DM Panic's Year of the Shadow Lodge (Inactive)

Game Master wakedown

kn:religion: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 2 = 17
"As the dwarves of old dug too deep in their greed, so did their carelessness lead them to die horrible deaths. They did not move on to Torag's great forge, but remained as ghosts and spectres. This is one such being - use magic or ghost touch if you can!"
Inspire Courage +1

Coming off delay in the surprise round.

”Magic or ghost touch, huh?” Jal grunts, realizing he has neither. ”Guess we’ll have to try this.”

And he slashes at the spectre.

Mods: power attack (furious focus), Inspire Courage +1
+1 keen katana: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 1 = 27 <— CRIT?
damage: 1d8 + 5 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 6 + 1 = 15
— crit confirm: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 1 = 25
— add'l damage: 1d8 + 5 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 6 + 1 = 19

Unless I missed a ghost touch property, sadly the spectre will be [url=http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/rules-for-monsters/creature-types#subtype-incorporeal]immune to crits[/url.

Rousing by Rogar's tale of deep dwarven delving, Jal strikes what would be a mortal blow to any man, but the spectre simply hesitates, looks down at the blade piercing it and tries to reach into Jal's very being again.

7 damage to the spectre.

Still Up: Kel

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OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT
*******************

As several Pathfinder priests arrive on scene, they grip their holy symbols and the spectre disintegrates as they burst holy energy into it.

The small Pathfinder army arrives in force and clears out the rest of the engagements with brutal efficiency.

A strange, metal cage lies sprawled in the center of the room like a great, undulating, skeletal lotus. Long tendrils of translucent ether lash violently from the artifact, while crackles of eerie light dance across the metal frame and up into the ghostly pillar that erupts from the center of the device into the night sky. A dozen bodies surround the pulsating cage, flopping on the floor and convulsing madly.

You observe as several Pathfinders set to work and attempt to disable the strange metal cage. You also observe as particularly spry Pathfinders dart past the tendrils, some finding success, while others find only death.

Your obvious options are helping to disable the cage (and we'd want as many successful Disable Device checks from various players as we can get; or to run past. Should you run past, please make 3 Fortitude checks.

Kel sets in to help disable it.
I'll help try to disable it while everyone else comes up with a backup plan mates!
Disable Device: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Rogar will inspire competance each of his allies attempting to disable device. +2 conpetance bonus

Taika frowns worriedly. "I know nothing of locks, and little of traps," she says regretfully. "I cannot be of much assistance to you here, I am afraid."

Unless any sort of Kn checks might help with knowing about the cage and its device! Ignore if not relevant/useful:

Kn Arcana: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17
Kn Engineering: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Jal moves forward with Kel, swapping blade for tools. "I'll help."

modified by Rogar's inspiration.
Disable Device: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 14 + 2 = 33

"I know about magic but not so much about things like this. I'm ready with my healing wand just in case it's needed though!"

Kel and Jal both join the throngs of Pathfinders setting to work upon the cages, and with Rogar's tales of competence, find themselves ascending to greater lockpicking successes than their forebears.

I've reported the results up!

Numerous other Pathfinder agents still continue to ply their efforts at their respective parts of the ancient cage-relic.

Not being able to help his comrades, Kaleb spends time in meditation and prayer, hoping that his time to be helpful will come.

It looks like you can continue to roll Disable Device checks each round, as it will take 3 successful checks in a row to disable. At the moment you have 2 consecutive successes.

"I pray for your success, friends!"

Guidance on Kel! Guidance on Jal! ;) +1 to your Disable Device checks.

GM - CODE GREY

do we need one more success, or should we be getting 4 more? If it's only 1 more... Jal has that with a take ten, assist, guidance & inspire for 29

"I do not think I can contribute further," Taika says apologetically. "Unless you need something simple opened at a distance..."

Open-close, for when you're too lazy to operate doors with your hands! Doubt it gives any sort of aid here though.

One more for good measure!
Disable Device: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

Jal smirks sideways over at his disabling partner. "Let's finish this thing, cara."

disable device, inspire, guidance, Aid Another: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 14 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 35

Kel and Jal continue to ply their respective efforts as a number of ethereal tentacles lash out from the cage, but are swiftly allayed by their efforts in just the nick of time.

That's actually 2 more successes at the 3-4 subtier for a total of 4; of which 3 are needed to disable all 3 parts of the artifact.

It's a bit unclear as I see various tables all running this slightly differently. But the way I read this is unless you attempt to 'bypass the artifact' without disabling it (and nobody here has), you are far enough away from the lashing tendrils, which only trigger on failed Disable Device checks and then lash out at everyone. And luckily, you have yet to fail a check!

Recap
Round 1: Kel disables successfully
Round 2: Jal disables successfully
Round 3: Kel disables successfully
Round 4 (bonus!): Jal disables successfully

We are waiting for an appropriate number of Disable checks for all tables combined, so I believe you could continue to roll to help other tables meet their quota for checks. Only one check a round, so I'm alternating Jal and Kel's attempts.

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OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT
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"I just wanted to say that he can't not understand that we will get inside. He knows the power of Pathfinders. Thus, it is clear that this is a trap. I hope that he has not been able to calculate this correctly and still overestimated his strength. So... to arms! May the Heavens guide our hands in righteous anger!! "

The Cage is disabled and stops firing off its tendrils.

The spiked and stuck door lasts mere moments as the horde of Pathfinders simply blow through it, part fleeing the cage, part fuelled by visions of revenge!

The walls and floor of this room are made of pale, roughly finished sandstone. The walls curve upward to an almost domelike structure above, and the level of the floor is slightly lower than that of the entry door. Squared arches of polished sandstone are cut into the curved walls, creating fantastic columns. The walls are covered to a height of 30 feet with enormous bookshelves full of tomes, scrolls, and leather-bound books. Several ladders, used to climb to the higher shelves, are scattered about the room. At a half-dozen points throughout the room, the rough, sandstone floor has been breached—smashed open as though someone were looking for something—and from somewhere in the room you hear an angry pounding.

With a supernatural roar of fury, Charvion Eater-of-Bones raises his arms to the ceiling and screams in an ancient, guttural tongue. A nimbus of white flame erupts about him and then explodes, sending several different versions of Charvion flying about the room. Each Charvion stands and laughs, and in one loud chorus they say, “Come and fight me, Pathfinders. Your days are numbered!”

Jal—having switched back to his blade as they moved toward the door—takes a moment to study the corrupted Pathfinder. "Excellent point, Kaleb. Everyone be ready to save my @ss when I walk into his trap."

Then he does just that, closing on the man at a hustle. "Bone-Eater! Let's dance!"

Make Charvion Studied Target. Then close the distance.

Initiative
Jal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Jessa: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Kaleb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Kel: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Rogar: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Taika: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Charvion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

To recap, there are dozens of "Charvions" flying about the room as you observe each Pathfinder squad apparently squaring off with one of them. Through the crowd, you spot the Charvion that you'll apparently be engaging at this time. For convenience, there are no other figures on the map, so you'll need to use your imaginations (the horror!) regarding the other tables each also fighting a Charvion in this room alongside you. To keep things simple, you don't have to deal with any cover or any complexities from the multiple fights occurring here.

Charvion, floating some 15 feet off the ground, appears about ready to weave a spell, yet Kaleb gets the drop on him.

Round 1
20 Kaleb :
18 Charvion (Flying 15ft up) :
17 Taika :
16 Kel :
14 Jessa :
13 Rogar :
12 Jal : Studies and closes (but can retcon)

Now Up: Kaleb

If he's still 15ft off the ground when Jals turn comes around, I'm unlikely to keep those actions.

Kaleb nods to the Jal's words and then turns to the enemy:

"You will be destroyed. Your companions will be destroyed. All that you have done will be destroyed. Your name will be erased and your words will be forgotten. This is the end. But don't give up, no! We want to enjoy your last seconds of your life!" - Kaleb's voice sounds frighteningly smarmy and convincing at first, and changed to dramatic and terrible notes at the end.

demoralize: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29

+ study Charvion too (move action) + cast Divine Favor on self (swift action via Fervor)

This Charvion appears cowled at Kaleb's frightening threats. He glances about the other "copies" each engaged in their own battles.

"Hmmm... it may be that you could defeat me... but can you defeat your friends?"

He begins gesturing, weaving a spell and doubt mixes with aggression to cloud each of your minds.

@Everyone: Will saves vs Confusion. I'll keep the DC in a Spoiler so folks can decide if they want to re-roll.

Round 1
20 Kaleb : Demoralizes, studies, Divine Favor
18 Charvion (Flying 15ft up) : Casts Confusion
17 Taika :
16 Kel :
14 Jessa :
13 Rogar :
12 Jal :

Round 2
20 Kaleb :

Now Up: Everyone!

Will save, bonus vs spells/SLAs: 1d20 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 3 = 28

Taika's mind is too trained in the ways of magic to succumb. She narrows her ice-blue eyes at the flying foe, then weaves a spell, trying to freeze the very magic from his mind. "Fall, Charvion!"

Dispel Magic, targeted dispel of his fly: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 ...well that should do it I hope!

She takes a step backward.

will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

I have a pathfindfer goblin bag for a re-roll. And as of last weekend i just got my 2nd GM star too! :)

will save re-roll: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 2 = 20

I'll wait until the result of Taika's dispel and the other saves before posting my action.

Will: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

"I'm not impressed by your performance..."

Will Save, enchantment bonus: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13

Oof. This could get interesting, and I have no re-rolls. What's the duration, Panic?

will save, dwarf bonus: 1d20 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 3 = 14 oh well

confusion!: 1d100 ⇒ 47

"I've yet... the quake.... drrr umph!... bippity boppity..."

Charvion's look is one of surprise as he glides to the ground amid the other Pathfinder teams battling their own copies of Charvion in the chaotic melee.

Nice dispel!

Alas, you're unsure of the duration, but the spellcasters among you assume it'd be at least 42 seconds (7 rds) given the power of an arcane caster to wield such potent magic.

Round 1 Con't
17 Taika : Dispels Fly
16 Kel :
14 Jessa :
13 Rogar (confused) : Babbles
12 Jal (confused) :

Round 2
20 Kaleb :

Still Up: Kel, Jessa, Jal (confusion d100), Kaleb

Confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 79

Jal frowns suspiciously, and his eyes slide right from Charvion and find …

1 = Kaleb; 2 = Rogar; 3 = Jessa
1d3 ⇒ 1

Kaleb beside him. ”TRAITOR!” he screams, slashing erratically at the fellow pathfinder.

Attack Kaleb (sorry, man).
+1 keen katana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

DM: the rules don't say, but can I have Jal stumble away from the team ... get closer to Charvion regardless of the Confusion?

Alas, I believe if you have a melee weapon in hand and are confused, and roll as you did, you'd effectively slash away at an ally, and next round will determine what you are able to do as you roll the d100 again. In your case, cross your fingers you can act normally, and then decide to stay armed and position near Charvion, or disarm yourself, or many other possible options...

It's what I figured. Was worth asking, though.

Jessa moves away from the babbling dwarf then gives Charvion a look that clearly holds her fate manipulating powers.

"Luck is not on your side this day, traitor!"

Evil Eye to effect his AC. DC17, 8 rounds on fail, 1 round on pass.

Will DC17: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Charvion shudders briefly as Jessa glares at him.

Still Up: Kel, Kaleb

Kel draws his rapier as Charvion makes his debut, and smirks as the spell washes over him.
Is that all you got?!
Will Save+Charmed Life: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 2 = 15
Confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 9

He dashes forward, and attacks the man with his rapier!
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

GM - CODE WHITE

Arrrggghhh! JAL, what do you... damn, I got it. Charvion, you're dead.

Caleb goes ahead, on the move calling on his heavenly patrons to protect him and to give blessing and healing.

Fervor: 1d6 ⇒ 1

standart (Enshrouding Darkness) + move + swift (fervor to heal)

I cannot post the rest of the day - soo i am pre-emptively posting my round two confusion

Charvion takes a few steps backward and you observe as he inhales before exhaling a massive cloud of cold that washes over Kel, Jessa and Kaleb as the others narrowly miss being in range.

Breath (cold): 10d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 6, 5, 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 3) = 39
DC18 Reflex to take 19 instead of 39 dmg.

From another one of the Pathfinder groups, a bolt of lightning ricochets through the room before crackling through your Charvion's body (he takes a lot of damage from this; 33 to be exact).

Round 1 Con't
17 Taika : Dispels Fly
16 Kel : Moves, stabs, misses
14 Jessa : Evil Eye for -2AC (1rd)
13 Rogar (confused) : Babbles
12 Jal (confused) : Strikes Kaleb for 11

Round 2:
20 Kaleb (10 dmg): Darkness and heals self for 1
18 Charvion (33 dmg) : Breathes on Kel, Jessa, Kaleb
17 Taika :
16 Kel :
14 Jessa :
13 Rogar (confused, 8 dmg) : Strikes self for 8
12 Jal (confused) :

Round 3
20 Kaleb :

Now Up: Everyone! (and we have Rogar's action already)

confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 36

Jal's eyes glaze over momentarily, and he seems to look frantically, confusedly around the room.

"Sdrawkcab gnihtyreve si yhw?!"

reflex save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Jessa takes the full force of the breath attack. Only her angelic heritage giving her natural resistance to extreme cold prevents her from freezing to death on the spot.

It looks like I forgot to heal Jessa from the previous encounter. So she would take 34 and would be unconscious at -10. OR She would have used wand charges to be on full then take 34 putting her on -2. I think there was time between fights to heal up, so are you OK with me retroactively doing that GM?

If needed

@Jessa: That's fine. I imagine most players heal up between fights, it's just a by-product of PbP that allowed it to go overlooked.

Taika hurries forward and casts a spell to bring the speed of the north wind to her and her unaffected colleagues, at least.

"We must put an end to him before he can do that again!" she calls with worry, knowing that the unconscious witch would not survive another such blast.

Moved, and haste on myself, Jessa, Kel, and Kaleb

Taika advances and ensures her allies are even a greater threat to this "Charvion".

Round 2 Con't
17 Taika : Move, haste
16 Kel (34 or 19 dmg): TBD
14 Jessa (34dmg, -2hp): Stabilize needed
13 Rogar (confused, 8 dmg) : Strikes self for 8
12 Jal (confused) : Babbles

Round 3
20 Kaleb (11dmg + 34 or 19 dmg): TBD

Still Up: Kel, Kaleb