[PFS] 2-23: Shadow's Last Stand—Part I: At Shadow's Door by GM Upaynao (Inactive)

Game Master Upaynao

She shakes her head. "No, the Stone still resides in the temple in Absalom---" she tilts her head to the side as she stares at the window some more. "Well, at least I believe it still resides there."

Ah..maybe it doesn't! Now there's a good wager, is the Starstone still in the City at the Center of the World. Bet it is really...I mean that drunk guy would said so if it wasn't or Iomedae. She wouldn't tell no lies, would she, she would have said Starstone's not in there. Anyway how's the chopping going my good man.

Krolmnite finishes his ramblings and looks around for progress with the door.

That is quite a blatant bit of blasphemy
Any Knowledge check I could make to see if this Cathedral normally shows such an image?
Knowledge (Relgion/Local): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

"How could you build a cathedral and get that kind of fact wrong? I got a bad feelin' about this already."

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

I can beat the DC if I take 20. Rogar is chopping the door down, so maybe I have some free time.

Rogar sings a merry song in his native Skald, while chopping down the door, completely ignoring the theological discussion.

"Jeg' en træt gammel dreng
og jeg har ikke set en seng,
siden jeg kom i land med kontanter.
Jeg ser hvide høns gå rundt
og mit hoved gør så ondt,
det blir jokket på af mus & elefanter"

Both Constantin and Trixalana are mystified; the cathedral to the last of the First Men shouldn't get something as crucial as that wrong... And that's when it hits them. The cathedral builders, no. But something that doesn't know a damn thing about Aroden...

And with that, the glass of the window bursts out towards the Pathfinders, at the same time as the two shout "Watch out!"

If you had not made either of those checks, the entire group would have been taken by surprise. Good job!

Round 1

Glenn
Krolmnite
Ivar What is Ivar's default action? As he goes before you Rogar, he will do just that.
Constantin
Rogar
Aquavius
Trixalana
Creature

Constantin wracks his mind for some clue as to what kind of creature this is even as he calls his allies to battle!

Begin Inspire Courage, currently granting a total of +2 to hit and damage and a +1 to saves vs. Fear or Charm with a mix of Competence and Morale.

Knowledge (Big 6): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

God dammit. Must I make the mistake all the time?

Our villains have left us a bit of vitreous vitality to vex us. Pay little heed to its glassy guise - fragility is not its forte!

Where is it on the map?
Bardic Knowledge: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18 Any DR?

"Huh, animated object. KInda lifeless. Go bash away. Reminds me of when my men sailed the channel of Charybdis once. Those rocks seemed like they were alive, trying to crush the hull!"

Standard Action: Inspire Rage. Move Action will be to draw a melee weapon, depending on its DR.

It is your decision to accept Inspired Rage, unless you fall unconsciou in which case you auto accept.

Delay until Krolmnite feels inspired both in courage and in rage (accepted). Assuming I'm within 30 feet of creature. If not move to 30 feet away if possible.

Shocked by the sudden appearance of the glassy window creature, Krolmnite stares mouth agape as the creature emerges. For once he's speechless. As Constantin and Aquavius begin there inspiring performances he snaps too, and overexerts himself as he summons the kinetic energy around him; letting loose with a violent blast of dirt, rocks, and even pebbles.

Pushing Earth Blast: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Pushing Infusion to the kinetic blast accepting 1 burn = 1 nl damage

God Damn it! Never do PFS stuff when it's 1:00 AM folks. The creature has been placed

Aquavius, somewhat more familiar with this sort of creature, does not believe it to have any sort of damage reduction but to have a hardness which will make landing a damaging blow difficult.

Hardness 5

Krolmnite attempts to blast the creature but it's angled panes deflect the earth blast.

Round 1

Glenn
Krolmnite
Ivar What is Ivar's default action? As he goes before you Rogar, he will do just that.
Constantin
Rogar
Aquavius
Trixalana
Creature

Ivar's current standing order is to defend Rogar, so he'll stay put, but he will accept the Raging Song.

Rogar looks up from his merry work and sees the construct. Letting both of the battle songs fill him with vigor, he moves north and strikes the glass creature. Provoking a possible AoO if the construct isn't flat-flooted.

Attack (IC, RS, power attack): 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 11
Damage (IC, RS, power attack, two-handed): 1d10 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 + 1 + 3 + 2 = 20

He then orders Ivar on the attack.

Do the cases obstruct movement in any way?

You can jump onto them with a DC 12 Acrobatics check. Your movement does not provoke as the creature has yet to go.

Rogar's attack misses the construct completely.

Round 1

Glenn
Krolmnite
Ivar
Constantin
Rogar
Aquavius
Trixalana
Creature

"You'll have to hit it extra hard to really dent it." Aquavius draws her trident. "I'll help you set things up."

Trix takes aim with her crossbow and fires off a bolt! She then begins to reload the weapon in preparation for the next volley!

Attack: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 2 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Of all the Pathfinder, Trixalana is the only one that hits the target. Unfortunately, the arrow bounces off, harmlessly.

From it's vantage point it tries to attack Rogar!

Slam! #1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Slam Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Slam! #2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Slam Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Round 2

Glenn Has two turns
Krolmnite
Ivar
Constantin
Rogar 2 dmg
Aquavius
Trixalana
Creature

Constantin backs off, maintaining his oration, and flicks out with his whip, trying to topple this glassy creature.

Trip: 1d20 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 + 2 = 10

Same buffs are up

Ivar attempts to scramble onto the display cases.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Not giving up yet, he tries again.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Sigh... That was two move actions, so nothing more this turn.

Rogar tries to get onto the cases as well.

Acrobatics: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (5) - 3 = 2
These rolls...

He then takes another swing at the construct.

Attack (IC, RS, power attack): 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 17
Damage (IC, RS, power attack, two-handed): 1d10 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 + 1 + 3 + 2 = 13

Aquavius sees Rogar and Ivar try to climb the display cases. "You two have a better chance of breaking that thing than me. Go ahead, go ahead." She drops her Trident, pulls out her scimitar and prepares to take a swing.

"So where was I? Oh yeah, we sailed along the sea into the channel of Charybdis. We were avoiding the...um... patrol bad pirates and hid in there. The seas were eerily calm, good winds too. We got pretty deep in, before we noticed the bluffs had gotten closer to the hull!"

Scimitar, Inspired Rage, Banner: 1d20 + 0 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 0 + 1 + 2 = 11
Damage, Inspired Rage, Banner: 1d6 + 0 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 0 + 1 + 2 = 5

Her scimitar glances off the construct's glassy armor.

Free Action: Drop Trident, maintain Inspired Rage. Move Action: Draw Scimitar. Standard Action: Attack

Krolmnite jockeys for a better position. move

I bet your made from the same stuff as this!

Krolmnite releases another Kinetic Blast.

Kinetic Blast - firing into melee: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 5 - 4 = 21
damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 5 - 4 = 6
damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Trix takes aim again and fires before reloading her crossbow again.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 - 4 = 6 Just realized I forgot to include the penalty for firing into melee last round...
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Both Rogar's attack and Krolmnite's earth blast seem to have dealt it quite a bit of damage! The construct seems to be on it's last legs.

Round 2

Glenn Has two turns
Krolmnite
Ivar
Constantin
Rogar 2 dmg
Aquavius
Trixalana
Creature 16 dmg

Giving Glenn a few to catch up; we'll move onto round 3 tomorrow if he has not posted by then.

Glen first conjures a dart from his hands, and magically propels it towards the creature

Nauseating Dart Spell vs touch, DC 16 Fort Save or be nauseated for 1 round: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 191d2 ⇒ 2

And then regardless of how that turns out, Glenn throws his net at the creature.

Net Throw vs Touch, if hit creature is entangled and such, see below: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Kerribbit - you don't belong here creature, the Societero will suceed the frog croaks,

While Glenn's spell hits the creature, it does not seem to cause it any damage. Nor does it seem affected by the aftereffects. The net itself misses the creature.

Mechanically, it tries again to cause the Pathfinders harm!

Slam! #1 vs Rogar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Slam Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Slam! #2 vs Aquavius: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Slam Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Round 3

Glenn
Krolmnite
Ivar
Constantin
Rogar 6 dmg
Aquavius
Trixalana
Creature

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Third time's the charm, so Ivar scrambles onto the display case and bites the construct.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Rogar dons his shield and takes another swing at the construct.

Attack (IC, RS, power attack): 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 19
Damage (IC, RS, power attack): 1d10 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 + 1 + 3 = 19

Glenn draws another net and tries again

Nettastic: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

If you called Krolmnite a one trick pony; he probably wouldn't mind.

I bet this thing will shatter soon! He says as he unleashes another earth blast.

Kinetic Blast - firing into melee: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 5 - 4 = 21
damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 5 - 4 = 16
damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

He then takes a step just in case it does.

Another 20! Must be Krolmnite's lucky day!

"Those rocks are brutal." She continues her story. "We thought we heard water filling in the ship. Now I'm a great swimmer, but no way would I swim through that mess!"

Scimitar, Inspired Rage, Banner: 1d20 + 0 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 0 + 1 + 2 = 22
Damage, Inspired Rage, Banner: 1d6 + 0 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 0 + 1 + 2 = 7

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 0 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 0 + 1 + 2 = 11
Crit Damage: 1d6 + 0 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 0 + 1 + 2 = 5

Free Action: Continue Inspired Rage.
Standard Action: Attack with Scimitar

Trix grimaces as their stalwart warrior is struck once more by the strange glass creature. She rushes over and quickly heals all damage!

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

With a crash, the window-made construct breaks down, and the Pathfinders emerge victorious!

Breaking down the door you had set your sights upon earlier is more a matter of time than anything else. The ruined door gives into what looks to be one of the two towers flanking the main entrance to the cathedral. This level seems to be used mainly as storage for exploration equipment and other supplies for the lodge. A set of stairs goes up to a second level.

Further levels on on the second slide, as well as the area below the loft where you are currently standing in. I'll place you there as soon as you want to go up.

Glenn hops his way over to the northwall and points out - "hey this over here looks downright new"

Rogar and Ivar follow Glenn in.

What are you talking about? I can't see anything..."

These invidious invaders continue to profane this place. Is this surface even solid?

"Now luckily I'm a great Captain. We turned around and sailed right out of there! Took the long way around. Of course that meant we were late. And the ship was damaged. Hehe. Never again!" Aquavius finishes her tale as the creature shatters.

Aquavius picks up her weapons, then walks over with her trident ready. "A new wall? A new, breakable wall maybe?" Aquavius pulls out her flail. "Constantin has a point. We set off a trap, no one seems to care. Instead of thugs and warriors holding us up, a clump of air and a pile of glass leap at us!"

"Let's tear down this wall, eh?"

What are you planning on using to tear down the wall?

Aquavius will use her flail.

Nothing is as it seems here! I bet that's not real!

Will save to disbelieve the wall: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

No wait, I'm wrong, it's just new construction I guess.

Perception anyway past it without destroying it: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Looks like more dem-o-lition

After hitting his head into the wall twice, Krolmnite is fairly certain that the wall is real.

Hmm... before we spend too much time on our spontaneous stonemasonry, Constantin raps the butt of his flag against the wall and listens carefully to hear if it's hollow. Perception: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 11

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
"Constantin's got a point. Maybe there's a switch or false brick on the wall? But if I don't find anything it's back to bashing!"

Or maybe another way around, I saw another door on this side out in the balcony. I bet it could connect. Krolmnite scratches his head were he so foolishly bump it.

After checking around, Aquavius is fairly certain that while the wall is not nearly as thick as that of the rest of the building, it does not seem to harbor a secret door. It is a later addition to the cathedral's structure, and roughly four inches thick.

That would be a significant strain for us to shatter even with Krolmnite's earthen expertise and Rogar's redoubtable robustness.

Perhaps we postpone plumbing this possible portal? At least until we've appraise our alternate avenues.

So that's about 60hp at 8 hardness... Doable but slow

"Yeah, that's gonna take a while. Upstairs then, unless someone has a better idea?"

Upstairs it is!

Rogar and Ivar lead the march upstairs.

Trix watches excitedly as they prepare to break down the wall, but stop short of the task. She sighs and looks dejected for a moment, but perks right up at the prospect of further exploration! "Yes, let us continue onward!"