GM Evil's Year of the Shadow Lodge Special (Inactive)

Game Master Steven_Evil

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OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT
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From the Overseer
Suddenly, a great flash of blinding light erupts over the city and, for a moment, there is silence. Then another terrible explosion rocks the city. An enormous black dragon can be seen circling above the Grand Lodge, near the ghostly light pillar. He roars and plunges toward the light. If any of you are still engaged in combat, your enemies flee toward the Grand Lodge—it seems the flash of light and the explosion were a signal.

***

Defying all recent memory, the Grand Lodge’s great steel gates stand closed and fast. Now silent, the façade is heavily scarred with claw marks and acid burns. A long crack divides the arch above the doors, splitting the glyph of the open road. On the ground below, the shattered bodies of half a doze men and women lie in the dust.

***

This is a collaborative encounter, and all tables are working together to overcome the gateway - whether by attempting to pick locks, crash the gate, or whatever method you devise. All participating parties/tables have arrived at the gate simultaneously.

The gates are not only locked, but heavily damaged. This damage destroyed part of the locking mechanism. The gates and the shining white walls are both 30 feet tall.

I'm sorry we didn't get to sink our teeth into that encounter very much, that's my fault due to all the moving and job interviews. We'll be on a very good once/twice a day posting rate from me from now on though. My PC didn't get to finish the encounter either, though, we only got to round 3, but I still feel bad about you guys not getting farther. :(

Quiven will look for any traps and try to pick the locks on the gate, hoping it'll be enough to open them.

Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18
Disable Device: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (13) + 24 = 37

Pandora will sing inspring competence in Quiven "You are the best pick locker of Absaloooooom! Do it you can do! The gates cannot resiiiiiist... your picklock derring-do!"
+3 to disable device for a total 40

No complaints from my part, my free time has also become very scarce

Knowing he's not the best overcoming obstacles, Artian prepares himself for the future combats recharging his blood reservoir and cures the damage inflicted to himself.

lesser restoration: 1d4 ⇒ 3

All of this takes 1 minute and 3 rounds. When I had finnished, if the door is still closed I'll try to help, even if I can't help much

Once he has finished his preparatives, Artian tries to locate the weakest spot and hit there again and again.

Knowledge engineering: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Nodachi attack: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 211d10 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25

I went ahead and submitted the disable device check and the knowledge engineering check, as well as the inspire competence.

Some nice rolls there :)

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OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT
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One group of more mechanically minded pathfinders move to the locking mechanism and start tinkering with it aided by a liberal application of grease, a number of ropes are thrown to the top and people begin clambering up the walls. In another location, another group try brute force and trying to smash their way through. A stone bridge appears out of nowhere, then the flap of wings as a giant roc arrives to pluck people up and drop them on the far side - allowing them to form a defensive perimeter….

Within a minute, the outer gates give way to the small army of ninety highly motivated Pathfinders and their sheer brute force, magic, and mechanical knowledge.

GM take over :)

Defending Skyreach, a valiant group of Pathfinders line the towers and stations along the fortress’s exterior. On the grounds in front, a large black dragon lies in a crumpled heap, its corpse riddled with arrows and leaking acid and ichor. Huddled behind it, and wielding what for goblins, anyway, are masterfully built bows. They hoot and holler when they see you approach
More food! Killem and takem back home!

Round 1
Quiven
Pandora
Dr. V
Artian

Goblins (+4 AC from cover granted by dead dragon)

Vinnie
Oswin

Quiven Pandora, Dr. V., and Artian up!

"Let us pass goblins!" shouts the woman.

Pandora casts glitterdust among the goblins then starts inspiring courage for the party.
Will DC 16 or become blind (area as seen in yellow in the map)
Buffs: +2 hit/damage, +2 vs charm and fear

Just a heads up, my WBG table wrapped up, so I now have the link to the map for this game in my profile for you guys.

Quiven quickly moves to the right and fires an arrow at the goblin closest to him! Should be close enough for sneak damage.

Bow, with cover penalty included: 1d20 + 16 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 16 - 4 = 27 for Arrow: 1d4 + 3 + 5d6 ⇒ (3) + 3 + (5, 1, 5, 5, 1) = 23

Dr. Vitruvian advances and tosses another smoke bomb (hopefully I'm close enough that I have an unobstructed view of my target, the lowermost goblin).

Smoke Bomb, Courage: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
fire damage: 3d4 + 9 ⇒ (2, 3, 4) + 9 = 18

The two directly above the lowermost goblin take 12 fire damage, DC 20 Reflex save to for half.

I'll follow you Quiven! shouts Artian as he moves moves to pair up with Quiven and protect him of unwanted charges. Once in position he casts a shiend of faith to be better protected.

Round 1
Quiven- Damn near kills one
Pandora- Starts Inspiring
Dr. V- (2) Makes everything real smokey, and puts the hurt on some
Artian- Gets Shielded

--Goblin 1- Fires at Artian! Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
--Goblin 2- (23) Fires at Quiven! Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
--Goblin 3- Fires at Quiven! Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
--Goblin 4- Fires at Artian! Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
--Goblin 5- Fires at Quiven! Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
--Goblin 6- (12) Fires at Dr. V! Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26 Reflex Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9Miss Chance, 51 & Up Hits: 1d100 ⇒ 54Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2
--Goblin 7- (6) Fires at Dr. V! Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 Reflex Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22Miss Chance, 51 & Up Hits: 1d100 ⇒ 40
--Goblin 8- (18) Fires at Dr. V! Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20Miss Chance, 51 & Up Hits: 1d100 ⇒ 16

Vinnie
Oswin

The goblins unleash a wave of arrows at the pathfinders that came forward, but only one finds purchase and nicks Dr. V. The goblins jeer and holler from behind the dragon-carcass-wall
Yeah, you like that?
Where did the lights go?
AGH! That burns!
Mekkle, why you bite me?!?!
I waz hungry!
Yeesh! That was a lot of rolling! Vinnie and Oswin up!

Did all the goblins pass their Vol save against the blinding effect of Pandora's glitterdust spell?

Unable to target the goblins with spells or arrows, Pandora remains on place confused singing.

Oswin draws his weapon and moves forward, ready to give battle.

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OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT
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Uh-oh, things might have just gone from bad to worse.

We should finnish quickly the goblins to help against the dragon!

I had almost none opportunity to sneak into. Also, if we still need to fight the goblins:

Artina move fowards and attack the nearest goblin, trying to no open his defenses for the remaining goblins.

Nodachi, buffud by Pandora, fighting defensively: 1d20 + 16 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 16 + 2 - 4 = 311d10 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 18 + 2 = 23
critical confirmation: 1d20 + 16 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 16 + 2 - 4 = 221d10 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 18 + 2 = 26

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OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT
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The huge dragon is an imposing site, and has brought the small army to a bit of a standstill, some start trying to work out a way around – seeing a chance to make a break for the single door and hopefully passing through it to the safety of the mausoleum.

A half a dozen of the most seasoned Pathfinders instead ready to make their stand, drawing swords and casting spells – their faces set in grim masks of steely resolve.

Alie Saechel
Boswick Bumbleberry
Dwayne the Rock
Oxirane
Rogar Stonehand
Sareth

This is the vanguard leading an assault on the dragon, each one of them heroes towards the twilight of their careers – leading what may be their final charge into glory. Should they fall this day their names will live on in song – and forever be engraved on the Wall of Names.

A small number of other journeymen Pathfinder seem equally set on following up on the charge with their steel also at the ready.

Still waiting on reports, so let your GM know your intent. More to follow...

"The goblins are blinded and smoked, let's profit and pass through them!" says Pandora as she runs through the blockade leaving the goblins for younger ranks of Pathfinders.

"I am engaging the dragon!" shouts Pandora with little regard to her safety, running to join Alie, Boswick, Dwayne and the other seasoned Pathfinders, singing an inspiring song while she casts haste and shots waves of arrows at the impressive dragon.

Dr. Vitruvian stares grimly at the dragon.

I have far, far greater concerns to pursue. I will NOT let this stop me....

He pulls out what looks like a party popper, holds it at heart level, and tugs it open. It showers him in lavender-colored dust.

That is an infusion of resist energy - I have acid resistance 20 for the next 70 minutes.

With that, he follows Pandora....

Oswin quietly calls upon his god's favor, then looks around. His own party seems intent on fighting, and he can do little good attempting to move stealthily.

Rushing in with the rest, he gives a shout, sword held high.

I'm with you Pandora. We've killed one, let's go for the next! Shouts Artian before casting resist energy on himself and follow his companions.

To death and glory GM Evil, to death and glory

Quiven nods and quickly scampers after the others! Maybe among all these people and the confusion I'll be able to find a weak spot on the dragon...

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OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT
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The battle is joined with ferocity, he show is far more spectacular than the entertainment in the Irorium earlier.

The most seasoned Pathfinders appear to be faring well, and a small cohort of around a score are in lending them aid and trying to harry the dragon.

One enterprising group has simply abandoned all due care and has crashed the gates into the mausoleum, leaving the entrance wide open for any who can make it across the courtyard!

Back! Sorry, had a vacation that turned into a Wi-Fi less vacation.

Vinnie nods at the Dragon. "So we're taking down another one, are we?"

Vinnie stares at the dragon and casts another bout of Oppressive Boredom! Will Save DC 22, with -2 to Will Saves! He fingers a rod as he casts! Lesser piercing metamagic rod!

SR check, SR -5 due to the rod: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 2 = 25

Being blinded, the goblins don't stand a chance and are brutally, yet efficiently, massacred by the younger pathfinders coming up behind you. They wouldn't have lasted more than a round against you anyway. As you race past them, you hear someone call out.

Come quickly!
a voice from the shadows calls out. Wedged into one of Skyreach’s darkened doorways is the enigmatic Pathfinder, Osprey. He’s paler than usual, several arrows pierce his skin, and his hands are smeared with blood.
I have little time to speak; however, I must now burden you with a suspicion that is now a reality.” Lowering his voice to a soft hiss he whispers, “The Shadow Lodge is real. Please, take this. It may help you defeat Charvion.

He hands you a lesser strand of prayer beads, and grimaces.
I must check on what remains of the decemvirate. You need to stop Charvion. Go quickly.

He limps off, then, and you are faced with yet another foe.

The dragon is massive. And old. And very, very, angry. As you ready yourselves for battle, and move to assault the dragon, the vanguards shout out
We will stop the dragon! Seekers, with us! All others get inside and stop Charvion from using that damned artifact!

You have the option to sneak past or run past. The dragon is preoccupied at the moment, with the horde of seekers and vanguard pathfinders harrying it, so you have been charged with stopping Charvion. If you used a spell or ability to prepare yourself for the dragon specifically, I will let you retcon that since it makes it look like you will fight her, but only the tier 10-11 tables actually get to. The dragoon is a CR 14, by the way. Also, it was a busy weekend. Sorry for not being able to post Saturday.

Quiven would try to sneak past since he is not fleet of foot.

Stealth, if needed: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (6) + 22 = 28

Dr. Vitruvian tosses another smoke bomb harmlessly to the ground for use as cover as he and the others run for it.

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OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT
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Under heavy attack, the mighty black dragon falters, blood spilling from dozens of wounds. She staggers forward, raises
her wings, lets out an ear-piercing roar, and takes flight, headed for the harbor.

"Well done! We overcome him!" shouts Pandora greeting the team with a note of her voice. She then joins the shadows through the smoke produced by Zephyrus and follows the team to the new challenge "It is then time to stop that Charvion. The Shadow Lodge will fail once again!"
Stealth+HR: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 2 = 13

"It is then time to stop that Charvion. The Shadow Lodge will fail once again!"

Wait, Zephyrus wonders. Is that what we want? Where would my work be now be without their generous donations of test subjects...?

He keeps his thoughts to himself, though - for the time being, all he can do is see how this actually plays out.
It is an odd sort of Shadow Lodge that launches a full frontal assault on the Society Headquarters with goblins and black dragons....

Artian casts a flog cloud to obstruct the attacker's line of vision and follow his companion trying to make the less noise as posible.

Stealth: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (13) - 4 = 9

Artian casts a flog cloud to obstruct the attacker's line of vision and follow his companion trying to make the less noise as posible.

Stealth: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (5) - 4 = 1 clank. Clank. CLANK

"Ah, that was a better outcome than I feared. Inside, then?" Vinnie saunters toward the entrance.

You barely made the checks to sneak by, so you were safe either way![/b]

You enter the room, fearing the dragon on your heels, only to turn and see it flying off into the distance, roaring in anger and dripping ichor over the courtyard and pathfinders outside.

The set of rooms are full of tools for dissection and embalming. These rooms contain large, steel surgical tables. Their perimeters are lined with additional work areas whose tables are covered with texts, surgical instruments and tools, alembics, scales, abacuses, and similar devices used in alchemical and biological tests. The rooms also hold barrels of wash water, along with bottles of various fluids and salts used in sterilization and embalming. The center of the floor contains a drain for run off, as well as a few waste buckets.

Moving past the empty rooms, you can hear the familiar ruckus of goblins in the next room, a massive crash as something glass is shattered, and then goblin screaming! A goblin comes sprinting out of the room as fast as it's flappy little feet can carry it, screaming
Why you break big bucket Vookle? You dumb! Me not get eated by bugs!

[ooc]You have the chance to rebuff/add buffs in the room before this... occurrence, so just let me know what you want to do before seeing what the goblins have gotten into this time

Quiven will take a dose of antitoxin and antiplague after hearing about "bugs".

Crashing coming from red outlined room

Quiven will try to creep up to the door and see if he can take a peek and see what's going on.

"I have been in the Mausolum before during the Aspis attack to the Grand Lodge..." says Pandora looking for a proper cover. She casts protection from evil on herself before advancing.

If my mage armor is still valid, I'm good.

"Goblins. Excellent. They make exceptional minions, you know. Loyal, but unimaginative. Perfect." Vinnie whispers.

No, I don't know vinnie. Allways thought goblins are very imaginative in burning things and scre**** plans. But if you like that kind of minions... Says Artian as he casts shield of faith on himself.

As the group prepares Pandora goes into the room where the shouts are happening and 'attempts' to fix the problem there.

Prospective actions to try move this a bit...
Perception: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 2 = 14

+1 shock ataptative composite longbow+PB+IC+PS-DA+HR: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 2 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 12 + 1 + 2 - 2 + 2 = 18
P damage+PB+IC+AS+DA+shock: 1d8 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 4 + (4) = 17

K. bardic knowledge+HR: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 2 = 28

I arranged everyone at the room according to action descriptions, please change it up if I got it wrong!
Ads you all approach the noise, Quiven and Pandora are greeted by a grisly scene: Four goblins have somehow set two massive swarms of beetles free from glass tube-like containers, and the swarms are in the process of devouring two of the poor goblins! The other two were looking on in fascination as their "friends" were eaten alive, but raise their bows when you approach the door!
Hey! You no s'posed ta be here! Me kill you an eat you skin!

They both fire at Pandora!
Attack 1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Attack 2: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Attack 1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Attack 2: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Pandora answers with a shot of her own, but it goes wide! She also recognizes the swarms as Dermestid Beetle Swarms Uses the Army Ant Swarm Stats.

Round 1
Goblin 1-Fire at Pandora, Hits Once!
Goblin 2-Fire at Pandora, Hits Once!

Pandora- (7), Fires Back, Misses!
Dr. V
Oswin
Artian
Quiven
Vinnie

Beetle Swarms

Everyone else up!

Looks like I'm pretty useless in this fight.

Quiven grabs his bow and tries to target one of the goblins!

Bow: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17 for Arrow: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Bow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 for Arrow: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Artian will delay until everybody has acted to not affect them.
If the beetles are still alive:

I can burn them a little says Artian as he casts a wall of flame over one of the swarms directed toward the goblins.

damage to first swarm: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (4, 4) + 9 = 17+50% as the wall affects an area, yes?
damage to second swarm: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5+50%
damage to goblin 1: 1d4 ⇒ 2
damage to goblin 2: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Also, if they want to see us, they have to cross, so they'll burn one more time he continues before putting himself in a position where he can threaten whoever want to go through the wall.

"All too easy...."

Bomb, Courage, soft cover vs central swarm: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29 Any other effects/modifiers I'm unaware of?
fire damage: 3d4 + 9 ⇒ (4, 1, 4) + 9 = 18 +50% = 27

Adjacent Goblins take 12 fire damage each, Adjacent swarm takes 18, DC 20 Reflex save for half.

Vinnie double moves along the north and western hallways to flank the party and get a clear line to the gobs!

Oswin enters the room and scans the scene. He prepares himself to do some healing if need be.

No actions for now. My ranged options are not good and I don't have any AOE stuff ready. I still have all three channels left. I am injured from the first dragon. If anyone has minor wounds, I could drop one after this battle.