World's Most Interesting Hall of the Flesh Eaters (tier 4-5, 002) (Inactive)

Game Master Great Green God

If no one has any objection, Raynor and Mozza will be clearing some of these roots to enable Mozza's descent.

Who's got the axes and or machetes? You'll need some chopping weapons to do this efficiently. You can use regular old swords, but they are not going to work as well (and piercing and bludgeoning damage will do pretty much nothing). Basically this process is just going to take time and make some noise.

GM, would either acid or alchemist's fire assist in the clearing? I'm not sure how much effort it is or how long it will take to make the opening big enough.

The problem with setting fire to stuff is it takes so much water and effort to put it out. Using alchemists' fire or burning hands in an all-wooden tavern for instance is very likely to burn the place down. Other energy attacks tend to not work well against inanimate objects.

If you like, have a look at the rules for Damaging Objects. In particular, look at 'energy attacks' and 'ineffective weapons'.

I am not at home with my sheet, but I do know I brought digging tools from the ship in a bundle. I am not sure what is in there. I also know I brought 50 feet of silk rope.

Do ye all really need to be a' takin' them beasties? Ye dinnae even know how big things be down there.

I thought the initial info mentioned shovels and stuff.

Raynor does not shy away from some hard work and some back sweat, and grabs a shovel from Benarry's bundle. "Master Borox, you'll be happy to have Mozza in the hole with us, should we come across chasms, cliffs or anything that needs a lance in the chest! I don't mind doing all this work if need be. You guys can take a break and grab a bite."

Raynor tries to get Mozza to pull huge sections of the root system:
Handle Animal; Push for heavy labor: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
...but Mozza doesn't get it, and starts eating some of the nearby foliage, lying down on its belly.

Do ye all really need to be a' takin' them beasties? Ye dinnae even know how big things be down there.

"Sioparla doesn't have to go with me, though I think she'd fit. She mostly just helps me get around since my legs are shorter than most. I don't know that it's really worth the effort of making the hole bigger for Mozza, though."

Raynor looks at the group as he is cutting a stubborn root with a shovel, and says, "I assure you that it's worth it. Mozza can walk underground upside down. That's why I got that fancy harness on his back."

Prof. Alkarion: what is the sourcebook allowing a medium-sized giant gecko as a combat trained mount? Is yours a class ability? Mine is from Ultimate Equipment (400gp).

Raynor looks at the group as he is cutting a stubborn root with a shovel, and says, "I assure you that it's worth it. Mozza can walk underground upside down. That's why I got that fancy harness on his back."

Prof. Alkarion: what is the sourcebook allowing a medium-sized giant gecko as a combat trained mount? Is yours a class ability? Mine is from Ultimate Equipment (400gp).

Animal Archive, page 14.

"We be makin' a big racket n' drawin' the attention o' any thing down there, ye know?"

"With all due respect Master Borox, you can't make an omelette without breaking some eggs. Remind me if this is a scouting mission: if so, I'll wait here until the scouts are done," says Raynor, pointing at his fullplate.

"Our biggest issue is time -- remember it took us quite a while to get here, and we have to be back before time runs out on things holding still. "

GM, how long does it look like it will take to clear the opening? Is this even a conversation we need to bother having? If it's five minutes, just do it. If it's five hours, maybe not.

It takes Raynor, with El Garrapata's help, about 20 minutes in steaming 100% humidity to chop through enough of the tree with his shovel to allow the giant giant gecko to squeeze through.

Raynor, El Garrapata, and anyone else helping out - Fort save v heat (DC 15, -4 penalty if you want to wear your armor while you are about the work--remember to factor taking it off and putting it back on into any time calculations). Failure results in heat stroke (becoming fatigued and taking: 1d4 ⇒ 1 nonlethal damage).

What might other people be doing?

As soon as Raynor feels the heat and humidity, he drinks a potion of Endure Elements. Raynor offers one to Garrapata and thanks him for helping.

Garrapata nods in thanks and downs the proffered potion. "Thank you, FRIEND RAYNOR! Tell me: HOW does one get a RIDING LIZARD? I'm very good at walking, but it seems an excellent way to TRAVEL!"

"Got this one at a market in the Shackles, but if you know the right vendor you can put an order for one in Absalom. I've seen it done once or twice."

The nature of the game makes it almost mandatory to have one. Almost impossible to play a mounted character otherwise. I have an 8th level cavalier with a horse but it took 6 feats to make it somewhat playable - and the horse is still unable to climb like a gecko!

Garrapata's eyes go slightly glazed as he considers the idea of riding into battle atop various increasingly exotic creatures. For example, the mighty DIRE CAPYBARA!

After a while.

Following the path pointed put by the camp's horrible scarecrow (which El Garrapata discovered) the party comes to a crack in the earth. Most of it covered by thick weeds and the roots of a huge strangler fig tree. There are several gaps between the roots through which an adventurer might squeeze. Below the tangled roots is a deep shaft that descends into the gloom.

Map Updated.

The thirty-foot-long, root-covered crack extends deep into the black stone of the Gloomspire. Numerous gnarled tree roots creep down the sides of the shaft, a few of them hanging almost to the muddy floor 40' below.

Dozens of shallow niches are set at irregular intervals down each of the four walls of the shaft. Though some are empty, most of the recesses hold squat, four-foot-tall stone idols of leering, horned fiends.

The strangler fig’s entangling roots lace the insides of the crevasse like cobwebs.

DC 15 to free climb the crack. Using a rope in the confines is a DC 5--knotting a rope won't help any more here. The crack extends 30' deep. Then the crack opens into a stone ceiling 10' above the floor. So a total of a 40' drop.

A Medium creature can easily squeeze past the roots at the top of the crack, and a Small creature simply treats the opening as difficult terrain. Large creatures will have to clear some of the roots first.

The lighting remains dim throughout the area.

El Garrapata Fort save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 1 nonlethal, fatigued

So how do you want to proceed?

We still good with marching/climbing order (El, Borox, Prof., Kaillum, Ray)?

Works for me.

Alkarion buckles into his saddle and prepares to descend into the pit. "Isn't this exciting? Who knows what bizarre mutations we might find down here!"

Works for me. However once underground, Raynor and Mozza will take position on the ceiling, upside down.

"Oh! wait! before we go down, come over here in the shade Digging Man! looks like my potion didn't catch you in time... you don't look so good... here, drink some water, and rest a few minutes in that shade," says Raynor, pulling a wand of healing from his backpack. "There, this should take care of that heatstroke..."

Wand of Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

GM, I thought that the endure elements potion would alleviate the need for a heat check.

Garrapata takes 10 as he climbs down, for a total of 22, minus a possible 2 for being possibly fatigued.

After healing Garrapata, Raynor straps himself to Mozza. Before the party begins its descent, Raynor detects evil down the hole.

GM, I thought that the endure elements potion would alleviate the need for a heat check.

Sorry, forgot about it.

Works for me. However once underground, Raynor and Mozza will take position on the ceiling, upside down.

No evil in range. And don't gallop once you are in the room, the room is only 10 feet tall. And for that matter Raynor is tightly squeezed along with his mount as he descends. Don't breath too deep Mozza.

Are the climbing mount riders signalling to me that they are scouting the room ahead of slower climbers like Borox?

I believe the order as you stated is good as is. El first; Ray last. Let me know if the ceiling is too low to allow a charge above the party. In any event I'll stay upside down anyhow in case we come across a room with higher ceiling.

Kaillum keeps his firearm at the ready, as the other hardier allies dig at the roots, he was never very strong. He keeps watch out for any dangers as they dig. Once done he breathes a sigh of relief, and he begins to descend into the strange depths below.

He keeps an eye out for and dangers as they descend.

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Alkarion will wait for the others to climb down the rope, then he will go down last, gecko-style. Once in the room, he will go all the way to the floor, having had one too many headaches from staying upside down too long.

I'm BAIT!

Garrapata moves into the room, happy to be there.

Raynor takes the rear, but says, "El Garrapata! you are mighty in battle indeed from what I have seen so far, but my armor appears thicker. If you wish me to take the lead know that Mozza and I would be more than willing!"

Do magic weapons glow with light in PFS? In our home campaigns they all do, but I'm not sure what PFS' stance is on this.

Garrapata smiles and waves back at Raynor. "No GOOD KNIGHT! I am HAPPY TO SERVE as the POINT of our SPEAR OF JUSTICE! Yes, evildoers, I HAVE A POINT!" He announces to the general world of evildoers.

Borox climbs down. Upon reaching the bottom he draws out his greatsword.

Let me know if the ceiling is too low to allow a charge above the party. In any event I'll stay upside down anyhow in case we come across a room with higher ceiling.

It would be too tight to charge through their (essentially) 5-foot cubes.

As party nears the nears the bottom everyone hears the unmistakable sound of stone rasping across stone.... and six of the 4-foot tall statues tip out of their niches and come crashing down upon the lower half of the crevasse!

El Garrapata takes 8 hp of damage and must make a reflex save (DC 20) or fall the last 10 feet to the floor.
possible fall damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Similarly, Borox takes 26 hp of damage and must make a reflex save (DC 20) or fall the last 15 feet to the floor.
possible fall damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Prof. Alkarion's gecko takes 15 hp of damage and must make a reflex save (DC 20) or fall the last 20 feet to the floor.
possible fall damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8

And Prof. Alkarion himself takes 25 hp of damage and must make a reflex save (DC 20) or fall the last 20 feet to the floor.
possible fall damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11

Holy crap......

As he begins his descent, Raynor sees the stone idols pop out of their niche below, heading for his fellow Pathfinder Agents, and with horror and impending futility, attempts to warn them, "WATCH YOUR HEADS!!!"

Does Raynor see creatures in those niches? i.e. were the idols pushed out by a creature or a mechanism?

Alkarion is buckled into his saddle, so as the gecko, so goes the wayang. The gecko effectively has permanent Spider Climb, so does that give him any bonuses? Looks like a +1 will be sufficient. Let me know.
Sioparla reflex save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Ack. Whether he gets a bonus or not is the difference between injured gecko and dead gecko. :-|

"Sunbeams, that hurt! Did those statues just attack us and block our way out?"

Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

If I voluntarily fail my Reflex Save, can I help anyone else avoid the fall or try to mitigate their damage taken?

If it helps, Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Also I have the feat Cat's Fall. Because I am part cat. Mrow!

Borox feels the wonderful effect of gravity upon his body as he attempts to stop falling Reflex Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 but flails about as he crashes to the floor with a bone-jarring thud!

"Well, so much for usin' a bloody rope. Next time I'll just jump on in and save some bleedin' time instead o' choppin' up a bunch of soddin' roots!" he says as he reaches for his Wand of Cure Light Wounds.

Raynor, this seems to be one of those intricate mechanical ancient tomb traps. There was probably a warning sign somewhere. If only you spoke Hovitos....

Schrödinger's Gecko: Sioparla, gets a number of of bonuses from essentially having constant spider climb (including higher AC). Normally when you fall you get a chance to catch yourself with a climb check (this time DC 35), but that doesn't help against against being scraped off the walls by slabs of masonry (which I think is the intention here given the module's specificity in asking for a reflex save). So, dead gecko.

If El Garrapata falls, he lands on his feet (not having taken lethal fall damage). It is like he is nigh-invulnerable. There isn't a lot of time to react. I could imagine him tossing himself beneath the falling mount and rider (basically taking damage like he was hit in the face with a medium-sized mount and rider, likewise instead of taking the falling damage listed above everyone would take:
gecko v Garrapata lethal damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2 plus gecko v Garrapata nonlethal damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
So maybe only unconscious gecko.

All Garrapata has to do is throw himself into (under) danger. Reflex DC 15

The party finds itself in a 20-foot-square chamber with roots hanging down from the crack in the ceiling above. Two slit openings in the wall provide more light and air from the outside. A moldy wooden door sits ajar. It opens on a 20-foot long dark corridor that ends in closed door.

Map updated.

And there was no way to notice it before it happened? I am sporting a +20 Perception currently ... *sigh* At least it wasn't an animal companion.

Helpless to do anything but fall, Alkarion lands in a heap with his gecko. Barely conscious, the wayang extricates himself from the saddle and checks his wounds, then looks over his mount. "Well, that is most unfortunate. You deserved a better end, my friend. If circumstances allow, I will return for your body, but alas you may be entombed here forever."

He pulls out a wand and begins to recover from the assault and the fall.

He takes his magical haversack off the deceased gecko and puts it on. He takes out a small vial of viscous green liquid and downs it. His skin thickens even as his muscles elongate slightly, and his fingers gain a bit of webbing. Feral Mutagen: +4 DEX, -2 WIS, +2 Natural AC, 30' swim speed; duration: 40 minutes

He makes sure everything is settled, then says, "Well, please allow my currently enhanced senses to check to see if *this* hall is going to attack us..."

Take 10 for 29 Perception in the hallway and on the door.

Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 Garrapata will do his best to save the gecko and its rider, throwing himself under the falling beast!

"OOF! DANGER, Friend! Gravity is a HARSH MISTRESS!"

And! Now that the website works again, the gecko (and anyone else who wants to) could try to catch itself as per the climb rules.

Normally one must actively (take a move action, search a particular space, etc...) search for traps that are hidden from view (i.e. most of them). Kaillum looked, but did not see it.

Raynor detects evil, and urges Mozza to squeeze forward!

Heinlein said "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress." It was the title of his 1967 Hugo Award winning novel and a classic!

Borox begins to use his Wand of CLW on himself.
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Borox is healed to full. He then offers to heal anyone else who needs it.

"I be savin' me spells for emergencies and the like, dontcha know?"

Raynor's gonna tap himself once with the heal stick just to get those 2 hp back... then he's back to the squeezin' n' detectin'!

Do magic weapons glow with light in PFS? In our home campaigns they all do, but I'm not sure what PFS' stance is on this.

Light Generation: Fully 30% of magic weapons shed light equivalent to a light spell. These glowing weapons are quite obviously magical. Such a weapon can’t be concealed when drawn, nor can its light be shut off. In the PFS, you choose at the time you purchase the item.

There's no evil and no light. Anyone got a light?

Raynor would have opted for LANCE OF LIGHT +1!!!! :)

Raynor turns on his giant glow-poky-stick! [lightsaber soundzzzzz!]

Just remember you cannot turn it off, and lances are not easily sheathed.

I'm letting you push on into the next room.

Everyone else is finishing healing. On that note, the the moderately sized giant gecko may be merely unconscious after the super heroic actions of El Garrapata.

Raynor lightly pokes the next door open onto the sickly sweet smell of rotting meat. The smell fills a perfectly square, low-ceilinged chamber (8 feet this time--leaving Raynor and his gecko slightly squeezed). The far wall features a large bas-relief carving portraying a wide-eyed hag devouring her own hands. Her eyes move and lock on Raynor's.

In the corner next to the door opposite the one Raynor entered by, sits an obvious Kuru corpse. It is male and tattered as if dogs had gotten to it. It's left arm is missing.

Map updated.

Raynor 5-foot steps backwards, then detects evil, cone-style.

See no 'evil' but...

The sculpture's eyes move, and look directly at Raynor.

....

I am NOT watching that creepy video!

In the waters outside, Phranklin pauses, sensing shenanigans once again... "Now ah wondah whak kiiiind of unnervin' thaaaaang Raynor's bumped intah right nah!!!"

Everyone else is finishing healing. On that note, the the moderately sized giant gecko may be merely unconscious after the super heroic actions of El Garrapata.

What would be the deciding factor?

-------
GM: Can we say as Standard Operating Procedure, that Alkarion takes 10 for 29 Perception as we enter each room, looking for signs of trouble, traps, etc.? Saves me from having to repeat it every time we open a door. :) Also, he has 60' of Darkvision, so he'll move in to each room behind Raynor and get a look around.

Alkarion follows the knight into the room, and notices the statue. "That's unusual ... Raynor, it seems to like you." He looks back at the rest of the group. "Any of you good at detecting magic?"

Borox walks over to the gecko and after studying it for a bit lays his hand on it and casts the orison stablize on the gecko.

He then attempts to determine if it is alive or not via Perception or Heal (whichever should be used).

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Heal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

If it is alive, I will begin to heal it.