Feral's PFS Special Event - Siege of the Diamond City [GM Netopalis, Tier 5-6] (Inactive)

Game Master Netopalis

I'll save the pathfinder aid until I need a lesser restoration. If this lasts more than a day, and Aod blows another disease roll, can Hailey prep remove disease? Maybe a couple times since those goat-headed demons are seemingly a common foe.

"Let's head back to the Battle District." Aod tosses his apple core and starts going that way.

If somehow we get enough time to prepare new spells, sure. Multiple ones are going to be tricky unless I have no reason to prepare any other type of spell..like when the battle is over and we won.

"Sure, seems we will run into trouble where ever we go."

Hailey follows Aod to the Battle District

Oh, sorry, I missed that post.

Hailey knows that the Outer district is exactly what you'd expect - the area outside the city walls. There is a fairly large port to the northwest of the city.

The Battle District is home to the residences of the crusaders of Nerosyan, loosely arranged into groups based on what they seek - god, gold or glory.

The Egelsee District is the more industrial district of the city, home to engineers, craftsmen and inns. Notably, Thurl's Lodge is in Egelsee.

The Confluence District is the commercial district of the city, and the only district of the city made up entirely of pre-crusade architecture. Most of the city's government is housed here, as well as many banks and shops.

The Woundward District is the artistic hub of the city, home to artisans and craftsmen. It is also known for its taverns, which are convenient to crusaders who would prefer not to be seen going into some of the seedier dives.

To the Battle District!

Amidst the raging combats taking place throughout the Battle
district, a lone junior Pathfinder approaches, identifiable as one
of Jorsal’s assistants from the Starrise Spire.
“Greetings! Venture-Captain Jorsal had me looking all
over for some more experienced Pathfinders, and it looks like
you’ll have to do! There’s a meeting of some senior crusader
officials at a command bunker in the district. They’d like to have
some Pathfinder advisors present, so that’s who Jorsal had me
looking for. Come on, I’ll take you there right away!”

He leads you to one of the command bunkers for the crusaders. Several people are milling about, all looking rather concerned. The messenger explains that there are 4 main commanders here - Gudrun Mazrarad, a dour dwarf in charge of the town's militia; Aline Valerys, a Taldan cleric of Sarenrae who looks after the wellbeing of the city's citizens; Dermont Tabecland, a cavalier in charge of the city's professional army and Salantris, a haggard-looking elf who is in charge of a group of academics who have arrived from the various magical universities. The messenger further explains that one of these individuals has been possessed by a demon, but they have been unable to figure out which one.

"Don't worry. We'll find it." Aod tells the messenger, then to the commanders, he says. "You'll all need to close your eyes for a moment while we ask some questions."

Drawing his companions to the side, he says in a low voice. "So, I'm pretty sure a smart demon would protect itself from being detected easy, but I suppose we should try some detection spells anyway. If they don't work, I got this wand here protects from evil beings, and I got it for an occasion just like this. I use it on these folks and it might block possession temporarily and free the person to let us know if they are being forced to act against their will. It ain't foolproof, and not permanent, but it could isolate the problem."

Aod casts detect magic and examines the commanders from a distance.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

"Huh. Never been much good at this. Hailey, Ez? What about you two?"

Protection from Evil
This spell wards a creature from attacks by evil creatures, from mental control, and from summoned creatures. It creates a magical barrier around the subject at a distance of 1 foot. The barrier moves with the subject and has three major effects.
First, the subject gains a +2 deflection bonus to AC and a +2 resistance bonus on saves. Both these bonuses apply against attacks made or effects created by evil creatures.
Second, the subject immediately receives another saving throw (if one was allowed to begin with) against any spells or effects that possess or exercise mental control over the creature (including enchantment [charm] effects and enchantment [compulsion] effects, such as charm person, command, and dominate person. This saving throw is made with a +2 morale bonus, using the same DC as the original effect. If successful, such effects are suppressed for the duration of this spell. The effects resume when the duration of this spell expires. While under the effects of this spell, the target is immune to any new attempts to possess or exercise mental control over the target. This spell does not expel a controlling life force (such as a ghost or spellcaster using magic jar), but it does prevent them from controlling the target. This second effect only functions against spells and effects created by evil creatures or objects, subject to GM discretion.

Aod: You don't find anything particularly notable.

Hailey whispers back to Aod "If the questions don't give us a clue then I think your use of your wand is an excellent idea."

"We are going to ask you some seemingly random questions followed by some word associations, please answer right away are."

Hailey asks the 4 commanders to each stand in a corner of the room, apart from the others so they can't hear the questions asked or answers given of each other and walks between them asking them things one after the other.

Sense motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Aod watches and listens closely as Hailey questions the commanders.

Sense Motive Aid. (If possible): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

It is possible to aid on a sense motive. Unfortunately, your actions prove fruitless.

Aod readies his wand of protection from evil and proceeds to use it on the commanders in this order - Salantris, Dermont, Aline, then Gudrun.

If this doesn't reveal anything, are we allowed to look at the recent orders given by these commanders? Bad ones might give them away.

Hailey casts detect magic and takes a closer look at each of the 4 commanders to look for a more physical sign of possession (birthmarks in the shape of unholy symbols?)

Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28

...don't we have a Paladin with detect evil for this sort of thing? ;)

Hailey glances at Sarion " What is your feeling about this?"

Aod: You run through all 4, and none seem affected by the wand.

Hailey: You don't notice anything unusual physically about any of them.

*Pokes paladin, stares at the 4, pokes paladin again*

Can we assume Sarion gives them the stinkeye? Also, any useful information gained from looking at the orders these commanders are giving?

Finding little evidence of foul play among the commanders, Aod turns to the assistant that brought them here. His suspicions and paranoia having grown after the tactics seen by the enemy in the city, Aod begins to wonder if the assistant, or perhaps someone else feeding him information, might be trying to sow confusion. "Let's look beyond the obvious here. Ez, Hailey. Check this guy too." Aod then taps the assistant with his wand as well for good measure.

"Your information came from Venture-Captain Jorsal, you said? Describe him, then tell me what happened to make someone think one of these commanders is possessed."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Unable to find any indication of demonic possession amost the 4 commanders Hailey starts to consider the possibility that we got got bad orders and are now slowing down the decision making during a time of war by taking away the chain of command.

If the messenger is still with us
"What evidence do you have that one of these commanders would be possessed by a demon?"
Sense motive on the messenger: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Edit, great minds think alike it seems Aod ;)

If Sarion uses Detect Evil, it will be ineffective. The messenger explains that the bunker is protected by a nondetection spell that would interfere with Detect Evil, for the safety of those inside. He further explains that they captured a group of demonic cultists, one of whom was carrying a note explaining that one of the four was possessed by a demon. There is nothing unusual about any of their orders.

Sense Motive shows that the boy is being truthful.

Sarion does use Detect Evil. Seeing nothing, he looks to the others. "Any reason we can't take them outside the bunker to scan them?" he whispers to them. "And do any of you know of any Demons can possess people?"

"And do any of you know of any Demons can possess people?"

"Hmm..."

Knowledge (Planar): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28

Aod shrugs at Sarion. "I thought they all could." Apparently, his expertise with demons extends only as far as his sword can reach. "If the bunker is compromised, might as well take them outside and check them again without the interference of nondetection spell."

All four of them object to leaving on safety grounds - they are key commanders, and if they can be detected, demons are likely to swarm the area.

Ezren: You suspect that this is a Shadow Demon and will gain a bonus to attempts to determine which one is possessed.

Ezren walks up to each person, running over what he remembers of shadow demons. "You must be happy in there. You don't often get a physical body, do you?" He paces to the next person with a slight smile. "But aren't you jealous of the other demon's getting to fight while you sit here playing games? Come, where is the anger..." He sees if he hits any of their demonic feelings.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Wizaaarrrrddss!!!

Observing Ezren's tactics, Aod adds a few goading words of his own. "How about we end those games? No more orders leave this building until we know who's who. Let's see how you like sitting on human thumbs for the foreseeable future."

Sense Motive Aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Sarion seems at a bit of a loss as to what to do, but then he draws his Falchion and holds it near to each of them, seeing if the Cold Iron makes any of them uncomfortable.

Sense Motive 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

You notice the nose of the cleric of Sarenrae twitch oddly as you taunt the demon. You are quite sure that she is possessed! Also, with your knowledge check, you would know that protection from evil would be effective, so long as she can make the appropriate will save.

Aod will try the wand again. And again and again if at first it doesn't succeed.

Let me know how many charges are needed.

You hit the cleric with the wand. Nothing happens.

You try it again. Suddenly, a loud roar erupts into the chamber, and a shadow falls across the room. The demon cries out, then vanishes, clearly not interested in being in a room filled with 20-odd paladins.

The cleric falls unconscious. Aides take her to another room to recover.

Great job! Pick a new district.

The demon cries out, then vanishes, clearly not interested in being in a room filled with 20-odd paladins.

Lol. Smite evil x20

Let's try the Egelsee for some variation

"Ha!" Aod gives a victory cry, blows on the wand as if putting out a tindertwig, and replaces it in his sheath. "Ez, with words like that you'd do well in the Sczarni. Glad we have your wits along with us."

When Hailey suggests Egelsee, he seems hesitant.

Egelsee or Battle?

"I don't think we need to look for trouble..trouble seems to have a way of finding us."

Let's go for battle now

Ninja'd. Ok, let's stay in Battle.

Just wondering..are these encounters per district and is it possible to run out of them ..or is there just one big table and it doesn't really matter which district you are in?

The demons have retreated from this portion of the district,
but a crusader rushes out from one of the nearby buildings,
gesturing to the PCs to join him. “You lot! In here, now!”

The crusader takes you to meet his commander, Lady Talria. She says, "Thank Iomedae you're here. Before the battle started, we stashed a cache of blessed weapons in a Bank of Abadar. I don't have time with everything else going on to go collect them - if you could get the weapons and bring them back here, you would forward the cause of justice immensely!"

You go to the bank. Guarding the bank is a pair of demons.

Ezren Planes: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

Ezren is able to identify these demons as Hezrou. You would clearly be no match for them.

Does it look possible to go around the demons and enter the bank from the back or something?

Hailey whispers to the rest of the party after hearing from Ezren that we clearly are no match "If we can't win in a straight fight we either have to use subterfuge or stealth. We have some of those unholy symbols we took of those imposter guards a while ago..and we might be able to bluff our way past them..but if that fails we are in big trouble. So if it is possible to sneak around them..that might be a better option.... Until we can send back an army armed with blessed weapons to take care of them that is."

Aod grimaces at the idea that two demons are too much for them, but he trusts Ezren's assessment. "Can't just give up. Might be another way in."

Are we able to take 20 on Perception to scout the building for other entrances?

Aha! If you go around to the back, you'll notice that a group of looters has made a large opening in the back! Upon entering, they attack!

Hailey: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Ezren: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Aod: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Sarion: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Rogue 1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Rogue 2: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Bard 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Bard 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Rogue 2 delays!

Bard 1 acts! He shouts, "Crusaders? More like Crude-saders! Get your own gig!"

After that incredibly lame joke, Rogue 2 acts. He charges Ezren!

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Hits his flat-footed.

Damage: 1d4 + 2 + 3d6 ⇒ (2) + 2 + (3, 5, 5) = 17

No it doesn't, I have mage armor active. FF ac is currently 17.

Do we have a map?

Seeing Ezren get almost stabbed in the unmentionables Hailey decides to cast Shield of Faith (+3 deflection bonus to AC) on herself for some added protection.

If I remember correctly Ezren should have mage armor up and have at least a ring of protection so that 14 should have missed him..if he did get hit I'd have used a cure spell on him instead.

"Crude? You call us Crude..you are the ones breaking into the bank during an all out demon attack...talk about being rude, geez."

Ezren groans. "I'm going to kill you for that pun."

Sorry, forgot to link it. Same map as earlier.

Map.

Good point about the mage armor.

Ezren takes a 5 foot step back and casts magic missile at the man who attacked him.

Damage: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1, 3, 4) + 4 = 13

Bard 2 casts a spell!

Aod's Will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Aod is unaffected!

Rogue 2 goes after Aod!

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Missed!

Sarion roars in outrage at the assault by the looters, and lashes out at the one attacking Ezren.

Power Attack, Falchion 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Confirm Crit 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
2d4 + 10 ⇒ (1, 2) + 10 = 13

Connects for 13 damage!

"Unless you're workin an official job, this stops now."

Aod sidesteps the rogue facing him, growls up some rage and throws a shoulder in the man, trying to knock him down.

Controll Rage (+4 strength) 4/13, 5' step, Knockdown attempt
Knockdown Rage Power: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17 If successful target is knocked prone and takes 6 damage.

Rogue 1 is knocked prone and takes 6 damage.

Rogue 2 is hit with Magic Missile. He takes 13 damage.

Rogue 2 delays.

Bard 1 makes an acrobatics attempt to avoid an AOO from Aod.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

He makes it. He then attacks Sarion with a short sword.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

The bard hits!

Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Rogue 2 undelays and attacks.

Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Not so great.

I'm having a hard time following initiative, so I'm going to lay it out here for myself. Looks like Hailey is up.
INITIATIVE ORDER:
Bard 1 14 (attacked and hit Sarion)
Rogue 2 14 (attacked and missed Sarion)
Hailey 13 <=UP
Rogue 1 10 *prone
Bard 2 8
Sarion 8
Aod 6
Ezren 3

For reference, since Aod might get an AoO against the rogue about to stand, his attack bonus with his sword is currently +13 to hit for 1d10+9 damage.