GM Aarvid PFS #6-04: The Beacon Below (Inactive)

Game Master GM Aarvid

“Noisy, is Badru in any way some form of undead?”

Will DC 19: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (12) + 18 = 30

Luisila screams as part of her soul is sheared off and sucked in whispy shreds through her mouth and nose into the foul creatures’s gaping maw.

She quietens down some once she feels someone beside her grab the creature.

Assuming a likely-grappled creature can’t take an AoO against her, Luisila reaches into her unknown... yeah, right! ally's spot with death ward and feels her way 15’ at half speed to the south-west.

Luisila is unable to see her attacker 45+5 dmg taken from Harm+touch
but knows the location of her attacker and it is currently being grappled by Savage,
she is able to make good her escape after casting and tapping Savage with a very helpful spell (curse you! LOL).

San Xiao...

I don't think the touch attacks count as natural attacks in this instance. To deliver a touch spell via a natural attack, he has to roll an actual attack roll vs ac rather than vs touch. Not sure though.

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 2 = 17

"Hell if I know." Noisy responds out of breath. "He's got damn magic flashing eight of him at present, and I'm still not entirely sure. He's like a big evil animated doll."

Not sure if San Xiao got a chance to pass along his knowledge roll from earlier

"That thing above you's an extra-planar construct... so wouldn't be surprised if Badru were constructed in some fashion as well!"

Planes: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (16) + 17 = 33

Seeing the creature deliver a brutal spell to Luisila, San Xiao tries to take it out with extreme prejudice. He remembers that his frost bombs will be ineffective, so favors fire.

5-foot away, full attack with Boots of Haste. Excluding allies, of course.

Attack: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (4) + 19 = 23
Fire Damage: 6d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 2, 3, 1, 2, 5) + 7 = 26

Attack: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28
Fire Damage: 6d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 3, 6, 4, 3, 5) + 7 = 32

Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
Fire Damage: 6d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 5, 5, 3, 4, 6) + 7 = 36

San Xiao unleashes a salvo of bombs at the grappled creature.
26 + 32 + 36 = 94

The fire burns the purple crystals with great effect. The creature vanishes in a flash of smoke and light, sent back to its own plane.

Ahhhh....releeaaassseeedd!"

Badru hears the departure of his ally and you hear the closest thing to emotion and rage from the monotone voice.

With the deep darkness gone, Badru steps back and looks upon San Xiao with malice.

YOU have earned my wrath!

He says a few words and points a finger at the bomber, sending a thin green ray at San Xiao.

range touch: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18 vs Touch AC17(18 with haste?)

Save from San Xiao and Party goes...

=== Round Tracker===
1-Noisy(sing,-3con), Conan(FoM,-3con), Fredrick,
Savage(-10, -3con) , San Xiao(Daylight) , Luisila (FoM, -50, -1con)
2-Badru (images)

Fort: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29

San Xiao is able to resist the brunt of the foul spell.

“Thank, Calistria!”

Luisila drops back 10’ and channels healing once again. Only Badru and Conan are not in range.

Channel positive healing: 5d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 2, 3, 1) = 14

San Xiao flies in closer, and readies an attack against Badru if it tries to cast another spell.

Totally forgot about Inspire Courage on my other attacks, but it worked out. Readying a Focused Shot against Badru to force a concentration check. If he moves more than 30 feet from me, take 1 off the attack roll and 7 off the damage.

Conan doggedly pursues and presses his attack with a roar. "WHAT IS RED AND BAD FOR YOUR TEETH? ....ME!"

Conan attack 1, PA, heroism, rage, bardic: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 13 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 35 Potential critical
Conan attack 2, PA, heroism, rage, bardic: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 8 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 16
Conan attack bite, PA, heroism, rage, bardic: 1d20 + 7 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 28

Confirm critical? Conan attack 1, PA, heroism, rage, bardic: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 13 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 36 I hope that does it anyway...

Damage for attack 1 (adamantine) - critical: 4d6 + 42 ⇒ (3, 1, 2, 3) + 42 = 51
Damage for attack 2 (adamantine): 2d6 + 21 ⇒ (1, 3) + 21 = 25
Damage for bite: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

(As before, I'll let you roll for images. Note that if the critical actually hits Badru, I have a bardic performance that will trigger off it, so let me know if so! Also I totally forgot my bard buffs from Noisy, sorry Noisy :( *edits it in there* )

“Fredrik, please heed Conan’s wishes first. But I believe you could do worse than get into melee beside him to at least destroy an image or sunder Badru’s component pouch.” Assuming he has one.

"WHAT IS RED AND BAD FOR YOUR TEETH?"

“Why an amethyst disguised as a cherry tomato!”

Luisila chuckles. “I may have heard that one before, Conan.”

Noisy quickly heads into the room that Conan and Badru are vacating, huffing slightly from the effort as he still feels the effects of the fog.

Once there, he lifts his musket, takes a moment to aim, and pulls both triggers at once.

Ceasing to maintain the bard song. Its effects will continue to linger for 2 more rounds

Too many images still, so will fire both barrels as a single action, in hopes of reducing their number. He will not use deadly aim, since his primary goal is to hit (and reduce the image count) not to do damage.

Barrel 1 - Ranged Touch, bard, heroism, pbs: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 4 = 20, for 1d12 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 2 + 1 = 9 damage.
Barrel 2 - Ranged Touch, bard, heroism, pbs: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 4 = 19, for 1d12 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 2 + 1 = 11 damage.

His grapple target gone, he moves on to the real threat. So how many images are left?

He throws a punch!

Inspire, Power Attack: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (20) + 19 = 39
Confirming: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (1) + 19 = 20
1d8 + 20 ⇒ (7) + 20 = 27

Ok Badru, let's see what's left of you after that mess.
He starts with him plus 4 images.

Going in init order with the tracker above...
Noisy moves into the room and unloads both barrels at the Librarian and his images, trying to clear some fo Conan.
img: 1d5 ⇒ 4 1=Badru
img: 1d4 ⇒ 1 1=Badru

One image pops and the other bullet is a direct hit. It makes a small scratch on Badru.

Next, Conan unleashes his storm of steel on Badru and his remaining images...
img: 1d4 ⇒ 2 1=Badru
img: 1d3 ⇒ 1 1=Badru
img: 1d3 ⇒ 3 1=Badru

Conan's first swing pops an image, the second swing misses the real McCoy wildly, and the last swing pops another image.

Fredrick moves up to try and pop another image.
atk: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17 but fails to connect
img: 1d2 ⇒ 1 1=Badru

Savage moves into the room to take a punch at the manikin.
img: 1d2 ⇒ 2 1=Badru

San Xiao readies a bomb.

And the last image is destroyed.

Luisila channels to heal most of the party.

Badru peeks out from under his tiny umbrella...hmmm that did not go at all as I expected.

San Xiao's readied action will go as soon as soon as Badru tries to tap himself with his wand.

The bomb hits, burning him some but the wand still activates, causing img: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 more images to appear and Badru tries to move out of the room to the south.

"I am afraid I must insist you leave now. I have work I need to do.

Attacks of Opportunity for Conan, Savage, Fredrik

Then party goes.

"RAAAAAAWHHH," says the comedian, so eloquently. He's not really angry at Badru, he's angry at himself for re-using material around Luisila... again! He needs more jokes.

AOO: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 13 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 18
Damage: 2d6 + 21 ⇒ (2, 2) + 21 = 25

Mirror image, hits on a 1: 1d4 ⇒ 1

>:[ >:[ thank you, natural 1.

I think he has cast a curse on you all...or the dicebot.
I honestly thought he was going to be a puddle of goo.

Fredrick also tries to cut down the fleeing Librarian.

sword atk: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26 for dmg: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

img: 1d4 ⇒ 1 hits on 1

The blade bounces off Badru's skin. Fredrick exclaims in frustration.

This guy is either the luckiest in the world or we are cursed by the Jeweled Sages

Or Mirror Image is an awesome defensive buff!
At this point, you've a better chance closing your eyes and swinging, than actually swinging with them open! =) Back when there were 9 if him... ouch!

oh, and should the rest of us go now too?

Yes, I was going to give Savage a chance to hit/grab him - but you can all go and I will apply his Aoo first. Just remember - he is 50' away unless Savage stops him - so no full attacks or line of sight probably.

Badru moves expeditiously out of the area (60' move).

=== Round Tracker===
1-Noisy(sing,-3con), Conan(FoM,-3con), Fredrick,
Savage(-3con) , San Xiao(full, Daylight) , Luisila (FoM, -36, -1con)
2-Badru (3+1 images)

Ya, didn't think he'd moved the full amount yet, that new graphic helps!
Can you grapple on an AoO?

If Savage does manage to stop him on his AoO somehow (like a grab or a trip or the like)... then I'll do something else! =) Will post again if that happens.

@Noisy - sounds good. Yes his first mirror image was personal. The wand one will drop on that roll if we get that far.

“I don’t think we should let him get away.”

On her turn: Luisila advances 30’ to the west and *casts* blessing of fervor for all.

Inspired Trip: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (2) + 28 = 30
Image: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Savage is fooled by the image that he fails to stop Badru. To make up for his failure, he pursues and attempts to grab him.

Inspired Grapple: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (18) + 32 = 50
Constrict: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

For the record, that Focused Shot was with my bow. I can't use it with bombs.

San Xiao flies in pursuit, and tries to slow Badru down. Taking the +2s for Blessing of Fervor

Frost Bomb: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (3) + 22 = 25
Damage: 6d6 + 9 ⇒ (3, 2, 1, 3, 4, 1) + 9 = 23
Image (3 now?): 1d3 ⇒ 2

Since I guess that misses, I pop an image, and both Badru and Savage take 12 cold damage, DC 21 Reflex for half.

Savage fails to stop the fleeing Badru as he escapes into the next chamber.

Noisy moves up and casts dispel on the fleeting images of the fleeing historian. The images disappear leaving just the one.

Fredrick delays to let the faster folks through.

Luisila calls forth blessings upon the group.

Savage gives chase and manages to grab an arm of the fleeing wizard-kin despite Badru feeling kind of slick and greasy (which seems to fit his personality).
He manages to do a small bit of damage with the constrict.

"Release me you buffoon. You are ruining everything. The Amethyst Sage will not be pleased. but you are not sure if Badru's last comment is directed at you or himself.

San Xiao easily scores a direct hit with his frost bomb since the images were already dispelled.

FYI - The bow and arrow would have still hit, but done less damage. Probably moot at this point. Let Savage know if he still needs to save.

Fredrick will move up. takes +2 and double moves

We just need Conan to take center stage...

Oh, if I hit, I can use Precise Bombs to exclude Savage, so he's fine. And Badru needs to make a DC 21 Fort save or be staggered.

Badru looks at the bomb that hit his constructed body.
"FORT save? I don't need no stinking FORT save." :-)
What I need is a need is a pry bar to get this goon to release his vice-like grip on my arm.

Conan, bolstered by Luisila's prayer of speed, tears after the fleeing fella... Using blessing of fervor for the speed bonus, just gets me adjacent in a single move

Single attack, PA, heroism, rage, bard: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 13 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 29
Damage (adamantine): 2d6 + 21 ⇒ (4, 4) + 21 = 29

Conan strides up and hacks on the grappled Badru,
his black blade cutting deep into the manufactured body. Unable to cast he stabs with a dagger, calling out.

I will fight to the end for the Amethyst Sage. You traitors can join with Saruna in defying the will of the Jeweled Sages and all this place represents.

Stabbing wildly at Savage as best he can in the grapple.

dagger: 1d20 + 17 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 17 - 2 = 30 for dmg: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
dagger: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 12 - 2 = 20 for dmg: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
dagger: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 - 2 = 19 for dmg: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Party goes...

Savage is picked once which only serves to increase his ire.

Taking bonus to AT/AC/REF from Blessing of Fervor.

Inspired, Fervor, Grapple to Move: 1d20 + 39 ⇒ (3) + 39 = 42
Constrict: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Noble moves the impudent creature closer to the party before cinching in the crossface.

Inspired, Fervor, Grapple to Pin: 1d20 + 39 ⇒ (16) + 39 = 55
Constrict: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

With a scroll held in her buckler hand, a grim-faced Luisila rushes 50’ (single move courtesy of blessing of fervor) towards the waning battle.

On the way she draws her scorpion whip for the first time since she used it on a tree the paladin Omrax the Bold was fighting in a Flower Shoppe in Magnimar. True!

Wonder what Omrax is doing right now?

Aid Conan’s melee attack vs AC/DC 10 + ♪ bard beat ♫: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 1 = 28

If > 10, +2 to Conan’s next attack

“Fredrik, Savage and I would appreciate another healing channel, if you please.”

♗♗♗♗

Luisila kisses her whip and offers Badru the Savored Rites. “While neither party would compromise, we both serve the wishes of our respective Jewelled Sage – unlike the traitor, Saruna!”

“Fly to Elysium on Vengeance’s Wings, brother! If there is anything you can tell us to help safeguard the Violet Beacon or to defeat Saruna, I pray you will take this opportunity to do so and take revenge on her.”

Noisy Inspire Courage stops lingering about now.

He will choose the bonus to AC and attack rolls from the Blessing of Fervor, this round

The dwarf will squeeze his way past the rocks, and move a bit closer to the others. Sure the melee types have it well in hand, he nevertheless keeps one wary eye on Badru, in case he has more tricks up his sleeve.

single move action, then ready an action to yell at Badru if he manages to attempt any magical shenanigans.

Seeing Badru mostly neutralized, San Xiao decides to stick with his bow to conserve his magic.

Taking the extra attack from BoF

Bow: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Bow: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Bow: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Fredrick channels to heal Savage and Luisila (and anyone else still down).

"You've got it!'

channel: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 3) = 15

Will finish posting Badru later tonight

Savage manages to drag and pin the squirming Badru, despite his greasy skin. However, the constriction does not appear to hurt him.

Luisila whips and nae nae's to aid Conan's next swing, if he needs it.

Noisy readies for Badru to do something magical, but that seems unlikely while in a headlock.

San Xiao steps up and releases 3 arrows point-blank on the grappled librarian.

All three of the arrows hit the sitting duck, but are only partially effective.

Badru will defiantly try to wiggle loose of Savage's brutal headlock.

CMB: 1d20 + 16 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 16 + 10 = 37 vs CMD39? Not quite...

Mmmmgggg mucuch saaggmmmuhuuh!

Badru struggles but cannot quite slip loose.

Party up...and no, Luisila, Omrax is not going to stride up with an ice-cream scoop and a bucket for Badru's heart.
You are on your own here. :-)

Conan takes a deep breath. "I take no joy in this," he informs Badru despite his rage, his teeth ebbing back into his face. "This could have gone another way!"

Attack 1 (power attack, heroism, bard, rage): 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 13 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 33
Damage: 2d6 + 21 ⇒ (5, 1) + 21 = 27

Attack 2 - iterative (power attack, heroism, bard, rage): 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 13
Damage: 2d6 + 21 ⇒ (4, 4) + 21 = 29

Attack 3 - BOF (power attack, heroism, bard, rage): 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 13 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 37
Damage: 2d6 + 21 ⇒ (1, 5) + 21 = 27

Confirm crit on attack 3?: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 13 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 37
Extra damage if confirms: 2d6 + 21 ⇒ (1, 4) + 21 = 26

And with his third swing of the black blade driving deep, Conan ends Badru. The glow from his chest gem flickers and dims as the manikin body goes limp in Savage's arms.

His dying words, half-whispered to Savage. I...am no longer interested...in meeting with your...Zarta Dralneen.

* End combat *

"That's alright. She wouldn't like you."

Badru drops his fine quality dagger. You also find 2 scrolls and 2 wands on his person.

bet one of them's a wand of mirror image =)

Noisy looks at the fallen Archivist with a scowl.

"You know," He says, as he starts to reload both barrels of his musket. "Although he's probably been dead for centuries, I really don't like this Amethyst Sage fellow. Think I'd rather have shot him."

Once he's done with his firearm, he pulls out a small slender wand.

"Can maybe fix up a couple of folks from that poisonous cloud." He offers still coughing slightly. "Why'd the bastard have to have two of them?"

"Don't think it has enough juice for everyone." He adds, after a moment.

not enough charges for everybody, who needs what, lesser-restoration-wise?

Down three con so one good roll.

"I agree."

“+1 … as the cool kids say.”

☤Medic’s Report☤ I have everyone at full health hit point-wise except Luisila. Conan, Noisy & Savage at -3 con dmg. Luisila is at -1 con dmg, but I’m not going to bother fixing hers for the time being.

“Noisy, maybe you should just wand yourself back to full health? Fredrik and I should be able to sort out Conan and Savage.”

Assuming Fredrik agrees … Fred’s prepared lesser restoration spell on Savage: 1d4 ⇒ 3 Fred, you rock!

Luisila's lesser restoration (1/5) scroll on Conan: 1d4 ⇒ 4

“Fredrik, can you also please cast CLW on me? I will then top myself up with my own CLW wand.”

Fred’s domain CLW on Luisila: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Luisila's CLW wand on Luisila: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Luisila's CLW wand on Luisila: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Luisila then *casts* detect magic and attempts to identify the items.

Spellcraft on wand #1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Spellcraft on wand #2: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Spellcraft on dagger: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

“Bum. I haven’t prepared read magic so will have to try to use my arcane knowledge to identify the scroll spells. Hopefully they’re arcane spells that you can use, Noisy.”

Spellcraft on scroll #1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Spellcraft on scroll #2: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

“Once everyone is ready, I think we should explore the rest of this level ASAP and bring Badru’s body along with us. Just in case someone tries to steal his amethyst heart.”

Savage nods in gratitude and then he picks up the body. "Nod, Get healed."

I have the Wayfinder that lets me detect magic, so I'll try to identify.

Spellcraft Scroll 1: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28

Spellcraft Scroll 2: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21

Spellcraft Wand 1: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28

Spellcraft Wand 2: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (16) + 17 = 33

Read magic prepped here, as well

Conan huffs, drooping as the fight ends and the energy seems to all flow out of him. He looks unhappily down on Badru's body before Savage picks it up, then sighs. "He did attack us," the redhead says after some frowning.

He perks up a bit when Luisila casts a spell on him, offering the other half-elf a close facsimile of his normal smile. "WELL. You can lead a construct to water but you CAN'T MAKE HIM THINK, eh? That feels MUCH BETTER, Luisila, THANK YOU."

Conan rolls his head side to side hearing his vertebrae crack and pop, then helps with identification. "We should backtrack to the room where the FIGHT STARTED. There may be more USEFUL ITEMS in there."

Between all the checks/detects rolls, you are able to discern

Fredrick and Luisila and Noisy patch up the party and you backtrack to Badru's workshop.

In the large chamber to the northwest (B5), you notice a large tunnel or breach in the wall...this appears to go for some distance. Parts of the same golden colored mechanical limbs seem to be scattered - as if some battle was fought here years ago.

One of the manikin/dolls that had its eyes open during the fight seems to be smoldering and flickering.
I was hoping I could have magic jarred into Savage or Conan with this one. It made the fight "interesting" for my party when we ran it.

In the workshop (B4) other than the manikins and nearly completed mummy,
A small urn capped with the head of a sha (a jackal-like creature) sits on the table with the mummy.

By the markings and notes, the Amethyst Sage apparently acquired this canopic jar from somewhere in the Pillars of the Sun during his travels. The jar contains what appears to be a large mummified heart.

Any Knowledge checks to discern the use or meaning of all this stuff?

"That might be the canopic jar Saruna mentioned." Noisy muses, indicating the jar.

"Where the Amethyst Sage placed her heart once he cut it out." He frowns slightly at this last.

Whether it actual is hers or not, dunno... might be a trick!

Noisy will use his wand of lesser restoration on himself.

UMD: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17
UMD: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15 edit: Bah, a 1?! It is now shut off for 24 hours! =)
UMD: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23
To heal 1d4 ⇒ 1 con.

6 rounds later...

"I think I broke it." He says eventually, a puzzled look on his face, after waving it around for a while to no effect.

Am not sure if its locked out for everyone, or just me?

just you, fortunately!

"May I HELP, Noisy?" Conan offers. He takes Noisy's wand and taps him with it.

(Auto success on the UMD with my heroism)

1d4 ⇒ 1 (bah! Sorry!)