Absalom Abberations - A Pathfinder Society Tale

Game Master Brian Minhinnick

I'm not sure how they plan to flee with the wall blocking their way?

"Ugh! Grommesson! Honestly! Greater foes await us further in!" she shouts, shaking her head as the beast charges.

She waves her hand as she chants a spell, causing the ground around the rearmost members of the agents to erupt into a mass of wriggling black tentacles, groping and grasping at them.

Targeting as many as possible while still leaving a few for Grommesson to maul.
CMB: 1d20 + 9 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 4 + 1 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Okay, finally got a map worked up. I'm too lazy to actually roll initiative right now, so you guys can go first.

Begin Round 1

Forested/green squares off to the sides are heavily wooded and difficult terrain, unless you're flying at least 30' off the ground.

Argor retrieves a scroll and reads its magic. He points a finger to the middle of the group in front of them, a marble sized orange orb soaring quickly to their center. It then erupts into a massive ball of crimson and orange flames, engulfing them!

DC 14 (I think...CL 7 scroll) for half.
Damage: 7d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 4, 3, 4, 4, 5) = 28
Red Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Blue Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 16
Green Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Orange Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 6
Purple Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Pink Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 16
Yellow Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Red/Blue Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Pink/Purple Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Green/Orange Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Round 1

The beast of Grommesson smiles and charges into the fray. He jumps a little at the end to land a heavy punch on one in the first line.

unarmed charge -pa: 1d20 + 17 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (16) + 17 + 2 - 3 = 32
if hit, damage +pa +1d6 acid: 2d6 + 9 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 3) + 9 + 6 + (1) = 22
if hit, +1d6 bleed: 1d6 ⇒ 5

AC 28 -2 charge +3 shield of swings = 29. 15' Reach with Combat Reflexes 3 AOO

I guess I jumped the gun last time. I'm not going to change my action.

Seeing that the fleeing agents of the Onyx Alliance are in a nice grouping, Cladissa casts her black tentacles spell making sure to keep Grommesson out of the mass of wriggling limbs.

CMB: 1d20 + 9 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 4 + 1 = 30
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Gianluca flies forward on wings like honey. As he lands, the wings fade and he swings a mighty blow toward the nearest agent.

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Move: fly 60
Swft: switch to Silver Crane stance (granting me Holy weapon + Pro Evil)
Stnd: Golden Swipe strike vs Green. If that hits, and foe lives, and they aren't prevented from moving, they must move 10' toward Grommesson, provoking an AoO from Big G in the process. (If grappled, ignore the movement.)

Greatsword+power attack+gh: 1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 19 + 2 = 35 (9 BAB +10 STR +1 competence (battle prowess) +1 enhance +1 w.focus -3 power attack)
Damage+holy+gh+golden swipe: 2d6 + 28 + 2d6 + 2 + 6d6 ⇒ (5, 4) + 28 + (6, 2) + 2 + (2, 4, 1, 2, 6, 4) = 66 (+15 STR +1 enhancement, +1 competence (battle prowess), +2 untyped (discipline focus), +9 power attack)

Team Sabbysaurus charge and dogpile the closest orange shadow fool.

Bite (GH, Charge): 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 14 + 2 + 2 = 27
Damage: 2d6 + 10 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 10 + 2 + (6, 5) = 26

Grab: 1d20 + 22 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 22 + 2 + 2 = 39

Claw (GH, Charge): 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 14 + 2 + 2 = 19

Claw (GH, Charge): 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 14 + 2 + 2 = 29
Damage: 2d6 + 10 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) + 10 + 2 + (2, 5) = 26

Claw (GH, Charge): 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 14 + 2 + 2 = 33
Damage: 2d6 + 10 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) + 10 + 2 + (2, 3) = 25

Claw (GH, Charge): 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 14 + 2 + 2 = 37
Damage: 2d6 + 10 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) + 10 + 2 + (4, 2) = 27

Olympia Bite (PA, GMF, GH, Charge): 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 11 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 17
Damage: 4d6 + 6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4, 3, 4) + 6 + 4 + 2 = 26

Round 1

Argor retrieves a scroll and reads its magic. He points a finger to the middle of the group in front of them, a marble sized orange orb soaring quickly to their center. It then erupts into a massive ball of crimson and orange flames, engulfing them! The onyx agents cry out in pain as they are burned.

The beast of Grommesson smiles and charges into the fray. He jumps a little at the end to land a heavy punch on one in the first line.

Seeing that the fleeing agents of the Onyx Alliance are in a nice grouping, Cladissa casts her black tentacles spell making sure to keep Grommesson out of the mass of wriggling limbs. All the agents within the tentacles become trapped in their rubbery grasp.

Gianluca flies forward on wings like honey. As he lands, the wings fade and he swings a mighty blow toward the nearest agent, who was already pulped by Grommesson. The honeyed hand's sword finishes the job, putting the man down in two pieces.

Team Sabbysaurus charge and dogpile the closest shadow fool.

Assuming you have pounce or something?

The bird and lizard rip the man to shreds before he can even react.

CMBs: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 181d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 201d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
CMBs: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 121d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 181d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 251d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

All but one of the remaining Onyx agents fails to escape the tentacles gripping them, wailing in horror at their impending doom. The one wand wielding bard who is still free sprints for the woods, leaving his companions to their fates.

End of Round 1
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Begin Round 2

Grommesson steps forward and punches the next agent twice with his huge fists.

Attacks: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 14 + 2 = 271d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 2 = 28
Damage: 2d6 + 15 + 1d6 ⇒ (2, 6) + 15 + (6) = 292d6 + 15 + 1d6 ⇒ (5, 2) + 15 + (1) = 23

The blows leave two bubbling, acid-coated, bloody dents in the man's armor, eliciting more screams of terror and pain.

Your turn.

Argor flies forward, his eyes on the fleeing party. He closes some distance before sending several orbs of arcane power at the man.
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Staff Magic Missile: 5d4 + 5 ⇒ (1, 3, 1, 2, 2) + 5 = 14

Cladissa rushes up and tags the nearest enemy with her Misfortune hex, while the tentacles continue to squeeze the lot of them.

Will DC 22: 1d20 ⇒ 2

CMB: 1d20 + 9 + 4 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 4 + 1 + 5 = 27
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

At Level 8, Wild Shape grants Pounce and Rake if the chosen shape possesses them.

What are those big orange circles on each side of the path? Do they count as difficult terrain? I was hoping to charge the fleeing fool.

They are statues of famous Pathfinders past, so they actually block movement if you're not flying. That's why fleeing dude ran up before cutting over.

Seeing that the tentacles seem to have a good grip on most of the agents, the Honeyed Hand of Arshea flies forward to block the fleeing agent's progress.

Swft: back to Stance of the Crane Knight
Full: double move, as shown.
.
Note, with 15' reach, I should get an AoO if the agent takes a move. If I do, I'll attempt to trip him.

Need Sabrina's action to complete the round.

Sabbysaurous sets Olympia on the trail of the fleeing fool.

Turkey double moves to pursue the fleeing fool. Besides ordering Olympia to attack as a free action, Sabrina does nothing.

Was almost done with an update and the site ate it when I was previewing. (x_______x)*

I will try again later today or tomorrow.

Round 2

Grommesson steps forward and punches the next agent twice with his huge fists. The blows leave two bubbling, acid-coated, bloody dents in the man's armor, eliciting more screams of terror and pain.

Argor flies forward, his eyes on the fleeing party. He closes some distance before sending several orbs of arcane power at the man.

Cladissa rushes up and tags the nearest enemy with her Misfortune hex, while the tentacles continue to squeeze the lot of them.

Seeing that the tentacles seem to have a good grip on most of the agents, the Honeyed Hand of Arshea flies forward to block the fleeing agent's progress.

Sabbysaurous sets Olympia on the trail of the fleeing fool.

Sir Preston snaps out of his fugue and hustles up to Cladissa's side.

CMBs vs tentacle: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 291d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 171d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 201d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 171d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 81d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 131d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

None of the Onyx agents can escape the tentacles, despite their desperate struggles. The wounded agent who was fleeing finds himself trapped between a Roc and the angelic Freak, and drops to his knees, throwing empty hands up. "I surrender!"

End of Round 2
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Begin Round 3

You guys are up.

Let's keep going. The worse threats are still ahead. Hopefully my spell and Grommesson will deal with these. And then he can catch up," she amends, wondering if it was possible to convince the brute to leave their enemies behind.

She moves around the area of tentacles as they continue to writhe and squeeze those in their grasp.

CMB: 1d20 + 9 + 4 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 4 + 1 + 5 = 31
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Round 3

The beast of Grommesson smiles and plays whack-a-mole with the tentacled-grabbed agents.

unarmed 1 -pa: 1d20 + 17 - 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 17 - 3 + 2 = 22
if hit, damage +pa +1d6 acid: 2d6 + 9 + 6 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1) + 9 + 6 + (2) + 2 = 22
if hit, +1d6 bleed: 1d6 ⇒ 5

unarmed 2 -pa: 1d20 + 12 - 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 12 - 3 + 2 = 13
if hit, damage +pa +1d6 acid: 2d6 + 9 + 6 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 6) + 9 + 6 + (4) + 2 = 30
if hit, +1d6 bleed: 1d6 ⇒ 4

AC 28 +3 shield of swings = 31. 15' Reach with Combat Reflexes 3 AOO

Having no way to get around Cladissa's spell or the statues, Sabrina attempts to smash her way through one.

"OH YEAH!"

Smash the Statue (Str, Size): 1d20 + 10 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 8 = 37

Might work depending on how the build of the statues. It's a DC 35 check to break down a 1 ft. thick masonry wall. However, it's also a DC 50 check to smash a 3 ft. thick hewn stone. Realistically, I think that a 10,000 pound allosaurus should have no problems plowing through or toppling a statue. Regular humans in real life destroy and topple them with much less physical bulk.

With her handler distracted, Olympia Turkey continues to attack the surrendering fool...

Olympia Bite (PA, GMF, GH, Flank): 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 11 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 32
Damage: 4d6 + 6 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1, 1, 2, 3) + 6 + 4 + 1 + 2 = 20

Olympia Claw (PA, GMF, GH, Flank): 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 11 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 20
Damage: 2d6 + 6 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 + 4 + 1 + 2 = 18

Olympia Claw (PA, GMF, GH, Flank): 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 11 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 34
Damage: 2d6 + 6 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5, 4) + 6 + 4 + 1 + 2 = 22

Olympia Claw (PA, GMF, GH, Flank) Crit Confirm?: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 11 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 23
Crit Damage: 2d6 + 6 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1, 4) + 6 + 4 + 1 + 2 = 18

Okay, was waiting for everyone to post, but seems unnecessary at this point.

Grommesson and the tentacles kill another few of the trapped Onyx agents, while Olympia kills the one attempting to surrender. The remaining few Onyx belligerents collapse moments later within the tentacles.

End combat

As the fighting ends, an enormous black dragon sweeps over Skyreach, breathing acid on the defenders in the towers, and then roars in anger
and wings over toward the Mausoleum. Many of the Pathfinders defending the fortress fall, and the others scramble for cover.

The Masoleum is further into the Grand Lodge campus. Also this looks like the same dragon who snatched Chaviron and the cage artifact thingy from the Irorium earlier. What do you guys do?

Rutai begins collecting the wands of the fallen Onyx Agents as Argor studies the black dragon raining chaos upon the Society.

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (5) + 28 = 33 Trying to estimate its Age...as well as its likely capabilities at said age.

It is an old black dragon. You know the basics of black dragons and one more tidbit. What do you want to know?

Defensive Abilities

Typical old black dragon:High AC and HP; Fort +17, Ref +11, Will +15; DR 10/magic; Immune acid, paralysis, sleep, SR 25

Sabbysaurus decides to wisely avoid fighting the big scary dragon not like her fellow Pathfinders' sacrifices go in vain and seizes the momentary chance to move forward unhindered.

I say we move forward. Besides maybe Gianluca if he got the jump on it, that thing would eat any of our fliers for breakfast.

"What is the dragon trying to do? We can pursue it, but it clearly flies faster than us. Best to get to what it seeks so it must come through us or flee.

"At any rate, let us make haste to the mausoleum."

As his golden wings again unfurl, Gianluca says, "Sir Preston, shall I carry you?"

"Yes, please. Thank you." Preston clings to one of Gianluca's huge legs, standing on his foot as a platform.

I mean, not fighting it isn't really an option. Unless you just want to go hide somewhere and let it keep flying around destroying the Grand Lodge, everyone in it, and probably Imrizade as well. I was mainly asking what you're doing in case you want to buff more/summon stuff or whatever before heading forward. It won't take more than a minute to get to the Mosoleum.

Of my current buffs listed, what is still active? And how many more wands can Rutai pick up here (also can u remind me what CL they were? I remember that you said they were scorching ray wands)?

With a wave of her hand, Cladissa dispels the black tentacles and proceeds forward.

"I still have some of the negative energy burns from earlier. If we're going to fight a dragon that size, I would appreciate these wounds being healed if we can spare the resources," Cladissa comments.

I'm showing being 15 hp down, which could mean the difference between life and death if I happen to catch a breath weapon or something. So other than that, I think I'm ready to go.

Argor - It's been four minutes and three rounds (maybe 4 rounds with the post fight talking) since the fight in the marketplace. I don't recall when you cast your spells, or their durations, so you tell me if they are still active :P

As for wands, there were five wand dudes. I'm not sure how many you'll really need, since they disappear into gold after the mission, but there should be plenty of charges for Rutai to fire freely for the rest of the scenario if he's into that.

Sir Preston becons Cladissa over, and lays hands on her.

Healing: 5d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 6, 5, 6) = 24

Suddenly realizing that she will probably be fighting the dragon no matter what she does, Sabbysaurus takes the chance to shore up her defenses with Shield and Shield of Faith.

Might as well.

Anyone got any buffs for the squishy front liner? Maybe Resist Energy? Either way,
I'm ready to charge in!

Argor studies the dragon with a keen eye. "That is a fairly old dragon, roughly five centuries old I would wager, by the color of the scales. Highly resilient to physical attacks from non-magical sources, with potent resistances to magic, and outright immune to acids, as well as paralyzing or sleep effects."

Argor hovers along just behind and above the others. "We need to try to force it to ground. If we can do that, I have a wider array of minions to conjure forth that stand a chance of harming it. If we can weaken its inherent resistances to magics, I can also try and kill it outright, but without hampering it some before hand it is likely to shrug off the magics entirely." It is clear based on Argor's tone that he seems to hold either this particular dragon, or perhaps all of dragonkind, in high regard.
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Then all my listed buffs should still be active, and I have nothing more to add right now.

Gianluca: I can offer you a Shield spell, and a Haste to us all just as we engage.

Cladissa smiles when Preston heals her. "Thank you. I hope you left more for yourself."

"I still have death ward available, but it unfortunately does not ward against death by tooth and claw," Cladissa notes bitterly when Gianluca asks about more protection spells.

Then she turns to Argor. "Perhaps we can lure the dragon into closer quarters with whatever it's seeking inside the Lodge," she suggests.

Isn't shield a personal spell?

"I have a few more of those in me I think," Preston replies. "I have never had the pleasure of facing such an evil before," he says sardonically, "but should I be able to close with it, I believe m'Lady's smite would be quite effective."

PS: Don't forget you a figurine of wondrous power from Osprey, Argor.

The beast that is Grommesson shakes an unconscious (probably dead) body of an Onyx agent and roars in challenge at the dragon.

Then, he looks around for a closer target.

Will DC 24: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 11 + 2 = 17

Looks like he's gonna need some aid anothers to avoid attacking y'all.

The Honeyed Hand calls out in the most soothing tone he can, "Brother Grommesson, it's OK now. Look around. It's just us, your friends now."

Aid Diplomacy: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (1) + 21 = 22

Looks like we need 3 more successes to get him over the hump.

Rutai Diplo: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Argor Diplo: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (7) + 25 = 32

Grommesson! Save your strength for the dragon!" Cladissa advises.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

The beast's eyes come into focus with his companions words of encouragement. He drops the agent's body and looks to his companions waiting for the signal to go.

If we're all set now, I'll move us on sometime tomorrow, my time. I need to make another map of a different part of the Lodge, so it's gonna take me longer than a normal text post would. It'll prolly be early Tuesday morning EST before I get to it.

The group pushes forward, rounding the corner of Skyreach to bring the Mausoleum into view. Perched on the roof of the great building is the black dragon, it appears to be guarding the entrance to the structure. There is a large hole melted in the roof behind it, still dripping with caustic acid. The dragon doesn't immediately notice the group, as there are other Pathfinders spread around the grounds taking long range potshots at the wyrm - the very few missiles which manage to hit the dragon appear to not be doing much of anything.

AKA everyone shooting at it misses except on a nat 20 from the ranges they're at. I'm not going to bother putting them on the map, it's more of a cinematic thing.

Upon longer inspection, the Freaks notice that the dragon has already been wounded, though how severely is hard to say.

In case it's not clear, the ball is in your court now.

Argor begins flying forward to get close enough to work his magic.

Let's approach single file; I'm sure the dragon will never expect that! :P

"We're really doing this," Cladissa mutters as she also moves forward, making sure she's not in a line with anyone else.

"I've killed dragons before," Argor says with his usual matter-of-fact tone.

Gianluca makes a bee line for the injured dragon, flying 15' above the ground.

As before, he'll offer transport to Sir Preston, if the paladin is interested.

Moved myself 120' (double move) on roll20