[PFS/DMK/EMS] The Emerald Spire Superdungeon

Game Master Kludde

So sorry guys - I have actually been checking almost every day. Today I realized that my browser had signed me out, so the thread never showed the x (3 new) thing. I just assumed there was no traffic. Totally my fault! Thanks for botting me, perfect choice. I did have 3 of that level of spell remaining, I'll update my tagline.

Thistle shakes off his odd malaise and runs towards where the thick of the fighting is, pausing for the briefest of moments to whistle a cat-call at the caped avenger.

Double move

Bruce moves on, while Fellgrim tries to smash the lawful creature. Jelani rocks and smashes, while Caranthir fires off a deadly shot to bring the Zelekhut down

Combat over - we'll handle the minor inevitables off-screen, those aren't a challenge.

Bruce is still out hunting for a solution.

Thistle breaths a sigh of relief as the furious combat comes to an end. An arrow here, a bomb there, and the last of the lawful and chaotic dichotomy is brought to a peaceful balance.

Thistle gathers his friends when they have a moment, and releases a burst of holy, healing energy which binds their wounds.

Channel, heal: 6d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 4, 4, 6, 2) = 24

Let me know if anyone else needs more healing, I've got some available to help you save some wand charges. The completionist in me wants to make sure we've covered every nook and cranny, but my guess is the last piece is that Bruce's key opens the door to the next level.

Bruce takes the squid key to the swirling chaos portal and looks for some way the two might interact.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (5) + 14 + 2 + (8) = 29

With the inflexible creatures dispatched, Caranthir looks for ways to help Bruce.

Any appropriate knowledge check?
I have arcana/dungeoneering/local/planes/religion +11

Jelani stands by while the smarter folks in the group try to puzzle out the door.

Thistle performs some first aid, while Bruce keeps exploring the area. It soon becoming clear that both portals - one to Limbo, the other to Mechanus - are mutually jammed. It is possible to remove whatever is blocking the functioning of the portals, though that would mean a steady influx of either lawful or chaotic creatures.

The two runes in the round chambers are still active, and after some close inspection, Bruce also find the actual keyhole in the double sealed door in the middle of the level, which is a perfect fit for the squid key.

This is the end of the level, and we could descend down to the next one. Bruce still has her gender change, though, so I'll leave if up to you how you want to cope with that.

That's up to her. Jelani is good with moving on whenever the others are ready. If Bruce wants to go back to the surface first and try to get another sex change he will understand.

I'm not sure what we need to reverse Bruce's gender, but I can probably cast it. Might need to get a scroll though... Beyond that,
I'm good to go!

The chaotic, reality bending runes in this level are still active. It's dangerous, but you can experiment with them

I forget...do we level up after that one? Or was that a half level?

It's a half-level. We'll be down to the last level after this one. Wow...

Sweet. Were we going to do Eyes of the Ten or something after this? I forget.

Alright...that is crazy we've almost done with this! I'm still hoping we could get an Eyes of the Ten after this, too. :)

I'm actually running Eyes of the Ten as part of one of my PBP campaigns. I'm adapting it to fit our story and not reporting it to PFS, but it means I'll have read the scenario already. I'm pretty sure I can keep from metagaming, but I feel like I should disclose that.

No problem, that happens all the time. There's a guy on Emerald Spire table II who joined because he was reading (and enjoying) the actions of you guys :-)

Unsettling green radiance shines from the immense, five-branched crystal near the center of this cavern. The crystal’s arms penetrate the stone walls of the cave to the north, east, and west; to the south, they form a natural bridge over a small chasm to a pinnacle of rock. At the heart of these branching arms, the Emerald Spire extends upward through a hole in the vaulted ceiling.

A black stone door carved with an eye-shaped rune sits in the wall to the southwest. To the northeast, the cave wall is interrupted by the surface of what appears to be an enormous stone sphere.

Caranthir looks at the massive emerald structure in wonder.

"This almost looks like the roots of a tree," the archer says. The elf looks around, trying to observe anything that could lead them to danger.

take 20 perception from here for a 43

It's up to Bruce if he wants to try to play with the chaos systems to see if he can go back to being a man... otherwise I'm good to go.

Thistle moves ahead towards the enormous stone sphere, trying his best to detect if it is magical in any way.

The peace on this lower level is brought to an abrupt halt when two four-armed, large, aberrations with vertical mouths appear.

---
Caranthir
Thistle
Jelani
Fellgrim
Bruce
---
Creature
Creature
---

Caranthir wonders what they will face now...each level had been so different, and these strange creatures seemed very odd.

The elf drew back some arrows and fired as he attempts to identify them.

knowledge arcana/dungeoneering/local/planes/religion: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17 Looking for 1) vulnerabilities 2) immunities 3) special abilities

+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, manyshot, weapon specialization)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 312d8 + 24 + 4d6 ⇒ (8, 1) + 24 + (2, 2, 4, 2) = 43
+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, weapon specialization)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 331d8 + 13 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 13 + (6, 4) = 25
+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, weapon specialization)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 231d8 + 13 + 2d6 ⇒ (7) + 13 + (3, 4) = 27

"What are those things? Will my hammer work on them?"

Caranthir has no clue what he's facing, but his arrows tell him they can be hurt quite nicely, which leads him to the conclusion: Jelani's hammer likely works on these creatures.

---
Caranthir
Thistle
Jelani
Fellgrim
Bruce
---
Creature (95)
Creature
---

"Hammer time!" Jelani declares, entering his bloodrage and stepping forward.

Chain Breaker Bloodraging Power Attack: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (15) + 20 = 351d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 231d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25Damage: 3d6 + 26 ⇒ (3, 5, 3) + 26 = 373d6 + 26 ⇒ (5, 1, 3) + 26 = 353d6 + 26 ⇒ (4, 6, 1) + 26 = 37

Could you maybe change you attack macro so that it breaks down the rolls by line? It's a lot easier for me to read the last number of a line than to find the relevant numbers in this output, especially now that damage and attack roll are similar numbers. Thanks!

Jelani crunches the aberration under the weight of his hammer.

---
Caranthir
Thistle
Jelani
Fellgrim
Bruce
---
Creature (95)
Creature
---

Round 1 - Precise Shot; Precise Bombs; Point Blank; Fast Bombs;

Fellgrim steps forward and tosses a couple bombs at the creature in front of Jelani ...
Bomb: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29 for Fire: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1, 5, 3) + 4 = 15
Bomb: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 for Fire: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 2, 4, 4) + 4 = 20

Sure. I will do that from now on.

Fellgrim throws his bombs at the remaining creature, scarring it with burns.

---
Caranthir
Thistle
Jelani
Fellgrim
Bruce
---
Creature (35)
---

Bruce drinks his heroism extract as he tries to figure out what these things are.

Know stuff: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 2 + (8) = 22

Thistle looks at the network of emerald roots in the ground. His heartbeat begins to go faster as he recognizes signs that they may be nearing the bottom of this remarkable... thing. It seemed so long ago that they were laying waste to goblins and bugbears at the top.

He shakes his thoughts from his head with more pressing matters at hand now. With a wordless prayer, he calls forth the blessings of the gods.

Cast prayer - +1 to almost everything for allies, -1 to enemies. Here is a link to the spell.

One of them is a living Gug. The other is dead. These creatures can rend a victim to pieces with their powerful claws. These live in deep dark places, and rumour has it that they were banished by ancient god for preying on creatures that live in the light.

Thistle casts a prayer spell.

Bite, bruce: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 221d8 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

---
Caranthir
Thistle
Jelani
Fellgrim
Bruce
---
Creature (35)
---

Jelani moves over ten feet, and lays into the other Gug.

Move ten feet.
Chain Breaker Bloodraging Power Attack vital strike prayer: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 20 + 1 = 29
Damage: 6d6 + 27 ⇒ (2, 3, 1, 4, 3, 3) + 27 = 43

Thistle puts his back against the cavern wall and reaches out to Bruce with his wand. He scans the room with his eyes, making sure he is ready to react to whatever else might assault them. For now, it appears as though his powerful friends have things in hand, and so he does little more than wait.

CLW Wand on Bruce, because I can: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Jelani crashes full force into the Gug, and deals a ringing blow. Thistle heals Bruce a bit.

---
Caranthir
Thistle
Jelani
Fellgrim
Bruce
---
Creature (88)
---

Caranthir's first shot goes wide and the rest seem uncharacteristically off.

The elf shakes the cobwebs from his mind.

Focus!

+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, manyshot, weapon specialization)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 192d8 + 24 + 4d6 ⇒ (4, 2) + 24 + (2, 6, 4, 6) = 48
+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, weapon specialization)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 221d8 + 13 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 13 + (5, 1) = 21
+2 Icy Burst Longbow (rapid shot, deadly aim, weapon specialization)(frost + shock dmg): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 211d8 + 13 + 2d6 ⇒ (7) + 13 + (1, 3) = 24

Round 2 - Precise Shot; Precise Bombs; Point Blank; Fast Bombs; +Prayer

Fellgrim another step and tosses a couple bombs at the remaining creature ...
Bomb: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 14 + 1 = 30 for Fire: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 1, 5, 4) + 4 = 19
Bomb: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 1 = 23 for Fire: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 3, 5, 2) + 4 = 20

Caranthir seems completely distracted by the oddly freudian-looking creature, and misses all hits shots. Fellgrim coolly lobs his bombs, and burns the creature where it stands.

Combat over!

On the far side of the spire, a rift surrounds a flat-topped pinnacle of stone, and is bridged by an emerald arch. Deep in the rift flickers the glow of molten rock.

A single creature dwells atop the central spire, though at first glance it appears to be little more than a 10-foot-tall jagged stalagmite. It calls out to the party in undercommon:

"Eh? Is that rock talking?"

Ability: Comprehend Languages

"It would appear so ... and it seems our friend here is bored."

"Hello ... do you understand the common tongue?"

It doesn't seem to understand common all that well.

Thistle scrunches up his scaled nose, then releases a sigh and shrugs his shoulders as if to apologize for not being able to understand this creature. Then again, speech wasn't exactly his strongsuit anyways, he chuckles to himself as he considers that thought.

Fellgrim seems to have made some headway in understanding what this... creature... is saying, but it seems as though communicating back to it still remains a challenge.

I'm guessing Bruce will have something for this... At least Fellgrim can understand with his comprehend languages active.

"I wonder if we can ask it somehow what it is, and what it is doing down here. Maybe it can tell us what those things were that we just killed. Hopefully it doesn't get offended by that..." Thistle smirks.

Bruce replies in undercommon as he finishes drinking his extracts.

No extract needed for the undercommon, Bruce speaks it naturally.

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 +3 Natural Armor

Not speaking the language but having magic to assist, if necessary, Caranthir watches to see if Bruce has everything under control.

Jelani remains confused, but trusts his friends to handle this.

"He wants to trade questions ... like why do we explore dungeons? Which is interesting given that we all probably have different motivations. Mine is simply to pay the bills."

Thistle's mind drifts back to the first day this motley band began to infiltrate the spire. His hand drifts down absentmindedly to his little wooden plank, the basic communication tool he had used for so long. It was much easier for him to read lips now, and he usually didn't mess it up.

Called by the gods I assumed back then. Perhaps... But why? He wonders, pondering the question posed by the stalagmite creature.

"To bring light into the darkness. To heal that which has been broken. To find that which has been lost." He answers, feeling a sense of clarity suddenly wash over him to go with the blind purpose he had started with.

Ironic that he followed his purpose so blindly, when it was his hearing that he had to give up in order to wield his divine gifts. He chuckled to himself at the thought, and waited patiently for the creature's reaction, and mulls over what they should ask next in this little game of question bartering.

"While we all have our different reasons. I believe the one we have in common is as Pathfinders? To collect and preserve the knowledge of the past. Think that might be the less confusing way to do it." Bruce says before relaying that in undercommon.

The creature keeps speaking in undercommon.

I'll let you all ask and answer, I'll just assume you translate among eachother

Yes, but why? Ah, I guess it's an answer. It's your turn to ask

Hmm, I just clicked through that link and the thread is gone as far as I can tell. Did you end recruitment already?

No, it's still up. I renamed the campaign, which broke all the links. I'm still taking sign-ups here (link). I've put your name on the list (since it was the last spot available). Just let me know if you want it, and I'll keep it on.

Hey all,

I'll be vacationing with the family Wednesday through Monday for Fall Break in Chicago and surrounding areas.

The itinerary makes it look like I'll have little time to post. Feel free to bot me!

Heh, I still need to produce chronicles... hold on...

--EDIT:

Here they are (link)

I'm messing around with my new chronicle generator, so let me know if anything is out of place.

Thanks!

I'll get Thistle updated by this weekend and we can dive into the next level!

Sorry, I kind of missed this the first time. I'll make sure I'm good to go later today.

We just finished level 15, correct?

Sorry been under the weather this week. Bruce is fine with the change.

I'm good to go.

Fellgrim's good ... no change other than resting up.

My apologies DM Kludde - Its been a while since we've change levels, I forgot I needed to update Thistle's profile. I'll get that done ASAP.

Aren't we remaining level 11? Or did you just mean you updated to 11?

I think he means dungeon levels.

[8]....Level 9: The Spire Axis........7-9....[slow] -> 22.5 xp after this scenario (Jelani has 21.5)

[7-04] -> Jelani has 22.5 after this scenario.

[8.5]....Level 10: The Magma Vault......8–10...[slow] -> 24 xp
[9]..Level 11: The Tomb of Yarrix...8–10...[slow] -> 25.5 xp
[9.5]...Level 12: The Automaton Forge..9–11...[slow] -> 27 xp
[10].Level 13: The Pleasure Gardens.9–11...[slow] -> 28.5 xp
[10.5]...Level 14: The Throne of Azlant.10–12..[slow] -> 30 xp
[11]...Level 15: Order and Chaos......10–12..[slow] -> 31.5 xp
[11.5]...Level 16: The Emerald Root.....11–13..[slow] -> 33xp after this scenario

So after 'order and chaos' (last dungeon level) you should all have 31.5 xp. After this dungeon level you'll be at 33, and therefore move to character level 12.

Right on...thanks for clarifying.

Mostly it was about goodies and spending gold, though I don't necessarily need to do that.

Ok, I forgot we weren't leveling up. /shame

Anyways, I'm good to go either way. :)

Hey all,

Merry Christmas! I'll be pretty busy the next few days, and then I am traveling to California with the family the week after Christmas. I'll be pretty slow through New Year's.

Hope everyone has a great holiday.

Jelani - I can cast neutralize poison if you fail that save. I'll wait for you to post to see how it shakes out.

I'll be on a trip to San Antonio/Austin until next Wednesday. I anticipate limited posting availability. Please bot me if necessary.

Wow... hello website redesign!

Interesting. Hopefully its more than just a cosmetic change... make sure you check your links and shortcuts, mine appear to still be working.

The old forums at least were more visually appealing to me. Everything else forums wise seems to be working the same.

Heyo everyone - Just wanted to mention that for the first time in a very long time, I might be curious about finding a PFS PbP on the forums. I've got a ton of different characters that are available. If anyone hears of any, or joins one that needs another player, I would really appreciate it if you let me know!

Thanks!

Holy balls...

Caranthir nooooooo!!!!

Stone Salve and stone to flesh (wizard spell) appear to be the only ways to reverse this. Not sure if anyone has any stone salve handy, unfortunately I do not. If not, it looks like we will be without our arrow flinger for at least this combat...

Caranthir - you still have a shirt/folio re-roll right?

Yeah, that's crappy without a full arcane caster in the party to fix. I'm pretty sure after the mission he could use Prestige points to have the society cast the spell on him.

We've gone back to resurrect mid-level in the past. It's just a bummer we don't have a way to fix him mid-fight... :)

I like PFS for a lot of reasons, and I don't like it for a few. One is that everything is just a condition to be remedied, including death. It tends to cheapen the drama and the moment sometimes. In a way I suppose it's necessary I guess.

Yeah, these games have always had that issue. You don't want to make death so cheap it doesn't matter, but at the same time, if you put years into a character and have them die to one lousy dice roll...that's not very fun.

Though it does seem like a pretty big penalty to have to sit out the big boss fight at the end of the whole dungeon!

This is the BBEG, eh? Well if they had to give Save or Suck to someone, it should be the BBEG I suppose.

I am moving back to America on Thursday, so don't expect posts from me for the next several days. I'll try to get something in if I can, but there are no guarantees.

Welcome back!

If combat is over, would now be an opportune time for Jelani to grab his favorite elf statue and head for the surface for a Stone to Flesh spell?

Sure, that sounds fine. Still moving and without a PC for the moment so please act for Jelani as necessary until I’m back online.

I forgot to mention I'm on spring break (Moab, Utah) with my family through Monday. Please bot me as needed!

I'm back from spring break! sorry for the long delay. I'll be here when we get this ball rolling again!

I'm going to visit family for a couple days without my PC. I'll follow on my phone, but I won't be doing any substantive posting until Saturday evening probably.

I am travelling for the next 10 days ... will try to check in when I can; bot me as needed.

Traveling until Saturday, I can be played as needed as well.

I'm off to Yellowstone for a week, and am doubtful I'll have internet connection. Please bot me as necessary!

I'm on a campout this weekend...I'll check in next week!

Okay, I'm off this week for my last big camping trip of the year, but I'll be gone from Wednesday through next Sunday. See you next week!

Just FYI I will be out of town and without a PC until Wednesday the 25th, in case this picks back up before then.

I am going to Italy for 10 days for my 20th anniversary. I don't anticipate being able to post much, so feel free to bot!

Buona fortuna mentre me ne sono andato!

(Though...it's looking like we should probably call it good on exploring further, ya?)