GM Endless Forms' PFS 02-10 Fury of the Fiend (7-11) (Inactive)

Game Master Mike Tuholski

Kyra will join the others and talk with them privately as soon as they are able. This woman is asking too many questions about why we are here. She seemed pretty defensive when I asked about the lift also. We need to do what we came to do and do it quickly.

"Right, well, now we know who to watch out for around here, since it sure ain't Lurconnarr," responds Valeros. He begins to move towards their quarters, gesturing for his companions to follow and saying a bit more loudly, "Yeah, I agree, I think it's time to hit the hay, we've got duty in the morning."

Once they've gotten a little distance from the Chelish woman, he says, "Okay, let's get to bed, and keep a low profile until morning, then we go look at the lift first thing, okay, everyone? And next time, Kyra, it might be safer if you just come drinking with us, eh? I always find it's the right thing to do."

The next morning the party examines the lift. It looks like it will take another 2 days or so to repair it. But you can help speed up the process with KN (engineering) or a relevant Craft skill.

You then spend the day busy at your respective duties. You are occasionally paired together but more often than not you are too busy running around to really talk effectively.

-Posted with Wayfinder

If possible, Kyra will try to see if anyone has been trying to repair the lift. We need to get down there. Are they even trying to fix it?

In the morning before cook duties Weiman is able to help fix the lift quite a bit; it seems they will be able to finish it by tonight.

Unfortunately, at the end of the day while the company is sitting around together, Primo Ambusta and the rest of the Hellknight guards suddenly rush around the corner and surround the party. Ambusta does not look amused. "By the power invested in me by the mighty nation of Cheliax and Asmodeus himself, I declare you impostors. You are to be detained until a course of action can be determined. There is no need for refutation or further charades, this one," he points directly at Kyra, "let it slip that you are neither here on reinforcement duties or indeed Hellknights. I don't know who is down below that interests you so much, but it will come to surface, no doubt, after we have made a formal inquiry and investigation."

"Please come with us. You will spend the night in the prisoner's cart until some real reinforcements can be summoned and the appropriate government and judicial forces alerted. Everything will go better for you if cooperate."

What do you mean? We've come to aid the archeologists trapped down your lift and you people put us on guard duty and mundane tasks! Kyra scoffs. When did I ever say we were not of the Hellknights? I bet it was that woman! She didn't like it when I turned her down last night! The nerve! The cleric still can't help to look quite confused at the serious turn of events. We are here to help this camp!

Kyra looks to the others helplessly as if to say, What is going on here? Do something!

How many guards are we surrounded by?

It doesn't give an exact number. It's just one of those "more than you could probably handle" moments. Besides, even if you did take down all the Hellknights down here, they're the only thing standing between you and a horde of angry morlocks.

Well, even if you didn't provide a precise number of guards, you have certainly answered my question.

Valeros looks fiercely at the guards surrounding them, his hands moving towards the hilts of his swords. Just as he touches them, however, his brain catches up with his hands. He releases his weapons and says, "Whatever they think you said, Kyra, we're not walking out of here right now. Looks like we have no choice but to cooperate, dammit. I hate having no choice."

As much as I like the idea of fighting our way out, I doubt it would work. Hate to admit it, but I suppose we'd better surrender then.
Enrik grits his teeth, suppressing an urge to fly into a frenzy. With a snarl on his lips he accepts the situation.

No one expects the Chelaxian Inquisition!

Bruxo remains silent, though he stares imaginary holes into Primo Ambusta's head. He will acquiesce to the prisoner's cart.

"Fools! I am the greatest swordsman in all of Golarion. You all would be nothing but wheat before the scythe against my blade." Raphael shouts at the Hellknights.
To emphasize the point he whirls his blade in an intricate series of maneuvers to unnerve them.

Demoralize 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (10) + 22 = 32

After seeing them become shaken, he sheathes his blade with a flourish.

"Fortunately for you, I have been ordered to not kill all of you. So do what you must."

I know Dazzling Display is a combat option, but I definitely wanted to let them know that they were in for a world of hurt if I chose.

Lol. Awesome.

Ambusta gives Raphael a long stare before quietly turning away, signaling for his men to close in and grab you all. You are stripped of all belongings, which are left in a pile outside on one of the benches, and brought to the prisoner carts for the night.

Weiman keeps his cheerful demeanor. "Don't worry guys; I've done this one before! Though last time, I was there by choice and the 'officer' was a ladygnome!" He looks to Primo Ambusta. "She was probably a 7 or an 8 on looks, though a 6 on personality. Whips hurt, you know? Though this 'cart' business is kinda tanking your score. Ha!"

Not a time for jokes, Weiman. This is a huge misunderstanding. We are not imposters! Kyra attempts to keep up the "accused innocent" line as long as she is able, knowing the truth to be quite different.

Once in the cart, Kyra just sighs to herself. Assuming that we can talk quietly enough to not be overheard, I don't understand what could have happened, I'm so sorry. The only person I talked to today was Valeros and I was sure no one could hear us. Even then I only mentioned the lift and the people trapped down below, I didn't even mention a name since I was still being cautious.... maybe they found out some other time... I don't know. This is all my fault.

"Oh, there was a cover story? Ha, oops; I probably shouldn't have mentioned so much at the man-party."

Bluff, to make Kyra feel better (1/7 arcs luck): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 2 = 24

"Oh well! Whenever all the Morlocks probably break in later, you're gonna be so happy for a being in a cage." Weiman imagines scolding Hellknights. "Then you can be all, 'Oh, look how safe we are in here, too bad for you,' and then they'll rush in!"

"Wait, what?" says Valeros. "I was on duty all day today, and never even saw you. When did you talk to me? What did we talk about?"

"Aghhhh! Stuck in a cage with a halfling minstrel!!"
Enrik rages and tries to bend the cage bars, more out of frustration than a dedicated attempt to escape.
Str check: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
(Edit: Technically, that's 25 since Enrik no longer has his belt)
After his initial spurt of energy though, the Ulfen calms down and scratches his head.
"It don't matter who's fault it is. We just need to figure out what our next plan is."
(Just kidding around Weiman, Enrik is just in a bad mood.) :)

"Wait, what?" says Valeros. "I was on duty all day today, and never even saw you. When did you talk to me? What did we talk about?"

Bruxo looks startled at both Kyra and Valeros. You did not see Kyra? Yet she saw, and indeed talked to, you. I sense an imposter somewhere in this camp.

@Enrik: Ha, if only I had Summon Instrument. Alas, I capped off my cantrips before I knew about it.

"Forsooth, I say, a burglar of the identity!" Weiman turns to Kyra, still trying to ease her mood. "I prithee, we need escape and make haste to find thine doppleganger!"

An imposter? Oh, this can't be good. I may not have said anything too specific but it would definitely alert them to the fact that we seek something down there. Kyra looks at the situation and shakes her head. And just how do we get out of here?

In fact, as the night is drawing on and the camp has gone quiet, a lone Hellknight walks out of the darkness at Kyra's prompting. Paralictor Maladin Bane stands before the cart. "With these." he holds up the keys. "I know who you really are: Pathfinders, sent down here to rescue someone else who's not supposed to be down here. I believe Benton Grone is your man? He was captured by the morlocks and taken down below just before the lift broke."

"No, it wasn't me spying on you. Primo is a brute of a man and probably used his magic to fool you and get what he wanted out of you. I'm not here to trick you though."

"You see, time is running short and it just so happens that you can give me something that I want too. A woman by the name of Marianix Karn was also taken by the morlocks. She means a lot to me and I can't abide to sit by and wait for the proper paperwork to go down there and get her myself. So," he jingles the keys a bit. "I let you out so you can rescue your man and in return you bring me back Marianix. You'll have to jump down that lift quickly before anyone else wakes up. And I can't promise you any assistance once you're down there or on the way back up. But it seems the best option for both of us if we want to see Benton and Marianix alive. Deal?"

"Sweet. I can't speak for everyone, but I'm all about not being in a cell." Weiman continues with a question oft not asked by Pathfinders of the days of yore, in relevance to their faction's missions. "This Marianix will want to come back, right? Like, mentioning your name won't cause her to run or punch me in the snoot?"

Bruxo nods at Paralictor Bane. We shall do whatever we can to bring this Marianix Karn back alive. Your kindness will not go unnoticed, though to speak much more of it would put you in danger of your own shackles. Bruxo claps the man on the shoulder once the party is free. Take these keys back where you found them, and we shall leave evidence of our escape to remove any suspicion from you.

Bruxo looks at the halfling with a wry smile Weiman, please address the lock here. And please do put your imprimatur on it. A clown's mask, perhaps, or paint on the inside of the bars for a surprise to those who might investigate.

Thank you. We will return the favor in kind by bringing your dear friend back to you safely. It is good to see that not all of the Hellknights here lack any real compassion.

Kyra will then ask the man known as Bane, Do you know much about the layout down there? Any direction you can point us in once we get there would be helpful as time seems of the essence.

Alas, the only condition of losing my Feat may have been met, so no Glowing Ink; Prestidigitation and ingenuity will have to do (unless getting all my stuff back means I can still use it. In which case, Well-Prepared, DC 15 T10: 10 + 9 = 19 If I can't use my feat, just replace using ink with carving words and Prestidigitation-ing them to a different color.
---
Weiman, having been given horrible ideas by the less martial Shoanti, will take to the lock after acquiring and activating his Trapsringer Gloves with a few hand gestures. I'm sure EF is aware at how amazing Archaeologists are at mundane locks.

Afterwards, he'll dig through his inter-dimensional bag/chest to find a bottle of glowing ink. He then paints the following phrase on the roof of the cart with his fingers, space and time permitting. Neither lock nor cage can hold the Baron of Bandits. Vive la révolution! Vive la Galt! He ensures a few drips hit the floor, so investigators think to look up.

This, all assuming time permitting. He'll stop mid-plan if anyone gives distress with how long it might takes. He is then prepared to move on.

5 gp on Glowing Ink (likely used whole bottle)

"I'll never refuse an offer to be taken out of a cell," says Valeros. "And I'm always happy to rescue damsels in distress, but I don't usually do it for another man..."

He looks Bane in the eye and says, "Tell you what, we get all our gear back, and I'll bring back your girl."

Was there mention of getting our stuff back? I didnt' see it, but Weiman seemed to have some hope of it in his post.

Ah, I suppose I did get ahead of myself. I thought we were put in carts to be shipped off tomorrow morning, and they left all our stuff in a convenient, lootable pile on a bench right outside.

I appreciated the hopeful note, nonetheless.

Raphael nods to Bane as he exits the cart.
"I will gladly accomplish whatever task for getting us out of that cart. Constrained by orders, Bah!"
He then heads for his stuff making sure to grab his sword first.

Bane responds to Weiman, "Heh, no, I'm sure she'll be glad to see you. Tell her I send my love."

Yes, your gear is just sitting in a conveniently lootable pile outside and Bane will help you re-equip.

Bane helps you all pile into the cart and nods his goodbye as he activates the mechanism. As you descend you see him running back towards his sleeping quarter, as the loud elevator is likely to wake at least a few Hellknights who will quickly notice the carts bereft of prisoners.

As the elevator makes its cogwheel descent, it exits a natural chute in Rachikan’s crust, where a second city emerges beneath the Hellknight’s fort. Crumbling Jistkan architecture clings to the cavern’s sloping walls where forms skulk along this perpendicular avenue. Before long, the cavern’s cathedral-like walls are crawling with morlocks. Soon drums begin to beat, and as the beat quickens, several morlocks burst from their cavern holes.

Elevator Ride! [insert music here]

So there's really no map for this encounter and honestly a map would just be cumbersome. Assume you're in a rectangular elevator with bars on the sides and top, connected by cables running up and down the sides.

There is a braking mechanism in the elevator. One person can make a Str check once a round (and one other person can aid them). If they fail the Str check, the elevator shakes violently and everyone takes some nonlethal damage. If you fail too many times the elevator plummets out of control. You'll realize soon enough why you'll need to be laying the brakes on when morlocks start to pile on :)

Round 1!

The morlocks have not reached you yet but this elevator is moving fast! Too fast!

DC 10 Str check from someone or everyone is violently jostled for 1d4 ⇒ 2 nonlethal damage (DC 20 Ref to negate)

Caster folks: no violent motion yet (assuming you can time your castings right) but that may or may not come up in future rounds.

Everyone can take 1 round of actions! Someone needs to volunteer for brake duties with at most one other person aiding!

Speaking of drums, did I ever get that set upstairs?

Weiman opts to aid, being the most aid-ful (and least combat-capable) person, but only after starting the ride with Haste (hoping that his bigger friends can keep enough Morlocks off that they won't NEED the brakes.)

Kyra will cast Guidance each turn on whoever the brakeman is.

Valeros grabs hold of the elevator brake lever and says, "We played a game like this when we were here before, but it wasn't quite so straight down a drop. This seems a little less fun, but I'm sure we'll make it fine to the bottom, where we can kill a bunch of morlocks and rescue a damsel in distress. And that guy the society was worried about, him too."

Str check with guidance: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Weiman I love you :) Haste....what a way to fight :)

I have to admit, I wondered how they'd follow up the mine cart ride. So we move to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. LOL

One by one, Bruxo will calmly drop Slumber hex after Slumber hex on teh morlocks as they try to jump on the elevator car. :-)

Enrik grins at Valeros.
"Need a bit of a boost there?"
Cast Bull Strength on Valeros

@Weiman: sure.

The party rides the elevator down and Valeros successfully keeps it steady. . . for now.

1d8 ⇒ 7

Four morlocks leap out from the ceiling and walls and grab ahold of the cage!

Braking is a DC 18 Str check now because of the four morlocks. 1d4 ⇒ 4 nonlethal (DC 20 Ref to avoid) if that fails.

Wheeeee! A morlock starts to rock violently causing the elevator to swing.

Everyone must make a DC 20 Ref save or take another 1d4 ⇒ 4 nonlethal. Everyone must also make DC 15 Fort saves to avoid motion sickness (sickened condition).

In addition, the cart is under violent motion so spellcasting requires a concentration check DC 15 + spell level or lose the spell.

bite at Enrik: 1d20 ⇒ 5
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

bite at Weiman: 1d20 ⇒ 16
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

bite at Kyra: 1d20 ⇒ 11
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Currently four morlocks on the cage. You guys are up!

'Cause there's no promises Weiman won't try to have a jam session with these morlocks.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 HOLY HELL, SOMEONE'S JUST LEAVING STUFF THAT EXPENSIVE LYING AROUND?
Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Weiman avoids the jostling, but is far from resistant to the motion of the metaphorical ocean. "Uuggghhhh... I don't think last night's party is sitting well anymore..." Is there a lot of morlocks (like cinematic scale) chasing after the elevator, and is the elevator's outside roughly 20-feet out if I go to any specific corner?

A reminder, as well: If anyone (namely, Valeros if he's doing the Strength brake Checks) wants to reroll a save (preferably the Fort to not get sickened and take -2s to Ability (and other) checks, please use my Lucky Halfling reroll. +6 fort (maybe 4 if I'm already sickened? Not sure how simultaneous it is.)

Reflex DC 20: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Bruxo grunts as he is buffeted about the cage. He utters a Shoanti curse and tries to get line of sight on the morlock rocking the cage to Slumber hex it.
DC 18 Will save. The Slumber hex is a supernatural ability, so I don't think it requires a concentration check to use.

EDIT: missed the Fort save request.
Fortitude DC 15: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Str check, Bull's Strength, DC 18: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 = 14 Fail
Ref save to avoid damage from braking fail, DC 20: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12 Fail
Ref save to avoid damage from shaking cage, DC 20: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 = 15 Fail
Fort save vs motion sickness, DC 15: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26 Huzzah!

Enrik's magic causes Valeros' strength to increase, but the distraction caused by multiple screaming morlocks landing on the elevator cage rattles the fledgling brakeman's focus, and the lever slips from his hand at a critical moment. He and his companions are tossed about the cage like dice in a cup, bruising Valeros' shoulder almost as much as his pride. "Damn! Sorry, everyone! Can we either get those morlocks off the cage, or can someone lend me a hand with this cursed brake?"

The morlocks jostling the cage batter him further, but his stomach, fortified by years of dedication to Cayden Cailean, feels none of the oceanic motion affecting Weiman.

Weiman, thanks for the reroll offer. As you suggest, I'll save it for the Fort save fail.

Taken 8 non-lethal
More rolls for everyone to make now, as they attempt to avoid the damage from Valeros driving!

Reflex, from braking: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Reflex, from shaking: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Since casting is now not automatic Kyra will attempt to aid Valeros with the task of braking.

Strength, aid another: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Kyra manages to maneuver herself as the cage violently shakes, keeping her most recent meal digested as well. However she just seems to get in the way when trying to help slow the descent of the cage.

everyone remember to add +1 to your reflex saves for haste

1st Reflex save 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14
2nd Reflex save 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24
Fort save 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

attack 1 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24
damage 1d8 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20

attack 2 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
damage 1d8 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20

haste attack 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24
damage 1d8 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20

Wow! 5 d20 rolls and only one was double digits and it was only an 11

err 6 d20 rolls that is....

Enrik flies into a rage as he sees the morlocks swarm the elevator.
Ref save (failed braking): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Ref save (rocked violently): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Fort save (motion sickness): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
The ulfen is lurched around violently, but at least he manages to hold down the contents of his stomach.

With greatsword in hand, Enrik swings at the morlocks within reach.
Greatsword power attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 222d6 + 19 ⇒ (5, 2) + 19 = 26
Hasted Greatsword power attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 322d6 + 19 ⇒ (2, 5) + 19 = 26
I forgot the +1 reflex for haste, but it makes no difference. Enrik take 8 pts of non-lethal damage.

@Weiman: I don't see any dimensions/maps given in the scenario. I think when I played it we just did it old-school without any map or anything as well. I think the intention is just that you're all crammed in this elevator and the morlocks can reach everyone some way or another. So probably 10 x 20 to give you guys two free spaces to move around?

Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Bruxo tries to put one of them to sleep but is unable. Kyra tries to help brake but is unable. Raphael and Enrik take out three of the morlocks but one still clings on!

Bruxo and Weiman need a DC 20 Ref save or take 4 nonlethal from the failed braking.

Round 3!

1d8 ⇒ 3

The morlocks continue to swarm about the cavern and down the cables, leaping off from the walls. Four more morlocks make it to the cage!

So five morlocks total now on the cage. Braking Str DC is 20 now or take 1d4 ⇒ 2 nonlethal (DC 20 Ref to avoid).

The morlocks are no longer swinging the cage so no concentration checks against violent motion. Instead, they focus all their energy on eating the tasty tasty Pathfinders!

bite on Enrik: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

bite on Valeros: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

bite on Weiman: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

bite on Kyra: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

bite on Bruxo: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (4) + 0 = 4
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

You guys are up!

failed braking Reflex DC 20: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 = 10
Ouch! Oof!

Bruxo will try to cast deep slumber (DC 18 Will) on the moorlocks outside, catching as many as he can without getting anyone inside. I suspect that would max out at 3, and maybe only 2.

Kyra will cast Command on one of the morlocks that is not in the area of effect of Bruxo's spell. She will command the creature to flee.

DC 15 Will save.