The party traveled deep into the recently abandoned mines, looking for any sign of the murderous druid and his beasts.  Climbing deeper and deeper through the winding tunnels, the party encountered no signs of resistance or any sign of life, but couldn't shake the uneasy feeling of being watched from somewhere in the darkness.  Eventually, they arrived at the spot where the miners had originally encountered their attacker: a wide natural cavern intersecting the mineshaft, with an underground river running through it.  The miners had been using the cavern as a staging area when the old man had appeared out of nowhere.

OOC: Everyone set the scene for your characters before the combat begins.  You can start the encounter with any effects lasting 20 mins or more.  I'd also like you to give me rolls for initiative, perception, and stealth (for anyone trying to be stealthy).  You're not moving yet.

Notes: There is no light within the mine, aside from what the party brings with them.  The ceiling of the cavern is 30' up. The walls can be climbed with a DC 15 climb check.  The river is 20' below the party, and most of the ridges on the map are 10' high.  The river is too slow and shallow to be dangerous, but is difficult terrain.

Rik was more than happy to stay in the back as anyone more stealthy than him or more capable of not giving away their position with a light source took the lead. His healing ability would function practically from the entrance of the cave so he was hardly worried about that, he could always run in and save the day in the after math, or send Mortimer to do it for him.

Mortimer, the strange reptile-bird, is perched on his shoulder. It's little satchel of potions is tied to one of it's feet.

Rik held his spear aloft. Using the tip as the focus for his light source. He could see pretty well in dim light but without using some of his racial magic he couldn't see in the dark. He was hoping that a combination of his good eye sight and Mortimer's sense of smell would alert him of dangers in the darkness.

Start with Life Link active on every party member and their combat companions, excepting Mortimer. Infinite duration, 100ft range.

16:08, Today: Rik Feyleaf rolled 18 using 1d20+4.  Initiative.

16:09, Today: Rik Feyleaf rolled 27 using 1d20+8.  Perception.

16:09, Today: Rik Feyleaf rolled 0 using 1d20-5.  Stealth .

Mortimer has Scent
https://www.aonprd.com/UMR.aspx?ItemName=Scent

If relevant, not that it would help apparently.
16:19, Today: Rik Feyleaf rolled 3 using 1d20+2.  Track by Scent.

Visual/auditory Perception
16:18, Today: Rik Feyleaf rolled 24 using 1d20+6.  Perception - Familiar.

EDIT: also Barkskin potion. I forgot I had that.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:50, Mon 14 Aug 2023.

Thankful for the light from Rik's spear, Delfrdydd scanned the edges of what he could see as they entered the cavern. He'll keep himself to the lefthand wall as the party moves into the new space. His musket in hand and loaded.

OOC:
19:27, Today: Delfrydydd rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  stealth.
19:27, Today: Delfrydydd rolled 14 using 1d20+8.  perception.
19:28, Today: Delfrydydd rolled 18 using 1d20+3.  initiative .

Guided by the soft, ethereal glow of his Ioun Torch, which floated gracefully around his head, Erisen stepped into the vast cavern. Each footstep echoed subtly off the cold, damp walls, mingling with the distant murmur of an underground river. Despite the uneven terrain and looming darkness, his steps remained sure, never faltering or misstepping. The pale, shifting luminescence from the torch refracted off his watchful eyes, scanning the cavern's expanse. Beneath his garments, a hidden emblem of Hastur lay, its presence resonating with the rhythm of his heart - calm, yet expectant. A subtle aura enveloped him — remnants of protective spells cast earlier — with their essence still clinging to his being.

As the party settled momentarily and Erisen realized they had finally arrived, a subtle change came over him. His stance shifted, and a readiness, born of both training and instinct, enveloped him. Amidst the silence, he murmured a line from the yellow tome he had studied so fervently; his voice carried the weight of a sacred prayer: "In the dance of shadows, whispers of destiny intertwine."

OOC:
Buffs: Anticipate Peril, Resist Energy (Acid), Ashen Path, Feather Step, Heroism, Barkskin, Mage Armor, Blood-Boiling Pill, Darkvision
Erisen rolled 25,30 using d20+11,d20+12.  Initiative,Perception

Patagogi had led the way along the tunnels with his darkvision giving him the best sight among his companions.  Once he hit the location of where it was told that the miners met the old man, Patagogi pulled out a vial and drank it down anticipating something happening.  His skin became a little darker shade of green than it was previously and if he were touched it would also be harder than it was.

Patagogi led with his falchion drawn as he was about to head into the cavern.

Buff: Barkskin (30mins)
16:34, Today: Patagogi rolled 20,22 using d20+2,d20+8.  Initiative then Perception.

As the party enters the sprawling cavern, Rik and Erisen detect a strange vibration passing through the ground beneath their feet.  It's too rhythmic to be an earthquake, but too steady to be the footsteps of some massive creature.  At the last moment, they understand: there is something tunneling through the earth, and it's nearly upon them!  Patagogi's ioun wyrd familiar Diamond also notices the approaching threat, but it's empathic warning is too late and too unclear for the skald himself to react in time.

OOC: Everyone beat the enemy's initiative roll, but only Rik, Erisen, and Pata's familiar made the DC 25 perception check, and act in the surprise round.  As with all surprise rounds, you can take a single standard or move action.

13:39, Today: Gorum rolled 8 using 1d20+6.  Enemy initiative.

Upon feeling the subtle tremors, Erisen's eyes narrowed and darted downwards, a flicker of understanding crossing his features. Swiftly, he reached into a pouch at his side, producing a raven-black feather. Holding it aloft, he intoned, "By the unsung act's decree, let the void set me free." As the words flowed, he traced a series of intricate gestures in the air, their motion harmonizing with the spell's power. Suddenly, the oppressive pull of the underground ceased to affect him, and he found himself hovering, mere inches above the cavern floor, poised and alert to the unseen force moving beneath them.

OOC:
Standard: Casting fly on himself.

Rik grips the pendant around his neck with one hand "May the power of the spirits flow through my allies this day."

OOC: Cast Bless

Diamond imparted a feeling that something was about to happen to Patagogi and then went on the defensive to help its master.

Aid another for an additional +2 to AC. (rolled an 11)

Erisen and Rik were able to cast some last-second spells a moment before a massive badger burst from the ground in front of the party.  The stocky, furious creature snapped at Patagogi, only to be fended off the the skald's vigilant familiar.

Further back in the cave, beyond anyone's ability to see, another creature could be heard emerging from the earth.  After spitting out a dwarven curse, it called out to the party in a deep, gravelly voice like great rocks grinding together.  "Fools!  Here in the sacred belly of Golarion, your greed has led you to your death!"

The voice then cast a spell, causing the rocky ground to shift and shape itself into a field of long sharp points.

Cave Guardian surprise round:
FREE: 5' step out from earth
STANDARD: Cast Spike Stones, creating spikes throughout the red area of the map.  Creatures walk through these areas at half speed, and take 1d8 damage for every 5' moved.  The first time per round that someone takes damage, they must make a DC 19 reflex save or have their movement halved again until they receive healing magic.

Cave Badger surprise round:
FREE: 5' step out from earth
STANDARD: Attack Patagogi with power attack, missing with a 16

Name	Position	HP	AC	Touch	FF	Fort	Ref	Will	CMD	Notes
Delfrydydd	U6	33/33	18	13	15	+6	+5	+6	16	Light, bless
Erisen	U5	48/48	18	12	16	+10	+6	+12	16	Anticipate Peril, Resist Energy (Acid), Ashen Path, Feather Step, Heroism, Barkskin, Mage Armor, Blood-Boiling Pill, Darkvision 60', bless, fly
Patagogi	T7	47/47	20	10	20	+10	+3	+7	17	Barkskin +2, Darkvision 60', bless
Diamond	As Pata	23/23	18	15	15	+5	+3	+3		Blindsight 30, Construct traits, bless
Rik	U7	44/44	16	10	16	+5	+1	+7	13	bless
Cave Guardian	G18	80/80	21	13	18	+10*	+5*	+12	19	Barkskin, Longstrider, Echolocation, Freedom of movement, delay poison, ashen path, feather step, steel soul
Cave Badger	S7	80/80	21	12	17	+11	+5	+3	24	Barkskin, greater longstrider, rage, loyalty

08:38, Today: Gorum rolled 16,15 using 1d20+8,1d6+9.  Power attack badger.

When the badger popped up and tried to hit him, Patagogi was ready for it thanks to Diamond.  Immediately, Patagogi began his raging song which reverberated off the walls of the cavern making it even louder.

Standard action: Start Raging song, you can accept or reject the song each round and lasts until your next turn.
Inspired Rage (Su) At 1st level, affected allies gain a +2 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution and a +2 morale bonus on Will saving throws, but also take a –1 penalty to AC. While under the effects of inspired rage, allies other than the skald cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or any ability that requires patience or concentration.
Also, gain: You are surrounded by spirit wisps that harass her foes. These spirits make one slam attack each round against a living foe that is adjacent to you. This slam attack is made using +10 to attack. The slam deals 1d4+3 points of negative energy damage.

Also gain: gains a +3 morale bonus on saving throws made to resist spells, supernatural abilities, and spell-like abilities. While accepting the rage, you cannot be a willing target of any spell and must make saving throws to resist all spells, even those cast by allies.

Diamond continues to aid Patagogi's AC.

Rik shakes his head to dismiss the effects of his ally's song. He murmurs a prayer to the spirits "Bless my allies with Fortune most favorable" then he begins Chanting in an unknowable language focusing on the rhythm and how it reverberates in the cave.

Mortimer Stays on his shoulder looking to nudge his master out of the wat in case of trouble.

OOC:
Standard - Fortune on Patagogi (DC 15 I suppose)
Move - Chant

Mortimer Aids AC.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:41, Wed 16 Aug 2023.

It all seemed to happen so fast. The rumbling underfoot. The echoing voice. The enraged badger not 10 feet away.

Clearing his head of Patagonia's song, Delfrydydd added his own incantation to the mix, "Hedfan I ffwrdd!" and the half-elf raised off the grown. Continuing his accent, he made sure to fly clear of the badger and move himself up along the ceiling.

---

OOC:
Standard - Flight Hex
Move - U5 to P8 (+20ft)

Erisen followed Delfrydydd, ascending upward just after the half-elf left the ground. He curved his trajectory, evading the reach of the badger below, and darted deeper into the echoing expanse. Although the guardian eluded his vision, the echoes of their spell reverberated, guiding Erisen’s intuition.

Even though he still couldn't spot the guardian, Erisen sensed he was drawing near. Holding a rod inscribed with intricate patterns, he channelled its power with a hand motion while his other hand deftly found the golden symbol hidden beneath his clothing. "Void's whisper, storm's hiss, beckon the prowler from the abyss..." he began to intone a verse, an incantation not yet complete.

OOC:

Non-Action: Reject raging song.
Move: Ascend, 15ft using 30ft of movement, then move vertically to Q9.
Standard: Lose "vision of hell" to start casting summon monster iii
This message was last edited by the player at 21:23, Wed 16 Aug 2023.

OOC: I'm assuming Patagogi is using the benefits of his bloodrage, rather than the less-powerful raging song.  If I'm wrong, please correct me.

Erisen's incantation was interrupted as the still-unseen druid called out a spell of his own.  Lightning flashed underground as a roiled cloud of electrical energy formed around the Hastur worshipper's head.  The electricity caught Erisen completely off-guard, shocking him into a brief stupor.

Meanwhile, the badger continued to tear furiously at Patagogi with it's teeth and claws.  Despite the best efforts of the skald's rocky familiar, the badger was able to get past his defenses and tear a sizable chunk out of the half-orc's leg.

Cave Guardian:
STANDARD: Cast greater aggressive thundercloud on Erisen, Erisen fails both the DC 20 reflex save and the Fort save, taking 26 electricity damage and being stunned for one round.
IMMEDIATE: If attacked, cast stone shield to provide cover for one round.

Cave Badger:
FULL    : Full attack vs Patagogi.  Hits with a claw and a bite for 22 total damage.

Name	Position	HP	AC	Touch	FF	Fort	Ref	Will	CMD	Notes
Delfrydydd	P8	33/33	18	13	15	+6	+5	+6	16	Light, bless, flight, 20' up
Erisen	Q8	22/48	18	12	16	+10	+6	+12	16	Anticipate Peril, Resist Energy (Acid), Ashen Path, Feather Step, Heroism, Barkskin, Mage Armor, Blood-Boiling Pill, Darkvision 60', bless, fly 30' up, stunned
Patagogi	T7	30/52	19*	10	19	+11*	+3*	+9*	17	Barkskin +2, Darkvision 60', bless, raging song, spirit totem, superstition +3, fortune (2 rounds)
Diamond	As Pata	23/23	18	15	15	+5	+3	+3		Blindsight 30, Construct traits, bless
Rik	U7	44/44	16	10	16	+5	+1	+7	13	bless
Cave Guardian	G18	80/80	21	13	18	+10*	+5*	+12*	19	Barkskin, Longstrider, Echolocation, Freedom of movement, delay poison, ashen path, feather step, Greater aggressive thundercloud (8 rounds,Q9) steel soul (+4 save vs spells or spell-like)
Cave Badger	S7	80/80	21	12	17	+11	+5	+5	24	Barkskin, greater longstrider, rage(4 rds), devotion

07:53, Today: Gorum rolled 21,25,18,11,11,13 using 1d20+8,1d20+9,1d20+9,1d6+9,1d4+9,1d4+9.  Badger power attacks vs Patagogi.
07:30, Today: Gorum rolled 26,13,19 using 6d6,d20+6,d20+10.  Aggressive thundercloud damage, reflex, fortitude.

This message was last edited by the GM at 15:46, Thu 17 Aug 2023.

Patagogi stands his ground against the wild badger.  As the thing clawed and scratched at him he gritted his teeth at the pain the thing caused.  More than a little raged by this Patagogi slashed his falcion in a wide arc that cut deep into the badge tearing its flesh open. "You will pay for that creature!"

Full attack Crit on the badger for 23 damage. Spirit wisps do another 7 damage.
16:20, Today: Patagogi rolled 27,11 using d20+10,2d4+6.  crit check.
16:19, Today: Patagogi rolled 30,12 using d20+10,2d4+6.

16:24, Today: Patagogi rolled 14,5,21,7 using d20+10,d4+3,d20+10,d4+3.  spirit wisps from Diamond and Patagogi.

Diamond will continue to aid.

Patagogi's Skald's Vigor heals him of 2 points as well.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:55, Thu 17 Aug 2023.