GM Trex's PFS [Core] 03-21 Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment (Inactive)

Game Master Andrew Trexler

Kayanor looks to the Aasimar, "Look into his soul and let us undo the taint here. Let us bring forth the tranquility that Karada SHOULD exude. Stand and be true!"

Kayanor is actually looking to activate Inspire Courage at this point. GM call as to what this does to the time tracking if you know what I mean...

@ Kayanor: I'll count it as a suprise round for you.

Dakang's face curls into a truly evil smile. Then the unexpected happens.

The obese man's head explodes. In the rain of blood the smacks them in the face, the Pathfinders can see a horrible, five-cornered reptilian jaw protruding where Dakang's head once was... and he attacks!

The guards, horrified by what they've seen, take defensive positions!

Even as the Pathfinders ready to face this terrible horror, the corrupting influence of Sifkesh still fills the air, causing muscles to twitch at inopportune moments and for heroes to doubt their courage. Throughout your time in the temple, you have accrued Heresy Points. Every time you make an attack roll, skill check, saving throw, or ability check, you must roll twice and take the worse result. For each roll you do this on, you lose a Heresy Point as you clear your conscience. Once you have zero Heresy Points, you lose this impairment. Garrick and Werner have 2, and Droghedor, Dulcinea, and Kayanor each have 1.

Round I -- bold may act!
1. Droghedor, Kayanor, Werner, Dulcinea
2. Guards
3. Dakang
4. Garrick

Werner is appalled by what he's seen. He calls upon Cayden Cailean who, with a bit more resistance than he's used to, grants a blessing upon his allies. He then draws his greatsword. Cast Bless. +1 to attack rolls and saving throws against fear.

"Holy +@$%@"..

the elf keeps his oration going, but adds the percussion of an arrow to it

Atk: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 18 or ATK: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 19

DMG: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7

-Posted with Wayfinder

"Holy +@$%@"..

the elf keeps his oration going, but adds the percussion of an arrow to it

Atk: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 12 or ATK: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 14

DMG: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11

-Posted with Wayfinder

-Posted with Wayfinder

I knew it! We're doomed! Droghedor says, nevertheless drawing his axe and taking a five foot step, attacking the...thing.
dwarven waraxe: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 8
or
dwarven waraxe: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 16
dmg: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Droghedor will also try to identify the...thing.
1d20 ⇒ 7
Kn (arcana or planes) +7, Kn (dungeoneering or nature) +6
Whatever Droghedor learns, if anything, he will share.

Droghedor recognizes this creature as a vermlek demon, a horrific creature known to inhabit corpses (such as the poor man whose face is splattered over your own). One question.

Droghedor takes a wild swing and misses, despite Werner and Kayanor's melodic aid. Kayanor has better luck and sticks an arrow through one of the thing's several jaws.

Round I -- bold may act!
1. Droghedor, Kayanor, Werner (2 heresy points), Dulcinea (1 heresy point)
2. Guards
3. Dakang (7 dmg)
4. Garrick (2 heresy points)

One question.

Special defenses or immunities please.

Dulcinea steps up to the disgusting creature and draws her rapier.

"How appropriate that such a vile person would turn out to be such an ugly creature."

She places the judgment of her goddess upon him and she begins glowing with the light of Shelyn, a faint rainbow nimbus.

Rolling twice and taking the lower because of the heresy point
Attack with Mwk Cold Iron Rapier (smite evil): 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 2 = 20
Attack with Mwk Cold Iron Rapier (smite evil): 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 2 = 27
Damage (smite evil): 1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 2 = 7

Her AC is currently 22 vs Dakang because of the smite

Droghedor has read something of the process of vermlek corpse habitation. While wearing a corpse, the body acts as a sort of armor for the vermlek. Moreover, a vermlek can suddenly and hideously burst from its host, absorbing some of the life energy of the body (healing itself) and leaving behind only a saggy sack of skin and gristle.

Dulcinea closes on Dakang and scores a hit with her rapier!

Dakang's five-jawed 'face' roars in disapproval and clambers hideously to the ceiling (15 feet up above current position) and casts a spell, bathing everyone in fear and doubt. @ Everyone: DC 14 Will save or lose the benefits of bless basically. This is a mind-affecting fear enchantment compulsion effect.

Droghedor and Dulcinea get AoOs.

Round I -- bold may act!
1. Droghedor (AoO), Kayanor, Werner (2 heresy points), Dulcinea (AoO)
2. Guards
3. Dakang (14 dmg, 15' up)
4. Garrick (2 heresy points)

Droghedor AoO: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 22
dwarven waraxe dmg: 1d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10

Oh no ye don't, ya foul demon!

Will: 1d20 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 9

The elf wavers for the briefest of moments.

D'oh, missed the bane effect. Sorry.
DC 14 Will save: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 24

Pair of will saves because of the Heresy points (I wonder how I got two?)
Will save 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Will save 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
His blessing disappears and, for a moment, Werner questions whether his god is with him. He shakes it off.

He then moves 5ft and casts Shield of Faith on himself.

"Have faith, my friends. Cayden Cailean is with us."

will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Garrick finds himself out of range of this evil. He readies and action: if the demon get's close he will attack it with his sword.

"Come down and face your Judgment!"
take 2
will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Droghedor scores a hit with his axe as the horrible thing retreats to the ceiling!

Most of you are still up, btw. And at least one of you has a bow. Lol.

Round II -- bold may act!
1. Droghedor, Kayanor, Werner (1 heresy point), Dulcinea (AoO)
2. Guards
3. Dakang (24 dmg, 15' up)
4. Garrick (1 heresy point)

AoO (smite evil): 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 2 = 19
AoO (smite evil): 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 2 = 10

Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Dulcinea reaches to stab at the moving Dakang, but finds her strike turned away by his magic. Even with his heresy magic, she is able to shrug off his spell, though.

Droghedor watches the demon crawl up and warns, Watch your heads! It's going to drop on us! We're doomed

He casts magic missile at the thing!
1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
SR check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Grr. Gonna use my shirt reroll.
SR check: 1d20 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 1 + 5 = 23
Better.

"Get down here and face justice toe to toe!" Kayanor smiles, winking at the melee specialists around him. The humor doesn't prevent him from sliding back into his oration and firing an arrow:

ATK: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 1 = 19 for DMG: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

@ Dulcinea: your heresy point has worn off, so you don't need to roll twice. Your AoO -- go ahead and roll damage. Additionally, I neglected to bold your name: it is also your turn.

Droghedor gets a spell through and Kayanor follows with an arrow. It occurs to the bard that a vermlek might not even have toes.

Round II -- bold may act!
1. Droghedor, Kayanor, Werner (1 heresy point), Dulcinea
2. Guards
3. Dakang (32 dmg, 15' up)
4. Garrick (1 heresy point)

@GM Oh! Wow, I didn't realize it wore off! When I played this scenario in the normal campaign, the GM ran it as being in-effect the whole battle....

AoO Damage (smite evil): 1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 2 = 8

Dulcinea sighs and clicks her tongue as the vermlek scurries to the ceiling. She drops her rapier unceremoniously and draws her shortbow. She trepidatiously knocks an arrow and readies to fire, a frown on her face.

"How does one use this thing again?"

Attack with Shortbow (smite evil): 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 = 9
Damage (smite evil): 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

@ Dulcinea: Ouch, haha! Yeah, they're supposed to be a minor inconvenience, not a crippling one.

Dulcinea's rapier sloughs off a patch of fat, exposing a sickly red demon hide beneath. Her arrow buries itself in the ceiling to little effect. The guards seem just as frustrated by the vermlek unexpected mobility and, having only been issued spears by Dakang, move to cover the exits.

Dakang's five-jawed 'face' screams an unholy wail, and all feel a deep pain wrack through their limbs!

Negative Energy Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1 DC 12 Will for half negate lol

Round II -- bold may act!
1. Droghedor, Kayanor, Werner (1 heresy point), Dulcinea
2. Guards
3. Dakang (40 dmg, 15' up)
4. Garrick (1 heresy point)

Kayanor weathers the wail WILL: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

And he responds with more arrows as he continues to use rhetoric to bolster the Pathfinders (making sure to include PROPER Koradan doctrine when applicable. )

Bow: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 1 = 18 for DMG: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8

DC 12 Will: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11 Edit: LOL

Oh no! Droghedor says, closing his eyes and gritting his teeth. Negative energy can leave you dead on the spot! He soon opens one eye, realizing he is not, in fact, dead on the spot. Well, sometimes, anyway, he mutters,

The dwarf uses his arcane bond (his waraxe) to try magic missile again!
SR check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Or not. LOL

Will save 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Will save 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Werner weathers the wave of negative energy, and begins casting a spell (Enlarge Person, which is full round)

Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Dulcinea pulls back another arrow, taking more time to aim and straighten her stance before firing.

Attack with Shortbow (smite evil): 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 2 = 14
Damage (smite evil): 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Kayanor fires off an arrow that buries itself deep in the demon's fatty posterior! Dulcinea's shot does the same, but doesn't make it to demon flesh. Werner prays to his god and Droghedor curses as his magic fizzles.

Round II -- bold may act!
1. Droghedor, Kayanor, Werner, Dulcinea
2. Guards
3. Dakang (48 dmg, 15' up)
4. Garrick (1 heresy point)

Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Garrick drops his sword and draws his bow. Garrick scowls at the demon, "You only delay the inevitable, demon!"

Garrick fires an arrow:

hit?: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Not that it helps on a Jeff, but you are under the effects of Inspire Courage.

Oops, that was supposed to be a mass inflict light wounds instead of a channel. I'll do that now instead.

One of the most disturbing sights of the Pathfinders' careers soon follows as the worm slithers wholly from Dakang's body, the bloody skin sloughing off the creature and dumping pulp and fat and yuck directly onto Droghedor. The vermlek crawls across the ceiling to the other side of the room and screeches a terrible wracking pain into his foes!

2d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2) + 3 = 6

Mass Inflict Light Wounds: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 OUCH DC 16 for half

Will: 3d20 ⇒ (16, 15, 14) = 45

All three of the aasimar guards pass out from the pain.

Round III -- bold may act!
1. Droghedor, Kayanor, Werner, Dulcinea
2. Dakang (31 dmg, 15' up)
3. Garrick

Will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Werner buckles from the pain, and tries to retain the spell he was casting.

Concentration check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

... and loses the spell. He then puts a hand to his holy symbol and calls upon his deity. "Lucky Drunk, aid us in our time of need."

Channel Positive Energy, Selective, to heal: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20 Kayanor winces, but Cayden's drunken energy helps. And so the arrows continue. Atk: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 1 = 25 for dmg: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6

as the elf stands firm!
"You cannot survive. You cannot last. You cannot win. You will fall to our righteous blows!"

-Posted with Wayfinder

Will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Garrick lets another arrow fly:
hit?: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

DC 16 Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Droghedor's eyes roll back in his head and he slumps to the floor, a fading See? I told... being voiced as he passes out.

Wener's channel makes his eyes flutter open, and he completes the thought: ...you so!

Move action to get up, Standard to draw light crossbow.

Devoid of its fleshy armor, the vermlek is subject to both Pathfinders' darts!

Round III -- bold may act!
1. Droghedor, Kayanor, Werner, Dulcinea
2. Dakang (45 dmg, 15' up)
3. Garrick

Don't forget the +1 to damage from the bard ice performance!

-Posted with Wayfinder

Dulcinea nocks another arrow, but does not loose it immediately. She pauses and breathes deeply in and out. Her body relaxes, and she finally lets the arrow loose.

Attack with Shortbow (smite evil, inspire courage): 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 25
Damage (smite evil, inspire courage): 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7

Dulcinea's calmly aimed arrow pins several of the vermlek's jaws together, and it loses its grip on the ceiling to fall unconscious and bloody to the tile floor!

Out of combat!

The aasimar guards dust themselves off and help each other up. "That was... unexpected..."

Garrick stows his bow and collects his sword. walks towards toward the corpse and kneels down to inspect it. I wonder how long this THING has been in the temple
perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

"Unexpected, yes. Now, however, we can relax. The next few days are going to be.... eye opening. I apologize for our conduct here, but the situation was... sub-ideal. We chose the best course of action. I'd love to help you get your temple and the proper worship of Korada back on your feet. I could also learn much from the experience..."

Kayanor then checks the body for anything of import (personal correspondence etc).

Werner calls upon Cayden Cailean to heal his friends and allies...
Channel to Heal: 1d6 ⇒ 3
... and does so once more before speaking.
Channel to Heal: 1d6 ⇒ 3

"Yes, ve are villing to help vith vhatever means the Pathfinders can reasonably provide. Although our arrival here vas unorthodox, this site is holy and ve vish to help preserve it. Ve can perhaps even support you vith trade." Werner offers, though trade negotiating is not a strength of his. His words are sincere though, and anyone listening can hear that he wants to help right the wrongs somehow.

"Since before any of us were born..." one of the guards says in awe. "I need a bath," declares another, who promptly leaves the room. The third stabs the demon a few more times for good measure.

* * *

The weary guards help the Pathfinders to gather the temple's remaining inhabitants (sans Gastidem, who has fled) to unravel the lies Dakang wove together. A collection of true Koradan texts is found in his private office, which to cut through the deceit to the Empyreal Lord's true teachings. The worshippers invite the Pathfinders to stay as long as they need or visit in the future, and vow to spend the years to come cleansing the temple of Sifkesh's taint.

Their work all but complete, the Pathfinders journey back out of the Tapestry to Golarion proper. Aram Zey awaits with his accustomed steely glare. "Well?"

It was was not what we expected. The Lord of Heresy had taken over the temple. Through our research, we discovered the taint and was able to remove it. Garrick places his drawings, rubbings and maps on the table. You should find everything in order. I took the liberty of detailing the demon the infested the lead priest of the Temple. It was an equal parts cunning and disturbing. With a combination of the groups talents, he succumbed to our righteousness.

He's got it about right, Droghedor nods at Garrick's account. Also we learned a couple of meditation poses, and I taught these folk that negative energy can leave you dead on the spot.

Also gonna organize a posse and go hunt down a certain smug-faced gnome, he mutters aloud to himself.

Finding nothing missing in the report, Werner only adds, "There are good people on the other side of that tapestry. People who have their freedom again, but will need support. We can help them, and they can be helpful to us I think. Remember that."

"Indeed, I'll turn over my detailed review, but Garrick's explanation is a good one."