PFS Scenario #8-15: Hrethnar's Throne (Inactive)

Game Master R D

As soon as possible, the archons float into the room, Detecting Evil as they go. As an experienced tactical scout team in the armies of Heaven, the three advance in triangular covering formation, remaining 20 feet distant from each other.

Uthred steps back at the sight of them..."By the stars! what are those things?!"

"I'm not sure what they are? Anyone?"

Uthred looks at the recent creatures summoned by Mareq and asks "Those things are on our side... right...? Just checking..." showing his uneasiness with the realm of the arcane...

Some of you have indicated a desire to examine the room. But, you are 70 feet up at the ceiling. How are you going into the room?

The lantern archons move forward. This is a tomb (1) dedicated to an evil pirate (2) where space is "wrong" (3) you're adjacent to a 300-foot-tall shaft of crackling negative energy and (4) every expedition to this place has encountered undead and other sources of necromantic power. The archons detect a lot of evil all over the place.

"Anyone have a rope?

Some of you have indicated a desire to examine the room. But, you are 70 feet up at the ceiling. How are you going into the room?

The lantern archons move forward. This is a tomb (1) dedicated to an evil pirate (2) where space is "wrong" (3) you're adjacent to a 300-foot-tall shaft of crackling negative energy and (4) every expedition to this place has encountered undead and other sources of necromantic power. The archons detect a lot of evil all over the place.

How about anything else? I was hoping they could report back on what they see, what the plaque says, if there are any other people/individuals/entities in the room.

"I'm not sure what they are? Anyone?"

"These are archons, celestial warriors in the armies of Heaven, dedicated to fighting evil and encouraging good. It is said their light is like a lantern in the wilderness of evil, guiding all good souls into battle. Or out of it. Thus, they are frequently called 'lantern archons ' by mortals. In the language of Heaven, they are called ਲਾਲਟੈਨ ਦੂਤ."

"What do you see, allies? Is there anybody in the room? Enemies? What about the throne? What does the plaque say?" Mareq says to the archons.

Harrow begins retrieving a coil of rope from his pack.

"Harrow rope not make it all the way down. Harrow say tie ropes together if someone else have one," he says, having no easy way down.

Uthred digs through his pack, grabs his 50ft of hemp rope and tosses it at Harrow which hits the half orc in the head from above as if falling from the sky...

"We can use that rope"

and the slayer gives the lantern archons a wide berth...

As he carries no rope and cannot fly, Berosius just looks concerned.

How about anything else? I was hoping they could report back on what they see, what the plaque says, if there are any other people/individuals/entities in the room.

You're very welcome to have rolled perception checks. With a generic "scout the room" there's not much to give you.

Lessee... Lantern Archons have an Int of 6...

One of the archons report back: "There is much evil here. We should nuke the whole site!"

They have truespeech...

Another of the archons reports: "The plaque on the throne. It reads: 'Behold, Hrethnar’s throne. Cold and empty, befitting a traitor.' A traitor! We should nuke the whole site!"

The bestiary says: Their evasive natures make them exceptional at scouting—at least in areas where strange lights aren’t unusual...

The third archon reports: "There's a big hallway down here. It goes for a very long distance. There are also narrow side passages here. They're dripping with a vile black liquid. We should nuke the whole site!"

The side passages are described in the text as "narrow" but represented on the map as standard 5-foot squares. I don't know why.

"What is a nuke and do we need one? "

Sorry. Perception checks. An excellent idea. Wish I'd thought of it.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

"Nuke the site from orbit, perhaps?" asks Mareq with a wry smile.

"What ARE you guys talking about?

1d20 ⇒ 20
1d20 ⇒ 16
1d20 ⇒ 13

Archons: "Ally, there is nothing else here. Shall we commence nuking?"

Are the rest of you lowering ropes?

1d20

1d20
1d20

Archons: "Ally, there is nothing else here. Shall we commence nuking?"

"Do nothing yet. Let us descend to the floor of the room. Please cover us as we do so. Ready yourselves to attack anything that attacks us."

Mareq will descend via rope once the Harrow and Uthred have gone down.

Once a party member descends, you can see that a massive, powerfully built, golden-haired Ulfen man wearing midnight blue robes is seated upon the throne.

Archons: "Hey, where did that come from? This is not evil."

Uthred will descend first if need be hoping Harrow will pull him back up if there is trouble. Once he hits the ground and sees the man on the throne suddenly appear Uthred tries to act calm and look for a hiding place. does the man see Uthred?

Lilli kneels and sticks her head in the hole. Her riding dog crouches next to and drools. "Uthred! What's down THERE any undead? I'll go next...climbing down that rope looks fun..was it FUN?"

"Shhhhhhhh! Uthred says as quiet as he can and then points at the large man...

Harrow looks at the large Ulfen man after descending the rope.

"This the pirate?" he wonders as he takes a closer look.

perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

Guess what? He can fly!

Berosius levitates down to the ground, then examines the Ulfen man with the aid of the spirits. Cast detect magic.

Anyone descending after Uthred?

Berousius detects magic! (Round 1: Presence or absence of magical auras.)

Lilli will head down after lowering the dog.

So... Just confirming... The order of entry so far is:

1) Archons
2) Berosius
3) Uthred
4) Lilli's dog
5) Lilli

Put Mareq in there after Lilli.

The order of entry so far is:

1) Archons
2) Berosius
3) Uthred
4) Lilli's dog
5) Lilli
6) Mareq

I presume you're all taking ten to climb down the DC 5 rope. :-)

Even if you all double move, it will take at least two rounds to get everyone down.

The order sounds fine. Berosius and the archons can handle anything you could possibly throw at us while the gang shimmies down a rope.

Come on. I double-dare ya!

Harrow places a hand on Berosius' shoulder.

"Half-ling best bud. Half-ling Harrow go first," he says.

Put me right before Berosius, but after the archons.

It does not matter when Uthred goes down, he will find a hiding spot as soon as he touches down...

The order sounds fine. Berosius and the archons can handle anything you could possibly throw at us while the gang shimmies down a rope.

Come on. I double-dare ya!

:-)

Busy weekend. Hope to post an update tonight.

Harrow places a hand on Berosius' shoulder.

"Half-ling best bud. Half-ling Harrow go first," he says.

"Alright Harrow," chirps Berosius. "If you think that's best."

Order of entry into the throne room:
1) Archons
2a) Harrow
2b) Berosius
3) Uthred
4) Lilli's dog
5) Lilli
6) Husarq
7) Mareq

Harrow: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30 On the way down, Harrow espies movement down one of the narrow corridors. This prevents a surprise round, but the party will still be up the rope.

Distance penalties are a thing. Thanks to the cover of the narrow corridors, these creatures' impressive intelligence, and the archons' lack of stealth (glowing light), they hid out of sight / around corners to avoid the archons. Add onto that the fact that they have +11 stealth, and the archons had no chance of finding them with the rolls above.

Initiative Rolls:
Berosius: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Harrow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Lilli: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Mareq: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Uthred: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Red: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Green: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Blue: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Pink: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Sorted Initiative Order:
Blue: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Pink: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Lilli: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Red: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Berosius: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Harrow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Uthred: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Mareq: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Green: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

At the very moment that Harrow touches down, the mummies run out. Harrow expected something, but they still beat him in initiative, and he didn't notice them until he was already committed on the rope.

Every creature within 30 feet of a mummy must make a DC 15 will save. I'll start with Harrow. But, if you're moving closer--either down the rope or flying--you'll have to make a save, too. If youre within the auras of all 4 mummies, you'll have to make 4 saves.

Harrow Will Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Harrow Will Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 (Harrow, before I reveal the result, do you want to use your re-roll here?)

Slam: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29, Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6, Harrow Fort Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28, success--no bog rot

Slam: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20, Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8, Harrow Fort Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22, success--no bog rot

Lilli is up!

move to channel if I'm not with 30' on my phone DC 15 will

take this! Lilli holds up her holy symbol.

channel to harm: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 3) = 6

Her own save

Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

>> ROUND 1, continued <<

Will Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Will Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Lilli slides down the rope a bit and presents her holy symbol. A wave of positive energy fills the immediate area. But, these bog mummies are so filled with hatred for living things that they resist some of the damage.

After that, the red mummy comes out and attacks the half-orc:

slam: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23, damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7, Harrow Fort Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25, success--no bog rot

Harrow has now taken a total of 21 HP of damage across three attacks.

Sorted Initiative Order:
Blue
Pink
Lilli
Red
Berosius <==
Harrow <==
Uthred <==
Mareq <==
Green

Berosius, Harrow, Uthred, and Mareq may go! Harrow is on the ground. The others are either flying or up the rope. Keep in mind that you'll have to make saves if you come within 30 feet of a mummy.

>> ROUND 1, continued <<

how long since the pirate fight? How far do I have to the floor? :)

how long since the pirate fight? How far do I have to the floor? :)

How long since the pirates? 2-to-3 hours.

How far to the floor? I'm not picky. Max 30' because you channeled. But, other than that, you can be as close to the floor as you like.

"Ready yourselves to attack anything that attacks us."

Do the archon's readied attacks go off?

Also, the three archons each have an Aura of Menace (Will DC13). Fail= –2 penalty on attacks, AC, and saves for 24 hours or until they successfully hit the archon that generated the aura.

"ਬੁਰਾਈ! ਬੁਰਾਈ! ਬੁਰਾਈ! ਹਮਲਾ ਪੈਟਰਨ ਤਿੰਨ! ਹੁਣ ਜਾਓ. ਆਪਣੇ ਅੱਗ ਧਿਆਨ, ਭਰਾ! Evil! Evil! Evil! Attack pattern Delta! Go now. Concentrate your fire, brothers!

The three archons remain in delta formation, out of reach of the ground-bound undead. Hoping to first menace the mummies, the archons then immediately focus their fire on the pink mummy.

Ranged touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 Light Ray (overcomes all DR): 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6
Ranged touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 Light Ray (overcomes all DR): 2d6 ⇒ (6, 1) = 7
Ranged touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 Light Ray (overcomes all DR): 2d6 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4

can Uthred get off the rope and move to an open spot? Or will he and the big oaf occupy the same space until next turn?

Round 1 Action

The archons continue out of reach of the mummies. "ਗੋਲੀਬਾਰੀ, ਸਾਥੀ ਵਾਰੀਅਰਜ਼ ਰੱਖੋ! ਅੱਗ ਧਿਆਨ! Keep firing, fellow warriors! Concentrate fire!" shouts the central archon, clearly their squad leader.

Ranged touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 Light Rays (overcomes all DR): 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3
Ranged touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 Light Rays (overcomes all DR): 2d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10
Ranged touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 Light Rays (overcomes all DR): 2d6 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5

In the meantime, Mareq, forty feet up the rope, looks down at the three mummies and summons up a oily slick of grease from the borderlands of the planes of fire and earth. It appears beneath the pink mummy. Strategic placement to ensure Harrow is not in the area of effect

Grease Reflex DC17 or fall to ground. A creature can walk within or through the area of grease at half normal speed with a DC 10 Acrobatics check. Failure means it can’t move that round (and must then make a Reflex save or fall), while failure by 5 or more means it falls (see the Acrobatics skill for details).

@mareq: Yes, your readied actions can go off. However, the range of each light ray is explicitly 30'.

This definitely brings your archons within the mummies' auras. The archon subtype mentions nothing about not-needing to breathe. So, they have to make saves or they'll risk suffocation. I'll trust you to track suffocation rounds with the appropriate penalties for taking standard actions.

It is my understanding that archon auras are only 20' radius. So, if you would like your archons to menace the mummies, they will have to get closer.

It is also my understanding that they need to roll a ranged touch attack for each light ray. (Similar in spirit to scorching ray.) You rolled one for two rays.

Lastly, it is my understanding that they only get both rays on a full attack. (Just as an animal would get both claws only on a full attack.) So, your readied action should be just one light ray.

If you have a link to an authoritative source to the contrary for any of the above, I would be happy to go with that. :-)
____________________________________________________________

@uthred: Sure. Feel free to jump over to an adjacent spot. No problem.

I'm going to hold off using my reroll...I think I'm within too many auras and will probably fail one, so I'll save it for later.

Harrow sees something coming but not soon enough...they soon overwhelm him as the first on the ground.

Seeing his best friend in trouble and seeing the archons' positions make a fireball difficult to place, he nonetheless gestures to the spirits. "Fire! There!"

Berosius sets off a fireball at ground level in the western alcoves. It won't reach Harrow or the archons, but will reach Red and Blue. I believe they should receive a +3 bonus to their saves for cover.

Fireball (DC 17 Reflex save): 6d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 4, 5, 5, 2) = 24

OK. No problemo.

Re: 30' feet
Archons entered room first to scout and then they preceded Harrow in the "descent" line up. Assumed they were within 30' of the mummies and thus could attack.

Re: breathing
The archon subtype is a general type used for a variety of monsters that have a variety of more specific bodies. Some of which have mouths. And lungs. I wouldn't expect the general archon subtype to say anything re: breathing. But the specific listing for the monster says:

"Their bodies, however, are merely globes of spiritual purity and pale light, and though they might interact with their surroundings through pure force of will, such interaction proves too weak to help with most physical tasks."

It sounds to me like they have no physical bodies.

Here are the archons' saves. If you reconsider this issue, please ignore them:

Archon 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Archon 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Archon 3: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Re: aura of menace

It is my understanding that archon auras are only 20' radius. So, if you would like your archons to menace the mummies, they will have to get closer.

From the map they are already within 20' of the mummies. If that isn't the case, no worries. Just roll the aura of menace save whenever you judge they've come within 20'. Naturally, a failed roll changes the mummies' AC's vs future attacks (and may impact a roll later in this post).

Re: one ray on standard/readied action

It is also my understanding that they need to roll a ranged touch attack for each light ray. (Similar in spirit to scorching ray.) You rolled one for two rays.

Gotcha. My error. This means that the Readied Attacks were OK, but the damage was too much. Here's reduced/correct damage rolls for the Readied Action:

Light Ray: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Light Ray: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Light Ray: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Re: need two attack rolls for Round One full attack
OK, so... I'll re-roll the entire sequence correctly, to make it simpler.

Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17 Light Ray: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 Light Ray: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 Light Ray: 1d6 ⇒ 1 Miss! Unless mummy failed Aura of Menace save
Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 Light Ray: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 Light Ray: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17 Light Ray: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Archon 3 holding breath
Archon 3 Readied Action: 36 rounds - 1 =35 rounds
Archon 3 Round One: 35-1=34
Archon 3 Round One Full Attack: 34-1=33

Total Damage to Pink Mummy=22pts

Whew! That's a lot of retcon. If I missed something from the redo of actions, please let me know. Otherwise, let's soldier on. Thanks for your patience, everyone. :-)
__________

@Mareq: With regards to archons breathing: Sold! That sounds fine to me. Sure, your allies can effectively ignore the drowning aura.

Mummy Will Save vs Aura: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Mummy Will Save vs Aura: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Mummy Will Save vs Aura: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9, fail
__________

@Harrow: With regards to the re-roll. OK. The half-orc feels like his lungs fill with filthy swamp water. It's a very uncomfortable feeling. But, since Harrow has a congenital disorder that won't let him feel any pain, there's only discomfort. Kind of like the internal conflict he feels when he thinks about Janira. Please keep track of your rounds of suffocation.

Berosius unleashes his fury at two of the mummies:

Mummy Reflex Save vs Fireball plus cover: 1d20 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 3 = 11, fail
Mummy Reflex Save vs Fireball plus cover: 1d20 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 3 = 17, succeed
__________

Mareq greases the ground beneath, one mummy. But, it remains standing.

Mummy Reflex Save vs Fireball plus cover: 1d20 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 3 = 26, succeed.
__________

Sorted Initiative Order:
Blue
Pink
Lilli
Red
Berosius
Harrow <==
Uthred <==
Mareq
Green

Harrow and Uthred are up! This is still round 1.

Uthred hits the ground and takes a 5ft step to the red mummy and tries to hit the creature...

+1 Adm STS single attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
STS1 DMG: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

and now for the WILL saves...

WILL vs DC 15: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
WILL vs DC 15: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
WILL vs DC 15: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21