GM Fuzzfoot's S01-41 The Devil We Know, Part III - Crypt of Fools (Standard PFS) Tier 1-7/Subtier 1-2 (Inactive)

Game Master PJP

"As do I," Nikolai says somberly to Sheela. "This cancer needs to be cut from Cassomir. Let it be our hands that act as chirurgeon."

I assume there's a way on from here that we haven't taken yet, boss?

"Let's see what have at the basilica dome", Bernard answers Sheela, while loads his crossbow.

Bernard will spend another charge of his wand of gravity bow, before goes to the upstairs.

There are stairs up into the basilica dome, which, while interesting for a museum tour, doesn't hold anything of value to you at present.

You also find stairs leading down further into the crypts.

Several ornate burial niches adorn the passage walls. In the passage’s southwest corner, shattered niches reveal a massive set of iron double doors. An image carved on the doors depicts a dispassionate figure holding a gibbous moon.

At the far end is a door. I have lined you up, but feel free to rearrange yourselves before opening the door.

Side note: I am going to be travelling all of next week, so may not be posting much during that time. We just might finish this before then, though, and can start chapter 4 when I return, if that is ok with everyone?

"Gird your loins, men." states the samurai as his wounds continue to seep. His hand grips a handle of the iron doors and readies a pull.

With a sigh, the man yanks open the door.

Sheela uses her wand of mage armor to refresh her defenses. "Let's finish this." The normally giddy woman is calm and determined.

That's fine with me. I'm at my PbP limit, anyway, so a break would help greatly.

Nikolai readies himself to spring into action once the door is opened, so they can leave the tight confines of the corridor.

I changed the places of the tokens. See if you like it, please.

A purple glow washes over this cold chamber, creating an otherworldly sheen. A large desk adorns the south wall; behind its oaken bulk hangs a large map of Cassomir. Straw-lined cages line the chamber’s east and west walls. In the center of the room, resting on a small pedestal, a black rock absorbs the chamber’s bright torch light.

Sitting at the desk is a creature that somewhat resembles Dalirio Teppish, who you know that you have previously killed. He looks up from the paperwork he was looking over, and says "Kill them." Two skeletons poke their heads out of the far cages and stare at you.

Round 1: (Bold may act)
Masa (10 dmg), Nikolai(2 dmg)
Skeletons [red] [green]
Sheela, Alaneo(2 dmg), Bernard(2 dmg),
Dalario Teppish [purple]

"Some people don't know when to quit, huh? Don't worry, we'll put you to bed."

The injured Masa stands in the doorway and stares down at Dalirio Teppish's kin. "Call off your skeletons and surrender otherwise there will be no quarter." Masa states plainly to the man as he moves into a defensive stance.

Total Defense: 20 AC

This fight layout sucks.

"Or don't," Nikolai says, springing into the room. "I'd much prefer killing you again."

Not sure how that stone affects movement, but I've moved 30' into the room. If I can't get that far, I'll ready an action to punch one of the skeletons in the face.

Attack, PA: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 - 1 = 25
Damage, PA: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Crit Attack, PA: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 - 1 = 6
Crit Damage, PA: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

The dicebot giveth, and the dicebot taketh away.

Nik waits a breath after moving, and as the green skeleton moves to intercept him, he punches the skull off of it an into the wall behind, where it shatters.

The red skeleton moves out (5' step) and claws at Nik, causing a nasty gash on his shoulder.
Claw Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Claw Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Round 1: (Bold may act)
Masa (10 dmg), Nikolai(8 dmg)
Skeletons [red]
Sheela, Alaneo(2 dmg), Bernard(2 dmg)
Dalario Teppish [purple]

"First, I'll leave a night light for you. Don't blink!"

Sheela draws upon the stories Grandmama taught her. With a wave of her hand, a spray of multicolored green particles cover the skeleton and Dalario.

Using my Glitterdust spell-like ability. Will Save, DC 15 to resist being blinded. Hopefully Dalario relies on sight and not...unlife sense. He can retry the Will Save every round for 2 rounds to end the effect early.

Will Save, Skeleton: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Will Save, Dalirio: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

The glitterdust spreads over both undead, seemingly blinding the skeleton but Dalirio manages to cover his eyes in time.

Round 1: (Bold may act)
Masa (10 dmg), Nikolai(8 dmg)
Skeletons [red]
Sheela, Alaneo(2 dmg), Bernard(2 dmg)
Dalario Teppish [purple]

Bernard moves in the room and makes a sharp shoot against Dalirio.

+1 light crossbow (ranged touch atk) + Adaptable Luck: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 2 - 4 = 161d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Skipping ahead for speed, but Alaneo can go when ready.

Bernard makes a tough shot, and the ghoul yowls in response. However, seeing Nikolai barreling down the narrow crypt, Dalirio casts a spell on him.

Nik - need you to make a DC 15 Will Save.

Round 1: (Bold may act)
Alaneo(2 dmg)

Round 2: (Bold may act)
Masa (10 dmg), Nikolai(8 dmg)
Skeletons [red]
Sheela, Alaneo(2 dmg), Bernard(2 dmg)
Dalario Teppish [purple]

@GM Fuzzfoot, Dalirio bleeds when the bolt hits him?

Sorry - I meant to update his damage. Yes, he took full damage from the bolt.

Round 1: (Bold may act)
Alaneo(2 dmg)

Round 2: (Bold may act)
Masa (10 dmg), Nikolai(8 dmg)
Skeletons [red]
Sheela, Alaneo(2 dmg), Bernard(2 dmg)
Dalario Teppish [purple] (10 dmg)

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Sheela tilts her head as she watches the magic wash over Nikolai. "He's trying to incite fear. Resist or I'll make you giggle!"

Masa sees the bottleneck and smirks at Nikolai's boldness. He waits to see what will happen to the man before acting.

Will save: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5

Dalario's voice echoes in Nikolai's head, and his heart pounds in his throat. "We are lost!", he cries out, recoiling in horror from the undead monster before him. "It is the end of days! Flee for your very lives!" He turns and runs back down the corridor.

Pretty sure that means I take an AoO.

I think you can safely Withdraw - no reason being frightened wouldn't allow that.

Spellcraft, DC 16: 1d3d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

The skeleton chases after, finding Bernard first.

Attack, claw: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 2 = 18 Bernard, what is your current AC?
Damage: 1d4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 = 6

Round 2: (Bold may act)
Masa (10 dmg), Nikolai(8 dmg, frightened)
Skeletons [red]
Sheela, Alaneo(2 dmg), Bernard(2 dmg)
Dalario Teppish [purple] (10 dmg)

Sheela watches Nikolai run with fear, and Masa suggests they fall back. "Get back here, Nikolai!"

Sheela retreats, catches up to Nikolai and slaps him on the shoulder. "Back from the dead, and he'll never feel the kiss of a maiden again. Isn't that hilarious?"

Not sure how long he's afraid, so I'll slow Nikolai down for one round.

Laughng Touch: At 1st level, you can cause a creature to burst out laughing for 1 round as a melee touch attack. A laughing creature can only take a move action but can defend itself normally. Once a creature has been affected by laughing touch, it is immune to its effects for 24 hours.

Alaneo steps forward and uses once again his talents to freeze the ground under the enemy's feet.

Slick utility wild talent , Ref DC 15 or fall. I can't wait to have precise shot...

Keep ground-juggling him, Alaneo, we'll pull through this yet!

Bernard, what is your current AC?

It is 20.

"Not today, you piece of s%!+!"

Bernard takes a step back, draws a flask of holy water and throws it against the skeleton in front of him.

Holy Water: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 262d4 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1) + 1 = 6 (PBS is aplicable to this damage? If not, subtract -1.)

I believe PBS is applicable, and nicely done!

Sheela moves to slow down Nik's retreat as Bernard disintegrates the remaining skeleton with holy water.

Ref save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Alaneo slicks the ground, but the BBEG stays standing.

Casting another spell, this time at Masa. (Will save DC 15)

Round 3: (Bold may act)
Masa (10 dmg), Nikolai(8 dmg, frightened), Sheela, Alaneo(2 dmg), Bernard(2 dmg)
Dalario Teppish [purple] (10 dmg)

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
"Masa, he's trying to confuse your mind."

Realizing she can't do much to the undead, she hesitates to see if Masa's mind will hold.

Readying an action to use Laughing Touch if Masa is confused, so he doesn't chop us in half or choke himself.

Will Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 Using my Resolve point to roll twice and take better.
Will Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20 At least it paid off!

Masa thinks about what confusion truly is, but his stoic samurai heart convinces him that he needs to strike down this terror before his party succumbs to the creature's evil magic. "I am fine, Sheela, though I appreciate the aid."

The samurai turns back to the Teppish relative and glares at him. "Prepare for death, cultist." he proclaims as he waits for the creature to engage.

He moves in front of Sheela and asks Bernard to step behind him as he draws his blade and waits with his eyes on the target. "Please fall back and let me handle the front line, Bernard." he advises.

Ready Action to Attack if he moves into range.

Katana @ Teppish: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 3 = 16

After finishing his laughter at the futility of struggling against inevitability, Nikolai continues his flight down the corridor.

Before steps back, Bernard shoots again on Dalirio.

+1 light crossbow: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 281d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

I was waiting to see if the bad guy was down but I'll post anyway.

Alaneo tries to reach the baddie with his icicles, despite cover.

Kinetic Cold Blast (Ranged Touch), PBS: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 5 - 4 = 18 for Cold: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

* knock knock *

Alaneo and Bernard both make solid attacks, and enrage Delario to the point that he charges down the corridor where he finds Masa waiting for him. With a quick swipe of the katana, the ghoul is cut down, hopefully now done forever!

"And stay down!" Sheela giggles. "I feel like I forgot something...oh! Nikolai! Stop running, we killed him. Again."

Masa flicks his blade, flinging the filth from the steel, as he quickly re-sheathes the heirloom. "How many more of this family must will kill?" he asks to no one in particular as Sheela trashtalks the second-time-corpse.

"Good work, my friends!"

Bernard pats the back of each one, then tries to find something useful in that chamber.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Bernard does a thorough search of the desk, and reveals a false bottom in the top drawer. Inside the compartment, manuscripts describe two sinister plans: the first details Dalirio’s desire to create small bands of skeletons to assault Cassomir, and the second talks of a derro plan to use secret tunnels to infiltrate a major Cassomir building and kidnap everyone inside! This would lead us to part 4, should you care to report it and follow up.

With Dalirio defeated, you thwarted his plans to send bands of skeletons to assault Cassomir. The surviving engineers and other kidnapping victims praise you for their timely intervention.

Congratulations! Chronicles are >> here <<. Let me know if you need day jobs or expenses added and I can edit them for you.

"Now, now. We Kolphans are here to help!" Sheela giggles as thanks are heaped upon the party. "We're just trying to stop another disaster. And solve annoying puzzles."

She turns to the party. "We need to celebrate! We're not close to home, but I'll rent out a party hall, we'll get some food, some delicious wine and the after party will be in...wait, derro?" Sheela frowns. "Just when I thought I was done..."

After a time, Nikolai returns to the chamber, furious. "Can't believe that bastard forced me to flee. I only wish I could have killed him one last time."

As Bernard finds the papers that suggest the derro have further plans for Cassomir, he grimaces. "Well now, sounds like we have a chance to have Taldor owe the Society a favor. We save your important blue-bloods, and we get to explore some ruin you want us out of. I might just make that offer to the Venture Captain, to see how they want to play it."

"So, let's do it, Niko", Bernard gives the papers to Sheela.

"She could request this task for us, better than everyone here", the halfling winks to the sorcerer.

"Let's get out from here, c'mon", Bernard loads his crossbow and starts to leave that cursed place.

"Oh, of course I'll talk to them. Never hurts to have a conversation."

Sheela takes back the information and makes your case, but bureaucracy has its day, and the wheels of action move slowly.

And so begins The Devil We Know, Part IV: The rules of The Swift!

Venture-Captain Hestia Themis, a woman of small stature, but great importance within Cassomir, sweeps locks of thick, raven hair away from her face. As she starts to speak, shrill horns bellow an alarm. Hestia pauses for the signal to quiet, and as the trumpeting ring fades, her booming voice continues.

“Colleagues, the city of Cassomir declared a state of emergency this morning. Late last night, a swarm of rats poured into Cassomir’s streets, spilling from every sewer grate within the Old Cassomir district. As the city guards dealt with this infestation, a large assault force of derros penetrated Swift Prison. Within a few hours, the derros emptied the Swift, and marched their new slaves into the Darklands. Normally we defer incidents like this to the authorities, but I offered our assistance. There’s an item of interest, a church bell called the bell of obedience, that may reside in Swift Prison’s chapel. We want to catalogue it and may never have another opportunity to explore the Swift unsupervised. While investigating the derro invasion, head to the chapel and inspect the bell. If possible, I want you to determine whether the Chapel’s bell is in fact the legendary bell of obedience without taking it from the prison. Cassomir’s constabulary is as of this moment fighting Cult of Nature’s Cataclysm devotees at the south entrance to the prison. The constabulary agreed to distract the cultists there so that you might approach the Swift from its north side and enter the prison from the south gate behind the cultists.”

At that moment, a teenage boy enters through the Cassomir Lodge’s front door and Themis gestures him over. “This is Nefti—I believe some of you may know him already. Though he works with the Aspis Consortium, he helped us rescue a fellow Pathfinder when this derro business began. It seems Nefti happened to be serving a debtor’s term inside the Swift when the abductions took place. For his testimony to last night’s events we secured his release. He agreed to escort you to a spot north of the Swift where he will tell you all he knows. Any questions?”

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

"I've been listening to rumors about any undead sightings in the days since we dealt with the Groetus cult," Nikolai interjects during a natural break in the briefing. "That paid off last night. Some decaying undead creature ordered some mangy humans to act as guards for anyone who tries to enter the prison. Might be a ghast, and those mangy humans might be wererats. Break out your silver, lads, just in case."

"Oh. Look. The derro attacked, just like we knew they would. Good thing the city rejected our immediate requests." Sheela, slightly upset and very sarcastic, lounges upon one of the longer seats. "I see why Grandmama hates dealing with the authorities- they can be such a pain."

knowledge(Local) untrained: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

"So you want us to look at a bell? Now?" Sheela sighs. "Fine, but I'd rather stop those derro and rescue their victims. Just because they are prisoners doesn't mean they have no worth."

knowledge(Local) untrained: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

"Wait- what about the kidnappings? Aren't we going to rescue them? Kidnapping victims were turning into skeletons - twice-dead man wanted to raise an army of the undead."

Sheela just seems annoyed by Cassomir's priorities, and it seems the Pathfinders are just as scrambled. She's about to leave in a huff when Nefti enters.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

All of that anger simply melts off her face as the boy arrives. "Nefti!" She leaps off the chair and gives the boy a hug. "I haven't seen you in weeks! Are you well? Have Aspis fed you well? Do you need new clothes, or shoes? I know this great tailor who makes clothes just for children like you and I am rambling, aren't I?" Sheela stands back up.

"Nikolai, you said we should look for silver weaponry? I know this blacksmith. Very handsome. I think he has some silver-tipped crossbow bolts for sale."
Spending 21 gp for 10 silver bolts.

"Yes, I have questions. How will we know that the church bell at the Swift Prison’s chapel is in fact 'the legendary bell of obedience'? What can you tell us about the Cult of Nature’s Cataclysm? And about the swarm of rats? Any rumors spreaded in the streets about it?"

"Well pointed, Niko.", Bernard agrees.

He will buy more 10 silver bolts (21 gp spent, as well).

"Well, we sort of expect you to hit the pavement and ferret out any rumors. The local constabulary was ordered them to attack the Swift from Harbor Watch and clear out the persistent cultists it seems the derros left behind to cover the kidnapping. Hopefully with the cultists fighting the constables in the streets to the south of the prison, you’ll be able to enter from the north with little trouble.”

Apparently, you are left to your own devices to confirm the bell... a bard would be useful...or maybe knowledge history

Alaneo knows nothing. He looks at the others with a blank face.

"More Derros? I'm eager to see the end of these creatures!"

So, I suggest to we hire a bard to come with us, as long as nobody here has knowledge history. How much it will cost?

"Hey, let's talk to that flutist who played in front of that grotesque statue for us." Sheela pipes up. "I paid him some silver for the performance, but he might charge more for hazard pay..."