The Pact Stone Pyramid (Inactive)

Game Master Pact Stone GM

Sorry, I should say that Karek will double move out into the hallway, so he can at least see what's going on, maybe chew Hal out from there.

Yes Gandel will move forward to be in a better position to assist.

Karek and Gandel advance down the Hal to see Halstadt's sudden display of righteous cleansing fire. It forms a great ring that writhes and whirls in the center of the great chamber to the south. It gives off such heat that you can feel beads of sweat forming across your brow.

Well, since other members of the party seem to be on hurt-people-with-fire-and-fury duty, Hurgah hangs back. Delay.

-

Initiative for Hurgah the Reaver: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

"Keeping Enemies Close, Redux"

Round 2

Moonpate the Potentate - 21

Hrokon the Assailant - 13++

Xaven Neversword - 13+

Karek Kogan - 13-

Halstadt Morgrym - 9

Gandel Trapspringer - 9-

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Hurgah the Reaver going on delay at 16, able to come off of it anytime after Moonpate.

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Okay, while I understand your frustration Karek, these guys CAN'T run that far. If they actually passed part of the Dune Squad, then that means everyone of us they passed, can easily catch them. Because if they can run, we can run. Hurgah can catch them REAL easy. He's got 40' of movement. A double move from him catches them simply. But I think Pact corrected the run business. Because it does have to be an uninterrupted straight line. Although, I remember you(Pact) mentioning something about the running issue but I'm not sure if you adjusted for it or not.

Also, while you(Karek) may like Xaven, Breach HATES that freaking big mouth halfling. He wants him dead. But obviously he can do nothing about that at this time. Breach is of the same opinion as Hal, to be honest.

Now, with this wall of fire happening, how far does that mean Xaven and his friend actually get? The whole run issue may be moot if Hal was able to stop them in their tracks.

The Pate will move and attempt another shot (his last charge) with his wand of Hold Person on Xaven. The ring of fire was a great move to get them stopped, but that crazy halfling may still do something. We need to get him stunned, enchanted, or immobilized in some way and this time strip him of everything.

. . . But I think Pact corrected the run business. Because it does have to be an uninterrupted straight line. Although, I remember you(Pact) mentioning something about the running issue but I'm not sure if you adjusted for it or not.

-

That is why Halstadt had line of effect to cast wall of fire. So your post turned out to make a very important difference.

The Pate will move and attempt another shot (his last charge) with his wand of Hold Person on Xaven. The ring of fire was a great move to get them stopped, but that crazy halfling may still do something. We need to get him stunned, enchanted, or immobilized in some way and this time strip him of everything.

-

Does a wall of fire block line of sight?

A "wall" typically does, but this isn't a typical wall.

The effect of the spell is:

Opaque sheet of flame up to 20 ft. long/level or a ring of fire with a radius of up to 5 ft./two levels; either form 20 ft. high.

Does opaque mean line of sight is blocked? Is the ring opaque, or just the sheet?

I am going to send this on to my rules gurus and get us a blind ruling. They won't know the situation or who benefits. If they conclude its unclear, as they sometimes do, I'll flip a Paizo dice roller coin.

I am going to send this on to my rules gurus and get us a blind ruling. They won't know the situation or who benefits. If they conclude its unclear, as they sometimes do, I'll flip a Paizo dice roller coin.

sounds good. I was wondering the same thing. If line of sight will be blocked then Moonpate will just stay ready with his wand for Xaven to present a target.

The wall of fire isn't a hard stop, merely a suggestion. I'm sure they're bolting through it on their turn. Hurgah can get them, yes, but he doesn't seem to be doing that. Karek doesn't personally have any way to get them back, and he really can't outdistance them. He is concerned that Xaven will carry through on his threat. I do know somebody who isn't all that concerned with death, though...

Initiative for Donkor Sooron: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (20) - 2 = 18

Donkor draws his wand of Command, and waits for an opportunity to use it to compel the halfling to approach (if he has left the ring of fire) or compel the halfling to drop his weapon.

For his part, Karek moves towards them, intent on finishing this as fast as possible.

So, I got my response back the consensus is you cannot see through a ring of fire. I wasn't given a source for that, I suspect there isn't one, but it seems to be a consistent common sense deduction.

As such, Moonpate (and now Donkor as well) will move south down the hall and get ready to waylay Xaven with will-save requiring wands as soon as he can no longer 'stand the heat' and appears.

Just rolling dice for no reason. It's something I like to do, is all.

No reason: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 3) + 8 = 14

Just a random update - for no reason.

Current Pool total is 623 of 659 (at max).

The Scarab shudders as the sensation of fire upon her skin suddenly ratchets up in intensity. She looks to Halstadt, trusting the dwarf knows what he's doing.
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OOC: Everyone else felt that as well. Well, maybe not Bunky.

No sign of Xavkon. Karek is next. Then Breach, then Hal, then Gandel.

Dey fled. Grumbles Karek. Ged'em iv ye wand 'em.

Karek moves as far as he can, running if possible, to see if they escaped down a hall the party could not see.

With Karek's prior move the previous round, running 60 feet in a straight line takes him to within 5 feet of the northern edge of Halstadt's mighty ring of fire. From this central position, Kogan can see the corridors to the east and west and confirm they are empty - at least they appear that way to the limit of his darkvision and the shadowy illumination given off by the great blaze in front of him.

Now that he's closer, Karek can also hear traces of movement coming from behind the ring of fire (on the south side - the opposite side he is currently at). Whomever or whatever it is, they're trying to be quiet about it.

Hal strides at and through the Wall of Fire wielding his axe ready for a confrontation.

"Now. NO MORE FOOLISHNESS! Retain whatever weapon you want but you will NOT hold a poison dagger or any other poison weapon to my heart for the remainder of our alliance!" he screams at Xaven ignoring Hrokon.

Hal has immunity to fire 10, any extra damage he takes he will revel in as fire will harden his will.

Just to clarify, while we give Javell a little more time to check in to see if Breach wants to act, does Hal mean to burst into the center of the ring of fire or pass through it entirely to reach the other side, (crossing through it twice).

I'm not sure it matters, but he'll need to take the run action in either scenario.

Nice synergy with Hal's energy resistance.

Hal will burst through the center to engage them. I hope not to fight them but if I have to I will focus on the half orc, methinks I will bring him down from his hundred before he brings me down 600...

. . . but if I have to I will focus on the half orc, methinks I will bring him down from his hundred before he brings me down 600...

-

With a running leap, Halstadt flies through the wall of raging fire, landing in the center of the great burning ring. Landing on his shoulder, Morgrym breaks into a roll and uses the momentum to bring him back up to his feet, his axe at the ready.

Halstadt’s potential damage from the wall of fire: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (2, 2) + 8 = 12 (points of fire damage)

With fire resistance 10, the damage is reduced to only 2 points of fire damage.

As he crosses through, the flames lick at the dwarf, forming a glowing sheathe around his body. Great axe in hand, he strides forward like a holy avenger, seemingly oblivious to the flames.

(Only his quarry is no longer there – the ring is empty)

Current Pool total is 621 of 659 (at max).

Free action to yell?

Certainly - and he has 20 more feet of movement in his run action if he wants it. But bizarrely, by the rules of the run action he can only use it to travel straight south (out the ring of fire).

P.S. Is the Johnny Cash ring of fire joke really going to be left to me people? I can't leave that out there much longer.

"What the...?! Did Halstadt just run into that burning ring of fire?! Or did he just fall in?! Blast 'im! Doesn't he know those flames will take 'im down, down, DOWN, if he's not careful?! Let's just hope the flames don't get higher; because then it'll just burn, burn, burn even worse." He shakes his head solemnly at the deadly possibilities.

You kiddin' me? I can't get that song outta my head.

Question: Did the wall not stop the non-dynamic duo?

"What the...?! Did Halstadt just run into that burning ring of fire?! Or did he just fall in?! Blast 'im! Doesn't he know those flames will take 'im down, down, DOWN, if he's not careful?! Let's just hope the flames don't get higher; because then it'll just burn, burn, burn even worse." He shakes his head solemnly at the deadly possibilities.

You kiddin' me? I can't get that song outta my head.

-

Question: Did the wall not stop the non-dynamic duo?

-

Hal charges through, "They escaped! Karek do you see them!?"

Hal bursts through the far side of the crackling ring of flame, tongues of fire immolating his body.
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Further bad-assed passage through a wall of fire: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (6, 2) + 8 = 16 (points of fire damage)

As before the damage is reduced by 10 points on account of Halstadt’s fire resistance.
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Once the Morgrym leaps through to the other side of the ring of fire (on the south side of the chamber) he can then see Hrokon and Xaven.

They are quietly trying to exit the Pacstone Chamber, keeping the wall of fire at their backs, using it as a giant screen to hide behind. They do not appear to be happy to have been discovered by the fiery avenger who has been shouting alternately about both smiting and alliances.

They are moving at half speed, making Stealth checks – previously heard only by Karek, once he got closer. Hal is out of movement, but they are now only 10 feet south of him.

Current Pool total is 615 of 659 (at max).

Breach Shattershield aka Javell wrote:

Question: Did the wall not stop the non-dynamic duo?

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I can't answer that for Breach at the present moment. Perhaps that is a question better posed to Karek or Halstadt.

-

No, it didn't. It is possible to pass through a wall of fire by taking damage.

"AhHh!! It's Beards! The jig is up!"

"Run for it old friend!" he says to Hrokon. "I'll hold him off as long as I can!"

"You!" he says looking at Halstadt nervously. "You just keep away or I'll dive in the fire - I'll burn us all."

That may not be as easy for Xaven to do as it sounds - Halstadt is interposed between Xaven and the ring of fire.

"No way. We're getting out of this together."

"Yes Xaven and Hrokon. We are getting out of this together. We have a Pact like it or not and you can't outrun it!!" Angradd's fires shroud Hal like a halo. The fire licks his hair and his beard but burns not one cinder, Angradd's favor is upon Halstadt.

Hal extinguishes the Wall of Fire and with the Wall gone, the fiery halo surrounding Hal vanishes.

"Yeah? Well apparently you people seem think that pact entitles you to seize my stuff whenever you want, use your magic to mess with my pal's mind and threaten us repeatedly. So excuse me if I don't want to stick around for more of your abuse. So no, I tried, but enough is enough, were not in this together any more. Now scram before I leap into the . . . leap into the. . ."

"Where did the flipping fire go?!"
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Moonpate's readied action has just been triggered - he now has line of sight to Xaven. I'll just need Phrip to confirm nothing has changed and he still intends to fire that last charge.

Donkor's readied action would likewise have triggered but it turns out that his target is out of range. Too bad, Donkor may have found the one foe in the entire adventure capable of failing that wand's save.

Also, I am treating Breach as having gone on delay - he can go whenever he wants this round. In the meantime, Gandel would be next.

"Yeah? Well apparently you people seem think that pact entitles you to seize my stuff whenever you want, use your magic to mess with my pal's mind and threaten us repeatedly. So excuse me if I don't want to stick around for more of your abuse. So no, I tried, but enough is enough, were not in this together any more. Now scram before I leap into the . . . leap into the. . ."

"Where did the flipping fire go?!"
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Moonpate's readied action has just been triggered - he now has line of sight to Xaven. I'll just need Phrip to confirm nothing has changed and he still intends to fire that last charge.

Xaven continues to confirm that he is indeed crazy and either does not care or does not fully grasp that his life is tied to ours and going it alone jeopardizes all of us. He will attempt to zap him again.

Gandel will reach into his bag and grab the Wand of Scorching Ray and charge forward as far as he can get but no closer that 5' behind Hal.

Moonpate grips the wand and whirls it in an obscure pattern, releasing the remainder of the power stored within.

A bright flash sails towards the red-faced Xaven, as he argues vorciferously with Halstadt, momentarily surprised by the sudden dropping of the wall of fire.

Will save for Xaven versus DC 13: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 (saves)

The flash strikes him in the head, but the halfing is too upset and too pumped with adrenaline for the magic to take hold.

Gandel will reach into his bag and grab the Wand of Scorching Ray and charge forward as far as he can get but no closer that 5' behind Hal.

-

"Keeping Enemies Close, Redux"

Round 3

Hrokon the Assailant - 13++

Xaven Neversword - 13+

Karek Kogan - 13-

Halstadt Morgrym - 9

Moonpate the Potentate - 9-

Donkor Sooron - 9-

Gandel Trapspringer - 9--

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Hurgah the Reaver, Lydia and Breach are on delay.

You know you're making copious uses of readied actions and delay when the initiative of 10 people includes only two numbers.

"Ahgh! They're bombarding us with spells - run brother - run!"

The pair breaks into flight once more, racing out of the Pactstone chamber.
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Xaven and Hrokon are taking a double move this time. Xaven moves straight south 40 feet. Hrokon moves a number greater than that.

They manage to return to the firefly chamber, the room with the great open shaft in the ceiling. Xaven runs out of Speed shortly after entering, whereas Hrokon has enough to actually turn the corner out of sight. He turns left (east).

Xaven is 50 feet away from Halstadt. 65 feet away from Karek and 70 feet away from Gandel.

At this point, the entire Dune Squad can go. I'm not sure the order matters, and would encourage anyone to post. But if it does matter it's Karek and then Hal next, unless Hurgah or Breach come off delay.

"Good riddance then?"

Xerissa quickly begins discussing options with party members still in ear shot.

Ha! I think that electronic d20 landing on the 20 for the save is the sound of our Plan "A" disintegrating. Board's gone silent. If we're hunting them, I think we need all of us to chase em down at once and grapple and tie him back up. I'll get in there with a tanglefoot bag or something. But if not, let's stop taking turns injuring ourselves and burning off our spell resources. No way Suekahn let's us rest, I think, not if he's watching us.

"I guess it's a good thing we made him hand over those potions up front. Then again, we're inside a magically sealed pyramid. How far can they expect to run?" Hurgah rumbles wryly. He does not appear inclined to give chase.

"So the Halfling turning into a firefly and being by Suekhan simultaneously killing us all does not interest anyone else? You all seem to value your lives less than I do. Karek, Breach?"

Hal will hold, if the other Dwarves fail to give chase so will Hal.

"I guess it's a good thing we made him hand over those potions up front. Then again, we're inside a magically sealed pyramid. How far can they expect to run?" Hurgah rumbles wryly. He does not appear inclined to give chase.

-

As far as the Dune Squad knows, Ahn'Sehlota is not magically sealed. It should be quite possible to trace your steps and exit the way you came in.

It wasn't clear to me how the Dune Squad intended to get back up from the lower levels without potions of gaseous form to re-navigate the song tubes, but now that they have plenty that doesn't seem to be an issue (as far as you know).

(As a further aside, one solution might have been to use Gandel's one potion of extended gaseous form to send a single person to travel back up to the pool and gather up more for the rest of the party and then come back - but I suppose that would be a risky solo mission.)

You may also recall, Donkor stoneshaped a wall over the entryway (and Xerissa and Breach planted a trip wire bomb trap on it). That might be the magic seal Hurgah is referring to. But it was barely an inch thick. Presumably Karek could give it a love tap and it would crumble. It is not a true obstacle to exiting.

It also stands to reason that Sceptre, Xaven or Hrokon already dealt with the stoneshaped wall (and trap) when they first entered the pyramid. I cannot recall if Xaven was ever asked about that, I seem to recollect he might have said something about that, but I can't be sure. So the wall might not even be there still.

Now Hurgah might also be refering to the info from 'Breach from the Future' in which he described that at some point in the future the Dune Squad discovers that the pyramid entry shaft is not safe as it is being watched by Khymrasa, but I don't believe Breach from the Future indicated it was actually sealed physically.

It is also possible Hurgah discussed with Donkor the priest's experience in the Veinstone Pyramid (not Ahn'Sehlota) in which Donkor talked about how his former adventuring party was trapped inside after that pyramid was magically sealed. But Donkor has no knowledge that this pyramid has been sealed as well.

All of this to say, the pyramid may very well be sealed and you may all be hopelessly trapped inside, but as far as you know, it's all good.

Whew!

"So the Halfling turning into a firefly and being by Suekhan simultaneously killing us all does not interest anyone else? You all seem to value your lives less than I do. Karek, Breach?"

Hal will hold, if the other Dwarves fail to give chase so will Hal.

Moonpate shakes his head with frustration.

De halfling's a survivor, Hal. Karek says as he slows to a stop. I dink we'll see 'im again.

Do they have any Gaseous Form potions that we know of?

"I don't bear him any ill will and he seems unable to comprehend my point. Fine we will leave them. I can only do my best". Hal utters a silent prayer to Angradd that he at least will be able to fulfill his mission.

"Let us investigate the rest of this wretched place then".

They certainly will have some left I bet Karek.

Gandel shrugs, "Much as I have to admit it I am inclined to agree with Hal on this one. The Potentate is right though, we need to expend our resources sparingly for the time being so let's just let them go".

Gandel reaches into his sack and retrieves the second Wand he lifted from Sceptre and loops both on his belt for ease of access.

"Well, with those boots we found, we certainly know we approached the chamber from the wrong direction. Let's continue exploring and see what we see".

Gandel will continue moving through the hallways carefully with his whip in hand just in case.