GM Silbeg's Thornkeep: The Forgotten Laboratory (Inactive)

Game Master Silbeg

** spoiler omitted **

I get it, no spoiler because that info is just as-is right?

Jaender grimaces as the creature disappears in the stone. He pulls out his crossbow, aiming it at where the thing disappeared, ready to shoot.

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Disappointingly, just Roudantaimi as reaches a position with a good firing lane, the elemental disappears into the ground. Immediately, the gnome points the muskets barrel downward, ready to shoot if the creature reappears.

Rocky makes his way up under the Pathfinders, apparently trying to stay away from the heavy flail of the battle oracle. He swings up through the floor, triggering attacks by both Jaender and Roudi, which, in turn, trigger an AOO by Rocky

Roudi fires first (and thus draws the AOO)
slam, PA, earth mastery: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 73 slam damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17
Roudi is hit hard by Rocky but his blast does not miss either. However, Jaender does fire his bolt into the ground.
Then, Rocky swings...
slam vs. Roudi, PA, earth mastery: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 77 slam damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

The elemental's attack on Roudi misses.

Party is up. Rocky is still under ground.

"Look out for the dirt, oh, there it went again. If it is not coming back, can we go get my tabard now?"

Note: Damien has pointed out I was using too far of a liberal interpretations of the rules for PFS... so there is a minor retcon, in that the elemental is above ground. With that, I'll interpret Opiuchus's action...

Ophiuchus moves up, and swings his flail at the dirt that moves. He hits it solidly. It seems to sigh, give a rocky smile, and fall to pieces as it is released from this world.

Party takes 20 to search... plus heals folks up
In the room, you find a pair of tomes written in Draconic. The books concern alchemy and various bits of esoteric arcane lore. Jaender things that with about an hour to read through it, he'll be able to understand a little more about arcana. You are not sure what they are worth.

You believe that the remains of the construct (drilling machine) can be dug out with several minutes worth of work. (this will require a strength check)

Arturo barely helps his friends search the room (though he does still try)...

Perception assist: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

... his attention is totally drawn by the drilling machine.

"Wow!" he exclaims, "Wow! It's beautiful! Think of what we could have done to that rock creature if we could have used this machine! Shall we dig it out? Strong Brute, do you think you could? How about we use the tools that... Brodwyr... gave... er, did we forget to see him before we headed down?"

Showing that he can help, Arturo removes an incredibly large pebble from a the pile of rubble, puffing as he places it on the ground nearby and goes for a fist-sized rock next.

"Oh, and can someone check for magical emanations here?" Arturo adds between pants, "I think we should add a bit of magic detection to our regular room search routine. Agreed? You never know what you'll find!"

The brute shrugs, not really seeming impressed by the machine. Nevertheless, he puts his muscular frame to work, trying to unearth the machine along with Arturo. As he mindlessly moves rocks, his eyes peer out from beneath his heavy brow, keeping an eye on things.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Next encounter, I still have 6 spells to burn so I will cast a few CLW next go around. I do believe that GM includes detect magic in our 'normal operating procedures'

Oooh, a .... a.... what is that? I can move dirt too. Here, look at this."

Strength Check w guidance: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Moving a bigger rock that Arturo, he feels his grip slip. The rock tumbles from his grasp, and lands on Vox's foot.

"Oops. Sorry. I didn't mean that. You have another foot right? You will be ok" Ophiuchus slaps Vox on the back, and gets back to work.

"Maybe the big man that sings can sing us a working song about moving stones. Something about lifting, turning, dropping, lifting, turning, dropping, lifting, turning, dropping. Actually that seems pretty boring. Maybe heft, spin, lower. Or what about bend, heave, pivot, chuck. Or we could ...."

1d6 ⇒ 2 once everyone is healed up, Poochie puts his back into freeing the large drilling machine (large enough that a man-sized creature could ride inside). This takes him two minutes.
Ophiuchus: Ref: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

As he pulls on the device, some stones and rubble falls from the ceiling, loosed be the movement, but Ophiuchus is able to avoid ring crushed. There appears to be a panel that would allow access, but the Nagaji cannot figure out how to open it.

yes, detect magic is SOP. But none was detected this time.

"Allow me, Ophiuchus," says Arturo with a confident smile as he strides up to the drill, "Haven't met an opening that I couldn't get into yet! Well, there was that half-orc in town... and that great lock... and the Door of Stars... but most things, I've ben able to get into. Eventually."

As his muttering trails off, Arturo opens his carry-kit of knives, pins, picks, skeleton keys, files, saws, side cutters and other sundry tools of his trade. He cracks his knuckles and begins with gusto on the access panel.

Disable device: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15

... and snaps the first pick he inserts in twain.

"Ahem," the young rogue clears his throat, flushing red, "Let's have another go at that one..."

Disable device: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29

Roudantaimi rubs the bruises he took. While the magics healed the wounds, the small gnome still feels like he was overrun by a horde of bulls. "Careful, mister Artie. We don't want any more rocks falling on us."

Resting his head on Arturo's shoulder as the man tries to pick the lock, Ophiuchus whispers, "Why are you using that one, and not the other one? If that is how you woe the women, I am surprised you have had a woman at all. Are you sure you are going to put that in there? Careful now, I would hate for you to let a trap loose. Judging on how you are working this lock it seems likely you are going to spring the trap. No matter, we can heal you. Just be careful."

Straightening up, he turns to the group, shaking his head. "Unlikely he will be successful. Shall we move on then?"

OMG Poochie... that's TOO funny
To his great surprise, Arturo is able to jimmy the door open on his first attempt! (DC15 -- not locked, just jammed)
Once inside, he sees a oulsing yellow crystal. Unfortunately, none of the pathfinders have Knowledge: Arcana, so they cannot identify the nature of the aura. It seems clear, though, that some sort of spirit must have been used to animate this device in the past... one that is no longer in the machine.

The group also finds the remnants of a bookcase on the northeastern wall, which once held a beautiful crystal coffer, which was shattered by the drilling machine some time ago. What the coffer contained no longer can be told, but there are faint remnants of another aura (actually similar to the yellow crystal), but, again, what that is, no one can tell.

spellcraft: Ophiuchus: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
spellcraft: Jaender: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

The yellow crystal seems to be slightly cracked, but what that means the group cannot tell.

Note: There is a passage to the SW (obviously where the drilling machine came from), and a door to the south.

Jaender shakes off the willies he got when nearly crushed by the swinging arm of the earth elemental.

Those look fun... as long as they are fighting with me and not against me... I wonder if I could summon something like that myself? There has to be power for something like that in this blood that runs through my veins...

He watches in amusement as Poochie and Arturo continue their endless banter, and looks on with curiosity as the gems are uncovered.

I've got to do something about my lack of knowledge on these things...

With the room cleared of threats and interesting things, he gets ready to move through whatever door the group chooses.

John, you had [ibetter[/i] be this hilarious in real life! So sad that I'll only get to play with you on Thursday and Friday. Still chuckling at your post.

Is the crystal a cracked ioun stone? Let's see...

Arturo cautiously places the crystal about his head like he would any ioun stone, ready to catch it if it falls down (proving to be something other than one of those stones).

"I guess we should take this with us," says Arturo after his little experiment, "If this place has taught me anything, it's that crystals go in slots and we'd best collect them all! I wonder if there are more machines like this one... do you think that it stopped because the crystal is cracked?"

Regarding the falling ceiling above the drill Arturo thinks aloud,, "I'm not sure how stable a tunnel dug by this thing would be. How about we try the door instead? We can always check to see if it meets up at some point to avoid going through that place."

Arturo checks the door for traps and makes sure it is open before stepping back to allow the casters to do their usual preparations and for Strong Brute to do his thing.

Disable device, if necessary: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14

Wow. I suck at opening things! Can't believe my last roll (a 2!) succeeded!

The door is not locked... and no lock available.
Moving the party into their preferred marching order.

Arturo moves back, and the party moves into their order, spending some time casting resistance on everyone.

Sven can see clearly down a 20' hallway, but cannot see much else.

The brute takes a cursory look down the corridor. If satisfied the coast is clear, he continues to lead the party down the passageway, scythe at the ready.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

The brute doesn't see anything in particular. Maybe some stuff laying around, or on some tables or something.

Moved you all into the room... no direct encounter.
Part of this chamber is in total ruin. The western half of this room appears to have mostly collapsed, though jagged openings peer to into a dark cavern. The east half of the chamber is filled with small chests and barrels. Most are covered in dust, but some appear to have been recently disturbed.

Please confirm locations are ok... then I will go on.

Meanwhile, back in the hallway...
Vox limps up beside Ophiuchus, pressing as little weight as possible on his aching foot. He waggles his boot in front of the nagaji, showing where Ophiuchus dropped the sizable boulder on him. "You never mentioned you spent any time with the Brokentoe Tribe of the Red Mountains of Varisia," the youth begins.

"They have a similar custom, where the chief drops a large stone on the foot of any member of the tribe which has done more than enough work and deserve a break. And the chose one gets to relax, with their feet up, while being waited on, until their anointed foot heals," Vox says, trying to keep his latent sarcasm from betraying his serious tone.

bluff: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14

"I think you should anoint Mr. Hairylip's foot in honor of all he does for us."

in the current room, Vox/Einhardt's locations are good

Good here.

Petting Einhardt, Ophiuchus turns to Vox, "Erm, what was that you were saying? I am sorry, she is just such a beautiful creature; I get distracted. No matter, let us try and not get killed today."

Whispering to Strong Brute, "Too soon?"

Rock and roll. And if you drain my strength, I am driving to Minnesota to have words with you Silbeg.

Vox's face flushes scarlet as he looks away, embarrassed.

The brute turns about, putting his large hand on the nagaji's shoulder, his face solemn as he nods wordlessly. He pats Ophiuchus' shoulder a couple of times before turning back around.

Slapping Vox on the back, "Do not fret, we all have been close to death many times. I, myself, have almost died four times." Ophiuchus holds up three fingers. "You have to start a fire to cook the pudding."

lots of shoulder/back touching going on.

Vox stares at the nagaji, obviously confused by the analogy, but also knowing Ophiuchus is most likely, in all probability, as far as he can tell for a nagaji, sincere in his words and so the youth nods in agreement.

let's just hold off on making Massage Chain SOP before entering each room of the dungeon :)

"If Einhardt wets my foot Vox," Arturo says with a scowl, "I will wet yours." He then flashes a quick smile and strides into the room after the Strong Brute. He'll look around for traps first, notably on the chests, and then help the group in their usual thorough search of the chamber.

Once they've determined that nothing else is there, Arturo will open the chests to access whatever goodies lie within!

Does the passageway on the west / left lead back to the tunnel that the drill made? If so...

"My feelings about potentially collapsing tunnels remains the same," says an uncharacteristically cautious Arturo, "Let's head south for now and worry about the rest of this when we have to."

Rock and roll. And if you drain my strength, I am driving to Minnesota to have words with you Silbeg.

Challenge accepted.

Part of this chamber is in total ruin. The western half of this room appears to have mostly collapsed, though jagged openings peer to into a dark cavern. The east half of the chamber is filled with small chests and barrels. Most are covered in dust, but some appear to have been recently disturbed.

Searching the room, you see that most what remains is worthless or broken. However, there is a chest that has the capacity for 20 vials of liquid, but now holds 4 vials of alchemist's fire. In a similar chest, there are 6 vials of acid. Finally, inside of a large chest is a small coffer containing a bag filled with 500gp of diamond dust.

"An alchemists warehouse? Whoever is in her must have been at this a while... Or is just getting started. We should save these for future use..."

Jaender grabs one of each of the vials.

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Arturo grabs a vial of alchemist's fire and two vials of acid, "Hope you don't mind if I pocket these. You never know when they might come in handy!"

Unless someone else takes it, Arturo will take the diamond dust also for safe keeping.

"Quite the cache we've found here! I can't wait to see what else we can discover... and how much that glowing crystal is worth!" Arturo seems to be getting more and more excited, like a child in a candy store.

Assuming the passage to the west is indeed the drill tunnel....

"Well, let's head south again... I'd like to go back to the middle and other side of this complex at some stage, but through an unreinforced tunnel is not the way to do it!" Arturo moves towards the southern passageway, letting the Strong Brute lead the way.

Having no interest in the strange vials of liquid, and only a passing curiosity for the bag of diamond dust (why would someone crush up diamonds, anyway?), the large man merely shrugs and continues on as suggested to the south, leading the way. Occasionally he gives Arturo a placid look over his shoulder as the overeager and jumpy man runs into his back in his eagerness to press forward.

Roudantaimi places his finger on the chest drawing a line in the dusty surface. "Forgotten laboratory, indeed." he says, looking at the dust on his finger. "Well, then... I guess no one will be missing if we take these vials, hehee" the gnome giggles, and pockets a vial of each kind.

So, as I see it, Jeander takes one of each, Arturo takes 1 fire, 2 acid, and Roudi takes one of each. That leaves 1 fire, 1 acid. We'll assume Vox takes those, and move on.

The team raids the supplies, and moves forward.

Poochie is up during the surprise round!

Turning to his companions, "I see something ahead, brace yourselves."

Time and time again the nagaji has walked headlong into trouble. Trying this time to be more cautious, he call upon the magic of the great one to aid his companions.

"להיות בטוח ולהכות חזק"

Cast Bless +1 to hit and save vs fear for 3 minutes.

After the Nagaji casts his spell, they all see one of the goblins move, and throw something at Sven.
[dice=Tanglefoot Bag vs FF Touch]1d20+5[/dice]
Sven: Ref: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
The brute is caught in a sticky mess which quickly solidifies! Cannot move, -2 to attacks, -4 penalty to DEX - see link for more details

Poog and Reta do nothing, so far...

Poochie, Arturo, and Sven are up.

Moving swiftly into the room, Ophiuchus swings his flail at the nearest goblin.

Heavy MW Flail + PA + Bless: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Flail Damage + PA: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Would be nice to see an roll north of 10 sometime this year

Something happens before you get that far... which I'll describe after I give you a lockwood, Ophiuchus!
As the nagaji moves into the room, Reta upturns the table in front of her, splashing all sorts of alchemical badness over him.

Ophiuchus: Ref: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
damage type 1: Fire, 2: Cold, 3: Acid, 4: Electricity: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4
alchemical damage, Fire and Acid: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 2) = 9

Poochie has taken 10' of movement, and now the gobbos behind the table have total cover from the door. I need to know which way Poochie's going from this point.

Reflex is +4 from Resistance - assuming it is still not enough? Move 2 squares to Ophiuchus' right, attack Poog.

Reflex is +4 from Resistance - assuming it is still not enough? Move 2 squares to Ophiuchus' right, attack Poog.

Still not enough, no.

Now that I have soaked up a boatload of damage, and Brute is stuck, and the gobs have total cover, have fun!

Any chance I can jump up onto the table edge, kicking backwards slightly in order to pull it all the way over (removing their cover)? I'd like to do that to the table in front of Chuffy and Rita if possible. If further possible, he'd like to slice their faces off after he does it! Essentially, I'd just be doing it as part of movement, using gravity to help me out. Happy to acrobatics and panache it... just tell me what rolls I need to make.

I had considered Bull rushing that table, but I had already started my movement, love the idea, interested to see the mechanics of it in PFS

Definitely will take an acrobatics check on that... there will be the base of jumping up, then balancing (two checks), and then the pushing over. We'll say the jump up is only 3' (DC12), so no big deal. The balancing is DC20 + 5 to push when you jump off, with possible consequences for failing by enough. Go ahead...see what happens!

Cool! Let's do this thing. I'll use my panache point on the second roll, of course.

Arturo rushes forwards and leaps up onto the overturned table.

Acrobatics to leap 3ft, DC 12: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Landing on the table, Arturo tries to balance on it. Twisting slightly and kicking back with his feet as he propels himself towards the goblins, the Swashbuckler attempts to remove the devious little creatures' cover.

Acrobatics to overturn table, panache (DC 25): 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (15) + 10 + (6) = 31

If able to, Arturo also takes a slash at Rita.

Scimitar: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

the only thing cooler than that would be a gnome riding a lizard on the ceiling

After a private chat with GM Silbeg...

Arturo spins through the air as he ducks the incoming attacks from the two goblins.

Acrobatics to avoid AoO, Rita first (DC = CMD + 10): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Acrobatics to avoid AoO, Chuffy next (DC = CMD + 10 + 2): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

... but he has clearly off balance as his last solid piece of footing was deliberately kicked from beneath him (and slams to the floor as the swashbuckler lands). Hopefully, his luck remains, though and the goblins will miss!

Arturo gracefully leaps up onto the table, then with a flourish of style flips himself up and over the goblins, flipping the table as well. However, in his flurry of style, he almost forgets the goblins were there, who proceed to attack him with their short swords.
Chuffy attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 piercing damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Reta attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 piercing damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

The good news for Arturo is that neither critted him, and neither caught him flatfooted. But, both miraculously managed to hit the agile rogue. He then returns the favor on Reta, slashing for a devastating amount of damage.

Sven, then Jaender and Einhardt (the latter is guarding Vox, so probably nothing)