[PFS] GM Lithrac's Thornkeep, part III - The Enigma Vaults (Inactive)

Game Master Cyril Corbaz

Rellen already has protection v evil, correct? So I cast lend judgement, move over and touch him. +1 sacred bonus to AC (including touch) for the combat.

Choamski moves over and casts a protective ward upon Rellen, lending him the power of Irez.

Rellen, Chasik, and myself should have Protection from Evil active, from my understanding.

Does Chasik see if his attacks are doing any damage?

Rellen ducks and rolls past the creatures reaching ethereal claws flipping up onto his, feet bow in hand, and launching an arrow at his fell foe!

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Ghost Salt Arrow: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 15 Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 = 10

Chasik continues his strikes as he senses he is just being unlucky so far, but misses again. His lack of efficiency just comes from the poor rolls, I'm afraid. The weapon he's using has nothing to do with it.

Rellen's arrow pierces the remaining allip, but it only serves as angering the latter, which continues its soul-rending on the Andoren. Luckily, it misses Rellen completely.

Initiative - round 7/8
Rellen (3 Wis dmg) <
Choamski (2 Wis dmg) <
Chasik <
Allips
Floggentop <
Knorrin <
Everyone is up!

Choamski steps back and sends positive energy arcing from his fingers towards the right allip

I figured the Courtersong save would not let anyone be affected by the babble again.. If this isnt true than i he would keep the countersong up..

I'm simply asking a question, not saying you should. As for how babble works, Wizzy doesn't really know...

Unable to see a space where he can get to and still attack effectively Rellen simply fires another arrow at the shadow thing hoping to take it down even as he opens himself up to attack.

Ghost Salted Arrow: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 17 Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 = 9

Switching to Inspire COurage

Provoked an AoO there GM Lithrac.

Rellen clutches his head sagging against the bars, "Nuhuh, I do not feel... Right, cowardly things keep attacking my mind. But let's get this done, then we can all rest."

Giving the group a pause for preparations, he opens the door before him.

Oh really? He hits you for 2 Wis damage.

Rellen's arrow dissipates the last shadowy soul, banishing it to oblivion despite a last mind rending.

End combat.

Two flights of stairs curl around this room, descending downward into another area of this gruesome dungeon.

Congratulations, you've managed to find the passages leading to the two last levels of Thornkeep, the Dark Menagerie and the Sanctum of a Lost Age. However, you still have to find out what or who this "Visitant" is.

"You stop right there Mr. Marn! There is a city right outside where we could go get this damage to our minds treated. For claiming to hate undead so much you don't seem to know an awful lot about the things they do to people. We're going to be smart and do something about this first"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 5 - 4 = 13

"Mmmmm, what do we do now? Touch stuff?"

"Come on, Rellen."

Choamski will backtrack, dragging the group (and the insane woman?) through a known safe route. The gnome then attempts to barter captured weapons and armor in exchange for four lesser restorations at the temple of Gorum.

If that is acceptable to the group

Rellen shakes his head, "We've not finished this, and I'm not really hurt... I would rather have it done."

I believe there was still a fair bit of stuff in the main room we had only briefly examined? I would also like to exit via the tunnel to see where it leads, etc.

Since this is PFS, you'll need to pay the lesser restoration with your gold if you wish to do it before the end of the scenario.

As for the tunnel, it leads to the Echo woods, a secret door is hidden there.

Hearing Rellen want to continue, Chasik will grab him by the "neck" of his armor and look the man directly in the eye while saying in a very stern voice,

Listen, you are in no condition to continue in your mental state. I don't know much about the undead or other creepy crawlers, but you have been affected and YOU WILL GET CURED OF IT BEFORE CONTINUING. The god graced you with the ability to fight well, whereas I can take a lot of punishment. This is why WE work well together. If you want to inhibit yourself I cannot stop that, BUT I will be damned if you inhibit our entire group with your stubbornness. YOU will go topside to get fixed, DON'T make me use force because I will. That goes for anyone else injured, including myself.

intimidate if needed : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

out shopping today so youll have to bot me if yall continue forward

Rellen's eyes flash and his jaw tightens, but he controls himself and growls, "They've hurt my mind, but men heal. We face a normal foe I'll be fine, I'll just hang back while you investigate the objects. I am not paying good gold for something a bit of rest can handle. What is the point of adventuring if you do not take a few risks."

I suppose we could just get Knorrin to prepare some.

"Rellen, did you learn nothing in your training? You want to get yourself killed, fine! Just don't take us with you!"

Choamski will go and purchase healing for himself, at least, shelling out 60 gold.

"Yes, I would certainly be glad to, though it would take a bit of rest and preparation. I could do two castings tomorrow, I think. It all depends on how long we want to be away."

As you return to the main hall of the Enigma Vaults three hours later, you notice that not much has changed. The cultists are still bound, but are chanting a slow, deep prayer from under their mask, in unison. The maskless woman still cowers in a corner of the room, lost in her delirium.

"It is coming, it is looking at YOU. Run, fools, for you have no idea what dark forces you are about to face."

At this time, you only have the long-term buffs.

"I think perhaps our foe is preparing wards in anticipation of our coming; I hear spellcasting."

Spellcraft : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

"We should have taken them with us, I fear. Should we incapacitate them? "

-Posted with Wayfinder

Rellen shrugs, "I don't think there is much point, we deal with whatever has them in its thrall they should shut up readily enough I would imagine..." The Andoran uses his wand and when preparations are complete leads the way into the room.

After buffing his group Wizzy is ready.. He whispers "Im going to stay invisible if possible.. I will attempt to keep everyone healed with my wand.."

A list of preparations thus far:

Just need Knorrin's exact preparations before we start the fight.

I would like to use one of the boons when we start the fight - "You gain a +5 bonus on a Knowledge check to identify a creature" - once I have a chance to do so.

Knorrin casts Protection from Evil with his wand on Chasik, Rellen, Choamski, and then himself, before stashing it in his belt.

-Posted with Wayfinder

This strangely shaped room consists of two wings. To the east, a low workbench wraps around the walls. To the west, a larger wing opens into what appears to be a strange laboratory. A curving workbench covered with gory heaps of flesh and bone sits against the laboratory’s wall. In alcoves to the north and south are strange contraptions resembling iron cages fitted with human-sized openings. Four creatures are inside the room, their bloated frame shuddering with each heaving step, yet despite their shape, the things move with surprising quickness.

Knowledge (Planes) to identify these creatures.

Initiative order - round 1
Knorrin <
Chasik <
Rellen <
creatures
Floggentop
Choamski
Knorrin, Chasik and Rellen can act!

Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Knorrin, seeing one of the bloated creatures through the open doorway, calls out what he knows about them.
...or doesn't know.

I'll wait on that info for the rest of my turn, if I can.

Know Planes: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Choamski and Floggentop will be allowed to peek into the spoiler for Knorrin when it's their turn.

"Perhaps summoned, so expect a summoner!" Knorrin adds.

Knorrin waits, allowing Chasik and Rellen to advance.

Chasik, is told about what they are facing. He realizes, that he has the wrong hammer out, but doesn't want the enchantment provided to go to waste. He moves past Knorrin, ad take a mighty swing at the Dretch in front of him.

PA silver +1 hammer (+1 magic/+1bless/+1courage/-1PA...??: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 231d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Ongoing effects: Bless, Inspire Courage, Magic Weapon, Protect Evil...If I missed anything, please let me know :)

Current HP 40/40, AC 25/Tch 13/Flt 24

Letting his rage enfold him Rellen surges into the room leaping up onto the wall and hurtling past the creature facing Chasik before tearing free his coldiron blade. He flings his scabbard at the southernmost creature while smashing at the foe to the north with his greatsword.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Fling Scabbard: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 27 Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 = 8
Crit Conf: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 10 Extra Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9
Coldiron Greatsword: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 16 Damage: 3d6 + 11 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4, 4) + 11 + 2 + 3 = 26

Are you including +2 from Heroism and +1 from Inspire Rellen?

Was including inspire, but not heroism. Thanks Wizzy, so I believe that amounts to plus one to hit on both attacks? It does not stack with Inspire right?

Bard song to hit: competence. Bless&heroism to hit: morale

It stacks yes.. Your receiving a +3 to hit and +1 to damage, +2 saves/skills

Cold Iron Spear: 1d20 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 3 = 151d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Knorrin moves in and stabs at the bloated form with his cold-iron spear, hoping to catch the dretch off-guard, but it is a weak blow.

Knorrin yells a theory of his but fails to partake with information about these creatures. He then misses his spear strike against one of them. Chasik hammers one of those fiends, but the full force of his blow cannot be felt by the creature. Rellen nicks the southernmost creature with his scabbard before outright slaying the northern one.

The fiendish creatures start swarming the party's vanguard. The blow from the western creature (that moved south) seem inexplicably to miss, whereas the creature that was attacked by Rellen comes into a flanking position with thin air... but another creature appears there, and strikes four deadly times, slitting Rellen's throat before he can react. 50 damage on Rellen... The barbarian falls dead, his blood gushing on the stony ground.

Initiative order - round 1/2
Knorrin <
Chasik <
Rellen (dead, -22) <
The Visitant
creatures
Floggentop <
Choamski <
Everyone can act!

Choamski loads a cartridge of cold iron bolts into his repeating crossbow, not yet in a position to see the new foe or the death of his companion.

Seeing Rellen fall - so easily and instantly shredded by the newly-appeared creature - Knorrin withdraws, hoping that they might be better able to fight one monster at a time.

"Invisible flying monster shredded Rellen - he's dead!" Knorrin shouts in the moments he has available. "Four dretch demons - cold iron or blessed are best!"

Withdraw action, drawing an AoO from one dretch. Also, applying the +2 to AC boon against the Visitant.

I meant to relay more info, just saying that bit as "... Knorrin adds." since I've been doing it on my phone.

Is there a Knowledge roll for this new horror?
Edit: Ah, Knowledge (Nature), from the Discussion thread.

Chasik watches in horror as Rellen's throat is slit from ear to ear right in front of him. He growls at the barricade in front of him, so he is un reachable at the moment. He decides that wasting an enchantment is the least of his worries, wants to inflict the most damage possible.

Chasik will drop silver hammer as free action, move draw cold iron, and make single attack on enemy in front of him

cold iron PA: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 181d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

After swinging at the awful Dretch in front of him, he takes a small step backwards, providing cover for his allies.

free 5 foot backwards outside the door

Wizzy frowns.. "Chasik has the door bottlenecked so if we keep him up we still have a chance.." Wizzy will move up, pulling a scroll, and cast silent image.. He'll place a human warrior with a greatsword back behind the Vistant posed to strike..

Since this isnt an attacking spell he should stay invisible

He hopes the Vistant will think it was an invisible guy and choose to attack it next round.. He will also use his boon for the level to up his ac by 2 on the Vistant

Know Nature on Vistant: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16