GM Endless Forms' PFS 03-22 The Rats of Round Mountain Part II: Pagoda of the Rat (Inactive)

Game Master Mike Tuholski

The Aspis Consortium has found a way into the Pathfinder Society’s private adventuring demiplane—the Hao Jin Tapestry, prize of the Ruby Phoenix Tournament in Goka. What was supposed to be an isolated realm full of some of the greatest wonders and mysteries in the history of Golarion is now a battleground between the Pathfinder Society and Aspis Consortium agents. We have discovered that a delegation of Aspis Consortium diplomats is currently meeting with the leadership of the influential and powerful ratfolk who live in the Pagoda of the Rat, which lies in the hollow center of what inhabitants of the tapestry call Round Mountain. These negotiations must not result in an alliance between the ratfolk and the Aspis Consortium.

With the Sundered Path traversed, all that remains is the stronghold of the ratfolk. At the end of the path stands the Pagoda of the Rat, hewn from the stone of Round Mountain. Eaves sweep upward into points between each of the tower’s seven tiers, and the top of the pagoda tapers into a graceful spire. At the center of each floor, a round window gazes blindly at the barren expanse of Round Mountain’s vast central chamber. Unassuming steps lead up the pagoda’s base to a set of bronze doors.

Since you all stayed in Round Mountain from the last scenario, there are no faction missions. After all, how would your faction leaders have gotten them to you?

Elizabeth rises from her rest feeling reinvigorated. Kuduro was able to bring Elizabeth's strength back.

As the party comes into view of the Pagoda, Miss Elizabeth marvels at the edifice. Her mind quickly returns to the task at hand, and she scouts ahead, ever watchful for any other traps that may lie in wait for the group of Pathfinders.

Perception (Trapfinding): 1d20 + 13 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 13 + 3 = 32

Phos rises from rest only 2 hours after laying down to sleep, and concentrates for a moment to make sure all is well. He then reaches into his sash and removes a small stone and speaks a command word causing it to launch into flight, orbit his head and glow with the brightness of a torch. After rolling his bed and placing it in his havarsack, he opens a side pocket and removes four books, each far too large to fit in such a space, and each filled with colorful tabs and bookmarks. In what appears to be an incredibly practiced and precise ritual, he lays out the books in front of him, lifts 1 book, selects a mark, turns to that page, reads it's contents and concentrates upon it. After a few moments, he flips to another page, then another book, and so on. In only 15 minutes time (thanks to the Fast Study arcane discovery), he places the last book on the ground in front of him, concentrates for a moment as though he were completing the ritual, then gathers the tomes and returns them to the impossibly small pouch on the side of his pack.

He then removes a rune-covered rod from the central pouch and incorporates it into the casting of his mage armor spell, extending the duration of the spell from 9 to 18 hours. Returning the rod to the central pouch, he gathers his gear and awaits the

Aamiri wakes up with a stretch and a yawn. She finds a quiet spot away from the others and loosens her sleep-tightened muscles by taking some practice swings with her sword.

Seelah awakens and spends a short while in prayer, preparing herself for the challenges ahead. She then checks her gear, confirms all is as it should be, and readies herself to move onward with the party.

Kuduro awakens and beings her sunrise greeting ritual, even underground, in a pocket dimension she seems to instinctively know the schedule and location of the sun.

Ornate bronze doors lead into an entrance hall. On either side, a pair of ten-foot-tall ratfolk statues beckon toward the north wall. There, a fresco depicts a female ratfolk stooped by age with dozens of smaller ratfolk huddled around her. Between her ankles stands a human-sized door, with a smaller door sized for ratfolk set within it. A frame holding an iron gong stands to the side of the nested doors. Beyond the columns, arrow slits pierce both side walls. Well-worn tiles of gold-veined white marble line the floor.

The two statues depict the same ratfolk, but as mirror images of each other. The painting depicts Lao Shu Po, the Tian goddess of night, rats, and thieves known as Old Rat Woman, represented here as an elderly ratfolk rather than a human.

Standing before the doors preventing you from fully entering into the room are three ratfolk, two in armor and the other in elaborate robes.

The ratfolk in robes stands in the middle of the door and holds out his hand to stop you from approaching too far up the steps. "Strangers and travelers! What is your business here at the Pagoda? You are not ratfolk and will not be allowed to enter without permission. Please introduce yourselves and your business or be on your way."

Miss Elizabeth quickly and quietly whispers to the others, "Be careful, there's a trap located between the two statues - a fire pit."

Bluff (Conceal Message): 1d20 ⇒ 8

She waits for one of the more charismatic members of the party to parlay with these ratfolk. Wait, which one of us has the note of passage? That should solve things, right?

Seelah prepares to lend her diplomatic muscle to Kuduro, who is beyond compare when it comes to dealing with these types of negotiations.

Aid Another, Diplomacy
Diplomacy Check: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33

"Kuduro, perhaps you can show these kind folk our letters of passage from the citadel? I believe the captain must be acquainted with these folk, no?"

Seelah will make no hostile gestures or movements at the appearance of the ratfolk in robes, trying to make sure no tensions rise.

Why do the 20s come around most on Aid rolls?

Aid Another Diplomacy Roll
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

"We seek a peaceful audience with your leader or leaders. No threat is meant to your people."

Kuduro smiles her wide, kind smile stopping at the words of the robed ratfolk. "Greetings unto you, brothers in friendship! I am Kuduro al-Lazuri, Keleshite Princess of Qadira and Holy daughter of the sunlight given form, Sarenrae. My companions and I have been sent to bring a warning to the wise and powerful Ratfolk who's dominion covers Round Mountain and beyond. We have been granted safe passage along the Sundered Path to approach the Pagoda of the Rat by Captain Tang Man Kuo. We bring word of the wicked serpents of the Aspis Consortium, and seek a meeting with those who's decisions effect the lives of both our peoples." Kuduro removes the letter from her robe, presenting it to the ratman.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 14 + 2 + 2 = 20

Diplomacy Roll Fizzle! :)

"Hm," the old rat says as he snatches up the paper and reads it over quickly. "So I suppose the Captain made you made you fight his minotaur guard first, am I right?"

Seelah chuckles at the comment and quips back, "Sure, right after we fed the dragon, cleaned the hydra stables, and tended to the unicorn herd. All in a day's work for us you know." She lets the jest settle in for a moment and then adds, "We both know there are no minotaur guards, why would you suggest such a thing given we have his signature right here?'

Trying to ride that Nat 20 Diplomacy check that I made :)

The wizened old rat snorts at Seelah's comment. "You can never be too careful, my dear."

“You may enter as friends of the Rats of Round Mountain, but heed our warning. Not all within will honor this letter. The guards beyond the Sundered Path have long been stationed away from the rest of us within the pagoda, and they don’t know of the growing division among our people. There is dissension between those loyal to the Undying Empress and those who wish to be free of her rule. We are among the latter, but any within who disagree with us are likely to ignore this letter and the message of peace that it represents. Best of luck.”

The map is up. It's hard to get the grids to line up on big maps so it's not perfect but it will do for now.

Phos raises an eyebrow with interest, "Thank you for the guidance, gracious hosts. What can you tell us about this Undying Empress? Who is she, and why do you oppose her?"

The old rat smiles a bit. "Oh, well, no one really knows too much about her. She proclaims herself the chosen of the Tian rat goddess Lao Shu Po and, to be sure, she has led the ratfolk to dominate much of this demiplane. Our civilization is now one of the most stable and influential in the entire realm. But some of us tire of the self-proclaimed Empress and are not overly comfortable with an undying leader holding power too immense. Such things will surely lead to trouble, as you may imagine."

"Stability and influence, and yet you oppose her? What has she done to earn your ire?"

"Phos, not everyone is as wise and fair as you. Personally, I doubt I would want a leader with so much power."

Miss Elizabeth then turns to the ratfolk, "How does Lao Shu Po view the Aspis Consortium?"

The old rat simply grins at Phos and motions to Elizabeth. "This one sees to the heart of the matter. Power is easily abused and alliances with such organizations are treacherous. The ratfolk will be put in a bad place if the Empress continues in her ways. It is not a benevolent rule and it is certainly not stability. Our influence and growth has come at a price that some of do not wish to pay any more."

Phos contemplates for a moment, then nods his head, "Very well, once again we thank you for your guidance. Are there any other dangers along the way of which we should be weary?"

Aamiri's ears perk up at the talk of potential danger. Something smaller than a dragon would do nicely...

Seelah thinks for a moment and adds, "You say some no longer wish to pay the price that your growth has come at? Does that mean some still do? Are you speaking of your people?"

"I speak only for the small group of us who do not appreciate the Empress' unwavering power. Most of the ratfolk blindly go about their lives, not realizing what a danger such a thing could become. In the Pagoda I do not think you shall encounter any dangers beyond suspicious ratfolk who will not honor the Captain's note there. The Captain is very decidedly and openly one of us."

Seelah nods as she begins to understand the issue. Most common folk are usually happy not to know the ins and outs of politics and power struggles, why should these creatures be any different.

"Taken under advisement," the paladin says, "We shall do our best to not to rock the proverbial boat with your society."

Kuduro bows slightly to the old rat. "Our thanks again for you assistance and information."

Miss Elizabeth nods her head. "I shall tread carefully. Thank you for your council. I hope that we can convince this empress that the Aspis Consortium does not have the ratfolk's best interests at heart."

You enter the Pagoda as the guards step aside and emerge into the room described above. At the guards' and Elizabeth's warnings you step around the statues and avoid the trap meant to catch unwanted visitors. You move forward and open the door to move further into the Pagoda.

A ten-foot-diameter pillar fills the center of this square chamber, with the narrow steps of a spiral stair rising up its sides. Murals of the raising of the Pagoda of the Rat dominate the walls. Doors stand in the center of three of the four murals. In the scene on the northern wall, the pagoda stands nearly finished as a majestic ratfolk female—a giant among her kind—looks on approvingly, her hands folded behind her back in a regal pose.

Standing in the room waiting for you are four ratfolk dressed similarly to the guards outside and a leading ratfolk standing directly in front of you wearing the holy symbol of Lao Shu Po on his armor. Another elderly ratfolk stands behind the stairs.

Initiative:

1. Phos
2. Guards
3. Miss Elizabeth and Seelah
4. Shenru and the Servant of Lao Shu Po
5. Bayushi, Aamiri, and Kuduro

Phos is up!

(Clarification: on Roll20, it appears that the rats are in an enclosed room and there's only a 5 foot doorway to connect us, is that correct?)

Phos crosses his hands in front of him (Diviner's fortune +4) and bows to the ratfolk.

"Hail, servants of Lao Shu Po. We do come to you in aggression, but to speak with your empress in matters of business. We seek no quarrel, only to pass."

Diplomacy check:1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 4 = 25

That is correct.

"Imbecile!" the old rat in the back mutters. "These defilers are no friends of the Empress! Attack!" he shouts at the ratfolk guards.

Guard 2 fires a crossbow at Miss Elizabeth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
damage with sneak: 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + (2) = 8

Guard 3 fires a crossbow at Kuduro: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
damage with sneak: 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + (5) = 9

Guards 1 and 4 rush forward and swarm the doorway. Ratfolk have the ability to occupy the same square and are considered to be flanking if they attack the same foe. So Guards 1 and 4 are both in the same square in front of Aamiri.

Guard 1 stabs at Aamiri with a rapier: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
damage with sneak: 1d4 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 3 + (6) = 12

Guard 4 stabs at Aamiri with a rapier: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26
damage with sneak: 1d4 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 3 + (6) = 13

Initiative:

1. Phos
2. Guards
3. Miss Elizabeth and Seelah
4. Shenru and the Servant of Lao Shu Po
5. Bayushi, Aamiri, and Kuduro

Miss Elizabeth and Seelah are up!

Oh goodness. And here I thought they were friendly!

Realizing that the rats have no idea what they have gotten themselves into, and that Aamiri is about to turn the one in front of her inside out in a pile of juicy rat parts, Seelah will take a step forward and attempt to teach the rat behind the pair that rushed Aamiri a lesson in manners.

Attack+Vital Strike: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17
Damage: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 6 = 9
Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Seelah frowns as she does a very poor job of teaching today...

Oh goodness. And here I thought they were friendly!

These are not the same guards. Those guys were outside the Pagoda. Also, there wasn't supposed to be an elderly rat with them outside but I misread something. The elderly rat (Shenru) was supposed to be hiding behind the arrow slits listening as you talked to the guards and then was supposed to hide in this room with his buddies if you said anything suspicious. So the old friendly rat outside is someone else, an NPC I created by accident.

Also I think you can only make one attack with Vital Strike.

Seelah's hit bounces off the rat's armor.

Initiative:

1. Phos
2. Guards
3. Miss Elizabeth and Seelah
4. Shenru and the Servant of Lao Shu Po
5. Bayushi, Aamiri, and Kuduro

Miss Elizabeth is up!

Ah my mistake, not a feat I've ever used. I read it that it was for one attack, and I thought that meant that only a single attack in a full attack could benefit. Thanks :)

Miss Elizabeth springs into action. She quickly tumbles through the two rat guards in front of Amiri, then somersaults adjacent to the Servant of Lou Shu Po, all while withdrawing her rapier.

Acrobatics to move through an occupied space - Guard#1: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (15) + 20 = 35
Acrobatics to move through an occupied space - Guard#4: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 20 = 23

Acr. check to move in a threatened space - Servant: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (17) + 20 = 37

Once in position, Miss Elizabeth slashes at the servant with her rapier.

+1 rapier Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

Damage (with Sneak Attack Damage): 1d6 + 3 + 4d6 ⇒ (5) + 3 + (4, 2, 5, 4) = 23

Edit - CRIT Threat (Gotta love keen weapons)
Crit. Confirm: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Crit. Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Seelah looks humbled...

Miss Elizabeth is just able to avoid the two swarming ratfolk in the doorway and the Servant who stands behind them. She hits the Servant, although her rapier doesn't quite go through all the way to the hilt.

The aged rat in the background throws a fireball into the first room, hitting Aamiri, Kuduro, Bayushi, and Phos.

damage: 5d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 3, 3, 3) = 16

Aamiri DC 17 Ref for half: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Kuduro DC 17 Ref for half: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Bayushi DC 17 Ref for half: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Phos DC 17 Ref for half: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

The servant calls out, "Lao Shu Po, protect me as I bring justice upon these foes!" Activating Justice and Protection judgements. She then drops a stone from her hand and the entire room descends into Deeper Darkness. Miss Elizabeth feels a spear scratching at her in the dark.

attack 1: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

attack 2: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Initiative:

1. Phos, Bayushi, Aamiri, and Kuduro
2. Guards
3. Miss Elizabeth and Seelah
4. Shenru and the Servant of Lao Shu Po

Phos, Bayushi, Aamiri, and Kuduro are up!

Frigging deeper darkness. I swear they are getting a lot of mileage out of that in this series! I am going to send the writer hate mail. :)

Current HP: 42

Phos calmly speaks a few spidery words and makes some unseen motions, causing daylight to burst forth and dispel the darkness.

He then looks the servant in the eye and says, "You didn't really think it would be that easy, did you?"

Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Aamiri attempts to dodge the fireball only to have the world go dark shortly after the flash of its impact. Then, suddenly its light again. And Aamiri becomes made. Raging mad, even.

She lashes out at Guard 1 and then tactfully takes a 5 foot step to the side to allow room for others to attack.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30, Damage: 2d8 + 16 ⇒ (2, 4) + 16 = 22
Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15, Damage: 2d8 + 16 ⇒ (8, 1) + 16 = 25

HP 61/86 - Raging 20/21

Kuduro seems completely unfazed by the fireball. Drawing her scimitar as she shifts up, she swings at the guard standing in the doorway.

Attack1: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22, Damage1: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Attack2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22, Damage2: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Confirm2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18, Damage2: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Sorry for the delay, yesterday was far busier than anticipated.

Phos brings the room back into light. Aamiri takes two swings, but only the first one hits. It seems to really the poor little ratfolk guard. Kuduro steps up and knocks Guard 1 unconscious with two might hits (although the crit does not confirm).

Guard 2 steps forward drawing his rapier and swarms with the Servant to confront Elizabeth.

attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32
damage: 1d4 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 3 + (1) = 5

Guard 3 steps up to Seelah with his rapier drawn.

attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Guard 4 steps back and also attacks Seelah with his rapier.

attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Guard 2 crit confirm: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33
crit damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Initiative:

1. Phos, Aamiri, and Kuduro
2. Guards
3. Miss Elizabeth and Seelah
4. Shenru and the Servant of Lao Shu Po

Miss Elizabeth and Seelah are up!

Did you really think worshipers of Lao Shu Po wouldn't pull a Deeper Darkness on you? At least you had Daylight.

Also, an 11 HP crit? Oh noooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Miss Elizabeth carefully moves to the side of the servant and takes another slash with her rapier.

Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Crit. Confirm: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
Crit. Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

5 foot step and then attack. Sorry for the delay - family stuff.

Elizabeth steps to the side of the Servant of Lao Shu Po and jabs with rapier, driving it deep into the rat's side.

Initiative:

1. Phos, Aamiri, and Kuduro
2. Guards
3. Miss Elizabeth and Seelah
4. Shenru and the Servant of Lao Shu Po

Seelah is up!

@Elizabeth: no problem, I've been very busy lately too.

Sorry, I somehow overlooked my prompt!

Seelah, following Elizabeth's lead, steps to her left to assist with the rogue's assult, at the same time leaving herself vulnerable to attack. She opens up with a series of attacks aimed at the servant that Elizabeth was attacking...

Attack+Power Attack+Flank: 1d20 + 14 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 14 + 2 - 2 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 4 = 12

Attack+Power Attack+Flank: 1d20 + 9 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 2 - 2 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 4 = 12

Both of Seelah's attacks hit the Servant of Lao Shu Po and she is starting to look hurt.

The Servant then turns on Seelah and declares a bane on human scum, stabbing with her spear.

Power Attack flanking with Human Bane and Justice: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 10 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 32
damage with PA and bane: 1d6 + 3 + 6 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 6 + 2 + (5, 4) = 21

Power Attack flanking with Human Bane and Justice: 1d20 + 5 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 15
damage with PA and bane: 1d6 + 3 + 6 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 6 + 2 + (6, 5) = 28

Shenru casts a spell and there appear to be 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 more of him in the square (Mirror Image).

Initiative:

1. Phos, Aamiri, and Kuduro
2. Guards
3. Miss Elizabeth and Seelah
4. Shenru and the Servant of Lao Shu Po

Phos, Aamiri, and Kuduro are up!

Ouch, thank the gods for that miss.

Kuduro places her hands through the doorframe and releases a burning wave on guard3 and guard4!

DC 17 Reflex for Half of 5d4 ⇒ (3, 1, 2, 1, 2) = 9.

Phos reaches out with his left hand, pointing his his index and middle fingers at the Servant of Lao Shu Po, and spits out a series of short, hissing words, causing a pair of bright red rays of energy to shoot forth from his fingertips towards the enemy.

scorching ray
First ray:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Second ray: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

...leaving black marks on the wall far away from his target.

"What....are you still standing?"

Aamiri focuses her attention on the Servant of Lao Shu Po.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32, Damage: 2d8 + 16 ⇒ (1, 2) + 16 = 19
Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24, Damage: 2d8 + 16 ⇒ (7, 6) + 16 = 29

HP 61/86 - Raging 19/21