[PFC] GM Granta's #6-18: From Under Ice (4) (Inactive)

Game Master Granta

I am not interested in any of the equipment here. Zax will wait to see if the others can find anything useful. Meanwhile, he'll Detect Evil in the area, just to be sure that nothing lurks nearby as they visit the armory.

"I can try. I'm only an amateur magician."

Detect Magic + Spellcraft
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Once the others have had a chance to look around, Jayori will continue further into the ruins.

"Let us see what other treasures await us." He almost looses his footing for a moment on the slippery surface of the floor. "If I do not break my neck first, of course." He adds ruefully.

He will head to the right. East?

Gadget identifies the crossbow as a +1 repeating heavy crossbow.

Thousands of icicles cover the ceiling of this cylindrical chamber. The outside edge forms a perfect circular curve, cutting into stone without mark of chisel or tool, impossibly smooth. Only places where ice flows over the stone, or where the structures have collapsed, mar the perfect precision of the cylinder. The remains of workshops and living spaces, still furnished, pea through holes in the cylindrical void. At the southern and western edges of the cavern, large portions of the stone and ice have collapsed, cutting into the immense void with piles of rubble.

The map isn’t even close to scale. This sphere is HUGE.

When ready, decide whether to open the red or orange door, and position yourselves as desired.

Gadget uses her Wand of Mage Armor on herself. Dunno why I didn't do that earlier...

"Golly! This place is gigantic! We could spend forever exploring it! It seems more logical to start with the doors, however. Perhaps the left one, as it seems structurally the right place to go." Suggesting Red

Jayori looks at the massive spherical hole with amazement.

"It is like something just disintegrated the entire middle of the structure." He says.

Can we see the bottom of the hole? Narrow ledges seem good spots for traps!

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

He is very cautiously starts moving past, on the slipper floor that is now a ledge, and heads towards the nearest door that Gadget indicated.

Red it is!

Zax will nod in agreement and proceed to the red door. He'll allow those more perceptive to examine the portal before opening the door, however he'll take a look for himself as well.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Kyra follows the wall to be at the side of the red door, scimitar in hand. "Be ready for anything my friends..."

Lini and Droogami move to the door, joining the others. "Be ready, there might be enemies inside", she says to the cat, pushing it near the door.

@Gadget & Lini: You forgot to move your icons, so you're stuck with my placement :-P And mage armor noted.

Nobody spots any traps, so Zax opens the door. You find an old guard post, with nothing of note.

Any repositioning before opening the next door?

Gadget casts Detect Magic in the room just in case, then is ready to head on.

That placement is good for me.

Other than Zax being in position to open the door when it happens, no.

Zax will go with the same procedure as he is a cautious fellow when not in a rush.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Since he's already there, Jayori can open the second door, easily enough.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Placement adjusted.

With nothing of note behind the door, Kyra changes positions and tries to listen into the next room.

Lini shrugs her shoulders at the empty room. "Well, there cannot be a beast in every room. Better be ready than eaten, anyway. Sniff that door too, Droogami", Lini instructs her pet. She herself tries to keep quiet to her better possible sounds behind the door.

Nobody hears or smells anything through the door, but you are greeted by a dwarfsicle just inside the room. The dwarf's clothing is clearly ancient in style, and several inches of ice encase his body.

It's kind of hard to tell on the map, but the floor inside the room is clear of ice. Where you're standing now though is slippery.

Jayori raises one eyebrow at the site of the ruins' lone inhabitant.

"Not deserted after all." He says, with a slight nod towards the remains. "Though he has been here a long time, if he was one of the original inhabitants."

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

He pauses, so one of the ladies can scan for magical traps and the like as he takes a moment to examine what they see for mundane threats.

Detect evil on the dwarfcicle as well, I suppose.

"Golly! Completely in ice?"

Gadget casts [i]Detect Magic[i] and tries to identifying auras in the room before heading in.

Hmm, a terrible fate. Zax will move into the room if given the all-clear.

Every climate has it's version of a grisly fate. Whether it be drowning, dehydration, or freezing, all are a miserable way to go. Kyra mutters a quick prayer for the fallen while her companions investigate with their senses.

Lini walks into the room, and touches the iced dwarf gently. "Eternal winter. It kills everything living", she says, not to anyone particular. She moves to the closer door and again listens for any sounds. Droogami follows obediently.

@Lini: Do you still want to move into the room, after Jayori and Gadget's discoveries?

Jayori detects a faint aura of evil around the frozen dwarf, and Gadget senses magic behind the giant ice cub. Lini notices a definite nothing, fairly certain that nobody is hiding in the room.

Lini will move in anyway.

"I've got a ping." Gadget moves in and tries to pinpoint the magic. Bow is in hand if she is casting spells... otherwise it's kind of hard for her to cast for... reasons. :p

power and location on said evil?

Jayori holds out a hand, as he detects something malevolent.

"Wait." He calls, glancing over at Zax. "Do you sense that?"

Unfortunately, the gnome doesn't seem to be too concerned, and ducks right past him.

Can he identify what he's looking at? Knowledge (any): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20 (+4 more if arcana or religion)

Kyra cautiously waits by the door until her companions are able to properly discern what they have detected. This does not bode well for us. What evil is still here may grant us the same fate as that dwarf!

Zax will attempt to locate what Jayori is referring to, drawing his sword as he does so. Perhaps the dwarf itself was evil? However, surely he is dead and could not resonate an aura.

"Unless he lingers in a far worse state." Jayori replies.

@Jayori: Combat triggers before you can concentrate, but you do identify the dwarf as undead. It has DR/slashing, and spell resistance.

Maps

Round 1
Effects none

• Gadget - mage armor
  
• Zax -
  
• Vargrim -
  
• Jayori -
  
• Lini -
  
• Kyra -

As soon as Lini steps into the room, the dwarf's icy prison shatters. The air around him suddenly drops dramatically, freezing the air in your lungs, the creature starts clawing at Lini.

Gadget and Zax are up.

Paladin's don't need to concentrate... they start out at the 'studied for 3 rounds' level. Would have gotten that information on the initial reading. Though I suppose not really relevant anymore =)

Any knowledge check on this?
Knowledge (Any): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
...nevermind.

Full Attack
Gadget starts shooting. Cold Iron Arrows.

Longbow Attack 1 (Deadly Aim, Rapid Shot, Point Blank Shot, Cover): 1d20 + 7 - 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 - 1 - 2 + 1 = 13
Longbow Damage 1 (Deadly Aim, Point Blank Shot): 1d6 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 7

Longbow Attack 2 (Deadly Aim, Rapid Shot, Point Blank Shot, Cover): 1d20 + 7 - 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 - 1 - 2 + 1 = 7
Longbow Damage 2 (Deadly Aim, Point Blank Shot): 1d6 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 7

Nevermind :)

I should have realized... I should have smashed the creature when I first saw it! Zax will call upon his inner strength in order to Smite Evil and moves to take down the undead before it can harm his friends! Being flatfooted I assume I'll not take an AoO, but I'll risk it if I do.

Smite: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26 for Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Knowledge (religion) to identify.

Maps

Round 1-2
Effects none

• Vargrim - 16 damage, grappled
  
• Jayori -
  
• Lini -
  
• Kyra -
  
• ---Round 2---
  
• Gadget - mage armor
  
• Zax - 10 damage, grappled

Gadget fires two quick arrows at the dwarf, but can't penetrate his thick skin. Zax fares much better though, scoring a solid hit that cuts across the dwarf's shoulders and removes much of his beard, too.

The creature manages to slash Zax with one of his claws and even hold onto the paladin.

Everybody is up.

@Zax: Please update your stat bar for smite.

Standard Action
Having trouble hitting, Gadget moves to an easier method of hitting. Telekinetic Fist.
Telekinetic Fist Attack (Touch Attack, Point Blank Shot, Cover): 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 1 - 4 = 11
Telekinetic Fist Damage (Point Blank Shot): 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Zax keeps slashing at the creature despite his condition!

Longsword: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26 for Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

I never remember how escaping a grapple works, can I try it with a move action?

Had my Knowledge check at the start... you gave me undead, DR slashing, and SR

declaring a smite on the undead dwarf! (Stat line adjusted)

"Irori guide my hand." He intones, as he takes advantage of the distraction provided by Zax to move into the room, intent on destroying the undead creature. Suspecting it's tough skin will not be so vulnerable to his usual weapon, he pulls out a wicked inward curving dagger as he goes.

Move in 15', drawing kukri as I go. (Its the only slashing weapon I have!)
As it's grappling Zax, I don't think it gets an AoO... but not much I can do about it regardless =)

He then slashes at the creature as it grapples with Zax. "It is time to end your torment so you may finally rest." He says solemnly, as he does so.

Melee kukri, PA, smite (vs undead), flank: 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 - 1 + 3 + 2 = 29, for 1d4 + 3 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 + 6 = 14 damage.

edit:
confirm: 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 - 1 + 3 + 2 = 27, for 1d4 + 3 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 + 6 = 15 additional damage.

Escaping is a standard action Zax, either as a CMB check, or an escape artist check.
Though you can stay grappled and just take a -2 on your attack rolls. (which you already accounted for)

Crap, missed the DR slashing. Welp, get Gadget is going into the room next round. She can only do Piercing and Bludgeoning from afar.

"Oh, gods, it's alive! Droogami, come and bite the unnatural thing!" Lini cries in surprise. She retreats from the enemy, and pulls out a wand to enchant her companion.

Droogami obeys the command, and jumps at the dwarf, teeth flashing.

An unholy abomination! Sarenrae's will shall be done. Kyra quickly displays her holy symbol and unleashes a wave of holy energy upon the creature! "Your unholy taint shall be purged from these halls!"

______________
Also, while grappled you can only use your weapon one handed. Idk if that matters, just making the note.

Maps

Round 2-3
Effects none

• Vargrim - 71 damage
  
• Jayori - 8 damage?
  
• Lini - 6 damage?
  
• Droogami - 6 damage?
  
• Kyra -
  
• ---Round 3---
  
• Gadget - mage armor
  
• Zax - 41 or 47 damage?, dying

Jayori delivers a wicked cut to one of the dwarf's elbows, severing several tendons. Droogami's bite manages to pierce the thick, frozen dwarf skin, but the cat just isn't strong enough to bring down the sturdy dwarf.

Kyra faith wounds the undead dwarf some and Gadget misses the dwarf entirely, but Zax lands a solid blow to his attacker.

Unfortunately, the combination of earth-shattering cold and bone-breaking claws drops Zax's limp body to the cold ground.

Everybody is up. Jayori, Lini, Droogami, and Zax please roll Fort saves to halve the cold damage.

Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Con/Death Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 No matter how much negative I am that won't make it.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 Oop, pretty sure that's not going to do it.

Swift action: Lay on Hands on self, for 1d6 ⇒ 1 healing (Bah! ... I think its just 1d6 at level 3?)

The unnatural cold hits Jayori hard, as frost starts to form on exposed areas. He says a quick prayer to Irori and a small amount of healing energy courses through his body, though not nearly enough to even make a dent in the damage being caused by the frigid aura of the undead creature.

Seeing Zax get the life strangled out of him, and drop motionless to the ground, he redoubles his efforts to strike the creature down before it can do more harm, inching his way back towards the doorway and his fallen comrade as he does.

Melee vs Undead, PA, smite: 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 6 - 1 + 3 = 27, for 1d4 + 3 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 + 3 = 9 damage.

5' step south, swift action lay on hands, standard melee attack on undead dwarf with kukri.

Now I wonder what we did with those resist cold potions =)

Oops, that was a 19... didn't expect another potential crit... Was late, I just went to bed.

Confirm: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21, for 1d4 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 additional damage.

NO! Kyra quickly releases another burst of light from her symbol, but this one invigorates her allies.

If it's still up after that...

Standard Action
Gadget turns to more sure-fire measures and casts a Magic Missile using her Arcane Bond.
Magic Missile: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2) + 2 = 7

Jayori quickly lays the undead dwarf to rest with a kukri across its throat. The dwarf’s pack contains a personal diary, but a detailed search shows up nothing else of note in the entire complex.

See the map link for the last entry of the diary, then heal up and place yourselves back at the entrance where you fought the winter wolf.

As the dwarf falls, Jayori says a quick prayer to Irori as he moves to check on Zax. Seeing the half-orc is still breathing, he nods satisfied, and leaves his care to those better suited.

Kyra's channel will heal Jayori up to full, so he is good. I'm assuming she will be able to patch Zax up via wand.

After they find the journal, and note its contents he shakes his head. "Trapped in here by the curse of eternal winter? It is no wonder his spirit lingered with such spite, if he's been trapped in this icy tomb since Irrisen was founded."

He looks at the large spherical void where the rest of the town used to be. "I have had some experience with this Hao Jin the text mentions." He says, thoughtfully. "A powerful wizard, who stole away many an architectural phenomena to store away in her own private demi-plane. I had not realized how destructive such an act would be to its original location... until that..."

"The Society has an artifact in the Grand Lodge that gives access to this plane." He shrugs slightly. "It would seem if we seek this Sky Key piece, that the search must continue there, not here, now."

He eyes the dead dwarf with a sad look. "I would like to take his remains out of this cursed land if possible. Let his final resting place at least know the touch of summer from time to time. It is not much after all this time, but something we can do for him."

Not sure how best to transport a dwarf that's been dead for 1400 years or so =) Wrap it up in his blanket at least, and drag it along? All the snow will help!

Once Zax is back up and ready to go on, he will head back to the entrance with the others, hauling along the remains of Vargrim the dwarf.

Moved self back to start.

Oh, what was the magic aura Gadget detected before the dwarf jumped us? Just the effect that made it look like it was in the ice block?

I'm either at 0 or 6 HP, depending on the Fort save result.

CLW Wand: 7d8 + 7 ⇒ (4, 6, 1, 3, 6, 7, 8) + 7 = 42 So 6 or 7 charges.

Is everyone else alright? The paladin seems to be unconcerned about his own fate, instead choosing to worry about his friends. Zax will also volunteer to bring back the corpse of the dwarf and follow all of Jayori's suggestions.