DM B's PFS PbP Serpent's Skull (Inactive)

Game Master Beckett

REF: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Jaggar moves slightly to avoid some of the acid spew... he then takes a 5ft step to his right and targets the black foe first...

GG1+PA+FF: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (15) + 21 = 36
DMG1: 1d10 + 22 ⇒ (7) + 22 = 29

GG2+PA: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
DMG2: 1d10 + 23 ⇒ (9) + 23 = 32

GG3+PA: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
DMG3: 1d10 + 23 ⇒ (10) + 23 = 33

Ewww, not again! Boots look out!

Without missing a beat on her tactical commands, Dora tries to guide Boots away from the spewathon.

Dora reflex,haste: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 15 + 1 = 19
Boots reflex,haste: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 1 = 13

Unfortunately the poor dog's nose guides it wrong and it runs smack into the vomit. This manages to barely block some acid from splashing on the halfling woman.

GM: it's a Alchemical Fire Focus so I believe it acts as someone hit with alchemical fire would. it was only on the first fireball btw.

reflect+1 for haste: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

Frag tries to dodge as much of it as he can REF: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 = 23 and succeeds HP 171/181

GM: it's a Alchemical Fire Focus so I believe it acts as someone hit with alchemical fire would. it was only on the first fireball btw.

It is as per the Alchemist's Fire item. If an Alchemist's Fire is used as an additional material component, it has an added effect. in the case of Fireball, "One target per caster level that fails its Reflex saving throw (your choice) catches on fire as if it has been struck by alchemist’s fire." For reference, see THIS

KULIK continues hurrying around the other way, past a trio of sarcophagi, to the other entrance into the room. He watches in satisfaction as Jaggar eviscerates Black with his glaive-guisarme, then focuses on the remaining dreadful things. He draws his bow, aiming at Purple expectantly. Rathen human flank!
Swift action to activate Greater Bane (undead)

Kulik moves in closer, readying a shot for when his allies heed his request. As he sets up, Jaggar, of the Greycloaks slashes, thrusts, and bashes with this polearm, trampling one of the flayed undead with relative ease, and continuing to make certain the job is done, though the Negative Energy fueling it's existence has fled.

ROUND 4 (+2 Att/Dmg)

Rathen (-7)
Begus (-23)
Corpse PURPLE (-60)
Kulik (-8) <2 Neg Levels>
Jaggar (-10)
Dora (-10)
Boots (-21)
Frag[/b] (-10)

Just a heads up that you won't see new posts.

Oh wow. I did not realize the new posts were not showing!

Dora continues her song as Boots backs up.

She levels her lance at the remaining undead and stabs at it a few times, imbuing it with arcane energy.

How exciting, I do not get to do this very often...ages it has been...

Dora MW lance, haste, bard: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 14 + 1 + 2 = 22
for dmg,arcane, bard: 1d6 + 4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 + 2 = 14

Dora MW lance, haste, bard: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 14 + 1 + 2 = 28
for dmg,arcane, bard: 1d6 + 4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 + 2 = 9

Dora MW lance, haste, bard: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 1 + 2 = 30
for dmg,arcane bard: 1d6 + 4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 + 2 = 10

See Boots, I still have the hang of it...well mostly.

Between Dora, Boots, Frag, and Kulik, the last fleshless thing goes down, this time permanently. With no further threats within the cistern vault, you are able to explore and study at your leisure.

In the room that lay beyond the now dead Zombified tigers is a domed cistern chamber contains a single open sarcophagus lying on the floor. Its lid has been pushed aside, revealing a shriveled body lying within. He is naked save for the leopardskin breechclout he wears, and his dried, ebony skin has been crudely marked with the bones of a human skeletal system in ash-white paint, his face a painted skull mask. He still clutches the bone dagger with which he ended his life.

From what you can gather from various scraps of what seemed to have been a religious text throughout the room, it seems that a Zombie Cult had discovered the vault and apprehended it as a hidden temple with which they could conduct their unholy rites, ultimately hoping to return as Undead. You suspect that they slowly fell afoul of the odd spoors in the northern chamber, slowly being driven mad and paranoid, and ultimately slaughter the other member of their own cult following. Rather than return as zombies, four of those members instead returned as Specters, who have been trapped down here the entire time, unable to venture far for fear of the sun's rays rendering them powerless. <PS, no one made that Religion check, but I'd tried to insinuate that they where for some reason sticking to the shadows here, refusing to enter the middle of the room, where sunlight was pouring in. They literally could not leave the room for outside. :P >

Apparently, this cult leader intended this chamber to serve as his abode after his transformation into a heightened undead state—lichdom, for instance—but he only succeeded in killing himself, not in returning from death. With his death, but not return, it seems the Zombie Cult had ended, and leaving a few zombies behind with no direction, and four Specters with no one to vent their fury upon.

I didn't really expect this to go this way, but it was interesting. To avoid confusion of where everything was located, since it doesn't really matter much, I'm just going to list everything you found in total.

1.) +1 shotel (3) An odd sword like a scimitar, but it's blade is reversed, arcing forward which helps it bypass shields.
2.) darts (30)

Taking a good 10 minutes to search the area, take some time to heal up as needed, and start to research and or record what you have found, as well as opening up and peaking into all of the coffins, sarcophagi, boxes, etc. . . throughout the area, you stumble upon one coffin that contains something very, . . . unusual.

Perhaps an incubation chamber for something foul, within the coffin is literally a pool of blood, with small scraps of flesh and gore floating within. Laying within the pool, is another flayed corpse, it's skin entirely removed to reveal the muscles and flesh beneath, all seeping (and perhaps absorbing) blood. While it doe snot breath, the body does occasionally twitch, as if in a dreaming state. While similar to the pair of skinned undead you recently fought, this one is clearly different. It has prominent fangs, and it's hands form savage claws. He wears little, only a sort of skirt common to the Osirion nation of those common amongst the Mwangi peoples, a tribal necklace of some sort made from small bones tied to a bit of twine, a pair of slightly glowing bracers upon his wrists, and a pair of very fine rings.

Does anyone even have the chance of making a Know Religion DC 32 to ID a creature?

Frag certainly does not :-)

"The depravity of man knows no limits. While aesthetic, those weapons awaken no desire in me."

Frag looks about a bit more, "I understand the need for notes and observations, and I know that is not my strength. When ready, I am ready."

Ready to advance. Frag will be first behind Rathen.

Dora could hit the D.C. 32 I believe by using loremaster while singing to inspire and guidance t20+8+3+1=32 but only if she suspects this is super important .

Dora will dismount Boots and have him sit in a corner, out of the way so she can study.

Well this last bloody creature is indeed an enigma. I have to concentrate to see what I can remember, if anything about it.

On trident spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
On dagger spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Take care with that dagger, as it has a nasty edge.

She will prepare to use her daily Lore Master with buffs unless someone else has more specialized knowledge of the creature.

"I echo the words of the burly man as well. I am ready to press on after you book folk are ready to go."

Dora, I think you're the only one that has a chance with that Knowledge Religion check. Go for it if you like, otherwise we'll just move on.

"Take your time. I think we want to know about this mystery. Though we do have another room to the south to check, so if this comes up empty we can move on," Rathen sheathes his blades. With an impassive shrug he adds, "Despite the danger, this place seems very small. Deceptively so. I'm not sure I believe it."

Begus can take ten on the Spellcraft for 40 and then shares what he knows about both items

Begus takes a quick look at the two item's auras and knows exactly what they are."I agree with Dora's observation of the dagger. Its magic can cause an wound it causes to bleed for a rather long time. The trident is another matter all together. It's meant to be thrown and return to the wielder." He pauses for a moment, "The most dangerous magic on this weapon it that is was made to defeat humanoid creatures, most creatures with two arms, two legs and look like all of us."

"Does that include the short ones as well...?... HA!H!HA!" Jaggar says aloud and laughs at his own joke oblivious to the fact no one else laughs with him.

Do we have a direction we can go, and are we ready?

ready! and lead the way :-)

Dora could hit the D.C. 32 I believe by using loremaster while singing to inspire and guidance t20+8+3+1=32 but only if she suspects this is super important .

It's to ID a monster, so I can't really tell you how important it is. It could be, but it's sort of subjective.

AS you speak, suddenly the creature's eyes flutter open. He looks about in a bit of a stupor, but then sits up within the coffin. It eyes you all over quickly, uncertain just what is going on, whether it is in danger, and waiting to see what will happen next.

Currently you are all essentially surrounding it. You might expect the thing to be in severe pain from it's wounds, not a single bit of skin remains on it's body, revealing the musculature beneath, but it doesn't seem to be.

It speaks, uttering a single phrase in a very thick, if archaic Mwangi accent. . . "Poukisa nou detounen rès mwen an?"

From the back, Juliver whispers in the Pathfinder cant all agents are instructed in, "I-way understand-way. anslate-Tray eed-nay ou-yay?" <So, apparently Google has a Pig Latin Translator too!!!>

Bardic Knowledge (Religion) Aid Another: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17 <That's a +2 if anyone wants to give it a try.>

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (8) + 26 = 34
KULIK regards the creature silently. He cocks his head to one side, staring at it, and concentrates a moment.
At-will detect alignment.

Ok, since we seemed to be at an end of the road, she will/would burn the loremaster and ID the creature....although now it may be moot if we can ask it, or kill it :-)

Whoa! It is alive...of sorts.

Dora looks back to Juliver You know what is says?

Begus recognizes the language and tries to be diplomatic, "We did not intend to disturb you. We were attacked and simply defending ourselves."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (17) + 17 = 34

Rathen watches the interaction in Polyglot between Begus and the dead man, wary. He's unfamiliar with the language.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

The situation is foreign to him, so he simply stays on guard.

"This is odd..."

"Everything here is odd Jaggar."

The beast responds, now speaking a heavily accented Taldan, "Defending yourselves?" as it looks about questionably, as only your party stands about, encircling the skinned man. "And what is it you wish of me, might I ask?"

Dora shudders slightly as she recalls a bit of myth describing such a creature.

"Being researchers, We may, for starters, have questions for you, such as your name, how and when you came to rest in this place and your relationship to the other denizens entombed here ."

Diplomacy aid : 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19 to Begus's attempt

Begus,noticing that he's not dead yet, continues with his conversions. His curiosity is peaked and he starts to speak a bit quicker than usual. "Yes, who are you? I'm Begus of the Pathfinder Society. What are you? How long have you need dead?"

Jaggar tenses up wondering if this creature will fight them...

Jeeze, I'm not sure if it's just my phone and internet or if this site is still having issues, but I've been having trouble getting on all day.

The creature continues to eye you all with a mixture of cunning suspicion and,. . . perhaps hunger, but then responds, "My name is Gbala, an outcast from Bonuwat and my own people. I came here seeking solitude. I stumbled upon this place after being driven from my home. The inhabitants where,. . . impotent to harm me, though I think you might not be so fortunate once they return. Tell me, my captors, what are your intentions?"

Knowing from myth what type of creature they face, Dora will ask it...

What would cause your νυκτερίδα Вампір people to cast you out? And who are the inhabitants you say may return?

She intentionally uses the Orisani & goblinoid words for vampire to try to share with a few of her friends.

Perception: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (9) + 25 = 34
LOL

KULIK steps back, reeling from the impact of his SLA. An audible growl emits from his throat as he fumbles for the bow on his back. He pauses a moment as Dora steps up and continues to talk to the creature. The half-orc's eyes go wide. Dora gnome person must not feel the darkness in this. How can I warn her...?

Perception: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (20) + 29 = 49

Rathen catches the subtle movement. He's familiar with items that require a clicking of the heels. "It's preparing for a fight, and just activated some magic."

To the creature he says, "We really don't want to fight you, but we will if you make us. And you won't like the result."

perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (16) + 23 = 39

Begus senses the change in the thing and does a quick spellcraft check
(he takes 10 per his class ability for a 40).
once he knows what's going on he can plan a counter to it

Perception: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (8) + 19 = 27 Frag simply looks on, waiting for the more silver-tongued conduct their own battle.

At Rathen's words the slightest upwards tick in the left of Frag's mouth presages a smile.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13 Does Frag get the hunch that he's looking for a fight?

As far as you can tell, the νυκτερίδα Вампір just activated it's boots, which seem to have suddenly sped it up, although it is attempting to mask the burst of speed. It also doesn't seem to believe you that you are not intending to fight or capture it, but surrounded and in such a poor position, it's instinct for Fight or Flight seems to be kicking in, despite your words.

ROUND 1 ???

Kulik ()
Dora ()
Dora's Pet Boots ()
Begus ()
Rathen ()
Gbala the Vampire ()
Jaggar ()
Frag ()

I guess this post didn't take earlier, as I was starting to wonder why no one was posting. I apologize, but it seems almost all the games I'm in or running have been very slowed this last week.

Not exactly where the creature is, but Dora will move to avoid Aoo before casting

Dora says Not so fast, mister!

She has Boots step back/away (if needed) and casts haste upon the party before starting an inspirational song.

Hey Hey, do the zombie stomp! Frag, Kulik, Jaggar...into position, quickly!!!

+1 from Haste, +2/+2 from bard song, swift tactics...if flanking add +1d6 precision damage.

oops, added.

The boards have been extra bad this past week.

Not one for waiting, Rathen moves in and cuts at the creature with a magical adamantine gladius.
Attack w/Haste, Inspire, and Headband: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (3) + 23 = 26
Damage: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Sneak Attack: 6d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 5, 3, 2, 1) = 17
Swift Tactics: 1d6 ⇒ 4

With haste already on the group, Begus focuses on damaging this thing. The close quarters limits his options so he goes with one of his favorite spells: 5 magical darts erupt for the gnomes finger tips and strikes the target.
damage: 5d4 + 9 ⇒ (1, 1, 3, 1, 1) + 9 = 16
spell pen if needed: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32

Jaggar curses his luck for finding himself in confined space for his polearm and tries to hit the foe...

GG1+PA+FF: 1d20 + 21 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 21 - 4 = 36
DMG1: 1d10 + 22 ⇒ (9) + 22 = 31

KULIK dimensionally hops to the other side of Dora and activates his bane ability vs. undead, then gets off a single shot.

Point Blank/Precise Shot, Coordinated Shot, Friendly Fire Maneuvers, grwater bane, bard song, haste, Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 19 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (15) + 19 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 3 = 38
dmg: 1d8 + 17 + 4d6 ⇒ (4) + 17 + (1, 3, 4, 4) = 33 plus holy: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5

This weekend I'm going to really dig in and get this one going. I've been so busy, I feel bad not really giving you the epic game you all deserve, but, hopefully, this will be a really good junction point to have me kick me in the butt.

No worries, and sounds good to me!

The vampire simply can not stand against the sheer death you carry in your hands and explodes into a burst of fog, but, as you have encountered it in it's crypt, it has no where to flee to and quickly perishes to the inevitable sun's rays.

All that is left is a pair of magical Boots of Speed, although their magic has been expended this day, a set of Bracers of Armor +4, a Ring of Improved Jumping, and a Ring of Protection +2.

As you lay waste to the blood filled coffin, however, you discover something else of great interest. Hidden below the blood pool you find a sealed water proof bag, (and apparently bloodproof as well). Within you find a mwk battleaxe, a +2 Chain shirt, 85gp and 320sp of old, but not ancient Mwangi coins, and nine strange blue crystals. These blue crystals seem to have been shaped with what seems a scaled design, but otherwise have a diamond shape.

Juliver, upon sees them seems to struggle with her memories for a moment, "I've seen those before. Well, not those crystals, but the blue material they where made of. I remember a portal of some sort. The very veins of the stone walls had this crystal running through it almost like vines hanging from the walls."

"I remember travelling through it and the crystals we had used, just testing them out for the good of the Society, I remembering them shattering, but we still made it through. I'm not sure to where, but,. . . that is where we encountered some sort of undead Serpentfolk. The snakes have been hounding me ever since, but, . . . you have ot understand I hadn't seen one before then. No one had. They where just rumors and legends to scare children. But, I think we awoke it, and it must be awaking more of it's kind."

"That thing, it cast a spell of some sort on me. I'm not sure, I couldn't make out even what language it spoke in hissed voices, but I suddenly felt my mind go. I felt like I had the mind of a small child. I couldn't understand anything. I went mad. I didn't know what was good or bad, or harmful, or who I was, or what had happened."

"The Society managed to cure me, but I still don't even know what all happened around then. How I managed to escape, to survive. To even make it back."

You continue to search the area for any further paths or anything you might have missed, but are confident that there is nothing further to find here, you have no other choice but to return to the Lodge and regroup, rest, and make plans for your next journey.

You have some time to rest, if anyone wants to swap out spells, fully heal, etc. . . I'm assuming just a day, but you can take longer if you wish to.

"I take it you book-folk need to spend some time re-learning stuff you already know. I guess this is a good a place as any to sit and rest. I can take first watch while you alls read."