PbP GameDay IV: PFS 06-97 Siege of Serpents by GM Aram Zey (Inactive)

Game Master SwampTing

Wayreth draws back both palms, gathers the winds around him to his hands, and then slams them into the large statue.

attack roll: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
damage roll: 1d6 + 5 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 5 + (1, 5) = 17

attack roll: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
damage roll: 1d6 + 5 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 5 + (6, 3) = 16

Still remaining behind in the air, Rowanna casts Dispel Magic on the Durvin Gest statue, hoping to disrupt whatever magic is animating it.

Caster level check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

I'm not sure just how you'd like to handle this, or if it's even workable. My plan was to place my Wayfinder on the statue, hoping that the Protection from Evil Resonance power might help block whatever is "possessing" it, and thus save the monument. I'd hoped that the party could grapple it, even for one round, but since they don't seem to want to, how would you like me to handle attempting to give my Wayfinder to the Statue?

unmodified check: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Salubri, that will be some kind of CMD check, but a 12 will not beat the statue's CMD.

Rowanna attempts a dispel magic on the statue, but even if it could work the statue is being powered by an effect greater than CL3. Salubri attempts to force his wayfinder onto the statue's hand, but the statue brushes him off easily.

Initiative
Rowanna
Salubri (-6, -4 WIS drain)
-------------------------------
Prig (-4)
Jani
Wayreth
Angels (smashed,17,17)
Durvin Gest Statue (42)

Waiting for Prig.

Next round, I'll give in another go, probably taking a good wallop to the head for my trouble.

CMB: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Jumping up onto the statue, for fun: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24

Prig steps back, trying to get the angel to chase him across the battlefield. "Ha ha! Yez come closer you stupid statue! You are nothing but stone that breaks at the end of my lance!"

Lance to hit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Lance to hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Damage: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Prig's lance strike punches right through the statue's chest, and Wayreth's follow-up strike shatters it into a pile of rubble. The sylph pivots and redirects his momentum for a single additional strike on the nearest angel.

Only one of Wayreth's attacks was needed to destroy the statue, so I am applying the damage to the next angel.

Meanwhile, Jani lays a curse on the other stone angel.
will: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (3) - 4 = -1

angel on Wayreth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
angel on Wayreth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

angel on Prig: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
angel on Prig: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

The remaining angel statues flail blindly at Wayreth and Prig, but are unable to land any hits. Not a single roll above 10. Dice roller biased.

Initiative
-------------------------------
Rowanna
Salubri (-6, -4 WIS drain)
Prig (-4)
Jani
Wayreth
Angels (smashed,28,17)
Durvin Gest Statue (smashed)

You can mop up now.

Rowanna moves 15 feet to the north, then lowers herself to 20 feet off the ground. She then places an evil eye hex on the closest angel statue, further reducing its ability to hit anything.

The angel statue 2 squares away from Rowanna has -2 to attack rolls for the next round. If it does not make the DC 18 Will save, this lasts 8 rounds. If it's still immune to some mind-affecting effects, this may not work.

Jani walks over and starts scanning with Detect Magic to see if they can identify a spell or magical device that was used to animate the statues.

-Posted with Wayfinder

***********************
Overseer Announcement
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Prig continues to try to poke the statue to death.

Lance to hit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Lance to hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Wayreth continues to pound on the angels.

attack roll: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
damage roll: 1d6 + 5 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 5 + (2, 5) = 18
confirmation roll: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
crit damage roll: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

attack roll: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
damage roll: 1d6 + 5 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 5 + (6, 5) = 18

Wayreth and Prig shatter the remaining angels.

As the dust settles, you see that several other groups of agents are slowly getting the Southern campus under some semblance of control. As you try to decide what to do next, Ralph's voice sounds out in your vicinity.

"An exemplary effort, but Aspis agents are swarming the North-Eastern and North-Western campuses, and they are in dire need of reinforcements at those locations. See if you can help them!"

Condition:
Rowanna
Salubri (-6, -4 WIS drain)
Prig (-4)
Jani
Wayreth

Next available destinations:
Mausoleum (NW Campus)
Starhall library/museum (NW Campus)
Quadrangle (NE Campus)

"We think the Starhall library would be a primary target. Let us see if we can help defend it?"

"A good an option as any. We should keep moving. Whilst we dally trying to decide where to go, lives are being lost!"

"Yes, to the library."

"Zat soundz incredibly boring, but sure - defend ze bookz..."

With some vague consensus achieved, you head off to the museum library known as Starhall.

The outside of this large keep was designed with Azlanti architecture in mind. Two wings extend from the center structure, with a domed tower at the end of the east wing a smaller patinated bronze dome over the center hall. Starhall serves as an observatory, library, and museum for otherworldly and extraplanar objects and lore. Inside the main entrance is a library with several display cases of objects recovered from Numeria, as well as a curator’s desk and a staircase to the eastern tower.

As you near the front doors, you see that it lies ajar, and you hear a crash and a voice from within.

How do you wish to enter?

"Prig, if it might help, I could summon a light horse to serve as your mount, but I doubt it'll have much war training. With that in mind, I could also summon a pony to move into the library first to see if something aggressive is waiting for us, assuming of course no one has any moral objections to using extraplanar creatures to help us avoid ambushes."

Coming up to the door, I'll hold a hand up to wait as I try to listen in. "Someone within. They seem to be looking for a specific map. Outlanders"

I'll try a quick inspection for traps, Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9, and if spotting none, I'll push open the door forcefully, and shout, "Who are you! What are you doing here?" in Tien.

Salubri bursts through the door and sees within what appears to be a humanoid creature made entirely of some kind of earthenware, and another that appears to be a dessicated, withered husk of a corpse, except that it is very much mobile and animated. He is standing before a shelf and several unrolled maps lie strewn on the floor around him.

Both figures adopt combat-ready postures as Salubri bursts in.

But he does not attack immediately.

He shakes a page at Salubri, then throws it on the floor.

Initiative
Jani: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Prig: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Salubri: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Rowanna: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Wayreth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
enemies: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
enemies: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Turn order
Rowanna
Jani
TCM
MM
Salubri
Wayreth
Prig

Rowanna and Jani can act, but the rest of you can also speak if you wish, and if you speak Tien.

"I can. There is no need to fight, here. We are Pathfinders,. . ." bending down to pick you the paper and glance at it.

Assuming they don't actually attack

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

"Look, we don't really know what's all going on here, but do not want anyone else to die. It's not how we work."

The dessicated one makes a scoffing noise, but he holds up a hand, signalling the earthenware creature to hold.

Wayreth quickly protests in the creature's own language.

"Hang on there. Who did you hear all that from? Would it happen to be the very people who instigated you to join this assault on our home? Can you trust such a source? I myself am from Quain, and the society draws people from all regions and all walks of life precisely because we seek to preserve culture and knowledge, not preserve or take it for ourselves, but so that the past is not lost to us, and so that the recovered knowledge and artefacts can be used for the common good."

"Perhaps we can prove it. Here and now. You say that you are seeking a map to take you home. Where is your home? Where are you seeking to go? If we locate the map for you, will you and your people leave us in peace?"

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Prig turns back to his chronicler. "Do you understand what zey're saying?"

The chronicler, his nose in his book, responds "Don't worry, I'm sure what you're saying is very elegant."

Prig leans back, content.

Yeah, unfortunately the creatures from mount aren't combat trained, otherwise I would be good with that. And if I were any good at riding non-combat trained animals, I would be riding a rhino right now.

The dessicated one makes a scoffing noise, but he holds up a hand, signalling the earthenware creature to hold.

** spoiler omitted **

One of the things I've always hated about the PFS is they are absolutely, 100% correct on that.

Rowanna waits for diplomacy to take its course before acting.

I will assume that was a diplomacy check that Wayreth rolled.At least it matches his diplomacy mod.

Assuming Wayreth or Salubri translate, you can read the above spoilers. What it comes down to is that you have to make a Knowledge history, geography or nature check to research and put together a good enough route back to Lung Wa that will satisfy the undead monk. If you use a spell or effect to boost your check, it must last at least 10 minutes, so guidance will not work. You can take 10 on the check.

Or is there is a hidden paladin in the group that objects to aiding them?

Prig stands outside the door, watching in case anyone else comes.

Good luck guys! (No knowledge skills here)

"I will do what I can. It is true, that there are man within our organization that simply take, push for wars no matter who they hurt, and are willing to do, literally, anything to complete the mission or have a chance to lick the Chelish whore's feet, but not all of us are like that. There are many of us that simply wish to learn, and spread that wisdom to all. Others that wish to use the Society's abilities to do good in the worlds. Many of us risk our lives to do these things, and honestly only seek to find friends and allies outside the Society."

I do have Basic Maps (landmarks). Will this help?
Know History: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Would it help if I handed my Wayfinder to Prig and he cast Guidance on me every round for 10 mins? :P (Kidding)

"Please, allow me to assist." If there are no objections, Rowanna begins work on mapping the route.

Knowledge (nature) + chronicle boon + competition bonus: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 14 + 1 + 2 = 35

The chronicle boon is a +1 circumstance bonus on Int and Cha checks in Absalom with no time limit, while the +2 from the Lore Symposium is a competence bonus.

Rowanna inspects the shelves, then pulls a selection of maps from them. She is well-versed in the lay of the land and oceans between Golarion and Lung Wa, and furthermore her extensive knowledge of the natural world allows her to identify various hazards that one may encounter along the way. She explains all of this to the undead monk through her translators, and charts no less than 4 different routes for the undead monk to choose from.

The monk inspects the routes, then nods in satisfaction...but he then gathers the maps, rolls them up and begins to slide them into his tattered robe.

Those maps are the property of the Pathfinder Society! The party should vote whether or not they want to let him leave with the maps.

Appraise: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

"The maps aren't irreplaceable, but they do have significant value. Perhaps you should take notes instead of taking them with you, unless you have something to gift the Society in exchange for the maps." Rowanna requests to the undead monk.

Jani can't speak Tien, but would assist in copying the maps if needed.

appraise: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Craft(maps) untrained: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Prig sees what's happening but shrugs. "Not my maps."

The undead monk flatly refuses. He demands that you let him have the maps, as he does not want to stay on this blasted continent any longer than he has to.

After hearing a translation of their complaints, Jani says, "There is far more damage being done to the Lodge today than loss of a few maps. If it will preserve lives and minimize costly damages, we would suggest we allow them to take the maps. "

-Posted with Wayfinder

Wayreth agrees.

"There are many threats that the society is facing right now. I think giving up those scrolls to remove some of those threats right here and now would be well worth it. If nothing else, it gives us more time and resources to fight other threats that cannot be removed by giving up a few maps."

After some discussion, you agree to let the undead monk leave with the maps. He gathers them up and beckons to the terracotta soldier to follow him. As he reaches the door, he turns around and speaks again.

He opens a hidden compartment on the terracotta soldier and retrieves a jar of black paste.

He then pulls his hooded cloak low over his face and leaves.

Area cleared, AND you gain 1 supply point. Where to go now? There's still the mausoleum and the quadrangle.

"Thank you, and safe travels. If you happen by the Lantern Lodge in Goka on your way home, do give my regards to Venture Captain Amara Li."

Once again, add my vote to whatever the next person who posts suggests.

"This area is secure, shall we see what can be done to secure the quadrangle?" Jani suggests.

The more we keep moving, the more we can clear before this phase is up! That one was very quick since we didn't have to do any combat.

"We will certainly give this to whose in the most need, my friend. Travel safely."

I vote the mausoleum.

I'm intrigued by the mausoleum, so I vote for that.

"Let's go to the mausoleum then. As long as we are moving somewhere."

To the mausoleum then.

This enormous, columned stone structure is both temple and fortress. Two wings flank an open courtyard. The imposing structure is adjacent to a thick copse of trees. The Mausoleum serves many functions from temple to museum to research laboratory, all dedicated to the greatest mystery of all: death. The left side of the building houses the more academic areas, while the western side is used for more spiritual purposes.

You arrive at the Courtyard of the mausoleum through the Western doors. Shattered statues and religious sculptures pertaining to death and the afterlife are strewn about here, a clear sign of careless vandalism. You see the bodies of two caretakers are slumped to the sides of the Western doors. The eastern stone doors are barred shut from the other side.

If we need to break the doors down, Jani has an Enlarge Person spell memorized, which gives a + 5 (+1 from increased strength and +4 from being large) for such purposes.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Wayreth kneels beside the bodies of the two men, checks their pulses, then sighs when he realises they are dead.

"Damn Aspis. We'll make them pay."

Looking to the doors, he sighs again. "Locked doors are one thing. Barred doors require brute strength, and I'm not particularly suited for that kind of task. Prig, you entered the weight-lifting competition, didn't you? How did you fare at that? You any good?"

Unfortunately, due to Prig's size, it might be best to slap it on Salubri? Prig would only get to medium size.

I am immune to Enlarge Person, unfortunately. One of the largest drawbacks of my race.

I'll also check to see if the two guards are still alive, offering immediate healing if so.

Heal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Heal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

"I do have this, my friends," pulling from his magical backpack a portable ram, "and also this." indicating his blade made of a metal able to cut through most other materials with ease.

Adamantine Scimitar: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

"If that blade will go between the doors, and cut the bar that is holding them closed, perhaps?"

Wayreth's compassion and Salubri's intuition lead them to discover that the two caretakers are in fact still alive, although very badly wounded. Salubri is able to bring them closer to consciousness, but they are still unconscious.

Salubri begins hacking at the door, and with his adamantine weapon is able to cut down the door easily. After all, that one of the things adamantine weapons are extremely good for.

As soon as he cuts the door down, however, he sees a green projectile flying towards his face!
touch: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
acid: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 4) + 2 = 8
The projectile hits and burns as it eats at his skin.

At the same time, the door to the North flies open.

Initiative:
Jani: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Prig: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Salubri: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Rowanna: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Wayreth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
enemies: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
enemies: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Initiative:
Rowanna
Wayreth
Enemy 1
Salubri (-14, -4 WIS drain)
Prig (-4)
Jani
Enemy 2

Rowanna and Wayreth take the initiative.