The Ruby Phoenix Tournament with GM Deadly Secret - Table 1 (Inactive)

Game Master Deadly secret

Currently rocking dr 5/evil from my buffs, so unless that metal bar or the bricks are responsible for some genocides, I only take 5 damage and that gets soaks by my False Life

That's fine.

Anyone else?

Sorry for the delay; Paizo decided it wanted to eat all my post attempts for over a day. :/

His attempts to gather intel proving to be unfruitful, Takeshi just watches the various people attacking inanimate objects as he responds to Say'ri's question.

So, what changes do we need to make for next time? Silence worked well, what did you lot think of my second spell - lead with that next time?

If our enemy likewise has a spellcaster to buff our opponents, I would prefer to shut them down as quickly as possible. I suspect most will not be as prepared as you are to operate in silence.

If our enemy likewise has a spellcaster to buff our opponents, I would prefer to shut them down as quickly as possible. I suspect most will not be as prepared as you are to operate in silence.

That's what happens when you can't hear things. Say'ri responds, a somewhat wry tone making itself clear, despite the solely mental nature of the conversation.

Just checking in to see if anyone else wants to try and win the prize. If you're ready to move on, let me know and I'll get your situation posted.

Ready to move on! Egare was definitely our best shot there!

Yeah probably, good point. If Aayalla Rand wants to try, go ahead and take your turn/rolls.

Interspersed with dozens of bouts between the other contestants hoping to move to the next round of the contest, the Emissary offers exhibition matches between randomly chosen combatants and either noncombatants or captured monsters, some in the Grand Pavilion and others hosted elsewhere. Your team receives word that they have been selected for one such exhibition, to be held in a small fighting ring a short distance from the Grand Pavilion.

Do you accept?

I've used little in the way of power. Say'ri communicates. I will compete if the rest of you wish to.

How many official rounds each day?

One, but keep in mind the days will be eventful.

"Another row?" Égaré asked with evident relish, "I hardly broke a sweat with the last one and punching bricks is a poor substitute!"

"I could fight. None of us were injured in the last one. Though unless there's something to be gained from it, we may wish to pass on future bouts."

I don't really have any daily resources to expend other than HP, so I'm in the exact same condition as before the original fight. OOC, I think it might be useful if we got more practice working together since we don't have the experience our characters theoretically do. The one potential downside I can see is if we lose poorly and have to expend a lot of healing resources to be back to full before the next day's match.

Wow, went to a concert last weekend in Tampa so tried to post when I got home Sunday and the boards down until now. I'm at a day event tomorrow so won't post again until Sunday.

Aayalla watches the breaking but knows she is of little good without a weapon. She is curious when approached about competing in exhibition matches.

"Takeshi is right. No one will remember the exhibition matches after we win the whole thing. So fame, glory that wont do, maybe for the ones that don't have a shot here. So what can be had by us doing these matches?"

The monks will explain to you that prizes are given out to winners. Usually of the magical item type.

Takeshi shrugs. "We're in good enough shape that there's probably no harm at least participating in the first exhibition match. Depending on what we get, we can decide from there if the future ones would be worthwhile."

I have plenty of spells. We should try it. Say'ri agrees, although her face remains largely impassive.

"It seemed just last night everyone talked about how going and trying to slay a dragon was a dumb idea, yet this shiny carrot dangles and now everyone wants to go slay this dragon for some magical trinkets. Seems like we are inviting the potential for trouble. I won't let you fight alone and will go with how the group decides."

If need be then we retreat or forfeit or whatever the term is. Say'ri responds. Fighting a dragon, in an unsanctioned match carries huge risks. Fighting a side match within the competition itself should not be a problem.

"You bring up a good point. Are these sanctioned? We just got invited. Are they covered by the same rules or is lethal force common? Let's go check it out. Get the run down of the rules then we can decide. Agree?"

The officials tell you that the same rules apply, but you should probably use lethal for this one. The arena will have a wall of force around it. The crowd can still influence your buffs.

"A dragon is also a radically different opponent than another group of competitors."

"So it seems to be sanctioned then. Sure let's do it. What could go wrong?"

So three yes and one unknown?

If the "unknown" is Egare, he was pretty clearly in favor earlier on in the thread.

Map: Exhibition Arena

When you arrive, you find Kiang Zhen waiting for you inside the ring with a large, closed sack at her feet. You are positioned into the ring. You were allowed to cast any spells 10/min or longer before entering the arena. As several dozen onlookers watch eagerly from the stands, the oni directs them into the center of the ring before chanting something quietly over the sack and motioning in the PCs’ direction.

This hulking headless corpse clutches a massive axe in each fist. A grotesquely skinned face stretches across the creature’s chest.

Initiative
Undead Creature 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Takeshi Yoshida 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Égaré 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Aayalla Rand 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Say'ri Al Bashere 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Even without their heads, this undead creature stand over 8 feet tall. Cords of thick muscle twist beneath the creatures’ hairless gray corpse-flesh. Their skin is cold to the touch and their wounds do not bleed. This undead creature carries little else except for its weapons and the heads of its victims, strung together by their hair and hung from its belt.

Knowledge (religion)

Up first, Aayalla!

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33

Say'ri will go in with Demonic Wings and Demonhide. How much time has passed since the last fight?

"Let's see what this thing can do. Some undead abomination. We will just need to beat it to death."

Swift Action: Start Battle Dance
Standard: Cast Haste on Party
Move: Move 20' to H7

About 2 hours or so have passed.

Aayalla casts haste and moves.

Up next, Takeshi!

Resistant to spells, use enchanted weapons. Has fear aura. Don't get hit. Say'ri raps out the instant she recognises the creature, barely getting the communication out before her curse descends.

Is the oni with the sack still in the arena?

No, the Oni stepped out.

A little surprised to see that they're fighting not only an undead, but a single opponent, Takeshi nonetheless surges forward, trying to recall what he can remember of undead.

Kn(Religion): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Haha, nope!

He then sends his thoughts to Egare. Once the creature moves closer, I'll circle around him.

Move to E9, then ready an action to move to the other side of the creature within melee reach to flank it once it finishes moving (even if this provokes an AoO). So if, for example, it moves to the G9-H10 squares, I will then move to G11.

Takeshi moves and is prepared to move if the creature moves.

Up next, Égaré!

Man, you guys really hammer it out during my work hours.
Let's see, Heroism and Shield have both dropped for me. Orchid's Drop and False Life are still up.

Move: To H9
Standard: Drink Shield Extract

Égaré rolled his shoulders as he stalked forward, grinning at the monstrous thing in front of him. He dumped the contents of another vial into his mishappen maw.

Agreed, skinny, I'll stay in his way. This should be more fun than those stiffs from earlier.

The undead moves forward and his appearance is enough to scare you. Everyone in the aura roll a will save; fear based as you are within its aura (green circle).

DC 22; Fail and you are panicked for unknown amount of rounds (I keep track). Succeed and you are shaken for 1 rd.

The creature then casts a spell.
Spellcraft
Aayalla 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30
Say’ri 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21

The area around the undead begins to dim and is now considered dim light. Unless you have low-light vision you will have to take a 20% miss chance (yellow circle).

Up next, Say'ri!

Say'ri's wings carry her into the air, circling the creature as she chants something in the ominous Aklo tongue. Undeterred by the creatures fearful aura she gestures with one clawed hand and the creature is suddenly wreathed in black flame!

Will: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

Balefire: 11d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 3, 1, 6, 1, 6, 2, 6, 5, 3) = 43 DC23 reflex to halve damage. If any damage is taken it will be staggered for one round.

Say'ri will also use Misfortune on the first attack the creature lands, and Divine Interference (burning a 3rd level spell slot) on any subsequent hit.

Moving to G8 and gaining 30 feet elevation.

Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

He takes the full damage and is staggered for one round.

Round 2

Up next, Aayalla!

Will, DC 22 vs Fear, Bravery: 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 4 = 18

Whelp, guess I'm panicked. On the bright side, thanks to my gloves of dueling, I don't drop my weapons. Not sure if this means I lose my readied action or I spent my readied action running away.

Technically your readied action happens when he moves but you can choose to not follow through. If you do follow through, your initiative changes and I'll move you and you might provoke. What would you like to do Takeshi?

Sorry tried to post but Paizo went down again then I was away for the holiday weekend. Say'ri, you drew first blood with that spell make a perform check. I was under the impression this was going to be a big part of these fights. Aayalla is immune to fear and has darkvision.

Round 2

Aayalla not wishing to be struck by such a beast weaves a spell dashing in leaving shadow copies of herself.

Free: Maintain Performance
Standard: Bladed Dash: No AoO to J10
Move: Move back to J7 drawing an AoO

Attack: 1d20 + 27 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 27 + 4 = 46
Confirmation: 1d20 + 27 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 27 + 4 = 51

Damage: 2d6 + 36 ⇒ (6, 4) + 36 = 46

Aayalla dashes in striking the beast. Now that she is in base contact she uses her abilities to move away. As the beast attacks she attempts to defend and strike it again.

Parry if it takes its AoO: 1d20 + 27 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 27 - 2 = 38
Riposte: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (6) + 27 = 33
Damage: 1d6 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19

Free Perform for Critical: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Aayalla hits and damages the creature.

The creature will take the AoO on Aayalla AC 24
Melee battleaxe: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (12) + 18 = 30 20/x3
Hits
2d6 + 10 ⇒ (4, 6) + 10 = 20 magic, slashing damage

Takeshi, you are panicked. You must use your abilities to flee this creature. You're in a wall of force so there isn't a whole lot of options but if you have spells or class ability that let you teleport away you must use those.

Up next, Égaré! Please roll a will save. DC 22; Fail and you are panicked for unknown amount of rounds (I keep track). Succeed and you are shaken for 1 rd.

I do not have any sort of teleportation abilities, so I just flee while clutching my weapons.

Will Save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16
Ouch, no helping a 3, I guess.

Performance checks are relevant for match combat more so than anything (not really enforcing them but I can if you want), so it's up to you if you wnat to hype the crowd up for bonuses.

Égaré is panicked and flees.

The undead creature is staggered.
The creature casts a spell.
Spellcraft
Aayalla 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34
Say’ri 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35

A living creature with 6 or more HD takes 1d4 ⇒ 4 points of Constitution damage on your turn each round while in the cloud (a successful Fortitude save halves this damage). Holding one’s breath doesn’t help, but creatures immune to poison are unaffected by the spell.

Up next, Sayri!

Knowing that the creature's magic is going to be dangerous Say'ri attempts to foil the casting, casting Silence on herself and flying over the creatures head. About 15 ft above.

Hopefully that will mess with the casting! :D

Say'ri that would have worked if it was a full round cast spell, but its just a standard action, also since the thing doesn't have a head it probably doesn't need the Verbal ability to cast. You should probably take a different action.

GM you did notice I parried the attack and hit the creature again. So it didn't hit me. My AC is 30 with haste, you had it at 24. So I hit the creature for 46 then 19 with a riposte attack.

Round 3

Lets fight and exhibition battle it's not like fighting a dragon. The rewards better be worth it. She thought as she watches two of her allies flee.

I need to get in close and end this.

Free: Maintain Performance
Move: Attempt to tumble in. Move to K12
Standard Attack

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (4) + 19 = 23

Attack: 1d20 + 27 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 27 + 1 = 45
Attack Confirmation: 1d20 + 27 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 27 + 1 = 39 Regain 1 panache
Crit Damage: 2d6 + 36 ⇒ (5, 2) + 36 = 43

Free Perform for Crit: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

Hmm - I wasn't clear if he was still casting or if the spell had worked. Change of plan!

Say'ri flies sideways and conjures a wind wall between herself and the cloud, splitting it and hopefully dispersing part.

Fly to I7 and then Wind Wall along the 9/10 line.

I don't see anywhere that says the windwall reaches 11 mph so I don't think it will disperse the cloudkill due to it, but you now have a windwall where you stated.

Round 3

Aayalla fails to tumble and provokes AC 30
Melee battleaxe: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 22 20/x3
Miss

Aayalla crits the creature and it falls to the ground dead.

Out of Combat! The crowd goes wild. The monks come in to usher you out of the ring and the Oni comes to collect the remains of the undead.

They aware you with a CL 15 potion of stoneskin.

All competitors progressing to the next round will be treated to a feast at Yon's Noodle House tonight. Is there anything you would like to do before you head over there?

"Well that almost went bad. You boys try and keep your wits next time. You buy the first round tonight." She smiles. "I could use a good meal. Should we head to the noodle house then?"

As the thrill of combat fades and speech returns Say'ri looks towards the boys with a grin. Really boys? We didn't sign up to this for the girls to do all the work!

She lets the boys babble a little before offering a more serious note. Seriously, is there anything else I can do to help with that sort of thing? We don't want this to happen again.

"I could have ended my performance to give them a chance to gain back their senses, but it didn't seem that dire or a situation."

I have Saving Finale spell.

Égaré stomped off, sulking and grumbling over the shared connection.