GM Turmoil's GD VI: The Heresy of Man series (Inactive)

Game Master Korolan

"I have rope, but it is likely not long enough. Besides, what happens if the rope is damaged by the lightning?"

"Good point. You offered to cast fly on us?"

Apologies for my slowness, still in a little bit of holiday daze. But a happy new year to everyone.

"Can we at least test if the ropes will be harmed?" Guang suggests with a shrug. "Flight is quicker-- but I do not want to be at the bottom of a pit with no way out should something happen to our flight, and have failed to even attempted something as simple as a rope." He smiles in a self-deprecating fashion.

Working to test, Guang lowers his own fifty feet of rope into the hole-- he'll let it sit a handful of seconds then draw it up to see if the lightning they can see has damaged it at all. He also scans the pit for evil and chaos. (Detect evil, detect chaos)

"Perhaps one of us who knows more of the arcane might be able to tell what spells-- if any-- make this hole look so singular?"

(Not to tie us down in minutiae and cantrips, but it seems like there's magical effects active on the hole, maybe a proactive det magic/spellcraft could tell us something?)

Glen casts a cantrip and peers through the hole, looking for magical auras.
Detect magic and Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30 and Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13 to identify auras and spell effects.

Although Milo will nod, when Guang suggests having a rope ready, he clearly does not look like he wants to clamber down one.

He will use his Fly spell, when it comes time, to descend.

Hope everyone had a good holiday season. With the craziness all over, my posting rate should pick back up to normal. Sorry for all the delays the past month!

Nope, not magical. OOC, it's a wild elemental storm that's along the roof of the caverns.

Guang tests the dark, stormy cloud with a rope, pulling it back up to find parts are frozen solid while others are singed with fire, or dripping with acid. The Pathfinders decide that flight is their best option and all head down the hole, and into the roiling storm. The thick, acrid cloud makes sight quite difficult, and the four adventurers soon lose sight of each other. One of the bolts of electricity manages to strike Lurgh on the leg as he descends, leaving a smoldering hole in his clothing. 6 electric damage, DC 15 Reflex for half

Beyond the eldritch clouds you get a breathtaking view of the cavern and what lies within. The buildings of the citadel are made of sootscarred marble, though many of them now lie in ruins, shattered by their tumble into the earth millennia ago. The elemental forces that plague the city have also manifested in the form of geothermal vents and geysers of magma that pierce the walls and floors of the cavern in certain places, releasing shimmering waves of heat and occasional explosions of molten rock. As a result of these volcanic fissures, the ambient temperature within the citadel’s cavern is 100 degrees.
Does everyone have a way to deal with the heat? You need to make Fortitude saves each hour if you don't.

Milo also senses something quite different in the magical auras of the place, noting that spellcasting may be easier or more difficult depending on the school of origin.
Conjuration (summoning) spells manifest at +1 Caster Level, while conjuration (teleportation) spells must succeed at a caster level check or lose the spell

The entire cavern is cast in dim light due to the constant flickering of the elemental storm and the ominous red glow of the volcanic vents

The new map is just a general overview of the area, and you can use the Glyph of the Open Road as the party marker as you explore. There are more detailed, zoomed in maps for certain areas. I'll let you all get your bearings first and do any prep before we continue.

Once the party's safely on solid ground, Glen uses his wand of endure elements to help everyone cope with the oppressive heat. (Expended four charges; 46 remaining.)

So I think I needed to cast fly on everyone except Milo? Lurgh had resist 20 electricity active, so no damage from the lightning.

Ya, Milo cast it on himself.
He had also already cast Endure Elements earlier today, so is good there too.

The small gnome, despite flying, lands on the ground beside the others... almost as if preferring to walk.

He glances up at the elemental storm still raging overhead, muttering "All flat, no flounce."

As the rest settle in, he studies the open area with a scowl... the frown deepening the longer he looks.

"Whole lurks been jiggered." He finally growls, waving one little hand absently. "Glow's all barmy. Pullin's all flush, but pushin's been coopered."

He shakes his head angrily. "Let ya drag yer way in... but don't want you hikin'."

Really, a 50' square map? The place is huge!

Glen begins examining the new surroundings, careful not to stray too far from his companions. "Any sign of Amenopheus or the Sapphire Sage's team?"

Perception, Take-10 for 30.

I have a scroll of fly that I'm happy to have Lurgh use on me, save one of your third level slots. Thanks for the Endure Elements, Glen.

Guang looks at the damaged rope with a wry look after bringing it up. "Ah, so. Flight it is..."

The big man makes it down with the others. "My... goodness..." he says, as he takes in the stunning landscape. Guang has seen many interesting things in his years as an agent but it's enough to make him briefly speechless.

Eventually he stirs enough to start moving forward, skirting the edge of what looks like a big body of water-- making sure the others are ready to keep going first, of course.

Perception for anything that looks like trouble: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 18 = 21

I have a scroll of fly that I'm happy to have Lurgh use on me, save one of your third level slots. Thanks for the Endure Elements, Glen.

Works for me.

Looking out across the pool, you are able to makeout the nearest structure. This long hall extends outward from the shallow pool that has formed from the thin cascade falling from the fountain room high above. It is as dilapidated as the rest of the city and partially flooded. Engaged columns, molded and cracked from long years, line the walls. Soaked and mildewed prayer rugs are placed in various spots on the floor, all facing a broken pillar in the center of the hall.

Four men dressed in desert adventuring gear kneel on the rugs, prostrate before the column, ignoring your approach. A stunningly beautiful, white-robed woman stands tied to the marble column, arms stretched above her, unmoving, her head hanging loosely against her chest.

New map is up, you can place yourselves however you'd like to approach

"Careful, friends. All may not be as it appears." Glen approaches the worshipers, ready to draw his blade, if the worship service is merely a ruse luring them into an ambush.

Perception: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (13) + 20 = 33
Knowledge (religion) to identify the prayers, symbols or rituals: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Milo eyes the tableau suspiciously, a frown on his face.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

"Who's the dollymop?" He mutters, as he quickly utters a quick arcane phrase, and studies the scene intently.

casting detect magic, and giving it the once over, in case its an illusion or the like!

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24

Milo does detect moderate magical auras emanating from each of the kneeling men, but is unable to identify anything more specific.

where'd everyone go? Figured someone would try a detect <appropriate alignment> at least =)

Milo never volunteers to go first! =)

“Hello!” Guang calls innocently to the strange figures. ”May I be asking, what is the meaning of your worship? Is this woman agreeing to all this?”

Guang strides forward with his hands empty and a placid smile on his broad face. But he opens his senses to Irori as he goes....

detect evil once within 60’, will also detect chaos if there’s time

Glen nods at the brave aasimar joining him with the compound's walls. Careful to step around the strange men on their prayer rugs, he approaches the column, examining the woman tied there.
Perception: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (10) + 20 = 30
Heal: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32

Lurgh stays towards the back, keeping an eye on the kneeling men.

Not Morning by a long shot, but we'll give it a shot!

Glen, approaching the woman bound to the column, gives her a good look over and analyzes the situation.

The woman's eyes flutter open, as she looks wistfully at Glen Fiddich, before looking around at the rest of the party. "Please! Are you here to help me? They have me tied up and are preparing to sacrifice me ! Please! You have to be here to help!"

She begins to to struggle against her bonds suggestively, attempting to escape to the best of her ability. Her slight robes shift and slide as she struggles, just barely covering everything essential.

Also, since I'm coming in a bit late, could you give me a quick rundown of your character description? I like to know what people look like and what their clothes look like for those Narrow Misses!

Lurgh is a muscular half-orc with scales of red covering his skin. The only article of clothing he wears is a deep purple robe with gold emboridery that resembles alternated dragon and orc heads facing one another with expressions of rage (robe of arcane heritage).

Lurgh waits for Glen to decide what to do with her, continuing to watch the room should anyone attack.

"Them gits been sharped." Milo says, with a scowl, from the doorway.

"Granny the twist dabbed 'em?" He adds, eyeing the woman suspiciously.

Continue to concentrate on the previously cast detect magic, to narrow down to where the woman on the pillar is! (2 rounds in now)

"Ah, these bowing men, I am perceiving, they are not in entire charge of their own will, yes?" Guang murmurs out the side of his mouth as they approach. "Enchantings..."

At a louder volume Guang says cheerfully: "Of course! We are assisting any who do not wish to be sacrificed! But madam really, I must say, this writhing about-- I am sworn to vows, most regrettably, it is true-- you see, Irori was celibate for one-third of his mortal life, and in honoring the steps of the Master of Masters I must also be swearing off this pleasure, it is a little problem that my lifespan is longer, so it is now the sixtieth year since I have known the joys of the infinite garden, so please, if you would be having mercy on this humble servant and not be so tempting with the wiggling it should be a gift beyond the finest of gold and silvers, yes?"

Throughout his cheerful babble, Guang is currently bee-lining straight for the woman. (Haven't adjusted my position on the maps since I'm not sure what point would trigger possible initiatives, but Guang is definitely moving towards her)

"Also, probably you are captivating their wills, ah, you may also even be the evil I am feeling! Most regrettable if so. Allow me to check."

Such a gentleman. =)

Of course! Irori accepts no less! :P

The red-haired, green-eyed half-elf Glen Fiddich is a hard-drinking inquisitor of Cayden Cailean, wholly dedicated to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. He wears a mithral breastplate and a cloak and wields an elven curve blade.

Concerned that his allies might fall for the woman's charms, Glen casts protection from evil, communal on the party.

What sort of creature is this bewitching 'lady'?
Knowledge (arcana+10, dungeoneering+10, local+11, nature+10, planes+10, religion+9), Monster Lore+4: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 So somewhere between 28-30 to identify her/it.

The inquisitor addresses the woman, loud enough for his friends to hear. "Woman, as enchanting as you are, your charms are ill-timed and most unwelcome. Cease this at once."

I'll give you information as she does her surprise round!
As Glen begins to approach his compatriots to protect them from some unknown 'evil' the woman's breathy voice seems to be twinged with disappointment. "Don't be so hasty there little boy, anticipation makes thing so much more exhilarating! I promise you will be begging for Shybbahla's embrace by the time I am finished." A quick glance back sees the woman no longer tied to the column, and a blue skinned woman hovering about 20 feet over your heads. Curved horns and long claws draw out from a scarcely dressed and equally curved torso.

Initiative! BOLD may go!

Glen Fiddich
Guang
Milo
Shybbahla
Lurgh

Special Attacks and Special Defenses, please.

Glen is almost stunned when the creature surprises the party with her charm-like ability *and* disappears from in front of him at the pillar only to appear hovering in the air between him and the rest of the party.

The half-elf shakes his head in disbelief. Not bad. I need to figure out how to work a multi-phased combo like that when I surprise an enemy!

"She's an evil pairaka div!" He invokes his judgment against the outsider. (Sacred Justice +2 and Sacred Destruction +4)

Glen clicks the heels of his boots of speed and moves closer to his companions to convey upon them protection from evil, communal. Then he casts prayer.

Conditions:
Haste: Self only. (Boots of speed)
Prayer: Allies gain a +1 luck bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks, while each of your foes takes a –1 penalty on such rolls.
Protection from Evil: Allies gain a +2 deflection bonus to AC and a +2 resistance bonus on saves. Both these bonuses apply against attacks made or effects created by evil creatures.

Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 3 = 25
The only thing Milo cares about are immunities/resists/and any possible SR (whatever those fall under)

OOC, I know what they are, but just making sure Milo will know the important one (no fire) before he casts this!

Milo eyes the blue-skinned woman with just as big a frown as when she looked human.

Recognizing that fire will not work, he scowls even more, but starts to mutter arcane words anyway. The air around him starts to chill, as he draws all the heat away from the immediate area, and light blue flames start to lick along the edges of his hands and down his forearms, leaving tiny frosty residue where they dance.

With an angry shout, he thrusts first his right hand, then his left, towards the flying creature, as the blue flames rush up both arms and lance across the intervening space like spears of ice!

Casting Scorching Ray, converting it to Cold damage!

caster level vs SR: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 2 = 26

ScorchingFreezing Ray ranged touch1: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 1 = 24, for 4d6 + 8 ⇒ (2, 6, 2, 1) + 8 = 19 cold damage.
ScorchingFreezing Ray ranged touch2: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 1 = 27, for 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 6, 4, 6) + 4 = 23 cold damage.

I think that the fly spell (well, scroll) by which I got down here is probably still active-- it would have been a 5 minute duration from the scroll, and it was basically cast--> go down the hole--> first thing we hit as we explored around the edge of the lake was the 'woman' and her thralled victims. I'll act as though it's still up; if by fiat of the (nice, new!) GM it's not active, I'll retcon.

"A div, you say!" Guang says with a slight smile. "I am shocked to the inward core of my eternal self to hear that she is evil."

Also know Planes: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

"--admittedly, I know nothing else of her. But I had guessed she was evil. Now then, madam, who is it you are calling a little boy? I am not often mistaken for little!"

Swift action to smite dat. Move action to fly up, circling in to avoid the AOO, and standard to give her a big friendly hug.

Grapple, smite, prayer: 1d20 + 21 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 21 + 2 + 1 = 32

After his words, Guang launches himself into the air seeming to run effortlessly up into space. He closes with the div...and wraps his arms firmly around her, or tries.

"Please, now. Do not mistake my intentions as salacious. Remember what I am asking about the wiggling."

(If she is grappled, the CMD is effectively 38 (36 grapple + my smite's +2 deflection bonus))

Thanks for being patient everyone! Yesterday was one of the Local Game Days that I organize, so I was running tables all day! Let's get back to it! Also, if you have standard things that you want to know for Knowledge checks, I can just pop those into the first post if that makes it quick?

The shards of ice fly through the air, connecting with the Temptress' exposed skin. She wails in a mixture of pleasure and pain, before sweeping her eyes across the room to find the source. Almost an instant later, Guang Flies behind her, getting a solid hold around her shoulders. Shyballa smiles impishly before whispering "You really shouldn't have done that my Bronze Champion" before rubbing her skin against his. Fort Save from Guang! Turning in his grip, she slashes at Guang's chest, Claw! (Grappled and Prayer): 1d20 + 18 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 18 - 2 - 1 = 16 but the blow is handily deflected by the strength of Guang's faith.

Initiative! BOLD may go!
OVERALL BUFFS: Prayer! Protection from Evil!

Lurgh
------
Glen Fiddich
Guang (Grappling)
Milo
Shybbahla (Grappling) -42

Fortimatude: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

"Madam, I must object, I am not your champion, you see," Guang politely informs the div.

Inexorably his arms tighten, pinning her arms to her sides...

Standard to maintain grapple: 1d20 + 21 + 2 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 21 + 2 + 1 + 5 = 35

Aaand escalate to pinned.

"Please surrender, yes?"

Lurgh fires an array of force missiles at the div before drawing a rod.

SR: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Damage: 5d4 + 10 ⇒ (4, 3, 3, 1, 2) + 10 = 23

As soon as Glen recognizes the danger, he warns his companions, "Don't touch the creature!"

"Pairaka Divs are often pocked with blisters and rashes, transmitting diseases when they are touched, or when they dig their claws into you."

"By grasping her, you can contract the shakes, a disease that makes you considerably less quick on your feet as your whole body shudders and trembles."

"Through her claws, you can contract the Bubonic Plague, which cripples your vitality and weakening your body's ability to continue to fight it."

"A Div's thick skin is difficult to pierce with anything other than cold iron or good-aligned weapons"

Glen drops his sword, draws his darkwood composite longbow, invokes the bane enhancement on it, nocks an arrow and fires.

Bow, Heroism, Haste, Sacred Justice, Prayer, Bane; Damage, Sacred Destruction, Bane: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 181d8 + 10 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 10 + (5, 5) = 22

"This advice is very good advice but perhaps a little bit late," Guang says politely as he crushes the div's arms to her body.

I'm guessing I'll need another save for the round I'm pinning, based on that

Save: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

casting Magic Missile as well...

SR check: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 2 = 21 Bah!

Milo attempts to blast the div with magical force missiles as well, but is unable to get them past her spell resistance!

This of course, makes him angrier then usual, and he starts cursing quite colorfully.

Every round! High level PbP is Complicated!
Between the arrow flying wide, and being bound oh so closely to Guang, Shybbahla doesn't have too many options. Attempting to concentrate, Concentration (-Prayer): 1d20 + 22 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 22 - 1 = 29 Nope. she tries to slip through Guang's bonds, but Guang holds tight.

Between being peppered by force missiles, she begins to slowly weaken.

Initiative! BOLD may go!
OVERALL BUFFS: Prayer! Protection from Evil!

Lurgh
------
Glen Fiddich (Every Buff Imaginable)
Guang (Grappling)
Milo
Shybbahla (Super Pinned) -65

With the magical speed bestowed by his boots of speed, Glen fires three more arrows at the grappled div, trying to avoid the aasimar monk.

[dice=Darkwood Composite Longbow, Heroism, Haste, Sacred Justice, Prayer, Bane; Damage, Bane, Sacred Destruction]d20+17;d8+10+2d6[/dice]
Darkwood Composite Longbow, Heroism, Haste, Sacred Justice, Prayer, Bane; Damage, Bane, Sacred Destruction: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 271d8 + 10 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 10 + (3, 4) = 19
Darkwood Composite Longbow, Heroism, Haste, Sacred Justice, Prayer, Bane; Damage, Bane, Sacred Destruction: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 301d8 + 10 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 10 + (6, 2) = 24

Glen does not have Precise Shot (-4 penalty), and Guang probably provides the div cover (-4 penalty).
He's used 3/10 rounds of haste.

Lurgh takes heed of Glen's warning and tries another set of magic missiles.

SR: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

But these ones don't quite manage to punch through.

By chance are those Cold Iron arrows? Or somehow Good Aligned? I'm going to assume not until told otherwise. EDIT- Edjusted HP total!
The first two arrows sink deep into her blue skin, while the third is turned away by a conveniently placed piece of armor. While they do manage to draw a thick cerulean blood from her wounds, you think they should have been much more devastating wounds.

Initiative! BOLD may go!
OVERALL BUFFS: Prayer! Protection from Evil!

Lurgh
------
Glen Fiddich (Every Buff Imaginable)
Guang (Grappling) Fort Save every round while touching her
Milo
Shybbahla (Super Pinned) -108

I would assume they are, since he's the one that identified the weakness to cold iron and he has 50 of them on his character sheet.

Yes, cold iron, I've fired 4 of them. Should have indicated that in my posts.

Fair enough! It's easier to say 'Oh, she took 20 more damage' than 'You remember when you felled her? Just Kidding!'

Milo doesn't like the idea of throwing spells away at the div's resistances, so just starts insulting her, while the others do their thing.

At least you think he's insulting her, as he seems to be shouting a string of colorful, but somewhat confusing words and phrases.

Milo will hold his action for now.

speaking of relearning rules, I forgot last turn that I have greater grapple now. Oh well. At work and can't access the map, but if someone could adjust it to reflect the following actions that would be great.

fort Save: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17

move action to maintain: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (5) + 29 = 34

maintaining pin, and using my standard to also move us, down to ground level and placing myself and her so that Glen has a clear shot

"Regrettable," Guang says mildly as he drags the div down to earth.

If you successfully maintain, then you get the option to move the grappled creature half your speed, as part of that success.
You don't need to burn an extra standard action to do so.

(Except I'm using that to maintain the pin, not just a grapple. I think I still have to do that as its own thing. I'll double check later when bot stuck on a phone,you could be right, but it's good enough to keep us moving)