GM Lithrac's Shattered Star (Inactive)

Game Master Cyril Corbaz

There's no door, there are three passages, much like in a sewer (see map).

Sorry. Map didn't load. Working now. In which case, I'll happily follow behind Telka...

Hralyk leads the way down the western corridor, counting on his darkvision and acute senses to give ample warning.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Jordan is content to follow, his dog he drags behind.

Zeltyieli falls into position behind Hralyk and Telka, though he does keep poking his head to the side to try to see around them.

The hallway leads into a room where a sewer channel runs through, though it has collapsed to the west. A fungus-draped passageway winds further into the darkness. You follow the hallway to the south, reaching a pool where the horrid stench of decay mingles with that of mold, and fungus. The hallway then arcs towards the east, and reaches a crossroads. See map.

Telka covers her mouth, sick to no end of muck, mire, mildew in the city. She gestures to the south with her axe, suggesting a path to follow.

Assumedly nothing interesting in the pool we passed

Cressyk motions to the right. "Best we find out how big this place is, stay near the outer edge, if possible." If there are no disagreements, he begins walking in that direction.

Jordan nods. "We need to have retreat options at all times."

Blue, glowing fungus grows in numerous patches across the walls of this large chamber. To the east, a shadowy balcony overlooks the room at a height of ten feet, while in the center of the room a wide spiral stairwell descends into the darkness. A second flight of stairs descends along the western wall.

Three small humanoids resembling gnomes with blue skin and bulging white eyes are arguing in a strange language as you enter the room. They break off their arguing and grab their weapons to face you in combat!

The creatures react instantly. The first one grabs a kind of pointy stick with transluscent vials attachd to it, containing a bubbly green liquid. He tries to stab Hralyk with it to inject him with the foul concoction, but he misses.
Injection spear vs Hralyk: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 61d8 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 3 + (6) = 11

The second one, a girl by the looks of it, tries to shoot Ramenhotep with her repeating crossbow.
Repeating crossbow vs Ramenhotep: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 212d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11

The last one shoots the raging oracle in the same fashion.
Repeating crossbow vs Hralyk, shooting in melee: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 5 - 4 = 142d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10

The Vault - round 1
1. Creatures Knowledge (local) DC 13 to identify
2. 'Tyieli, Ramen, Jordan, Telka, Hralyk

Tyieli slides his shortbow from his shoulder ad takes aim at the female, trying to stop avoid further shots from a repeating crossbow.

Shortbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 Threat
Shortbow (Confirm): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 Argh. Probably not.

Normal Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Plus Critical Damage (In case): 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8

local: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Telka pauses for a moment as the small humanoids attack. Ignoring them, she calls out, as in a trance. "There, the opposite wall. I can feel it - one shard is calling out to another."

She breaks her brief reverie and begins the song of battle again.

"Yah, yah, hey yah hey..."

+1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects
+1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.

local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

"I know these!"

Jordan begins to summon again.
Mon summon 1

"Ow! Little vermin!"

Ramenhotep, angered at his gaping wound, casts a spell and charges it into his quarterstaff, which he also augments with arcane energy, and steps forward to smack at the little bastard!

Swift action to give +1 enhancement to quarterstaff. Cast rime frostbite. 5' step forward. Spell Combat/Spellstrike.

+1 enhancement, -2 spell combat, +1 inspire

quarterstaff (one handed): 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 - 2 + 1 = 10
damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 5
nonlethal cold damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
and the target is fatigued and entangled (if it takes the cold damage)

quarterstaff (one handed): 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 1 - 2 + 1 = 21
damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5
nonlethal cold damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
and the target is fatigued and entangled (if it takes the cold damage)

Can use frostbite 1/level (so three times) with each casting. So it looks like I probably got 1 dischage off above and still have two more discharges before it runs out.

Hralyk slashes at the blue creature with his falchion, but he is unable to injure the blue creature.

Standard action: Attack creature
Attack (Masterwork Falchion, Power Attack): 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 - 1 = 11
Damage (Masterwork Falchion, Power Attack): 2d4 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 + 3 = 14

Jordan identifies these creatures as derro, sadistic creatures of the Darklands.

Zeltyieli wounds the she-derro with a well aimed arrow, just when Telka starts encouraging him. Jordan starts calling another creature from beyond the nether, whereas Hralyk's blow is far too slow and clumsy for it to reach the nimble tormentors. However, Ramenhotep charges his staff with rimefrost and strikes the first derro in line. The effect is immediate: the creature appears to move more slowly, its movements impeded.

Cursing in a guttural tongue you don't understand, the derro wounded by Ramenhotep attempts to strike back at the elderly priest.
Injection spear: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 71d8 ⇒ 4

The two others each shoot a bolt at the priest, who seems to be the real threat here!
Crossbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 251d6 ⇒ 3
Confirmation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 101d6 ⇒ 3
Crossbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 91d6 ⇒ 3

The Vault - round 2
1. Derros
2. 'Tyieli, Ramen, Jordan, Telka, Hralyk

Telka covers ground quickly, letter her orcine nature take hold of her and giving herself to violence! She moves to face the next closest of the creatures, while continuing her song.

greataxe: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Jordan finishes his summons, and a celestial eagle appears and shifts to flank with Telka.
Celestial eagle appears to the right of Telka's opponent and shifts to below Telka's opponent--flanking Eagle=5'shift swift=smite evil vs Telka's opponent, full attack vs Telka's opponent Eagle has 3/4 rounds left

bite: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 = 121d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
talon1: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 2 = 231d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
talon2: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 141d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Jordan motions to the creature on Telka, and the mind begins to feel a hazy feeling as Jordan flings a tuft of wool at the creature.
move (advance) and std=Daze vs Telka's opponent Will DC 14

FWIW, inspire courage should apply to the eagle, in addition to the smite evil. Not language dependent, just have to have a mind and ears.

3 dmg taken

"I'm bleeding!" Ramenhotep calls out to his allies as he swings his staff around at the derro. 5' step towards the other one if the first drops.

+1 enhancement, inspire

quarterstaff (two handed): 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 7
damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5
nonlethal cold damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
and the target is fatigued and entangled (if it takes the cold damage)

Ramenhotep swings and misses! 2 more charges of frostbite still.

Zeltyieli winces as a bolt strikes him, S'pose I deserve that, but you'd think they'd be more scared of the enraged killer or the magic-hurler.., then tries to return the favour, snapping off another arrow at the Derro.

Shortbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 for 1d6 ⇒ 1

Jordan, summons with animal intelligence don't move around opponents unless they have specific pack tactics or such. It appears where you mean to and attacks from there, moving to enemies in straight line. You don't summon master tacticians or generals, you summon animals. ;)

In this situation, it will appear where you want it to be (flanking with Telka) and attack from there.

As Telka swings towards her opponent and misses, Jordan summons an eagle which grazes the derro woman. Ramenhotep swings but misses as well, whereas 'Tyieli shafts

Zeltyieli, when I meant "priest" I meant Ramenhotep, who is a priest of Nethys. You're a cleric. Sorry for the misunderstanding, you're unhurt. Additionally, which derro do you attack?

The Vault - round 2
1. Derros
2. 'Tyieli, Ramen, Jordan, Telka, Hralyk

Hralyk swings his falchion once more.

Standard action: Attack creature
Attack (Masterwork Falchion, Power Attack): 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 - 1 = 10
Damage (Masterwork Falchion, Power Attack): 2d4 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 4) + 4 + 3 = 12

Ah, yay! Not being hurt is even better! Zeltyieli fired at the same one he shot earlier -- the one in the back of the room with the repeating crossbow (and not in melee)

The first derro strikes Ramenhotep again, still eager to inject him its strange bubbling liquid.
Injection spear: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 131d8 ⇒ 8

Save vs Daze: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Shrugging off Jordan's mind-numbing spell, the two other derros drop their crossbow and draw their small blades to flank and gang up on the summoned eagle.
Short sword, flanking: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 2 = 241d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + (6) = 10
Short sword, flanking: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 2 = 211d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + (4) = 8

The Vault - round 3
1. Derros
2. 'Tyieli, Ramen, Jordan, Telka, Hralyk

"I'll have none of that!" Ramenhotep shouts at the derro as he brings his quarterstaff down again.

+1 enhancement, inspire

quarterstaff (two handed): 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 18
damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9
nonlethal cold damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
and the target is fatigued and entangled (if it takes the cold damage)

Watching the eagle knocked to the ground bleeding, Jordan tries to Daze the farther enemy again.
Will dc14

Jordan urges his dog to help out, but he looks at Jordan with curiousity.
handle animal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Telka marvels at the maddwarves choice of tactics, and swings at the derro she flanks.

greataxe: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 21
damage: 1d12 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11

Hralyk continues swinging his blade, amazed that he has not injured anything yet.

Standard action: Attack creature
Attack (Masterwork Falchion, Power Attack): 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 - 1 = 18
Damage (Masterwork Falchion, Power Attack): 2d4 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 2) + 4 + 3 = 13

Hrarlyk, don't forget the bard song!

The dwarves having joined melee, Zeltyieli drops his bow and rushes forward, pulling the scarf from around his neck as he steps next to Telka and swings at the Derro.

Bladed Scarf: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 1 = 11 Ugh.

Ramenhotep, I completely forgot they had SR. I won't retcon it for the first blow, but could I get a SR check for this round, please?

Sure thing!
SR: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

The same goes for Jordan or anyone using a spell allowing SR, of course. I'll roll for this round in the interest of keeping the pace, but please roll for it if you cast a spell allowing it.

Ramenhotep appears to have gained in self-confidence as his blows are now worthy of a battlepriest! He crushes the derro's skull partly with a massive blow, knocking him out.

Jordan's SR: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Jordan sees his celestial eagle suffer deadly wounds, and cannot muster enough magical energy to bypass the derro's natural resilience to magic.

Moving Hralyk so that he can attack the second derro, since Ramenhotep dropped the first one.
Hralyk strides towards a new opponent and slashes wildly, landing a terrible strike on the female, dropping her as well!

The last derro drops his weapon and prefers cowardice to death - he surrenders! Out of combat.

The creature appears to speak gibberish, unless you have a way of understanding their strange language. Aklo or Undercommon.

"What's that he's gibbering about?"

"Does it matter? The shard is here - I can feel it. Zeltyieli Elf-Blood, use your magic on those walls there" The half-orc points to the southern wall and then quickly moves there. "Maybe there is a secret door..."

Telka begins searching the wall, tuning out everything else.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

I'll take 20 if I can

Jordan speaks in undercommon:

The derro appears surprised by Jordan's question. Translated from Undercommon for everyone's enjoyment!

"Yes, I give up - don't kill me! A... magical shard? What are you talking about?"

As Zeltyieli uses his divinely-granted powers to glance beyond earth and stone, he can confirm there is a secret passage in the souhtern wall, where the compulsion takes Telka. In time, the half-orc finds the means to open this door, much to the amazement of the surviving derro. A flight of stairs lies beyond.

"Heh heh! Well, that was nifty! Let's get going! Let the little bugger go. He knows we'll kill him if he comes back."

"I need an assistant. He can earn his freedom."

Jordan speaks in Undercommon :

"Are you insane? I know that people of your craft must prove their power over others or feel emasculated... But having a derro in tow is damned foolish."

Hralyk shakes his head at the mage, "If you do not let it leave now, I will kill it myself. How can you suggest that it stay with us? We have been tasked with this mission; would you trust this creature with the same? To suggest such is idiocy."

Jordan looks surprised: "I do not throw tools away. I guess you will smash the construct as soon as it is put together. I do not judge individuals by invoking prejudices against their race or background, but only by individual merit. It appears I may be alone in that regard. This one has shown intelligence in surrendering and may have knowledge of the area or help if we meet other of its kind."

Zeltyeli shrugs, "...or it may turn on us. Still, it surrendered, and I'd not murder it for that. If it's willing to help us, I'd say we release it when we get out of here... If not, we'll cut it down."

"This 'construct', if you insist on putting it together, will be a machine. It will only be able to follow orders; not so this creature. I will not chance this creature grabbing a shard while we sleep and running off with it, never to be seen again. Your insistence on this course of action is...disconcerting." He puts his hand on his falchion then, plainly intent on following through with his threat, and sighs. "As I said...tell it to leave, or it dies."

Jordan decides to take the discussion out of earshot of the captive. "Kill him if you must. But letting him run free is a risk I cannot take. He knows enough to be dangerous. I did not expect to be with a party of stone cold killers, but sacrifices must be made."

"Do not twist words, wizard. I said nothing of killing it. You are studied, you must know that Derro are cursed with madness by the gods. Keep a devil as pet, put your own soul at risk if you must. Enslave a mite or purchase a servant from the flesh fairs if you require someone to rule over. After all, this Pathfinder code we claim to follow declares it best not to mettle in the affairs of other Pathfinders except as we must."

Telka grunts, her temper obviously rising at this point. "A derro though... his stealing baubles would be the least of our worries. This thing would murder us in our sleep for little more than sick curiosity. Like Hralyk, I will not tolerate the presence of this creature.

The derro doesn't seem to understand what you are debating in Taldane, but nods at Jordan's proposal.

"Pah!" Ramenhotep spits on the ground. "Let's just all calm down! They're tricksy creatures, no doubt. But I don't like killing anything once it's surrendered. Take it as a servant, set it free, send it to jail, I don't care! Jordan has claimed responsibility for it so let him do with it as he will! Come on, we've got an artifact to find!"

SM: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

"A wide eyed, wild-haired, bright eyed and eager murderer, the perfect traveling companion. Listen to the spirits of your blood, Jordan; see it in his eyes: the creature will tell you anything you want to hear, and cannot be trusted! I am done with this foolishness, and we have an artifact to find." Telka turns and begins down the stairs, done arguing.