GM Endless Forms' PFS 03-25 Storming the Diamond Gate (Inactive)

Game Master Mike Tuholski

Is the bright red gemstone removable?

This secret door has a pretty unreasonable Disable check unless you open it with the portal, even if you had noticed it.

The symbol indicator at the portal’s apex is a rare crimson diamond found only in the abyssal realm of the Blood Clefts. It is removable but the diamond is terribly flawed and worth only 400 gp (i.e. doesn't satisfy your faction mission).

Beyond the gate is a hallway leading to the left with steps going down approximately 10 feet. The first double doors on the right lead to sleeping quarters. The crowded rooms each hold two beds, two footlockers, and a chamber pot. Otherwise, the rooms are empty and void of anything valuable.

Desmond uncovers the following note:

The room beyond appears to be an offal pit. A foul-smelling pit yawns in this room’s center. The inhabitants of the shrine use this pit to dispose of their waste. The pit descends 10 feet before spilling into the 110-foot-tall undershrine

Shan saunters into the pit room to pop a squat. After reciting meditative chants in dwarven, he squirts himself down with his water skin and is ready to proceed to the next room.

The company moves on down the hallway and opens the door on the left. Several cells line the walls of this holding area. Currently, the Aspis Consortium uses these cages as a makeshift prison. A man is asleep in the westernmost cell. He looks weary from malnourishment and mistreatment.

Ezrek goes to the man to check him.

Heal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

He is alive and conscious, just in a very deep sleep.

"Waking him may provide knowledge for what lies ahead. But then we are bound to release him and his safety may not be guaranteed as we proceed."

This jogs Shan's mind of an idea. How are we going to get back? Was there a portal of return when we arrived?

Desmond's attention is fixed to the withered prisoner. "Besnik, is it you?" he asks gently, trying to wake the man without startling him too badly.

"Hm?" the man says, slowly coming out of a deep sleep. He opens a weary eye to take a look at you. "Yes, of course. Who are you? What do you want?"

Grettings Sir, what brings you in such circumstances?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Desmond sighs in relief, "I'm - I mean, we're - with the Pathfinder Society. We've been sent in to find the Aspis Consortium's portal into this place. Also, I've been hoping to find you well."

Desmond then holds out his hand to shake. When Besnik shakes his hand, Desmond tries to palm a note to Besnik without the others seeing.

Sleight of Hand: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Sahar says, "We should have brought and extra amulet for Besnik. Teenoch perhaps you can return and get one so we all may continue to properly honor the shrine?"

"I shall retrieve it."

The quick dwarf hustles off. He returns with an amulet along with the weapons and armor from one of the guards.

"I hope you can use this gear, Brother Besnik."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Besnik is being genuine. He surreptitiously slides the note into his pocket. "Oh good, Pathfinders. Yes the Consortium caught on to me and locked me up some time ago. I have not been in the undershrine and so I don't know how many Aspis agents guard the Diamond Gate within. I do know that a powerful Chelish conjurer named Aglorn Desimire is not only in command of this location but all Aspis Consortium operations within the Hao Jin Tapestry. Whether or not Aglorn himself is here is beyond my knowledge. They locked me up before I could investigate the Diamond Gate any further to understand how it worked or gain control of it for the Society."

"Thank you for the gear, they took everything I brought and I'm not sure what they did with it. I am afraid I am far too weak to fight at the moment, however. At least I can try to defend myself, but I should wait for you here if you intend to enter the undershrine."

Besnik also reveals to you a loose flagstone where the Consortium hid several scrolls. The secret compartment contains a scroll of dimensional anchor and a scroll of magic circle against chaos. The key to Besnik's cell hangs on a hook next to the door.

Ezrek retrieves the scrolls and hands them to Sahar. Shall we go?

Sahar folds the scrolls away and says, "Yes Besnik wait here for our return. We shall deal with this Aglorn."

Turning to Teenoch, "Do you know of Aglorn? Did he bring you here?"

Shan tosses Besnik the key near the door.

"If we are not out by the end of the day, find your own way out of here."

Shan nods, ready to move on.

Teenoch says, "No, no, Teenoch does not know Aglorn. Teenoch has been here a very long time, long before the snakes arrived."

The stairs down to the undershrine are long and dark.

"Let me scout ahead," Shan says before making his way down the staircase, viewing what he can with his darkvision.

Desmond quips, "I'm just glad the passage to the undershrine isn't through that pit room where Shan took care of his business." He patiently waits to hear what the dwarf discovers in his scouting.

Oops, this roll might be important: Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

The tunnel continues on for some way but Shan doens't encounter anything he finally sees a landing at the bottom of the stairs. The party follows a ways behind but eventually catches up and emerges into a gigantic underground chamber.

Four crimson-hued plateaus pierce an unseen depth, providing contrast to the otherwise bleak cavern. The cavern floor, if it even exists, waits somewhere beyond the glow radiating from the strange red rock speckled throughout this cave. A quartet of swaying rope bridges connects the plateaus together, creating a path that snakes toward a set of descending stairs that disappear into scarlet shadows.

The ceiling of the cavern rises 10 feet above the surfaces of the four plateaus, all of which are roughly level with one another. The cavern’s floor is 100 feet below the plateaus’ surfaces, and upon it at the room’s eastern end rests the Diamond Gate. Two deeper chasms drop an additional 100 feet each below the floor, one traversing the northern end of the room, and the other just west of the Diamond Gate. The latter of the two is filled with insect-covered filth, the buildup of refuse from the offal pit 220 feet above.

The rope bridges are treated as difficult terrain, as they sway and swing with any movement. The plateaus are normal light. Below is all darkness.

Initiative:

1. Aglorn Desimire
2. Ezrek, Sahar, Shan, and Desmond
3. Aspis archer

Surprise Round! They knew you guys were coming.

Aglorn begins to chant some arcane words and the archer fires at Shan.

deadly aim attack: 1d20 + 9 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 9 - 2 - 2 = 18
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 4 = 11

Normal rounds

Aglorn finishes his spell and 1d3 ⇒ 1 giant spiders appear on the plateau in front of you. The spider moves across the bridge, ending just in front of Desmond. Aglorn begins to chant again.

Initiative:

1. Aglorn Desimire
2. Ezrek, Sahar, Shan, and Desmond
3. Aspis archer

You guys are up!

Not gonna lie, this fight is brutal. I'll apologize ahead of time if it starts to turn sour.

Desmond retrieves his cold iron greatsword from its sheath and brings it down upon the giant spider has hard as he can.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 9 - 2 = 17

Poer Attack Damage: 2d6 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 2) + 6 + 6 = 20

Sahrek circles around the group and tries to bite the spider.

Bite Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Trip Attempt if the Attack hit: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Sahar recognized a mistake I made, mostly because I was positioning Aglorn the way he was positioned by the GM when I played it. He is supposed to be at the top of the stairs, not down below near the Diamond Gate. His summons are out of range if he is at the bottom. I've moved him to the top of the stairs on Roll20.

Sahar presses past the combat unfolding before her moving across the bridge, provoking an attack from the spider as she moves past. Once her movement is exhausted she falls prone on the stone plateau.

Ezrek reaches into his haversack and removes a stone-like object. He draws back and hurls it with all his might.

Ranged Attack vs AC 5: 1d20 + 6 - 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 - 6 = 16

The object lands at the feet of Desimire and the archer, exploding with a deafening boom.

Threw a thunderstone (DC 15 Fort. Save or be deafened for an hour), aiming at the intersection between Desimire and the archer. Hopefully if Sahar can reach, she might do a hex before the throw. D20 show the distance at eighty feet, so that's three range increments over, hence the -6

My FF AC is 19 because I have Mage Armor up. Sorry i didn't update it in the spoiler block.

Shan instinctively shoos away the arrow at the last moment like an annoying fly. The sound of war drums begin to thumb in the monk's head.

The dwarf then quickly crosses the bridge and to the end of the first plateau.

Desmond takes a mighty swing at the spider and lobs one of its legs off. It is still standing, however, and takes a bite at Sahar as she moves past.

AoO on Sahar: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Fort against poison: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Ezrek then throws a thunderstone at Aglorn and the archer but neither of them are deafened.

Desimire Fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

archer Fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Shan moves past the weakened spider.

The archer then aims two arrows at Sahar.

deadly aim rapid shot: 1d20 + 9 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 - 2 - 2 = 10
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 4 = 14

deadly aim rapid shot: 1d20 + 9 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 9 - 2 - 2 = 16
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 4 = 11

Aglorn begins to chant another summon spell and moves behind the archer for partial cover.

Initiative:

1. Aglorn Desimire
2. Ezrek, Sahar, Shan, and Desmond
3. Aspis archer

You guys are up!

Ezrek moves forward past the spider and throws a bomb at the floor next to Desimire and the archer.

Ranged Attack AC 5: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 6 - 4 = 5

Splash damage is 5 with a Ref. Save DC15 for half.

Ezrek moves forward past the spider and throws a bomb at the floor next to Desimire and the archer.

Ranged Attack AC 5: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 6 - 4 = 16

Splash damage is 5 with a Ref. Save DC15 for half.

Don't have access to the map at the moment.

Sahar stands up from prone, withdrawing a bone needle from her belt she begins threading it through the skin of her finger, looking at Aglorn chanting her arcane words.

Lipstitch DC 17 Fort

I moved Ezrek, but because of the bridge & diagonals he didn't get very far.

Stoic Shan straightens his hands as if to cut through the air as he dips his head. He sprints toward the ledge and jumps.

Jump vs DC: 15: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Shan comes up just short of the ledge and tries to grab on to the edge.

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Andoran T-shirt re-roll

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Shan snatches onto the edge of the plateau with his thick hands. With all of his strength, he pulls himself onto the ledge next to the archer.

After coming extremly close to sure death, Shan simply says to the archer. "Give up, please."

Desmond takes another swing at the spider, but being more careful to hit, rather than cause damage.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (2, 4) + 6 = 12

If the spider falls, I will move forward across the bridge as far as I can. Otherwise, I will stay put and keep hacking away at the spider.

Aglorn Ref: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Aglorn Fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

archer Ref: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Ezrek throws a bomb but Aglorn and the archer only get singed. Sahar's spell does not seem to affect Aglorn and Shan makes a brave jump across the cavern, climbing up next to the archer, who laughs at Shan's plea. Desmond finishes off the spider.

The archer unloads a few arrows at Shan.

rapid shot deadly aim: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 17
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 4 + 1 = 12

rapid shot deadly aim: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 7
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 4 + 1 = 14

Aglorn's spell finishes and 1d3 ⇒ 3 lemures appear on the plateau near Sahar. Aglorn begins chanting another spell.

Lemure 1 attacks Sahar: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Lemure 2 attacks Sahar: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Lemure 3 attacks Sahar: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Edit: Aglorn took damage and needs a DC 10 + damage dealt + spell level concentration check.

Aglorn concentration check DC 15: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Initiative:

1. Aglorn Desimire
2. Ezrek, Sahar, Shan, and Desmond
3. Aspis archer

You guys are up!

Doesn't Aglorn still need to make a concentration check?

I moved Desmond after the spider was felled

Desmond rushes to Sahar's side. "What in blazes?" He takes a swipe with his greatsword at the lemure in front of Sahar. (#2)

Power Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 - 2 = 8
PA Damage: 2d6 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 4) + 6 + 6 = 17

"Sahrek, get up here and help us out! Attack!"

At Desmond's command, Sahrek rushes to the nearest lemure. He takes a bite at the creature, and attempts to bring it to the ground. (#1)

Bite Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

If the attack is successful:
Trip Attempt: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

SERIOUSLY! Another wasted lipstich :(

Sahar moves behind Desmond, drawing her bow and a cold iron/silver arrow and letting it fly at lemure #2.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Shan ducks to the left and the right, avoids the fired arrows at point blank range. Like an unstoppable bull, the dwarf continues to press the attack on the two Aspis agents.

He attempts to snatch the bow from the archer's hands.

Flurry Disarm vs Archer CMD: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

If he got the bow...

Shan spins completing the manuever in an attempt to sweep the legs of the archer.

Flurry Trip vs Archer CMD: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

If he was unable to get the bow...

Repeat attempt to disarm the archer from his bow.

Flurry Disarm vs Archer CMD: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Ezrek grabs a fire/ice flask and throws it at Desimire again.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 4 = 4
Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2) + 3 = 8

Ranged Touch Attack Folio Reroll: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 6 - 4 = 18

Sorry for the delay, I didn't see GM's edit.

Hopefully the reroll hit him. 5 pts Splash on the archer DC 15

Desmond and Sahrek run up to help Sahar but can't seem to hit the devils. Sahar's arrow, however, seems to hurt the thing quite a bit. Shan grabs the archer's bow from his hands but is unable to knock the archer to the ground.

Ezrek throws a flask at Desmire and hits him in the chest.

archer Ref: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

The archer, unsure what to do without his bow, draws a club.

attack against Shan: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Aglorn DC 20 concentration check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Aglorn's spell is interrupted by Ezrek's bomb. Aglorn lets fly a few curses before disappearing quickly and reappearing on another plateau.

Initiative:

1. Aglorn Desimire
2. Ezrek, Sahar, Shan, and Desmond
3. Aspis archer

You guys are up!

Seeing Aglorn teleport to the new plateau, Sahar calls to Desmond "Clear me a path!" pointing to Lemure #2.

Sahar will wait for Desmond and Sahrek's actions...

Desmond nods at Sahar's request. He heaves back and takes another swing at the the Lemure in the middle, hoping to connect.

Cold Iron Greatsword Power Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 9 - 2 = 23
Damage: 2d6 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (2, 3) + 6 + 6 = 17

"No, Sahrek, attack this devil that I'm swinging at!"

Sahrek hears Desmond's command. He snaps at the lemure, growling in his efforts.

Bite Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

If attack is successful:
Trip Attempt: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

If Desmond killed #2, then please have Sahrek attack #1

Sahar pushes through the hole, provoking attacks from the remaining lemures, moving up to the edge of the plateau letting another lipstitch loose on Aglorn.

DC 17 Fort

Additional Fire Damage Desimire: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Ezrek follows behind Sahar and throws another fire/ice flask at Desimire.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 - 2 = 21
Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 1) + 3 = 9

Immediate action

Shan drops the bow in time to intercept archer's swinging hand. The monk tries to take the hand and bring the archer's own arm across his throat.

Snapping Turtle Clutch vs Archer CMD: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Unable to grab the archer, Shan's hands turn into blocks of ice. The monk begins to feint and jab before trying to land two knock out blows.

Elemental Flurry vs Archer AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 201d8 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 3 + (1) = 10
Elemental Flurry vs Archer AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 181d8 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 3 + (6) = 13

With a mighty swing of his sword, Desmond causes Lemure 2 to puff out of existence. Sahrek bites into Lemure 1 but it doesn't seem to do much damage. Sahrek is able to trip Lemure 1 and bring it to the ground, though. Sahar runs through the two remaining devils and they both claw at her.

AoO from 1 while prone: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 - 4 = 17
damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

AoO from 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

She tries to cast another spell on Aglorn.

Fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Aglorn's lips are sewn together. Ezrek throws another flask at Aglorn and Shan continues to pummel the archer. The archer fights back with his club.

attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Frustrated, Aglorn takes out a dagger and slices his own lips apart, taking 1d6 ⇒ 4 damage in the process, and 1 point of bleed.

Initiative:

1. Aglorn Desimire
2. Ezrek, Sahar, Shan, and Desmond
3. Aspis archer

Desmond steps between the lemures and brings his sword down on the one that Sahrek knocked prone.

Greatsword Power Attack vs. Prone AC: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 9 - 2 = 26

Damage: 2d6 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 5) + 6 + 6 = 20

Crit. Confirm: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 - 2 = 12
Crit. Damage: 2d6 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 3) + 6 + 6 = 16