GM Tarondor's Emerald Spire Campaign

Game Master Tarondor

"Welp! I guess that settles it." Frizz says as she snaps her journal shut. She stands as she stuffs it away with a quill clenched in her mouth.

Holding out her hand with a massive grin, she says "Let's see this thing again!"

"I'll take that as a 'we're gonna try it,' then?" Wymond asks.

Frizz gives an enthusiastic nod of her head.

"Right then," Wymond says. "We gonna rest up first or go now?"

'I would very much prefer to rest before stepping blindly into a new area of the spire.'

"I'm inclined to agree with ya, Perry. Want me to get some supper going?"

Lilika nods. "Very well, let's rest first. Then we'll see where this token takes us."

Lilika expends the rest of her healing magic for the day, then settles in for a rest. She tucks into Wymond's meal hungrily. After, she offers to take first watch.

Healing Wymond: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Healing Lilika: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (5, 7) + 8 = 20

"Thank ye kindly, Lilika!" Wymond replies as she heals him. He spends his free time praying to Erastil to help heal them.

It would take me 4 uses of Lay on Hands to restore myself up to full, taking 40 minutes of refocusing, right? Does Lilika need any more healing?

Between bites of food, Frizz mumbles with a full mouth.
"WhereDidY'LearnToCookmmmThisKindOfmmmmFood?"
Gulping down the meal.
"It's not half-bad for dungeon food!"

She'll also tend to her own wounds while scribbling in her journal.
Medicine (T): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Medicine (T): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Medicine (T): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Medicine (T): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
40 minutes and 0 success. Too distracted by her writings...

"Uhhhh... Wymond, Lilika, do you think you could heal me too? All my bandages are sopping wet and useless."

Wymond nods and continues praying, pausing each time to lay hands on Frizz's wounds, and each time they grow smaller and smaller, until they're gone.

Another 40 minutes refocusing and laying on hands.

Perfire eats quietly off by himself. He appears deep in thought, his brows furrowed and his jaw working slowly.

"Hey, Perry?" Wymond asks, noticing him off alone. "Ye want me to tend to your wounds too? Erastil's blessings flow freely for friends and family."

'Yes, that would probably be best.' Perfire sets down his food an allows his friend to patch him up. After a moment he shares his thought. 'I'm just worried about what might be on the other side. What if it's something worse than that mud creature? While I agree using the token is our best option, I'm just trying to prepare myself mentally for what may come.'

Wymond nods and gets to praying and laying on hands.

Looks like you need 7 to get back up to full, so two uses taking 20 minutes of refocusing.

"Aye, I don't blame ye. Our journey through this place ain't exactly been a stroll through the barnyard. But yer magic's been one of the biggest lifesavers down here, getting us outta some scrapes where I couldn't bring my brawn to bear proper, and it's only gettin' stronger by the day."

I'm back! So are you going to A) rest with the defunct Godbox, B) head back to Fort Inevitable, C) heal a little more and go back to the Mudlord or D) use the Spire Transport token to head to level 6?

I think our decision was to A and then D.

'I worry that's not quickly enough, though I appreciate the vote of confidence.'

So are you finished with A and ready for D?

All ready!

Yup!

"There, that should do ye," Wymond says as he finishes tending Perfire's injuries. "Let's get some shut-eye, then we'll head back to the nearest chamber with the Spire an' see how this token thingy works!"

Ready, let's do this!

The team travels to the Emerald Spire on the Godbox level. Lilika, Slaagh, Frizz and Wymond touche Perfire. Wymond also touches his buddy Triath. Perfire touches the Spire Transport token to the wall of green stone and speaks the name of the rune recovered from the goblins - the Azlanti rune for "6". The troglodyte chambers slowly fade away.

For a long moment each of you feels as though you are nowhere. Your lungs struggle to breathe, but they cannot bring in any air. Then, just as panic sets in, a new room begins to materialize around you.

Clouds of steam form from a fountain in the middle of this hall. Four heavy stone columns support the high ceiling, and a single red lever is mounted in a panel on the eastern wall. Rusty remnants of two human-sized automatons lie on the floor. The Emerald Spire protrudes into part of this room's wall.

In the room stands a strange, wizened creature, examining the automatons. Draped in rags and hunched over on goatlike legs, it possesses a monstrously featureless face, save for a large eye ringed by fangs. Flanking the strange being are two large night-black cats, sleek and dangerous looking, their eyes mere smoking red pits.

As you fade into existence, the strange creature looks at you, flicks its hand in your direction, and the demonic cats leap forward, snarling!

Frizz Initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Lilika Initiative: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
Wymond Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Perfire Initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Eye Demon Initiative: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24
Cats Initiative: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

The Eye demon fixes its horrific gaze on Perfire, whispering "So... beautiful...". The halfling feels the weight of that gaze like a physical force pounding in his brain.

Perfire, give me a DC 21 Fortitude save.

STATUS
Eye Demon -
Wymond -
Perfire -
Frizz -
Lilika -
Cat #1 -
Cat #2 -

"BLOODY HELL!" Wymond exclaims at the sight of their "welcoming committee."

Perfire, still reeling from the strangeness of the tower transport, only manages an 'Oh no...' before falling prey to the eye creature's stare.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Looks like a standard failure.

Care to spend a Hero Point to reroll? Or accept the failure?

I don't really like my odds with just the +6. I think I'm going to eat the fail.

Perfire finds it hard to think or even act. The creature then moves to put the pillar between it and harm.

Gaze Attack, Move, Take Cover

STATUS
Eye Demon -
Wymond -
Perfire - Clumsy 2, Stupefied 3 (1 round).
Frizz -
Lilika -
Cat #1 -
Cat #2 -

Everyone, go!

Perfire finds it hard to think or even act. The creature then moves to put the pillar between it and harm.

Gaze Attack, Move, Take Cover

STATUS
Eye Demon - Taking Cover.
Wymond -
Perfire - Clumsy 2, Stupefied 3 (1 round).
Frizz -
Lilika -
Cat #1 -
Cat #2 -

Everyone, go!

"OI! I'MMA SEND YE BACK TO THE PIT THAT SPAWNED YE!" Wymond bellows at the monster. Seeing the one of the cats is between him and it, he makes a rapid series of thrusts with his bardiche.

Bardiche (1): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Bardiche (2): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Bardiche (3): 1d20 ⇒ 11
Bardiche (P/S)Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

"GET OUTTA ME WAY!"

His thoughts muddled, Perfire attempts to reach his will out tentatively, attempting to launch a bit of debris towards the creature that just assaulted his mind. the combined disorientation of the trip down the spire and the monster's attack foil his attempt to us his magic.

Flat Check DC 8: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Telekinetic projectile is disrupted.

Frizz jumps forward lashing at one of the cats with her whip.
Whip Trip vs Reflex DC(1): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

Seeing the demon, she wracks her brain about all the Demonology books she's read.

Stride,Trip,RecallKnowledge. Aiming at the same cat as Wymond.

Wymond miss chance (DC 5): 1d20 ⇒ 4
Wymond miss chance (DC 5): 1d20 ⇒ 4
Frizz miss chance (DC 5): 1d20 ⇒ 14

Wymond slashes at the shadowy cat, but finds that the shadows makes them hard to hit! Meanwhile, Perfire is so agitated by the strange eye creature's gaze that he struggles to form coherent thoughts.

Frizz's whip snakes out and seizes the cat by it's forepaw and yanks the beast off its feet!

STATUS
Eye Demon -
Wymond -
Perfire - Clumsy 2, Stupefied 3 (1 round).
Frizz -
Lilika -
Cat #1 - PRONE
Cat #2 -

Lilika, go!

Frizz, you have no idea what this horrifying thing is!

Anyone, give me orders for Lilika!

Lilika casts electric arc on both the cats, then raises her shield.

electric arc damage (DC 20): 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2) + 4 = 9
Cat #1 Reflex save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25 Success
Cat #2 Reflex save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14 Failure

STATUS
Eye Demon -
Wymond -
Perfire - Clumsy 2, Stupefied 3 (1 round).
Frizz -
Lilika - (shield raised)
Cat #1 - 4 damage, PRONE
Cat #2 - 9 damage

The first cat angrily rises to its feet, charges Frizz and attacks, managing to slash the halfling across the chest.

1. Stand
2. Pounce=Stride+Strike (Jaws)
3. Strike (Claw)

Bite v. Frizz: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Claw v. Frizz: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Claw damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

The second cat also charges Frizz, and also manages to slash her, this time across the head.

1. Pounce=Stride+Strike (Jaws)
2. Strike (Claw)
3. Strike (Claw)

Bite v. Frizz: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Claw v. Frizz: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Claw v. Frizz: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Claw damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

The eye monster points at Wymond and whispers "Drop your weapon, you insignificant worm!" Then it moves close to the pillar for protection.

1-2. Cast suggestion
3. Take cover

STATUS
Eye Demon - Taking Cover
Wymond -
Perfire - Clumsy 2, Stupefied 3 (1 round).
Frizz - 36/48 hp
Lilika - (shield raised)
Cat #1 - 4 damage
Cat #2 - 9 damage

Hey, Wymond! Gimme a DC 21 Will save!

Then everyone, go!

Will Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

"SOD OFF, YA BLIGHTER!" Wymond yells back at the monster, keeping his grip on his weapon firm, before whaling on the cat on the floor, hoping to take it out of the fight quickly.

Bardiche (1): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Bardiche (2): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Bardiche (3): 1d20 ⇒ 2
Bardiche (P/S)Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

"FRIZZ! GET YER TUCHUS BEHIND ME!"

Unexpected Shift DC16: 1d20 ⇒ 10 Nope

What's a tuchus...?!

Frizz thinks as she hops back behind Wymond.
She leans to one side as her whip lashes out at one of the cat's front legs again.

Whip Trip vs Reflex DC(1): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

She lets her whip wiggle and shake and she pulls it back from the cat.

Wymond, this is why you should roll damage with every attack, then let the GM decide whether it applies. Because you rolled damage only once, but hit the opponent twice. Now I have to roll it for you for the second attack.

Wymond second hit damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

The cat is fast, but speed doesn't help it at all when Wymond's powerful sword-work drives two feet of steel into its flank. It howls and screeches, but bloodied as it is, the cat keeps attacking.

STATUS
Eye Demon - Taking Cover
Wymond -
Perfire -
Frizz - 36/48 hp
Lilika - (shield raised)
Cat #1 - 20 damage
Cat #2 - 9 damage

[BRB}

Frizz trips the cat again, then distracts it with the whip.

Nice! I've been waiting for someone to use the Aid action.

STATUS
Eye Demon - Taking Cover
Wymond -
Perfire -
Frizz - 36/48 hp (Can use Reaction to Aid Wymond's attack)
Lilika - (shield raised)
Cat #1 - 20 damage, Prone
Cat #2 - 9 damage

Perfire, Lilika, go!

Perfire finally manages to shake the fog from his brain. He takes aim at the creature in the back playing with his friends' minds and launches an arrow of acid.

Spell Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Damage: 3d8 ⇒ (1, 5, 6) = 12

Acid arrow coming at him, 1d6 persistent acid damage on the creature moving forward if it hits

Just a note of explanation. The creature has cover behind the pillar. In addition, it used the "Take Cover" action. This gives it a whopping "+4 circumstance bonus to AC; to Reflex saves against area effects; and to Stealth checks to Hide, Sneak, or otherwise avoid detection."

Perfire's magical arrow strikes the column in front of the demon and falls to the ground, sputtering and spitting acid for several long moments.

Lilika casts electric arc on both the cats, then raises her shield. Despite being on the ground, one cat manages to completely dodge out of the way.

Electric Arc damage (DC 20): 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 4) + 4 = 12
Cat #1 Reflex save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30 Critical Success!
Cat #2 Reflex save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25 Success

STATUS
Eye Demon - Taking Cover
Wymond -
Perfire -
Frizz - 36/48 hp (Can use Reaction to Aid Wymond's attack)
Lilika - (shield raised)
Cat #1 - 20 damage, Prone
Cat #2 - 15 damage

Even more angry this time, the first cat bounds to its feet, charges Frizz and attacks, grabbing the gnome by the arm and savaging it.

1. Stand
2. Pounce=Stride+Strike (Jaws)
3. Grab (automatic)

Bite v. Frizz w/ cover: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 10 - 2 = 25
Bite damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

1d3 ⇒ 1

The second cat rounds the corner and attacks Perfire, but the lucky halfling manages to dodge nimbly out of the way.

1. Pounce=Stride+Strike (Jaws)
2. Strike (Jaws)
3. Strike (Claw)

Bite v. Perfire: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Bite v. Perfire: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Claw v. Perfire: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

The eye monster gazes at Wymond, the eerie eye that makes up its whole face staring unblinking at the paladin. Then it moves close to the pillar for protection.

1-2. Accursed Gazed
3. Take cover

STATUS
Eye Demon - Taking Cover
Wymond -
Perfire -
Frizz - 29/48 hp (Can use Reaction to Aid Wymond's attack), Grabbed
Lilika - (shield raised)
Cat #1 - 20 damage
Cat #2 - 15 damage

Hey, Wymond! Gimme a DC 21 Fortitude save!

Then everyone, go!

Using the momentum of dodging the flurry of attacks from the cat, Perfire rushes to better line up his shot on the eye creature. He tries again to launch an acid arrow at his target.

Ah, I missed the take cover action. My bad, thanks for the reminder.

Stride, acid arrow

Spell Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

Acid Damage: 3d8 ⇒ (5, 3, 5) = 13

If it hits, persistent 1d6 acid

Delaying until Wymond resolves his save/turn... Wymond, don't forget your +1 if you get a chance to whack that kitty cat!

Fortitude: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Of COURSE I whiff it on my GOOD saving throw. Spending a Hero Point to reroll.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

And I wasted the Hero point. Great. >:(

Wymond shakes his head as the magic worms its way into his head.

"Whaaaa? Wuzzit doin'?" he slurs. But fortunately, hitting the enemy before him doesn't require much agility or thought.

WYMOND SMASH!

Bardiche (1): 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 1 = 16
Bardiche (P/S)Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Bardiche (2): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Bardiche (P/S)Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Bardiche (3): 1d20 ⇒ 6
Bardiche (P/S)Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Perfire, even without cover, which you removed by repositioning, "taking cover" gives the eye demon a +2 AC modifier and that is enough to make your spell miss again.

Perfire's second acid arrow sizzles harmlessly into the stone pillar.

Wymond? Aaaactually, that save was to keep from being CONFUSED for a round. Instead of his intended target, Wymond loses his wits and attacks 1d4 ⇒ 4, huh, whaddya know? By sheer chance he attacks the cat, as he intended! Nonetheless, he flails about him and hits nothing but air and stone.

Frizz, Lilika, go!

"Ah! Cat! Eeeeeee!"
Frizz hollers as she skirts around the cat in front of Wymond and draws out her short sword.

Setting the cat between her and Wymond she sets upon it with sword in an anxious frenzy.

ShortSword (1): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
ShortSword (P/S)Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3
Sneak Attack: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Stride N, NE, SE; Draw sword, Strike against Flanked kitty.

The Paizo dice gods don't like us... yikes!

Frizz? You're grabbed. Can't move.

Please redo your turn.

Sorry...

"Eeeeeee!"
Frizz scrambles for her short sword with her free arm.
Flat Check to Draw: 1d20 ⇒ 14

Wrenching it free from its scabbard, she plunges it down twice at the cat on her arm.
ShortSword (1): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
ShortSword (P/S)Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5
ShortSword (2): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
ShortSword (P/S)Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0