SHATTERED STAR CAMPAIGN - GAMEPLAY (Inactive)

Game Master Daniel Penfold 351

Okay, so it looks like I have a few minutes before anyone shows up. Where am I? What do I see? Am I still alive?

This stone platform overlooks an enormous watery cavern, whose walls are covered by phosphorescent lichen that provides modest, yet eerie illumination. Three rowboats are tied to stone posts on the dock's northwestern side, while a carving of a leering demon extending a hand in greeting decorates the stone wall just to the north of the platform. A word has been carved into the stone wall just below the demonic carving

Oster quips.

"Down I go!"

He prostrates himself, feeling foolish and smacks the stone toe with his lips.

"You have got to be f@%#ing kidding me?!" Mem cries. As the others imitate Calvon's action, she hangs back a moment to see what happens to them.
spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15to see if she thinks this is a teleport effect

Referencing my previous list of languages, can I read the word?

Memnosyne, you think it is some form of teleport effect.

Calvon, the word is in Thassilonian and reads, "Farewell", you also notice that the hand of the carving is slightly extended

What do you mean by "extending a hand in greeting"? Are we talking about some kind of hand wave? Is that the same hand that you said is "slightly extended"?

Xango also does the same to follow his comrades

Oster gets up, grins oddly, and resumes his hunt for traps.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

@Calvon - sorry its a bit badly worded in the AP - the hand is basically reaching out, as if to shakes hands

Oster, you do not find any traps, you can however hear fast flowing water

Calcon turns to face Oster.

"Well, that wasn't really what I expected. I thought we'd open a door or some magical stairs would appear."

Calvon starts to speak as through to himself and not to Oster.

"Although, considering the magic-laden hole we floated down in order to get here, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. It also makes sense that Sorshen would want to display her power to her servants and guests. She would likely have hoped that all these displays of magical power this would make them want to be closer to her and desire her more."

He looks up at Oster, coming out of his reverie.

"Anyway, there's a demon carved into the wall over here that wants to shake hands." He indicates the demon carving with his head.

"There's also a word below the carving that says 'Farewell.' If kissing Sorshen's feet brought us here, it's possible that shaking the demon's hand takes us back there. If this is a show of power, I doubt Sorshen would bring someone here after kissing her feet just to kill them."

Calvon looks around the room, really noticing it for the first time.

"Maybe we should look around first though." he says with a touch of awe.

"I agree. I was expecting a passage and not some teleportation. I would suggest we be wary as we know not where we are now. This could be the cursed water that was mentioned to us earlier."

I have no idea where we are on the map/if there's somewhere to explore that doesn't involve getting into the boats.

"Anyone have a plan for dealing with mind magic? That water could be a serious problem."

Map updated

I've updated the map

"Well, I guess we can take the boats," Mem says.
I can do a communal protection from evil to add to our saves if that helps Oster?

You step into the boats and sail off into the current.

Where are you heading to?

Follow the current for a moment I guess!
Xango looks ahead trying to discern any points of interest.
Perc: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

wait, does the current leads over the falls? let's head toward L3

Do the boats have paddles or do they just follow the current or is there magical means of moving them? If we can steer them, I agree with Mem, lets try L3.

Just had a thought, is this waterfall connected to the waterfall from K6, where the glass statue was on the island?

Yeah the boats have paddles so they can be steered.

You think that the waterfall is connected to the one in K6

good, L3 then

A stone platform extends from the cave wall here, its floor a foot from the water surface. An immense red metal panel sits in the far wall, its face engraved with numerous scenes depicting a beautiful woman on a throne as numerous strange monsters bow before her.

Do I even need to ask anymore if the woman is Sorshen!?

I will cast detect magic on the panel. It's probably nothing, but Sorshen has a lot of magic going on here so you never know.

Yeah, the woman is Sorshen

There is nothing magical showing up

"I know we are mapping this place but perhaps we should be sketching these images as well. Maybe someone would find them of some use," Mem says peering at the panel. "Let's head down here," she says, pointing south. She gives Oster the 'after you' sign.

This long, grand marble hall features a single row of pillars down its centre. The vaulted ceiling thirty feet above is painted with lewd frescoes depicting giants and humans engaged in carnal acts set among pastoral scenes. To the south, the hall widens before rising up in a series of steps to a white marble throne. Six large treasure chests sit next to the throne. Sitting on the throne is a large cave giant. At its feet are a number of lizards.

Kneel, little mortals, I am Sorshen!

Oster does his best to remain hidden, and looking for more foes.

Stealth: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Memnosyne extends her mystical senses to probe the room as they enter (casting detect magic).
I wonder if THIS is the crazy person the incubus mentioned?
Memnosyne goes down on one knee glancing up at the cyclops. "You look a little different than some of the pictures in this place. Are these your pets?" she asks, indicating the lizards.
diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Tatsuo follows Memnosyne's lead, also kneeling. "Indeed, I am afraid the images hardly do you justice."

Diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 Alas, just barely too little to aid

Oster, you do not see any other foes in the area. Memnosyne you can detect that the giant is under the effects of a charm monster spell.

Well, that;s artists for you. Yes, these are my pets, as are you all.

Now kneel, else you earn my displeasure!

"She may be mad, but she's also been charmed," Mem whispers to the others. "Anyone have a dispel magic spell hanging around? Or should we just take the Oster way?"

Still from his kneeling position, Tatuso subtly shakes his head to Memnosyne's dispel question. He glances at Calvin in case he knows such a thing as he prepares himself to join Oster in an attack.

What do you want to do?

Can Oster reach behind "Sorshen" with a charge
? Aiming to set them up for flanking. And I'm amused at the "Oster way" - it's pretty accurate!

Yeah Oster can reach behind

Oster hand gestures a stabbing motion and a quizzical look at the others.

Percetion check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Are you trying to sneak behind her Oster?

Tatsuo remains kneeling, not wanting to draw attention to Oster's actions. He nods slightly to Oster's question but covers it by seeming to agree with the crazy person and addressing his companions. "Yes, let us all show our respect to the great Sorshen."

Yes, Oster is trying to sneak out of her field of view, so that he is in a better position to charge her when things kick off.

Oster, is able to sneak behind the cave giant unseen

I know we are a bit past this but,

I am kneeling as well.

Whispering, "No, I am not able to dispel any magic. However, if this creature is charmed then the imposter must be the one who charmed it. Perhaps similar to the man we met before the incubus, Gnaeous?

Out loud, "May the great Sorshen get all that she deserves!"

I know we are not in combat yet, but I want to ready to cast vanish as soon as Oster acts.

And with that, Oster bursts from cover, swift as lightning, with a sap in his hand, aiming straight for the back of "Sorshen"'s left knee.

Scout's charge, sneak attack

Scout Charge with sap vs flat-footed AC: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 2 = 20

Non-Lethal Damage with Surprise Attack (Ex) but minus Brutal Beating (Ex): 3d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 1, 6) + 2 = 12

Enforcer feat to make a demoralise test as a free action

A sudden voice rises to the giant's ears:

"YOU'RE DONE, BIG ONE!"

Intimidate, demoralise as free action: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32

Demoralise Enemy with Memorable trait, so shaken for 1 round plus 1.5 rounds for every 5 Oster beat the DC by.

Intimidate skill unlock, 5 ranks: If you exceed the DC to demoralize a target by at least 10, it is frightened for 1 round and shaken thereafter.* A Will save (DC = 10 + your number of ranks in Intimidate) (15) negates the frightened condition, but the target is still shaken, even if it has the stalwart ability.

Slow Reactions (Ex) Benefit: Opponents damaged by the rogue’s sneak attack can’t make attacks of opportunity for 1 round.

Brutal Beating (Ex) At 3rd level, whenever a thug deals sneak attack damage, she can choose to forgo 1d6 points of sneak attack damage to make the target sickened for a number of rounds equal to 1/2 her rogue level (2). This ability does not stack with itself—only the most recent duration applies.

Debilitating Injury (Ex) Disoriented: The target takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls. In addition, the target takes an additional –2 penalty on all attack rolls it makes against the rogue.

The giant is frightened by Oster's actions and words.

Mochtau initiative: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15

Oster initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Calvin initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Tatsuo initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Memnosyne initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Xango initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Monitor lizards initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Initiative order:

Block 1: Oster

Block 2: Lizards

Block 3: Mochtau

Block 4: Everyone else

So Oster your action

Oster keeps up the pressure, the giant not yet even having had time to respond to his sudden battering.

Sneak attack as giant is still flat-footed: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Non-Lethal Damage minus Brutal Beating (Ex): 3d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 6) = 13

Enforcer feat to make a demoralise test as a free action

Intimidate, demoralise as free action: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29

Demoralise Enemy with Memorable trait, so shaken for 1 round plus 1.5 rounds for every 5 Oster beat the DC by.

Intimidate skill unlock, 5 ranks: If you exceed the DC to demoralize a target by at least 10, it is frightened for 1 round and shaken thereafter.* A Will save (DC = 10 + your number of ranks in Intimidate) (15) negates the frightened condition, but the target is still shaken, even if it has the stalwart ability.

Slow Reactions (Ex) Benefit: Opponents damaged by the rogue’s sneak attack can’t make attacks of opportunity for 1 round.

Brutal Beating (Ex) At 3rd level, whenever a thug deals sneak attack damage, she can choose to forgo 1d6 points of sneak attack damage to make the target sickened for a number of rounds equal to 1/2 her rogue level (2). This ability does not stack with itself—only the most recent duration applies.

Debilitating Injury (Ex) Hampered: All of the target’s speeds are reduced by half (to a minimum of 5 feet). In addition, the target cannot take a 5-foot step.

The lizards move forward and attack Memnosyne and Calvon

bite on Memnosyne: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

bite on Calvon: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12