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<blockquote data-quote="mikeawmids" data-source="post: 7965267" data-attributes="member: 6776411"><p><strong><u>Chapter Thirty: The Lovely Bones</u></strong></p><p></p><p>The heroes are only too happy to leave Norrin's workshop and return to their ship. Nadiyya orders the helmsman to set a course for Khosravi.</p><p></p><p><strong>"I've read about the Devourer of Magic,"</strong> Misfar says, <strong>"It was created by Nex's arch-enemy, the necromancer Geb, to hunt and destroy powerful mages. It must have been sent here - to Kakishon - to kill Nex. If its bones await us on Khosravi, we can assume it failed in its mission."</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>"So what happened to Nex?"</strong> Nadiyya asks, <strong>"Lahapraset said his tomb lies empty. Is he still alive, somewhere on Golarion?"</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>"Nobody knows,"</strong> Misfar explains,<strong> "At least, nobody who I know of. He disappeared during a sorcerous battle against his great enemy. Perhaps his body was utterly destroyed, or perhaps he retreated to another demi-plane, similar to this one, to gather his strength for a final battle with Geb. Scholars have been arguing the point for almost as long as Nex has been missing. It might be that we will never know for sure."</strong></p><p></p><p>The galley reaches Khosravi, a blasted and barren land of rock and gravel. Nothing grows here, as though the bones of the Devourer have sucked the very life out of the ground. The rest of the island is littered with shattered siege engines and broken towers.</p><p>An immense spike of sheer, solid rock with narrow grooves spiralling up its entire length protrudes from the ground, driven deep into a hilltop in the centre of the island, reaching 100ft into the sky.</p><p>As the heroes approach, they realise the spike impales the rib cage of an enormous, draconic skeleton. The entire island has an eerie and oppressive atmosphere - and the heroes can't shake the feeling they are being watched....</p><p></p><p><strong>"Let's get this done,"</strong> Zain says, <strong>"It'll be quicker if we spread out."</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>"Are you nuts?"</strong> Fuk says, <strong>"Even Fuk knows not to split the party! We stick together!"</strong></p><p></p><p>The heroes pass the huge, horned skull of the skeletal behemoth, looking out for growths the of black crystal so covetted by Norrin. Both Misfar and Zain spot a few small shards protruding from cracks in the ancient bones, while Fuk stumbles upon a cluster of obsidian shards bigger than he is.</p><p></p><p><strong>"Over here!"</strong> Fuk calls out excitedly, <strong>"Fuk find the motherlode!"</strong></p><p></p><p>The others hurry over to begin harvesting the black crystal - suddenly, they are overwhelmed by a gut-curdling carrion stink. <em>(Fuk is Fatigued.)</em></p><p></p><p><strong>"Urgh, what is that stench?"</strong> Nadiyya asks, struggling not to gag.</p><p></p><p><strong>"Not Fuk! Don't look at Fuk!"</strong></p><p></p><p>And that's when the ghasts attack with surprise!</p><p></p><p>- - - - -</p><p></p><p><img class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" alt="💀" title="Skull :skull:" src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f480.png" data-shortname=":skull:" /> <strong>Winged Ghast</strong></p><p>Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d6, Spirit d8, Strength d8, Vigour d8</p><p>Skills: Athletics d8, Fighting d8, Notice d8, Stealth d8</p><p>Pace 6", Parry 6, Toughness 8</p><p>Special Abilities;</p><p><img class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" alt="⭕" title="Hollow red circle :o:" src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/2b55.png" data-shortname=":o:" /> Claws, STR+d4 and Paralyzing Touch</p><p><img class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" alt="⭕" title="Hollow red circle :o:" src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/2b55.png" data-shortname=":o:" /> Flying, pace 8"</p><p><img class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" alt="⭕" title="Hollow red circle :o:" src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/2b55.png" data-shortname=":o:" /> Paralyzing Touch, anyone Shaken/Wounded by the ghoul's claw attack must resist with Vigour-2 or be Bound (Vigour-2 to break free)</p><p><img class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" alt="⭕" title="Hollow red circle :o:" src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/2b55.png" data-shortname=":o:" /> Undead traits</p><p></p><p>- - - - -</p><p></p><p>Two ghasts attack Nadiyya, their long filthy talons tearing deep gouges in her leather armour. Misfar is not so well outfitted, their claws scythe through his flimy gown and cut into his flesh. Misfar tries to cry out, but finds he has been paralyzed by the toxins coating the ghast's claws. Zain and Fuk fend off their own undead antagonists. Fuk gets to Counterattack and shoots one of the winged ghouls in the shoulder (Shaken). He follows up with a second shot to the monster's head killing it outright. The ghast drops to the ground, clawing at the broken shaft impaling its skull.</p><p></p><p>Misfar rolls particularly well on his Vigour save and starts to restore control over his unresponsive body. The ghouls claw him again! A different ghast tears into Fuk and wounds the goblin, who also succumbs to its paralyzing touch. Zain sweeps <em>Tempest</em> around and cuts down the two ghasts flapping around him.</p><p></p><p>Nadiyya holds her sword aloft and calls upon her inner fire to enflame the blade. Nothing happens. Belatedly, she recalls that the bones of the Devourer suppress ALL arcane backgrounds, not just spellcasters.</p><p></p><p><strong>"Damn it!!"</strong> she yells, taking out her frustration on the nearest ghast. The ghast glares at her reproachfully, as though to say <em>'Hey, it's not MY fault you don't pay attention to what important NPC's tell you!'</em></p><p></p><p>Nadiyya stabs him in the throat for being such a judgemental prick.</p><p></p><p>Misfar and Fuk are paralyzed and unable to contribute to the combat. The ghasts pick them up and prepare to launch into the air, hauling the helpless heroes up to their loathsome nest atop the stone spire! Zain has an instant to decide which of his friends he is going to help - he can't get to them both before the ghasts take wing! In the time honoured tradition of roleplayers everywhere, he rolls a d6! Zain goes to the wizard's aid, forsaking poor Fuk to be carried away! He kills the two ghasts grappling Misfar and slings the limp elf over his shoulder.</p><p></p><p>Nadiyya kills another ghast and switches to her bow. The last ghoul continues to ascend toward the nest, gripping Fuk tightly to its chest.</p><p></p><p><strong>"I can't get a clear shot!"</strong> Nadiyya screams, <strong>"I might hit Fuk!"</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>"He'll forgive you, probably!"</strong> Zain yells back, <strong>"Take the shot!!"</strong> <em>(Zain rolls Persuasion to Support Nadiyya's Shooting roll.)</em></p><p></p><p>Her hands are slick with sweat, she nearly drops the arrow as she pulls it from her quiver. The ghast is some ways away (medium range) and Nadiyya is a middling marksman at best.</p><p></p><p><strong>"You can do this."</strong> Zain says, encouragingly, <strong>"The goddess guides your arrow."</strong></p><p></p><p>Nadiyya inhales, holds it in her lungs, then fires. The arrow flies true and clips the ghast's wing. It is Shaken and releases its hold on Fuk, who is now plunging 20ft toward the ground. Even with Misfar draped over his shoulder, Zain manages to cross the uneven ground and catch the falling goblin in his free hand. Nadiyya realises she is still holding her breath and exhales in relief. She is momentarily surprised by how deeply she has come to care for the little goblin.</p><p></p><p>Zain and Nadiyya break up the large crystal cluster and pack the fragments into their packs. They carry their haul - and their paralyzed companions - back to the ship and return to Salenax. Misfar and Fuk recover from the ghast's toxins on route.</p><p></p><p>The party return to Norrin's forge in the heart of the volcano, to hand over the crystal shards in exchange for colossi-killing weapons.</p><p></p><p><strong>"Da! These will do very well, very well indeed!"</strong> the weaponsmith says, <strong>"If I grind these fragments down into a fine dust and smelt the powder into the steel, I will be able to forge mage-killing swords that suppress magic. Fun, da?"</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>"Yeah. Fun."</strong> Misfar answers, deadpan.</p><p></p><p><strong>"A deal is a deal, da? Come with me."</strong></p><p></p><p>Norrin leads the heroes back through the room lined with weapon racks. He gestures disdainfully to a row of gleaming swords.</p><p></p><p><strong>"These are your standard +1 weapons,"</strong> Norrin explains, <strong>"Da, they get the job done, but if you are looking for something special, I recommend <em>Zenzirad</em>."</strong></p><p></p><p>He directs the party's attention to a black longsword, the blade of which burns with an ebon flame.</p><p></p><p><strong>"This, this is my baby. I made her special, to slay a genie warlord who ruled these islands. I hear he has left Kakishon, so I will never have the chance to wield it. Now I offer it you, in compensation for the black crystal."</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>"Genie warlord?"</strong> Nadiyya asks, <strong>"Do you mean Jhavul?"</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>"Da! Jhavul. How do you know this name?"</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>"We are trying to escape Kakishon, to stop Jhavul and his army conquering our homeland,"</strong> Zain answers.</p><p></p><p><strong>"Then we are allies!"</strong> Norrin exclaims, <strong>"The enemy of my enemy is my friend, da? You are strong! You will take Zenzirad and use it to fight Jhavul! Da, this is good!"</strong></p><p></p><p>Nadiyya takes up <em>Zenzirad</em>, promising to drive the blade through Jhavul's black heart. Norrin laughs uproariously and claps her on the back.</p><p></p><p><em>Zenzirad +1 magical longsword (STR+d8+d6);</em></p><p><em>Anyone shaken or wounded by Zenzirad is set ablaze with ebon fire, suffering 2d6 damage per turn, Agility-2 to extinguish the magical flames.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>"Let's not get ahead of ourselves."</strong> Misfar says, <strong>"There's still the matter of four legendary monsters we have to attend to before we can go after Jhavul."</strong></p><p></p><p><em>TBC</em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="mikeawmids, post: 7965267, member: 6776411"] [B][U]Chapter Thirty: The Lovely Bones[/U][/B] The heroes are only too happy to leave Norrin's workshop and return to their ship. Nadiyya orders the helmsman to set a course for Khosravi. [B]"I've read about the Devourer of Magic,"[/B] Misfar says, [B]"It was created by Nex's arch-enemy, the necromancer Geb, to hunt and destroy powerful mages. It must have been sent here - to Kakishon - to kill Nex. If its bones await us on Khosravi, we can assume it failed in its mission." "So what happened to Nex?"[/B] Nadiyya asks, [B]"Lahapraset said his tomb lies empty. Is he still alive, somewhere on Golarion?" "Nobody knows,"[/B] Misfar explains,[B] "At least, nobody who I know of. He disappeared during a sorcerous battle against his great enemy. Perhaps his body was utterly destroyed, or perhaps he retreated to another demi-plane, similar to this one, to gather his strength for a final battle with Geb. Scholars have been arguing the point for almost as long as Nex has been missing. It might be that we will never know for sure."[/B] The galley reaches Khosravi, a blasted and barren land of rock and gravel. Nothing grows here, as though the bones of the Devourer have sucked the very life out of the ground. The rest of the island is littered with shattered siege engines and broken towers. An immense spike of sheer, solid rock with narrow grooves spiralling up its entire length protrudes from the ground, driven deep into a hilltop in the centre of the island, reaching 100ft into the sky. As the heroes approach, they realise the spike impales the rib cage of an enormous, draconic skeleton. The entire island has an eerie and oppressive atmosphere - and the heroes can't shake the feeling they are being watched.... [B]"Let's get this done,"[/B] Zain says, [B]"It'll be quicker if we spread out." "Are you nuts?"[/B] Fuk says, [B]"Even Fuk knows not to split the party! We stick together!"[/B] The heroes pass the huge, horned skull of the skeletal behemoth, looking out for growths the of black crystal so covetted by Norrin. Both Misfar and Zain spot a few small shards protruding from cracks in the ancient bones, while Fuk stumbles upon a cluster of obsidian shards bigger than he is. [B]"Over here!"[/B] Fuk calls out excitedly, [B]"Fuk find the motherlode!"[/B] The others hurry over to begin harvesting the black crystal - suddenly, they are overwhelmed by a gut-curdling carrion stink. [I](Fuk is Fatigued.)[/I] [B]"Urgh, what is that stench?"[/B] Nadiyya asks, struggling not to gag. [B]"Not Fuk! Don't look at Fuk!"[/B] And that's when the ghasts attack with surprise! - - - - - 💀 [B]Winged Ghast[/B] Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d6, Spirit d8, Strength d8, Vigour d8 Skills: Athletics d8, Fighting d8, Notice d8, Stealth d8 Pace 6", Parry 6, Toughness 8 Special Abilities; ⭕ Claws, STR+d4 and Paralyzing Touch ⭕ Flying, pace 8" ⭕ Paralyzing Touch, anyone Shaken/Wounded by the ghoul's claw attack must resist with Vigour-2 or be Bound (Vigour-2 to break free) ⭕ Undead traits - - - - - Two ghasts attack Nadiyya, their long filthy talons tearing deep gouges in her leather armour. Misfar is not so well outfitted, their claws scythe through his flimy gown and cut into his flesh. Misfar tries to cry out, but finds he has been paralyzed by the toxins coating the ghast's claws. Zain and Fuk fend off their own undead antagonists. Fuk gets to Counterattack and shoots one of the winged ghouls in the shoulder (Shaken). He follows up with a second shot to the monster's head killing it outright. The ghast drops to the ground, clawing at the broken shaft impaling its skull. Misfar rolls particularly well on his Vigour save and starts to restore control over his unresponsive body. The ghouls claw him again! A different ghast tears into Fuk and wounds the goblin, who also succumbs to its paralyzing touch. Zain sweeps [I]Tempest[/I] around and cuts down the two ghasts flapping around him. Nadiyya holds her sword aloft and calls upon her inner fire to enflame the blade. Nothing happens. Belatedly, she recalls that the bones of the Devourer suppress ALL arcane backgrounds, not just spellcasters. [B]"Damn it!!"[/B] she yells, taking out her frustration on the nearest ghast. The ghast glares at her reproachfully, as though to say [I]'Hey, it's not MY fault you don't pay attention to what important NPC's tell you!'[/I] Nadiyya stabs him in the throat for being such a judgemental prick. Misfar and Fuk are paralyzed and unable to contribute to the combat. The ghasts pick them up and prepare to launch into the air, hauling the helpless heroes up to their loathsome nest atop the stone spire! Zain has an instant to decide which of his friends he is going to help - he can't get to them both before the ghasts take wing! In the time honoured tradition of roleplayers everywhere, he rolls a d6! Zain goes to the wizard's aid, forsaking poor Fuk to be carried away! He kills the two ghasts grappling Misfar and slings the limp elf over his shoulder. Nadiyya kills another ghast and switches to her bow. The last ghoul continues to ascend toward the nest, gripping Fuk tightly to its chest. [B]"I can't get a clear shot!"[/B] Nadiyya screams, [B]"I might hit Fuk!" "He'll forgive you, probably!"[/B] Zain yells back, [B]"Take the shot!!"[/B] [I](Zain rolls Persuasion to Support Nadiyya's Shooting roll.)[/I] Her hands are slick with sweat, she nearly drops the arrow as she pulls it from her quiver. The ghast is some ways away (medium range) and Nadiyya is a middling marksman at best. [B]"You can do this."[/B] Zain says, encouragingly, [B]"The goddess guides your arrow."[/B] Nadiyya inhales, holds it in her lungs, then fires. The arrow flies true and clips the ghast's wing. It is Shaken and releases its hold on Fuk, who is now plunging 20ft toward the ground. Even with Misfar draped over his shoulder, Zain manages to cross the uneven ground and catch the falling goblin in his free hand. Nadiyya realises she is still holding her breath and exhales in relief. She is momentarily surprised by how deeply she has come to care for the little goblin. Zain and Nadiyya break up the large crystal cluster and pack the fragments into their packs. They carry their haul - and their paralyzed companions - back to the ship and return to Salenax. Misfar and Fuk recover from the ghast's toxins on route. The party return to Norrin's forge in the heart of the volcano, to hand over the crystal shards in exchange for colossi-killing weapons. [B]"Da! These will do very well, very well indeed!"[/B] the weaponsmith says, [B]"If I grind these fragments down into a fine dust and smelt the powder into the steel, I will be able to forge mage-killing swords that suppress magic. Fun, da?" "Yeah. Fun."[/B] Misfar answers, deadpan. [B]"A deal is a deal, da? Come with me."[/B] Norrin leads the heroes back through the room lined with weapon racks. He gestures disdainfully to a row of gleaming swords. [B]"These are your standard +1 weapons,"[/B] Norrin explains, [B]"Da, they get the job done, but if you are looking for something special, I recommend [I]Zenzirad[/I]."[/B] He directs the party's attention to a black longsword, the blade of which burns with an ebon flame. [B]"This, this is my baby. I made her special, to slay a genie warlord who ruled these islands. I hear he has left Kakishon, so I will never have the chance to wield it. Now I offer it you, in compensation for the black crystal." "Genie warlord?"[/B] Nadiyya asks, [B]"Do you mean Jhavul?" "Da! Jhavul. How do you know this name?" "We are trying to escape Kakishon, to stop Jhavul and his army conquering our homeland,"[/B] Zain answers. [B]"Then we are allies!"[/B] Norrin exclaims, [B]"The enemy of my enemy is my friend, da? You are strong! You will take Zenzirad and use it to fight Jhavul! Da, this is good!"[/B] Nadiyya takes up [I]Zenzirad[/I], promising to drive the blade through Jhavul's black heart. Norrin laughs uproariously and claps her on the back. [I]Zenzirad +1 magical longsword (STR+d8+d6); Anyone shaken or wounded by Zenzirad is set ablaze with ebon fire, suffering 2d6 damage per turn, Agility-2 to extinguish the magical flames.[/I] [B]"Let's not get ahead of ourselves."[/B] Misfar says, [B]"There's still the matter of four legendary monsters we have to attend to before we can go after Jhavul."[/B] [I]TBC[/I] [/QUOTE]
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