GM Debug's PbP Gameday 5: PFS-RPG 07-00 The Sky Key Solution (Inactive)

Game Master DebugAMP

Great things await...

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Dot

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A young man, using a glaive as a walking staff enters the room, dressed in white beautiful embroyded robes in the form of prayers to shelyn. A golden holy symbol of his goddess is hanging around his neck. A little Azata is sitting on his shoulder smiling happily.
Nodding he speaks up.
"Are you my companions for this task? Well met. I am looking forward to this!"

Hearing other walk into the room he enters, his heavy Double Musket slung over his shoulder, he wears the regalia of a Hellknight, and wears ribbons as well as metals of service on on the uniform under his duster, "I do so hope that we are not all there is, especially if its going to be this quiet the entire time."

San Xiao sniffs haughtily at the Hellknight's remark, and regards him and his choice of weapon coolly. "I prefer the quiet, but it seems I'll have little chance to enjoy it among such colleagues."

As you approach the lodge, you find yourselves joining up with dozens of similar groups all gathered to witness the activation of the Sky Key!

Has anyone played these characters in one of the following scenarios? 6-00: Legacy of the Stonelords, 6-16: Scions of the Sky Key Part 3, 6-19: Test of Tar Kuata, 6-20: Returned to the Sky, or 6-21: Tapestry's Toil?

Also, please read over the Overseer Page for information about table interaction and the overall flow of this special.

Looking around and noticing old friends and comrades from other assignments Adsal works in keeping friendships tight. Congratulating one to his marriage, speaking his condolences to others with friends and familys lost, and shaking hands here and there, he returns to the others with a dreamy smile!

Omrax has played some of those...Returned to Sky.
"Hail and well met. Omrax, devoted warrior of the Inheritor, at your service ." said with a deep bow.

Omrax appears as a tall, fair haired knight of with obvious elven heritage. He removes his winged helm as he enters the room.

Under his red cloak, he wears a new suit of polished fullplate along with a shield bearing the crest of Iomedae on his arm.
His longsword is well kept and shows signs of recent battles.
Strapped to his back is a longbow and greatsword.

"Well met Omrax. I am Baaldryn Ozemson, in service to the Celestial Hound Ragathiel. Honored to serve at your side."

Baaldryn then greets Adsal in Celestial.

Gatherings of Pathfinders always bring great excitement and great anticipation. They also usually take place in more interesting places than a mildly muddy field outside of Absalom.

Master of Scrolls Kreighton Shane observes the Pathfinder agents arriving into the field and calls out "Yes, Pathfinders. A lot of you, certainly. Lovely! Well, find your places in an orderly fashion. We’ve got some truly exciting news today and I can’t wait to get started!”

The sun beats down across this muddy plain, a scant five miles from the walls of Absalom. Fellow Pathfinders gather on all sides, including well-traveled field agents and more permanent staff from the Grand Lodge itself. In the center of the field stands a wooden platform, raised some ten feet off the ground. The excited chatter drowns out the buzz of summer insects as the gathered adventurers speculate on what’s to come.

A few of you may have heard some rumors about the Society's latest activities...
Diplomacy (Gather Information)

A few of you may have noticed the interesting markings on the field...
Knowledge (Arcana)

A few of you may already know a bit about the area...
Knowledge (History)

Merchants wander the area, selling any last minute supplies you may find yourselves in need of.

Of the scenarios I listed in the prior post, let me know how many you completed. Your 'thank you' care package is being prepared as we speak.

Taking out his notebook and confering with his familiar Adsal makes a few aahs and understand.
GI: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 2 + 2 = 19
KA: 1d20 + 21 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 21 + 2 + 2 = 37
Kh: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 13 + 2 + 2 = 27
Adsal will offer any information found under the spoilers up to his knowledge if asked.

"Many thanks for all the information Adsal. You have proven to be quite useful now."

Omrax will ask around on the additional information on Society activities.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (7) + 19 = 26

Information I have received indicates the Grand Lodge has been importing all kinds of experts on Dwarven artifice.
Strangly also soliciting experts on Numerian science, conjurers, mathematicians, and even historians who specialize in Absalom’s earliest history."

The paladin shares the above to the information Adsal provides and ponders the meaning.

I am not certain how to connect the pieces to this puzzle, but I am certain we shall see the light soon.

One of the requisition officers looks around at the large number of pathfinders, then lights up as he sees Ishmael. "Well met! You've been key in helping us get this far. Your contributions to finding the lost pieces of the Sky Key have not gone unnoticed! I'm not sure what sort of things we'll find on the other side, but I trust that either you, or those under your leadership will be best equipped to record their findings."

He hands you a Potion of Tongues (CL 5), and an Elixir that grants the imbiber the benefit of comprehend languages for 1 hour. He also places upon Ishmael a blessing to attune him to the ceremony that is about to take place.

Map link is at the top of the page. Make sure you can move your minis. The maps are rather large, so I'm using drawings rather than slides. If anyone needs me to move their character for them while on mobile, just give a brief path description.

Shrugging Adsal politely declines booth.
"What kind of languages are to be expected? Maybe I speak it?

Ishmael comes to a full salute when spoken too, his duster adorened with medals one he inside leather armor stylized as the hellknights of the order of the god claw. However on the outside there are awards, and stolen medals of the Apis Consortium, gifted to him by his mentor Baron Dark Mask, Vicarious of the Blasted Citadel. All of the Consortium know of him, and fear those under his direct Command.

"My Vicarious has given me much work to do, I have been entrusted with this set of missions while he was dealing Directly with the Consortium Leadership, seems that they have all met thier 'Just' rewards. Please if you would deliver my Commanders apologies to the master of scrolls that he wasn't able to be here , I am to be his eyes and iron fist here.
He accepts the potions, and places them in his Duster while looks towards the rest of the pathfinders. There is a smile over his face, and any knowledge local can get that there are highest ranking consortium badges and other battle trophies about him.

Kreighton Shaine, the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Scrolls and de facto Master of Spells in the wake of Aram Zey’s untimely assassination, steps forward. A broad smile graces his youthful, elven features, and his golden hair shines in the sunlight.

You can find the rest of this message at the overseer thread.

Thank Asmodius, if he wasn't assassinated soon I was going to kill that smug, stupid, arrogant waste of soul stuff! says the hellknight marksman into the silence so that there was no moment of silence for the man.

"Hmph. Stick with me, and try not to touch anything before I have a chance to look at it."

Ishmael, I'll give you an extract of Shield to use as you see fit. It looks like the other warriors have shields of their own.

Drinking False Life, Heightened Awareness, Investigative Mind, and Darkvision extracts before we go.

False Life: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Baaldryn shakes his head when the human mentions the God of Tyranny. He grabs his gear and waits for the others.

Omrax listens to the story of Kreighton Shaine with interest.

Uncovering history could greatly expand our knowledge. But because we can do such experiments does not always mean we should do such.
Do we risk disturbing evils from prior times that should not be uncovered?
My few experiences with the Numerian artifacts have shown they cannot be trusted.
Alas, we have a mission to complete, and you have my oath, it shall be done.

Omrax nods he is ready with the others.

Ishmael, you also have a CL5 potion of Haste in your package.

You find yourselves hundreds of feet below the base of a temple, apparently of the serpentfolk city Sessegishoss. You hear sounds of battle coming from within the city. Before you lay what appear to be Gardens, and up above you can see architecture that looks as though it is the entrance to a great serpentfolk temple.

As the ritual completes, Ishmael finds himself able to walk, unconstrained by the ground below him. You are under the effects of air walk.

Do you wish to go into the gardens, or does the party wish to find a way to fly up to the temple?

False life: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
"Temple?"

How do you intend to get everyone up? So far Ishmael can get himself up but it's a few hundred feet up.

"I have no fly spell so it appears we walk...?" Baaldryn says to the others.

Adsal will sit down and mem fly.

San Xiao has wings to fly. Anyone else?

Omrax reluctantly starts digging for his potion of fly.

For as many of these I have had to drink, one would think the Inheritor would have granted me wings by now.

Will use potion unless other means for getting the party up become evident

He stops for a short meditation.

• I will learn the weight of my sword. Without my heart
to guide it, it is worthless—my strength is not in my
sword, but in my heart. If I lose my sword, I have lost a
tool. If I betray my heart, I have died.

• I will have faith in the Inheritor. I will channel her
strength through my body. I will shine in her legion,
and I will not tarnish her glory through base actions.

And of course casts fly to get up.

Adsal, are you casting one on Baaldryn as well? Otherwise I'll assume that Omrax can carry him with a bit of difficulty.

Assuming that the strongest of the group is carrying Baldryn up. If you have any other resources or preferred way to get him up let me know and I'll adjust accordingly. You are all on the rightmost map, just beyond the ledge of the temple courtyard.

As you ascend to the temple level, you see a pair of statues, each bearing serpent-like features, standing guard over the temple grounds. One additional statue stands guard over the altar. As you near the ledge, all 3 of the statues lurch to life and advance, preparing to send you back from where you came!

Round 1:
Baldryn (Carried by Omrax)
Adsal
SXJJB
Red Guardian
Ishmael
Yellow Guardian
Omrax (Carrying Baldryn)
Blue Guardian

Using Investigative Mind on the Knowledge check

Arcana: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (12) + 20 = 32
Arcana: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (20) + 20 = 40

"Graven Guardians! Use adamantium, and beware their weapons."

I'm assuming there's no ceiling to worry about, and that I can get above the ruins of the walls.

San Xiao flies up and out of the reach of the constructs, tossing a bomb to try to trip up the red-tinted one.

Force Bomb: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 13 + 1 = 21
Damage: 6d4 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1, 4, 1, 3, 1) + 6 + 1 = 19 force damage
DC 21 Reflex save or knocked prone

All bolded players can act. SXJJB = San Xiao Ji Jia Ben. I'll fix that on the next post, was a copy/paste from my GM entry.

KnowArc: 1d20 + 21 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 21 + 2 + 2 = 42
Adsal casts haste and mentions the spell resistance. Does he know wich deity they belong too?

The deity is not one that you've dealt with before...

knowRel: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

The blast from San Xiao's bomb ripples through the stonework of the Serpentine statue, but it manages to keep it's footing and brace for the inbound assailants. Nonetheless, the damage from the waves of force is quite apparent in cracks chips visible on the construct's armor.

Adsal's magic boosts everyone's speed and combat effectiveness as he attempts to discern all he can of the construct's creators. While nothing comes to mind under the stressful conditions of imminent physical harm, perhaps studying them after the threat is neutralized may yield more interesting information about this time period...

Also of note, due to the insanely high knowledge check I saw. These creatures are able to mend themselves very quickly (Fast healing). Additionally, any weapon they throw will return to them.

Round 1:
Baldryn (Carried by Omrax)
Adsal (Cast Haste)
San Xiao (Bombs away!)
Red Guardian (-19)
Ishmael
Yellow Guardian
Omrax (Carrying Baldryn)
Blue Guardian

Baaldryn spends a swift action enchanting his armor to give it Light Fortification and as a free action he enchants his sword to make it holy. Baaldryn then uses his standard action to cast shield of faith upon himself and advances towards the Red construct.

25% to negate critical hits vs him and AC=35

Religion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

DC 5 Acrobatics to leap the last 5 ft and stick the landing on the ledge, otherwise you'll have to pull yourself up next turn.
Baaldryn's Acrobatics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Baldryn lands hard on the ledge (superhero landing!) and draws the immediate attention of the guardian, which stabs down hard with what appears to be a dagger, despite it bearing more resemblance to a long-sword from your perspective.

Dagger/Dagger: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (15) + 20 = 351d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

Damage: 1d8 + 12 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 12 + (4) = 17

The huge construct lands its first slice, albeit with great difficulty. The second slice however carves a nice chunk out of the ground below.

Yellow acts after Ishmael, but for the sake of moving things forward I'll post his action now since I don't think it really affects things one way or the other. I'll make sure to resolve effects in initiative order.

The second construct at the front gate stands tall, and channels the energies imbued upon him by the priests that built him.

Round 1:
Baldryn (-17)
Adsal (Cast Haste)
San Xiao (Bombs away!)
Red Guardian (-17)
Ishmael
Yellow Guardian (using SLA on self)
Omrax
Blue Guardian

Now free of carrying Baaldryn, Omrax, heeds the advice from his learned allies, and will quickly draw(free) his adamantine greatsword. He calls a quick spell of grace(swift) for his movement and charges the yellow hued statue.

By the Inheritor, you shall be destroyed, vile golem...creatures!

Omrax adm Greatsword, pa, charge, haste: 1d20 + 16 - 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 16 - 3 + 2 + 1 = 17
for damage: 2d6 + 6 + 9 ⇒ (4, 5) + 6 + 9 = 24 Doh! So it is going to be one of these tables.

As he nearly flies past the statue, spinning in flight.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33

"That one has Hastened himself. Beware!"

The statue, being a tad quicker on the draw than Omrax, raises it's enormous sacrificial knife to intercept Omrax's charge.

AoO: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 20 + 1 = 40
Confirm?: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 20 + 1 = 41
Damage: 1d8 + 12 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 12 + (6) = 23

Spoilering additional crit damage in case you wish to use your Jingasa. You already have a rough idea how hard they hit after seeing Baldryn attacked. TBH of all things to be crit by, you could do far worse.

The statue's knife is hoisted cleanly at head level, and Omrax's raised sword obscures his vision for one vital moment... just enough for a precisely aligned thrust.

Round 1:
Baldryn (-17)
Adsal (Cast Haste)
San Xiao (Bombs away!)
Red Guardian (-17)
Ishmael
Yellow Guardian (using SLA on self, critting Omrax)
Omrax (Charging and missing Yellow Guardian)
Blue Guardian

The final guardian performs the same ward as the second, and swiftly moves forward, standing atop the raised altar.

Round 1/2:
Baldryn (-17)
Adsal (Hasted)
San Xiao (Hasted)
Red Guardian (-17)
Ishmael (pending action, Hasted)
Yellow Guardian (Hasted)
Omrax (-23 + crit?, Hasted)
Blue Guardian (Hasted)

Omrax cast grace so should not have provoked an AOO on his movement. Unless I missed something.

Using his arcane reservoir Adsal summons a Bralani Azata at his side.

You missed the GM's supernatural ability to not read all of the posts. You're good Omrax.

But you had your keen eyes on his sheet. :-) I had to remove jingasa from his equipment/abilities as I sold it when the outlawed them but somehow missed it in his gear. Although it would have been handy for that crit for sure!