Shackled City (Pathfinder) - GM_Chris

Game Master Chris Shannon 719

Strength check: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 2 = 7
Strength check: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 2 = 5
Strength check: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 2 = 4
Strength check: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 1 + 2 = 19
Strength check: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 1 + 2 = 17

Atol's Str Surge and Assist will get us through on the second try.

Going to wait for Dyrant and others before the door is cracked open. I'm busy all day, so won't be posting again until 12 hours from now.

Blasted RSS reader lied about the new posts, again! Not sure if it's the reader or Paizo.

Glimmil watches as Finneas gives the door a shove before hopping off Cog and lending his aid.

Before pushing, Glimmil first flexes and performs a variety of stretches to prepare himself for providing the aid.

"Skie taught me these. She said they are supposed to make me more flexible and limber."

As the others look to the gnome, he flushes.

"What? Erm..."

Glimmil turns his attention to the stuck door and gives it a nod.

"Let's get this door open!"

Strength assist DC10: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Strength assist DC10: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Strength assist DC10: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Strength assist DC10: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Strength assist DC10: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Freakin' been a long day. Apologies. Just getting caught up in spurts now.

Dyrant grunts when the first eye does not return.

"Something probably just ate one of my little angel eyes," Dyrant announces grumpily. "There might be foes all around here. And in there, but it bodes well that the door is so solid. It might be that whatever is inside can easily teleport to and fro OR that those inside rarely come out." Dyrant considers more. "Or they are really strong."

Dyrant does not like the last option.

"Do we want to deal with the foes outside the Cathedral before we move within? Or move on as is?"

I'm happy to just move forward with the door opening, but Dyrant would want to warn people.

"Open the door just a crack if you'd like a few eyes to scout ahead."

The doors are opened a crack. The eyes probe about, but find nothing. This was once a beautiful cathederal. The remnants of tapestries hang on the cracked stone walls, and broken furniture and fallen stonework cover much of the floor. In the wall opposite is another set of stone doors.

Initiative
Atol1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Dyrant 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Finneas 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Finneas Bonus roll 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Glimmil1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Toffitt 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Other 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Round 1
1d10 ⇒ 2
Dyrant = 29
Toffitt = 23
Glimmil = 19
Finneas = 18
Atol = 6
Other = 5 (delaying)

The party has not actually detected anything yet, so suspend your disbelief and proceed as the gridlines appear beneath your feet and time is counted in 6-second intervals.

GM Gristle, I'm fine and happy with you assuming reasonable control of the eyes. It will make things much easier and better. Yes, feel free to kill some off as appropriate. Excellent solution.

Dyrant sends four angel eyes within.

"Look around this area. If you see any living being, return. Keep quiet. Scout and explore."

If light is needed, Aralynn will add additional balls via dancing lights.

Round 1, Init 21 {F9>}

I'm hearing from GM Chris that the eyes already explored the space and saw nothing. Correct?

Toffitt drinks his mutagen in preparation for entering the Cathedral. Assuming Dyrant has not raised a red flag, he moves inside and approaches the opposite door.

Yes. The eyes have been in the first room and found nothing.

Glimmil observes the doctor nervously as he imbibes yet another flask of something to drink and wonders if the doctor ever gets the urge to relieve himself during battle.

Shrugging, Glimmil trots ahead without a concern and looks about the interior of the cathedral for do-badders.

Move action forward 35ft. Cast Detect Evil.

There is evil as always on this plane. It'll be another round before Glimmil can gain any useful info.

Before entering the cathedral - our stated goal - Atol would have put his breastplate back on. He casts no further spells at this time.

He does however carefully enter the first room with the party, casually clutching his cudgel for moral support.

"Remember we're looking for the first test - two doors. I forget what's behind them, but we get to chose which door to pass through." He thinks hard for a moment. "I bet both decisions are bad, but one will likely be worse."

Round 1 Init 18

Seeing the group move into the Cathedral Finneas draws his sword and guards the rear as usual.

Dyrant waits by the door, looking for another avenue of exploration for his angel eyes.

Chris, do you need to know our positions? Atol, I assume you have drunk your dose of Ablative Barrier for the day.

The party starts to move into the room when a lightning bolt comes from the ceiling and strikes Glimmil, Cog and Toffitt. The source of the lightning bolt turns out to be a drider floating next to the ceiling. Moments later another drider appears floating on the other half of the ceiling and covers the room in webs.

Lightning bolt: 6d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 3, 4, 1, 1) = 13 DC 16 REF for half
Web is DC 15 REF to avoid being grappled. Standard action to break free. Moving through webbed squares is difficult terrain and requires a combat maneuver check or Escape Artist check as part of their move action, with a DC of 15. Creatures that fail lose their movement and become grappled in the first square of webbing that they enter.

It says they are unaffected by their web ability, but nothing about the web spell, so
D1 REF save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
D2 REF save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

I moved people where I though they wanted to go since most people didn't actually give me a location.
Round 1 recap
1d10 ⇒ 2
Dyrant = 29 - move up to door
Toffitt = 23 - mutagen and move
Glimmil = 19 - move detect evil
Finneas = 18 - Guard door
Atol = 6 - double move into room
Driders = 5 Lightning bolt and web

Party up for Round 2
1d10 ⇒ 4
Dyrant = 29
Toffitt = 23
Glimmil = 19
Finneas = 18
Atol = 6
Driders = 5

New map

Everyone has cover from each other due to webs, but no one is 20' away, so no complete cover.

Don't forget SR checks if you try to cast a spell at a drider.

Round 2, Init 23 {J14, 10'}

Reflex lightning bolt: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19
Reflex web: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28

Toffitt moves over toward the drider and climbs ten feet up the wall, sword drawn. He swings a powerful blow at the creature.

CMB check to move: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 2 = 23

Dueling sword | power attack, heroism, mutagen: 1d20 + 15 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 15 + 2 - 2 = 24
1d8 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 6 = 21

"Finneas, over here!"

Round 1, Initiative 6, Location H10

Atol moves into the room and is webbed for his trouble!
Reflex save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Atol will cast Bless from the cassock to start the round. As he may be within reach of one of the Driders (not sure) he'll cast defensively.

Concentration: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28 vs DC 17

Round 1, Init 19 [K,10]

Glimmil vs Lightning DC16 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Cog vs Lightning DC16 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31 Evasion!

Glimmil vs Web DC16 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Cog vs Web DC16 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

Cog immediately begins to growl at the spider-people on the ceiling, while Glimmil struggles from within the gooey mess encasing them.

Glimmil CMB to break web: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Are the doors at K10-11 closed or open? If they are closed, Cog will ready a standard action to bite an enemy that comes close, while Glimmil will use his move action to retrieve one of the potions of Fly he purchased in Cauldron.

Round 2, Init 29

Dyrant sneers at the driders.

1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 18 + 2 = 40 Know (Planes)

"Strange that these would be inside this Cathedral, is it not, Doctor? How can they even open the door? It took our strongest warriors to accomplish the same."

1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 18 + 2 = 26 Know (Planes)

Hmm...why didn't the eyes see them?
Think about it...
Driders are known to have sorcerous abilities.
And...?
INVISIBILITY!

"Care now, there might be more!'

Dyrant draws his Rod of Extend and casts the spellprayer of See Invisibility.

Dyrant will likely F8, unless there are more invisible foes around.

No invisible foes are seen.

The next set of double doors is closed.

"Perhaps they've stronger friends within."

Round 2 Init 18

"Coming Doctor."

Finneas hustles to the Doctor, climbing along the wall and ignoring the webs.

I don't think I can get there in 25' and attack so I'll move 25' closer to them and up the wall while casting Resist Energy: Electricity on myself.

Dyrant looks for more invisible foes before taking a 5' step back away from the door and any lightning bolts.

Toffitt activates his slippers (standard action) and moves towards the closest drider. Webs are difficult terrain, so 30' just to get to J14 on the ground. Then another 5' up wall. If you go up at angle to begin with, then you have to go around the corner and that's 40'.You can keep your roll for next time.

Glimmil breaks free of the webs and pulls out a potion of fly while Finneas casts and moves up to the drider. Finally, Atol blesses the party.

The first Drider sends another lightning bolt down onto Glimmil and Cog. 6d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 2, 5, 6, 2) = 24 DC 15 REF

The second drider tries to pound Finneas with its mace and bite him, but just misses.
mace: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
mace: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Party up for Round 3
1d10 ⇒ 4
Dyrant = 29
Toffitt (-6) = 23
Glimmil (-6) = 19
Cog
Finneas = 18
Atol = 6
D1
D2 (-21)

Map for Round 3

Round 3, Init 29

Dyrant puts away the rod and 5' steps back to where he was.

Dyrant glares at the far drider, insulted that such an ugly thing would stand in the way of their divine mission.

DC Will Save 21 vs. -4 to AC for 10 rounds. Or one round of -4 AC.

Round 3, Init 23

Toffitt climbs up into flank with Finneas and hits the drider (last attack plus sneak attack: 5d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 5, 6, 6) = 26)

Will Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Cool. Using up the bad rolls now so I can crit later.

Round 2, Init 19 [K,10]

Glimmil Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Cog Reflex: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23 Evasion again!

"Zzzhh-yeee-heeee!" Glimmil cries as he's zapped yet again by the evil spider monster.

Glimmil shrugs and quaffs the potion he purchased, begins waving his arms like a chicken and works to ascend towards the enemy, drawing his hook-hammer as he moves upward.

As close as he can get to the drider casting lightning. Not enough time to check on his move speed and sort out the webbing at the moment.

Round 3 Init 18

Finneas attempts to return the favor at the injured drider.

Greatsword Power Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 282d6 + 16 ⇒ (1, 2) + 16 = 191d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 72d6 + 16 ⇒ (4, 1) + 16 = 21
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 232d6 + 16 ⇒ (2, 4) + 16 = 22
Evil Attack 1 & 2: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) = 82d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11

Had to throw the Evil in after as I forgot and didn't want to skew the numbers.

Round 2, Initiative 6, Location H10

Atol takes out his crossbow and loads it.

"You have them on the ropes Finneas! Glimmil, get in there and wallop that spell caster!"

Dyrant hexes the drider and Toffitt and Finneas make the most of it as they hack the drider to pieces. Hadn't realized Finneas had improved critical now, too. Eeek!

Atol calmly loads his crossbow as Glimmil heads up to take care of the other drider while Cog covers the door.

Glimmil's CMB check through webs: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

The remaining drider tries to get the first blow in against Glimmil and fails miserably.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Party up for Round 4
1d10 ⇒ 7
Dyrant = 29
Toffitt (-6) = 23
Glimmil (-6) = 19
Cog
Finneas = 18
Atol = 6
D1
D2 (dead)

Round 4 Map

[ooc]Yes. We're in Round 4. Several people didn't really count Round 1 as a round, so we've been out of synch.[/b]

Round 4, Init 23 {>K11 +15'}

Toffitt begins climbing along the walls over to the other drider.

CMB: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 2 = 19

Round 4, Init 29

Dyrant moves to the other side of the doorway.

Dyrant glares at the drider, insulted that such an ugly thing would stand in the way of their divine mission.

DC Will Save 21 vs. -4 to AC for 10 rounds. Or one round of -4 AC.

Round 4, Initiative 6, Location H10

Atol, not sure what else to do that would be useful, takes a pot shot at D1 with his crossbow and then reloads it.
Crossbow: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 5 - 4 = 17 (-4 combat) damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

will save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22 Oh, yeah. Poor drider probably won't live long enough to enjoy that success.

Round 4 Init 18

Finneas makes his way to the other drider.

Take 10 on climb and double move 40' to G8, if I have this correct?

Correct. The cloak lets you move 1/2 your normal speed through webs. Your normal speed for climbing with the cloak is 20'. So, you moved 20' (or the equivalent of 40' through difficult terrain).

Round 4, Init 19 [J,9 Flying]

"Begone foul spider-monsters! And take your electric boo-goo-loo with you!"

Glimmil winds up and smacks away at the many-legged monsters with Claw-Whomper.

Glimmil attack (+1 Claw Whomper, power, bless): 1d20 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 16 + 1 = 26 for 1d6 + 1 + 4 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 4 + 4 + (3, 6) = 20

Glimmil attack #2 (+1 Claw Whomper, power, bless): 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 1 = 28 for 1d6 + 1 + 4 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 4 + 4 + (3, 1) = 16

Glimmil CRIT confirm attack #2 (+1 Claw Whomper, power, bless): 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 1 = 27 for 2d6 + 2 + 8 + 8 + 4d6 ⇒ (5, 1) + 2 + 8 + 8 + (2, 3, 2, 4) = 35

The drider barely survives Glimmil's onslaught and manages to land one critical blow in return before surely being sliced and diced in the next round by the party.

mace: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
mace crit?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
mace: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

We're out of initiative. The driders have their usual masterwork heavy mace & masterwork composite longbow [+2 Str], but nothing else.

1d10 ⇒ 5

Toffitt makes his way down in the webs after collecting weapons. "Nice work, boys. Let's pray they're all as easy. Atol, a touch or two of the wand if you don't mind?" -6hp

Dyrant smirks at the destruction of the driders, even noting Atol's crossbowing.

After casting his perfunctory Detect Magic, Dyrant looks for another avenue to send a few eyes to explore and report.

"How did these get in here? Why are they here?"

They were placed here by the Holy Gygax, Greater God of Incoherent Dungeons.

Atol puts away his crossbow and takes out his trusty cudgel. Then he reaches for one of his wands of healing and presses it into service, first on the good Doctor, then on Glimmil (if he needs it).

Doctor Toffit
Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Glimmil
Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

After casting his perfunctory Detect Magic, Dyrant looks for another avenue to send a few eyes to explore and report.

The next set of doors are still closed and look safe to open.

Toffitt takes out two casklets alchemists fire and uses them to burn a path to the next door. When everyone is ready to proceed he attempts to open it. Time is money, with Glim's flight due to expire.

"Hey! This is fun!" Glimmil shouts as he zips about the room, still continuing to flap his arms occasionally, as if the action provides some form of control over his flight.

After dizzying himself, Glimmil lands near the doors, brushes some spider-monster off his armor and shield and approaches the sealed doors.

More strength checks to open?

Glimmil was down 38, gains +16 from Atol's 3 wand taps, and uses Lay Hands to finish the job.

Lay Hands #1 (self, greater mercy): 6d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 6, 1, 3, 1) = 16

Now down 6, which is good enough. 96/102 HP

Oops. Toffitt has no alchemist's fire, crappy alchemist that he is. He must have borrowed them from Atol...

The door opens easily and the room beyond has a vaulted ceiling some sixty feet high at the apex, supported with buttresses but showing several gaping holes in the roof. Most of the floor is a sea of debris--collapsed archways, shattered glass, and broken pews--but a clear path leads down the center of the room. Several large piles of debris still smolder and smoke. Where an altar undoubtedly once stood is now a rough-hewn statue, propped up on stones so it doesn't tilt like everything else in the cathederal. The statue depicts an obscenely fat biped with the head of a ram. Black silk hanging from nearby pillars gives the statue the appearance of bat wings.

Yes. A lot of this is the same description from the angel eye.

Initiative
Atol1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Dyrant 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Finneas 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Finneas Bonus roll 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Glimmil1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Toffitt 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Sa 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Su 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Perception/Stealth
Aralynn 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Atol1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Cog1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Dyrant 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
Angel Eye1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Finneas 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
Glimmil1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Toffitt 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22
Sa 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35
Su 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31

No one sees anything. Dyrant and Glimmil to go. Finneas, Toffitt, and Atol should go also, but the unknown thing might come out of delay.
Round 1
Dyrant = 21
Glimmil = 23
Su = 19
Finneas = 17
Toffitt = 11
Atol = 9
Sa = 8

New Map

Round 1, Init 21

Never the first to enter an unknown space on an abyssal plane, Dyrant keeps up his streak of cowardice.

However, seeing the size of the room and gaps in the ceiling, Dyrant begs Aralynn for the gift of flight.

Dyrant will flap 5' up.