[PFS] Season 0 run, mixed with Dragon's Demand

Game Master Irish202

@Locke: Then let's say you entered the portal last, 'cause it would've closed behind the one carrying the lantern :P

@Everyone: I have no idea if the braziers are magical or not, but let's assume they are.

You open the trapdoor to the deck below and Urbar starts descending. The smell of death and rot fills this lower deck, even with the cold. It is darker down here without the sunlight filtering through the ice, and no braziers burn. Shadowy movements are visible in the darkness, accompanied by an eerie creaking noise as though someone were still working the oars.

I need to know if you'll create some source of light for Urbar while he descends.

Darker....low light, i presume?

As Urbar hears all the sounds downstairs he slowly backs up the stairs again.
"We aren't alone here. A light would be nice down there. I don't mind cutting things down but doing so in the dark takes the fun out of it..."
He says looking at the group.

As you wish

Tereze grabs a silver coin out of her belt pouch, casts Light on it and flips it down into the trap door.

And then there was light!

The shadowy movements turn out to be four frozen zombies that create the creaking noise by working the oars. A figure moves toward along the aisle between the rowing benches, making its way toward the stairs you're at. It appears to be a withered human wearing an Ulfen burial mask. The zombies stop working the oars and get up from their seats, each of them turning to look at the stairs.

Climb, green: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Climb, blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Two of the zombies move toward the ladder. One of them starts climbing up and reaches the deck you're on. The other grabs the ladder with one hand, but doesn't seem to get how to climb up and just stands there.

Round 1:
Green zombie
Blue zombie
Fiona
Locke
Tereze
Red zombie
Yellow zombie
Eryzule
Gwendallyn
Urbar
Boss zombie

I would be at one of the squares adjacent to the grate, since i inspected it.

Locke draws the bow.

Shot, PBS: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6Arrow, PBS: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
And seems to miss miserably..

Although she is behind the others, as soon as she sees the first zombie Fiona casts a protective hex on Urbar.

Ward hex on Urbar: +2 Deflection AC and +2 to saving throws until Urbar is first hit.

As the dead thing rises up before here Tereze feels a burst of righteous anger. As she looks down to see where it came from and a second dead thing the anger seems to explode from within her as piecing shards of golden light that pierce both creatures
Channel Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Ze dead should be permitted to go to zere just reward. BEGONE FOUL BEASTS!

As the light leaves her she is able to get a better look at the creatures.
Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Assuming that Identifies this as a Zombie:
Damn Zombies are still up. If zey are anyzing like ze museum remember, slash do not punch zem. she says as she draws her silver dagger.

@Locke: You have less than half that square to stand in, so you're squeezing as long as you stay there.

Locke takes a shot at the frozen zombie that climbed up the ladder, but misses.

Fiona casts a protective hex on Urbar, who's proven to often be the target of attacks.

Will, blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 Just made the save DC?
Will, green: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Tereze's positive channel hits two of the zombies, but one of them seems to resist some of the damage.

Climb, red: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Climb, yellow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Two more zombies move up to the ladder, but they don't seem to understand what to do with it.

Round 1:
Green zombie
Blue zombie
Fiona
Locke
Tereze
Red zombie
Yellow zombie
Eryzule
Gwendallyn
Urbar
Boss zombie

Ery danced around the barrel to get a better angle to attempt to trip the zombie with a tangle vine.
Trip: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Urbar makes a full attack on the creature, with his swords.
"What did you say these were? "

Atk roll: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 7 - 2 = 18
Dmg roll: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Atk roll: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 - 2 = 10
Dmg roll: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Do we know what these are?

Yes, as per Tereze

The GM didn't confirm so I wasn't sure.

Gwen squeezes around Locke and Tereze, drawing her handaxe as she moves forward. Once into position she switches into her defensive stance and slashes at the zombie with her trusty axe!

Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 - 1 = 7

Move Action - Move into square "south" of Locke. (If someone could move my icon on the map?) Swift Action - Initiate Snapping Turtle Style (+1 Shield bonus to AC). Standard Action - Attack with Combat Expertise (+1 bonus to AC). Effective AC of 18.

Moved you.

Thanks Locke! Also, Steph, would the zombies climbing up the ladder provoke AoO from anyone threatening the area at the top of the ladder?

Forgot to provide this info after Tereze's roll:
Tereze identifies the creatures as zombies, but there are some differences compared to the zombies you fought before. The frozen state of these zombies has replaced their usual resistance with a resistance to cold, they look like they can take hits a bit better, and they can inflict cold damage by touching you.

@Tereze: The boss zombie is different and will require another knowledge roll to identify.

Eryzule tries to trip one of the zombies with a tangle vine, but despite its slow movements the zombie's able to dodge the vine.

Urbar swings his swords at the zombie next to him. His first attack connects and inflicts a nasty wound on the moving corpse.

Gwendallyn squeezes past some of her allies while drawing her handaxe and attacks the zombie, but her attack misses.

Climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

The zombie with the silver and gold burial mask moves up to the ladder and climbs up, reaching the deck you're on. As it moves onto the deck, it provokes attacks from those gathered around the trap door.

@Gwen: They do now you're no longer flat-footed! :)

AoO Gwen: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 - 1 = 16 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
AoO Tereze: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16 Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4
AoO Urbar: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Gwendallyn and Tereze each score a hit on the new arrival, while Urbar misses.

Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

The zombie with the mask tries to bite Urbar, but it also misses.

--- Round 2 ---

Icy touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21 Cold damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
1d2 ⇒ 2

The green zombie places a hand on Urbar's arm, causing intense cold to creep into Urbar's skin and hurt him.

Climb, blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

The blue zombie wants to climb the ladder again, but still can't figure out how to do it.

Round 2:
Green zombie
Blue zombie
Fiona
Locke
Tereze
Red zombie
Yellow zombie
Eryzule
Gwendallyn
Urbar 15/20HP
Boss zombie

Locke clenches the bow underneath an arm, and with a few quick movement of the hands, lobs a bomb at the boss zombie.

BOMB!, PBS: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27BOOM!: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Ref DC 15 for half splash, otherwise 5 splash.
Ery & Urbar are excluded from the blast.

Oh ho ho, baby...i get to confirm?
BOMB!, PBS: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8BOOM!: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Boo... :P

Locke laughs at the blast hitting the boss zombie.
"Awesome!"

Tereze narrows her eyes and focuses on the strange looking zombie that just came out of trapdoor above of her.
Knowledge(Religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

As she sweeps her eyes down over the group of the dead lingering below, the righteous anger rises up again.

Frozen dead who walk about.
Foe of life and lazy lout.
Lay you down and go to sleep
To ze Bonyard your souls to keep

Golden light explodes from her again lancing into all of the dead.
Channel Energy(DC 15): 1d6 ⇒ 6

Fiona steps ahead just behind Urbar and renews her magical ward on him the instant after the zombie's attack breaks it. A faint golden light appears to surround the ranger, slowing any incoming blows.
Urbar: +2 AC and +2 to all saves until you are hit/fail a saving throw.

The combination of the blast from Locke's bomb and the wave of positive energy from Tereze wreaks major havoc. Two of the zombies fall apart, and the three that remain standing look like a simple breeze could make them collapse.

Fiona provides Urbar with a new magical ward the instant after the former ward's broken.

Icy touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 Cold damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
1d2 ⇒ 2

The green zombie tries to hurt Urbar with another icy touch, but its arm drops off before it's able to make contact with the ranger.

Round 2:
Blue zombie -14HP
Fiona
Locke
Tereze
Yellow zombie -13HP
Eryzule
Gwendallyn
Urbar 15/20HP (+2 AC and +2 to all saves until you are hit/fail a saving throw)
Boss zombie -11HP

Ery shifts back to Urbar's side...
5 foot
Cast Defensively: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Ery kind leaves himself wide open as he casts Thunder Stomp on Boss Zombie (Dc 14 fort vs Trip) assuming he doesn't get zombie slapped

Urbar swings at the green zombie again. The cold from the previous attack left its marks and his arms react very slow, not connecting to it at all.

Atk roll: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 - 2 = 6
Dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Atk roll: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 - 2 = 7
Dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

@Ery: Your spell's lost when you try to cast defensively and fail.

Gwen continues slashing at the zombie with her axe, frustrated at apparent clumsiness with the weapon...

Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 - 1 = 11 Swing and a miss!

Standard Action - Attack Green Zombie with Combat Expertise. Effective AC of 18 with Combat Expertise and Snapping Turtle Style.

@Steph: Figured as much. Fret not, I'm sure this wont go poorly.

There's a lot of flailing about, but none of you manages to hurt a zombie.

Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

The zombie with the mask also flails about. It's not even clear who it tried to attack.

Whoops, I now see I removed the blue zombie from the map instead of the green one... Fixed it.

Climb, blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

The blue zombie finally figures out how to climb the ladder and climbs all the way up.

AoO Urbar: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
AoO Gwen: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 - 1 = 21 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

It's immediately destroyed by Urbar and Gwendallyn.

And once more I remove blue from the map.

Round 3:
Fiona
Locke
Tereze
Yellow zombie -13HP
Eryzule
Gwendallyn
Urbar 15/20HP (+2 AC and +2 to all saves until you are hit/fail a saving throw)
Boss zombie -11HP

Locke concocts an extract and gulps it via a straw.
Targeted bomb admixture.

Tereze looks around and focuses the on the last two of the dead with a grim smile.

Lords of goodness, Lords of light.
Put an end to zis cold fight!

Light explodes from her again knifing into both zombies.

Channel Energy(DC 15): 1d6 ⇒ 2

As another zombie falls to the combined efforts of the group, Fiona nods with approval, then proceeds to cast a quick hex to heal Urbar's open wound.

Healing hex on Urbar for 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 HP.

Locke concocts an extract and drink it.

Will, red: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (9) + 0 = 9
Will, boss zombie: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Tereze's channel destroys the zombie with the silver and gold mask, turning the zombie into a pile of dust. The mask stays intact and falls atop the dust.

Fiona casts a healing hex on Urbar and removes almost all of his wounds.

Climb, yellow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

The remaining zombie's severely weakened, but finally manages to climb the ladder and join you on the main deck of the ship.

AoO Urbar: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
AoO Gwen: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 - 1 = 23 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

It's immediately destroyed by Urbar and Gwendallyn.

Combat's over!

Well at least I got to do something in this combat vicariously!

"I'm glad that's over! Nice job Tereze and Locke! Ery, you doing okay?" She gives the elf a concerned look...

Ery sighed, resting his arms loosely to each side. He nodded to Gwen with a smirk before taking a step back and allowing the others to do what ever it they needed to do.

Tereze focuses for a moment, to cast detect magic, then picks up the fallen mask, to examine it more closely.

Does anyone know anyzing about zis mask?

"Thanks Gwen, and nice going Tereze, you really vibed them away."

When Gwen holds up the mask, as short "Ugh." follows.

"Well, it's ugly for one, and crude too."

@Gwen: Yeah, sorry if you'd rather have rolled yourself. I wanted to keep the pace, though.

Tereze detects a faint aura of evocation magic on the mask.

Dammit... My post got swallowed by the forums...

Urbar waits for the mask to be inspected. After knowing what it was he heads down into the ship again, with the aid of the light spell he heads over to the other side. He pulls out both his swords and slowly goes up the stairs, peering over the edge to see if more mobs wait for them. If he sees nothing he will call back to the others and move on top of the deck.

Ery looks over the mask with a little detect magic, tilting his head as he analyzes it.
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Ery reaches for the mask with an odd smirk, motioning to have it placed in hand.
"A mask of desecration... It makes undead and evil creatures stronger through a magical bolstering affect. I can take that." He offered.
What does this mask look like?

See map page. It's what the chap on the right has on his head, except it's described as both silver and gold.

You climb down the ladder, then climb back up on the other side of the ship. You reach the deck of the ship again, but this time on the other side of the ice wall. The soft glow of sunlight again penetrates into this ice cave, and several braziers burn near the walls. A beautiful woman stands next to a simple chair, facing you. Other furniture in the chamber suggests that this is her private quarters. The woman looks you over as though judging a draft animal, and asks, "Have you come to work the oars? I am in need of more rowers."

Map updated.

WHOA...feeling of deja vu. ;)
Diplomacy time.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Tereze steps forward and says with great difference:

Alas no fair one. If we do indead have ze honor of addressing one of ze famous White Witches zen we have actually come to speak to you. We seek you wisdom, as one of ze legendary lanterns zat ze witches produce has been misused.
It was directed at a man of some minor import and activated. Now ze man lies freezing on even ze hottest of days. We simply seek to know from such an agust personage as yourself how to reverse zis effect.

It is of course not for us, but it seems our Captain knows zis man and would like to return a favor for some small service he recieved in the past. If not for zat we would never have dreamed of intruding on the time of one as impressive as yourself.

Then she steps back and waits.

Fiona watches the other woman warily, although she is surprised by Tereze's words and the great honor with which she treats the woman.

Gwen watches the woman carefully while Tereze entreats with her. She slips her axe back into her belt, but rocks on the balls of her feet... ready to pounce upon the woman should she turn vicious.

Urbar remains silent, to not anger the woman in front of him. He looks to be relaxing but at the same time he looks like someone ready to attack.

"The way I see it, I need three things from you," the woman responds with an air of calm superiority. "I am alone, so I would like a companion of sorts. My ship had a beacon, which has been stolen, and I want it back. Last, but not least, I want to return to Irrisen. Now the latter may or may not require the aforementioned beacon."

No one's going to aid Tereze?

Diplomacy aid: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (19) - 2 = 17

"We have the beacon."
Urbar responds in a curt manner.
"The companion might be a problem."
He goes silent again, not wanting to spoil anything.

Aid diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

"What sort of companion are we talking about here.
A diplomatic man, or a warrior?"

Behind the mask, a smile of an idea that pops to mind.
"For if you wish a strong warrior, the man we seek the cure for, is such one man. Skelg the Ripper is his name."

"Skelg is freezing to death?" the woman asks surprised. "Skelg's the one who saved me when they wanted to burn this funeral ship down with me on it. He'd be a most ideal companion!"

She makes a hand-it-over motion to Urbar. "Give me the Beacon. I need it to get out of here, and to make Skelg better."

Bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Tereze manages to hold her face impassive as she hears that this woman must go free.

Damn, this child killer must be worked with? I had hoped my words would get us what we needed so Urbar could administer justice. Anyone who keeps Zombies as rowers must be.... But perhaps this is just a sign that the Gods themselves will give out justice in the end...

Urbar motions for Locke to give her the lantern.
"Let's be done with this."