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

Game Master Revvy Bitterleaf

what did my knowledge check gain? If I have questions: resistances vs magic, special attacks and other defenses besides magic.

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Immunity to Magic (Ex)

A flesh golem is immune to any spell or spell-like ability that allows spell resistance. In addition, certain spells and effects function differently against the creature, as noted below.

A magical attack that deals cold or fire damage slows a flesh golem (as the slow spell) for 2d6 rounds (no save).
A magical attack that deals electricity damage breaks any slow effect on the golem and heals 1 point of damage for every 3 points of damage the attack would otherwise deal. If the amount of healing would cause the golem to exceed its full normal hit points, it gains any excess as temporary hit points. A flesh golem gets no saving throw against attacks that deal electricity damage.

Snow Adder fires another volley of arrow of which only one manages to hit it's mark Even with the bonus for hitting a blind target you only hit it's AC once

Grimdoc grunts in pain as the golem uses his helmet for punching practice.

Having a problem seeing the golem through all the spinning stars and tweety birds, Grimdoc misses wildly.

Marcel and Grimdoc's wounds will start to heal as Calistan takes more punishment from his careless stoic teammates. He will cast a Cure Light Wounds on the wounded dwarf to keep up the fight against the golem.

init
Marcel, Samuel, Logain
Enemies

Damage golem: 38 (no bleed, still blind)
damage caster: 35 - bleeding for 1 damage - 3 rounds left

Marcel, Samuel, Logain?

frost burst on sword as swift and casting frostbite and attacking it. Sharing the Info.
Logain summons a line of frost around his sword and strikes the Golem with it. attack: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 2 = 30
confirm attack: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 2 = 26
dmg: 1d6 + 5 + 1d6 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 5 + (2) + 5 + (2) = 15
crit dmg: 1d6 + 5 + 1d6 + 5 + 1d10 ⇒ (2) + 5 + (3) + 5 + (3) = 18

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Samuel maintains the same tactics, swinging again at his large foe.

+1 ghost touch longsword: 1d20 + 10 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 10 - 2 - 2 = 261d8 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 - 2 = 7

+1 ghost touch longsword: 1d20 + 5 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 5 - 2 - 2 = 91d8 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 - 2 = 9

Possible crit confirm

+1 ghost touch longsword: 1d20 + 10 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 10 - 2 - 2 = 171d8 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 - 2 = 8

Still AC 31

Marcel will take a defensive stance, not wanting to risk being smacked by the golem for trying to move past it once more.

Total Defense

Logain summons a line of frost around his sword and strikes the Golem with it

@Logain; Kinda wondering how you can do this btw..are you flying behind Grimdoc and take a 5ft step forward or something?

Samuel slices into the golems flesh, not as deeply as he could have ..and only once Doesn't confirm, second one hits due to blindness

Marcel will take a defensive stance, not wanting to risk being smacked by the golem for trying to move past it once more.

I'll just assume that Logain somehow worked out his movement last round and he's actually able to attack now ..which means the golem goes down from the damage it takes this round

The caster turns visible at the same time as black tentacles burst out from the floor and start to crawl up your legs in a rather uncomfortable way

To grab vs CMD: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27
Damage if that beats your CMD: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 and grappled

Grimdoc grunts in pain as the tentacles grab his beefy legs.

"Ouch! Who in the nine hades ordered all this calamari!
I only like it deep fried...and preferably not while I am in it.

The dwarf sees the caster and yells over.

"You again?!?!? Now you have just made me very angry."

Grimdoc swiftly grows to large size and attempts to break free of the grapple.

I just found a boon from Accursed Halls...Image of Imminent Opportunity. +2 on an attack roll. I am assuming CMB is an attack roll?

CMB, str, large, boon?: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 23

2/5 enlarges used

Yes, CMB is an attack roll.
Snow Adder tries to wriggle free of the tentacles, but they have him gripped tight and he cannot move.
Escape Artist: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Derring-Do: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Calistan weaves his hands as he becomes trapped, trying to free Marcel to deal with the spell caster. Liberating Command; Swift. Free Escape Artist check to escape the grapple and gets a +12 to the attempt.

He will then expend his last Channel Energy to heal the entire party and grant them luck.

Channel Energy: 5d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 3, 5, 3, 5) + 1 = 21

Everyone gets a single reroll on a d20 in the next 6 rounds.

Escape Artist: 1d20 + 4 - 2 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 4 - 2 + 12 = 17
Reroll from Calistan: 1d20 + 4 - 2 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 4 - 2 + 12 = 27 From what I can tell, that beats the tentacles.

Utilizing Calistan's assistance, Marcel breaks free from the tentacles and moves to confront the caster.

Just to confirm, yes CMB is an attack roll

Grimdoc breaks free of the tentacles

CMD is 22

Snow Adder tries to wriggle free of the tentacles, but they have him gripped tight and he cannot move

Calistan weaves his hands as he becomes trapped, trying to free Marcel to deal with the spell caster before channeling to heal the party

Marcel aided by some luck from Calistan breaks free of the tentacles and moves to confront the caster

init
Samuel, Logain
Enemies

damage caster: 35 - bleeding for 1 damage - 3 rounds left

Grimdoc will move forward once he is free.

Missed the fact that the escape artist check from Calistan's spell was an immediate action, thus I still have a standard action.

+1 Broken Aldori: 1d20 + 14 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 14 - 2 - 2 = 191d8 + 6 + 7 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 7 - 2 - 2 = 15

Still having a bit of energy, Marcel attacks the caster with his sword.

yeah I flew over the golem while invisible. Do I get grappled as well in the air?

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CMB: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 - 2 = 14

Samuel tries desperately to pull himself free of the tentacles, but to no avail.

Missed the fact that the escape artist check from Calistan's spell was an immediate action, thus I still have a standard action.

[dice=+1 Broken Aldori]1d20+14-2-2;1d8+6+7-2-2

Still having a bit of energy, Marcel attacks the caster with his sword.

Yeah, but you don't get the re-roll on that check yet. First you get the free escape artist check..then you get the healing+reroll..so effectively you failed the first check..then don't have the +12 anymore on your next attempt (and still have a reroll left).Also the tentacled area counts as difficult terrain so I don't think you have enough movement to make it out of the area? Which means the tentacles get another attempt to grab you. So..you still have your reroll attempt to escape and otherwise you are still trapped

yeah I flew over the golem while invisible. Do I get grappled as well in the air?

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I don't see why not. It's a 20 ft spread and everyone in the area gets grappled..I'm assuming it has 3 dimensions because otherwise by the same rule you'd get pretty weird fireballs.

Samuel tries to break free but fails
You have a reroll in case you want to use it from Calistans healing btw

And I'll assume Logain tries to break free this round as well

The tentacles continue to squeeze everyone they still have a hold on (or tried to grab onto someone that managed to escape but didn't get far enough - ignore the extra +5 for that last one).

to grab: 1d20 + 12 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 12 + 5 = 34
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

The caster takes a step back and starts to cast a spell
Concentration to cast on the defensive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
and some magic missiles streak forth to pelt Grimdoc
force damage: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 4, 2, 4) + 4 = 16

damage caster: 36 - bleeding for 1 damage - 2 rounds left

Grimdoc staggers from the impact of the missiles of magical force.

"I gotta say, I am not a big fan of yer work."

Back in his normal size he steps north and stabs at the wizard.

Adamantine Nodachi, PA/FF: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
for dmg, PA: 1d10 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 6 = 21

Turning sideways and twisting violently, Snow Adder attempts to slip out of the tentacles once again. Free for now, Snow Adder moves up toward the apprentice.
Escape Artist: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Escape Artist (reroll from Calistan): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Derring-Do: 1d6 ⇒ 4
28 ought to do it, I think DC is 22.

cmb: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
cmb reroll: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Logain struggled with the tentacles and was unable to get loose.

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CMB Reroll: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 - 2 = 14

Still no.

Ah forgot this round
Logain struggles again against the tentacles.
cmb: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

+1 Broken Aldori: 1d20 + 14 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 14 - 2 - 2 = 181d8 + 6 + 7 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 7 - 2 - 2 = 13
Second attack: 1d20 + 9 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 9 - 2 - 2 = 231d8 + 6 + 7 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 7 - 2 - 2 = 14

Marcèl takes a step forward, slashing at the wizard twice as he does so.

Grimdoc staggers from the impact of the missiles of magical force and then steps forwards and stabs at the wizard but his attack gets deflected by the magic surrounding the wizard (doesn't hit AC)

Snow Adder manages to escape the tentacles

Logain and Samuel struggle but remain stuck

Marcel manages to cut down the caster with 2 strokes of his blade.

The tentacles manages to squeeze some of you for a few more rounds before you escape or they disappear back to where they were conjured from And assuming Calistan still has a channel left to use of you to heal the damage they would do over the next few rounds without leaving any lasting impact on this world

The caster had a non magical silver dagger and an expended scroll as well as a cloak of resistance.

As you examine the door leading to the north out of the corridor you are in you see;

This posh bedroom looks like it was recently ransacked. Numerous ancient books litter the floor, and piles of papers with arcane markings are spread haphazardly across the chamber.

When you go further east you see;

At the center of a darkened chamber, five floating crystalline shapes weave and rotate in eldritch patterns, casting blasts of colorful light into the deep shadows of the room's many narrow niches.

"Whew. That was close. Are all of you still ok? Anyone squeezed ta death back there?"

Grimdoc will try to help/heal any that need it. Otherwise, he will recover his dropped weapons and move to the door.

"Well as I will be for awhile I suppose." Marcel answers, glancing at the floating crystalline shapes.

"I hope those are Ioun Stones."

"Well that would sure be handy if they are ioun stones. I'd hate to have to leave you all in here. I don't like drinking alone. Hah!"

Logain scans the room detecting for magic aura's and gives a long look at the paperwork.
take 10 will let me get it

"Seems to be some notes about consciousness transfer and the magic jar spell the other mage talked about."

"I'm all right Grim. If you don't mind, go ahead and take my wand and I'll be even better."
I'll use a couple wand charges to heal anything that Cal doesn't automatically pick up.

Samuel joins the others and assists in searching the room.

"If they are ioun stones do you think we'll be able to escape this place?"

As you mention them being ion stone the more magical studied people think about it and confirm that they are indeed ion stones

In fact an dusty rose prism, an incandescent blue sphere, a pink rhomboid, a scarlet and blue sphere, and a dark blue rhomboid

Powerful Azlanti magic bound these ioun stones into a
complex geometric array, which prevents you from removing them from their current location how ever.

"They are ioun stones? Then this could be our way out of here if we can figure out how to remove them from this array."
As they currently are, we can't move them at all, correct?

Grimdoc scratches his beard as he ponders the stones.

"Well, if we can't move them, there must be some puzzle or trick to it. You know, like one of them there Planar Cube toys. Hey, didn't we pass a door in the hall with the squid-legs? Maybe that room has a clue."

Calistan looks over the array, trying to discern how it works.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

As he does this, he casually expends some more healing to remove the wounds from his friends once they transfer to him.

"This must be that time array that Togarin mentioned, the one we need a paradox to destroy." Marcel says aloud.

Logain tries to analyze the geometric array to see if he can recognize anything from the array and put it into context to what he knows about the Azlantian empire.
know arcana + Azlanti: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22

anything else I can do to study it for clues?

The only thing your combined analysis of the array can come up with to free the ion stones is to apply brute force (not magic, it seems immune to magical interference) - e.a. beat the stones out of it with your weapons or to create a time paradox to disrupt the energy protecting it

Grimdoc is not much of a brute of force as he is a mass of flesh but moves up to help.

"if we need to try and disrupt it, we can try and work together. I can get big a few more seconds or use my hammer. We just don't want to break nothing i'd wager ."

Str : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

the time paradox came by over and over, but ooc I have no idea how I would go about and create one. There arent any time zones about. Are there?

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I still don't understand how killing the guy creates a time paradox... Am I the only one? Also, yes, I don't know if we can even create a time paradox ourselves...

Calistan is confused at what to do. He doesn't want to kill, but he also wants to get out of this blasted place. Or take a nap... A nap sounds nice.

unless one of these guys is the father or student if the other and they already traveled through time to get here like McFly .

Samuel shakes his head at the situation.

"I'm not willing to kill anyone we don't have to, so if that means we have to smash this device apart then so be it."

Calistan sits in the corner, feeling exhausted as most of his magical and holy reserves are depleted. He nods his head along with Samuel.

I think you can't figure it out in PFS since you miss some of the background for not playing the entire module - just the dungeon levels; one of the 3 apprentices managed to escape by transferring her consciousness into an "explorer" and going outside. You are supposed to have met that person and notice something is wrong when you meet the earlier version. You create a time paradox by killing that person from a time point before he gets soul swapped therefor he won't be alive/around later for it to happen..which messes stuff up for this dungeon level. Then again, you are basically killing an innocent person just to escape your current condition..which isn't a very good act.

Samuel gets a tight grip on his weapon and swings at the array, as his weapon connect a magical backlash washes over Samuel and grey hair appear on his head at a rapid pace, his powerful body looses some mass and he ages years right in front of your eyes.
Samuels subconscious reels with half-remembered scenes of wandering the empty halls of the Sanctum for the number of years aged.

The array has 100 hit points. Anyone who physically attacks the array must succeed at a Will save with a DC equal to the number of hit points remaining after the attack. Failure displaces the PC in time. Victims age 1d20 years in a singlemoment. ...which could be really scary if you roll high on the D20 a few times and aging did anything in PFS, so for now we can just assume you suffer some flash backs and break the array

After a few swings you manage to break the magic and the ion stones fall free as a surge of energy rushes out spreading through the area and disappearing through the walls (as you explore around later you notice that organic materials from Old Azlant (such as the canvases in area D15, the books in area D9, and the liquid in area D12) rot and mold into dust immediately).

I think Samuel would hit it once, and then defer to Grimdoc, I'm gonna roll 1d20 and add that to Samuels age...

Aging: 1d20 ⇒ 10

It can be scary for humans, you die if you reach Venerable age in PFS, for a human that's 70. Also, would the array increase our age if we use ranged attacks?

Aging: 1d20 ⇒ 14 Nearly doubled Marcel's age in a single roll.

Grimdoc would give it a good thwack.

1d20 ⇒ 7 aging

Calistan looks on as Marcel, Samuel and Grimdoc all get blasted by array and age a decade each. He walks up to Marcel and plucks off a grey hair and shows it to the aging man with a look of disbelief on his face.

Calistan will not be hitting, least of all because he does really bad damage and likely will only kill himself if he does.