[Table Shieldwall] From the Tome of Righteous Repose (Inactive)

Game Master Nathan Hartshorn

Wow! That's a rough attack - and she's using a katana which could have crit for another +25 or so.

Its worse than you think, she used her fiendish boon to make it keen

Was the samurai's mount a spell effect or a undead horse?

Its an SLA that Graveknights have, giving them a phantom mount once per day. Michiko is a rough fight, in addition to being a Graveknight she's also a high level anti-paladin and has two mooks who would normally be doing more.

Elaril's earth elemental begins slamming into the Samurai, denting her armor horribly, though she continues fighting from her mount. Anthys is able to slip his blade through her defenses as well, leaving more rents in her armor.

The other, barely, still standing Phantom Armor crosses under the Samurai's horse, moving to get to Anthys just as its master is. It draws AoOs from Berato, Anthys, and the Earth Elemental. It has 2 hp left and I doubt it will survive so I'm not going to roll its attack.

The Graveknight continues swinging from horseback, attempting to take Anthys out of the fight as well.

Powerful Slash!: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31

The various blessings and protections on the human stop her blade from ever reaching his skin, drawing forth a growl of anger. "I will spill your blood human."

Order 4th Round
Michiko (AC 28 vs Anthys, 23 everyone else. Touch 12, SR 17) -55
Elaril, Marcus, Vindlér, Anthys, Berato
Phantom Armor [B: -11]

"Perhaps you will, Michiko."
The normally stoic warrior allows himself a slight smile as the elemental pounds the Graveknight. He had been feeling very nervous, and still is, but thinks, We might actually do this...
His confidence is bolstered further as he just manages to get his shield up, blocking the undead's katana.
A crit on Anthys would probably drop Berato just from the half damage he's taking through Shield Other. So I hope I can put her down before that happens - and before things like Lastwall Phalanx expire.
He brings his magic sword across in a gleaming arc.
Attack, Bless, Scion, Dedicated, Flanking, PA: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 32
Confirm, Bless, Scion, Dedicated, Flanking, PA: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 32
Damage, PA, Dedicated: 1d8 + 4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 4 + 2 = 18
Crit, PA, Dedicated: 1d8 + 4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 4 + 2 = 18
"Or perhaps you will not."

Seeing the graveknight begin to take some hits, Elaril allows himself to relax slightly. He begins to cast before creating a burst of glittering dust to coat the undead creatures.

Cast Glittering Dust. Boost DC to 19 by spending 1 pt from Arcane Reservoir. Will Save to prevent Blindness. SR doesn't apply.

The Earth Elemental lashes out once more....

Slam 1 w/ Flanking + PA: 1d20 + 14 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (11) + 14 + 2 - 3 = 24
Damage: 2d6 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (3, 6) + 7 + 6 = 22
Slam 2 w/ Flanking + PA: 1d20 + 14 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (3) + 14 + 2 - 3 = 16
Damage: 2d6 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (1, 1) + 7 + 6 = 15

Berato AoO on armor: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Once again, Berato unleashes the floodgates from Torag's domain!
Channel Energy to Hurt Undead; Will DC 14 for 1/2: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4 positive energy dmg.

Elaril you can save your spell and Berato you can save your channel for heals, the physical damage from the earth elemental and Anthys are enough to take both enemies down.

Confident in the abilities of his companions to help protect him Anthys swings his blade up and out, getting past all of the Graveknight's defenses and cutting into the gorget around her throat. His blade cuts through the thick armor and drops the helmeted head of the samurai at his feet. The Earth Elemental similarly turns to the last Phantom Armor, pummeling it into the ground. Combat Over!

As the Graveknight 'dies' her skeletal horse fades from under her, dropping the newly dead corpse at your feet.

Anthys's first feeling is one of triumph, then relief, then alarm. "Vindlér! How is he, Berato?"
The dwarf is likely a bloody mess, but at least not bleeding any more.
"Marcus, do you have that healing wand the Venture-Captain gave us?"

"Here." Marcus pulls the wand out from his belt, rushing over to Vindler and touching the wand to him with a command word.

Cure Moderate Wounds: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (7, 7) + 3 = 17

Marcus sighs with relieve as Vindler returns to consciousness, healing him again.

Cure Moderate Wounds: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 3) + 3 = 8
Cure Moderate Wounds: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 8) + 3 = 13

Satisfied that his friend is okay, Anthys breathes a sigh of relief.
"Thank you, Marcus. And thank you Vindlér for facing Michiko heroically like that; I suggested stepping behind the line but I knew you wouldn't. Berato, Elaril, Marcus - having you watch my back was more important than you know. I couldn't have done it without you. Or without the giant rock-monster."
He looks at his sword. "Or without this blade. It struck true against her, didn't it? A sword like this needs a name to commemorate such a battle. Gravekeeper? Final Rest? Repose... maybe... Requiem? Is that good?"
He turns to the graveknight's armor. "And now we must complete the requiem for Michiko. We must close the rift so she may go to her rest."
As he looks at Michiko, he says quietly, "There is another, who once led the Shining Crusade, who has fallen to undeath and darkness. I do not speak Its name for I do not wish It to hear. But It was my reason for joining the Society. That the secrets and wisdom of the Society might in time teach me how to send It to Its rest. May our success here give hope to those who share that goal with me."

Vindlér's eyes snap open and he gasps in alarm as he realizes what happened. His arm reaches across to the spot where Michiko's blade had slid past his armor. He feels the blood still warm and sticky on his armor, then sighs with relief as he pushes himself up to his knees. He turns to Marcus and nods quietly, thanking the man for saving his life.

As Anthys thanks him for his bravery, Vindlér shakes his head, "No, lad. That wasn't heroism. That was abject stupidity. I rushed in like a soldier still green from training. I thought I could face down the knight, but she was too skilled. She had the advantage on me in height to say the least." A small smile creeps across Vindlér's face and he laughs. "That'll teach me to go in without getting a proper plan in place first! Harharhar!" The dwarf slowly gets himself to his feet, then turns to each of his companions in turn to congratulate them on their victory.

When Anthys begins to speculate about naming his sword, Vindlér laughs again, but nods in agreement. "Aye, lad. Ye appear to have fought well here. Requiem sounds like a suitable name to me. Now, let's finish what we started here. Berato, shall we work together to cast the spell to consecrate this place again?"

"Indubitably!" says Berato, preparing the spell components.

Berato casts consecrate and blesses the area with positive energy!

Duration 8 hours

Where exactly is Berato casting Consecrate? It's only a 20' radius, but the various good things we did already blessed the whole crypt with Consecrate. The Graveknight had a Desecrate aura that countered it in the immediate vicinity, but I assume that aura faded with the her (temporary) destruction.
"Where is this evil rift? We must find it and close it. Maybe with Besnik's ritual?"
We can keep searching rooms - maybe Vindlér's Detect Alignment ability will help if the rift isn't immediately visible.

"Have we explored this entire catacomb yet? Perhaps the rift is somewhere we have not been?"

Elaril will cast Detect Magic and search that way.

Yep, full area is still consecrated. It just so happens that the Graveknight's desecrate aura countered your good deeds throughout the dungeon for a 30 foot area around her.

Areas still to explore: 11, 12, and 14

The stone in the dungeon is rather thick, blocking most of Elaril's magical sight. However there is a faint transmutation aura with a hint of evil coming from the basin of water in the room you are currently in.

"I'm picking up something coming from the basin here..."

Spellcraft / Kn: Arcana: 10 + 12 = 22

Detect Magic and Knowledge Religion +6 on the basin

If there are no items in the basin causing this, Berato will then center his consecrate spell on the basin where the whiff of evil is coming from

"Torag, Father of Creation, evil has tainted this basin of water. Water is life, and the source of all life's creation. It also tempers the blacksmith's creations, and keeps animals of labour strong and healthy. Do not allow the seed of evil to take root here!"

CONSECRATE!

Anthys watches as the priest and wizard employ their expertise.
Up to 14 maybe, then backtrack?

The basin is filled with 10 gallons of unholy water. Berato's sanctification of the water removes the taint of evil from the room. Continuing onward your group travels to the northernmost chamber where the dungeon appears to terminate.

This grand chamber contains finely carved stone, opulent in contrast to the rest of the crypt. The heraldry of five major houses are inscribed into the wall above five ornate sarcophagi. Each sarcophagus stands ajar and empty.

Hanging in the air is a small rift, about the size of a halfling, from which evil energy permeates. You know you've found your goal, the reason that the undead have risen in this tomb. Time to end this.

You can close the rift by spending 1 hour performing the ritual from Besnik’s scroll and succeeding at three DC 16 skill checks. The possible skills for these checks are Knowledge (arcana, planes or religion), Linguistics, Perform (oratory), Spellcraft, and Use Magic Device. Each person can attempt a single skill check. Expending an ability that releases positive energy, such as cure spells and channeling, grants a bonus on a single check. For spells, the bonus is equal to the level of the spell; for channeled positive energy, the bonus is equal to the number of dice rolled. Every 5 points by which a character exceeds the check’s DC, you earn an additional success.

Anthys does his best to assist with the ritual, drawing on his limited knowledge of undeath.
Knowledge (Religion), Scion: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 2 = 12
Folio reroll!
Knowledge (Religion), Scion: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 2 = 18
Success!

Vindlér claps Berato on the back as he cleanses the unholy water in the basin. "Well done, lad. That water had a stink to it that's cleared up nicely now you've done your part."

He joins the others as they continue to explore the catacombs. When they finally reach final chamber and see the rift hanging darkly in the air, Vindlér's brow furrows deeply. "Ach! Now that's got to be stopped," he says with a nod. As he feels the low thrum of negative energy emanating from the rift, he grabs the only thing he has available to counter it with positive energy--his healing wand. He stows his shield away, then pulls off the golden key he wears on a fine chain around his neck as his symbol of devotion to Abadar. As he grabs the key he asks for Abadar's guidance in this attempt to right this disruption in the balance of the world of life and death. He passes this blessing on to each of his companions as well.

Touch of Law - Everyone gets to treat their next skill check as if they rolled an 11 on the die.

With wand in one hand and key in the other, he cautiously approaches the rift and begins to chant in a low tone. The tip of the wand begins to pulse faintly just as the key begins to shine with a light of its own. The light of wand and key blend and create strands of golden light which reach out toward the rift and begin to pull its edges together.

Touch of Law Spellcraft, positive energy bonus: 11 + 7 + 1 = 19

"Now's the time, Berato," Vindlér calls out to his friend as he holds the strands in place. "Use Besnik's scroll to finish the job!"

"Very well..." says Berato, as he starts reading the slow incantation written on the scroll. Towards the end, he infuses his words, the scroll and the rift itself with Torag's holy light!

Touch of Law Knowledge Religion, Scion, Channel Positive 2-dice bonus: 11 + 6 + 2 + 2 = 21

And that's how to get that done! Well done, gents!

Go team!

Looks like Elaril's help is not needed here but he can easily contribute a double success roll by Taking 10 if there is more required

The scroll erupts into holy flame, consuming it, the rift closing with a satisfying but harmless shock wave. Now that the rift is closed the only thing left is to ensure there are no denizens remaining in this dungeon.

Heading south leads to a small room B12. Three white marble statues of featureless spirits echo the murals on the walls, which depict thousands of souls streaming toward a great spire.

Further south finds another ossuary B11. Piles of bones, generally sorted by type, litter this chamber. A tibia sharpened to a point lies near a circle scratched on the ground. As your light crosses the threshold you start to notice the shadows don't exactly correspond with object placement. Looking closer you realize there are more undead here!

Order 1st Round
Marcus, Elaril, Anthys, Vindlér
Shadows [R: 0, B: 0]
Berato

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Looking at the mural, Vindlér sighs happily, "The River of Souls. Hopefully Michiko can find her place there."

When the party continues through the ossuary and the group comes upon more undead, however, his mood changes. "Now haven't we had enough?" he shouts, seemingly at no one. He looks to the shadows and tries to remember what they are capable of.

Knowledge (religion), monster lore: 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 4 = 12 Defenses and special abilities if I pass, please

He dons his shield then reaches for his morningstar as he finishes casting a spell to imbue the weapon with magic.

I believe I stowed my shield to close the rift, so I'll have to put it back on. Move action equip shield, standard action cast Magic Weapon on my morningstar, which I will still need to draw.

I believe I stowed my shield to close the rift, so I'll have to put it back on. Move action equip shield, standard action cast Magic Weapon on my morningstar, which I will still need to draw.

Now that the rift is closed the only thing left is to ensure there are no denizens remaining in this dungeon.

"Come Vindlér, we are not done yet," said the warrior after the ritual was complete. "Don your shield and we will clear out any remnants of the undead."

If the GM is okay with that scenario, it makes sense to me!

Elaril sends an arc of brilliant white light towards the nearest shadow...

Cast Disrupt Undead
RTA: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Yep, I'm good with it.

Anthys' weapon strikes true, though it takes a bit before he can feel it bite into the shadow-stuff that is the undead's being. Elaril's ray of light however flies too high, missing the shadow entirely.

Order 1st Round
Marcus, Elaril, Anthys, Vindlér
Shadows [R: 0, B: -4]
Berato

GM-approved retcon

With his shield raised, Vindlér lays a glowing hand on the handle of his morningstar, passing the magical energy onto it. He draws the weapon and stands ready for the enemy's approach.

5ft step, standard action to cast Magic Weapon, draw morningstar.

Can I switch my initiative with Marcus'? if so, here's my action

Berato steps into the room and channels the crap out of these fools!

Channel Positive 30' radius to Hurt Undead Fools: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6 Will save DC 14 for 1/2.

"The wand, Marcus!"
Or his Aid Another to AC, or something else. But he's up.

Yup, sorry guys, had a somewhat unexpected loss of internet access over the last two days, wish I had gotten a post in Thursday night. Good call on the wand though Anthys!

Marcus whips out the wand and Anthy's call, invoking its power. Letting the wand drop to the ground, he steps up beside Anthys and reaches for the living shadow.

Cure Moderate Wounds Touch Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Damage: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 6) + 3 = 11

Move Action: Draw Wand
Standard Action: Cure Moderate Wounds
Free Action: Drop wand to free hand for touch attack
Free Action: 5 Ft Step
Free Action: Touch Attack in the round a touch spell is cast
Touch AC: 13
Holding Cure Moderate Wounds Charge

The shadows close in, reaching out to Marcus and Vindlér with their ethereal hands.

Touch (M)!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Touch (V)!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Damage (M): 1d6 ⇒ 3 Strength damage
Damage (V): 1d6 ⇒ 4 Strength damage

Unfeeling cold burns through the two warriors, part of their strength being pulled from them violently. Berato brandishes his holy symbol, calling on Torag's light to burn away the evil in the room.

Will (R)!: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 2 = 23
Will (B)!: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 = 11

The shadow closest to Marcus flickers briefly but maintains a steady presence, while the other shadow writhes in pain as it fades in and out.

Order 2nd Round
Marcus, Elaril, Anthys, Vindlér
Shadows [R: -3, B: -10]
Berato

"Stand strong, we will defeat it! For Lastwall!"
Anthys continues his attack, swinging Requiem at the shadow that struck Marcus.
Attack, Scion, PA: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 2 - 2 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Vindlér wheezes with pain as his strength is pulled from him. With his own power pulled from him, he calls on Abadar to be his strength instead as he attacks the shadows.

Swift action to activate Judgment - Destruction (+2 damage)

Morningstar, Magic Weapon, Str damage: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 12 Damage, Magic Weapon, Judgment, Str damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 6
Folio Re-roll: Morningstar, Magic Weapon, Str damage: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 23 Damage, Magic Weapon, Judgment, Str damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 11

Attack, Scion, Strength Damage: 1d20 + 3 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 2 - 1 = 15
Damage: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 4) + 3 = 15 Will Save DC 13 for half

Marcus wobbles as the strength flows out of his body, before counterattacking with his positively charged hand.

Standard Action: Touch attack with held charge
Move Action: If Blue is defeated by Anthys, Marcus will move diagonally down to strike at Red. Otherwise, he will stay here and attack Blue.

Unwilling to commit more resources to the fight just yet, Elaril sends another arc of white light at the red shadow

RTA into melee: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 - 4 = 4
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Anthys and Marcus are able to defeat the shadow facing them with blade and magic. The last shadow appears to avoid Vindlér's blow, but ends up on the dwarf's morningstar instead. The shadow reaches out to Berato this time, unhappy with the divine light he brought about before.

Touch!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Confirm: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Its ethereal hands reach deep inside the man, sapping his strength from his body as it did Vindlér once before.

Order 2nd Round
Marcus, Elaril, Anthys, Vindlér
Shadows [R: -8]
Berato

Whoa! that could have been the end of Berato right there! a twenty is always a hit: I love the unpredictability this brings to the game as heroes are never safe as long as some foe remains standing!! time to step it up against these horrible, under-CR'ed classic foes! ;)

"You like it? well then... SUCK ON THIS, WRETCH!"

Channel to Hurt Undead; Will DC 14 for 1/2: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6 positive energy dmg.

They are nasty. I wonder if any modules have the tactics as 'The shadows all swarm the weakest-looking PC, favoring those in light armor.' We are lucky they didn't go for Elaril!
Since top of the order is up next, I'm going to go ahead and post so we can hopefully wrap this up.
Anthys steps up and swings at the shadow. As he isn't next to Marcus or Berato, he doesn't get Scion this round.
Attack, PA: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 8 - 2 = 25
Not a ghost touch weapon so can't crit.
Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
"Berato, fall back!"

After channeling, Berato sidestepped behind Vindler's own shadow... heeding Anthys words...

I'll do the same as Anthys, though I think he probably got the job done.

"Time for the light of righteousness to wash away the stain of darkness you leave on this world," Vindlér cries as he once again attacks the shadow with furious judgment.

Morningstar, MW, Str Damage: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 18 Damage, MW, Destruction, Str damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 5

Berato's channeling of his god's power drives the shadow backwards into the waiting weapons of Anthys and Vindlér. Its form soon after becomes even more unstable, until it fades from this realm of existence completely. Combat over!

"Will the shadow-touch wear off in time, or do you need some sort of spell or blessing?" asks Anthys.
"I was not touched, and should take the lead. Should we search this place, then find our way out of here?"
Anthys in front with Vindlér and Marcus behind him will still get a lot of bonuses. But that was the last room, right? I suppose we can Take 20 on searching the complex.

Vindlér gives a shout of exhilaration as the shadow dissolves into nothingness, but is cut off as his body is suddenly wracked with a coughing fit. ”Ach! It’ll wear off with time,” he replies to Anthys’s question. ”Though I wouldn’t object to feeling a bit more like myself.” He puts his weapon back in its place on his belt, then heaves a deep sigh. ”Alright. Let’s make sure we’ve cleared the place out.”

I think we’ve checked all the rooms, but we could do another sweep. Taking 20 on perception gives me a 32!

Berato nods at STR 6 the nod is slow and not the usual vigorous nod! at the suggestion of rest. "I shall pray Torag in the morning for the restoration of our strength... who else has been affected?"

Berato sits down in a corner, leaning his back against the stones.

A final sweep ensures nothing remains in the dungeon. You rest and regain your strength before heading back to the Uscalin Lodge where Venture-Captain Shevar Besnik asks you about your adventure. Adventure complete! The rest of this is just for fluff as we discuss where to adventure next. As I start making the chronicles does anyone need to be marked differently? Slow tracks?

Ill stick to standard track for now.

Thanks for running! This was a fun one. Standard for me. As to where to next, maybe Fangwood Keep? We'll all be Level 4, I think.
Looking further out, I am in this campaign for as long as you want to run it (and would even take over running some scenarios in a rotating way if you wanted a break). Paizo will keep letting people report PF1 games for PFS as long as there are PF1 games being played. Upon downloading and reading through the PF2 playtest, I think it really isn't my thing. You don't have to worry about me losing interest in PF1.