PbP GameDay 2: PFS Song of the Seawitch (3-7) (Inactive)

Game Master Hawkwen Agricola

The drifting steam of freshly made tea shimmers through the air in front of Venture-Captain Amara Li. The stoic Tian woman places an ornate tea tray on the edge of her desk, inviting all those present to partake of the drink. Li’s neatly organized office is the site of various tapestries and artifacts imported from the distant land of Tian Xia.

"I would like to thank you all for coming here despite the lack of explanation. Circumstances have forced me to be discreet in this assignment. There are many who would put the information I am about to share with you to more unsavory ends." Amara begins to take an initial sip from her teacup before she continues.

"Several months ago I arranged the successful sale of a pair of tomes from my homeland of Tian Xia to a versed historian here in Absalom. Of these books, the Infernal Incantation was the more highly sought after, as it is said to contain the secrets of binding the legions of Hell."

Amara takes another sip of her tea and then places the cup on her desk, her expression turning cold.

"The historian—one Yargos Gill—has spent the past several weeks studying the book from within his Absalom villa. To make matters more complicated, Yargos decided to try performing one of the rituals held within the Infernal Incantation late last night. From the breathless ramblings of his assistant who arrived at my door only a handful of hours ago, it would appear that something went horribly wrong with the ritual Yargos enacted."

"From what I was told, the ritual revealed to Yargos and his aides that the Infernal Incantation was not a guide on imprisoning fiendish forces, but instead the book itself was a prison for the armies of Hell. Within the confines of those ancient pages reside hundreds—perhaps even thousands—of devils eager to escape their long imprisonment. If Yargos's bumbling has caused some sort of disturbance within the tome, then we need to ensure it is fixed as quickly and as discreetly as possible. It would not do the populace any good to realize that a full-on infernal invasion could appear in the middle of the city!"

"I need you to go to Yargos’s estate, where his aide has already informed him of your impending arrival. Once you meet with the historian, learn what you can about the book and how to reverse the meddling he has caused. Above all else, ensure that the legions of Hell are contained."

You may make a Knowledge (arcana or religion) check to learn more about the books mentioned by VC Amara Li.

The elf in the corner took a cup of tea and sipped gingerly as he listened to the mission briefing. "Do we know what exactly might have gotten out of the book? Or how many of them might have gotten out?"

Know. Arcana 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

A burly orc, looming head and shoulders above most humans, stands near the doorway. His right cheek is scarred with the emblem of a sword, blade down, with rays of light emanating from its hilt.

He nods slowly as the Venture-Captain finishes. His answer comes in a deep rumbling bass that echoes in the room. "That is indeed serious. This aide... he did not know more of the ritual's results? He was perhaps not present for its conclusion?"

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Feeding some seeds to the raven on her shoulder, the young, average looking Chelish woman is initially listless as Amara Li begins her briefing, but the words 'infernal', 'devils', and 'Hell' immediate bring her back to full attention.

"It wouldn't be the first time I helped prevent a devil invasion. Although last time one of our fellow Pathfinders died..." She sighs at the thought, then continues, "We'll take care of the problem, by whatever means necessary. I will admit some passing interest in the book itself, but I promise to take great care if it happens into our possession."

"Is there anything else of interest you can tell us about this Yargos Gill?"

Great, send the girl from Cheliax to deal with devils. Again.

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

As you can clearly see, Tarquin is quite the demonspawn himself. He has a mean looking set of fangs, long horns, animalistic legs and a pointed tail that is flicking left and right. With as much sarcasm as he can muster Tarquin says:
"Ugh what is it with people and their fascination for demons and devils."

The Venture Captain sighs, "We do not know what has been released, and can hope that nothing has been as yet - though Pathfinders never seem to encounter such luck. I cannot really tell you what to expect, low level devils - which can be a grave threat in themselves - I hope, Imps perhaps? And both of Yargos's assistants are women, Lauralai who brought me the warning, and Nicola I believe."

Ruprecht tells the others what he knows about the tomes. Read the two spoilers in DM's last post. "Well, we need to pick up some weapons that will do more damage against those devils. Last thing we need is them shrugging off all of our damage."

Amara Li raises an imperious brow, "I would suggest you make any such purchases swiftly, the greater the likelihood of disaster. Silver weapons or blanches, and good aligned weapons will likely be of use. Now if there is nothing further I suggest you make haste."

"Hmm I already have a silver Morningstar, but I will get some silver arrows as well. Just in case..."

Tarquin will get 20 silver arrows.

"I suppose it wouldn't be a horrible idea to pick something up, just in case."

Assuming there is time, Rowanna will pick up a masterwork sling and 10 silver sling bullets.

Mrachni will pick up a silver light mace for 25 gold (leaving him at 199.00), then he's ready to go.

Everyone else ready?

Feel free to do a bit of retroactive casting of long term spells, etc., since I know I am rushing things a little.

After a quick trip to the Lodge's stores where you are able to make your purchases swiftly the group sets out into The City at the Centre of the World.

Yargos Gill’s villa is a stand-alone edifice that would normally meld into the background of Absalom’s various structures were it not for the massing crowd of local citizens in front of the entrance. Up above on the second floor, lights flicker as burning orange and red embers dance within.

"Quick," some of the people shout, "there were screams some time ago! The fire is ablaze!"

Moving closer to the estate, you find the door slightly ajar and the immediate interior in pristine condition. A basic dining room, kitchen, and meeting room fill the first level of the abode while stairs leading up to the second floor reveal a set of bedrooms and a personal study. There is a terrible burning light coming from beneath the closed door of Yargos' personal study.

Everyone moves towards the door, desperate to save the bumbling scholar. Sheets of dancing orange and red fire cover the walls of this long room, forming blazing curtains around two windows facing the streets below. The interior of the room is undisturbed, and the wooden floor is completely absent of flames. A swirling, sinister symbol adorns the centre of the floor, formed of a darkened red substance and accented by a few nearby candles. Opposite the only entrance into this room is a large open altar filled with more candles, a single blood-stained dagger, and an open book from which torrents of flame feed the inferno along the walls. Nestled in the corners adjacent to the entrance are three humanoid bodies—two toppled over one another in one corner, and a third in the opposite corner, face down on the wooden floor.

A seething devil stands in front of the altar, wielding a vicious, saw-toothed glaive, while below its toothy maw writhes a hideous, twitching beard!

Ruprecht, Rowanna, and Mrachni are up!

I'll post additional info for any rolls over 30.

Map

Init Mrachni: 1d20 ⇒ 14
Init Rowanna: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Init Tarquin: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Init Ruprecht: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Init Lillian: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Init Bearded Devil: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Can Mrachni tell if the bodies are alive or dead?

Seeing the devil, Ruprecht was glad he had applied a bit of the silver blanche to his magical spear on the trip. The alchemist leaves his spear sheathed, as he plucked a vial from his belt, moved forward and threw acid at the devil.

Ranged touch 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Damage 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 3) + 4 = 8

Ruorecht will move two spots to the right, and one to the south as he throws. Random miss direction 1d8 ⇒ 1. Used first bomb of the day out of total of five.

Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

As the group first arrives to find Gill's house in pandemonium, she casts Mage Armor on herself.

Once inside with the devil, Rowanna appears more than a little uncomfortable with the cramped conditions. "Watch out for its beard," She suggests lightly, before trying to Hex it.

Afterwards, Rowanna moves to the corner Ruprecht vacated.

Evil Eye Hex: DC 15 Will Save. -2 to Saves. If it makes the save, it's still affected for one round. If it fails the save, it's affected for 7 rounds. If it's immune to mind-affecting effects, it doesn't work.

I took the liberty of moving Ruprecht and Rowanna. I apologize in advance if the GM would prefer to move the icons himself.

Very happy for people to move each others icons per there directions :)

The two women are clearly dead, but the man, presumably Yargos, is beneath one of them so it is difficult to tell whether he is dead or simply unconscious.

You would need to remove the body and perform a heal check to determine if whether he is alive or dead.

Sorry for the tardiness, I hadn't realized we got started..

Know Arcana: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Lillian would have used her mage armor wand and shield wand before heading into the manor.. Seeing the Devil she has no clue what it is, but she does know his weapon looks mean..

She casts Grease(DC 17) hoping to rid him of the weapon.. Each time he swings it he must make this save or lose the weapon..

Waiting on Mrachni's actions and then I will proceed.

The big orc grunts and draws his new mace, stepping forward and glaring at the demon. "Go back, foul creature! Go back whence you came!" Moved 10' forward, intimidate to demoralize.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

Ruprect's acid hits, but does nothing to the devil's scaly hide. Giving Mrachni a wary look, shaken by his booming admonishment it darts forward leveling its glaive at Ruprecht.

The glaive sinks into Ruprecht's stomach with a savage fury driving it, and even as it pulls away slick with gore the wound continues to bleed.

Ruprecht takes 21 damage and will take 2 bleed damage each round at the beginning of his turn.

Everyone is up!

Will vs Evil Eye: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Glaive PA: 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 11 - 2 - 2 = 26 Damage: 1d10 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 6 = 21

Tarquin and Lillian posted their actions preemptively, I believe.

Mrachni growls and steps forward. "I said go back," he rumbles, swinging the silver mace in his hand.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Silver Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7

Rowanna cackles madly, then tries to place another Hex on the devil.

Move action: Cackle Hex to continue the -2 saving throw Evil Eye for 1 additional round.

Standard: Misfortune Hex on Devil, DC 15 Will

my first round was to grease its weapon dc17..

D'oh, so they did. 2 x 20 is not a Pathfinder rules thing - though still awesome with a x3 crit bow.

The devil staggers as Tarquin's silver arrow explode into his groin sending a dark tar-like substance spewing forth to coat his lower extremities and stick him to the floor. Shaken, entangled, evil eyed, stuck to the floor and badly injured the devil's eyes narrow and it eyes the group nervously.

Reflex vs Grease: 1d20 + 7 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 - 2 - 2 = 19
Reflex vs TFB: 1d20 + 7 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 - 2 - 2 = 4

the double 20 are auto hits and auto confirms so that was awesome :d.

Tarquin nocks another arrow and shoots at the Devil.
silver arrow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Dmg: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

"Go back from whence you came devil. You have no place here."

Are you moving first Tarquin? Its in battle and has cover from you so you would be taking -8 to hit from your current position.

Ruprecht pulls his spear and tries to jab the creature with the silver blanched tip, before it wears off.

Attack 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Damage 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Ruprecht's spear stabs home the silver coating sloughing off as its tip emerges covered in smoking black blood.

Will vs Misfortune: 1d20 + 3 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 3 - 2 - 2 = 10

DM, I did one more point of damage than I rolled. It should have been d8+2 instead of 1, so rather than edit my post, I want to make sure you noticed it.

No worries, duly noted Ruprecht, damage total 33.

Mrachni hit him, right?

He did indeed Mrachni, my apologies. Make that 40.

As Ruprecht's wound continues to bleed draining him further, the devil turns on Mrachni overcoming his misfortune to land one claw upon the heavily armoured half orc's face raking him.

Tarquin's arrow flies wide of the mark.

Mrachni takes 7 damage. Ruprecht will continue to bleed - on his turn his total damage should be 25.

Lillian, Ruprecht, Rowanna, and Mrachni are up!

Claw 1: 1d20 + 10 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 10 - 2 - 2 = 24
Claw 1: 1d20 + 10 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 10 - 2 - 2 = 24 Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Claw 2: 1d20 + 10 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 10 - 2 - 2 = 23
Claw 2: 1d20 + 10 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 10 - 2 - 2 = 22

Ruprecht takes a 5' step backwards, dropping his now next to useless spear. He moves his hand to his belt, plucking off another vial, consuming it fully, so that some of those infernal wounds begin to heal.

CLW extract 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

HP: 28/35

Mrachni swings his mace again, glancing over at Ruprecht with a worried frown.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8

Ruprecht's bleeding stops, the extract stopping the bloodloss.

Mrachni's silver mace smashes home the devil beginning to look badly wounded.

Ruprecht CL: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Lilly hits it with a magic missile..

SR: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Damage: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3, 4) + 3 = 13

yes I wanted to reposition but I cant interact with the maps from a mobile. I want to have Tarquin move into a flanking position, please move him.

As the creature is fully in combat, Tarquin drops his bow and pulls out his silver morningstar to smack the devil back to his infernal home.

attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Dmg : 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

He will also try to bite him in his neck for good measure (non-silver).

bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Dmg : 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Rowanna continues to cackle to keep up the duration of her curses, then tosses another Evil Eye on the devil for good measure.

Move action: Cackle to maintain -2 Save Evil Eye and Misfortune Hexes.

Standard Action: Evil Eye: -2 to attack rolls. DC 15 Will Save.

Active Hexes
Evil Eye -2 to saving throws. Duration: 1 round.
Misfortune. Duration: 1 round.

It seems I could not flank it, but I could make a five foot step to come into melee. So please deduce 2 from my attack rolls. It is still entangled I think?

As Lillian's magic missiles thump home the devil collapses its dark form tuning into an oily mist which is sucked back into the book upon the altar which slams shut. The flames vanish as he book closes.

"If that's the type of thing that comes from the book, we need to destroy the book immediately. Or at least make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands!". The alchemist pulls a wand and passes it to Rowena, asking if she wouldn't mind to do the honors and. Heal him a bit.

He also uses another silver Blanche, making his spear especially effective against the infernal.

CLW 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
CLW 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
CLW 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

3 charges used from wand. 21 left.

After getting his weapon prepared, the elf searches the bodies, looking for anything interesting that catches his fancy.

Perception 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

"That takes care of that. I will secure the book, we wouldn't want a sudden breeze to open it up again summoning another devil. I don't think we should just destroy that which we do not know. That is how half-breeds such as myself get persecuted for no reason.

He makes sure that he makes eye contact with Rupert while saying this. Even though Tarquin looks quite demon-like, you know him to be a good hearted individual.

Tarquin proceeds to the altar and makes sure the book remains securely shut. He inspects the altar itself with detect magic coming from his wayfinder.

While studying the altar he says to the others:
"Can someone inspect the bodies? One of them might still be alive."

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
knowledge arcana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Whatever is needed ;)

The altar is in truth little more than a cloth draped table and there is no magic present upon it, though numerous candles and notes, as well as a bowl of what looks like watery blood sit upon it.

Tarquin tries to read the notes. They might hold a clue as to what happened here.

Its clear at a glance that the notes would take hours, if not days to decipher.

Also you pretty much know what happened from the briefing. He did the ritual while researching, hoping to learn more about the book, but realizing he had accidentally stirred something sent his assistant to the Society for help. She returned to him while you were gathered, etc.

The moment the demon falls, Mrachni hurries to the fallen Yargos' side and checks him for signs of life.

Heal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
He's dead, Jim. Alas, should've taken 10. :P

(If Mrachni just isn't able to determine whether Yargos is alive or not, he'll go ahead and stabilize him for good measure.)

"He didn't use his beard, eh." Rowanna utters to herself, almost sounding disappointed the devil wasn't more life threatening.

She then uses Ruprecht wand on him as many times as he likes, then uses her own wand of Infernal Healing on Yargos. She smirks at the irony.

While waiting to see if Yargos returns to consciousness, she'll inspect the outside of the book for anything of interest. "I'm an expert on containing these kinds of infestations." She explains in case of objections from Tarquin or anyone else.

39 Charges remain on Infernal Healing wand.

"Rowanna could you please first inspect the bodies if any are still alive? The book will not run away, do not worry about it. Alas, my expertise lies in the arcane and extraordinary creatures. Not men."

Mrachni already inspected the bodies, see GM post above. The women are very clearly not alive, the professor might be.