[PFS] GM Lithrac's The Sky Key Solution (#7-00) - PbP Gameday 5 (Inactive)

Game Master Cyril Corbaz

"Then, let's leave the vault for the more experienced Pathfinders amongst us. I'm afraid I have no magic or tools that can bring us 30 ft below ground, even if we could locate the vault. Let us see what we can do to dislodge the Sky Key energy from the Harbingers. And Negi, I fear that our presence has already caused major disruptions to the timeline. These people have already been doomed by the Earthfall. Let's not wreak more havoc to the timeline."

Are the Harbingers obviously glowing in green? If not, Bambang will cast detect magic to scan the crowd.

They are, and as such they're easy to spot.

Bambang easily spots one of the said Harbingers of Fate in the crowd, not too far from you. He looks at you warily, while glancing sideways at the massive comet that's about to crash onto Golarion. Fear is obviously in his eyes.

As a side note, you see that "your" copy of Kreighton Shaine comes with you and will remain with you for the time being.

Radagash looks relieved when the crowd backs off, and he smiles at the others who helped him calm them. Kreighton Shaine's appearance shocks him. "How long have you been here, with the hair and the AGEing!" he says. "Can we... talk them into stopping their magic?" he asks hopefully.

"Its certainly worth a try! " encourages the Master of Scrolls.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Trusting his allies's abilities, Shadow follows closely behind Bambang.

Perhaps those with diplomacy could try first? Bambang can attempt to intimidate them, but I think that should be the last resort.

I think I got the highest bonus, but can I get an assist or two, just in case?

Stowing his lance and hammer on Jon, Negi dismounts and approaches the man, keeping his hand on the pommel of his broadsword, but letting it remain sheathed.

"Are you sure you wanna stick around for that?" Negi said, pointing at the approaching rock. "You know now this works, we need your help to get us all out of this!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Ugh, see what I mean?

+9 here, plus Enhanced Diplomacy

I'll aid Radagash.

"It's as the little ones say. It's in everyone's best interest for you to work with us", Shadow adds.

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Radagash casts a spell, and then with his curious charisma, approaches one of the Harbingers. "Hey, hey, that comet doesn't look good. Sure you want to die here? With the buning, and the exploding, and the SO MUCH PAIN!" he says with a shrug. "Did you really sign up for flaming burny death? Please. These people are doomed, but there's no reason we..." he indicates the Pathfinders and the Harbinger "have to perish in horror."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 9 + 2 = 25

While Radadash's argument seems to have somehow reached him, the Harbinger of Fate clings to his values. "You can't possibly understand what we're doing here" he says with a very doubtful voice, "There's so much at stake!"

Perhaps Bambang could chime in with an Intimidate check?

With one hand clearly laying on his mighty greatsword, Bambang raises his voice in anger, "Well, I do understand we have a giant rock that is going to fall on our heads! And if you haven't addled your brains playing with arcane forces beyond your control, you would understand that, too! Release the energy!" He grips his sword tightly as emphasis.

intimidate: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

The Harbinger of Fate cows in fear, echoing Bambang's warning with a cringe. "No... no, that isn't possible! ... You're right, though, this is madness. I'm out of here!" he yells as he relinquishes his hold over the anchor and disappears.

One success, well done!

Not far from there, you feel the presence of another Harbinger, seated at a table at the border of the town square. Green flames lick his figure as the man - a Varisian, by the look of it - is currently diving the future through his Harrow deck. When you approach, he doesn't deign raise his eyes, but continues his reading aloud.

"The Rabbit Prince? How unexpected. Tell me, Pathfinders, have you come to have your fortunes told?" he asks.

No, I don't believe so. What kind of fortunes do you tell?

Pathfinders have found and uncovered the Sky Key Vault. It is there that the Sky Key—the Society’s ticket home—awaits. However, the dome of green energy remains strong, suggesting that too many Harbinger spellcasters are still anchoring the Society in this time period.

GMs, it is now possible to gain Vault successes. Map is also updated.

Bambang summons from within the energy from his psyche and turns to examine the man, especially the deck he is holding, to determine what magics he might be wielding.

cast detect magic. As psychic spell, no verbal or somatic components, i.e. shouldn't arouse suspicion.

There's no magic involved here, at least not coming from the Harbinger of Fate.

"Your untimetly demise, of course." he states as he draws more cards. To him, they seem to tell a story. To you, they're just mundane cards.

"In our line of work?" Negi said, reaching calmly for something on his belt. "Perish the thought!! So what about you? you feel like dying thousands of years before you were born? That's not a threat, mind you, the rock is gonna see to that."

Calling on his magic once again, Radagash approaches with persuasive words rather than threats. "Come now, give up the magic and we can all go home, yes?" he says with a smile.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 2 = 19

"Whatever you're here for, is it worth dying here?" Negi added. "Do you think you'll finish in time?"

Diplomacy(Assist): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

"I don't think any of us want to die here."

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

So, what story do you have to tell?

The Harbinger grins at Selkin, showing him a nearby stool. "Want to find out? I'll make you a reading." he says with a playful, yet ominous tone. Immediately, his hands start shuffling the Harrow cards.

You sense that you might not be able to deal with him in a reasonable manner. You can attempt a Bluff, Profession (gambler), or Sleight of Hand check. I'll need successes from two different people, so if you're confident in your abilities you should try.

Shadow can't do any of those. I can buff whoever is going to try the sleight of hand.

I should have played this with Bizzle. Another chance lost.

Selkin will take a seat and see where this goes. Are readings really that reliable? I've seen others try this and they just try to take your money.

Bluff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Not conversant with card game (or any form of gambling whatsoever), Bambang merely grasps his sword, should the party be forced to take alternative measures to stop this harbinger.

"You want to play games while the sky is falling?" Radagash says, eyeing the Harbinger intently, then looking around to his fellow Pathfinders.

Sense Motive on him: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Can I have a second relevant roll, please? Unless you wish to engage him in combat?

Perhaps someone whose Cha bonus is not negative? Can be used untrained. If necessary, the rest of us can aid.

I don't mind rolling but I don't really understand what I'm rolling for. Are we gambling or something?

Bluff: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

I think we need to beat him in his own card game, hence, profession (gambler) with card game skills, or bluff/sleight of hand to trick him.

I can try a Sleight of Hand check, but if that doesn't work, whack him.
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

"A game of Towers, perhaps? Since you seek to destroy the anchor, let's put it up as a wager for our little game. Please, do sit." the Varisian announces as he starts dealing the Harrow cards. Shadow, Selkin and Negi sit down at the table, glancing at the cards and attempting to decipher the gambler's play. While your drawing seems lackluster at best, Shadow manages to keep his Towers face up and beat the Harbinger of Fate at his own game. However, the Varisian gambler quickly takes his winnings back in the next two games, by calling Bambang's bluff at an unappropriate time for him. Negi attempts to shift the card order on the board, but the Harbinger's eyes are restless and prevent him from completing his heist unseen. At the end of the game, it looks like the cards themselves have turned against you - or are playing in his favor. The result is clear - you lost. With a wide grin on his face and a cackling laughter, the Harbinger flips over several additional cards, foretells your doom once more, and then disappears in an oily burst of green smoke.

Random person (according to init chart order): 1d5 ⇒ 5
Shadow, please make a DC 13 Will save. If you fail, you'll be Shaken for the reminder of the scenario.

Unfortunately you didn't roll high enough to defeat this encounter. At this point you can either choose to continue to try and defeat Anchors, or venture inside the Vault to regain control of the Sky Key. However, be warned that if not enough anchors are defeated by the scenario's end, the entire Pathfinder force will meet an untimely demise, as the Varisian gambler prophecised.

Is there anyway to know if sufficient anchors have been defeated by now? If not I say we continue to try defeating them.

Will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 Bummer.

I agree. If it's unclear at this point we'll keep pursuing harbingers.

Shaken is a fear effect right? If so can anyone cast remove fear on Shadow?

Shadow can cast it on himself. I'm waiting to see what we do.

Negi's snarl is almost enough to match his wolf. "We've given them enough chances. No more games!" He snatches a card off the table and holds it out for Jon.

Handle Animal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

"Remember this scent, Jon." Negi said, mostly for the benefit of the others. "We find him again, I'll skewer him!"

Maybe we should try and do something with the anchors until it becomes clear that we should proceed to the vault.

"We trust in our allies. Let's get rid of the anchors!" Radagash says, still scowling about the vanished Harbinger.

Yes, you need to kill more anchors at this point. Here we go!

Further down the marketplace, you easily spot another Harbinger, who's standing on a dais, calling out to the people around him, though many seem to ignore him. "Hear me, for I am Aroden's grandson and heir! I have come to foretell his return to Golarion. Follow me and you will know no fear, no pain. Accept the salvation of our Lord and Savior, the God of Humanity, Aroden himself!" he cries, his arms extended in a warm welcome to the crowd.

Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate or Knowledge (religion) would be appropriate to attempt to sway him and convince him that he should relinquish his anchor.

This is not the way to help these people. You should understand that. Selkin will try to reason with this man so that he will relinquish the anchor so that the party can move on to the next task.

Diplo: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

"Ha!" Bambang exclaims loudly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Yes, you're his grandson and I'm his god son. The only salvation you can give to at least some of these people here is to release your anchor! Otherwise, many people would feel much pain. Including you!"

intimidate: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 Hmm, that's not so good. Is it possible to try again with a different skill?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Negi elbows Bambang in the hip. "No seriously. What do you think standing at ground zero of this thing is gonna do for you in the long run? You honestly think this piddly little thing, and yes anything done by mortal hands is "piddly", is gonna affect something that's probably killing a God as we speak? And even so, do you see your role in this as being anything other than "expendable patsy"? You all could've been trying to save the people and history lost to this disaster all around you, so why are you wasting time here trying to extoll the virtues of a god WHO HASN'T EVEN ASCENDED YET?"

The Harbinger appears to be surprised, then a glimpse of doubt crosses his gaze. "How dare you utter such blasphemy! You're nothing but... you're... I..." he looks confused for a second or two, then as he's questioning himself, his temporal energy is relinquished.

An arc of green lightning gathers above and crashes to the surface, leaving something bizarre in its wake. A blob of goo materializes in front of you, and attacks.

Time Storm! - round 1
1. Radagash, Shadow, Bambang, Selkin, Negi
2. Blob

A new map is up. Don't forget you still have the combat token available.

Thinking that his current spells will not aid the party here, Selkin moves to attack this blobby thing!

Cold Iron Morningstar: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 for Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Surprised by the appearance of the hostile ooze, Shadow casts a spell to steel his nerves.

Casting remove fear.

Negi draws his hammer and moves into battle.

knowledge(dungeoneering): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 To find out special defences

Bambang moves up together with Selkin and chop down on the blob with his greatsword.

greatsword+1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 for dmg: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 3) + 7 = 16

"What is that thing? With the globbiness and the SLIME!" Radagash exclaims, before drawing his wand and using it.

Wand of Bless! Also,
Knowledge: Planes?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22