Male N Elf Psychic 13 - Init. +4, Senses Low-Light Vision Perception +22 detect scrying, HA, AC 26/ touch 16/ ff 23 Deskari's Wing; hp 80/80 temp 14/14; F+11, R+11, W+14, Speed 35 ft., Climb 20 ft., Fly 60 ft. Carried: LogicRod, StaffMinArc, LckyHrshoe, Fr-LfClvr; Buffs: shield, fly, resist fire 30, det scry, mg armr, flse life, see invis, hghtnd awrnss, telbnd x2; Alc: antitx/plg/verm/syrup
Oh! thanks GM Hmm! Vashara: you need to smite with that bow here...
Yanndu transmits his knowledge of the creatures telepathically, with emphasis that holy or good-aligned weapons are required. He moves to the west and redirects his mental assault on the orange bebilith.
Standard Action vs. Blue Spider; Mind Thrust IV undercast to Mind Thrust III:10d8 ⇒ (4, 2, 3, 4, 8, 2, 6, 5, 8, 6) = 48 damage. (Will Save DC 19 for half damage)
Female CG Human (Chelaxian) Fighter 13 | HP 161/161 | AC 28, T 17, F 25 | CMB +18 (+26 with heavy blades), CMD 35 (38 vs disarm, sunder) | F +21, R +13, W +19 (+2 vs death effects, +3 vs fear) | Init +10 | Perc +20, SM +3 | Speed 30ft | Active conditions: none
Round #2: AC 28; shield, haste, bless, enlarge person, bull's strength, life bubble ☤ Full Health ☤
“Hey, Hairy Legs! Down here! I’m your huckleberry.”
Eadie doesn’t wait for the bebilith’s reaction before getting busy with her blade.
I'd love to have Vashara smite that thing. She can only smite twice per day and she used one on the ghosty thing and then another on the person carrying the runecarved key earlier on this map.
Aegis is really tempted to tear into the spider that has gone down, but it knows its master will get upset if it starts snacking while there are other monsters still around. So it hops forward and attacks the other one. More food for later...
Everyone, although you can see another wave coming your way, I’ll give you a round before it arrives! Does anyone want to try to aid Bruxo’s fort save with a heal check vs that poison? Or perhaps some other method???
Myrdon eyes the shimmering portals, expecting some more antagonists coming soon. He waves his hands around the Pathfinders, infusing themselves with magic to speed them up.
Cast haste again as I think it should be ending soon.
Female CG Human (Chelaxian) Fighter 13 | HP 161/161 | AC 28, T 17, F 25 | CMB +18 (+26 with heavy blades), CMD 35 (38 vs disarm, sunder) | F +21, R +13, W +19 (+2 vs death effects, +3 vs fear) | Init +10 | Perc +20, SM +3 | Speed 30ft | Active conditions: none
Round #0: AC 28; shield (0/2), haste (0/11), bless (0/3), bless weapon (0/10), enlarge person, bull's strength, delay poison, life bubble ☤ Full Health ☤
“Bruxo, I have antitoxin and a potion of delay poison. You are welcome to either or both of them.”
With no time to worry about what’s coming next, Eadie draws her final vial of bless weapon, smearing the blade of her enchanted falchion with the oily mess.
Yanndu wrote:
...where is the summoner who dares call these horrors upon us?
Does anyone want to try to aid Bruxo’s fort save with a heal check vs that poison? Or perhaps some other method???
"I think we could all use a little protection."
Gunner pulls a scroll and casts communal delay poison to put off the problem for another day. 5 hours to divide up, so veryone (including the bird) gets one hour except Vashara and Yanndu (who seem like they're trying to stay out of melee).
Vashara briefly pauses her speech while she lands for a moment. She reactivates her boots to make sure she doesn't fall out of the air mid-fight.
"I wish there was somewhere safer than the middle of the city to draw these creatures to. I hope any residents know well enough to keep their doors closed until this is over."
As the next wave of creatures starts to shimmer into existence Vashara flies back up and starts another tale. This time she starts to tell a story about a massive expedition of pathfinders exploring a comet passing near to Golarion.
Male Human (Shoanti) Witch 11 | hp 66/66 | Init +9 | AC 17 (13), T 12, FF 16 (12) | CMB +4, CMD 16 | F +7, R +6, W +10 | Prcptn +10, SM +20 |
Gunner Ock wrote:
GM Hmm wrote:
Does anyone want to try to aid Bruxo’s fort save with a heal check vs that poison? Or perhaps some other method???
"I think we could all use a little protection."
Gunner pulls a scroll and casts communal delay poison to put off the problem for another day. 5 hours to divide up, so veryone (including the bird) gets one hour except Vashara and Yanndu (who seem like they're trying to stay out of melee).
Thanks, Gunner!
Bruxo murmurs a word under his breath — HALWENDE — and targets himself with a healing hex.
2d8 + 10 ⇒ (7, 2) + 10 = 19
Then a few taps from his wand of cure light wounds...
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Good as new.
As soon as the baddie manifests, Bruxo will cast prayer.
Then the third wave appears! It is a towering, three-tailed, six-eyed beast that seems like three rune-backed serpents partially melded together into one body. It opens its mouth wide, showing dripping fangs as its triple tail snaps impatiently. “Sssssssssssss. Pathfinderssss, you musssst be sssso very, very tired of fighting. Why don’t you lay down your weaponsssss and jussssst go home and resssssst? Thissssss does not have to end in violensssse.” The eyes stare at you hypnotically. “Jussssssst leave thissssss sssssstupid Magnimar and itsssss Key to me.”
It slithers over the buildings and down the street, partially crushing the roofs of the buildings it slides over.
DC 30 Planes (big frickin’ snake):
This is a Xacarba, a gargantuan chaotic evil extraplanar outsider. Did I mention that it has three tails? Large fangs? Six eyes? If you beat this DC by five or more, you can ask questions.
Male Human (Shoanti) Witch 11 | hp 66/66 | Init +9 | AC 17 (13), T 12, FF 16 (12) | CMB +4, CMD 16 | F +7, R +6, W +10 | Prcptn +10, SM +20 |
Kn (planes):1d20 + 22 ⇒ (12) + 22 = 34
Bruxo frowns. It's a xacarba! Outsider, Chaotic, Evil, Extraplanar. 'ware its tails, all three of 'em...
Bruxo points at the beast as he rises to a height of 40 feet, hoping to stay out of its clutches. Using his rod of grasping hexes, he reaches the very limit of his hex ability... HELSCEATH!
Evil Eye hex on the xacarba for 9 rounds, targeting saving throws (-4 effect). DC 23 to reduce the time from 9 rounds to 1 round.
Myrdon, seeing how large this monstrosity is, decides that more help is needed. He starts weaving a complicated spell, seeking to pull a creature into this plane.
Casting summon monster V. Thinking of an ankylosaurus.
He tries to push out of his mind how eerily similar this beast is to the one that slaughtered the original Aegis, but the flashbacks keep coming.
Oh no! This was the creature that killed Aegis the first!
Male N Elf Psychic 13 - Init. +4, Senses Low-Light Vision Perception +22 detect scrying, HA, AC 26/ touch 16/ ff 23 Deskari's Wing; hp 80/80 temp 14/14; F+11, R+11, W+14, Speed 35 ft., Climb 20 ft., Fly 60 ft. Carried: LogicRod, StaffMinArc, LckyHrshoe, Fr-LfClvr; Buffs: shield, fly, resist fire 30, det scry, mg armr, flse life, see invis, hghtnd awrnss, telbnd x2; Alc: antitx/plg/verm/syrup
Knowledge the Planes:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28
Yanndu sees the gigantic beast, and assesses that it is within range at a distance of 50 feet from him, and therefore attempts to send a stream of broken data towards its cerebral cortex.
Standard Action; Mind Thrust IV:10d8 ⇒ (7, 4, 8, 7, 3, 7, 2, 1, 1, 3) = 43 damage and fatigued for 1 round. (Will Save DC 20 for half damage and no fatigue)
Yanndu then backs away from the creature, fearful of the unknown...
If this creature should happen to grapple anyone with those big, nasty tails, Gunner will cast liberating command as an immediate action, giving that person an immediate Escape Artist check with a +18 bonus.
The Xacarba makes the save easily, and is afflicted with -4 to its saves for only one round! Then Myrdon starts summoning, and Yanndu hits the creature with a mind thrust for which he belatedly realizes he needed a caster check. Still, he makes his caster check against some of the nastiest SR he ever encountered!
Xacaraba Will Save vs Mind Thrust, Evil Eye:1d20 + 20 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 20 - 4 = 26
Even with the Evil Eye, the Xacarba still makes its save, and receives only half the damage from the Mind Thrust.
Then Aegis misses the creature’s flatfooted AC with his bite, and Gunner fails to overcome the creature’s SR with his spiritual weapon.
@Gunner, I thought that Bless was still active, or was it off the wand before rather than you?
Speaking of tasty snacks, the Xacarba smiles as Aegis II attempts and fails to attack him. “Ssssssstupid Bird. Ssssstill, who would turn down free lunch delivery? It issssss poultry in motion!”
To the Xacarba’s amazement, he misses with all four attacks! “I misssssed? How did I misssssss? Ssssssstay sssssstill, you sssssssstupid overssssssized chicken!”
★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★
Round 1
Active conditions: Haste, Inspire Courage, Prayer
Male N Elf Psychic 13 - Init. +4, Senses Low-Light Vision Perception +22 detect scrying, HA, AC 26/ touch 16/ ff 23 Deskari's Wing; hp 80/80 temp 14/14; F+11, R+11, W+14, Speed 35 ft., Climb 20 ft., Fly 60 ft. Carried: LogicRod, StaffMinArc, LckyHrshoe, Fr-LfClvr; Buffs: shield, fly, resist fire 30, det scry, mg armr, flse life, see invis, hghtnd awrnss, telbnd x2; Alc: antitx/plg/verm/syrup
Standard Action; Mind Thrust IV:10d8 ⇒ (6, 3, 7, 4, 1, 2, 6, 3, 1, 6) = 39 damage and fatigued for 1 round. (Will Save DC 20 for half damage and no fatigue)
It was from a wand earlier. It might have a round or two left of the original ten,
but I figure it's going to run out soon.
"Shoot, hold on a sec Eadie! Somethin' I shoulda done already before you rush in! Those tails look like they could squeeze someone somethin' fierce!"
Assuming Eadie is willing to delay for him:
Gunner casts a spell, flies down and touches Eadie, making her impossible to grapple for the next 90 minutes. Freedom of movement, of course. Don't know why I spaced on doing that last round.
The Xacarba makes its will save, taking only 19 damage from the mind thrust! Still, the mind thrusts are only damage it has taken yet...
Meanwhile, Gunner puts Freedom of Movement on Eadie, and Bruxo cackles, continuing the Evil Eye effect.
“How cute that you foolssssss think you can ssssssstop me!” The Xacarba taunts. “Isssss that more lunch coming my way? How sssssssolicitoussss of you!”
★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★
Round 1 / 2
Active conditions: Haste, Inspire Courage, Prayer
Female CG Human (Chelaxian) Fighter 13 | HP 161/161 | AC 28, T 17, F 25 | CMB +18 (+26 with heavy blades), CMD 35 (38 vs disarm, sunder) | F +21, R +13, W +19 (+2 vs death effects, +3 vs fear) | Init +10 | Perc +20, SM +3 | Speed 30ft | Active conditions: none
Round #1: AC 26 (lunge); shield (1/2), haste (1/11), wand of bless (1/3), bless weapon (1/10), enlarge person, bull's strength, prayer, freedom of movement,delay poison, life bubble
“Myrdon, it would be great if you could drop your summoned critter in a spot to flank with me.”
Eadie delays until after Gunner but before Aegis II.
“Thanks for the spell, Gunner! It should get me through the rocky field without slowing me down.”
Once Myrdon’s summoned beast has arrived to attack the BIG frickin’ snake, Eadie advances hastily 60’ towards the xacarba. She uses Aegis as cover, to maneuver into lunging range with her falchion. (movement should not provoke)
GM, Myrdon neglected to move in the last round, so if he wants to drop the summoned monster to provide flank, he would need to move this round. So for this round, can he take a move action to fly closer, then a standard action for the Start/Complete Full-Round Action to complete the spell? Effectively taking 2 rounds to cast the spell. Below assumes that it is fine.
Myrdon, in the midst of his spellcasting, hears Eadie's call and flies closer, south of the giant serpent. He then completes the spell and pulls out an ankylosaurus next to the beast.
anky tail, flank:1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 16 + 2 = 25 dmg:3d6 + 14 ⇒ (6, 6, 1) + 14 = 27 If hit, fort DC25 or dazed for one round
Ankylosaurus (Augmented) stats:
Summon Monster V
Ankylosaurus CR 6
XP 2,400
N Huge animal
Init +0; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +14
DEFENSE
AC 22, touch 8, flat-footed 22 (+14 natural, –2 size)
hp 95 (10d8+30)
Fort +14, Ref +7, Will +4
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee tail +16 (3d6+14 plus stun)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
STATISTICS
Str 31, Dex 10, Con 21, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 8
Base Atk +7; CMB +19; CMD 29 (33 vs. trip)
Feats Great Fortitude, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Overrun, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (tail)
Skills Perception +14
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Stun (Ex)
The ankylosaurus’s tail can deliver a powerful, stunning blow. A creature struck by this attack must make a DC 25 Fortitude save or be dazed for 1 round. If the strike is a critical hit and the target fails its save, it is instead stunned for 1d4 rounds. The save DC is Strength-based.
After waiting to flank with the Ankylosaurus, Eadie strikes the snake for 36 points of good damage! Myrdon’s movement is completed so that the Ankylosaurus can flank with Eadie when it is summoned in, but it’s tail misses the dodgy snake!
Aegis, frustated that the snack snake is out of reach, goes full attack... and only hits once. Although he fails to confirm the crit, fifteen points of damage goes through!
With a normal creature, those would have been hits, but the snake is one of the dodgiest adversaries you have ever seen.
AC 31, DR, Spell Resistance up the Wazoo! This thing is a nightmare intended for the higher seeker tables, that we’re getting because you defeated the other two waves...
The snake turns to Eadie. “You have a blesssssed weapon, sssso you are my real threat, no matter how sssssssucculent the dinosssssaur and the overssssssized chicken might be. DIE, LITTLE HUMAN!”
Female CG Human (Chelaxian) Fighter 13 | HP 161/161 | AC 28, T 17, F 25 | CMB +18 (+26 with heavy blades), CMD 35 (38 vs disarm, sunder) | F +21, R +13, W +19 (+2 vs death effects, +3 vs fear) | Init +10 | Perc +20, SM +3 | Speed 30ft | Active conditions: none
Yes, ma'am!Fort:1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22 hardcopy character folio re-roll with one GM star:1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 17 + 1 = 30
Round #2: AC 26 (lunge); shield **final round**, haste (2/11), wand of bless (2/3), bless weapon (2/10), enlarge person, bull's strength, prayer, freedom of movement,delay poison☤ 86/117 hp ☤
BIG frickin’ snake wrote:
“You have a blesssssed weapon, sssso you are my real threat.”
“WOW! You’re pretty smart for a snake.”
Whiny Coiled Death from Heck wrote:
“Why can’t I grapple you with my tail? You are sssssssslippery assss an eel!”
“It’s probably the alchemical grease on my armor. Can you get that in the Lower Planes?”
“It’s sooooo cheap! And lasts for ages. Now, where was I?”
Extra good critical damage:4d6 + 28 + 28 ⇒ (2, 2, 4, 6) + 28 + 28 = 70
Gunner’s freedom of movement effect allows Eadie to then take a 5’ step to the north through the stony difficult terrain. “Vashara, I’m looking forward to fighting in the shade cast by your arrows!”
Male N Elf Psychic 13 - Init. +4, Senses Low-Light Vision Perception +22 detect scrying, HA, AC 26/ touch 16/ ff 23 Deskari's Wing; hp 80/80 temp 14/14; F+11, R+11, W+14, Speed 35 ft., Climb 20 ft., Fly 60 ft. Carried: LogicRod, StaffMinArc, LckyHrshoe, Fr-LfClvr; Buffs: shield, fly, resist fire 30, det scry, mg armr, flse life, see invis, hghtnd awrnss, telbnd x2; Alc: antitx/plg/verm/syrup
Yanndu NOW retires to the lodge! i.e. I don't think I can contribute further to this module based on my spell load! LOL i.e. the needle is pointing to "E" and I have *just* enough fuel to make it to the gas station!
Myrdon lands gently beside Aegis after Eadie sliced and diced up the snake-beast. By this time, Aegis had already started digging in with glee, seeing no new threats appearing. Snake and tentacles! But it pauses briefly when it notices its master coming up beside him, worried it was going to be scolded for eating inappropriately. Again.
Myrdon, however, is filled with a mixed set of emotions. Again, he flashes back to the tragic moment when awaken on the stony floor, greeted by the sight of the still form of the first Aegis lying beside him. The giant snake-beast with many tentacles was gone, leaving only a lingering smell of brimstone. But with the ligature marks all over the body his faithful companion, it was clear what had caused his demise. But this time, against the same creature, the entire party survived, and none worse for the wear. Including Aegis.
"Good bird, good bird." He strokes the white plumage of his companion, while Aegis happily returns to his meal.
A fanfare of trumpets blasts loudly, breaking through the roar of the combat and ringing of clashing blades. Leading a mounted battalion of armored warriors, Sheila Heidmarch and her husband charge through the streets, driving through the waves of summoned fiends and forcing them to retreat back through their gates to the netherworlds from which they were called. In a matter of minutes, their assault is complete and the streets fall quiet.
Sheila Heidmarch strides over to Prisim – ”You have the REAL Runecarved Key” then holds it aloft signifying a Pathfinder victory!
“Today, every one of you has contributed to a triumphant victory for our Society, and you have cemented our place in Magnimar. “I’m deeply honored that you have granted me your services. While my lodge is small, you have made it feel like a kingdom. Yet our victory today is somewhat bittersweet. It seems dark forces have surfaced in Varisia—forces which, before today, I was unaware of. I’m sorry to have thrown you headlong into the middle of such chaos. I have already sent word to the Decemvirate of today’s events and await their response. When I know more, I shall contact you, for I fear this key has somehow placed all of us in danger. Still, we should go forth, for now is the time to celebrate!”
***---***---***
Highest Point scoring tables by GM:
Redelia 121
Hmm 113
Aerondor 111
Silbeg 105
***---***---***
Thank you all so much for participating!
I would also like to express my gratitude to the fantastic set of GM’s and support crew I had working with me to make this a success, it really was a pleasure running this and that is certainly due to their fantastic efforts. Thanks also to the Online Venture Crew who always show enthusiasm and help pave the way for our events, and to Tonya for the Boons and Gift Certs.
And lastly – thanks to all the players out there (you!) who came in to this with a great attitude and really played in the spirit of it all, even when the Heidmarch family showed some total moral greyness!
Male Human (Shoanti) Witch 11 | hp 66/66 | Init +9 | AC 17 (13), T 12, FF 16 (12) | CMB +4, CMD 16 | F +7, R +6, W +10 | Prcptn +10, SM +20 |
This was much more fun than the first time I played it, an experience I credit to both the awesome players and the terrific GM/substitute ~teacher~ GM! Thanks, all!
For some of you, I left cash untotaled at the bottom because I was uncertain of whether you spent anything for purchases on this chronicle. But I filled in everything else that I was aware of.
It’s been a tradition in my games to end with little Vignettes called ‘Easter Eggs’ as the credits roll. Feel free to explore something important to your character, or a relationship that you made early on. Or to tell off Sheila. Whatever you want, and have fun!
