[Finished] Pathfinder (2.0) - Age of Ashes Adventure Path (Thurs 8-11 EDT)

Given that they seem quite devoted to Dahak and ending the world, Valk is going to be in favor of whatever seems like the most effective and pragmatic way to make sure they never hurt anyone. And he doesn’t have a very high opinion of laws and courts, naturally. If we aren’t making them into decoys for the next room full of undead, he will be inclined to either end them or maybe lock them in the cells we found.

Also, we just broke 400 posts in this thread. :rofl:

1 Like

Well there are those two conveniently empty coffins… Just saying…

Mith

3 Likes

So, I finally got my hardcover copy of Gods & Magic (I know, I’m old school) and browsing through the list of deities I was slightly dejected to find Apsu relegated to a two line entry in the appendix…

But THEN… lo and behold at the bottom of page 107:

And there was much rejoicing!!

EDIT: Strange that the stat block calls for a will save and the description calls for a reflex save :thinking:

@ocelot yeah that makes no sense. COOOOOORT! What aren’t we getting? (or big ole typo?)

@Mithinar LMAO!

I suppose that Huulm being neutral in alignment he would give the baboon boys some options…in no particular order.

  1. They have to renounce Dahak and give up the quest to destroy everything and they can go free (yeah Huulm knows they aren’t really gonna go for this, but he would put the option out there).

  2. They go back to town for trial, let the town handle them. (Again, just an option that Huulm would thrown out, he’s not too keen on this)

  3. Lock them up and leave them down there. That would probably be a bit too perhaps cruel to Huulm’s point of view. Better just to

  4. Kill them.

Or we could drag them up top along with Bumble and untie them at the same time and see if they can outrun Bumble. But that would be sort of like setting them free and they would have to renounce Dahak first.

Regarding the cultists, I guess my question is, now that the hellknights have departed for other lands, who is responsible for dispensing justice? If there is a jail in Breachill then she’s going to want to take them there. If not, then it is probably up to the party to dispense justice but she will insist that the trial (such as it might be) be fair and the punishment be swift. I’m assuming that even in a place like Golarion, there must be some standard for the ethical treatment of prisoners by lawful good captors.

On a side note, Anna has also been thinking of how to convince Pib and Zarf to become allies/henchmen. Perhaps some fresh meat from the butcher shop in Breachill, a display of bloodline power, and some good old diplomacy might do the trick.

The save discrepancy is definitely a typo (Paizo needs to hire somebody outside the creation process to do a final read-through XD Heck, just pull a bunch of people off the forums, NDA them, and give them the raw text to read through). It’s almost certainly supposed to be a Reflex save (as almost all non-mental AoEs are). It’s decent enough, though getting the benefit of those speed penalties will be hard. For comparison, Burning Hands is 2d6 fire, same area and damage changes based on save, but no additional effects.

Valk can be persuaded to any course of action that doesn’t risk setting two fanatics of a god of destruction free on the land, no matter how ridiculous they are. Throwing them in one of those cells with some food and water would be fine until we figure out a plan. Maybe we can squeeze some extra information out of them later. If we decide they aren’t interested in redemption and just need destroyed, Valk will be happy to do that; if anyone more lawful thinks they need an “honorable” death with weapons in hand, eh, he won’t mind accommodating that slightly silly request if it makes people feel better about doing what has to be done.

And clearly, once we acquire the deed to this place, we will be the law! Wait, does that make Valk technically lawful? Crap!

EDIT:
Oh, and in regards to your plans to cow the “mighty dragons”, it would be fun having my dragon-focused Iruxi Barbarian (from another game) around for that, given his appearance:
Dragon-guy-big
In spite of his appearance, Essharu is actually really chill most of the time. He spent most of his first session punching trees (training outside of a town) because he didn’t want to scare the townsfolk by wandering around town. Just don’t piss him off enough to get him raging. :rofl:

EDIT THE SECOND:
Apparently Apsu got a good bit of lore in some of the 1e lore books like Inner Sea Faiths and the first Gods and Magic.

Yeah, the 1d4 damage die is kind of a downer, but I suppose one must suffer for one’s roleplay. I’m hoping that this being “Age of Ashes” means that we’ll be up against some foes that are strong vs fire and weak vs cold but no matter. Once Anna gets her Dragon Breath focus spell I suspect that will be her “go-to” aoe for a while.

I don’t think Anna would ask that they have an honorable death so much as a death that’s relatively quick and free of excessive suffering. So no need for anyone to duel (unless that’s what they want to do!)

That is going to be funny to see how Valk handles responsibility! :laughing:

May Essharu defeat all his foes in glorious hand to hand combat!

Since I just finished writing it up earlier, here’s Essharu’s description for anyone curious.

Essharu

Even among Iruxi, known for their size and powerful physiques, Essharu is an imposing figure. Standing just over seven feet, four inches tall, he has the densely-muscled frame of a warrior, excess bulk carefully curtailed in order to not slow his movements. His scaly skin bears a two-toned coloration, the dull blue of his family on the tops and outer portions of his body giving way to shimmering copper underneath. This, along with a mane of silver “hair”, marks him in his tribe as one of the rare “dragon-blessed”, those manifesting traits linked to their ancient copper dragon patron. Despite appearing at a glance to be hair, his silvery mane is actually composed of long, feathered spines that remain soft to the touch when Essharu is calm, but stiffen and extend back from his head as he becomes agitated. He also has ear-like frills, numerous horns, and boney spikes along his arms. All combined with his ferocious demeanor in combat, one could easily mistake him for some kind of demon on the battlefield.

Despite his appearance, Essharu is quite gentle most of the time and maintains a calm serenity in the face of common adversities. He is all too aware that he presents a terrifying image to most people he meets, so he tries to avoid drawing too much attention when he can. This can make it difficult for him to learn of people in trouble, but his favorite way to test his skills is helping those facing threats beyond their power to oppose. Though uneducated about many aspects of the modern world outside his tribe, most people find him a pleasant conversationalist once past appearances. His time spent studying people (and perhaps his outsider status) in his journeys thus far have also lent him a keen insight into social dynamics that occasionally takes people by surprise.

That said, Essharu has no qualms about using his fearsome image and powerful body when it can serve an important purpose such as saving a life. Further, his normally peaceful attitude resembles the calm before a storm to those who have witnessed him in battle. When the need for violent action rises, he taps into a well of supernatural power that enhances his strength and draconic aspects before crashing into his enemies with singleminded intent. Surrounded by a haze of corrosive energy and mind-numbing dragonfear, he may seem as much a monster on the battlefield as those he fights until returning to his pleasant, calm demeanor as soon as the enemies are gone. While this strange dichotomy is disconcerting to many, those who accept both sides of Essharu’s nature will find him a true and powerful ally.

Essharu’s goal in traveling, as he will freely tell anyone who asks, is to train his mind and body alike to strengthen his connection to the draconic energies he was born with. His tribe has many legends of dragon-blessed warriors who, having honed their beings through training and real battle alike to a state of self-perfection, gained enough control over their powers that they could even take on the form of a true dragon. Essharu seeks to add his legend to their number.

2 Likes

And I checked and Huulm is Neutral Good, not straight up Neutral so now I don’t think he would be as accommodating towards the baboon boys as I previously thought.

@Cortillaen very cool concept for dragonborn type barbarian character. I’ve always wanted to play a Dragonborn Monk in 5e, but their racial stats don’t sync so well with the Monk class.

So like wait for the Hellknight plate to show up before deciding if you want to change it let alone wear it…

If y’all love Pib and Zarf, they can easily become “henchman” (not in the classic pen-and-paper rpg mechanic sense, more along the lines of people who sorta listen to what I say and live in my castle when I’m not there sense.)

There’s also the Bumblebrashers lurking out in the forest somewhere pining away for their lost chambers in the Citadel Ataerein vaults…

Well that’s certainly cryptic. :stuck_out_tongue:

Maybe the hellknight plate is possessed and literally “shows up” while we’re camping out in the dungeon :scream:

That would… be pretty awesome. “First I’ll beat you up, then I’m going to wear you.”

1 Like

By the time you’re done beating it up, you may have worn all the distinguishing Hellknight marks off of it.

Or it could be the horror version of Iron Man 3. The suit is waiting in the dark for it’s victum. And suddenly you feel a thump on your head. And when you come too you are inside the armor unable to do anything. And then it catches fire and slowly begins to immolate you from the outside in… And this would be another example of not splitting the party…cackle

I must admit, I think I might have a little too much time on my hands.

Mith

…furiously scribbles notes…

1 Like

Here’s the chat log of what went down with Venak and Skorp (LONG):

Summary

Venak: Please don’t hurt us? We means yous no harms!

Valk: Who are you? And why are you here?

Venak: I’m Venak!

Skorp: And I’m Skorp!

Venak: We’re the

Skorp: Charau-ka brothers!

Valk: Do you speak Common?

Skorp: Common?

Valk: A bit far from home, aren’t you? This isn’t Mwangi.

Venak: We are VERY common!

Skorp: Yes!
Skorp: Our brave leader led us here to um…

Venak: SHHH!!!

Skorp: Yes, um, brave leader Malarunk is awesome.

Venak: Uh huh.
Venak: Awesome!

Valk: Malarunk is… not this one on the ground there?

Skorp: Pffft… that blubbo is…

Venak: Was

Skorp: Werrt!

Venak: We forced to fight with them, 'cause they

Skorp: Also revere the great one

Venak: Dahak!

Skorp: Dahak! nods vigorously

Valk: Hm, I see. So Malarunk serves Dahak?

Venak: We are all Cinderclaws

Skorp: Followers of Dahak!

Venak: There are many Cinderclaws! MANYU!

Skorp: We came through glorious portal.

Venak: nods We invade all the lands.

Valk: The portal is here, then?

Skorp: We dig into your homes!

Venak: We destroy all!

Valk: I see. Tell me about Malarunk. What is your leader like?

Skorp: nods Destroy ALL.

Venak: Malarunk like us!

Skorp: nods Charau-ka

Venak: He will unleash Dahak and destroy all!

Valk: He’s a Charau-Ka? Is he big and strong?

Skorp: nods Big!

Venak: nods Strong!

Valk: So where is your leader now? Maybe I should talk to him.

Venak: Um…

Skorp: Er…

Venak: He’s sheepish not here…

Skorp: nods Yeah, he below

Venak: But he big and strong and

Skorp: will Unleash Dahak and destroy all!

Valk: Below as in further down? Or is he on the other side of the portal?

Venak: Stupid, portal is below

Skorp: Yeah stupid!

Valk: Malarunk!

Skorp: He destroy all!

Valk: So… if you release Dahak and he destroys all, won’t that mean he destroys you too? Do you want to be destroyed?

Venak: smile Glory!

Skorp: smile Worthy!

Valk: Huh. Okay, what’s in this door behind me?

Venak: Um… big hairy.

Skorp: Bad hairy.

Venak: Malarunk will open elf portal and Dahak will come and burn everything!

Valk: How about the door behind him? points to Huulm

Skorp: Even the big mean hairy!
Skorp: No one.

Venak: Um… he mean’s nothing.

Skorp: nods eagerly Yeah, nothing.

Valk: So you won’t mind if I go in there and look?

Skorp: simian shrug Dahak will destroy all.

Venak: nods Destroy!

Valk: So what else is there in this place? Tell me about it.

Skorp: We stole this place points at ground from stoopid Goblins.

Venak: nods Yeah, stoopid!

Skorp: laughs

Venak: East is baaad. Little dolly killed couple blobbos.

Skorp: Stupid blobbos, but Cinderclaw blobbos, so not bad I guess.

Valk: What is “little dolly”?

Venak: nods thoughtfully Yeah, guess not bad for blobbos.

Skorp: simian shrug Stupid dolly, small, killed blobbos, we ran.

Venak: nods Ran!

Valk: And what are blobbos? This thing? points to dead frog guy

Skorp: If Malarunk here, he’d smash dolly - POW! - and then unleash Dahak to destroy all!

Venak: nods Destroy all!

Skorp: nods Yeah stupid blobbo kicks the dead boggard

Venak: Hey!

Venak: You kick Cinderclaw, eventhough he blobbo!

Skorp: Oh… sorry.

Venak: You stoopid sometime!

Valk: Are there any other Cinderclaws here besides Charau-Ka and blobbos?

Skorp: Malarunk don’t need more!

Valk: Did you bring those birds that were in the main hall?

Venak: We brought Grauladons but they lost

Skorp: Lost

Venak: Went upstairs, then stairs broke.

Skorp: Broke!
Skorp: Can’t go down to Malarunk.

Venak: nods He destroy all!

Valk: You brought more than 1 grauladon?

Skorp: Yeah! Three holds up two fingers

Venak: nods two fingers Four!

Skorp: Stupid, it was three! two fingers

Valk: Did you bring warg pups with you?

Venak: Oh… yeah, three.

Skorp: You stoopid sometime.

Skorp: Whats warg pup?

Venak: They good to eat?

Skorp: Hey, those are ours!

Venak: Yeah!

Valk: Not anymore. You surrendered.

Skorp: Stoopid! If you pick up weapon they attack us!

Venak: Oh yeah.

Skorp: You can have weapons. Dahak destroy you all anyway.

Rockie: Giant wolf like creature

Valk: What’s through the east door in the main hall? The big 3-doors where one is broken?

Skorp: Stoopid! Little dolly!

Venak: Yeah, little dolly! Duh.

Valk: And what about the 3 halls leading south from there?

Skorp: to Venak These guys stoopid, maybe that’s why Dahak will destroy them all.

Venak: Stoopid! Dahak will destroy all 'cause Malarunk will release him and destroy everything!

Skorp: South?

Venak: What’s south?

Valk: points south That direction.

Skorp: shrug

Valk: So which way goes to Malarunk?

Skorp: Stupid, he down!

Venak: Down!

Skorp: Stairs broken 'cause of Grauladons! Stoopid!

Valk: Is there any other way down?

Venak: simian shrug

Skorp: Don’t matter, we dig tunnel to your homes and then destroy all!

Venak: nods Destroy all!

Valk: Hm. How many other Charau-Ka are with you here?

Venak: holds up all fingers on both hands Six!

Skorp: Stoopid! There’s only fifteen!

Valk: Where are they?

Venak: You can’t count to fifteen!

Skorp: Maybe, but I can count bigger than you!

Venak: Not overthere points east

Skorp: nods Nope. They not there.

Valk: I understand. How about blobbos? How many of them are with you?

Venak: does math on fingers holds up six fingers Eleven!

Skorp: Yep, eleven! nods

Venak: We um, leave now?

Skorp: nods Leave?

Valk: Instead, how would you two like to show us around this lovely place?

Venak: We would hate it, but you are in a dilemna of what to do with us 'cause y’all are good and we’re obviously evil nihilistic cultists that want to watch the world burn.

Skorp: nods hate it nods world burn!

Valk: You would hate it, but would you do it?

Venak: Oh hells no!

Valk: We would love to see this place that is going to bring back Dahak.

Skrop: Nope!

1 Like

Some of the words in that statement seem too big for those idiots.

Yay, we’ve got 3.5 new maps for (maybe) tomorrow. They’re kinda rough, but I’m pressed for time.

2 Likes