GM Fuzzfoot's S01-41 The Devil We Know, Part III - Crypt of Fools (Standard PFS) Tier 1-7/Subtier 3-4 (Inactive)

Game Master PJP

Though he is happy that the prisoners are safe, Vim shrugs.

"I hope this Dalirio character is in the Crypt of Fools. Two birds, one stone and all that..."

King Hurley bobs his head in agreement.

"Yes, deeper we go, and hope to find something worthy of hurling as opposed to more mites and derro!"

"Watch your step. There was a runner. What's up with this fountain?"

Gibbs painfully recalls a different mission he was on with the Society where the mission was almost a complete failure because the team rushed to the end and didn't stop to investigate everything fully...

An ancient fountain decorates this open tunnel intersection. Many chipped sculptures provide spouts which drizzles water splash into the basin below. The fountain’s cold concrete edges have carved symbols that adorn its sides in three distinct bands. A set of stairs leading down from above empties into the room from the south, while two 5-foot-wide tunnels exit the room to the east and west.

"It looks like the fountain might turn, like the gears in a lock" Whistles points out to the others, based on earlier information. "Maybe some of you should try that."

Whoops! Seems like my last post didn't get posted...

Vim prepares his mind by meditating. Entering a Focused Trance to gain a +20 bonus on a single Int based skill check.

Vim realizes that the rings contain all of the the previously-located symbols (see handouts 1–3), one on each tumbler. The symbol from the statue (handout #1) adorns the top tumbler, the symbol from the Imperial Hall of Records (handout #2) adorns the middle tumbler, and the symbol from Quickfall Abbey (handout #3) adorns the third tumbler.

He is quick to reason that lining these up is probably the correct course of action.

A DC 15 Strength check or a DC 12 Disable Device check is required to turn them. Feel free to suggest ways to get circumstance bonus if you like.

Misaki starts turning the tumblers to line up the symbols.

"Should I do them in any particular order? I guess I can start with the bottom one if it doesn't matter."

She'll follow directions from the others. Whistles will cast Guidance on her and anyone else who is helping.

Is there any reason I can't take 20 on the strength check? It'll get done eventually, even if it takes a little while.

Strength check if can't take 20: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10

As long as you don't mind spending the time, take 20 is fine.

Misaki aligns the tumblers through brute force. With a final audible click the tumblers lock into place. Suddenly, the fountain begins to rotate and its stale waters drain rapidly. The grinding of the gears echoes off the stone walls, causing the ground to shake. As the fountain rotates, a spiral staircase appears where the fountain’s solid basin once sat. A slick staircase slopes down into Cassomir’s bowels, twisting its way down and around a deep cistern.

Marching order and light sources?

Vim won't mind going last, and he has a Light spell active.

Misaki is happy to stay up front, katana drawn. She has darkvision.

Whistles will cast Guidance on Misaki, then retreat to the middle of the pack. He doesn't like being on the front line.

King Hurley will take up somewhere in the middle, exact order probably not critical as long as Misaki is in front.

King Hurley claps as Misaki works the tumblers.

"Strong, you are! For a Tian-min girl, that is... or something more than meets the eyes, hmmm?"

Gibbs will watch the tunnels warily then take up the rear, watching behind the party as well as along the sides of the path of advance.

With a bit of a grumble he keeps his Wayfinder lit.

An enormous room lies ahead, filled with dozens of family crypts decorated with family names, heraldic crests, and a variety of death-themed statuary. The walls, floor, and ceiling are made of smooth, polished stone, and the crypts are made of thick, square blocks of granite. A handful of statues stand throughout the room, though they don’t seem to be placed with any plan—some face the wall, some lie on their sides, and others are damaged beyond repair. The northwest quarter of the room is dominated almost entirely by a single large crypt. The name “Ismacco” is displayed across the front of the crypt.

As you enter, Gibbs notices a foul stench, which alerts you to the fact that you are not alone. No surprise round.

In the middle of the room, you see a large, horrid creature that turns to you. "Intruders?" it mutters in rough Common tongue. "Or dinner!"

Round 1: (Bold may act)
King Hurley, Vim
Creature
Zykon, Misaki

Vim turns his attention and winning smile to the creature.

"We are neither, my good sir. We are but weary travellers, here sort out some unfortunate business. But if it is dinner you crave, perhaps I can tempt you with some delicacies from the surface world."

Vim digs around his backpack and hands the creature a trail ration.
Diplomacy?: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Folio re-roll + 4 GM stars: 1d20 + 10 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 4 = 23

Oh, and he'll try to identify the creature as well:
Knowledge (Dungeoneering): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 * This feels like Religion based on the foul stench, but Hurley has other knowledge skills, many also at the same bonus to ID.

King Hurley stands in stunned silence as Vim fetches a ration and tries to feed whatever it is they are looking at.

He won't do anything to disrupt Diplomacy if that'll work, but I suspect it'll still try to murder us. In that case..

King Hurley wastes no time upping his game, earning his right as a Hurley by hurling a ball of ice at the monster's face.

Snowball (ranged touch): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 for 4d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 5, 3) = 20 DC16 Fort vs staggered, but I suspect this thing is immune.

And again, reminder that no snowball happens if there's no need for combat.

Will Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

The creature ignores Vim's words and the food, so King Hurley throws his snowball.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

The creature tries to shake it off as he moves to attack, but is simply staggered by the blow. (It moves forward 20')

Round 1: (Bold may act)
King Hurley, Vim
Creature (20 dmg, staggered)
Zykon, Misaki

Whistles casts Guidance on Misaki, then stays behind as she rushes up to swing her katana at the thing.

This will provoke an AOO, given its reach. If it hits and does significant damage, assume Misaki would Lay on Hands herself this turn, before it gets a chance to full attack her, but I'll save that roll until after I see if it's necessary.

attack: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 = 17
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Move Action:Load Crossbow

Gibbs drops a bolt into his crossbow and holds the weapon above his head to sight in on the thing for something vital without hitting Misaki.

Standard Action: Spend 1 Grit to resolve against Touch AC

+1 darkwood underwater light crossbow, Precise Shot(vs. Touch): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

@GMF: Any insight on the check to ID it? Hurley is +8 on arcana, dungeon, engineering, geography, history, local, nature, nobiliyu, planes, religion. Hopefully one of those got it. :0

It looks like Vim nailed it with dungeoneering. I was just assuming he shared that info with the rest of us, so I peeked at the spoiler.

Ah, I didn't pop his spoiler. I have done so now!

Gibbs manages to put a bolt in it, despite working around Misaki. As she approaches, the tentacles of the beast reach for her. It slaps her, but fails to grab her and constrict.

AoO: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 ouch
Crit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Free grapple: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14 Wow!

Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

She responses by slicing the creatures midsection as she closes the distance.

[ooc]Round 2: (Bold may act)
King Hurley, Vim
Creature (30 dmg, staggered)
Zykon, Misaki

Misaki wouldn't bother with Lay on Hands for just 8 HP of damage.

King Hurley winds up his arms several times in a row before lobbing another icy orb at the odd mouthy creature.

"King Hurley hurleeees!"

Intensified Snowball (ranged touch, into melee): 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 3 - 4 = 14 for 4d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 2, 4) = 13

Vim casts Bless before moving up to support Misaki.

Hurley's snowball flies past the creature harmlessly.

The monster tries to grab and bite Misaki.

Bite Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Tentacle Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Tentacle Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Having NO success, it backs away 5 feet.

Round 2: (Bold may act)
King Hurley, Vim
Creature (20 dmg, staggered)
Zykon, Misaki

Bless is in effect.

Whistles flies up to Gibbs and casts Guidance on him.

"Shoot it again!"

Misaki 5 ft steps up to the creature and slices at it again with her katana.

"Be gone, foul beast!"

attack: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 1 = 13
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Gibbs grumbles as Vim steps into his line of fire while he's reloading, giving only the barest of nods to Whistles as he does so.

Move Action: Reload

Spend 1 Grit

Standard Action: Shoot

+1 darkwood underwater light crossbow, Precise Shot(vs. Touch), Bless, Guidance, Soft Cover(Vim): 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 24

Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 = 10

Misaki misses, but Gibbs scores a solid hit!

Round 2: (Bold may act)
King Hurley, Vim
Creature (30 dmg, staggered)
Zykon, Misaki

King Hurley, haven't missed his target, nearly erupts into a tantrum when his snowball flies past the aberration.

"No, no, no, no, NO! That was Hurley - King's LAST iceball today! No!"

In his anger, his tries lobbing a tiny fragment of ice, having little else to provide and not wanting to hurl his many iceballs unless he is hard pressed.

Ray of Frost (ranged touch, bless, into melee): 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 - 4 = 4 for 1d3 ⇒ 1

Vim moves up past Misaki, using her for cover on the way, and takes a swing at the beast.

Attack (Bless): 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 1 = 17
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

As Vim approaches the creature, it slaps out with its tentacle, but barely missed the well armored oracle.

AoO Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 I think your max Chr should be 3 for AC, but still a miss.

Round 2: (Bold may act)
Zykon, Misaki

Round 3: (Bold may act)
King Hurley, Vim
Creature (37 dmg)

Fixed my sheet.

Vim takes another swing at the monster.
Attack (bless): 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

Move Action: Reload

The laconic tengu slips another bolt into his crossbow and lets fly. Nothing fancy this time, though. Not spending Grit

Standard Action: Shoot
+1 darkwood underwater light crossbow, Precise Shot(Bless): 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 1 = 28

Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6

Gibbs shot takes it down, as the tentacles slap to the floor.

Misaki pulls out her wand of Cure Light Wounds and touches herself with it.

Cure Light: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Cure Light: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"Does anyone else need healing?"

Gibbs will wave off Misaki's offer and poke himself with a wand.

PFS CLWW MK 1 Mod 0: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

As the others tend to their injuries, King Hurley creeps ahead and peers out around the various crypts, looking for something interesting.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

You don't find anything of particular interest in this part of the crypt.

"Maybe we should check behind this door over here."

Misaki approaches the door in the northwest area. Whistles casts Guidance on her, then backs off.

Gibbs moves up to provide cover fire in case the folks by the door investigating need it.

He loads his crossbow as he waits, giving a slight nod.

A grand crypt stretches toward the room’s ceiling and two large, copper braziers flank its impressive floor-to-ceiling doors. At the building’s base, a faceless statue holds a gibbous moon aloft.

You open the door to enter the Ismacco Family crypt.

Ornate carvings decorate the walls inside the Ismacco crypt, creating several stylized burial niches. Tall, marbled pillars stretch to the 20-foot-high ceiling, creating three alcoves that hold massive oak sarcophagi. At the rear of the chamber, stairs ascend into a basilica-like dome. A musty smell permeates the chamber, and several dozen torches burn brightly in wall sconces throughout the crypt.

You hear a voice (purple) that says, "Intruders! Deal with them."

Round 1: (Bold may act)
Zykon, Vim
Thugs: Red, Green, Blue, Purple
King Hurley, Misaki

Move Action: 5' forward, 5' 'west'

Standard Action: Firing Crossbow (Blue) vs flatfooted?

Gibbs holds his crossbow steady and lets a bolt fly at the 'westernmost' target.

+1 darkwood underwater light crossbow, Precise Shot(vs. flat-footed?): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Vim moves up next to Misaki and casts Bless.

The blue thug, taking a bolt in the arm, charges Gibbs with a club in hand, but in his haste, he overreaches.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 14

Green likewise charges Vim, resulting in a similar scene.
Attack: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 = 12

Red takes more measured steps, and approach cautiously.

Purple uses his longbow and aims at Vim.
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Round 1: (Bold may act)
King Hurley (blessed), Misaki(blessed)

Round 2: (Bold may act)
Zykon(blessed), Vim(blessed)
Thugs: Red, Green, Blue (3 dmg), Purple

Round Two

Gibbs doesn't even hesitate as suddenly there is man with club in his face.

The beak descends upon the hapless charging person...

Beak Attack(vs. charged opponent, Bless): 1d20 ⇒ 17

Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

And then he moves himself into the corner, almost goading the guy to step between him and Misaki...

Whistles flies up to King Hurley and touches him with a Guidance spell.

"Seems safer to stay out here."

Misaki decides that Vim seems more fragile than Gibbs and decides to attack his attacker to defend Vim first.

attack vs green (Bless, Guidance): 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 20
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10