GM Tektite's PFS #02-04 Shadows Fall on Absalom (Inactive)

Game Master Hawkwen Agricola

You don't have to die like your companions, you know. But you probably will.

Slumber hex on her (DC 18 Will), then five-foot over while pulling out another pearl of power (3rd level this time).

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

The final woman falls to the ground, fast asleep.

Party up. What are you doing with the woman in the next seven rounds?

"Ay, I won't kill some helpless woman who can't fight back." Gannus stops raging and sheathes his blades. "Does someone have rope?"

Glaurung takes a few deep breaths and her claws slowly morph back into hands. She reaches down and picks up her longspear, replacing it in her quiver. "I always keep rope on me, of course. I only buy silk, too; it's a bit more comfortable for. . . recreational activities." She hands her rope over to Gannus, figuring his knots will be more suitable for for this situation than the knots she knows.

"I don't have rope, though I do have a tent, and the tent has ropes in it..." Weiman thinks to himself a little. "Haven't gotten to use it recently, though; Worldwound isn't very scenic location." He then looks around to the group. "Does anyone want to go camping after this later, actually? I'm suddenly in the mood to go camping and maybe meet some more horse men."

Glaurung produces some rope and Gannus proceeds to tie the woman up. The woman finally awakes and struggles against her bonds, but is held fast.

As Weiman scans the room, he sees that behind the counter, a sea of satin and suede floods across this room as several masquerade costumes cram racks surrounding a central platform. Above the platform, suspended from thin wire, dances a flamboyant, oversized masquerade costume complete with mask. Four curtained change rooms offer privacy, and several mirrors adorn the walls reflecting the meager light of this shadowy room.

Weiman notices the oversized masquerade costume is moving on its own accord and he can hear muffled noises coming from it.

"I'm not an interrogation kind of guy; I'm really just a biiiiiiig softie. I'm gonna shop around a bit." Weiman whistles a tune and heals himself some with his spells while meandering about the shop, notably grabbing the clown mask. CLW as a spell: 1d8 + 5 + 1d8 + 5 + 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 + (4) + 5 + (4) + 5 = 27 3 1st-level spells used

Noticing the big, moving, noisy thing, he'll inspect further (first by lsitening closer, then with actually looking side the manneqin, though will put the clown mask on first.)

"Buying" a 50gp rubber clown mask (or maybe more appropriately this kind of mask.)

EDIT: Heck, if you get this before the post, let's go ahead and use Acute Senses for that +10.

Listening, Weiman hears a couple voices pleading for help. Peeking in, he startles two men with his sudden clown-faced appearance. He recognizes a man that appears to be Drandle Dreng and another man.

"Ay, did you find something?"

Weiman looks Dreng directly in the face and assumes a gravelly (though still appropriate range for his size) voice. "This is for that the back in Escandar..." He slowly brandishes his shortsword until the last second, when he drops his vocal guise; "Ha! Just kidding!" He then turns around and yells back to Gannus. "Yeah, we got a Drendle Dreng! And some other guy!"

-Posted with Wayfinder

Dreng's face shows fear, then anger, then relief. Yes you do have a...Drendle Dreng and the fellow is Sidri. Can you help us out of here?

Gannus investigates. "Ay, it is Dreng." He'll help the pair get free. "Wait, Sidri? Isn't he the one trying to kill you?"

T10 that DD for 28.

Despite being incapable of lifting either of them, Weiman goes at the locks.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Once Sidri and Dreng clamber out of the costume, Dreng answers Gannus' question. Kill me? No. He glances at the lifeless form of his doppleganger. Sidri was trying to kill that. He says pointing. You see..an old friend of mine, Nordris Kalm, revealed himself as a member of the Shadow Lodge. He had me abducted, and replaced by a filthy doppelganger. Luckily, Sidri discovered this and tried to rescue me. Sidri’s interference made Nordris sloppy, and thankfully led you here.

"Why would he do that?"

“Nordis and the doppleganger talked about my vault and a catalogue I keep there. This catalogue, the Prospectus of Artifacts, lists the entire inventory of the Grand Lodge’s vaults. Worse, it reveals where each artifact is located, and how to bypass the vaults defenses. He magically persuaded me to tell him how to access the vault.” Dreng smiles “But he never asked about my guardians.”

"Ay, what guardians?"

Bruho shakes his head. It would seem to me there are wiser things to do than to keep a tome that catalogs all of the Grand Lodge's artifacts, Dreng.

Seriously...a list AND a location AND a way to bypass defenses...in the same book?!? Whose bright freakin' idea was THAT? >.<

It was probably authored by a man who gives mission briefings in a nightgown and follows up on rumors of artifacts by sending brand new agents to acquire the alleged items.

"So, then what's the plan now?"

-Posted with Wayfinder

Seriously...a list AND a location AND a way to bypass defenses...in the same book?!? Whose bright freakin' idea was THAT? >.<

I was thinking the same thing.

Glaurung lets out a heavy sigh when Dreng mentions how much Nordis knows. "Sounds like its a race against the clock then? We should get going."

Dreng smiles. Guardian? An Invisible Stalker, that's all. It resides in the inner vault. Dreng says in response to Gannus

Weiman returns to his gravelly voice and contorts his face (though such is hidden by his clown mask.) "You're very talk-y today, Dreng. What if I'm Nordis? Then you've compromised everything. You're a leaky bucket, Dreng."

Bruxo looks at Glaurung, clearly as exasperated as she. Tell us how to get to this vault, then, so we can finish the job.

Dreng describes how to find his vault and the party leaves quickly.

Moving on then?

The party races across the city, arriving at Dreng's vault. Entering the party sees, several wall-mounted beasts stare with dead, black eyes into this otherwise cozy room. A dire ape’s gaping maw hangs opposite a snarling worg. Under the worg’s scruff, a large, marbled hearth offers a promise of warmth, and many tables and chairs snuggle on top of Vudran rugs. Opposite the hearth, under the dire ape’s glare, a dragon-motif bar slithers for 20 feet of exotic Tian Xia inlays and carvings. A soft, yellow glow emanates from decorative blown-glass hurricanes.

1d4 ⇒ 2

As the party enters the vault, the party hears movement, but no form can be detected, yet a sense of force and hulking malevolence is undeniable.

Initiative:
Bruxo
???
Gannus
Glaurung
Weiman

Bruxo is up

MAP

Oof, I should always keep a standing order of "knowing we're going to fight an invisible stalker: Cast Acute Senses on Self." Today's Thursday (a busy not-PFS-as-much-anymore day for me), so I'll queue up my action.

Clown-Face Smalls (A.K.A. Weiman) will try to step away from any murderous-shaped things and Haste everybody once his turn rolls around, unless someone gets severely (read: more than 50% hp) hurt. In such a case, the 3rd-level spell is instead a Cure Serious on that person. Either way, his shortsword will be drawn.

Also, a knowledge? Kn (P?): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 Will share all info.

Oof, I should always keep a standing order of "knowing we're going to fight an invisible stalker: Cast Acute Senses on Self." Today's Thursday (a busy not-PFS-as-much-anymore day for me), so I'll queue up my action.

Clown-Face Smalls (A.K.A. Weiman) will try to step away from any murderous-shaped things and Haste everybody once his turn rolls around, unless someone gets severely (read: more than 50% hp) hurt. In such a case, the 3rd-level spell is instead a Cure Serious on that person. Either way, his shortsword will be drawn.

Also, a knowledge? [dice=Kn (P?)]1d20+9 Will share all info.

If it makes you feel any better, Acute Senses would not have helped on the last roll.

Whoof, I know they're pretty good at hiding, but this is the first thing Weiman's actually missed (excluding his many, many horrible attacks.) Gotta hit next level so I get +20 perception instead of +10, though, do ho ho.

"Hey guys! I've heard of these things before! Invisible stalkers... are invisible! Ha!"

...

"Also, they don't have kidneys to punch."

Weiman thinks of what he has heard of invisible stalkers. Beyond the obvious fact of them being invisible all the time, he knows that: Elementals of this sort have immunity to bleed, paralysis, poison, sleep effects, and stunning and are not subject to critical hits or flanking., as well as they do not take additional damage from precision-based attacks, such as sneak attack.

Naturally, we forgot to ask Dreng how to bypass his guardian. Not that he would've told us, of course...

If anyone sees something, don't keep it to yourself.

Bruxo will ready an action to cast glitterdust when he or someone else thinks he/she has a reasonable idea where the stalker is.

I don't think there was way to bypass this..

Bruxo's eyes dart across the room as he readies a spell.

Attack vs Glaurung FF: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 5) + 4 = 12

Attack vs Glaurung FF: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 = 9

Crit Confirm vs Glaurung FF: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21
Crit Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 4) + 4 = 13

Suddenly Glaurung feels herself being slammed hard by an unseen force! The breath is knocked from her as she feels some ribs crack.

Reacting to the attack, Bruxo's spell goes off, coating the invisible force with sparkly glitter!

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

The glittery creature stumbles back, pawing at where you think it's eyes might be!

Initiative:
Invisible Stalker
Bruxo
Gannus
Glaurung
Weiman

Gannus, Glaurung, and Weiman up!

MAP

"Hey, why don't you pick on someone your own size." After the cliche, Gannus moves around for the flank, provoking, draws his weapons and strikes.

Rage!: 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 20 + 2 = 41

1d6 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Weiman thinks of what he has heard of invisible stalkers. Beyond the obvious fact of them being invisible all the time, he knows that: Elementals of this sort have immunity to bleed, paralysis, poison, sleep effects, and stunning and are not subject to critical hits or flanking, as well as they do not take additional damage from precision-based attacks, such as sneak attack.

AoO vs Gannus: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

Gannus moves around to flank the stalker, but finds it doesn't seem to have a sideness as it tries to slam him, but misses. He feels his blade sink deep as he strikes it.

"Oh, you've got it now!" Glaurung says, a gash opened across her face. She takes a quick breath before stepping to the side and breathing out fire on the thing!

30' cone of fire in case there's anything else in the direction.

fire damage: 12d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 1, 4, 5, 5, 3, 5, 1, 1, 3, 6) = 40
DC 19 Ref for half

30' cone of fire in case there's anything else in the direction.

[dice=fire damage]12d6
DC 19 Ref for half

** spoiler omitted **

Just Gannus....

Well I had to provoke to melee him anyway. It's cool, it's just 40 damage...

Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Gannus shouldn't be in the way after I 5' stepped towards the wall. I meant if there was anything else invisible behind it.

Gannus shouldn't be in the way after I 5' stepped towards the wall. I meant if there was anything else invisible behind it.

Ah ha! Missed the step to the side!

Reflex: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

Glaurung breathes fire on the stalker, but it twists its form, evading much of the damage. Dreng's fine furniture and rugs do get a bit charred though.

Weiman casts a spell and everyone feels their movements, quicker, more fluid.

Attack vs Glaurung: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 4) + 4 = 10

Attack vs Glaurung: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2) + 4 = 9

Crit COnfirm vs Glaurung: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
Crit Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 1) + 4 = 10

The stalker slams into the little gnome that just breathed fire on it, slamming her hard again.

Party up!

MAP

Gannus is a flurry of rage and blades as he is ignored by the stalker.

Main: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (14) + 21 = 35

1d6 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Main, Haste: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (14) + 21 = 35

1d6 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Main Iterative: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24

1d6 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Off: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (17) + 21 = 38

1d6 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Off Iterative: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22

1d6 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Gannus, once again, becomes a wall of flying blades. All the blades strike home in the creature and it falls to myriad of slashes.

Out of Combat!

"Ay, are you alright, little Glau?" Gannus says as he stows his blades and takes a look around.

"Ouch." Glaurung says as she holds out her wand to Weiman.

CLW: 5d8 + 5 ⇒ (4, 2, 3, 7, 6) + 5 = 27

Also, just remembered I have Blind Fight.

Didn't matter because I was FF for the first round and it wasn't invisible any more for the second round.

One more for good measure:

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Glaurung stands up straight and looks Gannus in the eyes, taking a defensive stance like a child talking back to their parent. "I'm fine. How about you, big boy?"

"Ay, I'm fine too. Was worried if that creature had hurt you too bad."

"Well, we better get moving if we're going to catch this guy."

If there's a door to prep at first before heading in, Glaurung will cast fly, enlarge person, and bull's strength on herself. All should last 8 minutes.

Edit: Oh, and false life too. That will last 8 hours or until discharged.

temporary HP: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Weiman goes ahead and hits himself with Acute Senses and Gannus with a CLW from his own, clown-y self before proceeding forward. 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

"Ha, oops! I totally forgot I needed those Thieves Tools I never bought to cast that spell Zey made. Whoops! Oh well." He extends a hand to the medium-sized gnome princess. "Shall we go, m'giant'lady?"

He then doubles over after remembering that his MW Thieves Tools (which would work for the spell's focus) are on his mule, whom he hasn't seen for at least 6 missions. He rolls his way across the floor towards the vault.

Looking back, I realize Bruxo never cast mage armor. Whoops! Taking care of that oversight right now...

Bruxo will follow the halfling.

Can I get another charge, Weiman? Still down 10. You can use my wand for it.

Gannus follows Weiman as well.

Weiman will use all wands requested, though will use 1st-level spells before wand charges.

Weiman, while rolling around like a goofball, will momentarily pause to heal Gannus with the last casted CLW of the day. CLW: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 Though now, he will travel about with CLW wand in hand.

Thanks a bunch.