[PFS/DMK/EMS] The Emerald Spire Superdungeon

Game Master Kludde

The creature keeps speaking in undercommon.

Yes, but why? Ah, I guess it's an answer. It's your turn to ask

Why indeed ... reminds me of a game my kids used to plan by asking why to every answer ... until the grownups quit answering (sort of like a staring contest)

"Hmmm ... seems like we can find out a few answers or clues about this place by trading questions and answers. What should we ask about first?"

"What kind of opposition are we likely to encounter on this level?" Caranthir asks.

"Is there some kind of leader, and if so, what kind of capabilities does the leader have?"

Oh, no, you can ask only one question. Let me just choose and answer: The Vault Keeper rules these caverns, and made them what they are today.

My turn! What do you suppose happens in the mind of someone who has been petrified?

"I anticipate that their brain is also petrified, and their thoughts freeze up immediately, as well," Caranthir responds.

"Tell us about this Vault Keeper, if you please."

Jelani is happy to watch the exchange of information with one eye, while keeping his other on lookout for any sudden ambushes or new arrivals.

That is a most plausible answer. It makes you wonder, do the thoughts unfreeze again if a person is organified. I have to think about this.

The vault keeper rules these caverns, as I already told you. He summoned me to do his bidding: eradicate all life from above.

Now I may ask a question again: what happens when you grapple a succubus?

...

The vault keeper rules these caverns, as I already told you. He summoned me to do his bidding: eradicate all life from above.

"Aaaaahhh ... that doesn't sound good ...

"I would imagine anybody grappling a succubus would lose a bit of soul ... provided they were male of course."

Casts Ablative Barrier on himself.

"What does the vault keeper keep in his vault?" Thistle asks, hoping to keep the creature talking. These questions didn't seem so terrible to answer, and they might be able to get something useful out of it. Fellgrim's answer seemed pretty reasonable, and Thistle shudders at the thought of wrestling with a succubus.

Caranthir looks at the creature curiously after it says it was summoned to eradicate life from above. He tries to determine what it is.

knowledge arcana/dungeoneering/local/planes/religion: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19 Looking for 1) vulnerabilities 2) immunities 3) special abilities

"E..rad..i..cate? Does that mean it's smashing time, guys?"

Thistle holds his hands out, calling for patience. Smashing time, it seemed, would be inevitable. Perhaps they could squeeze some more information from this curious creature before it tried to squeeze the life from them.

Oh, I don't know what he keeps there. You can ask a different question, I don't know the answer to this one. the creature says, and seems to grow disinterested.

Do I happen to know what the creature is? (roll above)

"What is the purpose of this emerald crystal that runs all the way up to the surface?" Bruce asks the strange creature.

Thistle smiles at Bruce's question. It was a good one... He wracks his brain trying to think of something else that might give them some useful information and context for what seems to be the end of this incredible, underground structure.

"I wonder why the Vault Keeper wants to kill all of life from above?" he asks, knowing full well they will need to answer another question before this one gets answered.

The weird creature seems to slowly lose interest: That green thing? The branches of the Spire can be used to access rooms if one carries a master shard. The strange scientists to the west have one.

Ah, I'm tired, and hungry. You look very snack worthy. It was nice talking to you.

---
Thistle
Fellgrim
--
Philosophical, but hungry, creature
---
Caranthir
Jelani
Bruce
---

Round One - Ablative Barrier: AC25; Mutated: AC27; Studied Combatant: +2 Hit/Damage; Elysian Bronze; Precise Bombs; Precise Shot; Point Blank; Ricochet Splash

Crackers ... out of time ...

Fellgrim studies his opponent before tossing a bomb in his general direction [NW] ...

Bomb: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18 for Fire: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 6, 2, 2) + 4 = 15
Deviation: 1d8 + 1d1 ⇒ (3) + (1) = 4 [3 = SE]
Ricochett: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14 for Splash DC19: 4 = 4

... and then spontaneously mutating and wondering what he possibly could have done to so irritate fate (aka the RNG) so badly.

knowledge arcana/dungeoneering/local/planes/religion: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21 Looking for 1) vulnerabilities 2) immunities 3) special abilities

Thistle sets his jaw, the moment of conflict not surprising him. He is ready, and calls forth a prayer to protect his friends, and hinder the bored guardian.

cast prayer, link above. Gives us a +1 to pretty much everything, and a -1 to pretty much everything for the enemy. Let's see if we need to get any more involved after the first round, I don't expect a cakewalk though.

Fellgrim drops his bombs on the bored creature, and it immediately becomes clear that is it especially hurtful to this monster. Caranthir doesn't quite know what this thing is, as Thistle protects the party.

The stalagmite-like creature shoots six thin strands at Thistle, which wrap the Nagaji tightly.

I need five separate Fort saves
Strand, Thistle: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Strand, Thistle: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Strand, Thistle: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Strand, Thistle: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Strand, Thistle: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Strand, Thistle: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

---
Caranthir
Jelani
Bruce
Thistle
Fellgrim
--
Philosophical, but hungry, creature (22)
---

"I had hoped this would end differently," Caranthir states, but his hand is already drawing back arrow after arrow to pour into the creature he can't identify.

+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, manyshot, weapon specialization, prayer)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 18 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 18 + 1 = 292d8 + 24 + 4d6 ⇒ (3, 6) + 24 + (6, 3, 5, 2) = 49
+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, weapon specialization, prayer)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 18 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 18 + 1 = 261d8 + 13 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 13 + (1, 1) = 19
+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, weapon specialization, prayer)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 13 + 1 = 271d8 + 13 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 13 + (1, 4) = 22

Round Two - Ablative Barrier: AC25; Mutated: AC27; Studied Combatant: +2 Hit/Damage; Precise Bombs; Precise Shot; Point Blank; Ricochet Splash

Surprised at the effectiveness of his previous attack, Fellgrim adds more bombs to the fight ... [NW]
Bomb: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 37 for Fire: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1, 4, 3) + 4 = 14
Threat: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25 for Critical: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 5, 6, 2) + 4 = 20

Bomb: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13 for Fire: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 6, 6, 1) + 4 = 18
Deviation: 1d8 + 1d1 ⇒ (5) + (1) = 6 [6 = W]
Splash DC19: 4 = 4

fort 1: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 1 = 25
fort 2: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 10 + 1 = 24
fort 3: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 1 = 26
fort 4: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 1 = 28
fort 5: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 1 = 22

I have a feeling this will not end well...

Edit: Or maybe it will all be ok!

Jelani steps up to the creature, entering his bloodrage and swelling in size. He slams the thing with his huge hammer.

Chain Breaker Bloodraging Power Attack vital strike prayer: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 20 + 1 = 33Damage: 6d6 + 26 + 1 ⇒ (3, 1, 1, 5, 2, 2) + 26 + 1 = 41

Bruce tries to help Thistle get free by striking the strands.

Aid another: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28

The creature has a rock-hard skin, but not enough to protect him from Caranthir's arrows. Fellgrim then throws several bombs, covering the creature head-to-toe in fire. WIth agonizing scream, it rolls over and falls into the lava chasm below.

Combat over

Thistle feels a bit weaker after the attack, the tentacles have sapped some of his strength

Str Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4

"What a dumb creature. He could have just left us in peace."

"Well who every this vault keeper is it doesn't sound like we can just leave him down here." Bruce says as he moves to the door behind him and looks it over for traps. "That and I'm a bit curious as to what he has in his vault."

Perception: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (13) + 14 + 2 + (2) = 31

"Hopefully enough booty for us to retire on."

Bruce chuckles at Jelani's comment and opens the door for the hulking brute if he finds it safe.

I'm going to assume this is temporary damage. If not, that would only change my spell choice from lesser resto to regular resto.

Thistle gives a grateful look to Bruce as the strands are cut away. He hacks at them himself, but the fatigue in his arms is obvious. Not fatigue... just...

He looks over to Jelani, then back to the deceased creature. He counts the number of strands and wonders what might have been had more of them been effective in their insidious purpose.

Closing his eyes, he calls the power of the gods to restore his strength. Within moments, he feels normal again, and indicates he is ready to keep moving, settling in behind Jelani as they go through the next door.

Cast lesser resto, unless its permanent ability drain. If it is, I can just cast resto instead.

While Thistle tends to the wounded, Caranthir scouts around for potential exits.

perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (20) + 23 = 43

I'm having a little trouble seeing exits from the room. I'll go around and see what I can find.

There's only one door. The Emerald spire has branches that penetrate the walls, and there's a round wall on the other side that sounds a bit hollow.

There's an eye-shaped rune on this stone door, which glows with a soft green light.

The door opens to an L-shaped room. A long stone counter runs along the edges of this L-shaped room, its surface cluttered with strange tools, alchemical devices, urns of bubbling liquid, and shuddering clots of flesh. Three pedestals to the south support small mounds of glowing green crystals.

Three creature of horrific form are standing near the crystal, their sights sufficient to cause madness. They seem to be anticipating the adventurer's arrival, and have some sort of dart gun in hand.

---
Caranthir
---
Thing
Thing
Thing
---
Thistle
Bruce
Jelani
Fellgrim
---

The creatures know they are coming, but Caranthir could sense them a moment in time before they could act.

He enters the room and casts a spell at the back wall, summoning forth a writhing mass of black tentacles.

Caranthir is faster than the eldritch horrors and ensure the things-that-should-not-be are covered in tentacles. The tentaces enemy seems right at home, though, and is unaffected.

Grapple: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 11 + 1 + 4 = 25
Grapple: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 1 + 4 = 19
Grapple: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 1 + 4 = 18

The aberration move in of Caranthir and slap him with long tentacles, though the elf manages to avoid getting trapped by them.

Tentacle, Caranthir: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 341d4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Tentacle, Caranthir: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 231d4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Tentacle, Caranthir: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 281d4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Grab: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (7) + 19 = 26
Grab: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28
Grab: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28
---
Thistle
Bruce
Jelani
Fellgrim
Caranthir
---
Thing
Thing
Thing
---
---

"You're too tight in there guys, I can't get in!" Jelani warns his friends.

The prayer for freedom of movement floats through Thistle's mind, and the nagaji laments not having cast it ahead of time as all of the tentacles writhe and squirm.

Ready to react, Thistle begins by gripping his holy symbol. Energies flow from him and reach out to each of his companions, aiding them individually how they choose in order to destroy the abominations.

Casting blessing of fervor - click the link if you don't remember which bonus you prefer. Don't forget you can change your bonus every round if you want, depending on what suits you best.

Disappointed that his spell didn't snare any of the creatures and seeing himself in a precarious position, Caranthir steps back and casts emergency force sphere.

An immediate action.

In case anyone's wondering what my spell will do, it will trap me in a force cage. I won't be able to do anything, but they likely won't hurt me for some time, either. You may want to have Bruce fall back and fight them where everyone can reach them. I should be fine where I am.

Jelani hollers at his friends, while Thistle calls down the blessing of the gods - which go quite deep. Caranthir locks himself away.

---
Thistle
Bruce
Jelani
Fellgrim
Caranthir
---
Thing
Thing
Thing
---

Taking note of his friends tactical decisions Bruce falls back to the main room.

Full withdraw.

Round 1 - Ablative Barrier: AC25; Mutated: AC27; Blessing of Fervor; Precise Bombs; Precise Shot; Point Blank; Ricochet Splash

Fellgrim steps up and throws a handful of bombs at the closest creature ...

Bomb: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28 for Fire: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 2, 1, 2) + 4 = 15
Bomb: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29 for Fire: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1, 1, 2) + 4 = 11
Bomb: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 for Fire: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 5, 4, 5) + 4 = 21
Threat: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26 for Confirmed: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 3, 6, 2) + 4 = 18

Jelani moves back, hoping his friends will clear the door. In case they don't he draws his longbow with his off hand, prepared to drop whichever weapon he won't need for the rest of the fight.

Bruce retreats, while Fellgrim lights up the unspeakable horrors with flame, though the creatures only seem to take light damage.

The creatures don't move, but rather drink some sort of extract that causes spikes to grow all over them.

---
Thistle
Bruce
Jelani
Fellgrim
Caranthir
---
Thorny Thing (25)
Thorny Thing
Thorny Thing
---

Round 2 - Ablative Barrier: AC25; Mutated: AC27; Blessing of Fervor; Stoneskin: DR 10/adamantine

Well ... that is not good. Time to change up my game a bit ...

Fellgrim steps back and casts Stoneskin upon himself and draws a wand.

Thistle takes a set backward, opening up a straight shot charging lane for his raging friend. Doing so, he mumbles another prayer, calling the blessings of the Archons over himself.

Cast archon's aura. The baddies have to make a DC 19 will save when they get within 20' of me. If they fail, they take a -2 to AC, Saves, and Attack rolls until they successfully hits me with an attack.

From the safety of his bubble, Caranthir tries to identify these strange creatures.

knowledge arcana/dungeoneering/local/planes/religion: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 Looking for 1) vulnerabilities 2) immunities 3) special abilities dang...

Jelani moves up to plug the gap, dropping his bow as he goes. He draws his shield as part of the move and activates it.

Free action: Drop bow
Move action: Move up and draw shield
Move action: Activate shield (round 1/4)
Current AC:29

Bruce waits for the creatures to funnel out into the main room.

Delay.

Fellgrim hardens his skin, while Thistle mutters another prayer. Caranthir's mind has been wiped of knowledge of these gruesome creatures, as the unspeakable horrors they represent are sure to drive even the most keen elven mind mad. Bruce waits, but Jelani has none of it, and steps forward.

The abhorrent creature fire darts in the direction of Jelani

Dart gun: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 331d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Dart gun: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
Dart gun: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Dart gun: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 291d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Dart gun: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 341d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Dart gun: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Dart gun: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 341d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Dart gun: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16
Dart gun: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Crit: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15
Crit: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

[ooc]I need a save vs Poison at -6[/dice]

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Thistle
Bruce
Jelani
Fellgrim
Caranthir
---
Thorny Thing (25)
Thorny Thing
Thorny Thing
---