GM BPChocobo's PFS Cult of the Ebon Destroyer (Inactive)

Game Master Black Powder Chocobo

Pelkin will look down both passageways, trying to figure out what exactly the helmet is talking about when he mentions the hazards. Burns? What would cause us to burn?

"The challenge of the Gauntlet of course!" non-answers the helmet.

Pelkin climbs up the rock walls, which provide better hand support than he would surmise.

At the top, he sees a dark night sky full of twinkling stars ahead. Running southwest to northeast is a jagged bridge of land leading over a huge ravine. Obsidian cliffs descend from the land bridge on both the left and right sides, plummeting downward to the hard dirt floor below... perhaps forty feet. A natural set of stairs rises from the chasm's floor in the southwestern portion of the room. To the north is a wooden door set into the black rock where the bridge meets the chasm's edges.

In the starry sky, though, you do see stormy cloud off to the side... squinting your eyes, you see that the cloud seems to bear suggestive eyes.

Also, off to the side, are a number of small, dead trees. Perched on one of them is an albino owl that spies you. "Hoot!"

"The wise Shi'tashi has spotted you!", chirps your floating guide.

Map updated!

Nature to identify?: 1d20 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 4 = 12

So it has. Why would it be so wise? What will it do now that it has spotted me? I mean it no harm. At least, not yet.

@Pelkin: Outside from being albino, it looks like a normal owl.

"Lord Athemon has appointed Shi'tashi as the overseer of this chamber. He will watch over you as you try to get past the Gauntlet and pass judgment as necessary. Lo, beware of angering the wise Shi'tashi!"

Horgrym turns to the owl and speaks to it.

Horgrym inspects the land bridge to see if there are any tracks across it.

Track: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

"If he's truly wise, he won't try to interfere,", says Amarthecthel. "Who builds a dangerous gauntlet for his guests?"

I can't edit the map on my iPad. Please move Amarthecthel up to support Pelkin. Thanks.

@Horgrym: "Hoot.", replies Shi'tashi, staring blankly at you.

You also do not see any tracks on the stone pathway.

@Amarthecthel: "Why the great, powerful Nhur Athemon of course!"

Horgrym swaps his greatsword for his cold iron polearm and taps to either side of the path to make sure there is an actual fall-off. Then he eyes the ominous clouds.

"Might be best if we don't fall. If we tie ourselves to something we might be safer."

Since brace is just a readied attack against a charge, you can't brace out of combat, right?

@Horgrym: It does indeed seem to be a drop... a solid 40' drop!

Hmmm that's a thinker... I think I'd allow it, with a single caveat. You need to tell me which direction you're expecting the charge; if it comes within that arc, you can use your readied attack even if you wouldn't get to act in the surprise round (or not soon enough if you do, but your initiative is too low). Sound fair?

More than fair, sure.

Horgrym moves out on the bridge cautiously, setting his polearm for a charge from the north.

"If someone wants to try and pass through, I'll see what I can do to ward off any threats from here."

"Hey! I have an idea!" The little gnome says with a shine of trickery in his eyes.

Twigg approaches the base of the bridge with his bear friend, Mexel. He casts a spell and a second bear steps out of Mexel. Twigg casts Silent Image

"Mexel II you must go across the bridge."

The illusionary bear begins to trot along the bridge to reach end.

Clever, little one. Very clever. Let us watch and see what might happen.

Pelkin will use Detect Alignment in an effort to learn of anything nearby. Does the helmet have an alignment?

@Pelkin: You try each alignment combination, but nothing registers. Must be Neutral

Horgrym: Are you taking your defensive position before or after Mexel 2 is created and sent out?

Twigg had made his decision after hearing Horgrym so I'd assume the defensive position was before the spell was cast.

Gotcha![/ooc[
[ooc]Stuff to happen later!

Stuff! My favorite thing to happen!

Before Twigg's illusionary bear is created, Horgrym moves up and holds his weapon out eyeing the cloud. His suspicions were correct as it then flashes before making a mad dash towards the halfling! However, Horgrym expected this and thrusts his weapon before the lightning being can reach him!

Horgrym readied bec de corbin @ lightning: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Damage on hit: 2d8 + 8 + 12 ⇒ (1, 1) + 8 + 12 = 22

And my dice hate you.

Thrown off by the amazing speed it dashed at you, your weapon doesn't even get close to hitting it as it closes in to then bash you off the ledge!
Lightning Bull Rush @ Horgrym: 1d20 + 6 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 10 + 3 = 22

Your swing was enough that it can't get full effort into the push, but it's enough to potentially send you to the ground below!

Horgrym Reflex vs DC 15: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

However, Horgrym holds his feat and barely manages to stay on the ledge!
@Horgrym: The joys of 5' squares in oddly shaped terrain. You're on the narrow edge nearly teetering over. You cannot 5' step and will have to use a move action that will provoke from this lightning being if you wish to move. Otherwise, it's a -2 to attack rolls if you switch weapons as you don't have the room in your square to attack properly without losing your balance!

The fall below that Horgrym avoided becomes more dangerous as a pair of humanoid shaped mud beings rise up from the dirt floor, almost disappointed that they have nothing to bash apart!

"Hoot!", hoots Shi'tashi.

[spoiler=Initiatives]
LE: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
M1: 1d20 ⇒ 20
M2: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Sh: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Amarthecthel: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Dyn: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Horgrym: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 1 + 2 = 19
Pelkin: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Twigg: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Init Order (bold = up!)
Pelkin
Mud 1
Horgrym
Lightning
Dyn
Shi'tashi
Amarthecthel
Twigg
Mud 2

Pelkin moves forward, hoping to be able to aid his long-time friend!

Know Nature/Planes?: 1d20 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 4 = 18 If I know the type of creature (18 should be enough to know that) Pelkin will activate his Bane ability, round 1 of 5.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 2 = 20 for Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 6 + (4, 4) = 16

@Pelkin: They're elementals, so outsider would your best bet.

The lightning elemental is fast, has greater accuracy against those in metal armor or using metal weapons, and gain a boost to their CMB for certain combat maneuvers when charging.

The mud elementals below are slow, but can pack a solid punch which can entangle their targets in a glob of mud!

Your blade strikes true against the lightning elemental, causing it to shake violently.

One of the mud elementals slops itself up the steps and tries to swing at Twigg!

Mud 1 slam @ Twigg: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 - 2 = 16
Damage on hit: 1d6 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 6 = 16
Twigg Reflex on hit vs DC 14: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

However, the gnome's invisible armor protects him, the thick mud dripping off of it.

Init Order (bold = up!)
Pelkin
Mud 1
Horgrym
Lightning
Dyn
Shi'tashi
Amarthecthel
Twigg
Mud 2

Horgrym frowns as his feet skid to a stop near the edge of the bridge.

"Thanks Pelkin! I should have waited for Mexel!"

He drops his polearm to the ground and draws out his greatsword, trying to swing without pulling himself over the edge.

GS(FF,PA): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 291d10 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

@Horgrym: Your blow is enough to finish off the lightning elemental, who breaks apart into a multitude of tiny clouds before evaporating.

Shi'tashi begins to clean some of his feathers with his beak.

Init Order (bold = up!)
Pelkin
Mud 1
Horgrym
Dyn
Shi'tashi
Amarthecthel
Twigg
Mud 2

Twigg takes a 5' diagonally back out of range while his bear friend steps into melee.

Twigg starts to wiggle his fingers and begins to cast a spell while his bear defenses the little gnome.

Twigg begins to cast Enlarge Person on his animal companion, which is a full-round action.
Mexel's attack, no power attack
Claw 1 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
damage 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Claw 2 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
damage 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
bite 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
damage 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

@Twigg: Technically, the term is 1 round action as the embiggening won't occur until your next initiative. Just stating it to be that kinda GM :P

While Mexel's first attack fails to do more than swipe some mud, the second claw and the bite rip off a significant part of the creature's mass.

Init Order (bold = up!)
Pelkin
Mud 1 (15 damage)
Horgrym
Dyn
Shi'tashi
Amarthecthel
Twigg
Mud 2

I think that Twigg and the bear did not move on the map.

Amarthecthel glares at the nearest mud-man, making a sign of ill omen rarely used by the Silver Crusade.

Misfortune hex on the monster. Supernatural ability. Re-roll all saves, attack rolls, skill checks and ability checks for 1 round and take the worse result. DC 17 will save negates.

M1 Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Taking a cue from the pugwampis, Amarthecthel plagues the mud elemental with lousy luck, misfortune, and bad juju.

Dyn watches his companions, waiting for one of them to be wounded, so that he can begin to aid.

No one is really that badly hurt, so Dyn delays

Hey guys, sorry I've been quiet; preparing for a mini-con this weekend! We'll get back on track on Monday

Sorry guys! Needed a day to catch up on work stuff. Back in action, now!

Dyn holds back, seeing his healing services are not needed.

The mud elemental on the ground, seeing it has nothing to smash, moves around and under a tunnel dug into the stone walkway and try and reach the fight!

Init Order (bold = up!)
Pelkin
Mud 1 (15 damage, misfortuned)
Horgrym
Dyn
Shi'tashi
Amarthecthel
Twigg
Mud 2

Is the mudguy within my weapon reach? If so I attack him, if not I'll move to the left and attack that one.

Attack, Bane 2/5 used: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 = 10 for Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 6 + (3, 2) = 17

The one at the bottom of the stairs is still too far down, so moved your avatar to the other.

Pelkin swings, but trying to maintain his balance, his blade only gets caught in the mud and is harmlessly removed.

The elemental he tried to injure then retaliates.

Mud 1 slam @ Pelkin: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 - 2 = 24
Mud 1 Misfortune slam: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 - 2 = 12
Damage on hit: 1d6 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 6 = 14
Pelkin Fort vs DC 14 on hit: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

What would have been a powerful blow fails as the elemental falls over itself trying to reach the elf!

Huzzah for the misfortune!

Init Order (bold = up!)
Pelkin
Mud 1 (15 damage, misfortuned)
Horgrym
Dyn
Shi'tashi
Amarthecthel
Twigg
Mud 2

Assuming Twigg's spell takes place the little gnome steps back allowing his now massive bear take his spot.

Mexel attacks the mud monster in front of his friend.
claw 1 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
damage 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
claw 2 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
damage 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
bite 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
damage 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

If Twigg can see the mud elemental at the bottom of the stairs. He takes out his wand and shoots a bolt of acid.
Wand of Acid Arrow ranged touch attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
acid damage 2d4 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

Yup! It kicks off now, so super Mexel!

The now large bear rears up on its legs and savagely rips the elemental apart, leaving only enough stuff to make a small clay pot.

Meanwhile, the gnome's dart of acid sizzles as mud melts off of its form.

Init Order (bold = up!)
Pelkin
Mud 1 (15 damage, misfortuned)
Horgrym
Dyn
Shi'tashi
Amarthecthel
Twigg
Mud 2 (6 damage)

"Huzzah! the gnome exclaims with the success of him and his bear friend. He dances with triumph.

Whoops! Made a minor error

The acid that hits the elemental sizzles... but causes no real harm to the thing.

Sorry Twigg, plus side... they are obviously not enlarged bear-proof!

"Well done, Twigg!" says Amarthecthel, encouragingly.

The elf then draws long and delicate fingers over the silvery tracery of his moonblade. Where his touch passes, frost remains on the steel. He then darts past the gnome and, lunging gracefully, impales the elemental with his scimitar.

Cast shocking grasp, move, drawing AoO. Use Arcane Pool to give sword the Icy Burst property. Power Attack.

+1 cold iron Icy Burst scimitar, with Power Attack: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 10 - 2 = 251d6 + 7 + 4 + 1d6 + 5d6 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 4 + (3) + (6, 3, 3, 3, 5) = 40

I presume that hits. 17 point of slashing damage, 3 points of cold and 20 points of electrical damage.

This reaction is far more volatile as the blade's energy cuts into the mud elemental, then explodes sending mud everywhere.

Shi'tashi hoots almost approvingly.

Combat over

"You defeated the Gauntlet's guardians! You now earn the right to claim your prize from Wise Shi'tashi!"

Prize? What prize would that be?

"That I am unsure of; most guests not escorted by the master usually do not fare well. But you are not most guests, either."

Are we to... challenge, this bird? Or does our prize lie further along the path?

"As I said, you will have to seek Wise Shi'tashi to claim it!"

"Isn't the bird Shi'tashi?" asks Amarthecthel, pointing.

"Hoot", replies Shi'tashi.

Pelkin will cast Detect Magic, trying to figure out what the hell the helmet means. Is the bird real or an illusion or some sort? Something along those lines.

"Prize? Twigg wants to see this prize! Thank you magical friendly bird!"

@Pelkin: Most of the entire room radiates magic, other than the black stone walkway you're standing on. There's also a separate magic aura... inside Shi'tashi.

Correction, the room radiates illusion magic, not sure what aura is in Shi'tashi

So, what is this bird? Really, I mean. Pelkin will attempt to carefully approach the bird and try to determine exactly what and where the aura inside of the bird is coming from. Pelkin also will try to determine if the bird is actually a living creature or something else entirely.

@Pelkin: As you head down to the soft dirt floor on the bottom and approach the tree Shi'tashi sits at... he clumsily flaps his wings and moves to another nearby tree.

He gives you a weird look, cocking his head to the side, tongue sticking out.

Horgrym eyes the bird. "Hope we don't have to hurt it. Maybe we should just ask?"

I'll need a Handle Animal check to coax the bird down!