BPChocobo's PbP Gamethread for Cool and Attractive PCs

Game Master Black Powder Chocobo

Mahasi exhales in exasperation; he grabs a rope and slowly pulls himself up.

Take 10 for a 10

"Inconvenient for a supposed gallery. I suppose the guests could all fly. Let us see this "Gauntlet" then."

Deaglan waits until Mahasi has reached the top and then climbs up after him, using the knotted rope.

Take 10 for a 9

climb, take 10: 10 + 2 - 2 = 10

if 10 isn't good enough, he'll cast levitate to get up

With Quarr flying up to tether Deaglan's rope, the party has no problems reaching the topmost platform.

Each layer, as shown, increases in elevation by 10'. Even then, the topmost layer ascends a bit higher to be just over 40' above the floor.

In stark contrast to the blazing sun above, the chamber ahead has a dark night sky full of twinkling stars. Running southwest to northeast is a jagged bridge of land leading over a huge ravine. Obsidian cliffs descend from the land bridge on both the left and right sides, plummeting downward to the hard dirt forty feet below, which is intermittently dotted with dead trees whose roots appear to claw at the soil. A set of natural stairs rises from the chasm's floor in the southwestern portion of the room. To the south is a small tunnel dug out of the chasm wall at the base of the valley, and to the north a wooden door is set into the black rock where the bridge meets the chasm's edges.

In the sky is a spark of crackled lightning that seems to orbit over the room, while down below, a pair of mud blobs roil in the dirt near the trees. Finally, a white-feathered owl with red eyes stares at you as you walk in. "Hoot!", it calls.

"Ahh, that is the call of Lord S*@%ashi, overseer of the Guantlet."

Map updated

Does anyone need healed after that?

Grasping his journal Quarr begins to draw once again as he is now back on his feet.

My wings can only keep me aloft for short periods though...

Looking to the owl. What do you oversee in the gauntlet? Quarr asks quizzically.

"It is dangerous to question Lord Shi-tashi's motives!", quips the guide helmet.

"Hoot", answers Shi-tashi.

Bah, forgot Paizo's word filter <_<

sense mot: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

"How can an owl be lord of anything?" Mahasi stops, dubious of the nature of the beast before him. He begins to look using vision beyond vision.

Detect magic? K(arcana) for auras: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35

"Lord of Doom to the little mice it hunts, no doubt," Varian mumbles.

Mahasi finds powerful illusionary magic in the room; the power of the aura is immense and the readings of the magical energies cause his skin to vibrate until he can adjust to it. He finds that the area is under a powerful illusionary terrain, but also can tell that such magic, for it to last however millennia must be anchored to something as a beacon for the magic.

However, his spellcasting also attracted the attention of the lightning and the mud, both of which takes a vaguely humanoid shape and start moving towards the party!

"Hoot hoot!", retorts Lord Shi-tashi.

"Starting the Guantlet prematurely I see; a cautious lot you are.", the helmet judging the party as the elementals get closer.

Init Order (round 1) bold = up!
Quarr
Varian
Deaglan
Shilyn
Mahasi
Mud Red
Lightning
Mud Blue

Varian makes a +1 lucerne hammer and casts resist electricity communal, 10 mins per person, 20 mins ea on Shi and himself. 20 points of resistance

Taking to the air once again Quarr flies 30 feet into the air towards the lightning.

Grasping a bomb as he moves he drops it over the lightning.

Fire Bomb Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 1 + 2 = 16
damage: 4d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6, 3, 6, 4) + 4 + 1 = 24

Mutagen
Precise Bomb to not target 4 friendlies
Point Blank Shot
DC 17 reflex save for Splash Damage

"Much of this room is the fancy of the dead wizard, and not real!"

He pauses in his musing to unleash a small dot of fire, which blooms into a fiery ball consuming some of the groups foes.

fire, DC20 reflex halves: 7d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 3, 4, 1, 6, 5) = 25

I'll place the fireball to maximize number of enemies without harming Quarr. A little uncertain on their vertical positions of baddies.

K(Planes), I think? At least on the lightning and mud.
planes,lightning: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21
planes,mud: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26
something?: 1d20 ⇒ 8 plus some knowledge on bird

Deaglan takes out his hammer and takes a step closer to the nearest elemental, swinging his hammer in a great arc

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 6) + 7 = 18

I apologize for the confusing elevations; the mud elementals are on the ground floor, the party is on a walkway that is 40' above, although there is a sloping stairway that connects to the floor, and the lightning elemental is 20' above that (or 60' above the floor). However, for the sake of expediency and the fact you could ready the fireball toss for an appropriate moment to hit them all, I'll allow it.

Quarr's bomb, however, will only target lightning as there is not near enough blast radius to hit over a 40' area

Likewise, I'm having your attack be a readied action Deaglan

Lightning Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Mud Red: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Mud Blue: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Quarr's bomb jolts the lightning being before it is incinerated by Mahasi's fireball! One of the mud elementals dries out and moves sluggishly while the other used his ally as a shield, taking far less damage.

Shilyn decides a single arrow at the blazed mud should do the trick.

Shilyn shortbow @ mud Red: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Damage on hit: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

And the piercing arrow causes the elemental to collapse.

The last elemental comes up, gliding through the stone with ease, but Deaglan's hammer smashes it with gusto, sending dried mud everywhere!

Combat over!

"Hoot! Hrttt...", squawsk Shi-tashi, the last hoot sounding forced.

"You do truly waste no time.", Melabdara ponders out loud at the quick destruction of "The Gauntlet"'s foes.

Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Quarr looks confused at the bird for a moment. Shi-Tashi... will you allow me to examine you but for a moment? It sounds as if you have something stuck in your throat.

If the creature allows Quarr moves over to it and removes the item lodged in it's mouth.

Take 10 heal for 21

"Err owl?" Deaglan cautiously starts "If I try to dislodge whatever is in your gullet, will you stay calm and not take my finger off?"

Assuming the bird agrees Deaglan tries to dislodge whatever is caught in it's gullet.

Heal, guidance: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 11 + 1 = 27

Shi-tashi flaps vigorously as the gnome and dwarf try to grab it to perform an extraction!

I'll need a CMB or grapple roll to control the wise bird!

CMB Grapple: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Quarr pounces. Hurry and get it out Deaglan![/b] Quarr squeaks.

"Great Quarr, you hold it still. I will try to extract whatever is hurting it."

Edit: assuming I can use that previous heal check

@Deaglan: Of course!

Flying from above, Quarr gets the drop on the bird while Deaglan's thick dwarf fingers manage to extract a strange beetle-shaped amulet from its gullet. "HooooOOooooot!", calls out Shi-Tashi as the room immediately darkens, the starry night sky gone, the obsidian hues of the cliff erased from existence.

Mahasi can tell that the illusionary magic he felt before in the room is now gone.

From this room are two exits: the norther door at the end of the walkway, or the arched passage to the south that reveals a lush, verdant landscape.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Such a weird looking pendant.. Quarr says examining it.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

"Peculiar indeed. Mahasi, what do you make of it?"

Deaglan looks around "Although I am glad that that illusion is gone, feels much better to be certain of what I see."

it's only dc 10 to assist... maybe someone could help quarr out?

Deaglan couldn't...

1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17 Aid! Yeah, right, that's the ticket...

Mahasi add his own observations to Quarr's.

"I think it is perhaps an aid against artificial men - what do you call them in your language? Golems! Yes, that's the word. It is anathema to them."

You have the loot! And a now pleased owl!

"So onward to the Deepsea exhibit or to the Heart of the Jungle?", asks Melabdara as the helmet floats over Mahasi's head.

"I do not like the sound of 'deepsea'. Let's get through that one first."

Been about a day, so Deaglan's single vote wins!

"Very well!", chirps the helmet as the party approaches the northern door.

Deaglan opens the door, revealing a tunnel of salty air as the only dry space in the room. Surrounding the tunnel on both sides is a massive body of clear blue water, magically suspended and prevented from collapsing upon the passage by some invisible force. Hills of coral cover the sea floor, bristling with all manner of plants, tiny darting fish, and anemones. The tunnel leading through this watery chamber bends and forks throughout the room, leading to wooden doorways positioned to the west and northeast.

One anemone stands out from the others, being an usual specimen of giant albino anemone.

Map updated!
It should be obvious where the dry areas are; please let me know if the map is still confusing.

"This place is riddled with illusions and deceptions. No doubt the waters ahead hold equal dangers."

The sorcerer withdraws a potion from his back and holds it out towards Deaglan.

"When something comes from the water - no doubt something will - drink this. It will allow you to swim as well as a fish for a short time."

Potion of touch of the sea

Can I try and pre-emptively disbelieve illusions? will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 - well, if there were any, I just disbelieved the heck out of them

Sure!

Mahasi hands Deaglan the vial as he scans the illusions. Oddly, the water walls are actually accurate, but the water itself now shows as dark, stagnant hues that at the very least should not be consumed. The little fishes and most of the coral are also gone, although three patches still remain.

Mahasi can also tell that the giant anemone still stands out from among the water

"Makes me wish I could breath water... I don't entirely trust the magical barrier holding the sea back here."

"If it has held the water back this many thousands of years, it can do so awhile longer. Using my superior intellect, I have ascertained that much of this is indeed illusory - the coral and fish, although not the anemone. Look with your eyes, friends, and know the deception."

Everyone can have a +4 on their illusion will saves now.

will save vs illusion: 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 4 = 29

Will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

This place is simply amazing. All of the time some wizard must have dedicated to it is astounding.

Look at that Giant Anemone Quarr says pointing at it.

With Mahasi's guidance, Varian and notice the differences and the illusion fades away from him. Quarr, though, still sees the small fish dancing among the coral reefs.

Will save, assuming spell / spell-like effect: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 2 + 4 = 26

"A waste of magic in my opinion. What's real should not be disguised behind a veil or illusion." Deaglan snorts while accepting the vial from Mahasi. He holds it in one hand while readying his waraxe in the other and steps forward.

Stepping next to the anemone, readying an attack against anything that might attack Deaglan.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 9 - 2 = 22
Power Damage: 1d10 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 4 = 18

Deaglan can also see through the illusion, the murky waters showing none of the life he thought it did. Approaching the anemone, he sees a pair of elven forms behind coral on either side that lunge at him enough perception to not be flat footed!, however, instead of legs, the blue-skinned creatures have strong shark tails and their mouths have an appropriate set of teeth to match!

Red ??? spear @ Deaglan: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Damage on hit: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Deaglan fort save on hit vs DC 15: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 2 = 20
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Extra damage on crit: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (3, 1) + 8 = 12

Although Deaglan sees the creature in time, his dwarven steel is not enough to stop the reinforced coral spear from puncturing him at the armpit, causing searing pain as he feels blood filling one of his lungs. A numbing sensation occurs, but the pain the continues once more.

Init Order (round 1) bold = up!
Mahasi
???
Varian
Quarr
Deaglan
??? Red
??? Blue
Shilyn

With bow still in hand, Shilyn walks in kind of a daze admiring all the sights as her Elven half comes to the forefront. "Pretty neat," she mutters, "minus the little hammer guys trying to put dents in our bodies."

will save: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 4 = 13

Shi's always been a bit oblivious when it comes to will saves.. Oooh Shiney!

Mahasi sneers at the troublemakers.

"I am not surprised at this"

He pulls a rod and focuses - whirling motes of glitter leap from his hands.

glitterdust, focused spell, dc 19 (dc 21 for one next to deaglan) metamagic adept to cast as standard. I can hit all 3 on the map

"Elven scum!" Deaglan cries out in pain and anger.

Sorry for the delay! Hope to update by tonight!

-Posted with Wayfinder

Red ??? Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Blue ??? Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Anemone Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

The creature in front of Deaglan tries to rub its eyes, sparkles getting caught in its vision. The other immediately has its eyes flushed out. Oddly, the anemone seems unfazed by the blinding.

After Mahasi's spell, another similar shark-elf-woman darts from behind the coral in the rear, lunging out of the water to pierce Deaglan.

Yellow ??? spear @ Deaglan: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Damage on hit: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

His armor narrowly protects him this time, the clang of steel audible proof of the spear's deflection.

The anemone's tentacles writhe, but do not strike at anything.

Init Order (round 1) bold = up!
Mahasi
??? Yellow
Anemone (sparkly, doesn't seem to notice being blinded)
Varian
Quarr
Deaglan (21 damage)
??? Red (blinded, sparkly)
??? Blue (sparkly)
Shilyn

Varian steps up and attacks yellow

to hit: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 = 12
dmg if hits: 1d12 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 = 13

Varian delivers a powerful swing, but the water slows down his hammer immensely, causing only a minor splash to the shark creature.

yay! I splashed it! lol

While your attack roll missed anyway, do note that attacking through water is going to cause horrible penalties.

Deaglan eyes the two creatures carefully and then decides to attack the one to his left. With a mighty slash he swings his axe across her abdomen and takes a step back towards his friends.

Assuming I can use my readied rolls of to hit = 22 and damage = 18 (slashing)

Sure since I forgot to apply that earlier <_<, but using it would put you further in the initiative order, so we'll call it like this. My mistake.

Deaglan lashes out violently, his axe carving a deep wound into the strange elven-shark hybrid, it screeches out in Aquan at him.

Init Order (round 1) bold = up!
Mahasi
??? Yellow (18 damage)
Anemone (sparkly, doesn't seem to notice being blinded)
Varian
Quarr
Deaglan (21 damage)
??? Red (blinded, sparkly)
??? Blue (sparkly)
Shilyn

GM: no problem, actually my ready was debatable since it is uncertain whether you can ready an action when your not in initiative mode. Allowing it would make most ambushes useless.

Hearing Deaglan mention that it was all an illusion Quarr attempts to see through it one more time.

Will save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

All I see are fish dancing... What are you all attacking? Quarr squeaks as he pulls out his light crossbow and drinks a barkskin extract from his pouch.

The gnomes skin becomes coarse and tough.

current AC with Barkskin extract is 26 and lasts 70 minutes

Can Quarr see the enemies through the illusion or is it still basically just fish and water?