[PFS/DMK/EMS] The Emerald Spire Superdungeon

Game Master Kludde

Bruce continues to work with Alfred, knowing that shutting this thing down is there best chance at living through this.

Disable: 1d20 + 20 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (16) + 20 + 2 + (7) = 45

It's a shame that I can't roll high enough to get 2 successes.

Jelani is taking the brunt of the damage from the creatures, but dishing out even more of his own. Thistle feels the life force flow from him again to Bruce and Jelani, and then bathes all of his companions in a healing light.

Somehow, this healing light seems not to shine on the metal creatures forming as quickly as they are killed.

Life link heals Bruce and Jelani for 5 each.

Channel to heal: 5d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 1, 3, 5) = 16

Bruce should be full, puts me back at 72, and Jelani only loses 3 hp this round.

Jelani continues to play whack-a-construct. He targets the red automaton first.

Chain Breaker Bloodraging Power Attack: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 281d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 301d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21Damage: 3d6 + 26 ⇒ (1, 5, 4) + 26 = 363d6 + 26 ⇒ (1, 3, 4) + 26 = 343d6 + 26 ⇒ (3, 2, 5) + 26 = 36
Cleaving finish: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 263d6 + 26 ⇒ (4, 4, 1) + 26 = 35

Bruce makes good progress together with Albert, despite the distraction of the swarm. Thistle radiates some positive energy out, while Jelani keep stormings away at the automatons, bringing down the second red automaton.

Jelani does not prevent the blue automaton from coming online, though, and it takes a stab at the rager, just as Alfred is working on the pedestral.

Guisarme, Jelani: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 15 + 1 = 272d6 + 13 ⇒ (5, 4) + 13 = 22
Guisarme, Jelani: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 1 = 12

---
Bruce
Caranthir
Jelani
Thistle
Fellgrim
---
Automaton White Mk 2
Automaton Red Mk 2
Automaton Blue Mk 1 (31)
Reclaimer Swarm (43)
Central Device (6/10)
---

Stupid website has been down all day. Thanks for the warning Paizo! (You didn't give us a warning) Glad I could plan appropriately for my posting! (I couldn't plan, since you didn't give us a warning)

Thistle grimaces again as life force flows through the life link to the battered Jelani, whose wounds he can barely seem to close before a new one is opened. The Nagaji looks over his shoulder to see how Bruce is doing, hoping that his feverish efforts pay off soon.

Cure Serious: 3d8 + 9 ⇒ (7, 2, 1) + 9 = 19

Grrr below average rolls... so heal 24 total for Jelani, 5 less for me from life link.

Caranthir's deadly barrage continues against the blue construct, still using his adamantine-dipped arrows.

+1 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, manyshot, weapon specialization): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 302d8 + 20 ⇒ (4, 8) + 20 = 322d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3 35 dmg
+1 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, weapon specialization): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 241d8 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 181d6 ⇒ 4 22 dmg
+1 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, weapon specialization): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 251d8 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 121d6 ⇒ 618 dmg

I learned of a blog called 'status.paizo.com', which claims the downtime was due to a power outage. Down here in the lower planes, we keep some minions on treadmills, in case that happens...

Thistle tends to some wounds, while Caranthir is quickly draining his supply of arrows. All of them find their mark with clanging loudness. It takes two arrow to take newly forged automaton offline, allowing Caranthir to land a shot on another one.

---
Bruce
Caranthir
Jelani
Thistle
Fellgrim
---
Automaton White Mk 2 (18)
Automaton Red Mk 2
Automaton Blue Mk 1 (offline)
Reclaimer Swarm (43)
Central Device (6/10)
---

Bruce wipes the sweat forming on his brow. "I've got the feeling this is going to be a close one, Alfred are you almost in?"

Disable: 1d20 + 20 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (19) + 20 + 2 + (7) = 48

Round 4 Point-Blank-Shot; Precise Bomb; Precise Shot 61/61 HP
Rinse, Spit, Repeat ... Fellgrim tosses another at the swarm, shielding himself and Bruce from the splash ...
Bomb: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16 for Fire: 4d6 + 5 ⇒ (6, 5, 3, 3) + 5 = 22

Jelani continues his work.

Chain Breaker Bloodraging Power Attack: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 251d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 301d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27Damage: 3d6 + 26 ⇒ (1, 4, 6) + 26 = 373d6 + 26 ⇒ (5, 2, 4) + 26 = 373d6 + 26 ⇒ (6, 2, 4) + 26 = 38
Cleaving Finish if applicable: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 273d6 + 26 ⇒ (5, 2, 3) + 26 = 36

Only a few more moments, master. the bodyless automaton answers. I've nearly rerouted the...

The rest of the sentence is hard to hear over the explosion brought on by Fellgrim, who disperses the reclaimer swarm. Immediately, the mold starts creating a new one.

Jelani keeps up his destructive rampage, destroying another automaton, and severely denting the last last.

The one active automaton mindlessly aims for Jelani while Alfred continues his work on the controls.

Guisarme, Jelani: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 15 + 2 = 292d6 + 13 ⇒ (1, 4) + 13 = 18
Guisarme, Jelani: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 2 = 15

---
Bruce
Caranthir
Jelani
Thistle
Fellgrim
---
Automaton White Mk 3
Automaton Red Mk 2 (33)
Automaton Blue Mk 2
Reclaimer Swarm Mk 1
Central Device (8/10)
---

Round 5
With the Swarm temporarily taken care of, Fellgrim moves to help Bruce and Alfred with deactivating the central device ...
Disable Device: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (17) + 17 = 34

Disable: 1d20 + 20 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (14) + 20 + 2 + (3) = 39

"Think we might have it now." Bruce says as he continues to work.

Caranthir aims at the last automaton, hoping to put it out of commission.

"What is taking so long?" he asks Bruce with a smirk.

+1 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, manyshot, weapon specialization): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 332d8 + 20 ⇒ (6, 5) + 20 = 312d6 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5
+1 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, weapon specialization): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 201d8 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 151d6 ⇒ 3
+1 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, weapon specialization): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 161d8 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 131d6 ⇒ 5

Al...most... there... Alfred says as Fellgrim and Bruce frantically twist knobs and push buttons.

---
Bruce
Caranthir
Jelani
Thistle
Fellgrim
---
Automaton White Mk 3
Automaton Red Mk 2 (33)
Automaton Blue Mk 2
Reclaimer Swarm Mk 1
Central Device (9/10)
---

Not sure if you missed my last post (or just left my name bold), but it should only be Jelani and Thistle still up. I'm liking this encounter...pretty original.

It seems you ninja'd me...

Caranthir fires his arrows, but alarmingly only a single one hits. The single hit is enough to take it out, though.

---
Bruce
Caranthir
Jelani
Thistle
Fellgrim
---
Automaton White Mk 3
Automaton Red Mk 2 (offline)
Automaton Blue Mk 2
Reclaimer Swarm Mk 1
Central Device (9/10)
---

Chain Breaker Bloodraging Power Attack: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 241d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 201d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13Damage: 3d6 + 26 ⇒ (6, 1, 3) + 26 = 363d6 + 26 ⇒ (3, 5, 1) + 26 = 353d6 + 26 ⇒ (4, 4, 4) + 26 = 38
Cleaving finish: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 183d6 + 26 ⇒ (4, 4, 3) + 26 = 37

Jelani continues to whack the constructs. "How many of these things are there?!"

Jelani deals another heavy blow to an automaton, aiming to add it to the pile of scrap that is forming near the moulds.

---
Bruce
Caranthir
Jelani
Thistle
Fellgrim
---
Automaton White Mk 3 (31)
Automaton Red Mk 2 (offline)
Automaton Blue Mk 2
Reclaimer Swarm Mk 1
Central Device (9/10)
---

Thistle does his best to keep up with the losing battle of keeping Jelani fully healed. He begins to think, however, that his pace might be enough to give Bruce and Fellgrim enough time to finish their work shutting the moulds down.

CSW: 3d8 + 9 ⇒ (8, 5, 8) + 9 = 30

Life link for 5 again, plus that healing as rolled.

Edit: Yeeeeaaa-ah! Nailed It.

Thistle brings in another round of healing, while the automaton ready for another round of strike. Suddenly, the whirring sound that seems to come from inside the metal constructs ceases, and the creatures freeze into place.

Got it! Alfred cries jubilantly, I have full control of the forge now!

You have done well, children of the Patrons. Now I have the power to restore my people. I can give you the rune you need to reach the prince’s palace. And should you ever need a cup of tea or a place to relax, you will be welcome at the Sanctum

In the west of the room, and hatch becomes visible. The hatch opens into a chamber where a vertical shaft drops into darkness farther than the eye can see. A square platform about 8 feet in diameter hovers at the top of the shaft. There is a bronze lever on the wall near the door, currently in its “up” position.

You can all make day job rolls, and I'll report this level.

Bar Keep: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

The emerald spire dungeon is not for the claustrophobic. Going ever deeper, the adventurers find themselves almost a mile underground, so far that climbing up takes a day's effort, if not more.

The square platform start going down when the lever is moved. Is goes down and down, until it comes to rest on a dais in a small, square room. To the east, a short flight of wide marble steps leads down to a grand hall. A bronze lever, currently in its “down” position, is on the wall near the stairs.

The air is thick and humid.

Caranthir is one that would much prefer to spend time adventuring above-ground, not in the real of dwarves.

Still, despite the oppressive atmosphere, he had been buoyed up by their frequent excursions to the surface. He took a breath of the humid air.

"Here we go again," he says. "There must be an end to these levels at some point. Surely there must."

He nods to Bruce to check out the passage to the east.

perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (8) + 21 = 29

Thistle breaths in the sweaty air and girds himself for what is to come.

One step closer to making this tower my own. Yes. I will demand it of the gods who have sent me here. It will be my place, my domain. Well, unless my friends wish to share it...

Thistle gets about the work of connecting his life line to each of his friends, and invoking the blessings of the gods who give him his powers.

Getting ready to leave for the airport. Thistle will cast the same series of spells as last level. I'll try to re-post the list when I have a moment.

I'll also cast my standard mage armor, false life, unseen servant, and add greater magic weapon.

Bruce drinks his usual extracts and potions before checking out the stairs.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (6) + 14 + 2 + 2 + (4) = 28

Heightened senses +2 to knowledge and perception, Darkvision, Investigative mind (double roll on Appraise, Knowledge, Linguistics or Spellcraft), Heroism +2 on attack rolls, saves and skills. Barkskin +4 Natural Armor

Jelani and Fellgrim...you guys leveled yet?

Sorry ... didn't realize you guys were waiting ... Fellgrim is leveled on paper; traveling today, so I will get the profile updated as soon as able

Leveled and ready.

Jelani follows the others, ready for a fight as always.

The hall at the end of the stairs is finished in honey marble and features four red granite columns. At the east end, an ornamental arch surrounds large stone double doors. The door is emblazoned with a large symbol: a skull with a crown. To the left and right of the doorway stand two large iron statues. Each statue holds an ornamental axe and shield, and has short, stumpy legs, a round belly, and a wide mouth above its sculpted beard.

Going with one of my double rolls on that knowledge check.

Know religion: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 2 + (8) = 23
Know religion: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 2 + 8 = 28

Bruce tries to figure out why that symbol looks familiar but draws a blank. He instead goes about looking around the chamber for traps.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (7) + 14 + 2 + 2 + (1) = 26

Heightened senses +2 to knowledge and perception, Darkvision, Investigative mind (double roll on Appraise, Knowledge, Linguistics or Spellcraft), Heroism +2 on attack rolls, saves and skills. Barkskin +4 Natural Armor.

Knowledge (Religion) - Aid Another: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
"I think we may have seen this before. Where have we been recently?"

Noting the statues on either side of the door, Fellgrim aids Bruce in detecting any traps in the area before moving up to the door ...
Perception (Aid Another): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

... then will use 1 round of his 'Gloves of Reconnaissance' to see and hear what is on the other side.

Caranthir also doesn't recognize the obscure religious symbol, not having seen it in his extensive studies.

The elf then listens at the door, his keen elven senses picking up any sound whatsoever.

knowledge religion/local: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 You can't aid on a knowledge check, right? If we can, Fellgrim and Caranthir could aid Bruce to get over the top. But for some reason I'm thinking you can't.

perception: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (17) + 22 = 39

Carefully scouting the hall, Bruce and Fellgrim make sure they do not go near the two statues at the end of it. Rather, Fellgrim uses his gloves to get a feeling of what is on the other side of the door.

Caranthir then moves closer to the door, but stops when he sees the statues come to life, dropping their ornament to reveal two large creatures with huge, distented maws.

---
Caranthir
Bruce
Jelani
---
Tophet
Tophet
---
Thistle
Fellgrim
---

Jelani gets his blood up, and runs over to one of the creatures. He hits it with his hammer experimentally.

Move on green line, rage.
Chain Breaker Raging Power Attack: 1d20 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 16 + 1 = 24Damage: 2d6 + 25 ⇒ (5, 1) + 25 = 31
Current AC is 22

Bruce drinks his shield extract as he tries to identify what they are up against.

Know stuff: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 2 + 2 + (1) = 30

He then looks for any openings in the creatures defenses.

Heightened senses +2 to knowledge and perception, Darkvision, Investigative mind (double roll on Appraise, Knowledge, Linguistics or Spellcraft), Heroism +2 on attack rolls, saves and skills. Barkskin +4 Natural Armor. Current AC is 26.

Jelani revisits his iconoclastic ways, and brings down his mallet on the tophet, causing a loud, hollow sound to reverberate.

---
Caranthir
Bruce
Jelani
---
Tophet -south (26)
Tophet
---
Thistle
Fellgrim
---

"Increase your size Jelani, they can swallow you!" Bruce shouts out to his barbarian friend.

Bruce already used his standard to drink an extract and a move to use studied strike.

Caranthir sends a volley of several arrows at the creature Jelani injured, and each arrow sent forth from his icy bow also crackles with electricity.

+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, manyshot, weapon specialization)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 332d8 + 22 ⇒ (6, 2) + 22 = 304d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 1, 5) = 1444 dmg total
+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, weapon specialization)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 271d8 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 132d6 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8 21 dmg total
+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, weapon specialization)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 151d8 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 122d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8

Caranthir fires his arrows at the damaged tophet. The creature is well-armored, and all of the missiles plink off the exterior.

The rotund statue in front of Jelani slams down hard, then grabs Jelani in his maw.
Slam, Jelani: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (7) + 21 = 281d6 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Slam, Jelani: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (12) + 21 = 331d6 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Bite, Jelani: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (4) + 21 = 252d6 + 8 ⇒ (1, 6) + 8 = 15
Grab: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (8) + 27 = 35

The second statue moves in with brutal fervor, and - out of reflex - tries to bite the rager as well.
Slam, Jelani: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (2) + 21 = 231d6 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Slam, Jelani: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (12) + 21 = 331d6 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Bite, Jelani: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (3) + 21 = 242d6 + 8 ⇒ (5, 3) + 8 = 16

---
Thistle
Fellgrim
Caranthir
Bruce
Jelani (grappled)
---
Tophet -south (26)
Tophet
---
---

Hmmm...these things can't miss me except on a 1. That's not good! Dead in one more round. Luckily I can't be grappled because of freedom of movement.

Round 1 Enlarge Person; Studied Combatant
Seeing the well aimed arrows from Caranthir bounce off the Tophet, Fellgrim elects to use his wand to enlarge person and study his opponents instead of risking bombs

Caranthir adjusts to the adamantine-treated arrows he has needed so often, firing another series at the damaged creature.

He then activates his new boots of speed to fire yet another shot.

+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, manyshot, weapon specialization)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 342d8 + 22 ⇒ (2, 3) + 22 = 274d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 2, 1) = 13 40 dmg total
+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, weapon specialization)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 271d8 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 142d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3 17 dmg total
+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, weapon specialization)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 211d8 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 162d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10 26 dmg total

+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, weapon specialization)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 241d8 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 132d6 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5 18 dmg total

Yep... welcome to the high tier. Fortunately, these creatures don't have reach Maybe someone can draw the AoO's away?.

Fellgrim slowly starts increasing in size, while Caranthir fires another few arrows, which rain down on the tophet, freezing it, then breaking of pieces with a resounding boom. The third arrow that hits cracks open the rotund creature, splitting it in two.

---
Thistle
Fellgrim
Caranthir
Bruce
Jelani
---
Tophet
---

"OWWWWWWWWWWWW!" Jelani roars, bleeding horribly all over the place. He says a silent prayer of thanks to Thistle, his personal God, as the Tophet's mouth slips off his flesh. He trusts in Fate and Thistle, and continues his raging struggle against the foul beasts.

Chain Breaker Raging Power Attack: 1d20 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 16 + 1 = 371d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 1 = 30Damage: 2d6 + 25 ⇒ (3, 1) + 25 = 292d6 + 25 ⇒ (4, 3) + 25 = 32
Confirm Crit;Extra damage: 1d20 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 16 + 1 = 244d6 + 50 ⇒ (6, 3, 2, 5) + 50 = 66

Jelani puts faith in Thistle, and the strength of his arm. With his arm, he bring down his giant mallet on the large monster, and a chime resonates from the creature, followed by another, and then a dissonant cracking sound as the second creature give in.

Combat over!

That was quick ... All dressed up and the dance is over?

Thistle nearly falls over himself to get to the big man as he is nearly cleaved in two. Before he can raise his hands to heal the warrior, Jelani batters their foes into submission. He breaths a sigh of relief as neither of them get back up.

Now with the time to heal, and without the urgency of the specter of death, Thistle uses the most efficient of his font of healing magic to bind the barbarian's wounds.

Might as well use the CLW wand here out of combat. Just roll however many times you need to fill yourself back up.

Now that I have the chance, I'll post the list of buffs.

• Bless(everyone - 9 minutes)
• Shield of Faith(Thistle, Bruce, Jelani - 9 minutes)
• Align Weapon good(Jelani, Bruce, Caranthir - 9 minutes)
• Freedom of Movement(Thistle, Bruce, Jelani - 90 minutes)
• Archon's Aura(Thistle Only - 9 minutes)
• Re-link everyone with life link

Notes:

• Shield of faith is a +3 deflection bonus, does not stack with a ring of protection - ie the three of us only get a net +2 increase to AC.
• For the align weapon, Caranthir gets 50 projectiles. You can choose which ones the spell is cast on.

Actually, let's use my wand of CLW first.

Healing: 15d8 + 15 ⇒ (3, 1, 8, 8, 2, 3, 7, 4, 4, 7, 8, 1, 1, 3, 4) + 15 = 79