[PbP Gameday VII] GM Ladile & the Pathfinder Society Present: The Golemworks Incident (Tier 5-6) (Inactive)

Game Master Lady Ladile

Ashara moves out of the tentacle's "area of activity" and starts moving forward while carefully avoiding re-entering it...

Double move, back then moving forward while staying close to the wall in order to avoid the tentacles' reach (as their Area of Effect is considered difficult terrain iirc).

You guys don't have concealment from Black but he has concealment from some of your attacks because he has some other buffs up and running besides his images. Unless Mykel activated an ability that grants him concealment or invisibility and I missed it somewhere?

The group begins to rally now, Damiel swooping in to deliver a healing draught to Mykel as well as bestowing the gift of swiftness on himself and his companions! Ashara quickly beats a hasty retreat out of the tentacles' area of effect while Hanzi tries once more to bring his sword to bear against Black! Two strikes miss, though one not by much, but the other...

Concealment (50% Miss; Low is Bad): 1d100 ⇒ 72
True or False? (1 = Real): 1d5 ⇒ 5

...pops another image!
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Round 8

Enora (Arcane Barrier, Mage Armor; -1, Shaken)
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Black (3 images; -21)
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Hanzi (Haste)
Mykel (-50, Haste; Shaken)
Ashara (-19)
Damiel (-12, Barkskin, Fly, Haste, Heroism, See Invisibility, Shield, Soothe Syrup/Twitch Tonic; Shaken)
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Syringes
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Karn (Enlarge Person, Haste)
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Containment Chamber

Active Conditions: Black Tentacles (Black Grid), Difficult Terrain (All)

Mykel is UP!

Current Map

Mykel, since Damiel moved to you you've still got your actions to take the infusion and drink it this round, if you like.

Mykel grabs the draught and downs it

It could taste better, but it works. Many thanks, Damiel.what dice do i roll....

Its 2d8+7

Damiel points to the label "They call it... cure moderate wounds. A lame name I know, but I wasn't ready to break from the accepted alchemical standard for such a trivial recipe."

The Elf shrugs his shoulders when Mykel complains about the taste "Ya, its is quite difficult to mask the flavor of geriatric rat scrotum, but its better than dying right?"

Most definitely...I think....I hope... Mykel says as he screws his face after learning the ingredients.

cnw: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (8, 8) + 7 = 23

As Damiel watches the wounds heal a smile crosses his mug "Seems those scrotums were extra potent. Perhaps you'll assist in collecting some new ones once we're finished here." He says in a hopeful tone.

When we finish this nutcase and down a few tankards, I will be more than happy to do the cutting....

Mykel chugs the infusion, trying not to think too hard about the ingredients that apparently go into concocting such things. And though he's still left noticeably injured the infusion is quite potent and Mykel looks much better than he did about two seconds ago!

The syringes swivel and turn, one locking on to Hanzi and the other targeting Mykel...

Syringe vs. Hanzi (Ranged Touch): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Acid Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 4, 6) = 19

Syringe vs. Mykel (Ranged Touch): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Acid Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 3, 3) = 12

...and both warriors suddenly find themselves splattered with caustic green liquid! A little of the liquid also splashes onto Damiel and Black, burning them as well! (5 splash damage).

Hanzi & Mykel, please make a DC 15 Will save or be compelled to follow Black's orders as per Command. Any bonuses you might have vs. enchantments would apply!
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Round 8

Enora (Arcane Barrier, Mage Armor; -1, Shaken)
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Black (3 images; -26)
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Hanzi (-19, Haste)
Mykel (-39, Haste; Shaken)
Ashara (-19)
Damiel (-17, Barkskin, Fly, Haste, Heroism, See Invisibility, Shield, Soothe Syrup/Twitch Tonic; Shaken)
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Syringes
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Karn (Enlarge Person, Haste)
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Containment Chamber

Active Conditions: Black Tentacles (Black Grid), Difficult Terrain (All)

Karn is UP!

Current Map

will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Though suffering some painful acid burns Mykel is able to resist the liquid's magic and retain control over himself!
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Round 8

Enora (Arcane Barrier, Mage Armor; -1, Shaken)
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Black (3 images; -26)
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Hanzi (-19, Haste; Pending Will Save)
Mykel (-39, Haste; Shaken)
Ashara (-19)
Damiel (-17, Barkskin, Fly, Haste, Heroism, See Invisibility, Shield, Soothe Syrup/Twitch Tonic; Shaken)
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Syringes
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Karn (Enlarge Person, Haste)
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Containment Chamber

Active Conditions: Black Tentacles (Black Grid), Difficult Terrain (All)

Karn is UP!

Current Map

Hanzi stands Resolute against these effects

Using Resolve to roll twice and takr the higher

Will Save: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9

Will Save: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 2 = 21

Going to delay Karn and move him to the grouping with Enora to try and speed things up a little more~

Hanzi also manages to retain control of himself, much to Black's...or is it Mother's?...disappointment.

"Hmph! Seems as if the mixture needs some adjusting...or perhaps you're simply better specimens than the others?"

1d8 ⇒ 7
1d4 ⇒ 4 From top: 1,2,3,4

"Letmeoutletmeoutletmeoutletmeooooouuuuutttt!" howls the creature inside the containment chamber, its banging and thrashing sending another bolt into one of the remaining glass cylinders with a mighty *SMASH!* More fluid spills out onto the floor, exposing another humanoid form held in suspended animation.
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Round 9

Enora (Arcane Barrier, Mage Armor; -1, Shaken)
Karn (Enlarge Person, Haste)
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Black (3 images; -26)
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Hanzi (-19, Haste)
Mykel (-39, Haste; Shaken)
Ashara (-19)
Damiel (-17, Barkskin, Fly, Haste, Heroism, See Invisibility, Shield, Soothe Syrup/Twitch Tonic; Shaken)
==============
Syringes
Containment Chamber

Active Conditions: Black Tentacles (Black Grid), Difficult Terrain (All)

Enora and Karn are UP!

Current Map

Enora is glad to be free. Using a point of arcane power, she quickly zips ahead.

Dimensional Slide (70 feet) (Su) Enora can spend 1 reservoir point during a move or withdraw action to step through a dimensional rift, essentially spending 5 feet of movement to move dimensionally up to 70 feet away. The dimensional movement doesn’t provoke attacks of opportunity, though the rest of the move provokes as normal.

Raising her staff, Enora calls out. "I've spent the last... minute getting tossed around by your stupid tentacles. You... and your son, or mother, or whomever I'm speaking to are under arrest!" And with her magic power, she casts Dispel Magic and tries to pry Black's protections away.

Enora will spend another arcane reservoir point to boost her Caster Level by 2.

Caster Level Check for Targetted Dispel: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 2 = 21

Black's eyes widen with surprise as Enora suddenly pops into view and attempts to dispel the magics that bolster him!

1d4 ⇒ 4

Enora feels her spell hit...and though she doesn't know what, exactly, she feels something give way and dissipate from Black's person. The few images still surrounding him remain but Enora knows that she still got rid of something that he'd cast on himself. Black knows it too, suddenly looking quite worried...
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Round 9

Enora (Arcane Barrier, Mage Armor; -1, Shaken)
Karn (Enlarge Person, Haste)
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Black (3 images; -26)
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Hanzi (-19, Haste)
Mykel (-39, Haste; Shaken)
Ashara (-19)
Damiel (-17, Barkskin, Fly, Haste, Heroism, See Invisibility, Shield, Soothe Syrup/Twitch Tonic; Shaken)
==============
Syringes
Containment Chamber

Active Conditions: Black Tentacles (Black Grid), Difficult Terrain (All)

Karn is UP!

Current Map

This thread is moving fast. The hazards of being a creature of the night I guess.

Karns steps forth and lets his anger loose upon Black. "Die!"

Attack #1: Greatsword, Raging, Power Attack, Haste: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
Damage #1: Slashing, Adamantine, Raging, Power Attack: 3d6 + 16 ⇒ (1, 2, 4) + 16 = 23

Attack #2: Greatsword, Raging, Power Attack, Haste: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24
Damage #2: Slashing, Adamantine, Raging, Power Attack: 3d6 + 16 ⇒ (2, 3, 6) + 16 = 27

Attack #3: Bite (tusked), Raging, Power Attack, Haste: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Damage #3: B/P/S, Raging, Power Attack: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Sorry Karn! Just trying to get us to the finish line so folks will have their characters free again :)

Fed up with Black's nonsense, the enormous Karn steps forward and attempts to rip into the wizard with sword and teeth alike...

Concealment #1 (50%; Low is Bad): 1d100 ⇒ 80
True or False? (1 = Real): 1d3 ⇒ 1

Concealment #2 (50%; Low is Bad): 1d100 ⇒ 35

...and actually manages to strike the real deal with his first sword strike! Blood splatters across the floor and Hanzi in quite a satisfying manner as Black reels from the sudden pain! Karn's follow-up strike as well as his snapping teeth fail to connect but the insane wizard finally looks to be quite injured.

1d2 ⇒ 2 1 = Hanzi, 2 = Karn

Cast Defensively (DC 19): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

Though cornered and bleeding profusely, Black doesn't seem inclined to give up as he adopts a defensive position again and casts a spell - pointing to Karn with a flourish!

Karn, please make a DC 17 Will save...

Round 9

Enora (Arcane Barrier, Mage Armor; -1, Shaken)
Karn (Enlarge Person, Haste; Pending Will Save)
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Black (3 images; -49)
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Hanzi (-19, Haste)
Mykel (-39, Haste; Shaken)
Ashara (-19)
Damiel (-17, Barkskin, Fly, Haste, Heroism, See Invisibility, Shield, Soothe Syrup/Twitch Tonic; Shaken)
==============
Syringes
Containment Chamber

Active Conditions: Black Tentacles (Black Grid), Difficult Terrain (All)

Hanzi, Mykel, Ashara and Damiel are UP!

Current Map

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

"Karn, now's not the time to... er... embrace Hanzi! No matter what Black tells you!"

Spellcraft, heroism: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 13 + 2 = 28 "Mykel does have lady like hips though." Remarks Damiel as he nods at Enora's deduction.

Damiel zips down a bit for a clear shot and tosses another bomb at Black. "Seems we're closing in on you now. What exactly is making its way out of those chambers?"

Frost Bomb, heroism, shaken, point blank, precise shot: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 2 - 2 + 1 = 274d6 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3, 4, 6, 3) + 5 + 1 = 22

Leave allies out of the splash if it hits. 10 frost on splash, reflex DC18 for half. If it hits Black then also Fort DC18 or be staggered.

Will Save: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17

Karn's mind goes fuzzy for brief moment as he gives a look of passion to Hanzi. Karn then sudden roars and his look of pure anger once again is the only look seen on his face.

Hanzi takes a short step off the stairs in order to flank with the ole KILLER OF MAGIC and swipes away 3 more times.

+1 Silversheen Katana: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 11 + 2 + 2 = 271d8 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 6 = 20
+1 Silversheen Katana: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 11 + 2 + 2 = 231d8 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 6 = 20
+1 Silversheen Katana: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 2 + 2 = 281d8 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 6 = 14
+1 Silversheen Katana Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 261d8 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 6 = 20

Ashara rushes forward...

Double move

Bomb Concealment (50%, Low is Bad): 1d100 ⇒ 51
True or False (1 = Real): 1d4 ⇒ 2

Reflex (DC 18): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Hanzi Hit #1 Concealment (50%, Low is Bad): 1d100 ⇒ 82
True or False (1 = Real): 1d3 ⇒ 2

Hanzi Hit #2 Concealment (50%, Low is Bad): 1d100 ⇒ 97
True or False (1 = Real): 1d2 ⇒ 1

Black never gets a chance to answer Enora's question as the combination of splashback from Damiel's bomb throws Black off-balance just enough for Hanzi to slip past his defenses and drive his katana deep into the crazed mage's gut! Eyes wide with shock, Black collapses to the ground as Hanzi withdraws his katana. The wig he'd been wearing slips from his head and his eyes settle on the far door, the one leading back to the hallway where you'd fought the soulbound dolls.

"Sisters, I...I'm coming...forgive me..." he gurgles before the light fades from his eyes and he breathes no more.

It's at about this time that the last bolt on the containment chamber gives way and from within bursts a horrific multi-headed golem forged of porcelain and flesh! But it seems that in breaking free it has doomed itself for it quickly begins to wheeze and thrash about in agony amid a puddle of green liquid, its lungs unable to function properly in the open-air environment. Scarcely a minute after being birthed from its makeshift womb, the golem breathes its last and an eerie silence falls over the ruined laboratory.

Combat Over!

Damiel quickly lands to check on the corpse for any shenanigans. Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

"That was very... odd." He says as he keeps one eye towards the containment chamber and another towards hopefully finding a spellbook on this man/woman/elder.

Karn breathes heavily as the battle ends. "Karn...disappointed." Karn rests his sword on his shoulder and waits to see if any other threat materializes.

"I'm just glad the worst of it is over." Enora looks upon Black and his bizarre creation. "Driven mad by his attempts to create life, he dragged his family down a deep prison they could never escape from."

"May they all find their eternal rest."

Hanzi spits on the corpse We had better get that damned refund now is all I am saying

"A sad tale indeed, yet I'm happy we all survived this ordeal more or less unschated. Now... let's check this place out. I'm sure we don't want any creation of this lost soul getting out of here. In the wrong hands they could prove deadly"

Perception check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

After everyone has a chance to catch their breath, you immediately set about securing the laboratory as well as picking through all the rubble and debris for anything else of interest. On Black's body you discover the following:

You also find Black's spellbook! It contains the following spells:

Other than the items on Black's body you also quickly discover a dossier that further reveals the ties between the mad wizard and the Aspis Consortium. These documents reveal details of the sabotage Black was instructed to perform on the Heidmarchs’ angelic guardians, records of months of payments for the use of the Doll House as a smuggling front and the acquisition of information from the Golemworks, and finally a mysterious reference to the approval of an unnamed 'Qadiran friend'. All of the documents are signed by gold agent Maiveer Sloan of Bronze House, the Aspis Consortium’s head of operations here in Magnimar. And last of all, you find a pouch of newly minted Qadiran coins, Black's payment for services rendered.

"More than enough to solve our mysteries, here." Enora looks through the dossier. "We should report back to the Heidmarch manor. Looks like the local snake has a name. Mavieer Sloan."

"Normally I'd dive right into that spellbook, but I tend to forget these things by the time another adventure rolls around."

Karn upon hearing that this travesty relates back to the Aspis Consortium quips "Snake no good. Remove head. Snake die." He then helps with carrying anything and everything the folks want to take back to manor with us.

Damiel nods depressingly at Enora "You're right. As good as these spells are, most I cannot use thanks to the present laws of state. Not to mention I don't know the next time I'll get out of the lab to make use of them." He tosses the spellbook in the loot sack for Karn to haul.

"Let's bring this back to Ms Heidimarch so they can proceed to the next step."

thought i posted... hmm...site might have been hungry

I have to get that taste out of my mouth...and the knowledge of how you made it, Damiel... Mykel says as he grabs his stolen booze and pops the lid and chugs a good part of it. Karn,if I get too drunk, could I borrow your shoulders so you can carry me? Your a good man! he says as he takes another pull and hands the bottle over to the warrior.

"You are trying to wash out the residue of geriatric rat scrotum from your mouth with alcohol we found in the same kitchen as some cooled arms and legs. You do realize that could be made from human remains right?"

Bluff: 1d20 ⇒ 11

He smirks "You may as well eat that jerky from the same kitchen."

sense motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Nice try, mister. Just for that, you can hunt for mouse parts on your own.

"While it may not be likely, its certainly possible. I would certainly avoid that jerky. Maybe hunt up some of those delectable 'cheese poofs' I hear so much about."

With Black vanquished and the evidence of his wrong-doings collected, you see to the rescue of the individuals that had been held inside the stasis chambers - all fellow Pathfinders, from the look of it! From there, you return to Heidmarch Manor where Sheila Heidmarch praises you for your role in bringing down Black as well as rescuing the missing agents.

Unfortunately, government bureaucracy proves once more to be a thorn in the side of progress. Although Shiela presents the evidence linking the Pathfinder’s murders, the attack on her property, and the relic smuggling ring to the Magnimarian government in an effort to bring punishment down on the Aspis Consortium, Lord-Mayor Haldmeer Grobaras remains bafflingly unconvinced of the Aspis Consortium’s role in the murders. Even though the evidence is substantial that they were at least involved in spying on the Golemworks, smuggling, and ordering the sabotage of angelic guardians, those in power seem less than motivated to get involved in a crime that seems to have already been solved. The Pathfinde Society is paid lip service for bringing down the dangerous psychopath Chrysalis Black and promised that the Aspis Consortium will be watched carefully going forward...but you, and Sheila Heidmarch, have your doubts...
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And that's it! Even if the ending is a bit of a bummer you still managed to save some of the missing Pathfinders and take down Black instead of letting him get away so it's still a solid win for the Society, I think :)

Enora isn't too surprised by all the bureaucracy. "I needed so many massages to get those tentacle bruises out too. They don't even seem interested in discovering the link to Aspis." She shrugs. "Doesn't matter. We have a name, and we know where to go if we need to dig up some dirt on them."

She checks her coin purse. "Let's go to a bar and get drunk. Who knows when and where I'll be called away next! Come on, y'all." And the smallest member tries to lead the big and strong to enjoy the evening.

Thanks for the game, everyone!

Karn follows along mostly to see if he can get Enora drunk enough to play halfling ball. "Don't worry. Snakes going to pay. Mark Karn word."

"So long as we aren't drinking from Mykel's bottle and you're buying, then I'm in. We can discuss the pleasantries of arcane theory or maybe alchemy if you'd like." He snatches up the spellbook after all for some bed time reading.

"In cases like these "Bureaucracy" is just a scapegoat, I'm afraid. It's pretty clear the mayor does not want to get on the Consortium's bad side. I wonder why..."