The Moar Core Tour (Inactive)

Game Master BretI

Jakti al’Awar is the last to toast the hosts, concluding his remarks by saying, “And may our hosts carry on the legacy of the departed, may Sarenrae see her safely to Nirvana and its city of High Ninshabur.” As he says this, Zarmina’s body twitches to life! The undead Zarmina tears herself out of the shroud with a pained moan and begins attacking the guests. As she does so, she points toward the door—in the same direction as Jakti, Metella, Temel, and Aaqir—and rasps “You have failed me! Betrayer!” Most of those in attendance flee, and Aaqir al’Hakam hurriedly signals for you to intervene while he tries to keep the crowd under control.

An incredibly dry, dusty wind seems to blow from the creature, sapping the very moisture from your breath. Everyone, please make me a DC 14 Fort Save.

-----

Initiative:

Fortitude save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

"Eek! A mummy! Kill it with fire!"

Whatever special defenses I can get, please!

Phinellippa moves into position and lets loose with a cone of fire from her tiny hands! Avoiding my allies.

burning hands: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7

DC 15 Reflex save for half.

Fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Iovo tries to get some distance between herself and the creature. As she retreats, she gets out her bow.

Attack w/bow, fatigued: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 - 1 = 8
Damage w/bow: 1d8 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7
Sneak Attack if it isn’t immune: 1d6 ⇒ 1

It has mild DR/- and undead traits. One more question, if you'd like.

Phinellippa shakes off the mummy's aura and roasts the creature, doing even more damage than she is accustomed to with the spell.

Reflex vs. burning hands: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14 Full damage.

Iovo is unable to similarly shrug off the dry, hot wind, instead backing away and firing her bow. She is unable to hit, however, as her fatigue gets the best of her.

Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Zarmina turned into a mummy at her own funeral? And what did she mean by that comment about betrayal? But there was no time to process this. It was time for the group to fight, and help Zarmina rest again.

♫ This isn’t the way we thought this would go
‘Stead of farewell there’s this awkward hello
A hot wind’s blowin’ tonight...
Yeah, it’s a mummy fiiiiiiiiiight! ♫

Inspire Courage +1 to attack and damage, +2 to morale vs fear

Starting with surprise, Verrix cries, "Make sure Umut isn't harmed! She may know... um, have seen something!"

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

He moves into the aisle and forward to attack the mummy, readying his warhammer as he does so. He briefly muses that it's strange that Pathfinders seem to like to go armed to weddings and funerals, but that it's a really good idea to do so.

Two-handed power attack, including Inspire Courage:
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Damage if hits: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Unfortunately, he tripped over the edge of the pew getting into the aisle, and has yet to fully regain his balance.

And I forgot this:

Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Verrix looks like he's flagging a bit; it must be the scale mail in all of the heat. Not that it matters, but subtract 1 from both the attack and the damage roll above.

Fort, DC 14: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

The hot, dry wind seems to sap the strength from Garif, and he sighs deeply in spite of Damiar's entertaining song. He dimly hears Phinna's exhortation to use fire to fight the unholy risen form of Zarmina, and ambles forward with a vague notion of doing so, waving to Nico to join the fight at the same time. When he's a little closer, Garif opens his hand, palm up, and conjures a sphere of fire!

Move action to get a bit closer, standard to cast produce flame.

Fort, DC 14: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Nico yawns deeply and considers curling up on the floor to just bask in the heat washing over him, but he opts to move into the fight, as it seems his friend Garif is doing so. The great cat's expression is oft inscrutable, but it's just possible that the look on his face at present might mean Who knows what sort of harm the dwarf will fall into without my protection?

Bounding forward, the panther bites at the mummy!

Bite, Fatigued: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 - 1 = 10
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Rees pauses briefly, welcoming the warm breeze, before drawing his bow and sending an arrow flying roughly in the direction of the mummy. Soft cover applies, but penalty for shooting into melee does not (Precise Shot).

Pew (PBS, inspire): 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 9

Slightly earlier...

Perception (Rees): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Well, that's interesting. Maybe he likes harder stuff than wine?
________

Now

Fort (DC 14): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Kn. Religion (DC 13): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

"Well that's diff'rent!" Shieara exclaims as Zarmina decides to get up for one last snack. As she draws her longspear she calls out, "Hey now, bad form to eat your own mourners!"

Then, she touches her holy symbol and sends a small pulse of positive energy washing over the mummy.

Channel Energy (DC 11): 1d6 ⇒ 6

Damiar begins to sing an inspiring song while Garif musters his flagging strength to summon a ball of fire. Nico lollygags forward to attack, his bite much too languid to be effective. Verrix and Rees are similarly ineffective in their attacks, though Rees seems unaffected by the wind. Shiarra, likewise undaunted, clutches her silver tankard and emits a powerful burst of drunken power that washes over the former trader.

Will for half: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

-----

The mummy, drawn by the effect of its wind, clumsily swings its wrapped fist at Verrix.

Slam: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Oh no! All the stories of mummies and their curses have come true, for Verrix has been affected by the curse of 'Punched in the Face', onset immediate! Fortunately there are no lingering effects.

-----

Initiative:

Phinellippa draws her trusty wand.

magic missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

D'oh! I also need another Fort save for the wind from anyone that failed the last one. DC 15 this time, or take 1d4 ⇒ 4 nonlethal damage. If you saved last time you're immune for 24hrs.

Fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Iovo really isn’t a fan of the desert, and this wind is reminding her of why.

She moves into position to get a clear shot.
Attack w/bow into melee, inspire courage, fatigue: 1d20 + 5 - 4 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 5 - 4 + 1 - 1 = 14
Damage w/bow, inspire courage cancels fatigue penalty: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Garif, a ball of fire in his hand, pauses and wonders aloud a moment, "How are we to honor Zarmina while setting her alight?" He shrugs and says, "Perhaps as a Sarenrite she'll understand."

He considers tossing the flame at the mummy, but is concerned he'll inadvertently set something else alight - like Verrix or the temple itself. Instead, he moves closer and reaches out to touch the fearsome creature with the fire!

Touch attack, Inspired, Fatigued: 1d20 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 + 1 - 1 = 21
Fire Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Crit confirm: 1d20 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 + 1 - 1 = 21
Crit Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Well, I'll take that.

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Nico winces as the hot wind blows over him, looking around in alarm for whatever is causing him pain. He then bites and claws languidly at the mummy, though his heart is clearly not in it.

Bite, Inspired, Fatigued: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 - 1 = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7

Claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Damage: 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

Claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Damage: 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

Status: 4 nonlethal

Damiar feels the hot breeze, but it does not ruffle her. She moves for a clear shot and fires, maintaining the song.

Longbow+IC+PBS-Into Melee: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 18
Damage+IC+PBS: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 5

Garif's powerful fire attack, combined with Phinellippa's magic missile, Nico's claw, and Damiar's arrow destroy the undead monstrosity! Out of combat. I'll move us along later tonight.

Aaqir al'Hakam rushes into the room as you destroy the mummy, scimitar drawn. When he sees you victorious, he is effusive in his thanks. "Sarenrae be praised, I'm so glad you were here to protect the rest of the guests from that monstrosity. Are you alright? Please, take these to aid you should we come under attack again." He offers you three scrolls, which Phinellippa quickly identifies as a scroll of cure moderate wounds, a scroll of endure elements and a scroll of see invisibility.

Aaqir then goes outside and informs the rest of the guests that the threat has been handled, and that they should go into the house to rest and refresh themselves.

A few minutes after you arrive back in the manor, two servants approach you with notes from two of the guests. Notes in slide deck.

Verrix takes a step back from the walking inferno. He looks over at Garif and nods. "That was very effective."

He tries to gently scratch Nico on the head, but quickly withdraws his arm if it looks like he's about to lose it.

"While we have defeated the immediate threat, this is a tremendous stain upon the honor of Zarmina. We need to figure out who is responsible for this! It is also a sacrelige against Sarenrae -- while that goddess would favor redemption to revenge, at least a wrist slap is in order along with that redemption."

He looks at the two notes that are delivered. "While the request Pellius Melkior is very promising given one of the reasons we are here, I don't believe it is urgent. I think we should meet Jakti as soon as possible; it sounds like he may know more about what is going on here."

His brow furrowing, he says, "Of course, it may be a trap. I'm finding my energy quite sapped from the hot wind coming off of that mummy, and I don't think I will recover from that until I've had a good long time to rest. However, I'm also rather damaged from that solid punch to the face, so I'd like to take a moment to patch that up before possibly wandering into a trap."

He pulls a wand out of his pack and starts activating it on himself.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

As his bruising magically closes, leaving some blood spattered on his face with no visible source, he says, "That feels better. Does anybody else require attention?"

The nonlethal damage will go away as usual, yes? Or is this Special Fatigue Nonlethal Damage?

Iovo gets out her own cure stick and asks her sister to use it on her.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Although it was non-lethal, it takes an hour per point for it to go away normally.

She then says “I could really use a rest as well, but am unsure if we have time.”

As she says this, she switches to a different wand and attempts to use it.

Mage Armor!
UMD, Mage Armor: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 “আমাকে রক্ষা কর!”
UMD, Mage Armor: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 “আমাকে রক্ষা কর!”
UMD, Mage Armor: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 “আমাকে রক্ষা কর!”
UMD, Mage Armor: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 “আমাকে রক্ষা কর!”
UMD, Mage Armor: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 “আমাকে রক্ষা কর!”

With a sigh, she goes over to Phinellippa and says “Phinellippa, it seems I need more practice with this but now is probably not the time. Could you please make this work?”

Looking to Garif, she offers “Would Nico like the protection as well?”

Garif is more than a little pleased that his fire attack was so effective against the mummy, as he’s unaccustomed to contributing so directly to a fight. With a flick of his wrist he snuffs out the flame, then tests his hand to be sure it’s cool before giving Nico a congratulatory pat on the head. ”Well done, beast,” he says warmly, then raises his voice to include his friends, ”well done, everyone! That could have gone so much worse.”

He draws his own healing wand and applies it to a patch of wind-scorched fur on Nico’s flank, hoping it restores the fur’s rich, black sheen as well as the injury. The vain beast will be in a foul temper indeed if he feels his fine fur ruff is awry.

”I agree, Verrix, the request from Jakti seems more urgent,” he offers, ”and I’d like very much to know what is going on around here. I feel as if I’m traveling through a cave in the Five Kings, where all the rock should be fine felsic granite, a dependable rock, and it turns out all be lithic sandstone, you know? It doesn’t make any sense.”

As Iovo offers the wand to protect Nico, Garif thumps himself on the forehead with a meaty hand and says, ”I did it again, sent him into a fight without protecting him first. Though I suppose it’s understandable, given that we were at a funeral. But yes, I’m sure Nico would like some protection as well, thank you.”

CLW on Nico: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

"I'm good, thanks," Shieara says, waving away any other of healing, "thing didn't get a chance to take a swing at me anyway."

When the two notes arrive, she peers over Garif's shoulder - an easy feat - to read them. "Wow, ol' Pellius sure seems calm considering it isn't every day th' dead get up an' walk again! Some of these merchants sure are cold-blooded," she remarks, shaking her head. "Anyway, least Jakti seems to agree that something's strange...understatement of th' year, by th' way. Meeting up with him first sounds like th' best lead we have on figuring out what happened here. I say we go for it!"

Phinellippa is happy to activate Iovo's wand, and then does the same with her own.

"I didn't expect to need magical protection at a funeral!"

Upon reading the notes, "Yes, we must speak with Jakti if he knows something about what's going on!"

When you return to the temple, Jakti and his two bodyguards are waiting for you. The servants have since cleaned up the worst of the mess from the earlier combat, and Jakti is now wearing a scimitar at his side. He regards you with a smile and waves for his guards to stand outside the door to ensure a measure of privacy. “I was uncertain if you were trustworthy enough to share this information with, but now I see that you are most competent individuals and I believe you can help.

“Some days ago I received information from… a trusted source… that a someone has hired several assassins in Katheer for a job this very night. This manor has one of the greatest gatherings of powerful people in the entire city, so I can only conclude that these assassins are meant to strike here. With that knowledge, I hired a few bodyguards for myself, but it would allay my fears if I to have your protection as well. Of course, you may seek to protect everyone in the manor, and I would applaud you for such commitment to righteousness! I will be satisfied if no harm comes to my person before this night is over, whatever the circumstances. Do this for me, and I would greatly consider dealing with such competent individuals in the near future.”

Just as he finishes speaking, a series of loud crashes echoes through the house, followed by screaming. Jakti’s eyes widen in alarm as he rushes to the temple’s doors only to discover the entry hall teeming with the walking dead!

Aaqir al’Hakam emerges from one of the upstairs hallways and calls to you to “protect the guests,” though he stresses the last word as if to imply one of the other critical guests. The breaking of glass elsewhere in the manor suggests there are far more zombies than just those in the entry hall. Unfortunately, Temel’s and Metella’s animosity toward each other led them to take rooms at opposite ends of the manor. In whose direction do you want to head?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Without hesitation, Iovo says “Let’s check on Metalla first!”

"Right, let's go!" Garif calls out in reply to Iovo. He looks around for Nico and finds the cat curled up in a corner of the temple, apparently hoping for another hot, relaxing wind to rush through the room so he can finally get some rest.

"Nico, when the day comes that you are actually caught up on your sleep, I'm sure you'll do amazing things," Garif says, stirring the cat, who seems to have become quite accustomed to loud crashes and breaking of glass in his brief career as a Pathfinder, "but today is not that day. Let's go!"

He then hurries off towards Metalla's lodgings as quickly as his short legs will allow.

And so begins a chase scene. This one works a little differently than others, however: in each step, you will all roll one of the two skills listed; however, your success will be judged as a group. The highest roll will be assisted by any other rolls above 10, regardless of whether they were the same skill. In place of attempting an aid another action, you may cast a spell or use a class ability that deals damage to multiple targets to destroy some of the zombies, gaining a bonus on the group check dependent on how much damage you do. Success or failure on each station determines how long it takes you to advance to Metella’s room.

Zombies flood the hall, including on the staircase you must descend to get to the ground floor, where Metella’s room is located! Do you:

Garif does his best impression of a boulder - and a surprisingly effective one - rolling down the staircase and knocking zombies aside like ninepins!

CMB: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

I’m assuming Nico can aid also, since he’d be able to do the things described in this stage of the chase. If that’s not the case, disregard this.

Nico sniffs dismissively as Garif barrels down the stairs. The great cat takes a few short strides and then leaps, sailing over the heads of several zombies, touching down lightly on the rail for an instant, then landing adroitly at the base of the stairs! He sits down and looks back disinterestedly as the others descend the stairs, as if he catapults himself over hordes of undead before breakfast each day.

Acrobatics to Jump : 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

While Garfield is knocking zombies aside, Iovo bounces down the staircase in the hole the dwarf opened up!

While Garfield...

Is this some combination of the dwarf and the cat? Or, as is more likely, just another instance of the joys of auto-correct?

Joys of autocorrect along with not proof-reading well enough. I have lost count of how many times I’ve had to force the spelling on my own character’s name. Sorry I missed that!

In the interest of keeping things moving before people leave the country, I'm going to move you along once you've succeeded on the check, rather than waiting for everyone to post. In this case, Garif's bowling-ball maneuver was nearly enough without any aids.

2) The hallway leading to Metella’s chambers is choked with zombies. Even were they not hostile, there are enough bodies that they would pose a serious impediment to getting through. Your options are:

Iovo reminds everyone of why elves have a reputation with bows.

Attack w/bow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

You didn’t say it had to be a melee attack, so this seemed appropriate. How many arrows should I use here?

"Hah! A finer impression of a bowling ball I've never seen," Shieara laughs as Garif crashes down the stairs, sending zombies flying left and right. "I like it!"

As they reach the hallway that should lead to Metella's room, Shieara scowls as she sees even more zombies blocking the way. "Hold on, I think I can thin 'em out a bit," she calls as she raises her holy symbol and delivers a blast of positive energy. "Lucky Drunk, bless us in our endeavors of kickin' zombie arse, thank you and amen!"

Channel Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Garif attempts to emulate Iovo and take out some zombies from a distance, but his head is still spinning a bit from rolling down the stairs through all those zombies.

Sling attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Nico ambles along with the party to the hallway to Metella's room. Seeing the way blocked, he gnashes his teeth at the zombies before them.

Bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Iovo reminds everyone of why elves have a reputation with bows.

Attack w/bow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

You didn’t say it had to be a melee attack, so this seemed appropriate. How many arrows should I use here?

Ranged attack is fine. Just mark off one arrow. It's an abstraction, but it's also meant to be quick, and your goal is simply to thin them out enough to get through, not destroy them all.

Iovo takes careful aim and looses a well-aimed arrow that pins several zombies together, disabling them. Shieara follows with a burst of positive energy, clearing enough space for the party to get through!

3) You rush for the door, but Damiar leaps in front of you, throwing her arms wide to stop you before pointing to a small wire connected to the handle. What's this?! Someone’s set a tanglefoot trap outside Metella’s door! IMPORTANT: Only one PC may attempt this challenge. Please decide who before anyone rolls.

At Damiar's warning, Garif lays a hand on Nico, grabbing him by the scruff of his neck and giving him a gentle tug backward. Turning to Iovo, he says, "I'm certainly not going to mess with that, seems more your cup of tea."

"Whoooooa," Shieara gasps, skidding to a stop as Damiar dives in front to bring the rest of the group to a stop. "Ooh, a trap? Ah yeah, you definitely don't want me trying to fool with it," she says, squinting at the trap and shaking her head.

I’m willing to try it. I have the skill.

Looking at it, Iovo says “Looks challenging!” in an eager voice. “Does anyone object to my trying to handle this?”

Damiar gives her sister “the look.” Brows raised, hands on hips, slight roll to the eyes..

“Oh come on! False modesty? Now?! I’m not the one who trained for three years on trying to pick the lock on Mom’s workshop. You got past that, you can get past this!”

“Gnomes do make the best tutors!” she says as she gets out her kit. “Old man Gearkrackle never questioned why the sudden interest in mechanical devices.”

Disable Device: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

Rees stumbles along with the others, feeling as though he's been swept away by a river of zombies and strange occurrences. Iovo's arrow goes sailing past him while he's still fumbling for his bow, and while he's still trying to determine exactly how one arrow could skewer multiple zombies, she's disarming the trap.

After a moment, the young elf shakes his head thoughtfully as his inner ponderings try to catch up with the events around him. Maybe... maybe there's something more to these people than just the materialistic individualist ignorance they've been taught all their lives.

That's an awful thought, and it's a good thing there aren't any Listeners here. These people are enemies of an orderly society! You've seen how they behave!

Yes, but...

There's no "but"! There's nothing redemptive in their actions! Dismiss them! Go home before you're corrupted!

I can't go home. I have to find Mirima. She needs me.

Your society needs you! Look -- why would someone in an orderly society ever need to learn to pick a lock?!

Well, it's a good thing she's not from our society, then, isn't it?

Completely taken aback by the audacity of the thought, Rees' inner monologue grinds to a halt as he awaits the results of the door opening.

Phinellippa catches up to the rest of the group, panting. "Some of us are a little slower!"

The Amazing CoCo soars overhead, humming her theme song.

Iovo focuses, shutting out the noise and the chaos as her teammates fend off the zombies. With a quick twist of her tools, she manages to disable the trap. However, as she tries to open the door to get to Metella, she finds that...

4) The door is stuck! Someone must have barricaded it from within!

"Hey, you popped it! Nice work," Shieara grins when Iovo manages to open the lock. But when the door proves to be stuck, she cracks her knuckles. "Alright, stand back! No use bein' strong as a horse if I can't put it to good use. Hyah!" she cries as she tries to kick the door in...

Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

...and manages to nearly break her foot, instead.

"Owowowowow! Son of a monkey spank!"

Phinellippa looks up with a pained expression. "She wrote it for herself. I can't get her to stop humming it. You are quite wise not to have a familiar."

The tiny gnome takes a running start toward the door.

Strength: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14