Quiella |
lay on hands, greater mercy, fey foundling: 2d6 + 2 + 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2, 3) + 2 + (4) + 6 = 17
Quiella heals herself and again tries to escape the tentacles, then takes the most direct route out of them.
cmb: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
-Posted with Wayfinder
GM Harker |
I'll let Mel still sneak attack, sure.
Sarsczek places Black into a pin and takes a moment to study the the disturbed spellcaster in more detail.
Halkale follows by firing another arrow into the enemy's exposed side.
The impaired Melufiuos misses with his first attack, but the second hasted attack is a solid sneak attack hit.
Mel's Precision Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Quiella heals herself a great deal and finally breaks free of her tentacle prison. She immediately moves out of the spell area to avoid further uncomfortable hugs.
Vailis and Ophelia are up.
Vailis |
Vailis holds one of the tentacles with a hand "You cannot beat me!"
CMB: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
While he is trying to push away that tentacle another snaps at his face and opens a new gash. The half-elf fails again to free himself.
HP 29/51
Quiella |
will the tentacles have another chance to grab Quiella if she walks through them, or only if she ends her turn in them?
-Posted with Wayfinder
GM Harker |
If you move back into the Black Tentacle area, they get another chance to grab you.
Vailis tries to free himself once more, but the rubbery tentacles are still too much for him.
Ophelia casts Dispel Magic on the Black Tentacles, but the spell effect resists her attempt to remove it.
Ophelia's Caster Level Check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
The previously inactive syringes hanging from the ceiling now come to life as they target Sarsczek and fire a stream of acid at him. The acid hits the tiefling and makes him feel strangely light-headed. Although some acid also splashes on Black, he seems strangely gleeful. "Flee." He says simply to Sarsczek, and waits for the reaction. Sarsczek takes 8 acid damage and will need to flee from Black as quickly as he can for 1 round, which will include releasing him. This is as per the Command spell. I made his Will save in the GM spoiler to keep things moving since the website keeps going down.
Afterwards, Black waits to act until Sarsczek releases him and leaves the area.
The banging inside the box continues, but this time a bolt flies out towards Vailis and just barely misses him.
1 S 2 M: 1d2 ⇒ 1
RTA: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Acid Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 1, 3) = 8
Sarsczek's Will save to keep things moving: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Box: 1d10 ⇒ 4
1d7 ⇒ 2
Initiative (Round 6)
Melufiuos [1 Mirror Image Left; Feeblemind active] {Life link with Quiella} <= Up
Sarsczek [6 Damage on Quiella's Turn; Has to Flee from Black] {Life link with Quiella} <= Up
Black
Quiella [Grappled; 8 Damage + 5 from Sarsczek; Shield of Faith and Shield Active]
Vailis [Grappled; 17 Damage; Shield Active]
Halkale/Frostfur [H: 13 Dmg. F: 17 damage]
Ophelia [18 Dmg]
Syringe(s)
Metallic Box
Group Effects
Haste (Last Round): +1 attack, +1 reflex save, +1 CMB, +1 AC; 1 extra attack if full attack; +30 feet movement medium, +20 small.
Melufiuos and Sarszcek are up. If Sarszcek has a reroll left, he may reroll the DC 15 Will save that forced him to flee. Otherwise, Mel and Sars will take their action, then Black will come out of delay.
Sarsczek |
Sure, I'll burn the reroll. Including +2 save bonus against mind affecting effects.
GM * Reroll: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 2 + 2 = 12 Hah.
Not sure which direction he should flee. You can place him wherever he should end up.
Running away, a really stupid look shows up on Sarsczek's face. "Okie misser bla- wait... wha?"
He looks back with fury in his eyes. "BAH! SILLY TRICKS! IMMA EAT YOU!!!"
Halkale Timarson |
Halkale moves forward again and fires another arrow.
Attack, haste, fe: 1d20 + 13 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 1 + 4 = 33 Damage, if hits, PBS: 2d6 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (5, 1) + 3 + 4 = 13
Melufiuos Benidictus |
Mel double Stab again
-Posted with Wayfinder
Melufiuos Benidictus |
Mel continues to stab at Black, tears now freely flowing and face twisted in rage.
rapier to hit: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
rapier to hit: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
GM Harker |
Sarsczek finds himself releasing Black and running away, much to the crazed man's relief.
Raging Melufiuos stabs Black twice with his rapier, but doesn't quite finish him off.
Black then attempts to cast a spell defensively. When he loses the spell despite himself, the smirk on his face turns to a look of existential terror.
That terror is well founded when Halkale fires an arrow into the man which finally finishes him off, although doesn't appear to kill him outright.
Concentration check: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
As time wears on, more bolts fly out of the metallic box in the center until finally a half-formed abomination breaks out of its womb, only to expire a few seconds later with desperate wheezing when its immature lungs cannot support it.
Around the same time the creature breaks out of its box, the black tentacles fade out of existence.
Combat Over
On Black's body you find a quarterstaff, a dusty rose prism ioun stone, a lesser extend metamagic rod, a ring of counterspells, a spell component pouch, and a spellbook.
0—all cantrips; 1st—alarm, floating disk, identify, mage armor, magic aura, magic missle, ray of enfeeblement, shield, sleep, unseen servant; 2nd—false life, locate object, mirror image, scorching ray, unnatural lust, whispering wind; 3rd—dispel magic, displacement, lightning bolt, nondetection, protection from energy, slow; 4th—black tentacle, confusion, dimension door lesser simulacrum, scrying; 5th—cone of cold, dominate person, feeblemind, teleport
A search of the room turns up a dossier revealing ties between the mad artificer and the Aspis Consortium. These documents reveal details of the sabotage Black was instructed to perform on the Heidmarchs’ angelic guardians, records of months of payments for the use of the Doll House as a smuggling front and the acquisition of information from the Golemworks, and finally a mysterious reference to the approval of an unnamed “Qadiran friend.” All of the documents are signed by gold agent “Maiveer Sloan of Bronze House,” whom you assume is the Aspis Consortium’s head of operations here in Magnimar.
Next to the dossier is a pouch of newly minted Qadiran coins worth 100gp.
The only thing left is to find out what you want to do with the bodies that are or were in the glass cylinders. They don't appear to be dead, just in suspended animation. A Heal check might revive them. Let me know if you're going to free all of them and perhaps Heal them, or just leave.
Vailis |
Vailis is fighting with a couple of tentacles when they suddenly disappear! The half-elf looks relieved "That was a nasty spell..."
He checks out the magical objects by Black, but does not care too much about the people in the glasses. They are not part of his mission after all.
"Well done people. We better come back to Heidmarch so we can have an early supper tonight. I would like to record the adventure before going to sleep"
Melufiuos Benidictus |
Mel continues to furiously poke and howl at Black until someone stops him, at which point he collapses into a sobbing heap. He does not understand what he lost, but he knows it was very important and very dear to him. Eventually, you are able to calm him down. He then follows Ophelia and Quiella around like a lost puppy. Speaking of puppies, he also tries to pet Frostfur and gets very upset at Halkale if not allowed to. He has no idea that there is a spellbook to be plundered. He does, however, try to splash in the pretty green water when he passes it.
Hopefully, y'all bring him to get cured. He'll pay with pp.
Quiella |
Quiella tries to save all of the incapacitated bodies.
she doesn't have heal trained, but she does have 4 uses of Lay on Hands, 4 spontaneous slots open for CLW, and if all else fails and Ophelia doesn't pitch in, she has a wand of CLW
-Posted with Wayfinder
Halkale Timarson |
Halkale has +6 to heal, so there's that. Can I take 10 or 20 to help each one?
Halkale helps examine each of the folks in the vats and tries to help direct healing to those that need it. He does prevent Mel from petting Frostfur as he knows she's not a good place right now. He does ask for her to be included in any healing from spells, if enough left.
Melufiuos Benidictus |
"oh f c ncvnxxxxcvmfc. K a n long x b can khfxbxxxvx! "
-Posted with Wayfinder
GM Harker |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Halkale, take 10 wouldn't be enough for the Heal check, so I'll just roll for you and Ophelia to speed things along.
Still not right in the head, Melufiuos continues to stab Black's body until the man perishes.
After the remaining 4 individuals are freed from the vats, Halkale and Ophelia work to resuscitate them from their suspended animation. Remembering a technique to get a heart started after it stops, they use it effectively to wake all of them up.
It's fortunate that you did so, as you quickly discover they are the missing Pathfinders Shelia Heidmarch was looking for earlier in the day.
Ophelia's Heal Check: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
Halkale's Heal aid: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Heidmarch is extremely pleased when your group brings back both the MIA Pathfinders and the dossiers explaining Black's entire scheme. She gives you all the rest of the day off and summons someone well-experienced to remove the Feeblemind from Melufiuos.
In the days following, Sheila presents the evidence linking the Pathfinder’s murders, the attack on her property, and the relic smuggling ring to the Magnimarian government in an effort to bring punishment down on the Aspis Consortium, but Lord-Mayor Haldmeer Grobaras and his ineffectual bureaucracy are unconvinced of that organization's role in the murders. Although the evidence is substantial that they were at least involved in spying on the Golemworks, smuggling, and ordering the sabotage of angelic guardians, those in power are hardly motivated to get involved in a crime that seems to have already been solved, though the Pathfinders are paid lip service and promised that the Aspis Consortium will be watched carefully going forward.
End of Chapter 18
Sarsczek |
Sarsczek looks at Melufios as he continues piercing Black's body. He halfheartedly moves to stop him, then thinks for a moment. "Heh... s'what happens when you make a monster..."
He shrinks back to his normal size, Ka stone faded of power, and relaxes. "Ophelia... dees people need fixin... and my head-rock is tired. Time for a nap."
Melufiuos Benidictus |
Hehe, yep. So does that make sense? He's totally lost his mind but is able to know he lost something and that Black is the one who took it away from him?
By the way, I notice no one saying they stop him from splashing in the pretty green acid! Y'all'd make terrible parents :)
GM Harker |
Chapter 19: Rivalry's End
The Cypher Lodge is one of Riddleport’s finest inns, and Grandmaster Torch currently inhabits its finest suite. Flanked by his ubiquitous half-orc bodyguards and the weasel-faced Varisian businessman Guaril Karela, Torch speaks.
”I cannot overstate how dangerous Dorianna Ouidda is,” the scarred Pathfinder begins. ”She wears many masks, and she uses them all to orchestrate the utter destruction of the Pathfinder Society. As a high-profile politician in Andoran, she blocked the Society’s expansion into that nation. As a Gold Agent in the Aspis Consortium, she uses the Consortium’s limitless wealth to frustrate the Society’s business however she can. As the criminal mastermind known as the Spider, she engages in elaborate plots to frame the Pathfinder Society for her misdeeds. Ouidda even hired the Red Mantis Assassins to murder me, although I’m still a step ahead of those assassins for now.”
“Dorianna Ouidda is one of the few people on Golarion who know the secret identities of the Decemvirate. She previously crafted an elaborate plot to turn a loyal Venture-Captain against the Decemvirate, and we suspect she is plotting to destroy the Decemvirate even now.”
”Loyal Pathfinders have foiled Ouidda’s schemes again and again. We arranged her arrest in Andoran, but she leveraged her political connections and escaped. The time has come for more drastic action.” Torch gestures to the Varisian man at his side. ”Guaril has a network of informants here in Riddleport, and they’ve identified the Spider’s lair.”
Guaril Karela smoothly adds, ”I would say ‘observant acquaintances’ rather than ‘informants,’ but no matter. Ouidda owns a controlling interest in the Weaver’s Parlor, a gambling hall in the Free-Coin District. She transacts private business from ancient chambers beneath the gambling hall, visited by only a few trusted associates. These chambers are accessed through a hidden door at the west end of the gambling hall’s wine cellar.”
Grandmaster Torch continues, ”We know the Spider is in her lair now. Enter the chambers beneath the Weaver’s Parlor. Capture Dorianna Ouidda and return with her here. Ouidda may have made notes about the Decemvirate or their identities—bring that information back as well. Let me stress this: Ouidda must be captured alive. We need to learn the extent of her information about the Pathfinder Society and find out whether she has revealed this information to others.”
”You need to make haste, but I don’t want to rush past any questions you have. The better informed you are, the more likely you are to succeed.”
* * *
The following spoilers are Knowledge (local) or Diplomacy (gather information) to know or learn information about the Weaver’s Parlor and/or the Spider's Plots. Read all spoilers that apply to your roll. If you make the Diplomacy check, you're also taking an extra 1d4 hours after the briefing to learn this information.
The Weaver’s Parlor is currently holding a week-long gambling tournament for wealthy gamblers. Only well-known gamblers or those with a large bankroll are admitted.
The other owner in the Weaver’s Parlor is Gaston Cromarcky, the Overlord of Riddleport. Overlord Cromarcky shamelessly uses the Gendarmes, Riddleport’s city watch, for personal events, so the Gendarmes will be providing security at the Weaver’s Parlor.
One of the Spider’s agents commissioned the construction of several clockwork guardians months ago, but the current whereabouts of those guardians is unknown. It is rumored that the Spider uses the guardians herself, as she is unwilling to trust corruptible mortals to ward her inner sanctum.
The following spoilers are applicable if you've played this Season 4 campaign long term. My main purpose in providing here is to provide narrative connections to previous scenarios. In case Vailis hasn't played them, I've put the information in spoilers.
You were in Riddleport previous for this mission which involved disrupting an alliance between the Aspis Consortium and a cult of Lissala. You also found a letter addressed to a lower ranking Aspis member from a higher ranking member named the Spider.
You were in Riddleport for this mission, although it doesn't seem pertinent to this one. You probably have boons from that Chronicle sheet that might help you in this mission.
You might Grandmaster Torch in this mission which involved rescuing an Absalom notable from an underground labyrinth. He didn't leave a great impression.
Quiella |
if no one else can make the knowledge local checks before we leave, go ahead and use this: diplomacy: 10 + 18 = 28 for hours: 1d4 ⇒ 2
-Posted with Wayfinder
Quiella |
Quiella nods along. "This spider sounds like someone we can feel good about bringing in."
"What's the plan for getting us into the wine cellar? Do we have a map or description of what it looks like inside?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Melufiuos Benidictus |
Know local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
-Posted with Wayfinder
Melufiuos Benidictus |
The +8, includes guidance
-Posted with Wayfinder
Melufiuos Benidictus |
Mel S face looks strained at first ad he tries to recall what he knows. He gains confidence as the words spill out. By the time he is done, his expression changes from relief to euphoria. He then fingers his new ring, making sure it still rides on his finger.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Melufiuos Benidictus |
Mel is a guidance junkie
-Posted with Wayfinder
Quiella |
"Yes, it's coming back to me. We foiled some of the Spider's plans here in Magnimar not too long ago."
been looking over my old Chronicle sheets ;-)
in light of the briefing, I might have Quiella prepare Honeyed Tongue, to sweet talk our way in, but in light of her +18 diplomacy I'm going to risk it and stick with Challenge Evil instead
-Posted with Wayfinder
Melufiuos Benidictus |
will do.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Vailis |
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Vailis vows to master Torch "It is always a pleasure to work with you master"
"The faster we assist the Weaver’s Parlor the less the damage the Spider can deal to the Society" the half-elf checks a few components in his pouch "There are some new tricks I've recently learned that I wish to test"
When Melufiuos explains about the details he knows the half-elf nods in acceptance "Ok. So we will have to find the Spider among a large number of gamblers... this promises a lot of fun"
Ready!
Halkale Timarson |
Halkale stands up and takes a moment to prepare, he then asks his question. "Assuming the spider won't c-c-come willingly, is k-k-killing her better than l-l-letting her escape?"
GM Harker |
Torch answers the question this time, "We’re commissioning you because we’re confident you can perform this mission as directed. You mustn't let Dorianna Ouidda escape and you must take her alive. That isn’t negotiable. If she escapes it will take more months of manpower and treasure to track her down again. If you kill her, we’re worried that spells to raise the dead or speak with the dead might fail."
Just waiting for Valik and Ophelia to check in before moving on. Since we have a deadline of sorts, we'll move on regardless by this weekend.
Melufiuos Benidictus |
so what is our injection vector?
-Posted with Wayfinder
GM Harker |
I believe Ophelia is ready, if she has some questions she can ask them retroactively.
With the briefing finished, the group heads to the gambling parlor.
Adorned with carved columns, the Weaver’s Parlor is a majestic wooden building with a soaring, peaked roof. Above the entry is a sign showing a buxom naked woman weaving a long scarf draped around her hips. Small groups of onlookers crowd around the gambling hall’s windows, but three Gendarmes—the city guard of Riddleport—interview all prospective entrants at the door.
As the group nears the door, one of the guards looks visibly annoyed by some rather plain looking individuals trying to make their way inside. As they are turned away, he yells out, "High-stakes gamblers only!"
Quiella |
"Who is going to be our high stakes gambler tonight?" Quiella quietly asks the party. "Perhaps we should have dressed up a bit..."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Ophelia Endronil |
I am ready; I just crashed pretty soon after my discussion post last night. Up-to-date gear and stats are in my profile, including prepared spells. My spring-loaded wrist sheath holds a scroll of breath of life.
Retroactive question:
With slightly clumsy care, Ophelia rolls a scroll into a tight tube and slides it into a wrist sheath, clicking the spring into a loaded position. That done, she rearranges her robes and sleeves. "We are to fight this Spider, then. Can you tell us anything about her? What we should expect from her?"
Melufiuos Benidictus |
"I have a wand of disguise self. I could pretend to be mute and require Quiella to communicate for me. Perhaps whispering nonsense in her ear instead of talking. Or someone else could use it. "
-Posted with Wayfinder
Quiella |
Quiella gives Mel a strange look. "How does that help us get in the door?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Melufiuos Benidictus |
"Disguised as a rich gambler. Plus we all know it's better when I don't open my mouth. " He says with a grin.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Melufiuos Benidictus |
maybe I need to read the spell description?
-Posted with Wayfinder
Melufiuos Benidictus |
OK, skipping the 'mute gambler' foolishness, it sounds like disguise self could still be used to help Quiella 'dress up a bit' if she could make the UMD roll. That's all I was really suggesting. Mel just got carried away. :)
Quiella |
"You're asking me to stretch my oath a little thin there, Mel... Besides, I don't think they care about our clothes as much as they care how much money we have to sling around. So who wants to show they can jingle?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Melufiuos Benidictus |
"oh yeah, forgot. Sorry" mumbles the young elf, blushing slightly.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Halkale Timarson |
Halkale steps up and says, "I am h-h-here to g-g-gamble, if you'll m-m-move." he pulls a few platinum pieces from an obviously fat coin purse.
Bluff, FE: 1d20 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (9) - 2 + 4 = 11
Vailis |
Vailis comes behind Halkale and opens up a bag full of coins for the guards to check "I have heard there is fun here for good coins. I hope I have not been missinformed"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12