Shackled City (Pathfinder) - GM_Chris

Game Master Chris of the Clouds

Knowing that the fate of the animals now rests within the potentially capable hands of Dyrant and Atol, Glimmil informs the others that he is going to depart to check on Skie's well-being.

Upon seeing his favorite gnomess, his face visible brightens as he and Cog both rush to her and inform her of the good news.

"That woman that kidnapped you? Jill? We took care of her... and a whole manor full of her evil friends. Are you okay? Can I get you anything? We should talk about how to keep you safe in the future, because these do-badders won't stop at anything..."

Over breakfast Atol talks with the other party members over iced scones.

"Dyrant and I are going to reinforce our home a little against the threats allied against us. I hope you all agree, and will chip in to help cover the costs."

"First we're going to cast Forbiddance just on our sleeping chambers. Everyone will have a password to get through of course, but it should stop unwanted guests from teleporting in - they'll have to use the door. And if they're really unwanted, they'll take damage doing so."

Atol reaches for another scone and drizzles some honey on it.

"Second I'd like to consecrate the house. This one is a little more complicated, and will take me a whole day to cast. I can do it while you all investigate the cagewrights today. The spell is Hallow. We can tie a number of other spells to it to prevent unwanted visitors from gaining an advantage over us."

"I was thinking of maybe Invisibilty Purge, but I worry about Dr. Toffitt's methods not working in that case. We could also protect the house against intrusion with Dimensional Anchor but that would block Dyrant's coming and going."

"Anyway, I need your help in deciding on a final spell for the Hallow, and of course permission to layer these defenses on our home. Oh, and it'll cost ~8,000gp for both spells - maybe less depending on what we layer into the Hallow."

"So, what do you think? Good plan?"

The animals all transformed back into people, the party learns that each person is one of the best at their chosen profession. Over the years Lady Thirifane had approached them and attempted to employ them. When they refused, she polymorphed them and created the simulacrums in their place.

Toffitt checks to see whether one of the transmogrified people is a perfumist. Something for Finneas' reak...?

"My good people, I am both glad you are returned to your natural forms, and grieved at your ill treatment. Would you be willing to testify to Skellerang as to your treatment?"

He listens to Atol's suggestions and nods. "My invisibility is of little use if I do not see them coming first. It's a good plan."

"My good people, I am both glad you are returned to your natural forms, and grieved at your ill treatment. Would you be willing to testify to Skellerang as to your treatment?"

There's a mixed response, but at least a few are willing to put their lives on the line.

Dyrant hounds the re-transmorgified individuals both on their skill sets (as we all know, Atol's skill lies in the garden, not the kitchen) and what they might know of the Cagewright's plans.

"You were in her study! You must have heard something that might help us stop them. All of Cauldron might depend on it. Any scrap of information might be useful. Do they have other hideouts? Where might the vampire be? Can you make a good gristle stew? Please...your help is needed. For the Cudgel. For Cauldron."

Only a couple of the people managed to maintain their intelligence during the ordeal. The woman introduces herself as Alice.

"I'm afraid my skills are in constructing magnificent desserts and not magic items. However, it was clear to me that whatever she was about was close to completion. During the last couple days she was going on about how things would soon change. Something about they were ready to retrieve the boy and the dwarf and begin the ritual."

"And she could never shut up about that creepy third eye she got in return for something she created."

What, Heroes' Feast every day isn't enough for Dyrant's waistline?

"Boy? Did she name him? Friends, we must check on our ward, and make sure he has not been replaced with a simulacrum."

Toffitt thinks a bit more on Alice's word. "Curious. We know she made a special suit for someone with the initial 'V.' If that's Vhalantru (or something disguised as the Vhalantru)... Curious. We must seek him out and call him to account."

"No name I'm afraid. Just a boy."

"Finn, we must go to the Temple of Lordly Might immediately and check on the boy." Worry crackles across Toffitt's usually impassive face. "Dyrant, have you any idea how to identify a simulacrum. Without desttroying it, of course."

"Right away Doctor."

Finneas will rush to the temple with the others.

"So, what do you think? Good plan?"

Dyrant nods appreciatively. "An excellent plan, Atol. We should sell our illgotten goods tomorrow to help pay for these protections. In addition, we should continue to search for the vampire and others who might be working with the Lady."

Dyrant nods at Dr. Toffitt.

"And if the boy isn't real, and we should definitely check, then I will employ my magics to try to find him. Also, we need to find the dwarf as well."

Atol, I think I would go for death ward for the Hallow, but that's because we have more solutions to Invisibility than evil drain.

I'm assuming Glimmil successfully checks on Skie's well-being and has returned for this planning discussion.

Glimmil nods with approval at Atol's suggestions.

"Yes! We must prepare and ward ourselves against the do-badders! Do you think Skie might be able to stay with us, that is - if she wants to? She might be nervous to stay at her place and it would have a lot less magical protections."

Glimmil continues to watch the further questioning of the familiars-turned-people-again like a ping-pong match.

"The vampire! He may have got away this time, but we won't let it happen again! How do we stop him from going all misty and fleeing the scene next time?"

I'm assuming Glimmil successfully checks on Skie's well-being and has returned for this planning discussion.

Yeah. Sorry. Missed that somehow.

Glimmil looks for Skie where Dryant left her, but she is gone. He finds her at her shop. She's replaced her bloody clothing with robes he's never seen before. She also is wearing some new rings and rummaging through secret compartments that somehow escaped his notice during the last few months.

"Don't worry about me my dear. I won't be going with you, but I won't be a liability for you again."

Skie gives Glimmil a kiss and pushes him out the door. "Now go kill the rest of them," she says in a voice that both scares and excites Glimmil.

"I think it would be a fine thing if Skie were to join us for a while. She's most welcome."

Atol stuffs another scone in his mouth.

"Death Ward Doctor? That's a very good idea. So Death Ward or Invisibility Purge. Any final comments before I begin?"

Atol grabs a number of scones and stuffs them into his pockets for the task ahead. He's never cast a 24 hour spell before, and he's quite uneasy about it.

What happens if I have to go to the bathroom?

After breakfast, he'll go up to his room and prepare the Forbiddance, a much shorter casting time. What to make the password? He sits at the top of the stairs and ponders for a long while.

...

I know. 'Pike'!

When he finishes the spell, he whispers the password to everyone in the cauldron 5.2 and Skie.

Fortifying himself with another scone, he begins the process of ritual, prayer, and wild arm gesticulations that he must continue for the next 24 hours...

"Breakfast will be late tomorrow." he says to no one in particular.

"Right away Doctor."

Finneas will rush to the temple with the others.

Finneas knows something is wrong before he even makes it through the front door and finds the first charred skeleton. The intermitent shadows of the remaining lights accentuate the blood splatters that cover most of the front hall. Finneas finds several priests, but none of them alive.

The other voice in Finneas's head laughs loudly. The others try to get him to shut up, but are drowned out by the laughter.

Racing further into the temple, Finneas arrives at Asfelkir's office. The room looks undisturbed, but a pile of ash and Asfelkir's greatsword lie on the floor just inside the door. A hastily written note sits on the desk.

"They've come for the boy and the cage. I will protect them with my life. If I am dead, get this to High Priest Finneas."

The laughter in Finneas' head finally subsides, but is replaced by sobbing that Finneas has never heard before.

He took her, son. He took her.

Finneas collapses to the ground in front of Asfelkir's remains, holding the note.

Who? Who's taken who? What?

The large man begins to shake, his body trembling. The note in his hands holds steady, the rock hard muscles of his forearms not twitching.

"This is our fault. We trusted the priests to guard him, and they died for it. Two temples gone. Only two left now, and how long do you think that will be? Did we win tonight? Did we emerge victorious? Was this a good trade, one good man for a host of evil doers?"

Finneas looks at the others.

"What was this for? Where do we strike? Where do we point my revenge!"

Dyrant floats along with Finneas, his own eyes searching for signs of life. His fists balled with rage.

Not this. Not these noble, if misguided, Kordites.

Aralynn bobs along, searching for foe...or the living, her gears gyrating between angry whirling and sadly clunking.

"Ah, Finneas, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..." Dyrant mumbles between bouts of anger.

Dyrant drifts around, detecting magic, seeing if there is any residue of the violators.

Toffitt takes in the scene with stony silence. "Vhalantru. I'll have his kidney on my blade before nightfall. Or his gizzard. Whatever's under that mask." He turns to leave, walking purposefully in the direction of the Vhalantru estate.

Dyrant buzzes to Dr. Toffitt.

"I think revenge will have to wait a day. We have no Atol. And if we have no Atol, we have no Dyrant. We need the Cudgel with us when we have those that did this. Vengeance will be ours. But Atol is working hard on other things this day."

Dyrant does not stop Dr. Toffitt, and only speaks truth.

Toffitt seethes but keeps a calm, considerate tone to his voice. "We don't have a day. They're moving right now. Would you protect your bed while the city burns around it? The sacrifice is in motion."

Glimmil stands silently, head low, observing the carnage in Finneas' temple.

He steps forward, trying to figure out how to lay a hand on the half-orc's shoulder, but instead finally settles on cupping his calf.

"We'll bring a battle to them for this, Finn. Kord will be pleased."

Glimmil's thoughts drift to the new gnome temple in Jzadirune, as he has the briefest worry about the gnomes there, but then decides they should be safe as they aren't harboring any marked children or smoke-eyed men.

"Let's go get Atol! No point in defenses on our home, if nobody is going to be in it, right?"

Dyrant nods at Glim's words.

"Let's go drag Atol away from his spell...he won't be happy for leaving nor for the news we'll bring, but his righteous anger will help burn and cudgel the monstrosities that would do this."

Dyrant goes to get Atol...and ready for battle.

Toffitt gathers his extracts and mutagens about him and fidgets as others prepare to storm the castle. He resists the urge to hasten his steps alchemically, staying with the party.

To Atol he says, "I've a belt to enhance both your health and your celerity. Tis a pity to lose the augmentation to fortitude, but this day I need my blade to strike true." Translate: Belt of Physical Might: Con and Dex +2

Finneas will cast his longer lasting spells then make haste to Vhalantru's home. The non smoking eye side of his face is smeared from crown to chin with the ashes of the priests and Asfelkir's sword is strapped to his back.

Atol, upset that his spell is interrupted so early in the process, is even more upset at what happened to the church of Kord. He gathers his cudgel, puts on the proffered belt, and prepares for battle - though he is confused.

"OK, so the church was sacked and they shall be punished... but who did it?"

Remember, anyone who had breakfast with Atol has 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 temporary hit points, +1 (morale) attack rolls/Will saves, and +4 (morale) on poison/fear saves from the heroes' feast for 12 hours.

"We have one suspect — Vhalantru, or whichever creature bears his likeness. All signs point to him: Cuthbert and the angels, the flesh pillars, the notes of Fetor, and now these notes about a 'V.' Let us show mercy to those who are mere mercenaries in his employ. And I swear that I'll kill him only should our suspicions be correct. But we must confront him now, with force if circumstances dictate."

He thinks a bit more. "When I was standing guard over Fetor, the beholder appeared and disintegrated him with a look. Askelfir was also disintegrated. And the Lady Rhiavadi had a grotesque eye not unlike a beholder's. Could it be that this creature is behind this? Or even that it has taken on the likeness of Vhalantru?"

House Vhalantru is a stately, three-story manor located on Obsidian Avenue. It has walls of mortared volcanic rock. However, the upper floors appear to have glass windows with lovely silver laurel designs running through the glass. The front doors are sturdy wood with ornate silver hinges and fittings.

Map

That could have been the St. Cuthbert church! We're far less martial than Kord...

Atol walks up to the door and angrily opens it, holding it open for Finneas, Glimmil, and the others to enter.

"Let's find out what's going on here."

Dr. Toffitt, I assume I have an Ablative Barrier from you? If so, it's already drunk.

Dyrant mumbles angrily on his way to the Vhalantru's manor, gathering his hate for the coming battle.

Dyrant nods to Aralynn and then to the manor, watching for dipsy-doos and loopdee-de-loos.

"Front door, gentlemen?" Dyrant waits for others to get ready.

Dyrant spells: Heroism (extended), Mage Armor (&Aralynn), See Invisibility (extended & recalled), Reduce Person (from scroll...when we are ready to move in), Death Ward, Fly. Right hand: AngelRelic. Left hand: Potion of MCPE10'.

As they arrive, Toffitt drinks several extracts and such.

Communal airwalk on himself, Finneas, Atol, Cog. 30 minutes apiece for Atol, Finneas, Cog and 40 minutes for Toffitt.

He accompanies Atol to the door, ready to help Glim pick any lock that's present.

The front door opens up to a foyer with four lifelike statues in alcoves--a fewmale wizard in robes, a male elven ranger with a longbow, a female elven cleric carrying a shield with the symbobl of Corellon Larethian carved into it, and a male elven druid wearing a cowl and carrying a vine-like whip.

A red carpet leads from the foyer to the main hall. The red carpet continues on up a 5' wide staircase that climbs up the eastern wall to an overhanging balcony fifteen feet above. Four more statues stand in this room--a male dwarven fighter wearing full plate and carrying a greatsword, a female halfling rogue/sorcerer perched atop a stone pedestal with a staff in one hand and a short sword in the other, a male human monk in a battle-ready unarmed stance, and a male gnome cleric of Garl Glittergold holding a morningstar and clutching a light steel shield.

A half-orc in chain mail with a double axe stands on each side of the staircase. One shouts at you, "Lord Vhalantru is not accepting any appointments today. Go away and shut the door behind you."

Map

Toffitt advances toward the half-orc. "We don't have an appointment, and this is not a request. I pray that you leave this place peaceably and do not turn back, or it shall go badly for you."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 16 + 2 = 23

So many possible responses, but going to give Finneas a chance first--Glimmil's travelling, but I expect is right in line with Toffitt.

Dyrant ignores the half-orc, letting Aralynn tell him what he needs to know as he inspects the statues and contemplates the contents of his scrollcase.

"Gentlemen, I'll need a moment...would you mind making sure I'm not interrupted?" Dyrant draws a scroll from his case (stone to flesh).

Ugh...not the elf...way too haughty. They are pompous windbags, totally unlike myself.

Dyrant contemplates which to unstone.

While he thinks, he drinks his potion of MCPfE10'.

If the half orc isn't doing anything silly (like attacking through Glim, Finn, and Toffitt, Dyrant will try to Stone to Flesh the monky looking one.

Casting Enlarge Person & Deadly Juggernaut before we open the door, drinking extract of Barkskin

Finneas nods at the polite doorman.

"Of course. I have my invitation RIGHT HERE!"

And then he moves up and swings at the half orc who spoke.

Greatsword Power Attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 183d6 + 17 ⇒ (5, 1, 3) + 17 = 26

Son of a @#*$#!

Initiative
Atol 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Dyrant 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Finneas 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Finneas Bonus roll 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Glimmil 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Cog
Toffitt 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
Half-orcs 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Round 1
Finneas = 25 - moves in and misses
Toffitt = 23
Glimmil = 19
Atol = 13
Dyrant = 12
Half-orcs = 5

Dyrant turns the statue into flesh and it collapses into a pile on the ground--it was just a statue. This would have started initiative, but Finneas does indeed go first. Either way, no surprise round as the guards are on duty.

Finneas squeezes past the statues and swings at the half-orc, but misses.

If everyone else goes except Glimmil, I'll DMPC him tonight.

Round 1 Map

Round 2, Init 23 {>J10}

Toffitt zips forward a few inches off of the ground and readies an action to swing the flat of his blade at the speaking half-orc, should he not surrender or withdraw. "Leave us and enjoy your life."

Dueling blade: 1d20 + 19 + 2 - 4 - 3 ⇒ (12) + 19 + 2 - 4 - 3 = 26
1d8 + 9 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 9 = 19 + sneak if somehow the attack triggers before the half-orc goes: 6d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 5, 6, 6, 3) = 25

It's still round 1. No surprise round, but you did beat them in initiative so they are flatfooted.

Glimmil and Cog follow Finneas and the doctor into the house. They both hit, but Cog fails to trip the half-orc.

Glimmil: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (12) + 19 = 31
damage: 1d6 + 7 + 2d6 ⇒ (5) + 7 + (5, 4) = 21
Cog: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26
damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
trip: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

Updated Round 1 map for Atol and Dyrant

Round 1, Initiative 13, Location:D9->G10

Atol moves up behind Finneas, and casts Command, Will DC 16. He tells the Half Orc on the left to drop his weapon.

"Drop your weapon and yield and you will not be killed here today!"

Remember, anyone who had breakfast with Atol has 11 temporary hit points, +1 (morale) attack rolls/Will saves, and +4 (morale) on poison/fear saves from the heroes' feast for 12 hours.

Round 1, Init 12

Dyrant delays, waiting to see who's goon squad is bigger.

Never mind. i forgot I can't do sneak when hitting with the flat of a blade.

The half-orc stares at his own hand in disbelief as he drops his weapon. He draws a dagger and tries to stab Toffitt while shouting for reinforcements. "INTRUDERS!!"

The other one crashes his double axe against Glimmil several times without luck.

A secret door opens behind one of the statues and more half-orcs pour out. One attacks Atol, but somehow manages to miss. Another half-orc (provoking from Atol) goes after Dyrant and opens a large gash in Dyrant's chest.

The door to the north opens and more half-orcs tumble in. They each strike Finneas.

Finally, the southern door opens and another half-orc opens a huge slice in Glimmil's thigh.

Round 2
Dyrant = delaying
Finneas = 25 - moves in and misses
Toffitt = 23
Glimmil = 19
Atol = 13
Half-orcs = 5
HO1 (raging, dropped weapon, -19) -
HO2 - (raging, -32)

Round 2 Map

Round 2, Init 23 {>K09?}

Toffitt frowns and lays into K01, attempting to take him down and move into flank with Finneas.

Dueling sword: 1d20 + 20 + 2 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 20 + 2 - 3 + 1 = 21
1d8 + 9 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 9 = 19

Iterative: 1d20 + 15 + 2 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 15 + 2 - 3 + 1 = 22
1d8 + 9 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 9 = 19

Fervor: 1d20 + 20 + 2 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 20 + 2 - 3 + 1 = 27
1d8 + 9 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 9 = 22

He is a bit too sure of himself as he strikes, surprised that half-orcs could be hard to hit. Finneas never seems so challenging...?

I don't think Fervor has been cast.

HO7 tumble: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20

HO7 double axe at Finneas: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (11) + 19 = 30
damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Pretty sure this dude failed his tumble, current CMD is 26...

Round 2 Init 25

Suddenly surrounded by a stretch limo full of half-orcs inexplicably hiding behind secret doors around the room, no doubt dying of boredom and dreaming of a more favorable dude to chick ratio, Finneas attempts to thin the herd.

"How do you stand there so long and not cramp up?"

Greatsword Power Attack @HO7: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 223d6 + 17 ⇒ (3, 2, 5) + 17 = 27
Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6
Greatsword Power Attack @HO7: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 293d6 + 17 ⇒ (3, 3, 6) + 17 = 29
Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9

Dude has intruders inside and he ran outside to come crit me?! Sheesh! And OW!

Round 2, Init No-Longer-Delaying

Dyrant stares coldly at the halforc, noticing his own blood dripping from the blade.

*sigh*

Dyrant will withdraw (going back first), then flying up 20' in C10.

Round 2, Initiative 13, Location:G10->H11

"Failing to give up will be your, er, failure!"

Atol takes advantage of the AoO on HO4.
Cudgel: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

"Finneas, watch your back!"

He then takes a 5' step and using the Cudgel of the Cauldron Five, casts Blessing of Fervor on the party. Sadly, Dyrant will be excluded from the effects as he is too far away and playing with his own Half-orc.

Remember, anyone who had breakfast with Atol has 11 temporary hit points, +1 (morale) attack rolls/Will saves, and +4 (morale) on poison/fear saves from the heroes' feast for 12 hours.