Shackled City (Pathfinder) - GM_Chris

Game Master Chris Shannon 719

LOL! I used the hero point because I was actually expecting a wall of xill... thanks for NOT putting it up!

Darn litany. Should've put up a wall of xill. The lich drops.

GLIM! w00t!!

Dyrant dances in the air like he's having a spiritual rapture.

Yay! Just 3 xill, a dire tiger, and shadow demon to go...nothing quite like a C13 encounter on the heels of the Master Summoner Lich.

Dyrant's turn coming up after this know check:

1d20 + 21 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 21 + 2 = 26 Know (Planes) Xill

Round 17, Initiative 11-, Location: J30->J29

Seeing the health of Finneas, Atol quickly converts a Summon Monster IV to a Cure Critical Wounds for 4d8 + 10 ⇒ (6, 6, 7, 5) + 10 = 34 and touches Finneas after a 5' step.

Bless is still up - don't forget the +1 to hit.
Atol will take +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves with Blessing of Fervor

"Good job Glimmil!!"

Round Zillion, Init 26 {K,L:23,24}

Toffitt flies behind the xill and attacks whichever one in flank looks most hurt.

Dueling sword, enlarge, rage dex, heroism, flank, power: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (18) + 6 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 3 = 25
1d8 + 7 - 1 + 2 + 9 + 5d6 ⇒ (1) + 7 - 1 + 2 + 9 + (6, 6, 4, 6, 4) = 44

"Glim, Garl has truly blessed your hand."

Round 17 Init 27

Tiger (Evil?) AoO: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 303d6 + 17 + 2d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 4) + 17 + (1, 5) = 33

Seeing the tiger run away and having a wall of multi-armed beasties assault him, Finneas starts hewing.

@Xill 1 (Evil?): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 233d6 + 17 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 1) + 17 + (1, 1) = 30
@Xill 1 (Evil?): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 183d6 + 17 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 6) + 17 + (1, 3) = 34

Using BoF for AC/Saves.

@Dyrant: They have SR, but no other resistances or vulnerabilities.

Round 17, Init 10

Dyrant will fly above Dr. Toffitt in L24 and cackle again, hopefully for the final time this combat.

The Fox (9/11 rounds) will move to J22 and cast Holy Smite upon the dire tiger & shadow jerk (no effect on Cog/Glim).

7d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 2, 4, 3, 1, 6) = 27 holy damage and blindness vs. Will DC 17 for half

shadow will save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
tiger will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Finneas and Toffitt combine to kill one xill while Glimmil finishes off the lich.

Atol passes out some healing while the fox deals more damage. Dyrant continues to renew the blessings of Cuthbert.

The lich is down, but the party finds the remaining foes quite deadly.

The remaining xill 5' step and flank Finneas. Again they overcome him with their many attacks (and good rolls). Not sure if Finneas's AC is 27 with buffs or higher. The xill ar evil. This presumes 27. You might have to recalculate. If he survives, he needs to make a FORT save vs paralyzation for the bite.

The shadow demon and tiger try to pick on Glimmil. The shadow finds the touch attacks easy (17 total damage). Even the tiger finds the mark multiple times and slashes Glimmil again and again. I think Glimmil's AC is 29 versus the evil tiger. If so, 32 damage.

Round 18
Finneas (englarge round 0, Favor round 10)= 27
Toffitt = 26 -
Glimmil (CoP Evil) = 19 -
Atol (CoP Round 8, Favor round 10) = 11 -
Dyrant (fly round 0, CoP round 7)= 10 -
The other team - 5
Lich (mostly dead)
X1
X2 dead
X3
Dire tiger (-46)
Shadow demon (-13)
Party buffs
Round 13 - Blessing of Fervor started again
Round ? - Bless

Round 18 Map

Round 18, Init 26 {K,L:24,25}

Toffitt fails to get worked up about Finneas falling down again (should he fall down). When we revive him again, I'll have to make sure to brew him some more protective extracts. Glass jaw, that one.

He steps up and makes the best use he can of his waning feral celerity, chopping at the third Xill.

Dueling blade, enlarge, heroism, rage dex, power: 1d20 + 16 - 2 + 2 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (1) + 16 - 2 + 2 + 2 - 3 = 16
enlarge, rage dex, power: 1d8 + 7 - 1 + 2 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 7 - 1 + 2 + 9 = 22 if flank arrives miraculously: 5d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 6, 2, 6) = 19

Iterative: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (8) + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 - 3 = 18
1d8 + 7 - 1 + 2 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 7 - 1 + 2 + 9 = 24 if flank arrives miraculously: 5d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 4, 4, 2) = 19

Fervor: 1d20 + 16 - 2 + 2 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (14) + 16 - 2 + 2 + 2 - 3 = 29
1d8 + 7 - 1 + 2 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 7 - 1 + 2 + 9 = 20 if flank arrives miraculously: 5d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 6, 1, 4) = 20

Actually since Glimmil's been shieldless for a while now, his AC vs the tiger is only AC26. I see by the spoiler, it's still 32 damage from the tiger, so it's a 49 damage round for the wee gnome.

Round 18, Init 19

"Ow!"

Glimmil glares at the shadow demon after it's chilling touch claws against him.

"Ow! Ow, again!"

Glaring at the shadow demon, Glimmil looks nervously at the dire tiger, wondering how come the summoner's minions aren't disappearing now that the lich is dead (it's all legit, this is just Glimmil's line of thinking)

As the giant tiger proceeds to start tearing at him, Glimmil's face burns red with fury that the minions are continuing their assault.

Lay Hands #4: 6d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 5, 3, 3, 1) = 21

Almost absentmindedly, the task becoming routine for the gnome, Glimmil touches his fresh wounds, and Garl-willing, they mend ever so slightly.

"Okay, tiger - it's your turn. Get 'im Cog!"

Shieldless, and feeling furious, Glimmil continues to keep both hands on Claw-Whomper and goes for broke, swinging hard at the tiger, then the demon.

Looks like a prone tiger prior to Glim's swings. Two critical threats for Glimmil in there, not sure if one will confirm. Glimmil focuses on dropping the tiger first, then moves any extra attacks to the shadow demon. He'll move to S,21 should the tiger somehow still live. If the tiger falls, but the shadow demon lives, he'll still 5ft-step to S,22

Cog and Glimmil combine to take down the tiger. It takes Glimmil's 3rd attack.

Glimmil then turns on the shadow which only survives since it only takes half damage and can't be critted as an incorporeal creature.

Tiger (dead)
Shadow (-12)

As the tiger falls and Glimmil begins to turn his attention to the shadowy demon, he frowns as Claw-Whomper only finds shadowy vapors instead of a satisfying whomp. Or even a semi-satisfying thomp, bomp or pomp.

"Tiger's finished! There's still this shadow-bat, though. I'm pretty sure the evil leech is dead. Not undead dead, but.. dead-dead? Does that make him alive, again?"

The gnome looks at what he assumes would pass for the shadow-bat's eyes for some sign of a response and shrugs when he only sees darkness in return.

Only the continued threat of life-threatening combat and Cog's furious growls at the demon prevent Glimmil from chattering away further.

66 damage puts me at -16 and dead. Lucky I have 2 hero points.

Round 18, Initiative 11-, Location: J30->J29

Finneas, save your Hero points for the next round…

Atol, standing right next to Finneas, casts Breath of Life*!
Healing: 5d8 + 10 ⇒ (5, 3, 6, 2, 5) + 10 = 31

"Finneas, it is not your time to die. Awaken and continue the fight my friend!"

Bless is still up - don't forget the +1 to hit.
Atol will take +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves with Blessing of Fervor

*Creatures brought back to life through breath of life gain a temporary negative level that lasts for 1 day.

Round 18, Init 10

The Fox (10/11 rounds) moves to J26 and lays hands on Finn.

3d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 3) = 13 Healing

"Up you go, Warrior. Try not to accept blows with your glass jaw there."

Dyrant will snuffle happily as Atol helps Finn.

Dyrant will fly to O24 and glares at the shadow demon.

-4 to attacks for 11 rounds vs. DC 21 Will save...or 1 round on save.

Is my round 18 action lost being dead, or do I get to act after Atol?

You were only mostly dead.

So I should make sure I still have my loose change?

I don't know what the RAW answer is, but I like the idea that you were dead and out of the initiative order and now alive and back in after Atol. So, take a turn.

Round 18 Init 10-

"Huh? What?"

Finneas glances around, grabs his sword and quickly stands while defending himself.

Using BoF to stand as Swift action that doesn't provoke, then takes a Full Defense.

Toffitt slices a xill once while Glimmil and Cog combine to kill the tiger and start on the demon.

Atol brings Finneas back to life. He grabs his sword and prepares for the worst.

Dyrant tries to put the demon and his touch attacks in check.Will save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

One xill moves up on the healer (Atol) and hits once with the bite. (FORT save vs. paralysis).

The other xill moves onto Toffitt and manages to bite him also.(FORT save vs. paralysis).

The shadow continues to attack Glimmil.

Round 19
Toffitt = 26 -
Glimmil (CoP Evil) = 19 -
Atol (CoP Round 8, Favor round 10) = 11 -
Finneas (englarge round 0, Favor round 10)= 10+
Dyrant (fly round 0, CoP round 7)= 10 -
The other team - 5
Lich (mostly dead)
X1
X2 dead
X3 (-20)
Dire tiger (dead)
Shadow demon (-13) -4 to attacks
Party buffs
Round 13 - Blessing of Fervor started again
Round ? - Bless

Round 19 Map

Round 19, Initiative 11-, Location: J29->K30

Atol, happy to only be bitten, tries to resist the paralysis in the bite...

Fortitude: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 vs DC 16

Atol takes a step back into the fog cloud to try and gather some cover around himself. He then Channels Energy to heal Doctor Toffitt, Finneas, the summoned fox, and himself. He carves out the three Xill.
Channel Energy healing: 7d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 4) = 17

Bless is still up - don't forget the +1 to hit.
Atol will take +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves with Blessing of Fervor

Round 19, Init 26

Fort save v. paralysis; too bad he's not an alchemical mummy already...: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 2 = 20

Toffitt feels a bit less spry as his bestial rage leaves him. He flies five feet to his left (i.e., don't worry about the pit) and attacks the xill from flank. He heals the xill's damage as he does so.

Dueling blade, enlarge, fatigue, power, flank, heroism: 1d20 + 16 - 2 - 1 - 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 16 - 2 - 1 - 3 + 2 + 2 = 29
enlarge, fatigue, power: 1d8 + 7 - 1 - 1 + 9 + 5d6 ⇒ (7) + 7 - 1 - 1 + 9 + (5, 4, 6, 4, 5) = 45

Iterative: 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 1 - 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 11 - 2 - 1 - 3 + 2 + 2 = 28
enlarge, fatigue, power: 1d8 + 7 - 1 - 1 + 9 + 5d6 ⇒ (6) + 7 - 1 - 1 + 9 + (3, 5, 5, 4, 5) = 42

fervor: 1d20 + 16 - 2 - 1 - 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 16 - 2 - 1 - 3 + 2 + 2 = 22
enlarge, fatigue, power: 1d8 + 7 - 1 - 1 + 9 + 5d6 ⇒ (7) + 7 - 1 - 1 + 9 + (6, 6, 4, 4, 3) = 44

Confirm Iterative?: 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 1 - 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 11 - 2 - 1 - 3 + 2 + 2 = 25
enlarge, fatigue, power: 1d8 + 7 - 1 - 1 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 7 - 1 - 1 + 9 = 15

Equals very dead xill, I think.

Yes. Very dead.

Round 19, Init 10

Dyrant goes over and gives Glim a nice touch.

2d8 + 10 ⇒ (8, 8) + 10 = 26 healing

"There you go, brave Glim!"

The Fox lays hands on Finn again before poofing.

3d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 5) = 13 healing

Quick post...

Round 19, Init 19

Glimmil and Cog continue their coordinated assault against the last standing summon.

Not confirming any crits, since the shadow demon is immune.

Lay Hands #5: 6d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 2, 5, 3, 6) = 22

Round 19 Init 10-

BoF Armor/Ref

Finneas moves to block Atol off from the last xill before swinging at it.

5' to J29<->K28.

Greatsword: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 293d6 + 17 ⇒ (1, 1, 2) + 17 = 21
Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5
Greatsword: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 223d6 + 17 ⇒ (6, 6, 1) + 17 = 30
Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6

Toffitt takes care of a xill while Cog and Glimmil continue to work on the shadow. Cog is only able to nip small bits of the shadow, but combined with Glimmil's many blows, they manage to just barely kill it.

Atol steps back and channels as Finneas steps between him and the last xill. A couple mighty blows later and the xill is dead.

And we're out of combat.

As calm descends upon the dim caverns, Dyrant is finally able to peruse the papers by the fire. The lich appears to have been studying the dark void at the center of the fire in order to tap its power. Several months of study has not yielded much except to note that anything living touching the nexus quickly dies (via level drain).

Toffitt huffs and puffs for a minute while he checks on his comrades. "Are you okay, Finneas? Atol? Glim? Bravely fought."

Atol takes several deep breaths before finally settling down a little. "That was a hard fought battle, well done everyone!"

He goes around to his allies and touches them with the healing touch of St. Cuthbert, he converts a couple low level spells to healing for himself then, for the first time in a loooong while, takes out the wand of cure light wounds to finish the others.

Atol: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Finneas: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Glimmil: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Cog: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Toffitt: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Pilfering Hand for Atol Cure: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (4, 5) + 10 = 19
Suppress Charms and Compulsions for Atol Cure: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (7, 6) + 10 = 23

Ant Haul for Finneas Cure: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Command for Glimmil Cure: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Obscuring Mist for Toffitt Cure: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Atol will take his two pearls of power and replace Command and Obscuring Mist.

Please take whatever you need off the wand. I'll track the charges.

Finneas shakes his head and wipes the sweat from his face. The dry squeal of metal on metal reminds him to take his helmet off first, and he repeats the gesture. With a grunt of pain he sheathes his sword and takes off his gauntlet, attempting for a third time to clear his face.

"No Doctor, I'm not alright. I don't understand these tests Kord has set before me. My weakness is so great and still he tests me. Am I meant to break?"

I am so close.
Fifth: Faith.
How?

CMW: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (1, 8) + 7 = 16
CLW: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Dyrant breathes tiredly as the last summon is poofed away.

"By the love of the Cudgel, that Lich was pure ass, was he not. I wonder how he choose to be that way...only the most unholy of minds would envision such a thing exists."

Dyrant summons 3 pair of Angel Eyes to him. He sends two primaries up the stairs at intervals to scout and return. He sends two more up to watch what happens to the first and return when they do or when they are destroyed. He sends two more to scour this floor looking for objects of interest.

Do we know about phylacteries, GM Gristle?

Dyrant scoops up the papers, stuffing them in his haversack.

Toffitt was at full HP. Keep your cures, cleric. :-)

Toffitt examine the lich's remains, taking samples to better inform his processes. "Finneas, it's clear you need greater protections as we pursue these evils. I have been remiss in my duties to provide you tools." He stops for a few minutes and prepares extracts of heroism, barkskin (+4) and ablative armor. "Drink these."

"Would anyone care for my amulet? It will make your skin more sense."

CLW Wand x1 charge: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

That takes Glimmil to 108/111, which should be good enough for whatever danger lurks next.

Glimmil dabs at his sweating brow, before leaping off Cog and running to wrap his arms around the others.

Legs.

Looking up, the gnome knight wears a big grin, mixture of both pride and relief, at their heroic deeds and their defeat of their biggest challenge yet, the supremely evil leech!

"Was that the last test? It felt like a hard one that we may have needed to do more studying for..."

One of the religious types in the group would know of phylacteries. However, the book writers apparently didn't.

The eyes come back to Dyrant and show that the next set of stairs head up several hundred feet into the eye of the skull mountain. The eye is a round room 60' high with a gusher of red light emerging from a rip in the fabric of reality a few feet of the ground. Another zombie lord stands near the gusher.

"Let's go." After seeing that his FrankenFinn is taking his medicine, Toffitt begins to ascend the stairs.

Dyrant restores the blessing of St. Cuthbert to Atol and Finn.

"Agreed, Dr. Toffitt. Let's us continue on and finish the work that my God has put me on."

Dyrant follows Dr. Toffitt.

Atol takes stock of his remaining meager healing and spell capacity after the last two fights. He shrugs and trusts in the capabilities of his friends, though he does test the Breath of Life spring-loaded wrist sheath once or twice first.

Atol marches up the stairs with the others. "Right behind you." He grips his cudgel tightly and prays.

"Doctor these smell...odd. Are they ok for me?"

Finneas cautiously drinks the potions.

"Oh...urgh...I don't know if these are supposed to be combined."

Looking even greener than usual Finneas replaces his gauntlet and helm before drawing his sword and following the others.

As the party enters the eye-socket room they are greeted by the mummy lord proctor.

"Adimarchus, Most Potent Ruler of Occipitus, bids you welcome to the Final Test of the Smoking Eye. A worthy successor to the throne of Adimarchus must complete only one more task. To rule Occipitus-to grasp its power and use it for good or ill--means to sacrifice everything you hold dear. The final test is this: sacrifice an ally to the plasma, and Occipitus is yours!"

Kord's plan becomes clear!
Female: What!?
Don't you see? This is what he was preparing me for.
Male: I don't think...
No, this is it. This is right!
Fifth: Maybe I could consult...
No more discussion. I can save my friends, my town, and my mind at the same time.
Male: 2 out of 3 anyway, one of those is already lost.

"Guys..."

What DO I hold most dear? My life? My soul? My comrades here? Well, maybe not them, fine people though they are... Toffitt stands with a puzzled look on his face, weight leaning forward as though almost ready to volunteer himself (but not quite).

Dyrant stares at the mummy protector, lost in thought.

They were right. We could not prepare ourselves for this test.
There is no preparation, only choice.

Dyrant's gaze looks to his companions, imagining what they would hold most dear.

Dyrant's gaze goes to Glim...and then to Cog.
I would never ask Glim to sacrifice Cog, that truly is what he holds most dear. I would not allow that sacrifice.

Dyrant's gaze goes to Dr. Toffitt.
What does he hold dear? Not his body...that is an open experiment. Not his possessions for he is not that worldly. His knowledge...that is what he loves. His experiments. No, he would not give that up. Not for this.

Dyrant's gaze goes to Atol and the be-crummed holy symbol on his chest.
Oh Atol. You are so free with your scones...so that is not it. What do you hold most dear? Is it the symbol on your chest? Is it what it represents? Or the power it gives to feed yourself. I do not know the answer.

Dyrant then looks at Finn.
Him. What about him? Is it beer? Would he give that up? He has no dignity to offer, nor knowledge. His skill at arms? Is that what he holds most high? No...it's satay. If he gave that up, I would get more. I hope it's satay that he gives up.

Dyrant's gaze finally reflects inward.
No, I shall not give up Aralynn and my connection to St. Cuthbert. Never. She is a symbol of Cuthbert's faith in me. I shall not lose that.

Glimmil crosses his arms and taps his foot anxiously at the mummy's description of the final step of their "test".

Finally, what the undead monster proposed sinks in.

"Sorry, mum. We're not sacrificing any of us! Not going to happen."

Then, realization dawns on Glimmil...

"So, where's our ally? You know -- that Karu-chamelion fellow?"

Wasn't he an Amedian fellow in Cauldron?

Dyrant clutches his St. Cuthbertian holy symbol and ponders.

For the Angels. For the Archons. For St. Cuthbert's will.

Dyrant will begin to *VERY* slowly walk to the plasma, a small tear in his eye. He quickly decides that he doesn't want to move as a man, but like an angel, and begs Aralynn for the gift of flight (going up 10').

One watching might think that Dyrant really doesn't want to sacrifice himself, but feels a holy, divine obligation to do so.

Dyrant will take about 3 rounds to float into the plasma. In case someone else wants to go or discuss.

"Dyrant. NO. This is my task. Kord has set it before me. Don't you see, this is why I've been killed so often. So I won't be afraid. And I'm not. My parents and I will be at peace, and you will rule this place better than I could."

Finneas will move in front of the group and block Dyrant from entering the flame.

How are you going to block a flying Dyrant? You better just run and jump, green tooth.

Dyrant ignores Finn and continues his slow float to the plasma.

Forgive my slowness, Oh Cudgel! I come to greet you and serve in the Archon Armies.

"Dyrant, wait."

Atol, for lack of anything else, chews his lip.

"I think we are all willing to sacrifice ourselves for Cauldron. It's why we're here. I don't think that just because you can fly, you should be the one. That is quite selfish of you."

"I suggest we draw straws." Atol takes off his pack and starts to root around. He comes up with tindertwigs. He breaks one in half and arranges them in his hand. If there are still five party members waiting around by the time he's done, he brings them to the group.

"Everyone take a twig. The man with the short twig gets the honor of the sacrifice."

If, by the time he gets the gear ready a sacrifice has already leapt into the flame, Atol shrugs and chews on the stubby end of the tindertwig and waits for what comes next. He fingers his wrist sheath...

High roll 'wins'?
Tindertwig Draw: 1d20 ⇒ 6