[PFS/DMK/EMS] The Emerald Spire Superdungeon

Game Master Kludde

"Lots of nice stuff in here. Lets take what we can and head on through." Bruce says as he starts placing things in his bags.

Caranthir agrees with Bruce, but remains troubled.

"I don't believe we have found a way to the lower levels," he says.

"Perhaps the room with the glyphs on the floor holds more clues."

I think that room, or the southwest corner...

"Well ... I think we still have a part of this area to explore still. Perhaps the way down is in there?"

Actually it's quite obvious that the double sealed door in the middle of the level seals the way down. There's just this little issue of you haven given your word you wouldn't open it.

Oh...that...

Have we entered the area west of O2? If not, let's check it out. It's still blacked out on the map.

Caranthir tries to determine whether they have explored the whole level.

"At some point, we may need to try to get to the next level down," he says.

Do spire transport tokens work to get us to levels we haven't explored yet?

In the next room, he gold wires set in the floor extend from the southern door to two humming apparatuses. The one in the northeastern corner is a cluster of silver and black cylinders of varying heights and sizes, the smallest standing six feet high. All are composed of stacks of thin, horizontal metal plates that arc electrical sparks. The other machine, embedded in the northern wall, is a squared-off archway made of metal and exposed wires. Inside the arch, the wall is replaced by a flat plane of golden light.

Let's try the room south of 03 then?

Caranthir says "I believe they are making more of their kind here."

Detect magic in the room...

The final room is bare, save for a wide section of the northern wall that seems misty and transparent. It shows hazy image of a much larger room dominated by the glowing pillar of the Emerald Spire, which extends from the ceiling through huge metal doors in the floor.

There are three scholar-like inevitables in this room, observing the room beyond quietly.

"I think the inevitables have this floor under control. We should probably just move on down..."

Caranthir agrees with Jelani.

"Our problem is that we have struck a deal with them not to go down. Perhaps if we told them we will defeat the chaos on the level below, they might let us pass without breaking our oath. They have seen what we have done for them here..."

"Not like they can stop us. They break easily enough it seems.

"I suppose we should ask first?"

Thistle nods along, reading the lips of his companions as they try to figure out what to do next. It is clear they still need to descend, but perhaps there is more to understand about this lair first.

"Guarding against the chaos beyond is too easy an explanation for not letting us pass. There is more yet that we need to learn here, about why they are here before we force our way past." he mentions in his hollow sounding voice.

Sorry everyone, I'm a bit lost. One of the drawbacks to PbP, having everything drawn out over such a long time. I know we have uncovered all of the rooms, but have we actually explored everything? I feel like we are missing something about why we are here, why they are here. That might be the key to getting them to either let us pass, or giving us a good reason to 'break' our oath.

Thi smay not be the clearest situation: the entire level is a stalemate between Protean and Inevitable forces, each occupying one side of the level. The proteans apparantly want nothing more than to open that sealed gate, while the Inevitables want is to remain closed. Each side has a portal to their realm, but mutual interference seems to have jammed both of them - for now. The party has helpfully cleared most (if not all) of the protean presence, with a handful of inevitables still remaining. That action didn't quite chance the rigid stance the latter have on that door being opened.

We may just need to ambush the Inevitables and finish them off, too. I'm not thinking of any other ways past...

"They seem a bit set in their ways. Let's just smash them and move on."

Fellgrim shrugs ...

"Well, that does seem like it would restore the balance, so I'm in ...
of course, I am also out of bombs, so I may not be able to help as much as in the past.
Best prepare as much as we can before the dance starts ..."

Fellgrim is still mutated ... and will add the following buffs in preparation for whatever the party decides after ...

Stoneskin
Haste
True Strike
Shield
Enlarge Person (wand)

Tic Toc

Curious to see what you guys want to do

I vote we just open the door, and then destroy whichever inevitables try to stop us (if any).

I'm good with finding a way to get through the door. Seems like we have to one way or another. Maybe we can convince them to let us through, if not... It's just a game :)

Agreed...I'll buff up with named bullet, haste, and gravity bow, then let's open the door and see who comes to play.

"So ah ... excuse me ... Mr. Inevitable?
We ... er ... sort of need to go through that door now that we have eliminated the Protean threat on this level.
I mean ... It's all part of our Chaos Containment Guarantee you know."

Denied, the Inevitable (the one in the first room) speaks, your previous commitment remains in effect. I hereby remind you of the level-wide policy of viability discouragement we apply to any an all living beings attempting to open the sealed doors. The policy stipulates that in order to have a desire to open the sealed door, you must either not be here, or not be alive.

Jelani sighs in frustration and starts smashing the sealed doors with his hammer.

Caranthir finishes his spellcasting and prepares to fire an arrow should the Inevitable attack.

I've moved you to the room with the doors then. You have about two rounds before the Inevitables appear, and you can act first when they do

----
Bruce
Thistle
Jelani
Fellgrim
Caranthir
----
Every single Inevitable on this level
----

Before I open fire, is there any chance we can slip to the next level without fighting them (i.e. enter the portal then close it after us)? We could use spire tokens to get back up later...

Naahh... Let's take 'em! We've survived worse. (famous last words...)

Thistle's stomach sinks at the sudden realization that they are about to be overwhelmed. In the moments before the onslaught reaches the doors, Thistle murmurs a blessing over his allies. cast blessing of fervor as a prep spell. aka 'cleric haste' but better. Make sure you pick your bonus.

As soon as the wave of inevitables breaches the door, Thistle begins to pray. His holy symbol glows, and the light penetrates every being in the room.

For my first round action, I will cast prayer. Everyone gets +1 to attack, damage, saves, and skill checks. All enemies within 40 ft take a -1 for the same.

So to confirm, Jelani will have haste, BoF, and prayer as buffs from other people, right?

Letting his allies' enchantments settle over him, Jelani feels ready to take on anything. He moves to a position near the doors, ready for any Inevitable resistance that might come through.

Readying an action to bloodrage as soon as I see an inevitable. I will grow to fill the red square.

"Wait! What about that funky squid key? Could that lock the chaos portal? If their portal is locked then maybe we could pass?"

"Worth a try ... but I don't think we have much time for it.
We can try to keep 'em busy if you want to make a quick attempt."

Fellgrim will 'Study' the Inevitables as they enter .. and go total defense for the first round ...
AC 37 with Shield; Ablative Barrier; Fervor; Haste; TD; Mutated; Enlarged; Stoneskin (10/Adamantine)

Thistle nods to Bruce and lifts his shield, letting him know without a word that he will make sure the crusader has enough time to attempt whatever he wants with the key.

Nice! I had forgotten about that. Let's try it!

Thistle casts a blessing, then Bruce remembers a key - though nobody remembers seeing any matching key-hole. Fellgrim takes a moment to study the incoming enemy, while Jelani gets ready to rumble.

----
Bruce
Thistle
Jelani
Fellgrim
Caranthir
----
Every single Inevitable on this level
----

Caranthir commences firing on the Inevitable entering the room from the south.

"Focus your blows on a single target at a time!" he advises.

+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, manyshot, weapon specialization)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (19) + 18 = 374d6 + 24 + 4d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 3, 1) + 24 + (6, 5, 2, 2) = 50
+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, weapon specialization)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (12) + 18 = 302d6 + 13 + 2d6 ⇒ (1, 4) + 13 + (4, 2) = 24
+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, weapon specialization)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 142d6 + 13 + 2d6 ⇒ (3, 5) + 13 + (3, 1) = 25

Bruce moves back into the room with the runes, checking to see if there is anyway they might interact with the keys.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (15) + 14 + 2 + (5) = 36

Caranthir focuses on the incoming enemy, giving the first one to show his face a full load of metal and wood.

Bruce moves into the northern room, and notices a large glowing red rune on the floor. No keyhole visible on this side, though.

The lead inevitable retaliates by flinging a chain at Jelani

Chain, Jelani: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 352d6 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (6, 4) + 7 + (6) = 23
Trip: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27

----
Bruce
Thistle
Jelani
Fellgrim
Caranthir
----
Zel (64)
Every single Inevitable on this level
----

Jelani pulls his shield out and activates it, then tries to stand up under its protection.

Draw and activate animated wooden shield
Blessing of fervor for +2 AC
AC 29 for now (rnd 1/4)
Standing up, provoking an AOO if it can reach me.
HP: 96/119

Round 2 AC31; Shield; Ablative Barrier; Prayer; Fervor; Haste; Studied Combatant; Mutated; Enlarged; Stoneskin (10/Adamantine)
+1 Elysian Earth Breaker: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (1) + 19 = 20 for Smash: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (6, 5) + 11 = 22
+1 Elysian Earth Breaker: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (16) + 20 = 36 for Smash: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (6, 3) + 11 = 20
+1 Elysian Earth Breaker: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29 for Smash: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (3, 5) + 11 = 19

Jelani uses a shield, and Fellgrim uses a hammer, which comes crashing down twice on the lawful opponent.

----
Bruce
Thistle
Jelani
Fellgrim
Caranthir
----
Zel (103)
Every single Inevitable on this level
----

Caranthir's hand appears almost to blur as he sends another half-dozen arrows at the nearest enemy.

If any shots bring down the first, change to the second.

+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, manyshot, weapon specialization)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 274d6 + 24 + 4d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 2, 1) + 24 + (3, 1, 5, 4) = 47
+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, weapon specialization)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 252d6 + 13 + 2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) + 13 + (5, 3) = 33
+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, weapon specialization)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 202d6 + 13 + 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 13 + (6, 1) = 23

Caranthir brings down the inevitable, and significantly damages the second.

----
Bruce
Thistle
Jelani
Fellgrim
Caranthir
----
Zel2 (23)
Every single Inevitable on this level
----

Bruce tries touching the squid key to the red rune to see if anything happens.

Rune: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Bruce touches the rune with the key, and a surge of reality-bending magical energy fills the room. When the energy dissipates, Bruce's hand looks considerably less hairy than they did before, and his clothing feels tighter in certain places, and less tight in other.

Bruce has changed gender to female

The rune still glows as brightly as it did before - it does not look like the magic is dissipated.

----
Bruce
Thistle
Jelani
Fellgrim
Caranthir
----
Zel2 (23)
Every single Inevitable on this level
----

"Ok those were not there before and....that's now missing."

Hmmm...unlike Thistle to miss, but he hasn't posted since the 20th. I'll bot him.

Thistle casts blessing of fervor on the group.

With this blessing, you call your allies to move forth and empower them to conquer and become victorious. Each round for the duration of this spell, each of your allies can choose one of the following bonuses for that round at the beginning of its turn (their choice).

Increase its speed by 30 feet.
Stand up as a swift action without provoking an attack of opportunity.
Make one extra attack as part of a full attack action, using its highest base attack bonus.
Gain a +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves.
Cast a single spell of 2nd level or lower as if it were an enlarged, extended, silent, or still spell.

Not sure if he still has once, but let's roll with it

The single inevitable that is visible moves in and attacks Jelani

Chain: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 282d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 6) + 7 = 14

----
Bruce
Thistle
Jelani
Fellgrim
Caranthir
----
Zel2 (37)
Every single Inevitable on this level
----

Bruce decides to move on and heads for the chaos room.

Double move.

Blessing of Fervor and Prayer were already cast for this encounter. Perhaps a heal on Jelani?
Round 3 AC31; Shield; Ablative Barrier; Prayer; Fervor; Haste; Studied Combatant; Mutated; Enlarged; Stoneskin (10/Adamantine)
+1 Elysian Earth Breaker: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (5) + 20 = 25 for Smash: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (1, 1) + 11 = 13
+1 Elysian Earth Breaker: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 20 = 23 for Smash: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (5, 5) + 11 = 21
+1 Elysian Earth Breaker: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34 for Smash: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (5, 2) + 11 = 18

Yeah, we already had BoF.

Jelani roars with demonic fury. "How you like this chaos?!" He taunts as he smashes the inevitable with several heavy blows.

Taking the +2 to hit/AC from BoF
Chain Breaker Bloodraging Power Attack (haste, BoF, prayer): 1d20 + 20 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 20 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 351d20 + 20 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 20 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 351d20 + 11 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 11 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 231d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 27Damage: 3d6 + 26 + 1 ⇒ (6, 6, 1) + 26 + 1 = 403d6 + 26 + 1 ⇒ (1, 6, 3) + 26 + 1 = 373d6 + 26 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2, 2) + 26 + 1 = 333d6 + 26 + 1 ⇒ (5, 4, 6) + 26 + 1 = 42

[b]AC 29 (rnd 2/4), HP 96/119

Caranthir, assisted by his own magic as well as Thistle's, peppers the remaining Inevitable with arrows.

+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, manyshot, weapon specialization)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 272d8 + 24 + 4d8 ⇒ (6, 8) + 24 + (7, 1, 8, 6) = 60
+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, weapon specialization)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 201d8 + 13 + 2d8 ⇒ (1) + 13 + (4, 1) = 19
+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, weapon specialization)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 231d8 + 13 + 2d8 ⇒ (4) + 13 + (2, 5) = 24

extra BoF attack: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (19) + 18 = 371d8 + 13 + 2d8 ⇒ (4) + 13 + (1, 1) = 19