GM Endless Forms' PFS 01-48 The Devil We Know Part IV: Rules of the Swift (Inactive)

Game Master Mike Tuholski

"Well, I think that's it," Alie says pointing at the bell. "How do we get to it?"

"Excellent question." Maximo looks around for some way to get up to the bell. "I have rope and grapple, should climbing be necessary."

Baern's face pales at the mention of climbing a rope. "Perhaps there are stairs or a ladder we may ascend instead?"

Kilian hides a grin at the dwarf's discomfiture. "I think Max and I can take care of the high work; we'll need some ready hands on the ground to catch it when we toss it down, though."

Reminder:

There’s an item of interest, a church bell called the bell of obedience, that may reside in Swift Prison’s chapel. We want to catalogue it and may never have another opportunity to explore the Swift unsupervised. While investigating the derro invasion, head to the chapel and inspect the bell. If possible, I want you to determine whether the Chapel’s bell is in fact the legendary bell of obedience without taking it from the prison.

You're not looting a chapel; you just have to study it and confirm that it is there. So I think you've accomplished that part of the mission. However, you've still got the derro/cultist invasion to worry about.

Lol, thanks for that, DM. Alie was going to try to take it with her!

"Well, I think we can confirm the bell is here. That's a good start. Now, we have to find out about all those nasty derros."

"That's right. No need to catch the bell, then. I can help the better scholars up there to look at it."

A sigh of relief escapes the dwarf's lips. "Now where do we find this scourge so we can exorcise their presence from this place? Perhaps there are still combats being held which may lead us to them? Or shall we go for the ones plotting more diabolically?"

I am quite tempted to ring the bell, just to experience the enchantment." Maximo smiles at his companions. "Rumor is the prisoners found it very soothing. Alie, were you able to learn anything about it?"

Maximo still has a scroll of identify if it's needed.

Save your scroll. To be honest, the scenario doesn't give me any information about what it's capable of. And the reason for that will become apparent later. References to the bell have resurfaced in one of the new Season 5 scenarios so I think we'll learn more about it soon.

Do we need to do anything more with the bell at the moment?

"It's magical, but its so powerful that I can't make out much more than that, unfortunately. At least we can confirm its location, though."

Nope, I think that's all you need to do with the bell. Alie can report back on the auras she observed, etc, and magicians more knowledgeable than her can toil away on what that means.

So where to? Pressing on?

So it's not an illusion to make us think the bell is there and safe and sound? Alie knows for a fact it's the right bell?

If so, then I believe so, yes. Pressing on to clear the way for the more scholarly folk.

Kilian nods. "I don't think the derros are inside the prison any more. Can any of you follow a trail?"

"Well, the derro came through the prison, did they not? Perhaps we should make sure there are no reinforcements hiding within."

Maximo moves to peer through the doorway to the north.

"They came here for some reason, and I do not believe they would just break in and leave."

"That's a good point. Let's keep checking this place out. I'm sure we'll find something or someone around here."

"They supposedly took all the prisoners out of here and down to the Darklands. I don't know what path they took, though."

"True enough. Why don't we do a sweep of this place on our way out. We may need to check back with Captain Themis unless we find some clues on the way."

Max leads the party further on to the prison yard. Rusted, iron flakes dust the ground around a series of thick gates. Within the keep’s yard, four derro corpses surround an insectile quadruped. Countless barbed crossbow bolts penetrate the strange beast’s hide, and where its head should be, thick ichors moisten the ground around two separated feathered antennae.

"Rust monster--maybe why there were no blades on the knives back there. That explains how they got in, anyway."

Knowledge (Dungeoneering) check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

"If there are more of them around, you all should be careful with your blades and armor. Last thing we need is the lot of you dressing like me, without your toys!"

"If only we could all be so blessed with your sense of fashion, Lady Alie!" Maximo winks before continuing deeper in the keep. Once through the room he listens for a moment before checking the left hand door.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

As the party crosses the prison yard, the ground begins to tremble. Suddenly a hulking humanoid creature of dirt and stone explodes up from the earth, faceless save for two glowing gemstone eyes!

Initiative:

1. Oswin, Baern, and Alie
2. Earth Elemental
3. Kilian and Maximo

Oswin, Baern, and Alie are up!

Know (planes): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Oswin is baffled by the appearance of this creature. Still, knowing stone and earth can be tough, he draws his adamantine sword and casts Bull's Strength on himself.

Know (planes): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 ...oy

"What is this rock monster?!" shouts Baern who is pretty certain he knows what it is, he just can't think of it at the moment.

Uncertain, he takes a step back and throws his hand high, exuding a glow which enables his allies with divine light.
Bless!

Then he drops his hand to grab his blade.

It wasn't a rock...it was a rock monster! </Fred Schneider>

Oswin gives himself additional strength. Baern then blesses the party.

Initiative:

1. Oswin, Baern, and Alie
2. Earth Elemental
3. Kilian and Maximo

Alie is up!

Know planes 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

@Alie: The knowledge spoiler is above. Any actions?

Hmm, my edited post must have been eaten yesterday. My bad for not checking.

Alie tells the others what she knew about the creatures. She casts Haste, knowing her boys were going to have to chip the elemental away, as they turn the big rock into pebbles.

Alie hastes the party!

---

The earth elemental goes after Oswin!

slam: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 17 + 1 = 35
damage: 2d8 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (4, 6) + 9 + 1 = 20

slam: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 17 + 1 = 26
damage: 2d8 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4) + 9 + 1 = 16

Initiative:

1. Oswin, Baern, and Alie
2. Earth Elemental
3. Kilian and Maximo

You guys are up!

Alies repertoire against elementals was limited. She suspected her magic missiles might help though.

Damage 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2, 4) + 3 = 12

"Oswin, withdraw and heal yourself!" Maximo calls as he pops the stopper on his mutagen and drinks the concoction within. He must be improving the formula, because the transformation comes quicker. With a brush of his hand through his hair it becomes darker and thicker, his shoulders straighten and grow broader. With a hearty laugh he gives praise to Shelyn and dashes forward to engage the elemental.

Standard action - drink Mutagen
Swift action - cast Grace
Movement action - move to melee.

EF, Maximo drank a shield extract at the first empty room. It only lasts a minute, but since we've been moving pretty steadily I'm hoping he might have a couple rounds left. AC 27 with shield, 23 without.

I moved you token Max, just straight ahead since you need to be adjacent and since your spell keeps AOO's off you.

Oswin drops back 5' and calls upon the divine power of the Inheritor, converting one of his prepared Daylight spells into Cure Serious Wounds.

CSW: 3d8 + 6 ⇒ (2, 8, 5) + 6 = 21

Not too bad, I took 36 damage and healed 21 for a net loss of 15 HP.

Round 1:

Kilian follows the paladin in, swinging his guisarme in a broad slash that scrapes across the elemental's body.

PA on elemental, incl. haste and bless: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 19
PA damage, if applicable: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (2, 3) + 10 = 15

@Max: You definitely spent longer than a minute in those other rooms, especially the chapel.

Alie hits the elemental with a barrage of magic missiles!

Max gulps down a mutagen and heads into the fray.

Oswin steps back and heals himself.

Kilian moves in but the elemental swipes at him as he approaches.

slam AoO: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 17 + 1 = 26
damage: 2d8 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (6, 4) + 9 + 1 = 20

Kilian then digs his guisarme into the elemental, but it seems to take less damage than normal.

Initiative:

1. Oswin, Baern, and Alie
2. Earth Elemental
3. Kilian and Maximo

EE: 22 dmg

Baern is up!

I predict pain in our near future.

Fortunately we have a lot of healing available. Kilian is definitely not in a good place at the moment, though. Wonder if you can trip an elemental?

It might be possible, but because of its size I don't think it's worth it to try.

Going with the information that Alie gives, Baern calls a bane for elemental outsiders. Hoping the beast is distracted by Kilian's movement, he steps in with his blade aloft, hoping to land a strike against it.

Baned Scimi: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 10
1d6 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 3 + (3, 3) = 11
Nat 1... fail

Baern moves in but swing wide.

---

The earth elemental aims for Baern and Maximo!

power attack slam on Max: 1d20 + 17 - 3 ⇒ (20) + 17 - 3 = 34
damage: 2d8 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (2, 3) + 9 + 6 = 20

power attack slam on Baern: 1d20 + 17 - 3 ⇒ (12) + 17 - 3 = 26
damage: 2d8 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (2, 6) + 9 + 6 = 23

Confirm:
power attack slam on Max: 1d20 + 17 - 3 ⇒ (16) + 17 - 3 = 30
damage: 2d8 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (3, 1) + 9 + 6 = 19

Initiative:

1. Oswin, Baern, and Alie
2. Earth Elemental
3. Kilian and Maximo

EE: 22 dmg

You guys are up!

Round 2:

Oh, this isn't good. Kilian briefly considers trying to trip the mound of animated stone and dirt, but instead simply slashes at it twice in quick succession. Once again, bits of gravel fly as his blade bites into the creature.

PA attack, incl. haste and bless: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 25
PA attack, incl. haste and bless: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 27

PA damage: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (1, 1) + 10 = 12
PA damage: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (1, 1) + 10 = 12

Feh. It crits, and I get minimum damage twice in a row. The dice module hates us. At least I hit.

Baern slashes quickly at the thing trying to fell it.

Scimi Bane: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 21
1d6 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 3 + (3, 3) = 12

Hasted Scimi Bane: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 21
1d6 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 3 + (2, 3) = 10

"What is it that my dwarven brethren find so interesting in chipping away stone like this?!"

Hey! I did as much damage as Kilian on one of those hits! =P

Conserving a bit of her power, Alie pulls out a wand and fires two magic missiles at the rock.

Damage 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 3) + 2 = 6

40 charges left.

"In this instance it would likely be an interest in breathing!"

Maximo heals himself by the grace of Shelyn and swings his greatsword in powerful arcs.

Lay on Hands: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 1) = 8

Power Attack: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 10 - 2 + 1 + 1 = 29
Damage: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (4, 3) + 13 = 20

Power Attack: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 10 - 2 + 1 + 1 = 23
Damage: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (6, 2) + 13 = 21

Kilian slices into the elemental, doing less damage than he would have against most other opponents.

Max heals himself up and then swings his sword at it, damaging the earth creature.

Baern also slices into some of the rock monster.

Alie bombards it with more magic missiles!

Initiative:

1. Oswin, Baern, and Alie
2. Earth Elemental
3. Kilian and Maximo

EE: 85 dmg

Oswin is up!

Despite preparing for close fighting, Oswin realizes he needs to keep his allies on their feet for now. He steps back away from the beast and calls upon the divine power of the Inheritor, channeling it to heal his friends.

Move 20' back - my 30' channel should now catch only allies.

Channel Healing: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 6) = 18

NICE! Max out the healing!

A maximum holy channel... of 666... I'm confused. Grateful! But confused.