GM Endless Forms' PFS City of Golden Death (Inactive)

Game Master Mike Tuholski

Let’s see, I have August -1 hp, Eadie -4hp, Lore -6hp, Roland -3hp. If I’ve made a mistake, my apologies and please let us know.

After picking up her polearm, Eadie shakes her head at more lives lost because of greed and crazed ambition.

We were just the agents of death. At least, that’s what I’ll tell myself so I can go to sleep tonight.

What're these masks for?

Bless you, August.

Eadie strolls over to the dwarf and picks up one of the iron masks. “These symbols of madness and falsehood are for gaming with, August. How about we throw them away, as far as we can into Tar-Baphon’s golden canal. I’ll go first …”

Eadie starts in a low crouch. She winds up and completes two rapid revolutions with her feet, before flinging the mask into the molten river like it's a discus. Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

She smiles “Can you beat that distance, August?”

Niko gets out his wand and begins healing the party. "Has anyone considered avoiding an incoming attack.....?"

CLW for Roland: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
CLW for Lore: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (1, 6) + 2 = 9
CLW for Eadie: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
CLW for August: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

“Would you believe … no?”

She doth protest Niko’s most generous act. “Thank-you, Niko but please use my own wand on my wounds.”

Upon noticing the +1 light steel shield, the warrior points it out to Sarenrae’s servant. “Is this useful to you, Lore? I believe I’m ready to move on.”

Niko gives Eadie a blank look and says. "Twas a rhetorical question....."

Eadie lifts her visor looking uncomfortable. She stammers “Well … yes. Yes, a rhetorical question. Of course it was! I knew all along …”

She searches Niko’s face questioningly. “So, did I get the answer right?”

Lore looks at the shield and smiles with a shrug... "It looks wonderful, but heavy and a bit big for me.. maybe someone else could use it? (shields don't resize)

Onwards?

Ignatius comes out of his defensive stance. "I...I'm sorry I just seemed to freeze. I don't know what came over me..." Sheathing his sword and taking a look at the various spoils, the inquisitor takes a look at the shield.

"A nice shield, but I'll keep my own I think."

He picks up one of the masks and tries to match Eadie's superlative mask-tossing abilities. He holds the edge of the mask between his thumb and fore-finger and flings it side-arm style into oblivion.

Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Though it doesn't go quite as far as Eadie's effort. He shrugs his shoulder and offers a congratulatory nod towards the fighter.

"Ever onwards!" Ignatius shouts excitedly, as he offers to lead the way.

Hey all. Sorry for the radio silence. I wasn't sick or anything, it was just an insanely busy weekend. Friday I was stuck hanging out at the in-laws' place. Then on Saturday we took the boys to a local animal sancutary - they got a kick out of seeing the tiger, wolf, mountain lions, owls, cheetahs, jaguars, arctic fox and other creatures. The bears were hibernating. Out all day in a remote area of Nevada that has no cell service. Then Sunday was just really busy as well (at the in-laws' again). I love my in-laws, but they insist we go over a lot. They're the type of people that insist we sit around and visit - but visiting really just means watching tv. And then if I'm checking my phone too much, I get little remarks at me that I'm tethered to it... It's just a little frustrating.

Really? Why was they wearin' them? Someone throw it there?

Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

August seems to simply toss it, as if he was going to figure out how aerodynamic the object was. Silly game if ya ask me.

Regarding the shield August merely says, They just get in my way, but maybe it'll protect me back! August will carry it if no one uses it.

Niko shrugs at Eadie and gathers his things. "Some questions don't have a correct answer, I've found."

Onward!

@Ignatius: no problem. I know how that is. And I hate that type of 'visiting' too. We don't even have cable and so rarely watch TV but when the inlaws visit we have to make sure they can log in to their Netflix or something because otherwise they go through TV withdrawal.

You travel on the road further into the city and see ahead two gold-plated columns carved to resemble female warriors flanking the entrance to another bridge over one of the city's canals. The bear shields and are armed with gold-plated falchions.

Everyone but August easily notes that these columns are actually alive!

Surprise Round!

1. Niko, August, Ignatius, Eadie, Roland, and Lore
2. Statues

Everyone but August can take a surprise round action!

KN: arcana: 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (18) + 10 + (1) = 29

"Gold clad caryatid columns! Your weapons can shatter from striking them and they are immune to magic. They are vulnerable to electricity."

Niko raises his pistol and fires at the southern statue.

RTA, PBS: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 1 = 20
Damage: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 3) + 1 = 7

Eadie nods at the Empiricist before charging 15’ at the southern statue. “My thanks Niko, but I’m gonna risk it …”

Lucerne hammer + PA + FF + charge: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 2 = 24
alchemical silvered bludgeoning damage: 1d12 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

AC=22

Alchemical silver has 10 hit points per inch of thickness and hardness 8. Two-handed hafted weapons have 10 hit points.

Lore bites her lips and lets out a little whine if distress, knowing she can do nothing against these creatures... she moves forward in range of her channel to those who charged in and then waits in readiness to heal as needed by the party.

not a readied action, just a move action and fluff meaning she's waiting for her next init

Niko puts a bullet in one of them, only causing minimal damage to it. Eadie then scratches it a bit more, but it scratches back.

damage to Eadie's weapon: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 5) = 14

Surprise Round!

1. Niko, August, Ignatius, Eadie, Roland, and Lore
2. Statues (bl: 11 dmg, rd:)

Ignatius and Roland can take surprise round actions!

Ignatius looks at the sword in his hand, contemplating Niko's warning. He shrugs, and charges for the column on his left.

Charging Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 - 1 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 = 11

Crit?: 1d20 + 7 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 - 1 + 2 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 = 13

AC=20. Weapon Hardness of 10. 5 HP.

Roland fires an arrow at Ignatius's foe.

" More of zhe gold guards? What is zhe deal with zhis place?. "

Roland +1 Ad darkwood comp bow, PB, fav: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 1 + 2 = 16
for dmg: 1d8 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 15

assuming constructs, deduct 2 dmg if not .

damage to Ignatius' weapon: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 3) = 7

Ignatius cuts into the statue as Roland chinks a bit off with an arrow!

The statues step back from their assailants and cast spells!

Initiative:

1. Niko, August, Ignatius, Eadie, Roland, and Lore
2. Statues (bl: 11 dmg, rd: 16 dmg)

You guys are up!

August charges and swings at a enemy with his heavy war flail! Becuase that's what he'd do and he really doesn't have a choice. AC 19

Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 = 30 for Damage: 1d10 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23
Confirm: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 2 + 1 = 12 for Damage: 1d10 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26

RTA, PBS: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 1 = 25
Damage: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 3) + 1 = 6

Niko reloads and fires another shot. Another chip..

“It’s OK, Lore. I know if I fall … you’ll catch me.”

Discarding her broken but not destroyed polearm, Eadie draws her cold iron morning star with two hands as she charges 10’ at the red statue.

two-handing morning star + PA + FF + charge: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 2 = 20
CI bludgeoning damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

AC=22

CI one-handed shafted weapon. Hardness 10. Hit points 5.

Roland will step and fire again.

Roland +1 Ad darkwood comp bow, PB, Rapid, fav: 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 10 + 1 - 2 + 2 = 24
for dmg: 1d8 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 12

Roland +1 Ad darkwood comp bow, PB, Rapid,fav: 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 1 - 2 + 2 = 26
for dmg: 1d8 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 15

Argust deals a heavy blow to one of the sentinels but his weapon takes a scratch too:

damage to Argust's flail: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 3) = 13

Niko puts another chip out of the statue. Eadie swings but hits the magical barrier protecting the statue. Roland finishes off one of the statues and chips off a piece of the other!

Initiative:

1. Niko, August, Ignatius, Eadie, Roland, and Lore
2. Statues (rd: 27 dmg)

Ignatius and Lore are up!

Lore delays, waiting for her healing abilities to be needed, as it is obvious to her (and she hopes to the others) that her regular (fire/heat) attacks are useless here.

Ignatius steps up, relieved that his sword seemed to be unharmed from attacking the golden statue. He is emboldened by the efforts of the others and so takes another powerful swing.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 - 1 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 = 12

Hmm, is my weapon now broken? I see that it says cold iron has 30 HP per inch of thickness and a hardness of 10.

@Argust: I think you'll want to look up the HP for your type of weapon rather than the per-inch HP. It becomes broken (-2 attack/damage) when it is at half HP.

Ignatius swings but misses! The statue raises its blade against Ignatius!

mwk falchion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (2, 1) + 6 = 9

Initiative:

1. Niko, August, Ignatius, Eadie, Roland, and Lore
2. Statues (rd: 27 dmg)

You guys are up!

Ignatius again deflects away the statue's vicious swing. He tries once again to chip away at the gold-plated ubermensch.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 - 1 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 = 9

Eadie moves 20’ to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ignatius as she engages the final statue. "Hey there, Iggy! How have you been?"

two-handing morning star + PA + FF: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
CI bludgeoning damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

AC=24

CI one-handed hafted weapon. Hardness 10. Hit points 5.

August, this is the table you want. Cold Iron has hardness 10. Two-handed hafted weapon has 10 hp.

I make it, your weapon took 3hp after accounting for hardness, so is still at greater than half its hp - so is NOT broken at the mo'

OK, so it has 7/10 HP left. I'm hoping the damage has to clear that hardness number every time.

August ignores the danger and moves to the next enemy to swing again, since this is the only weapon he has!

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 for Damage: 1d10 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22

"Zhis is just one more time when using zhe bow with zhe arrows is handy"

Roland quips as he releases another pair of arrows.

Roland +1 Ad darkwood comp bow, PB, Rapid, fav: 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 1 - 2 + 2 = 30
for dmg: 1d8 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 15
Roland +1 Ad darkwood comp bow, PB, Rapid,fav: 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 1 - 2 + 2 = 19
for dmg: 1d8 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 11

Niko steps north, reloads, and fires at the statue.

RTA: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 7 - 4 = 21
Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8

I'm hoping the damage has to clear that hardness number every time.

Yes, I believe that's how it works.

Yes, hardness applies to each time damage is done, just like DR or resistance.

Everyone swings but eventually Roland and Niko find openings that allow them to take down the statue!

Out of combat!

"Wow, that was intense... now, who's hurt?" Lore looks at the others trying to assess who needs some healing.

"Lorelendral, I came away unscathed. Eadie, thanks for coming to my rescue there. Sorry about your hammer, and your flail, August." Ignatius studies the fallen living statues. "Perhaps you could each take one of these golden falchions to use? Better than trying to work with broken weapons..."

He takes a look at his sword before sheathing it. "I think I must invest in a back-up weapon. Iomedae won't always watch over me to protect my arms, but I thank her for watching over me this time." He takes a knee and bows his head in quick prayer.

Iggy then gets up and searches for anything else that may be of use. "Come, this 'living god' must be rooted out!"

Eadie holsters her morning star before fetching and examining her broken polearm.

“The hammer head has a nasty crack in it, but the shaft is intact.”

Eadie takes a few practise swings and finds the weapon’s balance isn’t too bad. “I think it’s still usable. Lore, will you please cast make whole on it the day after we leave the island?”

-2 to hit and damage with Eadie’s Lucerne hammer.

Eadie pulls the Lizard chieftain’s morning star from her backpack and offers it to Ignatius. She then coats her enchanted falchion with bladeguard.

“If you’re proficient with this weapon, you’re welcome to have it as a backup, Iggy. I’m pretty sure I’m uninjured and ready to move on.”

"I'd be happy to cast that for you, hon... but just not today... Oh, how I miss that ability I so recently lost to cast anything I could think of for a small cost in power." (Lore missing being mythic)

“Oh yeah, Mythic powers were so much fun!”

Eadie smiles. “I can’t wait to tell my old Grand Lodge roomie that I was MYTHIC for a while! She’s gonna be soooooo jealous.”

“Iggy, I think you’re the first person I’ve ‘ventured with that’s consistently called Lore by her full name … it’s kinda cool.”

Lore blushes slightly, and smiles at Iggy... "While it's a very lyrical name, pretty in its fullness, I don't mind Lore at all... Whichever you prefer, my friend."

Ignatius takes the morning star from Eadie. "Thank you for this! Yes, I can put this to good use - I'll have to pick one up for myself, maybe in silver..." He hefts the weapon in his hand before hanging it from his belt.

"Well, Lorelendral, the name just kind of rolls off my tongue. I quite enjoy it, but please - if you prefer the shortened name, I will happily acquiesce." Ignatius almost seems surprised with himself at the ease with which he's fallen in with this group. And I was so stand-offish at first...

By the way, would Lore rhyme with 'for' or 'Lori' or maybe 'Lor-ay'?

"I'll leave it to your discretion... Lorelendral is fine, but if you need healing in an emergency, Lore is fine, as is 'hey, cleric'... I'll answer to anything," she says with a little grin.

August looks at his weapon and from what he can tell its still fine to use. Hmm, not sure 'bout these blade things, but I'll take one anyway.

"Zhis experience reminds me Zhat I will want to purchase an extra weapon as well. I rely heavily on my bow, but even zhe best weapons can be damaged . "

Roland pokes the statues once more to make sure they have stopped moving,

The falchions are masterwork. The gold plating does nothing to affect them except raise their value.

Having defeated the sentinels (at "I" on the map), you can now enter the Third Ring of the city! The Third Ring of Xin-Grafar is the source of the city’s powerful flows of molten gold. The Third Ring stands 40 feet above the level of the Second Ring, and its ceiling is 40 feet high. A small building sits atop a flat, stone island inside the Third Ring, completely surrounded by a 25-foot-wide canal of molten gold and accessible only by a small bridge.

An enormous skeletal dragon, plated from head to tail in gold and sparkling in the greenish glow from above, stands guard on the bridge ahead. Upon sensing intruders, it flaps its skeletal wings and opens its large jaws, and begins stomping forward across the ground.

Can't believe they didn't include a picture of this guy! A gold-plated skeletal dragon, come on!

It's not labeled on the overview map but you're in the center circle now.

Initiative:

1. Roland
2. Tar Baphon's Dragon
3. Lore, Eadie, Ignatius, August, and Niko

Roland is up!

know religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

"Oh my... it's a skeleton so use bludgeoning weapons, and it's vulnerable to electricity and resists critical damage. Immune to fire and for some reason cold as well... Probably breathes fire too, so be ready for it, my friends... spread out for sure."

Roland will step for a better shot

Roland +1 Ad darkwood comp bow, PB, Rapid: 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 1 - 2 = 23
for dmg: 1d8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 = 9

Roland +1 Ad darkwood comp bow, PB, Rapid: 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 1 - 2 = 21
for dmg: 1d8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 = 10

As the party moves in, Niko points out that the outside of the tabernacle is covered in ancient, gold-inlaid runes from the ground to the roof. "The runes are Thassilonian wards against thievery. They are not magical, however, merely decorative." He says.

Roland hits the skeleton with an arrow but doesn't seem to do much damage to it. As expected, the dragon lets out a bout of flame at the party!

fire!: 4d10 ⇒ (8, 10, 8, 3) = 29
DC 19 Ref for half

Initiative:

1. Roland
2. Tar Baphon's Dragon (4 dmg)
3. Lore, Eadie, Ignatius, August, and Niko

You guys are up!

Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Eadie drops her broken hammer as the flames envelop her. She screams through the pain as she draws her enchanted falchion and charges 10' at the Whispering Tyrant’s dragon.

falchion + PA + FF + charge: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 2 = 15
magic slashing damage: 2d4 + 16 ⇒ (3, 1) + 16 = 20

Hardcopy Character Folio to reroll that rubbish!
falchion + PA + FF + charge: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 12 + 2 = 16

AC=22

So did I smash it? Did I? Did I? Is it dead?