1. GM Edwin's Zeitgeist Campaign

Game Master Insnare

Falko takes a step back from the elder: "We salute you, member of the Godhand! We are but visitor in this place. We only wish to observe the rites, drink from the holy fountain, and be on our way."

Femi is startled by the sudden appearance of the man, and then by his clearly advanced age.

He stands respectfully back, but listens intently to the exchange.

The monk starts to shake back and forth chanting and his hands spread outward, there is a wave of sunlight that gets projected from his torso out in the directions of the golden mirrors. In a fraction of a second you see mirror images of Chretien, Primma, Ottavia and Isaac appear with a golden shimmer in the blinding light and then the godhand, steps forward and throws a left cross at Falko 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30 hitting for 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 and throws a right hammer punch at Isaac 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26 causing 1d6 ⇒ 3 electricity damage.

Initiative: Femi 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13, Falko 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21, Iva 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15, Isaac 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8, Chretien 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 Primma 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12, Godhand 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Falko, Chretien, Iva, Femi, Primma, Godhand, Isaac

Round 1

On the map, which is still the rust map, from Falko's thing, the copies are coated in a yellow border.

Everyone except Isaac

Falko takes a step back away from the old man, reeling from the punch: "Damn! We only wish to talk. What's with you old fool!?" he curses and then summons a set of images to grant him some level of protection.

5-foot step, cast Mirror image for 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 images.

Cretien takes a 5ft step SE and throws down his shield and turret.

what are those dark perforated lines? stone walls? that determines who i take a shot at

they are stone walls.

Round: 1, Initiative: 13

Femi moves SE by the wall so he can see everyone, and he casts Haste. I think he gets everyone except Isaac, who’s just too far away from the group. Sorry Isaac!

Chretien's mirror takes a 5ft step to the Southeast and sets up his shield and turret.

Iva, Primma

Does haste go through walls?

Haste does not go through walls, which is why I wanted to walk to the edge of the wall so I could see everyone. But you could rule the 30' limit has to go around the wall too, in which case I miss a few more folks. Totally up to you - I try to effect as many as I can.

food for thought

in that case, Cretien's shield bulwark is along the southern edge of his square and how tall are these stone walls? How did we know our copies were made if they're on the other side of the wall? Cretien's turret will shoot Godhand.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
firepower: 2d8 ⇒ (7, 3) = 10

To be more exact, the party would have been able to see Primma, Ottavia and Isaac's mirrors. Ottavia Init 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 forgot her

Chretien's turrent hits the godhand.

Mirror Chretien's turret attacks Femi 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 hit
Damage 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Firepower 2d8 ⇒ (8, 7) = 15

Ottavia casts searing light at her mirror self 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 miss

Ottavia's double casts searing light at the real Ottavia 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 miss

Iva and Primma Femi, you may want to change your action

Iva moves up to Cretian's mirror image, and attacks him with her kukri. She studies him on the way. "I don't know what to do. Attack the mirrors first or try for the monk?"

Attack +1 Human Bane Dagger: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Iva's attack misses its mark.

Primma

Round: 1, Initiative: 13

Sure, having just been totally whomped on, I’ll skip the haste and cast an Infernal Healing on myself to start. Might save my life on the next hit. :)

oof, mein gott, 11 AC?? I want to feel bad that my mirror hit you, but dang

Primma moves to attack Chretien's double 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 miss
Das Carmen moves to attack Chretien's Double 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 miss
Primma's double moves to attack Primma 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29 hit 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (4, 1) + 7 = 12

The godhand moves through Falko's space, acrobatics 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 to get next to Isaac's doppelganger, no AOO.

Isaac

Isaac watches the doubles move as his friends do. I wonder if I don't do anything my double won't. He then stands in place.

Isaac's double sets up his turret and then it looses a bolt at falko 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 1 hits falko 1d4 ⇒ 2 destroys one of Falko's mirrors.

Round 2

Falko, Chretien

Isaac, if you still want to do something in round 1, I will allow it, what is it called a wait action?

It's called delay and thank you.

Seeing his double attack Isaac sets up his turret and has it attack the god hand.

Crossbow Turret: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 1

Isaac's attack hits.

Perception DC 15

Round 2

Falko, Chretien

"FOCUS YOUR ATTACKS ON THE OLD MAN! OR ON THE MIRRORS OTHERWISE! THESE DOUBLES MAY JUST BE ILLUSIONS. IGNORE THEM!" roars Falko as he moves across the room to the godhand and stabs him.

Move ten feet.

Rapier with Heroism, Luck, and Haste: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 2 + 3 + 1 = 211d6 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 3 = 13

"Got it." Cretien says, directing his turret to fire upon Godhand. bulwark+turret move south if needed to have a shot, not sure if that wall blocks it The bulwark then faces Cretien's mirror so as to block attacks from that direction.

atk: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
firepower: 2d8 ⇒ (1, 6) = 7

Cretien, riding the bullwark, takes a shot at Godhand.

atk: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
dmg: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Falko hits the godhand, but Chretien's turret misses but Chretien hits.

Chretien's double's turret fires at Iva 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 hit 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5, firepower 2d8 ⇒ (5, 1) = 6

Chretien's double fires at Primma1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 miss

Ottavia casts Searing light at her doppelganger 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 hit 4d8 ⇒ (1, 8, 8, 3) = 20 destroying it.

Iva, Femi, Primma

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Iva slashes at Chreeien's double with both kukris. That turret hurts.

Kukri, Studied Target, Two Weapon Grace: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Kukri, Studied Target, Two Weapon Grace: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Kukri, Studied Target, Two Weapon Grace: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Kukri, Studied Target, Two Weapon Grace Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

15 Damage

"That's why I built it. I never thought it would be against us."

Round: 2, Initiative: 13

Femi moves to the corner just until he can see the old man. He’ll then fire his Magic Missile with Toppling Spell boosting it with his Arcane Reservoir to caster level 7 for the extra missile.

Magic Missile: 4d4 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 1, 3, 2) + 4 + 3 = 15 Trip CMB: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

Cretien, yeah, I forgot to put up my Mage Armor for the day, but yes wizards are squishy.

Remember one of your kukris was destroyed

Iva kills Chretien's double.

The godhand gets hit by the magic missiles and falls to the ground.

Primma attacks her double 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27 hit
Das Carmen attacks primma's Double 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Primma's double is destroyed.

The godhand uses flurry of blows against Falko 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 11 - 4 = 26 hit 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8, 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 11 - 4 = 20 hit 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 and 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 6 - 4 = 12 miss, Falko goes down unconscious.

Isaac

Isaac and his turret fire at the godhand.

Large Heavy Repeating Crossbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 Damage: 2d8 + 1 ⇒ (7, 1) + 1 = 9
Crossbow Turret: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 6

forgot the mirrors, 1- Falko 1d3 ⇒ 3 destroys a mirror 1d2 ⇒ 1 Falko takes 12 damage and is not unconscious

Both of Isaac's attacks miss *mostly because he is prone*

Isaac's double and his turret fire at Isaac

Large Heavy Repeating Crossbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 hit Damage: 2d8 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1) + 1 = 4
Crossbow Turret: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 8

Another fake Primma appears and a Fake Falko.

Falko Chretien

Falko's double doesn't have a yellow frame around it, but Cretien is going to fire his grenade cannon such that it includes Godhand in the area. Depending on which Falko is real, he will target such that the fake Falko is in the area as well. if the right-most Falko is fake, then it will also include fake Isaac.

atk: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
firepower: 2d8 ⇒ (8, 7) = 15

Cretien, riding the bullwark, swaps his thundershot for his grenade cannon and fires at Godhand

half fire half piercing: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 10ft area, REF DC 18 halves

spectacled bear brooch i keep forgetting
ranged touch: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

They changed the tools on Google Drawing, but I figured out how they work now.

Falko curses as he gets hit badly by the godhand, even though he lies on the ground, and two new opponents spring in front of him.

However much he wants to step back, he knows he'll never get a better chance to bring down the godhand. Resolute, he asks his father to protect him as he lunges forward and presses his attacks on the prone godhand.

"DIIIIIIIE!" he shouts as his blade stabs with lightning speed.

Rapier with Heroism, Luck, and Haste vs Prone: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 4 = 401d6 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 3 = 10

Rapier with Heroism, Luck, and Haste vs Prone: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 4 = 341d6 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 3 = 11

Confirm?: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 4 = 311d6 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 3 = 10

Femi retracted his haste due to him taking so much damage.

Falko confirms his critical putting a major wound on the prone god hand.

Falko's double five foot steps to attack Falko rapier with Heroism, Luck,: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 2 + 3 + 1 = 36 1d6 + confirm 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 2 + 3 + 1 = 18 no 1d6 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 3 = 11

Godhand reflex 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 fail

Chretiens shot destroys the fake Isaac and Falko and knocks over the mirror and does some damage to the godhand.

Ottavia moves to cast cure medium wounds on Falko 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (1, 4) + 8 = 13

Femi, Iva, pRIMMA

Round: 3, Initiative: 13

Yeah, sorry, no haste. I also couldn’t get the folks I wanted in the area of effect. Falko’d have been missed either way for example due to the walls.

GMEDWIN, last round I moved to the edge of the wall so I could see around it.

Femi stands where he is and fires another volley. He’ll cast his Magic Missile with Toppling Spell boosting it with his Arcane Reservoir to caster level 7 for the extra missile. I know the man is still down, but toppling comes with the memorization.

Magic Missile: 4d4 + 7 ⇒ (4, 2, 2, 1) + 7 = 16 Trip CMB: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17 (already down)

I was't clear in my writing. Yes one of my kukuris was destroyed. I'm using the +1 human bane dagger and +1 Silver Kukri.

Iva steps around Primma. She studies the double, and and swings at her double.

+1 Human Bane dagger, studied target, two weapon grace: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

+1 silver kukri, studied target, two weapon grace: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
5 foot step, Studied target

Femi's magic missile attack brings down the godhand, Gene’s fires burn out and he slumps to the ground. He smiles through blood-stained teeth and jovially calls out to the mistress of the forked tongue in the northern room, “Mistress, you have visitors!” Then he collapses, dead.

Iva takes down Primma's fake and Prima knocks over the golden mirror for good measure.

The mirror images dissipate.

Combat Over

Ottavia says, "The godhands were an order of the Clergy, who were tasked with fighting demons and stamping out heresy, look at his clothes, he must have been here for over one hundred years although he is human."

"We're not demons, why did he insist on fighting us? Madness brought on by age perhaps?"

He uses his Runestone of Power to cast his Mage Armor, frowning that he'd forgotten to do it earlier.

He also takes out his wand of infernal healing and brings himself up to snuff (2 charges). He offers the mixed-blessing healing to any who need it (1 charge per 10hp healed - just let me know how many charges you use so I can keep close track).

Ottavia says, "As he passed, he seemed to be talking to the voice we had come here to speak with."

Falko stiffens. What kind of place was this. He was utterly tired and fed up with nonsensical rules and nonsensical people.

I just want to get back to the train! Perhaps I should just use the gold and leave? The others can find a way out... he muses.

"Well, whoever lives here was obviously fine with us getting murdered... Which reminds me, I'm in desperate need of healing. Again."

Ottavia walks over to Falko and casts CMW on him 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (7, 7) + 8 = 22

You search the godhand and other than his robes you find a set of bracers on him as well as arm length fingerless gloves.

Falko looks at Ottavia with a strange look, trying to understand the woman's motives for helping them, and how things will change once they're out of this little hell...

"Thanks."

Femi examines the bracers and fingerless gloves, casting Detect Magic and trying to identify them if they're magic.

Spellcraft braces: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32
Spellcraft gloves: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29

"Is there a fountain here? Let us complete our ritual before proceeding on shall we?" he suggests

Bracers

Gloves

You make your way to the area where you would normally have found the pious mount and then You hear the sea waves crashing from a wide well in the center of the room. Above it, a naked woman, her flesh scaled like a serpent, her face inhuman, hangs suspended. Six hook-tipped chains pierce her legs, her back, and her arms. Another hook that sealed her mouth swings loose, and it flutters in the breeze from her lips. She raises her head and looks at you. The chains stretch and pull at her skin, and she draws a sharp, wounded breath. When the spasm of pain passes, she speaks.

“When Triegenes, founder of the Clergy, defeated the Demonocracy, most of the fiend rulers were slain. Because their souls could not return to the hellish planes that spawned them, the corruption drained into this world. Ashima-Shimtu, however, bargained for her life, offering to be a prisoner, and in exchange she would provide guidance on how to find and trap the trace essences of the other high fiends.

“Today is not that day. The visitors to her prison could never break her chains. But she sees value in them.”

It is times in especially this AP, the board of Paizo had a little more ummph

She then looks at each one of you, as if reading a book and then looks
first at Femi and says, "The brash Arcanist who follows an obscure goddess."

And then to Iva "The knife fightress who skirts the law but follows the philosophy of the dwarves."

Then to Isaac "The technologist with Beran heritage that would sacrifice country for short term good."

And then Chretien, "The grizzled professor on Winter break who makes changes more through his wrench than his gun."

and then looks at Falko, "The man who fights for country, good and knowledge while trying to repent for his father."

She then says, "Ashima-SHimtu could not let such interesting movers and shakers fall at the hands of those sea zombies, that would not do. I also do apologize for the foolishness of the other prisoners in this vault, they are all so eccentric but afraid. I do foresee Somnia leaving this place. She seems very savvy."

"Hmm. Well, you almost had us killed once inside. So I guess we're in your debt, more or less..."

She wrinkles her nose a bit and says, "It seems as though they misconstrued the mistress' intentions. Gene has been trying to become a minion of the Ashima-Shimtu but his Clergical disposition was rather unsavory."

She pauses as she breathes in some air and says,
"Ashima-Shimtu has meditated, and being the guest of priests this past millennium has given her time to consider matters of morality. She could condemn these intruders to a slow death of starvation, as she has so many times before, but she offers them instead their freedom, since she cannot have such herself.

“This is no devil’s bargain, nor a gift that must be repaid by force of infernal contract. The visitors to her prison desire to leave. They need only step to the lip of this well, speak the name of where they would travel, and dive in. Ashima Shimtu will see them safely there. More, she will conceal them for a time, so that the divinations of their enemies will think them dead. She thinks this is the least she can do to thank her visitors for removing the unpleasant man who had bothered her.”

Then, eerily, the demoness seems to smile with amusement for a moment before lowering her head. The chains themselves seem to relax, and she sighs as the pain subsides.

Before deciding just a quick reminder, you know that Jierre is the one you had been looking for and he thinks you will have perished on this island with Ottavia, you could choose to be sent back to your hotel, ship or even all the way to Vendricce you do know where the meet of the Ob big wigs will be tomorrow and it would give you guys time in the town to set up and for certain items to be replaced or new ones to be purchased.

Femi reacts with compassion at the woman in chains. That’s got to be excruciating. he thinks and shivers at the thought of even a moment in such a pose. When she indicates the group can’t help her out, his spirits sink further. No one should suffer so!

But he recognizes it is out of his hands. Pacts made a very long time ago rule this place, and he’s merely passing through the present. ”You are too kind.” he chokes out.

He turns to the group, ”So where to? I’m assigned to you, so I’m headed where I can do the most good. But frankly, they didn’t tell me much, as you may imagine, so I don’t know where to go.”

He also shares information about the magic items. "These bracers aren't as good as my spells but they do provide some protection. These gloves are pretty impressive though for someone who's already getting up close and personal. Unless we're headed back to turn this stuff in that is."

Iva looks at the creature with sadness. "So many beings tortured for the whims of the clergy. This is not how things should have ended for anyone here."

Where should we go? Vendricce seems like a good choice. We can beat them to their meeting.

"If you will give us a moment to confer." she waves all her party members over even Ottavia. "I'm taking her offer. Where would you all like to go?"