[PFS Core] GM Harker Presents: The Emerald Spire (Inactive)

Game Master Upaynao

"You are most helpful, Steward. Tell me, what do these sentries protect? What is here that you expect the Patrons to return to?"

"It is only our duty lord Patron. I am perplexed by your question though" replies the head to Frēodwēn. "What is here is a modicum of solace and tranquility in an otherwise rough and crude complex. I expect nothing, but I yearn for Patrons such as yourselves to avail yourselves of these facilities, which I would restore to their peak efficiency had I the opportunity..."

Krago, biting into the finger cakes can taste a fluffy, moist vanilla flavored cake, sweet but without being overbearing; a treat that almost melts in his mouth. "The Reclaimers protect their facilities, which unfortunately adjoin ours. Should you wish to submit yourselves to their crude manners, you might find them through the barricaded doorway in the kitchen pantry. But I'm afraid you might give Chef Two cause for alarm. They have not taken well to the last incursion of the Reclaimers."

Steward, lone head that it is, pauses for a moment before adding: "But perhaps I could be of use. You see, deep within the Reclaimer's "domain" is the Iron Creche. A "birthing platform" if you'll allow the metaphor, for both the common brutish defensive sentry and for servants with a maximal capacity for providing tasteful, adequate services for Patrons of all kinds. It also holds the central control mechanisms for the operation of the creche. It would allow for repairs to be effectuated, perhaps even for the creation of new servants to replace those taken from this oasis of civilization."

It pauses. "Unfortunately, you would have to carry me along so that I may take over the control mechanisms within the creche once you have enabled the device to receive me. I shudder to think what will happen in my absence. I can only hope Servant Two is up to the task of greeting new guests. Not to mention the inconvenience of having me dangling from your belt."

Have not heard from our other two players, is everything OK?

"Well, Steward, I think we can help you. If you can take control of the Iron Creche, perhaps the Reclaimers and sentries can be reborn into cooks and masseuses. I do not believe that at my belt is the safest place to be, as Xakon and I will try to be the main line of defense against over-eager Reclaimers. But perhaps Lady Sugarsnap or Frēodwēn can carry you."

Sugar had been grabbing different things to try, but did so with a bit of caution, not sure if anything is in fact truly edible. she looks for some chocolate to give to Truffles.

as the two are sitting there, she had been listening to the conversation, well, mostly listening. but upon hearing her name she looks up, crry who? Truffles can carry someone small like me or Xakon.

"The Steward here, Sugarsnap. As you can see, he is not very large."
The Steward is the head of a construct. Roughly the size of a human head, I think.

Oh, ok. I can attach him to Truffles. looking to Truffles, that ok boy, He won't be to much trouble I think

Chocolates abound on the next tray brought in by Servant Two, as he looks at your tasting of the food with what might be baited breath.

If you are done asking questions, say so. I only need one person to confirm this.

I have no further questions and am ready to move on.

Saddling the Steward upon Lord Admiral Truffles and strapping him in for the ride, the party, perhaps reluctantly, abandons the delights of the Oasis as its denizens begin to step as far away as they can from the egress towards the pantry's back door. It takes a little effort to open it up, being barred from your end with all manner of ancient supplies. But finally, it is unbarred, and the door is opened...

Onto a mass of shining, beetle-like forms, writhing excitedly as it perceives you, and imagining the treasures of metal and wire left undefended behind you.

Round 1

Frēodwēn
Krago
Lord Admiral Truffles
Bad Guy
Xakon
Lady Sugarsnap

It is a Knowledge (Arcana) DC 14 to determine what the heck this is. Every five above gets an extra nugget of information!

A swarm? Can Krago tell just from looking how big the component parts of it are? A swarm of Tiny things he can deal with, Fine or Diminutive he is not a lot of help.

Looks like the individual pieces are in fact tiny. Is it a swarm?
Maybe. Like I said: Knowledge (Arcana) :D

know magic stuff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Truffles pretty much stays put guarding his new charge, the robot head that Sugar has decided to name Bob.

knowledge, arcana: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
immunities, special defenses, special attacks

Frēodwēn recognises the swarm as a discorporated junk golem. Resistant to most forms of magic and only the hardest of metals, it can turn into a swarm which is known for dealing damage and disease.

DR5/Adamantine, Construct traits, Immune to Magic (all spells that allow for SR, save for the following which act differently: Shatter will daze it for a round and cause it to return to its current form if it ever shifts out, grease will grant it the effects of haste, arcane lock and hold portal will affect it as if it were under the effects of slow, and wood shape or rusting grasp will deal it 2d6 points of damage). The disease it inflicts upon you is tetanus, with an onset of 1d6 days. We will refer to it if it becomes pertinent.

Krago delays.
Would ready, but with the iterative it may be better to delay. He should also get an AOO if it enters his square.

Our normal procedure is to open doors from a distance with Open/Close, hopefully so that nobody is in the threatened area of an opponent as soon as the door is opened, but I guess this is a small and cluttered room so there aren't many other places we could be. It should be fine.

Just checking in. If you are bolded feel free to post your actions as Krago did, I will resolve them in order of initiative.

Already posted for truffles, he would be awaiting Sugar's next command, which is nothing new right now (bottleneck at door anyway)

We are facing a swarm creature. It is likely to come through the doorway and into all of our squares (provoking AOOs). The reason I have held position is that moving into its space would mean I wouldn't get an AOO on it. So by the same token it wouldn't make sense for me to move out of the way to let Xakon or Truffles advance on the swarm. We'll all get our chances to attack it once it has swarmed over us.
You can do whatever you like for Sugarsnap, just try to think of what the enemy is likely to do. And what swarms typically do is... swarm.

its not Sugar's turn yet, only Truffles

sorry for my huge delay in posting! Between the time change and work stuff I've been extra tired lately and keep falling asleep as I pull up the site.

"Our first taste of metal! We will come out of this in better condition than they will." Frēodwēn encourages the team before loosing an arrow at the horde.

inspire courage as a move action
longbow, attack, point blank shot, deadly aim, favored enemy, inspired, heroism, arcane strike: 1d20 + 16 + 1 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 16 + 1 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 25 for piercing, cold iron, magic: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 19

Round 1

Lord Admiral Truffles
Xakon 2 dmg -
Lady Sugarsnap 2 dmg -

Round 2
Frēodwēn 2 dmg -
Krago 2 dmg -
Junk Golem 7 dmg -

The steward comments "A valiant shot my lord Patron. However it does not seem like this tactic is as effective as you might have desired. My humblest apologies" from Lord Admiral Truffles' back, as the shot does a great deal less damage that you might have wanted it to. The discorporeated golem bursts into the pantry, rolling over the Pathfinders. Krago, who had been waiting for this, finds that he has a better time dealing with the robust metal "skin" of the swarm, but a swarm is a swarm: damaging the whole is very difficult when all you can see are the pieces.

Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

As the individual pieces of metallic rubbish slam into the group, a few nick and cut into exposed flesh.

As part of you next action, I would like a DC 12 Fort save.

So Krago also gets +2 to hit and damage on his AOO from the Inspire Courage, since that happened before the swarm's turn.
Fort DC 12: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

The dwarf shrugs off the nicks from the swarm, then swings his axe, trying to chop a few pieces into smaller pieces.
+2 Adamantine Battleaxe, IC: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 12 + 2 = 32
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9

Iterative: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 = 11

I do have acid and alchemist's fire, but I can only toss 1/round and I don't know if it bypasses their adamantine DR. Surprisingly I think 4 arrows a round is the best I can do, since a 1 on the d8 still does 7 damage.

Xakon rages and full attacks the swarm with his adamantine weapons.

He will 5' step when necessary if the nearest swarm perishes.

Get off me you lil' buggers!

TWF Melee: +3 adamantine rapier, inspire, rage: 1d20 + 17 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 17 + 2 + 2 = 40
dmg: 1d4 + 7 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 + 2 = 14

TWF Melee: +3 adamantine rapier, inspire, rage: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 12 + 2 + 2 = 34
dmg: 1d4 + 7 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 + 2 = 15

TWF Melee: +1 adamantine throwing light hammer: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 14 + 2 + 2 = 25
dmg: 1d3 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 10

TWF Melee: +1 adamantine throwing light hammer: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 2 + 2 = 21
dmg: 1d3 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 10

bite attack: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 2 + 2 = 19
dmg: 1d3 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 9

Fort DC12: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

"Although this foe is new, it will fare no better against us than any foe before it. Carry on!" Freodwen shouts as he twists and turns, loosing arrows this way and that at the things as they flit about him.

maintaining inspiration as a free action

fortitude save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

longbow, attack, point blank shot, deadly aim, favored enemy, inspired, rapid shot, heroism, arcane strike, manyshot: 1d20 + 16 + 1 - 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 16 + 1 - 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 + 2 = 25 for piercing, cold iron, magic: 2d8 + 8 + 2 + 12 + 4 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (8, 4) + 8 + 2 + 12 + 4 + 4 + 6 = 48

longbow, attack, point blank shot, deadly aim, favored enemy, inspired, rapid shot, heroism, arcane strike: 1d20 + 16 + 1 - 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 16 + 1 - 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 + 2 = 28 for piercing, cold iron, magic: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 19

longbow, attack, point blank shot, deadly aim, favored enemy, inspired, rapid shot, heroism, arcane strike: 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 1 - 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 + 2 = 15 for piercing, cold iron, magic: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 26

Round 1

Lord Admiral Truffles
Xakon 2 dmg -
Lady Sugarsnap 2 dmg -

Round 2
Frēodwēn 2 dmg -
Krago 2 dmg -
Junk Golem 54 dmg -

Xakon, its all the same swarm; its just a convenient way for me to represent that it has spread to fill the space it has without squeezing.

While Xakon's bite is wholly ineffective, a matter he discovers when he chips a tooth on the carapace of one of them, his adamantine weapons are capable of dealing with the reinforced metal of the bugs. His only limitation? Their number, which he does manage to thin out considerably. Frēodwēn meanwhile launches arrow after arrow into the swarm, his arrows unable to deal with the hardened carapace. Krago does have an easier time, when his enthusiasm doesn't lead him to cut into the stone floor.

Lady Sugarsnap, waiting on you!

As the swarm surrounds her Sugar, swipes at them with her scythe (adamantine)

attack 1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
attack 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

damage 1: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
damage 2: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

meanwhile Truffles tries to help his master by attacking the monsters on her.

truffles attack 1 w PA: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
truffles attack 2 w PA: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

damage 1: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (2, 5) + 13 = 20
damage 2: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (3, 5) + 13 = 21

did my arrows go from doing (x -5) / 2 damage to just 0 damage?

No, they are doing (x/2) - 5 damage. I am applying the swarm first as if the individual pieces were smaller, you would deal 0 damage to them. Why do you ask if you aren't doing damage? Is there something unclear in my adjudication? If there is, lets take it to the discussion thread.

Round 2

Lord Admiral Truffles
Xakon 7 dmg -
Lady Sugarsnap 7 dmg -

Round 3
Frēodwēn 7 dmg -
Krago 7 dmg -
Junk Golem 62 dmg -

While both Lady Sugarsnap and Truffles manage to destroy even greater numbers of discorporated junk golem pieces, they do not manage to end the threat. The swarm uses that to its advantage.

Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Another round of Fort saves please. This round will probably end it.

Frēodwēn meanwhile launches arrow after arrow into the swarm, his arrows unable to deal with the hardened carapace.

This just seemed like 0 damage wording to me; just wanted to confirm. Thanks. Especially since my arrows seem to be doing about as much damage even after reduction as the others are doing with their adamantine weapons.

fortitude save, heroism: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 2 = 18

"It won't last much longer against our combined strength!" Frēodwēn shouts as he launches another slew of arrows at the things around him, spinning and twisting to focus on the biggest pieces he can find.

longbow, attack, point blank shot, deadly aim, favored enemy, inspired, rapid shot, heroism, arcane strike, manyshot: 1d20 + 16 + 1 - 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 16 + 1 - 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 + 2 = 21 for piercing, cold iron, magic: 2d8 + 8 + 2 + 12 + 4 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (8, 1) + 8 + 2 + 12 + 4 + 4 + 6 = 45

longbow, attack, point blank shot, deadly aim, favored enemy, inspired, rapid shot, heroism, arcane strike: 1d20 + 16 + 1 - 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 16 + 1 - 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 + 2 = 30 for piercing, cold iron, magic: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 22

longbow, attack, point blank shot, deadly aim, favored enemy, inspired, rapid shot, heroism, arcane strike: 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 11 + 1 - 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 + 2 = 24 for piercing, cold iron, magic: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 20

Fort DC 12: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Krago keeps hacking at pieces of scrap.
+2 Adamantine Battleaxe, IC: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 2 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 = 14

Iterative: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 2 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 = 13

And with another volley of arrows (and a few well-placed battleaxe blows), the piees of the golem become inert.

***Combat Over***

In front of you, you can see a solid door, made much of the same material as before, the indent for an automata's hand well visible. The path to the left seems to lead to an open room, which glows with green energy even in the ambient light.

I know you have your SOP when it comes to where to go, but I figured I'd offer a brief moment of respite for you to alter that before I go ahead with the next part. Next update: tomorrow!

Well that was different, robot bugs. everyone ok? anyone need some healing? Sugar asks pulling out a wand ready to poke people with magic healing.

CLW on self: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
CLW on Truffles: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

fort save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

"I feel fine for now. Just a few scratches."
Krago moves ahead cautiously, using Trap Spotter (and Stealth if possible).
Take 10 on both for 40 Perception vs traps, and 26 Stealth.

After reassuring themselves that no surprises lie in wait behind (or even within) the door in front of them, the Pathfinders find a rather simple chamber, a shallow pool in its center. Towards the top, a rather transparent aqueous phase. Resting towards the bottom, an opaque, liquid metal phase of some sort.

Satisfied the bug storm is over, Xakon follows stealthily behind Krago. Upon coming into the chamber, he turns to Freodwen with a question.

Hey smarty pants, what does your books and fairy tales tell you about these sorts of rooms?

Frēodwēn shares what he knows.

taking 10 for 19 of it's Arcana, 18 if it's dungeoneering, Geography, history, local, nature, planes, religion, or 14 if it's anything else

Frēodwēn, you have Heroism up for another +2 on all those, correct?

Frēodwēn, taking a knee to get a better sense of the liquid here, stands back up after determining that it is some sort of acid that acts upon non-living materials. Overall this seems to be a reprocessing room, where parts would be brought over to be then dissolved into the goop one can see at the bottom. However, he does not believe that such an acid would affect magical items; indeed there might be enchanted items at the bottom, hidden amidst the silver sludge.

"Barbaric" comments the Steward from atop Lord Admiral Truffle's rump.

oh yeah, I'm always forgetting to add that to skill checks...

"Anyone care for a little dip?"

Krago sighs.
"I suppose this is my job. If you are certain it won't affect living matter, nor magic items, then I can go in the pool with my armor on and search."

Krago takes off his pack and sets aside his non-magic weapons. Then he steps into the shallow pool and begins feeling around the silver sludge at the bottom.

As Krago steps into the pool, he can hear the acid begin to eat away at the bottom portion of his leggings; they his and burble, and soon his pants are boy shorts.

Perception (Krago): 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (15) + 25 = 40
What do we find?: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Rummaging through the silvery sludge though, he does find a small black sphere, bearing all the hallmarks of a lusterless pearl. But as he turns to his companions to show them his discovery, he spots a current in the fluid. Erupting from it, a silvery skinned creature, its hide festooned with pseudopods tipped with a burning-hot sword blade. It emits an inhuman shriek and lunges at the dwarf!

Round 1

Krago
Frēodwēn
Lord Admiral Truffles
Xakon
Bad Guy
Lady Sugarsnap

Knowledge (Dungeoneering): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Krago moves out of the pool.

dungeoneering, heroism: 10 + 8 + 2 = 20

"It's a shard slag! Some kind of ooze."

looks like Krago's position has not been updated yet.

"It's nothing we can't handle." Frēodwēn says calmly as he steps into the corner and looses an arrow at the monstrosity.

beginning inspiration
longbow, attack, point blank shot, inspired, deadly aim, heroism, arcane strike: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 2 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 16 + 1 + 2 - 2 + 2 = 23 for piercing, cold iron, magic: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 + 2 + 6 + 3 = 19

It has been updated. I was in the pool, then moved out on my turn.

Round 1

Krago
Frēodwēn
Lord Admiral Truffles
Xakon
Bad Guy - 19 Dmg
Lady Sugarsnap

The arrow hits the creature, but is consumed by the intense heat that emanates from the ooze.

Krago, do you wish to take a standard? Or was that a full withdrawal?

That was a full withdraw.