[PFS] GM kuey's The Phantom Phenomena (PFS Quest) - PbP GD6 (Inactive)

Game Master kuey

An intense wave of dizziness passes over Caena, and then it passes, leaving her feeling wobbly and sluggish. She looks around at the people who had clustered around her with a healing kit and smiles in genuine gratitude. "Thank you for your concern, everyone. I think I'll be all right now." Her weakened voice makes it clear she's not actually all right, but she pushes away from the wall and straightens up.

She only half-listens to Sira's plan, but when Genryl announces his wish she turns to look at the door expectantly.

"Genryl, more base, less heitation when you make a wish. Do with with authority!" Yu stares at him seriously for a moment, then bursts out laughing.

Genryl gives a chuckle at the instructions beforetaking a deep breath and bellowing out his wish again in a deep voice that rattles a few of the Skulls in the hallway. "I wish that door was open right now!" after a second to catch his breath, he turns to Yup and asks in a lightly mocking tone, "Better?"

Yu comes up behind Genryl and slaps him playfully on the back. "Yes".

Sira taps into the djinn heritage running through his being. At the sacrifice of his daily use of feather fall, he chooses to cast the cantrip Open/close on the door ahead of them.

"Your wish is my command!"

"You know, I could've probably opened that door without using a wish. Especially if it is locked. But at least this way if something jumps out, it isn't me in front." Lucifer smiles.

With a great flourish and invocation of genie magic, the party wishes the door opens, and it obeys, without any locks unlocking or traps triggering.

A broad well with low sides plunges down the middle of this large chamber. A heavy iron cover leans against the east wall. Near the well, a mound of gnawed bones, scraps of clothing, and discarded possessions speak to some unholy feast. From deep within the well rises a susurrus of faint scratches, scrapes, and breathing. Just then, you see movement as a creature pops its head out of the well. Skin pale as a slug’s belly, eyes huge and bulging, this thing crawls up the well like a spider, but its shape is hideously humanoid.

Although it seems wary, it does not appear to be openly hostile, staying near the well and not making any sudden movements. It does not seek to approach nor does it attempt to retreat. It suddenly calls out in a guttural voice that is especially loud, in a language that none of you recognise. It does pat itself repeatedly while making a noise that sounds like ”Uzziah”. It speaks continuously, pausing occasionally and briefly for a response, but start blabbering again almost immediately. Checked that none of you speak Undercommon, but please let me know if I missed it.

KNO NATA: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Knowledge (Nature), untrained: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"Hmm... I can't make out what it is saying. It might not be attacking us now, but those bones tell that it has attacked others before. Perhaps it is some type of guard dog and won't attack unless we try to pass."

Lucifer speaks out to the creature to see if it understands any of the languages he knows.

"Do you understand me?" in Common, Abyssal, Azlanti, Draconic, Infernal, Wayang.

I've got to remember to get Undercommon for Lucifer next level with Linguistics. I've been running across that language with a lot of my characters lately.

Knowledge nature, untrained: 1d20 ⇒ 20
Sense motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10
Apparently I know more. I'll take anything you want to share about it.

Caena looks curiously at the creature. "Oh, it's a morlock. I've heard of them before. They're good at jumping, so don't get too close. I wonder what it's trying to say to us though..." She watches its gestures uncomprehendingly. "Uzziah? Is that your name?"

"Well, if I'd kept an extract slot slot open, I could be talking to him right now. Maybe we can at least bridge the gap with this."

Sira portions out a days rations and presents it to Uzziah with outstretched hands, laying them on the floor and then backs away.

SENS: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

"Perhaps I should take over the lead since Caena is weakened and I have torchlight to light the way"

sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Thorur then says
"Trudd bless my weapon with your might"
Blessing:good:weapon glows golden-yellow; deals +1d6 vs. evil; is considered "good" for bypassing resistance; lasts 1 min.

Genryl, confronted with the creature initially gets distracted by everyone's comments and and actions. Curious about how the creature will react he stops for a second and finally takes a look at the thing.
"Hmm, I've got nothing. Maybe it's hungry?"

____________
Sense motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

"Throw it a ration or something, how would we know otherwise?"

Caena, when you make a knowledge check untrained, the highest result you can get is 10, so all you know are from the spoiler.
Sira, comprehend languages allows you to understand but unfortunately, not to speak a foreign tongue.
Everyone, feel free to reposition yourself on the map.

The morlock looks on, seemingly confused at Lucifer's attempts to converse with it, while it continues jabbering in its strange language. However, it does start shaking it head and pounding its chest when Caena calls out what she presumes is its name. It looks warily at Thorur as his weapon suddenly bursts into golden light, but it continues yakking away at you rather loudly.

Caena is very frustrated at their inability to comprehend the morlock. If an intelligent creature is trying to communicate with us, the responsibility lies with us to come to an understanding. She is struck with a sudden burst of confidence, that they came here to do good and by golly they're going to do good.

Using the inspired trait to roll twice and take the better result on the sense motive check

Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8
Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10

And I still fail. Please someone roll higher before I get myself killed, haha.

"Thorur, don't threaten the creature. It hasn't seemed like it wants to hurt us. We shouldn't be the aggressors here." She re-sheathes her rapier and takes a few steps forward with her hands held out in the open.

sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

"Very well, I will not attack first, but I will defend us most vigorously"

Where is the creature in the room? Currently there is a blank yellow circle between spaces and a well.

SENS 15: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Your wish is my command

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Lucifer frowns, "Wait... is it just me or does that thing seems to not what us to approach the well. Also that yelling, I think it is warning others. Maybe others of its kind. We might need to act fast to deal with this creature before reinforcements arrive."

Hmm, someone must have accidentally shifted the map and moved everything. I've readjusted back, but not sure if any of you wanted to reposition yourself.

Genryl takes a deep breath. Being too exited here was not going to fix anything, a calm and focused outlook was what was needed here. He tries to watch the creature's movements and actions again, but seems it is too alien for him to get an idea of what the thing is wailing about.

I got nothing. Lucifer, that sounds pretty likely. Do we want to try incapacitating it, in case he is trying to warn others but just in case we're misreading his intentions? Anybody able to do something about that, or does anyone have someway of detecting if the creature is evil and therefore less morally objectionable to killing? I don't have a good spell for that prepared or I'd offer myself."

___________
Sense motive, try 2: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

"Oh..." Caena stops moving forward and looks back at Lucifer and the others, disconcerted by the possibility they raise. "I can sometimes tell if something is evil, but it doesn't always mean what you think it would. He might not like this either, but..." She makes a gesture and focuses on the morlock.

Detect Evil

"Arguing about what to do is one thing. Lets, well, go ahead and do something. Attack it, ignore it, doesn't matter (at least to me)."

"He's sounding an alarm...ATTACK!"

Genryl gives a smile as Caena mentions she can detect the presence of evil. "That's great!" He then reaches out and grabs Sira by the collar before the slyph can do something stupid. "Sira, wait a minute! Let's see what Caena has to say about this before we kill it without a second thought! We're Pathfinders, not some homeless people bent on killing everything in sight!"

Unless we want to be murderhobos in which case let's burn slash and mutilate to our heart's content!

Reference Sira's Sense motive roll above...and the spoiler no one else yet was allowed to view

"Dude!

If no one else moves to attack, and unless he's sure the sound of his bombs aren't enough to accomplish what the morlock is trying to do with his intent on raising alarm, Sira draws his punching dagger with the intent on combat.

Reference Sira's Sense motive roll above...and the spoiler no one else yet was allowed to view

"Dude!

If no one else moves to attack, and unless he's sure the sound of his bombs aren't enough to accomplish what the morlock is trying to do with his intent on raising alarm, Sira draws his punching dagger with the intent on combat.

But Lucifer also passed the check and commented that it sounds like an alarm, though I do admit I might be too caught up in Genryl's thinking patterns to see this as an obvious threat... Can we at least wait for Caena's detect evil result?

Caena detects the creature as definitely evil, which I presume triggers you to attack. Anyway, Sira has drawn his weapon. So that was two rounds that he stalled you guys? *scribble scribble*

Although not exactly sure what Caena is doing, the morlock looks concerned, especially when Caena reacts to the evil emanating from it. Sira draws his weapon, and the morlock delays no further and moves to attack!

combat map
Bold may act
-------
Round 1: Status: Nil
~~~
Genryl
Sira
Lucifer
Yu Khan
morlock
Thorur (blessing 8/10)
Caena (-6 Dex)

Obviously not having learned his lesson, and hell-bent on at least evening the odds if the morlock's alarm was successful, Sira moves in and attacks.

Once again,moving along the outer wall through his allies' spaces to avoid AoO

PD: 1d20 ⇒ 20

CONFIRM CRIT: 1d20 ⇒ 5

DMG: 1d4 ⇒ 4

DAMMIT that woulda been a good shot!

Lucifer slips behind the morlock to get in a flanking position with Sira and drives his short sword towards the morlock's exposed back.

Short Sword vs Morlock + Flanking: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 = 15
Damage + Sneak Attack: 1d4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (3) = 8

Move Action: 20'
Standard Action: Attack

Perform(Comedy): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Inspire Courage!

"It’s hard to explain puns to kleptomaniacs because they always take things literally!"

"A linguistics professor says during a lecture that, “In English, a double negative forms a positive. But in some languages, such as Russian, a double negative is still a negative. However, in no language in the world can a double positive form a negative.”
But then a voice from the back of the room piped up, “Yeah, right.”"

As soon as Caena gives the word that the thing is evil, Genryl releases his grip on the sylph. "Okay, go kill it, and preferably with a vengeance. And apologies if reinforcements come, it's probably my fault."

Genryl kicks his longspear upright again, and rushes into the room before giving a small prayer to Halcamora. "Oh, Lady of the Bountiful Harvest, grant them the power needed to finish this quickly!" As his prayer finishes [Insert name here] grows to massive proportions.

Finished with his prayers, Genryl takes his long spear and stabs at the creature with it.

_________
Depending on whether Thorur had joined in the prayer with Genryl or not his actions will vary. If he did, then the enlarge effect will go to the real dwarf. If he didn't then it will go to the fake dwarf.

Longspear: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Sira, rather bravely, moves up and plunges the dagger into the mottled-gray small humanoid, who screeches in pain. Lucifer quickly gets into flank with Sira, and similarly plunges his shortsword into the back of the creature, who again responds with a screech. Meanwhile, Yu Khan let's loose again with a series of jokes, which strange as the circumstance may be, actually boost the morale of his allies.

Genryl, to clarify, you are using your domain ability, not casting enlarge person, correct? Also, I think I only see Caena respond to the prayer, so that means you're enlarging yourself. However, take note that when enlarged, your longspear can only attack targets that are 15-20ft away, i.e. you can't stab the morlock from where you are right now. So please repost your action after enlarging (although you may keep your attack roll). You could possibly drop the longspear, draw your club and attack with it. (Take note of the higher damage dies for weapons when enlarged.)

combat map
Bold may act
-------
Round 1: Status: inspire courage: +1 attack, dmg, save vs fear
~~~
Genryl
Sira
Lucifer
Yu Khan
morlock (-22)
Thorur (blessing 8/10)
Caena (-6 Dex)

Yup I was using the swift action domain power. Also I hadn't thought about an enlarged reach weapon and am forgetting my Enlarge person effects. Hmm after looking at the map and my actions for the round, I think I will drop the prayer and enlarge effect and just move n attack.
And people, seriously, join Genryl's prayer circle. It'll make you grow big and strong. :P

Enlarged reach weapon with combat reflexes is really cool. That's my investigator's main strategy for many levels. :)

Genryl jabs his longspear at the morlock, puncturing his chest and the monstrosity gurgles as blood pours out of its mouth.

It gives us all attempts at pretense and starts screaming at the top of its lungs, clearly trying to call on more help. Despite being stuck into by three attackers around him, it instead glares suspiciously at the dwarf bearing the glowing weapon. With a mightly leap, it jumps into the air, easily evading any attempts to attack it while it moves with its great speed.

acrobatics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21 Makes at least 21ft jump.
It leaps into the corner right beside Thorur, catching him completely unaware. The morlock smashes his club across the dwarf's skull, giving him a very bad concussion.
club vs Thorur FF AC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 dmg: 1d6 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (6) = 9

combat map
Bold may act
-------
Round 1: Status: inspire courage: +1 attack, dmg, save vs fear
~~~
morlock (-17)
Thorur (3/12; blessing 8/10)
Caena (-6 Dex)
-------
Round 2:
~~~
Genryl
Sira
Lucifer
Yu Khan

Caena feels like everyone around her is moving at twice the normal speed. She can barely keep up with what's going on, but she can certainly tell what it means when the morlock starts wailing and then takes a flying leap into the corner. [i]Even better at jumping than I'd heard![/b] she can't help but be a little impressed. Firm in the knowledge that this evil creature is trying to take down a friend of hers, Caena steps toward it and takes a swing with the rapier.

Attack with strength bonus and inspiration: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 8
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 9

Facepalm. This is really not her day.

"Little bastard is stronger than he smells!"

Thorur swings at the creature, then takes a 5' step.

attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
weapon damage: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
extra damage if evil: 1d6 ⇒ 5

FREE ACTION - Continue Inspire Courage

Yu take a single step closer, and keeps her wand in one hand, sword in the other, ready to stop the enemy from fleeing her direction.

Lucifer chases down the Morlock, slipping past Caena and Thorur, driving his short sword at the Morlock, hoping to finish him off.

"Impressive. To jump like that with such heavy wounds."

Short Sword vs Morlock + Inspire: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 1 = 19
Damage + Inspire: 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

Move Action: 15'
Standard Action: Attack

Caena stabs her rapier at the morlock but perhaps it is the lingering effect of the poison that causes her to trip over the uneven ground, almost falling over the creature instead. Thorur swings his axe in retaliation and, despite the heavy wounds, chops deep into the creatures guts. It lets out one final scream as it collapses onto the floor, gurgling it life away.

Combat over! However, I'm keeping in init for round counting because...

With the morlock down, you quickly rush over and look down the well. You see that the 5-foot wide hole descends about 30 feet into what seems to be a large cavern below, although how large is hard to tell by just looking down the well. What you can definitely see is another one of the morlocks clinging onto the sides of the well 30 feet below as it clambers up, grinning maniacally straight at you. What's more, below it in the cavern, you can see a carpet of similar figures with clawed hands and fanged mouths, most still sleeping but some are clearly stirring from the commotion above them!

I've repositioned all of you around the well. :)

A quick scan around the room, near the well lies a mound of gnawed bones, scraps of clothing, and discarded possessions (blue cloud). A heavy iron cover leans against the east wall (gray circle).

What do each of you do?

combat map
Bold may act
-------
Round 2
~~~
Genryl
Sira
Lucifer
Yu Khan
Thorur (3/12; blessing 7/10)
Caena (-6 Dex)

Keep up Inspire Courage

Taking a 5' step over to Thorur, Yu taps him on his side with his wand to keep him going on.

CLW Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

"Thank you for that Yu Khan."

Thorur then double-moves over to the iron cover, and prepares to lift it next turn, or, at the very least, help move it

Yu Khan moves quickly to heal Thorur almost back to full health. Thorur, feeling significantly less groggy, moves over to examine the round iron lid, which seems to be the perfect size to cover the well mouth. In fact, from the marks on the ground, it is clear that it has been dragged over her from there. However, Thorur finds it extremely heavy, approximately 300 pounds. That might be heavy enough to keep the morlocks at bay for a while but it also means it would be difficult to move.

To even move the lid, a single player would need a strength of at least 18, or two with a combined strength of 26. (No more than two.) Tipping the lid to its side requires a DC12 Strength check as a move action. Once on its side, a player can roll it 5 ft as a move action with a successful DC 12 Strength check, though failing the check by 5 or more causes the lid to fall flat on the ground again. Hefting the lid in place similarly requires a DC12 Strength check as a move action. All these checks must be made by the player (or one of the two players) moving the lid, but all other players may aid using move actions if they are adjacent to the movers. No taking 10.

combat map
Bold may act
-------
Round 2
~~~
Genryl
Sira
Lucifer
Yu Khan
Thorur (1/12; blessing 7/10)
Caena (-6 Dex)

"Maybe two of the more stronger of the party shut this thing? Meanwhile, I will try and impede our next friend's advance...Fire in the hole!

READIED ACTIONWhen the morlock gets within 20' of the top Sira will throw a bomb down the well at the ascending morlock.

BOMBvsTOUCH: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Fire DMG: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

"If only I had a Grease spell.

Caena gets a sinking feeling in her gut when she sees the morlocks coming up out of the well. Hearing Sira’s call for aid, she turns and hurries over to the lid with Thorur. ”Here we go!” she grunts and attempts to heave the thing onto its side.

Move action to get there, then a second move to tilt it

Does this count as a skill check for the purpose of adding in the temp bonus from the harrow deck? If not, subtract one from this result.

Strength check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Caena, that +2 Str is an enhancement bonus, so it is as if your Str is 18, just nice to move it by yourself.

Caena rushes up beside Thorur after he bellows about how heavy it is. Strengthened by the magical harrow deck left behind by Lady Illirigade, Caena heaves up the cover along its edge in one mighty grunt!

combat map
Bold may act
-------
Round 2
~~~
Genryl
Sira (ready throw bomb)
Lucifer
Yu Khan
Thorur (1/12; blessing 7/10)
Caena (-6 Dex; holding cover)

Lucifer admires Caena's impressive show of strength, "Make room for Caena. These things are getting closer."

Lucifer, any actions?

Lucifer moves to help Caena by guiding her toward the well.

Not sure if I can speak when it's not my turn. If I can, Thorur says

"Yu, drag the body over here so we can toss it on top to help block the way. Genryl, can you check out that pile of junk real quick and see if there's anything useful?