GM Blood's Age of Worms in Golarion

Game Master David James Olsen

How long before you head to find Allustan? It had probably been 3 or 4 days after the games before you sought out Eligos and found him dead.

Leaving immediately after finding him? A couple more days to shop or craft? Did you spend a day after that trying to scry Raknian?

Magnimar to Diamond Point is about 120 to 130 miles away, well within your teleport range. Remember you still can only bring 3 with you.

"I have been working on improving my teleportation ability. Instead of opening a minor door to take us a few hundred feet, I believe I can now take several of us hundreds of miles at a time. It would easily be enough to get us back to Diamond Point and our home there. However, it would be a significant commitment of my arcane resources for a day; to get all of us there, I would have to cast it three times. And it is easily the most challenging and taxing spell I've mastered to date. I would be willing to try it once the memorial services for Eligos and Pollard have been conducted."

"When I tried to use my divination abilities to seek out Raknian before, they failed as though they were being blocked. But I think it is important for me to try again. Perhaps whoever or whatever was shielding him before was left behind."

"Quintus, could you pray for the grace to send a message quickly to Allustan with news from here? That way he can at least be on guard until we can get there." Sending spell?

Probably a few more days at least here in Magnimar. Rauno will not leave prior to services for his fallen mentor.

"I'll do that."

"Eligos Pollard dead. Beware Raknian. Kyuss information for you. Apostolic Scrolls and more. We bring soon. We killed ulgurstasta. Much more to tell." How's that?

Quintus casts a sending spell and relays the information. No response is given even though Allustan would have the option to do so.

"I can't tell if he got the message. I can also try to scry on him."

"Please do that Qunitus. I fear for our friend..."

Scrying on Allustan fails as well....

"We'd better get back to Diamond Point as fast as we can." No time to brood...thank you for that, Lady, for I'm so tempted....

"Tomorrow. I can do it tomorrow. We wouldn't be able to get there any faster over land." His voice is still heavy and weary with the weight of grief.

Overnight, Rauno will memorize Teleport in his non-school specific 5th level slots and scrying. He'll scry their house to make sure it is still a safe destination. When the group is ready, he'll teleport with Trevor and Kelkzar. Then he'll teleport back by himself. And finally he'll teleport to Diamond Point with Quintus and Rowena.

"I can also prepare a scrying spell. "

-Posted with Wayfinder

Knowing you are heading back the next day, every finishes their purchases in Magnimar. The night before returning, Rauno arranges a quick burial service for Eligos and Pollard.

*EDIT* Apparently you cannot scry a location only a person. The viewing pool in the Mind Flayer's lair has a range of 5 miles.

In that case, scry on Allustan's brother.

Edited to reflect limitations on scrying spell.

See edit above

Will Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Quintus casts scry on the Lord Mayor of Diamond Point. He is currently in the town square of Diamond Point surrounded by guards ordering the militia around. There is quite a bit of damage in the town square. The ground is scarred and things around him partially melted as if from acid.

Quintus passes along what he sees. "Something has happened to the town--an attack of some kind. Let's go."

The next day Rauno prepares three teleports and transport everyone back to your modest home outside of town. A short walk back into town reveals major damage to the city. The feels of chaos and fear fills the air. Diamond Point's biggest business, the Emporium is leveled, as well as most of the building from there past Allustan's house. Like Quintus saw in his scrying, it is a combination of physical damage as well as melting consistent with acid damage.

A group of militia notice you and recognize you and take you to Governor-Mayor Lanod Neff, Allustan's brother. Marzena is also with him. "A couple days ago a 30 foot long black winged serpent with a devastating acid breath came to the city. My brother Allustan's home was the first thing that the creature went to and leveled it. Marzena here thankfully was in the market at the time. Realizing Allustan was not in the building he just destroyed, in went on a rampage all the way to the town square. It then grabbed injured victim and gathered them in the square demanding we turn over Allustan."

Marzena then speaks up, "Allustan has been spending a lot of time back at the Whispering Cairn you first investigated. He claimed he was on the verge of a great discovery there. He had gone there earlier in the day before the dragon attacked. Someone tipped the dragon off where he was and it immediately flew off in that direction leaving his hostages behind. That was three days ago and I haven't heard from Allustan since. "

Governor-Mayor Lanod Neff resmus, "We organized the local militia to keep a lookout in case the dragon came back. This town has been living in fear that it could return. We do not know why it was after my brother or if it has found him. Word should be reaching Magnimar by now for reinforcements, but now that you are here, you are probably the best option for saving this town. Are you willing to help us once again?"

"We're on it!" Rowena replies, looking around sadly at the desolation.

Quintus nods. "Of course. And I think I speak for all of us."

Rauno looks around at the devastation and his mind immediately goes to arcane solutions.

Summoned labor wouldn't last long enough to be effective. Unseen servants are less helpful than a child. Boosts to strength and stamina that last minutes are of little help to a job that will take weeks...

With a grim sigh, Rauno agrees. "It is the least we can do."

"We will, but it seems the town would be best served by us destroying this dragon. If it is hunting your brother at the Whispering Cairn, should we not seek it there?"

Trevor is devastated by the devastation. He looks dumbfounded at the ruins left in the wake of the dragon, coming to grip with how little one man can do against enemies that can strike in so many places.

All my friends are in danger...

He smiles though, and hope shine through him, as he sees in a corner the small shrine to Iomedae he's helped renovate a little while back.

I must be strong. They must rely on me...

"Yes, we will help rebuild, but first, we need to find Allustan and make sure he's safe. We'll come back right after. In the meantime, would money help? We can spare some if you need."

You head out to the Whispering Cairn once again. You all remember your first adventure together heading this way which seems a lifetime ago. You pass what was Dourstone mine (The location of your second adventure), now under new management, business returning to normal there.

Soon you are approaching the Whispering Cairn when Kelkzar and Rowena spot a large streak of black flying towards them! Rauno, you don't see anything but your supernatural senses alert you to unknown danger.

I guess I'll get to roll Knowledge (arcana) when I can see it.

"Danger, my friends. From where, I am unsure."

Rauno and Kelkzar are up first with Rauno not seeing anything yet. Rauno cannot make a check until he sees it (it is stealthing currently). It is still approaching (about 400 ft away) so its surprise round will just be a move closer so Rowena can take her turn in the surprise round and then round 1 can go with Rauno, Trevor and Kelkar.

SURPRISE ROUND

Initiative Order - Rauno, Kelkzar, Black Flying Creature (moving), Rowena

Round 1

Initiative Order - Rauno, Trevor, Kelkzar, Black Flying Creature, Quintus, Rowena

Black Flying Creature AC 36 T 8 FF 36 CMD 39

Surprise Round.

Uncertain about the source of the danger, Rauno goes to a reliable aid to his allies, a spell of haste.

Casting Haste, 10 round duration (cannot extend since he only gets a standard action in the surprise round, and he can't ready his metamagic rod).

Rauno casts haste while still trying to spot the source of the danger.

Perception Check Rauno: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25 DC 29, fail

"There!" Rowena points. "Flying black shape, moving fast. Everyone take cover and spread out!"

Rowena moves to K5 and takes cover behind the tree, practically vanishing into the undergrowth.

Stealth: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (14) + 19 = 33

Rowena ducks behind some trees as the black shape draws near. Still need a Perception DC 29 to notice it though

Kelkzar left in the surprise round then Rauno, Trevor, and Kelkzar in Round 1

Begin round 1!

Surprise Round
Kelkzar points to the dark shape in the sky. "Up there. A black dragon coming this way. Acidic breath. Possibly spells like darkness, insect plague, and corrupt water. And all kinds of hurt from its natural weapons." He begins casting a spell to ready for the attack.
Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
Swift action to activate judgments of sacred justice and sacred purity.
Standard action to cast heroism

Round 1
"Can any of you help Trevor, Rowena and I get up there to attack?" Kalkzar casts another spell.
Swift action to activate bane against dragons.
Standard action to cast divine favor
Holding move action pending tactics. Most likely will scatter.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Trevor tries to sight the dragon but doesn't see a thing: "A dangerous foe... I'm glad this one is not running and hiding from us..."

"Inheritor, I am your agent in this world. Bless me with a shard of Your grace!" he shouts and his skin takes a silvery quality while a set of wings spring from his back and he takes flight!

Cast Angelic Aspect, then flies upward (speed is 30 feet, so not too fast...).

Rauno's round 1 action (and Kelkzar's held move?) then the dragon goes (In the surprise round he just flew closer)

Trevor you will be 15' up off the ground (1/2 movement flying up)

Seeing Rowena move for cover, Rauno follows suit. With supernatural speed, he moves closer to the cave mouth and casts a spell to help foil some of the foe's physical attacks.

Move to P4 and cast Displacement.

Perception Dragon: 1d20 + 29 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 29 - 2 = 45

The dragon comes flying past unleashing a bout of acid from its mouth that covers Quintus, Kelkzar, and Rowena.

Acid Damage: 16d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 4, 6, 4, 4, 3, 4, 1, 5, 5, 6, 5, 5, 2, 5) = 67 Reflex Save DC 25 for half

It lands and perches itself above the entrance to the Whispering Cairn. After she lands she roars out, "Dragotha take you all, the wizard is mine! He will pay for slaughtering my children!"

The dragon is about 10' up you will need to have a reach weapon to engage in melee. It is huge sized

Delaying Quintus and Rowena to top of round 2 to make future rounds go smoother

Round 2

Initiative Order - Quintus, Rowena, Rauno, Trevor, Kelkzar, Black Flying Creature

Black Dragon AC 36 T 8 FF 36 CMD 39

For a moment, Trevor's heart filled with fear as he rose, alone, to face the dragon, but Rafan calmed his heart, and he stayed stoically in front of his friends.

But the dragon chose the coward's way, aiming for his friends instead!

"Coward! My blade shall send you to the depths of the Abyss, where you will rot with the worst of them! Inheritor, I beseech you to bless my strikes!"

SwA: Smite Evil. Not sure if I can full attack. If not, I will use Vital Strike.

Smite, Haste, PA, FF: 1d20 + 19 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 19 + 4 + 1 = 401d10 + 21 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 21 + 10 = 34 +10 if dragon
Smite, Haste, PA, FF: 1d20 + 19 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 19 + 4 + 1 = 281d10 + 21 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 21 + 10 = 33 *miss
Smite, Haste, PA, FF: 1d20 + 11 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 11 + 4 + 1 = 351d10 + 21 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 21 + 10 = 36 *miss

Confirm 1: 1d20 + 19 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 19 + 4 + 1 = 251d10 + 21 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 21 + 10 = 39 *miss

Vital Strike additional damage if no FA: 1d10 ⇒ 5

Round 2

Rauno casts a spell on himself so he can see any magic auras around the beast.

Casting arcane sight.

The dragon snaps at Trevor as he approaches, connecting with a vicious acid filled bite.

Attack of Opportunity: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (20) + 28 = 48 *Hit, not confirmed*
Attack of Opportunity Confirm: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (1) + 28 = 29
Damage: 2d8 + 13 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 8) + 13 + (6, 1) = 32 25 Physical, 7 Acid

As it is now closer, the dragon's outline appears to shimmer and shift slightly. Although Trevor feels he should have it it soundly, he somehow misses it.

20% Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 6

I also forgot it's frightful presence as it flew by. It is a fear effects, will save DC 22. Trevor is immune and give a +4 to the save to Kelkzar and Quintus.

Fail and you are shaken

With DR and Acid resistance, it come to 20 hp.

Will: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
Reflex: 1d20 + 14 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 14 - 2 = 22 Any cover bonus from the tree?

Awaiting ruling to decide her action.

Rowena, we'll say the origin of damage is opposite from the cover and give you the +2 listed, looks like the reflex save is still too low.

Yes, except I forgot the +1 from haste, so she just makes it.

Nice!

Taken completely by surprise, Quintus fails to dodge any of the massive spray of acid. Despite this, the dragon's terrifying aura fails to dent his strength of purpose.

DC 25 Reflex save vs. breath, incl. haste: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 = 10

DC 22 Will save, incl. +4 morale bonus for aura of courage: 1d20 + 12 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 12 + 4 = 28

Quintus, it's also your turn...

Still shaking slightly from the presence of the dragon, and the nearness of the acidic breath that currently sizzles against the tree, Rowena steps out, tumbling to the edge of the cliff (M3), and stabs up with her bardiche.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 24 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 24 - 2 = 30

Bardiche: 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 11 + 1 - 2 = 22

The blade of her weapon scrapes against its hide.

Quintus calls on protective magic and wards himself and Kelkzar against acid. Casting communal protection from acid; stops 120 points of acid damage or lasts for fifty minutes.

Kelkzar up before the dragon!

Assuming Rauno let's us know about the blur...
Kelkzar attempts to cast hunter's eye to aid in the upcoming fight, then draws his longspear and advances toward the entrance to the cairn moving into range to attack with the extra speed from Rauno's spell.
Reflex save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Will save: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 25
Swift action to switch judgment of sacred purity to judgment of sacred piercing
SR check: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

After Rauno alerts the group to what spells it has on it, Kelkzar successfully casts the spell on the dragon, no longer concealed to his eyes only, and moves up before the dragon has a chance to react to him closing in.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (12) + 26 = 38

The dragon realizes what Kelkzar casts and targets him first with one deadly bite.

Bite: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (4) + 23 = 27
Damage: 6d8 + 28 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 8, 8, 7, 2) + 28 + (6, 1) = 65 58 Physical and 7 Acid