GM Blood's Age of Worms in Golarion #2

Game Master David James Olsen

Kilthan studies the door, looking for any signs of traps before he tries to figure out the mechanism.

Kilthan you have maybe 2-3 minutes left at this point of enlarge. You will have to squeeze past the catwalk

The secret door from the catwalk leads to the top of a staircase that descends into an oblong chamber with only one exit to the west. Along the north wall of this room are five chests.

Looking through the door to the west, this tall chamber contains five cells, each with a wall of iron bars facing the corridor that runs between them. A number of the cells are occupied, one with a young elven woman, one with a pair of young men who look tired and soiled, and another with what appears to be a dead man.

I had Tobar sneak ahead to peek through the door.

Tobar explains what he saw, before asking "Why don't you talk to the prisoners while I work on the chests?"

Kilthan suggests, "You all can talk to them and work on the chests, and I'll stand guard out here to take advantage of what's left of the spell, just in case?"

"Someone's dead? We should hurry! Maybe we can still save him. I can open the cell door to get to him."

Aarakess follows the others in. If any of the prisoners appear injured, she will use her Healing Hex on them. 2d8+8 healing each.

Justin moves forward to detect evil on the prisoners.

Kilthan stands guard behind you while the enlarge spell is still in effect while Tobar checks out the chests.

Dryn, Aarakess, Anala, and Justin head into the room with the cells. Each cell has simple straw mats, ceramic water bowl, and a waste bucket. Each cell has an average quality lock and the room is lit by a pair of everburning torches.

As you come in the elven woman dressed in a very worn and frayed sky blue dress looks up and her despair changes to hope, "Over here! We are prisoners and need help!"

One of the men on the other side says to her, "Ilya, think about it, they are just playing mind games again. Don't get your hopes up or else it will crush you. They want to break us, don't let them!" The other man yells over to you, "Its bad enough you take us below and do those weird experiments on us but we are tired of the mind games!"

Aarakess, no one seems really injured, more tired and malnourished if anything and in need of cleaning. The man laying on the floor hasn't moved or reacted the whole time since you came in.

"Experiments? What kind of experiments? They didn't hurt you, did they? And what about him, did they do stuff to him too? We're really just here to help!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Anala moves to the cell of man that appears to be dead but first asks, "We are not messing with your minds. We too were the victim of one of the doppelganger and followed his trail here. It may be hard to believe, but we are here to help." (Diplomacy 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28) She pauses than asks, "How many of the creatures are there?"

Without waiting for much of an answer she approaches the man that has not moved. (Heal 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29)

Anala, all of the cells with poeple in it are locked, they are 20' long so you can't reach him from the outside. I added the map to the link above to get the sense of it all.

The men seem to not be swayed by Dryn'taka, but Anala's words seem to penetrate their distrust, "It's ok Martal, I think they are telling the truth." The other turns to him and nods before he says, "If you say so Regim"

Regim turns to you and says, "I need to hope that you are telling the truth, because if you are one of them this may very well break us. I am Regim and this is Martel, we were captured about two weeks ago while on patrol. Over there is Ilya and she has been here over a month. The other guy I have no idea who he is as he is either unconscious or rants and raves like a mad man until they come for him again."

"As for the experiments, they take us down below and then do horrible things, like mind probing, severing and reattaching limbs, and worse. This is why we desperately hope you are not one of them and who you say you are."

Ilya speaks up, "As for how many, we don't know exactly. We have seen hundreds of people come through here, and it is rarely the same ones."

Martel speaks, "What have those things done while looking like Regim and I, or her? How do I even tell our captain what the real story is? It is hard for me to believe and I have been in the middle of it."

"Creepy!" Dryn sets to work on opening the maybe dead man's door first. "He seems pretty sedated right now. Justin, wanna help in case he does get crazy?"

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Disable Device: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 14 + 2 = 33

Curiosity piqued and risk allayed, Tobar delves into the chests - starting at the left and working around to see what lies within.

Aarakess stands back carefully watching the group so that she is prepared to heal or hex as may be needed. She does not particularly trust everything to be as it appears after all the deception that the party has run into up until this point.

Justin watches the prisoners carefully as Tobar works the chests.

Once the cell door is open Alana nods her thanks to Dryn as she carefully approaches and to see if the man is even alive.

"We are hear to help you... " the woman says sofly as she leans down. Heal check above was 29

Update tomorrow. Was out of town most of the weekend and haven't had time to do a semi major update.

Got to get this post out or it will slip another day

Dryn'taka and Anala check out the man laying int he cell. He is alive, yet unconscious and murmuring quietly and not making any sense. All is quiet out by Kilthan, and Tobar has started on the chests See spoiler below

Everything is calm until suddenly the cell with the two guardsmen opens up and they pull out swords and attack! Justin is caught by surprise, but Aarakess catches the movement in time to react.

The two guardsmen won initiative and surprise and have 5' step and drew out hidden weapons, Aarakess gets a surprise round action before round 1 begins

Surprise Round

Initiative Order - Martel and Regim, Aarakess

Round 1

Initiative Order - Martel and Regim, Tobar, Anala, Dryn'taka, Aarakess, Kilthan, Justin

Martel and Regim AC 23 T 14 FF 19 CMD 28

Aarakess calls out:
Guys, we have friends, and not nice ones.

Action: 5-foot move south
Standard Action: Use Misfortune Hex on the guard closest to me
--> DC19 Will of must make all rolls twice and take worse

Will Save Regim: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 Regim shakes off the hex

Both guardsmen try and take out Justin immediately and take a step to surround the Paladin 39 damage

Attack #1: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 14 + 2 = 32 VS FF 23 *Hit*
Damage: 1d8 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

Attack #2: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 2 = 28 VS FF 23 *Hit*
Damage: 1d8 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

Attack #1: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 14 + 2 = 22 VS FF 23
Damage: 1d8 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

Attack #2: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 2 = 20 VS FF 23
Damage: 1d8 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

The woman leaps back deeper inside her cage, getting away from the sudden violence that erupted.

Tobar and Kilthan can hear the combat and what Aarakess said. Kilthn you would have to squeze to get down there. (and everything that goes with squeezing)

Round 1

Initiative Order - Martel and Regim, Tobar, Anala, Dryn'taka, Aarakess, Kilthan, Justin

Martel and Regim AC 23 T 14 FF 19 CMD 28

Round 1

"AH! The prisoners are bad guys! Anala, I'll help the others, make sure he doesn't sneak up behind us." Dryn moves outside the doorway, drawing her crossbow as she moves.

Move just south of Aarakess, ready crossbow. This way I can see if the supposedly unconscious guy suddenly leaps up and attacks too.

Justin is looking at the prisoners, trusting his sense of evil to warn him of bad men. He quickly looked up to find he had been struck twice by a skilled opponent and his blood was coating the floor.
37/79 hp--They hit me on a 7! -- I got my four six siders out in case this goes poorly===Edit will not be granting an AoO if a 7 drops me

There is the retreat option. One will get an AoO, but they will not be able to flank you. Then I can drop a disabling spell on them. And Dryn and bomb them.

I'm sure Justin can make a comeback!

Dryn'taka moves behind Aarakess ready for the other prisoner to jump out at Anala. Which so far he hasn't done

Everyone else still has their actions!

Kilthan calls out with a grumble, "Aara, can you dismiss this blasted magic?" and then says in dwarven, "Jagbach, defend Justin.".

It's a double move to step in for Jagdbach, I believe, so no attack, and Kilthan is delaying after the free actions.

As a standard action, Aarakess will dismiss the enlarge person on Kilthan. She will also move back behind Dryn to provide more space for Kilthan and Jagdbach.

Jag can make it to the door on the first 30. Added co-ordinates so you can tell me where to place him/you

Kilthan and Jagdbach to E5 and E6, respectively. I don't think either of us can make an attack since there's no line to charge and we're both moving more than 30'. Kilthan will, as part of the move action, draw his waraxe.

On the plus side, Justin gets flanking.

Anala can hear the commotion and from the sounds of things Justin is not doing well. From the warning, that two of the prisoners were actually eneimies in disguise the woman moves to help, first calls upon her Goddess' magics to help her move without hindrance by others. As the spell is cast with several phrases she is then on the move, drawing forth her shield and and scimitar as she does. As she moves up beside her friend she can see the immideiate need and calls upon the holy energies of Sarenrae. All but the two enemies are awash with the the healing energy. "Justin step back by Jagdbach, the enemy will not be able to flank you. I can hold here"

Cast Grace (swift action)
Move to C-6 (draw scimitar and shield as she does) (move action)
Use Channel Energy (Quick Channel) for 4d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 5, 4) = 16 (move action)

Round 1 Justin
In hands=great axe +1 Swift=Loh, full attack then 5'step to D6

Justin hits with his axe at the guard sandwiched between him and Kilthan. He tries a bite for good measure.
PA axe/damage: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 13 + 2 = 221d12 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
PA axe/damage: 1d20 + 13 - 7 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 13 - 7 + 2 = 91d12 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15
PA bite/damage: 1d20 + 13 - 7 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 13 - 7 + 2 = 251d3 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
LoH: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 2) = 14
5/6 LoH and 70/79hp
After missing with his axe twice, grabs the guard with his teeth before repositioning.
"Stand down, we are here to help!"

Tobar abandons his work at the chests, and begins to hustle back to the others. As he jogs, a blade works it's way from scabbard to hand.

Martel takes a step closer to Justin and says, "You can't fool use, we know what you are". He and Regim both attack Justin and try to slice through to Anala Cleave

Attack vs Justin - Cleave #1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29 *Hit*
Damage: 1d8 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

Attack vs Anala- Cleave #2: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

Attack vs Justin - Cleave #1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34 *Hit, Not Confirmed*
Damage: 1d8 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14

Attack vs Anala- Cleave #2: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28 *Hit*
Damage: 1d8 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15

Confirm Critical vs Justin : 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
Extra Damage: 1d8 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

36 damage for Justin and 15 damage for Anala

Round 2

Initiative Order - Martel and Regim, Tobar, Anala, Dryn'taka, Aarakess, Kilthan, Justin

Martel and Regim AC 21 T 12 FF 17 CMD 26

Cleave AC penalty factored into Stats

Round 2
Seeing the bad guys teaming up against poor Anala, Aarakess reaches into her pocket and pulls out some mica which she tosses into the cell behind the two fake prisoners.

Cast Glitterdust centered at C3/D4 - should get both bad guys.
--> DC18 Will or blind -- also cannot become invisible for 7 rounds

Will Save Regim: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Will Save Martel: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

The glitter falls over them, but they manage to turn their heads in time to avoid the worst of it.

"What do you mean, "what" we are?!" the cleric asks picking up on the odd choice of words.

Seeing that they are not holding back she slices at the closest attacker to the group with her scimitar, hoping that Justin get's his mojo on and tears into this person like he does most enemies.

Attack D-5 with her Scimitar 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 (miss)

Rnd 2 Justin

Justin starts hitting the same one again.
hit1/damage: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 271d12 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
hit2/damage: 1d20 + 13 - 7 ⇒ (17) + 13 - 7 = 231d12 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
bite: 1d20 + 12 - 7 ⇒ (18) + 12 - 7 = 231d3 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
loh: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 4) = 8

Justin feels his mojo is back as he slams his axe twice with a bite! He heals some wounds with a touch.
in hands= magic axe. 42/79 hp 4/6 loh

Round 2

Initiative Order - Martel and Regim, Tobar, Anala, Dryn'taka, Aarakess, Kilthan, Justin

Martel and Regim AC 21 T 12 FF 17 CMD 26

Cleave AC penalty factored into Stats

Round 2

Unwilling to use her bombs with so many people packed to tightly, plus Justin's renewed vigor, Dryn chooses instead to stick with the crossbow, "I think maybe there's some confusion? Stand down!"

Standard to shoot D5, move to reload.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 1 - 4 = 9
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 = 9

Kilthan ordered Jagdbach before Aara dismissed the spell, so I think the furry buzzsaw is first in this combat. So...

Jagdbach, seeing the man attack Justin, follows his two-foot's commands and starts biting and clawing at the stranger who would hurt the paladin.

Bite: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 for 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Claw: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 for 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Claw: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 Miss!

Kilthan nods at Dryn's comment, "They still think we're the bad guys... but that don't mean I'll let 'em kill us. Though I'll try not to kill them as I drop 'em... if I can avoid it." He then swings his axe at the man he's flanking, and follows up with a slam of his shield, trying to bash the man into the wall to knock him down.

Waraxe (1st): 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 2 = 24 {flanking} for 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Klar (1st): 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 2 = 28 {flanking} for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 Bull Rush succeeds -- 28 vs. the CMD of 26

Since he's allowed to, Kilthan will follow the guy (assuming he moved from the rush) with a 5' step and make the iterative attack with his waraxe... if the guy didn't move, then he doesn't need to step and attack..

Waraxe (Iterative): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15 That only hits if he's prone...and Kilthan is still flanking. (+2 to hit makes 17, -4 AC makes 21)
Waraxe Damage (Just in case): 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Kilthan is no longer flanking as Justin moved

Jagdbach and Kilthan combine for a number of hits including a shield to the face. Kilthan there is the other guy behind the one you bullwushed. Since you only succeed by 2 you do not push the other one back

Ok -- Shield Slam says you fall prone if you can't go back -- but only for walls or other surfaces. Buddies likely don't count in that.

Nowhere to go in the press of people, Tobar watches and waits.

The pair of guardsmen sense they have a chance to take out the paladin, but the injured Regim misses, but Martel manage to score a hit on both Jutin and Anala.

Attack vs Justin - Cleave #1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17 *Miss, not second attack*
Damage: 1d8 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

Attack vs Justin - Cleave #1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32 *Hit*
Damage: 1d8 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15

Attack vs Anala - Cleave #2: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23 *Hit*
Damage: 1d8 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

Round 3

Initiative Order - Martel and Regim, Tobar, Anala, Dryn'taka, Aarakess, Kilthan, Justin

Martel and Regim AC 21 T 12 FF 17 CMD 26

Cleave AC penalty factored into Stats

Round 3 Assuming that the highlighted text and such was merely a cut a paste and we all can act...

Seeing that the lizardman is hurting the cleric calls to her Goddess to offer something to paladin... "May the Everlight bind your wounds so that you might continue to fight."

And she takes another gash from the one of the men's follow through to hit her and she calls upon her healing energies to heal herself and Justin that much more.

The woman than steps out of reach of the cleaving attacks.

Cast Cure Moderate Wounds (defensively)2d8 + 7 ⇒ (6, 1) + 7 = 14+7 = 21 healed.
Concentration check 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19 (success)

Quick Channel Energy 4d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 3, 3) = 9 (healed to all)

5-foot step to A-5

Yep my bad, everyone is up

Really getting annoyed, Aarakess stares at the less injured of the two enemies and makes him thing that something is attacking him from behind, which results in him regularly looking behind him and pay less attention to those before him.

Evil Eye Hex: -2 AC for 9 rounds, DC19 Will reduces to 1 round.