Shackled City (Pathfinder) - GM_Chris

Game Master Chris Shannon 719

Round 6, Init 9- {>AG10}

I think Ablative Barrier *does* work for vampiric touch: "Invisible layers of solid force surround and protect the target, granting that target a +2 armor bonus to AC. Additionally, the first 5 points of lethal damage the target takes from each attack are converted into nonlethal damage. Against attacks that already deal nonlethal damage, the target gains DR 5/—. Once this spell has converted 5 points of damage to nonlethal damage per caster level (maximum 50 points), the spell is discharged."

Toffitt abandons the succubus and tumble flies into flank with the salamander.

Acrobatics, heroism, rage dex: 1d20 + 19 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 19 + 2 + 2 = 41
Fly, heroism, rage dex: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 2 + 2 = 29

He slices into the salamander as viciously as he can manage.

Dueling sword, heroism, flank, rage dex, power attack: 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 15 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 35
1d8 + 7 + 6 + 5d6 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 6 + (5, 5, 2, 5, 3) = 34

Round 6, Initiative 9, Location AB10

On the round 6 map you have Atol at his old location. He should be at AB10 on the map.

Atol channels energy again, this time for both Finneas and the good Doctor. He avoids healing the salamander and demon.
Channel Energy healing: 7d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 6, 1, 1, 4, 5) = 23

Round 5, Aralynn's Touch

Glimmil smiles at Aralynn from his daze, nodding towards the ceiling as if to reinforce it's supreme importance in the battle underway around the statue.

He almost waves as she approaches to touch him.

Will Save DC23: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

Round 6, Init 23

Glim's FREEEEEEEEE!

Smacking his lips, Glimmil is slow to wake to events unfolding about him.

"Salamander..." Smack.

"Smite..." Smack.

"Short. Stack." Smack.

"Wait... short?! Why I'll have you know I'm the TALLEST COBWADDLE!"

Glimmil zips off the top of the statue, descending at the salamander, Claw-Whomper outstretched as he begins to sparkle with the Glamering Glitterness of Great Garl.

"Eeeeeeeeee!!!

Swift action to smite, and charging to AG,10 (5ft above Toffitt to make DMChris have to figure out how to represent that on a map)!

Glimmil attack (+1 Claw Whomper, power, bless, smite, flank, charge): 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 16 + 1 + 3 + 2 + 2 = 33 for 1d6 + 1 + 4 + 4 + 18 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 4 + 4 + 18 + (5, 3) = 37

Round 6, Init 21

Dyrant shakes his head at the gnome, but is feeling somewhat less worried about things now that Glim is back on target. Dyrant will 5' flap closer to the salamander (AA11).

Nice work, Aralynn.

Dyrant returns his attention to the salamander and puzzles how to beat the fiery beast.

Dyrant will give it divine stinkface, causing doubt to enter its mind.

(10 rounds/1round on Will save DC 21) Inflict penalties (-4 to AC, attacks, saves, or skills). Choosing -4 on all its saves.

* * *

Aralynn nods a gear back at Dyrant.

You're still getting cudgeled, you pompous windbag.

Aralynn will fly to AA11 with Dyrant.

Round 6 Init 9--

Seeing his current weapon useless Finneas attempts to reverse the grapple.

CMB Bless Rage: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 12 + 1 + 2 = 201d20 + 12 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 1 + 2 = 22

I've included all my bonuses individually so if any don't add it's easy to remove. Ah well. As long as he's wasting his time grappling me it's all good.

Glimmil breaks free of the domination and charges the salamander. Claw-whomper becomes tail-stomper for a round as it crushes the salamander.

Dyrant stares and then stares harder at the salamander.
Will save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

Finneas gives up hitting the salamander, but keeps a smirk on his face knowing that Atol will heal him. Unfortunately, Atol has wandered to close to the combat. The salamander releases Finneas and stabs Atol three times with his longspear before tail slapping him. 66 damage which leaves Atol at 5.

The succubus then casts vampiric touch, flies in and finishes off Atol.
But he should be alive with the ablative barrier.
Longspear 1 = 19 lethal, 5 nonlethal HP=71-19=52
Longspear 2 = miss
Longspear 3 = 19 lethal, 5 nonlethal HP=52-19=33 (+10 nonlethal)
Tail slap 4 = 13 lethal, 5 nonlethal HP=33-13=20 (+15 nonlethal) still conscious
Vampiric touch = 19 lethal, 5 nonlethal HP=20-19 = 1 (+20 nonlethal) unconscious
--when your nonlethal damage exceeds your current hit points (Atol=1) you're unconcious
--when your nonlethal damage exceeds your maximum hit points (Atol=71)it starts to become lethal

Longspear power attack: 1d20 + 23 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 23 - 4 = 33 Hit
damage: 1d8 + 9 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 12 = 24 - 24
Longspear power attack: 1d20 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 18 - 4 = 17 miss!
damage: 1d8 + 9 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 12 = 24 - miss
Longspear power attack: 1d20 + 13 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 13 - 4 = 28 Hit
damage: 1d8 + 9 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 12 = 24 - 48
Tail slap power attack: 1d20 + 21 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 21 - 4 = 30 Hit
damage: 2d8 + 3 + 8 ⇒ (2, 5) + 3 + 8 = 18 - 66 total
--
vampiric touch: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
damage: 6d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 4, 2, 3, 6) = 24

Party up for Round 7
1d10 ⇒ 6
Glimmil = 23 - DC is 23 for the will save. You get a +2 from the protection from evil.
Dyrant = 21
Finneas = 9-
Atol = 9
Toffitt = 9-
Salamander (-81)(-4 to saves for 2 rounds) = 8
Succubus (-37, +48 temp HP) = 7

Round 7 map

Round 7 Init 9--

Freed from the worm's grasp, Finneas quickly puts his hand back on his sword and attempts to add a new kill to his count.

Greatsword Power Attack Raging Bless: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 13 + 1 = 182d6 + 19 ⇒ (6, 1) + 19 = 261d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 1 = 231d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 = 172d6 + 19 ⇒ (1, 4) + 19 = 24
Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 32d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

Posting quickly as it may change some things, but Glimmil will use Paladin's Sacrifice as an immediate action on Atol to take that 20 damage instead.

Full post coming once I get my cup of coffee.

Round 7, Init 9-

"ATOL!" Toffitt lays into the salamander, attempting to steal Finneas' kill.

Dueling sword, flank, heroism, rage dex, power attack: 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 15 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 29
power attack, rage dex: 1d8 + 7 + 2 + 6 + 5d6 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 2 + 6 + (4, 6, 3, 6, 4) = 43
Dueling sword iterative, flank, heroism, rage dex, power attack: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 30
power attack, rage dex: 1d8 + 7 + 2 + 6 + 5d6 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 2 + 6 + (6, 4, 6, 5, 5) = 48

I think that might be a personal best for damage. Bows.

I boo and the salamander hisses as it dies to Finneas's blows.

It's 24 damage and Atol is still standing.

Round 7, Initiative 9, Location AB10->AA9

Yeah, the hazards of trying to be close enough to heal/breath of life. I really need to unload this heavier armor.

Atol gurgles a moment and catches his breath. "Thank you sir Glimmil! Very nice power!"

He then channels energy careful to not heal the salamander or succubus. He then takes a 5' step back
Channel Energy healing: 7d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 5, 2, 4, 4, 4) = 31

Round 7, Init 23

Glowing with holy light and realizing that Garl has blessed him in sharing in Atol's injuries, the gnome is just as obsessed at picking his compGlimmil shouts out to Cog for assistance.

"Cog! Guard Atol!"

Cog rushes forward, hair bristling on his back, growling and ready to chomp at the demon-woman standing over the priest. (Cog to AC,10)

Cog attack (Bite with amulet, bless): 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 14 + 1 = 25 for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 with trip CMB 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

Glimmil works to get his shield off his arm and drops it to the ground once again before using his free hand to heal some of his wounds.

Lay hands (greater mercy): 6d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 2, 3, 6, 6) = 19

Finally, Glimmil grips Claw-Whomper with both hands and swings again at the salamander.

Glimmil attack (+1 Claw Whomper 2H, power, bless, smite, flank): 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 16 + 1 + 3 + 2 = 42 for 1d6 + 1 + 6 + 6 + 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 6 + 6 + (1, 5) + 9 = 31

Glimmil CRIT CONFIRM (+1 Claw Whomper 2H, power, bless, smite, flank): 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 16 + 1 + 3 + 2 = 36 for 2d6 + 2 + 12 + 12 + 4d6 + 18 ⇒ (3, 2) + 2 + 12 + 12 + (4, 2, 4, 2) + 18 = 61

Bow withdrawn. Shakes fist at the pint-sized kill stealer. Assuming that the salamander is down (???), Toffitt tries to maneuver into flank with the succubus and make good on his first hit, readying for Finneas to move up if necessary. I'm assuming she must be within reach of the ground, yes?

Acrobatics for tumble, if necessary: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (15) + 23 = 38

Oh! I see 3 posts snuck in under me. Makes the initiative thing a bit complex, since on Glimmil's init the salamander was up, and he wouldn't provoke an AoO to go to the succubus.

Presumably Glim finishes off the salamander and Finn and Toffitt's ownage moves to the succubus?

5' to the hell wench and strike her instead, possible +2 for flank added to my rolls.

Round 7, Init 21

Dyrant delays for Finn...wants to see Finn's fury.

Dyrant's facepalm is mirrored by a similar, yet more chimed-sounding, slap from Aralynn as they both witness the savage beating upon Atol.

*sigh*
Aralynn: That's a cudgeling. He's weak.

Dyrant shakes off his disappointment, believing that the firesnake's choice will be his last as Finn is now free to act and unleash the full fury of his rage.

For those keeping tally, I'd have to give the salamnder kill to Glimmil. The succubus is a bit harder to hit, so Finneas only lands one blow for 30 damage. Toffitt can make it to a flying flank for 43, but I don't really see Finneas waiting for it. So, 110 damage, but she has 84+48temp=132.

The succubus takes a 5' flap and teleports away.

Out of initiative unless someone has a trick up their sleeve.

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22 - 5' flap

Confusing initiative resequencing for Toffitt and Finneas got us mixed up. Finn delayed until after Atol, which put him at 9-. Toffitt's ready was set off by the salamander, which put him at 8+, basically. So yes, sorry for doubting you GM Chris. You're a supercomputer.

Okay, I see the minus, minus '--' now. The +2 flank turns his 18 into a hit with a 20 and Finneas can add a succubus to his body count.

Not much treasure to be had, but the salamander has a large size +3 longspear. The succubus has a +1 wounding spear.

Opening, but not entering north room: Frescoes of angels cover the walls of this large, open room, although most have been scraped from the wall or otherwise defaced. The rugs on the floor are stained and torn, and much of the furniture--mostly chairs and end tables--is missing legs or has ruined cushions. In neat rows across the room are a series of empty pedestals. Two piles contain broken statuary, ripped oil paintings, and a lot of wooden debris.

Opening, but not entering south room: This is a ruined library, with broken shelves lining the walls and sheaves of parchment littering the floor. Strangely, the library's books float in midair, lazily circling the center of the room. Each book is open, and the pages flap like birds' wings as they orbit an unseen point.

The steps on the east end of the cathederal descend at least 40'. As the Cathderal flickers, you can see that the steps were not part of the original structure and were added since the Cathederal fell into the abyss.

Dyrant breaths a sigh of relief as the succubus falls, returning to the earth and trying not to stare at Aralynn.

Floating to the ground, Dyrant checks the pulse of the Sub while casting Detect Magic, first focusing on the possessions of the Sub and Sal, but then onto the shifting cathedral landscape.

1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 19 + 2 = 26 Spellcraft on spear

1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 19 + 2 = 27 Spellcraft on Cathedral
1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 18 + 2 = 27 Know (Planes)

Toffitt sheaths his sword and observes more carefully the library — looking for traps.

Perception: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 15 + 2 = 24

"That was close - thanks again Glimmil!"

Atol takes out his trusty wand of cure light, and asks, "Does anybody else need a few charges?"

He heals himself up and offers healing to any other who may need it.
Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

He waves the wand around, "Anyone?"

"Another battle won by the Cauldron Five!"

Glimmil gives a fist pump to accent their victory as the succubus collapses to the ground.

The gnome rushes to Cog and pats him on the head.

"Were you worried about me, boy? Something got into me and I just wanted to sit on that statue... I think, maybe that demon woman had something to do with it? She seemed kind of friendly at first?"

Glimmil removes his helm, rubs his head and returns it.

Once the doors to the flanking rooms are opened, he gazes in wonderment at the flapping books and gives Dyrant and Toffitt a long look as if they are supposed to know exactly what's going on to possess the tomes.

His attention is quickly captured by the stairs down.

"I'm sure there's more evil to be found that way, once we're done with those two rooms. Just say the word, good friends, and I can begin the descent!"

Toffitt sees nothing of note and nothing new about the Cathederal occurs to Dyrant.

Toffitt then flies into the room, attempting to retrieve one of the circling books.

"Atol, are you ok? I thought you went down for a second."

Finneas wearily lowers his sword onto the salamander's neck, casually beheading the creature. He then picks up the head, winks at it, and throws it as far as he can through a hole in the ceiling.

"Face still itch?"

Dyrant enjoins Toffitt at collecting the books, pocketing any of interest.

Dyrant and Toffitt head into the library to check out the books. Dyrant spies a copy of a book he's sure only exists in one or two libraries anywhere, "Dining for the Endgame." Toffitt also catches a glimpse of "The Where of the Were." The books also seem to notice the two people in the library. Eight of them leave the vortex of books and clobber Dyrant until he lays unconscious on the ground (61 damage). Toffitt fares a bit better as only seven books pummel him and he's able to dodge two of those(47 damage).

Round 1
Dyrant = 23+ - bleeds
Atol = 23
Toffitt = 21
Glimmil = 12
Finneas = 10
Books = 9

Going without a map for now. Dyrant and Toffitt are each 10' inside the room.

Round 1, Init 23

Dyrant had +21 temp hp from Gr. False Life.

Dyrant looks at the books. "Ah, crook! I mistook these books for cooks! They are unhooked!"

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 Know (X) on books: (Arc +17, Dung +9, Local +14, Nat +15, Planes +18, +15 Rel)

Dyrant is likely to fly away then fireball the verbiage into ashes, depending on know roll.

Dyrant figures the one book he saw is easily worth 1,000 gp. Aralynn will let him know the books are not evil. The ones that smacked him are lying still on the ground.

Actually, Toffitt's AC at the moment would be 29, 30 with multiple attackers. Uncanny dodge... That makes one hit for 3, nonlethal, unless these are somehow touch AC.

Toffitt gathers a book or two and leaves the room. Ah, The Way of the Broken Monk. A rare find!

Yes. They are touch attacks. They don't really bludgeon you. It's more a bludgeoning of your soul--yes, you have one. They are not attackers either. Think of them as darts from a trap. I also suspect you're close to having your albative barrier burned through. What's the caster level?

1d200 ⇒ 114
1d200 ⇒ 112

Well that's mechanically bizarre. :-) 29hp goes to nonlethal. After the 5hp from the succubus, that leaves 11hp on the ablative barrier.

"Doctor, Dyrant?"

Finneas watches in concern as the written word bludgeons his smarter friends.

"This is why I don't read Atol, it's dangerous."

Round 1, Initiative 23, Location Outside the crazy book room

"Very wise Finneas. Very wise. Maybe the books don't want to be read. I think we have enough to deal with what with the demons and the test and the like. Can we deal with the books later? I don't think they're going anywhere. That and our Resistance to Fire is wearing out."

Atol shuffles nervously and looks around the cathedral - paying special attention to the stairs. He expects a new wave of demons any moment.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

"I thought you Kordites love danger. There's no greater test of metal than to grapple with obtuse philosophers."

Toffitt submits himself to healing by wand, surge or spell and begins flying toward the stairs down at far end of the room.

Finneas shrugs.

"If you want to throw the books at me I'll cut them with my sword but I think the metal has proven itself by now. And paper cuts hurt."

Round 1, Init 23

Dyrant will will grab whatever books he can and leave the library, dragging his bloody face to Atol.

"By the Cudgel, Atol. By the Cudgel. I think that was my penance for failing to resist that demoness earlier," Dyrant wipes some blood off his nose, removing some bits of book spine from his nose.

"Books should not be attacking, should they?"

Dyrant looks down at the wand in Atol's hand. "Mind?"

HP: 18/61

Glimmil waits atop the stairs, focusing his do-badder detective senses down into the darkness.

Hearing the beating in the enchanted library, he zips over eagerly expecting ghosts, specters, demons or devils... only to find Dyrant and Toffitt's souls bruised by the bludgeoning.

"Oh."

As Atol begins administering the healing, Glimmil approaches the top of the stairs again, whistling Cog over and once again pulling out his lance.

"Who brought the light?"

Dyrant manages to grab four books from the ground as he scurries out the door. Unfortunately, none of them appear valuable.

1d8 ⇒ 4
1d198 ⇒ 140
1d197 ⇒ 133
1d196 ⇒ 61
1d195 ⇒ 132

Atol takes out his trusty wand and heals Dyrant and Toffitt.

Dyrant:
Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Toffitt: (you didn't say how much you needed, so let me know how many charges it takes...)
Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

29 hp will get all of the nonlethal and lethal, so 5 charges. Eek.

The party heals up and leaves the vortex of books behind for now. The stone stairway descends about forty feet, ending in a landing that opens into a square room roughly hewn from the granite underneath the cathederal. The heady scent of spices--cloves and cinnamon, among others--fills the air. Sitting at an oak desk in the center of the room is a withered, desicated corpse covered in a strange mix of funeral wrappings and golden-filigree armor. Both the north and south walls have iron doors in them.

The corpse lifts both hands, showing they're empty, then speaks: "Adimarchus, Most Potent Ruler of Occipitus, bids you welcome to the Test of the Smoking Eye. If you are here, then Occipitus lies fallow, without a strong hand to guide its development. Know then that your are a pretender to Adimarchus's throne. If you are worthy, step forward and undertake the Test of Judgement."

One withered hand points to the north door. "Behind that door lies Thatnak the bebilith." The corpse points the other direction. "Behind that door lies Halalia the avoral guardinal. Choose one door, slay the occupant behind it, then pass through the door on the other side. I will meet you there."

Knowledge 'Bebilith': 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Knowledge 'Avoral Guardinal': 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 19 + 2 = 31 Know Planes on Bebi
1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 19 + 2 = 37 Know Planes on Avoral
1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 19 + 2 = 26 Know Planes on Adimarchus

Previous checks on Adimarchus (Ruler of Occipitus)

@ Dyrant
Bebi (2 questions) about this dark blue spider the size of an elephant with barbed and razor-edged front claws

Avoral (2 questions) about this typically neutral good outsider. An avoral is about 7 feet tall. Each of an avoral’s wings has a small hand at the midpoint. When the wings are folded, these appendages are about where human hands would be and can do nearly anything hands can do.