GMTrex's PFS [Normal Mode] 3-03 Flaxseed Manor Gauntlet (Inactive)

Game Master Andrew Trexler

Oops, meant to pull those off. Thanks!

Aeris finds a door hiding behind one of the curtains. It's locked. Meanwhile, Besai mocks him. "What, do you always look for books behind the curtains? I swear, you bunch are as thick as ogres."

Sarion scans the man with his Detect Evil and Deathwatch powers surreptitiously, hoping idly in his least charitable thoughts that he might be smite-able...

"Let's have a look around here. I'll keep watch at the door." he says in the next room.

Sarion's discerning gaze finds that Besai is in remarkably good health and, providing equal disappointment, not evil.

”Besai, did this ring of yours open locked doors?” Aeris asks. ”We seem to be finding a lot of them. Or do you have some lockpicks in your kimono? I’m sure an experienced Pathfinder like yourself wouldn’t be without them and would be skilled in their use.”

Without waiting for an answer, Aeris turns to Sarion and says, ”Shall we try to force this together? After we check it for surprises?”

He studies the door closely, giving it a listen as well as scanning it for magic. Detect magic

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Once he’s confident there are no surprises, he puts his shoulder to the door next to Sarion’s and gives a mighty shove.

Str check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

"Bloody hell, you're not going to ask me to do everything, are you?! No of course I don't have any stupid lockpicks, you insufferable twit!"

Aeris doesn't see any magic in this room and, despite a very heavy shove, the door does not budge.

Narvik stays silent but will grant Guidance to those attempting to use their skills to bypass the door.

Alright, Sarion taking 20 with guidance from Narvik (short a portable ram so that Aeris could help) is enough to batter down the door. About 15 minutes have passed since buff spells were cast, for those keeping track.

This neatly appointed bedchamber has a ten-foot ceiling. A comfortable but modest four-poster bed, two large dressers of oak, and a bearskin rug decorate the otherwise austere room of cool stone. In one corner, a thick velvet curtain partially hides an ornate tub for bathing and a marble toilet.

Here the party once again encounters Domatilla, who stands with a fearful expression affixed at the door and holding a thick leather ledger tight to her chest.

"Oops, sorry," Aeris says. "The, uh, door was stuck."

He takes a quick glance around the room and says, "Don't be alarmed, we don't mean you any harm. You don't happen to know where we can find the book we're looking for, do you? If we found it, we'd be out of your way, no more barging through doors and such."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 See why I don't do the talking?

Attitude shifted to hostile... :)

Domatilla shakes her head emphatically, looking down at her feet.

Yeah, when I previewed the post I thought that might happen, but I didn't want to keep suggesting that someone else say something nice to everyone we meet. Hopefully we won't have to fight the nice old lady...

Anyone want to try to salvage this?

She has not taken any hostile action, nor even spoken to you (even when serving tea earlier).

I wish people would let the diplomancers do their job. As per the rules, you can attempt a Diplomacy check to influence an NPC only once per day, so if someone inexperienced does it, he can basically waste the chance for the whole party. On the other hand, you can always roll an aid another to help the main roller. Also since this is the Internet, there's no tone/face to relate with: I'm not angry or anything about this action, just explaining things. ;)

Ouroboreia sighs wearily at Aeris, then approaches the girl calmly, her hands open in a gesture of acceptance and peace.

"Don't you mind Aeris and his poor manners, girl. I am Ouroboreia. From what I gather, you must be Domatilla, right? I'm delighted to have the opportunity to meet you properly. We are sorry about the door, the boys simply don't know how to knock." she jokes, trying to lighten up the mood. "Would you agree to talking a little bit with us?"

Diplomacy (salvage operation): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30

Narvik can use Enhanced Diplomacy as Ouroboreia begins to step forward, granting her words additional influence. +2 to Diplomacy.

The woman again shakes her head, eyes cast demurely downward.

"What, you don't seriously think SHE knows where it is?! She's just a bloody care-taker. Passad wouldn't hand over the Manual to this pedestrian." Besai leaves the room and waits impatiently for you to follow.

Aeris rolls his eyes at Besai, wishing the Society weren't quite so flexible in its admission standards. He then goes back through the hidden door and to the large dining room, moving cautiously past the flesh golem and its magical duplicates. He moves over to the double doors on the far side of the room and inspects them, giving them a listen and a scan for magic while he's at it, before opening the door.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Moved Aeris to the door I have in mind.

Ouroboreia follows Aeris, inspecting the door as well.
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

Neither of the Pathfinders find anything untoward (although Aeris does detect magic of the illusion school ahead), and Aeris opens the door.

Light dances on the water of the reflecting pool in this large atrium, the ten-foot-high roof above the pool open to the Katapeshi sky. A decorative coral formation sits at the pool’s center, its rocky branches reaching out in all directions, moving slowly to create a mesmerizing animated abstract sculpture. On the southern wall, three painted statues stand as vigilant guards, each holding two broad blades. In addition to the double doors where the group now stands, eight sturdy doors of oak open into the skylit chamber from rooms along the east and west walls of the atrium. The marble walkway around the shallow pool features a meandering pattern created by inlaid multicolored stone chips.

Before the party enters, Ouroboreia motions them to hold, and casts detect magic, particularly suspicious of the statues and the pool. She scrutinizes the room, wary of any impending danger.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

*reads actual text* Woops, my bad. No illusion in this room. However...

Ouroboreia notices that, of the three statues at the far end of the room, two of them have massive oval-cut blue sapphires embedded in the foreheads--the third one in the center has a massive scar there instead, as though its sapphire had been crudely cut out.

Though his efforts in this regard were fruitless before, Aeris enters the room and turns his attention to the floor of the atrium, seeking evidence of others' having been here before. In particular, he focuses on tracks leading to and from the damaged statue - and any indication that the statues themselves have moved from their pedestals.

As he moves further into the room, he gestures to the others to join him.

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

As soon as Aeris sets a single foot into the room, the twirling 'art sculpture' in the center of the room reveals its true nature, and attacks! You were just under the DC to beat its take 10 on Stealth. I'll take Knowledge (the Planes).

A horrid, living mass of claws, tentacles, mouths, and eyes rumbles forward to the door, claws held menacingly high!

Party is up!

Round I - bold may act!
1. Aeris, Narvik, Ouroboreia, Sarion
2. Guardian

Sarion, his shield still strapped to his arm and his sword arm free, stands at the front of the group, eyes peeled for danger.

Sorry, guys, moving this weekend.

Knowledge: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (20) + 19 = 39 Immunities, weaknesses, resistances, DR, special defenses please.

Ouroboreia takes a step behind as she quickly communicates what she knows about that creature to her companions.

Then she conjures a snowball out of thin air and throws it at the unaware creature.
Casting snowball, Fort DC 18 or be staggered for one round. The damage isn't halved by a successful Fort save.
RTA vs FF Touch AC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 Oh well...
Cold damage: 5d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 1, 4, 4) = 15

It's a chaos beast, and denizen of the Plane of Chaos. Immune to precision damage and critical hits; no known weaknesses; no known resistances; no known DR; decent SR and polymorph spells don't work on it well.

Ouroboreia sends a snowball splashing into the pool, creating a new intricate sculpture, this one made of splashed ice!

Round I - bold may act!
1. Aeris, Narvik, Ouroboreia, Sarion
2. Chaos Beast

Okay, monster post appeared while I was typing and I missed it...

Sarion strides forward and draws his scimitar. "Get behind me Aeris!" he says. "Sarenrae Protect my allies!" he says, and the holy symbol on his chest shines with yellow light.

Move up, drawing sword, activate Power of Faith (Standard action, +1 Morale bonus to AC, attacks, damage, saves vs fear to all allies in 30ft radius for 1 minute). Uses of Lay on Hands remaining: 7/8, Current AC 28

Narvik moves up and casts Bane.

On the assumption it can't counter Power of Faith of course.

Narvik, make a spell pentration check.

Aeris steps away from the creature, slipping his bow off his shoulder as he moves. He looses a single arrow at the coralline monster.

Longbow, PBS, Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 12 - 2 = 18
Longbow damage, PBS, Deadly Aim: 1d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 4 = 10

Spell Resistance: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Aeris fires an arrow that slips through the creature's many limbs. Narvik tries to discourage it 1d20 ⇒ 5 and seems effective in doing so (Narvik, please make sure to tell me the DC next time). Meanwhile, Sarion boosts his allies' confidence.

The creature moves in front of Sarion and attack with four vicious tentacles, but the paladin's solid defenses keep him safe.

Claw @ Sarion: 1d20 + 13 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 13 - 1 = 17 MISS
Claw @ Sarion: 1d20 + 13 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 13 - 1 = 22 MISS
Claw @ Sarion: 1d20 + 13 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 13 - 1 = 22 MISS
Claw @ Sarion: 1d20 + 13 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 13 - 1 = 23 MISS

Besai, meanwhile, mocks the wizardess. "Wow. Your aim is THAT bad?"

Round II - bold may act!
1. Aeris, Narvik, Ouroboreia, Sarion
2. Chaos Beast
3. Besai

Oops, my apologies, I don't use that spell often and forgot it had a DC to it.

Narvik waits until Aeris fires his shots and then will step up to help Sarion attack the beast!

+1 Morningstar: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 for Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Aeris asks Narvik and Sarion, "Would one of you mind taking a step to the side, so I can put arrows in this thing more effectively?" He then lets three arrows fly at the coral monster.

A five-foot step from either of you would mean it doesn't have cover from me. (Heck, you could even get it flanked.) Thanks!

Longbow, Rapid Shot, Manyshot, PBS, cover: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 4 = 7
Longbow damage: 2d8 + 16 ⇒ (2, 6) + 16 = 24

Longbow, PBS, Rapid Shot, cover: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 8 - 4 = 20
Longbow damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

I plan on doing so next round, thus why I waited for you to fire before moving this round (though I think you technically act before I do anyway.)

No worries Narvik! And yes, I'm ignoring cover per Narvik's initiative/specification. Aeris, if you could please roll each Manyshot arrow separately, that'd be helpful for me. Thanks!

Aeris and Narvik each land a blow, doing a little damage to the beast!

Round II - bold may act!
1. Aeris, Narvik, Ouroboreia, Sarion
2. Chaos beast (13 damage)

Sarion raises his shield in time to deflect those attacks that might breach his armor, and when he gets a break in the onslaught, he unleashes one of his own.

Power Attacking 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
1d6 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 4 + 1 = 12
2nd attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
1d6 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 4 + 1 = 10

Ignoring Besai completely, Ouroboreia focuses on the matter at hand, and empowers her companions (including Besai) with haste, quickening their every move.

Haste: +1 attack rolls, Ref saves, AC / double your speed (max +30 feet) / +1 attack when full-attacking.

Sarion also scores a blow with his scimitar, while Ouroboreia helps out the party with boosted speed. The creature, sensing a slightly softer target in Narvik, attacks the half-orc instead.

Claw @ Narvik: 1d20 + 13 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 13 - 1 = 25 HIT Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 plus make a Fort save
Claw @ Narvik: 1d20 + 13 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 13 - 1 = 22 MISS
Claw @ Narvik: 1d20 + 13 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 13 - 1 = 29 HIT Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 plus make a Fort save
Claw @ Narvik: 1d20 + 13 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 13 - 1 = 17 MISS

The beast then steps east again, beyond Sarion. On the other side of the wall, Besai moves behind Aeris and 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16 sends a bit of acid at the chaos beast.

Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 - 4 = 9 MISS

Round III - bold may act!
1. Aeris, Narvik (28/41hp, saves first please!), Ouroboreia, Sarion
2. Chaos Beast (25 dmg)
3. Besai

I have no problem with you rolling for saves, SR checks, etc, if it helps keep the game moving.

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

I also have 12 temporary HP from False Life, pending what the fort save does to me.

Sounds good, thanks! I sometimes do that, but decided against this time in case you wanted to use a reroll (see below).

As the chaos beast's claw rips into him, Narvik doesn't feel well. In fact, he doesn't look well either. Where formerly there was a half-orc, now there is a roiling, shapeless, melting, writhing, boiling mass of spongy green skin and flesh and sinew and organs. Narvik's morning star clatters to the ground, and his armor and backpack only gets in the way of his constant flowing and bubbling.

Round III - bold may act!
1. Aeris, (Narvik--see above) (40/41 hp, corporeally unstable), Ouroboreia, Sarion
2. Chaos Beast (25 dmg)
3. Besai

With the creature moving away from him, Aeris steps into the room, passing Narvik just as he undergoes a startling, disgusting transformation. Aeris now understands better what they're up against, and calls on Milani to empower his bow to destroy the monstrosity that has turned Narvik into a writhing mass of goo.

Move action to get into room, swift action to cast divine favor (1/6 fervor uses today), single shot at chaos beast.

Longbow, PBS, Deadly Aim, Divine Favor: 1d20 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 10 + 3 = 26
Longbow damage, PBS, Divine Favor: 1d8 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 3 = 15

Don't forget Haste: +1 attack rolls, Ref saves, AC / double your speed (max +30 feet) / +1 attack when full-attacking.

Ouroboreia glares at the beast, her void eyes drawing away its countenance.

Using Reveal Weakness: our enemy takes a -2 penalty on AC and saves for one round.

Guided by divine grace, Aeris's arrow slices off one of the beast's many limbs. Ouroboreia gazes at it with her void eyes and distracts it for a time. I've moved Ouro to where she could actually see it (only a 5-foot step).

Round III - bold may act!
1. Aeris, (Narvik--see above) (40/41 hp, corporeally unstable), Ouroboreia, Sarion
2. Chaos Beast (40 dmg)
3. Besai

Sarion shouts in rage and consternation at the beast's effect on his ally and redoubles his attacks on it.

Power Attacking
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

1d6 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 4 + 1 = 11
1d6 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 4 + 1 = 10
1d6 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 4 + 1 = 12

Almost as suddenly as he blorped into a chaotic mass, Narvik returns himself to his normal state through sheer force of will! Your hand-held items are still on the floor, but you have a move action left for this round. I'll tell you if/when you become unstable again.

Sarion meanwhile lays into the creature with great force and speed. Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20 Confirmed Crit damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

The chaos beast throws itself at the tiefling, striking twice through his heavy defenses!

Claw @ Sarion: 1d20 + 13 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 13 - 1 = 32 CRIT THREAT Confirm: 1d20 + 13 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 13 - 1 = 23 not confirmed Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 plus make a Fort save!
Claw @ Sarion: 1d20 + 13 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 13 - 1 = 16 MISS
Claw @ Sarion: 1d20 + 13 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 13 - 1 = 30 HIT Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 plus make a Fort save!
Claw @ Sarion: 1d20 + 13 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 13 - 1 = 21 MISS

Besai again tries to throw some acid at it! 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Touch: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 5 - 4 = 11 HIT Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Round IV - bold may act!
1. Aeris, Narvik (40/41 hp), Ouroboreia, Sarion (38/49hp, Fort saves first!)
2. Chaos Beast (53 dmg)
3. Besai

EDIT: Forgot that it's immune to crits. Status adjusted accordingly.

I'll use my move action to pick up my shield.

His hopes buoyed by Narvik's return to his usual form, Aeris raises his bow, a fierce gleam in his eye. "Now you die, creature," he says, his voice full of venom, "though I wish I could drop you in Passad's bed instead." He launches a deadly volley of arrows at the chaos beast, hoping to prevent any more of his companions from becoming blobs of goo.

Longbow, Rapid Shot, Manyshot, PBS, Deadly Aim, Divine Favor, Haste: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 3 + 1 = 31
Longbow damage, Divine Favor: 1d8 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 3 = 18
Longbow damage, Divine Favor: 1d8 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 3 = 13

Longbow, Rapid Shot, Manyshot, PBS, Deadly Aim, Divine Favor, Haste: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 3 + 1 = 28
Longbow damage, Divine Favor: 1d8 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 3 = 17

Longbow, Rapid Shot, Manyshot, PBS, Deadly Aim, Divine Favor, Haste: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 3 + 1 = 16 Haste attack
Longbow damage, Divine Favor: 1d8 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 3 = 18

Aeris fires a trio of arrows into the creature and its many limbs go limp. All that remains is a disgusting array of variously arranged parts in a pile on the pretty tiles.

Out of initiative!

Still need two Fort saves from Sarion, and Narvik is still cursed.

Narvik will cast False Life: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 on himself again while he has the chance. That was a troubling experience. He'll pick up anything else he might have dropped and make sure everything is in its place. He'll also cast Lesser Restoration: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4 twice in order to bring back his dexterity. I don't think I can do anything about the Wisdom drain.

So I'm stuck with this curse for the rest of the adventure, whatever it is? Or do I have some chance of figuring out what to do about it?

Fort
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Well, that's unfortunate... can't even use a re-roll on that since I failed both...