PFS - PbP Gameday IV - #4-19 [CORE] The Night March Of Kalkamedes (1-5) Starts 19 September 2015 (Inactive)

Game Master Mike Tuholski

Jarlaxle continues to aid Umaga (and maintain Bard Song)...

Aid: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 = 10. SUCCESS!

"You may want to try a different type of weapon, guys; piercing didn't work so well..."

i.e. Try Bludgeoning or Slashing, if you have access...

All I currently have is piercing so...I will be somewhat useless. I can still power attack though lol

PA shortspear: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 13 for damage: 1d6 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 = 8

I also realized I forgot to add the +1 from sing to my pervious attack. Does a 13 hit?

Hey guys, I was asked to help you out by finishing the game up. I'll do what I can to get it done ASAP unless Tek shows back up soon. In the mean time, thanks for being patient everyone!

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So it looks like you guys are in the low tier and have taken a few swings at the dragon. I've double-checked the damage you've done so far and just to clarify: Ray's force damage is certainly hurting it but Umaga's spear is not wholly effective, although Umaga has managed to hit it several times (yes, a 13 hits).

The dragon now has several tears in it from Umaga's spear and Ray's missiles but still it fights on! From the background, the gnome taunts you, "Hey, come on! Let me out and I'll help, I'm great against undead! I know all their weaknesses, I can help you!"

The dragon only bites back at Umaga:

bite: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Initiative:

1. Creat, Ray, Jarlaxle, Umaga
2. Dragon (17 dmg)

You guys are up!

Thanks for stepping into the breech :-)

With a wince, Jarlaxle steps forward, and takes a swing (still maintaining Bard Song).

MW Cold Iron Longsword: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 1 = 20, for 1d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 = 15 Slashing damage.

He then holds out his longsword to Umaga.

"Here - try this instead..."

Basically, I am proposing that we play musical weapons each round, so that we can actually use a weapon that can hurt this thing...

free: drop spear. Move: grab longsword. Standard: power attack dragon

Umaga tosses his spear to the ground and grabs the longsword offered by Jarlaxle. He takes a mighty swing at the foul beast before him.

PA longsword: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 - 1 = 9
damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 10

Jarlaxle by chance are you standing 5-feet nearer the beast than the last map I saw shows or is that a really, really long sword?

Creat drops the bow and pulls his short sword and moves forwardish.

Two move actions.

Ray tries some of his elemental magic, shooting an acid ray at the dragon.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

No problem! And a big thanks to all of you for being patient enough to stick with the game for this many months. To be honest, I don't think I would have stuck around for six months for a single scenario. So props to all of you!

Jarlaxle slashes a large chunk from the dragon's wing as Umaga then grabs the sword but is not yet quite used to its weight and balance. Creat moves in to help as Ray's acid burns away some rotten flesh, leaving a pungent odor of rotten meat being cooking lingering in the cavern.

The dragon shudders and whips its head around to bite at Jarlaxle this time:

bite: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
I think that is going to drop Jarlaxle if your HP are correct in your banner.

Initiative:

1. Creat, Ray, Jarlaxle, Umaga
2. Dragon (37 dmg)

You guys are up!

Umaga, despite being right next to his foe, bends down to retrieve the longsword dropped by Jarlaxle as he falls from the viscous bite. He than swings the longsword at the foul looking and now foul smelling creature.

eats AOO to grab longsword

PA: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 - 1 = 23 add +1 if inspire is still up
damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8 add +1 if inspire is still up

Here's hoping you threaten! And here's hoping the water is all that deep in this square.

Creat dives past the monster, torch in one hand sword in the other.

acrobatics (move through threatened spaces at half speed): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

short sword (flanking): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 14 damage (sneak attack): 1d6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (2) = 4 sigh....

"YEEARGH!!--ho boy!"

My hp was correct - this party has precisely zero healing, sadly...

Stabilise: 1d20 - 8 + 2 ⇒ (14) - 8 + 2 = 8.

Jarlaxle continues to bleed.

AoO bite on Umaga: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Umaga cuts off another piece of the dragon and Creat then leaps behind it and finishes it off!

Out of combat!

"Well!" the gnome calls out. "Congratulations but I could have done it a lot faster, and without one of you bleeding all over the place! I can heal her if you let me out!"

Umaga drops the longsword, and attempts to stabilize his half-elf ally. He tries to put pressure on the artery that is spilling blood everywhere, but only manages to make things worse by almost killing the man. He can still feel a very very faint pulse, he looks to the others

You guys got any ideas before it too late?!

heal untrained: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Stabilise: 1d20 + 2 - 9 ⇒ (17) + 2 - 9 = 10.

Whether through Umaga's ministrations, or his own ability to clot, Jarlaxle manages to stop bleeding.

I'll probably wake up in a few hours ;-)

[dice=AoO bite on Umaga]1d20 + 7

[dice=damage]1d8 + 5

Umaga cuts off another piece of the dragon and Creat then leaps behind it and finishes it off!

Out of combat!

"Well!" the gnome calls out. "Congratulations but I could have done it a lot faster, and without one of you bleeding all over the place! I can heal her if you let me out!"

"I got it? I mean of course I got it! Haha!" He stabs it again and puts a boot on the things back and poses.

"How's Jarlaxle? And-OH DAMN! WHERE'S KALKAMEDES?! And it's just long hair Jarlaxle is a dude--kinda an elfin' dude but still a dude."

Jarlaxle remains unconscious, but continues to breathe easily.

Kalkamedes seems to have wandered away from the gnome and over to another circle which has a fair woman trapped inside, lying unconscious on the ground.

Has everyone here played this scenario before? Most of you are veterans so I'm guessing you probably have.

Nope.

... Any actions then? I want to get you guys finished soon but I need some agency from you now that combat's over.

I would love to provide some active input, but I am currently unconscious ;-)

That said, from a meta-perspective, can I suggest searching the room, at the very least?

Also, is the woman injured, or simply asleep?

Umaga will search the pool of water the dragon came from.

take 20=21

In the pool Umaga finds many disgusting remains of foul creatures which have been discarded in the water: there are several limbs and even a ribcage with some rotten flesh still on it. There is, however, also the remains of the dragon's horde. While the fetid water has long tarnished the hundreds of loose coins into valueless ruin, two black stone pots sealed with wax have survived. Between them they contain a scabbard of vigor, a phylactery of faithfulness, a potion of cure serious wounds, and five polished pieces of amber worth 100 gp each.

The gnome continues begging for help. "Please, you must let me out. I've been stuck down here for centuries and you're the first to come this way. It was the Thrallkeepers, they bound me here in this keep, which was known as the Black Edifice then. They wanted to use my fey essence to power their magic. They are gone but these wards have kept me young. I just want nothing more than to be free so that I can taste fresh air once again, die at last, and perhaps travel back in spirit to the First World from whence I came."

Meanwhile in the other circle the beautiful, elven warrior-woman does not appear asleep but rather knocked out cold from several injuries.

knowledge (local): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

"What do you make of this Jarlax--err nevermind."

Seeing the gnome beg and wail Creat says: "You know I can't stand to see a poor guy suffer." He leads the party a few paces deeper into the cave so that they can no longer see the gnome.

"So the potion, who gets it?" He looks between the group's bard and elf woman. "Kalkamedes seems to like the dame and you know how well he's steered us tonight."

Heh. Well, if you are willing to wait an hour...

For what it's worth, this is new to me...

Ray takes the potion found and feeds it to Jarlaxle.

"That was fortuitous, but maybe not enough."
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"I am afraid I don't know what to make of all of this, but I don't trust this gnome, and I have never seen cages like these. It seems to me, though, if he has been trapped as long as he claims, he can wait another day until we ask others at the lodge who may be more knowledgeable than I for some assistance."

It's a cure serious wounds potion and Creat tackles you if you try until Umaga chimes in. I like Jarlaxle and all but...

Meanwhile in the other circle the beautiful, elven warrior-woman does not appear asleep but rather knocked out cold from several injuries.

heal (check over Jarlaxle): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

"He's dead!" Creat declares. Then as he comes around. "Or he's not."

Ninja'd

EDIT: @Creat - we *also* have a Potion of CLW that we picked-up from Kalkamedes' stash right at the start of the scenario; I assumed that is what Ray tried to feed me ;-)

Knowledge(Local): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17.
Knowledge(History): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13.
Knowledge(Planes): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10.
Knowledge(Planes): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16.
Knowledge(Planes): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26.

Once Jarlaxle staggers to his feet (albeit at -6, and therefore staggered until he gets some more healing), he does his best to make sense of what he has just been told.

"Sorry; I'm still a little fuzzy."

When he gets a closer look at the unconscious woman, however, he brightens up.

"Wow. She is actually a Ghaele, a type of azata; they are Good Outsiders, which also have a strong chaotic bent."

He then grins weakly.

"She sounds like a woman after my own heart!"

Anyone want to feed the Potion of CSW to her? I would offer, but I am still somewhat disabled ;-)

EDIT: @Creat - we *also* have a Potion of CLW that we picked-up from Kalkamedes' stash right at the start of the scenario; I assumed that is what Ray tried to feed me ;-)

Thought we were out of healing since the skunk that mauled us.

We were out of my spell slots (which was the only other healing) - the potion was being kept in reserve, for if someone was knocked unconscious.

Creat moves into the circle the woman is in.

heal (check over the chaotic elf angel lady): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10

"Well she's not dead." I think. "Are you sure you don't want it?"

Ah, I see it now--back at the beginning of January. Ray I retract my / Creat's violent response to your care-giving. ;)

:)

Umaga, grabs his longspear, flips it around and gently "pokes" at the woman in the circle, unsure what to expect from this place.

heal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

I can barely feel a pulse, but otherwise she is out cold. Should we force the potion we just down her?

Re: playing the scenario before: Good! It's just a very popular scenario that's been around a while and since this is core I thought some of you might have played it already in regular mode.

Assuming you eventually give her the potion, since that's what you seem to be agreeing upon.

Upon pouring the potion down the azata's throat, she blinks several times and then slowly looks around and sits up. When she sees Kalkamedes she smiles. "You haven't let Koth'Vaul from his prison, have you? No, I don't suppose you would still be here if you had. That is good. He is not what he appears. He is a treachery demon that has been trapped there for millenia. His wards are failing, although they will stay for a little while yet. I am sorry for any trouble I might have put you through but I am trapped as well and the best I could do was to reach out to your friend's subconscious. Oh, I should fix him." She waves her hand and Kalkamedes stumbles, opens his eyes, and looks about the cavern very confused at his surroundings.

"I am Sulianna," the azata continues, now speaking to Kalkamedes. "Do not be alarmed. I have been trapped in this place and reached out to your mind to bring help here. In that other summoning circle is a powerful demon that will break out some day if something is not done about it."

"I am still very weak but I think... yes, if you let me out I think I can grant one of you some of my own divine power to banish the foul demon back to the Abyss. I will also help you take your friend here back home."

The summoning circle she is trapped in has hardness 5 and 50 hp. It might take a while, but you would be capable of breaking it eventually if you worked together. Unlike the gnome, her testimony doesn't have any obvious flaws that would be cause for concern.

Jarlaxle grins weakly, and gives a cautious bow, wincing as he does so.

"Greetings, dear lady! My name is Jarlaxle. Sadly, I am a little indisposed at present, otherwise I would jump at the chance to free a beautiful lady such as yourself. I hate to be so gauche as to interrogate a trapped damsel, but why are you here, and how is it that you were able to reach out to Kalkamedes?"

Her story may not have flaws, but I would still be interested in hearing more of it ;-)

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15

"She sounds pretty convincing to me..."

Jarlaxle grins weakly, and gives a cautious bow, wincing as he does so.

"Greetings, dear lady! My name is Jarlaxle. Sadly, I am a little indisposed at present, otherwise I would jump at the chance to free a beautiful lady such as yourself. I hate to be so gauche as to interrogate a trapped damsel, but why are you here, and how is it that you were able to reach out to Kalkamedes?"

"Millenia ago in the time of Thassilon, the Thrallkeepers employed summoned creatures to carve out this deep complex, which they dedicated to the conjuration dangerous of outsiders. Until recently, the only occupant remaining here was the glabrezu Koth’Vaul over there, but the wards that bind him have degraded to the point that within a handful of weeks he could break free. Sensing this impending danger to the countryside, I sought out the glabrezu several weeks ago, intending to destroy him before he could escape. I underestimated Koth’Vaul’s power and the extent to which the prison had weakened, and I soon found myself within the glabrezu’s reach. We fought an extended battle before Koth’Vaul at last dealt a crippling blow that knocked me beyond his reach. Then he called on his undead ally but I had had too much and I sought refuge in this other summoning circle, knowing that I would be trapped but at least safe for the moment. Shortly after I fell unconscious but even comatose I was able to reach out to your friend Kalkalmedes here and so summon help. I am glad you were able to make it and did not fall prey to Koth'Vaul's lies."

Knowledge(Planes) - Glabrezu: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8.

"What's a Glabrezu? Is it gnomish Demon, in the same way that you are an elfin Azata?"

I figure that I can keep talking, since I will fall unconscious the moment I try to do something strenuous, like bust her out ;-)

Sulianna shakes her head. "No, no. I am not exactly an elfin azata as you say and a glabrezu is most definitely not a gnomish demon. They are commonly known as treachery demons, and I think the name speaks for itself."

"Huh? I always thought a glabrezu was one of those little white pavilions in a park."

Lol. So are you freeing her?

Also, while we wrap things up, please post your PFS number and your day job roll if you have one.

Jarlaxle looks at her doubtfully.

"You certainly look Elven... or is that simply an illusion, in the same way his Gnomish appearance (presumably) is?"

I am perfectly happy to free her; I just physically can't do it myself ;-)

Ray tries to free the gal. If what she is saying is true, we will need some help...

"I suppose my features are a bit elven to those who have never met a ghaele before," Sulianna says as the others start working to free her. Eventually you break through the circle and set her free. Sulianna thanks you and places her hands on Ray, who feels an immense power being transferred over to him. With this new power, Ray can approach Koth'Vaul and with a simple "Begone!" the treacherous demon is shunted back to the Abyss.

Sulianna accompanies the group back to Kalkamedes’s cottage and then departs for Elysium, but not before promising a favor in return for your assistance. Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch expresses visible relief upon seeing you all return and offers you heartfelt thanks for your patience and hard work. Kalkamedes is also grateful, spreads word of your good deed to his long-time Pathfinder colleagues, and—with Gamin’s consent—gives his sword to you as a gift.

And that's it for Night March of Kalkamedes! Thanks to everyone for playing and thanks again for being so patient with this game. Six months for a scenario really does take some true patience so thanks for sticking in there. I'll get chronicles sent out soon.

In the cave Well, here's hoping Sulianna isn't Erinyes for "Two-faced".

Later at Kalkamedes' place She hasn't killed us yet so that's hopeful.... Oh great, a broken sword.... Maybe I can get something for the mithril silver. Oh maybe a museum! They seem to like old broken stuff.

Thanks for helping us finish the Bataan Death March of scenarios. :) And thanks to everyone for hanging tough. I'd march with you all again if I weren't experiencing the seven year itch just now. But just think, at this rate, in about seventeen years we can all get back together and play a Society capstone game!

Thanks, EF, for jumping in and finishing this up for us! ANd thanks to everyone for hanging in there.