PFS: Emerald Spire: Level 3--Splinterden (CORE) (Inactive)

Game Master R D

Flyn nods, his morningstar at the ready, and follows Desh.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

Kay hastily stuffs the Summon scroll back in, ready for vinegar instead with the Gust spell. He wrinkles his nose.

This room is choked with tables stacked with stills and alembics, flasks, bubbling vats, and crockery. The eastern wall is fitted with stout wine racks filled with bottles of various sizes and shapes.

No enemies in this room. Just stuff.

The potions and reagents in the racks are all labeled.

Kay's Perception Check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Kay finds:

11 bottles labelled wine
5 bottles labelled brandy
8 bottles labelled vinegar
14 vials labelled "synesthetic agent"
8 vials labelled "antidote for synesthetic agent"
3 vials labelled acid
4 vials labelled Small centipede venom
3 potions labelled cure light wounds
2 vials labelled Bull's Strength

Kay realizes that the synesthetic agent functions as the trap poison from area C4, but is an ingested poison. It must be specially prepared to work as an inhaled poison and function in the traps. Probably not the best time to experiment with the process in here.

Where to next? The animal room?

Desh listens as Kay describes all the different liquids, raising his eyebrows at the amount of poisons in such close proximity to wines and brandies. "Don't seem safe," he mutters.

He pockets one of the Bull's Strength potions as well as one of the healing ones. "Can we put the syne-whatever agent to work for us down here? Or is it more trouble than it's worth?"

Yah, once folks take what they want from this room, let's check in on C12 (the animal noise room). Then I'd actually like to circle back around (leaving that trap in place) to check in on C.10.

At the Animal door, taking 10 on Perception/Stealth.
Perception 18 (19 vs traps)
Stealth 18

You can stealth on this side of the door, but opening the door will ruin your stealth. Also, you can hear dogs. They have scent.

"Hang on two grains, Desh...I don't trust these labels."

Just for funsies, Kay casts Detect Magic and checks out all these items.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28

"I have no idea about the alchemical items. If only alchemists were adventurers...in any case, I'd take the potions, and the alcohols, and the acid, and leave the poison and agent to anyone who can use them properly. If that isn't you, Desh, then we'd best leave them, or take them to an apothecary later for the selling."

Something ain't right with the two vials labelled "Bull's Strength." Everything else seems kosher, though...

Desh sets the Bull's Strength potion back down in disgust. "I hate this place."

He shakes his head at the implied question about his ability with poisons, but takes one of the acid vials. "Thanks for the heads up," he mutters to Kay.

At the animal door, the general plan is to open it quietly and do my best to use the doorway for enough cover to still use his Stealth check. Even if scent and the door opening means what/whoever's in there knows Desh is there, they still might not be able to target him immediately.

"A little known fact about elves is that they are paranoid," says Cëanel with a knowing smile. "Long lives tend to breed suspicion. Most of them hide it well by flitting around in the forest, but I prefer books most of the time. And reading about the Outer Planes in books isn't very reassuring. Well...back to killing things." He gestures grandly to the animal door.

Flyn doles out the remaining acids and cure potions, with a woeful look for the vials of bull's strength. "Well, if we ain't takin' em, we should make sure nobody else can..." Grabbing a larger crock, he gathers the rejected phials, making ready to destroy or empty them.

Objections?

"Why don't we do that after?" He shrugs, "Less noisy. Less time."

Mostly, I don't want someone getting around behind us, and using these...

It's all good. Flyn "disposes" of the alchemical stuff down one of the privvy holes. Ain't nobody gonna go after 'em! Just for fun, let's give the bad guys a perception check to know that their loot is down a privvy:

1d20 ⇒ 5

Nope! :-D LOL!

Also, just for fun, since you've already run into one aberration in here: A few seconds after Flyn dumps the stuff, he hears the sound of something massive chewing glass, then belching...

Desh opens the door. Unfortunately for him, there's an Iron Cobra right there. All it does is sit there. It's a construct and you're not its master, so...

Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18, Miss!

There's a human working in here. In the cages are all manner of animals--most of which are obviously malnourished. They've also been the subjects of alchemical experiments giving the animals exotically colored fur, altered sounds, different smells, or the ability to glow in the dark.

While you didn't surprise the cobra, you did surprise the human. The party is up first, then the enemy.

Kn Arcana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

"Iron cobra," says the wizard. He then rattles off pertinent information...

Kay delays to see if he can take any other action. "I can close that door..."

Are you sure that didn't hit Desh? He would have been flat-footed if it attacked before him (making his AC 17 for that attack.) Dont get me wrong, I'd love for it to have missed, but I'd prefer all to be on the up and up.

Desh responds in kind, smashing his morningstar down on the construct's head. Then, after a quick peek in the room, he dodges out of Flyndal's way.

"Bottleneck?"

Power attack the iron cobra, then 5' step north (can someone update my token on the map?)
morningstar: 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 - 1 + 2 = 24
damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8

Are you sure that didn't hit Desh? He would have been flat-footed if it attacked before him (making his AC 17 for that attack.) Dont get me wrong, I'd love for it to have missed, but I'd prefer all to be on the up and up.

I guess it depends if you have your shield out.

With shield (which Desh does have out), his flat-footed AC is 16.

Oh, sorry.
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Desh Fort Save vs. Poison: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22, Saves!

Flyndal looks for an opportunity to strike, waiting for the serpentine contraption to get closer...

Readied attack
Mwk Silver Morningstar, Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11             sigh...
Damage 1h: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

"Yikes!" Garrett jumps back away from the cobra, all the while encouraging his companions! "Golarion shall know our names for clearing out the mythical Emerald Spire of strange iron snakes!"

-1 BP for Inspire Courage.

Does Kay know anything relevant about Iron Cobras?

Yes! Everyone should feel free to reference the PRD entry for Iron Cobras. You know that they are constructs, that they have DR 5/-, and that they have poison.

Do Kay and Kohi want to do anything before I have the bad guys act?

Thanks for your patience. I should be back for good now...I can't load the map at the moment, though, so if you'd move me, that'd be great.

Kohinoor grips her longspear, thrusting forward at the snake-thing from behind Desh.

Longspear: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 1 = 21
Damage?: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7
+1s from Inspire Courage

No worries! :) Moved ya.

After applying DR, the construct has had 5 HP of damage inflicted upon it.

Kay is up, then the construct and the man in the room will go.

"Yes, the Iron Cobra. Very deadly...resistant to damage, and similar to a golem..." The elf rattles off key facts rapidly. He then makes a gesture, aiming behind the cobra.

Kay opens up a cage using Open/Close, just to see what will happen. Marked with a circle on the map.

LOL! That's awesome! :-) Let's see what it does: 1d4 ⇒ 1.

ROFL! It attacks the human, but misses.

1d20 ⇒ 8

Will post the bad guys actions later today. Busy day ahead; sorry.

Praise Calistria! I have sown mayhem! :D

The cobra takes a 5 foot step forward and attacks:

1d20 ⇒ 7, Miss!

The human, arrogant and confident, simply moves away from the animal provoking an attack of opportunity:

1d20 ⇒ 13, Miss!

He casts Color Spray, catching everyone except Garrett:

Cëanel Will Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Desh Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Flyndal Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Kohinoor Will Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

I'll pause here in case anybody has any re-roll boons that they would like to use.

No re-rolls, then.

Cëanel Will Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11, Fail
Desh Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9, Fail
Flyndal Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16, Pass
Kohinoor Will Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21, Pass

Duration Blind AND Stunned: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Duration Stunned, but not blind: 1d1 ⇒ 1

Kay and Desh are blind and stunned for 4 rounds, and then they are stunned for another round after that.

Flyn and Kohi are up! Finish this quick before it gets bad!

Kohi blinks as the surge of colored lights passes over the group before casting a prayer toward the heavens. A moment later she leans into a spear-thrust, hoping to hurt the wizard.

Longspear: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 1 = 17
Damage?: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8

If he was standing there, he should have provoked an AoO for casting that close to me (since I had a longspear and haven't moved). Sorry for not realizing that earlier. If you'll let me take that, here's the roll.

Longspear AoO: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 1 = 17
Damage?: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11

EDIT: If that hits, it'll be a DC 22 Concentration check or he'll lose the Color Spray instead of hosing the party.

1d20 ⇒ 8

LOL! Not expecting a longspear to the face, the caster does NOT get his spell off. The party is just fine. Furthermore, it looks like Kohi has severely wounded him!

The rest of the party is up!

Clutch!!! Nice one, Kohi!

Blinking away what seemed like blinding lights, Desh snarls as he drops his shield. Gripping his morningstar with both hands, he renews his attack on the iron cobra.

morningstar: 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 - 1 + 1 = 24
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 3 + 1 = 11

Well done, Koh!

Seeing the folly of their close quarters, Flyn calls out a warning as he brings his mace to bear once more. "Garrett; Kay – back up! Don't let him get us with those spells!"

Attacking Iron Cobra
Mwk Silver Morningstar, Attack, Inspire: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 1 = 22     +2 vs Humans
Damage 1h, Inspire: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9     +2 vs Humans
 
EDIT: Added Inspire to rolls

Between the two of them, Desh and Flyn crush the cobra!

Kay is up! Then the enemy.

Can I follow up my attack with a 5' step toward the human, since the cobra is down?

Sure!

"Back up? One moment, Flyn..."

Cëanel casts Glitterdust on the human. DC 17 Will save or blinded for three rounds.

The elf then backs up, careful not to trigger the trap behind him.

Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16, Fail!
The enemy is now blind!

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12, Miss!
The crazy dog tries to bite him.

"Seeing" no way out of this, he surrenders: "Okay, you got me! I yield."

Combat over.

Awwww.... I wanted to smash his face!

Desh rushes forward and tackles the man. "Hold still, bub."

Grapple: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

If that works, Desh looks back at his friends, "Someone tie his ass up."

Kohinoor kneels in front of the man. "How reasonable you are. Even now, the Dawnflower holds her hand out to you, all you must do is grasp it, and you can be saved. Just tell us what else is on this level so there's no surprises, and your path to redemption can begin." She holds out her hand, touching her fingers against his. "Tell us what lies to the north of here. Please."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

"Hey, fellas. I've already surrendered. There's no need for kinky shenanigans!" he says, fearfully. LOL!

"Look, if you promise not to harm me, I'll tell you how to get to our leader, Tarrin Dars. We're the Splinters. She's a cleric of Norgorber. I wouldn't take her lightly, if I were you. You need my help!"

"Well, I ain't split your head open, yet. Keep talking, and I won't have cause to."

"There anymore surprises, like that pile o' eyeballs back there?"

I’ll assume Desh got him grappled. ;-)

Does Desh sense any deception?
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

What does Desh know about the Splinters? Or Tarrin Dars?
Know: Local: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

"Koh, who is this Norgorber fellow? Sounds like a god of goblins or some such," says Kay.

"You'll help us here by staying put. Desh, let's put him in one of these cages and lock it up," continues the elf.

Cëanel then inspects the cages, trying to figure out what has been done to these poor beasts.

Kn Nature? Arcana? Dungeoneering?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 Or +10...

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

"Some say he's the god of murderers or assassins, but others say he's a god of secrets. Among my sect, there are some who think he's just three halflings standing on each other's shoulders, which is why no one can see his face. I don't know that I believe that, but he's certainly not a friendly god. This "Tarrin Dars" is almost certainly not going to be friendly, either." Kohi turns back toward their prisoner. "Do you know which Norgorber Tarrin follows? It could be helpful, and Sarenrae would smile on your aid."

Reasonable amount of knowledge for an 18?