[PFS] PbP Gameday 3: #5–09: The Traitor’s Lodge (3–7) (Inactive)

Game Master bluedove

"Maybe say something like, 'Really? So it's just a coincidence that you don't come through with the reagents at the same time the Pathfinders begin to sniff around? I didn't think you were lowly enough to fear mortals...'"

Random shrugs. "Maybe we can provoke him into revealing something. Or into showing up."

perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

(Octopus I guess then)

I can't fit through e crack as a small invertebrate can I ? Lol.
If not, he'll report back, and use his tentacles to scratch out a message in mud/dirt/or with a pen. In case they send him back in.

Sir Pentor did find the end of the tunnel. That's where the tracks were, sorry if that was unclear. Going to give a bit more time to hit that Int/Wis DC and then move us along.

Whoops! Totally missed the Int check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Oh well, no matter...

Int: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

wis: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

kk, he joins the rest in trying to decipher and help.
Perhapps... it is a water demon he is working with? maybe that clawed trail is the path the demon uses to arrive here, and it brings water with it when it enters? we should try and seal that room off and get out of here.

Speaking Circles

Valais follows Random's suggestion, adding a nasty remark about the odd nickname as per Pentor's observation. She writes "Really? So it's just a coincidence that you don't come through with the reagents at the same time the Pathfinders begin to sniff around? I didn't think you were lowly enough to fear mortals... And call me that again and you'll see what a 'prince' I am."

The answer appears soon enough, "Now Thurl, you know my sisters and I know how to deal with Pathfinders too well. In truth, I could use more soul-gems and guises to add to my repertoires. If you've lost the reagents, perhaps you should turn an eye to your many pets. I warned you that a strong will could defy your mechinations. So tell me, how has business been with your new associate? You'll remember I warned you about him too."

Finishing up in Thurl's Study

Gronk opens the desk and paws around, discovering a few interesting items. A scroll of heroism and two pouches containing dust of emulation. Shamak spots a book with a bulging binding and pulls it from the shelf in the study. Entitled, The Grimoire of the Beast, it contains detailed instructions regarding the worship of Baphomet. The worn condition of the book and various notes stuck in it’s pages suggest Thurl studied this text in depth. You note that one section details dozens of hand signs, secret handshakes, and other body language that believers might use to signal to one another their true allegiance. The notes regularly reference someone named Karsos, whom Thurl describes as one might a mentor.

You find a short letter stored in these pages as well.

The skittering of insects draws your attention as the vermin move like a living carpet away from Thurl's study. Valais watches them a moment and shudders as if chilled. "We should not be here... Something TERRIBLE is coming, I feel it now... closing in on us..."

The blood writing on the wall comes again, the penmanship marred in haste. "Be warned, Thurl. He approaches!"

A tremor shakes the underground complex and you hear the distant crash of rockfall and the churning of water.

Ok, loose ends all tied up now. You suspect that whatever is coming, it is beyond your abilities and time is of the essence if you are to escape!

Knowledge (planes) 1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Knowledge (planes) 2: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Turk relates what he knows about Baphomet and the Gorgon statue in the ruined maze above.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Oops, something went wrong with the letter link and I noticed too late to fix it. Here it is again:

Letter

"I suggest we make a fast exit and regroup topside with what we've learned so far.." Gronk heads for the way out pronto..

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

"Is that the sound of glass breaking? Where was there glass? The larvae?"

"Well, if this one," Random indicates Valais, "would rather go out in public than face whatever's coming, I think we should follow that impulse with the greatest of haste."

He pulls out the wand of sleet storm. "We'll leave a couple of these behind us to slow it down."

As the group makes its exit, Random leaves a sleet storm behind them in the library, he ducks down the hall to throw one into the flooded room, and leaves another in the long hallway heading back to the stairs. As he makes his way up the stairs, he leaves one in that first lab at the bottom of the stairs, and throws another one or two back on the surface as they escape the Lodge's ground floor.

Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

"I don't like that, let's go, folks!"

perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
i'll cast barkskin on nagini and begin to head out with the group.

does anyone know if demon larvae or whatever are impervious to fire?

The larvae are still in their cases, each now turned to face the innermost corner, expressions of suffering and terror on their strangely human-like faces. Valais nods her assent that she would rather go up-top with you than face whatever is on it's way. You make to return to the upper level and pass through the library. Parchment curls in on itself and ink runs as if it bleeds like some phantom heat has damaged them. As you move into the long hallway, you hear movement ahead of you and look up to see the as yet unfinished patchwork creations that you earlier observed floating in their vats. The creatures lumber toward you awkwardly, as if they mean to block your passage!

Random Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Turk Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Delphinia Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Sir Pentor Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Gronk Initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 16
Shamak Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Valais Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Enemy Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Initiative Order - Round 1
---------------------------------------
Sir Pentor and Nagini
Valais
Shamak
Gronk
Random
Turk
Delphinia
Enemies

Feel free to call what you wish Valais to do. Sir Pentor and Nagini are up first!

You forgot Shamak in the init order :)

Far be it from meee to get in the way of true destructive force, but i doubt this will be useful against a demon, so i'll try it on these creatures.

Pentor fires a fireball around the corner, a blast of heat coming within inches of Gronk's face.

Nagini and I move to the other side of the hall to allow others to move up and act.

After the fireball goes off Gronk will rage and charge the closest one..

Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
Dam: 2d4 + 12 ⇒ (3, 4) + 12 = 19

AC is 15 for the round..

Shamak starts to growl and unsheathes his falchion.

Inspire courage, +1 hit/dmg and +1 against charm and fear effects.

"Knock them out of the way!"

"Ater-way ush-pay!" Random draws a symbol in the air with his index finger and pinkie, and then a burst of water appears between the two freaks, splashing against the one closer to the lab with great force. Or a modest amount of force. More force than a gentle wind, that's for sure. And now he's all wet, too.

Arcane spell failure < 10 fails: 1d100 ⇒ 18
[dice=Hydraulic push (linked): bull-rush attempt to push the furthest enemy back into the lab]1d20+3+3[/dice]

Oh his turn Turk advances and begins to sing, offering rage to the group.

Don't for get to move your icon on the map when you act.

Turk Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 (Failed, Nauseated for 1 round)
Sir Pentor Fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
_Nagini Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Gronk Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Shamak Fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 (Failed, Nauseated for 1 round)
Valais Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 (Failed, Nauseated for 1 round)

Initiative Order - Round 1
---------------------------------------
Sir Pentor and Nagini - casts fireball
Valais - delays, moves up, is nauseated
Shamak - begins performance,
Gronk - Attacks blue for 20 damage
Random - casts
Turk - begins to sing, is nauseated
Delphinia
Enemies
Slam: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Slam: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
---------------------------------------
Sir Pentor and Nagini
Shamak
Gronk
Random
Turk
Delphinia
Valais
Enemies

The smoke clears from Pentor's massive fireball, but instead of revealing flaming remains, the creatures still stand, seemingly unaffected even though the walls bear scorch marks that will likely last forever. Valais moves in behind Gronk as she doubles over, retching from a terrible stench that comes from the monstrosities. Shamak and Turk are also affected by the foul aura, but Gronk, Pentor and Nagini are unaffected. Gronk strikes a substantial blow with his sword, wounding the feminine looking (blue) creature. Random's splash attempt only leaves his target soaked, though.

The creatures strike back, both targeting Gronk and you notice they seem to be moving in slowed motion. Still, they are distressingly accurate as they both pummel Gronk with blows from their misshapen limbs. (Gronk takes 19 damage! Valais, Turk and Shamak are nauseated for 1 round. Delphinia still has a round 1 action and party is up!)

I command Nagini to attack them while climbing on the wall above Gronk and Valais, squeezing taking the -4 to attack , AC and saves and half speed. so its a double move to move up into position above Valais.

Pentor will step up to the corner, and start a full round action. spontaneously converting mirror image into summon nature's ally 2. which will complete next round.

Shamak spends his whole round trying to maintain his bardic performance.

With his hands full, and blocked from the bad guys, Random decides to cast again, "Egoay aximusmay!"

Spell failure < 11: 1d100 ⇒ 34
Casts delusional pride on the nearer enemy. Will save DC 14.
Caster lvl vs spell resistance: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Turk tries to maintain his song as he retches. Sounds like a stretch but maintaining a song is a free action.

Delphina will cast magic missile both rounds
2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 2 = 7
2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 4) + 2 = 7

Gronk will attack the fiend again.. "Get out of the way!"

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Dam: 2d4 + 12 ⇒ (1, 2) + 12 = 15

Confirm: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Dam: 2d4 + 12 ⇒ (4, 3) + 12 = 19

He'll also direct the spirit to attack.. We have one as well with your rage right?

Lesser Spirit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Initiative Order - Round 1
---------------------------------------
Sir Pentor and Nagini - casts fireball
Valais - delays, moves up, is nauseated
Shamak - begins performance,
Gronk - Attacks blue for 20 damage
Random - casts
Turk - begins to sing, is nauseated
Delphinia - casts MM, but it seems to have no effect
Enemies - slam Gronk for 10 + 9 damage
---------------------------------------Round 2
Sir Pentor and Nagini - begins casting, Nagini climbs
Shamak - barely maintains performance
Gronk - crits for 34 damage, TS does
Random - casts delusional pride, but it seems to have no effect
Turk - barely maintains performance
Delphinia
Valais Overrun: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Enemies
AOO on Val: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 Miss
Slam on Val: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
_Val Fort Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
---------------------------------------Round 3
Sir Pentor and Nagini
Shamak
Gronk
Random
Turk
Delphinia
Valais
Enemies

Delphinia fires her magic missile but the spell seems to fizzle into nothing as it strikes the patchwork monsters. (Also, I think you may be out of level one arcane spells now as your round 1 MM was your 4th casting?)

Random's spell appears to do the same and Shamak and Turk must do all they can just to maintain their performance through their distress but regain their stomachs soon after.

Gronk delivers a massive critical hit that slices through flesh and bone alike and the feminine looking creature goes down, unmoving as a corpse.

Valais regains herself and charges the remaining creature, lowering her horns as she turns the corner, not slowing. The thing takes a swipe at her as she knocks it aside, but it glances of her tough hide. It turns after her as she turns back, having overrun the unfinished thing and slams her more accurately this time.
Valais takes 7 damage and the party is up!

Assuming there is room - not sure where the snake is. He is willing to squeeze if he needs to. Turk moves up and attacks from 10' away.

mwk cold iron lucerne hammer: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 1 = 261d12 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Random peeks around the corner and points a finger at the remaining mutant. A glowing green ray of acid fires past the creature, hitting the staircase in the background.

Ranged touch, precise shot: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Gronk moves and attacks the remaining creature..

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 ha..
Confirm: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Damage: 2d4 + 12 ⇒ (4, 4) + 12 = 20
Crit Damage: 2d4 + 12 ⇒ (4, 1) + 12 = 17

Not wanting to get involved in the melee, Shamak maintains his performance and uses his round to clean his armor from the retching with prestidigitation.

Forgot to add in performance buffs to hit and damage.. Will be another +1 hit/dam.

Gronk lands another shattering blow with his Falchion, slicing through the reeking flesh of the remaining creature. The weakened thing has no time to prepare a return assault, however as Turk moves down the hall and strikes it with a well-placed blow with his Lucerne hammer. The monstrosity crashes to the floor and moves no more.

COMBAT OVER

Tremors now shake the entire complex with a disturbing regularity that seems consistent with the footsteps of a huge creature. Her eyes wide with fear, Valais guides you back to the winding stairwell that leads up to the surface.

You emerge from the stairway, expecting to see the same ruined walls and crumbled masonry that you passed through on your way down, but though you are sure you took the correct path, something is very wrong! The walls here are now whole again and the shrine has disappeared. Valais shakes her misshapen head as she looks one way and then another, fear and confusion plain on the human portion of her face. "No, this is the way out! Do my senses BETRAY me?" She slaps the stone angrily in frustration and the resulting clap reverberates through the dark, winding passages.

You hear strange voices echoing out there in the dark, but it is hard to discern the direction.
The party has a few rounds to regroup, heal up and make intelligence checks to help find your way through the maze, also give me your marching order.

Turk stops singing as the enemy drops. Moving forward he will pause to read the scroll of Heroism, casting the spell on Gronk. +2 to just about everything for 30 minutes! Considering the maze Turk looks like he may have figured something out about which way to go... ???

Int: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Scent help? Can I get nagini to ferret out the way we came ?

int: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Shamak stops his performance when the last enemy dies. He then tries to figure out what is happening with the walls but loses interest very soon and asks who needs healing.

Intelligence: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Before following everyone up the stairway, Random leaves behind that sleet storm he promised at the bottom of the stairs.

At the top, he sees why everyone has slowed down.

Int: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

"Somewhere this way, I think."

Marching order, he'd probably be near the back.

Gronk thankfully accepts the spell and takes point after he's told which way to go..

Int: 1d20 ⇒ 19

I think you should get +2 to that INT check from Heroism as well Gronk. :)

Heroism only gives to attacks/saves/skill checks. Its good hope that gives to ability checks as well.

Delphina will remain ranged support.

DM I think I have only used two arcane level 1s, and two divine level 1s but whatever your ruling I will abide by.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Gronk will move to the west unless his sense tell him otherwise.

This is one of those times where you should only look under a spoiler if it has your name on it. Player knowledge is a big deal here.

You all take a few moments to get your bearings in the strangely intact maze. Soon you hear the patter of approaching feet as a small party of three crusaders round a corner, speaking low to each other as they look around them warily. Oddly enough, they appear to not see you at all, looking through you as if you were not there before they disappear around another turn of the convoluted halls. A few beats later, your blood runs cold as a large yet eerily silent form emerges from the gloom ahead. It raises it's great horned head, snorting steamy breath through ringed nostrils with it's long bovine snout. With the torso of a muscular human, this beast is covered with thick, shaggy fur from the waist down. It's gnarled and callused, humanoid-like hands caress the haft of a massive hammer as if relishing it's future work. The creature seems consumed with his hunt as he does not even turn your way as he resumes his stealthy pursuit of the crusaders.
Cyan arrow on the map indicates the path taken by the crusaders and their stalker.

Valais shakes her head again, angrily this time. "Something WRONG here! Someone screwing with our minds..."

You notice that while you observed the scene and investigated the walls, Turk has apparently wandered off and is no longer among you!

Is anyone doing any healing? Valais is wounded as well as some of the party.

Random has a wand of CLW to share, but he can't cast it.

"I don't think those guys were real. In fact, this wall's an illusion, too. Maybe they're all illusions!"

Random uses his free hand to cast detect magic and scan the area.

"Waitasec... did Turk just ditch us?!"

"I agree and it seems he has wondered off.." Do we not get will saves to disbelieve? "I suggest we try the hidden path and get out of this! Hopefully we can catch up to Turk" Gronk moves atempts to walk through the portion of wall he believes fake.

Wishing he had that Heroism scroll for himself now Turk begin sing. His voice is clear and includes calls for help. The maze has enchanted me and I am lost. his words confide. As he sings he puts up his hammer, retrieving his great sword and tests the walls around him.

Pentor can cast it from your wand, he'll do the casting, just mark off the charges / dice rolls.

Yesss, thisss places messess with the mind.

Gronk 1: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Pentor 1: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Valais 1: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Valais 2?: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Valais 3?: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Valais 4?: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Bluedove, let me know how many Valais would have needed (or if she needs more).

Can we hear Turk?