[PFS] GM Lithrac's The Stranger Within (#5-18) (Inactive)

Game Master Cyril Corbaz

I'm in. Ace casts Invisibility on himself by putting forth his ring finger. Bright light emanates from the spot as if he was wearing a sweet ruby ring. HEART! Go Flesh Puppets! Then he disappears and you hear stumbling down the stairs from both tall and small.

You hear a stumble and then a snicker from the visibly-empty staircase as Bart runs into Ace trying to make his way down into the basement.

Maybe I should have cast that spell on them! Haha! Bizzle will follow the invisible duo, assuming that he has a visible escort.

Raoul watches the bard and the halfling, shaking his head. "But, they seemed to actually enjoy inhaling those toxins - and look - they're bumbling around. Probably going to break their necks falling down those stairs. This is perhaps the most depraved and irresponsible thing I think I've seen." He slaps his forehead.

"Well, we better not let them get too far ahead on their own." He starts to follow them, calling out, "Ace! I'm not going to be your groupie anymore!"

Hawkwren shakes his head grimly and follows.

Boom pouts at combat ending so quickly and pants a bit. She mixes up another bull's strength and shield, drains her invisibility extract, and follows the bumblers down the steps.

As the party reaches the floor below and faces the pair of doors, a strange voice comes out of nowhere.

"Lay down your weapons and enter peacefully into the realm of the twice-born!"

arcana: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

"Nah, I don't think I will!" Bart giggles as he continues to push forward through the doors unheeded.

What he said! You just have the better snacks down here! Ace follows through the door.

A quartet of bone chandeliers illuminates this chamber. Wiry, reddish-brown plants grows in clay pots along the west wall, and a collection of pots, pans, knives, and hammers hangs above a butcher block, wood stove, and washbasin to the east. To the south, a long stone table serves as an altar. A shelf set into the wall behind the table holds a variety of sacred texts.

Inside the room, a human wearing a skull on his face is making hasty preparations on a work table when you enter. Two undeads with a scroll stuck on their face are near the entrance, ready to claw at you. Imelda is nowhere in sight.

The undeads wait for their master's command.

Initiative - round 1 - bold may act!
1. Raoul
2. Orphyro & undeads, Imelda
3. Ace, Bart, Bizzle, Hawkwren, Boom

Haha, I was hoping for a surprise round but I guess setting off a magic mouth and stumbling through the door giggling kind of defeats the purpose of the invisibility.

True, but we are still invisible!

Raoul prances down the steps as quickly as he can, NOW what? he thinks to himself. Once he sees the situation, over the halfling's invisible head, he reaches into his pouch.

"Now it's my turn to speed things up a bit!" The wizard holds a piece of shaved licorice root aloft, crying out. "Make haste against our foes!"

Cast Haste. Good for five rounds. It effects everyone BUT Raoul.

As Raoul hastens the moves of his allies, Orphyro gives orders to the two undeads. "Find and kill the intruders!"

The two creatures, despite the scroll covering their eyes, charge the invisible Bart (sorry, they have blindsight...), whom they appear to have no trouble in seeing. Strangely enough, those undead do not run, they hop, which looks quite ridiculous - especially for those as stoned as Bart and Ace.
Claw, charge: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 11 + 2 = 211d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Claw, charge: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 11 + 2 = 211d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Luckily, they both miss the nimble (yet stoned) invisible halfling!

Orphyro moves forward and readies an action.

You also hear a potion being swallowed, but still nothing in sight.

Initiative - round 1 - bold may act!
1. Orphyro & undeads, Imelda
2. Ace, Bart, Bizzle, Hawkwren, Boom, Raoul

"Holy s!*$, Ace, holy s&*%! They're f%+%ing hopping at us! Wait, they can see us? Holy s~!#, holy s&~!, this was a bad idea!"

Bart starts wigging out and decides to get out of this situation by grabbing ahold of his cape (of the mountebank), whipping it around (although no one can see this) and suddenly there is a cloud of smoke where he once stood.

Although Orphyro (hopefully) can't see him, Bart has just popped up behind the necromancer with his two mithral daggers in hand. Waiting.

Standard action to use the cape to dimension door behind him. Remaining invisible for the time being.

Undead bunnies! We're actually fighting man-sized undead bunnies! Put that in a Chronicle! Haha!

Bizzle will cast Haste Thought that was a different game, oops Glitterdust so that he can cover the main part of the room and still catch the skullmask dude, maybe catching the gulping guy as well.

@Bizzle: Raoul already cast Haste

"Ace! Step my right...no, my other right." Hawk prompts as he draws a bead on the undead in front of him

Delaying until after Ace.

Rapid, PBS, Haste, DA: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 13 - 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 11
Manyshot: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 11

Rapid, PBS, Haste, DA: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 13 - 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 9

Iterative, Rapid, PBS, Haste, DA: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 13 - 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 11

Hasted, Rapid, PBS, Haste, DA: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 13 - 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 11

Assuming there might be an Inspire bonus to add after Ace.

Ace will start playing a mournful dirge on his guitar while invisible. Dirge of Doom: All creatures within 30' (Orphyro and the undead at the moment) take gain the Shaken quality (most importantly a -2 to saves and -2 to ability checks)

Ace will cast Charm Person while the his mournful dirge is affecting Orphyro. Will DC 19

If it appears that his spell worked, Ace will try to reason with Orphyro to stop fighting us as we don't wish to harm him. Bro, you make some of the best s#*+ around and Dakar sent us to congratulate you. We just need to make sure your cousin isn't getting up to shenanigans. It'd be best for all involved if we just hashed this out over more of your sweet, sweet stash.

Opposed Charisma Check: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29 Demand: Call off his undead and join our side. If his sister, attacks us, then he would stay out of it so long as we don't try to kill her.

Kn Arcana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Kn Religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 Defensive abilities? Any nasty offensive effect (paralysis, disease, etc.)?

Bart teleports behind Orphyro's back!

Bizzle conjures particles of gold that rain on Orphyro. The necromancer now looks much less gloomy, but unfortunately isn't blinded by the spell.
Will DC 16: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
No one else there, sorry. Actually, you're lucky he made his save, because he must be able to see and hear Ace's performance for the Dirge to affect him!

Ace kills the joyous mood in that highly-fashionable venture by singing his gloomiest song ever, strongly contrasting with the raining gold particles and stoned halflings. Then he attempts to charm the local emo celebrity, Orphyro, but to no avail.
Will DC 19, half-elf enchantment bonus, attacked by Ace's allies, shaken: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 2 + 5 - 2 = 20
The undeads are immune to mind-affecting, by the way.

Hawkwren rains down arrows on the strange undead, but they prove so agile that they dodge all the arrows except the last one. Even then, the arrows barely scratch these tough creatures.

Initiative - round 1 - bold may act!
1. Orphyro & undeads, Imelda
2. Ace, Bart, Bizzle, Hawkwren, Boom, Raoul

Does it matter that my Initiative is higher than Bizzle's? :D

Dammit Bizzle! Ace becomes frustrated by the gnome's actions and then remembers that he is a gnome. Gnomes will be the death of me! Never again!

Nope, I tend to resolve the actions in the order they're posted, unless someone explicitly mentions a delay/ready based on another character, like Hawkwren above. I tried following the proper init order once (I think it was in "The Sealed Gate", but it was a nightmare to keep track of the map and actions.

^I do the same when I GM. The only time I follow strict init order is when someone falls unconscious or is bleeding and at risk of dying. Then you have to follow init order otherwise that person will just not post and "delay" until they are healed, which is not really allowed.

What? Stop dancing and do something then! Bizzle then uses his Wand of Magic Missiles!: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 3, 2) + 3 = 12 and strikes Mr. Skullmask!

"Ugh, such foul creatures, these zombies," Raoul notes with a scrunched-up face. He holds his hands out in front of him, calling out, "The flames of hell come to greet you!"

Suddenly flames burst from his fingertips, spreading out in front of him and engulfing the two zombies.

Burning Hands: 5d4 ⇒ (2, 3, 2, 1, 1) = 9 DC 16 Reflex for half damage.

I understand and I totally agree on the bleeding out. Had to do that recently in Carrion Crown, luckily they pulled through. Was just hoping! :D

Bizzle, it isn't your turn yet, are you already posting your action for next round?

Ref, evasion: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
Ref, evasion: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

When flames pour out of Raoul's hands, one of the undeads cannot avoid them, but the other one avoids them completely.

"Tian vampires! How interesting!" Boom booms excitedly. "I think these ones can steal your breath away. Oh! And don't use wands or scrolls! Stay back and I'll handle 'em!"

Her mutagen still raging in her veins, she goes full-on berserker. Normal Rage. HP 59/59, AC 22 while next to both (add 4 if shield still active), Will +0. Her greatsword cleaves through the air towards the exotic unlife.

Greatsword: 1d20 + 4 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 6 + 1 + 1 = 23 add 2 if bulls strength still active
Damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (4, 5) + 9 = 18 add 3 if bulls strength still active

A furious Boom wades into combat, her greatsword swinging towards the Jiang-Shi. She barely manages to hit the vampire, and her mundane blade can't inflict deep wounds. Moreover, the tiefling sees the vampires' wounds close to become mere scratches.

The vampires focus their effort on Boom, clawing at her. Fortunately, both miss their quarry.
Claw: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Claw: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Orphyro moves forward, not knowing he's got an invisible halfling behind his back. Bart can take an AoO against him.

I'll hold the action at this point until the AoO is done, since its outcome will change what Orphyro might decide to do.

Yeah, since I knew I couldn't post until just now. Should have mentioned that earlier.

Bart chooses to let Orphyro move up for now.

Seeing that his minions don't need any help for now, Orphyro moves behind them and conjures a wave of negative energy that drowns all of you in sorrow and despair.

Channel negative energy, harm, Will DC 20 halves: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 2, 4) = 12

Suddenly, Imelda appears next to Orphyro and throws a shock bomb at Ace!
Ranged Touch Attack, attack from invisible: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 = 152d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 5) + 1 = 11 electricity damage and dazzled for 1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds.

3 splash damage on Boom, Hawkwren and Raoul, Ref DC 13 halves

Initiative - round 2 - bold may act!
1. Orphyro & undeads, Imelda
2. Ace, Bart, Bizzle, Hawkwren, Boom, Raoul

Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Ref: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Hawk winces as the pain starts, but then aims for Imelda, firing of many arrows. "Ace, could you step aside, nevermind." The half-elf says as he steps to the west.

Rapid, PBS, Haste, FE, DA: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 1 + 1 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 13 - 2 + 1 + 1 + 4 - 2 = 30
Manyshot: 2d8 + 4 + 2 + 8 + 8 ⇒ (8, 4) + 4 + 2 + 8 + 8 = 34

Rapid, PBS, Haste, FE, DA: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 1 + 1 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 13 - 2 + 1 + 1 + 4 - 2 = 29
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 + 4 + 4 = 14

Iterative, Rapid, PBS, Haste, FE, DA: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 + 1 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 - 2 + 1 + 1 + 4 - 2 = 11
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 + 4 + 4 = 13

Hasted, Rapid, PBS, Haste, FE, DA: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 1 + 1 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 13 - 2 + 1 + 1 + 4 - 2 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 + 4 + 4 = 14

Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Ugh, that felt... depressing! Like I was under the influence of something! Bizzle's magic missiles go off now.

Raoul prepares one of his tricks, while Bizzle's spell finally goes off. Three arcane missiles hit Orphyro.

Hawkwren's first two arrows hit Imelda with great impact despite her cover, and she winces in pain.

Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Bart invisibly moves up behind Imelda and stabs her in the kidney!

+1 mithral dagger, haste, invis: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 1 + 2 = 23
damage: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
sneak: 3d8 ⇒ (8, 4, 2) = 14

Imelda falls dead, and a split second later, Bart comes into view again, his blade bloodied.

Boom and Ace!

Will: 1d20 ⇒ 13 The negative energy washes over the alchemist, but she hardly notices. The electricity has even less effect (electricity resistance 5). She keeps up her hacking at the same foe (unless it dies, in which case she steps 5 feet into the dead undead's space and hits Orphyro).

So who's the ditz that forgot about Power Attack? This guy.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 8 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 8 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 29
Damage: 2d6 + 12 + 6 ⇒ (3, 6) + 12 + 6 = 27

Power Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 8 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 8 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 16
Damage: 2d6 + 12 + 6 ⇒ (5, 6) + 12 + 6 = 29

Will Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Ace gets hit by everything in the book and its pissing him off. Look you lowlife mortician. Dakar sends his regards and wants you alive, but he didn't say how alive.

Ace waves his hands and casts Hold Person on the Cleric. Will Save - DC 22 + Dirge of Doom

Boom swings at the first vampire, tearing through dead flesh, but less efficiently so than on a normal human being.

Will: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 2 - 2 = 18
Ref: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Orphyro suddenly stops moving... and falls into the conjured pit, along with Imelda's dead body.
Falling damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8

Ref: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Ref: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24
The two Tian vampires manage not to slip into the pit.
Bart also needs to make that save, if I'm not mistaken.

1d20 + 8 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 2 - 2 = 22
Orphyro breaks the spell through sheer force of will!
"Did Dakar send you? Why does he want me alive, one of his favors perhaps? You killed Imelda, you Karela scum! Minions, bring me back their heads!"

The minions obediently obey, striking once more at Boom, but the alchemist's skin proves too tough for their imperfect claws.
Claw: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24
Claw: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

Once more, their wounds close.

Initiative - round 3 - bold may act!
1. Orphyro & Jiang-Shi
2. Ace, Bart, Bizzle, Hawkwren, Boom, Raoul

I did tell you that we would let her live if you joined us, but then you attacked us, so I don't care either way now. Never liked that crass emo-music anyway.

Ace casts Hideous Laughter with his Rod of Threnodic Spell on one of the Jiang-Shi undead. DC 21 + Dirge of Doom

His tune suddenly switches to a positive upbeat song that inspires his allies. Harmonic Spell: Swift Action to change Bardic Performances after casting a spell.

Once again Ace, Dirge of Doom won't affect undeads since they're immune to mind-affecting effects. Threnodic will affect the spell, not your performance.

Will: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 2 = 18
A sinister chuckle echoes through the workrooms, one of the vampires being inexplicably taken by a fit of evil laughter as it falls on the ground.

Sorry. I knew that. Stupid Ace. Did I do that earlier? EDIT: Truth be told. It was originally targeting Orphyro, but then I realized he fell in a hole, so I adjusted it without reexamining it.

You have to save against the edges of pits at the end of your turn and since Raoul said he was waiting until his turn in init (after Bart) I think would only have to save if he stayed there until the end of this turn. But correct me if I'm wrong.

Bart casts a spell (true strike) and then clambers away from the pit and up on top of a table off to the side of the room.

You're absolutely right, Bart.

Bizzle doesn't like fighting the undead but he does have a Wand of Magic Missile to use against the one standing: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 3, 3) + 3 = 10

Lacking any spells that would be of particular use against the remaining undead opponent, Raoul draws his wand of magic missile and fires off a bolt of magical energy at the vampiric undead.

magic missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Bizzle sends forth a volley of arcane missiles that strike true. However, Raoul's missile has no such luck. It goes straight at the vampire, but then the runes on the scroll located on the Jiang-Shi's face flare and the arcane missile vanishes into nothingness.

Initiative - round 3 - bold may act!
1. Orphyro & Jiang-Shi
2. Ace, Bart, Bizzle, Hawkwren, Boom, Raoul