Shackled City (Pathfinder) - GM_Chris

Game Master Chris Shannon 719

Tempted to let the confusion continue, but in regards to
--
"Heed the words of Adimarchus," intones the mummy. "You have passsed the Test of Judgment. Attend to the wisdom of Admimarchus! Always deal with rivals first, and enemies second. This lantern shall guide you to the second test: The Test of Resolve."
--
This referenced the first test. You are now on the test of resolve.

Round 3, Initiative 22, Location Firmly at F49

"Go on Finneas, what are you waiting for? Go get it! Go help Glimmil take it down!"

Atol, keeping his feet planted so the group can close with the spider, casts Spiritual Weapon and sends the cudgel flying at the spider.

Spiritual Cudgel: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 11 + 1 = 29 damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Round 3, Init 18

"Cauldron 5! See it's tactics! It fears coming close to us. We must take it out at range. Glim! Doctor, your bows! Finn, guard against a charge from it!"

Dyrant flies to M50 and down to 15' up (behind the cloud).

"Brave Glim, come back here."

Yeah, this is clusterorc battle, but we should be tactically sound at some point during it. Let the chaos reign.

Dyrant will give the Favor of St. Cuthbert to Glim or Toffitt if either comes into range.

Round 3 Init 27

Finneas moves behind a cyst for cover and prepares to attack the creature.

Move to J45.

Toffitt drinks an extract and heads in the direction the lantern indicated long ago before Atol put it away. The lantern also took the party on many twists and turns. Tofffit does not see anything new.

Glimmil prepares for battle with a spell while healing himself. Finneas moves up to the edge of his fog and closer to the spider. Atol strikes the first blow against the spider while Dyrant moves toward the fog and offers his assitance to anyone who will come close.

The spider returns fire, or in this case electricty, at Atol as another ray shoots forth.

Ray at Atol: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20
Electricty damage DC 19 REF for half: 12d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 3, 1, 3, 4, 5, 2, 5, 3, 6, 3) = 38

Party up
Round 3
Toffitt = 11
Glimmil = 10
Round 4
Finneas = 27
Atol = 22
Dyrant = 18
Spider (-4) = 13

Round 3/4 map

Round 3, Init 11 {>N40}

Toffitt drinks an extract of expeditiousness and moves into the fog cloud. He dexterously moves at full speed.

"Atol, get into the cloud!"

Round 4, Initiative 22, Location Firmly at F49

Atol, still afraid to move his feet from the path, remains where he is. He does however follow the good Doctors advice and creates some cover for himself casting Obscuring Mist. HIs spiritual cudgel presses it's own feeble attack.

Spiritual Cudgel: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 1 = 13 damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Spiritual Cudgel: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 = 14 damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Almost forgot...
Reflex DC 19: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 or take 38hp

Round 3, Init 10

"Tactics, yes!" Glimmil nods, guiding Cog for cover while swinging his shield back onto his arm.

Double move to I,46

Dyrant and Finneas to go still, but a new map with Atol's obscurring mist.

Round 4, Init 18

Dyrant will cackle twice at Finn, pushing him to greater heights.

Extend Fortune +2 rounds. 2 more after this left.

Round 4 Init 27

Finneas moves up and drops another cloud of fog.

Move to K40 and drop Fog Cloud on K/L 35/36.

The spider rushes forward and stares at Atol.

1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33

Party up
Round 4
Toffitt = 11
Glimmil = 10
Round 5
Finneas = 27
Atol = 22
Dyrant = 18
Spider (-4) = 13

Round 4/5 map

Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 42

AoO with lance since Glim has reach? Not sure if concealment is applicable as he's at the edge?

Glimmil AoO (lance +1, power, bless, div favor): 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 16 + 1 + 2 = 29 for 1d6 + 1 + 6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 6 + 6 + 2 = 21

Glimmil concealment (low is bad): 1d100 ⇒ 17

Round 4, Init 10

Oblivious to the looming danger to Atol, Glimmil discards his lance (free action) and draws Claw-Whomper, hoping that the spider's evil given all the tricks it seems to be pulling.

What's with all these eye beams? Spiders don't have eye beams!

"Very, unspidery of you, mister spider!" he barks at the enormous shape moving in the mist in front of him before advancing with Cog to punish it for harming Atol and him.

5ft step to H,46. Begin smiting since this guy seems scarier than I anticipated (swift action).

Cog attack (Bite with amulet, bless): 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 14 + 1 = 21 for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 with trip CMB 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

Cog concealment (low is bad): 1d100 ⇒ 5

Glimmil attack * (+1 Claw Whomper, power, bless, smite, divine favor) 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 16 + 1 + 3 + 2 = 27 for 1d6 + 1 + 4 + 4 + 2d6 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 4 + 4 + (3, 5) + 9 + 2 = 34

Glimmil concealment (low is bad): 1d100 ⇒ 90

Add +9 more damage if Glimmil hits and the spider is considered one of those monsters smite does extra damage to.

Round 4, Init 11 {>H47}

Perception: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 15 + 2 = 23

Assuming that the direction and sounds of battle are clear.

Toffitt makes his way through the fog in search of the speedy spider. He eventually finds it and attacks.

Dueling sword, power, heroism: 1d20 + 15 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 15 + 2 - 2 = 17
1d8 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 6 = 16
1d100 ⇒ 26

"Atol, it doesn't seem to like you. Did you smash its cousin underfoot?"

Round 5 Init 27

Finneas moves up and swings at the spider.

Move to H44.

Greatsword Power Attack Bull's Strength: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 11 + 2 = 261d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 2 = 202d6 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2) + 16 + 2 = 22
Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11

Round 5, Init 18

Dyrant 5' flaps to L49, and laughs again at Finn. (+1 Round on Favor)

Dyrant calls upon the angels to blind his foe, casting the spellprayer of Angeldust.

Hitting far back corner of the spider. Will Save DC 18 vs. Glitterdust.

Round 5, Initiative 22, Location Firmly at F49

Fortitude DC 19: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

If Atol has one, he will obviously use a Hero Point. I think I may be empty however...

Atol stands his ground in the obscuring mist, seeing just enough of his opponent to turn to stone.

Atol is out of hero points, but the spiritual weapon should continue on without you.

The party rushes to Atol's aid and finds Atol standing his ground, as a statue. Toffitt slashes at the spider, but misses.

Glimmil missed as the spider ran by him, but now moves up and lands a crushing blow. Finneas moves up and also chops deeply into the spider.
miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 85

Dyrant covers the spider in angel dust.
will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

It might be a trick of the light and the obscurring mist, but the spider's wounds appear to heal.

After losing Atol, the party's fortunes take a turn for the better. The spider hits Glimmil with only a single claw and even misses with another ray from its eye.

claw: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (20) + 19 = 39
miss: 1d100 ⇒ 8 miss
claw damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (2, 3) + 6 = 11
claw: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22
miss: 1d100 ⇒ 11 miss
claw damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 4) + 6 = 16
claw: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (11) + 19 = 30 hit
miss: 1d100 ⇒ 65
claw damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 3) + 6 = 13 damage
claw: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22 miss
miss: 1d100 ⇒ 73
claw damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (2, 6) + 6 = 14
claw: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (4) + 19 = 23 miss
miss: 1d100 ⇒ 24
claw damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 3) + 6 = 14
ray: 1d20 + 16 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 16 - 4 = 13 Supernatural free action with no AoO miss
fire damage: 12d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 6, 5, 6, 4, 1, 2) = 37

Party up
Round 5
Toffitt = 11
Glimmil = 10
Round 6
Finneas = 27
Atol = 22
Dyrant = 18
Spider (-62) = 13

Round 5/6 Map

Correction. Atol has a hero point from level 10.

Round 6, Initiative 22, Location Firmly at F49

Yay - Atol lives! For now…

Round 5 continued
Spiritual Cudgel: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 1 = 26 damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 Miss Chance?: 1d100 ⇒ 40
Spiritual Cudgel: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 1 = 26 damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 Miss Chance?: 1d100 ⇒ 87

Atol will try to cast Sound Burst above the creature to stun it and no one else.
Sound Burst damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2 and DC 17 (Fort) or be stunned 1 round.
Defensive Casting: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23 vs DC 19

Round 6
Spiritual Cudgel: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 1 = 32 damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 Miss Chance?: 1d100 ⇒ 98
Spiritual Cudgel: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9 damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 Miss Chance?: 1d100 ⇒ 94

Atol channels energy careful to exclude the big hairy thing staring him in the face.
Channel Energy healing: 7d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 1, 5, 4, 5, 5) = 23

EDIT, Round 6 spiritual cudgel crit attempt:
Spiritual Cudgel: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 11 + 1 = 30 damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Round 5, Init 11 (>D48}

Toffitt slashes at the monster in front of him (not Finneas).

Dueling sword, power, heroism: 1d20 + 15 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 15 + 2 - 2 = 32
1d8 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 6 = 18
1d100 ⇒ 44
Dueling sword, power, heroism: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 2 - 2 = 26
1d8 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 6 = 14
1d100 ⇒ 83

The spider seems to ignore Atol's sound burst, but the spiritual weapon is working.

OK. Remember that creatures that cannot hear are not stunned but are still damaged. It's not much, but Atol will take all he can get against a regenerating creature. ;P

Round 5, Init 10

Glimmil finds his rhythm as Cog and he becomes a furious blur of attacks against the obscured spider-monster.

"H'yah!" "Unh!" "Take that!"

Cog attack (Bite with amulet, bless): 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 14 + 1 = 35 for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 with trip CMB 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Cog concealment (low is bad): 1d100 ⇒ 66

Cog attack #2 (Bite with amulet, bless): 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 1 = 26 for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 with trip CMB 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

Cog attack #2 concealment (low is bad): 1d100 ⇒ 80

Glimmil attack #1 (+1 Claw Whomper, power, bless, smite, divine favor) 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 16 + 1 + 3 + 2 = 39 for 1d6 + 1 + 4 + 4 + 2d6 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 4 + 4 + (4, 6) + 9 + 2 = 36

Glimmil attack #1 concealment (low is bad): 1d100 ⇒ 44

Glimmil attack #2 (+1 Claw Whomper, power, bless, smite, divine favor) 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 1 + 3 + 2 = 18 for 1d6 + 1 + 4 + 4 + 2d6 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 4 + 4 + (4, 3) + 9 + 2 = 28

Glimmil attack #2 concealment (low is bad): 1d100 ⇒ 77

Adding Cog's crit confirm...

Cog attack #1 crit confirm (Bite with amulet, bless): 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 14 + 1 = 32 for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

And Glimmil and Cog finish off the spider.

Finneas prepares a mighty swing just as the spider quivers and drops under the assault of the cogadin.

"Is everybody ok? Did I put the fog in the right places? Doesn't seem like it does it."

Finneas sighs heavily and then idly hacks at one of the legs before cleaning off his sword.

Dyrant waits for the sounds of combat to end before descending to the 'earth'.

"Huzzah! Glim! Cog! Finn! Huzzah!" Dyrant pumps his fist in the air. "I don't know what that thing was, but I don't like it one bit. Not many spiders are that...uh...eyebeamy."

Dyrant feels about the spider's body, looking for magics with a Detect Magic.

"Well, if we're healed up, we should proceed. Maybe we should stop by where we originally observed the spider and see if its lair is nearby."

Dyrant is ready to move again, making mention to Atol to keep the lantern out unless they are in great peril, in which case, stowing it immediately is a great escape.

"Perhaps it would be a help to recreate our displacement without the threat of an enemy nearby. Ensure we have utmost mastery of our movement." Toffitt uses a boro bead to refresh his Extract of Dyrant's Fleet Footsteps.

Atol will test the lantern and path a bit.

He'll walk down the path with the lantern out. He'll then step off the path still with the lantern out.

Then he'll walk down the path with the lantern out. He'll stay on the path but put away the lantern and see what happens.

He suspects that stepping off the path is what does it, not the position of the lantern, but he wants to be sure before proceeding. After those simple tests, he's ready to continue.

"Does anyone need further healing? I took a little damage, but I'm OK now."

Dyrant finds no magics on the spider.

What sort of experiments will be conducted with the lantern? Following the lantern light for about 50' reveals that it seems to follow the same path as last time.

If you are going to check out where the spider came from then I will need to put the party back in initiative to account for the effects of the test.

Nothing happens when Atol stows the lantern.
Knowing the genral dislike of puzzles, I'll fast forward to:

However, after about a half hour of experimentation Atol finds that if he fails to end up at least 15' further down the path at the end of his turn, the teleporation occurs.

Are other people with Atol during this? Where are they?

Dyrant would be following Atol, hoping whatever calamity befalls the young priest falls upon him as well. (Within 15' most of the time.)

"This lantern and this test are curious things. No telling what is going to cause a 'failure'."

"Not getting to the site of the next test, perhaps?"

Toffitt had been thinking about what happened just before the original teleportation—Atol taking a step back after blessing the party. "If Atol's actions were indeed the trigger, it could have been the bless, stepping backwards, or putting the lantern away. We may has well see if the latter two caused it, before trying the former again."

Toffitt would have moved forward with Atol, guarding him.

"Looks like a test of zeal and bravery! We just need to move quickly and decisively... not a problem for the Heroes of Cauldron!"

Glimmil stays close to Atol at all times, ahead of him actually, trying to predict where the light will shine, often times standing in the way of the light which flashes brilliantly off his armor and shield.

"It seems that I, as the lantern bearer, must keep moving throughout the trial. Let us make haste then and press onward!"

Atol starts down the path again, and keeps going without hesitation.

Actually, I'm assuming people joined Atol in the party's typical marching order. Hence, everyone was transported back each time with Atol.

Dyrant sends one of his eyes out over the plain of cysts towards where the spider was. There is a hole that the spider was digging and something shiny is there still mostly covered by dirt.

Dyrant sends out one eye at a time. The first one passes out of sight and does not return.
1d20 ⇒ 4

To clarify, did the first one disappear while examining the hole?

No. The eyes are like video recorders. Dyrant doesn't get anything if they don't come back. They don't provide remote viewing.

"Hold one moment, something odd has happened."

Dyrant will point out the shiny hole. Casting Detect Magic, Dyrant will try to get view of it, even taking to the air to view it if necessary, and trying to keep the lantern close.

As a point of tactic evolution with the eyes, Dyrant will start sending them out in teams. One in the lead, the other 30' behind the lead with orders to watch the lead one and return with images if the lead one is destroyed.

Understood, but was just wondering what direction the disappeared one had been sent in. If he'd sent it towards the hole, then we might reason there's danger there. If he sent it to the west, likewise there.

Dyrant rushes over to the hole and casts detect magic. He does detect the presence of magic.

Does Atol hold on? The hole is about 50' off the path. Who will go with Dyrant? Who will stay with Atol as he marches on 15' each round? So, 65' from Dyrant this round. 80' the next. 95' when the third round of concentration is done.

There's danger around every cyst. :-)

If the hole is not too treacherous, Glimmil will simply ride Cog down into it.

If it's like a pit, then he'll leave that for someone else to do, and simply await at the edge.

Atol marches on, albeit as slowly as he can while Dyrant is gone.

He is ever wary of the next cyst.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Finneas will match pace with Atol, guarding him.

Toffitt will also match pace with Atol. Resolve. "Dyrant, Glimmil, let us finish this test and only stir up what trouble we must."

Glimmil heads down into the shallow pit and retrieves a bronzewood staff with brass bindings. Whoever sent the retriever is going to be very disappointed.

Dyrant grasps the staff in two hands, a mad look of fervor in his eyes.

1d20 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22 Spellcraft
1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29 Spellcraft Aralynn

"Ah! AH! See!? SEE!? Angelrelic! I knew St. Cuthbert would find a way to lend us aid!"

Dyrant waives the new Angelrelic around, feeling it's power.

"Let us press on! The angels are again leading us to victory!" Dyrant exults, buoyed by the find in the cystyards.

The party follows the lantern in a zig-zag pattern through the field of cysts. The path circles and doubles back frequntely. The party sees many cysts have items inside them. The party can explore if they like, but there is always the chance of a random enounter while doing so.

After about a half hour the party encounters something new. One of the cysts by the road has something inside that is twitching, a great serpent with multicolored wings.