PBP: The Godsmouth Heresy (PFS) (Inactive)

Game Master Richard M. Harris

Petronicus nods at the nagaji. "Makes sense. I guess I can ask the wizards if I need more information about how magic works ... as long as they'll deign to grace me with some knowledge." He then puts his ear to the door to the north to see if he can hear anything. Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Molos listens to the rest of the group chitter chatter, a different experience for him while exploring a crypt.

After checking the door for traps, Saarai opens it.

26.

A stone staircase fills this small chamber, curving up in a spiral to disappear through the ceiling. A quick trip up the staircase reveals a secret door that leads into the upper level of the Godsmouth Ossuary.

27.

The acrid stench of chemicals and reagents fills this chamber, and the walls are marred by strange stains and scorch marks. Several tables are scattered about the room, covered in a bewildering plethora of glassware, alembics, retorts, tubes, simmering cauldrons, and smoking beakers full of brightly colored liquids. Scattered pages of written notes in a crabbed hand lie strewn about the chamber. A large alcove in the northwest corner contains a bookshelf groaning under the weight of heavy, dusty tomes and scrolls. Three large glass vats stand against the eastern wall, filled with bubbling green fluid. Floating within the vats are three grotesque objects - putrescent corpses, tubes and wires embedded in their rotting flesh, their skin discolored with decay and chemical stains.

Toiling away in front the stacks of alchemical supplies is a hunched man with a frenzy in his eyes. His hands moving across the table grabbing a vial of this or a beaker of that.

He barely notices the party enter the lab but does glance up for a moment.

"Oh... uh.. hello..... Sorry, I am quite busy and don't have time to guests at the moment."

The alchemist turns towards the large glass vat and says:

"Mr. Marrow, please show our guests out.

From behind the glass vat a well dressed obviously undead creature shambles around and towards the party with a single arm raised towards the door.

"OOOOuuutttttttt"

Just realized I didn't actually heal myself after the last fight...oops.

At the back of the pack, Evad quickly uses his wand to heal back up.

Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

He strains his neck to see who is talking to Old Iron up front and waits for the others to respond to the request.

"We have been appointed by the Church of Pharasma to investigate the theft of interred bodies. We will be happy to leave you to your work, sir, once you have fully cooperated, and we have determined that you are not the guilty party," Ahto responds with a touch of sarcasm on his final words.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Is there an initiative count?

There has not yet been a hostile action... Mr. Marrow seems to be trying to direct you towards the door.

Saarai smirks from the back line.

"I don't think so, buddy. I have enough experience with alchemy to know there's not much use for corpses. You want to explain what you've got floating in your vats?" she says with abundant bravado.

Old Iron stamps the butt of his halberd on the floor.

"I would listen to the Abadaran, Mr. Crazy-Eyes. An easy way or a fun way."

Diplomacy Assist: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Old Iron scratches the scales on his chin.

"Well, I wouldn't, necessarily, but you get what I mean. I'd really rather do things the fun way."

Aid Another Diplomacy 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

"Please tell us about your experiments. They could be quite interesting to others."

The alchemist sticks his head around the corner with a bag of gods knows what sticking out of his mouth.

"GEmmmhmmm I Remmmmmmm"

He stops and spits out the bag.
0
"Gentlemen, oh and Ladies.... excuse me... I really do not have time for interruptions... bodies dont just reanimate themselves you know?"

Mr. Marrow advances slowly towards the door.

This is obviously the guy who took the bodies, and the others want to have a friendly little chat. Seems that someone has to bring the law to this den of chaos. And it was a boring conversation anyway.

Petronicus pulls out his potion of enlarge person and winces as he downs it with a few gulps.

By Asmodeus' barbed cock, why can't they make those taste better? It's magic, after all!

"Sir, we will be collecting those bodies in the vats for evidence, along with any other deceased persons you might have about the premises. Please tell your large friend to stand down. You'll need to come with us and answer to the Church of Pharasma for questioning."

Intimidation: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18

Don't forget your intimidate bonus for being larger than him!

Old Iron sees Pete grow large, and he grins.

"Seems to me like that's how we're gon a have to play this, too."

He refreshes his Shield spell. He takes his halberd in both hands and slides into a low stance.

"Time for the fun way."

"Yeah, I'm with my giant, racist friend on this," Saarai says as she readies to cast a snowball at the alchemist's face the second he moves.

Ready an action to attack him if he does anything hostile, including commanding the minion to attack us.

intimidate aid: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (17) - 2 = 15 DC 15 fort save or be staggered for 1 round.

ranged touch atk: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 5 - 4 = 132d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8

sneak attack if flat-footed still: 1d6 ⇒ 6

@Saarai, you cant technically ready an action outside of combat, but I am going to go ahead and trigger combat and will allow that to be your first round action, Since Petronicus getting large inside the lab is def a hostile action, your spell casing will just add to the hostile action list.

"AHHHHH, FINE! Mr. Marrow, please dispose of our guests, oh and take your friend along!"

With his final word Mr. Marrow lurches towards Petronicus and at the same time the glass of one of the vats blows open!

ROLLING INIT:

Evad: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Saarai: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Molos: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Crack-Jawed: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (5) + 0 = 5
Old Iron: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Petronicus: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Svilennius: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Mr. Marrow: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10
Vat Zombie: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1

Combat Order:
Saarai
Molos
Petronicus
Evad
Svillenius
Mr. Marrow
Crack-Jawed
Old Iron
Vat Zombie

Saarai's Snowball goes flying at the alchemist and smashes into his head as hoped, dealing 14 points of damage and staggers him!

Fort Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Molos, Petronicus and Evad may now take their Round 1 Actions.

Seeing the ruckus breaking out around him, Molos casts Mage Armor, ready to be pummeled by someone.

Current AC 17.

"How surprising that the lawless result to violence. Too predictable!" Petronicus calls out as he slashes at the alchemist with his guisarme.

Guisarme attack - PA - CE vs. FF AC: 1d20 + 8 - 1 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 1 - 1 = 16
Guisarme damage + PA: 2d6 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (5, 2) + 7 + 3 = 17

Petronicus then looks at the creatures to see if he can properly identify them.
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

These are both zombies, Mr. Marrow is a regular zombie, The Vat Zombie is an alchemical zombie. They have channel resistance and a slightly higher AC

Petronicus winces as he realizes they are confronting undead. "Ach! An alchemical zombie! A godless creature imbued by foul potions! Let us dispatch them quickly and give them a final rest." he calls out, his voice nearly an octave deeper due to his size.

For some reason this didnt post earlier.

Petronicus's swift strike leaves the alchemist bleeding on the floor.

Evad moves in front of Atho turns to the inquisitor and casts guidiance on him.

Go get them, Big guy!

Looks like Svillenius, then Mr. Marrow

Yep, Ill get them... havent been at my comp since friday.

Mr. Marrow adjusts forward and takes a swing with his zomiberiffic arms.

Slam: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

and obviously he was too distracted by his master falling.

The Vat Zombie will also take a swing at Petronicus.

Slam: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

It is a slightly better aimed attack... but it is still ineffective.

Svillenius begins bleeding on the floor

Stabilize: 1d20 ⇒ 6

and the blood pool begins to grow.

I realize I acted the vat zombie out of order... Its okay.

Crack-Jawed, and Old Iron may now take their Round 1 Actions
Saarai, Molos, Petronicus and Evad may take their Round 2 Actions.

"It is the will of Abadar that you live long enough to face Judgment!" Ahto declares.

(casts stabilize on the fallen alchemist.)

Saarai throws some snow at the wall.

snowball touch attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 62d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 4) + 1 = 11 DC 15 fort save or staggered

+1 religious points for the Abadarian!

Molos casts Acid Splash at the zombie.

RTA 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 - 4 = 15

Damage 1d3 ⇒ 1

Evad rushes into the room, darting between the legs of the giant Petronicus. Reaching the zombie and delivering a kick to it's gooey mid-section.

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Surging forward, Old Iron swings at Mr. Marrow.

Attack with Halberd (destined strike): 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 1 = 20
Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Old Iron faces down Mr. Marrow, a casual smirk on the nagaji's wide scaled mouth.

"Mr. Marrow, huh? Knew a Dr. Marrow once, one a' those freaky hacksaws out of Nidal. You look like you can take a hit better than him."

Now too close to the undead, Petronicus drops his polearm, which instantly shrinks down to normal size, and with another fluid motion pulls out his black flail, swinging it at the zombie. His movements are controlled and careful and favor the defensive.

If the zombie is already down by the time my attack happens, I obviously attack Mr. Marrow instead, not that I could hit the side of a barn with that roll.

Heavy flail - CE: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 - 1 = 9
Heavy flail damage: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (3, 7) + 7 = 17

Molos's Acid Splash hits the Vat Zombie burning a small hole.

Evads unarmed strike seemed to be not quite hard enough to damage the zombie.

Petronicus's flail strike swings wide of both creatures.

In response the Vat Zombie swings its dripping arms at Evad.

Slam: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

but his Monk reflexes are much too fast.

Mr. Marrow than takes a swing at the giant Petronicus.

Slam: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

and they are both ineffective.

Was my attack ineffectual as well?

Everyone else may act now!

sorry OI... missed yours in my recap.

Old Irons Halberd strikes Mr. Marrow and leaves a gaping wound in his chest!

Petronicus shakes his head as he swings his enormous flail at the zombie next to him. "They don't make these undead the way they used to. Perhaps it's the alchemy? You need a proper Urgathoan cleric to do the job right, in my opinion. I've heard there are controllable undead for sale here in Kaer Maga. I'd be interested to take a look at those after we're done in here."

H. Flail attack on alchemical zombie - CE - PA: 1d20 + 6 - 1 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 6 - 1 - 1 = 19
H. Flail damage on alchemical zombie: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (1, 7) + 10 = 18

Evad realizing that this zombie is hard to kill unleashes a massive swing from his pummeling stance.

flurry 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
damage 1: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
flurry 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
damage 2: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Molos moves to the edge of the room, waiting on the others to clear a spot, so that he could enter.

With her companions doing well, Saarai looks for a chance to get into the action.

"Not gonna let you steal ALL the glory, Petro!" the tiefling calls out. She passes a few of her companions, then kicks off the wall to flip past one of the creatures blocking her way.

Then, spinning on her heel, she blasts the creature with her remaining snowball spell. This one has rocks in it.

ranged touch: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 252d6 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6 DC 15 fort save or staggered

crit?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 182d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11 If crit confirms, 17 dmg total, plus fort save or staggered

acrobatics to avoid AoO: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

EDIT: I can target either with this, but after seeing who is injured, I'll try to finish off any that are left

If Mr. Marrow is still up, Old Iron will move aroundhim into a flank, provoking from him, then attack. If Saarai finished him, Old Iron will go attack his buddy.

"Looks like I overestimated you, Mr. Marrow. At least that Dr. Marrow stuck it out for his degree."

Attack with Halberd: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

The flurry of attacks from the party rends both zombies and leaves them in piles of various zombie parts.

END INITIATIVE

A thorough search of the room will find tons of alchemical writings and supplies.

It also will reveal a secret doorway in the wall next to Old Iron

and the 10 foot wide hallway leads off to the North.

Ahto pulls the shackles from his belt and approaches the fallen alchemist.

He fastens pulls the unconscious man's hands behind his back, and locks the manacles about his wrists.

He then removes the rope from his pack and ties a bowline knot around the man's neck. Loose enough that the man will not choke, but tight enough that the loop cannot be removed without untying it. He runs the length of rope down the man's back, through and around the manacles, and around the man's waist; leaving a good length of free rope at the man's beltline. Take 10 on Survival check for a total of 16.

Only then does he remove the potion bottle from his pouch and uncork it. He lifts the man's head, and carefully administers the potion.

Potion of Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Molos casts Detect Magic and scans the corpses.

Petronicus walks over to their prisoner and holds his weapon above his head, ready to strike should he make any threatening gestures.

"Good job, everyone. I think we've apprehended our culprit," Saarai says. "I think our work here is about done," she says as she searches the room for any additional incriminating evidence.

Take 20 perception on the room for anything else...if she doesn't find anything, she'll grab a few papers that might look incriminating to take to the Pharasma people.

Are we, by chance, close to finished here? I have some new games opening up soon (mid-week) I was hoping to use this character for. We got the bad guy, right?

Old Iron swipes his halberd through the air, disposing of any excess bone, blood, and flesh, then rests it on his shoulder.

"Looks like we're pretty much done then."

Old Iron frowns as he begins wandering about the room.

He takes 20 on perception for 27

Once he returns to his normal size and their guest has been dealt with, Petronicus looks about the alchemical reagents and ingredients lying about. "I've actually always been interested in this sort of stuff. My uncle called it "practical magic"."