GM BPC TK2's Excellent PFS Adventure

Game Master Black Powder Chocobo

@Thunderstealer: There is a steel shield AND a steel sword on the marble statues.

Drawn by the statues of rules and their tokens of authority Art casts Detect Magic and studies each.

Knowledge Nobility: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

Knowledge History: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

While Artemus doesn't notice anything of historical importance about the statues, both the sword and the shield are indeed magical.

Both sword and shield are enchanted. One moment. The archaist concentrates on each item, touching if necessary.

Spellcraft sword: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (15) + 20 = 35

Spellcraft Shield: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (7) + 20 = 27

Faeros will examine each to be sure there are no nonmagical traps or snares where Artemus is about to stick his hands!

Artemus looks over the magical items... the sword is simply disguised with a magical aura, although the shield is truly a +3 heavy steel shield.

Faeros steps in to look over the items to make sure they aren't rigged... however, his eyes and reaction are quick enough to step back and draw his bow as he realizes the statues holding the steel items are beginning to move, taking in more space than from their confined poses!

No surprise round!

Init Order (bold = up)
Faeros
Blue shield statue
Nilfyr
Thunderstealer/Belcher
Red Sword statue
Artemus

Sorry for my absence
Calling out to alert his allies to the new danger,
Faeros quickly studies the closer of the statues and casts his Divine Favor

Does Faeros know anything about these statuesque foes?
arcana: 1d20 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 12 + 3 = 32 (included study bonus)

Faeros retreats back before the statue can act, getting to a safe distance before reviewing the statue and firing an arrow!

Single studied arrow @ Blue statue: 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 17 + 2 = 35
Damage on hit: 1d8 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 = 8

The arrow hits the statue, taking out a chunk of stone. Strangely, the arrow explodes upon contact, with only wooden shrapnel remaining.

Statue seemingly ignores Faeros, instead going after the closer target and slams Thunderstealer twice with its massive arms!

Blue Slam @ Thunderstealer: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 31
Damage on hit: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 6) + 7 = 15
Will save on hit: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Blue Slam @ Thunderstealer: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (19) + 18 = 37
Damage on hit: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 1) + 7 = 12
Will save on hit: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Thunderstealer sees little birds around his head as the first blow dazes the shaman. The second strike causes more pain for him!

Init Order (bold = up)
Faeros
Blue shield statue (8 damage)
Nilfyr
Thunderstealer (27 damage, dazed)
Belcher
Red Sword statue
Artemus

And I just noticed that Faeros posted while I was working on this one, very sneaky Mr. Inquisitor! Anywho, I'll take Faeros' action, but for the sake of ease, I'll keep the damage on Thunderstealer.

Also put Faeros back to where he was.

Perhaps it is the shock of seeing the statues move, but what appeared to be an arrow exploding was but dust falling from the now moving foe as Faeros prepares an offensive aura upon himself.

Init Order (bold = up)
Faeros (studied blue, Divine Favor)
Blue shield statue
Nilfyr
Thunderstealer (27 damage, dazed)
Belcher
Red Sword statue
Artemus

The new spot was fine, Faeros can move (move) Cast(standard) Study (swift) And knowledge (Free), hopefully. I just positioned him 5 feet because I didn't realize you had already moved him. Thanks for accommodating my stealth post =)

This is some sort of construct called a cephalaphore. Be wary that your weapons may be damaged if you strike them, and they have resistance to spells!

That is fine then! Indeed, you can move safely for now, so you can be within 30' of where you initially were

Nilfyr reacts, moving to engage the constructs as he prepares himself; he utters a quick word to grant himself divine power and brings his fauchard to bear against the closest of the two, attempting to trip it.

Move action: As indicated on map
Swift action: Cast divine favor (7/8 fervor left)
Standard action: Trip construct
Trip (+2 Adamantine Fauchard (2H), Greater Trip, Gauntlets of the Skilled Maneuver (Trip), Ioun Stone (Thorny Brown), Divine Favor): 1d20 + 15 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 15 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 39

AoO (+2 Adamantine Fauchard (2H), Power Attack (Furious Focus), Divine Favor): 1d20 + 15 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 15 + 3 = 29
Damage (+2 Adamantine Fauchard (2H), Power Attack, Divine Favor): 1d10 + 10 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 6 + 3 = 21

You know, a hundred stone statue should have a much higher CMD than it really does.

As the saying goes, the bigger they are... and falls hard it does, hitting the ground with a deafening crash followed by another loud CLANG as Nilfyr's polearm twirls again and slices into the statue.

Feedback damage: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 3) = 9

Nilfyr feels a sudden vibration go through his weapon as it connected with the cephalophore, safely passing through the adamantine blade. Only magical reinforcements save the wooden haft from the strain.

Init Order (bold = up)
Faeros (studied blue, Divine Favor)
Blue shield statue (prone, 21 damage)
Nilfyr
Thunderstealer (27 damage, dazed)
Belcher
Red Sword statue
Artemus

Hmm. Nothing is bold so no one will act...

Art studies the back wall and ponders his choices of feats, wondering if he should next take Improved initiative.

Yeah, just noticed that, too late to edit

Init Order (bold = up)
Faeros (studied blue, Divine Favor)
Blue shield statue (prone, 21 damage)
Nilfyr
Thunderstealer (27 damage, dazed)
Belcher
Red Sword statue
Artemus

Thunderstealer will be dazed...
Belcher will delay.

Belcher looks for guidance at his petkeeper that seems to be not paying attention to his surroundings.

The other statue moves and raises its sword in the air, causing a mind-numbing wave to envelop the entire party!

This is a mind-affecting fear effect to all those who have modifiers as such.
Artemus Will vs DC 16: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Faeros 'Is it a 1?' Will vs DC 16: 1d20 ⇒ 16
Nilfyr Will vs DC 16: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Thunderstealer Will vs DC 16: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Belcher Will vs DC 16: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Only Thunderstealer falls to the daze once more, with everyone else coming unscathed.

Init Order (bold = up)
Faeros (studied blue, Divine Favor)
Blue shield statue (prone, 21 damage)
Nilfyr
Thunderstealer (27 damage, dazed)
Belcher
Red Sword statue
Artemus

Art finally turns to see the constructs and wonders about them. Cephalaphores you say?

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26

I wonder what their worst save is?

He then casts Create Pit and tries to drop the red statue into a pit. DC 20 Refelx or it falls into a 30' pit

Ironically, its best save is Reflex. The worst save is Fort, due to the lack of a Con score, albeit few things can affect constructs that involve a Fort save, too.

Red Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

A pit appears beneath the red statue. It takes a second to register that there is nothing below it, and as soon as it looks down, it falls inside the pit with a deafening crash!

Falling damage: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 3) = 10

Init Order (bold = up)
Faeros (studied blue, Divine Favor)
Blue shield statue (prone, 21 damage)
Nilfyr
Thunderstealer (27 damage, dazed)
Belcher
Red Sword statue (10 damage, prone, in pit)
Artemus

Despite them being prone, Faeros will shoot them anyway

He calls down a baneagainst constructs from Abadar, and fires 3 arrows at blue.
I am not accounting for a -4, as I believe it is a bonus to their AC, not a penalty to my attack. (Rapid, Point blank, Deadly Aim, Divine Favor, Study Target, Bane, Coordinated Shot)

Arrow1: 1d20 + 15 - 2 + 1 - 2 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 15 - 2 + 1 - 2 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 401d8 + 5 + 2d6 + 1 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + (4, 6) + 1 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 2 = 31
rapid: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (15) + 22 = 371d8 + 2d6 + 18 ⇒ (1) + (2, 1) + 18 = 22
Arrow3: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 221d8 + 2d6 + 18 ⇒ (3) + (6, 2) + 18 = 29

So many numbers!

Faeros fires twice and the downed construct, two arrows exploding into splinters as the force of the strikes take out large chunks of stone. The third arrow skips harmlessless off of the rocky exterior, though.

The construct rises up AoO from Nilfyr!, then proceeds to swing at the half-elf!

Blue Cephalophore slam @ Nilfyr: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25
Damage on hit: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 5) + 7 = 14
Nilfyr Will on hit: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Luckily, Nilfyr's barky skin absorbs enough of the force that he feels no notable damage from the powerful blow!

Rats, that would have dazed you too :P

Init Order (bold = up)
Faeros (studied blue, Divine Favor)
Blue shield statue (74 damage)
Nilfyr
Thunderstealer (27 damage, dazed)
Belcher
Red Sword statue (10 damage, prone, in pit)
Artemus

[ooc]The pitted one will only stay down there for a minute, and only that long if it cannot climb.[/b] Art says, encouraging the party to put the other construct down quickly.

Sorry, took me a little while to wrap my head around polearm hardness, but I feel like I need to take the chance...

AoO/Trip (+2 Adamantine Fauchard (2H), Greater Trip, Gauntlets of the Skilled Maneuver (Trip), Ioun Stone (Thorny Brown), Divine Favor): 1d20 + 15 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 15 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 38

AoO (+2 Adamantine Fauchard (2H), Power Attack (Furious Focus), Divine Favor): 1d20 + 15 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 15 + 3 = 24
Damage (+2 Adamantine Fauchard (2H), Power Attack, Divine Favor): 1d10 + 10 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 6 + 3 = 28

Nilfyr trips the construct again as it's getting up, then follows up with two devastating attacks!

Standard action: Attack construct (vital strike)
Attack (+2 Adamantine Fauchard (2H), Power Attack (Furious Focus), Divine Favor): 1d20 + 15 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 15 + 3 = 38
Damage (+2 Adamantine Fauchard (2H, Vital Strike), Power Attack, Divine Favor): 2d10 + 10 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 6) + 10 + 6 + 3 = 31

Yeah, I had to doublecheck the FAQ on that one. We'll see!

Incidentally, you cannot use an AoO to trip a Prone creature who is standing up since they still have the Prone condition when the AoO triggers. This is to prevent trip-locking an opponent.

So you have a choice, I can sort of reorder your actions, making your listed AoO that for the construct standing up, then your standard action being what your rolled for an AoO trip and the standard action listed as the AoO if the trip succeeded (which it did btw), but reducing the 2nd die as it can't be a Vital Strike. Ok with that?

Fine by me. Also, hoping I can make it a full-round action and roll an iterative attack, while I'm at it. :-)

Attack (+2 Adamantine Fauchard (2H), Power Attack, Divine Favor): 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 10 - 2 + 3 = 29
Damage (+2 Adamantine Fauchard (2H), Power Attack, Divine Favor): 1d10 + 10 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 6 + 3 = 21

That said, I'll stop attacking with my fauchard when/if damage gets to within 1 attack (18 hp possible - 9 hardness = 9 hp) of broken, so once it's taken 5 hp (I think?).

If you are going to stop when you hit the broken condition...

Of course, I just did the math on the damage, so most of this is moot actually!

The reactionary strike from Nilfyr topples the statue to the ground, its shield laying on the floor.

Feedback damage: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 5) = 13

However, it did not go quietly as Nilfyr braces his polearm as he notices several warping bubbles forming on the wooden half, some of it cracking already and making the polearm weight when swinging a bit off.

The special rule for these guys, much like the smaller caryatid columns, ANY damage caused to a weapon automatically adds the broken condition to it.

Assuming Thunderstealer/Belcher will hold off again til the master can act.

The tall statue tries to make his way out of the pit...

Climb: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Climb: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

But Artemus' pit walls are too slippery for the statue!

Init Order (bold = up)
Faeros (Divine Favor)
Nilfyr (4 damage and broken condition to weapon)
Thunderstealer (27 damage)
Belcher
Red Sword statue (10 damage, prone, in pit)
Artemus

Regroup and heal up. Art recommends. And get into position. We have a few moments.

He delays.

And I know I had the players bolded... but yeah, all players are up.

Init Order (bold = up)
Faeros (Divine Favor)
Nilfyr (4 damage and broken condition to weapon)
Thunderstealer (27 damage)
Belcher
Red Sword statue (10 damage, prone, in pit)
Artemus (delayed)

Nilfyr cradles his fauchard somewhat, inspecting the haft. After a moment, he looks at Faeros. "If you're willing, could you perhaps spare my fauchard with your arrows?"

Thunderstealer finally gets to act.

"Wow, that's quite an impressive pit spell. Most of the time they fizzle when they are cast on a non-horizontal surface! Luckily this wasn't the case this time!"

I blame the GM for using non-transaparent monsters. The stairs weren't visible any more!

Thunderstealer retreats.

"I second Faeros shooting this thing while we stand back. These things are giving me a headache!"

I did not see the stairs, but the spell works on water so... Magic

If it has an attack that requires a recharge it will certainly be ready when the thing comes back up. Art warns.

But if the monsters were transparent, they would get diplacement and a 50% miss chance!

And only issue of Faeros pop shotting it is that the pit sides are slanted so he will need to make that Reflex save, but with the +4 bonus, I just need Faeros to make 3 d20 rolls and not roll a 1 on any of them, and I'll just call it at that point.

Would be a neat trick if you could suppress the slick sides. But Pits are already pretty good. Sometimes people forget they are not dismissable and that can lead to problems.

Okay, to save some time, I'm going to assume Faeros will do this, trusting his abilities and...

Faeros is it a 1 Reflex?: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Faeros is it a 1 Reflex?: 1d20 ⇒ 2
Faeros is it a 1 Reflex?: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Wowz

Faeros almost slips in as he concentrates on firing arrows at the trapped construct, but he holds his ground and fells the other cephalophore. Retreating to safety, the party takes their time to lick their wounds and retrieve the treasure although none of you are shield-bearers... loot!

Which door next after you patch things up?

Nilfyr heads to the door in the east wall and listens at it.

Perception: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (14) + 19 = 33

Thanks for botting my not-a-1-reflexes =). Faeros definitely would have agreed to that plan.

And fffffffffff.... my post is gone. Trying again.

And np!

Nilfyr thinks he hears the sound of water sloshing on the ground, as if someone is walking around with water soaked shoes.

Nilfyr alerts the others and readies his fauchard.

Faeros takes up a ready position behind nilfyr, alert with bow drawn.

Nilfyr prepares to open the door... and finds it locked.

Faeros, taking a bit of time, manages to unlock it after believing that there are no traps involved.

The door is opened and...

Map updated

Nilfyr looks at the others, seemingly seeing something other than what he does, and shouts, "Whatever it is you're seeing, it's not real!" as he charges the kneeling figure.

Full-round action: Charge kneeling figure (can't see it on the map, so not sure where that is exactly...)
Attack (+2 Adamantine Fauchard (2H), Power Attack (Furious Focus), Charge): 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 15 + 2 = 36
Damage (+2 Adamantine Fauchard (2H), Power Attack): 1d10 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 6 = 21

Critical Confirm (+2 Adamantine Fauchard (2H), Power Attack (Furious Focus), Charge): 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 15 + 2 = 22
Critical Damage (+2 Adamantine Fauchard (2H), Power Attack): 1d10 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 6 = 21

As Nilfyr moves towards the hidden figure behind the sarcophagus, a pair of figures, with red horns and wicked looking protrusions jutting out from their chins, lash out with glaives against his legs!

Blue devil trip @ Nilfyr: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 1 = 19
Red devil trip @ Nilfyr: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 11 + 1 = 22

However, Nilfyr's training reactively causes him to leap over the polearms as he continues forward.

Before Nilfyr reaches much farther, though, the figure finishes chanting a spell...

Nilfyr Will vs DC 20: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Sweat drips down from the half-elf's brow as an unnatural fear begins to course through his body, causing his body to shake from whatever is around the sarcophagus. He steps forward and...

Nilfyr Will vs DC 18: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 10 - 2 = 16
Duration on failure: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Nilfyr spots the mummified form of a woman, whose bandages soggily cling to her deadened skin. She howls out in a strange language to him, but the visage fills him with such despair that his body stops functioning!

With Nilfyr no longer moving, the blue devil moves behind him and swings at the helpless Desnan, cackling in diabolical tongue!

Blue devil glaive @ Nilfyr: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 11 - 2 + 1 = 28
Damage on hit: 1d10 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 1 = 19

Paralyzed, Nilfyr cannot protect himself and takes a savage cut that seems to bleed profusely!

The mummified being keeps her distance and casts a spell, sending a ray of black energy at Nilfyr!

Mummy black ray @ Nilfyr: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 13 + 1 = 19
Nilfyr will on hit: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 - 2 = 23
Damage on hit: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 1) = 5

The energy damages Nilfyr's essence, but his strong will makes a mockery of the worst of it.

Init Order (bold = up)
Blue devil
Mummy
Nilfyr (paralyzed, 23 damage, bleeding)
Faeros (sickened)
Red devil
Thunderstealer (sickened)
Belcher (sickened)
Artemus (sickened)

Worried for his companion, Faeroes steps up to Nilfyr, grabs him, and Dimensional Hops back into the previous room, Studying the caster if he got a chance.

Not sure which knowledge checks are relevant, but Faeros will call out any helpful tips he can give his allies about these foes

As Faeros darts towards Nilfyr, the pair of armed devils take swings at him, aiming for the inquisitor's legs!

Blue Devil trip @ Faeros: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 11 + 1 = 25
Red Devil trip @ Faeros: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 1 = 26

Faeros just barely stumbles past the polearm, but it throws him off enough that the second one lands!

He quickly looks over towards Nilfyr and spies the undead figure on the other side of the sarcophagus...

Faeros Will vs DC 20: 1d20 + 16 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 16 - 2 = 30
Faeros Will vs DC 17[/dice: 1d20 + 16 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 16 - 2 = 26

Despite the fear of his surroundings, Faeros resists the palpable presence of doom seemingly emanating from the mummy. He also overcomes the despair oozing out from it to.

Kn: Religion: 1d20 + 18 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 18 - 2 + 2 = 31

Faeros, you were tripped and are prone in the square as shown on the map. You still have your standard action; used your swift to study the mummy as you requested.

Init Order (bold = up)
Blue devil
Mummy
Nilfyr (paralyzed, 23 damage, bleeding)
Faeros (standard action left, sickened, prone)
Red devil
Thunderstealer (sickened)
Belcher (sickened)
Artemus (sickened)

Sorry I'm a bit confused. I thought I wasn't moving out of any threatened squares, and that Nilfyr was in the square that I am now prone in. My action was predicated on the expectation that I would not provoke any attacks based on the map. I will have to come up with a new plan tomorrow. Sorry for the delay.

Sorry I'm a bit confused. I thought I wasn't moving out of any threatened squares, and that Nilfyr was in the square that I am now prone in. My action was predicated on the expectation that I would not provoke any attacks based on the map. I will have to come up with a new plan tomorrow. Sorry for the delay.

Ready the Dimentional hop and I’ll try to bullrush you closer to Nilfyr

Unfortunately, I cannot recall the map, but I had remembered Nilfyr further closer to the mummy having missed the readied action from the devils, then you getting AoO for trying to reach Nilfyr who was again as I thought farther ahead. I apologize for any confusion as I am a little confused myself (thought you were just risking yourself to save Nilfyr and the dice just were against you that time. Otherwise, Thunderstealer does have a fun and very humorous suggestion!

I'm honestly fine with Thunderstealer's suggestion. When I moved myself it may have been before you finished moving Nilfyr and if so I apologize. If readying the action gets us back in sync, I say lets do that! (Plus it's theatrical!)

Sidenote - was there ever an official ruling on DC to use combat maneuvers vs a willing target?

Sidenote - was there ever an official ruling on DC to use combat maneuvers vs a willing target?

Nope, my plan is to just roll high, so we don't need to think about it!

After the red devil does its stuff.

Thunderstealer swiftly changes into a fiendish Deinonychus and bullrushes Faeros.

Bullrush: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 16 + 2 = 30