[PFS, CORE] #45: Delirium's Tangle (GM Andrew) (Inactive)

Game Master Yiroep

Celebdan hums a tune under his breath, willing arcane energies to become visible to him.

Cast detect magic

As Huratas approaches the door, the door groans followed by a series of metallic clicks before the great circular plates on its face spin and rearrange at random. Levers spin and knobs turn, protrude, or retract, creating a rearranged mess of clockwork oddities. Huratas sees that incorrectly playing the game could cause some consequences.

The door is moving! It is a very complex puzzle that is not only difficult to solve, but reacts to your decisions and changes.

Mechanically, this is an Intelligence check to figure out the puzzle. It's actually opposed to the door's check as it tries to trick you into choosing something wrong. You can also try a (pretty hard) Disable Device check, but succeeding at one does not succeed at the whole thing.

Either way, it's going to need a series of 5 checks. Using Disable Device automatically triggers whatever consequence (and doesn't disable it), although both the Intelligence check and Disable Device could be done in tandem.

The door is definitely magical! It has transmutation forces that control mechanisms.

"Let me see..."

Int: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

"This isn't so hard, after all."

Malakiah continues 'playing' with the door.

Int: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Int: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Int: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Int: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Int: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Int: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Int: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Int: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Radagast, likewise, does his best to confound the door.

Int: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20.

Door: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18 - Malakiah Wins

On the first check, Malakiah manages to pull a cog and the door starts to unlatch. It begins moving faster.

Door: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 - Malakiah Wins

Malakiah finds another opening and unlatches another part of the door.

Door: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 - Malakiah Wins

The door is moving faster and faster, but Malakiah has no trouble keeping up.

Door: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15 - Door Wins

Malakiah very slightly slips up. The door opens up gates located around the room, and water starts pouring in. As of yet, it's not dangerous.

Door: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 - Malakiah Wins

Malakiah manages to get a hold of another key cog, which is enough to stop the device from filling the chamber.

Door: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19 - Door Wins

Once again, the door outsmarts Malakiah, and the water starts to rush in again. It is now up to your knees.

Door: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16 - Malakiah Wins

But yet again, Malakiah manages to outmart it and stop the door from filling the chamber.

Door: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13 - Malakiah Wins

He continues to solve the puzzle, and make progress.

Door: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13 - Malakiah Wins

At last, he pulls a lever and the door stops moving. The water starts draining from the chamber. Once done, the door appears ready to be pushed open.

"Time for me to do what I do best. I recommend most of you stay outside the room in case my best isn't good enough."

"Normally at a time like this I would seek a bit of spiritual Guidance. But since I'm about to break something complex and man-made maybe some help from nature would be appropriate."

The following is not counting possible help from spells.
Disable Device #1: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Disable Device #2: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Disable Device #3: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Disable Device #4: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
Disable Device #5: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

And instantly punished for my hubris.

Realizing that Malakiah clearly knows what he is doing I change my mind at let him handle things.

Saved by slow typing and a quick GM.

Malakiah regretted that his shoes got wet and then he turns to the others, "so, I think we can continue" and the wizard grins to them.

"Good job, Malakiah! I agree, we should keep moving."

Radagast then proceeds to do exactly that.

"Agreed. I wouldn't linger too long here."

Checking the big doors for traps.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Huratas sees no further traps on the door.

Upon opening the door...

Once-cheerful mosaics of smiling children and adults running through the streets of Absalom line the walls, but age and water damage smear the faces enough to make it seem as though they weep. Sturdy work benches and bookshelves line the walls. An intricate mess of bronze chains, plates, pendulums, and gears that form a sort of astrolabe dangle high above the room. Catwalks spin out from the walls in three places, curving on a horizontal plane and meeting in an open circle in the middle of the room. Between the catwalk circle dangles the body of a desiccated elf, ragged and dusty scraps of clothing barely covering his thin, bony body. He seems to be dangled in a maze of chains connected to the massive astrolabe above and the chains clank silently as he lolls his head from side to side.

Lying in the far corner of the room is minotaur, badly beaten and bruised. He is chained to a dusty couch. He's conscious but swaying. He mutters in the echoing chamber "Help... me."

The desiccated elf’s head lolls to the side again and his eyes flutter open. He stiffens and tugs at his tethers, screaming with rage. "You! You ungrateful, short-lived insects! I was betrayed and dragged on this altar of pride! Mortality is all you crawling beasts deserve!

The dotted portions are parts of the catwalk. They have no railings. The elf is 20 ft. up on the in the center of the circular part of the catwalk. At the edges of the room are 20 ft. ladders that lead up to the catwalk.

The elf looks like a regular elf, but seems to have control of all the chains in this room. He is bound to them, so can't move.

Nuar won't be in initiative as he has little means to help you at the moment.

Remember, as per the climbing rules, it is DC 5 Climb Check to climb a ladder at quarter your base speed, and DC 10 if you want to go at half speed. You are denied your dexterity bonus to AC while on the ladder.

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Initiative Order - Bolded Characters May Post Their Turn

Malakiah (-0) - Mage Armor
Fluffy (-0)
Huratas (-0) - Mage Armor
Finn (-0) - Mage Armor
Celebdan (-0)
Radagast (-0)
Elf (Red) (-0)

"I'll free Nuar."

Double move towards Nuar.

Climb: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Finn rushes forward and scales the ladder.

Double move. I should have just enough movement to get to the top of the ladder.

Radagast hustles forward, Fluffy trailing in his wake.

Double move.

Lots of movement happens between Huratas, Finn, Radagast, and Fluffy.

@Finn, yes that is correct on the movement.

@Huratas, you notice he is chained up pretty well, and those chains on him are actually moving from the movements of the elf! Somehow, he has control over those chains. However, his gaze tends to be averted to other party members for the moment.

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Initiative Order - Bolded Characters May Post Their Turn

Malakiah (-0) - Mage Armor
Fluffy (-0)
Huratas (-0) - Mage Armor
Finn (-0) - Mage Armor
Celebdan (-0)
Radagast (-0)
Elf (Red) (-0)

Missed posting for a while. Could Celebdan also have attempted to activated his wand of longstrider while the mage-armoring was going on?

Without entering the room, Celebdan steps forward for a better view and starts singing a haunting tune that surges through the air of the arcane room, filling all his allies with courage.

Inspire Courage rd 1: +1 to hit, +1 dmg, +1 save vs charm & fear

Malakiah pulls off a miniature shovel from a pocket, says some arcane words and suddenly a pit appears just below the talkative elf.

Malakiah casts Create Pit on the yellow marked area on the map. Reflex DC 17, or the elf will fall 20 ft.

Then the illusionist moves close to Radagast and Fluffy.

Malakiah, that will not work. The elf is 20 ft. in the air suspended by chains.

Malakiah, that will not work. The elf is 20 ft. in the air suspended by chains.

@GM Andrew: In this case, disconsider my last post, please. This will be Malakiah's action:

The illusionist starts to summon a creature to aid them in the combat...

Casting summon monster I.

Celebdan starts giving inspiring words to the party, and Malakiah starts summoning.

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Red's Turn
"You will pay for what you have done to me!"
He causes chains to move around him, and a pendulum lashes down at Finn.
Pendulum Attack (Touch Attack): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Pendulum Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

"Not enough? Take this!"
He then casts a spell at Finn.
Magic Missile: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 4) + 2 = 8
12 damage total to Finn.

NEED AN ACROBATICS CHECK FROM FINN, AS THE CATWALKS ARE UNSTABLE.

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Now that Finn is up there, the catwalks are semi-unstable. It takes a DC 5 Acrobatics check to move at half speed (DC 10 at full speed), and it appears everytime you are hit you need to make a DC 10 Acrobatics check to stay on.

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Initiative Order - Bolded Characters May Post Their Turn

Malakiah (-0) - Mage Armor
Fluffy (-0)
Huratas (-0) - Mage Armor
Finn (-12) - Mage Armor - Need DC 10 Acrobatics check or fall off the catwalk.
Celebdan (-0) - Longstrider
Radagast (-0)
Elf (Red) (-0)

GROUP BUFFS: Inspire Courage +1

Radagast casts a spell (Longstrider), and then continues to hustle forward...

Celebdan walks into the room straight towards the decrepit elf. In the midst of his tuneless song, he swings his longspear over his head and sings at the top of his voice at a volume you do not expect from his small frame, words that reverberate through the whole chamber, "Your nefarious deeds are undone! You shall fall!"

intimidate: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16 Sigh, that's at most only 1 round.

DC 10 + HD + Wis to be shaken for 1 rd, +1 rd for additional +5 above DC

shaken: –2 attack rolls, saving throws

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Finn manages to keep his balance, but doesn't want to risk falling from the catwalk. He casts Shield, then climbs back down, intending to rely instead on ranged attacks.

-Posted with Wayfinder

"Should have you out of there shortly Prince Nuar."
5ft step. pull MW thieves tools. Begin freeing him.

Full round action. Disable Device: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

Suddenly a celestial eagle emerges in the back of the elf, surprising him with its attacks!

Smite Evil in the swift action.

talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 171d4 ⇒ 1 +1 on damage if the elf is evil.
talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 151d4 ⇒ 3 +1 on damage if the elf is evil.
bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 171d4 ⇒ 2 +1 on damage if the elf is evil.

Summon monster duration: 1/3 rounds.

By his side, Malakiah draws an eyelash encased in gum arabic from a pocket, speaks some arcane words and becomes invisible.

Then, the illusionist moves close to Finn, as fast as he can.

Radagast casts a spell to move faster, with Fluffy in tow.

Finn climbs down and prepares to do ranged attacks.

Huratas starts disabling the chains around Nuar. He is successful, but Nuar is still in no shape to fight. "Thank... you. Please... stop the elf."

Celebdan intimidates the elf successfully.

Malakiah's eagle hits the elf two times, causing him pain. He is not evil. Malakiah turns invisible.

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Red's Turn
The elf looks at Finn. "Ha! Your retreat is wise, but what about this man with a beard over here! Let's discourage him!"
Another Pendulum comes down to attack Radagast this time.
Pendulum Attack (Touch Attack, Shaken): 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 - 2 = 2
Pendulum Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

He casts a spell defensively.
Concentration: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
He loses the spell. "Grr! Stupid Bird!"

He looks at Celebdan. "I will not fall!"

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Initiative Order - Bolded Characters May Post Their Turn

Malakiah (-0) - Mage Armor
Fluffy (-0)
Huratas (-0) - Mage Armor
Finn (-12) - Mage Armor, Shield
Celebdan (-0) - Longstrider
Radagast (-0)
Elf (Red) (-3) - Shaken (Ends at Celebdan's turn)

GROUP BUFFS: Inspire Courage +1

Finish my Disable. Drop thieves tools as free action. Move 20ft towards the ladder and climb 5ft up.
Climb: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Another assault from the eagle:

talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 131d4 ⇒ 3 +1 on atk and dmg if Celeb's Inspire Courage affacts the eagle.
talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 181d4 ⇒ 2 +1 on atk and dmg if Celeb's Inspire Courage affacts the eagle.
bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 131d4 ⇒ 4 +1 on atk and dmg if Celeb's Inspire Courage affacts the eagle.

Summon monster duration: 2/3 rounds.

Malakiah walks as fast as he can til the ladder and climbs it (move action: 30 ft.), then he walk on the chains (move action: 15 ft., half speed).

Acrobatics DC 5: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Radagast laughs in delight when he sees Malakiah's eagle.

"Ooo! Yes! Excellent idea!"

He then concentrates, and his body folds in upon itself, going through several sickening transformations, before settling on a drab, brown feathered eagle this size of a dog.

Bizarrely, 'Eagle' (small-sized) is the largest legal choice for a wildshape form with a natural fly speed (well, at least until you get access to elementals) in CORE...

Letting out a defiant shriek, raptor-Radagast darts up to flank on the elf with the other eagle.

Meanwhile, Fluffy lets out a hoot of alarm, as he is well and truly confused by what is going on.

Finn draws his wand, and fires a missile at the elf.

Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Climb for Malakiah: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Malakiah scutters up the ladder, then treads carefully along the catwalk.

The bird talons the elf 1 more time (will add the appropriate inspire courages there).

Radagast turns into a bird then flies up.

Huratas goes up and starts climbing.

Finn shoots a Magic Missile at the elf, but finds that it doesn't work! Immune to Magic Missile!

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Initiative Order - Bolded Characters May Post Their Turn

Malakiah (-0) - Mage Armor
Fluffy (-0)
Huratas (-0) - Mage Armor
Finn (-12) - Mage Armor, Shield
Celebdan (-0) - Longstrider
Radagast (-0)
Elf (Red) (-8)

GROUP BUFFS: Inspire Courage +1

While still holding his tune, Celebdan continues to glares at the elf. He repeats the same words, as if a chant, "Your nefarious deeds are undone! You shall fall!"

intimidate: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

DC 10 + HD + Wis + 5 (for 2nd attempt) to be shaken for 1 rd, +1 rd for additional +5 above DC

shaken: –2 attack rolls, saving throws

Celebdan strikes fear into the elf's heart.

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Red's Turn
"I'm so sick of being here, and it's all your fault!"
Clearly deranged, he continues his attack. He chooses to attack the new eagle. On Radagast. This guy is deranged, but he's pretty smart. :p
Pendulum Attack (Touch Attack, Shaken): 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 3 - 2 = 14
Pendulum Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1
1 damage to Radagast.

"Let's try this again."
He tries to cast a spell defensively.
Concentration (Shaken): 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 - 2 = 9
He moans as the spell yet again doesn't fire off.

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Initiative Order - Bolded Characters May Post Their Turn

Malakiah (-0) - Mage Armor, Invisible
Fluffy (-0)
Huratas (-0) - Mage Armor
Finn (-12) - Mage Armor, Shield
Celebdan (-0) - Longstrider
Radagast (-1)
Elf (Red) (-8) - Shaked (3 rounds)

GROUP BUFFS: Inspire Courage +1

Stymied by the catwalk and the elf's immunity to his magic, Finn approaches and draws a javelin, hurling it at the elf in a fit of rage.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 3 - 4 = 8
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Celebdan's blood-stirring song continues, but for a brief moment, it takes on a haunting yet soothing tune directed at the elf. At the same time, Celebdan draws out fine sand from his spell pouch, ready to toss it at his target.

Casting sleep DC 15. 1 round casting time so only comes into effect next round. Hoping he is 4HD or less. :)

The ladders were not where I thought but the end result will be the same except I'll need 2 DC 10 Acrobatics checks.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Finish walking towards him along the catwalk and Grab as a standard action.

Improved Grab: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 1 = 23

"Calm down. Stop attacking and we can talk this out."

Radagast attempts to shred the Elf.

Claw: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 11, for 1d4 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9 damage.
Claw: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 24, for 1d4 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 = 8 damage.
Bite: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 29, for 1d4 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9 damage.
Crit Confirmation: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 22, for 1d4 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 = 10 *ADDITIONAL* damage.

The summoned eagle does its last assault:

talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 141d4 ⇒ 4
talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 201d4 ⇒ 2
bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 121d4 ⇒ 1

Summon monster duration: 3/3 rounds (ended).

By his side, Malakiah tries to get more close to the elf (half movement).

Acrobatics DC 5: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 I can't believe...

...but falls on the ground.

A javelon, two birds, and a grapple happens. Between all of it, it's enough to take the elf down. He slumps over in the chains, blood soaking them.

Falling Damage for Malakiah: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3

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Status Wrap-Up

Malakiah (-3) - Mage Armor
Fluffy (-0)
Huratas (-0) - Mage Armor
Finn (-12) - Mage Armor
Celebdan (-0) - Longstrider
Radagast (-1)

Nuar scampers to his feet, clearly still gravely injured. "I thank you for saving me, but who do I have the pleasure of thanking?"

Upon searching the room, you find a Wand of Magic Missile (CL 3, 50 charges) and a Wand of Daze (50 charges). As well, you find 800 gp of coins scattered around.

However, even more valuable, you find Izryen's Hourglass, an artifact of immense time powers. Anyone near the hourglass ages at half their natural age. Yes... that elf is really, really old... The artifact is difficult to remove and takes about a half hour of work.

"We are Pathfinders. Grandmaster Torch sent us to find you."

"We should keep the half-elf alive but contained. And Nuar needs healing."

"Grandmaster Torch. We are the best of friends! I don't even remember how I got here. Come, let's go. I will remember that the Pathfinders helped me escape." The minotaur huffs a sigh of relief.

You leave the Tangle the same way you came. Once out, Nuar excuses himself and says he has many things he needs to catch up on in his absence. Eventually you meet back up with Dreng, but Torch is nowhere to be seen. Dreng informs you that you have Torch's thanks.

As for the elf, he is clearly deranged and not able to think properly anymore. His hundreds of years of existence chained up has clearly had an effect on his psyche.

The end!

Thanks to his invisibility, the shameful performance of Malakiah on the chains wasn't seen by nobody, at most they heard the noise of his fall. "Thank you Pharasma", he thanks in thought.

Once the combat is over, the illusionist was the most prestative in the work of pull off the Izryen's Hourglass from where it is, "it is magnificant", he whispered.

After the meeting with Mr. Dreng and give the Izryen's Hourglass to him, Malakiah bids farewell to the others, "I hope see you soon, my friends", then he disappears into the shadows, just to fall again from another damned unstable terrain.