4-19: The Night March of Kalkamedes PFS PBP Gameday #2 (Inactive)

Game Master P33J

As Strat unleashes a wave of positive energy, Crin feels invigorated as it washes over him. He looks for another target, dragging Kalkamedes along a bit as he jumps between the man and Nikomedes. Looking around for thugs shooting at him, he spots one thug and hurls another magical glob of acid at him.

If it's possible to do so while still holding on to Kalkamedes, Crin moves diagonally as indicated on the map, throwing an acid orb at Thug #5.

ranged touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

HP 7/7 Thank you Strat!
Spells Cast
1st - reduce person, magic missile x2
0 - detect magic, acid splash x2
spell-like ability - speak with animals

On vacation and do not have map access from mobile. Niko will step up if not adjacent to a thug.

Niko drops his crossbow, draws his blade and attacks.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Crit Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Round 1

NP, Crin!

Strat draws his falchion and moves forward to strike out against one of the foes.

Move to #5, draweing weapon as going, standard to attack. I also can't move myself as I'm on my iPad at present..

Attack with PA: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 - 1 = 17
Damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (3, 4) + 6 = 13

Another goes down, and there's a third (Re: Thug #3) close by. It is little effort for Alspeth to take a step forward to attack this newest threat.

One 5-foot step to the right.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

You have wiped out the thugs, wow! The tide of that battle turned quick.

The thugs carry little gear, outside of slings, light maces and armor. It seems they had heard of Kalkamede's night walks and decided to ambush him in the hopes of ransom or armor.

I'm going to assume you untie Kalkamedes and continue.

As Kalkamedes pools you forward you notice in the distance a great structure.

The light of the sinking moon washes the sub-alpine valley ahead in silvery light. A squat, stone bunker crafted of dark rock sits nestled among the low trees, its domed roof barely peeking out from above the leafy canopy. As a cloud passes over the moon, the entire structure seems to fade from view, leaving a momentary void before the moon’s light again illuminates it. Only a single entryway mars the smooth, windowless facade of the lone building.

As you approach Kalkamedes pace picks up and he leads you through an illusory wall, that had escaped your notice. As you descend into the structure you enter through a ten-foot wide stone archway, its keystone inscribed with a seven-pointed star wreathed in ancient markings, offers ingress into an unlit corridor built of cut stone blocks. Weathered script snakes its way up and down each side of the entrance.

On entering the structure, Crin's eyes light up in wonder. The first thing he does is summon a spell that illuminates his hand in light, allowing him to wave his hand around like a torch. Then he has a look around, trying to understand what this place is all about. "Kalk, don't wander off now."

First round, cast light. Second round, cast detect magic and move around the chamber past the archway, looking for any magical auras. Third round, inspect the seven-pointed star and the weathered script on either side of the entrance, making a Knowledge (arcana) roll if that's any help. Unless, of course, we get ambushed after round one.

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

HP 7/7
Spells Cast
1st - reduce person, magic missile x2
0 - detect magic x2, acid splash x2, light
spell-like ability - speak with animals

"Be careful," Shayla whispers as she checks her surroundings for signs of life, not too eager to walk into an ambush.

Does it look like someone lives here?

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 +2 vs. Humans
Survival, looking for tracks: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 = 14 +2 vs. Humans

Crin recognizes the star as a Sihedron rune, the mark of the Ancient Runelords of Thassilon.

With the light, you see a phrase written above the door in Ancient Thassilonian.

Shayla sees not human tracks, but notices the tracks of small woodland animals that seem to regularly come and go through the entrance.

As you descend down steep stairs into a massive foyer, you are met by a a massive set of iron double doors that block passage to the east and rest upon a dais of glistening black stone. To the west stands a statue of an elderly, robed man carved from the same dark stone, and in his hand he brandishes a slender golden wand that points toward the door. Ancient script winds around the statue’s round base, and dried leaves, dirt, and small animal bones are scattered about the room.

Knowledge History for the Statue.

You may also continue to detect magic and note that the dais has a great magic field around it. If you wish to understand it, I'll need another Knowledge Arcana check. Your last was too low.

Niko stares at the phrase for a moment, then translates. "It says, 'Enter the Black Edifice, locus of the Thrallkeepers, servants of the Runelord of Sloth.' Sounds welcoming...."

KN: history: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (11) + 7 + (4) = 22

KN: arcana: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 7 + (5) = 24

The statue is High Gorelock Ahm’Jugarian, a mid-ranking servant of the Runelord of Sloth.

You notice too that the wand is giving off a weak aura of necromancy. You identify it as a ray of enfeeblement wand (16 charges).

The dais seems to be infused with a powerful transmutation field. But you can't seem to get any more (even a DC 40 check won't give you more, to keep you from wasting any Bard talents Crin).

On the statue written in Ancient Thassilonian is a cryptic message (riddle!)

Those that would dare believe they are strong enough
to oppose us shall learn that their strength is their
weakness and our weaknesses are our very strengths.

"I don't get it!" Shayla declares, and attempts to open the iron double doors. If the doors don't open, Shayla will try again with strength.

Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

And again.

Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

They mention strength, so this should do it!

As you step on the stone you feel your strength fail you, subtract 3 instead of adding three to your checks.

For a good solid minute, Alspeth stares at the riddle, after hearing it translated. She shakes her head. "This is not my ballywick," she admits, and looks to the Bard and Investigator. "Any ideas?"

Actually, Crin is a fey-bloodlined sorcerer. He just happens to also like music. And magic.

"Shayla, wait! Don't step on the.." Crin cries, too late as the elf steps on the dais to try to force the doors open with her strength. He winces as magical energies drain away her strength. "Sorry, I thought there might be some kind of magical trap there."

Crin resumes his study of the statue of the old human. The words of the riddle keep tumbling in his head, but don't quite come together. "Nikomedes, do you think it was the wand that zapped Shayla? If so, we'll never get that door open. Unless, do you think this statue moves? Like we could point it the other way?" The little gnome pushes against the round base of the statue, trying to see if there's any give to it.

Not sure what is needed, so will make a few rolls now so I don't hold things up:
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Strength check: 1d20 ⇒ 9

What is Kalkamedes doing during all this? Is he keeping still or is he trying to move on?

"This door is too darn heavy!" Shayla complains, not even aware her strength was actually drained. She tries to open the door again.

Strength: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (5) - 3 = 2

Shayla steps away from the door, sighing heavily. "I declare this to be hopeless... Did you guys figure out something about that wand thingy?"

When Shayla notices Crin's pushing the round base of the statue she decides to help him.

Strength, aid Crin: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (2) - 3 = -1

"What the... this thing's also way too heavy!"

As soon as Shayla steps away from the door, her strength returns.

Crin feels unaffected by the dais.

Niko furrows his brow. "I did not see anything come from the wand. It is surprising that you feel no effects Crin, while Shayla does. Let me try to step on the dias."

Niko then steps onto the dias.

Niko feels his strength wane. Subtract 1 instead of adding 1 for any STR based check.

Niko looks perplexed. "I feel somewhat weaker upon the dias."

"Hmm, perhaps if we were weaker, we'd become stronger? Crin, do you want to try stepping on the dais?"

"If I stepped upon it, I would be of no help," Alspeth says. While this is going on, Alspeth keeps a hand on Kalkamedes' arm, to ensure their charge doesn't leave them behind.

"Hmmm, this is interesting." At Strat's suggestion, Crin steps onto the dais and pushes on the doors, curious at this turn of events.

"I don't get it, but it sounds like something a smart person could say," Shayla admits, nodding her head in agreement as she watches Crin and the door.

Strength check Crin, no penalty

Crin STR Check
1d20 ⇒ 15

Crin fails, but he still feels no effects from the Dais.

"Hmm, so if we use the wand to make Crin weak, he becomes strong?"

I hope this isn't too meta, but the penalty seems to equal the strength bonus. So if your strength score is negative, it might provide a bonus. Can more than one person stand on the dais?

"Perhaps strength will pour to the weaker person if you stand here? That way the weak will be strong, and the strong will be weak," Shayla says in a moment of smartness, stepping back onto the dais.

You can all stand on the dais.

"Yeah, it's worth a try. Though I don't feel any brawnier standing up here." opines Crin in response to Shayla's suggestion. He jumps up and down a couple times on the dais, as if it might shake something loose.

Shayla feels weaker Crin feels no change

Strat attempts to remove the wand from the statue. If able he hands it to Crin.

Figure if I'm right, Crin wands himself, the rest of us attempt to aid him in opening it. Thoughts?

After Cirn wands himself, Alspeth will attempt an Aid Another check.

Crin you can fail your save voluntarily and take 1d6 ⇒ 2 of Str damage

You feel slightly stronger, treat your Str check as a +1

Ok, Crin fails save voluntarily. Crin puts his shoulder to the dais, takes a deep breath, and pushes with all of his might. He doesn't see anything happen.

Strength check with bonus: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

"Perhaps we should all have the wand used on us." Niko says, indicating to Crin to use the wand on him.

STR penalty: 1d4 ⇒ 3 STR 10

Niko steps up on the dias and tries the door with Crin.

STR check: 1d20 ⇒ 1
STR check: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Heh, at this rate, Niko can just Take 20

"Hmm, I don't like this idea so much now." Strat has Crin use the wand on him as well.

STR penalty: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Strength Check to assist: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Realize I rolled a d4 instead of d6 1d6 ⇒ 2

Take the Three Nikos.

You all begin feeling stronger as the wand that should be draining your strength momentarily suddenly invigorates you, but despite you new found strength you just can't seem to move the stone.

Shall we try again?

Alspeth takes a step up to the dias, adding her own diminished strength to the attempt.

STR check: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (6) - 3 = 3

The wand has enough charges for everyone to be wanded 3 times, and the effects only last 1 round due to it being a 1st level spell, you've got it figured out let's just get through this.

After being wander and his wanting his companions, Crin and the enfeebled group push hard against the stone and it rolls away. The wand has been completely expended.

Suspended by thick chains, a massive metal cage shaped like a demon’s head hangs over a dark shaft with no bottom in sight. The cage’s door—by all appearances a menacing maw, filled with incisor-like fangs—hangs open to the west. There, a narrow bridge spans the short distance between the ledge and the cage. A small console on the north edge of the bridge bears a single lever.

"Uhm... Does anyone know more about this sort of things than I do?" Shayla asks as she eyes the lever and shaft with suspicion. "I'm not keen on situations where I may fall to my death."

"Well, that's unexpected." Crin looks round at everyone. "Sorry guys for sucking away all your strength with the wand. It's just temporary, I think. But don't worry, I'll protect you!" The little gnome inches forward to peek over the ledge. He tries to gauge how deep the shaft is.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 To see how far down the shaft goes.

KN: engineering: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 7 + (2) = 26

Nikomedes moves into the elevator, looking at the controls. "We can enter, it's quite safe."

"I don't like it." Strat peers over the edge with Crin.

Just to understand, how many people can fit in the cage at once? Also would someone need to stay up top to operate the lever?

Hmm... No, thank you...

Niko seems to know what he's talking about, but Shayla doesn't want to trust a human on his word. She decides to wait until another, non-human, member of the party steps into the elevator. When one does, Shayla will join.

Do you descend?

Looking to the strange elevator with a frown, Alspeth then turns back to Kalkdamedes. "Is this where he's going to want to go?" she asks the group. "That might decide for us."

Niko fidgets with the controls trying to make the elevator descend. "I don't know where else he'd be trying to go."

"Might as well go."