GMTrex's PFS 6-01 Trial by Machine (Inactive)

Game Master Andrew Trexler

"My friend speaks the details of it. Spare no details in your description. "

Then, while listening Zo takes his sweet ol'time searching the room.

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The woman nearly draws her dagger as Zosimos brushes past her to search the room, but her nerve holds. "This here's Meleren," she waves a red dye-splattered arm in the crossbowman's direction, who grunts in acknowledgement. "And I'm Shechera." She spits and looks away for a minute. "Training mission, you say? Gods be damned. No wonder all we found was that stupid necklace an' a pretty dagger."

"We're the only ones left. Well, Harlo ran back t'way we came, so he might have made it out, but the other three 're dead as doornails by the time we ran in here. We was arguing about the necklace and where all the bloody gold was when the wall jus' opened, all on its own, and that thing popped out and started killin' us!"

"Practic'lly killed me, too." She pulls back her cloak to reveal a wide gash down her left side. "Meleren here threw a tanglefoot bag t' slow it down and we ran in here, 'til you lot showed up."

Zosimos finds little of interest in the room. Each archway leads to a barracks with two metal bunk beds and four footlockers. The barracks contain no valuables whatsoever. The door to the north is identical to all others you've encountered, and like the previous room there are no Pathfinder markings (triangle and dots) anywhere to be found.

"Anything worth value has been long since gone from this place. That includes said amulet around your neck there. It is merely a token to prove the completion of our trial. Have you not thought as to why all of the traps have been nonlethal and full of dye? It is to mark mistakes made by those undergoing the trial to critique their performance. What would a group of non-pathfinders be doing here in the first place?"

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"Listen. You're gravely injured and obviously want to get out of here to safety at this point. Allow us to guide you out of here in exchange for the amulet. It has no value anyway, but we need it to pass. This way both of our parties benefit. What say you? "

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"No way. This place looks clean --" she gestures at the room you're standing in "-- not picked over like everything else. There migh' be somethin' worth all this death down here."

Meleren speaks up finally, taking the amulet off his neck. "You can have this though," he says flatly. "Not worth anything anyway."

"IF! You come with us," Shechera adds hastily. "Strength in numbers, right?"

Sounds fine to me- We have the necklace to show we passed. May as well explore further right.

How do I feel about their sincerity? Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 8 + (6) = 31

How do I feel about their sincerity?

Pretty good, for bandits. They're clearly on edge (or, at least Shechera is) but you surmise that that's probably because half their company just died.

Unless there is objection to Arch's suggestion, I'll move us along tonight. Feel free to weigh in either way.

No objection.

Polo nods, eyes not wavering from the pair.

-Posted with Wayfinder

"No way. This place looks clean --" she gestures at the room you're standing in "-- not picked over like everything else. There migh' be somethin' worth all this death down here."

"I'm not sure why you think there is something worth dying for down here. These machine contraptions don't look like the treasure hoarding type. Is that the reason you folks are down here. . . to loot this place? If you want great risk and reward, you might consider looking for a dragon. I think this is the risk only dungeon."

Lyklor is reluctant to include these bandits in this adventure. He is not very trusting and he is not going to be as inclined to share treasure with them. However, he will try to keep this opinion to himself and simply encourage them to find their way out when the right opportunity comes.

You could always pickpocket them after :)

That's a really good idea. I will consider that. This may be a better post for the discussion thread, but is there a way to earn extra treasure with pick pocketing in PFS? I never really thought that would be an option.

That's a really good idea. I will consider that. This may be a better post for the discussion thread, but is there a way to earn extra treasure with pick pocketing in PFS? I never really thought that would be an option.

Extra gold? No. The gold you are supposed to get? Sometimes! No telling if that's the case here though.

"Let's get movin' then, yeah?" Shechera looks to you to push the button to the next room.

Archimedicus inspects the door for a trap. You would be wise not to betray us. Upon finding no traps he will push the button.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Lyklor searches for traps on the door.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 (+1 traps)

"Archimedicus, you know you should let me push the button to the door! These portals have so many deadly traps in them, that it is much better if I check them out first!"

Neither the rogue nor the brawler detect any traps on the door.

"Alright, this door seems safe to me. Go ahead and push the button. There should be no problem with it."

"There's no riches in death, especially death in the pursuit of riches. Still you are obviously have a certain bravery. I will assist."

"There's no riches in death, especially death in the pursuit of riches. Still you are obviously have a certain bravery. I will assist."

Make a Charisma or Diplomacy check.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 shame I didn't get the roll I got for the aid haha.

Apologies to other folks -- we'll get this door open very shortly.

aid take 10, = 10

you mentioned you companions died or fled. So much for solidarity. Perhaps seeing us work together will help change you mind about the saying "honor amongst thieves"

Dir

Um. Was there more to that?

Payj smiles at Torsk.

"There is honor among thieves, it's just different kind of honor. Thieves know there will be no rescue, no sacrifice to save each other's lives, but there will be sacrifice to protect each other's freedom or identity. These two knew the risks, they dared them anyway and knew when they had gotten in over their head, no help was coming. They were ready to die, but on their terms, no?"

"You know, the basic motivation and skill proclivities of tomb robbing actually lend themselves to becoming a Pathfinder, the major difference being that you write down your activities. There is also the fact that you'd be trained instead of operating on instinct alone, which given your current predicament, seems like a better idea than your current autodidactic method. In fact, if you're willing to begin down the road, you can watch and learn in return for our protection. "

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Zo doesn't wait for confirmation. It's the logical choice, so he assumes they make it.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30 Assuming the door is safe, Zo opens it and stealthily checks out the other side.

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

that's how we do it in Kingsport!

Payj smiles at Torsk. "They were ready to die, but on their terms, no?"

"Die?! No! We'll be living through this, thanks very much!" They give each other a glance at Torsk's suggestion, though, and then a glance back at you all.

Zosimos stealthily opens the door (that's some nice dice you got there...), but the stealth isn't all that helpful. A huge gust of wind comes roaring through your hallway and into the previously vacuum-sealed room beyond. "Yeah, that happened the las' two times, too. Told ya this place ain't been picked over yet."

In the room beyond, a gaggle of skeletal figures wreathed in some strange energy turn in your direction. Initiative!

Zosimos: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Polo: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Lyklor: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Archimedicus: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Torsk: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Payj: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Baddies: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Meleren: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Shechera: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Four skeletons hobble to the door. Two reach striking distance, lashing out at Polo and Zosimos!

Gauntlet at Polo: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 MISS!
Gauntlet at Zosimos: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14 MISS!

Lyklor is up! Map updated.

Round I Update
Baddies: swarm the door
Lyklor:
Payj:
Polo:
Schechera:
Meleren:
Torsk:
Archimedicus:
Zosimos:

Payj smiles and casts grease.

DC 16 Reflex.

"They're all yours boys."

Withdraw

Archimedicus steps in grasping his shield by the edge and swings it in a wide arc at the group of skeletons.

Shield bash main: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

shield bash cleave: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Free action: 5 foot step in towards skeletons
Move action: Gain Cleave per Martial Flexibility
Standard Action: Shield bash two skeletons

When my turn comes up, I will grab and drink my mage armor potion

Round 1

Lykor moves up and swings his two handed blade directly at the right hand skeleton.

Move action: move diagonally right one up one.
Standard action: attack the baddies with the Elven Curved Blade.

Elven Curved Blade: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Round I

Lyklor steps up to the plate and whiffs. Payj gets off a grease spell:
Reflex SW: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 FAIL
Reflex NW: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 FAIL
Reflex NE: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 SUCCESS
Reflex SE: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 SUCCESS

Two skeletons slip on the magical grease and clatter to the metallic floor.

Polo is up! At the start of his turn (same for Zosimos), the energy surrounding the skeletons burns into his skin: Plasma Aura: 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + (3) = 7 DMG to Polo/Eclipse/Zosimos: 7

Archimedicus will need new actions unless Polo steps back on his turn.

Round I Update
Baddies: swarm the door
Lyklor: swing and miss
Payj: grease
Polo: CURRENT
Schechera:
Meleren:
Torsk: mage armor
Archimedicus: TBD
Zosimos: withdraw

"Look, boy: A delicious and greasy feast!" jeers Polo, giving Eclipse the attack command.

The wolf lunges for the closest visible femur.

Bite SW skelly: 1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 4 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

It's cover vanished, Polo strikes at the NW skeleton.

Lance NW skeleton. : 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 4 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Polo pulls the reluctant wolf back in a 5-foot step.

"Cursed undead! Can't fight like real champions, so they rely on magic? Mindless fools!"

-Posted with Wayfinder

Polo's lance isn't the right tool for the job, but tears out the NW skeleton's entire ribcage and its energy seems to be failing. Eclipse chomps down hard on the closest skeleton, shattering it completely -- and, unfortunately, triggering a plasmatic explosion: Plasma: 1d6 ⇒ 5 DMG 5 to Polo, Eclipse, and Lyklor.

This causes Eclipse to pass out; Polo attempts to retain his feet after mount goes down... Ride Check to Soft Fall: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 FAIL ...Polo takes Falling DMG: 1d6 ⇒ 4 a hit and also passes out.

Current HP for Eclipse is -1/11, current HP for Polo is -3/13 unless I counted wrong. Zosimos is also down 7, Lyklor is down 5.

Shechera begins to back away, while Meleren drags the cavalier out of harm's way.

Sorry folks, this one's pretty rough. Archimedicus is up; your prior action is no longer applicable so I'll let you change to something else.

Round I Update
Baddies: swarm the door
Lyklor: swing and miss
Payj: grease
Polo: kills one and almost another, but both mount and rider go down
Schechera: backs away
Meleren: drags Polo away
Torsk: mage armor
Archimedicus: CURRENT
Zosimos: withdraw

Dang.

The way Meleren left the halfling's limp body was oddly perfect for keeping pressure on his wounds.

Adaptable Luck will trigger for round 2's Con ability check (+2).

Archimedicus hurls his shield at the nearest skeleton before backtracking around the corner.

We will draw these skeletons away. Someone see if they are alright and get them back up

Throw shield: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Another plasmatic explosion goes off as the brawler knocks out a skeleton! Plasma: 1d6 ⇒ 3 to Eclipse (current hp -4/11) and Lyklor (current hp 11/18).

Both remaining skeletons attempt to advance across the grease (one standing up first to do so).

Acrobatics (Left): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Acrobatics (Left): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Both make it into position, but only one has time for an attack on the tengu.

Gauntlet: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 MISS

However, Lyklor (at the start of his turn, same for Eclipse) takes more plasma damage from the skeletons' auras! Plasma: 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (6) = 8

Lyklor is up! (Current hp 3/18.)

Round I Summary
Baddies: swarm the door
Lyklor: swing and miss
Payj: grease
Polo: kills one and almost another, but both mount and rider go down
Shechera: backs away
Meleren: drags Polo away
Torsk: mage armor
Archimedicus: downs a skeleton and retreats
Zosimos: withdraw

Round II Update
Baddies: advance
Lyklor: CURRENT
Payj:
Polo: roll to stabilize Eclipse, current hp -12/11 (DC is 22...)
Shechera:
Meleren:
Torsk:
Archimedicus:
Zosimos:

I would Greatly appreciate someone dragging my pup out of that aoe range!

Eclipse Constitution: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Polo Constitution: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 2 = 18

Round 2

Lyklor beats his feathery arms and makes a hasty retreat.

Withdraw!

"I'll get the dog! Archimedicus Take them out! "

I'll double move dragging the dog on my way. Location TBD based on other actions.

Thanks, Zo! If at all possible he needs to get stabilized or healed too else he's dead with 2 more failed checks.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Lyklor beats a retreat, burning as he goes. Polo stabilizes. Payj is up!

Round II Update
Baddies: advance
Lyklor: withdraw
Payj: CURRENT
Polo: Polo stabilizes, Eclipse does not (current hp -13/11)
Shechera:
Meleren:
Torsk:
Archimedicus:
Zosimos:

Payj aims her hand at the skeleton on her right and a bolt of green, viscous fluid bursts forward at the creature.

Acid Dart Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

If it hits.

Damage Acid: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

And she will move back.

Payj hurls an acid dart, but the nimble bugger ducks out of the way. Shechera backs as far away as she can, while drags Eclipse back a few feet and then beats his own retreat.

Torsk is up!

Round II Update
Baddies: advances
Lyklor: withdraws
Payj: acid dart, retreats
Polo: Polo stabilizes, Eclipse does not
Shechera: retreats
Meleren: repositions Eclipse, retreats
Torsk: CURRENT
Archimedicus:
Zosimos:

Archimedics will rush forward and pick up his shield.

Looks like a bad spot to just rush into. Maybe I can get one more throw off on my shield before I have to rush in

Is the map up to date: meaning no allies inside the doors so I could step up and shut the door if I wanted to?

Yes.

Torsk, sacrificing his own body, moves up and bangs on the button to shut the doors. He hopes the aura won't reach him, but hopes more that they cannot open the door from the other side.

With the pooch out of harms way for just a second, Zo mixes up a nice little CLW and drinks it. 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8