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

Game Master The Great Rinaldo!

The bloke in the back near the hostages realizes to his sudden horror that his eyesight is beginning to fade...really, really quickly. Is this what having cataracts looks like? Isn't he too young...?

Fuschia, make a DC 20 Fortitude save or be blinded!

"I got this one, Fendahl."

Exerting her will over her new puppet, she demands, "Now, tell us what were your organization's objectives in coming here."

I just want him to blather everything I can get him to blather for a round. I figure knowing what's going on will help us more than taking out a couple of them in the long run.

Luisila: There are advantages and disadvantages to having cones be flat or 3-dimensional. If your cones are flat, I am ok with that, but they are always flat from now on.

Cale Fort vs Cloud: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Red gnome Fort vs Cloud: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Yellow gnome Fort vs Cloud: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Orange human Fort vs Cloud: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Fail!
Green human Fort vs Cloud: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Blue human Fort vs Cloud: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 Fail!
Pink human Fort vs Cloud: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Luisila swoops in and breathes out a grayish fog that envelops the elf and his companions, while just missing Fendahl flying above.

Red gnome Ref vs Grease: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13 Fail!
Yellow gnome Ref vs Grease: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
Green human Ref v Grease: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 Fail!
Qadathra lays down another area of grease, this time making it burn with acid. One of the gnomes and one of the humans slip, while the other gnome manages to keep his feet.

Pink human Fort vs Blindness: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 Fail!
Vladek stares at the human closest to the captive servants and speaks a word of curse. The man cries out as his vision fades to black!

Red gnome Will vs illusion on Kirrah: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Yellow gnome Will vs illusion on Fendahl: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 Fail!
Fendahl calls down Kirrah to pounce on the gnome with the candy cane, while he does the same to the other. The candyman calls out, "Teleporting giant cat! This would be awesome if it weren't terrifying!"

The human in the grease crawls out and stands up, coughing on the fumes. The other humans just look miserable (and in one case, blind...)

The elf looks at his companions and says, "Stop fighting! We're all on the same side! There has been a huge misunderstanding!"

The gnome on the ground replies, "I'm starting to get that impression myself ... maybe fighting these guys is a bad idea?"
Total defense action, then crawl out of the grease.
Kirrah and Fendahl can take AoO's from his movement.

His counterpart steps away and adds, "Boss, you got whammied! Don't give up!" He takes one of the beads in his hand and tosses it ...

Kirrah gets an AoO as Yellow makes a ranged attack, but can only take it if he either didn't take the AoO on the crawling gnome or has combat reflexes. I need the result of that before I resolve the action.

Aegis can come off delay and fly down if he wants, or he can continue circling above watching for other dangers.

Kirrah will attack the moving red gnome as he attempts to crawl away.

ROAAARRR!

Kirrah AOO +1 bite, haste: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 15 + 1 = 19 for
bite: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 vs red gnome

If Hits Grab: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 20 + 1 = 26 vs CMD

Fendahl will likewise slash at the gnome crawling below him.

Hrrmm, not so fast my little rodent.

Fendahl AOO +3 keen katana, haste, higher: 1d20 + 19 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 19 + 1 + 1 = 30
for dmg: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Sorry for late post. Was rather under the weather this weekend, while managing various commitments.

Aegis circles overhead, staring down at the confusion. It almost dives a few times, but the sudden billowing cloud of smoke deters it. Despite it bird brain and spell-induced fury, it spots a little creature making a threatening move on its master's friends and it dives down with its sharp claws extended!

vs yellow gnome: Power Attack, Atavism, Higher Ground
talon: 1d20 + 15 - 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 15 - 2 + 2 + 1 = 34 for dmg: 1d6 + 9 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 4 + 2 = 17 and grab: 1d20 + 19 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 19 - 2 + 2 = 31

The crawling gnome avoids Kirrah's slash, but not Fendahl's.

Seeing the various creatures coming out of the room and fighting its masters companions, Aegis swoops down and grabs hold of one of the gnomes!

I'll put Aegis' action before the gnomes, since he was on delay. This changes Yellow's action, since now he's in a giant bird talon.

Yellow Gnome Escape Artist: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24
The gnome wriggles around but doesn't manage to escape Aegis's claws.

And with that, everyone is up!

I am going to assume the smoke is cleared since it is off the map. I could not tell from the spell description if the smoke persists or just the effects on those initially exposed to it.

Hrrmm. It appears our friends need some distractions to keep them off the prisoners.

GM, I apologize up front for the mess this may cause. If smoke is still in the room, then Fendahl will need to try something else.

Fendahl will air-step back 5' and summon a set of matching tigers for the warriors inside.

summon: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 SNA-VI converted to SNA-IV

Four augmented tigers appear beyond the warriors in the room and Fendahl speaks to them in feline, commanding them to attack the standing warriors (and not the friends laying down).

If any of the bites/claws hit, initiate a grab

Kirrah will keep 'playing' with the red gnome (unless he was surrendering, in which case Fendahl would call Kirrah off.).

+1 Bite: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33 damage : 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 Grab
+1 Claw: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19 damage : 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
+1 Claw: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21 damage : 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Bite Grab: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 25 vs CMD

Aegis lets go of the gnome, but only to free up its talons so that it can continue to tear and rip into it, capping it off with a powerful peck of its beak.

vs yellow gnome: Power Attack, Atavism, Higher Ground
talon: 1d20 + 15 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 15 - 2 + 2 = 17 for dmg: 1d6 + 9 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 4 + 2 = 19 and grab: 1d20 + 19 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 19 - 2 + 2 = 29
talon: 1d20 + 15 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 15 - 2 + 2 = 16 for dmg: 1d6 + 9 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 4 + 2 = 18 and grab: 1d20 + 19 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 19 - 2 + 2 = 30
bite: 1d20 + 15 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 15 - 2 + 2 = 25 for dmg: 1d8 + 9 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 4 + 2 = 20

Round #13: blessing of fervor 1/12, copycat 1/12, veil 11/12

Luisila steps 5' behind Kirrah -- away from the gnome ('north' of Fendahl) copycats and casts blessing of fervor.

Can someone please move Luisila on the map?

I believe the blessing gets all Pathfinders, all animal companions except Qadathra, PLUS the Green tiger, GM.

Does this include the dominated puppet as an ally?

Blue Tiger confirm crit?: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20 dmg: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Green Tiger confirm crit?: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31 dmg: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Fendahl calls out to the spirit of Tiger, and suddenly the armory is filled with snarling felines. All of the swordsman find themselves engulfed and cry out in pain.

Kirrah strikes out at the prone gnome; it drops the candy-cane wand as it falls unconscious;
Kirrah can drop the unconscious gnome as a free action if she chooses.

Aegis releases the other gnome only to grab it again, pecking it for good measure.
One claw and one bite hit, grab successful.

Luisila steps back and casts a spell to support her allies.
All targets specified are in range. Luisila can choose whether to have it affect the elf, since the spell is a targeted spell rather than an area effect.

The elf watches the fight with a pained look on his face. "Stop! This is all a misunderstanding! The murderer Hestram has faced justice, so why are we all fighting? Stand down, everyone, stand down!"

Marta, Vladek, and Qadathra are still up. Make sure to choose your Blessing of Fervor effect for the round.

"But what are you doing in the armory? Besides dealing with Hestram, what are your objectives?"

Marta moves over next to Puppet and takes the Gain a +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves from the Blessing of Fervor.

You did say he took Pale Maiden, right? Is he holding it right now? Her action will be to move towards him and take it from him if so.

I choose +30 speed.

The elf watches the fight with a pained look on his face. "Stop! This is all a misunderstanding! The murderer Hestram has faced justice, so why are we all fighting? Stand down, everyone, stand down!"

That. That would be the moment of truth for which Vladek had been waiting.

He flies into the armory, well above the reach of the henchmens' blades, and comes to rest hovering eerily above the hostages.

Since he's evidently come around, Vladek works to make the Galtan rake's next few moments as fortuitous as they can be.

Once again perched on Vladek's shoulder, Qadathra looks down over the hostages to see if they're alright.

Heal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Fendahl smiles as his version of copy-cat spell takes effect in the armory.

Kirrah, drop him. (Kirrah, will release the limp body of the red gnome)

"But what are you doing in the armory? Besides dealing with Hestram, what are your objectives?"

Marta comes over to the elf and reaches for the Pale Maiden. He looks confused for a moment, then releases his hold on the sword. "Well, obviously to sow terror in the hearts of the group that supported the murderer. Taking your famous sword shows that we are stronger and more capable than you. It also might fetch a fair price if it came to that. Revolutions don't fund themselves, you know."

I'm pausing actual combat while this goes on, as you have the enemy pretty well covered. However, that dominate won't last very long, and things may well change once it wears off. Give me an idea of what each of you is doing over the next couple of rounds, as well as what you are saying.

Fendahl, I am assuming you are ordering the summoned tigers to cover their targets but not attack further. If that is not the case, say so.

Marta will start securing the elf with her Shackles of Compliance, attaching the main arm to the off foot, and then using normal manacles to attach the off hand to main foot. I could have sworn I had another pair.

"Let me attach these and while I do so answer any questions the others ask. Anyone have an extra pair of manacles?"

"Hardly my style, sorry to tell you," Replies Vladek to Marta's request.

Meanwhile, he and Qadathra having been sharing a scheme together at the speed of thought. Vladek bends the threads of the immediate future to Qadathra's benefit...

...as the blind (and now no doubt quite distressed) flunky below suddenly hears a kindly, alien voice in his head:

Cataracts? At your age? Why, you poor Spring child. Even a human should not age so quickly. I shall offer you an explanation, and thereafter, a proposition: No natural infirmity do you suffer, but the terrible curse of a thrice-great Witch! You will not get better with a good night's sleep, nor ever. As stands, you are now blind, and the next time you see, it will most likely be only when you are staring into the face of Pharasma Herself. However! I have a friend here - indeed, a great, great, great friend! - who can free you of your curse at any time, as though it were never more than a fleeting bad dream. He will do this for you, and perhaps even help you with your injuries should you require such, upon one condition: That, should combat resume - and that does not look to me as likely as many would think, though I suppose it remains entirely possible - you pledge your fighting skills strictly and solely to the DEFENSE of those hostages. You are not being asked to turn on your comrades save in the interest of your previously-stated duty, though you are being asked to refrain from trying to save them from whatever poor choices they might make. Should you accept, you would probably also find that those tigers bearing down on you will cease trying to harm you, as would the various other beasts, holy warriors, and magicians here and about. This choice is yours. What say you?

Diplomacy, Fortune VS Pinkeye: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Diplomacy, Fortune VS Pinkeye: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Fendahl will order all lions tigers and bird (?) to hold off further attacks but maintain grapples until the elf is resolved.

Handle animal : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

"Hold up. "

"Deartháir, ní mór dúinn ár n-neart agus an aire a choinneáil i gcás go bhfuil níos mó naimhde ann."

Luisila’s priorities are:

• Position herself to get Fendahl, Marta, Aegis and Kirrah fully healed – preferably using channels

• Allow Aegis to finish off the surviving gnome (*shrug* cleric of vengeance – yo!)

• Wait until the last several rounds of dominance are in effect and then cast freedom of movement on Marta, bull’s strength, protection from electricity and invisibility on either Fendahl or Kirrah (whomever Fendahl says), bless from her bead of blessing and prayer.

• She will also put away her dagger, draw a potion of fly and position herself to hit the Revolutionary elf with another hallucinogenic smoke if he is not subdued/still able to escape.

"Hold up. "

Aegis was just about to continue tearing into the small creature when the half-elf gestures to it to stop. It cocks its head to oneself. This is not its master, but his gestures are similar so it pauses to see what's happening. Or as much as it can understand.

Aegis is not wounded at all.

Other than the manacles and taking the sword, no one has said or done anything directly to the elf yet. You have about 30 more seconds before he gets his wits back. Luisila has stated what she wants to do; does anyone else intend to do anything with that time? I'll resolve Qadathra's action after I hear more from everyone.

I also plan to tie his other hand to his other foot and gag him until we want him to talk.

As Marta works on the bindings she asks more questions.

"Where is the headquarters of the Red Raven? Do you know his true identity? Does your group have any other plans to cause mischief to the Pathfinder Society?"

If he... or she has a true identity. So much to ask and not time to asks it. I'd like to know what happened with Helstram, but I probably don't need control over him to get him to tell me that.

"Would someone please recharge my ioun stone with a shield spell?" she requests politely.

Marta has a wand of shield and an ioun stone she casts it from.

Fendahl will wait to get healing while keeping the 5 cats and 1 roc at bay. If any of the gnomes or warriors are struggling, he lets the animals play for a bit, but otherwise intent is to grapple/pin but not to injure unless they fight back.

Steady.

Once he receives healing, he will walk from one warrior to the next and relieve them of their weapons. That should take a few seconds for each of the 4.

Hrrmmm. You men, it is best not to struggle. It only makes the cats angry. In fact, it may be best if I hold your swords for now.

"How would you escape if you wanted to, and do you have any poison?"

Before the elf awakes, Marta would like to do a non-lethal Coup-de Grace on the Elf to knock him out. Would that be allowed by RAW?

If you want to knock him out, we can end the combat.

Meanwhile, Dominate Person + Zone of Truth = lots of useful information!

While she still has him docile, Marta manages to get a few more answers out of the elf, then knocks him out.

"The Red Raven has a secret cavern base elsewhere in Galt, under the estate of his secret identity, Aric of Halvon. We were sent here by the Revolutionary Guard to enact justice on the vile murderer of Teppin Montrose, your so-called "venture-captain" Adril Hestram, and make sure your Pathfinder Society knew what it means to harbor such villains. As to escape, my intent was to teleport away if things got out of hand. No, I carry no poisons."

That's about 30 seconds of exposition, so that's where you would knock him out unless you want to restart hostilities.

With the elf subdued, Fendahl's zoo is sufficient to prevent the lackeys from resisting while you disarm and restrain them.

Ha! Figured he had a trick up his sleeve! Could we get a loot list?

With the elf safely unconscious, Marta retrieves her shackles and strips him of all magic items and spell components. Heck, let's just say he's naked by the time Marta is done with him.

Fendahl will dismiss the tigers once the warriors, gnome and elf are restrained.

"Hrmmm. That information explains much but is it true? Was Hestram really involved and was it murder as claimed? I think we need to discuss with our other hosts if they are now able. We also need to clean up some loose ends in the hall. Not to mention recovery of our poor wizard."

He looks to Aegis with a concerned expression

Rolling channels. Fendahl looks to be the most hurt at 21 hp down. Luisila will position herself to give no succor to the enemy.

channel: 6d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 5, 6, 6, 1) = 29

“I’m looking forward to hearing Osprey and Eliza’s explanation. At least we managed to save the Pale Maiden.”

take 10 perception + guidance: 10 + 24 + 1 = 35

Luisila nods at Marta’s loot cataloguing. “Selling some of their stuff might offset the cost of raising poor Myrdon.”

She looks sympathetically at Aegis II, but is reluctant to get too close to the great bird until his master returns from the River of Souls.

"Hrrmm . You have our thanks, Luisila ."

“You are welcome, our lord of lions –– and tigers!”

A tuxedoed Luisila makes a quick *bob* “And you have my gratitude in return.”

“Elysian Fields Aflame! Including Aegis, Kirrah and Qadathra, the eight of us working together make quite a team.”

Relieved that the crisis has passed, though she stoically shows no emotion, she asks, "Luisa, you seem to have been granted the miracles of healing. Any chance you could revive any of the slain yourself?" Though I think, OOC, I know the answer is not to that, Marta would ask.

While in the great hall she recollects her spear and casts

Fendahl bows and calls Kirrah to join him as he regains his equipment from the bedroom. He dons his dragonplate armor before rejoining the group to determine what the next course of action is for the two slain pathfinders and the two remaining VC.

Hrrmm, very difficult to see the path clearly. We probably need to sweep all the rooms for any other hostile parties.
These forces made dishonoring claims against Master Hestram.
Can any of these be proven false? What of Lady and Lord of the manor? What have they to say?

True to his/Qadathra's word, Vladek dismisses the curse of blindness he'd placed on the one roustabout, then turns to Fendahl and Marta. Qadathra dismisses the acid suds.

"Fendahl, if that is your plan, then perhaps you, Marta, could accompany back to the foyer?"

Got distracted for a while, there....

"I know just who to ask about all this...."

He descends to the ground and goes back inside...to where the body of Adril Hestram still lies, simmering in its own cold gravy, as it were.

Vladek kneels over Hestram's corpse. There is a sense of time ceasing to pass (although it does, and for a full 10 minutes) as Vladek stares at it - whosoever might catch a glimpse into Vladek's eyes while this is happening see fantastic, terrible, and seemingly impossible vistas reflected in their unbroken opalescent surfaces, moving at lightning speed.

DC 21, on the off-chance a Society Venture-Captain doesn't feel like reporting or cooperating.

At last, Vladek breaks the deafening silence:

"Captain Hestram? Some Revolutionaries were just attempting to plunder the Lodge. We confronted them, and their leader claimed - under a ward against deceit, no less - that this was all retaliation because you had murdered one Teppin Montrose. Can you please explain?"

Fendahl would handle animal to have Aegis join in the foyer as well.

You round up the remaining attackers and secure them, relieving them of their gear.

Elf: Bracers of Armor +2; Chime of Opening; mwk rapier.
Gnomes: two +small 1 short swords; two +2 small light wooden shields; two small suits of +2 leather armor; two Cloaks of Resistance +1; a Rod of Wonder; two Beads of Force.
Henchmen: four medium +1 short swords; four medium suits of +1 leather armor.

Once the domination wears off, the elf says, "You may have captured me with your trickery, but you will never defeat the forces of the Red Raven!"

As you gather everyone together, Eliza and Osprey come to see. Eliza recognizes the elf. "Cale the Calistrian. It was only a matter of time before you got yourself caught. You'll be rotting in a dungeon before long if I have any say in the matter."

Osprey tells you that he has made a survey of the manor and the grounds, and there appear to be no further immediate threats. Several of the staff are injured, though none died during the attack.

Vladek suggests questioning the deceased Hestram, and Eliza agrees. You gather around as the witch performs the ritual.

The spell lasts for 12 minutes or 6 questions. You've used the first question. What else do you want to ask?

Qadathra gleefully adds the Chime (which, am I to assume in the absence of specification otherwise, is still capable of a full 10 uses?), the Beads, and especially the Rod to his little hoard.

At the seance:

Qadathra peers down from Vladek's shoulder with intense interest.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

"Let's move on to the obvious, then: Why WOULD the Red Raven want to kill you? Why would anyone accuse you of murdering this Monsieur Montrose if you didn't?"

Again, the eerie voice comes from somewhere within Hestram's body. "I have never met this Red Raven. I know of no reason for him to make such an accusation."

"Try asking using his real name, Aric of Halvon."

Fendahl watches as the questions are asked of the dead man, not really liking the unnatural ritual.

We will need to find a way to return our fallen friend to life. That is usually expensive, so we may have to sell those found items. Maybe ask if Hestram wants to be raised and if he has the funds.

"Are you, perhaps, more familiar with the true name of the Red Raven, one Aric of Halvon?"

Vladek makes a sort of 'duh, why didn't I think of that' motion in response to Fendahl's suggestion. After taking a moment to consider his wording, he asks:

"If we were to have you resurrected, could you or the Society see your way to compensating us?"

Leaving a trail of discarded formalwear in her wake, Luisila heads upstairs to equip her normal battle dress and reclaim her longbow from the Woodsedge Lodge’s weapon rack.

It’s clear she’s been thinking while she’s been away. “Is there anything special about the properties of the Pale Maiden that would make it particularly attractive to the Gray Gardeners?”

“Moreover, why were we asked to bring the weapon here? Is it just a trophy, or is there more to it than that?”

Luisila ✨casts detect magic and examines the sword closely with a bit of luck.

Spellcraft + bit of luck: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Spellcraft: roll twice, take best: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

When Luisila asks Marta for the Pale Maiden to check it out, Marta casts heroism (extended to 200 minutes using her rod) on her to boost her skills.

"I have never heard of Aric of Halvon."

"I'm a venture-captain! Of course the Society would pay for my recovery!"

One question left. Qadathra has been paying attention; he is pretty sure Hestram is not being as forthcoming as you might want.