[PFS] GM Lithrac's Siege of Serpents (#6-97) - PbP Gameday IV (Inactive)

Game Master Cyril Corbaz

Stag is already marching to the northwest, Kalista! :D

Didn't even notice a direction. Chalk it up to a missed perception check, haha.

Turning from a southerly stroll, Kalista sees Stag going in a different direction and follows suit. "Okay, maybe later. Northsomething it is!"

At Antonella's request, she uses the ward's magic to protect her new ally.

Rogar curses as the monsters manifest themselves over skyreach then turns to the others:"Well... no one ever said the life of a pathfinder wasn't full of surprises and the worst kind of excietement..."

As Stag suddenly recovers from his drunken stupor and suggests the group moves north west the taldan nods:"Very well then but we need to choose a place to patrol. We have the Center House, the Mausoleum, Starhall and seeker's plaza. Personally I always had a soft spot for starhall and would like to keep it intact... as much as possible anyway!"

Your steps lead you to Starhall. The outside of this large keep was designed with Azlanti architecture in mind. Two wings extend from the center structure, with a domed tower at the end of the east wing a smaller patinated bronze dome over the center hall. Starhall serves as an observatory, library, and museum for otherworldly and extraplanar objects and lore. Inside the main entrance is a library with several display cases of objects recovered from Numeria, as well as a curator’s desk and a staircase to the eastern tower. There, you stumble upon two strange scaled and winged creatures who were searching the place thoroughly. They immediately turn to you and scowl, ready to attack.

Starhall - round 1
1. Stag
2. Creatures
3. Rogar, Kalista, Antonella

Knowledge (arcana) DC 18 is appropriate to identify these creatures.

Battlemap has been updated.

Stag boldly strides past Tuna before shouldering his greatsword, drawing his sawn-off in his other hand. "Interrupting my glorious, drunken sleep?! Time for retribution, devil!"

BLAM!

Pistol @ Blue-FFTAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 Hopefully that hits.
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Sneak Attack: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 1) = 7

Stag winks at the pair of offenders before his body slowly fades into nothingness.

Vanishing Trick - 1 Ki

Also, it was a Silver-1/CI-2: 1d2 ⇒ 1 Silver slug if that matters.

12 is a bit low even for a touch attack I fear... XD

Flat-footed Touch!

That's only a Knowledge (arcana) of: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25
Probably opt for special defenses, immunities/resistances, and special attacks

Stag's bullet hits the strange creature in the chest, wounding it direly. It howls in pain, but that settles it - they're attacking!

Both creatures close in on Antonella and Rogar, striking them with their two-handed curved blades.
Falchion vs Tuna, PA: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 8 - 2 = 212d4 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (3, 4) + 4 + 6 = 17

Falchion vs Rogar, PA: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 - 2 = 242d4 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (4, 4) + 4 + 6 = 18
Confirmation vs Rogar, PA: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 2 = 162d4 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 + 6 = 15

Starhall - round 2
1. Rogar, Kalista, Antonella, Stag
2. Wyvarans (red 12 / blue 0)

"Wyvarans! I've only seen them in books! They're like dragons, but, I would hope, not as strong. Don't try to put 'em down for a nap or paralyze them, cause it won't work. I hear they'll just slap you with their tails! And... I'm rambling again!"

She points a hand and sends a striking ball of force at the bluer wyvaran.
Force missile: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

You see a gun clatter to the ground in the middle of the room when, out of nowhere, Stag appears behind the blue-eyed wyvaran. He is in the middle of a leaping slash to cut down the creature.

"I'm over here!" he yells.

Greatsword +1 @ Blue-FFAC | Invis/Flank: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 + 2 = 26
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 2) + 4 = 8
Sneak Attack: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5

"Never heard about them but they pack some punch. Fortunately... SO DO I!!!!!!" says Rogar scrubbing away asome blood from his mouth and slashing back with fearsome abandon!

Power attack roll: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 11 + 2 = 25-> Damage roll: 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (5, 4) + 16 = 25

☤Health Check☤ Antonella 13/30 hp ; Rogar 22/40 hp, I make it, the attack hit his FF AC but did NOT confirm.

The monk tries to deflect the heavy blade with an open palm as her Sensei would, and takes a deep gash to her forearm for her trouble.

Ugh! I can almost hear Karu now: You have much to learn, young addled one ...

Assuming the team has dropped one of their opponents, Antonella aims a pair of savage kicks at the other’s groin area, 5’ stepping to flank with Stag if appropriate.

Flurry + flank: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 2 = 20
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Flurry + flank: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 2 = 26
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

"Next victim!"

The combined assault of the four adventurers is enough to slay both wyvarans in a torrent of violence! In the aftermath, nothing remains of them save for a bloody pulp. And then silence settles in, only punctuated by the panting of the Pathfinders.

Finally, the realization. Starhall is saved thanks to you! But much work remains to be done.

Out of combat, a first victory! I'll let you heal as much as you need and make a new choice. As said earlier, you can stay in that area, or go to another one. Just like the first time, you can also specify a building from the map.

"We should search the nearby areas for any trouble." Stag thinks aloud as he wipes with sword on the wyvaran's clothes.

"Tend to your wounds." he mentions to Rogar and Tuna as he tosses them his wand. "We got a hunt afoot."

Stag votes to stay in the current quadrant. No particular care for where.

Let's try to clear the NW quadrant. I suggest we move to the mausoleum next, but first...

Rogar laughs:"Well.... they couldn't take as well as they gave. What a pity. Anything worthy of attention upon those two by the way? And search the hall. We may find something useful... if we have to clean all of this mess we'll need it"

Perception check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Once finished searching the place the Taldan points at the exit:"Let's check the mausoleum next then Baphory’s Walk and seeker's plaza... what do you say, friends? This could still become the best grand convocation ever after all!"

Kalista shrugs. "May as well continue the tour."

Rogar, I usually rule that people can roll for their CLW wand taps on their own to hasten things up, provided that someone in the group can use them with 100% success rate. So you can roll for your own healing, I don't mind at all.

Feel free to retcon healing, I'm moving forward since time is of the essence.

As you come closer to the Mausoleum, you realize that this enormous, columned stone structure is both temple and fortress. Two wings flank an open courtyard. The imposing structure is adjacent to a thick copse of trees. The Mausoleum serves many functions from temple to museum to research laboratory, all dedicated to the greatest mystery of all: death.

The courtyard is the Mausoleum’s main entrance. It was a scene of destruction a few years ago, and Aspis agents have smashed what the Society rebuilt. Shattered statues and religious sculptures pertaining to death and the afterlife are strewn about the courtyard. The eastern stone doors are barred shut from the other side. The bodies of two caretakers are slumped to the sides of the western doors.

Ok then, consider Rogar having AC25 against evil enemies and all the usual bonuses from protection from evil, as for the healing

Rogar eyes and expression grow harder as he notices the two dead bodies, suddenly his tone feels deadly serious as he speaks while unsheating his greatsword:"Come on. We have got work to do.

The taldan moves near the western doors sword in hand:"Better check this for traps: I'm unsure if they had the time but these bastards, whoever they are, have shown us they like playing dirty and I don't think we should take any chances"

Perception check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

“No problem, Rogar.” Realizing time is of the essence, Antonella tries to keep her chatter brief and professional.

After treating the Taldan swordsman, she produces her own CLW wand with a *CLANG* and tends to her wounded arm. She then replaces the wand in its wrist sheath and tensions its spring.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

In the mausoleum's courtyard, the priestess kneels to check whether the bodies are beyond help and if they provide any clues about what the party is about to face.

She nods at Rogar’s suggestion and checks carefully for traps, ambushes and threats.

Heal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

“So are we striding boldly through the western doors?”

Rogar - About the PfE wand, I still expect you to tell me when you cast it (or rather, when you have someone cast it on you) since it only lasts 1 minute (10 rounds).

Antonella realizes that both the caretakers are in fact still alive, though they have both suffered terrible injuries, are unconscious and close to death.

The western doors appear to be unlocked.

Antonella channels until her patients come around, making sure there is nobody apart from Pathfinders within 30’ of her. “RETURN and take up your burdens once more!”

Channel Healing: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Channel Healing: 1d6 ⇒ 1

If they require further healing, Antonella will use her CLW wand, GM Lithrac.

She smiles as she kneels beside the pair, hoping to comfort them as they awaken. “Greetings, brother and sister. By the Master’s Grace you may continue your journey from where you left off. I hope it will be a long and rewarding experience for both of you."

"Can you tell me what befell you and what may be waiting for us inside?”

Two charges will get them back into the positives, then, since they were both at -7 hp.

Both caretakers emerge from their unconsciousness, surprised to be still alive.

"Wha- Pathfinders, thank you so much for reviving us! We've been attacked by cowled men. They struck fast, and took us by surprise. Are they still around? If you are to fight them, then we'll help you in whatever way we can. Take these."

They kindly offer you two potions of lesser restoration, and will answer your questions before running off to safety.

"I have no idea what awaits you inside, but be aware that there is a potent artifact stored inside, a Cage of Soul Echoes. My only advice is: don't temper with it in any kind, for it could well backfire on you and cause catastrophic results. If our assailants are still inside, you must prevent them from reaching it."

Rogar smiles at Anotnella:"You did good, Antonella. Now we'll make sure whatever lurks inside the Mausoleum doesn't endanger other people's lives"

Then he turns to the caretakers:"Don't worry we'll stop these miscreants before they can cause further havoc. Now, if you'll excuse us, it seems time is of the essence, so..." so saying Rogar pushes the door open and steps inside the Mausoleum.

GM, please consider the PfE effect to start from the moment we get inside the mausoleum

Kalista sees to the men and needlessly urges them to find safety. "The attack just started. We must assume they're still inside. So we have someone to stop. Shall we?"

Roger Rogar, GM Lithrac ;) I track wand charges in the equipment tab of Antonella’s profile, if you want to check I’m doing the right thing.

“Thank-you, Rogar. Do you think those cowled men could be Aspis?”

Antonella rises and helps the caretakers to their feet. “And thank-you for your gift. Will you be OK to find refuge until this is over?”

“If you want any follow up treatment, leave a note for me with any brother or sister in High Priestess Ysia Ironpalm’s cell in the Irorium. Mark it for the Attention of Sister … ugh ... Tuna.”

“Shall we?”

“Let’s.”

I just updated my character sheets too. CLW wand now has 47 charges and PfE wand is down to 45, Rogar's back to full health, AC25 or 26 if adjacent to a single opponent

You enter a vast dissection room, where local Pathfinders often conduct autopsies. It is equipped with steel tables, lab equipment both medical and alchemical, and barrels of wash water. There's little light in this room due the obscured windows on the eastern wall. As you step forward into the room, you suddenly hear arrows whistling your way and have the time to react to what's happening. You can distinguish three shadowy figures hiding behind dissection tables, slinging both arrow and spell at you.

The Mausoleum - round 1
1. Stag, Rogar
2. SS, AS
3. Antonella, Kalista

Rogar moves forward going towards what he identifies as the main threat, the magician and the crossbow whielding woman:"Stag! Get the ugly bastard off the ladies back I'll deal with these dogs up front!!!"

Power attack roll: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28 -> Damage roll: 2d6 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (5, 3) + 16 + 1 = 25

Move towards the rougue (?) and attack, using power attack no penalty due to furious focus. In this case both "An axe to grind" and "expert duellist" apply, so +1 damage and +1 AC for Rogar

Go Stag GOOOOO!!!!!!! :P

Sorry for the delay. Got slammed with overtime.

Stag moves to take care of the creature hiding to the north as he brings down his greatsword on this offender of justice!

"That was a poor move!" Stag yells to the man(?)

Greatsword @ Purple FFAC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 4) + 4 = 10
Sneak Attack: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

Rogar slays the ambusher outright, whereas Stag almost manages to do the same - his swing is precise, but lacks the raw power of his Taldan companion's counterpart.

The wounded sniper drops his bow and draws his rapier, striking the Bold Strider in a desperate attent to save his own life. "Die, you filthy Pathfinder!"
Rapier: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 161d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

At the other end of the room, a robed figure starts a short incantation, and the scroll in his hands dissolves into nothingness as the spellslinger rises to the high ceiling. He's now levitating 20 feet above the ground.

The Mausoleum - round 2
1. Antonella, Kalista, Stag, Rogar
2. SS, AS

“Looks like you have your Snake under control, Stag.” Antonella calls to the Bold Strider as she rushes 30’ past Rogar while drawing a flask of acid. Assuming no AoO because the guy is 20’ up.

The priestess’ speech is diplomatic as she closes an eye and takes aim at the Aspis spell-caster. “You may not realize it, but this is over, Magician. Surrender or cease your journey in this life.”

Readied action to throw acid at spell-caster, if he makes a hostile action including casting a spell.

Ranged Touch Attack – increment penalty: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 - 2 = 11
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

At 20’ up, if Antonella misses, the splash should still do 1 hp damage to the spell-caster but NOT affect any of her team-mates.

Kalista moves up and points at the foe by.... by Tuna. A ball of fire appears around them!
Flaming Sphere: 3d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 2, 6) + 2 = 16 Reflex save DC 18 to negate

"So you like playing games, eh? Very well then... let's play to shoot the flying freak down! And, by the way...you are the freak!" shouts Rogar throwing down his sword, stepping back, drawing his bow and firing upon the flaying caster!

Attack roll: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20 -> Damage roll: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Free action to drop sword, move action back, draw bow as part of movement and then shoot as standard action

Ref: 1d20 ⇒ 11
The spellcaster is badly burnt by the sphere, then shot by an arrow!

The Mausoleum - round 2
1. Antonella, Kalista, Stag, Rogar
2. SS (26), AS (17)

Stag easily sidesteps the rapier's point as he brings his greatsword around in the close quarters of the room. "You really should have surrendered..." Stag remarks as he cuts at the man, knocking over beakers and a tray of metal implements in the process.

Greatsword @ Purple: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 3) + 4 = 8

Greatsword Confirmation @ Purple: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 3) + 4 = 8

"Gonna need a clean-up on aisle... this room!" yells Stag in jest.

With one swift but mighty strike, Stag severs the head of the Aspis sniper! It rolls to his feet, his empty eyes contemplating his early demise.

The Aspis wizard soon surrenders, not wishing to experience the same fate. "Don't kill me please - I surrender!" The prisoner is soon tied and gagged to make sure he won't escape. Once that is done, you secure the whole building, ascertaining that no other Aspis remains. However, it appears that there has been another team who also ransacked this place, but who left the Mausoleum since.

Another success, with 1 supply found, congratulations! While I'm reporting it, you can heal up, attempt the Knowledge check above and decide on a new destination.

Rogar scratches his head pointing his sword at the captured Aspis agent:"Who are you working for and what do you want? Spit it out or I'll do worse than I already did!" he roars.

Intimidate check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

After a while not getting anything useful out of the prisoner he sighs:"Where to next? I think we should check Baphory’s Walk out before moving towards Seeker's Plaza..."

So Antonella still has her acid flask, GM Lithrac?

Antonella is quietly taken aback that the slippery spell slinger surrendered so suddenly. “In retrospect it shouldn’t be a surprise. He was toast and knew it.”

The monk smiles at her companions. “We make a pretty good team. I think an outsider would be surprised to learn that this is our first mission together.”

Knowledge (religion) + Int boon: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 2 = 12

The priestess frowns. “I cannot make sense of the clues they’ve left behind. Cally, do they mean anything to you?”

⚚✚⚚✚

“OH HOLD STILL, STAG OR IT WILL HURT! There ... I don't believe anyone is injured.” Antonella concludes after giving everyone a professional once-over. “Where to next?”

Antonella: Yes, you didn't need to use it.

The caretaker shoos Rogar away after his attempt to intimidate the ambusher has only made him withdraw into a complete silence.

"You are needed on the grounds, Pathfinders! Go now, and leave that one to us."

We'll skip the interrogation bit since it's beyond the scope of the scenario, which assumes a fast-paced act II.

Stag squirms as Antonella looks him over. "I told you I'm fine, woman!" Stag bemoans. "His rapier missed me!"

As the caretaker rushes in, Stag disentangles himself from Antonella and strides up to the man before extending his hand. "Bounty secured."

Let's try the other northern quadrant! :D

Assumes fast paced... This, a table of 4, has already completed 2 encounters. My table of 6 is lolly-gagging in this one!

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Kalista looks at the haul the would-be thieves had. It takes her a moment, but finally it clicks into place.
"A Soul's Guide and How To Keep It... The Soul's Just Not That Into You... Chicken Soup for the Captive Soul... Idiot's Guide to Soul Catching.... Oh gods! All of these books somehow tie into capturing a soul after its body dies! What's more, I think they may be trying to control it as well... What are they up to? We have to stop them. Where else are they focusing on here? Up north again?"

The Grand Lodge’s campus is overrun with marauders and monsters, while support staff, initiates, and visitors run in peril for their lives. Yet, nearby groups of Pathfinders cluster together and argue about what to do about it, which team should stand back and support the other, and who has the best idea of what is happening. A venture-captain approaches from the direction of Skyreach.

The man nods curtly, introduces himself as Venture-Captain Janiff Ivulxtin. "Greetings - I'll be quick. Many of the venture-captains are busy investigating the potential source and goals of the attack and that they alone cannot coordinate the masses of Pathfinder agents in the Grand Lodge. As a result, there is a vacuum of leadership, and I need dependable agents to remind your colleagues that the Society’s motto includes the word “cooperate.” See what I mean? There are four critical areas which I need you to go. The Repository and the Center House both have wards and defenses, but should still be cordoned off and protected from the outside. The Society also has a number of visitors and guests who should be escorted safely off grounds and reassured that everything is under control. Finally, Absalom’s district guards needs to be stalled at the front gates before they overrun the campus and make a mess of everything. These are important tasks but are not necessarily heroic. I hereby grant you a modicum of temporary authority to see that jobs are handled. Now let's move out and restore order in our ranks!"

Moving to the Center House, you see a team led by a hesitant half-elf, who looks very depressed. From the looks of it, they don't appear to be unwilling to help, but simply appear to have their morale at their lowest.

Rogar smiles at his fellow pathfinders as he notices their disconfort:"What's with the gloomy faces? This is not the right time for that kind of attitude! Let's work togheter to ensure everything works just fine!"

Aid diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14

Diplomacy not being Rogar's forte I'd rpefer to help whoever has the best diplomacy score raise these people's spirits

Antonella’s voice BOOMS in the ears of the depressed half-elf and his squad. “Cheer up, Pathfinder! It’s another glorious day in the Society! A day in the Pathfinder Society is like a day on the farm.”

“Every meal is a banquet!”

“Every pay check’s a fortune!”

“Every galley meal’s a feast!”

“Every formation is a parade!”

“I ♡ THE SOCIETY!”

The priestess smiles. “All right, Sweet Heart. What are you waiting for? Here’s a list of things to do. Sometimes the little things are the big things. LET’S GO! EXPLORE! REPORT! COOPERATE!”

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 + Roleplay Bonus! HOO-AH!

Stag watches in amusement as Tuna dances around praising the Society. "Perhaps a visit from the lead Bold Strider is in order?" the bounty hunter comments.

"I bet he can whip up morale with a few thousand laps in the shark pool." he chuckles loud enough for Tuna to hear.

Antonella very nearly opens her mouth to retort angrily to the Bold Strider, when she remembers she is a holy warrior of the god of Self-Mastery.

[Karu] Tuna, Irori’s Champions do not give in to anger or aggression. This leads down the path to the Gorum side … [/the Bold Strider]

Instead she smiles. “If I wasn’t a lady, Stag I’d flip you the bird. But seeing I’m a paladin, some would tell you I shouldn’t even know what ‘the bird’ is!”

;)

"Weeeell... if you wish we could discuss the matter in more appropriate detail later on..." says Rogar showing his true colors at last...

Yes, he's a lecherous fool... XD

Kalista grins nervously at the exchange. We're supposed to get them inspired, not show them more in-fighting...