DM Dr Evil's PFS - 01-47 The Darkest Vengeance (Inactive)

Game Master DM DoctorEvil

As Orovan approaches the bookshelf, Maximilian attempts to warn the creature to step back and shield its eyes, though a series of elaborate mimed gestures. Three words; first word, second syllable, sounds like...

Bluff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

AS the dark creeper's meaning seems to get through to the party, it begins to jump around happily. Catching the drift of what Maximilian is pantomiming, the creeper tries to shield his eyes as Orovan searches for the catch to open the secret panel.

Orovan, knowing something must trigger the door, works his way around the crowded bookshelf. Behind a jade skull bookend, he finds a catch that when triggered opens the door.

Burning, blinding light explodes from the large circular alcove in the northeast corner of this room. Within, an elaborate arrangement of mirrors, prisms, and similarly refractive materials stands carefully positioned by calipers, strings, and wires marking its precise settings. In the opposite corner dangles a three-dimensional mobile of various sized metal spheres. A complex frame surrounds the spheres. The length of the frame is etched with numbers. A broad work desk divides the two alcoves.

Anyone entering the room must make a Fort save or be blinded by the great white light emitting from the strange apparatus in the far alcove.

Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Well...

Silverback looks skeptically into the secret room.

"Say...that confounded light is much too bright!" he says as he shields his eyes.

"One of you run in and turn it off...these old eyes can't handle it!"

Bernard blindness Duration, in rounds: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Duration: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Oh...

Orovan focuses on his balance and awareness with his eyes closed for a moment, then opens them again, squinting, and braves the light.
Martial Flexibility - blind-fight, 1 min
Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

"For the eyes of Chaldira! What's going on?! I cannot see an inch in front of me!", Bernard takes a hand in the eyes and rubs them in an attempt to improve his eyesight.

Ruinor shields his eyes from the bright light, directing his gaze towards the creeper to make sure he is not trying to take advantage of the party's blindness. "Can anyone see in there?"

While the others are blinded by the sudden onslaught of brilliance from the room beyond, Orovan is able to perceive the apparatus and strange spheres as described above.

There are no combat threats seen in the room.

"Well this is random. Wizard, can you booksmarts this thing?" Orovan asks expectantly.

Silverback makes his way carefully into the room, trying to determine what, if any, magic is involved.

"Is it elven? That is the question we must always ask first. If it is elven...well, frankly it's better," the ancient elf says.

spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
fort save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

When is able to see again, Bernard will scan the room.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Once his slight clears, Maximilian steps forward to examine both the reflecting mechanism ("Interesting, it's like a really horribly over-complicated follow-spot setup") and the spheres ("I wonder what the numbers denote?")

Knowledge (engineering): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

The blinding light continues to be emitted from the appartus in the corner of the room. Orovan's perusal of the device, with his eyes shielded reveals that several sunrods are stuck into various places of the machine, looks like 5 in all.

Shutting down the device properly will requite a DC 20 Disable Device check. Is anyone in the party capable?'

While the apparatus is reviewed, Bernard searches the room and finds some of Miregrold's personal journals in the desk drawer. The latest entry reads:

"Perhaps I’m just paranoid, but I feel the need to recount several queer goings on that occurred over the last week. On three separate occasions, when I returned to the excavation site, I discovered the sunrods in the device prematurely drained and the chamber bathed in thick, unnatural darkness. Initially, I’d thought there might be something wrong with the device, so I tried the same combinations upstairs on the prototype. Nothing happened, at least nothing resembling what was going on downstairs.

-Skeldon 4709

More journals outline the double dealings and robberies perpetrated by Miregrold along with the misuse of Society funds to continue his research.

Maximilian looks at the rings and sees the are marked with Jistka numerals.

The search of the room also uncovers a small chest stashed beneath the VC's workbench.

Silverback looks through all the notes carefully.

"It appears some revenge was at work here," he suggests as he squints at the papers. "Maybe there are more clues in that chest," he says as he gestures at the small chest.

Detect magic on the chest and everything else here. Anyone want to open it?

Bernard will search the room looking for a flask of antitoxin. If he doesn't find, he will suggest to went back to town and buys some of them, "after reading this, I think it will be necessary, if we are planning to go more downstairs".

If no one else wants to open the chest, I'll take 20 perception after using detect magic and open it.

Ruinor walks into the room and when he can see, he will look at the markings.

Fort save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Will take 10 on linguistics if I can for 18, otherwise ...

Linguistics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

"Hmm, unfortunately, this doesn't tell me how to turn the thing off. Anyone see a blanket or something we can cover this thing with?"

If our group stays as is, I might have to dip in Rogue so we can get DD

Silverback opens the chest, revealing a MW light crossbow, 5 sapphires worth 40gp each, 10pp, and 50gp. Additionally, there is a vial of alchemist's fire, a flask of acid, and 2 vials of antitoxin (your welcome Bernard).

With a blanket thrown over the brilliant light of the apparatus, the nearly forgotten dark creeper enters the workshop, drawing his dagger in a blatant display of treachery. He stabs at Orovan who is still standing closest to the doorway.

Creeper Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

Anyone's whose Perception beats the Creeper's Stealth may also act in the Surprise Round

Dark Creeper - Surprise Round

21 Silverback
21 Bernard
21 Creeper
19 Ruinor
18 Maximilian
9 Orovan

The dark creeper holds a wicked looking blade in his strange claw-like hand. He tries to plunge it in the back of Orovan who stands in the doorway, unawares. The dagger bites deep, just missing a major artery. Immediately, ORovan can feel the burn of poison enter his bloodstream as well.

Dark Creeper: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Creeper, Crit confirm vs FF: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 FAIL
Dmg, sneak attack: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (3) = 5

Orovan needs Fort DC 15 vs poison. Anyone making the Perception check can act, otherwise, it will be time for Round 1 and Silverback and Bernard up next.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26 So close!

Round 1

Bernard tries to shoot a bolt at the shadow creature with his crossbow, but Orovan's presence ends up hindering him.

"I told you that this wretched bastard would ambush us in the first opportunity!", curses the halfling.

Rgd Atk w/crossbow: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 7 - 4 = 10
broken % for the missed bolt = +50% is broken: 1d100 ⇒ 42

Standard Action: ranged atk. Move Action: reload the crossbow. Free Action: 5-foot step.

Maximilian can't make that perception, and will be surprised

Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
I have so much fort save though.

Not a chance so I'm surprised. When it's my turn ...

Glancing over his shoulder at the sound, Ruinor is furious about the deceitful attack. "Watch your eyes," he screams as he grabs the edge of the blanket and steps to the side, uncovering a portion of the apparatus.

Silverback draws a wand and points it at the creeper. The creature's dagger begins to glow white-hot.

"We haven't time for you, pathetic little traitor!" he scolds it.

burning disarm DC 12 Reflex: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Also can't make the perception DC, so I'm surprised. I go first in the normal round, but as a reminder I roll twice and keep the best result for initiative.

Dark Creeper Surprise Round - concluded

The treacherous little fellow's poisoned blade wounds Orovan, but is luckily not deep enough to inject the poison into the half-orc's stout frame.

Seemingly dismayed by the sights and sounds of the machine, the party is caught totally unawares when the creeper attacks, and the shock of the betrayal takes a few milliseconds to sink in before the group rouses to action.

End of Surprise Round

Dark Creeper - Round 1

21 Silverback
21 Bernard
21 Creeper
19 Ruinor
18 Maximilian
9 Orovan

Recovering a bit quicker than the younger members, Silverback is able to point his finger at the weapon held by the creeper and smiles in satisfaction as the little traitor screeches when the hilt of the blade heats to white-hot intensity.

Bernard fires a snap-shot trying to catch the untrustworthy creeper unawares, but the crossbow bolt flies wide of the mark, planting deep into the doorjamb, just missing both Orovan and the dark-skinned foe.

Creeper takes 4 hp dmg
Dark Creeper DC 14 Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Dark Creeper - Round 1 - continued

With his dagger white-hot, the creeper has little ability to attack, instead he steps back from the melee at the doorway, and casts a spell that enshrouds the entire area in sytgian darkness, except for the area around the glowing apparatus, which dims but does not go completely dark.

Ruinor uncovers more of the apparatus, but with the magical darkness in place, the light just doesn't seems as bright. The Creeper is out of the line of sight of the new light enough that he doesn't seem directly affected.

Max and Orovan up against the Darkness-enshrouded Creeper.

Orovan moves in for a hard punch at the creeper. "I don't tolerate backstabbing!"
Punch!: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21, Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Maximilian follows Orovan towards the patch of darkness which he assumes conceals the annoying creature, and swipes blindly with his rapier.

Rapier: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18for: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Miss chance (>50 hits): 1d100 ⇒ 41

Round 2

Bernard tries another shot at the betrayer.

Rgd Atk w/crossbow: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 4 = 20
Miss chance from concealment = +50% hits: 1d100 ⇒ 97
dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Silverback casts light on his spell book and moves toward the creature, hoping to hurt its eyes with more illumination, which it clearly doesn't like.

Dark Creeper - Round 1 - concluded

Maximilian moves toward the last known spot of the dark creeper and stabs with his rapier. Unfortunately, the inky darkness foils his attack and the thrust misses its target.

Not blinded, like the others, by the magical darkness, Orovan smiles a little and then crushes the creeper with a massive right hand for 5hp dmg.

End of Round 1

Dark Creeper - Round 2

21 Silverback
21 Bernard
21 Creeper (9hp dmg)
19 Ruinor
18 Maximilian
9 Orovan

Casting a Light spell on his own spellbook, Silverback is a bit dismayed when it doesn't seem to illuminate anything at all.

Per the spell entry for Darkness: "Magical light sources only increase the light level in an area if they are of a higher spell level than darkness". And per the entry for Light:"Light can be used to counter or dispel any darkness spell of equal or lower spell level."As Darkness is a level 2 spell, and Light is level 0, it stands that the Light spell will not raise illumination or dispel magical darkness.

Shooting blindly into the darkness, Bernard gets grim satisfaction when his crossbow hits a fleshy target and the audible grunt from the creeper confirms his hit.

Frustrated by Orovan's darkvision, the Creeper cannot come back forward to retrieve his dropped weapon. With a curse in his strange pidgin tongue, he leaps at the half-orc trying to attack him with his bare hands. The strangely off-balance punch misses, leaving the creeper open for a counter punch from Orovan.

Creeper unarmed: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Without the feat, the creeper provokes an AoO when using an unarmed strike. Orovan may take that now, followed by actions from Ruinor, Max and Orovan again to close the round.

Orovan sidesteps the clumsy attack and swings his foot at the off-balance creeper before changing his angle for extra power and coming down with a hammer blow.
Unarmed AoO: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17, Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Move Action: Martial Flex (power attack)
Unarmed Attack (on my turn): 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 - 1 = 23, Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6

Dark Creeper - Round 2 - concluded

As the creeper rushes at Orovan bare-handed, the wily half-orc knees him in the midsection, knocking the air from the little pest. As the creeper doubles over, Orovan brings an overhand chop down on his scrawny neck, dropping the treacherous lout to the floor and ending the fight.

End of Combat

Silverback snorts.

"Blasted traitor! We don't have time to mess with these vermin. Let us gather the items from the chest and keep exploring. We still haven't figured out what was happening here."

How about we try the door to the southwest?

After the sneak attack by the dark creeper is resolved and darkness eventually dispels, the brilliant light of the apparatus again sneaks out from where Ruinor uncovered it.

The chest on the desk still holds a MW light crossbow, 5 sapphires worth 40gp each, 10pp, and 50gp. Additionally, there is a vial of alchemist's fire, a flask of acid, and 2 vials of antitoxin.

The journal (entry above) is still on the desk, giving some clues as to Miregrold was working on.

The door to the southwest, out of the library, opens into a musty storage room that is filled with empty crates and barrels. Down a short passage, an arching iron tripod rises from the center of a narrow hole in the packed dirt floor. A wooden-handled winch holds a thick chain that leads down into the darkness below.

"This looks promising." Orovan concludes, looking at the hole. "Shall we take a look?"

"This looks promising." Orovan concludes, looking at the hole. "Shall we take a look?"

"Why not?", grins Bernard to Orovan.

"I'll stay with one of these", the halfling points to one vial of antitoxin, "I hope you don't mind".

"I think that would be wise that one of you carry this apparatus. I suppose that if have more of these damned creatures there, it would be useful for us", tells him to his comrades.

"The question we must answer to resolve this riddle," Silverback says, "Is what supernatural darkness is invading this place that they felt the need to build this illumination device. Perhaps this hole will have a clue."

"I agree with you, 'Olderback', oh wait... Silverback."

Silverback makes a shooing motion to Bernard as if he were an annoying pest he wants out of his way.

"Out of the way, youngling!" he says as he follows Orovan through the room to the southwest. The ancient lore keeper moves to examine the hole.

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

The sound of gently lapping water is heard from the hole, which has a large iron chain hanging down from the winch above. The only illumination below comes from whatever light source you have above, so it is dim down there at best. There seems to be a wooden landing of some kind about twenty feet down from the surface above. The chain seems to lead all the way down to the wooden platform, which seems to be surrounded on all sides by water. The wood is estimated to be a 15' square. Some stalagmites rise out of the water near to the wooden base, but little else can be seen below.

Did someone indeed take the light-emitting apparatus? It will take both arms to carry and means you will be limited in fighting or spellcasting until you put it down.

Orovan tries the chain before descending down towards the wooden platform.
Perception (traps?): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Did someone indeed take the light-emitting apparatus? It will take both arms to carry and means you will be limited in fighting or spellcasting until you put it down.

Well, I think as Orovan always goes ahead of the party, he can carry it easily, as long as drop it on the ground is a free action. If nobody wants to carry it, Bernard just gives one of his sunrods to Orovan and they continue, despite that I think that this 'thing' could be useful, as the creatures from the shadows dislike it.

Bernard follows the party always in the back, holding his crossbow in hands, prepared for any suddenly danger.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

I hadn't thought the device was portable, but if so, we should definitely take it! They built it to keep something back, and I'm guessing we will quickly find some creepy dark area we need to use it on. I just can't be the one to carry it...

Silverback frowns as they look down the dark hole.

"That device...perhaps it would come in handy here. Hold on a minute, brawny half-orc! Why don't you go back and climb down with the device?"

Dropping items is a free action, no doubt. Dropping this apparatus likely ruins it. It will be a standard action to set it down carefully if action occurs. Once Orovan confirms he wants to carry it, we'll move along that route. Descending the chain while holding the apparatus may be a bit of trick.

Orovan notes that the chain is quite sturdy, easily able to bear the weight of any of the group, perhaps all of them. The winch seems built to wind the chain up and down, but the chain appears to be secured to something below, and cannot be raised. There does not appear to be an visible traps.

Sure, I'll pick it up and carry it if someone wants to lower it down by rope or something. I just didn't see it being especially easy to get it down here.
Can I still kick while I have it? I assume I'd count as encumbered, but that doesn't affect attack rolls.