Absalom Abberations - A Pathfinder Society Tale

Game Master Brian Minhinnick

Thanks!

Cladissa steps back and lets loose with a retributive hex on the elemental. "I'd stop fighting if I were you; it'll only bring you pain," she warns.

Retribution hex, Will DC 25

Gianluca groans as he realizes it might take minutes (or hours) to get through this weird hallway. Instead he steps into the side and attacks the massive elemental.

He makes one mighty blow that blazes with golden light. As it connects, Gianluca's cuts and bruises fade to nothingness.

Greatsword-power attack+flank+flanker's gambit: 1d20 + 29 - 4 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 29 - 4 + 6 + 6 = 41
Greatsword-power attack+flank+flanker's gambit: 1d20 + 29 - 4 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 29 - 4 + 6 + 6 = 57 (12 BAB +11 STR +2 competence (battle prowess) +3 enhance +1 w.focus)
confirm?: 1d20 + 29 - 4 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 29 - 4 + 6 + 6 = 49 (assuming that's good enough...)
Damage+power attack+argent knight's sceptre: 6d6 + 46 + 24 + 12d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 6, 4, 1, 1) + 46 + 24 + (5, 4, 2, 6, 3, 5, 2, 6, 2, 4, 4, 4) = 135 (+16 STR +3 enhancement, +2 competence (battle prowess), +2 untyped (discipline focus), +12 power attack)

move: as shown (taking an AoO if need be)
swift: flanker's gambit to refresh manuevers
stnd: argent knight's sceptre, which heals me 60 HP (to full, I think).
.
Note to Thrassk (or the Eryne, or anyone who ever flanks with me) you get +6 instead of the normal +2 for flanking with Gianluca.

The devil wheels around and slashed at the nearest threat to its Summoner, while Argor wards himself with multiple copies of himself.

Mirror Image: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Erinyes Attack 1, Flank: 1d20 + 17 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 17 + 6 = 38
Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Erinyes Attack 1, Flank: 1d20 + 12 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 12 + 6 = 31
Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Gianluca and Grommesson are in the middle of the uber long hallway, the elemental is out the end they came in. To get to it they'd have to run 100whatever feet back first, or take a move into the mists, then another back out of the mists to the beginning of the hallway (because anywhere in the mists is adjacent to the entire hallway). I just put their tokens on the side because they won't fit in the hallway as shown on the map.

hmmmm, is there a foe that I suspect i could reach this round, Charging or 60’ hustle? Ideally one where I can flank, so I don't need to change my post much. If not, I guess make it a 120' charge toward the archer

The beast who is Grommesson roars and steps into the mist. And then steps back out in front of the archer.

Well, you still don't know how long the hallway is, other than it's short enough to shoot a longbow down accurately. With Grommesson making that move, he's going to end up 'plugging' the archer's end of the hallway. There has been someone/something with short blades attacking out of the left side of the hallway, but you don't know for sure what's in the mist without going in to look.

"Dirty ssscythe guy changed into an earth elemental!" Thrassk belatedly announces. "He'sss gone!"

Gian - Looking at the map, you have the movement to charge back into the room with Cladissa/Argor/Elemental. However, the erinyes is in your way. I drew a purple arrow to show where in the hallway Gianluca is currently (115' in). Grommesson is now at the far end of the hallway, adjacent to the archer. It's unclear how far that is from Gianluca if he were to travel through the weird hallway.

If it looks like Cladissa's hex took hold, yet the elemental still appears ready to smash her, she tries to bluff the creature.

Throwing her hands up to ward off the blow, she shouts, "I'm serious! Any harm you do to me will be reflected back upon you tenfold! Aggression will only result in your destruction!"

Bluff, good hope: 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 20 + 2 = 28

"Thrassk, shall we pay a visit to the assailant on the other side?"

I'll duck into the mist and try to engage. If Thrassk comes too, I'll flank. Otherwise, -12 to my to hit rolls and I won't do the Gambit. (In which case, if Thrassk is hurt I can do my healing burst for him instead.)

Argor?

I already posted up above. Devil attacked and I mirror imaged.

Oh, my bad. Sorry I missed that.

Got my RL game today. I'll try to get to this before the end of the weekend.

Round 2

The archer shoots another volley at Grommesson. All three shafts thud deep into the beast's flesh.

Cladissa steps back and lets loose with a retributive hex on the elemental. "I'd stop fighting if I were you; it'll only bring you pain," she warns.

The beast who is Grommesson roars and steps into the mist. And then steps back out in front of the archer.

"Dirty ssscythe guy changed into an earth elemental!" Thrassk belatedly announces. "He'sss gone!"

"Thrassk, shall we pay a visit to the assailant on the other side?" Gianluca asks, ducking into the mist on the left. Once inside he sees a fifteen foot long alcove with no visible creatures in it.

Thrassk roars, "I need ssspace to fight. Get this damned devil out of my way!"

The devil wheels around and slashed at the nearest threat to its Summoner, while Argor wards himself with multiple copies of himself. She manages to cut into the elemental twice.

Gianluca is attacked by an invisible creature.

1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 14 + 2 = 281d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 2 = 28

Whatever it is in unable to penetrate the Golden Hand's impressive defenses.

Attacks: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 221d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18

The elemental tries to smash the erinyes, but can't land a hit on the devil.

End of Round 2
================================
Begin Round 3

Grommesson AOO: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27
Damage: 2d6 + 25 ⇒ (5, 3) + 25 = 33

The archer backs up, taking a slash from the beast as he does. He raises his bow and sends more shafts Grommesson's way.

Attacks: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (5) + 22 = 271d20 + 17 ⇒ (17) + 17 = 341d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Initiative:
Bowman 1
Cladissa 23
Grommesson 20
Gianluca 17
Thrassk 17
Argor 16
Enemy left 3
Earth elemental druid 2

Cladissa next targets the elemental with her Evil Eye, stripping away its offense. Then she cackles again, madly. "If you persist in aggression, then I'll have to stop you," she hisses through a strained throat.

Will DC 25 or -4 to attacks for 12 rounds. A successful save reduces it to one round, increased to two rounds due to my cackle. Also, everyone's Fortune is still active, and will be for two rounds (I didn't cackle last round, so the duration dropped by one).

Sorry, who all had fortune again? I believe at least Thrassk did.

Thrassk, Grommesson, and the Erinyes

Argor works an enchantment, bolstering everyone’s speed.

Haste

Meanwhile, the Erinyes continues hacking into the elemental druid near it.
__________
Erinyes Attack 1: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23
Erinyes Attack 1 Fortune: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Erinyes Attack 2: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (18) + 18 = 36
Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
Erinyes Attack 3: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32
Erinyes Attack 3, Confirm: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

The beast who is Grommesson steps toward the archer and slashes.

Full: 1d20 + 21 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 21 + 3 = 34
Full fortune: 1d20 + 21 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 21 + 3 = 34
if hit, damage: 2d6 + 25 ⇒ (3, 5) + 25 = 33

Second: 1d20 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 12 + 3 = 23
if hit, damage: 2d6 + 25 ⇒ (6, 1) + 25 = 32

Haste: 1d20 + 21 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 21 + 3 = 25
if hit, damage: 2d6 + 25 ⇒ (1, 5) + 25 = 31

Gianluca squints and then blinks twice. As he does, the golden glow recedes from his sword and gathers in his eyes.

Attempting to anticipate the exact location of his invisible foe, Gianluca swings at the spot that the invisible blades came from.

Conceal? (low good): 1d100 ⇒ 38
Conceal? (low good): 1d100 ⇒ 94

Greatsword-power attack: 1d20 + 29 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 29 - 4 = 41 (12 BAB +11 STR +2 competence (battle prowess) +3 enhance +1 w.focus)
Damage+power attack+argent knight's sceptre: 2d6 + 23 + 12 + 12d6 ⇒ (4, 4) + 23 + 12 + (2, 1, 2, 1, 5, 6, 3, 5, 5, 2, 6, 6) = 87 (+16 STR +3 enhancement, +2 competence (battle prowess), +2 untyped (discipline focus), +12 power attack)

Greatsword-power attack: 1d20 + 29 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 29 - 4 = 26

swft: switch stance to Eyes of the Crane, which lets me roll 2x to pierce concealment.
stnd: take the strike I'd meant to do last round
.
BTW, I had Fortune on me too. Still do if I'm still in range of it...which of course I'll leave to Jelani to decide since the physics here are so f'd up.

Okay, on the haste, Argor can only get people within 30' of each other. The only people within 30' of each other that he can see are the Erinyes, Cladissa, Himself and the familiars. Grommesson may or may not be out of range down the hallway, if he wants to try to target Grom. He can't see Thrassk or Gianluca at all to target them.

Grommesson is out of cackle/fortune range, so that's gone for him. Gianluca, I'll say you're still within range for now, though according to Cladissa you never had fortune.

So the Erinyes is going to continue blocking Thrassk from getting out? Just want to confirm before I do the update post. He might kill it in rage just to get it the f out of his way.

My mistake. I did give Gianluca Fortune. And I believe my rod of grasping hexes extends the range out to 60 feet instead of the usual 30.

The Devil will step back out of the way and switch to her bow if possible.

My mistake. I did give Gianluca Fortune. And I believe my rod of grasping hexes extends the range out to 60 feet instead of the usual 30.

Okay, good to know, but Grommesson is still out of range.

Round 3

The archer backs up, taking a slash from the beast as he does. He raises his bow and sends more shafts Grommesson's way. One of his three shots lands on the Beast.

Cladissa next targets the elemental with her Evil Eye, stripping away its offense. Then she cackles again, madly. "If you persist in aggression, then I'll have to stop you," she hisses through a strained throat.

The beast who is Grommesson steps toward the archer and slashes. He cuts the man twice with his falchion.

Gianluca squints and then blinks twice. As he does, the golden glow recedes from his sword and gathers in his eyes. Attempting to anticipate the exact location of his invisible foe, Gianluca swings at the spot that the invisible blades came from. He feels his sword connect, and the familiar resistance of it shredding through flesh.

Argor works an enchantment, bolstering everyone’s speed.

Since he didn't respond to my post, I assume he's going for the most people with the haste. Therefore, Gianluca, Grommesson and Thrassk don't get haste.

Meanwhile, the Erinyes continues hacking into the elemental druid near it. She cuts into the druid three times, before stepping back to make room for Thrassk.

Thrassk steps out of the shadowy alcove with a roar, before tearing into the elemental druid with his teeth and claws.

Attacks: 1d20 + 31 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 31 + 2 = 371d20 + 27 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 27 + 2 = 451d20 + 27 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 27 + 2 = 32
Damage: 2d6 + 37 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4) + 37 + 2 = 461d8 + 28 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 28 + 2 = 321d8 + 28 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 28 + 2 = 381d8 + 23 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 23 + 2 = 30

By the time he has finished, the elemental's back is rent with huge gouges, chunks of it littering the floor.

1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 14 + 2 = 341d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 2 = 17
3d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 2, 1) + 1 = 83d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 4, 6) + 1 = 17

The invisible assailant attacks the Erinyes, destroying what was left of the devil.

1d20 ⇒ 2

Attacks: 1d20 + 31 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 31 + 2 = 52
Damage: 2d6 + 37 + 2 ⇒ (6, 4) + 37 + 2 = 49

The elemental attempts to cast a spell defensively, but Thrassk chomps down on his head, and the spell is ruined.

End of Round 3
================================
Begin Round 4

The bowman curses in pain, before stepping back and continuing to empty his quiver into Grommesson.

Attacks: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (8) + 22 = 301d20 + 17 ⇒ (6) + 17 = 231d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

As another arrow thunks into the young Pathfinder, he looks very close to death.

I have Grommesson at 5 HP

Initiative:
Bowman 1
Cladissa 23
Grommesson 20
Gianluca 17
Argor 16
Thrassk 16
Enemy left 3
Earth elemental druid 2

You guys are up

Seeing Grommesson in trouble, he attempts to step out as close to Grommesson as possible, and then to step past, putting himself between his injured ally and the archer.

Can I get to where I've put myself on the map and still take a Standard to attack?

I have see invisibility up. Can I tell what the invisible foe is? I'd like to hit it with a spell, but I want to see if I can identify it first, before I try something that won't work on it.

If you went into the alcove, presumably. But there is a wall of total concealment between you and she at the moment as well as the invisibility.

Seeing Grommesson in trouble, he attempts to step out as close to Grommesson as possible, and then to step past, putting himself between his injured ally and the archer.

Can I get to where I've put myself on the map and still take a Standard to attack?

You moved 15'.

Argor looks to a part of the room that has a clear line to the elemental Druid, and opens a portal. Through it comes a saber tooth, fur glistening a metallic gold with silver stripes. It roars before charging the elemental, compelled by the conjuring magic to protect its caller!
__________
Claw Attack, Charge: 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 20 + 2 = 26
Claw Damage: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (1, 2) + 10 = 13

Claw Attack, Charge: 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 20 + 2 = 37
Claw Damage: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (2, 1) + 10 = 13

Rake Attack, Charge: 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 20 + 2 = 30
Rake Damage: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (1, 2) + 10 = 13

Rake Attack, Charge: 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 20 + 2 = 24
Rake Damage: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (2, 3) + 10 = 15

Bite Attack, Charge: 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 20 + 2 = 37
Bite Damage: 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (4, 1) + 10 = 15

Grab: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (12) + 25 = 37
_________
Meanwhile, Adrenia flies to try and reach Grommesson and provide him some healing.

Lemme know if she has seen enough of the mechanics of the next hallway to be able to use them to reach Grommesson and heal him this round.

As he closes with the Archer, Gianluca takes a mighty swing.

(Assuming it connects) a wave of honey-gold light washes over any nearby allies...and lingers especially with Gromesson, as his wounds fade somewhat.

(Assuming the archer is still standing) "Surrender if you wish to live, Archer, for now you face the Honeyed Hand of Arshea!"

Greatsword-power attack: 1d20 + 29 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 29 - 4 = 30
Greatsword-power attack: 1d20 + 29 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 29 - 4 = 27 (12 BAB +11 STR +2 competence (battle prowess) +3 enhance +1 w.focus)
Damage+power attack+argent knight's banner: 2d6 + 23 + 12 + 8d6 ⇒ (2, 1) + 23 + 12 + (3, 3, 6, 1, 3, 4, 4, 1) = 63 (+16 STR +3 enhancement, +2 competence (battle prowess), +2 untyped (discipline focus), +12 power attack)

Argent Knight's Banner: Healing to all allies within 30': 4d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 5, 2) = 14
Silver Crane's Mercy: Healing to Grom only: 9d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 1, 3, 6, 6, 2, 3, 4) = 29

Spent maneuvers:
Holy Pinions
Argent Knight’s Scepter
Argent Knight’s Banner
Silver Crane’s Mercy

Seeing the elemental otherwise occupied by Argor's summoned dire tiger, Cladissa hops off her broom and uses her spider legs to carry her swiftly into the mysterious dimensional alcove in search of the invisible assailant.

If she spots her, she'll try hitting her with an Ice Tomb hex. If she doesn't spot her, she'll cackle one more time in order to extend Grom and Gianluca's Fortune.

I'm hasted and have 50' base movement, so I can cover 80' in a single move.

Ice Tomb hex Fort DC 25 for half: 3d8 ⇒ (1, 3, 8) = 12

The beast who is Grommesson steps toward the archer and slashes.

Full: 1d20 + 21 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 21 + 3 = 35
Full fortune: 1d20 + 21 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 21 + 3 = 36
if hit, damage: 2d6 + 25 ⇒ (1, 1) + 25 = 27

Second: 1d20 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 12 + 3 = 30
if hit, damage: 2d6 + 25 ⇒ (6, 5) + 25 = 36

Haste: 1d20 + 21 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 21 + 3 = 29
if hit, damage: 2d6 + 25 ⇒ (1, 4) + 25 = 30

Second threat: 1d20 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 12 + 3 = 18
if crit, more damage: 2d6 + 25 ⇒ (6, 1) + 25 = 32

Grom will burn hero points to stay up

As stated above, Gromm doesn't have haste or fortune. Gianluca and Thrassk also don't have haste.

Round 4

The bowman curses in pain, before stepping back and continuing to empty his quiver into Grommesson. As another arrow thunks into the young Pathfinder, he looks very close to death.

Seeing the elemental otherwise occupied by Argor's summoned dire tiger, Cladissa hops off her broom and uses her spider legs to carry her swiftly into the mysterious dimensional alcove in search of the invisible assailant. Seeing a woman in the corner holding a short sword and dagger, Cladissa tries to entomb her in ice.

Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

The woman glares at Cladissa as she encased solid in ice.

The beast who is Grommesson steps toward the archer and slashes. He cuts into the man twice, wounding him badly.

Seeing Grommesson in trouble, Gianluca attempts to step out as close to Grommesson as possible, and then to step past, putting himself between his injured ally and the archer. As he closes with the Archer, Gianluca takes a mighty swing. A wave of honey-gold light washes over any nearby allies...and lingers especially with Gromesson, as his wounds fade somewhat.

(Assuming the archer is still standing) "Surrender if you wish to live, Archer, for now you face the Honeyed Hand of Arshea!"

"And go back to prison forever? Not likely, Pathfinder dog!"

Argor looks to a part of the room that has a clear line to the elemental Druid, and opens a portal. Through it comes a saber tooth, fur glistening a metallic gold with silver stripes. It roars before charging the elemental, compelled by the conjuring magic to protect its caller! The tiger destroys the druid in a matter of seconds.

Meanwhile, Adrenia flies to try and reach Grommesson and provide him some healing. (Moved her 45', she can roll healing retroactively)

Thrassk sidles past his allies to bite at the archer.

Attacks: 1d20 + 31 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 31 + 2 = 52
Damage: 2d6 + 37 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2) + 37 + 2 = 43

I'm going to go ahead and call this combat here.

The archer steps back, but he can't escape the reach of the three Pathfinders. Thrassk, Gianluca and Grommesson make short work of him when he tries to shoot his bow.

End Combat

The one girl is still alive, just stuck in ice.

Room 19

An archway opens into a wedge-shaped room, its outer wall bisected by a spherical chamber. Blackened, lightning-shaped streaks run across the walls and floors. In the middle of the spherical chamber floats an ebon gemstone with fifteen facets. Long chains forged from a strange blue alloy run from the center of each facet to the chamber walls.

Healing from previous round to Grom: 4d8 + 7 ⇒ (1, 7, 3, 8) + 7 = 26

Before moving on, Argor studies the fallen foes for anything of use or importance they may have.

Anyone need more healing?

"Whew," Cladissa says in relief as she inspects her handiwork. "The ice ought to hold her for a while. At least until it melts or someone decides to chip her out. What next?"

She looks around the wedge-shaped room and tests it for scents. She also casts detect magic and studies any auras she sees.

Will save DC 26: 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 17 + 2 = 24

5 +14 +29 +26 = 74 HP

As is fairly customary in these situations, Cole streaks over to Grommesson and purrs loudly and soothingly in the beast's ear.

Diplomacy (assist): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

Room 19 has the scents of the four people you've fought so far, and another older female scent.

"There wasss another doorway back there, wasss there not?" Thrassk asks. He points back toward the chamber on the other side of the dimensional hallway.

There is another route off of room 17.

Looking through the doorway Thrassk mentioned, the group sees

Room 20

The floor of this chamber is inlaid with giant circular mosaic
of the four primary elements divided into quarters that swirl
counter-clockwise. A brass plaque encircles the mosaic,
engraved with a passage that reads: “The shortest year has
fve seasons of fre.” In the northwest corner, a short passage
leads to a door

She also casts detect magic and studies any auras she sees.

There is some kind of magical aura around the gem thing, but the scenario doesn't tell me what. It's probably from multiple schools, and quite strong.

Cladissa studies the brass plaque and the mosaic, noting the misspellings and wondering if they were deliberate. "No i's in this inscription. Hmm."

Perception: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (12) + 19 = 31
Linguistics: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

"Maybe a team wrote that? I've always heard 'there's no i in team'" Gianluca grins.