Extinction Curse- The Show Must Go On!

[Gwynfrid]

Keshkaru comes to her loyal raptor, and pats her friend on the head, silently. Well fought, little sister. With her in tow, she goes around the room, peeks into the corridors... She's somewhat indifferent to the impressive art all around her. Ever the pragmatic, she looks out, mostly for dangers, while Castiel sits down on the floor next to the badly wounded dwarf, and sets to work.

Spoiler

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Keshkaru has Perception +11, for any secret checks.

Castiel can't afford Risky Surgery on someone who's thus badly hurt, so it will be Treat Wounds with Assurance on Vorgrok, again: (2d8)[9] healing.

Spoiler: Stats

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Keshkaru
Female Iruxi Druid (animal order), Level 3, HP 35/35, Speed 25
Medium humanoid (Frilled Lizardfolk), Animal Wrangler
AC 18 (shield down), Fort +7, Refl +5, Will +11, Perception +11
Abilities Str 16, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 18, Cha 14
Senses: Baseline
Attack, Claw +8 (1d4+3 slashing, agile)
Attack, Tail +8 (1d6+3 bludgeoning, sweep)
Attack, Sling +5 (1d6+1 bludgeoning, propulsive)
Athletics +8, Diplomacy +7, Intimidation +9, Nature +9, Performance +7
Focus Points: 1/1
Conditions: Inspire Courage (not included in stats above)

Ozkrak
Female Raptor (dromaesaur) Animal Companion, Level 3, HP 30/30, Speed 50
Small Animal
AC 18, Fort +7, Refl +8, Will +6, Perception +6
Ability bonuses Str +2, Dex +3, Con +2, Int -4, Wis +1, Cha 0
Senses: Low-light vision, scent (imprecise, 30 feet)
Attack, Jaw +8 (1d8+2 piercing, finesse)
Attack, Talon +8 (1d6+2 slashing, agile, finesse)
Acrobatics +8, Athletics +7, Stealth +8
Conditions: Inspire Courage (not included in stats above), Thundering Dominance 1 minute


Castiel Lyonesse]
Male Human Swashbuckler (fencer), Level 3, HP 41/41, Speed 25
AC 20, Fort +8, Refl +11, Will +9, Perception +9
Abilities Str 18, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 14
Senses: Baseline
Attack, Rapier +9 (1d6 piercing, disarm, finesse, deadly d8)
Acrobatics +11, Athletics +5, Deception +7, Diplomacy +7, Medicine +9, Stealth +4
Panache at start of round: No
Conditions: Inspire Courage (not included in stats above)

[stack]

Seeing the caster perish, Thap looks at his hands. He mumbles, "Didn't think I hit that hard..."

Spoiler

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his unarmed attacks are nonlethal. No worries, don't need to retcon anything.

[Farmerbink]

As Castiel begins working on Vorgrok, Giggles and Keshkaru begin inspecting the area. Giggles recovers only simple mundane belongings of the fallen cleric- robes, Gozren vestments, a trident, and simple leather armor. Interestingly, her wooden holy symbol has been defaced with deep scratches and what he thinks are burn marks- permanently marring the surface with sharp, angular runes.

Keshkaru and Ozkrak focus on the corridors first. The artwork on display throughout the corridors comes to a quick but elegant end- budding offshoots of vines and seaweed curl around on themselves a few feet past the Grand Hall, leaving the rest of the floors, walls, and ceilings comparably bare. A few closed doors are visible both north and southward, but nothing stirs and the duo senses no immediate dangers.

A few moments later, Giggles and Thwap are approaching the northern door (P16) when they hear the sounds of a heated argument from the other side. The voices appear to have no qualms talking over one another in increasingly fervent tones, and they don't appear to recognize anything has happened in the Grand Hall. Even so, it's hard to make out much of what's being said.

Spoiler: Mural

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(you'll have to imagine the bears and serpents)

Even harder when a sudden gust of wind starts through the room, almost physically pressing you westward. Looking up, and bracing yourselves against columns and floors, the grand double-doors seem to come to life. A sudden vortex of water sweeps across the wall, leaving (painted) tree limbs and clouds swaying dramatically as if fighting their own personal hurricane. The multitudes of fish painted along the bottom half of the wall, birds flying in the sky, and bears and serpents in the middle area all look up- directly at the party. As if each spoke with its own tongue, you hear a chorus of voices calling out, "Corruption has shut this door, but it cannot keep us out. Cleanse these halls of those who infest it and you will earn our favor. The Way will be opened for you. If you serve the Wind and the Waves, show us your will. The Way will be opened for you."

The animals falls silent, and the trees and waves still. For half a moment, you wonder if you've imagined the whole thing when the expressions of your companions confirm it was at least a joint hallucination.

A cursory inspection of the doors prove them to be securely locked- perhaps barred from the other side.

[DarkOne-Rob]

"We need to be careful not to get hurt more - I can't help heal anymore, at least no better than Castiel," starts Giggles, "...but I tend to listen to windy voices in general. You'd better believe I'll do it in a temple to a nature god!" With a wink he finishes his statement and creeps towards the northern door, intent on the handle and its lock...

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Stealth is at +8 (secret roll?). Thievery: (1d20+8)[22] vs traps or the lock in the northern door, as applicable.

[stack]

Thwap stays near Giggles, ready to advance once the door is opened. The magic voices are accepted readily enough; the oddity of the supposed priests acting as they had seems to be sufficient reason for such an occurrence.

[Farmerbink]

Giggles carefully plies the handle and finds the Northern door unlocked. As he opens it to peek inside, he notices that the argument from within appears to have been put on hiatus. "Yoril, I told you, I'm not to be disturbed!" an irritated voice calls from within. "What was all that racket?!"

[DarkOne-Rob]

With a shocked look at Thwap, Giggles acts on a split second thought. "Yes, sir, I know. We're sorry. The new helpers and I were arguing about the faith and things got out of hand. I was checking to see if we'd disturbed you and apologize..." the little blue gnome says, affecting his voice try and sound like that of the woman they just killed...

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Either Deception (+4) or Performance (+9). I don't know if there is much chance of success here, so either way...

After he's done trying to placate the speaker Giggles immediately grabs Thwap and scurries away from the door and around a corner, gesturing for anyone in the line of sight to the door to move out of the way, fast!

[Farmerbink]

Giggles isn't especially pleased with his mimicry, but the moment has passed. Still, after a brief pause, the voice calls back, "Very well, acolyte. See to it it doesn't happen again. And close the damned door!"

[DarkOne-Rob]

Giggles jumps, spins in midair, and reaches to close the door firmly. With an expression of relief he looks at the others and gestures at the door questioningly. He draws his whip and looks ready to do his part, but doesn't want to rush things...

[Farmerbink]

As Giggles closes the door, glancing back to his allies with a hopeful expression, the gravity of the situation suddenly dawns on him.

Spoiler: OOC

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Mechanically, Giggles is aware that the enemy has attempted to bluff him, and has failed to convince the clown that his response is genuine.

[DarkOne-Rob]

As he realizes things, he lets the door close but then rushes back and whispers so that all can hear, "He knows we aren't the acolyte! Get ready to fight - he is!"

Then he gets ready to do what he can...

[stack]

Thwap grimaces, moving out of direct sight from the door.

[JWallyR]

Vorgrok's bleary eyes open under Castiel's continued ministrations, and it takes the dwarf several moments of visible effort to gather himself. Rubbing gingerly at the most recent set of bandages, he winces, brows furrowing into an irritable scowl. Rising heavily to his feet, using his sledge almost as a crude walking stick, he glares at the walls of the strange temple, until...

"Corruption has shut this door, but it cannot keep us out. Cleanse these halls of those who infest it and you will earn our favor. The Way will be opened for you. If you serve the Wind and the Waves, show us your will. The Way will be opened for you."

The expression on Vorgrok's face is comically incongruous, his wide-eyed stare juxtaposed with the scowl still frozen across the rest of his feature. He stares at the mural before blinking and shaking his head, only to stare at it once more, with narrowed, appraising eyes. Clearly trusting neither his own observation of the mural and its disembodied voices nor its current, apparent inanimate state, he gives it a wide berth while tiptoeing closer to Giggles...

"He knows we aren't the acolyte! Get ready to fight - he is!"

After a moment of... fear? Followed by a sigh of relief when it appeared that the unseen speakers would remain so, Vorgrok swallows deeply, readying his heavy sledge and looking for a spot just out of sight from the door...

Spoiler: Actions

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I don't see a map, but Vorgrok would like to be somewhere out of direct sight, but from which he can Sudden Charge, aka no more than 40 feet away from the square in front of the door.

[Gwynfrid]

Keshkaru needs a few seconds to understand the gnome's urgent tone. She signals to Ozkrak, who goes to retreat out of sight, while she steps into the northern corridor.

Spoiler

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Ozkrak moves to S16, Keshkaru to M15.

[Farmerbink]

As the heroes prepare, they're surprised to not be jumped something like immediately.

Map updated
((Please give precise locations on the map- the door is currently closed, and unless you're at it listening deliberately, you can't hear anything from beyond))

[stack]

(Which door are we talking about? M12 or Q13?
If M12, Thwap can take L16.
If Q13, he takes Q16)

[DarkOne-Rob]

Giggles hides behind a column, hoping his size will help him avoid being seen but keep him close enough to help his friends (and attack his enemies) when they're ready to engage with the (presumably preparing for them) foe.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Move to M17 and use Stealth (+8, presumably a secret roll?). Is there a size bonus to Stealth in PF2e or anything?

[Farmerbink]

The heroes scatter, each taking up a defensive position near the doorway, waiting for an enemy to appear.

Perhaps most surprisingly, the seconds pass and no such appearance transpires. The grand hall is eerily silent as the heroes wait for.... something.

Map updated

Spoiler: OOC

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We're not precisely going round-by-round, but something like it. It's been ~10-15 seconds since my last post, and nothing has happened that you can see.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Giggles looks at the door, and then at his allies, and shrugs. "Be ready - I'm going to open it and run!" he stage-whispers as he approaches to do just that...

[JWallyR]

Vorgrok grimaces, and swallowing deeply once more, he moves to a position opposite Thwap, leaning against the wall as hard as his thick frame allows without preventing him from having both hands firmly gripping his heavy sledge.

Spoiler: Actions

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Move to O16 in preparation to flank.

Spoiler: Stats

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Vorgrok Giantforge
Level 3 Neutral Neutral Dwarf Barbarian. Speed 20 ft, Medium Humanoid (Rock Dwarf), Rigger
AC 19, Fort 9, Reflex 6, Will 9, Perception 9
Rock Dwarf Heritage- +2 vs shove/trip/prone effects, half forced movement over 10 ft
Dwarven Darkvision
Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8
HP 23/55

Conditions:
Clumsy 1 (-1 to Dex-based DCs/checks) while wielding Large weapon

[Gwynfrid]

With the patience typical of her kin, Keshkaru falls silent and waits, her senses on high alert. Mirroring her mistress, Ozkrak's hunter instincts kick in - she's utterly immobile, no sound coming out of her.

[stack]

Thwap holds his position, swaying gently in preparation.

[Farmerbink]

Giggles opens the door, and is as surprised as anyone when he isn't immediately attacked.

However, it quickly becomes apparent that the occupants expected you all to rush in just as much as you expected them to rush out. Starting at the lack of surprise, you face a pair of the worm-like demons on the other side of the threshold.

Thwap and Vorgrok are the first to make sense of the situation, as most of both parties struggle to catch up!

Begin Combat

Spoiler: OOC

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Vorgrok and Thwap to act- then the demons Might be a good time to look up readying as an action?

Map updated

[stack]

Thwap prepares to fight, swaying unpredictably as he waits for the enemy to come into the clear.

Spoiler

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1. stumbling stance
2. ready flurry of blows

(1d20+10)[21] for (1d8+2)[3]
1d20+6[/roll] for (1d8+2)[7]

stunning fist DC 19

[stack]

Spoiler

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because I am stupid (1d20+6)[26]

[JWallyR]

Vorgrok takes the moment to adjust his grip on the handle of his heavy sledge, preparing to bring it down upon who- or whatever- emerges from the door...

Spoiler: Actions

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Can't Rage and then ready an action because readying an action requires "concentration"...

So, readied attack: (1d20+9)[17] for (1d12+4)[6] damage

Spoiler: Stats

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Vorgrok Giantforge
Level 3 Neutral Neutral Dwarf Barbarian. Speed 20 ft, Medium Humanoid (Rock Dwarf), Rigger
AC 19, Fort 9, Reflex 6, Will 9, Perception 9
Rock Dwarf Heritage- +2 vs shove/trip/prone effects, half forced movement over 10 ft
Dwarven Darkvision
Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8
HP 23/55

Conditions:
Clumsy 1 (-1 to Dex-based DCs/checks) while wielding Large weapon

[Farmerbink]

The now familiar, yet still repugnant worm demons attempt to press through the doorway. The first receives a few fists to the sensitive bits- (as best Thwap can judge), as well as a less-precise but similarly effective impact from Vorgrok's hammer- for its trouble.

Thanks to Thwap's efforts, the first worm is too dazed to make good on its position, as the Goblin easily avoids its gnashing teeth.

However, one of the human occupants of the room gets a line of sight to the doorway and uses it to conjure a large sphere of fire on and around Vorgrok's feet.

Spoiler: OOC

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Vorgrok takes 10 damage from the flaming sphere. Party to act

Map updated

[stack]

The worms blocking the way to the casters, Thwap works and clearing them.

Spoiler

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1. flurry of blows (1d20+9)[13] for (1d8+3)[5] (flanking, so target has -2 AC)
(1d20+5)[23] for (1d8+3)[5] (flanking, so target has -2 AC)
2. Nothing else to do but Strike (1d20+1)[8] for (1d8+3)[10] (flanking, so target has -2 AC)
3. Nothing else to do but Strike (1d20+1)[12] for (1d8+3)[5] (flanking, so target has -2 AC)

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Gigglespit's Status, Round 1

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Gigglespit Baderiggo Humbleback
Chaotic Good Gnome Bard, Level 3, HP 36/36, Speed 25 ft.
Small Humanoid (Fey Touched Gnome), Circus Born
AC 19, Fort 7, Ref 10, Will 7, Perception 7
Abilities Str 8, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 18
Light Mace (+8 to hit, 1d4 damage, Agile, Shove, Finesse)
Conditions: Inspire Courage (Allies +1 attack, damage, and vs. Fear)
Prone
0/3 - 1st Level Spells
0/2 - 2nd Level Spells

Giggles take the opportunity to fling more magic as he encourages his friends, saying "No more hiding in fear, guys! And you in there - freeze or we won't hold our strikes!"

All PCs apply the benefits of Inspire Courage to your rolls!

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Cast Inspire Courage and Ray of Frost. Ray of Frost: (1d20+10)[22] vs AC, (2d4+4)[11] cold damage.

Critical Success The target takes double damage and takes a –10-foot status penalty to its Speeds for 1 round.
Success The target takes normal damage.

[Gwynfrid]

Her dorsal spikes stand up tall on her back as Keshkaru, fangs bared, crounching nearly to all fours, jumps forward towards the lead worm demon. Her neck frill, bloated with red blood, triples in volume... She croaks out a call to Ozkrak, and the loyal dinosaur comes out of her hiding place to the attack!

Spoiler

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Actions #1-2 Threatening Approach, move to Q17 and Demoralize (1d20+9)[25]. If successful, the demon is frightened 2
Action #3 Command Ozkrak

Ozkrak
Action #1 Stride to O17
Action #2 Jaw strike (1d20+9)[26] damage (1d8+3)[4] including Inspire Courage effect

Spoiler: Stats

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Keshkaru
Female Iruxi Druid (animal order), Level 3, HP 35/35, Speed 25
Medium humanoid (Frilled Lizardfolk), Animal Wrangler
AC 18 (shield down), Fort +7, Refl +5, Will +11, Perception +11
Abilities Str 16, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 18, Cha 14
Senses: Baseline
Attack, Claw +8 (1d4+3 slashing, agile)
Attack, Tail +8 (1d6+3 bludgeoning, sweep)
Attack, Sling +5 (1d6+1 bludgeoning, propulsive)
Athletics +8, Diplomacy +7, Intimidation +9, Nature +9, Performance +7
Focus Points: 1/1
Conditions: Inspire Courage (not included in stats above)

Ozkrak
Female Raptor (dromaesaur) Animal Companion, Level 3, HP 30/30, Speed 50
Small Animal
AC 18, Fort +7, Refl +8, Will +6, Perception +6
Ability bonuses Str +2, Dex +3, Con +2, Int -4, Wis +1, Cha 0
Senses: Low-light vision, scent (imprecise, 30 feet)
Attack, Jaw +8 (1d8+2 piercing, finesse)
Attack, Talon +8 (1d6+2 slashing, agile, finesse)
Acrobatics +8, Athletics +7, Stealth +8
Conditions: Inspire Courage (not included in stats above)