DM B's PFS PbP Game Day 3: S0-13 The Prince of Augustana (Inactive)

Game Master Beckett

Looks like I missed that in the editing.

It doesn't take long to finish Randalan off for good, once more removing the leadership of these Steel Wyverns, this time likely ending their "reign" of terror forever. The Almsman, now able to continue his duties below without their threat thanks you, and as agreed, shows you the way you seek.

The Almsman’s directions lead to a heavy wooden door. A sign on the door is partially obscured by grime and moss, and the word “Skytower” is still barely legible. The door is sturdy, despite it's age, but is unlocked.

This room was once the basement of a building above, but the stairs in the far corner are now choked with charred rubble and seem to lead to a new stone foundation of the new building above. Odd furniture and knick-knacks of all description fill the remaining space, and strange winged effigies made of wood and broken pottery are arrayed in a bizarre diorama. The focal point of this display is a pair of chairs standing on different-sized piles of old crates like thrones on a dais.
A charred and shriveled corpse dressed in rotting and burnt finery and wearing a tin crown is propped up in one of the chairs while the other, lower chair, sits vacant.

I'll update the map tomorrow. It's the last act and last map, so if you have not already, please recheck the info in the Discussion thread for reporting to make sure it's all correct.

the King and the missing prince?

Does “Skytower” mean anything useful to Mors?
Know: Local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Mors grunts an acknowledgement to Mahd’s observation. He stands in the dark basement, fingers running along the coiled length of the whip he’d taken from Randalan’s body before leaving the dead thug leader in the Almsman’s custody.

Adding ‘whip’ to temporary inventory. I’ll buy one at the end of this module in order to keep it permanently. :)

”It’s a good guess.” He shakes his head, ”What gets me is how much of that crack-pot’s story is actually checking out so far.” He hikes a thumb back down to the sewer water. ”Dark river. Almsman’s Sanctuary. Bridge planks.”

He looks around the eery, ramshackle room. ”All we need now’s a portal to the otherworld and some dark, demon assassins.”

He walks a slow circuit of the room, looking for any useful details, ending next to the two ‘thrones’ .. where he bends down, resting hands to knees to look the tin-crowned corpse in the eye sockets.

"Who the hells are you, dead man?"

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

heal: -1 + 1d20 ⇒ -1 + (15) = 14 to find out the cause of death for the dead man.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Retty surveys the room for anything meaningful.

Know Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Then he turns to the Almsman.

"I don't understand, is there some necromantic power at work here that raised the prince from a similar state as the other corpse, did this used to be their throne room, or is there something else at play here?"

Diplomacy to coax more information: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Wait ... is the Almsman with us? I thought he just gave us directions.

Yes, the Almsman just gave directions, and honestly knows very little about this.

The tin crown bears a crude inscription that reads “Emperor Relios.” Gandros placed him in this seat of honor and built a faerie court from what materials he could find to give life to his delusions. Amidst the furniture is a desk with several log books and journals.

Most of them detail the day-to-day transactions of the Emporium, but one is Relios’s personal journal. It details the goings on of many of his wealthy clients, as well as Relios’s personal life including the details of his ancestry and his son’s birth. One of the last ledgers mentions that Relios was falling on hard times and intended to sell his wayfinder back to the Pathfinder Society. The ledgers also show that Relios was selling a steady stream of yellowcap mushrooms to members of the pre-revolution high society in Augustana.

The next rooms are vaults lined with shelves thick with growing yellowcap mushrooms. More faerie effigies hide among the mushrooms, and on the very back wall, Gandros has painted a portal, a large circle of swirling color patterns. On the floor lies an open and empty scroll case next to a slightly charred, blank piece of parchment.

Can I also get a single Perception check as well.

"Guys, it's a used scroll."

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

"Huh ... my gold's on it bein' some kinda summoning spell. Any takers?"

His black eyes squeeze to slits as he looks suspiciously around, and he casually unsheathes the long blade from his back. "And if that's the case ..."

He doesn't finish the thought. Instead, he focuses for a few seconds and a pale white vapor begins drifting up off his long blade.

While I didn't hit the DC for those spoilers, I'm thinking we still have whatever he summoned in this room. That being the case...

Activating Blessing: Holy Strike (assuming he's not interrupted). Duration, 1 minute.
Sniff, sniff ... I hear an initiative check coming on. >:D

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Perception 1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Perception 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Kn(Nature): 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 7 + (1) = 25

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9     +1 more vs. traps

Thaddeus recognizes the Yellowcaps, but says nothing - focusing instead on the journals and their contents. Mors hypothesis raises the hairs on his neck, and he grips his spear a little tighter.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Retty draws his rapier and dagger.

perception: 3 + 1d20 ⇒ 3 + (12) = 15

In response to Retty pulling out his weapons, I pull out my Starknife and look around.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

After a few seconds of quiet, Mors raises his voice. "Anyone here? Come out!"

He repeats the booming question in orc and abyssal, then looks at the group with a shrug.

I was actually waiting to see if Retty, who it looked was the only one to notice anything, was going to mention it to anyone else. :)

As the other begin to arm themselves for danger, and call out the unseen and unknown enemy, Retty and Mandower move into the far room and kick open the door.

SURPRIZE ROUND:
Mandower and Retty

ROUND 1
Mandower ()
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Demon 1 (), Demon 2 (), Demon 3 (), & Demon 4 ()
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Leb (), Mahd (), Retty (), Thaddeus (), and Mors ()

New (and final) Map is up.

Mandower will rage as a free action and swing hit: 6 + 1d20 ⇒ 6 + (11) = 17 did not apply any penalties for swinging around corner

dmg: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 3) + 7 = 13 blunt damage on number 2 as he swings areound the corner

I'm sorry, I thought we were waiting on the reveal of a different perception check.

Retty turns to the rest of the group, "Little help over here. Watch out though, they smell like sulfur..."

Retty makes an attack on Demon 2 with his main hand rapier.

attack, accounting for for cover: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Weapon Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Sneak Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Crit Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

That was all with cold iron.
In case Mandowar had already taken out 2 can we say I threw my cold iron dagger at 3?

Would be the same bonuses but 2d3+4 weapon damage with the crit.

"Get some"

After a few seconds of quiet, Mors raises his voice. "Anyone here? Come out!"

Mors, that never works in horror films...

"Ready yourselves!"

Retty Confirmation Roll: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16 <CRIT!!!>

With their <powers> combined, Mandowr and Retty manage to slay one of the beasts where it stands before it can react. Mandower with brute power, most of which doesn't seem to be very effective, and Retty with grace and finesse, actually doing the brunt of the dirty work.

As it's lifeless body hits the hard ground, it quickly begins to fade away, as if being filtered out of existence. Outsiders like this, when "killed", typically begin to vanish, their "souls" very different tan a mortal's and actually comprised mainly of the literal aligned and ethical forced made physical of the home realm they come from. Within moments, it is gone completely, though there are three other demons now very angry and seeking your blood.

ROUND 1
Mandower ()
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Demon 1 (), Demon 3 (), & Demon 4 ()
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Leb (), Mahd (), Retty (), Thaddeus (), & Mors ()

I'm not blocking path, so I move as indicated and ready attack when one of them steps in my reach hit: 4 + 1d20 ⇒ 4 + (18) = 22
dmg: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 2) + 4 = 11 blunt damage.

After cutting one down entirely, Mandower makes ready to attack the next as it comes through. In fact, all three break through, charging out into the next room in a bloodthirsty attack, but not a single one so much as draws that blood they so crave.

Demon 1 vs Thaddues (AC 17): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 <miss>
Demon 3 vs Mandower (AC 15): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 <miss>
Demon 4 vs Retty (AC 17): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15 <miss>

ROUND 1
Mandower ()
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Demon 1 (-6), Demon 3 (), & Demon 4 ()
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Leb (), Mahd (), Retty (), Thaddeus (), & Mors ()

After admiring the way his cold iron weapons pierce through the first demon's flesh, he swings both at demon 4.

Rapier: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 for Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Dagger: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 for Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Assuming Thadd steps back to use his longspear...

Mors steps in, every footstep clanging heavily as he closes on the hideous creature. He brings his blade down in a clumsy but brutal two-handed strike.

Step up in front of Demon 1 (can someone update Mors's position; I'm on my phone again)
Then 2-handed strike (blade is cold iron, treated as Good, and deals an extra 1d6 to evil creatures)
cold iron bastard sword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
damage: 1d10 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (9) + 6 + (5) = 20

As a swift action I charge my staff. Then I take a five foot step and roll through demon #1 and #3. Then I attack demon #3.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Starknife: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 131d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Sorry for the delay...

Stabbing furiously at the oncoming creatures, Thad steps back in a practiced manner, making room for Mors to move to the fore.

5' Step north

AOO on #1 Attack on #3, Cold Iron Longspear: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Attack on #3, Cold Iron Longspear: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Edit: Sorry, missed that I didn't get an AOO

Mandower will continue raging and swing at number 3. hit: 6 + 1d20 ⇒ 6 + (6) = 12
dmg: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 6) + 7 = 18 by the way, I forgot I was raging, and still should have been raging, which means my ac was 13 last time, but still a miss.

LEEEEEEEEEB! :D

Sorry, I thought I posted last night.

Leb hurls a bomb at one of the demons. "Ah, not sure this is useful, but I don't know what to do," he says.
Targeting demon #1. I have Precise Bombs and a +3 Int bonus, so I can exclude all my allies from the splash damage.

ranged touch: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 fire damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 = 8

[ooc]5 splash, Reflex DC 14 halves on demon 3.

Leb begins quickly mixing a variety of liquids as they seem to boil over the beaker, sending odd fumes into the air, then just before it self-destructs, hurls it at the enemy. It is enough for Mahd to tumble past, and stab the little bastard from behind though. Retty tries his luck once again and finds it is with him, but after landing a solid blow with his dagger, finds it did nothing, (though now he has a partner for next time.

Mors steps up and cuts one of the demons in two, sending it two whatever oblivion awaits their kind and Mandower attempts the same, but just misses at the last moment.

Finally able to stand toe-to-toe, the remaining demons go all out. One steps towards Mors exclusively, while the other split focus between Retty and Mahd.

Attack Mors (AC 13): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 <HIT>
Claw Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Attack Mors (AC 13): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 <HIT>
Cla Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Attack Mors (AC 13): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 <HIT>
Bite Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Attack Mahd (AC 16): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 <miss>
Attack Mahd (AC 16): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 <miss>
Attack Retty (AC 17): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 <miss>

ROUND 2

Demon 3 (-6) & Demon 4 ()
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Leb (), Mahd (), Retty (), Thaddeus (), Mors (-12), and Mandower

Mors AC is 18; not 13, unless I'm missing something. I'll knock 7 damage off since that first one should have missed. Let me know if I have it wrong.

Mors growls out at the demon's flurry, but somehow remains on his feet.

"MY TURN!" he roars as he reverses his blade's momentum and hacks viciously once more, still trying to splatter the cellar walls with the creature's thick, demonic blood.

Attack Demon 3 (weapon is cold iron and Good; deals extra 1d6)
If the demon drops, Mors will step again into combat (south of Mandower; east of Mahd)
cold iron bastard sword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
damage: 1d10 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (9) + 6 + (5) = 20

Conditions/Effects: Holy Strike (rd 3 of 10)

Huh ... same rolls on back-to-back attacks. We have a statistician in the house?

"Two down, two to go."

I attack demon #4. Me and Retty have flanking.

Starknife: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 211d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

My mistake, sorry.

ROUND 2

Demon 4 (-1)
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Leb (), Mahd (), Retty (), Thaddeus (), Mors (-7), and Mandower

No problem. You're tracking a bunch of folks and numbers at one time. It happens. I was just concerned that I'd missed getting hit by a debuff or something. :)

Retty yells over the din of battle, "This one's mine!"

Cold Iron Rapier: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 2 = 11 for Damage: 1d4 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + (4) + 1 = 8

Cold Iron Dagger: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 2 = 25 for Damage: 1d3 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + (3) + 1 = 5

Demon 4 that is.

Thaddeus steps behind Mors, and jabs past his friend at the jabbering beast beyond.

5' Step, attack #3
Cold Iron Longspear Attack(through cover): 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 2 - 4 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Leb mixes another vial of chemicals, and lobs it at the demon in front of Mors.

ranged touch: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 fire damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 6) + 4 = 14

Aiming for demon 3 and excluding Mandower and Mors from the splash damage.

Mandower will strike number 4 with his continous rage hit: 6 + 1d20 ⇒ 6 + (9) = 15
dmg: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 1) + 7 = 10

"Bring the pain."

Starknife: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 2 = 221d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Psst .. Mahd, you've already gone in round 2, right?

Ya, but Mandower ends round 2, and I'm next after Leb. Further

more Leb can't get to #4 without going through #3.

Right, but I believe both of you are after the Demon. It may end up being moot, depending on what it does, I guess

I mean, obviously it's best tactical choice is to slit its own throat while extolling our collective Pathfinder-y awesomeness. :D

EDIT: And unless I'm wrong, Demon 3 just got exsplatterated (he's just not been removed from the map, yet).

Coppering and Silvering the Dretch, you manage to quickly overpower it, sending too, back to the Abyss, a punishment far beyond anything you can imagine.

Inside the room, you find a Brooch of Shielding, a Potion of Enlarge Person, a Screaming Bolt, a Wand of Shocking Grasp, and a gold necklace. With your mission complete, you return to the Society, reporting in.

Having made it is safe for Gandros to return home, which he wishes to do. He is firmly entrenched in his delusions regardless of what you have done, attributing a multitude of otherworldly and fantastic aspects to your tale. He magnanimously grants you a boon, allowing you to keep anything you have found from among the remains of the Emporium
basement.

After deciding that "the Prince of Augustana" is nothing more than self-drugged lunatic, you decide to have him placed in an asylum, but later find that he has adjusted rather well within his own delusions, and simply christens the new place “his new royal palace”, causing the various priests and attendants no end of grief and frustration.

Venture-Captain Alissa Moldreserva is more relieved than disappointed that there is no otherworldly portal in the sewers, but mostly self-satisfied that the whole thing was a waste of her time as she predicted. Regardless, she promises to report the incident up, thus spreading a portion of your glory and aptitude. While it will not make the notorious Pathfinder Chronicles, bits of your endeavors are spread through the rest of the Society.

Your duty complete, your mission reported, you return to the place you use to rest, perhaps with a bit of company to warm you for the night but that little bit of rest can not last, for there is always a new mission, just waiting to disturb your well earned rest. . .