The Red Arm of Absalom - Ongoing Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master GM Red

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28

Cup bows as she approaches the Dweomercat. "Greetings, noble Dweomercat. May we talk? We are Pathfinders, sent by Nigel Aldain to safeguard the museum and protect it from thieves who have invaded his study. If you are also guarding the place, may we join forces?" She shows her Wayfinder.

The dweomercat snarls at Cup, smelling the Wayfinder curiously. Its voice echoes when it speaks. "Ni-Ni-Nigel Aldain. Curator of thissss place. What isss with all of the mayhem here? Possessed clockwork soldiersss," it points its snout at a shredded-up construct slumped over a bench, "Angry owlbearsss.. I don't understand." It curls up in a corner next to the entrance to the exhibit. "Next door are animated owlbears. Haunted in some way... Now... Join forces? Hmm... Nothing touches my exhibit. If it tries, it dies," it says, releasing an enormous, thundering yawn. "Good luck, Path-Finders."

Yeah, that roll is more than enough, that's a success without a fight!
A good thing considering what could possibly be Mr. Peppers' most hated special ability on an enemy: When a dweomercat is targeted by a spell or within the area of effect of a spell, it can, as a swift action, choose to teleport to a square adjacent to the spell’s caster [...] If it chooses, the dweomercat can immediately make a full attack against the spell’s caster as though pouncing.

Is that ability called the Pepper Grinder?! Yikes!!!

Gallix walks along beside D as they climb down the steps to the first floor exhibits. As they walk, he watches the gently hovering Kellid warrior and grows increasingly uncomfortable. "D," he mutters after a while, "When we've cleared the floor, let me take her outside. I don't want those outside to see this warrior floated around like a piece of furniture. It would shame her. For now, let's just leave her here in the main hall, alright?" He pats the Tien man's shoulder, then moves along with the others, ready to face these so called haunted owlbears.

Our brave brawler is getting freaked out? What are the odds. :P

D. shrugs.

"Suit yourself."

The body abruptly drops with a firm (THUD) onto the floor.

Not freaked out. Mostly just trying to respect the fallen warrior. Nice reaction, though. Haha!

Gallix opens his mouth to protest D's unceremonious treatment of the Kellid woman's remains, but quickly shuts it again and simply shakes his head.

Haha. You're welcome. D.'s sense of practicality beats subtlety.
Good thing then, that i don't have Aethereal puppet, there'd be some really interesting possibilities with that.

D. will advance to the next challenge when everyone is ready.

Surprise sand bullet, buffs: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 1 + 1 = 26 Dmg, buffs: 3d6 + 8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6, 4, 5) + 8 + 1 + 2 = 26

K:Arcane: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27 Mr Peppers peaks out into the room with Miss Cup and spies the dweomercat and starts to shake in his boots "Hell no. I'm not going out there with that thing! Do you know what they do to spellcasters like me? DINNER. You guys do what you need to do, but I'll be in here..."

Instead he tries calming himself by looking for magic in the area they are in Please please please...

"I am glad we did not have to resort to combat, for once." She smiles. "Thank you, Miss Poshkettle."

Unfortunately for Peppers, the immediate area lacks any appreciable amount of magical auras.

The remaining exhibit inside lies south of the dweomercat. Under a sign that reads The Shining Armory, priceless Shining Crusade artifacts displayed on pedestals creak and move by some unseen force. Eerie light seems to dart between the objects while the din of a raging battle echoes throughout the chamber. The central feature is a low, artificial hill atop which stand two stuffed owlbears surrounded by shattered undead foes. Each of the beasts wears chainmail barding and an orange-and-black caparison depicting a stylized owlbear. A dead man dressed in furs lies on the floor before a suit of fullplate armor.

A plaque at the base of the artificial hill reads The Order of the Sable Owlbear and lists their accomplishments as a mercenary corp in the Shining Crusade.

D's sand blast impacts the construct, and begins combat!

Kn. Arcana for Lore, DC 18
The door that you're all standing behind is closed to maintain your cover. It'll need a single move action to open it. D went invisible and launched a shot, but if the owlbear had seen the rest of you, the surprise would've been ruined.

Haunted By Memories (Round 1): Uesugi, Owlbear (-21), Longjing, Sir D, Sirettis, Cup, Mr. Peppers, Gallix

More Kellid warriors. Did they disrupt something they shouldn't have?

Knowledge(Arcana): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
I'd like to know about its Resistances.

Sirettis recognizes the owlbear as a construct, lacking any real spell or damage resistance, but having the same sort of hardness she'd expect from any construct as well as typical construct traits. Immune to mind affecting, anything requiring a fort save, etc.

K:Arcana: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23 Mr Peppers would be concerned about the same things... resistances to magic and then special abilities. Also, Sugi, if you still want to be big Mr Peppers can rewand you, but I'd expect your first casting to be gone as it only lasts 1 min. I'm sure Red would allow the precasting of it again.

"Automated owlbear? Fascinating, AND deadly. Well, maybe not to some of you..."

"Time to get to the chopping and bashing again."

I wonder how many other parties are having a good time like we do right now.

Mr. Peppers thinks on what the dweomercat said, and determines that the owlbear has the Haunted supernatural ability, meaning it takes damage from positive energy as if it were undead. It also appears to be Reinforced in thick barding, granting it additional hit points and armor.

will expend another charge from wand. I am sure we would taken longer than 10 rounds to meet up with this owlbear

Uesugi maintaining his enlarged form with the help of Mr. Peppers listens to strengths and weaknesses of the the creature before them. "Mr. Peppers use the magic on the shugenja stick to bless one of the barbarian's cesti. I will keep this aberration occupied." and with that the samurai dashes off to fight the taxidermy construct. Just as he moves into range he slashes and takes up a defensive stance with his katana in a guard position.

move 20 ft and attack defensively. AC 24 (21 AC + 2 AC Defensive + 1 AC Trait)

katana 1st strike '2hand'+p.a-a.d: 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 11 - 2 - 4 = 25
damage (enlarge)+p.a: 2d6 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (4, 1) + 7 + 6 = 18

Gonna take a separate move action to open the door, so you won't be able to attack this turn. But that's a nice natural 20 so I'll let you keep it for your next round :P

The owlbear marches forward and full-on attacks Uesugi with its teeth and claws!
Bite: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 152d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 5) + 6 = 17
Claw: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 191d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Claw: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 301d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
One claw tears the flesh off Uesugi's neck, while the other misses.

Haunted By Memories (Round 1): Uesugi (-8, rolled a crit, confirm?), Owlbear (-21), Longjing, Sir D, Sirettis, Cup, Mr. Peppers, Gallix

Mr Peppers leans his head a bit towards Sirettis to get a decent view of the Owlbear as it begins tearing into 'big Sugi'. "Lets see if I can help some.. maybe?"

He begins casting his favorite spell, weaving some extra power into the missiles and ending it with a powerful PUNCH of force.

Casting Magic Missile with +1 CL + Toppling Spell: Caster Check/Damage/Trip CMB: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 264d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2, 1, 2) + 4 = 121d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

Full round cast, 1 arcana for +1CL, level 2 slot for toppling spell... junk CMB check :(

"Unhand my steed, you overstuffed monstrosity!" Longjing darts and dodges towards the owlbear, aiming right for its eyes.

Defensive Dragonbite: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Let's just burn that lucky number right here so that Cup can give him a new one.

+3 to Longjing's AC, +3 to Uesugi's attack

Cup dances to inspire courage!

+2 to attack and damage

Sirettis dashes in and creates a thundercloud, hovering over the owlbear. Lightning rains down, dealing 3d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 3) = 6 damage.

Reflex Save DC 17 to negate

D. keeps blasting.

Empowered sand bullet, inspire, buffs: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 23 Dmg: 3d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 6, 5) + 9 = 21

+50%, inspire and burn bonus for 35 dmg.

Sorry for some reason I thought constructs couldn't get critted!

confirm: 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 11 - 2 - 4 = 20
damage: 2d6 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (1, 5) + 7 + 6 = 19

At feeling the 'owlbear' swat his back he summons a blade from his crown to attack the creature.

crown of swords 'first strike': 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

AoO vs Longjing: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 242d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 5) + 6 = 15
Reflex save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Longjing's wing is clipped as she swoops in to distract the owlbear! Sir D and Uesugi pummel it with a combination attack, Uesugi's blade penetrating deep into the construct's innards, while Sirettis' conjures up a thundercloud that shocks and burns the owlbear.

Haunted By Memories (Round 1): Uesugi (-8), Owlbear (-77), Longjing (-15), Sir D, Sirettis, Cup, Mr. Peppers, Gallix

Gallix charges in past Uesugi and drives a fist up toward the owlbear's mechanized beak.

MCestus, IC: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 2 = 34 Damage, IC: 1d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 = 9
Crit city?: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 12 + 2 = 18 Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 = 9

Gallix punches off half of the owlbear's beak, the construct nearly toppling over, but it manages to stay up!

Who's getting attacked? (Clockwise): 1d2 ⇒ 2
Bite: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 312d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 3) + 6 = 13
Claw: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 311d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Claw: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 281d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

... And while it digs its metal teeth into Gallix's chest, it uses both claws to scrape away the flesh and muscle tissue from his arms, bloodying the brawler.

Haunted By Memories (Round 2): Uesugi (-8), Owlbear (-81), Longjing (-15), Sir D, Sirettis, Cup, Mr. Peppers, Gallix (-33)

Finish him!

"Sirettis, use healing hex on the thing! It takes damage from positive energy"

Cup draws her wand and fences at the Owlbear with it...

CLW Wand: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 2 = 14
CLW if hit: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

...and then remembers why she always aids other people.

"Barbarian!! Duck!!"

The Samurai sends the mystical sword again at the owlbear aberration and follows up with his own attacks.

crown of swords 'first strike': 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

crown of swords 'second strike': 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

katana 1st strike '2hand'+p.a+a.a+i.c: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 11 - 2 + 3 + 2 = 31
damage (enlarge)+p.a+i.c: 2d6 + 7 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 4) + 7 + 6 + 2 = 25

katana 2nd strike '2hand'+p.a+a.a+i.c: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 - 2 + 3 + 2 = 14
damage (enlarge)+p.a+i.c: 2d6 + 7 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 4) + 7 + 6 + 2 = 24

If it does not drop from first katana strike I'll use my lucky #5 to rereoll second attack

katana 2nd strike '2hand'+p.a+a.a+i.c: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 6 - 2 + 3 + 2 = 18
damage (enlarge)+p.a+i.c: 2d6 + 7 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 5) + 7 + 6 + 2 = 25

The mystical sword does little to hurt the owlbear, but Uesugi's own strike cuts the magical owlbear into two separate pieces, ending it!

Out of combat!

I'll let you guys heal and then move us to the rune garden.

Mr Peppers nods stoically when the owlbear falls with two distinct thuds "Come here Gallix, but keep at arms reach, you're bleeding like a stuck pig there." He pulls one of his healing wands and begins trying to activate it on him.

UMD CLW Wand: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 13 + 1 = 171d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
UMD CLW Wand: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 13 + 1 = 341d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
UMD CLW Wand: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 13 + 1 = 161d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
UMD CLW Wand: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 13 + 1 = 201d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
UMD CLW Wand: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 13 + 1 = 161d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

"Heh, a bit rusty still I guess... Hold on a second..." 10hp so far!

UMD CLW Wand: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 13 + 1 = 201d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
UMD CLW Wand: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 13 + 1 = 331d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
UMD CLW Wand: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 13 + 1 = 301d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

"Oh much better. Amazing what a slight change in posture can do!" Full up! 5 charges used total.

Insert the rest of your healing here. I'm unsure if D would want to shoot at the runes or not before initiative - let me know if so and I'll just add that in to my next post.

Back outside and into the garden, thousands of glowing glyphs form a protective shell around the outside of the museum, casting a sparkling aura of light that bounces off the fountain's waters.

If you're adjacent to the runes, you can attempt to shut them down with Disable Device, Knowledge (arcana), Linguistics, Spellcraft, or Use Magic Device. Spells like dispel magic or erase can also help.

Looking for Kn (Arcana) here for lore. Slide 1 at the very bottom shows our map.

Magical Wards (bold is up): Uesugi, Sir D, Cup, Runes, Longjing, Mr. Peppers, Sirettis, Gallix

Yes, D. hoots off initiative. :)

Surprise shot: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 1 + 1 = 32 Dmg: 3d6 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (4, 2, 6) + 9 + 2 = 23
Holy, crit?: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 1 + 1 = 21 Extra: 3d6 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (6, 1, 4) + 9 + 2 = 22

Normal round.
"Let's see how long these things will hold against us."

Empowered sand bullet: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 1 + 1 = 14 3d6 + 9 ⇒ (5, 6, 4) + 9 = 24
Sucked. :)

waiting for Know check to see what my actions should be

Hoping Mr Peppers can get to use his See Magic straight off on this curiosity of magic! 29 K:Arcana and all the other stuff to go with it.

Nigel placed these runes here as a ward to capture intruders alive for questioning. Unfortunately, they stopped responding to his commands to deactivate them, and have gone rogue.

A 29 is pretty high, so I'll tell you lots of good stuff.

These are shifting runes, a construct. They're quite resilient against physical damage and cannot be permanently destroyed (Rejuvenation). They function as a swarm but only deal nonlethal damage, and can move AND activate magical traps in their vicinity. Defeating them with physical damage renders them in stasis for a short period of time before they reactivate and continue to fight.

D blasts the swarm to open up combat! But then misses.

We're basically looking for x successes to permanently deactivate them here. Skill list is Disable Device, Knowledge (arcana), Linguistics, Spellcraft, or Use Magic Device. You need to be adjacent to the swarm to roll one of these.

Magical Wards (bold is up): Uesugi, Sir D, Cup, Runes (-45), Longjing, Mr. Peppers, Sirettis, Gallix

"Regular weapons won't affect them very well, time for some nukes! FINALLY!" Mr Peppers says before relaying the rest of the information he knows.

"Once they are deactivated we can get in close to hopefully turn them off completely!"

"Duck? That's not a duck, Uesugi! We need to work on your Common I think. Heheh!" Gallix chuckles nervously as he bleeds and Uesugi destroys the owlbear. Once he's all healed up, Gallix inspects the dead warrior in furs. "Must be another one of the intruders. The bone head never knew what was coming." Gallix does his best to gather up the man's remains and carry them into the hall where the woman from upstairs lays.

Once the Red Arm reaches the gardens, Gallix steps aside to let Peppers have his fill of what he's sure is one of the coolest magical effects he's experienced to date.

Uesugi nods at the information Mr. Peppers passes on to him and moves to engage the rune swarm from a defensive position.

Attack Defensively. AC 24

katana 1st strike '2hand'+p.a+def: 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 11 - 2 - 4 = 19
damage (enlarge)+p.a: 2d6 + 7 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 3) + 7 + 6 + 2 = 19

★★★OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT★★★

A high-pitched buzz pervades the museum, rising in frequency to the point of being inaudible. A moment later, a rolling boom echoes through the museum like thunder, and the glowing wards around the museum begin to fade.

@Table GMs: The “Failing Wards” condition on page 9 is now in effect.

The runes twist and fade as enough Pathfinders manage to weaken then, but they're not completely gone yet!

However, Uesugi's attack inflicts enough damage to render the wards disabled. The runes coalesce into a ball and float in a locked stasis, effectively disabled... for now.

We're out of initiative, and you have 1 minute (10 rounds) to attempt to permanently disable them. Should be easy, right?!

Mr Peppers rushes up next to the ball of runes, eyes still aglow of blue as he quickly studies and begins manipulating the runes. "Get up here quickly and lets fix these already."

See Magic and its auto K:Arcana 15 roll for a 29 again. I'll be gone the rest of the day and night at the wedding fyi.

Ten rounds? So... One check per round, or every other round? I'll give you the first five.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
Linguistics: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33
Linguistics: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27
Linguistics: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
Linguistics: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31

Cup sits on the ground, sifting through the papers that scatter through the garden. As she lifts one up, it starts repairing the sword cut Uesugi made through it, parts of the rune seamlessly knitting together.

"Oh... This is soooo cool!" She shows it to Gallix. "Look at this, Gallix! Want to help me solve the puzzle?"

My post was devored. Thanks forums

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Sirettis looks at the runes. "It is like a living spell..."

Mr. Peppers uses his arcane sight to mend the magical papers to the right spots in the runes, solving a great deal of the puzzle. Cup's just as successful, and when Sirettis also offers her aid, the combined expertise of the three unravels the runes onto the fountain, now in a more benign user-activated defense as they were always meant to be.

All successes gained! Mr. Peppers auto-roll of 29 and Cup's and Sirettis' big bonuses to Linguistics and Spellcraft pretty much guaranteed your success! We are now in holding pattern until the next part.

Dang! And I could've helped a little with linguistics too. Ah well. Too slow. Thanks for trying to get Gallix in there, Cup!

Mr Peppers does his best to focus on his task at hand, blocking out the noises around him. Now this is what I need to be doing on a more regular basis! Maybe Nigel has a paying opportunity here for some of my spare time... then I can study this place in greater detail.

Once the runes are fixed Mr Pepper's has regained his smug look of self satisfaction. "Thanks for the help there, it wasn't completely necessary but it did speed the process up. Now what do we do? Bring these bodies back outside or maybe explore this place a bit closer.." He says with a grin and some glowing blue eyes...

We're a bunch of smooth operators.

★★★OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT★★★

After a loud crack and a ripple of arcane energy, silence falls across the museum as the construct guards freeze in place and haunted relics drop to the ground. Nigel’s voice rings out, magically projected throughout the museum: “We’ve disabled the magical security measures. Since we haven’t found the thieves yet, they must be hiding in my third-story study. Please subdue them; they have much to answer for!”

Nigel Aldain’s announcement echoes through a museum littered with shattered clockwork and toppled exhibits. There’s no question that the Pathfinders have quelled the building’s defenses, and perhaps the peaceful silence will set whoever hides on the third floor at ease.

@Table GMs: Please begin Part C on page 14, but stop before reaching Part 2. Also, the Peace in the Museum condition on page 16 is in effect.

Mr Peppers looks up into the sky with his magic seeking eyes "Ah there's Nigel. A fine spell for sure, sounds like we need to find some stairs up!"

Cup grins as she runs after Pep as fast as her little legs can go. "I think... we passed... the stairs... over there!" She huffs between each phrase, barely catching her breath. "Let's go, team! I bet this will be... terribly dangerous! There'll be... no bleaching... for us today!"

Cup's right - another set of stairs extends upwards from the floor with the shattered remains of the clockwork soldiers. Upstairs, the mahogany walls and domed, plaster ceiling both show signs of heavy damage. Most of the luxurious furniture and the crystal chandelier are intact. The contents of cabinets and bookcases lie strewn about the floor. A small wooden panel near the door hangs open, revealing an arcane sigil covered in scorch marks.

A Kellid woman dressed in furs with intricate scars all over her body steps forward. She holds a hand up and says, “Stay back. We are members of the Twinhorn following, and we have only come to retrieve what was stolen from us.”

A towering figure steps forward; his translucent red form is that of a man clad in heavy armor and wielding twin warhammers. “Medda, they must be in league with the thieves; they should die for crossing us.” The man’s voice sounds hollow and unnaturally loud, and as he speaks, the chandelier glows with a dull light.

The woman, Medda, puts a hand on the figure’s arm and says, “Maybe we should give them a chance to explain themselves, Anok.”

What will you do?