GM Endless Forms' PFS 07-13 Captive in Crystal (Inactive)

Game Master Mike Tuholski

Xue and his purple oliphaunt trudge up the hill straight into the pinchers of the waiting beasts.

"Foul ceaturesssss!! Stand behind me!!". He falls into dragon style as he does so, and swings at the nearer creature.

ready if one moves up
1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
1d8 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

With double move/squeezing I think the elephant gets to the 2nd bend/entrance to channel between rocks. I only have the feat that allows the AC to ignore penalty to hit AC, not the one for reducing move penalties.

Harmonious will move up, drawing his scimitar as he goes, he will begin his Battle dance, which while inspiring to watch doesn't seem to have the same effect on his allies a normal bard's Inspire Courage would have.

Sorry guys, Harmonious is a Dervish of Dawn Bard, from Inner Sea Magic, he gets double the bonus from Inspire Courage and can activate it as a move action but it only affects him self. :(

He will also ready himself to parry some attacks should one of those creatures attacks him.

K.Planes, Heightened Awareness: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (18) + 14 + 2 + (2) = 36

Hearing the skittering coming towards them, Nel gives the approaching creatures a quizzical eye before speaking in his usual bored fashion.

"Well, these crystalline creatures are unhurt by flame or cold and highly resistant to electricity. Oh and they need to be smashed, which seems to be a problem for us."

Saying that he draws his rapier and focuses his attention on the closest scorpion, Studied Combat on red and prepares to strike out should an enemy come too close.

And so it begins... Jaysin will fire four arrows, starting with the closest enemy! I have durable adamantine arrows now, starting with them.

Bow: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23 for Arrow: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14 and Manyshot: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Rapid: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29 for Arrow: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Iterative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 for Arrow: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Rowanna concentrates for a moment, and then flies up 30 feet.

Standard: Activate Flight Hex. Move: Fly up 30 feet, unless ceiling it lower than that. If ceiling is lower than 30 feet, moving up as high as possible and moving southeast away from scorpions.

One could get killed flying around like that.

Ok, sorry guys and thanks for your patience! I'm back now and my posting should back to normal this week. Now back to the game!

Xue readies himself against the crystal creatures as Harmonius dances about with his scimitar and Nel readies against the inevitable attack. Rowanna flies up into the air as Jaysin takes action and fires at the red-tinted crystal scorpion! Although his arrows aren't fully effective and are mostly deflected off the hard surfaces, he is still able to chip away at it enough to leave nothing but a pile of rubble and dust behind! One down!

The green scorpion starts scurrying down the slope but suddenly the patch of rock beneath it softens into mud and the scorpion struggles to free itself from the sloppy pit! Black box on the map is mud.

After seeing their fellow stuck in the mud, the other two use a dimensional trick to appear next to Jaysin and Savage!

Initiative:

1. Harmonius, Jaysin, Rowanna, Xue, and Nel
2. Crystal Scorpions!
3. Savage

You guys are up!

Harmonious will dance his way over to the first crystal scorpion and stab at it, flashing a smile, clearly enjoying the combat.

+1 Keen Mithril Scimitar + Inspire: 1d20 + 10 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 4 = 22
damage + Inspire: 1d6 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 4 = 14

"Hah Hah! Talk about a chip off the ol' rock!"

Hmm, even adamantine seems to be somewhat ineffective. We could surely die here.

Jaysin takes a step back after one of the creatures appears next to him. This is much too close, too close to potential death. Jayson then tries to kill the enemy!

Bow: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19 for Arrow: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13 and Manyshot: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Bow: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25 for Arrow: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
Bow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 for Arrow: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Somebody keep me out of this fiend's reach! Jaysin yells, clearly thinking of only his own immediate well-being.

Totally shocked by his foes mysterious magical abilities to move through space, the Nagaji and his pet mammoth rush down the mountain to aid his allies.

Curious if sonic energy has some greater effect on the crystal scorpions, Rowanna casts Ear-Piercing Scream on the largest scorpion, then flies 10 feet to the north, still 30 feet in the air.

Ear Piercing Scream Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 6) = 14

DC 16 Fortitude Save for the large sized scorpion or Dazed for 1 round and takes full damage. A successful save negates the Dazed and halves damage.

Nel looks on rather dispassionately as the scorpions move around with a teleportation trick, seeming to file the information off somewhere for later use. Briefly snapping back into reality he gets back into action.

if attacked, Nell will attempt a parry/riposte

Parry, -2 if large, study: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 2 = 28

riposte, study: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 2 = 15 for damage: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7

Savage will 5ft back to flank with Harmonius and Razor will 5ft up and full attack on large scorpion

Atk: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Talon: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Talon: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Dmg: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

and all miss lol

Fort: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Harmonius dances over and chips off some of the scorpion but notices that it is difficult for his blade to find purchase on the hard surface. Nel's blade is deflected entirely, in fact, and Savage does not have any better luck.

Although Jaysin's arrows aren't totally effective either, he still chips away a few large chunks from the bigger scorpion. Rowanna aids him and blasts off a leg with a piercing cry that shatters the crystal!

The largest crystal scorpion stands dazed a moment. Meanwhile the smaller one stings at Harmonius!

sting: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 1) + 3 = 9

Initiative:

1. Harmonius, Jaysin, Rowanna, Xue, and Nel
2. Crystal Scorpions!
3. Savage

bl: 9 dmg
big: 8 dmg

You guys are up!

Savage will swing at little scorpion again and razor will stay on big one

atk: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

talon: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

talon: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

dmg: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

-Posted with Wayfinder

Xue continues to race down the path towards his companions, cursing himself for letting himself get so far ahead of the group.

I'm kicking myself for not including a Parry, oh well, Harmonious was caught up in the moment!

"Owwwwww, it stung me! I can't believe it stung me!"

Harmonious, continuing to whirl about dancing will strike at it again.

Attack + Inspire + Flank: 1d20 + 10 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 4 + 2 = 27
Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 4 = 16

Jaysin continues firing arrows at the enemy!

Bow: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30 for Arrow: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 and Manyshot: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Bow: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21 for Arrow: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Bow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 for Arrow: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Rowanna flies down 5 feet and 10 more feet to the southwest to place the large crystal scorpion with 30 feet. She then attempts to place a Misfortune hex on the unusual vermin.

Misfortune Hex on the large sized enemy. DC 18 Will save or anytime the creature makes an ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check, it must roll twice and take the worse result for 1 round. It is not a mind affecting effect.

Edit: Just to be clear, Rowanna is still flying up at 25 feet.

Will: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Harmonius jabs at the scorpion as Savage swings and misses! Xue rushes back to the party as Jaysin continues chipping away at the giant crystal beast! Rowanna tries to bring ill fortune down upon the giant scorpion but it doesn't seem to have taken hold.

Initiative:

1. Harmonius, Jaysin, Rowanna, Xue, and Nel
2. Crystal Scorpions!
3. Savage

bl: 20 dmg
big: 38 dmg

Nel is up!

Nel takes a step forwards seeking to get to get round the creature before sizing up an imperfection in its crystal make up and stabbing out with his rapier.

Mithral Rapier, Magic, study: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 2 = 16 for damage: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12

Before leaning back and readying a parry in case of attack.

Nel misses his target and the smaller scorpion stings back at him!

sting: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 3) + 3 = 8

Meanwhile the big scorpion attacks Razor!

sting: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
damage: 3d8 + 12 ⇒ (3, 8, 7) + 12 = 30

Initiative:

1. Harmonius, Jaysin, Rowanna, Xue, and Nel
2. Crystal Scorpions!
3. Savage

bl: 20 dmg
big: 38 dmg

You guys are up!

glad that didnt all go through lol

-Posted with Wayfinder

Jaysin grimaces, realizing his stash of adamantine arrows is dwindling. Hurry up and help me takes these things down!

Bow: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23 for Arrow: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18 and Manyshot: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12
Bow: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31 for Arrow: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Bow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 for Arrow: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

The nagaji rides next to the largest of the scorpions and strikes!

katana: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
1d8 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

if it attacks anyone but xue, I bodyguard (up to 2 times) aid checks for not a 1: 2d20 ⇒ (18, 2) = 20 - gives +4 to AC

I just realized that the orc standing behind me is not an ally? I think I got confused at some point, but who is that?

Harmonious will continue dancing and stabbing, a whirlwind of well-choreographed dance moves combined with a flurry of cuts, paying no mind to the relative ineffectiveness of his weapon he is caught up in this exhilarating dance with death!

"Never do I feel more alive than in combat or under the sun, doubly so if both!"

Attack vs Crysmal + Inspire + Flank: 1d20 + 10 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 4 + 2 = 21
damage + inspire: 1d6 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 4 = 12

I think its just there accidentally

Maybe that's just what Endless Forms what us to think!? Then it turns out to be a badguy who catches us when our guard is down!!!! Dun dun dun

Oh, it's a dead body. One of the pathfinders. Hopefully he doesn't get up and do anything. It's Setik's body.

Savage will take his 5ft step and pull out a wand of clw and use it on razor. Razor will make a full attack on the scorpion.

Heal: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Talon: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Talon: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Dmg: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Forgot to move my token after my 5' step last turn, so this 5' will get into flanking, standing next to Jaysin (sorry on phone so cant move)

Nel furiously parries the crystaline talon that comes for him, his riposte striking off the shell of the beast. Raising his rapier to harmonious in a duelist's salute he steps to the creatures blind spot and strikes out.

Rapier, flank, study: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 2 + 2 = 29 for damage: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7

Scowling, Rowanna flies five feet closer horizontally to the larger scorpion and attempts to place her Misfortune Hex again.

DC 18 Will Save, or the effects listed in my previous post. Rowanna has the Accursed Hex feat which allows her to try again.

If the larger scorpion is destroyed already, Rowanna will instead fly within 30 feet of the smaller scorpion and try to place the Misfortune hex on it.

Yes, the orc with the red outline is the body you found earlier. You were examining it when the crysmals attacked.

With a mighty volley, Jaysin takes out the big scorpion just as Xue catches up and snaps off the head of the smaller one!

Ahead of you on the path, you suddenly see the earth moving and reshaping as something emerges from below the path: a purple-skinned humanoid wearing black armor tinged in gold bellows something in Terran at the crysmal trapped in the mud as he raises a great sword and brings it down on the scorpion, ending it quickly.

As he sheathes his sword, he turns to you and calls in Common, "I have no quarrel with you." Walking forward, you note that he stands more than 12 feet in height and looks like a proud man carved from dark stone studded with small gems throughout as though they were birthmarks or freckles. He performs an elaborate but shallow bow before continuing. "My name is Reyshal ik Jalman. I belong to an extended network of shaitans who defend the Vault from greedy interlopers such as crysmals and dwarves." He looks around to make sure none of you match these categories and then asks, "Who are you and what brings you down here, if I may ask?"

Xue dismounts and bows. "Greetings, honorable Reyshal ik Jalman. I am known as Xue; my companions and I are Pathfinders, professional explorers and scholars. Our companions came here quite some time ago and perished, or perhaps even captured. We are here to retrieve their bodies - and theirselves, if they yet live. Three yet remain unaccounted for - Nissira, Master Westyr and Grave - all humans, like many of my companions.

Aid to help someone else's diplomacy, the aid grants +3
aid check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Harmonious, ending his battle dance, will mosy over to the new gentle-elemental-man, "Well hello sir, we are some famed Pathfinders from the Pathfinder Society. We enjoy explorin' new areas and writing stories about our fantastical adventures!"

Diplomacy + Aid: 1d20 + 16 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 16 + 3 = 23 Sad

Maybe someone else can use your/our aid. . .

"We're merely attempting to discover what happened to the previous group as my companion has said, we have no designs on your wealth nor wish to start any trouble." Rowanna adds nonchalantly.

Diplomacy aid: 1d20 ⇒ 15

With the adrenaline rush of combat fading, Nel's permanently bored expression returns, though with the appearance of the new curiosity he perks somewhat and makes his way to the group discussing with him. Nel gives a slight nod of respect to the Shaitan, sheathing his Rapier as he moves across. He gestures to the pathfinder corpse in their vicinity.

"I won't bore you with the background, however, the group we seek came with the one you see lying there, and they would have bore this symbol." He says pulling out his Wayfinder to show the glyph of the open road, "I can assure you it was accidental circumstance which brought them here, not a desire to steal."

diplomacy, aid: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 7 + (1) = 12

"Like the others said we are here only to track our friends and return them safely"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 8 = 31

Honestly, do I look like a thief? We are here as the others have made clear. We'll only take what is rightfully ours. Jaysin then goes about collecting all of his durable arrows.

Diplo Aid: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (19) - 2 = 17

Reyshal nods. "That is a worthy cause. As it so happens, not too long ago two Pathfinders stumbled into my lands, lost and trapped in the Crystal Womb. They called themselves Sorrina and Grave Treader. Are these the people you speak of? The names are similar. I found them in fair health but poor spirits. I offered them my hospitality and aid in exchange for their assistance."

"Both have traveled where I cannot, yet I know where each now dwells. Each agreed to perform services for this humble jeweler in exchange for assistance, but Sorrina has yet to honor our deal."

"May we know the nature of thessse agreementsss." The nagaji politely inquires.

Reyshal holds his hands out to the side. "Certainly, I have nothing to hide."

He begins, "Years ago, I found Sorrina and Grave Treader soon after they were separated from two of their companions. I bargained with them, offering a means of escape in exchange for their assistance. When I found out that Sorrina could speak Terran, I offered her a wish that would return her to Absalom in exchange for her entering the Lucent Archive for me-an esoteric library warded against those who consider the Plane of Earth home. I tasked her with uncovering the location of three jewels my family had lost."

"Because Grave Trader has no knowledge of Terran, I offered her a different deal: serve my extended family in the Opaline Vault for 1000 days in exchange for her weight in silver and a return trip to Absalom at the end of that term. Both women initially refused my offer but as their situation became more dire they finally accepted the deal. I thought it was rather fair to begin with so I'm not sure why they hesitated. I suppose they were hoping to find their own way out."

"I'm not quite sure how long it's been now but Sorrina should have succeeded in her research long ago, yet she has never emerged from the Lucent Archive. I doubt she betrayed me. Something must have befallen her but I can not enter and now lack anyone who can investigate the library for me."

Nel, mostly disinterested with the talk of wishes and deals, visibly perks up at the idea of a secret Archive which is warded from access, he approaches the Shaitan to hear more of the place.

"This Archive, where would it be? We have needs of finding Sorrina and I would welcome the chance to look at a rare collection. What happened to Grave Treader? have they already left your service?"

Harmonious, crosses his arms while listening to the man speak, listening intently as he tells his side of the story.

"Nothing like a good ol' fashion rescue mission, I always say, Libraries are dangerous places. If a place is called an archive, you know its up to no good, mhm"

He seems to perk up when he hears the bit about Grave Trader's weight in silver, "You wouldn't happen to be a merchant would ya? Or similar profession? Cause, I've got the deal of the century for ya!"

"This Archive, where would it be? We have needs of finding Sorrina and I would welcome the chance to look at a rare collection. What happened to Grave Treader? have they already left your service?"

Reyshal smirks and shakes his head. "Ah, now those are valuable pieces of information. But I am a merchant, yes, and this is negotiable territory. Let's make a deal then."

You can use Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Linguistics, Profession (merchant), or Sense Motive to try to work out a deal with Reyshal. The more successes you have, the better the deal will be. Using a variety of skills is better and easier than focusing on boosting one skill very highly. Multiple checks are needed.

"Pleassse do not think usss helpless; we can find these places on our own. Pathfindersss are quite resssourceful. However, your help will sssimplify mattersss for all involved, yourssself included."

diplo to aid: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 no aid
sense motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Rowanna attempts to aid the negotiations through the use of her lingustics skills, attempting to thoroughly translate terms that might be confusing to one side or another.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Although that doesn't turn out as well as she anticipates, she also tries to help through diplomacy, "We will be assisting you with both information about the library and solving the puzzle of a missing person who still owes you a debt, I'm sure your terms will be quite reasonable."

Diplomacy aid: 1d20 ⇒ 15

Please let me know if I can retry that linguistics as negotiations continue.

Harmonious will begin dancing to inspire competence to aid in diplomacy for anyone else who tries a diplomacy check.

"This is an ancient Kelishite Dance of trading, please enjoy this show while you consider the terms of our deal,"

Diplomacy + Aid: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 16 + 2 = 37

Edit*
Thanks for catching that, I don't really use Inspire competence that often, should have cracked my rule book before using a seldom use ability! I edited my post to reflect the changes