[PFS/DMK/YotS] 7-13 Captive in Crystal (Inactive)

Game Master Kludde

Rhanloi calls out for the Pech leader to surrender. The earth creature shows no sign of letting up, and before further threats are exchanged, Marra comes in with a powerful strike, followed up by an arrow from Castien's bow and a stab from Anail's rapier. The leader falls to his knees, then flat on his face.

Combat over!

The room is filled with hundreds of crystalline plates, all of them inscribed with ancient knowledge.

Searching them takes an hour and a K(arcane) check

Until now, a soft background hum has been present, and as the last pech falls, the humming gets gradually louder.

Anáil sheathes Smine's Lightning Bolt, then searches the room throughly, using his expertise in magical theory.

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (15) + 9 + (1) = 25

Marra wonders what connection the humming has to the pech as she helps search the plates.

K(arcane) aid: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Kn(Arcana): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

Rhanloi begins searching the plates, applying his own knowledge and that recently acquired. He also attempts to use the message spell he cast earlier to contact Sorrina to obtain any aid she may provide.

Castien, too, attempts to derive what knowledge he can from the crystalline plates.

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Pitbull and Asbo start squabbling loudly as Asbo insists on gnawing on the Pech that delivered a wound - the Owlbear being particularly bad mooded, as owlbears tend to be. Pitbull then goes back to sniffing around for more threats whlist the smart people search for more scientific objects.

Cacumattus also lends what insights he has to examining the crystals.

Knowledge (Arcana), Aid another: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

The party searches through the records. There is no sign of a mention of the Sairazul's Tears, but Anail does find a broad disk entitled 'Steel Meditations'. This treatise presents the ageless koans of an earth elemental mystic.

The hum gradually gets louder and louder as the party spends time researching. Every now and then a crystalline plate resonates on the sound.

----
Moving on to the next room
---

A two-foot-high triangular dais occupies the center of an octagonal chamber, and shallow grooves ripple outward from the platform. Stacks of red-hued crystalline plates are scattered throughout the room. A thrumming buzz causes minute distortions in the air, and the ruby walls seem to flex and bend slightly from invisible forces.

As the double door open, the changing acoustics cause the humming to swell to a thunderous roar.

In the middle of the room, a faintly glowing ball of light bobs in the air. For a brief moment, the nebulous image of a skull can be discerned in the middle of the ball, before the glow extinguishes and becomes invisible.

Crawling along the floor and ceiling are several spidery legs, looking as if they are defending the vault itself against the - now invisible - intruder.

---
Anail
Pitbull
Cacumattus
Castien
Marra
Rhanloi
---
Spidery creature
Spidery creature
????
Archives
----

Rhanloi prepares a spell, but holds it to see which of these many creatures are foes and which may be allies...

Before entering the next room, Marra uses her wand of CLWs to heal her wound.
Wand CLW 3 charges: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 4, 5) + 3 = 17 fully healed

Marra tries to identify the creature from the brief glance at it before turning invisible, and the spidery creatures.

K(dungeoneering or other) invisible skull: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
K(Nature or other) spidery creatures.: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

The bard cast mirror image {link} on herself before moving into the new chamber and drawing her small scimitar.

mirror images: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Rhanloi is at the ready to launch his missiles. Marra identifies the spidery things as animated objects of sorts, while the brief glance of the glowing thing made her think it might be a Will O'Wisp, a dangerous air aberration that feeds on fear.

---
Anail
Pitbull
Cacumattus
Castien
Marra
Rhanloi <-- Readied missiles
---
Spidery creature
Spidery creature
????
Archives
----

Pitbull orders Asbo around in an arc to come in behind where they saw the Wisp - Pitbull then pushes in to flank it...

Asbo and Pitbull have both Scent+Blind fighting

Pitbull gets into place and lashes out.
PA+Outflank
Miss <50=1d100 ⇒ 171d100 ⇒ 53=Hit
Attack 1d20 + 12 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 12 + 4 - 2 = 27
Damage 2d4 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (4, 2) + 7 + 6 = 19

Anáil drinks his extract of see invisibility, then moves into the room with a swift step, rapier in hand, to show his companions where to strike.

"In front of you, Pitbull! You nailed it!"

For the spidery creatures:
Knowledge (any): 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 9 + (1) = 22

For the invisible creature:
Knowledge (any): 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 9 + (5) = 18

For both: Weakness(es), DR, Special Attacks

Pitbull and Asbo try to surround the invisible, flying ball, and Pitbull even manages to connect.

Anail drinks her potion, and clearly sees the outline of a floating sphere, with a ghastly skull in the center.

---
Anail
Pitbull
Cacumattus
Castien
Marra
Rhanloi <-- Readied missiles
---
Spidery creature
Spidery creature
???? (19)
Archives
----

Anáil warns his companions: "The invisible wisp feeds off fear! The spiders are animated object, use adamantine to destroy them fast."

Anáil warns his companions: "The invisible wisp feeds off fear! "

"Haha he gonna stay hungry off me and Asbo, we not look to worried"

Confident that his comrades could easily handle the automatons, Castien uses his arcane bond to cast a spell identical to Anáil's potion and moves into position.

Standard action: Cast see invisibility (via arcane bond)
Move action: As indicated on map

Cacumattus moves into the room, crossbow raised, and prepares to fire at the glowing skull thing as soon as it becomes visible.

Crossbow, readied: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 for: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Like Anail Castien sees the outline of a glowing skull in a ball of blue. Cacumattus prepares to fire a missile.

The wisp becomes visible, and glows bright blue. The magical glow conjures up a rainstorm, with driving rain and loud crackles of thunder.

Pitbull, Anail, Asbo and the automaton are caught in the spell of weather, feeling the hurt of the electricity and the booms

Electricity damage: 3d8 ⇒ (5, 6, 5) = 16
Sonic damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3
DC 14 RFX halves both
DC 14 Will save or gain the shaken condition

RFX, automaton: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Rhanloi promptly fires his missiles, which hit the wisp, but fail to harm it.

The two automatons close in on the wisp, and start slamming into it, but it proves elusive.

Slam: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Slam: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

---
Anail
Pitbull
Cacumattus
Castien
Marra
Rhanloi
---
Spidery creature
Spidery creature (9)
???? (19)
Archives
----

5 Mirror images

Marra begins a bardic dance to inspire courage in her allies as she moves across closer to the battle..

+2 inspire courage in allies, +2 to hit, damage and resist fear.

"So it's like that, is it?" Rhanloi says as he quickly draws an arrow, imbues it with some arcane energy, and fires it at the wisp. The enchanted bow also adds a frost coating to the arrow.
+1 frost bow + point blank + precise shot + inspire courage: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 = 13
Damage + frost + arcane strike + IC: 1d8 + 4 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + (1) + 2 = 13

Asbo
Ref 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 = 19
Will 1d20 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 4 = 14

Pitbull
Ref 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 = 9
Will 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Asbo wears the brunt, whilst Pitbull gets off lightly.

"Grab it so we can smash it" Pitbull barks.

Outflank + Inspire
Asbo lurches at the thing 1d20 + 9 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 4 + 2 = 30 vs CMD or Grappled.

Pitbull then steps back and casts Resist Energy (Electricity) on herself.

Castien draws and fires two cold iron arrows at the will-o-wisp.

Full-round action: Attack will-o-wisp
Attack (+1 Composite Longbow (+2 Str), Point Blank Shot, Inspire Courage, Rapid Shot): 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 16
Damage (+1 Composite Longbow (+2 Str), Point Blank Shot, Inspire Courage, Flame Arrow): 1d8 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 + 2 + (5) = 18

Attack (+1 Composite Longbow (+2 Str), Point Blank Shot, Inspire Courage, Rapid Shot): 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 27
Damage (+1 Composite Longbow (+2 Str), Point Blank Shot, Inspire Courage, Flame Arrow): 1d8 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 + 2 + (4) = 17

As Marra starts inspiring courage, Rhanloi sees his arrow fluttering about in the wind, clattering to the floor without doing any harm.

Asbo grabs a hold of the wisp, which allows Castien to just barely hit the glowing ball with his best shot.

---
Anail
Pitbull
Cacumattus
Castien
Marra
Rhanloi
---
Spidery creature
Spidery creature (9)
Thunder Wisp (36)
Archives
----

Ref: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32
Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Anáil steps sideways to flank one of the automatons with Asbo, striking it with his adamantine rapier!

+1 adamantine rapier, inspire: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 12 + 2 = 321d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 = 12

Confirmation: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 2 = 201d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 = 10

I'll put Cacumattus on delay

Anail stabs at the spidery creature as the glowing orb touches Asbo, sending a jolt of electricity to course through the owlbear and turning him into a fuzzy ball of feather.

Shock, Asbo (touch): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 362d8 ⇒ (6, 1) = 7

The orb then suddenly extinguishes, becoming invisible again. Those with see invisibility can still see

The spiders slam at the last known position of the wisp, but fail to hit it.

Slam, Wisp: 1d100 ⇒ 26
Slam, Wisp: 1d100 ⇒ 821d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

---
Anail
Pitbull
Cacumattus
Castien
Marra
Rhanloi
---
Spidery creature
Spidery creature - red (31)
Thunder Wisp (36)
Archives
----

Asbo 25/51

Asbo takes the grapple to a pin.
Second round grapple
Grapple 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 2 + 5 = 20
GM Reroll 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 2 + 5 + 4 = 39
Creature now pinned - no dex bonus and a further -4 on the AC

"Someone chuck a heal on Abso" Pitbull grunts.

She then moves in and slices at the foe.

Attack
PA+Outflank
[ooc]Miss <50= 1d100 ⇒ 4 1d100 ⇒ 14
Attack 1d20 + 12 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 4 - 2 = 21
Damage 2d4 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (2, 1) + 7 + 6 = 16

[ooc]Miss <50= 1d100 ⇒ 79 1d100 ⇒ 39
Attack 1d20 + 7 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 4 - 2 = 17
Damage 2d4 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 7 + 6 = 16

The elf continues firing magically enhanced arrows at the wisp, trying to end it but not having a clear idea where it is...
Miss?: 1d100 ⇒ 59
point blank + precise shot + inspire courage: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 2 = 22
frost + arcane strike + IC damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (6) + 2 = 15

Castien, heartened by his previous volley scoring a hit, fires two more cold iron arrows at the will-o-wisp.

Full-round action: Attack will-o-wisp
Attack (+1 Composite Longbow (+2 Str), Point Blank Shot, Inspire Courage, Rapid Shot): 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 20
Damage (+1 Composite Longbow (+2 Str), Point Blank Shot, Inspire Courage, Flame Arrow): 1d8 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 + 2 + (6) = 15

Attack (+1 Composite Longbow (+2 Str), Point Blank Shot, Inspire Courage, Rapid Shot): 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 26
Damage (+1 Composite Longbow (+2 Str), Point Blank Shot, Inspire Courage, Flame Arrow): 1d8 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 + 2 + (3) = 17

5 Mirror images

Still Maintaining the inspiring bardic dance, Marra cast a cure moderate before dancing over to touch Abso with the held charge of healing.

cure Moderate on Abso: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (4, 7) + 7 = 18

+2 inspire courage in allies, +2 to hit, damage and resist fear.

"Haha scary float-ball! Marra Merciless healed Asbo, now YOU get terrified and a free kicking!"

Sorry for delay!

Cacumattus mumbles a spell and shoots a ray of fire at where the owlbear is grappling with the wisp.

Scorching ray, vs touch: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 = 10 for: 4d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 2, 6, 2) + 2 = 17
Miss, high hits: 1d100 ⇒ 28

Asbo decides that further pinning down the little stormy creature is a good idea, brings it down and then pecks it to death.

I'll just redirect all further attacks at the guardians

Rhanloi and Castien fire their arrows at the spidery construct. A bulls-eye shot by Rhanloi destroys one of the creatures, while two more arrows by Castien severely dent the next one. Cacumattus scorches the metal plating with a ray of fire.

Offering no further resist, the last automaton melds into the floor, disappearing.

Combat over!

The resonance in the hall dissipates, its thunderous origin now gone. Not long after, Sorrina enters the tower The wards are dormant! She says you must have disabled them somehow.

With the aid of Sorrina, there is now sufficient time to find the inscribed plates she needs to track Sairazul’s Tears, and fulfill her obligation to Reyshal ik Jalman.

The shaitan provides sumptuous accommodations while the former Master of Spells takes several hours to read the text. She then reports it seems the diamonds departed the Plane of Earth approximately a century ago. I've found some mentions of the tunnels the thieves traveled, they once echoed with the name Bralkashik.

My best guess is that Sairazul’s Tears are now within the City of Brass, though I can't quite manage to pinpoint their location.

Reyshal pounds a fist into his hand and utters a curse upon all efreeti before explaining The Bralkashik are efreeti who squabble for the Grand Sultan’s favor like starving dogs over a discarded bone.

On the bright side, this record might convince the court of Sultana Ashadieeyah bint Khalid that me and my family deserve a chance to prove our innocence and redeem our name. He bows low to Sorrina and the party, saying I am grateful. Should you ever travel to the Opaline Vault to witness its beauty, expect my hospitality. Sorrina, your debt has been repaid.

Sorrina Westyr observes that the wards defending the Lucent Archive should return to full power in a matter of days and continue to protect its lore for future generations. Nonetheless, she packs several of the crystalline disks to take back to the Grand Lodge, claiming that they might help her piece together unanswered mysteries. Travelling back to Absalom is straighforward using the wayfinder of many paths.

Kreighton Shaine hurries out to greet the party soon after their return. Good, you're back. Who is this you have with you?

Kreighton, you truly have become unobservant with age, Sorrina chuckles upon realizing Kreighton doesn't recognize her altered form. Kreighton marvels at the change but then wastes no time catching her up to speed on the past decade’s events, asking her about her travels, and introducing her to nearly anyone they come across—including the adventurers, despite their having rescued her. The two meet with several high- ranking Pathfinders, and early the next day, Venture- Captain Ambrus Valsin announces the appointment of Sorrina Westyr as interim Master of Spells, pending the safe return of Aram Zey.

Sorrina meets with the adventurers several days later to thank them again for traveling into the unknown to rescue her team. Placing the salvaged crystalline plates on a nearby table, she explains that many of the Lucent Archive’s library prisms had a storage layer near their surface that recorded a great tragedy on the Plane of Earth— or something associated with it—much like a volcanic eruption might coat the entire planet in a thin layer of ash. In studying the stored information, she learned that a great treasure that gave one power over the air itself disappeared during that catastrophe. There the records cease, suggesting that the relic is far beyond the reach of stone and soil, sailing through the sky. Sorrina suggests the trail may have gone cold for now, but she encourages the group to keep a watch on the sky.

If you haven't rolled day jobs, please do so now. This scenario has a special bonus for those who have miner or gem cutting skills - your day job gold would get doubled if you roll one of those skills.

Marra uses her story telling abilities to spin the latest adventure into stories for audience.

perform (oratory) story-telling: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

DMK, Thanks for DMing once again!

"HA!" remarks Pitbull "Anything that flies around and is small should be grabbed and bashed - learnt that from thet stupid flying head on our LAST adventure!"

Day Job (tracker) 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

"Hmm, all this talking too much for me. We won. Sounds like more looking for rocks though!"

Craft (alchemy), crafter's fortune: 1d20 + 21 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 21 + 5 = 41

Thanks for this scenario, DMK!

Craft(jewelry): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22

Thanks!

Craft (Gemcutting): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Rhanloi - any chance Castien could raid your spellbook for some 3rd-level spells? Obviously, he would be willing to reciprocate.

Can we do that? I know we can't swap gear...if we can swap spells then heck yea!

You still have to spend the cost to write the spell into your spellbook, but you don't have to find the spell or pay 50% access fee to use some NPCs spellbook.