PFS Module Risen from the Sands with GM Deadly Secret (Inactive)

Game Master TriOmegaZero

Seeing as they weren't alarmed by spellcasting, Byron will retrieve a scroll of comprehend languages and read it.

"They're inviting us to join them for food and drink," Luli says, translating for the rest of the party. He holds out a hand to stop Gaellin from rushing in as he adds, "They say they are sister-wives, but I do not know of any magic that would keep someone alive here for so long - nor so youthful after being sealed in a tomb for centuries." He focusses on the room. "Something is not as it seems here."

Casting detect magic.

1d20 ⇒ 11

The two women wait with what seems regal patience.

”Hmmm, I wonder if they can use those wands of yours on themselves, then we would have two way communication and could ask them. . . “ Katsu wonders aloud.

He will walk into the room slightly, sniffing the air and trying to identify other oddities, while not getting close to the women.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 2021 vs traps
Technically I cannot enter a stance if I’m not in combat, but if the GM allows it I’d like to enter just for a round a round or two because it gives me scent. I realize I can’t keep it going all the time. If not (and I understand if not) I’ll just use normal perception.

Luli holds up a hand again to stop Katsu. "It is not safe," he says slowly. "This is all an illusion, and they are undead, though what kind..."

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Luli realizes that these two creatures are zombie lords, more powerful versions of zombies that retain their personalities and abilities. Luli can ask one question about their special abilities.

The first creature frowns, speaking again to the group.

"...ah. They are zombie lords, more powerful undead that retain their personalities and abilities they possessed in life," Luli finishes slowly. "If these illusions are any indication, at least one of them was - well, is - a spellcaster. I would not trust them."

Sensing Luli's worry, Karma bares her teeth slightly and utters a barely audible growl.

Given how many people in the party like to hit things, let's find out about DR or any other defenses these creatures might have.

At Karma's growl, both zombies rise, their previous animation ceasing as they stare daggers at the party.

Initiative
Gaellin 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Helena 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Byron1d20 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 24
Katsu 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Luli 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Red 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Blue 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Everyone but Katsu gets to act first! Like most zombies, these have DR against everything but slashing.

Byron rushes into the room and casts disrupt undead on blue.

Ranged touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Hopefully that hits flat-footed touch.

"Get up close Helena - at least one of them probably casts spells!" Luli yells as the zombies turn aggressive. "Use slashing weapons to cut them down, and know that the spirits of the sands will guide your hands!"

Casting bless.

Gaellin looks very surprised as he makes his way into the room. "Woah there now. I don't know what was said but," he pulls out his waterskin, "surely we can talk it over with a drink?"

Swift-enter style, move-move, standard-full defense.

Karma bares her fangs in earnest now and prepares to defend her rider.

Byron gets a solid blast on the right zombie, eliciting a hateful hiss, but unlike the skeletons before they seem to be made of sterner stuff. Gaellin moves to block the other, receiving the brunt of its anger.

Slam on Gaellin: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

His defensive stance allows him to ward off the heavy blow!

Katsu is up!

Katsu enters his stance, then runs up to the other Zombie and gets behind it, drawing his sword cane along the way.
Swift action, enter style. Move action, move up and draw weapon. That provokes but I assume a zombie of any variety doesn't have combat reflexes.
"Quick, someone flank with me! he shouts.
Attack vs. flat footed AC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
OH COME ON!!!!!
If hit, damage (including sneak attack) from a piercing weapon.: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 6) + 1 = 11

Katsu darts behind the other zombie, snapping out his blade. The edge scrapes along hardened flesh, unable to quite cut through! It turns, glaring at the blind swordsman and swinging a heavy fist.

Slam on Katsu: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 Dammit dice...
Confirm on Katsu: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage on Katsu: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 6) + 6 = 17 Unholy hell!

Katsu catches a blow right in the solar plexus, lifting him up off the stone into the wall behind! He remains on his feet, but only just barely.

The rest of the party is up. I will update slides when I get home from lunch. Sorry Katsu, this module is really trying to kill y’all.

Did we skip Helena?

Good catch. I will move to my usual practice of posting initiative in the thread to try and avoid that going forward. Helena can take her action and we will see if that changes anything before continuing the round.

Sorry, forgot to update my HP from sleeping, I'm at 3

24 - Byron

12 - Helena
11 - Luli (Damage: 9)
9 - Gaellin (Damage: 12)
8 - Red
5 - Katsu (Damage: 25)
4 - Blue (Damage: 6)

Maybe we should bot Helena.

Will do, update tonight if not sooner.

Swift action enter blinded blade style, move forward 20 feet, stepping just to the side to provide Katsu a flank, drawing my greatsword.

Helena will attack the one fighting Katsu.

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13, Damage: 3d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 1, 6) + 7 = 15

I appologize that I had kinda gotten out of the habit of checking this as often as I should.

No problem, I can be difficult to keep pace with. :)

Helena moves in, blotting the rest of the room out with her size, but does not quite manage to bring her heavy blade down on the zombified woman.

Helena and the rest of the party can now take round 2's actions!

24 - Byron

12 - Helena
11 - Luli (Damage: 9)
9 - Gaellin (Damage: 12)
8 - Red
5 - Katsu (Damage: 25)
4 - Blue (Damage: 6)

GM, I'm not sure where you're getting 9 damage for Luli. Perhaps it hasn't been updated since we rested?

Also, is everyone remembering their bonus from bless?

Luli guides Karma forward and lays a hand on Helena. "Listen to your heart - it will guide you!" he says with a smile.

Casting guidance on Helena.

GM, how would you like to run Luli's Misfortune ability? I haven't used it in a PbP yet, but normally I'd make an opponent reroll a crit threat or an ally reroll a Nat 1 on a saving throw.

GM, I'm not sure where you're getting 9 damage for Luli. Perhaps it hasn't been updated since we rested?

I updated the HP totals on the slide with the overnight healing, 1HP per level for each character. If the math is wrong and I missed healing rolls, let me know.

GM, how would you like to run Luli's Misfortune ability? I haven't used it in a PbP yet, but normally I'd make an opponent reroll a crit threat or an ally reroll a Nat 1 on a saving throw.

If you want to have a standing order for misfortune, I will keep it in mind going forward. I can reroll the crit threat as I'm sure Luli would have intervened when it happened.

Oh, Luli would have used the rest of his healing spells (and maybe some wands) before resting to top everyone's hp off. Sorry - I thought that was assumed.

And I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one to appreciate rerolling that attack against Katsu!

Sounds fair, did Luli have enough slots to cover the damage with just minimum rolls? Or close enough to not matter? 28 points total among the party.

Misfortune Slam on Katsu: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Luli bends fate, managing to set the undead's assault off just enough that the strike is not nearly so deadly.

24 - Byron

12 - Helena
11 - Luli
9 - Gaellin
8 - Red
5 - Katsu (Damage: 8)
4 - Blue (Damage: 6) - Misfortune Spent

Gaellin shifts dodgily and moves around to the other side of whatever it is.

Full defense, move. AC is 20

Byron takes advantage of the relatively clear shot at red.

Disrupt: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 3 - 4 = 14
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

AoO on Gaellin: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Gaellin dodges around the zombie, setting up a flank. The undead lashes out but cannot pierce his defense! The distraction allows Byron to land a solid blast that weakens the rotten flesh, but still it stands.

12 - Helena

11 - Luli
9 - Gaellin
9 - Byron
8 - Red (Damage: 6)
5 - Katsu (Damage: 8)
4 - Blue (Damage: 6) - Misfortune Spent

Helena will try and bring her weapon to bear.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27, Damage: 3d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 2, 6) + 7 = 16

break down of attack bonus
+5 starting, +1 bless, +1 divine favor, +1 guidance, +2 flanking, +1 and -1 enlarge person

Helena brings mighty swipe of her blade down the zombie's back, cutting deeply but not quite bringing it down! Seeing the larger threat, the other steps towards the towering figure to attack as well. Helena manages to anticipate the heavy fist, ducking to one side.

Slam on Helena: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

12 - Helena

11 - Luli
9 - Gaellin
9 - Byron
8 - Red (Damage: 6)
5 - Katsu (Damage: 8)
4 - Blue (Damage: 22) - Misfortune Spent

Katsu is up!

Katsu appears to still be flanking? Slides is glitching out on me. I’ll attack if that is the case.
Attack w/ flanking: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Piercing damage with sneak attack if hit: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 5) + 1 = 10
Nope, Katsu will instead just sit down and die because he can’t roll above a 10 *shakes head*

What is up with these rolls? o.O

Katsu strikes out at his opponent, but is still shaken from the after images of possible fates, missing the strike. Both zombie now turn their attention to Helena, the biggest threat in the room. But fortune favors neither of them this time!

Slam on Helena: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

12 - Helena

11 - Luli
9 - Gaellin
9 - Byron
8 - Red (Damage: 6)
5 - Katsu (Damage: 8)[/b]
4 - Blue (Damage: 22) - Misfortune Spent

Party is back up!

Byron fires out another ray of disrupting energy.

Disrupt undead: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 3 - 4 = 8
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27, Damage: 3d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 6, 4) + 7 = 23

With a mighty swipe of her blade, Helena bisects the zombie lord, both halves falling motionless to the floor! Byron launches another ray but fouls his shot by a wide margin.

12 - Helena

11 - Luli
9 - Gaellin
9 - Byron
8 - Red (Damage: 6)
5 - Katsu (Damage: 8)

Full defense

"Well done! Again!" Luli cries, and once more Helena feels divinely guided.

"SENENETKA!" The scream of anger needs no translation as the remaining zombie assails Helena, to no avail.

Slam on Helena: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

12 - Helena

11 - Luli
9 - Gaellin
9 - Byron
8 - Red (Damage: 6)
5 - Katsu (Damage: 8)

Party is up!

Katsu will move around to flank (arrows show route, no AoO) and strike.
Attack with Bless and flanking: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
If hit, damage with sneak attack: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 1) + 1 = 5
Finally hit and don't get through his DR. I am so done with this module

"Evil will be eradicated by those willing to make the necessary sacrifices."

Helena changes her focus to the remaining zombie and brings her sword to bear once more.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17, damage: 3d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 6, 3) + 7 = 18

Full Defense

(See Katsu, your mistake was in attacking. I don't even bother. :P )

While Katsu distracts the undead queen, Helena returns the favor, slicing deep into the desiccated form. By this point, most of you have probably seen through the illusion blanketing the room.

12 - Helena

11 - Luli
9 - Gaellin
9 - Byron
8 - Red (Damage: 24)
5 - Katsu (Damage: 8)

While Katsu distracts the undead queen, Helena returns the favor, slicing deep into the desiccated form. By this point, most of you have probably seen through the illusion blanketing the room.

I have no idea what you're talking about, I don't see at all!

Yeah, I never saw the illusion to begin with. :)

"Trust your instincts - the spirits of the land will guide your hand!" Luli says as he touches Byron with a bit of divine guidance.

Byron fires another spell at the remaining zombie.

Disrupt undead: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 - 4 = 3
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Byron's shot goes wide, allowing the zombie to attack Helena once again. But the fury is vented on only air.

Slam on Helena: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

12 - Helena

11 - Luli
9 - Gaellin
9 - Byron
8 - Red (Damage: 24)
5 - Katsu (Damage: 8)

Attack with Bless and flanking: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
If hit, damage with sneak attack: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 1) + 1 = 8
ANOTHER nat 1! GOOOD! Yup!