Part 1: No Business Like Show Business

Feb 9, 2025 7:55 pm

Horace sees the attack coming and with his tome in hand, he studies the floating brain-like creatures. Then, he rushes in switching for his regalia, and striking at the nearest of the creatures.

OOC:

Free: Tome Adept - Recall Knowledge v. the floating brain he intends to strike first (w/ Unmistakable Lore; if successful, he gets +1 to attack on his next attack this around in addition to the normal benefits)
Action 1: Exploit Vulnerability (w/ Dubious Knowledge, Diverse Lore, and Unmistakable Lore)
Action 2: Stride
Action 3: Strike

Reminder: Everyone within his aura (15ft) gains: +3 damage and +1 vs. all mental effects.

With Sympathetic Vulnerabilities, the results of his Exploit Vulnerability will extend to other nearby creatures in a couple different possible ways. If they have a weakness, he will take mortal weakness and his attacks will affect all that share the same weakness.

Last edited February 9, 2025 8:00 pm

Rolls

Esoteric Lore (Cha) - Tome Adept - (1d20+22)

(16) + 22 = 38

Esoteric Lore (Cha) - Exploit Vulnerability - (1d20+22)

(20) + 22 = 42

+2 Greater Flame-Striking Longsword - Atk/Dam - (1d20+23, 3d8+7+6+3, 1d6)

1d20+23 : (7) + 23 = 30

3d8+7+6+3 : (852) + 16 = 31

1d6 : (3) = 3

Feb 9, 2025 10:26 pm

Aurelia sings a battle hymn she had written for a child who she had been teaching the lute. She sings it now as she attempts to strike one of the tendrilled creatures with her ghost touched rapier.

[ +- ] Courageous Anthem

OOC:

Action 1 - Cast Courageous Anthem.
Action 2 - Stride toward a brain thing.
Action 3 - Strike with Ghost Touched Rapier.

Rolls

Attack GT Rapier (+1 CA)(+2GT) - (1d20+20)

(10) + 20 = 30

Damage (+3 Horace)(+1 Rapier) - (1d6+4)

(5) + 4 = 9

Feb 10, 2025 8:57 am

Two of the undead creatures dodge some of Bekassine's cone of cold, while the other two critically fail and are badly damaged. The Final Herald herself grunts as she takes the blast full on.

Horace identifies the undead as beings colloquially referred to as "raw nerves." When a living creature is killed by massive amounts of electricity (such as by being struck by lightning or subjected to a magical attack), their dying terror sometimes causes their soul to linger on the Material Plane. Necromantic energy takes hold of their brain and nervous system, causing these organs to burst forth from the charred flesh and become a raw nerve.

Knowing they are weak to slashing damage, Horace brings his sword to bear as he moves in and slashes at one of the more injured raw nerves. He slices its dangling body in half, and it falls to the floor!

The other raw nerve near Horace lashes out with its nerve endings. The remaining two both unleash bursts of mental energy towards you! Meanwhile, the Final Herald raises a magical shield of force in front of her, then casts a powerful illusion, filling your minds with visions of apocalyptic flames consuming you!

OOC:

Horace takes 22 electricity damage and must succeed at a DC 26 Reflex saving throw or be unable to use reactions until the start of his next turn. Everybody must attempt two DC 23 Will saves against Synaptic Overload (25 and 24 base mental damage) and a DC 32 Will save against phantasmal calamity (38 base mental damage).

Aurelia's initiative was after the enemies', so I'll include your actions in the next round description. Everybody else may act!

[ +- ] Synaptic Overload (enchantment, incapacitation, mental, occult)

OOC:

Note that this ability has the incapacitation trait. An ability with this trait can take a character completely out of the fight or even kill them, and it’s harder to use on a more powerful character. If a spell has the incapacitation trait, any creature of more than twice the spell’s rank treats the result of their check to prevent being incapacitated by the spell as one degree of success better, or the result of any check the spellcaster made to incapacitate them as one degree of success worse. If any other effect has the incapacitation trait, a creature of higher level than the item, creature, or hazard generating the effect gains the same benefits.

As these creatures are only level 8, you gain the benefits!

[ +- ] Phantasmal Calamity

[ +- ] Enemy Status

Rolls

Reflex vs Cone of Cold - (d20+16, d20+16, d20+16, d20+16, d20+19)

d20+16 : (16) + 16 = 32

d20+16 : (17) + 16 = 33

d20+16 : (3) + 16 = 19

d20+16 : (1) + 16 = 17

d20+19 : (8) + 19 = 27

Nerve Ending vs Horace - (d20+20, d20+16, d20+12)

d20+20 : (15) + 20 = 35

d20+16 : (6) + 16 = 22

d20+12 : (7) + 12 = 19

Damage - (2d10+9)

(310) + 9 = 22

Synaptic Overload - (4d12, 4d12)

4d12 : (12517) = 25

4d12 : (21057) = 24

Phantasmal Calamity - (11d6)

(24445343243) = 38

Ramank

Furmyr

Feb 10, 2025 9:27 am

Ramank screams out in pain as he gets the feedback from both himself and the eidolon.

Once Horace calls out their weakness to slashing, Ramank calls out to Ramank. "Use your claws!"

While Yarth pounces at the closest raw nerve Ramank strengthen him through magic. Then once the dragon has closed the distance, it slashes twice with its claws.

OOC:

Yarth was enfeebled in the last encounter, has that passed?

Action 1: Act Together - Boost Eidolon + Stride
Action 2 & 3: Yarth strikes

Last edited February 10, 2025 9:35 am

Rolls

Ramank Will #1 - (1d20+20)

(9) + 20 = 29

Yarth Will #1 - (1d20+17)

(18) + 17 = 35

Ramank Will #2 - (1d20+20)

(4) + 20 = 24

Yarth Will #2 - (1d20+17)

(10) + 17 = 27

Ramank Will #3 - (1d20+20)

(9) + 20 = 29

Yarth Will #3 - (1d20+17)

(8) + 17 = 25

Yarth Claws - Atk/Dam - (1d20+22-2, 3d8+6+6-2)

1d20+22-2 : (10) + 20 = 30

3d8+6+6-2 : (284) + 10 = 24

Yarth Claws - Atk/Dam - (1d20+22-2-5, 3d8+6+6-2)

1d20+22-2-5 : (6) + 15 = 21

3d8+6+6-2 : (142) + 10 = 17

Bekassine Burgraud

crazybirdman

Feb 10, 2025 5:28 pm

Bekassine reels at the incoming mental attacks, but is able to shrug some of it off for now.
Then she cast guidance on Yarth, hoping to help their next clawing attacks. She then turns her attention to the herald, or more specifically the heralds shadow. She points at the shadow, and commands it to attack, watching as the darkness turns on its owner.

OOC:

action 1: Cast guidance spell
action 2-3: cast Malicious Shadow hex, heightened 1 time (only 1 I think?).

[ +- ] Malicious Shadow

Last edited February 10, 2025 5:33 pm

Rolls

Will - DC 23 against Synaptic Overload (25 damage) - (1d20+20)

(9) + 20 = 29

Will - DC 23 against Synaptic Overload (24 damage) - (1d20+20)

(6) + 20 = 26

Will - DC 32 against Phantasmal Calamity (38 damage) - (1d20+20)

(13) + 20 = 33

Maliscious Shadow (slashing) damage - (2d10+5)

(62) + 5 = 13

Feb 10, 2025 10:05 pm

Dmbrainiac says:

Aurelia's initiative was after the enemies', so I'll include your actions in the next round description. Everybody else may act!

OOC:

Should she roll the saves this round?

Feb 10, 2025 10:10 pm

OOC:

Yes, please.

Feb 10, 2025 11:05 pm

Aurelia's eyes go wide at the scene before her.

Did I sign up for this?

OOC:

I think that's no damage on Aurelia?

Last edited February 10, 2025 11:09 pm

Rolls

Will Save (DC 23) vs Synaptic Overload - (1d20+20)

(18) + 20 = 38

Will Save (DC 23) vs phantasmal calamity - (1d20+20)

(13) + 20 = 33

Feb 12, 2025 7:52 am

OOC:

Rolling saves first. With 'Resolve', it looks like he gets crit successes on the Will saves, so no damage there. Everyone keep in mind both those Will saves have the 'mental' trait, so you get +1 bonus from Horace's aura if within 15ft of him. He failed the reflex save, so no reactions this round from him.

Horace steels his mind and shrugs off a majority of the attacks against him, then lays into the strange brain-like creature before him.

OOC:

Free: Tome Adept - Recall Knowledge (w/ Unmistakable Lore; if successful, he gets +1 to attack on his next attack this around in addition to the normal benefits)
Action 1: Intensify Vulnerability (Tome - roll a d20 and set it aside to use for a future strike, if desired)
Action 2: Strike
Action 3: Strike using pre-rolled d20 (14+attack bonus)

Applying any weakness from Exploit Vulnerability

Last edited February 12, 2025 8:08 am

Rolls

Reflex v. Attack - (1d20+18)

(4) + 18 = 22

Will v. Synaptic Overload - (1d20+22)

(7) + 22 = 29

Will v. Synaptic Overload - (1d20+22)

(16) + 22 = 38

Will v. Phantasmal Calamity - (1d20+22)

(16) + 22 = 38

Esoteric Lore (Cha) - (1d20+22)

(7) + 22 = 29

Intensify Vulnerability d20 - (1d20)

(14) = 14

+2 Greater Flame-Striking Longsword - Atk/Dam - (1d20+23, 3d8+7+6+3, 1d6)

1d20+23 : (12) + 23 = 35

3d8+7+6+3 : (452) + 16 = 27

1d6 : (1) = 1

+2 Greater Flame-Striking Longsword - Atk/Dam (damage only) - (3d8+7+6+3, 1d6)

3d8+7+6+3 : (238) + 16 = 29

1d6 : (3) = 3

Feb 12, 2025 11:25 am

OOC:

Aurelia made both saves against Synaptic Overload so no damage, but she still needs one more against phantasmal calamity. I'll roll it for her, adding the +1 from Horace's aura. Unfortunately, it's a failure. So, let's parse all the saves. At the end of it all, Ramank takes 38 mental damage, Bekassine takes 19 mental damage, Aurelia takes 38 mental damage, Horace takes no damage.

Bekassine's hex needs an attack roll for the shadow's Strike. I'll roll it for her here.

Aurelia begins her courageous anthem as she moves in to stab one of the undead with her rapier. Ramank boosts Yarth and send him into melee, the eidolon's claws savaging the same dangling bundles of nerves. Horace finishes it off with a slice of his flaming blade, then he turns and cuts into another opponent. Bekassine animates the Final Herald's shadow, causing it to rip at her with jagged claws!

The raw nerves attack, one lashing out at Horace and the other at Yarth. Meanwhile, the Final Herald quickens a spell to soothe her wounds, healing herself completely! She then attempts to overwhelm Bekassine's mind with a vision of death!

OOC:

Horace takes 18 electricity damage and must succeed at a DC 26 Reflex saving throw or be unable to use reactions until the start of his next turn. Bekassine must attempt a DC 32 Will save against vision of death heightened to 6th level (44 mental damage base). Everybody may act.

[ +- ] Vision of Death

[ +- ] Enemy Status

Rolls

Aurelia Will vs DC 32 Phantasmal Calamity - (d20+21)

(3) + 21 = 24

Malicious Shadow Strike, CA Bonus - (d20+22)

(17) + 22 = 39

Nerve Ending vs Horace - (d20+20, d20+16, d20+12)

d20+20 : (19) + 20 = 39

d20+16 : (15) + 16 = 31

d20+12 : (13) + 12 = 25

Damage - (2d10+9)

(18) + 9 = 18

Nerve Ending vs Yarth - (d20+20, d20+16, d20+12)

d20+20 : (4) + 20 = 24

d20+16 : (6) + 16 = 22

d20+12 : (11) + 12 = 23

Soothe (4th) - (4d10+32)

(61096) + 32 = 63

Vision of Death (6th) - (12d6)

(641461326515) = 44

Ramank

Furmyr

Feb 12, 2025 11:52 am

Ramank sends a telekinetic projectile at one of the nerves, while Yarth strides up to the other. Then Yarth lets out with a claw.

OOC:

Action 1+2: Act Together (Telekinetic Projectile [Slashing]) + Stride Yarth
Action 3: Strike Yarth

Rolls

Telekinetic Projectile - Atk/Dam - (1d20+21, 7d6)

1d20+21 : (13) + 21 = 34

7d6 : (4323561) = 24

Yarth Claws - Atk/Dam - (1d20+22-5, 3d8+6)

1d20+22-5 : (13) + 17 = 30

3d8+6 : (424) + 6 = 16

Bekassine

crazybirdman

Feb 12, 2025 5:44 pm

Bekassine reels from another mental assault. She gives out an ominous laugh as the shadow renews it's attack on the Herald. "Just give up girlie, ya can't win this one." she yells as she raises her hands to lash out with a blast of electricity. Bekassine looks down to see Fox dutifully waiting to assist. "Help Horace little one."

OOC:

Thank for that summary! You are truly a great DM! What skill does the shadow use for attacking? I'm going to sustain that spell, so for now I'll use what you've posted.
free action - cackle to sustain malicious shadow
action 1: command minion
action 2-3: Electric arc
Fox actions 1-2: Heal spell via Spellcasting ability.
EDIT: Even with the boost from Horace, she failed the save, please adjust my rolls for Frightened 2 :(

Bekassine

Last edited February 12, 2025 5:47 pm

Rolls

Will - DC 32 save against vision of death - (1d20+20)

(10) + 20 = 30

Malicious Shadow Strike, CA Bonus / Damage - (d20+22, 2d10+5)

d20+22 : (17) + 22 = 39

2d10+5 : (610) + 5 = 21

Electric Arc - (6d4+4)

(332224) + 4 = 20

Heal spell - HP healed (+3 for staff/+8 for using 2 actions)) - (1d8+3+8)

(1) + 11 = 12

Feb 13, 2025 6:49 am

Horace grits his teeth as the weaves through his body but sets his feet. With the knowledge bestowed upon him by his occult tome, he takes in the scene and studies the axe-wielding woman while turning his weapon against the next brain-like creature floating before him.

OOC:

Action 1: Strike
Action 2: Strike
Action 3: Manipulate - draw scroll - Haste

Rolls

Reflex - (1d20+18)

(11) + 18 = 29

+2 Greater Flame-Striking Longsword - Atk/Dam - (1d20+23, 3d8+7+6+3, 1d6)

1d20+23 : (18) + 23 = 41

3d8+7+6+3 : (456) + 16 = 31

1d6 : (2) = 2

+2 Greater Flame-Striking Longsword - Atk/Dam - (1d20+18, 3d8+7+6+3, 1d6)

1d20+18 : (1) + 18 = 19

3d8+7+6+3 : (333) + 16 = 25

1d6 : (5) = 5

Feb 13, 2025 5:22 pm

Aurelia reels in fear as her mind jumbles with terrible visions. She fights through it and with her Ghost Touched Rapier, lets out a flurry of attacks on the nerve bundles.

OOC:

All three actions are rapier attacks on RN2.

Last edited February 13, 2025 5:23 pm

Rolls

1, GT Rapier/Damage - (1d20+19, 1d6+1)

1d20+19 : (1) + 19 = 20

1d6+1 : (3) + 1 = 4

2, GT Rapier/Damage (-5) - (1d20+14, 1d6+1)

1d20+14 : (5) + 14 = 19

1d6+1 : (6) + 1 = 7

3. GT Rapier/Damage (-10) - (1d20+9, 1d6+1)

1d20+9 : (10) + 9 = 19

1d6+1 : (3) + 1 = 4

Feb 13, 2025 6:56 pm

Aurelia misses with all of her attacks! Ramank and Yarth both strike true, and Horace scores a critical hit, slicing the more wounded of the two remaining undead in half! Bekassine manipulates the Final Herald’s shadow to attack her again. This time, the hooded woman discharges her shield spell, absorbing some of the damage. The Herald avoids some of the dwarf’s electric arc, while the raw nerve ignores it, immune to electricity damage.

The last raw nerve lashes Yarth with its electrified nerve endings. The Final Herald casts a spell, blasting Bekassine with an utterly cold ray of darkness tinged with unholy energy!

OOC:

21 electricity damage to Yarth, 28 cold damage to Bekassine. Everybody may act!

[ +- ] Enemy Status

Rolls

Reflex vs Electric Arc - (d20+19)

(19) + 19 = 38

Nerve Ending vs Yarth - (d20+20, d20+16, d20+12)

d20+20 : (12) + 20 = 32

d20+16 : (11) + 16 = 27

d20+12 : (19) + 12 = 31

Damage - (2d10+9)

(102) + 9 = 21

Chilling Darkness (5th) vs Bekassine - (d20+24)

(13) + 24 = 37

Cold Damage - (7d6)

(6561325) = 28

Bekassine

crazybirdman

Feb 14, 2025 12:42 am

Bekassine very much dislikes the feeling of cold being used to hurt her. Cold was her patrons gift after all. She laughs wickedly again, willing the Heralds shadow to continuing lashing out. Then she responds with an icy attack of her own, while moving back before the Herald can strike again

OOC:

Free Action: Cackle to sustain spell
Action 1-2: Ray of Frost
Action 3: Move back

[ +- ] Ray of Frost

Bekassine

Rolls

Malicious Shadow Strike / Damage - (1d20+22, 2d10+5)

1d20+22 : (5) + 22 = 27

2d10+5 : (19) + 5 = 15

Ray of Frost - (1d20+10, 6d4+4)

1d20+10 : (13) + 10 = 23

6d4+4 : (143342) + 4 = 21

Ramank

Furmyr

Feb 14, 2025 7:38 am

Ramank grunts in pain, but it doesn't stop him from letting loose with another telekinetic projectile, but this time at the Final Herald. Meanwhile Yarth strikes twice at the last remaining nerve.

Rolls

Telekinetic Projectile - Atk/Dam - (1d20+21, 7d6)

1d20+21 : (11) + 21 = 32

7d6 : (2364155) = 26

Yarth Claws - Atk/Dam - (1d20+22-5, 3d8+6)

1d20+22-5 : (15) + 17 = 32

3d8+6 : (411) + 6 = 12

Yarth Bite - Atk/Dam - (1d20+22-8, 3d6+6)

1d20+22-8 : (7) + 14 = 21

3d6+6 : (436) + 6 = 19

Feb 14, 2025 9:01 am

Horace holds his tome and studies the woman with the axe, hoping to find some weakness he can use, or something that might help take her down. He then quickly unfurls the scroll in his hand and uses it's power to quicken his actions.

OOC:

Action 1: Exploit Vulnerability v. the Herald (w/ Diverse Lore, Dubious Knowledge, and Unmistakable Lore)
Actions 2&3: Use Scroll - Haste on self, he gains the 'quickened' condition.

Rolls

Esoteric Lore (Cha) - (1d20+22)

(7) + 22 = 29

Feb 14, 2025 5:04 pm