GM Kamro's Curse of the Crimson Throne

Game Master overlord_laharl

just to make sure , we don’t know anything about the devouring souls then? And if/when we do find about it, is it considered a gaze attack? Because wall of force may be a way to stop that if it isn’t @gm?

Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Eh, it isn't listed as a gaze attack, but it makes sense to treat it as one. I'll say you know enough about it to try the Wall.

Turn Order will be:
Zev Ravenka
Shaeda
Ziranu
Asyra
Anastasia
Searok
Sial
Tronar

As luck would have it, a demilich's first action upon being disturbed is always to cast Wail of the Banshee, and none of you are within range because Tronar cast his spell from way back. So it unleashes a hideous shriek that chills you to the bone, but doesn't actually harm you.

Shaeda's up.

Still need a roll from Searok

Shaeda recalls that demiliches can be harmed by Dispel Evil, Holy Smite, and Shatter. They are weak against Vorpal weapons.

Shaeda announces this to the group!

Tronar also announces that it is pretty much immune to magic but he will let you know if he find something it isn't 'resitant to'

Shaeda activates her armor blessing for +2, Light Fortification.

She also reaches over and touches Ziranu, "May the Savored Sting protect your life essence." She gives him the blessing of luck.

She then moves 30' into the room towards the creature.

Thankful for the haste and the blessing, Ziranu grimly steels himself for this potentially deadly fight with a demilich, and reaches for his adamantine-tipped durable arrows as he steps five feet to the north. Mid-stride, as a swift action, the Ranger casts Instant Enemy, recalling Zev Ravenka's ancient human origins in order to treat him as his greatest Favored Enemy, increasing the bonuses from +2 to +6. Finally, Ziranu uses Clustered Shots to mitigate damage reduction beyond a single instance as he unleashes from his Undead Bane Longbow...

Manyshot-Rapid Shot-Deadly Aim-Haste-Enhanced Longbow Attack 1 against Undead: 1d20 + 15 + 6 + 6 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 15 + 6 + 6 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 31

Attack 1 Damage: 2d8 + 16 + 12 + 4 + 6 + 4d6 ⇒ (2, 1) + 16 + 12 + 4 + 6 + (5, 2, 2, 5) = 55

Rapid Shot-Deadly Aim-Haste-Enhanced Longbow Attack 2 against Undead: 1d20 + 10 + 6 + 6 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 6 + 6 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 41

Attack 2 Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 6 + 2 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 6 + 2 + 3 + (6, 6) = 38

Rapid Shot-Deadly Aim-Haste-Enhanced Longbow Attack 3 against Undead: 1d20 + 5 + 6 + 6 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 6 + 6 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 28

Attack 3 Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 6 + 2 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 6 + 2 + 3 + (4, 2) = 30

Rapid Shot-Deadly Aim-Haste-Enhanced Longbow Attack 4 against Undead: 1d20 + 15 + 6 + 6 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 15 + 6 + 6 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 39

Attack 4 Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 6 + 2 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 6 + 2 + 3 + (2, 4) = 27

Haste Bonus Rapid Shot-Deadly Aim-Haste-Enhanced Longbow Attack 5 against Undead: 1d20 + 15 + 6 + 6 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 15 + 6 + 6 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 41

Attack 5 Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 6 + 2 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 6 + 2 + 3 + (6, 4) = 30

Rapid Shot-Deadly Aim-Haste-Enhanced Longbow Attack 2 to Confirm Critical: 1d20 + 10 + 6 + 6 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 4 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 6 + 6 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 4 - 2 - 4 = 46

Additional Attack 2 Damage if Confirmed: 2d8 + 16 + 12 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (5, 1) + 16 + 12 + 4 + 6 = 44

Post-shots analysis, noting that all results above already exclude acid damage:

Damage breakout, against which DR can count once:

- Against AC 28 or lower: 55+82+30+27+30 = 224 points of damage.
- Against AC 31 or lower: 55+82+27+30 = 194 points of damage.

Truly, a most fortuitous time to roll well! :-)

Yeah, those were some good rolls alright. Pretty poor showing for the guy, I really gotta start ignoring the script on some of these dudes to make them more challenging.

Ziranu pummels the skull with arrows, which quickly shatter it. However, the feeling of evil in the room continues.

Since Tronar and Shaeda know a thing or two, they can be aware that liches eventually rejuvenate, so more steps are required to end this threat. Still, that takes time so no reason to stay in rounds.

"There is an item in here that is giving that thing power. If not here, not too far away. It is called the lich's phylactery. We need to find it!"

Tronar will let out a big sigh seeing this horror go out in the near blink of an eye!! ” thank you Zirannu! I don’t know if we could have handled that as easily without your talents. “

Tronar will cast detect magic and go searching for the phylactery and ID incidental magic items along the way.

I think Tronar can tap all ID magic items rolls?

Searok looks disappointed that the thing died again without him punching it. With a look of surprise, he says That's It?

Okay, Tronar's actively searching for magic items, so I'm going to assume he has to disturb the ashes at some point, since you know there are items in there.

The pile of ashes on the altar explodes, filling the air around you. It becomes difficult to see and breathe as the ashes swirl throughout the room like a tornado. Furthermore, the cloud contains bone shards and debris, which become razor sharp at this velocity. You can see a couple of shiny items within this tornado, now swirling around the room with everything else and hard to make out.

No need to return to initiative, this really functions more like a trap than a fight, so feel free to act in any order. But it does damage once per round, so before you act a SECOND time it'll do damage again.

Everyone please roll a reflex save.

Sial: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Asyra: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Shaeda

Reflex: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 13 + 1 = 18 +2 vs Fear

Ana

Reflex: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 1 = 28

Don't forget your +1s due to haste

Is this a magical effect that is ongoing right now?

How much damage?

reflex save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22

Ziranu Reflex Save: 1d20 + 21 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 21 + 1 = 24

This is a magical effect (it's a Supernatural ability), is still ongoing, and it's DC 20 for half damage so Shaeda, Sial, and Asyra take full, everyone else takes half.

Damage: 12d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 3, 3, 5, 1, 4, 3, 5, 4, 6, 4) = 42

The Phylactery is one of the objects being swept around the room, you can take actions (in any order) to destroy or suppress it before it damages you again.

Anastasia takes 5 HP of damage from everyone. Is that 6 people? Since she succeeded and took 21, she is down 51 now?

She will channel to heal everyone...

Channel: 9d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 1, 5, 1, 3, 3, 4, 3) = 28

Taking 46 points of healing herself, so she is down only 5 right now.

"I can't keep this up forever. Solve tis quickly!"

Your math seems to check out.

@GM does Tronar’s detect magic spot the phylactery?

@GM does Tronar’s detect magic spot the phylactery?

Or the source of this painful hurricane?

The phylactery is in there somewhere (and is what's causing the hurricane), but unfortunately the whole thing is covered in a necromancy aura, so hard to pick out. Perception or Arcana will help, and a more precise detection spell like Arcane Sight or True Seeing would reveal it.

Could also attempt to dispel the hurricane with Dispel Magic/Evil to buy time to figure it out.

I believe Tronar is invisible, right? So, Shaeda will say, "Tronar, I can luck you, if you will touch my hand."

If Tronar reaches out to her, she will grant him a luck roll, in case he needs it to overcome SR, or whatever.

Ana already acted, so that's it from me.

Tronar will indeed move over and reach a hand out for the luck blessing. He will then cast Greater Dispel Magic with a caster level boost to target the hurricane.

greater dispel magic: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 15 + 2 = 33
greater dispel magic: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 15 + 2 = 36

That succeeds, and the tornado is suppressed for one round (it's an at will power, so it can start up again during the phylactery's turn).

As the wind subsides, several objects hit the floor. There's a pair of rubies, a strand of prayer beads, and a spiked chain. Assuming Tronar still has detect magic up, he can see their magical auras. The beads have auras of multiple magic schools around them, the chain has an aura of transmutation, and one of the rubies radiates strong necromancy.

Anastasia pulls out her scroll of true seeing and reads it. She then points to the phylactery and says "destroy that one!"

Shaeda peers through all illusions to see the truth. Surprisingly, it's the ruby that isn't radiating necromancy. Looks like Zev Ravenka was able to hide its true nature.

Not going to make you roll to smash it, I know between you, you could manage it.

As the ruby shatters, you hear a howl of pain echoing through your heads, and the room is still and quiet for a second. Then you feel the entire castle shudder, as the curse upon it loosens its grip once more. Mithrodar's final spirit anchor has fallen, and he is now vulnerable.

Items:

+2 Spiked Chain of Speed
Greater Strand of Prayer Beads
And the other ruby is a Black Soul Shard.

All are in the SRD, let me know if you need additional info.

Furthermore, the weakening of Mithrodar causes Serithial to regain some more of its power. It is now +3 and can use its SLAs twice a day each.

Items added to the loot list.

With Ana leaving us soon, Shaeda will take the prayer beads.

Who wants the Black Soul Shard?

I suspect the spiked chain is just so much money for us in a strange shape for now.

Woot on the boosting of Serithial for Searok becoming more badass!

As an aside, it was Ana that spotted the phylactery, not me!

I would think that someone who is going to get "touched" and have bad things happen to them with negative levels...So I might think Tronar or Zirannu because Searok and Shaeda are the AC/body guard king and queen

Anything else before you go to face Mithrodar and we can finally leave this wretched castle?

We should NOVA on buffs, right guys?

Before we go into the BBEG, I would greater Invisibility on Ziranu, and Real Haste (versus wand Haste) the full party...those are about the only buffs I can provide unless we know we would need a Resist Energy Communal?

Ok, looking at the two divine casters, they will throw down:

Anna: Bless, Air Walk (Searok), Magic Circle Against Evil (10' around Anna), Freedom of Movement (Anna).

Shaeda: Blessing of Fervor, Communal Resist Energy (fire), Magic Circle Against Evil (10' around Shaeda), Freedom of Movement (Ziranu), Protection from Evil (Ziranu), Communal Ant Haul, Align Weapon (good) (Ziranu's bow)

I recommend maybe Communal Resist Energy (cold) from Tronar?

Collectively those give:

Haste: +1 to hit, +1 reflex saves, extra attack
Bless: +1 Morale on to hit and fear saves
Magic Circle: +2 Deflection to AC and saves vs Evil (likely those don't help anyone), can't be possessed (is very nice!)
PfE (Ziranu): +2 Deflection to AC and saves vs Evil (likely those don't help), can't be possessed (is very nice!)
Resist Energy: 30 points of resistance vs all fire attacks
Ant Haul (carrying capacity greatly increased)
Fervor: Choice of:
Increase its speed by 30 feet.
Stand up as a swift action without provoking an attack of opportunity.
Take one extra attack as part of a full attack action, using its highest base attack bonus.
Gain a +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves.
Cast a single spell of 2nd level or lower as if it were an enlarged, extended, silent, or still spell.

Sounds like a plan. Moving you to a new map.

Serithial's pull leads you to a pair of large doors to the west, apparently a great hall of some kind.

Feel free to do any more prep you want before entering, and let me know if you want a Summons or something from Sial.

Before going in Tronar will reveal his quest tattoo and channel the power within to cast Summon Monster VII but select more allies to complement the companions storming the castle.

number of Azata, Lillend from Monster list VI: 1d3 ⇒ 3
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/outsiders/azata/lillend/

Then speaking in Draconic: "Allies, I have called you forth to deal with an utmost foul creature that is beyond these doors. Please aid those you see before you with your bardic inspiration of courage and competence."

since we got 3, woohoo! I would have 1 on courage +2 hit / +2 damage; and 1 on competence +3 on skill checks with the third in reserve if they get dropped

And then cast Haste (extended) on Zirannu and Greater Invis on Zirannu just before we open the door.

Those Lillends are competent healers too!

Ready for the door?

I figure we would wait to confirm Searok is back and good with the plan? But Tronar is good

gtg

Searok might not be back yet, but I can still reveal the room and do the description.

Thick wooden columns, their sides caked with dust, support the ceiling of this large hall. Between them, in the center of the room, sits a large fire pit, its ashes long cold. Many old stains mar the floor, some surely of spilled food and ale, though several darker ones appear more grisly in origin. At the western end of the hall, a wide dais rises where the lord’s table could be set to oversee affairs in the hall. In the center of the dais is a great chair carved of oak and studded with iron rivets. Down one step and to the left of it is a smaller, less elaborate chair of oak.

A ghostly figure wrapped in chains floats near the smaller of the two thrones. Five spectres encircle the room.

Shaeda:

Knowledge(religion): 1d20 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 3 = 16

Anastasia:

Knowledge(religion): 1d20 + 18 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 18 + 3 = 41

What can we discern about the single figure?

knowledge religion: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (13) + 23 = 36 on the BBEG as well

knowledge religion: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (8) + 23 = 31 on the specters to see if they are normal or worse

The central figure: a Chained Spirit. Very rare type of undead who can't be destroyed so long as it has "spirit anchors" to siphon power from. Standard incorporeal undead properties, with the ability to drain charisma from those it attacks and raise those it kills as spectres.

The spectres are of the normal variety.

whispers through the Message spell or close proximity. "the specters seems like they are not enhanced. Perhaps Anastasia can channel handle these and everyone else focus on the chained spirit?'

Shaeda:

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Ana:

Initiative: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Ziranu Initiative: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 2 = 13