GM Debug's PbP PFS 6-17: The Fires of Karamoss (and beyond) (Inactive)

Game Master DebugAMP

Van empowers a Magic Missile spell with more reserved arcane power and sends all 4 missiles into the Salamander.

Spend 1 point of arcane reservoir to increase caster level of Magic Missile to 8th, which gives Van four missiles.

Magic Missile Damage: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2, 4, 3) + 4 = 16

DM - Minor Quibble (Su, 1/day): I was aiming to get Mohok even with Jethzerai's altitude, at 60' up, as marked on the map. Do you have him at 55' because he charged?

Balooo closes the distance with the salamander and swipes with a claw.

1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25
1d6 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
Grab!: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (7) + 24 = 31

Mohok: Magical effects are suppressed on the IRL plane, and therefore Minor Quibble will not work. If you take the 'Rules Lawyer' feat however, it allows you to use Minor Quibble as an (Ex, 1/day) instead. I had you at 25 ft altitude last turn, and an upward charge at 45 degrees would be 30 ft of vertical distance (30 ft halved for ascending, doubled for charging), for a total of 55 ft, which still puts you adjacent for your melee attack.

Van's Magic Missiles chip away at the Salamandar bit by bit...

Balooo: Since you still have to ascend at half-speed, you'll need to charge to make that attack. In reality it doesn't really affect the outcome of this other than the fact that you'll be taking the AC penalty in case something manages to take a shot at you.

Suddenly, from below, Balooo reverses course and slashes at Jethzerai, grabbing onto him and turning the fight into an aerial wrestling match! Between a jet-packing salamander and a flying bear...

Round 3:
Rakenlattle
Torag
Jethzerai (-79, 60 ft up, grappled)
Desmond (Smite on Jethzerai)
Yellow Mephit (Still Blind, will splice in his flailing as appropriate)
Van
Mohok (55 ft up, Raging)
Balooooooooooooo (60 ft up, Raging, grappling)

Edit: Ninja'd by a Bear

Oh noes, my AC is 11 instead of 13! Yea, that's fine.

Looking up at the aerial battle and then back to the pulsating portal, Desmond gulps.

I sure hope this works...

He then lets the raging song wash over him and starts hacking away at the portal.

Attacking the portal twice:
Damage, PA, rage, DB (magic, slashing, adamantine): 2d6 + 8 + 9 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2) + 8 + 9 + 3 + 1 = 25
Damage, PA, rage, DB (magic, slashing, adamantine): 2d6 + 8 + 9 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4, 2) + 8 + 9 + 3 + 1 = 27

In 2 quick chops, Brother Desmond bisects the portal generator.

As the blade carves through, arcs of intense heat and power rip through it, blasting Desmond as it deactivates.

Plasma Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5 Reflex DC 15 for half

The second portal finally begins to usher it's own stream of lava, and the portal on the end belches a large fireball. To your horror, this fireball does not dissipate... instead it stands up on its own 2 legs!

The blind mephit staggers off to the side, trying to clear it's sight.
Torrag, you can take an AoO on the yellow mephit.

Round 3:
Rakenlattle
Fire Elemental
Torag
Jethzerai (-79, 60 ft up, grappled)
Desmond (Smite on Jethzerai)
Yellow Mephit (Still Blind)
Van
Mohok (55 ft up, Raging)
Balooooooooooooo (60 ft up, Raging, grappling)

Torrag has a wand in his hand, not a weapon. So no AoO for him.

Rakenlattle draws his pistol and fires at the rising elemental.

Switch judgement to bonus to firearm damage. Fire on elemental.

DA Pistol Point Blank, touch, adamantine bullet: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 1 = 33
Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 13

Through some combination of curiousity on the heat of the elemental and desire to protect Van, Rakenlattle moves into melee with the creature.

"Welcome to Absalom. I suggest you step back from my friend a few paces else I'll won't stop with one shot."

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
What kind of damage does the plasma deal?

Desmond: Plasma damage is half fire and half electricity, so if you have fire resistance it applies but you can only resist up to half of the damage.

Rakenlattle buries a single well placed shot into the elemental, which promptly attacks him. Either it doesn't appear to understand Rakenlattle's demands or it just doesn't care.

Slam: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 Miss

Round 3:
Rakenlattle
Fire Elemental (-13)
Torag
Jethzerai (-79, 60 ft up, grappled)
Desmond (Smite on Jethzerai)
Yellow Mephit (Still Blind)
Van
Mohok (55 ft up, Raging)
Balooooooooooooo (60 ft up, Raging, grappling)

Know Planes: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Torrag casts Magic Missile at the elemental.

Force Damage: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 2, 4) + 3 = 11

Torrag's magic missile leaves the Fire Elemental in a severely wounded state, although most of you can't really tell.

Jethzerai has NO intention of surrendering and tries seize control of the grapple.

The sparkling mephit, opts to make a swift exit and bolts out the door.

Grapple: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36 Succeeded
Constrict Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 5) + 3 = 10
Fire Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Round 3:
Rakenlattle
Fire Elemental (-24)
Torag
Jethzerai (-79, 60 ft up, Grappling Balooo
Desmond (Smite on Jethzerai)
Van
Mohok (55 ft up, Raging)
Baloooooooooooooo (60 ft up, Raging, Grappled)

Mohok glances at the fiery creature that has appeared through the portal, but can't tell what it is - and his attention is elsewhere in any case. "Dammit, Balooo, I thought you were going to hold him still," he grumbles as he moves around under Jethzerai, before his blade flashes once, Jethzerai deeply!

Fly under Jeth, moving 10' and staying at same altitude (because it's easier than hovering), attack! Can't edit map at the moment, will move Mohok later.

Knowledge (planes), DC 13: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Fly check to fly less than full speed, DC 15: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

+1 Keen Falchion, PA, Rage, FE: 1d20 + 16 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 16 + 2 + 2 = 40
+1 Keen Falchion damage, PA: 2d4 + 10 + 9 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2, 4) + 10 + 9 + 2 + 2 = 29

Crit confirm: 1d20 + 16 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 16 + 2 + 2 = 39
+1 Keen Falchion damage, PA: 2d4 + 10 + 9 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2, 4) + 10 + 9 + 2 + 2 = 29

Mohok's slash leaves a disgusting gash from thigh to shoulder across Jethzerai, and the loss of blood causes him to black out. As he does so, he lets go of Balooo and jets in an uncontrolled spiral before crashing down hard into the ground 60 ft below.

Fall Damage: 6d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 4, 1, 5, 5) = 19

A strange device hums just before he strikes the ground, significantly slowing his fall, but his body is a beaten mess from the wide variety of wounds he's sustained... Bear claws, sword rends, lightning, and the crushing impact of gravity... He is still breathing but that will probably end soon...

Round 3:
Rakenlattle
Fire Elemental (-24)
Torag
Jethzerai (-148... Unconcious, Dying)
Desmond
Van
Mohok (55 ft up, Raging)
Baloooooooooooooo (60 ft up, Raging)

Balooooooooooooooooooooooooo starts flying down next to one of the portals.

With Jethzerai fallen and the last remaining foe looking in pretty grim shape, you get a bit more time to peer over the battlefield. An indicator on the main gate is currently showing 20% charged, and it appears to be rising slowly. With luck, a safe shutdown can be performed without significant risk to the team. At least no more risk then maybe one or two stray elementals.

Round 3:
Rakenlattle
Fire Elemental (-24)
Torag
Jethzerai (-148... Unconcious, Dying)
Desmond
Van
Mohok (55 ft up, Raging)
Baloooooooooooooo (Raging)

Van moves 15 feet to the west, then 5 feet to the north and casts Snowball at the fire elemental.

RTA + 1 morale - 4 melee: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 1 - 4 = 21
Cold Damage: 5d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 4, 3, 2) = 20

If elementals aren't immune from Fort saves, he'll need to make a DC 15 Fort save or be staggered for 1 round.

The last elemental is blasted into oblivion by a snowball.

What do you wish to do to handle the open portals?

Van rushes over to the closest portal and tries to deactivate it, unless his companions are already in the process of smashing it.

At a quick glance, it appears as though the portals are being controlled from the main console. Dispelling the magic channeled by the portals is possible, and destroying them certainly works as Desmond demonstrated. However, as Desmond also demonstrated, it can be quite painful.

Van rushes to the console instead of the portals and attempts to figure out how to shut it down.

Knowledge (engineering)?: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

Van: You get +10 to that check due to technologist... which you totally don't need. Since you're still technically in rounds due to gate effects, I'll let you know what you've discovered once the rest of the group has a chance to do something.

Baloooooooooo will look to the more knowledgeable party members. He puts a paw on a portal to demonstrate his thoughts on the matter.

Rakenlattle moves to Jethzerai's body checking for anything that might slow the tide of the portals on him.

Seeing that brute force is a viable option, Desmond smashes the other portal next to him.

Damage, PA, rage, DB (magic, slashing, adamantine): 2d6 + 8 + 9 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4, 3) + 8 + 9 + 3 + 1 = 28
Damage, PA, rage, DB (magic, slashing, adamantine): 2d6 + 8 + 9 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6, 1) + 8 + 9 + 3 + 1 = 28

If Van needs help getting over to the lava to the console, Mohok will fly down and carry him across. Otherwise:

Mohok flies down to the platform where the control console stands, ready to assist or protect Van as needed.

Double move

Torrag will cast Detect Magic on the main consul to make sure that's where the magic is coming from them he'll cast Dispel Magic on the main consul.

Caster Level Check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

The portal appears to be the main source of the magic, and your dispel manages to shut it off. At least temporarily. Desmond's blade reduces the final portal to slag... resulting in another explosion that engulfs himself and Balooo.

Plasma Damage (Half electric, half fire): 2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6 Reflex DC 15 for half

Van has no difficulty finding the system shutoff for the gate driver, and to top it off finds the consoles memory backup drives are intact and removable! The memory drive contains information on the portal technology in this room, a larger schematic of the Forge level, and detailed records of power usage in the Red Redoubt during hte fatal days leading up to Karamoss's attempted destruction of the portals. It even has data illuminating many of the Machine Mage's secret methods for creating robots.

Con check: 1d20 + 5 - 15 ⇒ (11) + 5 - 15 = 1
Jethzerai gasps on the ground as he is slowly bleeding out. The bounty you picked up has him wanted dead or alive. Do you wish to stabilize him and take him prisoner or put him out of his misery?

Jethzerai has all manner of crazy devices that he looted from the Red Redoubt in his time here... all of which you'll have plenty of time to study back at the lodge (and is on your chronicle sheet).

Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Balooo dodges some of the explosion before reverting to non-bear form and moving over to stop the salamander from dying.
Heal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

"You will pay for your crimes."

"Damn right he will," Mohok rumbles, "made no end of trouble, this guy."

Rakenlattle nods with approval as he aids Balooo with treatment.

"Do you all think that this place is safe again? Not going to blow a hole between this anywhere else?"

As long as nobody tries to reactivate the portals, there should be no risk of the spontaneous combustion of Absalom.

"This place will be fine as long as nobody else messes with it." Van assures Rakenlattle, then a light begins to shine in his eyes. "Other than the Pathfinder Society of course, there's tons of technological marvels just waiting to be explored!"

~Epilogue~

As you return from the forge, notes and loot in hand, Marw and the other mutant chokers guide you back to the lift and reluctantly thank you for your efforts, while simultaneously urging you to leave. As the lift doors close, you all find yourselves overcome with the urge to face the door and say nothing until you arrive at the upper level of the Red Redoubt. It's been a long couple hours...

Venture-Captain Shevala Iorae awaits the party up at the surface, so eager to hear your report that she refuses to wait in the Grand Lodge.

"Well? What did you find?"

Desmond shrugs and tries to smudge some soot of his once splendid full-plate.

"Ah, you... Flying snake men, portals to other realms, averting the Ilse of Kortos' impending doom. The usual."

"People from the Plane of Fire were trapped on this side and this flying snake man was going to open a hole home and leave behind a lot destruction. We have a few others that want to make their way back, I pointed them to the Society, maybe you can learn something from them and hopefully you can get them back where they belong."

"Basically what the other guys said, plus we got this weird cold battery and jetpack." Van adds with excitement and impatience. "Ahem, I can go through the schematics later, I need to get back to my shop and write all of this stuff down!"

She seems utterly shocked to hear about your encounter with Jethzerai. "A plot of a fugitive from the plane of fire... Well I'm relieved there is no evidence of a growing robot army."

She looks with glee at the items proffered by Van. "These artifacts are amazing! I can't wait to begin researching their use within the forge... As for the outsiders you encountered, it would certainly help make the Forge safer if they are returned. I can't promise anything but I'll see what I can do."

She takes a moment to process everything and shakes her head in disbelief before continuing.

“You have all outshone yourselves today. I shudder to think what would have happened if you hadn’t been there to stop the Forge from self-destructing. These discoveries are fascinating. We suspected that Karamoss had attempted to destroy the tower when the siege turned against him, but I never realized he was insane enough to try to unleash a volcano on another plane against Absalom! Your actions today saved not just an incredible trove of scientific and historical data, but possibly all of Absalom as well.”

~The End~