GM Nani's Slumbering Tsar

Game Master Nani Z. Obringer

The last rast dispatched, and frenzy of activity is finally done. The party moves to secure the last azer, but then all four of them disappear in a puff of brimstone. The room becomes eerily empty with only the blood covering the walls as evidence of the battle. The only sound is the roaring of the tornado at the heart of the next chamber, its light flickering over the statues and columns.

Momir thinks for a moment..."Hmm, I wonder what could have caused that?"
Spellcraft check 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35

And I pray there is nothing that can cause it again..."
Momir consults with Mishra, looking for any other traps in the rooms.
Taking 10, with Mishra aiding, I will have a 32 perception for traps.

IT'S A TRAP!

Momir locates a trap on the double bronze doors leading out of the chamber. In addition to being locked, he sees faint glowing sigils on the starbursts at the center of each door. Examining them closely, he can guess that some sort of fiery doom will befall any who touch the door.

Knowledge (nobility) 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Knowledge History 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21
"You may want to stand back, friends. Is go BOOM if not careful."
Momir gives a moment for Sakura and V to backup, if they want. Rubbing his heads together, he deftly retrieves his tools from a pouch off his belt, twirling the metals and he brings his hands forward, he closes his eyes, chanting a soft melody. The runes begin to glow as Momir gets to work.
Taking 10, adjusting the goggles on his eye, Momir gets a 40 Disable Device, keeping in mind I CAN disable magical traps.

Momir gets to work as Sakura and V back away. Examining the faint runes closely, pulls a tiny chisel out of his bag. Working delicately, he chisels out three of the runes in each of the doors. There is a nervous moment as he gently sets a hand on the doorframe...but his work is thorough, and the trap is disabled. With an equal amount of dexterity, he unlocks the heavy doors. The way is now open for the group to enter the next room.

V does a final hunt through the room, and puts her ear to the heavy doors to see if she can hear any enemies.
Take 10 on Perception for 33 with aid from Sakura

Detecting nothing interesting in the room nor hearing anything beyond, she readies herself to open the door and looks to her companions to make sure they are ready.

"V, let me cast a spell on us before we enter. If there are more guardians like this last room, we should be prepared." Looking over to make sure that Momir is ready, she then casts a spell on the group and steps back as the door is opened.

Casting haste on the group right before the door is opened, so subtract 1-2 rounds from the duration for this. After casting Sakura will step back to ~G15.

Momir says something, quietly, to Mishka, who plods to the left side of the room, blocking the hallway they came from. Momir moves to the rear, along Sakura.
Momir nods to V before placing his eyes on the door, his arrow knocked and drawn back, a finger's twitch away form release.
Bow drawn, standing in G14.

The Silver Crusader leans against the door, and it swings open effortlessly. Light from the two casters creeps into the room, and the Pathfinders peer in. Motes of dust float in this chamber disturbed by a slight air current from above. A high dome arches overhead, its underside marred by a large crack running from the apex down the southern portion. The air current seems to enter through this. Chunks of stone have fallen away from the dome along this fault line leaving debris strewn across the floor. At some time in the past one such chunk tumbled directly onto a marble table sitting in the center of the room. Pieces of rubble still rest on this table along with shards of glass and bits of twisted metal where something that once stood upon the table has been smashed to bits. Standing sarcophagi covered in gold leaf rest against the east and west walls of the chamber. Each is decorated with the image of knight, eyes closed in death.

Out of the darkness at the room's ceiling, the party hears the sound of chanting. Before any of them can react, a spell hits all of them. As the spell finishes, the party sees a man dressed in dark clothes standing upside down on the ceiling, a cold vicious light in his eyes.

Will Save DC 17 enchantment, compulsion, mind-affecting
confusion d100: 1-25 act normally, 26-50 babble, 51-75 attack yourself, 76-100 attack nearest.

Perception 1: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (2) + 21 = 23
Will Save: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17
Perception 2: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (20) + 21 = 41
Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23
Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (6) + 17 = 23

"It's an aranea!" V throws herself across the entryway, taking cover behind the closed door. She throws down her shield and sword and pulls up her crossbow from its position across her back. "You! We're not here to fight! Stop casting and let's talk about this!" V readies action to shoot the aranea if he casts a hostile spell.

Readied Attack: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (19) + 18 = 37, Damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

"We only want to talk! Come to the floor of this room so we may speak face-to-face." While saying this last statement, Sakura's voice seems to take a commanding, almost magical tone. Her voice booms through the room, and you get the slight feeling as if you should obey as well.

Will save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35
Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

Stepping forward if I need to get within range (45 ft) and casting suggestion on the aranea; DC 25.

Will Save 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33
Perception 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33
Knowledge (arcana) 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33
Mishka's Save 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Confusion 1d100 ⇒ 76
Attack 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20 Is actually a 21 Damage 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (1, 2) + 10 = 13 Trip 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15
Haste attack (thanks sakura...)1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24 Damage 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (3, 2) + 10 = 15 Trip 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

Muttering under his breath, Momir follow's V , cautiously readying his bow, aiming at the aranea.
Mishka seems...confused, and begins to snarl at the shadows. Lashing out with her maw, she bites at Momir, missing as though she knew something wasn't quite right.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25

Sakura flutters her fan delicately at the dark shape in the ceiling. He hisses in displeasure as her command washes over him, and Sakura knows that the spell had no effect. ”Intrudersss, chk chk! Liars, liarsss!” He then begins to cast a spell at the party members, his facial expression leaving no doubt as to his hostile intent.

Momir and V both shoot the aranea as he begins casting, breaking his concentration. He howls in pain and anger. He moves along the domed ceiling until he is above the doorway, breaking line of sight to the party members. Mishka, confused, attacks Momir.

Cooing at Mishra in his native tongue, Momir slowly backs away from the snarling wolf. Weaving his hands through the air, he begins to cast a spell, attempting to shake off the confusion that has befuddled the poor wolf.

5 FT step out of Mishka's threatened area, casting Dispel Magic on Mishka.
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
I will assume the dispel works

The wolf's gaze softens, her eyes lose the frenzied look of confusion.
Momir pats her muzzle, telling her to go wait back in the other room, away from this mess.

Not to be deterred, V steps into the room and readies again to attack the aranea. As she does so, she calls on Iomedae once more, this time for purity and destruction.

5ft move to K15, judgement for saves and damage, ready to attack on spellcasting or other action
Readied attack: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20
Damage: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Angered by the creature's unwillingness to talk, Sakura steps forward to see where the creature scurried on the wall. Once in sight she begins, again, her frightful song, hopefully putting the spider-like creature off balance. Finally she pulls out a small feather and begins to tickle the back of her right hand while muttering arcane words. Once again arcane energy bursts into the mind of the aranea, compelling it to burst into laughter.

Just before V shoots her crossbow, Sakura notices that the bolt will not fly true without her help. She shouts out "V, up a bit, go for the torso armor!"

5-foot step to I14. Starting Dirge of Doom; enemy is shaken (-2 attacks, saves, skill checks); no save. Casting Hideous Laughter, and if V's action does go off to shoot and misses, Sakura casts gallant inspiration to give a 2d4 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5 bonus to the roll.

Sakura attempts her spell, but the aranea again resists. As he starts casting again, V shoots, aided by Sakura’s call of encouragement. However, the bolt bounces off an invisible force field around him, and as he finishes casting, he disappears. Back in the hallway, Momir dispels MIshka.

V casts see invisibility and scans the room. She calls out the position of the aranea and points her crossbow at his position. Noting the difficulty in hitting the creature last round, she changes her judgement to improve her accuracy.

Spellcraft 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31

Knowing that he has gone invisble for a large amount of time, Sakura waits until V has a chance to point out where the aranea has moved. "I'll make him visible... Momir, shoot when he casts again!" She then casts a spell and suddenly glitter covers the area where V pointed. Afterwards she ducks behind the wall, hoping to avoid and spells that the creature casts.

Identify that it is greater invisibility, so delay until right after V. Then cast glitterdust where V points (DC 20 or effective 22 if he is still within the Dirge of Doom), then moving to I17.

Momir searches the ceiling, remaining vigilant for the creature---readying to thump an arrow right through its chest should it start casting.

Swift action - Arcane Strike, Ready to Attack if start casting. If I hit, I'd like to activate my spell storing ability to cast Piercing Scream (4d6 and Stunned, Fort DC 16 to half damage, negate stunned effect.)

Momir moves into the room, he begins to draw upon the ancient energy seeping from the dead around him---energy begins to gather in his palm, preparing himself for what the creature may do next.

Momir moves to M15, prepares to cast Lightning Bolt should the creature begin to cast again.
DC 18 Reflex, 8d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 6, 2, 2, 5, 6, 1) = 31

V casts her spell and indicates the enemy’s position. Sakura points her fan in that direction, and golden lilies stream forth, blossoming across the area. Their petals open, and sparkling pollen coats the area, outlining the aranea and covers its eyes. He curses in frustration and begins casting again, but Momir shoots, catching him under the arm. It looks for just a fraction of a second that he is going to complete his spell, but then the arrow Momir fired screams in the unearthly voices of those long dead, disrupting his spell for good. Furious, the aranea reaches into his bag and pulls out a wand.

<<New Combat Map>>

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35

In orc, Sakura yells out to V, "He's trying to teleport away; anchor him!" With this Sakura dashes out into the room again, hoping to stop him from using his wand. A feather appears in her left hand, and she uses it yet again to tickle the fan while speaking arcane words at the aranea.

Moving back into the room to L16 (within the Dirge of Doom). Casting hideous laughter on him again. As he isn't my creature type and also including the Dirge of Doom penalty into the DC, the DC is 22. (Base 24, -4 for creature type, +2 for shaken condition).

Nodding at Sakura’s command, V points at the Aranea and casts her spell. She then circles around the room to not stand quite so close to Momir.
Dimensional Anchor: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (13) + 19 = 32

A green beam strikes the invisible glittery foe, spreading across it briefly. Sakura produces another feather but the aranea still seems unamused, perhaps doubly so considering his predicament. He casts again, seeming to grow desperate. Momir’s spell strikes him but he manages to twist out of the worst of it. As he finishes spellcasting, a dense green cloud permeates the entire bottom floor up to a height of 20 feet.
Fortitude Saves DC 19 or be nauseated. All sight obscured beyond 5 feet.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26
Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Spellcraft1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 31
Fort Save1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Choking back the noxious fumes, Momir backs out of the room, readying his bow in case the foul beast dares show its face.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25
Fort Save: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34

V grunts in disapproval as the stinking cloud fills the area. She seems barely affected by the gas, far more perturbed by losing sight of her quarry. She shouts in orc, "Can you get me up over this mess?"

In orc, Sakura replies, "No, I can't get you over this, perhaps we should retreat to the other room for now." However, looking up in anger, Sakura says a few arcane words and then points upwards as she steps out of the room. For those next to her you see a tiny red ball of flame shoot out towards the ceiling and then a loud explosion.

Ceasing Dirge of Doom, however it will linger for 2 more rounds. Then casting fireball at the ceiling, DC 21 (or 23 within range of Dirge). Damage of 8d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 5, 3, 5, 2, 5, 1) = 29 or half with a save.

V grunts in acknowledgement, and hustles out of the room. She moves past her companions, a determined look in her eyes. "I'm going to scale the outer wall", she says in orc as she jogs past.
V moves 90 feet to the outside, and then moves 15 feet to L5. She is still holding her crossbow.

Sakura casts her spell and the glowing bead leaves her hand...but mysteriously no explosion comes from above. To those well versed in the arcane arts, it was probably counterspelled. Momir backs out of the cloud, his bow still drawn. V dashes out of the pea soup, tendrils of the gas still clinging to her. She rounds the corner, squeezes past the wolf, and out of the building...right up to the point where the buttress meets the building. From above, there is only silence, and nothing hints at the activity of the aranea.

V glances at the magazine on her crossbow and notes that there are three quarrels left. She stows the weapon back across her back, and attempts to climb up the side of the mausoleum, bracing herself against the corner.
Climb DC 15 (20 for dungeon wall -5 for corner) to move 15 feet up the wall
Climb Check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Understanding V's plan, Sakura looks to Momir after the half-orc rushes past the geisha, and speaks in elven, "V is going to go up to the top to cover any exits. Set Mishka to guard the entrance into the next room, it'll give a nice surprise to this thing." While speaking Sakura takes a step back to get a better angle into the next room and begins making arcane gestures. If he keeps countering me, then he can't do anything else... She finishes with a flourish and a single word, as another bead of flame appears and streaks into the cloudly room.

Afterwards Sakura takes a moment to listen and see if she can hear any reaction from the aranea in the next room.

Moving back to H12, and then casting another fireball. Aiming for it hitting the M/N:15/16 intersection, as high as I can get it, probably 15 or 20 feet. DC 21, Damage 8d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 3, 5, 5, 6, 1, 5) = 34. Perception 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24

Momir whistles, motioning with a snap of his head for Mishka to stand guard at the room's entrance.
Standing at the edge of the cloud's radius, Momir rummages through his component pouch, mumbling "Two can play this game." Pulling out a mottled hawk egg, Momir chucks the eggs as high as he can into the cloud, sending out a spark of arcane energy, causing the egg to burst mid-air.

Mishka moves to H/I 14/15 ready to strike if she sees the beast, Momir is casting Stinking Cloud as high as he can in the center of room, hoping to coat the ceiling, filling the room completely.

Sakura casts her spell, and unlike last time, the roar of exploding fire fills the top half of the room, and she hears a satisfying hiss of pain from above. Momir throws his spell components into the air, and the room becomes even more dense with the nauseating gas. On the outside, V scales 15 feet up the side of the wall. Other than the hiss of pain from Sakura’s spell, there is other sound from the aranea. Mishka moves into position.
<<Tomb 2 R6>>

Attempting to take advantage of her last round of haste, V tries to haul. herself up the final five feet. She grabs the top edge of the buttress, but is unable to find purchase on the thick layer of dust. She slips, and scrambles for purchase, but loses grip and falls down to the ground. Angrily, she stands back up and glares at the top of the building.

Climb Check 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Dex Check 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Falling Damage 1d6 ⇒ 2

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28

Sakura takes a moment studying Momir's spell and nod's approvingly. "That works." With a smile she listens carefully to discern what the aranea is doing and where it is going. She then prepares the arcane motions for another fireball spell into the next room, attempting to fill the majority of the room again.

Perception Check: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (6) + 17 = 23; DC 21 fireball, damage 8d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 4, 1, 4, 3, 4, 5) = 24

Momir backs up, away from the billowing cloud of putrid stink. Readying his bow, he keeps his elven eyes fixed on the entrance. Mishka continues her vigil, at the ready for something to attack.

Dropbox is acting up, so can't see the room exactly.I move back, out of Mishka's way, so I have a decent view of both passage ways, readying to fire an arrow should I see the monster

In the other room, there comes the sound of spell casting, but then a sharp exclamation that sounds much like cursing.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20

Well, he's still there, and this seems to be working... Sakura takes a note from her bow wielding brethren from earlier and waits patiently until she hears spellcasting in the next room to send another small bead of fire in. In the meantime she pulls out a scroll from her bag and whispers to Momir in Elven, "Lightning Bolt." She then points to where the noises were coming from in the next room.

Fireball DC 21; damage 8d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 4, 5, 6, 3, 2, 3) = 33

Momir grabs the scroll with a quick nod to Sakura.
Opening the parchment Momir stands ready, waiting to hear the foul creatures cowardly attempt at casting once more, waiting to unleash the energy of the scroll.
Readying to Cast Lightning Bolt from the Scroll once the creature starts casting, or any other action wherein I might be able to locate its direction.
Perception 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28
Lightning Bolts 5d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 4, 6, 1) = 22

As her haste fades, V curses under her breath. Iomedae, may your tactics serve me on this day... Steeling herself, she attempts again to climb the wall, and this time ascends half the wall during her entire turn.
Climb Check 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

The party hears the whispered hiss of the spellcaster in the other room, and both Sakura and Momir unleash their powerful spells. The explosions rock the dome, ancient dust falling from every surface into the green clouds. Instead of spellcasting however, the group perceives instead the sound of coughing and hacking coming from the other room. No fool, the aranea calls out raggedly to the party. “Ssstop...haaa...*cough*...stop casssting! Kolscillisk sssurender!”

Sakura lowers her hands at the words from the next room and then quickly takes out a small piece of copper wire. Glancing at the exit to the tomb, she whispers in orcish, "Come here quick, it has surrendered. You need to tie him up quickly before he can cast spells again."

Then turning her head towards the next room, she says loudly in the common tongue, "We accept your surrender, as we wanted to talk initially as well. Know that you will be tied until you gain our trust. If you do not come out into this room in the next 5 seconds, we will be forced to send more magic inside."

Finally, she turns to Momir and speaks in elvish, "If he comes out, have Mishka hold him while we take his items, lest he begin using them against us."

Whisper in orcish was a message spell.

Nodding, Momir relays the instructions to Mishka. He keeps his bow ready, lest the creature try anything.

V growls in frustration at having wasted her time in this combat, and hops down from the wall. She hustles back into the room, next to Sakura. "Hmph. This will be interesting," she mutters back in orc.