GM Endless Forms' PFS Thornkeep: The Enigma Vaults (Inactive)

Game Master Mike Tuholski

With no way to get to the front and deal personally with the undead, Awen lets loose a gutteral snarl at his most hated enemy and keeps his bow humming.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 - 2 = 10
Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 - 2 = 27
Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 - 2 = 13
His first arrow goes far wide, but the second flies straight into the dinos eye socket
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7
Maybe crit Dmg?: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

One of the skeletons bites Rackle deeply, and he ducks and dodges after that, looking for a route past them. "I don't know if I can get past them..." he says, shying away from the skeletons and withdrawing from melee.

Withdraw

Swayaah will enter melee, then. Check my previous post for rolls.

Dvalin's sword flies through the skellie's rib cage but knocks a bone loose in the process. Rackle backs up and Swayaah moves in, dealing a devastating blow to the other skeleton! Kalendir finishes that one off and then knocks another bone loose on the first one. Awen also hits it but is not able to bring it down. The two-headed dino skeleton snarls in that clacking way that skeletons do and goes after the party dwarf!

bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

foreclaw: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

talon: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

talon: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Initiative:

1. Dino Skellies!
2. Dvalin, Swayaah, Rackle, Kalendir, and Awen

blue: 14 dmg

You guys are up!

Seeing one of the skeletons go down, Rackle turns around and dashes back in, trying to slip past the remaining foe.

Acrobatics 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

Swayaah grins and swings again!

"Another one bites the dust! Or, it bites us. Um, whatever!"

Masterwork Cold Iron Earthbreaker, Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 - 1 = 7 pffft
Damage: 2d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 6) + 4 + 3 = 14

Swayaah is too distracted about her terrible pun to swing properly, and almost loses her balance. She shifts 5 feet over.

"Eek! Careful, girl!"

Seeing an opening in front of him, Awen drops his bow and claws out his battle aspergillum. He steps forward and swings

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 2 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8

+2/+2 favored enemy, bludgeon dmg and Holy water. Its been a while since I have played Awen and he has gone against undead.. I dont remember if the holy water has extra dmg attached..

Kalendir fires two more arrows at the skeletal dinosaur.

Arrow 1: 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 11 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 8

Arrow 2: 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 8

+1 Attack / Damage from point Blank Shot
Precise shot to eliminate -4 modifier for shooting into melee
-2 modifier for rapid shot to fire an extra arrow
Weapon Focus and Deadly Aim -2/+4

Round 2 Hateful Retort; Destructive Smite; Flank HP 15/31
Dvalin grunts as the bites slashing through his armor ... and uses Hateful Retort to gain an immediate riposte ...
Greatsword: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 = 28 for Slashing: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 4) + 7 = 14
Threat: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 2 = 25 for Confirmed: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 5) + 7 = 14
--
Then takes another swing on his own initiative ...
Greatsword: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 = 28 for Slashing: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 6) + 7 = 19
Threat: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 2 = 20 for Confirmed: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 1) + 7 = 14

THAT was way epic!!! :-)

Working together you easily defeat the two-headed dino skeleton!

Out of combat!

This cavern seems largely empty except for the ratty-looking rope bridge crossing the 30-foot-deep chasm.

Feeling his wounds, Dvalin fishes out his wand and administers from much welcome healing to himself ...

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 <<< Charge 11/50 HP 21/31
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 <<< Charge 12/50 HP 27/31
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 <<< Charge 13/50 HP 31/31

"How is everybody else doing?"

"I'm good. These guys had more bark than bite." She smiles at Dvalin.

"You good, Awen? Looks like you don't like the undead much." She playfully kicks a rib across the bridge at Awen's feet. "I'll let you get dibs next time." She stows away her earthbreaker.

"Let's cross the bridge, already."

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Rackle draws a wand from his belt and holds it out. "Can someone give me some of this?" he asks before moving on.

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Perception 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31 +2 more vs traps.
Stealth 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

As the feral light fades from Awens eyes, he tops off his Aspergillum with a flask of holy water from his pack. He puts it away and grabs his bow, before turning his burning azure eyes to Swayaah. "These are the antitheses of the normal balance. I find it repulsive in all ways, and so yes, I dislike them very much! The imbalance that allows such abominations to exist also allowed my creation.. and I feel that the best way to rectify this is to take as many of them down as I can."
Finished with his abnormally verbose conversation, he turns his eyes ahead.
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

"Makes sense." Swayaah notes calmly. "Demons are weird, eh? Mom really enjoyed preying upon humans, and she made me study them. A lot." Swayaah's tail swings impatiently. "Still, it has helped me out of a jam or two. Let's say I've had a lot of anger management talks over the last few decades."

"Sure Rackle ... I would be happy to help."
Dvalin uses Rackle's wand as directed ...

A metal lever protrudes from a stumpy stone pedestal in an alcove here. To the north, the hall opens into the large, silo-shaped chamber you crossed through before.

Rackle holds up a hand and steps up to the pedestal, his eyes narrowed. He caws softly as he examines the lever and mechanism.

Perception 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

Does it seem trapped Rackle?

The lever does not seem trapped and when you pull on it, the bridge below that you crossed earlier slowly begins to rise and twist ninety degrees, allowing you to pass from the platform you are on across it to the doors to the north.

Heading across and in?

Yes

Kalendir watches the bridge shift in amazement. Well that looks to be our next destination.

Awen readies his bow and peers ahead of the party
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

Rackle moves across silently.

Perception 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16 +2 more vs Traps
Stealth 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

Swayaah shrugs and tiptoes while thinking to herself I'm hunting wabbits.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 +1 vs traps
Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

This vast, cathedral-like space seems even larger because of its emptiness. Two rows of stone pillars run down the center of the hall, supporting a vaulted ceiling sixty feet above. The east and west walls contain tall alcoves-some hold strange objects or displays, and others sport tall stone doors. To the north, twin stairwells ascend to a raised platform with more alcoves, and a circular stand just south of this platform supports an immense mechanical device.

In the room are five humanoids: a female woman and four tieflings. They all bear numerous hideous scars from some foul operation. The scars are particularly prominent along their scalps and brows. "We welcome you to us, friends," the woman says. One of the tieflings follows with , "You will join us as children of the Black Goat."

As it seems you have no willingness to come with them, they pull their various blades and try to make you come by force!

Initiative:

1. Kalendir and Rackle
2. Iklavni and tieflings
3. Dvalin, Swayaah, and Awen

Kalendir and Rackle are up!

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Kalendir quickly fires two arrows at the green creature. The Black Goat? The elf looks about the group. Why must everyone push their religion onto me. I have found peace in my own god already

Arrow 1: 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 10

Arrow 2: 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 11 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 15

+1 Attack / Damage from point Blank Shot
Precise shot to eliminate -4 modifier for shooting into melee
-2 modifier for rapid shot to fire an extra arrow
Weapon Focus and Deadly Aim -2/+4

Is the leader human? I'll roll to identify...pfft that was lousy.
Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 = 10

Rackle steps into the room, drawing a dagger and hurls it at the closest Tiefling.

Move, drawing dagger, throw at Blue, who is flat-footed
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
2d6 + 1d4 ⇒ (5, 6) + (1) = 12

Yes, the leader is a female woman (as in human). The others are tieflings.

Kalendir catches one of the tieflings off-guard and takes him down before he can move. Rackle likewise puts a dagger in another's throat and drops him to the ground. This only serves to enrage the others who quickly surround Rackle!

short sword flank: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 = 10
damage with sneak: 1d6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 1 + (5) = 11

short sword flank: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 2 = 15
damage with sneak: 1d6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (6) = 8

The woman raises her crossbow and fires at Swayaah!

mwk hand crossbow (against FF): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
damage with sneak: 1d4 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + (3, 5) = 11
DC 14 Fort save against poison or take 1d2 ⇒ 2 Str damage

Initiative:

1. Kalendir and Rackle
2. Iklavni and tieflings
3. Dvalin, Swayaah, and Awen

You guys are up!

Awen takes a five foot step to the left and looses two arrows at the purple tiefling
Attack 1: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 1 - 2 = 7
Attack 1: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 - 2 = 9

and curses when they both fly wide.

Swayaah peers at the leader. The nose, the eyes, her mouth...beneath all of those scars, she is human- Did she just fire a bolt?

Fort Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

That hurt like hell, but Swayaah giggles as the poison fails to take hold. With her tail, she pulls out her wand of cure light wounds (swift action) and double moves up to the woman. Baring her claws, she gigigles. "Now, try that again."

Round 1 Judgement: Sacred Destruction, Destructive Smite (3/5)
"You have been Judged!" Swift Action
Dvalin steps forward to engage the closest opponent ...
Great Sword: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21 for Slashing: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (5, 4) + 9 = 18

Kalendir fires two arrows at the human leader. Stand your men down. No more lives need to be lost!

Arrow 1: 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 9
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 13

Arrow 2: 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 11 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 13

+1 Attack / Damage from point Blank Shot
Precise shot to eliminate -4 modifier for shooting into melee
-2 modifier for rapid shot to fire an extra arrow
Weapon Focus and Deadly Aim -2/+4

Awen misses but Swayaah takes the bolt in stride as she approaches the female leader. Dvalin knocks down another tiefling and Kalendir puts an arrow into the woman. "Not until you've found the glory of the Black Goat!" she shouts back to Kalendir.

Initiative:

1. Kalendir and Rackle
2. Iklavni (13 dmg) and tieflings
3. Dvalin, Swayaah, and Awen

Rackle is up!

Rackle draws one of his Wakizashis and makes a horizontal slash at the Tiefling's midsection in the same fluid motion he used to evade his clumsy slash.

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Rackle makes a small incision on the tiefling, who stabs back at the tengu!

short sword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

The woman near Swayaah drops her crossbow and pulls a dagger with a strange handle.

mwk punching dagger: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2
DC 14 Fort save against poison or take 1d2 ⇒ 1 Str damage

Initiative:

1. Kalendir and Rackle
2. Iklavni (13 dmg) and tiefling (2 dmg)
3. Dvalin, Swayaah, and Awen

You guys are up!

Kalendir nods his head letting another pair of arrows sink into the woman's chest. May the Black goat God accept your soul then

Arrow 1: 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 15

Arrow 2: 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 11 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 12

+1 Attack / Damage from point Blank Shot
Precise shot to eliminate -4 modifier for shooting into melee
-2 modifier for rapid shot to fire an extra arrow
Weapon Focus and Deadly Aim -2/+4

Good rolls, Kalendir. Too bad you probably took down my target :). Then again, Swayaah will move before you do.

Swayaah giggles as the punching dagger slides off of her armor. "Glory of Black Goat? Like this?"

Claw 1, Power Attack, versus Human: 1d20 + 7 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 - 1 + 2 = 14
Damage, Power Attack, versus Human: 1d6 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 13

Round 2 Judgement: Sacred Destruction, Destructive Smite (4/5)
Dvalin moves up to engage the remaining tiefling ...
Greatsword: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 for Slashing: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (2, 2) + 9 = 13

Rackle lets Dvalin take out the Tiefling and he moves to assist Swaayah, drawing his second Wakizashi as he goes.

wow.. I dont think that there is going to be much that can stand in the way of this group..

Only one of Kalendir's arrows hits the woman and Swayaah finishes her off! Dvalin then takes down the last tiefling!

Out of combat!

The map found on the woman has with it a few pieces of paper on which she recorded her thoughts about the treasure she and her allies might find here. These notes also reveal that they were acing alone.

Of great interest in the room are the various diplays.

“Talon of Borvadagen”: This strange, spiked gauntlet is made of weirdly flexible red wood studded with what appear to be shark teeth made of glass. It has room for only three fingers—most humanoids who wield the gauntlet take a –2 penalty on attack rolls with it as a result, but it is otherwise a fully functional +1 keen spiked gauntlet.

“Mithral Rifle”: A damaged firearm made of mithral with four barrels sits on display here. Images of antlike humanoids wielding firearms are carved into the stock. This is a +1 mithral pepperbox rifle that is currently destroyed.

“Bloodstones of Gultariix”: This is a collection of what look like solidified droplets and splatters of blood, 11 in all, arranged on a wooden rack.

“Alien Fungoid Equipment”: This display has recently been looted.

“Dragonkin Saddle”: This strangely shaped saddle is a masterwork saddle built for one of the dragonkin of Triaxis—it’s worth 600 gp for the novelty alone.

“Thystian Cat”: This is a strange skeleton of a 12-foot-long, feline-like creature with eight legs and a long snout. The bones are partially translucent and despite the passage of time, are still slightly radioactive. As a whole, the 650-pound skeleton is worth 1,800 gp.

“Deactivated Alien Construct”: The huge mechanical object heaped on this platform is a blasted and destroyed robot similar to those that dwell in the nation of Numeria. This robot was destroyed long ago—its tangled features are vaguely insectoid in shape.

“Dominion of the Black Pod”: This 12-foot-tall pod of strange leathery material is warm to the touch and covered with sharp, spiny scales. Although flexible, the leather resists all attempts to damage it as if it had hardness 30. The pod weighs 2 tons, and now and then faint lights shimmer within.

“The Hungry Eyes of Melos”: An 8-foot-tall, frosty glass jar sits here. The jar is filled with brine, and swimming within are hundreds of strangely colored eyeballs that trail wriggling, finned tendrils. The eyes themselves open like tiny fanged maws, scratching their teeth against the glass if anyone approaches.

“The Banes of Barad-Shull”: This L-shaped glass case contains three items: a backbiter spear crafted from the leg of an immense insect, a bag that looks like a freshly excised stomach, and a tan bag. They radiate as magical.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Dvalin glances at most of the things found in the room ...
"Bloodstones? I don't like what this implies here!"

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
"Useless saddle ... probably just worth taking it to sell later ..."

Heal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
"Aaagh! What in the world is that thing?", Dvalin says, indicating the strange skeleton.

First thing's first for Swayaah: chuckling at the woman who tried to shoot her. Second thing's second: healing herself.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
37 charges remain

"Anyone else needs healing? Or was I the only unlucky one?"

Looking at the pile of...whatever these are...

Heal: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

"Wow. Not carrying those bones." Swayaah steps away from the skeleton "That must be cursed or something. It looks like it will wear you down over time."

"This place looks looted already...let's move on."

Perception 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Rackle gives the artifacts a cursory glance before he picks up the priestess' Hand Crossbow and bolts. "I can use these I think."

Awen takes a careful look around the room, inspecting all of the exhibits and the fallen enemy.
Taking 20 on searching the room and contents, for 31

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
"I have no clue what the bloodstones do.. but they are weird."

Coming up on the saddle, Awen finds the hidden compartment and pulls out the amulet. He holds it up for everyone to see "Useless huh??" he says to Dvalin with a smile Do we know what this is, or do we need a separate spellcraft check?

Coming to the giant skeleton, Awen shivers in repulsion.
Healing: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
"I dont know what this is, but its ugly.. Lets get out of here!"

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Heal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Noone touch these bones. They are cursed and need to be destroyed.

Kalendir bends down and grasps the map off of the woman. Unfurling it he looks it over intently.

@Awen: you can figure out what it is easily, I won't make you roll a check for that one.

Kalendir finds that they seem to have entered through a tunnel in the Echo Wood which came in from the north. They explored several chambers to the east but did not get much further. It seems that to the east are a series of connected chambers. There is a note to the side mentioning babbling but you aren't sure what is meant by that. It is written next to the room that is east and then south.

Several directions to choose from. Which way do you want to go?

What are our options? It wasn't fully clear to me from your description, sorry.

"Hmmm ... is there a door here?"
Moved to an alcove on the west wall about in the middle of the room