PbP Gameday VII | PFS# 7-17: Thralls of the Shattered God, with GM Picatrix (Inactive)

Game Master into the aether

What about those crystal things we picked up? Do they appear to be about the right size?

"Seems like it. Hey, Kije? Mind taking me down a peg?" Asking for reduce person

Kije grins. "My pleasure." As he squints and holds up a thumb to one eye, he continues, "Perhaps you would be willing to exchange favors? I find myself with a curse I cannot remove on my own." (On the trip back/between sessions)

After a few more seconds, he chuckles as Izabela rapidly shrinks to half the woman she was.

Still readying to cast invisibility when the door opens.

Enora takes the two times and plugs them into the door.

”Let us see what happens!“

Kije reduces Izabela’s person. When Enora places the shards into the sockets on the door, a portion of the tree carving opens to reveal a 4-inch-wide opening, 20 inches deep. At the back of the opening is a handle.

What do you do now?

Enora casts false life on herself.

False life temp HP: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

She then uses her wand to cast mage armor on herself.

Then Enora casts protection of evil on herself which she extends with her rod of extend.

14 minutes duration. AC 21 vs. EVIL.

Status: HP 45/45 | Temp HP 11/11 | Spells: 1st: 5/6, 2nd: 3/5, 3rd: 2/4 | Staff charges 10/10 | Reroll 1/1 | [ooc]Rod of lesser extend: 2/3 | Wand of CLW: 10/10 | Wand of mage armor 4/5 | Bonded item spell 1/1 | Arcane Reservoir: 5/6 | Prescience: 6/6 | Active conditions: Fly, protection from evil, mage armor.

If anybody wants protection from evil or enlarge person please say so and Enora casts this on you.

Enora then pulls the handle.

Kije would gladly take protection from evil - he only has protection from law.

Kije also casts heightened awareness on himself and will discharge to boost initiative (reflected in stat bar).

Izabela will cast Bear's Endurance and Shield of Faith

And Enora will also cast mirror image and extend with her rod.

1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 Mirror Images 14 minutes

The Pathfinders buff themselves some more. Then Enora foolishly bravely pulls the handle. As she does, blades inside the mechanism start to close around her hand! REF save needed!

Ref: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Will check Chronicle sheets to see if I have anything that would bump this roll. :-(

Ok, I have nothing and I have used my reroll already. So if anybody has something that gives a bonus to a companion's save this would be appreciated. No idea what will happen but it can't be good. :-(

I assume that means you guys have nothing. :-( Can players use their rerolls for other players? Just asking. ;-)

Edmund could have cast guidance prior to you grabbing the door. That's really about it- I checked all my boons

While the party stands still, Edmund begins a soft incantation to Desna- asking her to protect them all from the incredible evil of this place. He touches himself and Kissan, before reaching out Kjie, Tiki, and Izabella

Communal, Protection from Evil. +2 Deflection to AC, +2 Saves (against evil). It will last 1 minute for each of us. I can recast it if this doesn't roll right into combat

And if there is time

Another quick incantation, and a radiant energy bursts from the human.

Bless to everyone. +1 moral bonus on attacks and saves against fear

Thanks Edmund! Reflex 20 it is then with guidance. Let’s see what happens. :-(

You guys. It's not really how the game works to say, "I would have cast X spell now that I know something bad was going to happen!" Enora tried the handle. No guidance was cast first. A LOT of other spells WERE cast first. You can't just retroactively tack one more spell on just because there's a consequence you didn't know about. I'm sorry this dungeon has been frustrating. But you still must state your actions and then deal with the consequences. The door was checked for traps. The perception check did not meet the trap DC. Y’all didn’t know it was trapped. Guidance was never cast before Enora said she pulled the handle. I’m sorry, but we must play by the rules. A reroll or a chronicle boon or something is fine; that's what they're meant for and that's why I did not reveal the results until now. But it's just not okay to say you would have cast a spell first to help with consequences you didn't actually know about.

As Enora pulls the handle, chopping blades come down on her wrist doing slashing damage: 6d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 5, 4, 2, 3) = 26 plus STR damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2 and DEX damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3, and her hand is severed until a regenerate spell is cast.

The doors are about to open but let’s make sure you’re all good with your token placement before I reveal the room.

GM, I completely understand. Wow. That is much worse than I could have imagined the result to be. :-(

Ouch. Could have been worse though - imagine if you were playing Crowe and had only one hand for your earthbreaker!

Assuming we all make it out of here, regenerate would cost 910 gp. That's doable, right?

Kije is in position. I've made his icon transparent since he is casting invisibility as the doors open.

GM, I completely understand. Wow. That is much worse than I could have imagined the result to be. :-(

Really? With how “turn around and bend over” this dungeon has been, I’m not surprised in the slightest, and that’s coming from the guy playing the prostitute.

As for the guidance ruling: while harshly (but effectively) delivered I reluctantly have to agree—we had no reason to believe that the door was trapped because as far as we knew it wasn’t, so it would technically be no different than opening the door to a tavern.

Not trying to minimize Enora getting her hand chopped off—that really sucks—but that the GM in me has to side with Picatrix on this one.

That said, I’m good with my position.

To be fair, I was saying that was the only thing I could have done- not suggesting a retcon. I have played in groups where every minute a character says “I cast guidance again” and I do try to not do that... though in retrospect this is the perfect dungeon for “I cast guidance again”

Rose reaches out and lays hands on Enora, LoH: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6 Hit Points restored to her. "We'll take care of the rest when we're done, as long as we survive. By the way, I've determined that I really loath this place. Lets get this over with."

Rose looks through the now open door looking for a target, because after what they've faced, there has to be more tricks left to be sprung....

It could be worse, it could do bleed damage as well, maybe add a disease or poison to it.

Guys, I completely understand the GM!! :-) GM, On a side note: I am an idiot as I was 100% convinced that I had used my reroll on the dispel magic with the first trap. I checked the whole thread and I have not used it. I feel super embarrassed for all the fuss and accept that I am responsible for managing my character. So we can definitely continue as you resolved the roll. But if it would be allowed as I wanted to reroll in the first place here it is:

Ref, reroll, 1 gm * : 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 1 = 26

"Next door Kiti and I break down. No more handles."

OK, given that this dungeon has been a huge pain and probably more discouraging than fun for everyone, AND I know that you intended to use your reroll and mistakenly thought you already used it: You can still use the reroll and you SUCCEED at the save! Now, on to the final act...

The doors open. Scorched earth and burned grass cover this round chamber’s floor. In the center of the room stands a tall tree, its blackened bark seeping blood-red sap and its branches twisted and thorny. Glowing silvery runes circle the base of the tree. At the base of the tree lays a lithe, bronze-skinned man missing his left arm, a puddle of blood pooled beneath him. His right hand lies just inside the circle, and a single word is scratched in the dirt near his fingertips: “GRETAAK”. The ceiling of this room rises in a dome to a height of 25 feet. The glowing runes fill the room with dim light.

Several Pathfinders are compelled to do as the voice bids! Kiti, Tiki, Kije, Rose, and Enora find themselves moving toward the tree. To clarify: this is an enchantment effect from previously in the scenario that no one really knew what it actually did. I kept a record of who saved/failed. Also note: only good-aligned creatures can pass through the ring of glowing runes. Others are stopped by an invisible wall.

The Pathfinders noted above begin moving towards the tree. What would everyone else like to do? We're not in initiative just yet but keep your actions brief as we could enter initiative at any moment.

Kije moves forward, intrigued, but comes to a stop at the runes. Won't... let... pass... must... know! he thinks. Frustrated, he studies both the writing and the runes.

Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Kije is exhausted and basically dragging his equipment on the ground behind him. Line shows intended path - he can move two squares each round, so how far he gets will depend on how much time we have.

Thanks GM!

Perception : 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Spellcraft : 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29

”Team! If you look with my knowledge, you recognize the nature of the glowing circle of runes: Only good-aligned creatures can pass through the ward to get to the tree. For all other creatures, the ward acts as a solid wall. What is this creature?!“

kn all +10 and arcana +15 to identify the creature : 1d20 ⇒ 1

Enora moves forward but the ward blocks her from entering.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Well, I can’t go in there...

Seeing everybody move seemingly against their own will, Izabela puts 2 and 2 together, steps, and tries to trip Rose to hinder her movement.

Trip: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18

+7 BAB, +6 Dex (Using whip with Weapon Finesse), -1 size, +3 enhancement, +2 (Greater) Weapon Focus

NEVERMIND!!!

I can't stop myself from doing as asked, it must be more of these manipulations that we've encountered in this foul place. I don't think it's a good idea to hand over the staff....Screech, stop me!"
Rose walks towards the circle, but Screech charges Rose's back and tried to bring her to the ground....

Screech Trip: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Screech bounces off the wall, just as Rose walked past the circle....

Edmund stands stunned for a moment, watching the party- which had thus far managed to stay more or less unified- crumble around him. Enora, Rose, and the others move towards the tree! It seems only Izabela has her right mind about her.

"Stop! Don't listen to that THING. He is the one who has put us through this Hell of a temple !"

Rushing forward, Edmund attempts to tackle Rose. Grapple: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Several Pathfinders find themselves compelled to move toward the tree. Izabela tries to trip Rose, as does Screech, but both are unsuccessful. Edmund is able to grapple her though.

Is anyone trying to stop Tiki, Kiti, or Enora?

I’m pretty much assuming that there’s a pseudo-Initiative, so I’m doing my actions on a round-by-round basis.

Izabela picks up her whip She stopped it because she rolled a horrible trip attempt and moves into the room.

Next Round: Izabela will try to trip Tiki off of Kiti don’t know if I can, but I’m definitely gonna try!

Trip: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (12) + 17 = 29

There is a whole lot of maybe there. In 3.5 when combat maneuvers were opposed ability checks, there was a specific line about tripping riders off there mounts allowing the rider to make a ride check to oppose the trip attempt. But when the maneuvers were changed to an attack/defense mechanic in Pathfinder, that whole line was stricken, leaving (at the moment) no concrete rule about tripping riders off mounts. Now in the NPC Codex there is a monk NPC whose tactics mention tripping riders to dismount them, but there have been noted places in that book that didn't agree with the rules. So maybe this is support for the maneuver being possible, maybe not.

The other question is the DC of the attempt. It is at least 29. (Tiki currently has a CMD of 25 since he his small but has +4 to CMD vs. bull rush and trip due to his racial ability, whitecape.) That leaves the question of whether the GM would rule that the military saddle would provide any bonus to the CMD. It explicitly provides a +2 bonus to ride checks to be remain in the saddle. It's not explicit here but I could see the argument for it applying to the CMD since there used to be a ride check to resist being tripped. So if the GM rules it applies, then the attempt would fall short. If it does not apply and the GM allows the trip to dismount, then it will just barely succeed.

Screech, jumps on top of Rose while she is down, wrapping his tail around her legs and his wings around her torso, locking her arms to her body.
Then as a surprise to everyone else, "I'll hold Rhosalth as best as I can, stop the others." This is said in common and out loud.

Edmund, seeing Screech grapple the Rose, releases his grip and and takes stock of the situation in the rest of the room.

What is the status of everyone?

After thinking for a bit and the rules being FAR from clear about tripping a rider off a mount, I’m going to say the trip attempt was made against the mount (Kiti) which looks like it would just succeed, yeah?

Valais conspicuously hesitates as the Pathfinders move toward the tree, either obeying the command or attempting to stop each other from doing so. As Izabela’s whip tangles about Kiti’s legs, knocking the animal to the floor, the booming voice returns.

“I sense something familiar. You! You are one of the abominations. Has the one-eyed surgeon tracked me here? Are you his slaves? I will destroy him and all of his pawns, for I have advanced beyond the simple machinations of his lab! I am as far beyond demons as they are beyond you.”

The scenario is far from clear on this matter, but I'm going to rule that the compulsion to obey the voice/touch the tree/say the word is suppressed for now, as following the compulsion has now exposed you to 'direct harm.' So no one is currently compelled to obey that order. If I've misunderstood anyone's latest actions/current situation I apologize; please correct me and we'll proceed!

--
Round 1: the bold may act!
--
Edmund (grappling Rose)
Kije
Rhosalith (grappled by Edmund and Screech)
Enora
Tiki
Kiti (prone)
Izabela
Laktharis
Valais (delay)
Notes: NA

Enora casts HASTE on the party and uses her rod of extend.

”I ... l am free now! What did you do to us?!?“

Move action: retrieve rod of extend. Extending haste to 14 rounds duration.
Swift Action: Arcane barrier for 1 arcane reservoir for 10 extra temp HP for 7 minutes.
Free action: prescience 5/6 remaining : 1d20 ⇒ 20

Status:
HP 45/45 | Temp HP 21/21 | Spells: 1st: 3/6, 2nd: 2/5, 3rd: 0/4 | Staff charges 2/10 | Reroll 0/1 | [ooc]Rod of lesser extend: 1/3 | Wand of CLW: 10/10 | Wand of mage armor 3/5 | Bonded item spell 1/1 | Arcane Reservoir: 5/6 | Prescience: 5/6 | Active conditions: Mage Armor, false life, fly, mirror images 5

"What... in the... Abyss... is that... thing?" Kije pants. Dropping his pack on the ground, he looks up at the creature.

Knowledge (planes), Heightened awareness: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 13 + 2 = 16

Frowning invisibly, he reaches into his pouch and pulls out a bit of sparkling dust. He chants, then blows wearily towards the creature who is soon enveloped in shimmering glitter. "At least... it can't... go invisible... for now..." he says.

Dropping handy haversack as a move action and casting glitterdust (DC 15) on the floating creature. Assuming that would break Kije's own invisibility, but perhaps the GM thinks otherwise.

If Kiti was able to react to it, he would have tried to use his Mounted Combat feat to try to avoid the trip attempt.

Ride: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23 Doesn't work in any case.

Now a ride check to see if I take any damage when the mount is knocked prone.

Ride: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30 nope

Tiki touches his mount as it stands up, causing the Reduce Animal spell to be dismissed. Kiti: Move, Tiki: Standard

He then calls to it's primal nature, causing his horn to elongate and harden. Tiki: Swift action. Primal Transformation for reach and extra damage.

He then tries to quickly mount his companion.

Ride: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30

Finally, he draws his longbow before moving his mount around to the side of the room. Tiki: Move + free, Kiti: Move.

Izabela grits her teeth in anger.

"I don't care what you think! We just had to go through Hell, Abbadon, and the Abyss to get to this point! Your gods-damned chambers have been the bane of my existence for too long! You die here!"

The vengeance of the Savored Sting courses through Izabela's veins as her whip glows once more Fervor to cast divine favor.

She moves towards the thing and cracks her whip at it! 5' tall, 15' whip, and Lunge for another 5' of reach, so I'll be able to hit this thing!

Whip: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (1) + 24 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17

Facepalm

But Izabela's rage blinds her aim and she goes wide with her whip...

Edmund, seeing the demon appear- releases his hold on Rose- and turns his attention fully on the now visible creature.

He draws his bow, and takes aim at the creature down his bow. He focuses the light of the Starsong against it- before releasing the cold iron arrow toward the flying creature.

+1, DA, Precise, Bane, Cold Iron, Haste, PBS: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 25
Damage, MC +2, Bane, PBS: 1d8 + 5 + 2d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + (2, 1) + 2 + 1 = 17

Free: drop grapple. Move: Draw bow. Swift: Bane, Outsider (Evil) Standard: Attack

Seeing as Rose is no longer trying to move towards the tree, Screech releases her and then moves away from everyone else, for now after the haste hits (if he gets it)
Rose, pulls her bow, takes a 5' step kitty-corner and then shoots at the thing up near the ceiling....

Comp Bow: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

"I'll go melee if it gets near the floor...."

Enora casts an extended HASTE!

Kije dusts the monster with glitter. (this hostile action breaks invisibility, yes)
WILL DC15: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Tiki un-reduces Kiti then swiftly transforms the beast in a primal fashion. He then arms himself with his bow and hops atop Kiti, moving the mount to the other side of the room.

Izabela makes her feelings about this dungeon clear to all, swiftly gets some favor from Calistria, then lunges toward the monster with her whip. Unfortunately, she misses badly.

Edmund lets Rose go, grabs his bow, gets himself swiftly into kill-evil-outsider-mode, and fires a shot at the monster. It connects! But doesn’t feel fully effective.

Screech also lets go of Rose and moves away. She too arms herself with a bow and takes a shot. It connects but seems to not actually hurt the thing.

Laktharis steps 5 feet through the air and snarls as he tries some more magic on Valais. As he does so, the slight wound Edmund gave him seems to start closing.
?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Valais’ expression becomes blank. She then appears to lose control over herself and attacks Kije!
claw 1, haste: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 14 + 1 = 26
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
acid damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
claw 2, haste: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 14 + 1 = 16
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
acid damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
gore, haste: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 14 + 1 = 35
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
acid damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
bite, haste: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 14 + 1 = 22
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
acid damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4
haste attack claw, haste: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 14 + 1 = 34
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
acid damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2
crit? gore, haste: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 14 + 1 = 17
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Enora moves forward and casts ear-piercing scream targeting the outsider above.

The target is dazed for 1 round and takes 3d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 5) = 15 points of sonic damage. A successful DC 16 save negates the daze effect and halves the damage.

Status:
HP 45/45 | Temp HP 21/21 | Spells: 1st: 2/6, 2nd: 2/5, 3rd: 0/4 | Staff charges 2/10 | Reroll 0/1 |Rod of lesser extend: 1/3 | Wand of CLW: 10/10 | Wand of mage armor 3/5 | Bonded item spell 1/1 | Arcane Reservoir: 5/6 | Prescience: 5/6 | Active conditions: Mage Armor, false life, fly, mirror images 5

Forgot a couple things. Enora: who all got Hasted? The cat was too far away but you need to pick 7 targets. I may need to retcon Valais’ actions if you have a plausible reason to exclude her (before now, obviously).

Knowledges re: Laktharis

And I caught the WILL/REF glitterdust thing in an edit, but yes, that was a mistake.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Isn't glitterdust a Will save, not a Reflex?

Izabela shifts her gaze between Valais and the flying demon and curses under her breath--the Varisian is caught between enacting her own vengeance and Valais's struggle! The wasp's abdomen appears once more at the end of Izabela's whip and a wasp once more materializes and lands on the back of her hand as Izabela's clothing tightens to the point that it seems as if her entire...ahem being seems about ready to pop out of her black-and-yellow suit! Spend Fervor to activate Sacred Weapon (for the Vicious weapon quality) and Sacred Armor in the same swift action)

Izabela cracks her whip in the direction of the struggling Valais to get the stitched-demon's attention.

"Valais! Your vengeance is misguided! We are your friends--Thurl is your enemy! Direct your rage not towards us, but towards this creature! It is Thurl's proxy, not Kije!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17 +4 if Valais could be sexually attracted to Izabela (she was once human, so it's possible)

Intent on Laktharis, Edmund's features shift subtly. Small horns appear on his head and strength ripples through his body. He releases arrow after arrow toward the creature.

Steady. Focus.

+1, Rapid, DA, Precise, Haste, Bane, PBS: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 20
Damage, MC +3,PBS, Bane: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 + (3, 6) + 2 = 26

+1, Rapid, DA, Precise, Haste, Bane, PBS: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 13
Damage, MC +3,PBS, Bane: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 + (3, 3) + 2 = 16

+1, Rapid, DA, Precise, Haste, Bane, PBS: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 29
Damage, MC +3,PBS, Bane : 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 + (6, 1) + 2 = 24

Swift: Aspect of the Bull (1 min) +2 Strength (Bow is adaptive). Full Round Attack

Lowering his bow, he whistles and points at Kije.

Free: Command, Flank Kije

Hearing her masters whistle, the black jaguar bristles to life.

Finally time. Taste blood.

She paws into the door and up behind Valais, opposite of Kije. She pulls to a stop, having not yet heard a whistle to attack. She drops into a crouch and a low, guttural growl escapes her mouth.

Kije's not even surprised at this point. Anything that can go wrong will, eh? he thinks with a wry chuckle as he retrieves a scroll from his pouch before stepping away from Valais. Pulling out a bit of gum from his pouch, he chants and fades from view again.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

"Enora!" he calls, "can you put that rhino in the air? Or maybe our dominated friend in a pit - for her own safety, of course? And Rose - don't paladins smite evil things like our flying friend?"

Retrieve scroll of mount from handy haversack, 5 ft step, cast invisibility

Tiki touches Kiti's collar, causing her to grow even larger.

Tiki - Standard: Activate dire collar.

Kiti is now 15 feet tall with a 20 foot reach, so she should be able to attack the flying demon.

Kiti - Full Attack

Gore 1: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25 Damage: 4d6 + 18 ⇒ (3, 5, 2, 2) + 18 = 30
Gore 2: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20 Damage: 4d6 + 18 ⇒ (2, 2, 3, 6) + 18 = 31
Gore 3: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 Damage: 4d6 + 18 ⇒ (1, 5, 1, 5) + 18 = 30

Posting so you have Kiti's current stats.