PFS: City of Golden Death (Inactive)

Game Master R D

Though staggering from the great blow he received, Harrow grits his teeth and counterattacks, this time with a better-placed blow.

"Harrow...not...like you!" the half-orc shouts.

+1 nodachi (adamantine, power attack, furious focus, studied target): 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 1 = 231d10 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 1 = 18

Guys, I'm not liking our positioning on this. We already know when it dies it basically turns into a fireball. If anyone is using ranged attacks or healing, that person ought to back up! Also, any healing appreciated. This thing hits HARD!

Was there a tactical map? I withdraw 30'

Auntie Stagg backs up and turns towards her friend. The goat stands in the back and quietly munches on some grass.

"OK Husraq you hit bad guy now."

Husarq has 10ft reach with his greatsword, so no need from a tactical perspective. But from a Don't-Get-Blown-Up perspective, SMART!

"Husarq! Attack the thing and destroy it, S#&$e-For-Brains! Destroyer of Happiness, do your duty!" shouts Mareq at his hated efreeti companion.

A weird gleeful look comes into Mareq's eyes as he contemplates Husarq's upcoming explosive death. Insanity comes calling, wrapped in Mareq's hatred...

Mareq retains enough sense to use his wand of healing upon Harrow, who looks pretty beat up. He then moves backwards out of range of a potential fiery death.

UMD DC20: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

But, because he moves too suddenly, the wand barely touches Harrow and the spell fizzles into nothingness.

I'm getting on a plane in a few hours, so here's Husarq's next attack, likely to be required before I land in Paris tomorrow.

Bleed again: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 2 = 18 Slashing dmg: 2d6 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3) + 10 + 2 = 19

Blur effect high is bad: 1d100 ⇒ 14

Was there a tactical map? I withdraw 30'

Yup. It's the "combat map" link at the top of the page. :)

Crap. We forgot Husarq's miss chance on his last attack. 81-100 is good for the guardian.

1d100 ⇒ 16

And for Harrow's most recent hit:

1d100 ⇒ 60

Whew! Both are hits!

GM reminder==63
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Botting Berosius

Standard Action: Channel: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 3) = 12
Move Aciton: Move back
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Husarq's pre-rolled attack is a miss, due to cover. Unless Harrow wants to risk an AoO by moving back.

Thanks for the heals!

Tan'ia, you're up!

Tan'ia will back up and with ready a Selective Channeling for after Harrow gets hit again.

Tan'ia moves.

The golden guardian takes bleed damage and subsequently explodes!

Harrow Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Husarq Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

The eidolon evades the blast. But the half-orc takes 6d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 4, 3, 6, 2) = 19 HP of damage!

Combat over!

Pausing here to allow for healing / wrap-up. The golden guardian has no loot. It's an obvious guard. Lingering on the bridge too long is bad; you're above a river of molten metal!

Tan'ia will do her channel positive now to heal people 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10 points.

Anyone need this? She holds up her Wand of Cure Light Wounds.

Berosius does the same.

Channel: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12

"My goodness! That was more exciting than the time my Aunt Gertrude caught me stealing those mincemeat pies when I was a lad!"

"Let's leave the bridge as quickly as we may," says Mareq with a bit of a glower in his mien. Deep down, well, not deep down really, more like right up on top, he is disappointed that Husarq did not explode with the golden automaton.

Groovy, no one needed it. Thanks, B. She'll put her wand away.

"Mincemeat? Guardian nearly made mincemeat our of us. We should continue on."

Harrow rises and brushes himself off. His hair and skin have all been scorched by the fiery death of the creature.

"Harrow not like ancient guardian," he says as he kicks part of it into the molten river.

The half-orc takes a minute to heal some of his remaining wounds after Tania channels, then says "We keep going. [b]"Get across bridge quick!"

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Continuing along... The next point you come to is an intersection. (Area C on the map.) It is bordered by a channel carved into the street and untouched by gold, enclosing a 50-foot-square area...

Auntie Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Berosius Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Harrow Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Husarq Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Mareck Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6
Quartz Init: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Tan'ia Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

The party moves forward, not noticing anything awry. An alarm goes off, and suddenly a large fiery creature appears in your midst. Looks like you guys just set off a trap!

Knowledge planes to know more about the fiery creature.
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SURPRISE!

Slam: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22, Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Husarq Reflex Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9, Burn Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

The flat-footed Husarq is hurt by the creature's slam attack and takes 10 HP of bludgeoning damage! He also catches on fire, but resists taking any burn damage--for now...
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ROUND 1

Auntie Init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Berosius Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Harrow Init: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Husarq Init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Mareck Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Quartz Init: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Tan'ia Init: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Enemy Init: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

--> Harrow is up first! <--

Then the enemy.

Then the rest of the party.

The combat map has been updated, too.

Oh! That was not nice!
knowledge planes: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Know Planes: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

"I don't like the look of this guy!" Quartz yells.

Oh! That was not nice!

[dice=knowledge planes]1d20 + 6

Tan'ia knows that this is some kind of elemental made of fire. But, in her surprise, anything else she might know about the creature is lost for the moment.

[dice=Know Planes]1d20+7

"I don't like the look of this guy!" Quartz yells.

Quartz knows that this is a Large Fire Elemental.

DR 5/—
Elemental traits (no crits, no flanking)
Immune to fire
Vulnerable to cold
2 Slams
Burn

"Its a large fire elemental. Don't use fire on it, it wont work!" The gnome squeaks.

Ouch! Max damage!

In case I'm asleep while Mareq and Husarq's turn come up...

Mareq casts Rejuvenate Eidolon upon Husarq: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Mareq also asks the creature, in Ignan: "Greetings, Oh Great and Powerful Fiery One. How may I appease you? As you can see, I am no friend to the efreet, having enslaved this one for his perfidy and betrayals." Diplomacy to change attitude: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

The efreet use fire elementals badly when they can, so perhaps the fire elemental will be interested to hear of Mareq's disciplining of Husarq.

Husarq awaits the results of Mareq's exchange with the fire elemental. If the thing continues to attack or appears uncalmed by Mareq's attempt at diplomacy, he will necessarily attack. Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 2 = 27 Slashing dmg: 2d6 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (4, 2) + 10 + 2 = 18

Harrow waits to see if Mareq changes the creature's attitude.

But if it doesn't, he's prepared to attack it after studying his target.

+1 nodachi (adamantine, power attack, furious focus, studied target): 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 1 = 121d10 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 1 = 19

ROUND 1

Since Mareck doesn't go until after the fire elemental in the initiative order, Harrow swings his weapon at the enemy! Unfortunately, he misses. Since Harrow did no damage, the elemental continues its attack on the efreeti:

Slam: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25, Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Slam: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25, Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

The eidolon is brought down to -3 HP. Mareck, you may cast Rejuvenate Eidolon as a standard action, if you wish. But, then you would not also be able to engage in Diplomacy.

Harrow Init: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Enemy Init: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Tan'ia Init: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Quartz Init: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Berosius Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Mareck Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Husarq Init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Auntie Init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Tan'ia, Quartz, Berosius, Mareck, Husaq, and Auntie are up!

Auntie stagg murmurs some incantation and waves one hand in the air.
This thing big...don't hurt harrow

Bugs come!

start casting summon swarm

Tan'ia will cast Resistance on Harrow.

Berosius hustles up to just behind the line and casts cure moderate wounds on Mareq.

"Yowch! Your skin is hot!"

cure moderate wounds: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (6, 7) + 4 = 17

Berosius hustles up to just behind the line and casts cure moderate wounds on Mareq.

"Yowch! Your skin is hot!"

[dice=cure moderate wounds]2d8+4

LOL! I assume you mean Husarq!

"Thank you, small master. That helped," intones Husarq to Berosius.

"Oh My Master, what should I do?" he asks Mareq.

Mareq stares at his thrall in disgust.

In Ignan, he spits at the efreet and says, "You are a pathetic weakling, my perfidious thrall. If any has ever deserved destruction, you do."

Mareq holds out a hand to Harrow, indicating he should wait. Still in Ignan."Wait my friend. Do not attempt to injure the Great Burning One."

He turns to the creature, in Ignan: "Greetings, Oh Great and Powerful Fiery One. As you can see, I am no friend to the efreet, having enslaved this one for his perfidy and betrayals. Is there something we can do to appease you? Perhaps sacrifice an efreet, and in return we may pass unmolested?"

Previously rolled Diplomacy to change attitude: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

Husarq bows to Mareq in shame and subservience.

Mareq screams at him (in Ignan), "Not to me, you Asinine Goat Lover of an Efreet! To your planar better, scum!" Mareq points at the elemental.

Husarq remains on the ground and grovels at the feet of the elemental.

Diplomacy to Aid Mareq: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Harrow, perhaps a diplomacy aid? Maybe this will work.

Pausing to see what the party would like to do.

"Wait...why we not fight this thing?" is all Harrow can stammer.

diplo aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 Sorry, think it's a solid plan, but nothing from me this time.

OK, looks like that my diplomacy roll, then. Though, I would point out the amazing offer I've made... ;-)

This is a summoned creature, bound to attack the enemies against which it was summoned. The creature is hostile, so the Diplomacy DC is 25. But, it's a novel idea, I could see giving you a +4 circumstance bonus. That brings you to 22. If Berosius chooses to aid another (which he does automagically with his bonus) that's a 24.

Hm. Well, you did use the word perfidy. It's one of my favorites, and it's not used enough in modern conversation--in my opinion. So... That might be worth a +1 circumstance bonus.

OK.

The fire elemental laughs at the mistreatment of the eidolon. Assuming you allow it, he'll give Husarq one final smack upside the head (let's call it minimum damage: 3 HP) and then it will wait impatiently until the duration of the summons ends.

Better scoot before he becomes too impatient. Also, you now know that there's a trap there. What you don't know is if it resets or not.

"Thing burn us...we no fight now?

Up to you all. :-)

Harrow lowers his blade skeptically, but nods in admiration of Mareck's diplomatic skills.

"Harrow say get past here, quick!" he says and starts moving forward.

I'm a fan of creative ways to get past impossible encounters. :)

Bypassing combat in 3... 2...

Last chance...

I'm good with bypassing combat.

Quartz waddles quickly away, bringing Penelope with him.

Woohoo! Love talking thru instead of fighting thru!

On an unhappy note, my posts will be riddled with typos over the next four days, since they will be exclusively typed on an iPhone. That's right, the perfidious elements (see what I did there, GM?) within Paris have struck. Nothing dangerous, but they did run off with my laptop. And iPad. And gloves. And hat. And ID badge. And passport. So... I will be slow responding via iPhone and I may have to remain here with the Syrian refugees until my passport application is approved. C'est la vie!

Oye! Stay safe!

I shall!

A good friend of mine (and frequent poster on these boards) was pickpocketed in Paris last month! Lost his wallet, credit cards, passport, etc. Seems to be the Parisian thing to do.

A good friend of mine (and frequent poster on these boards) was pickpocketed in Paris last month! Lost his wallet, credit cards, passport, etc. Seems to be the Parisian thing to do.

That's terrible! I avoid that by keeping my wallet and phone in internal pockets. Easy to do in winter when wearing a coat. In summer, less easy. This time my computer bag was wedged between my chair and my colleagues. Stupid me, for underestimating their Sleight of Hand bonus!

Good luck in Paris!

So, here's the thing. In order to get where you're going, you have to pass by another one of these summon traps. While I'm definitely down with creative, non-combat solutions, how do you guys want to get around the second one?

Were we able to see something we stepped on that triggered the summons? The only thing I can think of is to move slower and take our time to see any trap, then try to bypass it. Or, I guess we could just fight it when we get to it (though some fire resist would be nice!). Any other ideas?

Husarq is fire resistant. Btw- he needs healing.

I'd say we should scout carefully for the trigger and avoid.