PbP GameDay V: DM Sfounder's Orders from the Gate CORE (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

Lem maintains his encouraging words for the group. (Inspire Courage +2)
Then shrieks at the top of his little lungs, "Save the pillars!!!"

Lem takes a 5' step up to the nearest pillar and tries to save it.
what kind of action is it to try and stop them from toppling? And what kind of check? If Lem is too small and weak to try and physically save it, can he quickly read the thing? He has Comprehend Languages running. Or does he think the only chance he has to save one is to cast Suggestion on the yellow orc to convince it to save the other pillar: "Can't you read that pillar? This is a temple for Chaos! If it is destroyed your master will never be able to take over. Save that pillar!"

Now is likely a good time to use your reroll...

Yeah, yeah...sure, you just wanna see me Jeff it. LOL

Will save reroll incoming (w/GM stars added): 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 1 + 5 = 31

And Amiri anti-Jeffs!

I assumed the Engineering check I couldn't make dealt with how to save the columns. If it's a Strength based thing, I can work on it on my next turn. Most of the orcs don't seem to be a threat, and we've probably put a sizable dent in the big guy. Amina also carries a scroll of Spider Climb in case that comes in handy.

Yeah, just because you didn't make the engineering check, doesn't mean you can't guess at what to do!

That AoO ALMOST made me have to rewind the whole thing, which would have changed a lot. So close.

Amina takes the chance. She gets trampled as the beast steps on her, cracking ribs. The gambit pays off as she cuts a massive gash in the creature's belly, spilling a wound-slurry that covers the temple floor. The extremely injured beast still makes it to Amiri who only barely shakes off the witch's hex.

Round 2
Theodore: Prayer
Numair: Magic!
Baddies: ATK
Lem: Go
Amiri: Go
Amina: Go

Lem maintains his Inspire Courage +2, takes a 5' step up to the pillar, then calls out to the yellow orc.
"This is a temple of of Chaos, you fool!" Lem shouts at the Orc. "If it's destroyed your master will never take over this world. Make certain that pillar doesn't fall, no matter what!"
Casts Suggestion, DC: 17. Lem will be sure to let the party know if he thinks his spell worked.

Then he attempts to hop around on the pillar, shoving the wobbling pieces back into place.
acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 3 = 20
Thank goodness for all the buffs

Oh yeah, forgot the knowledge checks: Kn-Arcana, take ten=25
Kn-Engineering: 1d20 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 3 = 13
Kn-Nature: 1d20 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 3 = 24 DR for Gorthek?

Gorthek hide is extremely tough: DR 5/-.

Lem tries to kill two birds with one stone as he grabs hold of the orc's mind: Will: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15 Try as he might, he can't resist the magic and changes focus to the pillar. The agile gnome then steadies the right hand pillar!

Round 2
Theodore: Prayer
Numair: Magic!
Baddies: ATK
Lem: Magic
Amiri: Go
Amina: Go

Nice, Lem! Great use of suggestion! :-)

Nice of you to come right to me. Time for you to die! Amiri says with a snarl as she hacks at the beast.
primary: 1d20 + 15 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 15 + 6 = 29
dmg: 2d8 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (2, 8) + 12 + 3 = 25

secondary: 1d20 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 6 = 35
confirm?: 1d20 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 6 = 23
dmg: 2d8 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (7, 5) + 12 + 3 = 27
if confirmed, add'l: 2d8 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4) + 12 + 3 = 23

haste: 1d20 + 15 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 15 + 6 = 32
dmg: 2d8 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (2, 3) + 12 + 3 = 20

Amiri returns the violence with a series of hacks and slashes that the beast simply cannot withstand and it slumps to the ground, motionless.

Round 2
Theodore: Prayer
Numair: Magic!
Baddies: ATK
Lem: Magic
Amiri: Kill!
Amina: Go

Posting from phone: Do any other pillars look unstable? If so, Amina will try to steady the nearest. +7 Strength, not sure offhand which buffs might work with that. If not, Amina will target the Witch. If she can hit him with a fireball and not damage columns, that's first choice. Scorching ray otherwise. And will smite him for good measure. I can include dice rolls later, or GM or someone else is welcome to roll on my behalf.

Thanks, Amiri. You should've seen some of the creative ways my Lotus Geisha has used her Suggestions...

Amina: Unfortunately, neither Heroism nor Prayer would apply to Strength check: Save, Att & Skill checks, not ability checks.

GM S: Did Amiri drop the Gorthek with her first hit (25-5=20 damage)? If so, could she have taken a move action? Or, oh, I dunno, taken a 5' step and then steadied the other pillar? Or did she have to full attack it into oblivion? (Or, Amiri, did you keep on swinging to make darn sure the beast was quite dead, regardless, just in case?)

Yes, actually the first swing DID do it.

Amina looks up and determines that the witch is far enough away that she can blast him with a fireball DMG: 7d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 6, 6, 1, 1, 6) = 32 REF DC 16: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4. The fireball rips through the witch, leaving massive burns 1d4 ⇒ 4REF DC 16: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13. When ass is said and done the witch's cloak is destroyed, falling in tatters to the temple floor below. He's still alive, but extremely wounded.

Round 3
Theodore: Go
Numair: Go
Baddies: TBD
Lem: TBD
Amiri: TBD
Amina: TBD

"Wow, that thing hurt. Here's some of Cayden's grace."

Standard Action
He raises his holy symbol and selectively channels. Selecting out the big thing's body, and Blue and White. I don't think Yellow is hurt so he can be included.
Selectively Channel Positive Energy: 6d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 5, 1, 2, 6) = 23

Non-Action
5 ft.

Move Action
He tries to stabilize the column next to him.
Strength Check: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Thanks, Amiri. You should've seen some of the creative ways my Lotus Geisha has used her Suggestions...

Amina: Unfortunately, neither Heroism nor Prayer would apply to Strength check: Save, Att & Skill checks, not ability checks.

GM S: Did Amiri drop the Gorthek with her first hit (25-5=20 damage)? If so, could she have taken a move action? Or, oh, I dunno, taken a 5' step and then steadied the other pillar? Or did she have to full attack it into oblivion? (Or, Amiri, did you keep on swinging to make darn sure the beast was quite dead, regardless, just in case?)

Probably keep hacking. Rage does that to you, after all.

Ah, so very Amiri. And after that beautiful crit, might as well whack it one more time, just 'cuz Amiri. :^)

Theodore channels to mend some of the worst of the wounds, but when he tries to stabilize the pillar, it's not enough, the pillar will fall without help!

Round 3
Theodore: Channel and hold
Numair: Go
Baddies: TBD
Lem: TBD
Amiri: TBD
Amina: TBD

Ah, so very Amiri. And after that beautiful crit, might as well whack it one more time, just 'cuz Amiri. :^)

True. Perhaps 'e's just restin'. ;-)

The fireball actually did an extra 7 damage, thanks to Amina's draconic bloodline, in case that makes a difference.

It certainly makes A difference, but not THE difference ;-) He still hasn't joined the Choir Invisible.

Round 3
Theodore: Channel and hold
Numair: Go
Baddies: TBD
Lem: TBD
Amiri: TBD
Amina: TBD

Numair bounces his Flaming Sphere up onto the shaman.

Flaming Sphere: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 5) = 10 Fire damage. DC 20 Reflex negates.

If that doesn't take the shaman out, this next Magic Missile goes into him. Otherwise, it goes into one of the other orcs.

Magic Missile: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 3, 2) + 3 = 12 Force damage.

1d6 ⇒ 41d6[/dice]

Desperate to stop the spellcaster before more damage can be caused, Amina risks the retribution of one of the orcs to continue shooting beams of fire at the witch.

Concentration: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16
Crap. Pretty sure I haven't used my reroll. If someone knows I'm mistaken please let me know.

Concentration Reroll, GM Stars: 1d20 + 15 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 15 + 4 = 34

These will still provoke from the blue orc for being ranged attacks

Ray 1, Buffs, Smite: 1d20 + 5 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 6 + 3 = 20
Dam, Buffs, Smite: 4d6 + 4 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3, 6, 3, 1) + 4 + 3 + 2 = 22

Ray 2, Buffs, Smite: 1d20 + 5 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 6 + 3 = 31
Dam, Buffs, Smite: 4d6 + 4 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2, 4, 2, 3) + 4 + 3 + 2 = 20 If ray 1 was sufficient, please direct this at the closest valid target for two less damage

I'm back. Exhausted, but back.

The sphere flies up to the witch and REF: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23, but he dodges the sphere with ease! The magic missiles that follow, however, can't be dodged and the witch is knocked clean from the sky! His broken body cracks and splits when it hits the temple floor.

One of the remaining orcs obeys the suggestion and tries to steady the remaining pillar that still teeters 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16, and keeps it up!

The remaining two orcs gang up on Amina:
Falchion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Falchion: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 2 = 17

But their swings are clumsy at best. In return Amina tries to direct the rays at her foes: AoO White: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 = 10 and AoO Blue: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 2 = 19, but still their attacks fail. The rays aim at both of them and they are instantly incinerated!

That leaves but a single orc, easily dealt with...

Finally, you can catch your breath as the fast and furious combat ends. Shortly aftyer a shockwave passes over the ground. This trembling is probably the result of the Hellknights finishing their mission, you hope. The pillars shake, but they do not fall—with the orcs gone, you are begin to feel a thankful presence about you as the winds whip up. You feel that you have pleased the wind spirits. You are free to survey the ruins for the Society.

Feel free to do whatever, I'll post the denouement when I can later.

"Huzzah! Way to go everyone. Nicely done!" Lem does his best to contain his enthusiasm and rush around, trying to read every pillar before his Comprehend Languages wears off. He turns to Numair and with a serious tone he says, "I'm sure the Hellknights performed honorably. Just give me a few moments to take all this in, and then we can make for the orc's stronghold."

Lem then dashes around, taking as many notes as he can for the last few minutes of the spell. Then he tucks the notes safely away, tightens his belt, and readies himself for the fast march.
Loremaster Take Twenty on Knowledge check. If Kn-Arcana or Kn-Nobility, that's 38. All other knowledges it's 28.

I realize, metagamely, in all likelihood we can't rush off to the rescue, but Lem certainly wants to make the effort. And Numair, I do wish we could've done both.

Indeed you cannot...

By the time you meet back up, it's clear that Hellknight-Pathfinder relations are going to take a serious hit.

The Society is grateful to you for seizing the chance to acquire useful knowledge and prioritizing your Pathfinder mission, but the Hellknights are incensed.

It would be a straight up DISASTER if not for the fact that on your watch 9 of the Hellknights survived to go after the qlippoth invasion. They lose a few more in the battle, and any hope of friendship with these knights is forever lost.

When you return, Zarta thanks you for your services, and notes that the decision wasn't easy, and there was no right choice....

Still, the mission will stay with you for quite some time.

And that does it! Well played everyone. That Suggestion spell at the end was perfectly timed, and you guys did well with all the challenges. I'll report ASAP and get chronicles out shortly.

BOONS!

Baddies: 1d20 ⇒ 14
Theodore: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Lem: 1d20 ⇒ 15
Amiri: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Numair: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Amina: 1d20 ⇒ 15

Doh! Hopefully you guys have better luck elsewhere!

Unfortunately though, you did lose one hellknight. Your fame grows, but not as much as it could have. Only 1 Fame, but you minimized the burned bridge with the Hellknights.