PFS PbP - Thornkeep - The Dark Menagerie (lvl 5-7) (Inactive)

Game Master Revvy Bitterleaf

Calistan reads the man's lips and shakes his head. Boring and not a good deal at all...

Are we actually able to hear any of that with the silence?.

Good point, depends on where Calistan is when you enter the corridor..if Calistan stays in the middle of the room with the bells to make sure the entire hallway is covered until everyone has entered through the door..yes, (at least some of you are able to hear it)...if he moves up along sides you..then no

No problem. I'll hold that lead blades till later.

Samuel looks at the others, somewhat unsure how to react.

"That's very generous of you to offer, but why would we serve you? Who are you?"

-Posted with Wayfinder

Assuming he can get clear of silence. "Right. So far that ain't much of an offer. Hiding down in this gassy place beating on walking statues would get old after awhile.
What keeps you down here? Hobby? Antisocial or what?
My cousin Baldwin never could stand going outside our mountain home in Kravenkus. Call it a case of aggrophobia or something."

"I am Daegros, one of the last apprentices of Nhur Atheroon. And as to why you should serve me; as I stated..in return for your prowess in a fight I will allow you to benefit from my knowledge of the Arcane, which is substantial"

"As to what keeps me down here..that's a personal reason you don't need to know about right now, it might be the same as what is keeping you in, yes I know about the fact that most of you can't leave. But if we combine our might I am sure we can find a way to get you out so you can serve as my agents outside"

"You know. I have a different deal for you. Instead of us working for you, how about you working for the Pathfinder Society. In fact, my very good acquaintance, Zarta Dralneen, is seeking those who are knowledgeable about the arcane to help with the recovery and cataloging of valuable artifacts to join the Dark Archive. I think you'd find it to be very interesting and lucrative."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
Sorry, couldn't resist! It's right in line with my faction goals!

"I'll make you an offer..you deal with Togarin..take care of him so to say, another former apprentice who's somewhere in another part of this dungeon level and we can ...reevaluate our working arrangment"

"Snow Adder, I think that there is a great idea. Not sure about finding another apprentice. Maybe they would both join. Who is this Togarin anyhow?"

sense motive: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13 regardless of the result...

Keeping his distance while talking, Grimdoc will use his innate ability to detect evil on the man.

"I think Logain mentioned something about him. The one with the blue glyph if I recall correctly. Not sure if he knew anything further."

Calistan shrugs, nods and moves back to the gas. If everything is fine, he will breathe deeply before moving to the blue door.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Grimdoc doesn't detect the man as being evil (in case you are going for all the other alignments as well..he detects as true neutral).

Grimdoc also thinks he will be good on his word.

"As I mentioned..Togarin is another former apprentice, like myself...but his studies focused more on the undead and necromantic energies. Do we have a deal?"

Calistan moves back through the smoke and moves towards the blue door and quickly finds out the door is (still) locked

"And by deal with him, what exactly do you want us to do with him, kill him?" Marcel, who had been quiet up until now asks.

"What about Vuzhon? Are all of you apprentices trying to take each other out? What drove you guys apart?" Logain ask sceptically.

Satisfied of the man's offer, Grimdoc nods and listens to the others discussions with Daegros.

"I think his offer is genuine. I find no fault with him, but we know nothing about this other Togarin. He may have an equal claim to this place. I do not wish to take sides, but Togarin sounds like a dabbler in dark arts. I am not willing to side with such as that without good reason."

Snow Adder nods his assent with Grim's thoughts and waits for the others to conclude their questioning.

"Vuzhoon....is no longer anything to take into consideration"

"Isn't that the nature of power? To compete and gain strength?"

"And the departure of Nhur Atheroon created a vacuum which we are trying to fill"

"Ok, well we will go have a little chat with this Togarin to get his story. We may be back sooner than you think to negotiate further.

Grimdoc will turn to leave, following Calistan back out to the other side.

Snow Adder will also join Grim and Calistan.

You all arrive back on the other side without problems

You feel like Daegros isn't too happy about the course of events, but he still has some hope you will see his point of view

Grimdoc stops and pulls out a trail ration while he ponders the events thus far....

Ok, making sure I am following...
Nhur Atheroon = missing master of the dungeon?
Rozimus = our missing buddy, sucked into a portal
Vuzhoon = who again?
Daegros = apprenctice, deal offered
Togarin = student, necromancer
Did Daegros appearance match one of the ghostly images we saw when Rozimus was sucked up?

Once the party catches up...

"So we gonna make any deals with Daegros? I am not sure if this Togarin is the dude with the gassy face and statues. If he is, I'll be having a word or two with him...and not friendly ones at that."

Proceeding to the green gas column or back to the pair of doors?

Vuzhoon is another apprentice, the 3 demon faces in the first room has runes of all 3 apprentices - Daegros, Togarin and Vuzhoon

yes, to all others

Daegros appearance didn't match any of the ghostly imange you've seen

Smoke face mentioned in his message: Foolish apprentices -> it stands to reason that you wouldn't say that to a fellow apprentice but rather that the person saying this would have been the master

And just to speed things up a tiny bit;

As Grimdoc enters the next pillar of smoke he stand inside the smoke for a bit and as he exits again he ends up back in the same room

Other smoke pillar doesn't function, at least not now

What's your plan now?

Seemingly baffled by all the talk of magic, masters and apprentices, Samuel defers to his fellow Pathfinders, ready to take point once a route is selected.

-Posted with Wayfinder

"Time to see if we can open a different door?"

"Yes, lets open the door we were about to open when some of us took the gassy door. Hah. Gassy door. That there is funny...I dont care who you are."

Going for the red door which Marcel managed to unlock before you open it to see a small corridor, with a door on the SW part. Inside is a trio of very familiair looking moving statues.

Init Samuel: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Init Grimdoc: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Init Marcel: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Init Snowadder: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
Init Calistan: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (1) - 5 = -4
Init Logain: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Init Statues: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17

init
Snow Adder, Grimdoc
Statues
Party

Snow Adder takes a quick step to the side and fires a volley of cold iron arrows at the red statue.
Since it was good for six minutes, I think gravity bow may still be up, but I'll roll damage both ways and you can decide. I'll also incorporate a charge from aspect of the falcon since that has been a pretty standard part of Snow Adder's door prep.
Attack 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Attack 1 (confirm): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Damage 1 (regular): 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 2) + 5 = 11
Extra Damage 1 if Crit Confirmed: 2d6 + 5 + 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 3) + 5 + (3, 6) + 5 = 26
Attack 2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Attack 2 (confirm): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Damage 2 (regular): 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (6, 2) + 5 = 13
Extra Damage 2 if Crit Confirmed: 2d6 + 5 + 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 5) + 5 + (2, 4) + 5 = 25
Attack 3: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Damage 3 (regular): 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (3, 1) + 5 = 9
If no gravity bow...
Damage 1 (regular): 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Extra Damage 1 if Crit Confirmed: 1d8 + 5 + 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 + (4) + 5 = 16
Damage 2 (regular): 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Extra Damage 2 if Crit Confirmed: 1d8 + 5 + 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 + (6) + 5 = 22
Damage 3 (regular): 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Grimdoc will drop his lucern hammer and draw his adamantine Nodachi

"Oh brother. More of these rock-heads!"

Adamantine Nodachi, PA/FF: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
for dmg, PA: 1d10 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 6 = 17

I don't think it's been 6 minutes yet..so gravity bow is most likely still up

Snow Adder fires a volley of cold iron arrows at one of the statues (going by angle - the red one)

Shattering one with his first arrow

Then continuing on towards the next hitting it with 1 arrow whole the last arrow hits the wood of the doorwat.(blue, with a lot of cover - doesn't confirm)

Grimdoc drops his lucern hammer and draws his adamantine Nodachi as he moves into the room and hits the same statue Snow Adders second arrow hit

In return both remaining statues swing their swords at Grimdoc

To hit AC Grimdoc: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
To hit AC Grimdoc: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

To confirm: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

One of them manages a cut to the side of Grimdoc's head but doesn't manage to slice him in the troath (doesn't confirm) while the other sword glances harmlessly to the side as it hits Grimdoc's armor

Damage Grimdoc: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

init
Party
Statues

Damage Blue: 17

Cover doesn't affect Snow Adder - improved precise shot :)

Snow Adder takes a quick step to the door and sends another trio of arrows at the statues. Begin with blue, then switch to yellow
Attack 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Damage 1: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (2, 1) + 5 = 8
Attack 2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Damage 2: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 3) + 5 = 12
Attack 3: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Confirm 3: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Damage 3: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 6) + 5 = 15
Extra Damage 3 if confirmed: 2d6 + 5 + 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (1, 6) + 5 + (2, 5) + 5 = 24

"After you boys. These creatures seem to be your strong points. Unfortunately they are immune to my magics." Logain says with an annoyed voice but makes room for the others to enter the room and go to work.
Probably just delay. No space and I'm not the best melee fighter without magical support.

Cover doesn't affect Snow Adder - improved precise shot :)

Ah, I knew there was someone in one of my pbp's who had that..couldn't remember who it was though. That means you confirmed with the second crit..didn't take him down though..so doesn't change much in the over all greater scheme of things

Snow Adder first arrow takes down the blueish statue and his next 2 arrows take down the last statue

Other then 3 longswords which appear to be made from stone at first glance the statues carry nothing and there's nothing in the corridor of interest..other then the next door.

Grimdoc nods to Adder as he picks up his lucern hammer.

"Third times the charm they say. I think we have their number now. Lets see what they were guarding."

Grimdoc will take a quick look at the door before opening it.

Perception : 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14

Grimdoc's wounds quickly close as the same open across Calistan. He grimaces in pain but wants to try something new. His body coalesces into the form of a bright light in the vague shape of Calistan. All of his accrued wounds sizzle and pop as they seal themselves and Calistan waves at his friends.

Standard action to become a golden-white fire elemental; Move Action to heal myself.

Heal: 1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 2 = 4

"Hey thanks Cal. Grimdoc nods to the now white elemental, somewhat mystified.

Samuel smiles to himself as he realises that he didn't even need to draw his blade.

"Impressive display."

-Posted with Wayfinder

"Let's hope no more of these staues..."
Logain says and taps himself with the shield wand and starts hovering over the floor.

-Posted with Wayfinder

You open the door to reveal:

The west wall of this corridor features 3 narrow windows overlooking an enoursmous chamber below (the one with smokey face and the statues). An elobarate rack against the east wall contains severals slots stuffed with scroll tubes

At the end of the corridor is another door

Neither the scrolls nor the door at the end appear to be trapped

When you use detect magic 8 scrolls light up

"Well, the scrolls are nice and all. But I was half expectin to find our smoke faced buddy in here. I still have a word or two for him you know." Grimdoc will look for any hidden control panels or stone work.

perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14 +2 vs stone

Or maybe not

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Marcel also has difficulty finding anything out of the ordinary in this room.

Just to confirm, nothing not already stated is found with those perception rolls. Are you going for the door at the end of this corridor or walk back and try a door there?

Grimdoc will open the southern door.

"I am getting hungry. You would think this place would have a pantry."

"Maybe this room will be it." Snow Adder checks the door and then backs up and uses his wand to cast aspect of the falcon.
Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19

As you open the unlocked and none trapped door you see;

The sweeping ceiling of this spacious gallery allows for a huge display of framed paintings upon the south wall, each of which sports a different monster looking down on the raised platform at the center of the room. The platform supports a simple table covered with an open book and numerous burning candles of various colors and lengths.

Grimdoc peers in and comments.

"Well, they set a fancy table and all. But still no food. Some kind of trophy room I recon ."

"I'll take the scrolls with me for now. Might be useful, though they might be a challenge to activate."

Logain takes a look over Grimdoc's shoulder and tries to identify the monsters, perhaps they mean something. At the same time he scans over the room with his eyes glowing, searching for magical aura's.
know arc dung planes: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29
know arc dung planes: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
know arc dung planes: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
know arc dung planes: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21
know arc dung planes: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29

What's with the ice giant?

My mistake, I was cut&pasting monsters from various maps to other maps for my pbp's - so I don't have to search for new pictures and can just re-use them from previous scenarios, that one ended up here

Logian looks into the room and sees that the entire room radiates magic and after some concentrating can distinguish that all paintings radiate magic as well.

The paintings are numerous and include various pictures of dinosaurs, efreet,trolls, devils, demons and trolls