[Outpost I] GM Abraham's Ancients' Anguish (Inactive)

Game Master Abraham Z.

Can I smite the bbeg even if I cannot reach them yet? Smite only works on wvil and elemental safe usually not evil correct?

you just need to be able to see him, the effects will last.

I had to double move to reach the baddie. Smite still takes a standard action to use, doesn’t it? I don’t have an extra action to attack this round, unless I am misremembering what Haste grants me. If I am wrong, please let me know.

It's a swift action to activate smite, but you must be able to see the target of your smite. And, in this particular case where Ali is "giving" you his smite ability, you must activate it before the start of his next turn. Once activated, it will persist for 1 minute. And yes, Enora has identified the Air Elemental so she knows (and has presumably told you all) that they are typically Neutral. If that's the case, the smite will not affect it.

Oh, since I’m out of the cloud and can see the bbeg, I will use a swift action to smite the bbeg in hopes in soon reaching it

Round 2 - the bold may post

Air Elemental 19 dmg; whirlwind form (round 1)

Sajan 33 dmg; mage armor; blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack)? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn; engulfed by the whirlwind (2d6+6 dmg at start of your turn, -4 to Dex, -2 to attacks, concentration check to cast);

Surma 0 dmg;

Ali 0 dmg (+5 temp); aid; unbreakable heart (exp. round 9); haste (exp. round 15); flying; smite vs Surma; blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack)? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn;

Archimedes 11 dmg; nauseated (exp round 5); haste (exp. round 15); blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack)? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn; engulfed by the whirlwind (2d6+6 dmg at start of your turn, -4 to Dex, -2 to attacks, concentration check to cast);

Shel 0 dmg; longstrider; invisibility; haste (exp. round 15); smite vs Surma (exp. round 11); blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack)? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn;

Enora 6 dmg (+10 temp); 5 mirror images; flying; mage armor; haste (exp. round 15);

Sard 15 dmg; flying; see invisibility; haste (exp. round 15);

Chasik 0 dmg; 2 CHA dmg; blur; bless weapon; enlarged; haste (exp. round 15); smite vs Surma (exp. round 11); blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack)? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn; engulfed by the whirlwind (2d6+6 dmg at start of your turn, -4 to Dex, -2 to attacks, concentration check to cast);

Chasik resists the noxious fumes of the cloud and leaps to the first column. Though not normally a very acrobatic type, with the added speed from Enora's haste, he leaps like a gazelle, landing on the column with a solid thud.

As he emerges from the cloud, the elemental spots him and attempts to slam him with an attack of opportunity.

Air Elemental AoO vs. Chasik: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32
dmg: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 5) + 6 = 12
20% miss chance due to blur and the cloud (I don't think the miss chances stack?), high is good for me: 1d100 ⇒ 17

... but apparently the elemental's vision is a bit blurry from the cloud, or perhaps Chasik is a bit blurry, either way, Chasik eludes the slam of the Elemental. Chasik swings at the elemental, aiming to do better than his foe, but his swing also misses. Further, Chasik remains just a bit in the cloud, and may suffer the effects of its noxious fumes on his next turn. Disregard due to what happens a bit further down...

Shel easily leaps, like a gazelle on a controlled substance, across the long gap between the two columns and then invisibly attempts to sneak up on Surma, the Aghash Div. However, the bizarre creature appears to have no difficulty spotting Shel and lashes out at her with her claw as she attempts to sneak past her.

Surma AoO vs. Shel: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27
dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

... however, she just misses her due to Enora's haste (with haste your AC is 28, correct?)

A note in passing, neither Shel nor Chasik have - so far - activated the Smite ability that Ali has given them. It's a swift action to activate and both of you are now able to see Surma, so you can activate it if you wish. Once Ali's next turn arrives, the window for that will have passed, so just let me know if you wish to activate it by using a swift action (which neither of you have used so far this turn)

Start of Round 2

The Air Elemental already looks like a desert twister but now, somehow it looks *even more so* as it transforms into a whirlwind! The column of air is only 5' wide at its base, but it reaches 50' into the air and at its summit it is 25' across. So, consider that its center square is its base, which is currently resting on the column, 50' above the canyon floor, and its upper limit - which is 25' across - currently reaches to a height of 100' above the canyon floor. The giant column of flying air moves in quick succession through the area of each of the Pathfinders except Enora. Although it does not appear to be able to see Shel, it saw Surma striking out at Shel's square, and in any case, Shel's square lies directly in its path in any case, so Shel also suffers the effects of the whirlwind. The cloud does not appear to bother it at all. (I double-checked its movement to confirm that it can reach all of you. Also, note that in whirlwind form its movement does not provoke AoO from you)

@Everyone, I've done my best to get your correct numbers for these reflex saves but let me know if I've missed any appropriate modifiers or anything else

Chasik Reflex save vs Slam dmg, haste, enlarged: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 1 - 1 = 28 unharmed
Slam dmg: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 6 = 9
Chasik Reflex save vs Caught by whirlwind, haste, enlarged: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 1 - 1 = 20 engulfed

Sard Reflex save vs Slam dmg, haste: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 1 = 19 hit
Slam dmg: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 4) + 6 = 15
Sard Reflex save vs Caught by whirlwind, haste: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 1 = 27 not caught by the whirlwind

Ali Reflex save vs Slam dmg, haste: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 1 = 26 misses
Slam dmg: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 = 11
Ali Reflex save vs Caught by whirlwind, haste: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 1 = 28 not caught by the whirlwind

Ali, what is Archimedes Reflex save? I can't seem to find it in your profile. I did my best to calculate it but it's possible I've gotten it wrong (+3 from your Paladin level and +2 from Dex?)
Archimedes Reflex save vs Slam dmg, haste: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 1 = 19 hit
Slam dmg: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 = 11
Archimedes Reflex save vs Caught by whirlwind, haste: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 1 = 18 engulfed

Shel Reflex save vs Slam dmg, haste: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 19 + 1 = 33 not slammed
Slam dmg: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 5) + 6 = 14
Shel Reflex save vs Caught by whirlwind, haste: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 19 + 1 = 36 not engulged

Sajan Reflex save vs Slam dmg: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17 slammed
Slam dmg: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 6) + 6 = 18
Sajan Reflex save vs Caught by whirlwind: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16 engulfed
I just looked it up and was surprised to learn that being blind doesn't affect your Reflex save at all. Huh. Though in this case it doesn't matter anyway.

Two other points, for both those who are engulfed and those who are not: a) even in the whirlwind you can see Surma, so if you are within 30' of her, you'll need to make a Fort save vs. her gaze at the start of your turn (unless you choose to avert your eyes or close your eyes, as noted previously); b) anyone who is airborne (i.e. either flying or caught in the whirlwind), has a -1 penalty on attacks and damage vs the air elemental due to its "Air Mastery" ability; it would be helpful to me if you include that in your attacks (and note that you are so doing)

At the start of Sajan's turn, he is buffeted by the powerful winds that engulf him.

Air Elemental slam dmg: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 5) + 6 = 15

Sajan, since the situation has changed rather significantly since you previously posted your attacks, with your permission I'll disregard those and you can decide what you want to do now. First, I need to know if you are closing your eyes as previously stated, in which case you don't need to save vs Surma's gaze but if you attack the whirlwind you'll have a 50% miss chance; you can also choose to avert your gaze, which will give you a 50% chance of not having to save vs her gaze. This would give her (but not the elemental) concealment against your attacks (but you can't currently attack her anyway). Second, go ahead and post a new set of actions/rolls based on this new situation.

Sajan is up!

p.s. Sorry for such a horribly long post!

Edit: just saw that Chasik posted that he will Smite Surma. Noted. Further edit: And ditto for Shel.

Can we full round while in the whirlwind? Do I still suffer 50% miss chance versus whirlwind if I close my eyes vs gaze?

Correct on the 28 AC last round, DM. Since activating Smite is just a swift action, I’ll do that last round as well, if you will let me recon just a slight bit. Also, AC is now 30 versus Surna, with +1 from Haste and +2 from Smite (I already had a +2 Deflection Bonus, so I only gain another +2). AC is 28 against other baddies .

All seems good to me.

Sajan keeps his eyes closed and attacks the engulfing Air Elemental he is in.

+2 Sword, engulfed, air mastery: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
damage, air mastery: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
high is good for me, miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 88

+2 Sword, engulfed, air mastery: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
damage, air mastery: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
high is good for me, miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 42

+2 Sword, engulfed, air mastery: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
damage, air mastery: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Confirm if I even can, probably not: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22Wow are you kidding me with these 20s lol? I bet I can't even crit a big ball of wind.
damage, air mastery: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
high is good for me, miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 61

Can we full round while in the whirlwind? Do I still suffer 50% miss chance versus whirlwind if I close my eyes vs gaze?

Yes, you can act normally in the whirlwind, but with a -2 penalty on your attacks (as well as the -1 penalty on attacks and damage from its Air Mastery ability). So, net: -3 to attack, -1 to dmg. There's also a -4 penalty to Dex which could affect some Dex-based attacks but I don't think that applies to you.

You basically have 3 choices regarding the gaze: 1. Close your eyes and become functionally blind. In this case you don't have to make the save vs the gaze but you suffer all the effects of blindness, including a 50% miss chance on any attacks against anyone. 2. Avert your gaze from the gaze attack. This gives you a 50% chance of avoiding the need to make the save vs the gaze, but also gives the gazer (Surma in this case) concealment against you (i.e. you would have a 20% miss chance against her). 3. Just accept the gaze attack, roll your save and have whatever consequences there may be, and be able to function and attack normally.

Correct on the 28 AC last round, DM. Since activating Smite is just a swift action, I’ll do that last round as well, if you will let me recon just a slight bit. Also, AC is now 30 versus Surna, with +1 from Haste and +2 from Smite (I already had a +2 Deflection Bonus, so I only gain another +2). AC is 28 against other baddies .

Noted.

Will Stalwart reduce slam damage since it gives me DR 2/-?

Round 2 - the bold may post

Air Elemental 21 dmg; whirlwind form (round 1)

Sajan 33 dmg; mage armor; blind due to eyes closed; engulfed by the whirlwind (2d6+6 dmg at start of your turn, -4 to Dex, -2 to attacks, concentration check to cast);

Surma 0 dmg;

Ali 0 dmg (+5 temp); aid; unbreakable heart (exp. round 9); haste (exp. round 15); flying; smite vs Surma; blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack)? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn; Evil Eye -4 to saves (exp. round 4)

Archimedes 21 dmg; nauseated (exp round 5); haste (exp. round 15); blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack)? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn; engulfed by the whirlwind (2d6+6 dmg at start of your turn, -4 to Dex, -2 to attacks, concentration check to cast);

Shel 0 dmg; longstrider; invisibility; haste (exp. round 15); smite vs Surma (exp. round 11); blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack)? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn;

Enora 6 dmg (+10 temp); 5 mirror images; flying; mage armor; haste (exp. round 15); Fort save needed if you move through the cloud;

Sard 15 dmg; flying; see invisibility; haste (exp. round 15);

Chasik 14 dmg; 2 CHA dmg; blur; bless weapon; enlarged; haste (exp. round 15); smite vs Surma (exp. round 11); blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack)? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn; engulfed by the whirlwind (2d6+6 dmg at start of your turn, -4 to Dex, -2 to attacks, concentration check to cast);

Sajan blindly lashes out at the whirlwind that has swallowed him up and even with his eyes closed, one of his blows strikes home. Against another foe, this is a blow that would have plucked out an eye, or shaved off a portion of a tongue, but against the whirlwind it barely seems to make a difference. As you correctly assumed, it's not subject to critical hits; and as Enora already recalled earlier, it has DR/-

Surma looks around the battlefield and fixes her one creepy eye upon the handsome paladin of Shelyn, Ali Salujah! She says nothing but simply stares at him with evil intent.

Ali Will save vs. Evil Eye: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25

Strangely, although Ali seems to resist her stare nicely, nevertheless he still finds himself to be affected! With that, the foul Aghash Div throws back her head and begins to laugh horribly. (Mechanically, she has hit you with the Evil Eye hex, which still has a duration of 1 round even if you make your save; she has also cackled to extend that duration an additional 1 round). She steps back 5' and surveys the battlefield with grim satisfaction, while also pointing in the direction of Shel and uttering foul sounding words in a guttural tone.

At the start of their respective turns Archimedes takes Slam dmg: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (2, 2) + 6 = 10 and Chasik takes Slam dmg: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 5) + 6 = 14.

All the Pathfinders (except Sajan) may act! Don't forget, if you are within 30' of Surma at the start of your turn I need a Fort save vs her gaze; before rolling this save you can choose to close your eyes (be blind for the entire round) or avert your gaze for the round (50% chance of not having to save, 20% miss chance on attacks vs Surma) but you need to state this before you roll your save vs the gaze. Also, if you move through the cloud I need a separate Fort save vs that.

Will Stalwart reduce slam damage since it gives me DR 2/-?

Yes, though note that in order to use Stalwart you have to be either: taking the total defense action, fighting defensively, or using Combat Expertise.

Enora uses the final charges of her staff of embers and casts fireball so it hits Surma and the elemental.

fireball staff of embers DC 20 with potent magic 2/6 arcane reservoir points remaining and 0/10 charges of staff remaining : 8d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 6, 6, 6, 2, 3, 3) = 32

Chasik gets pelted with cutting winds and small pieces of debris. He grits his teeth while the div stares at him.

fort: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

attacs to come later. Clocking in to work

Enora uses the final charges of her staff of embers and casts fireball so it hits Surma and the elemental.

[dice=fireball staff of embers DC 20 with potent magic 2/6 arcane reservoir points remaining and 0/10 charges of staff remaining ]8d6

Enora, you don't have line of sight to either of them due to being on the other side of the stinking cloud. You can only see 5' into the cloud, so you really have no way to rejoin the fight without moving through the cloud (unless you have some way to teleport, such as dimension door). Also, once you rejoin your companions, I'm sure that Sard will tell you that his fireball seemed to have no effect on Surma. So please disregard the action you've just posted and feel free to post something else (if you wish).

Chasik takes a single violent swing at the elemental churned by him around like a small pebble.

-4 def, -3 whirlwind, +1 haste = -6

dr 2/-, pa, vital: 1d20 + 14 - 6 ⇒ (19) + 14 - 6 = 272d8 + 10 - 1 ⇒ (2, 5) + 10 - 1 = 16

I had indicated that Archimedes was basically being put away when he got nauseated. If you don't want to allow that that's fine though. You got his stats right

Ali chooses to keep his eyes on the prize, perhaps paying dearly for it.

Fort: 1d20 + 16 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 16 - 4 = 25

He flies with Gamin toward Surma and rears back powerfully with Gamin. He uses his swift action to activate Fire of Entanglement on his next attack (which will proc in a moment)

Gamin + Smite + haste: 1d20 + 15 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 15 + 4 + 1 = 261d8 + 13 + 11 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 13 + 11 + 11 = 38

You have corrupted a mind that was once a work of art. For that among many other offenses, Shelyn judges you!

What would Archimedes have to do to escape the whirlwind? A Fly check?

"3. If you can fly (currently only Archimedes), on your turn you can attempt a Reflex save to escape; if you cannot fly you have no way to escape the whirlwind and you will automatically be moved to where ever the whirlwind moves; "

Shel moves 5’ closer to the Mage and begins her flurry of slashes against it.

Immediate attack with Haste, Smite 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 14 + 1 + 4 = 25
Damage 1d3 + 3 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 11 = 17

Offhand Attack with the above 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 14 + 1 + 4 = 26
Damage 1d3 + 2 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 11 = 14

Attack 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 1 + 4 = 34
Damage 1d3 + 3 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 11 = 15

Offhand Attack 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 1 + 4 = 28
Damage 1d3 + 2 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 11 = 14

Haste attack 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 14 + 1 + 4 = 22
Damage 1d3 + 3 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 11 = 17
_________

Possible crit Attack 3 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 1 + 4 = 30
Damage 1d3 + 3 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 11 = 17

Possible crit Offhand Attack 4 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 1 + 4 = 29
Damage 1d3 + 2 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 11 = 16

”Still think I’m pretty now?”

Would someone move me forward 5’? Thanks.

noral wrote:

Enora uses the final charges of her staff of embers and casts fireball so it hits Surma and the elemental.

[dice=fireball staff of embers DC 20 with potent magic 2/6 arcane reservoir points remaining and 0/10 charges of staff remaining ]8d6

Enora, you don't have line of sight to either of them due to being on the other side of the stinking cloud. You can only see 5' into the cloud, so you really have no way to rejoin the fight without moving through the cloud (unless you have some way to teleport, such as dimension door). Also, once you rejoin your companions, I'm sure that Sard will tell you that his fireball seemed to have no effect on Surma. So please disregard the action you've just posted and feel free to post something else (if you wish).

Thanks GM, but that was my action. I moved the icon before on my phone but it obviously did not work. Enora is flying and increases altitude. At least the elemental would have to save and gets some damage.

Sard pulls out a tiny golden shovel and waves it around. Suddenly, a 40ft deep pit opens up beneath the div! Casting create pit. DC 21 Reflex save to avoid falling in.

Round 2 - the bold may post
Conditions: Stinking Cloud (exp. round 14), Pit (exp. round 13)

Air Elemental 32 dmg; whirlwind form (round 1)

Sajan 33 dmg; mage armor; blind due to eyes closed; engulfed by the whirlwind (2d6+6 dmg at start of your turn, -4 to Dex, -2 to attacks, concentration check to cast);

Surma 38 dmg; entangled (-2 atk, -4 dex, conc. check to cast) for 1 round;

Ali 0 dmg (+5 temp); aid; unbreakable heart (exp. round 9); haste (exp. round 15); flying; smite vs Surma; blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack)? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn; Evil Eye -4 to saves (exp. round 4)

Archimedes 21 dmg; nauseated (exp round 5); haste (exp. round 15); blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack)? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn; engulfed by the whirlwind (2d6+6 dmg at start of your turn, -4 to Dex, -2 to attacks, concentration check to cast);

Shel 0 dmg; longstrider; invisibility; haste (exp. round 15); smite vs Surma (exp. round 11); blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack)? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn; stunned; 2 kukris dropped on ground;

Enora 6 dmg (+10 temp); 5 mirror images; flying; mage armor; haste (exp. round 15); Resolving fireball, waiting on response from other players, if no: still have standard action to do something else;

Sard 15 dmg; flying; see invisibility; haste (exp. round 15);

Chasik 14 dmg; 2 CHA dmg; blur; bless weapon; enlarged; haste (exp. round 15); smite vs Surma (exp. round 11); blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack)? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn; engulfed by the whirlwind (2d6+6 dmg at start of your turn, -4 to Dex, -2 to attacks, concentration check to cast);

Chasik risks Surma's gaze but nothing comes of it. From inside the whirlwind, he makes a mighty hack at it, tearing wispy bits of air away from the elemental creature.

@Ali, if you want your familiar to be excluded from combat you'll need an item like the familiar satchel (and in this case you would have also needed to use actions to put him into it). I'm not trying to be a jerk, and I'm definitely not one of those GMs who tries to deliberately target people's familiars/companions/mounts etc., but my understanding - on both sides of the table - has always been that those entities are part of the battlefield too. In order to escape the whirlwind, Archimedes will need to make a Reflex save (being nauseated won't prevent him from doing this since he can still move).

Ali also risks Surma's gaze and is unaffected. Swiftly, he casts a spell against her.

Caster Level check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Surma Reflex save: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29

... although she twists away from the worst of the entangling flames, she is still entangled for 1 round. He drives Gamin towards her heart - if she has one - and in her entangled condition she can't get out of the way quite in time.

Shel does not avert or close her eyes to Surma's gaze. Shel Fort save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 Shel is stunned! She drops both of her kukris and takes no actions this turn. Her attacks do not occur and she does not step forward 5'. She also has a -2 to AC and loses her Dex bonus to AC.

Enora flies out of the landing, passing through the cloud.

Enora Fort save vs cloud: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

... and avoids the nauseating effect of its stench.

@Enora, even if I execute your spell before Ali moved closer (because you originally posted it before he moved), your fireball will still affect Chasik, Archimedes, and Sajan, who are all in the whirlwind. One of the rules of Pathfinder Society is that you can't take an action that will harm one of the other PCs without their permission, so if any of them say no you'll need to do something else with your standard action.

@Enora, also you said that you wanted to fly higher. What altitude would you like to be? (The columns are at 50' height above the canyon floor).

From his safe (?) position beyond the northern column, Sard makes magical gestures and a pit appears beneath Surma.

Surma Reflex, entangled: 1d20 + 15 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 15 - 2 = 21

... She - barely - avoids falling into the pit and is able to jump to safety, nestled under the shadow of the raging whirlwind overhead. Recall that I said that, at its base, the whirlwind only occupies a 5' square (and it gets wider as you move to the top), so she is not actually *in* the whirlwind, but just near it. Also, it could be unclear whether she can jump away given Ali's spell, but my reading of the spell RAW is that she is not considered immobile until the start of her turn, so she is able to leap away (since she made her save).

Before we move on I need to resolve Enora's fireball, so I need a approve/disapprove from Chasik, Sajan, and Ali (for Archimedes). Also, I (potentially) need a Fort vs gaze and a Ref to escape from Archimedes.

nuke me, I’ve got HP and enough prestige/fame to resserect my brawny ass if needed. Do I get a reflex save?

You're also one of only a few that can actually hit that Div, who seems to have a ton of defenses against spellcasters. If we nuke you, we're screwed.

Forget the fireball. ;-) Fly up out of the mist where you made the save for me GM. :-). Double move to get up to 40 ft to use my last spell next round.

While that may be true, I’m useless while in the damn tornado from the abyss, and then I have to jump across to the other side. If the Paladin can keep the bbeg occupied for the next little while, I can “hopefully” get to the div sooner rather than later to try and punish it

I also allow the nuke on myself, Sajan is useless in this tornado and has evasion, he might just pass a save for the first time this combat against a party member ;). Even if he dies, I'm only losing a level 1 with 1 evergreen chronicle.

Since both Sajan and Chasik are ok with taking the fireball damage, let's see if Archimedes escapes on his turn, which might render the question of whether Ali accepts him taking damage as moot.

Archimedes Reflex, haste, engulfed: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 - 2 = 15

Archimedes does not escape the whirlwind, so we'll need to wait to see Ali's feelings about whether he wants him to be subjected to the fireball or not. He does have improved evasion, but still... And yes, in answer to Chasik's question, being in the whirlwind you will still get a Reflex save vs the fireball (though at a -2 penalty because being engulfed gives you a -4 to your Dex).

@Ali, also, unless you are planning to have Archimedes try to *do* something this round (and it's hard to see that there's much he can do), there's really no reason for him not to just shut his eyes and avoid the gaze attack altogether.

So, some friendly GM thoughts about your current situation: Chasik, I think you said that you have a potion of fly? If you can fly you can attempt to escape from the whirlwind. Also, @everyone, note that at least so far it's really only the whirlwind that has been doing actual damage to you all. I'm not saying that Surma doesn't have ways of being (very) dangerous, but it's not unreasonable for those of you who are in the whirlwind to simply concentrate on killing it from the inside.

In any case, at this point I'll wait to hear from Ali about whether or not he accepts Archimedes being in the path of the fireball. After that it'll be the Air Elemental's turn.

Forget the fireball. ;-) Fly up out of the mist where you made the save for me GM. :-). Double move to get up to 40 ft to use my last spell next round.

Thanks GM but I will not send the fireball then. See my post above. :-)

Ok, got it. No fireball. And when you say you ascend to 40', do you mean 40' above everyone else? That would put you at 90' above the canyon floor (you started out at 50' above the floor). Is that where you want to be?

Based on no fireball, I'll move ahead with the Air Elemental's turn when I get a chance.

Ok, got it. No fireball. And when you say you ascend to 40', do you mean 40' above everyone else? That would put you at 90' above the canyon floor (you started out at 50' above the floor). Is that where you want to be?

Based on no fireball, I'll move ahead with the Air Elemental's turn when I get a chance.

Sorry, I meant up to be on the same level or a litte higher than the people on the plateau and 40 ft. from Surma.

Round 3 - the bold may post - Conditions: Pit (exp. round 13)

Air Elemental 32 dmg; whirlwind form (round 2)

Sajan 47 dmg; mage armor; blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack)? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn; engulfed by the whirlwind (2d6+6 dmg at start of your turn, -4 to Dex, -2 to attacks, concentration check to cast);

Surma 38 dmg; entangled (-2 atk, -4 dex, conc. check to cast) for 1 round;

Ali 10 dmg (+5 temp); aid; unbreakable heart (exp. round 9); haste (exp. round 15); flying; smite vs Surma; blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack)? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn; Evil Eye -4 to saves (exp. round 4); engulfed by the whirlwind (2d6+6 dmg at start of your turn, -4 to Dex, -2 to attacks, concentration check to cast);

Archimedes 21 dmg; nauseated (exp round 5); haste (exp. round 15); Still needed for round 2: blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack)? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn; engulfed by the whirlwind (2d6+6 dmg at start of your turn, -4 to Dex, -2 to attacks, concentration check to cast);

Shel 0 dmg; longstrider; invisibility; haste (exp. round 15); smite vs Surma (exp. round 11); blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack)? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn; stunned; 2 kukris dropped on ground; engulfed by the whirlwind (2d6+6 dmg at start of your turn, -4 to Dex, -2 to attacks, concentration check to cast);

Enora 18 dmg (+10 temp); 5 mirror images; flying; mage armor; haste (exp. round 15);

Sard 15 dmg; flying; see invisibility; haste (exp. round 15); engulfed by the whirlwind (2d6+6 dmg at start of your turn, -4 to Dex, -2 to attacks, concentration check to cast);

Chasik 32 dmg; 5 non-lethal dmg; 2 CHA dmg; blur; bless weapon; enlarged; haste (exp. round 15); smite vs Surma (exp. round 11); blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack)? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn; prone;

Start of Round 3

The Air Elemental remains in whirlwind form and quickly moves to try to vacuum up the remaining Pathfinders. It has ample movement to reach all of you and its movement does not provoke AoOs from you. The movement of the whirlwind through its area causes the stinking cloud to dissipate

Shel Ref save vs slam dmg, haste: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 19 + 1 = 28 pass
Shel Ref save vs being engulfed, haste: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 19 + 1 = 21 Nat 1 auto-fails. Ouch.

Ali Ref save vs slam dmg, haste, evil eye: 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 1 - 4 = 12 fails
slam dmg: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 3) + 6 = 15
Ali Ref save vs being engulfed, haste, evil eye: 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 10 + 1 - 4 = 20 fails

Sard Ref save vs slam dmg, haste: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 1 = 28 passes
Sard Ref save vs being engulfed, haste: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 1 = 15 fails

Enora Ref save vs slam dmg, haste: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 1 = 20 fails
slam dmg: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 1) + 6 = 12
Enora Ref save vs being engulfed, haste: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 1 = 21 passes

So, from this you can see that the whirlwind's Reflex DC is 21. Poor Shel can literally only fail on a 1. Ugh. The whirlwind sweeps through the area, snatching up Shel, Ali, and Sard, while also buffeting Ali and Enora. I'm going to leave the icons for Shel, Ali, and Sard in their current positions for the moment, in case any of you want to use a reroll or boon or immediate action of some sort to prevent your being swept up. Otherwise, I'll move you to the inside of the whirlwind with your friends.

Finally, not liking the beating Chasik had given him last round, the whirlwind ejects the brave fighter from the whirlwind onto the canyon floor below. The whirlwind rules don't really address the question of *where* in the whirlwind an engulfed character is, so I'll roll randomly to see what height Chasik is ejected from. The whirlwind extends from 50' above the floor to 100' above. Height Chasik is ejected from: 1d50 + 50 ⇒ (16) + 50 = 66. The canyon floor is sandy and soft (so the first d6 of falling damage is non-lethal). Falling damage, non-lethal: 1d6 ⇒ 5 and Falling dmg, lethal: 5d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 2, 1, 5) = 18. Chasik lands prone on the canyon floor below the battle. Let me know if this needs to be retconned due to someone having feather fall or a similar ability.

As Sajan's turn begins, he once again takes damage from the whirlwind. slam dmg: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 5) + 6 = 14

Sajan is up! Remember that you are within 30' of Surma, so before you act you'll need to make a Fort save vs her gaze (or close or avert your eyes).

There's a lot going on here. Please ask me questions if you are confused about anything or have any doubts about the situation. This is a tough fight but I believe in you all and I think you can do this! The smites on Surma will likely be devastating if you can just close with her.

DM, ill use my folio reroll to reroll that failed reflex save, please. I try to save it for Fort or Will saves, but this could be a disaster for Shel.

Folio Reflex save reroll 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 19 + 1 = 30

Sajan keeps his eyes closed and does nothing but attempt to withstand the brutal beating he is taking.

am I allowed a acrobatics to negatecthe first d6? Do not forget about my dr2/- :)

I don't think I have any boons or abilities that will allow me to negate getting pulled into the whirlwind, and I already used my reroll.

Ok so I have a number of rolls to make and I will try to do them in order

Archimedes Fly to escape the whirlwind: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Archimedes will then close his eyes and try to fly to a safe spot.

I will accept the Fireball on Archimedes

Archimedes: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

and then I will reroll that reflex save on the whirlwind

Reflex reroll: 1d20 + 10 + 5 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 10 + 5 + 1 - 4 = 25

Round 3 - the bold may post - Conditions: Pit (exp. round 13)

Air Elemental 32 dmg; whirlwind form (round 2)

Sajan 47 dmg; mage armor; blind due to eyes closed; engulfed by the whirlwind (2d6+6 dmg at start of your turn, -4 to Dex, -2 to attacks, concentration check to cast); DELAY;

Surma 38 dmg;

Ali 10 dmg (+5 temp); aid; unbreakable heart (exp. round 9); haste (exp. round 15); flying; smite vs Surma; blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack)? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn; Evil Eye -4 to saves (exp. round 5);

Archimedes 34 dmg; nauseated (exp round 5); haste (exp. round 15); blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack)? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn; engulfed by the whirlwind (2d6+6 dmg at start of your turn, -4 to Dex, -2 to attacks, concentration check to cast);

Shel 17 dmg; 5 non-lethal dmg; longstrider; invisibility; haste (exp. round 15); smite vs Surma (exp. round 11); 2 kukris dropped on ground; prone;

Enora 18 dmg (+10 temp); 5 mirror images; flying; mage armor; haste (exp. round 15);

Sard 26 dmg; flying; see invisibility; haste (exp. round 15); engulfed by the whirlwind (2d6+6 dmg at start of your turn, -4 to Dex, -2 to attacks, concentration check to cast); blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack)? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn;

Chasik 30 dmg; 3 non-lethal dmg; DR 2/- due to fighting defensively; 2 CHA dmg; blur; bless weapon; enlarged; haste (exp. round 15); smite vs Surma (exp. round 11); prone;

Both Shel and Ali draw upon those subtle miracles that infuse the universe and that can sometimes (i.e. once/scenario) be drawn upon to escape when doom seems upon you. Just when it seems that they will both be swept up by the whirlwind, they manage to escape. Sard, however, is not so fortunate, and finds himself within a giant spinning twisting howling mass of crazed wind.

@Chasik, my understanding is that the acrobatics check when falling is only when you have deliberately jumped. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I forgot about your DR and have adjusted both dmg tallies accordingly - thanks for the reminder :-)

@Ali, it's a Reflex save, not a Fly check, to escape the whirlwind (but it is only available for those who can fly). I already rolled Archimedes Reflex to escape further upthread and he didn't make it so he is stuck in the whirlwind, at least for this round. Also, Enora decided not to cast the fireball after all, so that save is moot; if she decides to cast it this round (and you and the others accept again), you can roll a fresh save for Archimedes (i.e. you are not stuck with the 2 you rolled for this).

Sajan closes his eyes and hopes that this will help him to wake from the living nightmare he is experiencing. @Sajan, if you wish you can go ahead and make a flurry of attacks against the Air Elemental - you did a couple points of damage last time and who knows - every bit might help. Alternatively, I can put you on delay, in case something changes (such as the elemental getting killed), so you have a chance of taking your actions. Just let me know - I'll note Delay unless I hear otherwise.

Surma, the foul div, surveys the battlefield and glares at the stunned halfling rogue who stands before her. They are so close that Shel can smell the foulness of her stench and sees vividly just how horrible she is. At that moment, the Aghash leans towards Shel and gives her a little shove. Note that this would normally provoke an AoO from Shel, but she is stunned (and unarmed) so it does not.

Bull Rush, entangled, CMB bonus vs stunned: 1d20 + 14 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 14 - 2 + 4 = 26
What is Shel's current CMD? Normally 24. +1 for haste. +2 for additional deflection from Smite. -2 AC for being stunned. -5 for denied dex due to being stunned (I'm a bit uncertain about whether Shel's Uncanny Dodge applies in this case - but given my die roll, I think it's moot - even with adding your Dex bonus Surma still succeeds. By one!).

The stunned halfling is further shocked to find herself tumbling through the air to the canyon floor below, where she lands prone. She is, however, no longer stunned and can act normally on her turn.

Falling dmg: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 2, 4) = 17 + Non-lethal falling dmg for soft floor: 1d6 ⇒ 5

With that, Surma throws her head back and laughs maniacally. Cackle to extend Evil Eye by one round. She steps into the square where Shel had been standing and gazes triumphantly at the two kukris that now lie at her feet. As she does so, the last vestiges of Ali's entangling flames vanish. She is no longer entangled. I've put a little red lightning bolt to represent the position of Shel's kukris.

As the pathfinders' turn arrives, those in the whirlwind continue to be slammed about by its howling winds.

Sard Slam dmg: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 4) + 6 = 11
Archimedes Slam dmg: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 4) + 6 = 13

@Ali, Archimedes, Sard: you are all within 30' of Surma, so before you do anything else I need a Fort save from you vs. her gaze. As before, you can choose to close your eyes (be blind) to avoid this save, avert your eyes (50% chance of avoiding Fort save and 20% miss chance on attacks against her), or do nothing and take your chances with the Fort save. Please note which of these 3 choices you are choosing in your post.

@Enora, Chasik, Shel: you are all more than 30' from Surma so her gaze does not apply to you this round. (Note that Enora you had posted that you wanted to be 40' away from her, but on the map you were actually one 35', which became 30' when she moved closer. But since you had said your intention was to be 40' away, I moved you 5' further from her on the map, so that you are still 35' after she moves, which lets you avoid the Fort save).

@Sard, Sajan, Ali (for Archimedes), please also post whether you are ok with Enora casting a fireball at the whirlwind (which will also potentially affect you, though you will get a Reflex save as normal). I know that you all answered this previously, but since the situation has changed somewhat it would be good to have your answer for this round.

Pathfinders are up! Good luck!

Edit: p.s. @Chasik and Shel, I imagine that you may want to climb back up the column this turn. Don't forget that you'll need to use a move action to stand up from prone. Also, along with your climb check, please note if you are climbing normally (1/4 speed) or accelerate (1/2 speed but -5 on your check). Of course if you have ways of flying then this will all be moot.

I actually did not want to fireball anyone anymore. :-(

Enora will fly back 20 ft. and then use her staff of embers to shoot two scorching rays at the air elemetal. 2/10 charges left.

scorching ray 1, touch: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
scorching ray 1 damage: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 4, 5) = 15

scorching ray 2, touch: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
scorching ray 2 damage: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 2, 3) = 12

Delay works for me, thanks!

If it comes up again, I'm fine with a fireball. I have some decent natural resist fire.

Sard averts his eyes from the div.
50% chance to avoid, high good for me: 1d100 ⇒ 20
Fort save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Before I post my action, I have two questions: (1)Does it take an action to make the reflex save to try and escape the whirlwind? (2)Is the div still on the column, or did she somehow follow Shel to the floor? She seems to be off the column on the map right now.

Chasik will grab his potion of fly and chug it in preparation for next round.

Is the div still on the column, or did she somehow follow Shel to the floor? She seems to be off the column on the map right now.

The Div is still on the column and Shel is in the adjacent square, but 50' down on the canyon floor. I think someone inadvertently dragged the map itself because it seemed like everything was slightly out of position. I think I've put everything back where it's supposed to be.

Does it take an action to make the reflex save to try and escape the whirlwind?

No action, just a successful DC 21 Reflex save. If you want to move away once you've escaped that will require a move action.

Got it, thanks.

Reflex save, haste: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 1 = 17 D'oh.

Unable to escape the whirlwind, Sard concentrates and opens another pit below the div. DC 21 Reflex save to avoid falling in the 40ft pit, and another with a +2 bonus if she ends her turn next to one of them.

Concentration, DC 17: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20

Round 3 - the bold may post - Conditions: Pit A (exp. round 13); Pit B w/kukris (exp. round 14)

Air Elemental 57 dmg; whirlwind form (round 2)

Sajan 47 dmg; mage armor; blind due to eyes closed; engulfed by the whirlwind (2d6+6 dmg at start of your turn, -4 to Dex, -2 to attacks, concentration check to cast); DELAY;

Surma 38 dmg; feather fall; immediate action used; falling to canyon floor and will land before Sard's turn round 4;

Ali 10 dmg (+5 temp); aid; unbreakable heart (exp. round 9); haste (exp. round 15); flying; smite vs Surma; blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack)? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn; Evil Eye -4 to saves (exp. round 5);

Archimedes 34 dmg; nauseated (exp round 5); haste (exp. round 15); blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack)? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn; engulfed by the whirlwind (2d6+6 dmg at start of your turn, -4 to Dex, -2 to attacks, concentration check to cast);

Shel 17 dmg; 5 non-lethal dmg; longstrider; invisibility; haste (exp. round 15); smite vs Surma (exp. round 11); 2 kukris in Pit B; prone;

Enora 18 dmg (+10 temp); 5 mirror images; flying; mage armor; haste (exp. round 15);

Sard 14 dmg (+12 temp); flying; see invisibility; haste (exp. round 15); engulfed by the whirlwind (2d6+6 dmg at start of your turn, -4 to Dex, -2 to attacks, concentration check to cast); blind due to eyes closed? Or eyes averted (50% chance of avoiding gaze attack) ? If not, Fort save vs gaze needed at start of your turn;

Chasik 30 dmg; 3 non-lethal dmg; DR 2/- due to fighting defensively; 2 CHA dmg; flying; blur; bless weapon; enlarged; haste (exp. round 15); smite vs Surma (exp. round 11); prone;

Enora moves further away from the fray and shoots at the air elemental with two beams of fire. Both hit him. Definitely a better choice than the fireball!

Sard averts his gaze from Surma but to no avail. However, he easily shakes off whatever effect her gaze might have had.

Chasik retrieves a potion of Fly and drinks it. He is prone, but flying! :-) You won't need to use an action to stand up next time, since you are now flying (even if you are prone).

Sard attempts to escape from the whirlwind but it holds him tight. @Sard, note that one effect of being in the whirlwind is a -4 penalty to Dex, so your Reflex would actually be 2 lower. Not that it makes a difference, but just fyi.

Even in the midst of a howling wind, nothing can shake the Ifrit sorcerer's concentration, as he quickly weaves another spell and places a second pit directly under the Div. And Shel's kukris. Shel's kukris clatter to the bottom of the pit, 40' down, while the Div leaps and twists to see if she can avoid the same fate.

Surma Reflex: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24

She does, and is presented with a difficult choice: should she leap to "safety" in the arms of the angry Paladin of Shelyn? Or leap to "safety" over the cliffside? Wily caster that she is, she chooses the cliffside, and immediately begins to fall. Just as immediately, she casts feather fall on herself, slowing her plummet to a gentle and gradual descent, heading towards the halfling rogue that she just threw off the cliff a moment before. She will reach the canyon floor in one round.

Wow, I didn't see that coming! It presents an interesting rules issue: Should Ali still need to save vs her gaze now that she is gently floating down just over the cliffside (i.e. just out of his view)? This is one of those places where I'm still getting used to the differences between PbP and playing face to face, where the order of operations is very clear. I'm inclined to say that Ali does need to make a save vs her gaze, because he is ahead of Sard in the initiative order, and it's supposed to be the first thing that happens in your turn, but I will listen to counterarguments if you think I'm wrong.

Ali, Archimedes, and Shel are up!

Edit: Sard, I had not noticed that you had temp hp from False Life. Adjusting the tally accordingly.

Ali shuts his eyes - he saw what happened to Shel and doesn't want Gamin dropping into a pit like that.

He instead will chase Surma down her descent to where she will land next turn ready to open up on her.

Meanwhile Archimedes closes his eyes and tries once more to escape Reflex: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 - 2 = 12 and continues to be stuck in the whirlwind