[PFS] #7-00 The Sky Key Solution (1–2) Gameday V — GM Crucible (Inactive)

Game Master TomG

Malik looks at the object in the sky with a grim face.

"Out of all the time periods we could have visited, we come here. I'm not sure if it's a blessing or a curse."

He looks at Xukong with widened eyes and grabs it by the shoulders, almost shaking: "You have to tell these humans to get ready and hide! These could be the first inhabitants of future Kortos!"

Xukong recoils sharply from Malik's grasp. "I. Don't. Like. Being. Touched!" Its voice is like a cold wind skating across the icy surface of a distant world.

It looks back at the mob. "I doubt they will listen to me. If they are indeed the first inhabitants of Kortos, history shows they did not need *me* present to advise them on a fairly obvious course of action."

it's neither a curse or a blessing, its our responsability. We must fight for civilisation.

Pathfinders have found and uncovered the Sky Key Vault. It is there that the Sky Key—the Society’s ticket home—awaits. However, the dome of green energy remains strong, suggesting that too many Harbinger spellcasters are still anchoring the Society in this time period.

GMs, it is now possible to gain Vault successes. Map is also updated.

The image of Kreighton Shane replies to Baied. "Alas, the spells I can project through this avatar are limited. I can give you an arcane understanding of tounges, or project some minor abjurations and illusions, but my divinations are used elsewhere, I'm afraid."

Amba and Xukong put their heads together and are able to focus Volyana's search. Perched atop the buildings, Volyana spies what appears to be disrupted ground.
Two steps closer to finding the vault.

You move quickly to the location, with the avatar of Master Shane following.

As you approach, you hear another group of Pathfinders cry out in success. The vault has been found.

An arc of green lightning gathers above and crashes to the surface, leaving something bizarre in its wake. You see a blob of protoplasm, which is somewhat transparent, allowing the bones of undigested meals and a dark nucleus to be seen within. It move toward you aggressively.

—COMBAT—
All of you
* Giant amoeba

"It's good someone found the Vault in time. It seems we're running out," Amba remarks as she looks up at their impending doom. She moves away from the group as she gives her slingstaff the familiar whirl, loading a stone and letting loose. "What is that? Something primal, born from the energies of time?"

Move, swift action to activate slipslinger style, free action to load, attack the blob.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

I surely don't know what it is, but it does seems aggressive.

sling: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Baied stone flies wild...

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

If it turns out I know it has damage reduction or is particularly tough, I spend 1 Arcane point to add a +1 enhancement bonus to the rolls below, otherwise I don't bother.

bastard sword vs amoeba: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Volyana rushes towards the weird blob like a striking water bird, whip out and twirling. "Whatever it is, I doubt it's supposed to be here." She says as she delivers a two-handed swing at the amoeba.

Swift action to enter Crane Style
Full action to charge the thing
AC is 17 due to charging
Nine-Section Whip: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

After being shoved away by Xukong, Malik remains silent for a few minutes.

Once the lightning strikes and the creature appears, he tries to move into a more favourable position for an attack, but remains quiet. Double move

The giant amoeba is quickly reduced to a puddle of goo by the combined attacks. Even Baied's sling stone found its mark.

Out of combat.

Wiping goo from your sleeves, you regroup and head to the underground entrance of the Sky Key Vault.

You step down the narrow spiral staircase to the open doorway at the bottom.

Veins of strange metal line the walls of this massive chamber. Enormous bronze devices connected to the walls by massive cables spark and spew steam, almost obscuring the large vault door at the far end of the room. The (open) door is labeled with a single word in a plethora of languages: danger. Stagnant water collects at the bottom of a ten-foot wide pool in the middle of the room. A gasping, bleeding elf who looks like an aged version of Kreighton Shane lies across the room.

Three other figures see you make it to the bottom of the stairs. Two humans—one a well-muscled man in a red-painted breastplate wielding a longsword, the other and with lighter armor and a yellow bandana doing a poor job of hiding behind a pillar—are joined by a small lightning elemental.

The man in yellow hesitates slightly, and the small elemental surges forward, electricity crackling as it hovers in front of Dearel. Arms of energy swing, but are ineffective against Dearel's fine armor.
slam+ vs metal: 1d20 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 3 = 15

The figure with the yellow sash steps up as well, trying to pierce armor with a thrust of hist short sword, but his blade is turned away as well.
sword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

—COMBAT—
Amba
Malik
Volyana
Baied
* red
Dearel
Xukong
* lightning elemental
*yellow
Those in bold may act.

"Oh, these guys don't mess about," Amba remarks as she glimpses what's happening downstairs. "Are you with the Harbingers," she asks from her position up the stairs. "Wouln't want any unfortunate misunderstandings, would we?" Seeing how the two armored folks at the front are slow to move, Amba duck and darts past them, hoping she'll be able to pass the man swinging his short sword without incident.

Move 20 ft, provoking from yellow.

As she's now toe to toe with the elemental creature, Amba raises her voice in prayer to Khepri and swings her staff at it.

Cast Divine Favor as a swift action with fervor. Does not provoke. Then swing at the elemental.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 = 28
Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10

Confirm, if it matters: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 2 = 20
Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 8

Baied isn't strong in combat, so she places herself amidst her companions and prays to Abadar

Abadar, gives us strenght in the face of adversity! With your help, we won't fail!

Deflection Aura (Su): Once each day, you can emit a 20-foot aura for a number of rounds equal to your cleric level. Allies within the aura gain a +2 deflection bonus to AC and combat maneuver defense.

The half-orc attempts to slowly worm around the newfound opposition to get some space for maneuvering.

Acrobatics vs CMD of the Elemental and Yellow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Volyana tumbles past the elemental and the man with the shortsword and delivers a staggering kick to the man in the breastplate's chest.

Move 15' using Acrobatics to avoid AoOs
Free action to draw nine-section whip
Standard action to kick the red guys
Swift action to activate Crane Style
Using Stunning Fist, DC 12 Fort
AC is 17 thanks to Baied

Acrobatics versus Yellow CMD: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Acrobatics versus Elemental CMD+2: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Kick to Red: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Confirm: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Probably didn't confirm, but just in case: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Malik, it's a separate roll for each enemy, +2 DC for the second one.

It's just one roll, but the DC increases, yes. So +2 on that DC, please.

Nope, one each.

Well - you learn something new every day. Can you link me to the source of that?

Acro: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Acrobatics FAQ
Sadly it makes tumbling slightly worse, multiple rolls never makes stuff more reliable. On the other hand, it clarifies that one Acrobatics roll will avoid provoking from an opponent no matter how many threatened squares you leave. So six of one, half dozen of the other.

Thanks for the clarifications, Volyana. It's nice to keep everything kosher.

The yellow rogue stabs at Amba as she scurries by, but misses. (AoO)
short sword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
As it happens, potential later provokes versus yellow would not have led to AoO, because no Combat Reflexes. But those were pretty Acrobatics rolls

Amba's staff crashes hard into the elemental, and the energy holding it together dissipates in a crack of thunder.

Malik makes space for his teammates, deftly dodging attacks along the way.

Volyana smashes in to the larger thug (red), wounding him badly. He still stands, but only barely. The man growls and tries to return the favor, lashing out with a swing of his sword, drawing a deep line of blood across the monk's leg.
red, long sword+flank: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 2 = 21
dmg: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

—COMBAT—
Dearel
Xukong
*yellow
Amba
Malik
Volyana (-9)
Baied
* red
Those in bold may act.

Red guy needs to make his Stunning Fist save before trying to cut me.

Yes, yes he does. Thanks for the catch.
Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

You vision flashes as you briefly see what might have been. Reality coalesces, and you see thug stand stunned from Volyana's attack.
Must have been some weird reality-distorting effect from the Sky Key ....

—COMBAT—
Dearel
Xukong
*yellow
Amba
Malik
Volyana
Baied
* red
Those in bold may act.

Waiting for Dearel to give me some space.

Couldn't you declare a provisional action? Like: After Dearel moves, Xukong...

A provisional action would be best in PbP. You can list several alternatives and contingencies in a post with the spoiler tag.

It's been a day, so can someone please bot Dearel?

Dearel steps forward to make room for the other armored Pathfinder, then swings his sword at the man in red, trying to take advantage of the opening that Volyana's attack offered.

5 ft step forward (left on the map), the strike at red.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Xukong's blade seems to glow black - if such a thing is possible - as it moves against the man in yellow, off-hand darting about in mystifying gestures...

Spending 1 Arcane Point to make my sword +1.

Spell Combat, +1 Bastard Sword vs yellow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
damage: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Spell Combat DC 15 defensive concentration check to cast daze on yellow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

...only to stumble embarrassingly on the stairs.

Dearel moves in close (thanks, Amba), and swings at the stronger red figure, but the blow is deflected by the thug's breastplate.

Xukong steps forward to join the melee, but stumbles and is ineffective.

The rogue in yellow cuts at Volyana, taking advantage of his flanking position for a strike at the back of her legs that had the potential to be very deadly, but ends up being just a flesh wound.
short sword+flank: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 2 = 24 THREAT
CONFIRM short sword+flank: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 = 9 NOT confirmed
dmg+sneak: 1d6 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (1) = 4

—COMBAT—
Amba
Malik
Volyana (-4)
Baied
* red
Dearel
Xukong
*yellow
Those in bold may act.

Amba winces as the man in red strikes Volyana. "Please be careful, miss. These Harbingers know how to fight, it seems." Feeling the favor of Khepri with her, Amba takes a step forward, trying very hard not to get way of the scary person in the platemail. She thrusts her staff at the man in yellow, trying to strike him in the gut.

5 foot step forward and attack yellow. Still under effect of Divine Favor.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 = 16
Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9

Really, Dearel missed a flat-footed, -2 AC target? Must be an awesome breastplate.

"You'll regret that, friend." Volyana delivers a pair of snaps from her weapon and steps behind the thug in the breastplate.

Full action to Flurry on the rogue defensively, AC is 21
5' step
Nine-Section Whip: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Nine-Section Whip: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Baied knows that she isn't a fighter, so she gets as close to the fight as she dares, and prays for Abadar's help, touching Amba

Cast Shield of faith, +2 to AC for 1 min

Malik moves around the pool to get a better shot.

Double move

Really, Dearel missed a flat-footed, -2 AC target? Must be an awesome breastplate.

I had a great answer as to why, then realized I was looking at the stats for a different table I'm running. The strike misses with the -2 AC but it does hit with -2 AC *and* flat-footed, but only just. It's not enough to kill him (yet), however. Red dropped his sword when stunned, too, btw.

Amba and Daerel combine to take down the red menace, as Amba brings the finishing blow, while Volyana helps with her mind, if not with her exotic whip.

Malik adjusts his position for better aim, and Baied blesses her companion.

Only the man yellow is left standing. He's not as well armored, and is not happy to be outnumbered.

—COMBAT—
Dearel
Xukong
*yellow
Amba
Malik
Volyana (-4)
Baied
Those in bold may act.

Not trying to second-guess you, Crucible. I just noticed I forgot to put the rules for Stunned in my post and wanted to make sure everything was accounted for.

Spell Combat, +1 Bastard Sword vs yellow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
damage: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Spell Combat DC 15 defensive concentration check to cast daze (DC 14) on yellow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Should I bot Dearel again? It's been 24 hours... If so:

The green dome overhead ripples and flexes, visibly weakened but still present. The same woman’s voice from earlier booms from everywhere and nowhere at once.

“This… this isn’t what I wanted. I wanted a world with purpose again—with certainty. But I suppose there is no greater way to die than in the same fiery cataclysm that marked Aroden’s first step toward divinity. Join me in martyrdom, Pathfinders, and try to die with some dignity.”

Tables, we no longer need any anchors successes! All that's left is to retake the vault!

Not trying to second-guess you, Crucible. I just noticed I forgot to put the rules for Stunned in my post and wanted to make sure everything was accounted for.

Not a problem. Please, continue! I'm still a "young" GM, so mistakes are not only possible, they're likely.

Yes, thanks for botting Dearel.

Dearel misses, but Xukong strikes deeply, nearly felling the remaining harbinger in one blow. The rogue manages to push through the effects of the spell, however.
Will: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17

With Xukong on one side and Amba on the other, things are looking bleak for the rogue in yellow. He slashes out hastily at Xukong, but the blade is turned aside easily.
short sword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

—COMBAT—
Amba
Malik
Volyana (-4)
Baied
Dearel
Xukong
*yellow (-9)
Those in bold may act. That's all of you!

+1 Bastard Sword, flank: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
damage: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Amba sighs and points her eyes at the heavens. "If I must die, then I will humbly accept my fate, but - if I could have any say - I would rather it not be today. Or... thousands of years ago, as it seems."

The halfling woman grips her slingstaff with white knuckles and smashes it in a wide arc at their current adversary.

Attack +flank +favor: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 + 2 = 11
Damage +favor: 1d4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 8

Volyana steps up and delivers a flurry of blows with her whip againstmthe rogue.

5' step
Flurry defensively, flanking with Baied
Nine-Section Whip: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Nine-Section Whip: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

The half-orc releases a ray of cold at the Harbinger, taking care to nit hit his allies.

Cold Blast vs Touch AC: 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 - 4 = 41d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

But the shot goes wide. He grunts in disappointment.

Xukong's swing cleaves the rogue in two, and you stand relieved but panting from the exertion. Claiming the Sky Key vault will not be easy. Others have found and dispatched the anchors holding the vault here, so the only task remaining is to reclaim the vault.

The image of Kreighton Shane moves down the stairs. You try not to be obviously miffed at how little he helped during the battle.

“Good show, Pathfinders,” the injured form of Kreighton Shaine manages between blood-soaked coughs. “But Lady Arodeth is a true savant and driven to fanatical extremes. The same energies that infected her casters above have also seized her soul, and I fear she has already killed several of your fellow chroniclers. Or will have killed them. Blast, but this is confusing.”

Shaine props himself up to continue speaking. “However noble her goals may have been, if Lady Arodeth forces us to remain in this time, we will all die. If the Sky Key is still functional, you must reactivate it before the Starstone arrives.”
The machines in this chamber begin to spark and smoke, and female bodies take shape from the green miasma.

Shaine continues, “She has learned to create temporal copies of, as I have. She can produce an army, left unchecked. Some teams will need to hold the line here, in this chamber, so that anyone confronting the true Lady Arodeth in the room beyond isn’t overwhelmed by these simulacra. You know your team’s capabilities better than I, but I promise you Lady Arodeth will be not yield easily.”

With that, the chorus of murky green figures announce, “I would have brought destiny back to this world.”

Uh-oh

You can decide whether to stay in here in this area to fight off the green simulacra (highly recommended), or you can push forward further into the vault to face Lady Arodeth directly, but she'll likely overmatch you.

"Oh no, we would never dream to think we could take on the actual Lady, as you say. If we can be of value here, we will deal with these copies, Effendi," Amba replies with a deep bow.

"Mhm..", Malik nods.

"Someone needs to hold the fort."

"Throwing our lives away on a losing battle would be rather foolish." Volyana readies herself for the simulacra assault.

Xukong is silent and still as death - the conclusion is obvious, and the others have already reached it.

Has it been more than a minute now since I spent my Arcane point?

As Pathfinders defeat the furious simulacra, they disperse into foul mist that screams in anger before fading away entirely. Nearby, the true Lady Arodeth seems shaken by the destruction of her miasmic doppelgangers, and their deaths seem to sap her of her zealous rage.

Table GMs, this is Code Green. Code Green is in effect.