[PFS] The Orphan's Lodge - The Prince of Augustana (Inactive)

Game Master Cyril Corbaz

Let's get the positioning resolved first - they may have had to advance another 5', in which case you could move next to Anaristiel

The scenario was written for 3.5E, that's why the spiked chain has reach. See my disclaimer at the start of the scenario in the discussion thread about that. Also, you're right about the Init, but I'm not going to return since many people have acted since then, and it wouldn't have changed anything.

Also, I can't see or edit the map at the moment as I'm away from home (again, see discussion thread) , so let's put the game to pause until Sunday, which will have the added advantage of leaving more time for Broken Prince to come back and still take part in some of the scenario, which would still allow me to grant him a CS.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Alright, let's resume then.

While getting nearer, Liam sees a spiked chain aimed right at his head...
AoO: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 92d4 + 1 ⇒ (4, 3) + 1 = 8
... but it swings too high above the investigator's head.

Ref vs grease: 1d20 ⇒ 2
Ref vs grease: 1d20 ⇒ 3
Ref vs grease: 1d20 ⇒ 15

The front two thugs slip and fall on the stairs!

Gert, Wulfren and Anaristiel are up!

Wulfren reaches into his pouch for another shot and powder, reloading his weapon for the next round.

Anaristiel steps to the side and attacks one of the fallen thugs.

Not an action: 5' step, as indicated on map
Standard action: Attack thug SW of Liam
Attack (Longspear (2H), Divine Favor, Bless): 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 27
Damage (Longspear (2H), Divine Favor): 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 = 13

Critical Confirm (Longspear (2H), Divine Favor, Bless): 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 9
Critical Damage (Longspear (2H), Divine Favor): 2d8 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (2, 4) + 8 + 4 = 18

As Wulfren reloads, Ana wades into the fray and slays one of the thugs!

Gert is up!

Gert moves over next to Ana and holds her attack should one of the thugs manage to get into melee range. Old Lace stays put, but seems like she might be pouting.

The fallen Steel Wyvern thug gets back on his feet, incurring attacks from Anaristiel and Liam (you both can take an AoO against him). If he survives, he will hit Ana back, taking advantage of his reach.
Spiked Chain: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 162d4 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1) + 1 = 6

The last thug swings his chain at Liam, but misses him.
Spiked Chain: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 82d4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4) + 1 = 7

The voice behind the thugs can be heard clearly now, coming from a man who appears to be the thug's leader. Disgruntled by the greasy steps, he decides against stepping there, choosing to start casting a spell instead, the arcane words woven into his song.

Everyone can act!

AoO: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Swing and a miss.

Liam laughs at the thug that missed him. "Not much of a thug, are you? Cannae even hit lil' ol' me."

He then steps back, deciding that it is perhaps better to let his more melee-capable friends handle the nearby thugs rather than just get in their way. He then pulls out his bow and attempts to dislodge the thunderstone, hoping to either throw of the leader's singing or deafen his minions.

To Hit: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 1 = 15

"Shut ya trap for a bit, mate. Ya singin' ain't half as good as ye think it is."

5ft step, m/e pull out bow, shoot at stone.

Liam's arrow hits the thunderstone, which falls the the ground and deafens the Steel Wyverns.
Fort DC 15: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Fort DC 15: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Fort DC 15: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Abadar isn't with you this day, for none of your assailants are deafened!

Anaristiel sees an opportunity to bring down another of the wyverns and attacks!

AoO (Longspear (2H), Divine Favor, Bless): 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 19
Damage (Longspear (2H), Divine Favor): 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 = 11

Then, working her way through the opponents, she steps forward and brings her longspear to bear once more.

Not an action: 5' step, as indicated on map
Standard action: Attack wyvern
Attack (Longspear (2H), Divine Favor, Bless): 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 26
Damage (Longspear (2H), Divine Favor): 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9

Unfortunately, she is unable to discern the intent behind their opponent's spellcasting.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Ana's opportunistic blow almost fells the recovering thug, though the latter finally drops unconscious after his attack on Ana.

The oracle's spear strikes true again, this time the last thug. The Steel Wyvern grunts, severely wounded but not done for yet.

Ic moves over to where old lace is standing, casting a sideways glance at the raptor, declaring in a sing-song voice: Nice teeth, then lobbing an acid splash at the single thug on the greased spot.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 211d3 ⇒ 2

The thug is hit by the acid splash, and almost falls unconscious - but still stands. He's staggered at 0 hp.
Wulfren and Gert are up!

Gert drops her club and takes out her sling. After whirling it over her head a few times she lets it fly at the staggered thug but misses!

Sling attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Wulfren delays taking an action for the moment, preferring to wait until the thugs' leader makes his way into the room.

The thug leader finishes casting his spell, and suddenly Anaristiel, Gert, Liam and Ic start feeling sleepy...
Ana is immune to magical sleep.
Will (Gert): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Will (Liam): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Will (Ic): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Luckily, none of the Orphans doze off in this critical moment!

The last thug draws upon the rest of his strength to attempt a last swing at Anaristiel, misses her, then falls unconscious.
Spiked Chain: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 102d4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 4) + 1 = 8

Seeing that all is lost for the Steel Wyverns and that the Orphans have won the day, the leader proceeds to cast another spell and flees with increased speed!

End combat!

Once the dust has settled, the Almsman comes out of his hiding place.

"You certainly taught these thugs a lesson, though I'm afraid they may eventually come back - their leader will warn the rest to come with a larger force next time. Still, a bargain is a bargain, and I'll keep my end. Here are the directions to where the "Prince" came from. Abadar may guide your steps."

"I'm sorry that we couldn't have ended the threat permanently. Gangs like these infringe on the liberty of all good people. Still, I'm glad we could help. And thanks for the directions!"

Turning to the others:

"Well done friends! I don't think any of us were even wounded in that fight. I'm ready to move out when you are."

After the fight Gert stomps around mumbling to herself, or maybe to Old Lace it's hard to tell. "Coulda run him down. Lace is fast."

"Let's see if we can find Prince Charming's castle then huh?" Gert finally manages.

"Is it just me, or were those thugs rather rubbish? Looked like two of 'em managed ta knock themselves out it did." Liam shakes his head in mock dismay as he retrieves his sling and club.

"Almsman, do you know when they're likely ta return? It'd be a shame iff'n we scared off that lot just ta have 'em come back ta put you inta boilin' water, so to speak." As he speaks, he absently begins mixing a few chemicals here and there, occasionally glancing at the now destroyed door.

Liam spends a minute making another shield extract.

Right before we leave.
"It was great ta meet you, Almsman. Keep up the good work." As he speaks, Liam reaches out to shake the man's hand. As he does so, he passes a small pouch with 10 gold in it to the man in a fashion similar to how one might try to secretly pass a note. While still holding the man's hand, he leans close and whispers "Buy 'em some decent grub." He nods towards the score or so people in the Almsman's sanctuary. He then quickly turns around and heads out. That should be enough for 20 good meals or 30ish common meals.

The masked priest bows to Liam. "That's mighty generous, thanks lad, I'll put that to good use. Unfortunately there's no way of telling when they'll be back. I expect they'll take a bit to rebuild their forces, but then the inevitable will come. Maybe time has come for me to found another sanctuary elsewhere. In any case, godspeed!"

The Almsman’s directions lead to a heavy wooden door. A sign on the door is partially obscured by grime and moss, and the word “Skytower” is still barely legible. The door is a sturdy wooden one, but appears to be unlocked. Inside, the room was once the basement of a building above, but the stairs in the far corner are now choked with charred rubble and seem to lead to a new stone foundation of the new building above. Odd furniture and knick-knacks of all description fill the remaining space, and strange winged effigies made of wood and broken pottery are arrayed in a bizarre diorama. The focal point of this display is a pair of chairs standing on different-sized piles of old crates like thrones on a dais. A charred and shriveled corpse dressed in rotting and burnt finery and wearing a tin crown is propped up in one of the chairs while the other, lower chair, sits vacant. The tin crown bears a crude inscription that reads "Emperor Relios".

Wulfren cautiously enters the room and looks around for signs of danger.

"Can't say I like the look of this place, that's for sure!"

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

-Posted with Wayfinder

Liam does a quick scan of the area looking for any immediate danger.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 +1 to find traps

One he's satisfied that there is no immediate danger, he attempts to figure out what he's looking at.

Looking for info about this 'Emperor Relios.' If local is more appropriate, my bonus is exactly the same.
History: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 8 + (4) = 25

Looking for if any signs of a summoning ritual for whatever clawed at the Prince
Arcana: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (16) + 8 + (6) = 30

Amidst the furniture is a desk with several log books and journals. Most of them detail the day-to-day transactions of the Emporium, but one is Relios’s personal journal. It details the goings on of many of his wealthy clients, as well as Relios’s personal life including the details of his ancestry and his son’s birth, a son named Gandros. One of the last ledgers mentions that Relios was falling on hard times and intended to sell his wayfinder back to the Pathfinder Society. The ledgers also show that Relios was selling a steady stream of yellowcap mushrooms to members of the pre-revolution high society in Augustana.

As the Orphans venture further in the Emporium, they find what "Prince" Gandros called a portal. The next rooms are vaults lined with shelves thick with growing yellowcap mushrooms. More faerie effigies hide among the mushrooms, and on the very back wall, a portal was painted - a large circle of swirling color patterns. On the floor lies an open and empty scroll case next to a slightly charred, blank piece of parchment.

Gert suddenly hear shuffling and snorting sounds coming from the
farthest vault to the west. Two demonic creatures emerge, taking everyone but Gert by surprise!

Surprise round
>>>Gert & Old Lace
(Wulfren)
(Ana)
(Ic)
(Liam)
Demons
Gert can act! Standard action only.
Knowledge (Planes) to identify these creatures.

Relios's Emporium Map

K(Planes): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Modron, Barghest, Baatezu, Gehreleth, Yugoloth, Bodak, Tanar'ri, Slaadi Ic looks on in fascination, trying to remember which it is.

A chord, a chord, through the silver void

Nature: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 8 + (5) = 20
Pre-combat starting
Liam pokes at the mushrooms. "Ahh, weel, this explains et. Our lord'n'master must've eaten these here fungi. Drove him ta hallucinate, it did afore drivin' him mad as a hatter. These were a popular drug back in the day. 'bout worthless now though."

Random trivia fact: The phrase "mad as a hatter" comes from when mercury was used in the creation of hats, resulting in those with prolonged exposure getting mercury poisoning.

He then frowns at the scroll case. "That's odd. Looks like someone used a summoning-" He's cut off as the group is attacked by the demonic creatures.

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Gert confers with Liam about the mushrooms, "I remember one time I wanted to get my hands on some of these really badly and put them in Auntie's bread."

--

Seeing the demonic creatures, Gert invokes her magic as the club in her hand grows in both size and weight!

Casting shillelagh

"Lace, far corner." she commands.

Handle Animal: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 4 = 27

The dinosaur swiftly obeys, moving past Liam and up next to the demonic creature!

The southern demon casts a spell, striking fear in the heart of Old Lace.
Cause fear on Old Lace, Will DC 11 negates. If save is successful, Old Lace will be shaken for one round. If it fails the save, it will be frightened for 1d4 ⇒ 3 rounds.
AoO if Old Lace moves out of the threatened area (bite): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 91d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

The other demon bites Old Lace savagely.
Bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 161d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Round 1
>>>Gert & Old Lace
>>>Wulfren
>>>Ana
>>>Ic
>>>Liam
Demons
The Orphans can act!

Liam downs his shield extract before flicking his wrist, his dagger appearing in his hand. Spring loaded, so a swift action.

Arcana (DC21): 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 8 + (2) = 14 Alas, was unable to tell that Cause Fear was cast.

Hmm, I am potentially about to do something very stupid. Oh well, let's hope I don't get killed before my next turn.

Liam then moves, hoping to reach a position to give his friends a tactical advantage.

So I'm not really sure if I can make decisions mid-movement, but here's what I'd like to do: I've moved Liam to a position on the map, provoking an AoO from the demon next to Old Lace (I'm assuming that wall prevents me from stepping diagonally to avoid that). If that doesn't hit, he'll continue moving one square to the SW, giving Old Lace flanking and setting the other demon up to easily be flanked but provoking another AoO. If I can't decide mid-movement, Liam will stay where he's been moved and wait to flank next round.

The skill used to identify a spell as it is being cast is Spellcraft, not Knowledge (arcana). Not that it changes much in this case.

Your assumption for the movement around that wall is correct. You will only provoke an AoO if Old Lace succeeds on her Will save, and even then, I doubt that the above roll hits either of you anyway.

Knowlede (Arcana) says that it's used to identify a spell effect that's in place, DC 20 + spell level. Would that not work here?

Once the spell lands and takes effect, yes, but not at the moment it's being cast. The difference is not very big, but is important for counterspelling.

Old Lace Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Old Lace is overcome with fear!

Assuming the demon already used it's AoO this round I'll move up were Lace was.

Seething with anger as her dino companion rushes the wrong way back up the stairs, Gert wades forward with her giant club!

Attack: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5

Soft demon, weak demon
little ball of sulphur
vulnerable demon, cut the demon
burn, burn, burn

Ic moves up to just behind the doorway, singing a perversion of a lullaby. He halts some ten feet away and casts an acid splash.

RT: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 - 4 = 201d3 ⇒ 3

Wulfren moves ahead, and readies himself to shoot the first demon that pops through the doorway (if they do).

Musket, PBS, if necessary: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 = 17
Damage?: 1d12 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

On vacation starting today for a week, but will have tablet/computer. Bot me if things are too slow, though!

Anaristiel moves forward and stabs at the single demon visible to her.

Move action: As indicated on map
Standard action: Attack S demon
Attack (Longspear (2H)): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Damage (Longspear (2H)): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

As Old Lace runs away in fear, Gert replaces him and tries to hit the demon, only to meet thin air - the mighty blow missed.

Ic, singing his twisted song, manages to land a ball of acid onto the creature.
Confirmation roll: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 - 4 = 101d3 ⇒ 3
Unfortunately, the demon's skin protects him against acid!

Wulfren gets ready to shoot, taking his time to aim.

Anaristiel moves in and strikes one of the two hulking demons, inflicting a serious wound.

Both demons retaliate, the first against Gert, the second stepping forward to hit Ana.
Against Gert:
Claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 51d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 71d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 221d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 *hits for 4 damage*
Against Anaristiel:
Claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 131d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 61d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 141d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Round 2
>>>Gert & Old Lace
>>>Wulfren (Ready)
>>>Ana
>>>Ic
>>>Liam
Demons
The Orphans can act!

Did the second demon actually move? Seems to be in the same place on the map...

Liam moves slightly and waves his dagger at the demon to his North.

5ft step and aid another to help Gert's To Hit on her next attack.

To Hit (AC10): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

That is successful, so thanks to a trait, Gert now has a +4 to hit from aid another and +2 from flanking.

He then flicks his wrist again, letting the wand of healing zip into his hand. He glances around slightly, watching to see if any of his friends need him to go heal them.

Also, if one stepped into the room to get Ana, my shot would get 'triggered'.

Absolutely! Let's resolve that first, then

As the demon got closer to try and claw poor Ana, a deafening shot can be heard throughout the emporium and the already wounded demon is struck dead, dissolving into a pile of ash and brimstone.

One dead, one to go!

Liam successfully aids Gert in her fight against the other demon, attracting his attention onto himself so that the druid may strike the creature in the back.

Round 2
>>>Gert & Old Lace
>>>Ana
>>>Ic
Liam
>>>Wulfren
Demons

Anaristiel steps over the "corpse" of the fallen demon and tries to pierce the flesh of the other with her longspear.

Not an action: 5' step, as indicated
Standard action: Attack demon
Attack (Longspear (2H)): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage (Longspear (2H)): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Ic draws his rapier and moves to the northernmost doorway

Old Lace continues to flee into parts unknown!

Gert swings her massive club again!

Attack: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 12 ugh, seriously?

Old Lace continues to flee into parts unknown!

Gert swings her massive club again!

Attack: 1d20+3+1+2 ugh, seriously?

I believe you forgot the +4 from Liam's aid another.

I believe you forgot the +4 from Liam's aid another.

Oops, yes! It should be 12+4=16 to hit instead!

As Gert swings again at the demon, Liam manages to distract the thing just long enough to draw it's attention away from Gert!

Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8

hp 9/14

Gert, was your club shillaghh'd? Just wondering if you might get extra damage.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Good catch Wulfren, so another 1d6 ⇒ 1 to that or total of 9.

The last dretch dies in a puff of smoke, the smell of ash and brimstone filling the former emporium as the Orphans put an end to the abyssal threat!

With this victory, the newly-confirmed Pathfinders can come back to report to their Venture-Captain their curiosity satisfied, the truth about the so-called "Prince" brought into the light by the Pathfinder Society. Your task for the Society is now over, but Venture-Captain Moldreserva lets you deal with Gandros how you see fit.

When the Orphans meet "Prince" Gandros again, he is glad to see them.

"Ah, my good subjects, you have returned at last. Pray tell, did you find the portal? Did you dispatch the beasts? How does my army fare? You may speak, for I am eager to hear your tale."

"Well, your highness, we did find the portal, though it was unfortunately sealed. The beasts who dared harm your royal person have been destroyed. I cannot say much regarding your army, perhaps my colleagues can elaborate."

Wulfren speaks in an even tone, clearly making an effort to do more than simply humor the old man or have fun at his expense. He knows the man is no longer in his right mind.

Poor old guy, can't blame him for this. Might as well let him enjoy his delusion.