DM Eric's PFS - The Midnight Mirror (Gameday VII) (Inactive)

Game Master Eric Swanson

"Sadly, I have little else to offer you as I have been held prisoner here for untold decades. If I could have freed myself from this prison on my own, then I would have already done so!" Nicasor responds levelly. "I trust YOU truly have the means to slay the Heart?"

"I was thinking of something along the lines of scrolls, wands, etc. You know, valuable magic items that might mean the difference between success and failure. Got anything like that? Say, that's a nice looking sword you got there."

OK, so ignore that last line if he does not have a sword. Rilia, I'm going to be severely disappointed in you if you don't abuse the double entendre there.

Setare stays in the back and activates her detect evil on Nicasor.

Setare does discover Nicasor has an evil aura.

Setare steps foward and her anger rises to the surface again.

"We know of you Nicasor! You switched places with the baron and kidnapped his brothers! Do you know how many people are dying because of a sickness that releases undead shadows from innocent peoples' throats? Do you feel bad that all these men and woman here have to face eternity in this mirror with you although they only wanted to live a life in freedom? Have you found redemption in your imprisonment? Have you found the path to a good life? I think not! Your evil aura is clearly visible to me! Explain your actions or face the wrath of a Paladin of Sarenrae!" Setare says with her hand on her Scimitar.

Dang. Couldn't she have waited until I talked him into handing over his sword?

Barley nods at the accusations, and also asks, "Which one of you is Elenuta?"

One of the fetchlings shakes her head, "She has been banished to the lower level as she refuses to keep her emotions in check and follow our leader's orders."

Nicasor bristles at the paladin's words but keeps his voice level. "I am not surprised to hear such accusations from you. I will say I have intended to uphold my end of the bargain and I fully expect Stepan to do the same. Do not let his honeyed words sway you. He was the one who banished his brothers to this place...this prison. I am as much a prisoner here as you! You are the one threatening violence here!"

Setare listens to the man and is a little insecure again. She tries to gain confidence and speaks but it sounds more as if she is reciting something.

"I will redeem the ignorant with my words and my actions. If they will not turn toward the light, I will redeem them by the sword." she says silently.

Then she steps forward again and talks to Nicasor again.

"Then te .. tell me your sto ... story! Tell us why so ... so many have to die be... because of the sick... sickness that is sprea... spreading. Tell us why ... why the brothers of the ba ... baron are dead!" she says with a quivering voice.

"I was thinking of something along the lines of scrolls, wands, etc. You know, valuable magic items that might mean the difference between success and failure. Got anything like that? Say, that's a nice looking sword you got there."

OK, so ignore that last line if he does not have a sword. Rilia, I'm going to be severely disappointed in you if you don't abuse the double entendre there.

I can't. I just did [uel=https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMValensPFSQuestTheSilverhexChroniclesCOREPbP/gameplay&page=6#290]a sword joke[/url] with my bloodthirsty elf barbarian in another game where there was a face off with another greatsword-wielding barbarian.

Setare steps foward and her anger rises to the surface again.

"We know of you Nicasor! You switched places with the baron and kidnapped his brothers! Do you know how many people are dying because of a sickness that releases undead shadows from innocent peoples' throats? Do you feel bad that all these men and woman here have to face eternity in this mirror with you although they only wanted to live a life in freedom? Have you found redemption in your imprisonment? Have you found the path to a good life? I think not! Your evil aura is clearly visible to me! Explain your actions or face the wrath of a Paladin of Sarenrae!" Setare says with her hand on her Scimitar.

{Mental facepalm} Not again. And does she really have to shout the goddesses name like that?

I just did a sword joke with my bloodthirsty elf barbarian in another game where there was a face off with another greatsword-wielding barbarian.

+1

"My original plan was to use my time in Stepan’s body to arrange for permanent human skins for himself and my family since it seems the only way for us to escape the mirror. I planned to use Stepan’s noble status to lure the most powerful aristocrats I could to Karpad, and persuade them into submitting to the body swap. Once I had found a higher status host then I planned to return Stepan’s body to him at the end of the year as promised."

"In any case, it seems beneficial to both of you to destroy this demi-plane and we can all go back, right? So, what was this reward you were talking about."

Kit is a bit annoyed that the others keep dwelling on who did what to who and why. How the heck does that matter!? Can't they see that the offer of power and money is the more important subject?

"My original plan was to use my time in Stepan’s body to arrange for permanent human skins for himself and my family since it seems the only way for us to escape the mirror. I planned to use Stepan’s noble status to lure the most powerful aristocrats I could to Karpad, and persuade them into submitting to the body swap. Once I had found a higher status host then I planned to return Stepan’s body to him at the end of the year as promised."

"And I suppose that person would be stuck in here for all eternity? Tempting.... Could you do that with members of their extended family too?"

Setare looks at Rilia and is as surprised as the elf.

She then at looks at Nicasor and suddenly anger starts to rise in her again!

"You wanted to imprison others in here to be able to escape?!? Do you believe we work for the Baron? No! The man will face judgement soon enough! We are here because of the people dying from the shadow sickness that is spreading! And we are here to help those willing to embrace the light to escape! But you …. You have learnt nothing in your time here! You obviously are beyond redemption!

Setare looks at Nicasor with pity and then turns to the others in the room.

"We are here to help you escape and to find the baron’s brothers. This man, Nicasor, and his evil path will not lead to freedom. Who stands at his side after all he has done and said? And who stands on our side and wishes to change their life and wants to support to eradicate the darkness of the mirror?” she asks with hope in her eyes.

"Now, now. He didn't say that. He never said he would leave anyone here for eternity, just that he would make deals with people for the use of their bodies. For a while. For a price. Speaking of price...?"

"The path forward is simple. We head back downstairs, destroy the ichor-dripping wall, destroy the heart and get the heck out of here."

"I agree with Etienne here - we'll deal with you later" Barley says to Nicasor without much of a veiled threat.

Let's jump to the lower floor

The fetchlings stare at Setare after she finishes her impassioned plea, then glance at Nicasor...before they all move to stand next to their leader, leaving no doubt as to where their allegiance lies.

Onwards to face the Heart now?

Setare looks at the fetchlings and is clearly disappointed.

She then nods after Barley's and Ettiene's statements and clearly wants to follow. But you also see doubt on her face.

"I ... I agree with you bu... but I would like to rest the... the night here before we con... confront this being. I am not at... at my full stre... strength at the mo... moment. Is that o... ok?" she asks.

Just a quick note here: It is only a few degrees above freezing in this extra-planar prison and it is also pitch black, too dark for low-light vision to function. If you wish to rest here then you will need to deal with the cold condition in some way. On the bright side you feel no urges to either eat or drink.

I'm back from my trip and mostly caught up with the thread and should be able to resume regular posting.

Hoprah shivers at the mention of spending the night in this forsaken place. "I will as the rest of you wish, but for myself, I would simply press on, that we not spend another moment here that is not needed. For this place suits me poorly, and I shall be most pleased to see the light of day once again."

I would rather rest to be able to smite. I assume we fight something incorporeal similar to a shadow. I would also rather see both Barley and Setare have heroism if that’s possible. but if you feel confident we can press on. ;-)

"I worry that this staying longer in this plane will make the fight against the heart harder, not easier. I think we should press on.

Nicasor, will you join us in the fight against the Heart?"

The decision made to press on to battle the Heart here, you bid farewell to Nicasor and his followers and make your way back to the dining room on the lower level, where the black ichor drips from the far wall. Seeing no way to bypass it except from brute force you proceed to hack away at it. It does take a few minutes but eventually you manage to create an opening wide enough for all of you to peer inside.

Dark flagstones pave a twisted reflection of the courtyard in Boroi Manor. Walls of thick, writhing flesh fill the archways that would normally lead to adjoining rooms; a layer of seeping black ichor covers each wall. Above, only a black void exists where one would expect to see the sky. What appears to be an enormous, quivering black plant is growing in the central pool. Black tendrils are everywhere, pushing into the manor and running through it like veins into the rest of the house.

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Round 1:

Barley (43/43 hp,
Etienne (20/20 hp, Mage Armor)
Hoprah (27/27 hp, Mage armor)
Kitoro (31/31 hp, Haunted Fey)
Rilia (25/25 hp)
Setare Katsu (32/32 hp)
====
Heart
_____________________

Current Effects: Kitoro, Light (Dampened), Rilia, Dancing Lights 10' radius (Dampened), Etienne Light (Setare scimitar) (Dampened).
_____________________

Current MAP.
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Everyone is UP! Map has been updated. The brown line indicates the wall where you broke into the courtyard from. The Heart is the tree-like thing in the center of the map. Finally, I need to know who is wielding the Mirror Shard.

The decision made to press on to battle the Heart here, you bid farewell to Nicasor....

Well, that's a big 'no'.

Once away crowd...

Setare looks at Rilia and is as surprised as the elf.

"And you." the elf says suddenly snapping at Setare. "You should know by now that I would never leave anyone in this place, unless of course I really really felt like it. I was playing up to Nicasor to see what his true motives were."

knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Dark flagstones pave a twisted reflection of the courtyard in Boroi Manor. Walls of thick, writhing flesh fill the archways that would normally lead to adjoining rooms; a layer of seeping black ichor covers each wall. Above, only a black void exists where one would expect to see the sky. What appears to be an enormous, quivering black plant is growing in the central pool. Black tendrils are everywhere, pushing into the manor and running through it like veins into the rest of the house.

"That is quite honestly the most tendriculos thing I have seen all day." Rilia says with a mocking smile. "So who wants to go in first?"

She can cast sanctuary (Will DC 14) on whomever. Tag! You're it!

Barley is not holding the shard, assuming it was Setare.

”Mother of all creation, big and small!!!” Barley exclaims at the sight of the Heart, ”What god’s damnation is this thing?!” He quickly draws out a potion and downs it.

Protection from Evil,full cover

Barley, Setare does only of dex to damage with a scimitar so you better use the dagger and your ki for extra attacks. ;-)

Before opening the last part of the wall Setare would have used her innate spell like ability to cast reduce person on herself (3 minutes duration). AC is 17 now.
Setare also delays until Kit has started her Inspire Courage.

Setare moves forward to attack the shadow plant creature!

”You will not spread your evil shadows any further!!“ she shouts.

Scimitar +1 attack roll, inspire courage, reduce person : 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 32
Damage roll, inspire, reduce person : 1d4 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 9

Crit confirm : 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 25
Crit damage roll : 1d4 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 8

* * *

Setare also prepares to parry any attacks.

If the above was a crit Setare has 3/4 Panache left.

Opportune Parry: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 23

In case Setare successfully parries she uses 'Reposte' as an immediate action to attack the opponent that attacked her.

Scimitar reposte attack roll: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 16
Damage reposte roll, IC : 1d4 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 12

Assuming the heroism she cast on Setare before entering the plane has expired, she casts Heroism on her again BEFORE hacking through the wall. If not, she casts heroism on Barley. She also preps herself with a heightened awareness spell.

Kit will indeed launch into a Gondorian rendition of I'm a lumberjack inspiring all to a frenzy of plant hacking and cross dressing.

GM: I assumed 40 minutes duration of Heroism expired but if not that would be great. ;-) Kit, if heroism has expired on Setare please nonetheless cast it on Barley as he has the shard.

GM: I assumed 40 minutes duration of Heroism expired but if not that would be great. ;-) Kit, if heroism has expired on Setare please nonetheless cast it on Barley as he has the shard.

Good idea. Barley gets her remaining heroism spell.

Before the group enters the chamber, Hoprah uses her wand of Protection From Evil on everyone (except Barley, who had his own). Uses 5 charges. If it matters - for the purpose of duration (which is only 1 minute) - she casts in the following order: Etienne, Kit, Rilia, Setare, Hoprah.

Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26 Resistances, please

"Good Gracious, that is a corruption of nature called a tendriculos! It is essentially a corrupted plant... most plants are usually immune to mind-affecting effects, as well as poison and the like..."

Hoprah makes some arcane gestures and a cloud of glitter flies through the air, descending on the "Heart."

Glitterdust, DC 18 Will save or it is blinded for 4 rounds, with a new save to negate at the end of its turn each round.

Hoprah realizes the Heart is completely Immune to Acid and also she finds it difficult to concentrate to get her spell off...

Hoprah must make a Concentration check DC 22 in order to cast the spell. If the check fails, the spell does not function but is still lost from her spell slot.

GM, is Setare still under the effect of Heroism? 40 min duration originally.

No, the Heroism spell has expired.

Setare strides forward and cleaves deeply into the corrupted Heart's body, with black ichor spewing forth from the wound! Seeing as Barley holds the Shard both Kitoro and Rilia cast their respective spells to bolster the ninja's defenses!
______________________

Round 1:

Barley (43/43 hp, Heroism, Sanctuary)
Etienne (20/20 hp, Mage Armor)
Hoprah (27/27 hp, Mage Armor)
Kitoro (31/31 hp, Haunted Fey)
Rilia (25/25 hp)
Setare Katsu (32/32 hp)
====
Heart (-25 hp)
_____________________

Current Effects: Kitoro, Light (Dampened), Rilia, Dancing Lights 10' radius (Dampened), Etienne Light (Setare scimitar) (Dampened).
_____________________

Current MAP.
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Barley and Etienned are UP! Hoprah I still need that Concentration check.

FYI: Barley also has a protection from evil i=on him from the potion he drank.

Concentration check DC 22: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17 Fail...

Cursing, Hoprah is momentarily distracted and loses her spell.

Do we know what caused the need for the concentration check?

Do we know what caused the need for the concentration check?

Judging by the fact your light sources have been noticeable dimmed here, you believe it is related to the planar properties here.

Heroism: The target gains a +2 morale bonus on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks.
Prot Evi: the subject gains a +2 deflection bonus to AC and a +2 resistance bonus on saves.

Barley suddenly finds himself holding the shard. Looking up at the monstrosity, he steels himself against the fear and moves in after Setare. He remembers his master's simple lesson on using broken glass as a weapon - 'try not to cut yourself'.

acrobatics: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

shard,ninjatrick-combattrick-caughtoffguard,heroism,flank,sneak: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 211d4 + 2 + 3d6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (5, 4, 2) = 14

using caughoffguard to remove improvised penalty, flank and sneak if possible

While Hoprah struggles to get her spell off Barley tumbles into position and strikes deply into the Heart's side, which causes it to shudder violently in pain!

When used against the Heart, the shard instead functions as a +1 bane dagger, and the wielder takes no penalties for using an improvised weapon. Bane damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11
______________________

Round 1:

Barley (43/43 hp, Heroism, Protection from Evil, Sanctuary)
Etienne (20/20 hp, Mage Armor)
Hoprah (27/27 hp, Mage armor)
Kitoro (31/31 hp, Haunted Fey)
Rilia (25/25 hp)
Setare Katsu (32/32 hp)
====
Heart (-25 hp/-25 hp*)
_____________________

Current Effects: Kitoro, Light (Dampened), Rilia, Dancing Lights 10' radius (Dampened), Etienne Light (Setare scimitar) (Dampened).
_____________________

Current MAP.
_____________________

Etienne is UP!

another creature immune to mind affecting effects?! gods be damned!

Etienne climbs up on the table, trying to find a good angle to attack through the hole they've made. He pulls a card while casting a spell, and then flings the card at the horror. It is now wreathed in a black so deep it seems to absorb light, so perhaps it is at home in this plane.

touch attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Folio reroll!
touch attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
jeez

not sure what cover situation is with Hoprah there, got on table to try and avoid issues, but please add to AC as needed, but assuming even a 9 is a miss.

Etienne's spectral card strikes true! Touch AC is 7 so no need to spend Reroll. 2d6 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5 negative energy.

The Heart, staggered by Etienne's spell, lashes out at Barley with its fanged maw...

Bite vs Barley: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16 Miss.

...even as it misses you all see the blow from Setare's blade start to heal itself!

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Round 2:

Barley (43/43 hp, Heroism, Protection from Evil)
Etienne (20/20 hp, Mage Armor)
Hoprah (27/27 hp, Mage armor)
Kitoro (31/31 hp, Haunted Fey)
Rilia (25/25 hp)
Setare Katsu (32/32 hp)
====
Heart (-20 hp/-25 hp*)
_____________________

Current Effects: Kitoro, Light (Dampened), Rilia, Dancing Lights 10' radius (Dampened), Etienne Light (Setare scimitar) (Dampened).
_____________________

Current MAP.
_____________________

Everyone is UP!

Setare attacks the shadow plant creature in a flanking position with Barley.

Scimitar +1 attack roll, flank, inspire courage, reduce person : 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 28
Damage roll, inspire, reduce person : 1d4 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 10

* * *

Setare also prepares to parry any attacks.

If the above was a crit Setare has 3/4 Panache left.

Opportune Parry: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 33

In case Setare successfully parries she uses 'Reposte' as an immediate action to attack the opponent that attacked her.

Scimitar reposte attack roll: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 24
Damage reposte roll, IC : 1d4 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 11

Before opening the last part of the wall Setare would have used her innate spell like ability to cast reduce person on herself (3 minutes duration)....

”You will not spread your evil shadows any further!!“ she shouts.

"Calistria, now she sounds like a chipmunk."

another creature immune to mind affecting effects?! gods be damned!

"Tell me about it." Rilia says reading Etienne and feeling his pain (and thigh).

Then like bolt she bounds over the table and into the room loosing her bladed belt.

acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

mwk scorpion (weed) whip (inspired): 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 1 = 18 damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

In spite of the interfering nature of the house, Kit sees no better option than to (other than continue her performance and use saving finale if necessary) cast a spell.

concentration check: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 4 = 21 (I think that is a failure, but who knows)

And tries to cast ear piercing scream

damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9, DC 15 fort ST or be dazed, save for half damage.

retracting the use of ninjatrick

Barley is surprised by the shard's ease of use, which almost feels like a wakizashi in his hand. He presses the attack, slashing away.

shard,heroism,flank,sneak: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 161d4 + 2 + 3d6 ⇒ (2) + 2 + (2, 4, 1) = 11

1 ki: extra attack: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 211d4 + 2 + 3d6 ⇒ (2) + 2 + (1, 4, 1) = 10

Setare again slices into the Heart while Rilia dances easily into the fray...her whip having no effect however.

Kitoro sends a sonic wave into the Heart...

Fort save DC 15: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

...which barely manages to resist the effects!

Barley's second attack with the shard again slices deeply into its side! Bane damage 2d6 ⇒ (3, 6) = 9

______________________

Round 2:

Barley (43/43 hp, Heroism, Protection from Evil)
Etienne (20/20 hp, Mage Armor)
Hoprah (27/27 hp, Mage armor)
Kitoro (31/31 hp, Haunted Fey)
Rilia (25/25 hp)
Setare Katsu (32/32 hp)
====
Heart (-34 hp/-44 hp*)
_____________________

Current Effects: Kitoro, Light (Dampened), Rilia, Dancing Lights 10' radius (Dampened), Etienne Light (Setare scimitar) (Dampened).
_____________________

Current MAP.
_____________________

Etienne and Hoprah are UP!

Etienne casts ray of enfeeblement at the horror.

touch attack with ray: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
ok, this time I am using the reroll!
touch attack with ray: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Str penalty: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 Duration = 3 rounds; Fort Save DC 15 for half

Barley, something is not right with your attack rolls. You have 3 bab, 2 str, 2 flank, 2 heroism, 3 shard so a +12 attack mod, right?! So also the first attack would have hit?