[PFS] GM Alias 0-06: Black Waters Table 2 (Inactive)

Game Master Jon A

Acel puts her wand away and draws her Rapier. "Wow, that thing didn't stand a chance, huh?" She chuckles as she notes the book. "Well, this is kinda cool, but let's see what's beyond that door."

Acel is ready to move on.

In her usual business-like fashion, Ashka draws a cloth to clean her blade and runs it along the weapon's gleaming curve. When she's done, she opts to discard this particular scrap of cloth, covered as it is in foul zombie gore.

"What an odd coincidence, that we'd find the brother of a senior Pathfinder dead here. Could he have been a student here? Or was he here on Society business? Anyone know anything about Madris' faction? I'm just in this for the money, don't have time for all that crusading."

Also ready to go on, just making conversation.

The group moves carefully through the door, down a long corridor, and into another room. Water drips from the double-vaulted ceiling and trickles down the walls to pool on the floor. Bone shards of a hundred skulls litter the room like shattered seashells. Wide stairs climb to the west. Narrow stairs dive to the north. On the south wall, an open doorway gapes, a carved relief depicting a massive battle filling the archway over the door. The rest of the walls are filled floor to ceiling with nooks that house ancient, but drenched, skeletal remains. In the center of the room sit twelve school children in a circle on the floor. One child seems to be silently telling a story, her arms moving rapidly as she makes scary faces.

Suddenly, Deris bursts out: “See! Alive! I knew it! That's her, my daughter! That's Cassiel!” He then rushes over to the ghostly image and sits down on the floor next to her. He starts talking to her, telling her how much he has missed her. But the image pays no attention to him, continuing on with its story as if nothing has happened.

Please move yourselves into the next room.

Ashka enters the room with caution, wondering what sort of undead unpleasantness they'll find in this bone-laden chamber. She catches Xasay's eye and raises a questioning eyebrow at him, clearly asking, What do you think? Trap?

Knowledge (Religion) for anything relevant here: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Xasay nods back at Ashka cheerfully, makes the Wayang gesture for quiet (which I'm guessing is something a lot more distinctive and interesting than a simple finger to the mouth), then politely joins the circle (or sits just outside it if there's no room) to listen to the ghost's stories.

Let's see here: I'm a Chaotic Good Wayang Dirge Bard with a high Intelligence and a terrible Wisdom. How could I do anything else?

Vires enters the room weapon still ready "stay close tocino I don't like this, it's been far to easy so far... "

"Well, this is the archway that lady spoke about, right?" Acel looks around as the man rushes past her. Xasay makes a hand motion to be quiet, Acel sticks out her tongue in response but ultimately shuts up.

Acel takes a look around the room to look for any clues or hints of danger,
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
but she's clearly too distracted by the storytelling. Eventually she squats in the circle to see if she can make out something from the girl's storytelling.

Fahd wasn't in the mood to sit and listen to ghostly stories.

He also looks around the room for anything else suspicious he might encounter.

Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Ashka reconsiders as she sees the others sitting in the circle, and joins the ghostly children on the floor.

Hadn’t thought of that, seems like a good plan.

Some of you sit down in the circle with the ghostly children. This does not seem to upset them, or have any effect on their actions. They appear to continue telling and listening to stories, but remain completely silent.

"it's so odd that their spirit moves but dose not attack...who and what has keep them here and docile I wonder"

Acel pulls various pranks, like putting a pair of rabbit ears behind the ghosts' heads and dancing around some. "Hmm, they're not reacting to us at all. These souls are stuck here, ya know? Whatever is keeping them here, we free 'em. Doesn't seem right."

Fahd waves to get the attention of the others. He points toward the northern corridor. "Listen...something's over there.". When the others follow, Fahd moves forward to investigate.

"Alright, I'm comin'." Acel sits up and follows Fahd.

"yes what did you find"

As Fahd moves, Ashka raises a hand and says quietly, ”Hold on, let me take a look.” She peers down the hallway, the creeps forward ahead of the others, quieter than a whisper.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Stealth: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

Ashka starts to investigate the stairway. Only a short distance downwards, she spots what is making the noise. Three humanoid creatures with long, sharp teeth, and pallid flesh stretched tightly over their starved frames.

Initiative:
Fahd: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Acel: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Vires: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Xasay: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Ashka: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Bad Guys: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Deris: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

The lead creature runs up and attacks Ashka before she can move.

Bite@Ashka, AC18: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Claw 1@Ashka, AC18: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Claw 2@Ashka, AC18: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

It misses with both of its claws, but lands a gruesome bite on her arm.

Ashka, I need a Fortitude save, DC13, to avoid paralysis, and a second Fortitude save, DC13, to avoid ghoul fever.

Round 1
1st: Bad Guys, Deris
2nd: Acel, Ashka, Fahd, Vires, Xasay

The party is up!

"Fall back, Ashka! We can face them one at a time out here!". Fahd waits to see how the rogue responds to the awful bits.

Delay until Ashka takes an action.

DM - Do I get no benefit from stealth? Maybe I had no cover or concealment, but it seems I would have seen them coming around the corner. Whatever, I’ll roll with it.

Fort: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13 Phew!
Fort: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Ashka quickly jerks back her arm where the creature bit her, avoiding most of the harmful effects! ”Right there with ya, Fahd,” she says calmly, slipping away from the monsters so they can join the party in the larger room. As she moves past her companions, she says, ”How about you take a step back too, Fahd, and we’ll bottle them up in the hall?” To Deris she adds brusquely, ”Get out of the way, so your daughter doesn’t see you get hurt.”

Withdraw from hallway.

Status: 8/15 hp

Fahd takes a 5' step back and readies an action to punch the first ghoul that enters his melee range.

Readied Attack 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 2 = 26

Damage 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 = 10

"Hmm, think I can bring them down, quickly..."

Acel readies an action to cast grease at the base of the stairs as soon as one of them is within 10 ft of the base of the stairs.

Reflex Save DC 14 or slip and slide!

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Xasay springs up and looks past Fahd to see what the trouble is. "Ghouls! He stage-whispers to the party. "Do NOT let them touch you!" He then looks back at the ghosts.

"Watch this!" He says as he fans out a now-familiar stencil, and the dark bird sails down the hall.

Once again, celestial eagle (that tiny dark thing now in front of the front ghoul), Smiting Evil, a DC 16 Will save will diminish it to 20% reality.

bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
confirm?: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
bonus damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 +4 = 9

talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Vires stands across from Fahd so they can take advantage of hitting them from both sides tocino is also ready to attack

readied attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10

tocino bite: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 8

and both miss

Sorry for the delay. Yesterday got away from me.

@Ashka: It's a narrow stairway, with not a lot of places to hide. They basically trip over you, so that's why no benefit from the stealth.

Ashka hurriedly runs back up the stairs and into the room, the ghouls close on her heels. As soon as she clears the doorway, Acel gets off a spell, covering the stairs in magical grease.

Red Reflex, DC 14: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Pink Reflex, DC 14: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Green Reflex, DC 14: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Two of them manage to keep their feet, while the trailing abomination slips and falls on the stairs. The foremost ghoul keeps running, right into Fahd's fist. The big man nearly caves in the creature's head. Vires and his feisty pig attempt to attack the beast, but neither is able to land a blow. Xasay again summons his favored ally, which swoops at the lead ghoul. It quickly finishes off what Fahd started, and the ghoul goes down.

Red Will, DC16: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Pink Will, DC16: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Green Will, DC16: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

The next ghoul rushes headlong into Fahd, attempting to claw the man to pieces.

Bite@Fahd, AC16: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Claw 1@Fahd, AC16: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Claw 2@Fahd, AC16: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Confirm crit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

The thing manages to bite into Fahd's arm, latching on pretty firmly, and manages to get a swipe in with one of its claws.

Fahd, I need a Fortitude save, DC13, to avoid paralysis, and a second Fortitude save, DC13, to avoid ghoul fever.

Round 2
1st: Bad Guys, Deris
2nd: Acel, Ashka, Fahd, Vires, Xasay

The party is up!

@Xasay: I put your eagle at the back of the line for clarity, but I figure it can actually be in any of the square on the staircase, since it's flying.

Fort 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Fort 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Fahd headbutts the ghoul twice.

Attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Damage 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Damage 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

now that i look at the map there is no way i or my familiar can attack the undead...

Fair enough, GM. On a different note, I'm pretty sure Fahd took a 5' step back last round but wasn't moved on the map. Which means the ghouls should have moved 5' further into the room, and into flanking. I moved Fahd back 5', but didn't want to start moving the monsters around - but I'm going to assume they moved mindlessly forward and can be flanked. If that's wrong, please adjust the rolls.

As the first ghoul steps into the room, Ashka's blade comes slicing down at it!

Curve Blade attack, flank: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Curve Blade damage, sneak attack: 1d8 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (8) + (2) + 1 = 11

Sure, makes sense. I moved one of them up. The other one is stuck in the grease.

The shadow bird vanishes into the darkness while Xasay holds his poplar-diamond wand over Fahd's fresh wounds.

cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Acel enchants her rapier and then lunges at the purple beast. "How're my illusions supposed to work on you? Boooorrrring!"

Rapier+1, flanking: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 26
Damage: 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4

Crit Confirm, flanking: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 8
Crit Damage: 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6
I forget if ghouls are vulnerable to crits.

Acel's rapier goes right through the thing.

Vires moves around so that he can attack the dead acro to get to the other side of it

acro: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7and miss

Acel's rapier goes right through the ghoul, doing no damage at all. Between Ashka's sword and Fahd's hard head, the second ghoul goes down, completely out of the fight. Xasay manages to heal some of Fahd's wounds, while Vires repositions himself.

The final ghoul stands up and attempts to engage the party. It manages to move out of the greased area, and attacks Vires.

Acrobatics, DC10: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Bite@Vires, AC18: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Claw 1@Vires, AC18: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Claw 2@Vires, AC18: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

It manages to give him a good scratch in the arm.

@Vires: I need a Fortitude check, DC13, to avoid paralysis.

Round 3
1st: Bad Guys, Deris
2nd: Acel, Ashka, Fahd, Vires, Xasay

The party is up!

Ashka attempts to bring down another of the horrible creatures, but her blade swings wide!

Curve Blade attack, flank: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 2 = 11
Curve Blade damage, sneak attack: 1d8 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + (1) + 1 = 5

Feeling better after the healing, Fahd attempts to show off with a double roundhouse kick to the ghoul's mug.

Attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Damage 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Xasay turns his ministrations to Vires.

cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

TY Xasay lol, technically i took no damage ^_^

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 =_='
Vires retaliates and brings the axe down on the dead...
attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
damage: 1d12 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

When she realizes piercing weapons have no effect, Acel drops her trusty rapier, then draws her throwing axe.

Chop, flanking: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 2 = 17
Slashing Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"And I can't even use muh rapier? You're the worst!"

Feeling he's finally getting the hang of this whole healing business, Xasay turns his attention again to Fahd.

cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

"Thanks, I'm feeling all better! Let's finish these undead now!"

The party is able to finish off the final ghoul, beating into a bloody pulp. Throughout the combat, Deris sat quietly with the ghostly children, reassuring them that everything would turn out all right.

"Don't worry children. These people are here to help us. They won't let any of the nasty ghouls get to you."

Go ahead and take care of anything you need to. I am going to assume the group moves on.

A steep set of 100 stairs leads down from the area with the spectral kids to the west landing and solid stone door. The door is closed, but as you approach it, you hear the sounds of the ocean beyond.

Fahd takes his time examining this door. Last thing he wanted was to allow the ocean to come rushing in if he opened the door.

Take 20 on Perception for 27.

Acel picks up her rapier and dismisses the grease puddle. "Hmpf. Not a fan of the undead."

Acel heads to the Western door and lets the party examine it. "Uh, take care of the kids, Deris. We'll look ahead and see if there are any more down here."

Fahd does not find anything unusual about the door. He determines that water slaps up against it, but does not completely fill the room behind the door.

With the frequency of storm waves approaching the shore, salt water erupts from cracks in the floor of this large hexagonal room. Foamy, blinding spray jumps in every direction, then drains from calf-height to ankle-deep before the next wave hits. Occasionally a length of black-brown seaweed shoots in and adds one more strand to a room that already appears draped in long wet hair. In each of the chamber’s six corners, a fluted pillar rises to the fifty-foot ceiling. Between each pair of pillars, an open arch connects the chamber to an attached space. Beyond the northwest and southwest arches, three tiers of recessed spaces form three massive steps. A stone sarcophagus rests on each step.

So we've opened the door, right? I assume so, since we are now seeing beyond it. Will base my actions on that.

Ashka steps quietly into the room, trying to go unnoticed, and takes a look around.

Stealth: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

I moved everyone up by the door, figuring we'd likely stay together.

As Ashka moves into the room, she spots movement in the western alcove.

An emaciated undead creature which looks similar to the ghouls in the previous area is searching for something in the corner. It is dressed in rotting finery, wisps of fetid, expensive cloth still dangling from its limbs. Perched atop its head is a golden crown, resplendent with a dozen glittering gems, while its putrid fingers each bear extravagant rings made from a dozen different precious gems and metals.

The creature doesn't spot Ashka right away.

You have one round to prep before combat.

Ashka creeps back out the door and reports on the creep she spotted inside. "Get ready for a fight," she whispers, adding a description of the creature in case anyone might recognize it. Ïf we make a little noise out here, we might be able to get it to come to us, so we can surround it like we did with the ghouls."

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Vires, if you moved Tocino over next to me, we'd have a nasty little gauntlet to gank it with that everyone could have a front-row seat for.

OK that sounds good to me

Fahd tries to find a spot at the front of the group, ready to pound the ghast into dust.

Acel readies her wand of Magic Missiles, since her rapier didn't work well last time.