The Moar Core Tour (Inactive)

Game Master BretI

Fine for the nimble Iovo to swipe the beer for Ironshanks, but it's the one carrying the brew that takes the penalty.

Ironshanks goes in for the pour, a solid beer such as that is always worth the effort. Lucky for him and everyone else Iovo fills a stein for him "Worked a bar before ain't ya? Solid pour, next time maybe leave a bit more head on it. You know a beer is good when the head is worth drinkin', and this is ONE!" He shushes himself a bit with a solid swig of frothy goodness, following along.

-2 penalty is worth such important things as excellent beer. Thanks Iovo!

Going to assume at this point that anyone who wants to pilfer something from this staging room has done so.

After quickly drawing Ironshanks some much-needed refreshment, Iovo leads the party through the smaller door and into a narrow, deserted hallway lined with doors. Some of these stand ajar, revealing servants quarters within. As it's all-hands-on-deck for the gala, there don't seem to be any servants about in this wing of the building. Anyone who'd like to can spend 5 minutes here assembling a servants' outfit from these rooms, which will provide you a circumstance bonus on Disguise and Bluff checks to impersonate a servant.

Phinellippa takes some clothes to make a servant's outfit. Presumably, there are some halfling uniforms that fit.

We are in an embassy of Cheliax. The question should be are there any servant uniforms that aren’t made for halflings!

Seeing Phinellippa grabbing some garb, Iovo decides she might as well too.

There is a small chance I might be able to fool someone....

Knowing full well he doesn't fit the part, Ironshanks passes on servant dress up. "Close the door when ya change ya bunch of exibitionists! Now ain't the time ta practice yer cat walk moves." The surly old Dwarf turns himself to face the other way and enjoys a bit more of his ale.

Garif follows Ironshanks' lead in not dressing up, knowing full well he won't convince anyone that he's a servant in an elegant household. "I still don't really understand how our venture-captains choose agents for these missions," he muses in a quiet voice. "I can't imagine anyone less suited to this one than me, and maybe you, Magee. Yet here we are."

"I'm sure they just wanted some stout, level headed fellas around. Just in case the party gets rough. Er maybe a drinkin' game or two is ta be expected..." He waggles his eyebrows expectantly.

"Mind us goin' back fer a refill while you three play dress up?"

“Sending a champion of Iomedae would probably be a much worse choice. Aren’t there tiefling agents in the society? Those would also be a really bad choice.” Iovo muses, obviously amused by the speculation.

Continuing to the far end of this deserted hallway, you open the door to find an open space at the end of a much busier hallway. Loitering here you can easily remain undetected, particularly by entering the nearby bedroom and exiting through the door on its far wall. With a little timing (and a very easy perception check that several of you can't fail) you can time a quick dash to the nearer door (along the northern part of the western wall), but going any further down the hallway is sure to attract some attention and require some fast talking to avoid suspicion.

You can easily time a dash over to the western door, taking 1 minute to judge the situation and time the passing servants. Going any further will take more time and require either an intimidate or bluff check.

Could we get a time check please?

Iovo is in favor of taking the obvious route.

Ironshanks continues to wait patiently as some of the others dress up as servants. "They really stuff those servants into those rooms. Beds stacked up like a barracks but with out the smell of home."

Ironshanks is going to follow someone else's lead, but the route he takes if pressed to make a decision is the one that avoids having to talk his way out of things.

"I like to think I could bluff just as badly as a champion of Iomedae," Garif responds quietly to Iovo, "but I'm sure you're right, the Society could certainly find others even less well-suited if our venture-captains put their minds to it."

Absent-mindedly giving Nico's broad head a scratching with his thick fingers, Garif weighs in on the options ahead, "As is clear by now, I'm not a good liar, so I say we duck quickly across the hallway and take a look through that nearby door."

"Okay, off to the bedroom it is, and then if all goes bad, I get to lie to cover our assets?" Damiar asks, hopefully.

To the bedroom!

Iovo manages not to giggle at her sister's eagerness to bluff her way past everything.

"Take heart, if we are short of time it is likely we will need you to bluff our way back!"

It's been about 20 minutes. I'll wait until tomorrow to give Phinellippa and/or Rees to weigh in as well.

"Yes, it seems the prudent course is to head to the closest door."

Phinellippa smoothes the wrinkles on the servant's apron she now wears.

Rees nods in silent agreement. I'm here, just haven't had much to say! :)

The furniture in this luxurious sitting room is covered by drop-cloths, and buckets of paint sit against walls where erotic murals are in the process of being replaced by a neutral institutional taupe. An enormously tall gilt frame leans against the wall. A door to the east leads to a hallway, while to the southwest a door is propped open by a bucket and displays the half-dissolved inscription, “Where Love Comes to Die.”

Searching quickly through this room, you find a crumpled and roughly folded canvas with a full-length artistic rendition of Zarta in scanty red apparel, along with several other pieces of art apparently considered too lascivious to remain. By its smell, the bucket holding open the inner door is full of turpentine and varnish.

Within the inner room is an extravagant bedchamber, dominated by a massive four-poster bed that takes up half the room. Red-varnished wardrobes and vanities complement the black silk sheets on the bed, which appears to be in the process of being dismantled. The walls of the room have been stripped of the portraits that once hung there, faint outlines of the art pieces being all that remain. The exception to this is the eastern wall, which is occupied by an elaborate woodcutting depicting but a single nymph in a seductive pose, garbed in nothing but a necklace bearing an amulet shaped like the Asmodean star.

Damiar of course examines the artwork, and then says, "Hey, check out the nymph's necklace! That Asmodean star is a keyhole. It looks like it would fit this odd key on the mysterious keyring!"[/b]

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Then she asks, "Let's check for traps, Iovo. You know Zarta has an interesting sense of humor."

Ironshanks quickly makes his way into the room, keeping out of sight of the hallway. When he turns around and starts to take in the sights his bushy gray eyebrows go up and his mouth slack jaws a bit "Now all them rumors I heard 'bout joinin' the 'Dark Archive' be true." He gingerly walks over to the bed and starts mentally measuring just how many humans could comfortably 'sleep' in such a monstrous waste of space.

"Necklace? Oh." It takes a few moments for Ironshanks to even notice the necklace as his eyes seem to take in the surrounding nudity first. "Aye, now do we got ourselfs such a strange key?" He looks to the Elves, the tricky ones of the bunch.

"Bafore ya do anythin' I'mma gonna close that door, just in case." He checks out that it won't lock them in then closes it quietly so the pair of sneaks can work.

Iovo follows her sister in and looks at the indicated woodcutting.

“Zarta has a wide range of tastes. I find her love of puns and wordplay one of her better features. She is also quite adept at magic, especially for a human.”

As she says this, she carefully inspects the woodwork and indicated keyhole. “I agree about the key and keyhole, sis.”
Perception: 10 + 9 = 19 +1 to detect traps
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 +1 to detect traps
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 +1 to detect traps

"She may have a wide range of tastes, Iovo, but the focus here seems to be on a single one,", Garif remarks somewhat primly as he gives the room a quick scan. He turns his attention to the carved Asmodean amulet, helping Iovo look for any unpleasant surprises before taking a step back while the clever elf works on the keyhole.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Iovo doesn't detect any traps as she examines the strange keyhole.

"Shall we try it?" Iovo asks, holding up the key. "I don't see any signs of traps."

Once she gets at least two affirmations, Iovo will do it. Consensus building is great, but we are on a clock!

Rees gazes around at the rooms with mild interest, though he perks up and listens carefully when the group begins discussing Zarta. She must be someone important... important members of the community have differing needs from the rest of us, due to the burden of leadership.

Let's do it.

"Fire in the hole." Ironshanks quips, drawing out his shield and war axe, just in case things get unpleasant. "Be ready, she might of had a guardian in there or some such."

As she puts the key in the hole, Iovo asks “Do you really think so? I suppose it is possible...Zarta has encouraged me to be more careful at times.”

She then turns the key.

As the odd key clicks into place, foul-smelling smoke, reeking of brimstone, comes pouring out of the woodcarving. It quickly coalesces into the forms of two fiendish bearded creatures, each clutching a wicked-looking glaive which they raise to attack!

Initiative!

"Ayep, see? This is why they sent us Garif..." Ironshanks snaps the visor on his helm shut and prepares for things to get messy.

“Ahh!” Iovo squeaks as the creatures pop into existence. I really should have seen this coming!

She wildly strikes out with her mithral gauntlet and then jumps away from the creatures.
mithral spiked gauntlet: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
mithral piercing + sneak: 1d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (1) = 4

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 ...and if they have combat reflexes that is an AoO

Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Whatever the GM thinks is useful for us to know!

Sorry, should have included a spoiler for these things.

Phinellippa recalls everything she knows about barbazus, also known as bearded devils. She warns you about the infernal, bleeding wounds caused by their jagged glaives, which prove difficult to close. She also knows that like many devils, these are immune to fire and poison, and resistant to acid and cold. Also, please include SR checks with spells.

Iovo reflexively lashes out at the nearer devil when it appears, then scrambles back away from it (no AoO).

Phinellippa covers the southern part of the room in a thick layer of glitter.

DC 16 Will save!

Devil 1 Will save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Devil 2 Will save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Both devils look fabulous as a bloom of glitter encompasses them. One of them manages to shield its eyes, but the other flails arround, suddenly unable to see. Devil 1 is blind!

Sorry, missed that I was up.

Rees reflexively draws his bow and fires an arrow at the thing!

Pew (PBS) vs Red: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 1 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Rees's arrow strikes the red devil, but doesn't seem to penetrate as much as it should (did some damage, but not much). The one in the back strides forward and takes a mighty swing at Rees with its glaive, leaving a nasty gash across the elf's shoulder.

Blue glaive vs. Rees, PA: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 11 - 2 = 16
Slashing, PA: 1d6 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 6 = 11 Plus two points of infernal bleed.

The nearer creature, meanwhile, swings wildly at the doorway where it last saw Damiar, only the shelter of the doorway preventing the vicious weapon from connecting (looks like your flat-footed AC with cover from the doorway is 18).

Red glaive vs. Damiar flat-footed, PA: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 11 - 2 = 16
Blind miss chance (hit on 51-100): 1d100 ⇒ 51
Slashing, PA: 1d6 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 6 = 13 Plus two points of infernal bleed.

The creature then rubs at its eyes, clearing away the remaining glitter.

Will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

----------

Initiative!

Ironshanks pushes his way through the crowd, through the doorway and right up between the pair of devils with axe and shield at the ready "Time ta get ta work Garif, smells like a cross between brimstone n turnips, and I don't like either!"

He winds up for his own mighty swing at the red devil.
1H +1 Adamantine Waraxe, Power Attack: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 11 - 2 = 141d10 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 4 = 12

Likely I provoked from both with the movement, hopefully my 25 AC holds up.

Garif lays a hand on Nico and speaks a few words in a language that sounds like wind through stony mountain peaks and water burbling deep under the eath, then points at the closest devil and says, "Get him!"

Cast barkskin on Nico.

Nico bounds forward and attacks the blue-hued devil with teeth and claws!

5-foot step, full attack on blue.

Bite: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Claw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Claw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

With mage armor and barkskin, Nico's AC is now 24.

Would like to see any AoO resolved before I act.

Phinellippa steps forward and sends three magical bolts at the red devil.

Magic Missile!: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4, 2) + 3 = 13

SR: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Red AoO: Glaive, PA: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 11 - 2 = 21
Slashing, PA: 1d6 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 6 = 16

Blue AoO: Glaive, PA: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 11 - 2 = 13
Slashing, PA: 1d6 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 6 = 15

Both devils slash at Ironshanks as he approaches, but the well-trained dwarf expertly deflects both blows. The battle is initially a stalemate, however, as neither Ironshanks nor the magically-protected Nico are able to land their own blows. Phinellippa's bolts of force, however, land home, wounding the red devil.

Damiar, Iovo, and Rees may act. Both devils have used their AoOs.

If one of the devils steps back to get reach again then Ironshanks will use Step Up to move with them.

Rees' arrow didn't do full damage. That probably means we need something special to hurt them.

Seeing the devils both take their shots at Ironshanks, Iovo decides to try helping him. She waits for her sister to act expecting a song. She then casts her spell and resists the temptation to jump on the bed, instead moving to flank with Ironshanks.

SR check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 Using GM reroll
Chill Touch, Flank, Touch AC: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 + 2 = 20 Hopefully +1 from song
Negative Energy, sneak: 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (3) = 5 Hopefully +1 from song
Also need DC 15 Fort save or take 1 Strength damage.

SR check, stars: 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 4 = 28

Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

For anything that Phin's knowledge check missed

♫ The devils came out of the wardrobe
They were lookin' for souls to bleed
A close shave as they wave their glaives
This bedroom has gone to seed

But Pathfinders are close at hand
Raising a ruckus and playing it hot
Time to come so let's slay these scum
Time to make our stand ♫

+1 to attack and damage

The devils have DR/good or silver and SR. If they hit with both claws (if for some reason they dropped their glaive), then they can also attack with their gross, diseased beard. The can also use greater teleport on themselves at will.

Damiar begins to sing a rousing song about defeating devils while Iovo steps to an advantageous position and strikes with draining magic.

Fort save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Initiative!

Ironshanks' beard starts to waggle at the song "Hey, great song! Turn it up a bit though, hard ta hear through this helmet!" He watches the other Elf twin step into combat and practically feints.

Mixin' it up with the good ole boys? Maybe I had this one all wrong!

Rees raises his bow and fires at the nearest foe again, raising his eyebrow at it as if daring it to attempt to strike him.

Pewpew (rapid shot, PBS, inspire): 1d20 + 7 - 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 - 2 + 1 + 1 = 9
Pewpew (rapid shot, PBS, inspire): 1d20 + 7 - 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 - 2 + 1 + 1 = 8

*facepalm*