OMB's Masks of the Living God Module (PFS) (Inactive)

Game Master James Martin

BB ADS: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
DMG: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Hoshiko moves up to attack the one bleeding Ferabras dry...

The combined assault of the heroes is enough to bring the last statue down, crumbling it as it falls!

The Third Ring stands 40 feet above the level of the Second Ring, and its ceiling is 40 feet high. A small building sits atop a flat, stone island inside the Third Ring, completely surrounded by a 25-foot-wide canal of molten gold and accessible only by a small bridge. However this bridge doesn't seem to have the same protections against the heat as the others!

If you cross the bridge without protection from heat or fire, you will take 1d4 pts of nonlethal damage and suffer from heatstroke and be fatigued, unless you succeed at a DC 15 Fort Save (+1 to the DC for each subsequent round)!

To make matters worse, sitting on the bridge ahead is another skeleton. Only this time, it's of a golden dragon. And it's watching you closely.

You are about to encounter a dragon. A real, undead dragon. Doing mental math in your head, you think you have enough time to rest before entering the inner city AND have time to get out of the city before the golden flood, assuming you move at a rapid pace and don't linger. The GM would very much encourage you to be ready for this fight. VERY MUCH. From here on out it's tough.

Thanks for the input, DM!

"Another tough fight in this place," Fera remarks, laying a hand on himself to heal the damage caused by the fearsome statues. He studies the golden dragon in the distance and says, "It seems we have time to recover our strength before we face that dragon on the bridge. How about a little rest?"

LoH: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3
LoH: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5
LoH: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 4) = 9 With the healing from resting, that will put him at full HP

If anyone else needs healing, here are my last two LoH's for the day:
LoH: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12
LoH: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8

Mikail rushes about through his companions, bringing bandages and offering his wand for anyones use. He stops his work as Fera speaks, and thinks hard, looking into the distance.
"I think that would be a great idea.. I am hungry, and I know you have to be hurting after all your wounds today. Lets kip up here... I can take first watch."

The 'night' passes quietly. The old city is nearly silent and the constant twilight doesn't change. Despite setting guards, nothing disturbs you and once awake you discover that the dragon still sits where it was, unmoving, but clearly still watchful.

Looking down the bridge uneasily, Mikail turns to his friends. "You think we should try and talk to it?? I really don't want to fight that thing, much less over a river of molten gold!"

If you cross the bridge without protection from heat or fire, you will take 1d4 pts of nonlethal damage and suffer from heatstroke and be fatigued, unless you succeed at a DC 15 Fort Save (+1 to the DC for each subsequent round)!

Can I assume that Ferabras' Resist Fire 5 would be adequate protection, since 1d4 nonlethal damage can't get through it?

Edit: for what it's worth, Fera's LoH removes the fatigued condition, gang.

Soran eyes the dragon warily while the group rests, and arranges his arrows in his quiver as tries to come up with a plan.
When I said I was tired of battling statues, I suppose the gods listened... and then decided to make me eat my words. If we have to fight that thing, we need to work together. And we need to communicate. And we need to do as much damage as we possibly can before it closes with us. Fera, I'm assuming you'll try to get its attention to keep it away from everyone else, like you always do, so we need to hurt it bad before it gets to you. What means do we have? I possess some arrows filled with holy water that may help, and I also have some flaming, acid, and electric arrows available. If we can determine the type of dragon, I can use whichever of those it isn't immune to.

Once his arrows are satisfactorily arranged, he begins testing his bowstring, his composite components, and his nocking rest on his bow. Satisfied, he finally puts it aside.
Remind me again why we signed up for this?

"I like your thinking on this, Soran," Fera says, gazing at the dragon in the distance. "Hurting it from afar might make it come at us, so we don't have to fight it on that bridge, where the heat will harm the rest of you. As to what I have to contribute, my wand may come in handy. I have a bit of holy water, and can call on the powers of goodness to guide my hand and fortify my blade - but I am much less effective when I'm not toe-to-toe with my enemy."

Have a wand of bless weapon which I'll happily share (though it doesn't really work on bows), holy water, smite and can use divine bond to make my sword +2 or make it a +1 flaming sword. Would be good to know what sort of defenses the thing has.

DM - what sort of knowledge applies here? Arcana, religion, both?

I have 2 doses of silver blanch which I keep forgetting about, and an alchemists fire. If/when things do hit the fan, Mikail is going to use his vanish to see if he cant get a sneak attack in.. and I can do that up to 3/day. I can also use Daze, but something tells me that it's going to be immune to that just like almost everything else has been.

Mikail watches forlornly as his companions gear up for battle. "I'm not saying that we shouldn't be ready.. but obviously the cleric got through here without killing it or being killed. Maybe we can try talking first?"

If nothing else, Mikail has a diplomacy of +11.. I can try and talk to it from the gate. It should be able to hear me. If things do go to hell though, I like the idea of drawing it towards us away from the bridge.

"The heat of the bridges causes me some pause. How do we counter that seeing as without negating that problem we will eventually succumb to the effect. If it comes to a fight I am pretty sure I can do some damage to it."

Arcana to know what type of dragon it was in life, Religion to know about its undead state.

Well, we still have limited knowledge skills, but at least Hoshiko has Arcana, might learn something about the thing's defenses/resistances.

"I suppose you're right, Mika," Ferabras replies thoughtfully, "the priest did make it past. Maybe there's another path, or she snuck past somehow? I suppose as long as we're ready for a fight, there's no harm in trying to talk to it first - though do the undead converse much?"

Fera has +10 to Diplomacy, I say we each take a shot and roll it (once we've activated the thing), improve our odds of a high roll rather than a low roll and an aid another.

Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

"I will cross the bridge, but will need your healing hands."

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Diplomacy with Guidance: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

"We come in peace, great creature of terrible power."

Taking a slightly different tactic, Mikail holds his position and calls out to the dragon from where he is.
"Pardon me, You are doing a very good job of guarding this bridge.. but I humbly ask that you not eat us just yet! Shall we talk first?? How may we address you?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
ouch.. well, at least its an aid..
Mikail will also try different languages should the dragon be unresponsive. (Common, Sylvan, Elven, Celestial)

Wand in hand just in case, Ferabras weighs in as well, taking a few steps toward the undead dragon and calling out, "There is no cause for us to fight! We wish only to defeat those who would steal the wealth of your city and leave this place!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Hoshiko stands ready with her sword but with her mouth shut as she does not have the gift of gab like her companions...

The dragon regards you with a desperate glint of intelligence in its eyes. You offer your diplomatic words.

It stares at you, then erupts into action while screaming "HOARD-THIEVES! TREASURE RAIDERS! TAR-BAPHON HAS GIVEN THE GOLD TO ME! IT IS MINE! MINE, ALL MINE!" The dragon's eyes are clearly insane.

Round 1:
Heroes
Dragon!

Heroes are up!

Mikails shoulders slump at the dragons outburst. "Well, at least we tried!" he says morosely as he fades from sight.
Vanish 2/3 left

GM, is there anywhere to spread out here? I still have a move action, just not sure where I want to/can go

It's pretty limited due to the fact that you're on a bridge over a river of liquid molten gold! Don't forget to account for the Fort saves or else you'll be fatigued!

Hoshiko sees if she can entice the creature to come to them instead of the group trying to cross the dangerous bridge...and points her left index finger at the beast and sends forth a cold ray through the air...

Ray of Frost vs touch: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18...DMG: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Mikail disappears, while Hoshiko fires a cold ray at the dragon! It doesn't seem to take any notice of the ray! Ie, no damage.

Dusan, who has soldiered on after you up to this point, looks at the dragon and lets out a scream. "NO NO NO, CAN'T CAN'T CANT!" He screams and turns around and flees at full speed back into the Golden City!

Ferabras, Zolarus and Soran are up!

Since we were all talking about luring the dragon away from the bridge, or attacking it from range, I say we do just that - even those who have acted have a move action left, so let's back up! I hadn't intended to have Fera or any of us this close to the dragon when we started talking, but that sort of thing isn't always clear in PbP. In any case, it seems we call still move away.

DM - any reason we can't do that? I know the map isn't set up for it, but we had been aiming to not have to fight on the bridge.

You can certainly try.

Fair enough.

Fera calls out, "Everyone, move back, it's madness to fight this thing on the bridge!" He waits until everyone has moved away from the dragon, then takes a few steps back himself before tapping his blade with his wand. He calls on the power of goodness in his soul to protect himself and harm the dragon!

Delay until everyone has moved, then move back and use wand to cast bless weapon. Activate Smite Evil.

I didn't move anyone else on the map, only Ferabras, but I'm thinking everyone should move at least as far back as he is.

AC is 27 now.

Soran wouldn't have moved onto the bridge in the first place, since his tactic is to use the area for cover and pop shots off at the dragon from afar[/b]

Soran speaks quietly to his allies.
[b]Just keep it away from me, please.

He then unleashes a volley of arrows!
Manyshot: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Damage: 2d8 + 14 ⇒ (4, 3) + 14 = 21
Corrosive: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Rapid Shot: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Corrosive: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Iterative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Corrosive: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Extra Damage: 2d8 + 14 ⇒ (4, 2) + 14 = 20

The critical hit is the only shot to get through the skeletal dragon's thick hide and oddly supernatural defenses (mage armor spell!). Still, the damage is a great deal and rocks the skeleton back!

I need to know how far away from the edge of the bridge everyone is retreating! ...for reasons. Zolarus is up!

After seeing her spell have no effect Hoshiko moves behind Ferabras...

Mikail will quietly follow along with the group.. Ive moved the token, but theres not enough room to dodge south on the map. So, thirty foot move, 10 east, 20 south.

Did my religion check reveal anything DC 25?

Running back 120'.

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Um, Zolarus? You're gig to be about 100' further away from the dragon than we are. Is that what you want?

Me thinks that Zolarus knows something the rest of us don't... lol!

Reconsidering, he casts Oracle's Burden (sight limited to 30'; Will DC 16) on the dragon and moves away 30'.

Also Misfortune on dragon for base rolls 10+

Zolarus, it is an animated skeleton, but seems to retain its intelligence and spell-casting abilities. It seems the years of isolation may have driven it mad, but you sense it is operating under a powerful geas that binds it to its master's will. Stat-wise, it has DR/bludgeoning, channel resistance, light fortification and is immune to cold and fire.

You retreat from the bridge and the dragon surges forward, stopping just shy of the bridge's edge. It seems almost physically restrained. Will: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23 It doesn't seem to be affected by the spell. However, it suddenly opens its mouth and BREATHES!

FIRE: 4d10 ⇒ (3, 7, 1, 1) = 12 damage! If you're within a 40' cone of the dragon, Reflex save DC 19 for half!

Round 2:

What do the heroes do?

I don't recall if it works this way, but should the dragon have had to re-roll that save, based on Zolarus using Misfortune on any roll of 10+?

Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 Half damage is 6 hp, Fire Resistance 5 makes it 1 damage.

Seeing that the dragon seems unable to move off the bridge, Fera fights the urge to rush into battle with the evil creature, calling out, "Fall back, spread out! Let's get out of reach of its fiery breath and try to destroy it from afar!"

Double move backwards.

Status: 45/46 hp

Rerolled Will Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

REF vs DC 19: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Hoshiko dodges to her left and avoids some of the fire damage... she then scurries over to a better vantage point...it looks like those might be walls adjacent to the outer edge of the circle; if so she goes there to prep for the ranged combat

HP=27/33

Soran releases another volley of arrows, after letting out a satisfied grunt when his arrow struck true in his first assault.

Manyshot: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Damage: 2d8 + 14 ⇒ (6, 3) + 14 = 23
Corrosive: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11

Rapid Shot: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Corrosive: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Iterative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Corrosive: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Extra Damage: 2d8 + 14 ⇒ (7, 5) + 14 = 26

Continue the assault from afar! Don't let it get close enough to use its breath again.

Soran's arrows turn a tense situation into a massacre as the great skeletal dragon crashes to the bridge with a sigh. The light fades from the creature's eye sockets as its long torturous vigil comes to an end!

Nice grouping, Soran!

I need perception checks from all of you!

Wow, Soran, that was amazing!

Fera is just about to slip his bow off his shoulder when he sees his friend, a true archer indeed, bring the dragon crashing down!

"A mighty volley, Soran! Mighty indeed!" he cries out, his obsidian teeth spread in a fierce grin.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Soran looks surprised at the dragon's fall, and lowers his bow.
Heh. Not the challenge I expected. Be on guard. It may be a trick.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

The archer looks at his allies.
Wait until the Decimverate hears about this. We've faced an undead dragon and lived, amidst every other strange threat we've seen. I have mighty allies indeed.

Hoshiko comes running out of her hiding place with her bow in hand and struggling to draw and nock an arrow when she sees the creature crash to the ground and Soren smiling wily... "Ummm... good shooting Soren..." and she slings her bow again to draw her sword as she looks around.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Spotting an odd glint from a nearby ruined building, Hoshiko discovers the undead dragon's hoard! The hoard contains 50 gold-plated but otherwise worthless household objects, 1,265 gp in loose coins, a gold-plated adamantine battle axe, a gold plated brooch of shielding, a gold-plated horn of fog, and a small, gold-plated metal box containing three potions of cure moderate wounds.

"Well spotted, Hoshiko!" Fera exclaims, more than a little pleased at the turn their fortunes have taken. "I had pictured one or more of us dying in the fight with that unholy dragon, and instead we are scarcely harmed, and rich in the bargain!"

I'd take the battle axe, just in case we discover the adamantine is about to come in handy. Other than that, I don't feel the need to carry any of the other items myself.

reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

"Thank you Soren for saving us from becoming appetizerssss and find a nice sized treasure trove."

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CLW wand: 4d8 + 4 ⇒ (4, 8, 1, 7) + 4 = 24

Zolarus takes the brooch of shielding and hands out the potions of healing to the others.

"all this gold is impressive, but I will stick with one of the potions for now."

Soran looks it over and shrugs.
Not much I can use here. You guys divvy it up and I'll stand guard.

The young hunter does just that, drawing two arrows dripping with embers and standing watch at the door.

Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Evasion= no damage if save is made
Mikail easily hides from the blast of fire around the corner of the wall, and reappears to his party after the thunderous crash announces the dragons sudden demise. He walks towards the group, his jaw hanging around on the cobblestones as he gawks between the pile of bones and Soren.
"Well!! Umm.. WOW!! I can't believe you did that!! I thought for sure we were all about to die.. and then.. you just.. KILLED IT!! Just like that!!" His eyes look like they are about to pop out of socket and roll down his furry little muzzle at the extreme prejudice with which Soran has just terminated the dragon.

His short attention span is caugt by the announcement of the gold, but Mikail never really lets Soran out of sight.. not out of fear.. but in awe. As he approaches the others, he whispers to Ferabras as he passes Remind me to NEVER steal off of HIS plate again, will you???

None of the items here will really help me.. The Horn of Fog reads pretty cool, but the problems that will cause for yall far outweigh any benefits I will get from it. I suggest we don't use that unless we really really need to.

"If we want to keep the coins we could place them along the way out in case we need to exit in a hurry we just scoop them up on the way out." not sure if not taking them now means we get gold reduced on the final chronicle. have seen that in sit down games before.