GM Rinaldo's Eyes of the Ten 2018 (Inactive)

Game Master The Great Rinaldo!

"This is such a great team. When it's over, we must look for a way to return to the field again."

Luisila single-moves hastily 55 feet around the doppelgängers to avoid AoOs and ✨casts a thirty foot cone of hallucinogenic smoke, which only envelopes the Purple Hestram.

DC 20 Fort or nauseated for 13 rounds. Success = sickened for rounds: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Luisila will continue to take the '+2 option' from blessing of fervor, unless otherwise mentioned.

Fort: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (5) + 20 = 25
Adril is clearly made of stern stuff. He breathes the smoke in, and while it clearly affects him, he is still full aware and able to fight.

Yellow Claw #1: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24 damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Yellow Claw #2: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25 damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
The Adril pinned down by the tiger grows claws, and slashes at his captor, though not terribly well. 21 damage to the tiger.

Vladek, Aegis, Fendahl, Kirrah, and the tiger are up!

Did you make the roll to save vs. Marta's stunning fist? I did not see it. Not that it is likely to make a difference with a +20 ST. Or is it +22 with a -2 for being shaken? Either way, I'm happy to see he is going to be a challenge!

Vladek leaves fleeting afterimages as he practically slides across the chamber and past Fendahl's cat show before pivoting about, raising his hands, and calling down a sudden deadly barrage of incandescent volcanic stone and ash upon the remaining doppelgangers!

volcanic storm, bludgeoning, then fire, then saltpeter for +1 fire damage: 3d6 + 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 1, 6) + (4, 1) + 1 = 19

Fendahl points to the real Hestram.

Kill him!

Kirrah charge/pounces on the man.

H* +1 Bite, haste, charge, haste, BoF, Atavism, Hero: 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 15 + 2 + 7 = 35 damage : 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

+1 Bite, haste, charge, haste, BoF, Atavism, Hero: 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 15 + 2 + 7 = 27 damage : 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
+1 Claw, haste, charge, haste, BoF, Atavism, Hero: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 16 + 1 + 1 = 20 damage : 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
+1 Claw, haste, charge, haste, BoF, Atavism, Hero: 1d20 + 16 + 2 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 16 + 2 + 7 = 41 damage : 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
+1 rend, haste, charge, haste, BoF, Atavism, Hero: 1d20 + 16 + 2 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 16 + 2 + 7 = 40 damage : 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
+1 rend, haste, charge, haste, BoF, Atavism, Hero: 1d20 + 16 + 2 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 16 + 2 + 7 = 27 damage : 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

Not looking like either bite hits, but if stunned etc, then maybe.

The bleeding tiger releases its hold and tries to finish off the dopple-ball-of-yarn it has.

Oops- looks like my post didn't save.

Dire Tiger to appear (AC17 45/143 hp F14/R11/W5 G20/D28) Blindfight, Cold Iron

H* Aug Diretiger bite, haste: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 20 + 1 = 40 for dmg: 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (6, 3) + 10 = 19 Grab

Aug Diretiger bite, haste: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 20 + 1 = 25 for dmg: 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (2, 4) + 10 = 16 Grab
Aug Diretiger claw, haste: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 20 + 1 = 26 for dmg: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (4, 1) + 10 = 15 Grab
Aug Diretiger claw, haste: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 20 + 1 = 33 for dmg: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (2, 1) + 10 = 13 Grab

Fendahl stays at 20' airwalking and advances on the real Hestram, drawing his katana.

Hestram! Your crimes and dishonoring of the Society name ends here and now.

Aegis releases the humanoid from its claws, just so to free them up to continue attacking, ripping with beak and talons into its foe.

vs orange: Power Attack, Heroism, Haste, Blessing of Fervor
talon 1: 1d20 + 16 - 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 16 - 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 25 dmg: 1d6 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 6 = 21 grab: 1d20 + 20 - 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 20 - 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 39
talon 2: 1d20 + 16 - 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 16 - 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 23 dmg: 1d6 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 6 = 19 grab: 1d20 + 20 - 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 20 - 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 26
bite: 1d20 + 16 - 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 16 - 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 21 dmg: 1d8 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 6 = 17
crit?: 1d20 + 16 - 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 16 - 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 36 dmg: 1d8 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 6 = 20
haste: bite: 1d20 + 16 - 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 16 - 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 24 dmg: 1d8 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 6 = 22

Marta: I missed the stunning fist. Fort save: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28 He's good. ;-)

Vladek, I love the picture, but a 20' radius isn't square. I've overlayed with the template. Where you put it, you only hit one of the Hestrams. I'll let you re-deploy if you like before adjudicating the damage.

Kirrah: I'm guessing the "H*" means "haste", but you don't get an extra attack from Haste or BoF on a charge, only on a normal full attack action. I'm going to ignore the H* attack.

Aegis: I don't know why you rolled a crit confirm, none of your rolls were threat.

Kirrah charges the real Hestram, only to find that magically enhanced full plate is very difficult to puncture. [ooc]Only one claw attack hits.

The tiger has similar difficulty with his doppelganger, but manages to keep one huge paw on the creature. 1 Claw and 1 Bite hit; roll the grab.

Aegis lets go of his target to continue attacking, but doesn't manage to make any significant strikes. No hits, I'm afraid.

=============
Going to wait for Vladek to confirm the location of his spell before moving on.

That'll do it. Sorry, Aegis - at least you're protected from the fire damage (and your armor class is totally bananas, so you should be okay going forward).

@DM: Glad you like it - behold my ingenious adaptation!

Since this comes up frequently for a LionShaman - Per FAQ ruling on a pounce you are allowed a full attack, so the extra bite is part of the haste attack.

tiger grab: 1d20 + 20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 20 + 4 + 1 = 44 vs Dopple CMD

Per the "PvP" rules, I can't let you include Aegis unless Myrdon is ok with it. He probably is, but I have to let him acknowledge.

Fendahl, you've probably had to tell me that before. It's not something I see a lot. ;-) +13 damage to Adril.

Tiger is successful on the grab.

@GM - no worries. Considering how many threads exist on pounce, it is easy to miss due to many interpretations before the faq.

Oops. Sorry about the crit confirm. In an earlier preview, there was a roll of 20, but there was a typo in the dice rolls. After I corrected that, the roll of 20 went away, but I didn't notice.

Yeah, I'm ok with the volcanic storm.

Vladek calls down fire and ash, pelting the doppelgangers as well as Aegis. 13 bludgeoning and 6 fire damage, and difficult terrain. The barrage proves too much for the one bitten by the tiger, and it passes out. Yellow is unconscious.

Reflex vs Grease: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26
Adril maintains his grip on his hammer. Blocked by the wall, he turns his attention to Marta.
Sickened and Shaken
Attack: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (10) + 22 = 32
Attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27
Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Marta dodges the blows, though one got close.

Qadathra is up!

"Adril, would you please explain why you are doing this? It just doesn't seem like you. None of this makes sense."

@DM: You're tracking that he takes acid damage every turn he holds onto it, not just the first, right?

Qadathra has something special for Captain Hestram, something he's never tried before: A sharp-edged, isosceles-triangular wand, almost like perfectly-carved obsidian blade sans handle, save that it is not made from obsidian; what it is made of is very difficult to discern...but it sure is black...and as he tilts it down at the seemingly power-greedy Venture-Captain, it emits a slender beam of utter, crackling darkness!

wand of enervation, haste, fervor, melee penalty vs Venture-Captain Adril Hestram!: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
negative levels: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Dang! How much did that wand cost you? It's not fully charged is it!?!

That wand doesn't appear to be on your character sheet, Vladek.

@DM: You're tracking that he takes acid damage every turn he holds onto it, not just the first, right?

Yep.

Found the wand on Qadathra's sheet, with 8 charges. What chronicle is that from?

Qadathra sends a bolt of negative energy from his wand, and strikes Adril squarely on the chest. His face pales as he feels the life force being drawn from him.

One of the remaining doppelgangers moves away from Aegis through the ash cloud. Withdraw action. I don't recall if Aegis has 10' reach or not; if he does, he can take an AoO from the second square of movement.

Marta and Myrdon are up!

Dang! How much did that wand cost you? It's not fully charged is it!?!

Good grief, no; it's one of the many handy-dandy discount-wands found throughout the Chronicles - and to answer the GM Rinaldo's question, it was from

Now that she is up close and personal, Marta pours on the speed. Again, she chooses to apply the Gain a +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves from the BoF and attacks.

- Unarmed Strike attack roll: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (13) + 27 = 40
- Non-lethal damage/acid: 7d6 + 27 ⇒ (5, 1, 5, 2, 2, 3, 4) + 27 = 49 (non-lethal, last d6 is acid damage)
- Intimidate, heroism: 1d20 + 35 ⇒ (10) + 35 = 45 (-2 if no Halo bonus)

- Hasted Unarmed Strike attack roll: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (5) + 27 = 32
- Non-lethal damage/acid: 7d6 + 27 ⇒ (2, 5, 4, 6, 6, 4, 6) + 27 = 60 (non-lethal, last d6 is acid damage)
- Intimidate, heroism: 1d20 + 35 ⇒ (16) + 35 = 51 (-2 if no Halo bonus)

- Flurry Unarmed Strike attack roll: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (5) + 27 = 32
- Non-lethal damage/acid: 7d6 + 25 ⇒ (3, 5, 1, 6, 3, 6, 5) + 25 = 54 (non-lethal, last d6 is acid damage)
- Intimidate, heroism: 1d20 + 35 ⇒ (20) + 35 = 55 (-2 if no Halo bonus)

- Iterative Unarmed Strike attack roll: 1d20 + 27 - 5 ⇒ (18) + 27 - 5 = 40
- Non-lethal damage/acid: 7d6 + 25 ⇒ (4, 6, 4, 4, 5, 5, 2) + 25 = 55 (non-lethal, last d6 is acid damage)
- Intimidate, heroism: 1d20 + 35 ⇒ (15) + 35 = 50 (-2 if no Halo bonus)

Resist fire is still on, right?

"Hey, what are you doing to my poor bird?" Myrdon calls out, although he quickly realises that Aegis is not badly hurt. He then realises how precarious a position he is in and quickly flies up into the air.

Taking a quick look around, he decides not to disturb the fun that Marta is having and instead turns to the doppelganger that fled from Aegis. "Oh no you don't!"

Myrdon points his finger as the creature as arcane energy seizes it.

vs green: boneshatter: 13d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 3, 2, 3, 6, 6, 1, 5, 3, 2, 1, 4) = 42 and exhausted 13min. Fort DC23 for half damage and fatigued instead.

and to answer the GM Rinaldo's question, it was from ** spoiler omitted **

Right. I thought that sounded familiar, I just couldn't remember where.

Marta pounds on Adril, knocking him out! He was unconscious after the 2nd hit. I assumed you did not intend to kill him, though you could if you want.

Meanwhile Myrdon casts a spell on the doppelganger on the move.
Fort: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
The horrible sound of cracking bones fills the air as the creature with Hestram's face falls. Unconscious from combination of lethal and nonlethal.

===================

With all of Hestram's death squad finally defeated, you release Shemis from her protective custody, and she thanks you profusely for your help. Despite Adril's having tricked you into bringing him here, she recognizes that without your efforts, he would have found a way to achieve his goal.

With you nearby, she walks the chambers of Skyreach and determines there are no further threats. She makes contact with her allies and says she will begin plans to repair the damage Hestram caused to the society and its leadership.

Do you have anything else you wish to say or do before being escorted out of Skyreach?

Vladek looks at Shemis, then around the strange chamber. "What is this place, exactly? Why would we normally not be permitted to come here? What were you doing when we came in? What did Hestram want? Why all the secrecy?" After a moment's delay, he pulls out Andrexiel's clockwork heart. "Also, could you possibly...wind this down, or point us to someone who can? Quickly? A sapient being's fate might be at stake."

"You are not permitted here because this is where we, the Ten, observe our operations and make plans. Agents, even such highly skilled and valuable ones as yourself, are not privy to our meetings."

"As to what Hestram wanted, my divinations indicate he was planning to forcibly take over the Decemvirate by replacing those he killed with individuals loyal to him. I believe he expected that after wiping out half of us, the rest would agree to his arrangement."

When Vladek brings out the clockwork, she raises an eyebrow. "I understand why you had to kill the sphinx in order to get to me, but why would you desecrate it by removing its heart? I demand you return that immediately!" She is clearly quite annoyed, and holds her hand out expectantly.

Marta shakes her head, still having a tough time believing Hestram orchestrated this whole thing. But she is used to obeying the chain of command and it would take far more than a little confusion to make her ignore a superior's orders.

"I liked and even admired Hestram. I would like a chance to question him around his motives and to make sure he was not dominated by a spell or something. Would that be too much to ask?"

Would that be too much to ask?"[/b]

It's out of scope for the adventure, but once we're all done I can fill you in a bit, if you like.

"Can you please make enquiries regarding the health of VC Petulengro, Ma'am?"

Luisila pronounces the word 'ma'am' as in 'ham' NOT 'mahm' as in 'farm'.

"Her magic brought us to Skyreach, though I'm not sure she made it here herself."

Hrrmm. Hestram may have been honorable once. But much explaining he has to do to redeem himself. Definitely check him for enchantments. I expect you will find none.

Fendahl looks around.

Are there any others to be rescued or restored in this place?

Fendahl offers a cure serious wounds on Shemis from his prayer beads.

csw: 3d8 + 5 ⇒ (7, 5, 3) + 5 = 20

"Um, yeah, you see, I'm also hunting down this 'assassin of hHouse Narikopolus named Valicia'. There were a number of Pathfinders below who seemed to have been assassinated in cold blood but we didn't seem to run across her. So yah, do you happen to have know her whereabouts?" Myrdon ask Shemis, somewhat awkwardly.

"I cannot tell you anything about such a person."

=============================
So if you couldn't tell, this is pretty much it. I do need a response from Vladek to Shemis' demand to return the clockwork heart. Otherwise, I think we're done here. More in the Discussion thread.

Qadathra intercedes between Shemis and Vladek, who, thinking quickly, works to ensure his familiar-imminently-to-be-turned-attorney is able to make the best of his next few moments.

Please, your...Ventursomeness, you *must* understand, Everyone in the chamber (save Adril and the surviving doppelgangers) hears Qadathra's strange, sweet telepathic voice in their heads, which continues: It is no desecration - it is preservation. We were contacted by the Sapphire Sage Amenopheus himself on our way here, who *specifically* asked that we retrieve - and wind down, just as my Witch said - the clockwork heart of Andrexiel. She was a gift from his family to the Society, did you know? Given that, as you say you understand, we had to destroy her to make it here, it would be a terrible, terrible shame for her noble spirit to go to waste, effectively just another victim of the madness of Adril Hestram. If we can but find a skilled tinker soon, this - her soul - can be preserved for later reembodiment!

Diplomacy, Faction Pin, Fortune: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Diplomacy, Faction Pin, Fortune: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Shemis considers Qadathra's plea, then instructs you to wait. She retreats into a small room for an extended period, then eventually returns. "I have consulted what auguries I have available, and believe you to be sincere. You may keep the heart and deliver it to Amenopheus. The Ten will discuss the matter further with the Sage."

Well done. :)

” Very good. Let us hope order can be re-established in short order. “

"Well, it was certainly an adventure, wasn't it?" Myrdon throws his legs up on Aegis and leans back on the couch. Aegis, roosting on the floor, throws a glance up at its master then goes back to preening its feathers. Myrdon continues, disregarding the fact that the bird has no idea what he is saying. "Imagine that. Corruption within the upper echelons of the Society! Who would have imagined that?" Even when talking to himself (or to Aegis), he still speaks with sarcasm.

"Well, but looks like our task here is done, ain't it, little birdie. Time to move on." He pauses here briefly before continuing with a lower voice, a more serious voice, a voice with a catch in his throat. "Time to keep on to hunting." Perhaps for eternity, but how do I stop?

---

Next morning, Marta, Luisila, Fendahl and Vladek wake to find a rather large feather, mostly brown but speckled with white, on each of their respective dresser tables. Oh, and one for Qadathra, too!

Farewell, all! And seeing there's a strong chance this might be the last time I play with Myrdon, farewell to you, too! You shall always have a special place in my heart. Which is probably why I recreated you in Pathfinder: Kingmaker. :)

Marta smiles at the gift, assuming it is an honor, and considers how to make it a part of her permanent apparel.

Fendahl finds the feather and bows respectfully before inserting it into the braid of his clan's headband.

Hrrmm. It was an honor to serve with you all, my friends.

"It is troubling," Says Vladek absentmindedly, as he and Qadathra practice swordplay with their respective rukh-feathers. "When I joined the Society, the Shadow Lodge was only a rumor...but before long, I saw it blossom and find acceptance, only to be banished into the night once again. I used to have quite a few friends who swore by it, too...but I haven't seen them in years. Not that I've ever regretted my affiliation with the Scarab Sages, but I might've joined the Shadow Lodge myself had that been a known possibility back then. Their creed was simple: Watch the watchers. Now, we know...they were right to be suspicious, weren't they?"

"Where have all the Shadows gone?"

Perhaps..."A-HA! Touche'!"...someday, we shall Find their Path?

"We've been through too much together for this to be the end."

Luisila wears a bitter-sweet smile. "I wager we will get together sometime for a reunion mission."

"Perhaps. It has happened before. But for right now, I'm looking forward to a little vacation back in Absalom, preferably on the beach. Do you think that is too much to ask?"

Seems like an honest question. She does look a bit more weary than usual and lines of concern etch her face.