DM Carbide's PFS#8-07: From the Tome of Righteous Repose (Inactive)

Game Master John Woodford

Aldebert walks alongside Chaul and keeps an eye out for any new surprises.

"Hmm. A tangible benefit of removing this desecration. Quite unusual" he mumbles to himself as the waters are purged of their unholy powers. "Should we attempt to return the restless dead to a more restful state? Or shall we explore more?"

Pardon me GM, but I'm not 100% sure what areas we have not yet explored. Could you label them? Thanks!

"Given how dangerous they are, I suggest we try to put the haunt to rest after the rest of the exploration, but before we enact the ritual" suggests the priest.

He points to the south east. "We have yet to explore in there. And the room beyond the haunt is also unexplored. Let us try the south-east first, and then see if we can get into the haunts room from the other side without alerting it. If we act fast we may be able to put it to rest before it is able to hurt anyone."

I put an arrow on the map showing the other unexplored area.

A short flight of stairs leads down to what is apparently a library of some sort.

What's your order going in?

Kel can take first or second

I'll go first. High Touch AC seems to be the winner here.

Jeb enters the room, followed closely by Kel and the others. There are symbols etched into the walls at seemingly random intervals; Jeb and Kel don't recognize the languages, but the rest of the party identifies them as Draconic and Celestial, with no particularly apparent meaning. An unadorned stone table stands in the east end of the room. Shelves worked into the walls are full of old books, many of which have succumbed to the ravages of time.

Jeb catches a glimpse of movement to the east as he enters, and so is ready when a strange creature, indistinct in outline but nightmarish in shape, appears!

Surprise round:

Initiative order
Jeb
Foe

Jeb can take a surprise round action!

Jeb, being the sort of feller who prefers acting to thinking, fires!
Pistolero!: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 12 + 2 = 26 for 1d8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 1 = 11 damage!

Jeb hits the creature squarely, but his bullet goes through it leaving only a slight disturbance on its surface. It glares at the gunslinger, who feels his hold on sanity begin to slip. Most of the rest of the party likewise feel disoriented.

Everyone except Aldebert, DC 19 Will save or confused.

Round 1:

Initiative order
Jeb
Alektara
Kel
Aldebert
Enemy
Celidrian
Chaul

Jeb, Alektara, Kel, and Aldebert can act!

Enemy: AC 20 T 20 FF 15 -5 HP

Will Save, Charmed Life: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 2 = 21

Kel moves forward, and stabs at the thing with his rapier while quipping sarcastically
Oh look mates. More ghost-y stuff. I'm so surprised. No really, I am.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

Confirm Critical: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Extra Crit Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Kel--unfortunately, without a ghost touch weapon, you can't crit an incorporeal creature, nor do you get your precise strike bonus to damage.

Round 1 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Jeb
Alektara
Kel-acted
Aldebert
Enemy
Celidrian
Chaul

Kel hits what would normally be a vital spot on the creature, but its lack of cohesion makes it difficult to tell.

Enemy: AC 20 T 20 FF 15 -10 HP

Yep. I forgot about that. I don't usually run into too many incorporeal with this guy.

And after this, you'd prefer not to run into too many more, right?

apologies- had some sit down games to run and play this weekend

WIL vs DC 19: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 and Alektara is confused...

%: 1d100 ⇒ 21 lucky...

but before she loses her senses she rushes in ...

Planes: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

and has no clue what it is...

but strikes anyway...

ECB1+PA: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24...DMG: 1d10 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

So close.

Confusion %: 1d100 ⇒ 72

Jeb whacks himself in the head with his pistol. 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 damage!

will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Will roll confusion % on my turn.

"What is going on now? Callistria's bare buttocks, is there ever a moment of peace in this tomb?" shouts Aldebert, absolutely miffed by the racket that now erupts from the room Jeb has just entered. "Oh please, my clothing-hampered friend" he comments as Jeb punches himself in the face, "there is no need for that sort of contrition. I'm sure your alchemy is an expensive affair. It is ... perfectly... DEAR GODS! A MINIATURE HORSELING! NO NEED TO HIT YOURSELF AGAIN, YOU AREN'T DREAMING. A PERFECT ADDITION TO MY HUNTING GALLERY!"

Mathilda, strike, DA, PBS: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 13 - 2 + 1 = 17
Damage: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 = 11

"NO WORRIES MY EQUAN FRIEND! I AM A FLETCHER'S BEST CUSTOMER!" he howls lustily, having missed once again.

Round 2 (ongoing; rearranged):

Initiative order
Enemy
Celidrian
Chaul
Jeb-
Alektara-
Kel-
Aldebert

Jeb is driven to self-destruction by the creature's spell! Alektara keeps control of herself and rushes forward, slicing at the thing and roiling its peculiar substance. Aldebert is unable to get a clear shot at it, his crossbow bolt sailing overhead. Then it reaches out with an appendage that shifts disconcertingly as it moves, touching Alektara and filling her confused mind with images of terror. Take 31 HP negative energy damage, plus DC 21 Will save or two points WIS drain, fatigued, and cursed.

Celidrian and Chaul up, then everyone else can act again!

Enemy: AC 20 T 20 FF 15 -19 HP

confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 56
"Chaul, you know what these are. You know it. Think man!"

He smashes himself in the face with his scimitar.

damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Kel stabs again, seeing how hard the thing hit Alektara.
Fall back if you need to! I can stand firm here!

Move Action to cast Shadow Clone
Mirror Image: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Round 2 (ongoing; rearranged):

Initiative order
Enemy-acted
Celidrian-
Chaul-acted
Jeb-
Alektara-
Kel-acted
Aldebert-

Confused, Chaul bludgeons himself. Kel calls forth shadowy cover for himself and stabs at the creature, but his blade is deflected by an unseen force and he misses.

Celidrian, Jeb, Alektara, and Aldebert can act!

Enemy: AC 20 T 20 FF 15 -19 HP

Confusion!: 1d100 ⇒ 64

I hurt myself today...: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 damage to self.

thanks for the reminder Jeb

WIL vs DC 21: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

ECB1+PA: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14...DMG: 1d10 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

ECB2+PA: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16...DMG: 1d10 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

39/60 health

Alektara, he attacked you so on your turn you automatically attack him, no roll required.

Round 2 (ongoing; rearranged):

Initiative order
Enemy-acted
Celidrian-
Chaul-acted
Jeb-acted
Alektara-acted
Kel-acted
Aldebert-

Jeb continues to pummel himself. Alektara slashes twice at the enemy, but something impedes her blows and she misses both times.

Cel and Aldebert are up!

know planes dc 18: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 8 + (3) = 17 sad :(

"I don't know what it is, but I'm sure force will work" Celidrian casts magic missile and 3 missiles shoot off into the incorporeal being.

mm dmg: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2, 2) + 3 = 10

Give me a spell penetration check, Cel.

-Posted with Wayfinder

spell penetration: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 4 = 21

Round 2 (ongoing; rearranged):

Initiative order
Enemy-acted
Celidrian-acted
Chaul-acted
Jeb-acted
Alektara-acted
Kel-acted
Aldebert-

Celidrian's force missiles tear into the creature!

Aldebert, take your shot(s)!

Enemy: AC 20 T 20 FF 15 -29 HP

"IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT IT IS, SO LONG AS IT CAN DIE!!" clamors Aldebert with gusto.

Mathilda, strike #1, RS, DA, PBS: 1d20 + 13 - 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 13 - 2 - 2 + 1 = 30
Damage: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9
Mathilda, strike #2, RS, DA, PBS: 1d20 + 13 - 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 13 - 2 - 2 + 1 = 26
Damage: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13
Mathilda, strike #3, RS, DA, PBS: 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 - 2 - 2 + 1 = 16
Damage: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 = 11
Mathilda, strike #1, RS, DA, PBS (Confirmation): 1d20 + 13 - 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 13 - 2 - 2 + 1 = 16
Damage: 2d10 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (10, 1) + 12 + 2 = 25

In case it matters, all of Aldebert's shots are cold iron. At 2 gp a stack instead of 1, Aldebert has learned to shoulder the outrageous extra cost.

Two of Aldebert's three extremely expensive shots tear through the creature.

Round 3 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Enemy-acted
Celidrian
Chaul
Jeb-
Alektara-
Kel-
Aldebert

With Alektara missing it, the thing turns its attention to Kel. An everchanging limb lashes out...and disperses one of the shadow clones.

Party up! Since it didn't attack Alektara she has to roll for confusion effects this round.

Enemy: AC 20 T 20 FF 15 -39 HP

Confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 57

The needle tears a hole...: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

HP 47/59

Jeb hits himself again in the head, hating this damnable thing.

Just remembered that Celidrian didn't roll a save vs. the confusion spell. I won't retcon the previous round; going forward, let's see:

DC 19 Will save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Yeah, nothing to worry about. Lucky for you I used up that roll!

Celidrian casts another mm spell, his last for the day.

mm dmg: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4, 2) + 3 = 13

spell penetration: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Remember the spell penetration check.

Round 3 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Enemy-acted
Celidrian-acted
Chaul
Jeb-acted
Alektara-
Kel-
Aldebert

This time, the elf's spell fails to affect the creature, its energy dissipating harmlessly.

Chaul, Alektara, Kel, and Aldebert can act!

Enemy: AC 20 T 20 FF 15 SR 19 -39 HP

awww too bad, but with only a 17, I expected it failed

This monster isn't quite as bad as a seugathi for punching above its CR, but it's still pretty tough.

%: 1d100 ⇒ 63

Alektara succumbs to a confused state and after foaming at the mouth she takes her sword and hits herself drawing blood and dealing 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 damage to herself...

fun and games for the round: 1d100 ⇒ 9
Rationality comes upon Chaul.

"Heavens blast you!" he calls out, pushing wide the gates of the heavenly realms and letting their glory spread forth and hopefully wash away the horrible contents of the room.

channel, Will DC 21 for half: 4d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 2, 2, 2) + 7 = 15

Chaul, did you try to identify the creature?

planes: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 <- fail.
religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

oopse no. I was assuming it some type of haunt and hoping that positive energy would harm it, as it seems to harm most of the residents of this place. IF the knowledge checks indicate otherwise i.e. that positive energy won't harm it, he'll change to channeling to heal instead. Subtract six from the channel total in that case.

Kel focuses his dark energy, and then stabs twice at the thing!
Use Ki point for extra attack.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Ki Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Mathilda, strike #1, RS, DA, PBS: 1d20 + 13 - 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 13 - 2 - 2 + 1 = 24
Damage: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 = 11
Mathilda, strike #2, RS, DA, PBS: 1d20 + 13 - 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 13 - 2 - 2 + 1 = 24
Damage: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 = 14
Mathilda, strike #3, RS, DA, PBS: 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 8 - 2 - 2 + 1 = 22
Damage: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 = 15

"Come now agent Drammarson! That is no undead! It's equine heritage clearly betrays its allegiance to the vile demon-genies of Qadira!" comments Aldebert. "FEEL TALDANE STEEL, YOU QADIRAN HORROR! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!"

Chaul's channel has no apparent effect on the creature, Alektara is taken by the madness, and Kel is unable to hit the monster. Aldebert, though, sights down the stock of his prized crossbow and lets fly. All three bolts strike their target, the traces of Mathilda's magic adhering to them giving them the power to affect the monster despite its incorporeal state. Wounded badly, it still fights, though.

Round 4 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Enemy-acted
Celidrian
Chaul
Jeb-
Alektara-
Kel-
Aldebert

This time, when it reaches for the annoying swashninja, it is not fooled by the clones. Take 28 HP, Kel, plus DC 21 Will save or 4 points WIS drain, fatigued, and cursed.

Party up!

Enemy: AC 20 T 20 FF 15 SR 19 -58 HP

OUCH!

Celidrian, seeing his own spell had no affect on the creature, holds out little hope for a wand, but he tries it anyway.

spell penetration: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
mm dmg if sr met: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

He curses softly as the unerring missile fizzles out when it strikes the mist.

"It's all in the wrist Agent Celidrian! Especially against transparent horse-like beasts"

Also, wowza. That's a heck of a slap.

Mathilda, strike #1, RS, DA, PBS: 1d20 + 13 - 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 13 - 2 - 2 + 1 = 12
Damage: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 = 14
Mathilda, strike #2, RS, DA, PBS: 1d20 + 13 - 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 13 - 2 - 2 + 1 = 21
Damage: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 = 8
Mathilda, strike #3, RS, DA, PBS: 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 8 - 2 - 2 + 1 = 22
Damage: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 = 16

confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 36

"Undead. Horrible undead. The worm thing. And the ghost. Ahhh The Katana. The Katana.... Look out for the Katana!"

Confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 49

"Trickle-down economics will bring the poor out of poverty! Cutting taxes will raise more revenues for government! Less government regulation means private enterprise will police itself!" Jeb spouts nonsense while glancing about wide-eyed!

lol ... awesome incoherent babble

Round 4 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Enemy-acted
Celidrian-acted
Chaul-acted
Jeb-acted
Alektara-
Kel-
Aldebert-acted

Chaul and Jeb are infected by the creature's madness and can't act, babbling and spouting incoherent nonsense. The monster proves as resistant to Celidrian's wand as to his last spell, but Aldebert hits it again a couple of times.

Alektara and Kel to go!

Enemy: AC 20 T 20 FF 15 SR 19 -70 HP