[PFS] GM ShieldBug's The Year of the Sky Key

Game Master ShieldBug

Clambering into the transport, Brock looks around, clutching his morningstar in both hands.

"Well done Rook! Now, where's this altar that needs smashing?"

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Props to Shieldbug, this scenario seems like it would be a pain in the butt to GM. Lots to keep track of!!! You're doing an awesome job.

Also, can you imagine doing this scenario without someone with Disable Device??? Lots of parties don't have that skill!

Forrest steps up (?) Into the transport. "Whoa... I may look like a rakish fellow, but this has got me a little seasick! " He takes a good look around the room.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

"I know there's a door in that wall... but I can't seem to find it! I know it's there, though. " He continues to squint at the wall.

Perception DC15: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Yaiho steps into the weird contraption and starts looking around. He pokes and prod many different things but comes up with nothing. "Yaiho not find secret door. Perhaps we bash wall down if others not find."

Before hurrying into the Transport, Danicka urges Prickles to follow her.

Charisma to try to get Prickles to Heel: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Charisma to try to get Prickles to Heel: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Hopefully that works. Haha.

Crawling up into the Transport, Danicka looks around for the door.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

That's right. I just wasted my good roll on a dog instead of Perception. You're welcome!

"I don't see it either..." Danicka admits.

"Well, my guess is in the center. The door should be around here." Rook says while looking around the interior with the new goggles.

Perception: 10 + 3 + 5 = 18

He spots the secret door but he can't see a way of opening it.

Think. Think. The idiots walking in a circle?

"Right, here. Someone want to start walking around in here like we saw at the workshop? Forrest?" he ask the group pointing them in the right direction through the adjacent room...."Shouldn't be any more traps but...be careful..."

Damn...if this doesn't work I am going to look pretty stupid. Then I'll blow it open..

Forrest laughs. "I see... make the halfling risk his life. " He winks at the half orc. " Just kidding! That's a great idea, mate. " He carefully walks around the room, trying to mimic what the instructor described.

Arin enters the transport after his teammates. He watches Forrest start walking the patterns.

"Let me know if you need someone else to take a turn at it. Do you recall how many it should take?"

Prickles follows Danicka to the door on the outside of the transport, but he doesn't seem to fancy jumping into the strange room. Instead he lays down in the shade of the cube and starts munching on his treat. Sorry, no heel trick. ;)

With everyone inside, you immediately begin looking for the secret door in the eastern wall. The door proves too well hidden for the naked eye, but Rook makes good use of the loaned pair of goggles, and spots the faintest of depressions near the middle of the wall. However, the door is seamless, and he can find no obvious way of opening it. That's when Forrest is then sent on a tour of the transport's interior. Exiting through the door to the south, he walks through the kitchen, then the storage room, and finally through the room containing the convoy's camping supplies. As soon as Forrest steps back into the meeting room, the secret door in front of Yaiho and Brock pops open, revealing the elixir chamber within. The steel plates lining this chamber reflect the light cast by six vials of glowing fluid, sealed within a glass case atop an imposing altar wrapped in chains. The altar quivers at the sight of intruders, making the chains rattle disturbingly.

The x at the top is the location of the lead lined chamber Forrest discovered in his reconnaissance.

I'm afraid enough time has passed to remove your shield and bless effects.

---

COMBAT TRACKER - Round 1 - Bold may act - Map

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Rook (false life)
Danicka (false life, mage armour)
Forrest (false life)
Arin (false life)
Yaiho (false life)
---
Altar ( )
---
Brock ( )

ONGOING EFFECTS / ENVIRONMENT
None

PENDING
None

Danicka smiles down at Prickles. "Lay down." she tells him, though clearly he's already done so. "I'll be back soon. Don't bite me when I come back, alright?"

Stay Prickles! (charisma check): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

As the altar shudders to life, Danicka's eyes widen. "A-a-and I remember why I'm not s-s-supposed to be in here... I have no magic to deal with this today..."

Frantically she begins to look through her personal scrolls...

"Oh!" she suddenly exclaims. "Th-this will do!" Danicka pulls the scroll out and hurries into the room. She smiles widely, before suddenly looking panicked.

Oh, dear! Perhaps being the first one into the room with a dangerous construct was not the best idea...

Forrest follows Danicka into the room, ducking through the door. "Feeling brave today, Danicka? I'm proud. " He nearly sheds a tear of happiness. "Let's see if I can distract this antique for our more smash-happy friends. " With that said, he slides along the edge of the room, towards the furniture.

Did we discover which vial was the correct one? Is our plan to smash the altar prior to grabbing it? Cause that seems a good way to get our elixer smashed

Glancing into the altar room, mace grupped tightly in his hands Brock mutters, "Shiny, which vial do we take?"

Didn't they fix the problem of the elixir getting damaged while inside the altar during the RP in the workshop? Or am I crazy?

I thought the intro said that all six were elixir. Also, the RP was to make the alter not drop the bottles while it moved. If we are smashing it with maces, there is a high likelihood of breaking a vial. We should probably try to grab them. What check would that be? Disarm?

Forrest looks over to Brock. " All of them! "

Yaiho steps through the secret door and stops in front of Danicka to place himself between her and the altar. He then looks to the others, "Smash now?"

Arin steps into the door and moves to the side. He renews the blessing that recently expired.

Cast bless, +1 attack and saves vs. fear, duration 10 rounds

Yeah, we can deal with the altar. We are grabbing all of them anyways. Whatever is on display and what is in the hidden compartment.

"Alright, deal with that piece of junk while I get into this compartment to see if we have any extra elixirs. Grab the ones on the altar if you can..." Rook calls out while heading over to the compartment trying to get it open.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 9 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 9 + 4 + 2 = 29

Danicka rushes into the room and readies the perfect scroll for the situation, followed closely by Yaiho, who makes sure to get between her and the Altar. Forrest slides along the edge of the room, attempting to distract the jumped up furniture, ready to strike if it comes near. Then Arin steps through the door, renewing the blessing on his allies as Mhazruk makes a run for the corner. He opens the lead-lined compartment with ease, masterfully manipulating the catch to reveal another glass case. Six vials of golden liquid bathe the half-orc's face in a warm light. You still need a move action to pick the case up. ;)

The wooden Altar shuffles towards the nearest target, as you know it's programmed to do, and lashes out with the chains surrounding it. Twice the chains try to wrap around Rook's legs, the first misses by a long shot, but the second only misses due to the wonders of alchemy. You all notice that despite the abruptness of the Altar's movements, the liquid within the vials at the very top of the altar is still perfectly level, showing no signs of the action below.

Atk. Slam: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Dmg. Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Atk. Slam: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Dmg. Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

If you wish to take the glass case of vials from the Altar, you will need a steal combat manoeuvre.
___

COMBAT TRACKER - Round 1 - Bold may act - Map
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Brock ( )
----------------------
Round 2 - Bold may act
----------------------
Rook (false life)
Danicka (false life, mage armour)
Forrest (false life)
Arin (false life)
Yaiho (false life)
---
Altar ( )

ONGOING EFFECTS / ENVIRONMENT
Bless 10/10: Allies gain a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saves vs fear effects.

PENDING
None

"OK, time to start smashing things. My favorite part of the day." Brock cheerfully quips as he makes his way to the animated altar, adamantine morning star in one hand, heavy shield in the other.

Reaching the altar he lashes out with a powerful blow.

Power attack, Bless: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 - 1 = 6
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 14

But curses as the flailing chains wreck his aim.

AC 20

Arin quickly walks up behind Brock to await the need for healing. He tries to explain his plan to him but is frustrated to find the stress has already set in once again.

movement

He then cowers a bit and attempts to keep his body covered.

total defense

Yaiho moves up to the altar and tries to draw it's attention away from Rook by doing serious damage to the altar.

He swings his earthbreaker down at the altar with excessive force.

Earthbreaker +Bless +Vandal vs Altar: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 = 17
Damage +Vandal (Ignore 2 Hardness): 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (4, 2) + 9 = 15

Move Action: 10'
Standard Action: Attack

"Again!? What did I ever do to you...piece of junk." Rook says ducking under the attacks and as he nabs the elixirs he remembers the targeting commands.

...AH CRAP

He braces for the attack protecting the elixirs.

Standard: Total Defense: +4 AC
Move: Pickup Elixirs

Forrest runs up to the altar and attempts to grab one of the shining bottles from the top. "These may be fake, but your protocols don't know that! "

Grab a vial!: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

If that counts as a disarm, or other combat maneuver, it's a 13 instead of a 17.

Brock rushes towards the altar, swinging his adamantine morning star with all the force he can muster. Unfortunately, he finds only air and the power of the unconnected swing spins him around, almost taking the enthusiastic knight off his feet. Fortunately, Arin has already rushed in behind Brock, and helps the man keep balance before offering his assistance in a tongue the knight doesn't understand. Arin then prepares himself for the worst the Altar has to offer.

While this unusual ballet is taking place, Yaiho lives up to his name and crashes into the wooden Altar, swinging his mighty hammer as he goes. One of the front panels buckles under the shear force of the blow, sending a shower of splinters across the room.

Meanwhile, Rook continues his attempts to recover the second case of elixir. He braces himself for the inevitable as he ducks into the chamber and retrieves the glass case of glowing vials. As if on cue, another chain from the Altar lashes out, this time aiming for the half-orc's head, but prepared as he is, Rook manages to duck just in time. You have it! :)

AoO Slam: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

With the Altar concentrating on Rook, Forrest takes his opportunity to filch the case of glowing liquid from atop the wooden construct. His fingers close around the glass box, but he is unable to get a firm enough grip and when the Altar jerks away, the case remains firmly under the protection of the animated Altar. Close, but not quite close enough. I'm afraid that you need the steal combat manoeuvre, not disarm. ;)
___

COMBAT TRACKER - Round 1 - Bold may act - Map
------------------------------------------------------------

Brock ( )
----------------------
Round 2 - Bold may act
----------------------
Rook (false life)
Danicka (false life, mage armour)
Forrest (false life)
Arin (false life)
Yaiho (false life)
---
Altar (-12hp)

ONGOING EFFECTS / ENVIRONMENT
Bless 10/10: Allies gain a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saves vs fear effects.

PENDING
None

Danicka quickly activates her scroll, causing a magical bolt of energy to fly at the altar. The bolt soars around her companions, avoids the vials and strikes the box on its side.

Using a scroll of magic missile to shoot the altar.

Force Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Then she quickly flicks through her scrolls and pulls out another.

The magic missile flies around the room, adding its own light to the golden glow suffusing the small steal room. However, when it hits the Altar, the energy seems to dissipate harmlessly through the wood.

Now that Rook has glowing vials in his hand, the Altar redoubles its attacks against the besieged alchemist. Two chains shoot out from the Altar at the same time, one aiming for each of Rook's legs, trying to tangle him up and drag him down. Fortunately, neither one comes anywhere near their target and only scrape along the walls or get caught in the now open door in the floor.

Atk. Slam: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Atk. Slam: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Unfortunately, magic missile does not bypass hardness, and since the Altar has a hardness of 5 you may want to look for a different spell in the next round. Of course Danicka would have seen that the spell was ineffective, so if you just pulled out another magic missile scroll, you can redo your move. ;)
___

COMBAT TRACKER - Round 2 - Bold may act - Map
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Brock ( )
----------------------
Round 3 - Bold may act
----------------------
Rook (false life)
Danicka (false life, mage armour)
Forrest (false life)
Arin (false life)
Yaiho (false life)
---
Altar (-12hp)

ONGOING EFFECTS / ENVIRONMENT
Bless 9/10: Allies gain a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saves vs fear effects.

PENDING
None

Growling at his miss and realizing the altar is focusing on Rook, Brock drops his shield and swings two handed at the contraption.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 - 1 = 9
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 3 = 12

But again fails to damage the thing.

I guess those good out of combat rolls are coming back to roost. Grr

AC 18

Rook starts to sweat as the chains lash around him and is more than ready to move away. He sets his footing and attempts to maneuver between Yaiho and the wall without getting struck.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Gonna be close but funny to picture. This is to stop the AOO since I think I can move through friendly regardless.

"Oh...how I want to blow that thing to pieces." he yells while stowing the vials.

Yaiho smiles when he sees he damaged the thing and goes in for another attack. He lifts his great hammer over his head and with both hands brings it down toward the altar.

Earthbreaker +Bless +Vandal vs Altar: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 1 = 18
Damage +Vandal (Ignore 2 Hardness): 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (4, 2) + 9 = 15

"Oh, dear..." Danicka squeaks. She shoves the scroll back in her scroll case and digs through the others. Eventually she comes out empty handed.

"Uh, oh." She remarks with a worried look on her face."B-b-b-be careful!" she stutters nervously to her friends.

Danicka has nothing else helpful. Haha. She spends her entire turn stowing a scroll and looking through her others.

Danicka, I would suggest drawing a dagger and threatening for a flank or perhaps using it to Aid Brock's next attack. Those are my go to actions for my wizard when he doesn't have the right spells for the occasion.

Forrest again goes to reach for the vials, trying to snatch them from the top of the ornate alter.

Steal!: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 1 - 4 = 21

Heck yes.

Forrest dives between the candelabra while the chains are beating on Rook. " Gimme those vials! "

Arin, not seeing any serious injury in any of his teammates, decides to imbue any small advantage that he can in the meantime. Seeing that he's been having trouble landing a hit on the alter, he reaches out and touches Brock on the back...

Cast guidance on Brock, +1 competence bonus on a single attack roll, saving throw, or skill check

Brock shrugs off his shield and swings powerfully at the Altar a second time, this time with a two handed overhead arc. The toughened morningstar decimates the tiles on the floor where the Altar had just been standing, sending up a plume of dust.

Mhazruk nimbly works his way out of the corner, sliding between Yaiho and the wall, and just as another chain starts to weave its way towards the alchemist, Yaiho cuts it off with second crushing blow. Great chunks of wood fly free from the contraption as the hammer smashes into panelling, and the Altar reels under the onslaught.

Danicka offers moral support as Forrest takes the opportunity to have another attempt at stealing the vials right out of the Altar's possession. This time the halfling snatches the glass case with ease, but opens himself up for a whip from the ever flailing chains. However, Forrest is too quick and dodges the attack as he nimbly withdraws with his prize.

AoO Slam (Forrest): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Meanwhile, Arin sees the frustration building in Brock and decides to offer some divine guidance.

Now that Rook has safely stowed away the vials he stole, Forrest is in the unenviable position of being the sole focus of the Altar's ire. It shuffles closer to the halfling and shoots two chains towards his chest and legs. One chain misses completely, but it provides enough of a distraction for the other to come shooting dangerously towards Forrest's left knee.

Atk. Slam (Forrest): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 Shield ran out, so your AC is 19 again ;)
Dmg. Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Trip: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Atk. Slam (Forrest): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
___

COMBAT TRACKER - Round 3 - Bold may act - Map
------------------------------------------------------------

Brock (guidance)
----------------------
Round 4 - Bold may act
----------------------
Rook (false life)
Danicka (false life, mage armour)
Forrest (false life)
Arin (false life)
Yaiho (false life)
---
Altar (-24hp)

ONGOING EFFECTS / ENVIRONMENT
Bless 8/10: Allies gain a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saves vs fear effects.

PENDING
None

Is this case of vials something I can hold one-handed? Also, how heavy is it? Like... .5 pounds for the vials and liquids... not sure how much the box would weigh.

"Yowch!" Forrest cries out as the chain slaps against his legs. "It ain't fair, I've got a box of vials for a weapon! Even if they are colored water. " He ducks under the second chain and looks towards Brock. "What, you can take on local gangsters but not an over ambitious set of drawers? " He finishes the jibe with a wink.

Now loosing a steady stream of curses at gis misses Brock refocuses and lashes out again with the mace, this time holding back some power for better accurscy.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Man, these dice have gone cold. Even without power attack. AC 18

@Forrest: You can hold the case one-handed, if held like an american football. As for the weight, it has a pretty nice heft to it since it's made of glass, so it weighs a negligible amount above 1 pound. ;)

Danicka, I would suggest drawing a dagger and threatening for a flank or perhaps using it to Aid Brock's next attack. Those are my go to actions for my wizard when he doesn't have the right spells for the occasion.

Dagger? You mean not all wizards are armed with brooms?! Good suggestions, but sounds like your wizard is not Danicka. Haha. She's more likely to... rifle through scrolls in a panic, and shriek uselessly. THEN consider other useful options. Possibly feint as some later date.

Danicka clutches her quarterstaff in her bony, white-knuckled hands and watches the battle unfold with worry.

Think! THINK! I need to do something!

As the altar slams into Forrest, she pulls out a scroll and moves up behind her friend, intent on protecting him if nothing else.

Drawing a scroll of shield from her personal supply and moving up behind Forrest.

Yaiho laughs and then looks at Brock. "Brock. Do what Yaiho do. Imagine altar naked. Then hit to shame it." Yaiho then proceeds to bash the altar again while still looking at Brock.

Earthbreaker +Bless +Vandal vs Altar: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 1 = 24
Damage +Vandal (Ignore 2 Hardness): 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (2, 5) + 9 = 16

Perfect Yahio!

Forrest laughs at Yaiho's comment, " Hopefully Yaiho treats his women differently than his altars.
, eh Brock? "

Forrest smiles smiles grimly at the altar. " Well, my little stick can't pierce your wood, but... " He shifts the case underneath his arm and draws his rapier. " It sure can block those chains! " He shuffles backwards, glowing vials still in view with his eyes on the chains.

If he attacks me again, I attempt to parry the first attack.
Needs to roll higher than Altar: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
If I Parry, I hit back: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

After a steady stream of curses, Brock takes a breath and holds back a little as he swings once more at the Altar. With a little divine guidance from Arin, Brock finally lands a blow, and his adamantine weapon bursts through the wood with very little resistance. As it collapses into just an ordinary pile of wood and chain, Yaiho makes sure it never animates again. By the time Forrest and Danicka have prepared themselves for the next attack, the Altar has been reduced to little more than kindling.

Choosing not to use power attack, and Arin's guidance made all the difference, it had AC 14. COMBAT OVER!!! :)

If you wish to examine Forrest's collection of vials.

If you wish to examine Rook's collection of vials.

You're now in the possession of two cases of glowing elixirs. What do you want to do now? Are y'all ready to leave?

"Good riddance. Damn junkpile." Rook curses while kick the pieces of the altar. He then gives both sets of vials a once over before packing them up.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 5 - 1 = 20

He laughs as Forrest's are truly fake. and filled with glamoured honey. He takes the top of one of the vials and drinks it down.

"This honey is delicious, Forrest"

Perception: 1d20 + 3 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 5 - 1 = 18

Oh so close!

Looking at his own he shakes his head and let's anyone else get a look.

"Well I think it is best we get out of here before we have to hurt more...living things." he says leading the way out.

Yikes, might need to repost

... the monster got your posts...

GM and Mhazruk found the sky key!! Our quest is at an end!

GM and Mhazruk found the sky key!! Our quest is at an end!

Huzzah, huzzah! Three times huzzah!

Good thing I put it on the clipboard when the site started to die. Let's try again. Oh and this doesn't make sense because it is in reply to ShieldBugs post which got cursed too.

"Good riddance. Damn junkpile." Rook curses while kick the pieces of the altar. He then gives both sets of vials a once over before packing them up.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 5 - 1 = 12 This passed originally

He laughs as Forrest's are truly fake. and filled with glamoured honey. He takes the top of one of the vials and drinks it down.

"This honey is delicious, Forrest"

Perception: 1d20 + 3 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 5 - 1 = 23This failed originally

Oh so close!

Looking at his own he shakes his head and let's anyone else get a look.

"Well I think it is best we get out of here before we have to hurt more...living things." he says leading the way out.

I'm assuming we won, based on Mhazruk's post because the GM's post is just corrupted when I look at it. I think I got close to getting my post corrupted also. When I made Yaiho's post, as soon as I clicked to open another game I am in, I got the dreaded Site Maintenance Goblin.

Haha. Yeah sorry to spoil it when Gm ShieldBugs posts are always a treat to read. Good news, Brock, you hit it! It is in pieces and I did the perception to look at our two sets of vials. OH CRAP my rolls changed on the new post I forgot.

GM ShieldBug I passed the first one and failed the second one if you can tell by text.

Danicka waits nervously to see if this strange glimmer of the future she saw was real, or imagined... Was the altar truly dead..? Or had she been in the sun too long?!

With the altar defeated, Yaiho places his right boot on it as he stands over it victoriously, raising his hammer in a heroic pose. He smiles down at Brock. "See. Altar naked work. Brock hit."