
"They are trying to control me."  , he says.

Iluvar continues his attack on the couatl
 
 Spoiler: attack 


Full attack action: flurry, non-lethal, risky strike, bane, stunning fist on first attack, if still up a kid spend for an extra attack

First attack: SF, bane, non-lethal, risky
 (d20+15)[ 23 ]  to hit
 (d10+10)[ 14 ] 
 (2d6)[ 9 ] 

Flurry attack: bane, non-lethal, risky
 (d20+15)[ 33 ]  to hit
 (d10+10)[ 12 ] 
 (2d6)[ 4 ] 

If still up he will spend a ki point for an extra attack
 (d20+15)[ 33 ]  to hit
 (d10+10)[ 19 ] 
 (2d6)[ 6 ] 

Iterative attack
 (d20+10)[ 30 ]  to hit
 (d10+10)[ 14 ] 
 (2d6)[ 6 ] 

If the couatl steps back, he will use his step up feat
 
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: rollin' 


Severity and bonus
 (d20)[ 16 ] 
 (2d6)[ 10 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R7T30:    "They are trying to control me,"   Iluvar says, before continuing his attacks on the couatl. He strikes the couatl on the nose with an open palm for  26 NL + stunned ! He strikes again for  19 NL , and then with a ki-push attack for  28 NL , knocking the couatl out, but not before the speed of his attack includes a final strike that shatters its nose for  29 NL + 1 CHA ( +1 bleed ) .

 R7T28:  The Scribe goes into total defense, surveying the area.

 R7T26:   Estra, seeing how badly the thing was hit when it dropped and its  actively bleeding nose, casts a healing spell on the couatl that heals   22 + 22 NL  . She stops the bleeding, but it is not conscious.

Armida will CDG the last kyton with her smiting strike.

 Combat Ends! 
Tippnick
Iluvar looks over the couatl to see if it is still alive.
He informs everyone what he finds
lostsole31
The couatl is alive, and Iluvar mentions to the others the same bit.

The Scribe orders the group to pull back the couatl's body from the doorway, and to do a deep search of both rooms.

In the chamber to the north, dusty, decomposing red drapes hang from this room’s ceiling, and tall iron candle holders stand in each of the chamber’s corners. Inlaid into the floor in wide, iridescent lines is a circle of runes, its center filled by a seven-pointed star. It takes 16 minutes for a full search and study of the summoning chambers.

The Scribe, casting a spell, will note that there is an overwhelmingly powerful enchantment of the compulsion subschool - definitely mind-affecting - that is on the couatl. He further recognizes it is a  binding  spell effect.

The south room is a chamber containing several grooved stone tables of various sizes, and the floor slopes gradually toward several large drains. The ceiling is obscured by what appears to be a woven mesh of spiked metal chains suspended eight feet overhead, while a few gray robes and cloaks still hang on the wall to the east of the door.

With magic detection, three of the robes appear to be magical and are easily identified:
 
 (2)  Cloaks of Human Guise  
  Monk's Robe  
 

Estra doubts that she can break the power of the spell with the brute force of a  dispel magic , but The Scribe has an idea, but then it turns out that nobody has  protection from evil  or  magic circle against evil .  His idea was to cast the spell on the couatl, wake it up while the couatl is free to do its own thing. But for now, the couatl is likely to be forced to attack when it awakes.

Any input, Iluvar?
Tippnick
  "If we do not have the means to dispel the enchantment, maybe those at the Therassic Spire can help or send someone that can help."  , Iluvar offers.
lostsole31
The Scribe says,   "Given how easily you knocked out the couatl by yourself, I think we can let the couatl sleep it off for now while we continue exploration to look for the remainder of the lost adventuring party, yes?"  
Tippnick
  "Alright, but before we begin again. If it is alright with everyone I would like to wear the monk robe. I am not claiming it, but I do think it would benefit me and us by extension for me to wear it for the time being."   Iluvar around for agreement.
lostsole31
Nobody has a problem with that.
Tippnick
  "Shall we go check on the brothers? I am not sure if you can do anything to help them Estra. But we still need to explore beyond the room of Luonim the Vast."  , Iluvar says to the group.
lostsole31
  "Actually, even before that,"   says The Scribe,   "the room with the orrery had a door to the south that we didn't look at. Sound good?"  
Tippnick
  "Yes, let us do this thoroughly. Being down here just has the brothers foremost in my mind."  , Iluvar agrees.
lostsole31
The group moves into the orrery room with the bodies of the hounds of Tindalos there, and up to the door to the south.

How do you want to run door protocol?
Tippnick
  "Calirianne and I will be at the front. I will search for traps. I can open the door as well. Calirianne can be there for assault if necessary."  , Iluvar puts forth.
lostsole31
The Scribe nods.

Iluvar searches the door, and doesn't find any traps.
Tippnick
Iluvar opens the door and looks inside.
lostsole31
The walls and ceiling of this stone chamber are partially covered in a strange, organic-looking honeycomb of papery material, as are several long workbenches.

On the far side of the room, a woman with her lips stitched shut kneels over the still body of a halfling man, making a wordless keening noise. Even from here, Iluvar recognizes both Hasari's Sweettalker and Brothers of the Seal ties. The woman is Hasari, a former member of the Brothers of the Seal. Hasari grew up among Kaer Maga’s Sweettalkers, a group whose members believe themselves to be unworthy of speech and thus sew their own mouths shut. She later joined the Brothers of the Seal and trained with them for many years, leaving the society only when she fell in love with the halfling scholar Perotus, a relationship somewhat taboo even in Kaer Maga. It is likely Perotus' body she is grieving over, and this would be two more of the members you have been sent to find.

She spins her reddened eyes to face the party, looking wild in her grief. At the same time, there is a powerful droning sound coming from the walls.

 Begin Round One ... 
 R1T25:  The Scribe does not re-enter a combat style, but merely steps inside the room with his flaming ranseur lighting the way.   "Hasari  of the Sweettalkers? I am an agent of the Pathfinder Society, sent to  rescue or at least find out what happened to your and your team. May we  come closer?"  
 R1T24:   Iluvar , what do you do?
Tippnick
Iluvar steps into the room beside The Scribe showing his hands are empty. He is moving slowly. He does look quizzically at the walls.

  "We came to help, it is still possible that you and your friends can be helped."  , Iluvar says gently.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

MA: steps into the room the just east of The Scribe
SA: assess the droning coming from the walls
 
lostsole31
 R1T24:  Iluvar steps into the room beside The Scribe  showing his hands are  empty. He is moving slowly. He does look quizzically at the walls, but  realizes that the droning isn't actually coming from the walls so much  as vibrating through ... from some point to the south.

  "We came to help, it is still possible that you and your friends can be helped,"   Iluvar says gently.

 R1T23:  Estra delays to let the scene unfold ...

 R1T21:   The woman gets a crazed expression while making a strange, loud noise  through her sewn lips and charges Iluvar, a dark energy forming over her  hand, but he deflects this strange attack, though it doesn't seem to  have been a deadly attack so much as a subduing one.

 R1T20:  Estra concentrates, psychically casting a  shield  spell on herself before moving into the room and south along the western wall.

 R1T18:  Zinjo comes into the room and right up to the woman and growls in a bestial manner, visibly startling her.

 R1T14:   The drowning gets louder and louder and bursting out of the halfling  corpse - a hideous, buzzing cloud of insects comprised of black and  yellow wasps with red eyes. The swarm passes right by Estra, even  passing through Hasari, to buzz around and bite and sting The Scribe ( 13 DDP +  5 poison DDP  ), Zinjo ( 12 +  1 mod poison  ), and Iluvar ( 15 +  5 poison  ), stinging and biting each of them.

 R1T10:    "Hellwasp swarm!"   shouts Calirianne in her draconic voice (she is still a sort of half-dragon).   "Vermin,  not outsiders, but from Hell. They have a paralytic poison, so beware!  As a swarm, they are immune to single-targeted effects."  

She takes a potion out of her satchel and downs it.

 R1T9:    "Please forgive-a me,  i miei amici,  for what I must do to help you,"    says Armida as she flies into the room at a height of 5' altitude, and  breathing a sigh of relief she moves into the corner and turns around,  casting a spell, with a sheet of flames rolling over the upper tier of  the swarm, though it resists a little of it, taking   18 mod fire  .

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T25:   The Scribe's high metabolism burns though part of the poison affecting  him. He enters his multi-tiered combat style and stance and studies the  swarm himself. He comes out of the cloud along the west, fails to trip  Hasari, but then pulls back through the swarm and out the room to the  north.

 R2T24:   Iluvar , roll a Fort save vs. the poison in your system! What do you do?

Hasari on deck, Estra in the hole ...
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: fort save 

Fort save
 (d20+11)[ 20 ] 
 


Iluvar concentrates a moment, then attempts to reach out and touch Hasari. He then moves to the south of where Hasari is.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SwA: activate Judgements: Protection and Healing
SA: touch attack to use Domain power Gentle Rest
 (d20+18)[ 25 ]  to hit
MA: moving acrobatically SW 1 square then acrobatically SE 1 square to end of south of Hasari
1st square acrobatics roll
[Roll]d20+17[/[roll]
2nd acrobatics roll
 (d20+17)[ 33 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T24:  Iluvar's metabolism works incredibly hard to  fight off the poison. The poison is still in his system, but for now has  progressed no further. Iluvar concentrates a moment - but not  defensively enough as Hasari tries to strike him again - then reaches  out and touches Hasari to  stagger  her. He then moves to the south of where Hasari is.

 R2T21:   Hasari, shaken by Zinjo's bestial growl, recovers from her charge, but  clumsily attacks Iluvar and without the energy this time.

 R2T20:  Estra says,   "I can help with healing, but I have nothing with which to defend against the swarm."  

Estra casts a spell on herself before pulling out, moving quickly through the swarm.

 R2T18:  Zinjo is fighting off the poison and   Reg2  . "Me, neither," he grunts as he takes a careful swipe along Hasari's shoulder with a claw for  26 NL  but taking  4 NL  himself before backing away.

 R2T14:  The swarm moves south and buzzes around Hasari - not harming her - and Iluvar. Iluvar takes  14 +  5 poison  .

 R2T10:   Calirianne doesn't move, and breathes a line of fire along the western  edge of the swarm, though it moves deftly enough to only take   3 mod fire  .

 R2T9:  Armida likewise stays where she is and casts a spell, a line of lightning crackling to the upper southwestern wall, doing   54 electricity + dazzled  .

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T25:   The Scribe burns out the remaining poison in his system. From his  position he studies Hasari before zooming in, missing her, and then  backing out.

 R3T24:   Iluvar , roll a Fort save vs. poison! You   FH4  . What do you do?

Hasari on deck, Estra in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar takes a quick look at the halfling's body then quickly takes on Hasari with a quick succession of blows.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

FA: assess if the halfling's condition
SwA: bane human

Full attack action: non-lethal, risky strike, flurry of blows, stunning fist on first hit

First attack stunning fist, NL, rs
 (d20+15)[ 34 ]  to hit
 (2d6+10)[ 12 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 9 ]  bane
 (d6)[ 3 ]  precise strike

Flurry attack
 (d20+15)[ 22 ]  to hit
 (2d6+10)[ 15 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 8 ]  bane
 (d6)[ 2 ]  precise strike

Ki spend extra attack
 (d20+15)[ 26 ]  to hit
 (2d6+10)[ 17 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 7 ]  bane
 (d6)[ 4 ]  precise strike

Iterative
 (d20+10)[ 18 ]  to hit
 (2d6+10)[ 17 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 6 ]  bane
 (d6)[ 6 ]  precise strike

MA:5 foot step south
[
 
lostsole31
 R3T24:  Iluvar takes a quick look at the halfling's body  and realizes the halfling is dead. Continuing to fight off the poison,  he then quickly takes on Hasari with a quick succession of blows. He  takes his knee and slams it into the soft part of her knee for  23 NL + stunned . He then does an upward elbow drive into the soft part of her shoulder for  25 NL , before dropping the same elbow down to the top of the knee he had just struck for  26 NL + unconscious .

 R3T20:    "Get that woman out of there!"   says Estra.

 R3T18:  Zinjo (  Reg2  ) moves in and picks up Hasari.

 R3T14:  The hellwasp swarm follows Iluvar, biting and stinging for only  5 +  5 poison  .

 R3T10:  Calirianne moves in and breathes again, the  bloom of heat getting really close to Iluvar but aimed so as not to  cover him. The swarm takes   21 mod fire  .

 R3T9:  Armida casts another lightning bolt to blast the  top tier of the swarm, striking it powerfully enough to completely  electrify and destroy the swarm!

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T25:  The Scribe rushes in and performs anti-venom first aid on Iluvar.

 R4T24:   Iluvar , roll a Fort save vs. poison. What do you do (no active enemies)?
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: fortitude  

Fortitude vs poison
 (d20+11)[ 16 ] 
 


Iluvar get his healing kit and goes to Zinjo to aid his with his poison plight.
 
 Spoiler: healing 


Heal check for Zinjo to help with poison
 (d20+12)[ 26 ] 
 


After aiding Zinjo,   "Let us see what we can do to carry the halfling's body."  
lostsole31
Only because of The Scribe's help does Iluvar fight off the poison ... this round.

Iluvar takes out his healer's kit and goes to Zinjo, but doesn't have time to aid him before Zinjo fights off the poison himself anyway.

The Scribe moves with Iluvar and tries to help him again, but for this last save it isn't great so Iluvar is on his own.

 Iluvar , roll your last Fort save!
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: fortitude  

 (d20+11)[ 31 ] 
 


Iluvar does heal his own wounds after noticing all the blood on his hands.
 
 Spoiler: healing 

 (3d8+9)[ 25 ] 
 
lostsole31
Iluvar fights off the rest of the poison in his system on his own, and casts a healing spell on himself for   25 healing  .

The Scribe directs the group to search the area - deep search, since with a survivor it is his intention to immediately bring Hasari and Perotus' body back to Koifa. it takes 30 minutes to do a deep search, only finding Perotus' gear. Iluvar's protection from energy [fire]

Perotus was a scholarly rogue, and carried several annotated volumes of Thassilonian lore, with tabs and bookmarks conveniently placed for information that might pertain to Kaer Maga’s Undercity. These books grant a +2 circumstance bonus on any Knowledge (history) check related to Kaer Maga, Karzoug, or the Dark Forest. The collection weighs 10 pounds and is worth 400 gp to the librarians in the Therassic Spire. His body still wears his  bitter stanching studded leather  and his  boots of striding and springing .

  "Do we want to come back after dropping off the missing?"   asks The Scribe.   "How is everyone's loadout?"  
Tippnick
  "I can handle one or two more fights at full strength. But if we wish to explore more I can conserve my abilities to stretch it out."   Iluvar says.   "We should try to get as much of the previous part recovered as possible today."  
lostsole31
The Scribe nods.   "Also, while we are in Kaer Maga and below, and even just to read for general purpose, I would like to have us hold onto the books for now, and then sell them when our time here is done, if that makes sense?"  
Tippnick
  "I agree, it could be useful."   Iluvar responds.   "Let's get Hasari and the body back to the Spire."   
lostsole31
Hasari is turned over to the librarians, as well as Perotus. Koifa will make sure that the party's payments will be ready on their exit for the day.

The Scribe has the group regroup in the hive room where Hasari and Perotus had been ... to the door at the southern part of the eastern wall of the room.

Iluvar, you check the door safe, and seeming safe, you open the door, revealing the end of a hallway heading to the north, and see just the tiniest bit of a door across the hall on the eastern wall 5' to the north.
Tippnick
  "There is a room across the hallway to north about. I will check it out."   Iluvar informs.

He then moves to the door and looks for traps. Waits for everyone to get into position. He makes clear he is about to open it. Once it is checked he opens the door and looks in.
lostsole31
Iluvar steps into the hallway, and it is only 20' long before it steps to the east. As far as the nearby doorway, he steps over and doesn't see anything wrong with the door, but when he listens, he hears ... well, it is strange ... like laughing, but at a weird, shifting cadence ... and constant.
Tippnick
Iluvar let's Calirianne know he hears someone in the room.
Once she relays the message he opens the door.

 
 Spoiler: bonded mind 

He uses bonded mind teamwork feat to let those that can see him know there is someone in the next room.
He then opens the door
 
lostsole31
Iluvar opens the door and immediately the sound of a ceaseless yammering  is heard. The floor of this large chamber is covered with sand and  littered with weapons and pieces of armor. Halfway up the eastern wall  is a small balcony with a railing and a single ornate chair, like a box  seat at a theater. A small, empty metal cage hangs by a chain from the  ceiling, just a few feet below the twenty-foot-high ceiling.

 Begin Round One ... 
 R1T26:  Hearing the cacophony, The Scribe zooms in and north and east and strikes something gooey for   11 +     4 fire   before then zipping out and just north of Iluvar.   "Gibbering mouthers. Aberrations. I will go into more detail on my next pass."  
 R1T22:  Armida flies in and to the north and readies herself.

 R1T19:   A horrid mass of eyes, mouths, and formless flesh moves up to Iluvar.  It spits a stream of acidic spittle at Iluvar, but his monastic reflexes  helps him. It then bites Iluvar on his face for  2 . It continues to yammer and yammer, its noise boring into everyone's mind.

 R1T18:   Iluvar , roll a Will save. What do you do?
Tippnick
Iluvar attacks with the aberration with one blow and the moves to other side of it with a careful dodging twisting jump.

 
 Spoiler: tuck and roll 

SA: unarmed attack with stunning fist
 (d20+18)[ 35 ]  to hit
 (2d6+4)[ 8 ] 
MA:
Acrobatics to move through enemies square
 (d20+17)[ 24 ] 

2nd acrobatics roll of needed
 (d20+17)[ 36 ] 

Ending just east of gibbering mouther at the door
 
lostsole31
 R1T18:  Iluvar - ignoring the yammering - attacks the aberration with one blow ( 8 ) and then moves to other side of it with a careful dodging twisting jump.

 R1T17:  Estra casts a defensive spell on herself, keeping her position.

 R1T16:  Powerful mental waves of influence wash over Iluvar.

 Iluvar , roll a Will save!
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: will save 

Rolling a will save
 (d20+17)[ 22 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T16:  Iluvar easily ignores the mental assault, and notes something tiny to the east from where the power came from.

 R1T15:  Another gibbering mouther charges Iluvar, though he easily jumps out of the way, and dodges acid spittle coming at him.

 R1T13:  Zinjo appears in the doorway, and gives a focused swipe of his claws at Blue for  23 .

 R1T7:  Though at an angle, Calirianne in her half-gold draconic form attacks Blue. She lands a claw for  13  and a wing for  4 , and finally her tail for  10  ... which is enough to make the mouther stop yammering and its many mouths to loll.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T26:  The Scribe zooms around in and around and strikes Red for  10 +  1 fire  .

 R2T22:  Armida flies in and graces her hand across the mouther for  11 .

 R2T18:   Iluvar , what do you do?

Estra on deck, mental-whammy monster in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar attacks the gibbering mouther with a series unarmed attacks.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

FA: Assess the gibbering mouther (will add IP)
Full attack action: risky strike, stunning fist on first attack (unless he knows they are immune)

1st attack RS, SF
 (d20+15)[ 31 ]  to hit
 (2d6+10)[ 20 ] 
 (d6)[ 1 ]  precise strike

Flurry attack, RS
 (d20+15)[ 20 ] 
 (2d6+10)[ 16 ] 
 (d6)[ 3 ]  precise strike

Iterative, RS
 (d20+10)[ 15 ] 
 (2d6+10)[ 19 ] 
 (d6)[ 2 ]  precise strike
 
lostsole31
 R2T18:  Iluvar attacks the gibbering mouther with a series unarmed attacks. His first kick lands for  20 , the second for  16 ,  and the third doesn't hit with enough force to get past its malleable  body. As Iluvar guessed from his assessment, it is completely nonplussed  by what would have been flanking between Iluvar and The Scribe.

 R2T17:  Estra's voice is heard saying something, but Iluvar can't make out what from where he is.

 R2T16:  The  light  on Iluvar's tunic flickers briefly, but is otherwise stable.

 R2T15:   The gibbering mouther's position stabilizes after its charge. It spits  at Iluvar, who dodges the stream. It then adjusts to the southwest to  attack the monk, biting six times but with nothing landing (coming close  once). The yammering continues.

 R2T13:  Zinjo  steps in, carefully stepping around the body of the fallen mouther. With  a single powerful claw, he completely shreds the last mouther.   "It's clear!"   he calls to the others.

 R2T7:   Calirianne moves past Zinjo and Iluvar. Seeing the little brain-looking  thing to the east, she breathes at it. It moves very quickly,  completely avoiding the attack.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T26:  The Scribe nods to Zinjo and spins around for a quick assessment.   "Brain ooze, I think ... so ooze, if that helps. Can't think of anything else right now."  

He then does a single special maneuver, but the thing is too fast for him.

 R3T22:  Armida approaches from the north and reaches out to touch it, also missing.

 R3T18:   Iluvar , what do you do?

Estra on deck, Brain ooze in the hole ...
Tippnick
Iluvar leaps into action to attack the creature, delivering a kick, then following that up with a couple more attacks.

 
 Spoiler: crunch  

FA: assess the brain mole, add IP

If possible 5 ft step SE

MA: if no 5 foot step, will move 15 feet(2 squares) SE, then 1 square East
SA: if no 5 ft step , after move will single attack (using previous roll)

SA: Flying kick, risky strike, stunning fist on second attack
If 5 ft step possible going through Calirianne's square ending up 5 feet to the east of Calirianne.
1st attack flying kick, RS
 (d20+15)[ 24 ] 
 (2d6+10)[ 21 ] 

Flurry, RS, SF (unless he knows it cannot be affected)
 (d20+15)[ 27 ] 
[Roll[2d6+10[/roll]

Iterative
 (d20+10)[ 12 ] 
 (2d6+10)[ 18 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R3T18:  Iluvar leaps into action to close on the creature and then performs a spinning kick to strike the brain creature for  21 .

 R3T17:  Estra makes her way into the room. Seeing such a strange creature, she casts a spell on herself.

 R3T16:   The brain ooze flies off the table so deftly as to not open up an AOO.  Two tentacles lash out at Iluvar from the thing in his own square. One  misses, but the other touches his shoulder with a neural pulse that does    5 electricity   and Iluvar resists the fire that goes through his nervous system.

 R3T13:  Zinjo seems  dazed  by something.

 R3T7:   Calirianne seems to be fighting off something internal. She moves  around to the south and bites at the thing, unable to get past its  strange, spongy exterior.

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T26-22:  The Scribe and Armida are both  dazed  by something.

 R4T18:   Iluvar ,  your mind is being overwhelmed by psychic noise. Roll a Will save.  Assuming you succeed, what do you do with the thing in your square?

Estra on deck, brain ooze in the hole ...
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: will save 

Will save for for Iluvar
 (d20+17)[ 28 ] 
 


Iluvar will continue his attacks towards the aberration.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

FA:Assess the brain
SwA: Bane aberrations
Full attack action: flurry, risky strike, stunning fist (unless he learns it can't be stunned)
1st attack RS, stunning fist

 (d20+15)[ 26 ]  to hit
 (2d6+10)[ 15 ] 
 (2d6)[ 4 ] 

2nd attack: RS
 (d20+15)[ 21 ]  to hit
 (2d6+10)[ 14 ] 
 (2d6)[ 9 ] 

Iterative
 (d20+15)[ 23 ]  to hit
 (2d6+10)[ 17 ] 
 (2d6)[ 4 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R4T18:  Mentally chanting mantras to battle the psychic  noise, Iluvar continues his attacks towards the aberration. He lands two  blows for a total of  44 .

 R4T17:  Estra moves up to Iluvar and casts a spell on him for   18 healing  .

 R4T16:   The brain ooze hits Iluvar with a tentacle for 3 electricity, the  further effects which he again resists. As it flies around and attempts  the second attack, Iluvar deflects it forcefully enough to the NE  against the wall. Iluvar attempts to back hand it as it flies but he  misses, but Calirianne tags it with a nip of her draconic jaws for  15 .

 R4T7:  Calirianne moves around the wall's corner to chase down the fleeing thing and tries to power bite it, but misses.

 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T18:   Iluvar , what do you do?

Estra on deck, Brain ooze in the hole ...
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: bonded mind 

With bonded mind
Iluvar communicates to Estra and the others,    "Thanks for the healing. If someone can boost our defense against its mind attacks, try to do so."    
 


Iluvar will continue to put down the ooze.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

Maintaining bane ooze for one more round
Full attack action: risky strike, flurry

1st attack RS, flurry
 (d20+15)[ 30 ] 
 (2d6+10)[ 13 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 3 ]  bane

2nd attack RS flurry
 (d20+15)[ 35 ] 
 (2d6+10)[ 20 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 11 ]  bane

Iterative RS
 (d20+10)[ 21 ] 
 (2d6+10)[ 20 ]  unarmed damage
 (2d6)[ 9 ]  bane


if it moves and he can follow with step up he will
 
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: critical severity check 


Critical severity check and bonus damage
 (d20)[ 2 ]  severity check
 (2d6)[ 10 ]  bonus damage
 
lostsole31
 R5T18:   
 Spoiler: Iluvar &gt;&gt;&gt; Bonded Mind (Group) 
Iluvar communicates to Estra and the others,    "Thanks for the healing. If someone can boost our defense against its mind attacks, try to do so."   
 
 Iluvar continues to try to put down the ooze. His three strikes all land to destroy and splatter the brain ooze!

 Combat Ends! 

Zinjo is already fine. The Scribe takes a few seconds, and Armida takes several seconds longer, and everyone is now good.

The Scribe orders a quick search of the area, being sure to burn the gibbering mouthers to make sure they are dead. The various pieces of weapons and pieces of armor lying on the floor are uniformly rusted and worthless. However, the quick search does find a masterwork crossbow lying in the corner, along with a jumbled case of masterwork bolts. Magic determines they are magical as follows:
 
  seeking light crossbow
  
  human bane bolts  (10) 
 

Overall, it takes about five minutes to search, cast magic and ID items, and any off-camera speech.

Leaving this room to go north in the hallway leaves to a zig-zaggy, stepped passageway that leads you into the now-decomposing bodies of the Vedavyasa brothers in the centrifuge room. Besides the door you know of, there is another door in this room you left alone last time ... to the southeast.

Door protocol conducted, and door checked safe and unlocked. Iluvar, what do you do?
Tippnick
Iluvar will open the door and look in from the doorway.
lostsole31
Iluvar opens the door, which is not the typical rectangular door, but a large archway. A pair of large archways (including the one your opened) provide access to this circular room, its recessed floor covered in two feet of clear standing water. Glowing runes adorn the walls just above the water-level. Near the middle of the room stands a metal cage.

In the cage is a 7-foot-long, four-eyed fish. It is trapped in the cage, with its spines and tentacles sticking out awkwardly between the bars.
Tippnick
Iluvar will try to figure out what is is.
Quietly he describes the room to the party
lostsole31
Since the group isn't in battle, and the fish-creature hasn't done anything but loll in its cage rather insensate to the world, for on its head is a curious metal cap, with long wires that trail down and disappear beneath its body.

The Scribe angles around to get a look, and he and Iluvar share mental notes about what it could be, finally determining that this appears to be a "grodair," an aquatic  magical beast  from the First World, and thus an extraplanar creature. In addition to that, the two men note:
 
 A grodair can attack with a pressurized blast of water. 
 When on sand, soil, or loose earth, a grodair can magically gush water onto a 15' area around it to treat it as a shallow bog, which instantly disperses once the grodair is killed or moved from the area. 
 While magical beasts and not fey, they are closely associated, and thus are usually extremely unpredictable to deal with. 
 In addition to being used to bludgeon prey, a grodair's water blast is powerful enough to push creatures of its size or smaller a few feet. 
 
Tippnick
  "I assume the grodair will attack us as soon as we step in. We have no way of stopping a charm that the it might be under. Do any of you have ways to breath while under water? Anyone have any good ideas on how to handle it?"   Iluvar asks the group quietly and with body signals as possible.
lostsole31
Calirianne says,   "I could channel one of the aquatic dragons?"  

Everyone jockeys around to be able to look into the room with The Scribe's ranseur-torch. He adds,   "My concern is that the grodair is caged ... as well as its head wearing a metal skullcap with leads that tells me that the creature is not there of its own volition, and is being used to operate or power something."  
Tippnick
  "Anyone have any idea what the runes on the wall are doing? I assume we need to destroy the cage or open it before we can get to the grodair. I can try to destroy the cage but someone might be able to do that better than I."   Iluvar continues the discussion.
lostsole31
  "I can't see the runes very well from out here,"   apologizes The Scribe.