GMTrex's 5-09 The Traitor's Lodge PbP (Inactive)

Game Master Andrew Trexler

"Goddess protect us," the young Warpriest whispers as he helps Druthane inspect the vats.

As they approach the water, he turns back to Sigrun.

"Can you pick up any tracks," He asks, silently asking the Goddess to guide Sigrun in her investigation.

Guidance on Sigrun

"What spells odd about the water, Valais?" He asks, casting resistance on himself before considering whether to touch the water or not.

"I don't know... it's just... I've got a baaad feeling about this."

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22 Peering into the murk, Ober spots... something... large submerged in the water, illuminated by Druthane's swimming lights.

Unfortunately, that something promptly attacks. A hideous mass of blubber and flesh bursts from the murk, hungrily lurching forward with its enormous singular mouth.

Initiative! Ober gets a surprise round.

Druthane: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Trifle: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Ober: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Sigrun: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Munk: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
T'Orca: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Valais: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Baddies: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (4) - 5 = -1

Surprise
Ober:

Round I
Sigrun:
Valais:
T'Orca:
Munk:
Trifle:
Ober:
Druthane:
Baddies:

Knowledge to ID?

Kn Nature to identify.

Kn (Nature): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

"GLOBSTER! Don't let it touch you. Burn it with fire!"

Fervor Swift Action Cast of Shield of Faith +2 Deflection to AC

Standard Action Activate Blessing of War, grant myself a +1 Dodge Bonus to AC

AC 18, T 13, FF 17

"What foul Abyss-Spawn is that!" Ober shouts.

Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Since I was peering into the water, may I be in front of Druthane?

Sorry I was making this post for the last 3 hours (meetings and lunch haha)

Since I was peering into the water, may I be in front of Druthane?

Sure, we can say Druthane took a step back when you offered to take a look. Your knowledge of the planes isn't very helpful, though, as this is a creature of the material plane...

Sigrun to start Round I!

Trex, are all the blue squares water? Can we walk into them?

Trex, are all the blue squares water? Can we walk into them?

Yes, although judging by the sheer size of the creature that just emerged from the water, doing so will likely require a swim check.

I'm working all day tomorrow (9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST) so I'll post now.

Round One

Trifle's lip curls at the sight of the beast, but she is inwardly delighted to take out her frustration on the creature. She murmurs a few words and a flaming sphere appears on the globster, creating a horrible stench of burning flesh.

fire damage: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 5) = 11

This is round 1 of 4 for the flaming sphere. Reflex negates. DC 16

Reflex: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (11) - 3 = 8 FAIL The quivering mass of fleshy muck recoils from the flame, but not fast enough.

Round I
Sigrun:
Valais:
T'Orca:
Munk:
Trifle: flaming sphere
Ober:
Druthane:
Baddies:

"Fall back toward the library, make the beast face in the narrow hall, rather in its home turf."

I haven't heard from Sigrun for a good while, so in the interest of keeping things moving I'm going to put her in delay for the time being. Just jump back into the initiative whenever you can! Sigrun hesitates, considering her options and studying the enemy.

Valais, meanwhile, gives a shriek and cowers in the corner.

T'Orca's up!

Round I
Sigrun: delay
Valais: cowers
T'Orca: CURRENT
Munk:
Trifle: flaming sphere
Ober:
Druthane:
Baddies:

As a standard action, T'Orca uses Divine Bond to give Greatsword the flaming condition and then moves to the space in the library directly facing the hallway, motioning for the others to fall back behind.

Dawnflower, bless your blade with FIRE!

Round 1

"... Can't beat it up until we get it out of the water!"

Munk follows T'Orca's lead and retreats into the library. He's got nothing else up his (metaphorical) sleeves.

Ober falls back behind Druthane to allow the Arcanist a clear line to strike from, and readies an attack against the globster, should it approach.

Druthane looks behind him and nods to the plan, but not without giving it a burn to remember him by. Move around the corner and activate Pool Strike (Fire)

DMTrex, I know it's weak against fire now. Do you want me to include the extra damage, or do you want to handle it?

It's not especially vulnerable to fire; it's just that fire is the only elemental damage that it isn't immune or resistant to. So just regular damage.

Trifle still has a move action left if she wants it. I'm on the road atm. but I will post baddies tonight.

Trifle moved.

Trifle moved.

Thanks, Kirael!

Round I
The globster lurches forward, fully emerging from the water and squeezing its fetid mass into the hallway until it reaches Ober--who slashes mightily at the creature, slicing off a sizable chunk of blubber.

However, at this point, the air pushes forward by the globster reaches the party's lungs. It horrific stench causes you to swoon with nausea.

Druthane: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 SUCCESS
Trifle: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 SUCCESS
Ober: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 FAIL
Sigrun: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 SUCCESS
Munk: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 FAIL
T'Orca: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15 FAIL
Valais: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 FAIL

Ober, Munk, T'Orca, and Valais are all overcome with sickness (sickened for 10 rounds, which means a -2 to almost every roll).

Round I Summary
Sigrun: delay
Valais: cowers
T'Orca: Divine Bond and retreat
Munk: retreat
Trifle: flaming sphere and retreat
Ober: buffs and slashes
Druthane: preps pool strike
Baddies: smells awful and moves

Round II
Sigrun: delay
Valais: cowers
T'Orca: CURRENT
Munk:
Trifle:
Ober:
Druthane:
Baddies:

Sigrun (can jump in whenever!) continues to ponder, while Valais vomits copiously and sobs uncontrollably to herself in the corner.

T'Orca!

I loved that post a lot, Trex.

As did our guest star Kirael.

"Let's see that flaming sword in action!" Trifle yells towards T'Orca.

For T'Orca to strike I have to move, so I'll

power attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 +3 for BAB, +1 for Weapon Enhancement, +1 for Weapon Focus, +4 STR, +1 for Blessing of War, -2 for sickened, -1 for Power Attack

If that hits

1d8 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

And five foot step back.

T'Orca moves in to position in front of the Globster. T'Orca's teeth are bared and the light from the flaming Greatsword reflects off yellow eyes as it swings down in a wide arch.

power attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
damage: 2d6 + 12 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (5, 1) + 12 + 6 - 2 = 22

I added the -2 to attack and damage. Also, can I charge through allies? If so add +2 to that attack roll.

Can I charge through allies? If so add +2 to that attack roll.

No, a charge requires a clear path.

Ober takes another vicious swing and relieves the globster of another huge hunk of flesh, which promptly and unceremoniously plops to the floor with a sickening thud.

Ober then steps back to let T'Orca have a turn, but the half-orc's attempt is too wild to actually harm the creature.

Round II Update
Sigrun: delay
Valais: vomits
Munk: CURRENT
Trifle:
Ober: hits
T'Orca: misses
Druthane:
Baddies:

Munk!

Trifle is impressed that the globster was able to fit in this narrow highway.

Trifle focuses on the flaming sphere and it flies through the air until it strikes the globster again. Once more there is a stink of burning ... if not flesh, then substance.

Fire damage : 3d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 2) = 4 F$@+. It is only a faint smell of burning.

This is round 2 of 4 for the flaming sphere. Reflex negates. DC 16

Before casting another spell to finish her turn, Trifle will make a swift heal check on the glob.

Heal: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Much of the globster is now quivering on the floor, but given the narrowness of the "highway" it's difficult to tell how much remains behind its enormous, tooth-filled mouth.

Reflex: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (18) - 3 = 15 FAIL

Druthane, hand aflame, lashes out to touch the beast. melee Touch: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 Oof, I hope that's enough to touch. Fire: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8

Oof, I hope that's enough to touch.

Yes, yes it is. Druthane reaches out a fiery palm and the smell of burning meat returns anew to mingle with the creature's other horrific scents.

I added a -4 for being around the corner and you still hit. It has a DEX score of 1. Its touch AC is 4. I kid you not.

Trifle expends two points from her arcane pool to replenish her Flaming Sphere spell.

Munk takes a five foot step around the corner and into the hallway. Then he takes out two shurikens and throws them at the globster.

Flurry of Blows 1: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 1 - 2 = 7 Flurry of Blows 1: 1d4 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 - 2 = 4
Flurry of Blows 2: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 1 - 2 = 19 Flurry of Blows 1: 1d4 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 - 2 = 5

-Posted with Wayfinder

Round II Continued

Trifle and Druthane lay on the fire while Munk whips out some shuriken. The first sticks into the stone of the hallway but the second connects--and then seems to pass right throw the globster with no visible effect.

The globster--seemingly in its death throes--lunges forward with its massive maw, going straight for T'Orca Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22 HIT and smashing into the paladin with deadly force Damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (3, 2) + 9 = 14 DMG 14 and clamping down with its blubbery jaw Grab: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16 FAIL, wow that was lucky but it fails to get purchase. Coming into contact with the grotesque creature's body is a truly nauseating experience Fortitude: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18 SUCCESS but T'Orca manages to hold back the bile welling in her throat.

Round II Summary
Sigrun: delay
Valais: vomits
Munk: miss and ineffectual hit
Trifle: little fire
Ober: hits
T'Orca: misses
Druthane: more fire
Baddies: deals 14 dmg to T'Orca

Round III
Sigrun: delay
Valais: sobs
Munk: CURRENT
Trifle:
Ober:
T'Orca:
Druthane:
Baddies:

Sigrun finds this creature very very curious and continues to observe the party maul it (jump in whenever!). Valais continues bawling in the corner, now in Abyssal rather than Taldane.

Feeling pretty useless overall, Munk just stays where he is and whimpers.

Trifle, deeply regretting retreating to the little office, watches as the fireball burns the squelching creature once more.

Fire damage : 3d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 5) = 15

"Just for spits and giggles" Trifle mutters to herself as she pulls out and draws her crossbow. "Die," she whispers, and looses an arrow.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Trifle's arrow passes through the creature with as little effect as Munk's shuriken. Suddenly, the globster's gaping maw turns from a sickening black to a curious orange, as the creature looks poised to hurl fire-breath at you. The color grows and suddenly you realize it's Trifle's flaming sphere running up the ooze's digestive system, such as it has one, and penetrating from back to front.

The remainder of the globster oozes to the floor and begins rapidly decomposing, helped along by the mass of insects that inhabit the floor who begin to devour its remains wholesale.

Out of initiative; only T'Orca is hurt. Where to, Pathfinders?

Hoorah! Let's take a moment to explore the room. Trifle is averse to putting her person in the fetid water, but takes a keen look around.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Trifle is not very perceptive.

I'll take my sweet time examining the water. If it's not too deep (checked via poking my scabbard into it) I'll then check the door. I'll take 10 on the swim check for a 15. I'll then examine the door to the north.

Finding nothing untoward about the water other than its reek, Druthane plunges in and swims gracefully about the placid chamber. He finds little, other than the eroding runes that dot the walls.

Heading to the north of the room, Druthane's feet catch upon what feels like silt build-up approaching the door, allowing him to stand with only his feet in the water. The rusty door gives way easily with a loud creak.

Water fills the entirety of the unfinished stone chamber beyond. Two wide cracks in the northeastern section of the wall connect into a single widening tunnel, which disappears below the waterline some ways down.

Kn (Arcana): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18 Doh
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

I'll report back to the group the second pair of spoilers. "Now, the library."

T'Orca sighs as the fire on Greatsword winks out, then uses a uses three wand charges of Cure Light Wounds

Cure Light Wounds: 3d8 ⇒ (3, 4, 5) = 12

Let's hope Sarenrae wishes me more luck with my studies than she does with the sword. Lead us to books and knowledge, Druthane

T'Orca checks for traps and is generally on alert while following behind the arcanist.

perception: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Druthane and T'Orca lead the way into the library (err, sort of, because Munk and Trifle are already there...). The walls of this room are lined with steel bookshelves bolted into the polished stone. Books rest comfortably against each other, each given ample room to be removed without risk of damaging the contents within. Two black leather chairs next to the western wall are positioned around an ostentatious wooden table supporting a single glass tumbler. There are two identical, reinforced wooden doors along the western wall.

Trifle studies the tumbler carefully.

Also, is it too late to aid in the knowledge arcana check?

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Also, is it too late to aid in the knowledge arcana check?

Yes, but you can try your own (you succeed).

The tumbler isn't particularly interesting, but the books probably are.

At this point I will take a SINGLE Appraise, Heal, Kn Arcana, Kn Planes, Kn Religion, Linguistics, OR Profession (Merchant) check from EACH member of the party. Choose your best one and roll.

FYI T'Orca, your wand blasts are each 1d8+1 rather than a straight 1d8, so you're back to full health.

knowledge religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Kn: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 Arcana and Planes are the same for me. I'll pick whichever no one else picks.

Know Planes 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

I could repeat a knowledge, but I'll go with linguistics since no one else has.

linguistics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Hell.

The party spends a solid hour combing through the library here (it is the second hidden one, after all, and beyond two secret doors at that), and make a number of chilling discoveries.

Almost every tome in the collection details obscene Abyssal rituals and diagrams illustrating -- with a torturer's morbid precision -- the anatomy of scores of creatures, both Abyssal and not. Untold annotations and margin notes litter each book, written in Thurl's hand, which leave no doubt in your minds that Thurl has experimented for years in the creation of Abyssal hybrids -- dissecting demon corpses, sewing pieces back together, soldering and animating them with essence derived from Abyssal larvae (the souls of those condemned to the Abyss), and often discarding imperfect creations. Loose notes tucked between the pages of a dozen volumes reference how he has "devised a technique to rival the creative power of Lamashtu’s womb,” “gone beyond the limited theories I purchased from Aslynn” (who Aslynn might be is otherwise unmentioned), and even “discovered how to harness the power of the marilith.”

One particular ledger contains decades of tables resembling a shopkeeper's records, which seem to track fluctuations in the price of larvae -- which Ober recognizes as a valuable planar trading good among the evil planes -- and indicating that Thurl himself actively participated in the larvae trade.

As you discuss your findings, Valais's multi-faceted face becomes increasingly horrified and releases the occasional string of curses in both Taldane and Abyssal. At the discovery of larvae's use in the construction of Thurl's creation she stops speaking altogether, huddles herself up on the floor in the corner, and catatonically assumes the fetal position.

Along with the books, several shelves along the bottom of the southern wall contain some valuables. These include 20 bottles of fine liquor from all over Golarion, three oils, and three potions. Finally, a masterwork battleaxe is mounted on a bracket near the stairs.