GMG's PBP: Series of the Fiend (10-11) (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Can we heal inbetween skill checks?

Also, Svetlana do you have any more axiomite summons? Those things have knowledges!

reflex, heroism: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 12 + 2 = 16 30 damage after DR

Drokk activates his healing mutation. use all 10 remaining points of fast healing over 2 rounds.

If possible, wait for healing before making new skill checks.

know.engineering: 1d20 + 9 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 2 - 1 = 28 woop!

"Ah, yes! That's where we were going wrong. Here..."

"Eeeekk!!!"

reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Nigel dodges around, using Drokk's body as cover, and avoids harm. Improved evasion.

Unless we got a decent rest between, I used one summon on the Demon Bullettes and one on the last fight, I only have two Axiomite summons. I still have two Erinyes

Svetlana will begin infernal healing too...

You have plenty of chance to heal in between. Please go ahead and retcon your healing charges.

CSW Karzug: 3d8 + 7 ⇒ (7, 2, 5) + 7 = 21

Fortunately without any catastrophe they manage to get the beast in place. An ornate set of stairs opens into a grand throne room with ten stone statues as courtiers. At the far end of the room, a gilded sarcophagus lies before an elevated platform that bears a silver chair and numerous tall bookshelves. Overhead, several glowing orbs wash the tomb in shadowy illumination. Flanking the sarcophagus are two jet obelisks that threaten to pierce this chamber’s orb-filled ceiling.

Damned if you guys know what it all means though. What truly surprises you, is the figure sitting calmly upon the throne. A woman, nay, a corpse, sits upon the throne. Long ago her robes and accouterments rotted and cracked. About her head is a crown tarnished with the weight of eons. "Champions from above..." Her Taldane is VERY heavily accented in a way none of you have ever heard. "Champions, I have waited here a LONG time for freedom. You have done so much to get here, I can imagine. You have earned a reward from me. Ask for anything and I shall see it done."

Nigel will replace Drokk's armour, prior to completing the manoeuvring of the behemoth, and will and switch the golembane scarab and vicious amulet again. Having done so, he concentrates on the scarab to see if the stone statues are in fact more golems.

know.religion vs corpse woman: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20 If successful, would like to know spellcasting ability and SLAs; Nigel communicates any information to Drokk.

"Severina Helsprex, that is quite an offer. You are right that we have done much to reach you. Give us control of your golems. That is the boon we request of you."

Worth an ask ;)

Drokk requests 2 charges of infernal healing if available please Gratus.

6 Charges of Inf Heal, last mission - won't be needing that wand after this

"It is quite surprising to see you so...healthy. We were informed you would be buried with a substantial number of golem soldiers, and it was intended that we seek entrance to this place in a more archaeological sense. Our mission was to study the golems and record history, it seems that rather than simply study the artefacts contained here we could just have you accompany us to provide first-hand source information. If you do not wish to do so, the collected artefacts in this room could be left as they are with perhaps some explanatory notes? What you can tell us of this city, a map perhaps, showing the entrances..."

"You have been here a long time, the world has changed significantly. There is a benefit in us working together"

I'm assuming that intelligent undead/necromancy doesn't upset the Hellknight applecart, and though I'm good, the Pathfinder Society has historically worked with intelligent undead & necromancers before. Also happy enough to stick her on the end of a Halberd if push comes to shove and she wants to fight

Any charges of Infernal healing beyond what Svetlana offers, I can help with.

"Indeed there are benefits to working with us. Do consider our offer."

Aid Diplomacy 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Nigel does not recognize exactly what the woman is though the interior of this room is crammed with leftover, long-spoiled alchemical and arcane reagents.

Give us control of your golems. That is the boon we request of you."

"Yes, you seem to know me. I am Imperantrix Severina Helsprex. I simply wish to be done with this place. Beyond that I have no specific intentions beyond my freedom. I can give you the baton of control for the golems."

"It is quite surprising to see you so...healthy. We were informed you would be buried with a substantial number of golem soldiers, and it was intended that we seek entrance to this place in a more archaeological sense.

"I've been here for millennia, my only reason for existing is to keep this place from falling apart. My time is finished. I wish to see the world I left behind. I presume you came for some knowledge kept by my people. I have no reason to deny you if you just let me out of this place."

"So be it. Your presumption is correct, we came for knowledge. I have no intention of stopping you leaving, we are not vagabonds and lawless villains. The world has changed in that millenia, you would do well to seek out the Pathfinder Society, they welcome all of those who wish to co-operate and share information"

Svetlana looks to he comrades.

Happy with that, can we check anything she's planning on leaving with so the McGuffin of secret door control doesn't go wandering? Can't help think that this is a 'gotcha' moment as she is too keen just to wander off - then again it could be a Beacon Below moment too where it is mostly legit

Having played and run this, I'm leaving it to those who haven't to decide.

Gratus nods at Svetlana indicating he would agree with her decision in this.

know.arcana: 1d20 + 16 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 16 + 2 - 1 = 27

A lich. Of course. I should like very much to study her process and reagents!

"If you leave, Imperantrix, what becomes of Rachikan? Will it persist? How long before it crumbles to dust? We should like an opportunity for further study, although there could be no greater source of such knowledge than yourself. Perhaps you would consider working with us, and our associates, for mutual gain? It would be a terrible loss if you should fade away now, when you have accomplished so much."

Drokk auto-passes a dc25 knowledge (arcana) check to recruit the Imperantrix to the Dark Archive, by taking 10.

"Rachikan will continue to stand. I do not hold all of this aloft on my own. I am not nearly that powerful. It should persist far beyond your lives." She seems to take in the offer from Drokk. "Perhaps. I would need some time to dwell on this but it does sound promising."

Severina grabs a dusty old spellbook and what appears to be another manual from the bookshelf. It is a Jistkan golem manual. "This is all I ask to part with. The golems and the rest in here is yours."

So far we have 2 for allowing her to pass freely. Giving Karzug and Drokk the chance to speak on their own decisions as well.

Obviously wants the golem manual to 'start over' somewhere else, and personal spellbook - can't see an issue. Happy with that

"I should be most interested to study your formulae, by your leave, Imperantrix. Whilst I do not seek to become what you are, my own research suggests that it is possible to achieve an 'inbetween' state via the consumption of certain alchemical preparations. I am close to perfecting the process. I would be delighted to show you how the feat is accomplished, should you agree to share knowledge..."

Drokk looks hopefully towards the ancient tome and its owner.

Her reply doesn't change Drokk's decision to bargain with her though.

"Eee-eeek ook-ok-ok-ooook ooook eek!"

Nigel jumps up and down on Drokk's shoulder, barely able to contain his excitement.

Svetlana shrugs "It seems we are in general favour of you setting off to explore the world. We only ask to examine your books, pore over tomes, know what we can of this place and its arcane lore"

Svetlana has no issue with the creature, unless it has signs it has thrown its lot in with demons.

"My divinations have shown me that my empire is no more. I have no need to protect these secrets as I have for so long."

While most are comfortable with the deal or her unfathomable motives, she moves to uphold her end of the deal.

"THIS is the baton." She motions to the numerous shelves. "The books are fragile, but should satisfy your curiousity."

Indeed the books look too delicate to take at this point. A cursory look leaves you confident that a mending spell would do the trick (or a Make Whole.)

Finally she sighs, which is a macabre gesture as no air passes through her mouth. "I appreciate this not ending in violence."

With that she begins the words of a spell. Before she even finishes the first few, she vanishes from existence.

Getting the golems out, however, is another task. They're too big to put through the door...

As you ponder your next move, a disembodied voice speaks to you, "The secret is in the obelisk."

Looking over the black obelisk you see a slot for a crystal that appears to be missing. this must be what powers the obelisk. Looking all over the chamber you don't see one, though you faintly remember seeing a blackened crystal hanging around Agajprak's neck outside.

"Fascinating... so much knowledge. We must make the necessary repairs! We must study these materials and reagents! We have a couple of days, do we not? As for the crystal, Bogipfen promised us an amulet - is that what we need?"

I think we can stick around a day so that our clerics can prepare Make Whole spells? Failing that, we can use a Prestige Point spellcasting service. Make Whole would be 1PP, plus 5PP more if we are not in a settlement of at least 5000: would the morlock population of Rachikan count for this? ;)

Dark Archive is probably up for having an undead sage friend

"Hmm, perhaps the crystal on Agajprak's neck?"

Svetlana wanders back to retrieve it.

Dark Archive is probably up for having an undead sage friend

Scarab Sages have one, we gotta have one too!

You betcha! Can't let those potatoes have something cooler than us!

We must have them all....
I'm fine with preparing he necessary spells.

Yes, you have that time.

As Svetlana approaches Agajprak asking about his necklace he clutches it tightly. "Mine! Yours for....2,500 gold."

Of course, the only magic macguffin is held by our ally who turns all 'commercial interests' on us forcing us into another moral dilemma :p

Svetlana looks incredulously at the Morlock.

When Svetlana does not quickly return with the crystal, Drokk goes to investigate...

"What is this? Agajprak? Does your inferior morlock mind not grasp the reality of your situation? We Hellknights have saved you from bondage to demons. We have liberated your people. You are in our debt. We have mastered the behemoth golem and won the Imperantrix's favour. Rachikan is ours now! Accept this fact, morlock. Do not make enemies of us, but rather do your utmost to gain our favour. Count yourself an ally by cooperating with my Sister here. Do not think to make demands!"

intimidate: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 15 + 2 = 23

Ha ha ha ha. Such is an adventurer's life.

The morlock visibly shakes but clutches the crystal tightly. "Mine. Gold or you find own or other way!" The morlock points towards the dark labyrinth of tunnels.

I could attempt Charm Person though at a low DC of 12. if the party wishes.

"Are you suggesting there are more of these crystals?"

"Karzug have no problem pay him for necklace. Better to not fight any more. So much fighting." Karzug shakes his head.

the morlock laughs. "Of course more crystal. Take days to find. You think this only one?"

After two whole days of poking around in the caves Svetlana finally comes across another crystal that should work. Inserting the power crystal into the black obelisk creates a touch teleportation effect large enough to easily transport the golems through. It won't work over a long distance, but you're confident it will get you (and the golems) to the ship awaiting your return.

Venture-Captain Calisro Benarry greats your first arrival with surprise (even drawing her blade a bit.) When she realizes it's you, she swears for a solid 30 seconds before getting your story. From there she helps you to load and transport the golems to the Grand Lodge. She sports a wide grin during the return trip, often descending into the cargo hold of her ship just to stare in amazement and wonder.

The fate of Rachikan is once more left to its native morlocks, who welcome the departure of the Pathfinders and Chelish explorers from the morlocks’ ruined city.

Allowing the one-time ruler Severina Helsprex to escape, you have unleashed a powerful, evil force upon the world—one that you may meet again.

Awesome job guys! I will work on getting chronicles out to you ASAP. Now is a good time for any day job rolls if you have them.

Thanks for finishing thiis run with us GM! Did we also have time to close off the accesses to Rachikan per Zarta’s request, and save Heldprex’s library?

You had time to save the library but not close off the accesses while leaving one open. You were supposed to essentially question each of the morlock leaders into closing out a pair of passages. Securing the assistance of Bogipfen and Primo Ambusta in order to seal Rachikan. In addition, they must convince Marianix Karn to share the location of another secret entrance into Rachikan. Tried to give you guys a cough cough / nudge nudge into it here (link) When you had everyone gathered once again as a last ditch effort to bring it up.

Ah, I was expecting to see some kind of engineering shenanigans. Talking to the morlocks makes sense given their aversion to surface-dwellers. Spent so long fighting damn morlocks in this trilogy when they turned into allies I didn't really give them much consideration.

Thanks again for running, and rescuing us GM! Hope GMG is doing alright.

See you around fellow Hellknights! "Judgement in the face of depravity!"

So when Karzug get to marry Blakros lady now that he hellknight?

Welcome to this Series of the Fiend! This game will be played following the Standard PFS rules and will include the following scenarios:
#22 Fingerprints of the Fiend
#2-10 Fury of the Fiend
#5-17 Fate of the Fiend

I first want to get my 'house rules' out of the way so we have a common understanding. I assume you will have read this.

Please give me the following information:

1. Player/Forum Name
2. Character's Name
3. Class and level
4. PFS# (and dash)
5. Faction
6. Day job Roll (if any)

Please take notice of the following:

1. Player/Forum Name - Shifty
2. Character's Name - Svetlana "Hellion"
3. Class and level - Fighter 5/Hellknight 6 (will be!)
4. PFS# (and dash) - 41662-4
5. Faction - Dark Archives
6. Day job Roll (if any) (Intimidate - Caravan) 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32

Currently engaged in a scenario: A fair way through

1. Player/Forum Name - supervillan
2. Character's Name - Doctor Drokk
3. Class and level - Fighter1/Alchemist8
4. PFS# (and dash) - 75577-3
5. Faction - Dark Archive
6. Day job Roll (if any) - craft (alchemy): day job, take 10, crafter's fortune, lab: 10 + 24 + 5 + 2 = 41

Available now, aside from a little updating of the pbp sheet and a little shopping :)

Welcome! It will be silent from my end until May 7th because I will be mostly offline until then.

1. nightdeath
2. Gratus Leogil
3. Male Half Orc Fighter (Unbreakable) 1/ Cleric () 5/ Hellknight Signifier 4
4. PFS # 76925-12
5. Dark Archive
6. Day job Roll (if any) 0

Will be updated before game starts.
Burning a GM Star.
Has a lot of funky items on him. Quite a few once per day spell effects as well.
Is not much of a healer and mmore combat buff type.

Almost ready!

She really is almost ready. They're all done but reporting and RP wrap-up. Good to see you again, Hellion. I'll update this character tonight, I still have to rebuild him. I will have to use a replay for Fury, but that's also not an issue.

We're just in the final part now, so I reckon a couple of days away. I'll need to level up and do some shopping, but then ready to hook in on what should be a wild and memorable adventure - Hellknights Gone Wild.

A cool trilogy seems like quite way to retire her off!

Game finished - ready to begin! :)

Cool! I am in the last stages of one of my games. Will finish that first. We also need to recruit a fourth hellknight or signifier.

Don't we have four? Drokk, Hellion, Karzug, and Gratus. (Drokk isn't a member of either of the prestige classes, but has the Hellknight prestige award.)

How many players we running?

Just the four Hellknights? :p

*Sweats*
His masked appareance remains stoic.

You are right! I scanned this discussion thread for player info and only saw info for Droll, Hellion and Gratus. I forgot about Gratus, who has to get his info in order... Then we will kick off with the four of you (once I have finished my Tide of Morning game). I am also fine with 5 players. Six will be too much for the first two scenarios as season 0 and 2 is no fun with 6 players in my opinion.

Great! :)

We're actually reasonably rounded for a pack of Hellknights.

You are right! I scanned this discussion thread for player info and only saw info for Droll, Hellion and Gratus. I forgot about Gratus, who has to get his info in order... Then we will kick off with the four of you (once I have finished my Tide of Morning game). I am also fine with 5 players. Six will be too much for the first two scenarios as season 0 and 2 is no fun with 6 players in my opinion.

My apologies, that second Gratus should have been Karzug!

Karzug, can you also post your info? Thanks!

Any preference for spell preparation?

Hi Gratus! I GM'd your last pbp outing to the Forbidden Furnace :)

So it looks like we have a lvl 9 cleric (equivalent), a lvl 8 cleric (equivalent) with diminished casting, and Drokk's 8 levels of alchemist.

Here's my short-list of stuff to be prepared for and potential counters from our spells and extracts/infusions:

magical darkness - Daylight spell, oil of Daylight, heightened Continual Flame
energy drain - Death Ward and Restoration spells (remember the diamond dust component of Restoration)
attribute damage and drain - Lesser Restoration and Restoration
poison - Life Bubble (a great all-round spell) and Communal Delay Poison; I prefer these solutions over the Neutralise Poison spell
disease - Remove Sickness spell, a wand is cheap; and Remove Disease of course
curses - Break Enchantment and Remove Curse spells; Break Enchantment is efficient.
flight - everyone needs a way to fly, Air Walk spells might be a good solution for our party. Drokk has wings when mutated.
damage reduction - I haven't checked to see if everyone has appropriate weapons, but Align Weapon and its Communal version are good to have, and generally effective as scrolls; Heart of the Metal (adamantine) is good against constructs, and again works well as a scroll; oil of Bless Weapon is a staple.
Energy damage - Resist Energy, Protection from Energy, and their Communal variants
Incorporeals - I have a special hatred of incorporeal creatures. My favourite solution is expensive: Incense of Corporeality at 1400gp per use. But it is extremely effective. Other solutions available to us - Ghost Salt (best on arrows), Anti-incorporeal Shell (temporary respite), and Ghostbane Dirge (questionable whether it has a 50% miss chance to even land, ask for GM's ruling)
Possession/mind-control - Magic Circle vs Evil/Chaos is a big help.
Confusion - Calm Emotions or Unbreakable Heart spells.

As for more pro-active spell choices, I know you're aware of Blessing of Fervour and Beacon of Luck. Freedom of Movement is good to have as well.

Actually that was quite a long list!

Take a look at Drokk's formula book. Although he primarily uses his extracts for self-buffing, he does have the Infusion discovery. Science for everyone!

1. Player/Forum Name: ScorchedOne
2. Character's Name: Karzug
3. Class and level: Cleric (Crusader) 5, Signifier 4
4. PFS# (and dash): 41759-2
5. Faction : Grand Lodge
6. Day job Roll (if any) : Profession Woodcutter 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Yeah my diminished cleric-ness is basically a crappy warpriest from before warpriests were a thing. Also including cheese from Fate's Favored.

I too am a dimnished cleric caster so We're pretty much in the same boat. I'll prep spells for mostly buffs and utility then

Regarding marching order, Drokk's comfortable anywhere really. He can get reach with extracts (enlarge and/or long arm) so fighting from second rank is possible. Plus, he can fly over people's heads when mutated.

Armour Class isn't great before buffs, but goes fairly high with Shield, Mutagen and Barkskin, so when buffed he can tank.

I've put him on rank 2, but feel free to switch him around.

My apologies if I have not answered all your questions. This is a season 0 scenario and therefore does not contain the answers to likely questions as newer scenarios do.

Feel free to make any purchases in Absalom.

Also note that my Tide of Morning game is not over yet (that final enemy is a pain for my players), so you will be on lower priority compared to my other games.

I'm good at the back since I suspect Ill be more of a support this time around.
Feels rather refreshing actually.

I'm fine with being lower priority. Lol
Tide of morning. THat's pretty rough.

I played Tide of Morning on pbp (with a different character).

GM, you're not saying I need to make a Hover check in the surprise round are you? Because that would change my action - and would put me at a disadvantage compared to a character who did get surprised.

To answer your question: yes, that is exactly what I was saying. However I assume you meant: "GM, I don't agree that I have to take a hover check in the surprise round because that would put me at a disadvantage compared to someone who is surprised.". In my opinion the fly rules are clear on this part (don't get me started on three dimensional combat and range). At the end of the round you need to check for complex maneuvers. If you made one you need to roll a fly check. Hovering is a complex maneuver, therefore you need to check. Note that flying forward 5 feet would be a 5ft 'step' and lower the DC to 10 for moving less than half speed.

As for being put at a disadvantage: I don't agree with that. You have a choice what to do, however limited that choice might be. Even if you would be at a disadvantage; if those are the rules, those are the rules. In my opinion there is no grey area here, although I agree that the combination with a surprise round is a bit weird. Of course you can change your action, Docter Drokk would know how easy or difficult it is for him to hover.

I also noted that one can not be flatfooted while flying, I will recalculate the damage Svetlana took.

Can't be flatfooted while flying?
Cause they no foot on the ground? Jk.

I learnt something new there.

I agree that the combination with a surprise round is a bit weird.

That's what threw me, and is why I didn't account for a hover. When Drokk flies I'll normally attempt at least a 5' step to get the DC down to 10 but I've never had a flying surprise round before, as far as I can recall.

I'll post accordingly in gameplay. Thanks.

If we can manage to retreat from the erinyes, I can think of some creative ways around them. We may have to come back the next day, but I believe I have infusions that will do the trick.

I mean or I could just kill them with killing.

I mean or I could just kill them with killing.

If they're kind enough to stay in melee reach long enough ;-)

I'm hoping to summon an Erinyes of my own in a minute.

Sorry folks, I have some real life things to take care of. Hope to be back into business on Thursday.

All good mate :0

No problem.
Real life trumps all.

Hopping on a ship tomorrow (Friday) and back in a couple of days (Monday) nil comms likely during that time.

Same here Shifty, I am on a sailing trip this weekend.

I will be away from the interwebs again this weekend, back on Sunday.

I got notice I will be flying out for a residential course 06-22 July.
I will still be able to post in the evenings, but there may be the odd missing spot from time to time. As time permits I might still be able to post during the day form my phone subject to having reception (we will be spending days in some odd locations).

Nothing's happened for a week. Everything OK at your end GM?

(I know you said in your opening post that if you don't post you haven't forgotten about us, but a week with no posts is long enough to have me concerned.)

Hi, guys.

I'm stopping in to let you know your GM is sick, but will come back to you when he can.

Thanks Redelia

I guessed something was up. Please pass on my best wishes to GMG.

Figured there would have been something going on :)

Wishing him a swift recovery.......

Pfff, I can't remember being sick for this long. Glad I am back!

I will be offline this weekend because I am enjoying a city trip with my wife. I will be back on Monday.

I am enjoying long drives in the country too :p

So who's going to steer the mine cart? Looks like only Hellion has a positive Ride bonus. Maybe Nigel can help? Drokk can chuck bombs at the enemy cart.

And Gratus will hang on for dear life!!!!!!!

My online presence will be less than usual for the next two weeks due to a family vacation. I will try to keep you guys moving, but we will probably slow down a bit.