[PFS] 4–19: The Night March of Kalkamedes (Inactive)

Game Master StephNyan

@S'arkee: I did it for you a couple of times, 'cause you were sticking with Kalkamedes and I control his movement. Generally, you're supposed to move your own tokens in my games :)

Negi's lance misses the skunk, but Negi tells Jon to take over for him.

S'arkee moves forward, but also misses the skunk.

When Rolan steps into the fray the first hit is made. He swings his weapon with all his might, hitting the skunk hard.

Round 3
Bulgo
Kalkamedes
Giant skunk
Negi (Nauseated 3 rounds, then Sickened 3 rounds.)
Rolan
S'arkee

Bulgo's up.

"Odd, up here I feel strong..I hope he isn't going to break that door."

Bulgo looks for a way to secure the bedroll between Kalkamedes and the door so he can get back to joining in the battle.

Kalkamedes is trying so hard to get through the doors that the bedroll in between him and the doors isn't dropping.

Bulgo, Kalkamedes won't be hurting himself. Feel free to join the battle this turn.

Bulgo moves up to the entrance of the weird structure, stabbing the skunk as he does so.

No idea if he keeps the strength bonus, or what that would equate to, so if he is stronger, feel free to add the damage

attack: 1d20 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 4 = 17
damage: 1d3 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 + 1 = 3

As soon as Bulgo moves off of the dais, he feels his strength return to normal. He moves past S'arkee, provoking an attack from the skunk as he moves up to the animal.

AoO, Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

The skunk misses Bulgo, giving Bulgo an opening to stab the skunk.

Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Claw 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Claw 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

The skunk fully focuses on getting back at Bulgo, but manages to hit Bulgo just once with a claw.

Round 3
~
Negi 9/16HP (Nauseated 3 rounds, then Sickened 3 rounds.)
Rolan 6/9HP
S'arkee 7/7HP

Round 4
Bulgo 14/17HP
Kalkamedes -16HP
Baby giant skunk -3HP
Negi 9/16HP (Nauseated 2 rounds, then Sickened 3 rounds.)
Rolan 6/9HP
S'arkee 7/7HP

Everyone's up again :)

Rolan, bolstered by his previous success, swings again.
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
StephNyan, shouldn't the skunk be down more than 3 HP?

S'arkee is getting irritated with this thing and attempt to smack it again with his mace.
Attack: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17

damage: 1d8 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5

this'll be hilarious if S'arkee kills it, considering how ineffective my mellee-focused characters are :p

Oopse, I was hoping to avoid the AOO, but if he was provoking, Bulgo would move the extra space to get flanking. He could of course just 5' step for it this round

Bulgo swings again at the large badger.

attaack with flank: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 18
TWF attack with flank: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 25
damage 1: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (6) = 7
damage 2: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (1) = 2

Forgot to add the damage from Rolan's crit to the skunk's total damage. It's been added.

Retcon:
Bulgo moves into flanking position with Rolan before he attacks.

Back to the present:
Due to the flanking provided by Bulgo, Rolan manages to hit the skunk.

S'arkee then hurts the skunk some more, bringing it close to fainting.

Bulgo finishes the job with two swift attacks, after which the skunk drops to the floor.

Combat over!

Refreshing your memories: there's a pair of doors, a dais that does something to your strength, a golden wand S'arkee was unable to identify, and a riddle.

"Those that would dare believe they are strong enough to oppose us shall learn that their strength is their weakness and our weaknesses are our very strengths."

as said,have an idea to the solution, but S'arkee didn't succeed on the spellcraft before the battle so for the moment he's going to be looking over the statue, the wand and the door.

"I wonder if there is an area here that makes you weak. If that door is a false door, then..." ponders Bulgo as he goes back to inspecting the wand and statue for traps, and to see if it can be removed.

Takes twenty on this, don't want any nasty traps, result of 29

It turns out the wand can by removed from the statue without negative consequences.

Searching the room doesn't reveal anything new, but stepping on the dais shows different results for the various party members. While Bulgo and S'arkee both grow stronger when they're on the dais, Rolan and Negi feel weaker when on it. Negi's companion Jon wobbles a bit on his feet while carrying Negi onto the dais, also showing a loss of strength.

Whenever someone steps off of the dais, his strength returns to normal.

Bulgo hands the wand to S'arkee.

"Ahh, those who are strong become weak, and those who are weak become strong. Interesting. Let us see if we can open the door."

Bulgo, in his element at last, checks the door for traps.

"I was in this secret place in the desert once, it had some really nasty..."

Again takes the time to take twenty on this, we don't have a lot of healing left

Assuming he finds no traps, he'll try to spring the door open.

May as well try taking ten on this too, disable score of 21 to open the door.

"Someone may want to have a firm hold on our friend here..."

anyone else have spellcraft?

If the GM is willing, I could roll a spellcraft again on the wand.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Pfft, never mind.

I'm not sure if I can try the spellcraft, since I don't have detect magic, which I think is what S'arkee was referring to. On the off chance that I can, here's my roll.
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

S'arkee's retry wouldn't have been possible, and Rolan isn't able to identify the wand without detect magic :(

Bulgo finds no traps at the doors. He realizes the doors aren't locked, but just very heavy. Putting all his newfound strength into pushing, Bulgo manages to push the doors open on his own.

Kalkamedes immediately moves through the open doors, but S'arkee quickly grabs hold of the rope around Kalkamedes's waist to keep him close to the party.

Suspended by thick chains, a massive metal cage shaped like a demon's head hangs over a dark shaft with no bottom in sight. The cage's door-by all appearances a menacing maw, filled with incisor-like fangs-hangs open to the west. There, a narrow bridge spans the short distance between the ledge and the cage. A small console on the north edge of the bridge bears a single lever.

Bulgo advances and checks out the console to ensure it is not trapped.

Takes ten now, as Kalk probably won't want to wait long. Gives a 19

"Keep a good hold of him, that drop won't be good for anyone, sleep walking paladin or not."

Assuming it is not trapped, he'll try to work out how it works, and what it does.
I'm guessing open the cage or move it, but Bulgo would like to check

disable device?: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

S'arkee remains waiting to see if there is any way to decend slowly and that Bulgo has found any kind of traps that may endanger the sleeper.

Having recovered from the skunk's spray, Negi remounts Jon and prepares to follow Bulgo close enough to help if he runs into trouble.

Now that I look at it, I may need a heal...

Bulgo inspects the cage, which is quite certainly a lift, and the lever for traps. He doesn't find a single one. Kalkamedes reaches the cage and walks straight into it (through the open mouth). He silently waits for someone to activate the cage so he can descend.

The cage has enough space to hold four medium creatures at a time, and you join Kalkamedes inside. Although it looks foreboding, the Thrallkeepers' lift mechanism is quite safe. It still functions well, even millennia later, hinting at a level of engineering now lost to the continent. The lever in the console presently sits in the middle of three positions. Moving the level up causes the cage to close its mouth and move upward, and moving the lever down also closes the mouth and causes the cage to move downward. An identical lever stands near the bottom of the shaft.

Palm-sized shards of jagged steel jut from halfway up the walls of the large cavern you arrive in, bathing the cavern with a dark green light. A set of natural rock columns support the chamber's ceiling, which rises to a height of twenty feet. A small tunnel leads to the northeast, and several rounded alcoves branch off from the main cavern.

Area C1

This circular alcove buds off from the larger cavern to the north. An elaborate set of concentric circles inscribed in dull metal of different colors occupies much of the space within the room. Within the circles sits a gnome dressed in threadbare clothes and with an unkempt mane of fuchsia hair.

The gnome jumps up the moment he notices you. ""Help me, please! I'm Koth'Vaul, I was imprisoned here by the Thrallkeepers! They wanted to use my fey essence to power their magic, but I got stuck here even after they disappeared!"

Kalkamedes walks into the cave with you. S'arkee holds him back, but it looks like Kalkamedes wants to head over to area C3. "Johanis, is that you?!" Koth'Vaul exclaims when he notices Kalkamedes.

"No, that can't be. Johanis should've died long ago. Your companion has to be his descendant! Johanis was the only one of us to escape, and his descendant must've come back 10 generations later to save Sulianna and me!"

Area C2

A deep pool occupies much of this alcove. Suspended particles of dust cloud the stagnant water, but barely visible at the bottom are several dozen strange bones from otherworldly creatures.

Area C3

Faintly glowing lines trace the platform's floor in concentric rings in this alcove. A beautiful, elven warrior-woman lies unconscious within the second magic circle you find here. He's held back by the rope S'arkee holds, but Kalkamedes is trying desperately to get to her.

You may make the following knowledge checks for additional info: local, planes (3 times), history, arcana.

Also, keep in mind you cannot see the elf in C3 if you're at C1. I provided you with the info, but make clear where you're positioned.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Rolan moves closer to Koth'Vaul, examining the circles for a way to help him escape,
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
I'm Rolan. We're Pathfinders, and we've been following Kalkamedes here, who seems to be drawn to this place. How can we help you escape?

Bulgo explores the cavern for a little.

"What year were you imprisoned, and by who exactly? How did Johanis escape" he asks as he wracks his mind about the names.

Takes 10 for 15 on know-local

He listens to the gnome, trying to work out whether it is telling the truth.

sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Rolan and Bulgo don't recall anything specific when they search their minds. Bulgo's convinced Koth'Vaul's speaking the truth.

"The magic circle can be dispelled with the spell dispel magic, but if you attack it from your side you should also be able to take it down with force," the gnome replies to Rolan.

"The woman in the magic circle nearby is my traveling companion and adopted sister. Or was... I haven't heard from her in a long time and do not know if she is well. Please free me first, I have some magic that could revive her if she's unwell!"

To Bulgo he replies "I don't remember an exact year, I was imprisoned here centuries ago by an organization known as the Thrallkeepers. they bound me here to use my fey essence to power their magic. The Thrallkeepers have all long since died, but the wards that bind him have kept me young."

"All I wants is to finally be free so that I can taste fresh air once again, die at last, and perhaps travel back in spirit to the First World from whence I came..."

S'arkee and Negi, do you want to try those knowledge checks?

Keep in mind untrained knowledge checks can have a maximum DC of 10, which is just enough to aid another.

Know Arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

been meaning to add more points next level :p

S'arkee smirks at the mention of the Thrallkeepers.
"The world has changed since that time. Those decadent bastards who perverted my Lady's teachings are long since dead." he takes a bit of pride in this as he says it, but keeps Kalkamedes back. "Forgive our scepticism, it has been many centuries and the world is different. If your sister is so important, why don't we free her first? Or we could test her if you tell us something only you two would know. I know little of the Thrallkeepers' ways, but I know they were binding powerful creatures and I have heard plenty of tales of shapeshifting monsters."

Of course, he has no proof if they are or not, but he's not going to simply break open a glyph because a being, claiming to be an innocent, wants it done. As far as he knows, that gnome could be a demon or worse. Is there anything familiar about the glyphs? I'm assuming not besides the ancient language they might be inscribed in. Unless my knowledge Arcana is good enough. I'll try to reach 10 on the following untrained skills to aid anyone else.

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Knowledge History: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Bulgo also wracks his mind for thoughts of history and stories of other worlds.

history aid another: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
planes aid another: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

"What can you tell us of the scratch marks all around here? " he asks.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Aid: 1d20 ⇒ 4

"Like I just said, I have some magic that could revive her if she's unwell!" the gnome replies to S'arkee. "If you get me out first, I can help her!"

"This isn't a natural cave," Koth'Vaul then tells Bulgo. "The Thrallkeepers had summoned creatures dig it out. Hence the claw marks everywhere."

Treating Bulgo and S'arkee's Knowledge (Local) rolls as aids to Rolan's:
Rolan thinks he remembers something about gnomes. After sharing the thought with the others, Bulgo and S'arkee's confirm it: Any gnome trapped for more than a year should be vulnerable to Bleaching, an affliction that gnomes suffer over time when they fail to partake in new experiences and sensations. Koth'Vaul appears to be perfectly healthy.

"Let's got and see how she is before we start cutting away at circles." suggests Bulgo, trying to get the group away from the "gnome".

"We'll be back, we just need to check the area for traps and other stuff."

Once out of hearing, and moving towards the other circle he shares the knowledge about bleaching. Then he moves to look at the other circle, taking his time in case there are indeed other traps around.

Takes ten on perception for 19

Rolan immediately shares his theories about the gnome, and he takes the time, while his friends are looking around, to mix two potions that he tucks into his belt. He'll create extracts of Cure Light Wounds and Shield.

"We have our own spells too. Let us first revive her and we shall be back for you." S'arkee states as he moves with the group and Kalkamedes towards the second circle.

You've barely moved close enough to the other circle to see there's a beautiful, elven warrior-woman inside, when Koth'Vaul starts yelling at you. His voice warps to sound like a demon's as his frustration grows. "Wait! Get me out! I can fulfill any wish you make! Get back! Curse you! I will kill you all if you don't come back! I will kill you!!"

As Koth'Vaul continues to yell a black dragon emerges from the pool. It roars at you and Koth'Vaul commands it to attack you. "Illvaster! Tear them to shreds!"

Kalkamedes continues to pulls the rope, trying desperately to get to the elven woman.

Round 1:
Rolan
Negi
S'arkee
Illvaster
Bulgo
Kalkamedes

As usual, everyone in bold is up :)

Rolan groans and pulls a potion from his belt, uncorking and drinking the murky yellow liquid down. Immediately he begins to shrink.
He'll use an extract of reduce person.

S'arkee's eyes widen in surprise.
"A mighty creature. Please, Kin. Do not attack. We do not wish to start a fight with you."

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

"You keep him busy. I'll go with Kalkamedes to free the Elf woman." he says to the group, knowing his magic has no use against that thing and making his way, letting Kalkamedes lead.

"That's my cue, then!" Negi says, pulling out a tanglefoot bag.

I'm probably gonna need healing after this round.

Stepping in front of Bulgo, he hurls the bag at the dragon.

Tanglefoot Bag: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Rolan pulls a potion from his belt and drinks it, reducing his own size.

S'arkee realizes something's off about the black dragon. It's under the effect of some kind of disguise. The look in the dragon's eyes shows no sign of any kind of intelligence.

Negi steps in front of Bulgo as he pulls out a tanglefoot bag. He throws the bag, but misses the dragon. (-6 penalty for throwing in the 3rd range increment.)

Bite, Charge: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 2 = 25 Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

The dragon charges at Negi and bites him. The halfling falls off of his mount.

Kalkamedes tugs the rope in the elf's direction. (Delaying Kalkamedes till just after S'arkee, so they can move together.)

"Protect Kalkamedes from that thing!" Bulgo hears Gamin say.

Round 1:
~
Bulgo 17/17HP

Round 2:
Rolan 6/9HP
Negi -2/16HP & Silver Jon
S'arkee 7/7HP
Kalkamedes
Illvaster -2AC from charge
Bulgo 17/17HP

As always, bold's up! :)

@Negi: Could you provide me with Jon's HP and a stabilize roll for Negi? I placed a token for Jon on top of the fallen Negi, which you can use as long as Negi's out of action. A wolf would attack the one who attacked the master, wouldn't he?

@S'arkee: Feel free to move Kalkamedes when it's your turn. He'll head 40 feet toward the woman, unless you hold him back.

Rolan moves into the fray, slashing at the dragon with his wakizashi,
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

All right, this may have been a very bad idea.

Bulgo moves around to the other side of the dragon. As he does so he calls out "Keep Kalkamedes away from the dragon. The elf may be our way out."

I'm not sure the dragon is in the right place on the map, so I'm just guessing he can do this.

The plucky halfling then strikes out at the 'dragon'
attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 13
And on the off chance that hits, as it is such a large target... very off chance
damage: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (2) = 3

S'arkee follows Kalkamedes as he makes his way towards the elf maiden.
"There is something strange about that dragon. I'll accompany him to the elf!" he calls out as they make their way.

Con Check: 1d20 ⇒ 15
Seriously, help!

Jon snarls and lashes out at the dragon.

bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
trip: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Out of spells I'm afraid. Dammit, I knew I should've bought a wand of CLW after my first adventure with him.

I placed a big picture of the dragon on the map, just so you can view it better. That's why the big picture's position isn't actually in the cave: it's just a picture to show what the dragon looks like, because the dragon's token's size makes it very hard to see what it looks like.

If you look at your tokens you'll see the dragon's token is right next to most of yours and 5x5. (It's a medium sized dragon, not large.) I moved Bulgo from his position east of Jon to west of the dragon, as he described moving to the other side.

Bulgo moves around to the other side of the dragon. The only way to do this (within 1 move action) is by provoking an attack from it.

AoO, Bite: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

The dragon bites Bulgo, inflicting a nasty wound. The plucky halfling then strikes out at the dragon. To Bulgo's own surprise his attack connects and deals damage.

Rolan moves into the fray, slashing at the dragon with his wakizashi. His attack misses the dragon.

Negi stabilizes and Jon protects his master. The wolf bites the dragon, but most of the piercing damage Jon deals is resisted. Jon's attempt to trip the dragon doesn't result in anything.

Meanwhile S'arkee and Kalkamedes move toward the elf woman, hoping she'll be the key to victory and the party's survival.

1d3 ⇒ 3
Bite: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Illvaster, the dragon, tries to bite Rolan. It doesn't take Rolan a lot of effort to dodge the attack.

Round 2:
~
Bulgo 11/17HP

Round 3:
Rolan 6/9HP
Negi -2/16HP & Silver Jon
S'arkee 7/7HP
Kalkamedes
Illvaster -4HP
Bulgo 11/17HP

Everyone's up again!

Negi, what's Jon's HP? Is it the 16 in between brackets, behind your own HP?

Bulgo strikes out with his daggers, hoping they will continue to prove as effective a weapon as a moment before.

attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 18
attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 19

The two daggers look to be as effecitve as the first blow, but who can tell with a draogn.

damage1: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (1) = 3
damage2: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (6) = 8

Jon continues his attack.

Bite(Power Attack): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Rolan, glad that at the very least he and the dragon are equally pathetic, strikes again at his foe.
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

S'arkee and Kalkamedes make their way to the Elf woman and manage to arrive at her circle.
It takes only 25ft to get there so a single move action. If Kalkamedes does anything else, S'arkee will assist him in whatever he wishes to do.

Bulgo hits the dragon with both of his daggers, and Rolan with his wakizashi. Both deal damage to it.

Jon bites the dragon, but his piercing attack doesn't deal any damage.

S'arkee and Kalkamedes continue to the elf woman. From a close distance it becomes obvious the woman's unconscious. Kalkamedes walks into the magic circle the woman's in and stops walking when he stands next to her. It appears Kalkamedes has arrived at his destination, but nothing special happens.

Round 3:
~
Bulgo 11/17HP

Round 4:
Rolan 6/9HP
Negi -2/16HP & Silver Jon
S'arkee 7/7HP
Kalkamedes
Illvaster -4HP
Bulgo 11/17HP

As usual, everyone in bold's up.

Rolan flails in the general direction of the dragon
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

I'm showing up bold for round 3 but not for round 4... I assume that means I have one round outstanding?

"Is this thing real?"

Bulgo continues to slash at the dragon.

attackL: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 8
attackR: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 20
damageL: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (2) = 5
damageR: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (4) = 7

Someone try to remember the smelling salts Negi bought for this trip

Undaunted, Jon continues trying to protect his master,

bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7