DM B's PFS GD5 PbP: Thralls of the Shattered God (Inactive)

Game Master Beckett

Perception: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 12 + 2 = 26
Know. Planes: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 2 = 13

A shiver go through Albert's spine. He murmurs to his friends.

Hmm... guys ? There is someone invisible watching us. Looks like part demon, part like Valais and something... else.

Then he casts protection from evil on himself.

Rilas turns to Valais as he hears a whisper and watches her patchwork face turn pale. He quickly draws his bow and knocks an arrow on hearing Albert's warning, looking in all directions to try to spot the demon. "Show yourself, fiend! Are you the one that tortured this poor creature?"

Not bothering to roll these perception checks since he has a +25

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Knowledge: Arcana: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Knowledge: Planes: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

If actions can be taken:

Seeing that the injured azata is still alive, Diri channels a burst of positive energy almost as a reaction, (Chanelling: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 3, 4) = 15) moving to assist the victim.

"Are you kidding me? I can see what happened to the last one entering the circle," the wizard responds. "All my fingers are a great asset to manipulating the arcane.'

Perc:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33
Another Per1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Kn (planes)1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Perception 1: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
Percpetion 2: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
Religion: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"We are not his slaves nor his pawns. We have come here to help her, and perhaps you. Show yourself.

Perception DC 20: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Spellcraft DC 20: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Heal DC 15: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

"Yes, and he is stabilized", Tûrak complements Rilas' comment about the creature in the blood pool.

Another Perception check DC 20: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Kn. Planes DC 16: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

After hearing the alert from Albert, Tûrak will stop at the door to try to prevent the invisible creature flee. Once there, he will drink an extract of true strike.

"Valais, can you fell its presence?", he asked their 'friend'.

Only Albert can actually see the creature though others can potentially sense it (with scent for instance).

As Diri channels positive healing energy into the room, some of the Azata's wounds heal, but he remains unconscious. As far as you can tell, nothing else seems to happen, though as Diri does begin to approach, she finds that the ward around the large tree acts as a physical barrier against her, one she is unable to move through. Rilas, however, doesn't seem to have an issue, walking through it as if it where nothing. (Wilson, however, cannot).

You also suddenly notice Valias seems to be in deep concentration, as if fighting some inner battle with herself, she looks at you for help, though you have no idea what is affecting her specifically, but her pleading eyes say she is both suffering and fighting something she is not prepared to fight. Perhaps some Diplomacy checks can help boost her spirit and give her an edge.

Will Save: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Albert, sensing something wrong with the creature watching them decides to take action.

He casts a spell against the creature.

SR: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 Blindness DC19 fortitude or blind

Albert begins to cast a spell, with a look of aggression on his face as he points to something up near the corner where the far wall meets the ceiling, but it doesn't seem to have any affect whatsoever, the magic unable to pierce some sort of natural shielding around the target.

However, the creature seems to be preoccupied with something, and does not move to attack back.

Are characters aware of their own alignment? Or is it really just based on their actions? Would Rilas know he is 'good' while Diri would know she's 'neutral'? We ourselves don't assign ourselves an alignment and go around thinking about it, but instead it is how we act that determines if we are good or evil. Is that the same in Pathfinder or am I meta-ing too much here?

"Hey Albert, what's going on? Give us a clue here if you can." still nervously looking around the room for whatever creature Albert sees and is casting against. He notices Valais's uneasiness as well. "You alright there Valais? Tell us what's going on, let us help you!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

I'm not certain I can answer that without further context. I mean, on one hand, yes, it to a degree dependent on your actions, but also on your intentions. however, from a metagaming sense, Detect Evil might register an NPC that is currently having "evil thoughts" as Evil, even if they are not actually evil, (so for instance someone just insulted their spouse and they think "I'm going to kill you, slowly and painfully", but they don't actually have any real intention of carrying that out might register as Evil at that moment, even if they are Good Aligned, (and would still be Good Aligned, not susceptible to Smite Evil, etc. . .

I'd say that characters are pretty generally aware of their own alignment, but I'm not sure just how supported by the rules that is, or if it's universally true, either. One of my favorate Ravenloft Dread Lords was a Fallen Paladin that didn't realize she had fallen or turned LE, and honestly believed that her "paladin" powers where still in effect, and used that as a form of proof she was doing the right thing. Now, if you mean this as a way to explain why you can cross the war and others might not, I'd say that if you know the spoiler about it above, (last page, Aracna/Religion/Spellcraft 20), it shouldn't be too hard to put 2+2 together.

"Whatever fight is in your mind is one that must be won for the knowledge in your mind cannot be replaced should your battle be lost so rely once more on the mental fortitude that has let you remain in control of your shattered psyche lest all of this trip be for naught," Diri offers, an awkwardly worded but honest plea to the real Valais.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

There is a creature invisible, seeming to share some features with our friend Valais, hiding in the corner of the wall and ceiling at the far side of the room.
It looks like the creature we have seen painted or engraved on the walls and seems to be immune to my magic. For now he only watches us, but I have no ideas why.

Seeing his comrades trying to move inside the circle Albert adds.

Hmm, why do you enter this circle ? Only good people could move inside or outside from it !

"Well point it out so we can take it on"

perception with scent: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

Ariana moves up next to Valais, and guffly puts a supporting hand on her shoulder. "You can do this. You have controlled it for so long you can hang on just a little longer. Keep it together. We'll figure this out. If you know how to help you tell us."

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18

All of your concerns and words are just what Venture Captain Valais Durant, but it is Ariana's words that do the final trick, allowing Valais to fight it, whatever it is, off. She screams, partially at herself and partially what seems to be unrelated words, "No! I am my SAVE own person, THE and I will STAFF never be a slave WORD again."

She falls to her knee, overcome with pain once more, but it's clear that whatever had been trying to supplant her will, but she was strong enough to fend it off.

Albert, (only) can see that the Shatered God, Laktharis seems to be affected by something as well, and begins to cast a spell in reaction to that. Spellcraft?

Save the staff word? I wonder what if that means anything? Ariana looks around for anything that could be a staff or looks like a word. Not being too knowledgeable in the arcane she doesn't have much hope of actually doing anything with it if she sees something. Not unless doing means hitting it with a big sword.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

"You mean save 'gretaak'? What is this?", Tûrak asks Valais, a bit confused.

I thought there might be some confusion, so a small recap.

Scorched earth and burned grass cover this round chamber’s floor. In the center of the room stands a tall tree, its blackened bark seeping blood-red sap and its branches twisted and thorny. Glowing silvery runes circle the base of the tree. At the base of the tree lays a lithe, bronze-skinned man missing his left arm, a puddle of blood pooled beneath him. His right hand lies just inside the circle, and a single word is scratched in the dirt near his fingertips, "gretaak". What it means, however, you have no idea. It doesn't seem to be any word in any language you know.
** many spoilers omitted **

Finding herself unable to enter into the circle around the injured azata, Diri casts freedom of movement on herself, then tries again.

Probably doesn't work, but it's worth a shot.

"It has become apparent that this invisibile barrier disallows all attempts to breach its proximity ergo any triage I can provide to the injured outsider must be done at considerable range barring transport of its body," Diri states, channeling positive energy again.

Channeling: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 6, 5) = 17

The azata's body is outside of the circle, though it's hand (on it's remaining arm, the other arm looks to have been severed off, or more likely ripped), is within, as if he had been reaching for something when he fell.

Ah, I suppose that last post doesn't make any sense, then. Is the severed arm visible?

*A* severed arm is visible just inches away, but, oddly it does not have the same golden complexion.

Ariana tries to pass the barrier. If she makes it through, she examines the tree and the runes closely. She looks to see if anything on the tree looks like it might be a staff.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Know Nature: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Know Arcana: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Completely lost and just trying stuff.

The staff will appear when I touch the bark and say the sacred incantation. Only then can the he take his true form." At the puzzled looks Aikio explains that is what the voice said.
from a spoiler above, implied a voice spoke in my head. I'm not sure how to share it in character.

Aikio worns Ari to be cautious of the barrier. Just look at what it did to this guy. Maybe I should do it. Aikio steps into the circle before Ariana can tarnish her shiny new armor.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 13 + 2 = 25

Guys ! Do you listen to what I says ?!
There is an invisible creature, she seems to share some features with our friend Valais. I don't know why she stay that way but I fear it could be linked to something inside the circle.
This circle stop any non good creature to cross and seems to protect somehting inside.
If this uncounscious creature is here, may be he fought the one hidden and invisible and lost. Warning us to do anything with the tree or any staff.

Aiko, stop trying to cross the circle. If are you able to cast glitterdust do it there !

Albert showed a place.

To Albert the wizard says, "But the creature has neither threatened us nor deemed us worthy to speak with...." The Tengu tilts her head in question then turns to the location the creature is in. "If you do not wish to show yourself, perhaps you can tell us what your intentions are?"

Perhaps someone call pull the azata (we know it is an azata?) away from the circle and search it for clues?

Guys ! Do you listen to what I says ?!

There is an invisible creature, she he seems to share some features with our friend Valais. I don't know why she stay that way but I fear it could be linked to something inside the circle.
This circle stop any non good creature to cross and seems to protect something inside.
If this uncounscious creature is here, may be he fought the one hidden and invisible and lost. Warning us to do anything with the tree or any staff.

Unlike V.D. who wears cloths modestly, this other creature has a few dangly parts that mark his sex pretty obviously. :P

"You mean save 'gretaak'? What is this?", Tûrak asks Valais, a bit confused.

Diri states, channeling positive energy again.

I just wanted to say, that these two actions significantly change what happens afterwards, and so I'm going to rest a little bit to right after them.

As Turak questions the recently claim, suddenly the tree begins to rumble, causing the entire room to shift slightly as small tremors spread. It takes only a few seconds, but suddenly the tree shrinks down to a single branch of blacked and scarred wood, leaving a single staff where once a full grown tree had been, planted into the ground to stand upright.

As Diri again channels energy, the Azata creature (it has golden skin and humanoid-like features, but is clearly angelic enough that you know it's some sort of Azata), awakens, still very hurt, but is awake. He looks about confused, as Albert shouts a warning that the male version of V.D. (the invisible creature he can see) begins to cast a spell.

If Combat begins -> ROUND 1

Rilas ()
Winston ()
Valais ()
Turak ()
Aikio ()
Kasai ()
Savage ()
Razor ()
Laktharis (invis, 1d100, 01-50 = miss)
Arianna ()
Diri ()
Albert ()

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 13 + 2 = 26

With some fear in his voice, Albert says Guys ! He casts Haste and it's never a good sign when someone cast that spell !

Albert casts haste on the party.

--------------------
Ongoing spells
Good Hope (5mn) : Albert, Turâk, Ariana, Rilas & Savage
Haste (5 rounds) : Ariana, Rilas, Savage, Turâk, Aiko

I'm at a bit of a loss about what exactly is going on here

Still on edge because of the creature Albert is watching, Rilas keeps his bow prepared. He glances towards the azata on the ground, "I realize that you do not know us, but I can assure you our intentions are good. Can you tell us what is going on here? More importantly do you know anything about the invisible demon watching us from the corner there?"

Ready action, if the demon creature makes any hostile acts or becomes visible, Rilas will full attack.

Guard that staff. We need to keep it away from both these beings until we straighten this out."

"What type of creature is this?"Aikio asks Valais. All I really need to know is "Does it burn?"

Savage and Razor take up hunting stances ready to pounce

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The Azata, while healed, is still very weak (not from HP), looks up and begins to try to stand, but does so feebly and not very stable. He answers, his voice haggard and filled with pain, but at the same time carrying a tone of care and serenity, "That creature is no demon, though it has, it seemed taken parts from demons. . ." as he first notices Valais, at first startling, but then he takes a moment to look at her more discerningly and seems unsure, as he continues "and seeks toe staff of damnation. It couldn't breach the wards, so it tried to force me to, but," he holds up his still intact arm, indicating the mutilated hand at the end of it, "I was unable to grasp it. He took my arm, hoping that he could reach through the barrier with it and take the staff himself. We must. . . cleanse it." he says weekly, as he begins to fall once again to the ground.

Both Rilas and Arianna seem unhindered by the Ward around the staff, that blackened, bleeding artifact planted in the middle of the circle. Having failed to assume control of Valais, the creature, still hidden from view except to Albert again begins to cast a spell, though again, he does not attack, or even move.

Valais, having shaken off the attempt to Dominate her, takes a step back and assumes a defensive stance before calling out to the party, "Be careful, it's trying to AWAKEN the DEMONS in me. I,. . . can not get closer, or . . ." she doesn't finish that sentence, instead holding up her asymmetrical clawed hands.

Arianna ()
Diri ()
Albert ()
Rilas ()
Winston ()
Turak ()
Aikio ()
Kasai ()
Savage ()
Razor ()
Laktharis (invis, 1d100, 01-50 = miss)

The confusion is sort of intentional, as no one really knows just what Laktharis, the Shattered God is, or much about his worship, though, from the horrors you have encountered here, it seems clear it is nothing good or benevolent. It's sort of funny, because the first healing attempt brought the Azata to exactly -1 HP, and he is there to help try to explain some, but can only say so much in "combat", and only knows a little of the story.

Tûrak drinks an extract of targeted bomb admixture, as keep his eyes wide open for the dangers around them.

Ongoing extracts: alter self; heightened awareness; false life; targeted bomb admixture; true strike.

Ongoing spells: good hope, haste.

Since Valais is no longer an active combatant, I've removed her from the roster, and also I shifted it so that everyone goes together.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 2 = 30

Don't try to grapple the creature, He's now under a freedom of movement spell !

Says Albert.

He tries to hurt a little bit the god by casting a spell.

SR: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Ear Piercing Scream (Fortitude for half and not daze 1 round): 2d6 ⇒ (1, 6) = 7

Cleanse?

"There is a plausibility of demonic or otherwise profane divine contamination that the ward is abjuring against ergo an attempt to sanctify the are may produce positive results with little to no chance of unfavorable consequences," Diri conjectures, casting consecrate.

Maybe it cuts off divine power, maybe it cleanses the area, right now, Diri and I are grabbing at straws.

"Alright, I've had enough of this demon watching us." Rilas unleashes a volley of arrows in the direction where Albert said the demon was hiding, hoping to force it to respond to the party at least.

Using silver blanched arrows, has Clustered Shots too.

Attack #1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 254d6 + 22 ⇒ (5, 5, 1, 2) + 22 = 35 +Holy: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 5, 3) = 19

Haste: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 312d6 + 11 ⇒ (4, 3) + 11 = 18 +Holy: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8

Rapid Shot: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 332d6 + 11 ⇒ (6, 6) + 11 = 23 +Holy: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9

Attack #2: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 282d6 + 11 ⇒ (5, 1) + 11 = 17 +Holy: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

Concealment rolls, high hits.
Attack #1: 1d2 ⇒ 2
Haste: 1d2 ⇒ 2
Rapid Shot: 1d2 ⇒ 2
Attack #2: 1d2 ⇒ 2

Wow. Ummm, oops?

"Diri, Albert, Aikio should I try to grab the staff or leave it alone?" She pulls out a vial of oil and pours it on her weapon.

Oil of Bless Weapon on my sword.

Leave it for now Ariana. This creature wants the staff and it has powerful wards to prevent it. Until we know more it would be reckless." The Tengu then looks to the space the creature should be. "If you are not a demon, then perhaps you will entreat with us? Tell us more about why you need this staff as we seek also a remedy for one of our own. Perhaps you can tell us of her dreams?" Without provocation, Aikio is not prepared for combat. though she does move.

Off the top of my head, Ill need to recheck when I get home and Ill let you know if I need to make a change, Two of the arrows clearly strike the far wall or ceiling, while the other two seem to just vanish, (Albert can see them hit and dig in, but also sees the wounds begin to seal and heal).

The creature screams in pain.

Also, just for the record, he is technically a Demon for most effects, but is also unique. Just wanted to be clear, when I had the Azata say he wasnt, its because he doesnt know just what it or Valais are.

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Still not talking with us? "Valais, are you ok with us taking this creature down?

"Very well, worms. I offered you a chance for greatness. I even led you, by the hand towards enlightenment, and this is how you repay me. Very well, other faithful are on the way that know their place."

He remains invisible, the creature (visible only to Albert), rushes towards Rilas, trying to grab his bow from him with the bronze-colored arm.

Invisible Improved Disarm vs CMD 21: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (4) + 24 = 28 <Disarms Bow>

Albert can see him grow visibly weaker as he grasps it, ripping it from Rilas's hands, and becoming visible to all as he makes the attack.

ROUND 4

Arianna ()
Diri ()
Albert ()
Rilas ()
Winston ()
Turak ()
Aikio ()
Kasai ()
Savage ()
Razor ()
Laktharis (invis, 1d100, 01-50 = miss)

Quick Question: Is it identifiable?

Regardless:

"Expediency and efficiency are the hallmark of successful combat operations."

Diri takes a step backward and (assuming it doesn't look like it can reach me) casts blessing of fervor on everyone save for herself and Winston. (This includes Valais.)

Diri, Knowledge checks are spoilered above.

Aikio would be happy to retrieve the staff, but not because someone tried to coerce her into it. "What kind of an offer is that? At least explain what it is for." Aiko casts a spell on Ariana and she bursts into flame. The flames turn blue then then die down to nothing more than a faint blue shimmer.
draconic reservoir on Ari, for cold protection.

Nibler will cast the held bull str on Razor.

Savage will charge and Pounce the now visible enemy

atk talon: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

atk talon : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

bite: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

dmg: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

dmg: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Razor will move to flank with rilas and smite the enemy

atk: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

dmg: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

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Quick Question: Is it identifiable?

@DM Beckett, can we make any knowledge check to identify the creature?