Shattered Star II: Curse of the Lady's Light (IC)

[lostsole31]

The group begins a new day of exploration of the Lady's Light, opening the double-doors to the south.

The air in this large octagonal chamber is dreadfully hot—the very air shimmers with heat and almost drips with humidity, leaving every surface within shiny with condensation. The walls, floor, and thirty-foot-high domed ceiling are of polished white marble. Ten feet into the room, the floor rises up in a three-foot-high step, then again at twenty feet in. At the center of the room, a strange gray flame dances in a central firepit. Two smaller octagonal chambers lie to the south and west, while to the east a ten-foot-square section of wall is a dull gray, contrasting with the white of the walls surrounding it. A single torch in a sconce protrudes from the middle of this gray square on the wall.

[PSinger]

Lilim waits for the order to enter.You have "OOC" listed on the Title line of this "IC" thread. :confused:

[meemaas]

Sinxia waits for the martial types to enter before she does.

[lostsole31]

"Because of the preponderance of supernatural and odd humidity here," says The Scribe, "Fallon, I want you to fly in - no pressure contact on the floor - and look around for traps. Meanwhile, use your magical divination to determine what we are looking at, if you can."

Fallon goes in and then does a very careful search of the place ... which means the rest of the group hangs out here for several minutes.

She finally reports, "There's an expended torch in the sconce on the wall that radiates faint transmutation magic. Faint, not lingering, so even though it appears to be expended, it actually seems to be something. However, I have no idea what that something is. Other than that, it seems really bland. I can't really get a read on that gray flame in the center of the room."

The Scribe looks to the rest of the group. "Any input? Anyone want to hazard any guesses?"

[PSinger]

Lilim shrugs. "If Fallon couldn't figure it out, I don't have a chance. If she says it's safe...."

[meemaas]

"Lets just head in. Standing around guessing isn't going to solve anything anymore" Sinxia stays as she starts in, staying on her guard in case something does happen.

[PSinger]

Lilim will head in as well.

[lostsole31]

So, the rest of the party goes in as well.

The Scribe sets to looking at wall carvings.

What does everyone else do?
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/q755/lostsole31/K13%20Gray%20Flame_zps4ze59afo.png

[silphael]

Axe ready just in case, Erima enters too.

[lostsole31]

Does Erima do anything while in this room? The Scribe is going to take some time to geek out over drawings.

[PSinger]

Lilim will check out the dais ... first around it, then on it.

[meemaas]

Sinxia will keep on watch for anything moving while the more intelligent of their number investigate the room.

[lostsole31]

Erima maintains a guard position at the set of double doors to the north you came in. Fallon and Rezah are in the alcove to the west. The Scribe and Teofilo are studying the walls to the SE. Sinxia is at the SW corner of the lower platform, and Lilim had made a circuit around the outside of the smaller platform and steps on top to the east. No sooner does she do this, four spherical creatures made mostly of mouth burst forth from the gray flame with definite hostile intent!

One immediately bites at Lilim. One zooms west down that alcove towards Fallon and Rezah and gets stabbed by her for 7 before it bites Fallon ineffectually. A third pops out to attack Lilim (likewise not really hurting her despite success). Still a fourth zooms out to charge The Scribe, only for him to turn to face it at the last second and block it with the haft of his weapon. All of them are Tiny, and 10' off the ground.

Begin Round One ...

R1T24: Sinxia, an ever-gnashing maw, filled with row after row of mismatched teeth, dominates this frightful creature's orb-like body.
These are cacodaemons, the lowest form of daemon that populate the plane of Abaddon. As such, they are outsiders - extraplanar creatures that have learned to fight and survive mental horrors, combat with others of their kind, and using their small size to escape many dangers. That size is a detriment to them, however, as relatively speaking to other outsiders, they are not that hardy.

As daemons, even these least forms have quanitifiable abilities. They are neutral evil creatures that eat souls and thrive on ruin. They are usually immune to acid, death effects, disease, and poison. Most also have some resistance to cold, electricity, and fire. Many daemons can summon others of their kind. Most daemons only develop verbal skill in reading and writing Abyssal, Draconic, and Infernal, as most of them possess the innate telepathy so common to the fiends of the lower planes.

Cacodemons have an ability to ingest the spirit of any recently slain creature, and from that create a soul gem that is useful for healing itself. It is this useful ability that keeps many of these hateful beasts alive in the lower planes for they are kept as pets by more powerful daemons who use this ability to create what amounts to a currency among the Lower Planes.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/5f/da/b2/5fdab24f9b2055349482096a9490d28b.jpg
Sinxia, you only see three from your current vantage point. The one that attacked Scribe had to charge to get to him in a surprise round and still attack. What do you do?
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/q755/lostsole31/K13%20Gray%20Flame_zpsbnlagaru.png

[lostsole31]

R1T24: "Cacodaemons!" shouts Sinxia. "Lowest of the daemons of Abaddon, NOT demons from the Abyss. Immune to acid, resists else except sonic. Don't know about weapon resistance. Also useless? Death spells, disease, and poison."

Recognizing the size and speed of these things, Sinxia asks Sarenrae for justice that these most base corporations of pure evil be destroyed. She then capitalizes on the fact that C4 is a little off-balance (hopefully) after the charge and shoots that one with a normal arrow to probe resistance, hitting it for 5 mod and a second arrow for 4 mod. "Mild resistance to magical weapons, normal metal!"
Judgment for a +2 bonus to attack rolls. Sheet updated.
R1T23: The Scribe wheels around quickly to face the flying mouth. He sidesteps to the southwest and spins his ranseur in a dizzying way until he finally thrusts for 20 mod. This thing is barely flying, badly wounded now. "Resists cold iron, too! Holy weapons if you have them. Someone try mithral or silver if you have the opportunity."

R1T22: C1 bites at Lilim, missing.

R1T20: Lilim steps the the SW. Just before she defensively casts her spells, she calls out: "Erima! Incoming!"

A blast of water shoots forth from her palm to throw C1 back 4 squares worth of power into C3 as C3 is likewise thrown back three squares. C1 is on the ground, C3 is now a little further north (and still flying). C1 took 5 mod from the impact.Botting for PSinger since he is busy...
R1T15: Lilim can see Fallon tumbling around and drawing her rapier. She flanks her opponent with Rezah while drawing her rapier and stabs her opponent for 24. From the down the hall we hear Fallon shout, "We have a winner with mithral, so go with that or silver!"

R1T14: To which she adds to that, "Yup. This one is dead!"

R1T11: Teofilo flies up to a height of 10' and casts a spell that whomps C4 for 11 NL, knocking it out as it drops to the ground.

R1T10: C3 disappears from sight.

R1T9: Rezah double moves into the room and onto the middle dais.

R1T5: Erima, 15' from you is one of these "cackle-demons," prone on the ground (C1). The platform doesn't inflict a movement penalty, but it does do just enough to keep you from doing a charge. What do you do?
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/q755/lostsole31/K13%20Gray%20Flame_zpsmtsflleb.png
Sinxia on deck (note that C4 is on the deck, unmoving), The Scribe in the hole ...

[meemaas]

Photobucket seems to be giving your images problems, so vague as necessary.

Sinxia activates her Haversack, pulling a single Silver Arrow out of it and aims carefully at one of the still active Cacodaemons and fires her single shot, a gust of wind propelling it into the target in an attempt to knock it to the ground.

Move action: Draw a single Silver Arrow from Haversack
Standard action: Sudden Gust Maneuver on the nearest visible still standing Cacodaemon. Cannot see a map so use your best judgement.

Attack roll [roll0]
Damage [roll1] + [roll2] bonus damage from Sudden Gust.
If successful, Trip Maneuver using Sleight of hand [roll3] (I do not believe the Judgement bonus applies to this, being that it is a skill check instead of a combat maneuver, but if it does, add an extra 2 to the total)

[lostsole31]

R1T5: Erima steps right up to face the closest cacodemon squarely, and brings her axe into it full bore for 19 mod (max), cutting deep into it as it gives a hideous shriek.

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T24: Sinxia activates her Haversack, pulling a single Silver Arrow out of it and aims carefully at the cacodaemon Erima just whomped. She fires her single shot, a gust of wind propelling it into the target in an attempt to knock it to the ground. Unfortunately, the prone nature of the thing gave it a more slender profile and Sinxia misses.

R2T23: The Scribe coup de graces C4. He then moves closer to Lilim, but also by the prone C1.

R2T22: C1 now disappears.

R2T20: Lilim, what do you do?

[PSinger]

Lilim figures that while the one near her is unknown, the one that just went invisible hasn't had time to move. She steps over directly to it and curb stomps the square.
I figure it took an SA to go invisible, and a MA to no longer be prone. Maybe it did a 5-foot step, or maybe it is dumb, so ...

Curb Stomp [roll0] (not counting penalties for attacking invisible opp), damage [roll1], miss chance [roll2]

[lostsole31]

R2T20: Lilim figures that while the one near her is unknown, the one that just went invisible hasn't had time to move. She steps around the gray flame to the left and up to where she last saw it. She curb stomps where she believes it to be, but doesn't hit anything.

R2T15: Asking folks to point out where it last was, Fallon double moves into and around the room to possibly flank with Lilim.

R2T11-10: Teofilo flies up to a height of 10' off the ground, and readies a spell.Appearing just above Teofilo is a cacodaemon (unwounded) that bit against his armor. Teofilo turns to face it and his readied spell goes off - an intense beam of empyreal light that hits the daemon squarely for 13 untyped.

R2T9: Rezah moves over by Erima and stabs with the mithral rapier where Lilim had attacked, but not apparently hitting anything.

R2T5: Erima, what do you do?
Direct link (http://imgur.com/a/XEr0R)
Sinxia on deck, the Scribe in the hole ...

[meemaas]

Sinxia draws another Silver arrow from her Haversack, and launches it square into the Cacaodemon that attacked Teofilo, hoping to end it easily.

Move action: Draw another arrow from Haversack
Standard action: Attack!!!!

Attack roll [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[lostsole31]

R2T5: Erima swings her axe at the ground ... and hits it.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T24: Sinxia draws another Silver arrow from her Haversack, and launches it square into the Cacaodemon that attacked Teofilo, hoping to end it easily. It hits well and hard, but doesn't quite kill the daemon.

R3T23: The Scribe drops his ranseur and tries to grab where he thinks the invisible monster may be. Sure enough, he seems to wrap his arms around .. something.

R3T22: The daemon comes into view as it is in The Scribe's grasp, trying to bite at him.

R3T20: Lilim, what do you do? You are currently flanking with Fallon.

Fallon on deck, Teofilo in the hole ...

[PSinger]

Lilim tears into the cacodaemon held by The Scribe.
Please roll a full attack for me. On phone.

[lostsole31]

R3T20: Lilim tears into the cacodaemon held by The Scribe. Her two unarmed strikes do 14 mod total, but Lilim bites her own tongue for 1 bleed. Still, despite the embarrassing ending, the thing is beaten into unconsciousness and bleeding itself, and The Scribe drops the thing on the ground.

R3T15: Fallon speeds forth up and into the air towards the last. At just 5' below its height she practically spears through it with her rapier, and lets the thing fall off and drop to the ground, dead.

Rezah coup de graces the one at The Scribe's feet for good measure.

Combat Ends ...

Now what?

[PSinger]

Lilim, standing at the gray flame, shrugs, "Any ideas?"

[meemaas]

While the rest of the group is debating what to do, Sinxia is already digging through her Haversack and Quiver, swapping out some of her regular arrows for specialty ones. All the while cursing her unprepared nature.

Rearranging my Quiver. Would like 10 each of Cold Iron and Silver arrows, 10 Blunt, and the rest regular.

[lostsole31]

With a search of the room, Fallon determines that the lit torch on the wall radiates faint transmutation magic, but it is not known what it's purpose might be. The torch is not lit, but the end is charred as if it had been lit in the past.
Trying to work things out internally, and since the gray flame does seem to possess some heat - it's not just a cold continual flame - the most natural means of lighting that torch would be with the gray flame, unless the tenders of this underground fane once had a different means.

[PSinger]

If nobody stops Lilim, she will take the torch out of its sconce. She'll then go to the gray flame and try to light the torch. Does anything happen?

[lostsole31]

The torch alights! It is not a "sickly" gray flame insomuch as the flame itself is weak. The flame has as much visible verve to it as any flame normally would. It's just that all sense of color has been drained from it, only casting a monochromatic, gray scale of light rather than reds, oranges, yellows, whites, and/ or blue. Nothing else happens, though.

The Scribe comments, "Daemons are from Abaddon, a place of pure evil, and the origin of hopelessness and despair. Strange that such a demon-friendly place (this temple) has this one room more focused on the evil with with the lust and chaos removed. Still, the gray makes sense for all that - for if it is tied to Abaddon then it is all color and anything which promotes a positive feeling has been removed. Put the torch back in the sconce now that it's lit. The torch casts little light given the gray flame in the center of the room, so I think there is something functional about a lit torch rather than the light it sheds."

[PSinger]

Lilim puts the grayflame torch into the sconce.

[lostsole31]

There is a massive block of stone on the eastern wall that pivots so as to reveal a 10' wide set of stairs descending 45' before coming to a landing or a room below (hard to tell).

The Scribe, who is all business regarding the mission, is of a mind to go down right away. However, it is known that there is - with the doors to the west - more to this level.

How do each of the PCs vote as The Scribe listens for input?

[meemaas]

Sinxia will suggest we stay on this level and make sure we explore it all. We wouldn't want something to surprise us while we're further down.

[PSinger]

Meh. Given the nature of CQB, Lilim really doesn't worry about something "behind" us. We aren't here to explore, but to get the shard. It makes sense that an item like that will be at the deepest level and most protected. Her vote is to delve. If we don't find it, then start level-grinding our way back.

[silphael]

"I want back what she took from me. If you want to look for other things, we can do it later."

Instead of a sentence, it's more like a groan that Erima utters.

[lostsole31]

With the input of the others (Teofilo simply follows The Scribe, Rezah wanting to go right to the heart of things, and Fallon wanting to not get stuck in a level-grinding rut), it's almost unanimous in descending the stairs. A long stairway of polished stone steps descends nearly forty feet before ending at a ten-foot-square landing with no apparent way onward. The wall opposite the final step depicts a lascivious painting of a beautiful woman, arms outstretched as if to welcome one into an embrace, lips twisted in a faintly cruel smile. A phrase in a foreign tongue is inscribed in gold across the top of the mural. It is Thassilonian (understood by The Scribe, Fallon, and Teofilo), and reads:


"Prostrate thyself and demonstrate proper devotion, my sweet slave, if you wish to enter my domain."


The lettering is in gold leaf (and could feasibly be pried out with several minutes of work; The Scribe reckons 250 gp worth). Examining the mural, everyone (except Teofilo, until it is pointed out), will notice that the image's feet display more wear than anything else.

What do you do?

[silphael]

Porper Devotion ? Seriously ?

"So she wants us to kiss the feet of the image ? Sorry, but I won't do that. I could bite it off, given how pissed off I am."

[lostsole31]

"Sinxia, Fallon ... any magic down here?"

[PSinger]

Lilim looks at the magic hounds, because it isn't her ....

[meemaas]

Sinxia will cast Detect Magic and describe what she sees to the more knowledgeable of the group (a slight nod to the fact that I left Spellcraft untrained)

[lostsole31]

Yup. Which is little more than recognizing that there is a strong magical aura at the foot of the relief. Fallon, casting the same, determines that the aura is a strong aura of conjuration, but she is unsure of subschool. She studies it without the spell, but given that knowledge, and she finally says. "Okay, this is a teleporter, but it is specific. You can't just touch Sorshen's foot, but you must kiss the feet ... your posture doesn't matter. It is a site-to-site teleportation, and I don't know where it leads, obviously. But site-to-site is usually very stable ... no appearing half into a floor or any silliness of the sort."

The Scribe hems and haws for a minute. "Well, it seems we all wanted to do this. What do we think? Either we kiss the feet ... and only individually at a time, obviously ... or we turn around and continue exploration above."

[PSinger]

"I don't think my beak can 'kiss' anything," croaks Lilim with her vulturine beak. "But I say we toss pride to the side and get 'er done."

[lostsole31]

Sinxia, Erima ... what do you do with this information?

[silphael]

"If that's the only way, let's go."

She doesn't seem fine with that.

[meemaas]

Sinxia will nod softly. "It makes sense. Whether we want to or not, this is the best course of action" Sinxia has no problems going first if anyone else is hesitant.

[lostsole31]

Well, everyone is understandably hesitant. But when Sinxia wriggles up there (not everyone is standing on the floor, some are on the stairs), The Scribe holds her off. "No, we can't go willy-nilly.

"Listen up, everybody. Assume we are going into hostile territory. Only one person can really get in there and kiss the feet at a time. This means that wherever this leads, only one person can show up at a time, and that person will be vulnerable. Rezah, you have various holy protections and heavy armor, will you go through first?"

Rezah nods. "I shall cast magic circle against evil on myself to further protect myself and the rest of us that come through."

"Good," the Scribe continues. "As soon as you get there, don't 'take stock' if you can help it. If at all possible, move forward enough to allow the next person to come through.

"Same for everyone else to go ... make sure you immediately step away to give room for the next. Here's the order: Rezah, Lilim, myself, Fallon (take flight immediately), Teofilo (same thing, take flight), Sinxia, and finally .... Erima."

Rezah casts his spell and he bends down, praying to Sarenrae to forgive him this small trespass. No sooner does he do so than he disappears.

Lilim, you go next? If so, Sinxia said she'd go. Erima, do you balk or go? Do any of you do anything before heading out? Lilim has no time (she goes NOW). Sinxia has four rounds to prepare, and Erima five.

[PSinger]

Lilim heads through, and once through immediately tries to move in to make a beachhead.

[meemaas]

Sinxia will hold her bow in one hand, keeping an arrow in her grip just in case, while waiting on the others to go. One Teofilo goes, she goes after, and immediately moves away and readies her bow on arrival.

[silphael]

Once Sinxia went through, Erima quickly follows, barely letting her time to move from the arrival spot.

[lostsole31]

No more than one person per round, and each person must kiss the foot. It was hard reading what you wrote to determine if that is what you did or if you tried "piggy-backing."
Once all are through ...

This stone platform overlooks an enormous watery cavern, whose walls are covered by phosphorescent lichen that provides modest, yet eerie illumination. Three rowboats are tied to stone posts on the dock’s northwestern side, while a carving of a leering demon extending a hand in greeting decorates the stone wall just to the north of the platform. A word has been carved into the stone wall just below the demonic carving.

The word carved under the statue is in Thassilonian, and reads "Farewell." The three rowboats are equipped with oars and can each accommodate three Medium creatures.

What do you do here at the platform? You seem to be at the northeastern extension of this waterway.

[PSinger]

Lilim offers, "I recommend Fallom and Teofilo go make a quick look to see our options downstream."

[silphael]

"Another three of those boats ? If there is another coffin at the end, by all means, let me kill it again. Except if one of you want to share my fate."

She looks into the boats, not planning to step into one before being sure it's safe. Or at least that it will bring her to her revenge.

[lostsole31]

Since there are waterfalls practically right next to the platform (coming in from above), Erima has to shout to be heard. Teofilo and Fallon fly off into the darkness together and return a couple minutes later.

"Other than a sandy redoubt 40' to the west and 10' north, there is a stone platform to the southwest about 150' or so from here. This underground river or lake, as it is, continues southwest from there, and the width of the tunnel is a whopping 75' so one side couldn't see the other side," reports Fallon.

Teofilo adds, "It's not a big platform, though there is a post to tie off boats. There is a door there made of the same djezet alloy as we've seen elsewhere. I thought it was just a wall, but Fallon was able to find the door there."

She nods, "Yes, the decorations there have buttons hidden in them, and I think I can figure out which ones open the door, but I didn't want to mess with anything until we were all there."

The Scribe listens to the report, nodding. "Very well. Erima, I, and Lilim will take one boat; Fallon, Rezah, and Sinxia will take the other. Teofilo, you'll guide us in flight."

Is everyone fine with this?

[silphael]

Erima nods.

"Let's go."

[PSinger]

Lilim is fine with this.

[meemaas]

Sinxia will agree, ready to go.

[lostsole31]

The party sets out as The Scribe set forth and you get to a stone platform extends from the cave wall, its floor a foot from the water surface. An immense red metal panel sits in the far wall, its face engraved with numerous scenes depicting a beautiful woman on a throne as numerous strange monsters bow before her. The Scribe easily recognizes the djezet alloy as used elsewhere. Teofilo and Fallon point out the part that is a door and not just a decoration. And like that door, the panels on its face (these depicts Sorshen using her magic to dominate all manner of powerful monsters, including giants, dragons, neothelids, sea monsters, mobogos, and the like) are essentially buttons. Pressing the central button, which depicts Sorshen dominating a giant, causes the panel to glow softly as Thassilonian writing appears along the panel’s upper edge, spelling the phrase (which The Scribe, Teofilo, and Fallon can tell the others), “And so do the mighty Architects serve eternal” as the door swings open.

This long, grand marble hall features a single row of pillars down its center. The vaulted ceiling thirty feet above is painted with lewd frescoes depicting giants and humans engaged in carnal acts set among pastoral scenes. To the south, the hall widens before rising up in a series of steps to a white marble throne. Six large treasure chests sit next to the throne. Seated on the throne is a giant with long tusks protruding from her mouth, with some type of lizards or dragons to each side of her. As she notices you, she stands and bellows, her large frame and the acoustics of the massive hall easily getting to the party so that it sounds like a titan shouting.

“You dare enter my throne room, little mortals! If you kneel to me now, I, Sorshen, shall call off my pets and eat only one of you!”


[I will be using initiative even though combat isn't officially joined, to determine the order of when people can act...]

Round One ...

R1T23: Sinxia, what do you wish to do? Do you wish to just go into combat, or to try some type of subterfuge (or recommend the same)?
https://i.imgur.com/CqweTHg.png
http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/296/7/7/77a1267f639764f562a47d1753e18e04-d5ipsxn.jpg

[meemaas]

Sinxia will look to the Scribe and Erima for their opinions before making any moves.

Translation: I delay. Sinxia is unsure what the party wants to do, and doesn't want to shoot the giant in the eye if the party wants to attempt subterfuge

[lostsole31]

R1T23: Sinxia will look to the Scribe and Erima for their opinions before making any moves.

R1T22: Fallon casts shield on herself, just in case, but likewise looks to Scribe and Erima.

R1T20: Erima, what do you do?

[silphael]

Erima's knuckles turn white as she tightens her grip on her axe... if anyone wanted to speak before her, it's too late, as she answers loud and clear :

"You have something that belong to me, and you dare ask us to bend the knee ? All you will get from us is steel ! Cold, bloodstaind, harsh steel."

At those words, she starts advancing toward "Sorshen", as she never even acknowledged prudence.

It won't matter right now, but that's an intimidate attempt. Not yet raging (which would mean +2 to intimidate). Then moving straight forward with my move action.

[roll0]

[lostsole31]

R1T20: Erima's knuckles turn white as she tightens her grip on her axe... if anyone wanted to speak before her, it's too late, as she answers loud and clear: "You have something that belong to me, and you dare ask us to bend the knee ? All you will get from us is steel ! Cold, bloodstained, harsh steel."

At those words, she starts advancing toward "Sorshen", as she never even acknowledged prudence. And though she may try to hide it with whatever bluster, that definitely shakes "Sorshen."

R1T21: The Scribe takes out a wand as he moves, and when he gets up to Erima, he uses it on himself.

R1T13: Teofilo flies in and casts magic circle against evil on The Scribe. He is 5' off the ground.

R1T9: Lilim, Erima called it, so it's on. What do you do?
https://i.imgur.com/1MJHz0h.png
Sinxia, you are delaying; do you do anything?

[PSinger]

Lilim moves forward and says, "I'll get her out of her comfort zone. If she and her lizards persist there, we are better at handling sleet storm I think."
MA: She moves forward 30', putting her one square north of Erima.
SA: She casts sleet storm. The intersection is the corner of the proscenium thrust most northwards of the dais (yay, theater geek terms). That should encompass that entire northern area in uncomfortable snow and ice for Sourshen.

[lostsole31]

R1T9: Lilim moves forward and says, "I'll get her out of her comfort zone. If she and her lizards persist there, we are better at handling sleet storm I think."

Lilim casts her spells, and the entire southern chamber, and most of the middle chamber, is covered in a storm of driving sleet storm that obscures sight (blocking even darkvision). "Sorshen's" anguished yell can be heard from deep within.Everything south of that dotted blue line is affected by sleet storm (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/s/sleet-storm) (see hyperlink for details).
R1T8: With a big giant thing in the mix, Rezah knows his job as a healer will be important this battle. He casts sanctuary on himself and moves forward.

R1T7-5: It is unknown what is happening within the sleet storm, and you no longer know the position of the enemy.

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T22: Fallon casts another spell on herself and zooms forward.

R2T20: Erima, you know the spell sleet storm, including that if you go inside it you will be unable to see anything. It is useful in herding enemies towards you, though, with the possible humiliation that some fall in the attempt. What do you do?

Sinxia, you've been delaying this entire time. What do you do?
https://i.imgur.com/L4HZv7O.png
The Scribe on deck, Teofilo in the hole ...

[meemaas]

Sinxia will move closer into the room, staying behind the others, and readies a shot for the first foe to make it through the Sleet Storm.

Readied action: Ready a ranged attack against the first foe to become visible through the sleet storm.
Attack Roll [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[lostsole31]

R2T20: Erima moves forward, and readies to hack at the first enemy to come through that she can threaten.

R2T19.5: Sinxia will move closer into the room, staying behind the others, and readies a shot for the first foe to make it through the sleet storm.

R2T19: The Scribe moves forward and slightly west and readies to attack with his ranseur.

R2T13: Teofilo flies in with the Scribe and readies something.

R2T9: Lilim, what do you do?
https://i.imgur.com/oSm8SY0.png
Rezah on deck, enemies in the hole ...

[PSinger]

Lilim moves up to be next to The Scribe and casts a spell on herself, and is soon covered in purple flames that don't seem to hurt her.
MA: Move 30' to be one square east of Scribe.
SA: Cast fire shield on self (warm shield).

[lostsole31]

R2T9: Lilim moves up to be next to The Scribe and casts a spell on herself, and is soon covered in purple flames that don't seem to hurt her.

R2T8: Rezah passes Sinxia, then turns around and to her says, "Here, fellow warrior of the Lady of Fire, take the essence of her great heroes that have gone before."

He casts heroism on Sinxia.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T22: Fallon flies to the NE corner of the large, inner chamber, and readies a spell.

R3T20-13: Erima, Sinxia, Scribe, and Teofilo all have readied attacks.

R3T9: Lilim, no enemies in sight yet, but you know you gave the group time to buff since the opposition has to deal with icy ground to get to you. What do you do?

Rezah on deck, enemies in the hole ...

[PSinger]

Lilim delays...

[lostsole31]

R3T9: Rezah double moves to improve his position.

The enemy is still not seen. Either they are crafty and weathering the sleet storm and biding their time, or more likely the storm is causing them to flounder on the ice inside.

End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T22-9: Everyone is assumed to be re-applying their readied action or delaying as before.

R4T8: Rezah casts a spell that none of you have seen before (you can roll Spellcraft in spoilers if you want). His shield arm and shield are covered in a bright red-orange flame with the same level of glow as a continual flame spell (but some of you recognize obviously isn't). He then patiently waits for an enemy.

R4T6: One of those lizards (M1) finally comes out of the storm and into the waiting party's reach. Sinxia's shot finally goes off and just barely hits the lizard, yet for 13. The Scribe failed to attack well past the cover of his allies. Teofilo hits it with an icicle for 9 cold.

End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T22: Fallon, now hearing battle but not positioned well to enjoin it, flies up and back to have a significant height advantage. She then shoots a humble ray of frost at he reptile to do 1 cold.

R5T20: Erima, the first enemy did not show itself where you expected, and you are in a poor position to attack it unless you move one square south of Lilim. What do you do? The lizard has cover from you with the pillar (and vice-versa).
https://i.imgur.com/Xi2UyuJ.png
Lilim (delaying) on deck, Rezah in the hole ...

[PSinger]

Lilim goes full tilt physical on the critter.
Unarmed #1 [roll0], damage [roll1] slashing
Unarmed #2 [roll2], damage [roll3] slashing
Bite [roll4], damage [roll5] + disease (who cares, we killin' it)

[silphael]

Seeing that no lizard could obviously be right at the end of the fog without being seen, go south of Lilim and finally stops mumbling, knows expressing her rage and hatred through her axe.

"Rrrrraaaaaahh !"

First, spellcraft for the spell to identify.

[roll0]

Then, moving to the south of Lilim, without entering the fog (and as the fog obscures sight beyong 5 feet, no need to fear an AoO from a giant Sorshen anyway, then entering rage, and hacking at the lizard. If the lizard seems to be living (or doesn't register as anything I know as immune to intimidate), I'll try to intimidate it instead, most probably getting a free attack as per Hurtful. In any case, power attack at

[roll1]

[roll2]
[roll3]

[lostsole31]

R5T21: Lilim comes out of delay and goes full tilt on the critter. Her first strike disables it, the second drops it, and her bite definitely kills it, but being a low-lying quadruped, its death position is almost like it is simply laying on its belly, so it is easy to see why ......

R5T20: Seeing that no lizard could obviously be right at the end of the fog without being seen, go south of Lilim and finally stops mumbling, knows expressing her rage and hatred through her axe. "Rrrrraaaaaahh!"

The lizard (that Erima didn't realize Lilim already killed) is now beheaded. Erima doesn't seem to notice anything magically special about the dead lizard. Rezah delays...

R5T7: A massive shape is just visible inside the northern tip of the fog to the east when something gingerly steps out. It is "Sorshen" and she holds a treasure chest in her hand ... which she then throws at Lilim. The chest misses but lands at her feet. When it does so it bursts open. Instead of coinage or jewelry in the "treasure chest," it instead held a lot of rotting meet. It is a gut-wrenching smell, but one that The Scribe, Lilim, and Erima easily ignore.

R5T6.8: Rezah comes out of delay and moves forth to engage, all the while shouting divine imprecations at the monster and glowing slightly. The giant woman hits Rezah with a fist for 13, which doesn't slow him. It does, however, burn her hand with his holy spell for 9 fire. Meanwhile, Rezah smites the monster for 18 with his scimitar.

R5T6.5: Sinxia, what do you do?
https://i.imgur.com/cP2jF28.png
The Scribe on deck, Teofilo in the hole ...

[meemaas]

Seeing that the creature claiming to be Sorshen (seriously, she just needs to die at this point) is now visible, Sinxia will loose two arrows into it.

Rapid Shot
Attack 1 [roll0]
Damage [roll1]
Attack 2 [roll2]
Damage [roll3]

[lostsole31]

R5T6: Sinxia takes a slight step to the east. Seeing that the creature claiming to be Sorshen (seriously, she just needs to die at this point) is now visible, Sinxia will loose two arrows into it, both landing for 34 total.I made you take a 5-foot step to get a clear shot (or even LOS).

Sinxia recognizes Sham-Sorshen as a cave giant. Obviously, that means it is a giant, a subtype of humanoid (with all that implies). Though not particularly religious, most cave giants worship pay homage to any god or demon that might oversee earthquakes and eruptions. Their priests are mostly barbarians and rangers, though a few divine spellcasters exist. The latter are often devoted to grand but futile schemes, such as freeing the Rough Beast or blotting out the sun. Obviously, that makes this a mystery as to why this cave giant would perceive herself as an ancient runelord ... and a runelord who was devoted to far less obvious shows of power, at that.
R5T6.5: The Scribe speeds northwards then east and south again before stabbing "Sorshen" with his ranseur for 14.

R5T6.1: Teofilo does similarly and shoots a perfect strike at "Sorshen" with an icicle for 19 cold! The giant is barely standing now.

R5T5: The other lizard (M2) finally emerges and nips Erima in her lower left arm for 5.

End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T22: Fallon flies around and behind the lizard safely while getting out her rapier. Flanking with Lilim, she stabs it for 19.

R6T21: Lilim, it looks like the battle against "Sorshen" is well in hand, and you are currently flanking a lizard with Fallon. What do you do?
https://i.imgur.com/fOhGfaw.png
Erima on deck, "Sorshen" in the hole ...

[PSinger]

Lilim maintains flank and delays. If it attacks her (doubtful because she's "on fire") then she'll drop delay and attack it. Otherwise, Erima might feel cheated from the false kill that Lilim already had, so she'll give it to Erima.

[silphael]

Erima steps toward Sorshen and hacks at it, hoping to go for a kill.

5 foot step toward Sorshen, then full attack action. (Still raging, and power attack taken into account)

[roll0]

[roll1]

[roll2]

[roll3]

[lostsole31]

R6T21: Lilim maintains flank and delays. Erima might feel cheated from the false kill that Lilim already had, so she'll give it to Erima.

R6T20: Erima steps toward Sorshen by going into the sleet storm. She easily keeps her footing and begins raging with full power! Her first strike hits the false Sorshen through the storm for 24, and that is enough to bring her down. Erima continues her onslaught but misses because her hands slip due to ice. Meanwhile, "Sorshen" drops the sack at her side with those "treasure chests" that all split open and smell horrible., but nobody is sickened by it.

R6T6.8: No longer with an enemy to smite, Rezah carefully sidesteps the storm to confront the lizard. He slahes it for 6, though his second attack misses.

R6T6.5: Sinxia, you still hear that a battle is being fought against one of those lizards, but "Sorshen" has fallen. What do you do?
https://i.imgur.com/UI657ja.png
The Scribe on deck, Teofilo in the hole ...

[meemaas]

Sinxia will move to get a view of the lizard the others are fighting and fires a single arrow at it, a bright light exploding from the point of impact.

Move action: Move to get line of sight on the surviving lizard.
Standard action: Blinding Ray

Attack roll [roll0]
Damage [roll1]
If successful, target is Blinded for [roll2] rounds.

[lostsole31]

R6T6: Sinxia moves to get a view of the lizard the others are fighting and fires a single arrow at it, a bright light exploding from the point of impact, and finally laying it low.

Combat Ends ...

Lilim, do you stop the sleet storm?

What now?

[PSinger]

Actually, Lilim can't stop the sleet storm. It doesn't have a "(D)" for dismissable, like create pit, so we have to wait for it to end. It should only last a couple more rounds at best.Lilim lets folks know the sleet storm should end any second now, but she can't stop it once she casts it. She begins to look over the strange lizards. "So, what are these?"

[lostsole31]

"Monitor lizards," says the Scribe. "Strong ones, but that is all."

After the sleet storm ends and the hall is clear, the chests are checked. Five of the six chests carried rotting meat, that sicken those opening the chest. The sixth chest, however, still contains rotting meat, but also 20 tourmalines with a total value of 2,000 gp. The chests are all ruined, and no spell will help them, but the tourmalines can be washed off easily enough.

The party does a full check of the room (of course). It is Teofilo that discovers something on the back of the throne, an inscription in Thassilonian on a platinum plate that reads as follows:

“A gift for my Mistress Sorshen from her humble servant Ayandamahla, dedicated this celebrated day, the 25th anniversary of her ascension to rulership in Eurythnia.
"Present—Runelord Sorshen, Ayandamahla and her daughters Ashamintallu and Erixadallax, Lord & Lady of the Burning Bright, the Sisters of Charming & Delectation, and the Baron of Calamities, along with all slaves, servants, and supplicants in this, the Lady’s Light.
"May she reign unchallenged forever.”


Erima, whose strength is still boosted, is able to pry the plate off easily enough. It is worth 750 gp for its platinum content alone, but The Scribe figures that to a scholar who recognizes the names, it is worth 3,000 gp.

During study of this room, all spells will wear off the heroes. Rezah lays a hand on himself so he has but a scratch now. The only other person still wounded (post-rage) is Erima, and her wound is likewise superficial.

After an exhaustive check it is determined that there is no secret exit from this long hall and throne room. So, it is back to the stone platform overlooking the water to the north. Back into the boats the group go, and start skulling towards the west."Very well. Erima, I, and Lilim will take one boat; Fallon, Rezah, and Sinxia will take the other. Teofilo, you'll guide us in flight."

[lostsole31]

My post was eaten. That said, both boats were attacked by 8 lacedon. With Teofilo and Rezah holy blasting, it was over before Erima or Lilim had a chance to act.

[PSinger]

Lilim keeps a weather eye as the group continues along the water.

[lostsole31]

After a bit, the lake constricts here to a width of thirty feet or so, the cave walls narrowing down to form a tunnel. The ceiling is thirty feet above, while numerous ledges line the walls at varying heights. Several of these ledges contain manacled humanoid bodies. The remains are in advanced stages of decomposition, and in many cases are no more than skeletons.

Two large creatures fly down towards the boat. They are bats of monstrous proportion, but even in the dim blue light of the cave crystals, you see that they cannot be alive - decaying flesh and eyes that smolder with an unholy green glow look down at you. They seem to see Erima (Sorshen) and they start to break off, uninterested.

Do you press combat? They are 30' away from the lead boat, 15' off the waterline.

[PSinger]

"Let's not waste resources on them .... Rezah," whispers Lilim first to all, and then more forcefully to the paladin. "No need to have them screeching and warning anyone else that we're here."

[silphael]

"Yeah, if they don't start to attack, for now we should keep pressing forward..."

Even if she says so, she seems ready to vent off her anger on those.

[lostsole31]

Rezah, however, begins to object. In doing so, however, The Scribe likewise tries to get the dumb half-orc to listen to reason.

Does Erima cave to Rezah, or help The Scribe in some way?Feel free to roll an appropriate interaction skill roll based on how you RP, or to try something else entirely.

[lostsole31]

It just so happens in the opposed Diplomacy between The Scribe and Rezah was 1 point in Rezah's favor. Had Erima tried to calm Rezah down, the Aid another would have been automatic to not attacking the skavelings. Oh, well. XPs, right?
Surprise Round ...

Rezah just lets loose with a blast of holy energy that hits S1 and S2 for 10 PE.

Begin Round One ...

R1T30: "Whoop, there it is," mutters Sinxia, who is nearest to danger. Instead of shooting, she casts divine favor on herself.

R1T26: With incredible reflexes, S2 is ready for battle but does have a little bit of trouble doing a wingover and only just gets to the back of the rear boat (right by Sinxia).

R1T22: The Scribe drops the oars (which are in locks). "They have a terrifying screech, and commonly use a flyby, so beware!" he yells. He takes out his bow and fires at S1 and hits for 7.

R1T21: Fallon casts shield on herself and stands, balancing in her boat.

R1T17: S1 successfully performs a wingover, but having been a little further away only just gets to the lead boat behind Fallon.

R1T14: Rezah lets loose with another burst of divine energy (S1 takes 15 PE, S2 takes 6 PE). Dropping his oars, he then takes out his scimitar.

R1T13: Erima, what do you do? What can you do?
https://i.imgur.com/LQlOfJh.png

[silphael]

Having few options, Erima takes her axe, and readies herself to strike as soon as the creature pass nearby.

[lostsole31]

R1T13: Having few options, Erima takes her axe, and readies herself to strike as soon as the creature pass nearby.

R1T12: Lilim, what do you do? You are being threatened by a ghoul-bat.

[PSinger]

Lilim defensively casts ice aegis (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/3rd-party-spells/rite-publishing-3rd-party-spells/i/ice-aegis/) on herself.
Concentration [roll0]

[lostsole31]

R1T12: Lilim defensively casts a spell on herself. Her body gets coated in a protective sheathe of ice.

R1T7: Teofilo easily hovers in place and lets loose with a burst of positive energy. Both skavelings resist (S1 takes only 4 PE, S2 takes 6 PE).

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T30: "Be careful!" Sinxia shouts. "They possess a stunning shriek!"

She casts CLW successfully, but fails to touch her target ... the spell still on her hand.

R2T26: As if to prove her point for her, her opponent (S2) shrieks with a power that reaches all except Teofilo and Erima.

Lilim, roll a Fort save ...

[PSinger]

Lilim's Fort Save [roll0]

[lostsole31]

R2T26: Lilim resists being stunned, and she is the only one that does. The Scribe, however, as well as Fallon, Sinxia, and Rezah are not so lucky. The Scribe's bow drops into the water next to him, but at least Rezah's scimitar drops into the boat, as does Sinxia's bow.

R2T22-21: The Scribe and Fallon are stunned...

R2T17: S1 attacks Lilim and gets past the ice but is stopped by her armor.

R2T14: Rezah is stunned.

R2T13: Erima, the skavelings have not advanced to a point you can swing your axe. What do you do?

Lilim on deck, Teofilo in the hole ...

[silphael]

Lacking other options, Erima moves to be nearer from the other in case things go bad, and readies her axe again.

[lostsole31]

R2T13: Lacking other options, Erima tries to shimmy closer, but in the boat, "free movement through allied squares" doesn't work, especially when she doesn't have an open place to go. Instead, Erima readies her axe in case any should get near her (again).

R2T12: Lilim, you are currently facing off against S1, and it has been moderately damaged. What do you do?
https://i.imgur.com/XEMaFk3.png
Teofilo on deck, Sinxia (stunned) in the hole ...

[PSinger]

Lilim goes full tilt on attacking the creature.
Unarmed #1 (left high kick): [roll0], damage [roll1]
Unarmed #2 (tail whip): [roll2], damage [roll3]
* If both attacks hit, then Boar Style = [roll4] bleed.
* Boar Ferocity, FA, Intimidate [roll5]
Claw #1: [roll6], [roll7] + disease
Claw #2: [roll8], [roll9] + disease
Bite: [roll10], [roll11] + disease

[PSinger]

Tail whip was a fumble. Fumble save [roll0]
EDIT: Ohhhhh, crap.

[lostsole31]

R2T12: Lilim goes full tilt on attacking the creature. Her first is a left high kick that does 10. As she spins around, she goes to continue with a tail whip, but then pinches a nerve and loses reach!You pinched a nerve. Your reach - all weapons - is reduced by 5' now, so you have no reach. You don't know for how long.
R2T7: Teofilo channels energy. S1 takes 7 PE, and S2 takes 6 PE.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T30: Sinxia is stunned ....

R3T26: Sinxia and The Scribe recover from being stunned.S2 tries to take advantage of the previous stunning of Sinxia., but misses.

R3T22: With his bow dropped in the water, The Scribe instead reaches forward and - assuming she allows it - tries to do some type of nerve shunting with his hands (think atemi martial arts) on Lilim. He wrenches Lilim's tail. The Scribe then reaches into the boat and picks up his ranseur.

Lilim, that was INCREDIBLY painful ... but it worked. You no longer have a pinched nerve, and your reach has returned to normal.

R3T21-17: Fallon is stunned. S1 attacks Lilim and bites her for 11 mod.

Rezah is stunned.

Lilim, roll a Fort save vs. paralysis.

[PSinger]

Fort save vs. paralysis [roll0], also, if this is do to a transmutation she gets a +2 bonus.

[lostsole31]

Lilim refuses to be stopped by the undead bat.

R3T13: Erima, do you continue to just ready in case one of the skavelings come your way, or do you do something else?

Lilim on deck, Teofilo in the hole ...

[PSinger]

Thanks to the Scribe, Lilim is again ready to tango. She jumps up, grabbing with her arms to slam the underside of the skaveling with her right knee, while at the same time slamming down on its head with her right elbow. Landing in the boat (and hopefully keeping her balance) she slashes twice and then bites.
Right Knee [roll0], damage [roll1]
Right Elbow [roll2], damage [roll3]
R Claw [roll4], damage [roll5]
L Claw [roll6], damage [roll7]
Bite [roll8], damage [roll9]

[lostsole31]

R3T13: Erima continues to grip her axe tightly in case these ghoul-bats come close to her.

R3T12: Thanks to the Scribe, Lilim is again ready to tango. She jumps up, grabbing with her arms to slam the underside of the skaveling with her right knee for 11, while at the same time slamming down on its head with her right elbow for 11. Landing in the boat (and hopefully keeping her balance) she slashes twice and then bites - a claw and a bite both hit, and is enough for the skaveling to crash into the water and begin sinking ... destroyed.

R3T7: Teofilo again lets loose with holy power. The remaining skaveling resists easily, taking 4 PE.

End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T30: Sinxia, still with CLW on her hand but no longer stunned, reaches out and touches the skaveling, though the thing resists some of the holy power and only takes 4 PE. "Rezah, could you please hand me my bow?"

R4T26: The ghoul bat bites Sinxia in the neck for 17, and she is paralyzed! Meanwhile, Fallon and Rezah recover from being stunned.

R4T22: The Scribe jumps into the water after his bow.

R4T21: Though perhaps the worst person to engage these things directly, Fallon flies out of the boat and safely around to attack the skaveling from the eastern flank. She just barely hits with Silverfang, doing 16.

R4T14: Rezah ignores Sinxia's request and lets loose with holy power, and does 11 PE in a burst to the skaveling. Instead of Sinxa's bow, he picks up his own dropped scimitar.

R4T12: Lilim, what do you do? If this skaveling is at all intelligent, it can do a coup de grace on Sinxia!
https://i.imgur.com/vpuXIzf.png
Teofilo on deck, skaveling in the hole ...

[PSinger]

Lilim casts lightning bolt on the skaveling, making sure to target the tail end so as not to singe Sinxia's eyebrows.
Lightning bolt [roll0], Ref DC 19 halves

EDIT: What the hell, are you kidding me?!

[lostsole31]

R4T12: Lilim casts lightning bolt on the skaveling, making sure to target the tail end so as not to singe Sinxia's eyebrows. Despite a poorly formed bolt that is perhaps a little too far aft of the skaveling over the water, yet it didn't expect it and gets hit for the full 15 electricity.

R4T7: Teofilo tries one more time to save Sinxia with another burst of positive energy. The creature is aware and steels its will against the undine priest, yet though successful, Teofilo's faith is enough to finally destroy the skaveling and save Sinxia!

Combat Ends ...

Sinxia is paralyzed for another half-minute, and the Scribe returns quickly with his bow. Rezah picks up his scimitar. Erima, interestingly is flush with greater confidence.

[PSinger]

Lilim recommends that a healing burst and healing be given out as necessary before continuing downriver.

[lostsole31]

Rezah will channel energy to heal the party, which heals himself and Lilim fully. With only Sinxia still wounded, Teofilo uses his minstrel ability to heal her the rest of the way. The group continues down river (they were stalling and keeping position until now). Meanwhile, her divine favor spell expires.

As the boats continue west and then north, the walls grow farther apart until you come to a section where the ceiling peaks forty feet overhead in this enormous underground lake. Phosphorescent lichen and fungus cling to the stalactites above, reflected by the waters below to make the walls of the cave dance with a pearlescent shimmer.

As you come into this area, everyone hears strangely familiar, seductive whispers in their native language.

What do you do?

[PSinger]

"These fell whispers," says Lilim. "I say we speed up to get past this area. Rezah's rowing, but if he or Teofilo know of a protection that might help ...?"

[silphael]

Lost in thought, Erima adds :

"On one hand, we probably don't want those coming at us as reinforcements, but on the other hand, we have no idea what those are, and have already lost quite some time. Still, I think they have already found out about us being here, we should definitely protect ourselves from that."

[lostsole31]

"I cast magic circle against evil already today," says Rezah, "but even if I had it, it stops active commands, not effect-driven compulsions or charms."

He starts rowing his craft faster. "So, unless someone is looking to dominate us, that spell wouldn't help anyway."

"Teofilo, Fallon," says The Scribe, "fly out and ahead right away. The rest of us will get there as soon as possible."

Teofilo and Fallon begin to fly off. "Alright, me hearts," says The Scribe in his normal polished voice, making his pirate-speak bit a little off, "let's row and row hard."

Everybody, roll a Will save ...

[PSinger]

Lilim tries to call on her monastic training to ignore the whispers.
Will save [roll0]

[silphael]

With her new odd mind, Erima readies herself...

[roll0]

[lostsole31]

So, the party has been boating at best possible speed now northwards in what is definitely an underground lake and there definitely seems to be a curve north and around to the east ... but you're not there yet. Each round, the urgings become more urgent, building an overwhelming sense of need and longing pounding in the chests of all present. After three rounds of this, suddenly Erima, Rezah, and Fallon seem overcome by this. Rezah releases the oars (the oar-locks catch them). Rezah demands help to remove his armor quickly, Erima starts to undo the intercostal straps on the chain shirt she borrowed from Sinxia. Fallon, for her part, dives right into the water.

Begin Round One ...

R1T33: Sinxia, delaying, looks to The Scribe for guidance. "What do I do?"

R1T22: Lilim, Fallon just jumped into the water, and Erima and Rezah are trying to take their armor off. What do you do?

https://img00.deviantart.net/8570/i/2018/219/7/a/l6__underground_lake_by_lostsole31-dcjhvpg.png

[PSinger]

"Row faster!" shouts Lilim to The Scribe.

[lostsole31]

R1T22: "Row faster!" shouts Lilim to The Scribe. Otherwise, she delays ...
Lilim's speech is purple, Sinxia's is blue.
R1T17: Fallon strips naked in the water, shucking her faerie backpack and belt pouch

R1T16: Teofilo flies into the water, grabbing Fallon's things so they don't sink and they can be found later.

R1T15: The Scribe begins a full row. "Teofilo, stay with Fallon and that boat until they can get things righted. I'm moving the rest out of this area."

R1T14-4: Erima and Rezah are on round 2 of removing their armor.

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T33: Sinxia stands and tries to get Rezah to move up in the boat, not wasting her time trying to stop him from removing the armor.

R2T25: "Oooh, a pretty snake!" calls Fallon rather vacuously as she treads water, looking at something below the surface. "Hey! Bad snake, bad snake!" she then shouts.

R2T22: Lilim, what do you do? You don't see GM1. Your ice aegis is still active.
https://img00.deviantart.net/5bab/i/2018/225/2/f/l6__underground_lake_by_lostsole31-dck23dz.png
Fallon on deck, Teofilo in the hole ...

[PSinger]

Lilim uses the Shard of Greed to put haste on the party (including the compelled).

[lostsole31]

R2T22: Lilim uses the Shard of Greed to put haste on the party (including the compelled).

R2T17: Fallon, treading water, removes her clothes ... which includes loosening the baldric for her sword, thieves' tools, and healing wand.

R2T16: Teofilo doesn't even try. He just drops Fallon's things in the water. He casts shield of faith on himself, then goes into the water.

R2T15: The Scribe, "powered" by the haste, rows at incredible speed towards where the lake goes to the east and south again.

R2T14: Now hasted, Erima is twice as fast at the work of armor removal, as is Rezah (though with his armor he has much longer to go).

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T33: Sinxia, what do you do? Whatever is just under the water attacking Fallon is hard to see (dim light + cover). You are hasted. Do not add the bonuses in (leave that to me), but understand what that does for you. Rezah seems to be under some unknown compulsion and is trying to remove his armor (at hasted speed). Meanwhile, Fallon simply jumped into the water and it seems like she is naked and unarmed ... having dropped everything into the water.
https://img00.deviantart.net/4a8b/i/2018/229/9/d/l6__underground_lake_by_lostsole31-dckgge6.png
Unknown water critter (GM1) on deck, Lilim in the hole ...

[PSinger]

Lilim delays. She is too far from the battle with no visible target, and she wants to help cover Erima once we get to wherever we might be able to go. Once there ... wherever "there" is, she intends to fly back to assist while The Scribe can then cover Erima.

[meemaas]

After some degree of thought, Sinxia finally takes action. Pulling out a small chant she holds her hand aloft, drawing upon her magic to improve her luck in combat. After the magic washes over her, she dives into the water after Fallon, choosing to work her way into hand to hand combat.

After much thought, this is all I could think of.

Standard action: Cast Divine Favor
Move action: Dive into the water and start swimming toward Fallon.

Swim check [roll0]

As she should still be armed with her Gauntlet, she'll still be able to fight in melee and threaten.

[lostsole31]

R3T33: After some degree of thought, Sinxia finally takes action. Pulling out a small chant she holds her hand aloft, drawing upon her magic to improve her luck in combat. After the magic washes over her, she dives into the water after Fallon, choosing to work her way into hand to hand combat. Unfortunately, as calm as the lake is in general, Sinxia was never trained how to swim (Teofilo always making it look so easy, despite being an aquatic race) and she instantly begins to sink. That's when she notices that what is underwater is a sixteen-foot-long snake-like thing, a lot larger than she at first anticipated!You are now taking up the 5-foot-cube just under the surface, and I am beginning to count down your breath. You have 20 rounds of air remaining, though each round you take an SA, FRA, or FAA, you spend an extra round's worth of breath.

Also, and this has been addressed in formal channels elsewhere concerning the gauntlet. "This metal glove lets you deal lethal damage rather than nonlethal damage with unarmed strikes. A strike with a gauntlet is otherwise considered an unarmed attack." It allows you to deal lethal, but is still treated as an unarmed attack. If you do not have Improved Unarmed Strike, you still provoke AOOs with a gauntlet, and you do not threaten. I recently had a player in a meatspace game point this out to me when I wanted my scale mail-clad samsaran (hey!) reincarnated oracle to pummel a goblin (yup, you guessed it, RotRL). I was shown the official "word from on high" and it does make sense, "cheapie nerf" though it might seem. The wording was specifically made that way for that reason.
R3T25-22: The monster attacks Fallon but she is too nimble, even in the water. Elsewhere, Lilim delays.

R3T17: Fallon continues to tread water, and this time takes off her cloak, dropping into the lake.

R3T16: Teofilo casts mirror image on himself, and effortlessly treads water.

R3T15: The Scribe continues rowing out of sight of the lag boat, he zooms right up to a beach. Large amounts of lichen on this cave's walls glow with intense vibrancy, providing brilliant illumination to the cave and making the sandy beach along the lakeshore glitter. Two rowboats are beached on this sandy shore. Two dry tunnels head off to the east, while to the west the waters of the lake widen into the much larger cavern from whence you came.

"Lilim, roll her out of the boat and get back in!" yells The Scribe to Lilim.

Lilim, you are delaying. Do you do that?
https://img00.deviantart.net/b4a5/i/2018/230/b/3/l6__underground_lake_by_lostsole31-dckjr2e.png
Erima on deck, Rezah in the hole ... both pretty powerless due to their compulsions.

[PSinger]

Lilim gets out of the boat (starboard side), and unless Erima fights her, she heaves Erima out onto the beach.

[lostsole31]

R3T15.5-14: Lilim gets out of the boat (starboard side), and she easily lifts Erima out onto the beach. Erima is too focused on taking off her armor to care, so she continues with that task.

R3T7: Sinxia quickly finds she is no longer alone, as another one of these massive, water-snake things charges in at her and bites her in the left knee for 15.

R3T4: Rezah continues trying to take off his armor.

End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T33: Sinxia, you are at the surface, but you are holding your breath just under that surface. What does she do?
This is a giant moray eel, a Large animal with the aquatic subtype. The moray eel is a ferocious predator, capable of holding prey in its primary jaws while a smaller set of jaws inside its throat chews away bite-sized portions. Luckily, it failed to grab Sinxia.
https://media.buzzle.com/media/images-en/photos/aquatic-animals/fish/1200-23835943-teeth-of-moray-eel.jpg

GM1 on deck, Fallon in the hole ...
https://img00.deviantart.net/0620/i/2018/231/4/d/l6__underground_lake_by_lostsole31-dckmoox.png

[meemaas]

Sinxia struggles to regain her control over her aquatic movement and attempts to focus enough to get a good attack in on the monster, hoping to disable it quickly.

Move action: Swim check [roll0] to attempt to get above the water where she doesn't have to hold her breath.

If successful, she'll spend a swift action to spend a Ki Point to activate her Deadly Insight (Deadly Strikes active on the near one)

And then she'll use a standard action to initiate Silver Knight's Blade with her Gauntlet.

Attack roll [roll1] (no applicable bonuses or penalties applied, straight from character sheet)
Damage [roll2] + [roll3] Deadly Strikes + [roll4] Silver Knight's Blade, and heal the same amount to Sinxia.

If Sinxia fails her swim check, she's not going to fight while holding her breath.

[lostsole31]

R4T33: Sinxia struggles to regain her control over her aquatic movement and attempts to focus enough to get a good attack in on the monster, hoping to disable it quickly. She manages to breach the surface and is now treading. She has a look of the briefest focus on her as her gauntlet gives a silvery radiance, putting her fist underwater, and then thrusting forth with that. Despite all of the watery resistance, she still strikes the eel for 15 and Sinxia herself is healed of 9.Yes, if the damage you do is halved, the healing you get is halved.
R4T25: GM1 attacks the glowing target, but that glow is actually what repels its bite.

R4T17: Fallon easily treads water while taking off her bracers and lets them drop into the lake.

R4T16: Teofilo (a native swimmer) slips just underneath the water and back a few feet. A jolt of electricity - enough to arc to the eel, but not enough to shock an area of the water or hurt Fallon - hits the eel for 10 electricity.

R4T15: The Scribe, while waiting for Lilim, takes out a wand and fails to use it on himself properly. It seems his bad luck with wands continues.

R4T14.5: Lilim, you are standing on the beach next to the boat while Erima furiously acts to take off her armor and you hear the sounds of battle echoing off the former stillness of the lake behind you. What do you do?
https://img00.deviantart.net/6dc5/i/2018/244/b/f/l6__underground_lake_by_lostsole31-dclrxg8.png
Erima (compelled) on deck, GM2 in the hole ...

[PSinger]

Lilim gets back in the boat.

[lostsole31]

R4T14.5: Lilim gets back in the boat. Meanwhile, the haste effect ends on the party.

R4T14: Erima continues removing her armor.

R4T7: GM2 gnashes at Sinxia.

R4T4: Rezah continues working on removing his armor.

End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T33: Sinxia, GM2 is currently "charged" for your deadly strike. What do you do?

GM1 on deck, Fallon in the hole ...

[meemaas]

Sinxia will focus on her foe, looking for weaknesses in order to slay it faster, and then proceeds to attempt to dismember it with her fist.

Move action: Swim check if necessary [roll0] (I don't know if its needed, but if it is, here it is)
Swift action: Activate Bane, specifically targetting Animals
Standard action: Punch the eel.

Attack roll [roll1]
Damage [roll2] + Bane [roll3]

Did not add in any bonuses besides Bane's damage dice

[meemaas]

[roll0]

Sorry

[lostsole31]

R5T33: Sinxia focuses on her foe, looking for weaknesses in order to slay it faster, and then proceeds to attempt to dismember it with her fist. Before she does so, she is an easy mark for the eel without her armor (which has been on loan to Erima), and it bites her left elbow from underwater for 17. Its jaws catch her fast, and with it underwater (cover) and she is now grappled, her fist bounces off of its slick hide.Yes, a Swim check is definitely required since you have no skill at Swimming. It's one of those odd skills where you can attempt it untrained, but life is harder when you don't have at least 1 rank in it (trained).
R5T25: GME1 attacks Fallon, who is thrashing about to get stuff down with little mind for herself. Amazingly, the eel wildly attacks and misses.

R5T17: Fallon treads water, takes off her ring, and lets it sink into the deep. She is now completely naked.

R5T16: Teofilo casts a spell underwater, and turns Fallon invisible. While it's true that there is a Fallon-sized hole in the water, she still might be difficult to hit.

R5T15: The Scribe forces off the beach and makes an impressive move to the north and skulling around (with Lilim in the boat).

R5T14.5: Lilim, you are in the boat with The Scribe, no enemies in view. What do you do?
https://img00.deviantart.net/33a4/i/2018/267/3/7/l6__underground_lake_by_lostsole31-dcnq8k1.png
Erima on deck, Giant Moray Eel #2 in the hole ...

[PSinger]

Lilim delays ...

[lostsole31]

R5T14.5: Lilim delays ...

R5T14: Erima continues to try to get her armor off.

R5T7: The eel with Sinxia in its maw begins to gnaw on Sinxia for 15. To make matters worse, a second set of jaws in its throat likewise crunches for 6.

R5T4: Rezah continues to try to remove his armor.

End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T33: Sinxia, you currently are grabbed by the giant moray eel that seems to have no trouble gripping and biting you. You are in the yellow now. You do have divine favor running, and Deadly Strike is active against your eel. What do you do?

GME1 on deck, Fallon in the hole ...

[meemaas]

Sinxia will struggle to escape the creatures grip and pull away from it with all of her strength.

Standard action: Attempt to break the grapple
CMB check [roll0]

If successful, Move action to move away

Swim check [roll1]

[lostsole31]

R6T33: Sinxia struggles to escape the creature's grip and pull away from it with all of her strength. It is so easy to overlook the samsaran's terrifically gaunt frame, and forget that her nearly seven-foot-frame comes with an incredible muscle-to-weight ratio, and she easily kicks out of its grasp. Still on the surface, she tries to swim away from it, but with lightning speed it whips forward and bites her before she can get away for 17 ... right on the top of her head, and locks her fast again! Sinxia is now in the red.

R6T25-17: GME1 snaps at Fallon but she manages to dodge away. Fallon withdraws, trying to swim away as best she can, doing an accelerated swim.

R6T16: Even though he is underwater, the undine priest Teofilo's lyre was made to be mindful of wherever Ylimancha might take him, and seeing Sinxia in such dire peril he swims right up to the head-held Sinxia and plays his lyre, giving Sinxia 12. With a clarity an air-breather like Sinxia could never master, Teofilo's reedy voice in the water says, "C'mon, Sinxia, you've got to hold on the best you can!"

R6T14.5-14: The Scribe moves the boat around the spur so that the battle is now in sight. Erima continues to attempt to remove her armor, and is almost done.

R6T7-4: The giant moray eel grappling Sinxia begins to chew on her for 18, with throat action doing 5. Sinxia is now disabled. Rezah continues to labor with his armor.

End Round 6, Begin Round 7 ...

R7T33: Sinxia, you are disabled and held in the jaws of a giant moray eel. What do you do?

Lilim, you were delaying. The only eel you see right now is GM1 that is partly seen on the surface (and has cover). You do not see GME2 ... or Teofilo or Sinxia. What do you do?
https://img00.deviantart.net/a0a4/i/2018/278/1/1/l6__underground_lake_by_lostsole31-dcoojhq.png
GME1 on deck, Fallon in the hole ...

[PSinger]

Lilim casts a spell at the visible eel.
Cast magic missile [roll0]

[lostsole31]

R6T3: Lilim casts a spell at the visible eel, and four bolts of magical force hit it for a total 15 force.

End Round 6, Begin Round 7 ...

R7T33: Sinxia, you are disabled and held in the jaws of a giant moray eel. What do you do?

GME1 on deck, Fallon in the hole ...

[meemaas]

Sinxia will delay her turn. She knows she's bleeding bad, and struggling will probably make things worse.

[lostsole31]

R7T33: Sinxia knows she's bleeding badly. Figuring that struggling might make things worse, she delays.

R7T25-17: GM1 swims after the strange disturbance in the water (Fallon) and bites blindly even as the invisible Fallon continues swimming along the surface.

R7T16: Teofilo continues to play his underwater lyre (12 healing); she is no longer disabled. He then trades in the last spell he can at his highest power to cast cure serious wounds on Sinxia, giving her 20 healing. She's now in the yellow.

R7T15-14: The Scribe continues to row. Erima has her armor off now.

R7T7: Sinxia's eel gnaws on her for 20 as the back throat crushes her for 6, and she is back in the red.

R7T4: Rezah continues his long prorcess of trying to remove his plate armor.

R7T3: Lilim, what do you do? With the thrashing about, you now see GM2 as well, and Sinxia is very weak and held in its mouth.
https://img00.deviantart.net/dba5/i/2018/282/5/b/l6__underground_lake_by_lostsole31-dcp278x.png
Sinxia (delaying) on deck, GM1 in the hole ...

[PSinger]

Too far for scorching ray, Sinxia sends magic missile at the eel holding Sinxia.
Magic missile [roll0]

[lostsole31]

R7T3: Too far for scorching ray, Sinxia sends magic missile at the eel holding Sinxia for 19 force.

End Round 7, Begin Round 8 ...

R8T33: Sinxia, you are no longer disabled, but you are in a very bad way. Deadly Strike and bane (animal) are still going, and you are grappled. What do you do?

GM1 on deck, Fallon in the hole ...

[meemaas]

Sinxia will continue to delay. Her struggling won't help, and she's likely to die if she tries to escape.

[lostsole31]

R8T33: Sinxia will continue to delay. Her struggling won't help, and she's likely to die if she tries to escape.

R8T25: GM1 overextends in attacking Fallon.

R8T17: Fallon withdraws and does an accelerated swim.

R8T16: Teofilo prays over Sinxia for 15 healing.

R8T15: The Scribe continues to exert himself by rowing as quicky as possible.

R8T14: Lilim, in the bright grotto behind you, you see Erima hustling to the far northern spur of the grotto, standing in front of the wall.

R8T7: GM2 does 16 with its bite on Sinxia, and its throat crushing second bite does 4 (min). Somehow, Sinxia is still conscious.

R8T4: Rezah and his armor ...

R8T3: Lilim, you don't actually see Fallon, but you are sure the quickly swimming, invisible thing on the surface is her and GM1 is giving pusuit. You also realize that your friends under whatever compulsion seem entirely unreasonable and pursue whatever the dictates are of this compulsion utterly. Further to the SW, Sinxia looks like she is barely conscious; she is just on the surface but from the thrashing it seems that she is still in the jaws of these great eels. What do you do?
https://img00.deviantart.net/42d9/i/2018/290/9/5/l6__underground_lake_by_lostsole31-dcpn82i.png
Sinxia on deck, GM1 in the hole ...

[PSinger]

Lilim casts a spell, and a magical arrow appears at her hand and speeds forth towards the eel chasing Fallon.
Cast acid arrow. RTA [roll0], damage [roll1] acid damage.
* It will last 2 additional rounds of 2d4 acid damage.

[lostsole31]

R8T3: Lilim casts a spell, and a magical arrow appears at her hand and speeds forth towards the eel chasing Fallon. The magical arrow sticks into the eel's hide as it suffers 11 acid.

End Round 8, Begin Round 9 ...

R9T33: Sinxia, your deadly strike expires. Do you still delay?

GME1 on deck, Fallon in the hole ...

[lostsole31]

R9T33: Sinxia continues to delay ...

R9T25: GM1 charges where Fallon is, determined to win a meal this day. It is finally successful, despite Fallon's invisibility, as it bites her in the right knee for 11 mod, holding her fast.

R9T17: Fallon wriggles out of the eel's mouth and swims five feet alongside the boat passing by her. Despite her position being obvious in the water, she is still invisible so that foils the eel's AOO.

R9T16: Teofilo casts CMW on Sinxia for 12. He pops his head above water to shout. "I've barely kept Sinxia alive the past thirty seconds. I need help over here!"

R9T15: The Scribe passes right by Fallon in oaring the boat, wheels south, and splits the area between Fallon and the eel.

R9T14: Erima, you start sratching at the stone wall of the grotto.

R9T7: The eel chomps on Sinxia for 15, causing her to go limp in its jaws, and the back throat starts to mash down on her limp body to try and eat her, doing 4. With her limp, the eel is now seen on the surface ... using her limp form and buoyancy to better leverage for eating its meal.

R9T4: Rezah and his armor ...

R9T3: Lilim, what do you do?

Sinxia on deck (dying), GME1 in the hole (grappling Fallon) ...

[PSinger]

Lilim casts magic missile defensively at GME2.
Concentrate defensively (auto-success). Magic missile at the one holding Sinxia. [roll0]

[meemaas]

Rolling rolling rolling [roll0] (Why did you let me make a character with a Con of 10?)

[lostsole31]

R9T3: Lilim casts magic missile defensively at GME2, hitting it for 19 force. Meanwhile, the acid arrow hurts GME1 for 8 acid.

End Round 9, Begin Round 10 ...

R10T25: GME1 goes under the boat and bites at Fallon, but has trouble getting her due to the invisibility.

R10T17: Fallon withdraws from the reach of the eel.

R10T16: Teofilo burns another CMW on Sinxia for 15, bringing her to consciousness.

R1015: The Scribe shrugs off the continued whispers that he's been hearing. He simply drops the oars (which are held now in oar-locks, not dropped into the water), stands, takes a breath of air, and jumps into the water to get between the eel and Fallon.

R10T14: Erima now, and for some time ... will continue to scratch at the wall where she is ...

R10T7: GME2 chomps on Sinxia for 15, having her go back unconscious again. Its throat does 6, and the entire stress of the situation causes Sinxia's heart to rupture, finally killing her. GME1 then submerges out of sight of anyone on the surface.

R10T3: Lilim, what do you do? You only have one enemy, and because of the cavern reflection on the water, you'd have to jump into the water yourself to target the closest enemy (GME1) because it went deeper. Also, remember to roll your final round of acid arrow damage.
https://img00.deviantart.net/6ae0/i/2018/292/f/2/l6__underground_lake_by_lostsole31-dcpu0ud.png
Fallon on deck, Teofilo in the hole ...

[PSinger]

The acid arrow sizzles away for a final [roll0] acid damage before disappearing.

Lilim takes a breath, stands and jumps into the water on the east side of the boat, just north of the eel.

[lostsole31]

R10T3: The acid arrow sizzles away for a final 8 acid before disappearing. Lilim takes a breath, stands and jumps into the water on the east side of the boat, just north of the eel.

End Round 10, Begin Round 11 ...

R11T25: GME1 bites at The Scribe, but is batted away.

R11T17: Now that she has some distance from immediate danger, Fallon does an accelerated swim.

R11T16: Teofilo also is now entirely gone from view as he gives chase to the other eel. He ends movement w/in 10' of GME2 and shoots an icicle at it for 5 cold.

R11T15: The Scribe acrobatically swims in five feet to grab the eel and gets ahold if it, squeezing for 5.

R11T7: Faced with an enemy that can swim as fast as it, GME2 lets go of Sinxia's body and closes on Teofilo, but his armor protects him.

R11T4: Rezah ...

R11T3: Lilim, you are holding your breath. The eel is being grabbed by The Scribe. Even with your darkvision, you no longer see Teofilo, the other eel, or Sinxia's body. You are 10' from the eel The Scribe is holding. What do you do?
https://img00.deviantart.net/9d13/i/2018/294/b/6/l6__underground_lake_by_lostsole31-dcq1trv.png
GME1 on deck, Fallon in the hole ...

[PSinger]

Lilim swims forward and bite the eel.
MA: Swim check [roll]1d20+9/roll]
SA: Bite [roll0], damage [roll1], includes piercing, so hopefully no damage reduction in water. Also, disease, but who cares.

[lostsole31]

R11T3: Lilim swims forward and bites the eel for 15.

End Round 11, Begin Round 12 ....

R12T25: The eel thrashes to get out, but The Scribe holds it fast.

R12T17: Fallon does another accelerated swim.

R12T15: The Scribe loses his grip on the eel, and ends up maintaining his position in the water.

R12T3: Lilim, what do you do?
https://img00.deviantart.net/cc6c/i/2018/295/b/7/l6__underground_lake_by_lostsole31-dcq3udw.png
GME1 on deck, Fallon in the hole ..

[PSinger]

Lilim treads water to hold her position and bites again.
MA: Swim to maintain "height." [roll0]
SA: Bite [roll1], damage [roll2]

[lostsole31]

R12T3: Lilim treads water to hold her position and bites again for 12, enough to make the eel stop moving.

End Round 12, Begin Round 13 ...

R13T17: Fallon does an accelerated swim.

R13T16: Teofilo moves back 5' and casts mirror image on himself for only 2 images.

R13T15: The Scribe performs a coup de grace on the eel, and lets it slip into the deep of the lake.

R13T7: The eel attacks Teofilo, actually striking him despite his images, and biting him for 18 and holding him fast.

R13T3: Lilim, what do you do?
https://img00.deviantart.net/3abe/i/2018/296/2/a/l6__underground_lake_by_lostsole31-dcq7omi.png

[PSinger]

Lilim pops up to the surface and holds the boat steady for the Scribe so he can get in first.

[lostsole31]

R13T3: Lilim pops up to the surface and holds the boat steady for the Scribe so he can get in first.

End Round 13, Begin Round 14 ...

R14T17: Fallon continues to do an accelerated swim.

R14T15: The Scribe pops up on the other side of the boat, and with Lilim steadying it he clambers into the boat, then holding his arms out to Lilim to steady her when she gets in.

R14T4: Rezah continues with his armor.

R14T3: Lilim, what do you do?

[PSinger]

Lilim works with The Scribe to get back into the boat.

[lostsole31]

R14T3: Lilim works with The Scribe to get back into the boat.

End Round 14, Begin Round 15 ...

R15T17: Fallon splashes around a bit, having trouble and goes underwater.

R15T16: Teofilo appears, flying out of the water and getting behind the other boat with Rezah in it. "Both eels are dead, but I am too weak to recover Sinxia's body. I'm sorry, I couldn't help her in time."

R15T15: The Scribe takes out a substance from a small container - faintly amber, but otherwise clearish. He speaks up, loud enough for Teofilo to here, "Lilim, Teofilo ...the whispers will probably still affect us if we're not careful. Put some of this beeswax in your ear to muffle the effect. That might help." And with that, he plugs his ears with this substance.

R15T4: Rezah and his armor ...

R15T3: Lilim, what do you do?

[PSinger]

Lilim takes some beeswax, and using The Scribe's example, stops up her ears as well.

[lostsole31]

While there is a faint background hiss, the beeswax does beautifully at stopping the building need to end up making another save.

Without going round by round, Lilim, what is your intended action and suggestions, as the only active PC, give me your intentions and what you recommend, please ...

[PSinger]

I ask The Scribe to row over to the other boat. I'll get in that one, push Rezah more forward, and then row towards shore with Rezah.

[lostsole31]

Lilim rows Rezah to shore, and The Scribe takes care of a tired Teofilo. It is determined that beeswax has no effect on those already compelled, and Rezah finally gets his armor off (even getting help). Erima, Rezah, and Fallon end up fully naked and scratching at the wall with one deviation. Once fully naked, Rezah goes to the water and jumps in to fully immerse himself, but then comes right out again to join the others at the wall.

To recap the features of this place, large amounts of lichen on this cave’s walls glow with intense vibrancy, providing brilliant illumination to the cave and making the sandy beach along the lakeshore glitter. Your two rowboats are beached on this sandy shore next to two other rowboats.. Two dry tunnels head off to the east, while to the west the waters of the lake widen into to the much larger cavern of the underground lake from whence you came.

Teofilo and Fallon are currently wounded (with Erima showing a slight wound), so Teofilo channels energy for 16, enough to fully heal Fallon, and leave a slight abrasion on Teofilo. He shakes his head, wearied. "I fear I can do no more such channeling this day."

The Scribe easily notes that footprints go from the two boats that were not brought by you, to the bare wall which the compelled are currently pawing at. The Scribe finds a secret door at that spot, and mentions such, but does not point it out for fear of the compelled just rushing forward naked and without the ability to protect themselves.

The three of you (Scribe, Lilim, Teofilo) note the smell of decay wafting from the northernmost tunnel, but The Scribe and Teofilo also noted a cry of anguish and pain coming from the southern tunnel -- cries that end abruptly a few seconds after they're first heard, and The Scribe reports this (with Teofilo confirming hearing the same).

Lilim, what do you recommend?

[PSinger]

"We have our own to look after, and we have to get them whole," says Lilim. "Let's open the secret door and see what that does for us."

[lostsole31]

The Scribe opens the secret door, and as soon as he does that, the compulsion on Rezah, Fallon, and Erima end.

However, the hissing whispers are still heard in the bright grotto, The Scribe has no more beeswax, and having beeswax in one's ears might be a detriment (severe penalty to hearing-based Perception checks).

The Scribe immediately steps into the room beyond. The cave’s walls are rough-hewn and embers of a large fire burn dimly, with an iron pot and other cooking implements sitting beside it. A narrow natural chimney extends through the roof twenty feet overhead. On the east wall stands a huge red panel covered with images, while to the west lean several crudely made fishing poles and nets.

The Scribe hurries everyone else in, and then sends Teofilo out on a long task ... to gather up all of Fallon's discarded gear. The Scribe is adamant that nobody open up the single door to the east until everyone is sorted out again, which means this may take several minutes. He assists Rezah with putting on his armor, while Lilim assists Erima with what is now her armor. The Scribe gives an account of all that has happened; while the formerly compelled have full memories of their time under the compulsion, their single-minded focus means that they were not very aware of all of what was going on. So, the sad news of Sinxia Malcone's death (but her vengeance as Teofilo aided greatly in making sure both eels were dead) is given.

While this is going on, what other conversation do you make? Also, given the cooking fires, The Scribe mentions the discussion to occur rather quietly so as not to echo and be heard. He does NOT mention the voice-in-peril to Rezah at this time.

EDIT: The Scribe says the panels to the east is a door, much like had been seen before.

[PSinger]

Lilim isn't feeling particularly chatty, and the loss of a teammate and the compulsion is something that others will talk about when they're ready.

[lostsole31]

Do Rezah or Erima have anything to say?

[silphael]

Putting back the chainshirt, Erima kinda growls.

"And now we can add revenge to our grudges against Sorshen. She will pay for that, too."

She slightly points toward the wall, seemingly talking about the humiliation as well.

[meemaas]

Rezah, free from his compulsions, looks downtrodden. "We will avenge our fallen comrade. This embarrassment will not be forgiven."

[PSinger]

Lilim doesn't say anything, not wanting to jump on the vengeance-train. To her, the idea of vengeance is ridiculous. Sinxia was killed by the eels, and the eels have been killed. They were there on a mission to get the next piece of the shard so that others who might try to reform the Sihedron for nefarious purposes would fail. And for her own part, Lilim could bring honor to House Sharif.

She keeps her calm and waits for the others to finish getting ready, providing assistance where she is needed.

[lostsole31]

Once everyone is ready, The Scribe checks the door to see if it is safe. The door functions identically to the one previously found, save that all of the images on the door's panels depict Sorshen in dalliances with attractive humanoids. Until Earthfall brought her reign to an end, this section of the dungeon used to be her harem.

Of course, continuing to distract matters is the reminder that Erima looks exactly like Sorshen. And to see those poses offers its normal problematic issues.

The Scribe looks to the rest of the group, and this time he whispers. "I hear the voices of women on the other side. It doesn't sound like they've been alerted to our presence. Suggestions .... quietly?"

[meemaas]

"Do we have any way to scout them out? Rezah asks quietly to the rest of the group. "Otherwise the only option I can see is send Erima in and see how they react to her."

[lostsole31]

The Scribe whispers back, "That's actually brilliant." He looks to the ersatz 'Sorshen.' "What do you think?"

[silphael]

"I can try. But given that it's one of her traps that brought me here, I guess her minions might have a way to differentiate between her and me. Worth a shot, though."

She seems to seriously consider it, though.

[lostsole31]

So, this makes it "Sorshen's" show.

Erima, what do you do?

[silphael]

Before taking the direction of the room, Erima quickly removes the chainshirt she's wearing, as well as other stuff that could break the "illusion".

"Do you think it's enough to not reveal myself ?"

[lostsole31]

The Scribe says, "That was a good choice on your part. I mean, a mithral shirt is beautiful in its own right ... but, yeah, Sorshen's vanity would see it as hiding her form."

Now what?

[silphael]

Once ready, Erima casually pushes the door and enters the room, as if she was owning the place.

A bluff roll might be needed to act, but if I remember well, you're rolling those, right ?

[lostsole31]

A long, wooden table of ancient design sits in this room, surrounded by uncomfortable-looking wooden chairs. Crates and chests are scattered against the walls, and several doors line the north and south walls between the crates. Huge red panels of painted murals stand to the east and west.

Six armored women are gambling at the table, and as soon as Erima walks in, they instantly stand - knocking back and down their chairs - and draw their swords. As soon as they see "Sorshen" standing before them, they take a more deferential pose and lower their swords.

One stands to and asks, "Is it time to march on Korvosa, Mistress?"

[silphael]

"Not yet, but soon enough. How many of you are ready, and how ready so far ?"

She quickly answers, trying to keep up with the fast pace Sorshen should have in domineering situations.

[lostsole31]

"We here are ready, awaiting to be called, Runelord Sorshen," says one of the Gray Maidens. In answer to Sorshen, they put their helmets on. Curiously, each one of them would have been at least moderately attractive (if not very attractive in one case), were it not for various facial scarring. They ready their shields, salute with their swords, and stand ready for Sorshen's next missive.

https://orig00.deviantart.net/9b08/f/2018/322/8/1/gray_maiden_by_lostsole31-dcscf30.png

[silphael]

"Sorshen" starts a casual stroll in the room, trying to scout the place thoroughly before going back.

"How long have you been working for me so far ?"

Not even waiting for an answer, she continues :

"Do you still remember how you should start assaulting Korvosa ?"

[lostsole31]

"As you direct, Runelord Sorshen?" answers one, a little unsure.

[silphael]

Looking slightly exasperated, "Sorshen" keeps looking around for anything that might be useful.

"Very well. What about my other question ?"

[lostsole31]

"We have waited for the return of Runelord Sorshen all our lives. She is the piece of the puzzle that has been missing from our misbegotten existence," starts one Gray Maiden, before others join in, and all are chanting this by the end. It is obvious a piece of dogma that they've been trained to say.

About the room ... A long, wooden table of ancient design sits in this room, surrounded by uncomfortable-looking wooden chairs. Crates and chests are scattered against the walls, and several doors line the north and south walls between the crates. Huge red panels of painted murals stand to the east and west.

[silphael]

Going back toward the entrance, "Sorshen" adds :

"Before we march on Korvosa, I might have something for you to do. We'll see."

After those words, she goes back toward her friends (supposing noone tries to stop her).

[lostsole31]

"What is't, Dread Runelord?"

[silphael]

Right before going through the door, she adds :

"Wait and see."

So basically going back to the others, but only after ensuring they are not following me.

[lostsole31]

You said wait ... so it seems like they are waiting.

[silphael]

Erima goes back to the other adventurers and describe what she's seen.

[meemaas]

"So, they believe you are Sorshen, but there's no way you can send them out of range. Is that correct? We will still have to fight then?"

[lostsole31]

Footsteps of metal on stone are heard as one of the Gray Maidens comes to the doorway, calling out, "Runelord Sorshen, we heard you talking ... who are these men?!"

She looks to the Runelord and the strangers in the room [the PCs]. "Sisters! Runelord Sorshen has found interlopers from the surface! Sorshen, shall we get rid of these male interlopers for you?"

[silphael]

She shrugs.

"Well, I guess I could order them around. Is there any place that would better to send them ? I think I should make them break in three groups, but given I know nothing of the deeper parts of the place, I have no place to direct them toward. Maybe I could simply order them to bring back something from my stash, or something vague like that, but that would mean potentially alert them."

[lostsole31]

Another Gray Maiden walks up behind the first one. "Lady Sorshen, where are the magic shields you promised us?"

[silphael]

Erima answers reluctantly while moving toward the spot where she let her axe :

"Your help will be enough for those. As for you, your shields are on the way. You should go further look where they are."

[lostsole31]

"Imposter!" the Gray Maiden (G6) shrieks at the top of her lungs.

Begin Round One ...

R1T30: With blinding reflexes The Scribe bolts to the middle of the room while taking something out and tosses it as G6. A set of bolas pound into her for 10 NL and knock her down.

R1T22: Taking advantage of his advantage, Teofilo flies past the fallen G6, past G1 (who is at the door) and into the next room and 5' above the table (10' altitude).

R1T21: Erima, though G6 called out you being an imposter, that didn't help her from being suprised by The Scribe. And, in a rare show of agility on your part, you have the jump on all of the opposition. What do you do?

[silphael]

Grabbing her axe, Erima moves sides to side with the scribe, quickly showing her cold anger.

"You'll pay for this !"

So once I got my axe, I move two squares right.

[lostsole31]

R1T21: Grabbing her axe, Erima moves sides to side with the scribe, quickly showing her cold anger. "You'll pay for this!"

R1T20: G5 comes into the room, but she has to move around her fallen sister and that opens her up, so she tries to get into a protected position while fending off blows from The Scribe and Erima. The Scribe's ranseur picks the longsword out of her hands as she sidesteps her fallen friend, and Erima hits her in the helm for 22, causing her to stumble into the wall, severely wounded.

R1T19: Fallon quickly moves in behind The Scribe, and casts a spell at the doorway. A large area now seems to shimmer in some kind of slickness. G1 keeps her footing, but G5 and G2 both sllip and fall.

R1T17-8: G1 gets on her feet and moves into the room, just past the area of Fallon's grease spell, and now threatens The Scribe and Erima. G2 gets on her feet, then slips and falls again. G4 drops her longsword and takes out her crossbow to point it at Teofilo.

R1T6: Rezah, what do you do? Your shield is readied and your scimitar is in hand.

[meemaas]

Rezah closes in on G2 and gives her a couple of swings from his Scimitar.

5 foot step towards G2, and full attack

Attack 1 [roll0]
Damage [roll1] + [roll2]

Attack 2 [roll3]
Damage [roll4] + [roll5]

[lostsole31]

R1T6: Rezah closes in on G2 and gives her a couple of swings from his scimitar, slashing across the side of her belly for 13, though the second attack misses.

R1T5-4: G3 drops her sword and takes out her crossbow, and slings her shield. G6 stands, and tries to step off the slick area but falls again.

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T30: The Scribe smiles. "Interesting, their combat style - despite falling about - is such that I am having trouble reading their movements." He steps to flank G2 with Erima, then kicks the mailed lady ... in her groin ... proving that women have sensitivity down there as well as he does 15 and sickens her! He then follows up with a fist to the same spot of her groin for 20, which is enough to cause her to go unconscious.

R2T22: Teofilo flies over to the NW corner of the room and then lets loose with a tremendous breath of air at G4 and G5, but nothing happens other than some chairs getting knocked around.

R2T21: Erima, G2 is unmoving. G6 and G5 are both prone. You previously wounded G5 in the helm. What do you do?

G5 on deck, Fallon in the hole ...

[silphael]

Finally letting out her anger, Erima roars at the nearby guard, striking in the opening created.

So, enter rage first, then let's try to intimidate G6. If it works (which should even on a 1 so I already roll the attack) I get a free attack on her (gonna put PA on it).

[roll0]
(with +2 from rage + intimidating strength)
[roll1]

[roll2]

[lostsole31]

R2T21: Finally letting out her anger, Erima roars at the nearby guard, striking in the opening created. She strikes the fallen Gray Maiden in the chest for 31, which doesn't quite drop her, but she seems very unsteady.

R2T20: GM5 tries to withdraw into the Gray Maiden quarters (room with the table), but falls again, and is now prone.

R2T19: Fallon concentrates, not actually casting a spell, and G1, G5, and G6 all become limned in some sight of faint, ghostly light.

R2T18: Lilim, who was curiously inactive last round (whoops!) moves forward to stand astride GM2's fallen form. She concentrates defensively with a spell, and licks of flame engulf G1 (7)/ G5 (13)/ G6 (15). GM6 goes limp.

R2T17: G1 tries to step off the slick area, but falls. She crawls off of the slick, but not before The Scribe stabs her with Xin-Rithux in the buttocks for 14. GM1 clears the slick, but is prone (crawling).

R2T8: GM4 looses her shield (on her back, not drops it), then shoots at Teofilo, but it just clicks off of his armor.

R2T6: Rezah, what do you do? GM5 is prone, lit by some ghostly flame, badly burned and wounded, and using total defense with her shield.

GM3 on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...

[meemaas]

Rezah will delay. There is little point to rushing further in while the fight is already within such close quarters.

[lostsole31]

R2T6: Rezah delays. There is little point to rushing further in while the fight is already within such close quarters.

R2T5: GM3 shoots at Teofilo (missing), and reloads her crossbow.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T30: The Scribe readies his ranseur, tracing a circle to feint, but in the end simply stabs at GM5, but the latter expertly blocks the attack with her shield.

R3T22: Teofilo tries to float straight up some, fails, so ends up spending his energy position-keeping at his current altitude. He shoots an arc of electricity at the crawling GM1, hiting her for 11 electricity.

R3T21: Erima, you are currently raging. Last round, you used Power Attack. GM5 is prone and using total defense right now, but her sword was disarmed. What do you do?

GM5 on deck, Fallon in the hole ...

[silphael]

Disdaigning the disarmed guard with contempt, Erima moves toward the next standing guard.

"You shouldn't defy me !"

So, move to around GM1 (it's a guard, right ?) and let's intimidate it too.

[roll0]

Then if it pass, attack with power attack from Hurtfull.

[roll1]

[roll2]

[lostsole31]

R3T21: Disdaining the disarmed guard with contempt, Erima moves toward the next standing guard. She is able to circumnavigate the slick areas in the room with the heroes, but she slips and falls once she gets into the next room. GM1 starts to laugh, and in anger Erima shouts, "You shouldn't defy me!"

Well, despite being on the floor, the gray maiden is still taken aback ... enough for Erima to swing up and over and hit GM1 deep in the belly .. dropping her. Unlike with GM6 in the other room, the strange, soft-colored flames on GM1 gutter out.Erima recognizes that the faerie fire effect that Fallon had cast only works on creatures, not objects. Once a creature dies, any creature-affecting magic on it fails (normally), and for most spells the corpse is just an object. This is an interesting tell-tale way (when other flames from the same casting of the spell are still going), that the target is dead, not just dying.
R3T20: GM5, still working a strong defense with her shield, attempts to pick up her longsword. The Scribe attacks with his ranseur but is blocked. Lilim meets with much more success, however, biting the gray maiden in the hip for 15, who slumps against the wall, motionless.

R3T19: Fallon looks into the other room, and casts a spell, focusing on GM4. She calls out, "Lay down your arms and step back until battle has quit, and your life need not be forfeit!"

Looking to her allies in the room, and pointing to GM4, "Don't attack that one until we know if my spell worked."

R3T18: Lilim casts a spell, and lets out a terrific, piercing shriek (shatter) towards GM3, but nothing happens.

R3T8: GM4 sets her crossbow on the chair by her, then backs up 20'.

R3T5: The last hostile Gray Maiden shrieks "Traitor!" at her sister. She shoots at Teofilo, the bolt smashing against a joint and barely protecting the undine priest-bard, and she drops the crossbow and picks up her longsword. She sidesteps out of view of most of the PCs in the other room.

End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T30: The Scribe masterfully skates over the slick area and into the other room, faces down GM3, and drops his ranseur as he goes to grap her .... sloppily.

R4T22: Teofilo flies across the room to get a bead on GM3. He fires a horribly aime lightning arc at the metal-clad woman, somehow still hitting her for 6 electricity.

R4T21: Erima, you are raging, and you are prone in a slick area. What do you do?

Fallon on deck, Lilim in the hole, Rezah delaying (and can go at any time) ...

[silphael]

Given her current positionning, Erima tries to stand back on her feet and get closer with one of the remaining guards.

So trying to get close to GM4, but if I'm not mistaken I'll go far slower.

[lostsole31]

R4T21: Given her current positionning, Erima tries to stand back on her feet and get closer with one of the remaining guards.

R4T19: Its job finished, Fallon concentrates and the slick area disappears. She then flies into the other room and stands in the middle of the table to get a sense of the battle.

R4T18: Lilim moves into the room and along the north, taking a pot shot at GM3 with an acid splatter that hits her target for 11 acid.

R4T8: GM4 withdraws away from Erima, loops around to the SE, then jumps up on the table to stand by Fallon. "I yield myself to you, but beg your protection."

Fallon looks at Erima and says, "You heard me, Erima, go around the table and get to the other one. This one is my responsibility."

R4T5: GM3 readies her shield, does a salute to The Scribe to show her intent, and swings her sword (that The Scribe easily sidesteps).

End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T30: As he spins to avoid the attack, the Scribe's left leg goes high and once he returns to facing his opponent - who extended just past him - he brings his leg down to wrench her at the elbow at just the right angle to make her drop her sword. He then goes to do a kick with the same leg that is up, but fumbles badly and ends up nauseating himself!

R5T22: Teofilo hits GM3 with another lightning arc for 7 electricity.

R5T21: Erima, Fallon shouted at you for going after her charmed Gray Maiden. You are currently raging. What do you do?

Fallon on deck, Lilim in the hole, Rezah delaying ...

[silphael]

Erima go through the room to the last fighting guard and ends her rage given the lack of remaining threats.

So, going around the right side of the table to the spot directly right of the remaining guard, and ending rage.

[meemaas]

Rezah enters the room after the others, his weapon lowered as he watches the others.

[lostsole31]

R5T21: Erima goes through the room to the last fighting guard and ends her rage given the lack of remaining threats.

R5T20.5: Rezah enters the room after the others, his weapon lowered as he watches the others.

R5T19: Fallon says, "Stay here" to her pet, then flies down to the other guard to engage her. Normally, the Gray Maiden's protections would hold, but so focused is she on The Scribe that Fallon is able to successfully stab her with Silverfang for 6 in the left calf.

R5T18: Lilim casts a spell (that Erima doesn't recognize) and spits acid at the face of the last fighting Gray Maiden, doing 27 acid damage, instantly melting her face and killing her outright! :mitd:

Combat Ends (even as GM3's face continues to melt for another 2 rounds!) ...

What do you do now?

[silphael]

Still with short breath, Erima quickly concludes :

"If I were Sorshen, your performance would have disappointed me."

[lostsole31]

The Scribe looks at Erima-Sorshen. "A little less dry on the delivery of your joke would be helpful, especially since good teamwork and battlefield control defeated the enemy." He then goes to the other room to collect his bola.

[meemaas]

"We should probably get moving." Rezah says and starts through the room calmly.

[lostsole31]

Fallon looks to her new "friend." "Should I just have her 'guard' here?"

[lostsole31]

Fallon says, "Okay, we'll just have her guard here."

The group does a quick check of the three northern and three southern doors, and those are the individual quarters of the six Gray Maidens that were here. Nothing much of value. All of their value was tied up in their weapons and armor.

There are crates in here, though, containing the Gray Maidens' diminishing food supplies, along with camping gear, rope, tools to repair armor, and other miscellaneous supplies. Some of the crates contain extra armor and weapons; in all, there are four suits of full plate, six heavy steel shields, three masterwork longswords, three light crossbows, and 120 bolts in these crates. One of the crates is locked, which Fallon easily picks despite it being a quality lock. It contains thousands of gold.

So, do you count the gold now? Does anyone have need of any of the supplies that you find?

[meemaas]

Rezah will take some crossbow bolts to add to his stash.

[lostsole31]

Fallon has her new friend guard here while the group intends to move forward. The door to the east is checked clear and then opened. The air in this room is almost uncomfortably warm and filled with steam. A grand, tiled bathing pool, the waters steaming hot, sits at the center of the room, while two large red panels stand in the east and west walls.

Oh, and four Gray Maidens, waiting for you.

Round One ...

R1T21: "Make them come to us!" shouts Teofilo, and he throws up a wind wall right at the opening.

R1T18: Erima, for them to come into this room to the party, you will have to back up some (it is assumed you were providing door-opener cover to The Scribe). What do you do?

[silphael]

Erima, calm so far, steps back to let them come.

"I'm pretty sure they heard that..."

So yes, basically, stepping back to let the maidens advance.

[lostsole31]

R1T18: Erima, calm so far, steps back to let them come. "I'm pretty sure they heard that..."

R1T16: GM1 steps through the whistling wind wall and attacks the flat-footed Lilim, but her sword bounces off the tiefling's breastplate.

R1T15: The Scribe steps back and feints, using Rezah's bulk to make it hard to see where his point will be, and then attacks, but the Gray Maiden blocks the shot.

R1T14: Fallon casts a buff on herself, and then flies to 10' altitude.

R1T9: Rezah, what do you do?

[meemaas]

Rezah swings his Scimitar dangerously into the standing Gray Maiden, hoping to strike her down quickly.

Full Attack

Attack 1 [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

Attack 2 [roll2]
Damage [roll3]

[lostsole31]

R1T9: Rezah swings his scimitar dangerously into the standing Gray Maiden, hoping to strike her down quickly. The first strike hits her in the right underarm for 7, but the second attack is blocked by her high-quality full plate.It is not lost on me that right now, you are in two different campaigns where there are Gray Maidens as antagonists. :smallcool:
R1T7: Lilim steps behind Rezah to get the best sense of the next room's occupants, and figures GM2 is as good a target as any. Shet lets loose with a barrage of four magic missiles that hit her for 13 force.

R1T6-4: GM4 rushes from the back to try and push Rezah back, but the half-orc holds fast. GM2 tries to come through, but The Scribe attacks, and when he does so both GM1 and GM4 block this thrust to protect GM2. She continues through and Rezah attacks but swings wildly, even as The Scribe thrusts again to hit her in the shield elbow for 17. Now badly wounded, GM2 attacks Erima, but she has run out of steam and Erima blocks the attack. GM3 comes around the corner and through the roaring batter to then juke south to get to the Scribe, but again he attacks, this time with a kick that only hits armor. She cuts with a crit to the scholar's chest for 17!

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T21: Teofilo plays his lyre to give 12 back to The Scribe.

R2T18: Erima, you have a Gray Maiden in front of you. What do you do?

GM1 on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...

[silphael]

Now angry, Erima screams incoherently at the nearby Gray Maiden.

Entering rage, then trying to intimidate nearby GM. If it works, attack as immediate action (with power attack).
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[lostsole31]

R2T18: Now angry, Erima screams incoherently at the nearby Gray Maiden. This obviously rattles the woman as she desperately protects herself from Erima's strike with her shield.Just to be clear, it is a SwA, not an IA. Using a SwA on this round only uses it for this round. Once your turn is over, then when it is not your turn you have an IA open until your next turn. If you use an IA by your next turn (one what, exactly?), then you won't have a SwA open next turn.

Also, your weapons chart is now updated for your rage, and I included that in your attack roll, but it still wasn't quite enough.
R2T16: GM1 attacks Rezah with all the power she can muster, but the paladin blocks with this shield.

R2T15: Not used to being hit in combat, The Scribe steps back and uses his ranseur carefully as he assesses GM3. He then tries to disarm her, but finds her blade control to good, so he stabs instead and she dodges.

R2T14: Fallon acrobatically flies over to just north of GM2 and stabs her under the right arm with Silverfang for 21, which drops the Gray Maiden.

R2T9: Rezah, what do you do?

Lilim on deck, GM4 in the hole ...

[lostsole31]

R2T9: Facing off against three Gray Maidens, Rezah figures it is time to put a little more than just a sword-swing. He effortlessly concentrates on the spell in the melee, his scimitar on his shield hand, and after his prayer a black aura surrounds his hand and he attacks the Gray Maiden in front of him. As he does so, the Gray Maiden to each side of his target try to block the attack, but still not enough to stop a touch attack. Rezah briefly clasps GM4's shield-arm bicep as the dark energy goes into her and she suffers 21 negative energy.

R2T7: Lilim takes a step back and sends acidic splatter at GM4, just barely missing to keep from hitting friendlies.

R2T6-4: GM4 salutes Rezah before attacking, giving a half-hearted challenge. She attacks powerfully, but Rezah (sword back in hand) deflects. GM3 rushes forth to try and bull rush The Scribe, but is easily rebuffed.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T21: His herding maneuver complete, Teofilo keeps position in the air and dispels his wind wall.

R3T18: Erima, you are currently raging. What do you do?

GM1 on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...

[silphael]

Erima advances into the fight, and unleashes her anger through two strikes.

So, 5 foot step directly right, then full attack, starting on GM1. If she drops, second attack on GM4. Using destined strike on second attack, and power attack on both.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

[lostsole31]

R3T18: Erima advances into the fight, and unleashes her anger through two strikes. The first hits GM1 in her left shin for a devastating 29, yet she still stands. The next strike seems like it is destined to hit, but GM4 blocks Erima's axe enough to skim off of GM1's armor instead of go through! Still, GM1 is in a bad way.

R3T16: GM1 steps back, drops her sword, takes out a potion, and downs it, which heals 5.

R3T15: The Scribe is focused on GM3. He steps back 5' and then tries to disarm his opponent, and this time succeeding. He thrusts with his weapon, but she blocks it with her shield.

R3T14: Fallon is right there with a spell to further foil GM3, and GM3 falls onto the floor, laughing hysterically.

R3T9: Rezah, to the right of you is a fallen, weaponless (well, she does have a shield), laughing GM3 (not helpless). In front of you is GM4, who seems to have a half-hearted focus on you. What do you do?

Lilim on deck, GM4 in the hole ...

[lostsole31]

R3T9: Rezah prays to Sarenrae to smite his enemies, and then he defensively casts a spell. From the ceiling down to Rezah himself comes a great glow, his cheek with Sarenrae's mark brighter than anything, and then the room and beyond is filled with a holy power that envelops all but Fallon's charmed Gray Maiden that is standing at alert on the western side of the hall. Teofilo and Rezah are completely unharmed. Everyone else, friend and foe alike, take damage as follows...Erima: 4 holy damage (HD).
GM1: 3 HD.
The Scribe: 4 HD.
Fallon: 7 HD.
Lilim: 3 HD.
GM4: 6 HD.
GM2: DEAD.
GM3: 6 HD.
"I am sorry," says Rezah simply, not realizing that his friends were all neutral, and so is the enemy. But not evil does not equal not hostile, and he readies his scimitar for more battle.

R3T7: Lilim shakes off the little shock of friendly fire. "It's fine, Rezah. You didn't know. I know what you cast, and I know why you did it, but our fight is one of order against disorder, not evil against chaos." And to that end she steps up to the prone, laughing Gray Maiden. She curb stomps the head for 11, and again with the other foot for 12, and the Maiden's head starts to bleed. She claws the belly for 7, the right shoulder for 9, and bites the right thigh for 11. The Gray Maiden laughs no more, and never will again.

R3T6: GM4 steps back into the other room, drops her sword, takes out a potion, and drinks it for 4 healing.

End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T21: Teofilo drops down 5' towards Fallon, effectively hovering, and casts a healing spell on her to fully heal her.

R4T18: Erima, you are currently raging, and both enemies went into the other room, dropping their swords, and taking weak healing potions. What do you do?

GM1 on deck, The Scribe in the hole ...

[silphael]

Erima closes the gap with the remaining guards and strikes once again : they might have dropped weapons, but they are gulping potions before surrendering... not that she would have cared.

So either five foot step or move action to get within melee range of the closest GM, then attack with PA and full attack if possible.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

[lostsole31]

R4T18: Erima closes the gap with the remaining guards and strikes once again : they might have dropped weapons, but they are gulping potions before surrendering... not that she would have cared. Her axe comes deep into the left shoulder of GM4, dropping her with 32.

R4T16: GM1 steps back a few feet, picking up the sword from the ground, and she readies herself defensively.

R4T15: The Scribe shoots into the opened breech, and then all the way around the pool from the south to threaten with his ranseur from the east.

R4T14: Fallon comes in from the other way. She isn't flanking, but the last Gray Maiden is sorely pressed. Fallon stabs the Gray Maiden in the lower shield arm for 3.

R4T9: Rezah follows The Scribe at a distance.

R4T7: Lilim moves right in over the edge of the pool and bites the Gray Maiden in the sword hand for 14, dropping her.

End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T21: Erima, you are raging with power attack. You saw the last active enemy drop. What do you do?

[silphael]

As everyone is down, Erima stops raging and start exploring the newly opened room.

[lostsole31]

The air in this room is almost uncomfortably warm and filled with steam. A grand, tiled bathing pool, the waters steaming hot, sits at the center of the room, while two large red panels stand in the east and west walls (you came from the west, and the panel is currently open). The waters of the bathing pool are hot and scented with lilac and lavender.

The Scribe performs a coup de grace on GM1, and a quick check will reveal all Gray Maidens have been killed (minus, of course, Fallon's "pet" in the other room). Rezah will channel energy to top everyone off.

From the Gray Maidens you fought in this group, they had a total of:
(4) suits of Masterwork Gray Maiden (full) plate
(4) heavy steel shields
(4) masterwork longswords
(4) light crossbows
(40) bolts
(7) potions of cure light wounds
(4) large belt pouches
(120) gold pieces

Erima hasn't found anything else of interest in here. The Scribe and Fallon, however, find a secret door on the center of the south wall here. And, of course, there is a red panel to the east, which by now you know is a door.

The Scribe asks for a status check from everyone. Teofilo says he only a couple spells remaining, and is otherwise tired and wants to rest. Fallon has gone through half of her arcanist magic. Lilim states she has several mid-range spells, but otherwise her least and most powerful spells are at a premium. Rezah has only a couple more channels remaining, and has used pretty much all of his more powerful spells.

Fallon will have the charmed Gray Maiden remove her armor, and then she will be bound and gagged in one of the chairs. Since there is a magical bathing pool in the next room, The Scribe, Lilim, and Rezah are very much about "to the victor go the spoils" and cleaning grime and gore off. Which would no doubt lead to eating food and having rest.

Erima, are you fine with hanging out here?

[silphael]

Not planning to press on alone, Erima approves.

[lostsole31]

The dead Gray Maidens are actually stripped of their gear as well (perhaps before bathing). If you can manage to transport all of that armor (let alone the rest), this trip might begin paying for itself (finally), though it can never replace the loss of Sinxia.

After the various baths, Rezah will help tutor Teofilo in developing his divine magic. Fallon will be writing notes on magical construction.

The Scribe will show Lilim some wrestling techniques, as Erima practices trying to use her detect thoughts. Though both of the wrestlers prove to strong of mind for her, yet Erima is able to determine that, if used on a lesser mind, she might be able to predict the combat patterns of the "read" opponent.

The party goes to sleep, with Erima needing no sleep and taking the watch.

[lostsole31]

18 Calistril 4714 AR, Toilday

The next morning, considering the Scribe's long-term healing ministrations the night before, Erima's wounds have healed overnight while she stood the watch.

Erima, you had cast off the mithral chain shirt you had borrowed from the late Sinxia and dropped it on the beach. Do you go out to the beach (accompanied, no doubt) and take the mithral chain shirt as your own armor .... or stay unprotected?

[silphael]

Better safe than sorry, Erima goes to the beach to grab the shirt, then prepares to move to the rest of the exploration.

[lostsole31]

The secret door to the south is checked and opened. The group gets into 10'-wide formation to match the corridor. The corridor goes 20' south before taking a right to the west. Another 15' and the corridor again continues south for yet another 15' before turning a slight jog east and continuing south to a set of double doors. The Scribe finds a secret door on the north wall when the corridor takes a jog. The secret door is checked and opened.

This black marble-walled chamber’s ceiling is lost in a layer of shimmering black fog, while a long golden rug runs down the center of the room on the floor. A rectangular block of polished stone, black with fat blood-red streaks, sits at the eastern end of the rug. Several objects sit atop this stone, and the cinnamon-scented air is filled with a strange, nagging hum like that of a swarm of buzzing insects. The wall beyond the altar stone is decorated with a detailed mural of a voluptuous demonic woman with bat wings, a serrated tail, legs of molten stone, and a crown of seven horns. Both of her hands are held out to her sides, palms turned up toward the ceiling—a globe of blackness hovers above each palm.

As soon as Fallon steps into the room, tendrils of black fog drip down from the spooky black fog to form the room's guardians - jet black dogs.

Begin Round One ...

R1T24-21: SM1 lets out a terrifying, baying howl. SM3 quickly follows with a howl of its own.

Erima, make two Will saves vs. fear. You get a +4 morale bonus because Rezah is so damned inspiring. :smallsmile:

[lostsole31]

R1T20: Rezah moves into the secret shrine.

R1T19: Teofilo flies into the room beyond. He shouts out: "Three shadow mastiffs. Evil, extraplanar outsiders. They are prodigiously strong and hardy, but rather dull-witted. They are popular bound guardians for sites hidden from the sun. Which tells me what might work best against them!"

He is heard casting a spell, and Erima sees a flash of light from in the room.

R1T16: "I concur!" shouts the Scribe so those outside can hear. "Their bay can be heard for 300' and strikes fear into lesser people. They can blend into the shadows of anything other than total darkness or actual daylight, though, so get ready for a longer fight."

R1T15-14: It is very possible that The Scribe's comments regarding "lesser people" was rather insensitive. Fallon drops her sword in pure panic and flies north back up the way you came. Lilim follows her, likewise terrifed. Erima finds herself alone with no ally in sight.

R1T13: Erima, what do you do?

[silphael]

Erima rushes toward the thick of the battle and prepares to axe stuff down, rumbling about having to take care of her allies when positioning.

So basically double move to the square above Rezah.

[lostsole31]

R1T13: Erima rushes toward the thick of the battle and prepares to axe stuff down, rumbling about having to take care of her allies when positioning.

R1T12: Erima sees that the creature she is squared off against seems to be wounded (but not the other two). It seems to have been stabbed (likely the Scribe) and has suffered some type of ... burn? SM2 gives forth its own baleful howl.

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T24: SM1 moves forward 5'. Although shaped like a dog its coat drinks up the light, drawing shadows in around it. Its maw is filled with sharp teeth, and a wisp of shadow drips from its writhing tongue. It bites Erima in her upper left arm for 13 and wags about to try to drop her. Erima notices its thick tail, if it struck her, could probably do some damage as well.

R2T21: SM3 attacks Rezah but misses.

R2T20: Rezah steps back, and then casts protection from evil on himself.

R2T19: Teofilo casts invisibility on himself and disappears from view.

R2T16: The Scribe fakes out SM3 and stabs it for 23.

R2T15: Fallon flies into the room after quite a hustle.

R2T13: Erima, what do you do?

Mastiffs on deck and in the hole ...

[silphael]

Screaming one last coherent sentence as her anger overwhelms her, Erima strikes back at the mastiff.

"I am the one you should fear !"

So, let's enter rage, then let's start with hurtful, so intimidate on SM1, then attack if it's shaken, with power attack.

[roll0]

[roll1]

[roll2]

[lostsole31]

R2T13: Screaming one last coherent sentence as her anger overwhelms her, Erima strikes back at the mastiff. "I am the one you should fear!"

Erima is so wild in her attack, that she ends up cutting herself, taking 6 bleed!

R2T12: SM2 moves south of Erima, and she is now flanked. Confident of its position it tries to put power into its own attacks, but also fumbles and its hurtself ... its future attacks a little off. Surprisingly, it gets a tail slap, but that fares little better.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T24: SM1 attacks the flanked Erima. Intimidated by Erima, its attacks are less powerful than SM2's. It bites Erima's left lower leg for 12 and knocks her prone. Its tail slap fumbles against Erima, and its ego is so bruised from that terrible attack combined with its fear that it seems hyper-focused in its aggression on Erima!

R3T21: SM3 adjust slightly, and is now over the fallen faux Sorshen. It goes for powerful attacks, and bites Erima for 13 in the left shoulder, followed by a tail slap for 11 in her groin. Erima is now in the yellow.

R3T20: Rezah steps back and casts heroism on himself.

R3T19: A disembodied voice that you recognize as Teofilo is just above Erima, whispering "I am trying to do what I can to heal you, but I have no real training since you are immune to magical forms."

You can feel him trying to staunch the bleeding, but not meeting with success.

R3T16: The Scribe steps back and tries to feint SM2, then thrusts for 14.

R3T15: Fallon acrobatically repositions so that SM1 is now flanked by Erima. She stabs with a sneaky crit for 22, bewildering it.

R3T14: No sign of Lilim ...

R3T13: Erima, you take 8 bleed and are prone. What do you do?

Shadow mastiffs on deck and in the hole ...

[silphael]

Standing back up, further angered by her fall, Erima tries again to hack at the shadow mastiff.

"Just die die die !"

So standing back up as a MA, triggering 3 AoOs, then attacking SM1 with power attack. (also, apparently, rage is not counted on my sheet)

[roll0]

[roll1]

[lostsole31]

R3T13: Standing back up, further angered by her fall, Erima tries again to hack at the shadow mastiff. Before she is fully up, however, SM1 bites her for left knee for 11, SM3 bites her in the left shoulder for 14, and SM2 bites her in the head for 18. Barely on her feet, she shouts, "Just die die die!" while hacking at SM1 for 27.

R3T12: SM2 then bites Erima in the belly for 12, and even with Erima's raging constitution, that is enough for her to fall. Then, with her rage leaving her body, Erima expires.

Everything Goes Dark ...

[truemane]

Metamagic Mod: thread re-opened.

[lostsole31]

Secret Shrine (Erima, Teofilo, & Co.)

This black marble-walled chamber’s ceiling is lost in a layer of shimmering black fog, while a long golden rug runs down the center of the room on the floor. A rectangular block of polished stone, black with fat blood-red streaks, sits at the eastern end of the rug. Several objects sit atop this stone, and the cinnamon-scented air is filled with a strange, nagging hum like that of a swarm of buzzing insects. The wall beyond the altar stone is decorated with a detailed mural of a voluptuous demonic woman with bat wings, a serrated tail, legs of molten stone, and a crown of seven horns. Both of her hands are held out to her sides, palms turned up toward the ceiling—a globe of blackness hovers above each palm.

The shadow mastiffs were just killed and their bodies lie near the altar where they fell.

Also laying down is the clone of the Runelord Sorshen [Erima]. This is the third time Erima has been killed in that form (iirc), but now Erima lies as once she was ... again a half-orc. But her greataxe was shattered in battle and her armor rent to pieces by the savagery of the shadow mastiffs. Still, when "Runelord Sorshen" changed back to Erima, her wounds disappeared. Yet, she does not wake.

Teofilo and Rezah look at her and sense no life from her, but are too nervous given her recent changes to actually touch her.

It isn't until the Scribe set Xin-Rithux down to check on her medically that there is a change. He lays his palm on her sternum that shouts in pain. Then, his whole body shudders and vibrates like nothing you've seen, and he seems unable to pull his palm away from her chest. The Scribe vibrates too violently from what appears to be energy going from Erima to him (or is it the other way around, or both?) when there is a purplish-green burst of life that blows The Scribe back 10' to hit the altar and fall on dead shadow mastiffs.

Meanwhile, the half-orc woman that looks like Erima from before her tangle with the strange trap that locked her into the form of - supposedly - a clone of the ancient Runelord Sorshen, flutters open her eyes. She doesn't even realize she is on her feet before she finally comes to.

Erima, gone is the connection to the unaligned forces of the universe. Now, there is a strange energy that suffuses you and your thoughts.Instead of, "Oh, yeah, retcon" .... we are treating Erima's update in classes as a comic-book "radiation accident." The final death released the curse, but for reasons unknown that energy changed Erima on a fundamental level .... and The Scribe, too. The Scribe, likewise, was simultaneously cured of his previous curse, and likewise altered body and mind.

In this way, you and Alianium (The Scribe) - albeit in different power sets - include powers of the mind and body that fundamentally link both of you, though to what extent is not yet known.

From this point forward, please do not treat Erima as fully knowledgeable of her class abilities as they are now, but as a sense of discovery as she needs them. Be careful not to turn them all on at once out of impatient of a player who just wants to get things moving.
Before anyone can even respond to this strange circumstance, there is a tremendous sound of multiple splashes in the corridor. It can only come from the area to the north. (Please do not post until I prompt you.)


Incoming! (Iluvar & Telgarana)

lluvar and Telgarana, both of you have the queerest feeling in the pit of your stomach as you disappear from one spot and arrive in the other. It is only when it is too late to act that you realize that strange feeling doesn't come from whatever magic teleported or shifted you to whereever you land, but the fact that you don't "land," per se. As soon as you pop into reality, the feeling comes from having the level ground underneath you suddenly cease to exist, and both of you fall into very warm - but not dangerously hot - water.

You plunged into water too quickly for you to have a chance to have taken a breath, and if you don't right yourself quickly, not knowing where you are right now you could drown! Big fat favor the Newcomver did for you in having taken you from one danger only to air-drop you into another!

Round One ...

R1T29: Telgarana, you are "disoriented" underwater and you didn't get a chance to take a breath for falling in, so you are already out of air. What do you do?"Disoriented" is effectively the prone condition, but in water. Regardless of how your body is situated in regards to gravity, you feel upended, and need to spend a MA to come out of the disoriented state (provokes AOOs) as normal, but not doing so means that while you can begin getting a sense of surroundings, you take normal prone penalties until such time as you spend a MA.

[LazarX]

*Splash! Gag! Spit* Telgarana struggles to right herself.

[lostsole31]

R1T29: *Splash! Gag! Spit* Telgarana struggles to right herself, but ends up finding out that in doing so she is able to stand up and have half of her body out of the warm water. She looks around. The air in this room is almost uncomfortably warm and filled with steam. A grand, tiled bathing pool, the waters steaming hot, sits at the center of the room where Telly is now, while two large red panels stand in the east and west walls. However, the panel to the west is split in half and opened, revealing that side is actually a door.
R1T27: In the other room, The Scribe stands up from being at the altar, but he does so with more speed and verve than expected. He takes a ballistic arc to smack against the ceiling (6 damage) and then land prone by Erima (5 damage). With a groan, he much more gingerly picks himself up. "Ow."

R1T23: Fallon casts shield on herself and then flies out the door and disappears as she fishhooks around the corner that leads north.
R1T20: Iluvar, you are "disoriented" (see above) underwater and you didn't get a chance to take a breath for falling in, so you are already out of air. What do you do?

[Tippnick]

Iluvar will open his eyes and try to reach out for anything to push off of. Hopefully he can figure out which way is up. "Gah!"

[lostsole31]

R1T20: Iluvar opens his eyes, but is confused by what appears to be light suffusing the water - which is unexpected. He sees something right by him and he pushes off of it. In pushing off of it, he notes that it is soft and gave some. Iluvar then senses his way up, standing up in the water to get a big breath. "Gah!"

He sees Telgarana 10' from him, recovering from being nearly knocked over as she was the one Iluvar pushed off of. The air in this room is almost uncomfortably warm and filled with steam. A grand, tiled bathing pool, the waters steaming hot, sits at the center of the room where Telly is now, while two large red panels stand in the east and west walls. However, the panel to the west is split in half and opened, revealing that side is actually a door.

R1T16: Rezah heads south out the door and fishhooks to the north.

R1T11: Teofilo, what do you do?

[lostsole31]

R1T11: Teofilo lets Ylimancha's wisdom guide his steps as he then double moves out of the room and fishhooks northwards in the passage.Silver crane waltz.
R1T3: Erima, what do you do?

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

[silphael]

Erima moves toward the door, gathering her thoughts into an armor and weapon.

"Damn, that feels weird."

[lostsole31]

R1T3: Erima steps towards the door, but at some point her thoughts go to defense. She only gets a few feet before her body extrudes a faintly luminescent, opaque, green substance from her body that covers over her, hardens, and is shaped into a full suit of jade-like armor. "Damn, that feels weird."

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T29: Telgarana, you nearly got knocked over by a confused, thrashing Iluvar. But both of you have your feet in the aforementioned description of a room ... an obvious bath of some sort. What do you do?

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

[LazarX]

After steadying herself she says to Illuvar "We don't know where we are, and most likely the folks we're supposed to meet have no idea to expect us. Let's get out of this steam bath, dry up, rest, and wait and see if they find us."


Telgarana will head towards the open east door and wait for Illuvar

[lostsole31]

R2T29: After steadying herself she says to Illuvar, "We don't know where we are, and most likely the folks we're supposed to meet have no idea to expect us. Let's get out of this steam bath, dry up, rest, and wait and see if they find us."

R2T27: The Scribe looks bug-eyed at Erima while picking up his ranseur, "Erima. You may want to take out a mirror, but you are curiously covered in an ectoplasmic construction of heavy armor, much like a psionic aegis."

R2T23: Telgarana and Iluvar, a woman with two pairs of diaphonous, insect-like wings comes flying into the room with a shining rapier in hand. She calls out behind her. "We have company! Two bogeys in the bathing room. Mauve-cheveaux'd elf and a monk with a punk!"

R2T20: Iluvar, you are at the western edge of the bathing pool. What do you do?

Rezah on deck, Teofilo in the hole ...