DM Dr Evil's PFS - The Wounded Wisp (Inactive)

Game Master DM DoctorEvil

Correct, you cannot aid on Knowledge checks, but you can take 10 in a non-combat situation. Also, I am guessing Max or Willem have skills that might help, if they are still lurking out there somewhere. Ruinor, you can go with what you found taking 10.

Sorry for gap in posting, have been out of action with flu for a few days

Knowledge (History), take 10: 10 + 7 = 17

"Silence and serenity, blades, fish and bountiful sea," Maximilian recounts, "are references to those who have attempted the Test of the Starstone. And failed, of course. These are the domains they hoped to become deities of. They are some of those listed, at great length, in The Starstone Cycle, a dreadfully dreary work that goes on for several hours too long. It's famous for one or two of its leitmotifs, but they are buried in so much turgid droning..." his critique fades to a halt as he notices the others' expressions. "They are all interred at the Shrine of the Fallen," he finishes weakly.

Silverback scowls at this new information.

"Would-be gods...let us explore this 'Shine of the Fallen.' 'Shrine of the Deranged' would be more appropriate, I am sure."

"Well who else would you want to worship?" Orovan snickers.

It's actually the Shrine of the Failed, but the Shrine of the Fallen might be interesting also...

The heroes timing, for once, is impeccable. As they approach the Shrine of the Failed, word reaches them that the valiant Mendevian crusader Sir Reinhart is actually attempting the Test of the Starstone himself by leaping his trusty steed over the chasm that leads to the temple. With that excitement going on, the black-robed staff of the Shrine of the Failed have all left the building, abandoned for all intents and purposes, while they prepare to bring the latest enshrinee to his final rest.

The Shrine of the Failed is a dour complex, filled with numerous altars, each dedicated to a specific failed aspirant. The building itself is a stone edifice with several levels, but all the doors are locked up tight, except one set in a basement annex, that have forgetfully been left open.

ARe you ready to enter?

Silverback takes a moment to cast a spell. longstrider

"Let's go in while this Reinhart makes his best efforts to join the failed..." the druid says, pointing to the basement entrance.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

After Silverback casts his spell on himself, the group enters the shrine through the forgotten basement doors. There a set of stairs descends into a monumental chamber that stretches eighty feet from end to end, with a ceiling suspended thirty feet from the floor by great pillars. Seven arched passages lead from this central chamber.

See the map linked at top. Which archway do you choose to investigate first?

"Wow, what an impressive room. Let's do this systematically and start with the first passage on the right," Ruinor says as he points to the right.

I will follow the others, staying in the middle of the group.

Following Ruinor's suggestion, Silverback moves with the others toward the first passage to the right.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Approaching the archway you find a small alcove containing a stone altar. The altar stands upon a raised dais and bears a brass nameplate reading "Karina Clamp- deceased 4330 AR - Fish and Bountiful Sea".

There are a few fish-shaped trinkets, or sea-related offerings on the altar, but otherwise the dismal room is empty.

"This looks dreary. Hey, when I die, you guys had better at least get me some flowers or something. Maybe like a huge, spiked, razor-sharp ax on my headstone." Orovan remarks.

"I'll settle for living on in song and verse, with tales of my heroic deeds told centuries hence," Maximilian replies, "though flowers are always nice as well."

"Let's check the next alcove, presumably we need to find Hollis Thorne's altar."

As Maximilian suspects, all of the other alcoves are similar, each dedicated to a different failed aspirant. Finially, the group comes across the shrine to Hollis "Evil Grin" Thorne's shrine in the southwest corner of the basement.

The same brassname plate spells out the name of the lost aspirant and his domain of choice -- Blades. A few nicked and rusted blades litter the altar inside this alcove but nothing else of interest lies here.

For hours if not days Willim has followed the party without a peep. Now given the continuous observation of alcove after alcove we reach something more special, at least in the eyes of Willim.

"Stand aside let my light shine upon this alcove to bring wisdom to us all."

perception: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 1 = 18

will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Willim casts guidance on himself and then Detect Magic. Afterwards he moves forward slowly with torch and shield in hands.

"It does not makes sense for all of these alcoves to mean so little . Abadar show me wisdom."

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10+2 hidden objects/doors
Will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Orovan remains silent, smiling at the would-be-god's domain. "Blades. Yeah."

Can't make that Perception DC, and it'll take a natural 20 for the Will...

Will: 1d20 ⇒ 20 oh yeah!

"There's something about that wall... hey, this is the same kind of illusion we use for concealing hidden stage entrances. There's a secret door here, but I can't see a way to open it."

Ruinor looks at Max and then back at the wall. "Interesting, I don't see it. William, can you figure out how it opens? Maybe we need to make a tribute and add a dagger to the pile. Does anyone have an extra one they can afford to give up?"

aid William (perception): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 I can make the DC 25 perception with Ruinor's aid, though it appears Max can't, even with a natural 20, since he has a -2 modifier on perception checks. I don't think 20's are always successes on skill checks...

Silverback eyes the area skeptically.
will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Max hit the Will save, for which the DC was 20.

Maximilan recognizes another illusion on the southern part of the west wall, and can see the secreted panel beyond, but no way to open it.

Silverback's close inspection of the altar reveals the nameplate slides to the side, and a small chalkboard sits behind it.

Ooops, missed that it was for Will because of the aid (perception) Ruinor rolled...my bad.

Silverback looks at the nameplate carefully.

"Do we write something on this? Wait...didn't we have a password from the gnome's house? Wiffle or some-such?"

The druid writes the word on the chalkboard. W.I.F.F.L.E.

Once Silverback finishes writing the password on the chalk slot, the illusion masking the panel is disspelled and as you watch the panel slides open silently, revealing a rough-hewn cavern beyond.

The cavern is made of unworked stone, not like the fine stonecraft in the shrine. The cavern is completely dark.

As you enter the cavern, it turns to the north, and you can barely make out a dim, flickering light at the far end about 60' away.

Going for it, or anything else first?

Willim nearby lights his torch and moves forward into the open cavern stopping just inside to look around.

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

If it looks clear he hails the others to follow. In his left hand he holds his shield up to protect himself and possibly others from danger that lurks in the dark.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

"Huh, this passageway is the work of magic as well, just made to look like rough stone," Maximilian remarks as he follows Willim down the tunnel towards the light.

Silverback looks at Splittooth to ensure the dinosaur is ready, then follows the others.

"Why would anyone want to make this look like rough stone?" he asks as they proceed forward.

"They probably thought it was the style at the time. Crazy wizards." Orovan proposes as he follows along, cracking his knuckles.

After wandering through the cavern, the heroes get closer and closer to the flickering light, where they come upon a small alcove.

Several desks are arranged along the northern and eastern walls of this stone alcove. Whereas the stonework leading to the chamber was rough, the walls in this alcove are polished. A single gem rests among the neatly filed papers on the desk, emitting a soft luminescence that brightens the small room.

The gem is a cut alexandrite.

The paperwork on the desk turns out to be a priceless collection of Pathfinder Society lore and information describing dozens of unexplored sites. Most are written in an unknown dialect, but what you can make out leads you to believe this is Eylysia's Repository.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Maximilian recognises the light as being emitted by a continual flame spell cast on the gem. "A useful trick for lighting a confined space with no chance of setting you work on fire or using up all the air," he explains.

Silverback moves to the desk and looks through the assembled documents.

"It appears there was something more to this mission than first met the eye. These documents will prove of much use to the Pathfinders, I am sure. We should go back and report this," he suggests.

take 20 perception on desk and documents: 20 + 7 = 27

"Shall we gather this all and bring it back? I think it will be much more valuable to the society intact rather than as a verbal message."

Willim begins collecting the papers.

After collecting all the assorted works, the Pathfinders work their way slowly back through the cavern, through the secret door near the shrine of "Evil Grin" and back into the main chapel room.

As you exit the shrine of Hollis Thorne, a voice calls to you from the other side of the chapel. "Far enough, Pathfinders! Leave the documeents on the ground and back away. The Harbingers of Fate claim that repository in the name of Aroden. Do not make us take them by force!"

When it becomes clear you have no sign of giving up the hard won documents, the battle starts in earnest.

Ambush - Round 1

23 Ruinor
15 Evoker
14 Silverback
9 Maximilan
8 Orovan
8 Touched
5 Slicer
3 Brute
3 Willem'
'
Looks like Ruinor is up to start off the action against the Cultists.

Hmmm...no post from Ruinor since June 29...

I'm still here. Don't want to stick my neck out too far to start this battle though so I'm going to delay until after Orovan and before the Touched cultist.

Seeing that the cultists are behind pillars, Ruinor waits for his companions to move before taking action.

Okay, looks like Evoker is up, then.

Sorry guys, rough week for me. Almost done with this one...

Ambush - Round 1 - continued

Ruinor choses not to stick his neck out too far, and waits to see what Orovan will do before acting.

Taking the initiative, one of the cultists steps out from behind its cover and casting an offensive spell, sends a force missile streaking into the PC's where it hammers into Willem for 6 hp dmg.

Magic Missile dmg, Willem: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Silverback, Max, Orovan (and now Ruinor)are up for the heroes.

"After all the trouble we went to for these, you are not taking them," Maximilian says darkly. Anger flashes in his eyes as he draws his rapier and begins to intone:

"All scary beneath the spirits
We condone tiny rats near the vapors
Alass! The Knight is hard
Very evil under the gods
You smear murky monsters on the earth
Zounds! The life is going..."

Enhance Weapons: +1 enhancement bonus to the weapons (including ammunition) of allies within 60 feet; 6 rounds remaining

Orovan ducks behind one of the cultists and throws a punch towards his jaw.
Unarmed: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 1 = 22, Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

With his longstrider spell still in effect, Silverback moves quickly behind the same enemy Orovan had engaged, flanking with the brawler. He stabs at the warrior's back with his scimitar.

He then orders Splittooth to attack.

Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 2 = 21 for damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

handle animal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

"Raawaaaarrr!!!" it says as it sprints forward.

bite attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 51d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Feeling a little more comfortable with his companions in front of him, Ruinor moves up behind a column to gain cover and readies to lob a globe of acid at the cultist in the alcove if he moves out and into range.

Ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Ambush - Round 1 - concluded

Maximilan reacts to the cultists by drawing is rapier, and intoning a poem that spurs his allies to do more damage against the enemy.

Following that cue, Orovan leaps forward and swings at the half-orc cultist, cracking him across the face. Silverback steps forward to flank the same foe, and successful slices him with his scimitar, the combined damage dropping the foe.

Ruinor moves to position and readies his acid blob to throw at the cultist in the alcove should he come out.

The gnomish cultist reads from a divine scroll placing a Shield of Faith on himself.

The halfling slicer moves from the shadowy alcove dodging Ruinor's acidic missile and moves to attack the only flat-footed enemy left, Willem. The crafty fighter stabs the cleric with his rapier for 6 hp damage, dropping him unconscious. "And so to you all, unless you yield the papers!" cries the halfling fervently.

Slicer rapier, sneak attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Dmg rapier, sneak attack, Willem: 1d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + (2) = 6

BY my count Willem is at -2 and bleeding. Needs Stabilize check and end of round 1.

End of Round 1

Ambush - Round 2

15 Evoker
14 Silverback
9 Maximilan
8 Orovan
23 Ruinor
8 Touched
5 Slicer
3 Willem (unconscious, bleeding)

***Effect in Place - +1 to damage***

The Evoker cultist moves away from the hulking Orovan but sends an unerring force blast from her fingers that smashes into the orc for 2hp dmg.

Force Missile dmg: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

All of the party that is upright (not Willem) is up now against the cultists.

Orovan moves on to the next foe, a focused force of fighting fury.
Fist: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 1 = 23, Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10

Silverback growls and moves to engage the rogue that had struck from the shadows.

Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 for damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Splittooth does likewise.

bite atk: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 41d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Ambush - Round 2

Orovan swings on the gnomish divine caster punching right through his magical shield and downing him with one blow.

Silverback races to help Willem cutting into the halfling sneak-thief who stabbed the cleric, but not enough to finish him off. Splittooth continues to menace but not be effective attacking.

Max and Runior up next

Seeing Willem go down, Ruinor tries to finish off the halfling. He steps away from the column to get a clear shot and sends another globe of acid at him.

Ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 - 4 = 8
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Not sure if acid splash gets +1 bonus from Max but won't matter this time.

Minor point of order: the +1 enhancement bonus from weapon song applies to both attack and damage rolls (it's the same as a +1 magic item (at higher levels it can grant other magic item properties as well)). I don't think it would apply to spell attacks.

Taking a step to the left, Maximilian continues chanting (free action: maintain raging song, 5 rounds remaining), weaving a healing spell into the words before reaching down to touch Willem.

"...Sinful and dazzling near the air
I taste odorous noses behind the land
Be aware! The life continues
shifting defiant..."

Standard action, cast Cure Light Wounds on Willem
Healing: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Willim now breathing regularly nods to Max.

"Thank you my friend."

Ambush - Round 2 - concluded

Maximilan continues his song supporting the attacks and damage of his friends, and then bends down and weaves healing magic into his performance, reviving the fallen cleric.

Ruinor conjures a acid blob and throws it at the nearest enemy, but the agile halfling sidesteps the gooey stuff.

The halfling cultist steps back from the fray, and fishes out a potion from his belt. He downs the drink quickly, some of his vitality restored.

Willem stirs from his unconscious state, and without a threat nearby is able to stand again.

Slicer CLW potion: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

End of Round 2