Chaosorbit's PFS PbP - #8-03: Captives of Toil (Inactive)

Game Master Chaosorbit

”I would cast fly on all who need it. I can haste us and create pits as well!“

Enora uses her wand of mage armor on herself and anybody else who wants a charge.

"Who should carry the wands of Daylight and Greater Invisibility ?
And who should receive the latter?
Should we hold some charges in reserve for a second fight?
We also need to determine who will try to liberate the paladin. I am happy to try, though if it is a spell, Dispel Magic is not always successful. Multiple attempts would be best.
Can we set up a silent Alarm spell or other way to get warning of their approach? That way we could prepare with shorter-duration spells."

Enora thinks for a moment.

"I could also offer a spell so you become more resilient. See what it does with mie."

Enora casts 'false life' on herself: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

EDIT: Just noticed that false life is a personal spell. :-(

"Thank you Enora, but that won't work. Still, I can call upon the protection of the First World if needed.
If nobody can cast Alarm," only Ansha has it, and it would have to be her daily bonded item spell - not worth it "then I could sneak down the corridor and watch, connected by a Message spell." Enora does have that one.
"However, I think the imp is a much better choice for the role of scout, if Impy and Kalangkang agree. The more we know about our foes before the battle starts, the better."
The imp has Invisibility at will, Darkvision, See In Darkness (useful if I cast Deeper Darkness), Detect Magic with +9 Knowledge (Arcana) to find out what spell schools are active on the foes and the paladin, and +31 Stealth (+3 Dex, +8 Tiny, +20 invisible). And Empathic Link. Impy could be watching and scanning the Duergar for quite a while on their way down the tunnel towards us.

"Ranalus, sounds like a good plan. I will cast message on us all and renew it regularly."

Menas tightens the chains along his arms, "You know what I do. I'll aim for the leader."

"I can cast Alarm and I can send Impy to scout. And I will do that."

"Impy, become invisible and find out what the situation is. Inform me about everything you learned."

"Okay, master!"

Impy becomes invisible and flies away.

Good planning all!

Make sure you are all happy with your positions on the map, and let me know if you want to do any other prep.

I'll plan to start the encounters later today. Probably in about 6 hours from the posting of this post.

I'll provide a report from Impy at that time and get us moving. Impy will allow you to time the casting of short duration spells right before they enter.

Who would like a fly spell?!

Ansha will use a charge of the wand of greater invisibility right before the fight starts, and definitely wants a fly spell if Enora can spare it. She'll cast mage armor, shield, protection from evil, and mirror image at the start of the fight as well.

Anybody else needs a spell? One fly for Enora and Ansha? If somebody else can cast haste twice then she can cast more fly spells. Enora also has a rod of extend which those who cast haste could use as I expect the fight to go longer than 10 rounds.

Ranalus will cast Fly and Shield of Faith and use his Feyskinned ability as the Duergar approach.

Kalangkang casts Mage armor on himself.

Enora does not plan to be in melee but if you all cast mirror image then she will cast it extended to 14 minutes with her rod.

Mirror image #: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Impy goes off to scout and begins sending back reports. A dwarf leads 5 duergar in the front. They are moving quickly and seem to fear a conflict with mongrelmen. The rest of the duergar and the captives trail behind in heavy iron they move slowly. The dwarf has an enchantment, abjuration, and evocation magical auras. While duergar cast spells that give them a couple of transmutation auras, and also evocations. The imp let's you know when they are about to arrive. Just as they enter the cavern, the sounds of combat break out in the tunnel, where the mongrelmen have sprung their trap. They duergar are largely caught off-guard and most of the Pathfinders have a jump on them.

Round 1
Map
Ansha - Fly, Gr. Invisibility, mage armor, shield, protection from evil, and mirror image
Wembly -
Ranalus - Fly, Shield of Faith, Feyskinned
Kalangkang - Mage Armor
Enora - Fly, Mirror Image, Mage Armor, false life
Dwarf
Menas Red -
Duergar

All Pathfinder other than Menas Red are up.

The invisible enchantress speaks, seeming to carry on a conversation with someone similarly invisble, in Abyssal. A moment later, a wave of magic washes over the duergar and their suborned dwarven prisoner-cum-ally. With that, she invisibly flies up off the platform and moves slightly forward of her last known position.

Casting Confusion (DC 21) so as to affect all of the enemies. I think targeting the square Yellow is in should get all of them in the area of effect.

As usual, Ansha's Bluff and Sleight of Hand rolls must be beaten to notice she cast a spell, and her Subtle Enchantments feat means that should someone make their save, they only have a 50% chance to notice they made a saving throw.

Bluff: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (4) + 25 = 29
Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Wembly would have cast extended mane armor on self and whiskers. Extended heroism on self.

” Oh boy! Quickly everyone.“ he whispers and casts haste on those nearby.

Whiskers takes to the air ...

Kalangkang casts Spiked pit under 3 Duergars. (40ft deep DC 21 REF for half)

falling damage: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 4, 2) = 17

piercing damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6

The invisible temptress casts her confusion enchantment over the foes. All the duergar and the fallen paladin immediately begin babbling, except for one (Red). Who looks around in a different kind of confusion. As Wembly then hastens himself, Whiskers, Menas Red, Ranalus, and Enora. Suddenly, Old Ironfin's fin can be seen rushing toward the duergar, the mighty bulette crashes through the ruins, chomping at one of the duergar (red) with his savage jaws digging deep into the foe, crumbling rumble falling as he goes, he attacks and then burrows back beneath the earth. Kalangkang then opens up a pit beneath 3 of the duergar, one confused grey dwarf manages to jump to safety (yellow) as the other two fall straight in.

Round 1
Map

Ansha - Fly, Gr. Invisibility, mage armor, shield, protection from evil, and mirror image
Wembly - mage armor, heroism, haste
Ranalus - Fly, Shield of Faith, Feyskinned, haste
Old Ironfin
Kalangkang - Mage Armor
Enora - Fly, Mirror Image, Mage Armor, false life, haste
Dwarf, green Confused
Menas Red - haste
Duergar, red 23 dmg
Duergar, yellow Confused
Duergar, blue 23 dmg,Confused, In Pit
Duergar, purple 23 dmg,Confused, In Pit
Duergar, orange Confused

Pretty good start I think; Ranalus and Enora are up

Means attempts to resist the Haste spell.
fortitude save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Ranalus doesn't know what Ansha did, though he can guess by the babbling. And he doesn't know where she is.
This is why I suggested coordinating our actions...

He moves up, Flying, and casts Murderous Command on Red, using the rod of Echoing Spell. If Red saves, redirect to Yellow. DC 17.

Enora uses her flight speed and the effect of haste to fly forward.

Single move 80 ft.

She activates her staff of ember and shoots two scorching rays at the duergar in yellow.

Scorching ray 1 Touch Fire : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 224d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 4, 1) = 12
Scorching ray 2 Touch Fire : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 224d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 4, 1) = 12

remove your buffs below on the tracker, I assume they looked right -- if not let me know.

Menas Red resists the urge to be magically hasted! Ranalus flies forward, right passed Ansha without even knowing it and casts his spell using his rod, the duergar seems to resist the killing urge; as the spell bounces to the next duergar who also seems to be unaffected, but as he's just babbling, who knows. As Enora, flies up next to Ranalus and hits one of the duergar with consistent scorching rays, both hit in exactly the same spot and look to be the same potency.

The dwarf seems to steady himself and rushes down the steps. Come down here and fight me you bunch of flying cowards! he yells as he waves his warhammer in the air. Double move

Round 1
Map

Ansha
Wembly
Ranalus
Old Ironfin
Kalangkang
Enora
Dwarf, green Confused
Menas Red
Duergar, red 23 dmg
Duergar, yellow 24 dmg, Confused
Duergar, blue 23 dmg,Confused, In Pit
Duergar, purple 23 dmg,Confused, In Pit
Duergar, orange Confused

Menas Red is up

"Coward? Flying? No, you face me. I will free you from your service to the slavers." Menas says as he performs a charging leap, chains rattling as he sails through the air, landing in front of the dwarf. He then lunges out, trying to wrestle the dwarf into submission.

Swift action to increase movement speed to 60ft. Should be enough to get me in range with one move action

grapple: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (9) + 27 = 36+2 if GM applies high ground from a jump.

"I thought you were going after the leader!" Ranalus shouts at Menas in frustration.
A Dispel or two and we'd have the dwarf on our side. Why... it always goes like this, doesn't it?

"Speech is sure sign of leadership. Our friend needs to be restrained regardless." Menas shouts back.

The dwarf is the only enemy that seems to stand out here and I'm only going to keep him busy so that he isn't attack us but also won't get killed.

With a mighty leap Menas Red lands in front of Dornarnus and quickly wraps him up in a grapple.

The only duergar not confused, moves out onto the walkway and fires a crossbow at Enora. But the shot misses. Come on you wastes! Attack them.

One responds (yellow) , stumbling forward and firing his crossbow at Ranalus, narrowly missing.

Meanwhile in the pit, one duergar just babbles, while another throws himself against the spikes. The furthermost duergar back draws his warhammer and smacks himself in the head, as he teeters on the edge of the pit, somehow managing not to fall.

Round 2
Map

Ansha
Wembly
Ranalus
Old Ironfin
Kalangkang
Enora
Dwarf, green Confused, Grappled
Menas Red
Duergar, red 23 dmg
Duergar, yellow 24 dmg, Confused
Duergar, blue 23 dmg,Confused, In Pit
Duergar, purple 32 dmg,Confused, In Pit
Duergar, orange 5 dmg, Confused

Pathfinders are up (except Menas Red)

Ranalus tries to Dispel what he assumes is a Dominate Person spell on the dwarf. If that spell isn't on him, the Dispel is wasted.

Dispel: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
No luck.

Ansha invisibly flies nearer to the central platform.

The melodic elven voice starts another conversation with a similarly-unseen interlocutor in Abyssal. A moment later, and the unconfused duergar feels the overwhelming urge to rend his clothing and himself, gnashing his teeth in remorse at his own actions. Casting Terrible Remorse on Red duergar. DC 21. If he succeeds on his save, he is still Staggered for 1 round and takes a -2 penalty to AC.

As usual, Ansha's Bluff and Sleight of Hand rolls must be beaten to notice she cast a spell, and her Subtle Enchantments feat means that should someone make their save, they only have a 50% chance to notice they made a saving throw.

Bluff: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (14) + 25 = 39
Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Wembly urges Whiskers to fly closer.

Let's see what else they've got going, buddy.

Ah, there is one with attitude.

He casts grease on yellow's crossbow (DC17 to avoid)

While Whiskers will ready to attack anything that can somehow reach them flying 30' above the lower ground area.

Kalangkang casts and hits red Duergar with 4 magic missiles.

damage: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 1, 1, 2) + 4 = 12

Impy, seeing his master, use his wand of magic missile and shoot the same enemy.

damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Enora casts 'ear piercing' scream on the duergar in yellow.

The target is dazed for 1 round and takes sonic damage: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 5) = 12. A successful save negates the daze effect and halves the damage.

Sorry slow to update, busy day

Ansha secretly casts another spell on one of the duergars, he manages to resist, but is left staggered and drops his guard.

Wembly casts grease, on another of the duergars, the greasy weapon is to hard to handle and he drops his crossbow. While, Whiskers readies an attack.

Ranalus casts dispel magic on the grappled dwarf, but it seems to have no effect.

Old Ironfin reappears and bites at the (red) duergar. Already weakened, the bulette takes a big chunk out of the grey dwarf.

Kalangkang then hits the same duergar with magic missiles; and when Impy hits it with the magic missile wand the duergar drops.

Enora casts her sonic spell on another newly disarmed duergar, who manages to minimize the effects.

The dwarf Paladin doesn't resist the grapple and only babbles incoherently.

Round 2
Map

Ansha
Wembly
Ranalus
Old Ironfin
Kalangkang
Enora
Dwarf, green Confused, Grappled
Menas Red
Duergar, red 65 dmg -dead
Duergar, yellow 30 dmg, Confused
Duergar, blue 23 dmg,Confused, In Pit
Duergar, purple 32 dmg,Confused, In Pit
Duergar, orange 5 dmg, Confused

Menas Red is up. Also wasnt sure what the blue spell area was??

"Hard to have a conversation." Menas says as he hangs on to the dwarf. "The dwarf may just be playing his part; if we kill the Duergar he should realize we're on his side." Menas says as he casually holds down the dwarf

Swift action to enter kraken style.
move action to maintain defensively: 1d20 + 27 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 27 + 7 - 4 = 48

This confusion sure is making the Duergar have a tough time. Also, the dwarf has to attack me since I attacked him while he was confused, he doesn't need to roll. "Any confused character who is attacked automatically attacks its attackers on its next turn, as long as it is still confused when its turn comes".

You are quite right Menas Red, he should have attacked you..I botched that, easy enough to retcon. Not sure what your AC is right now?

Dornarnus swings his warhammer at Menas Red, who's detaining him, he manages to connect. Menas Red easily keeps hold of the wayward potential ally. The duergar who dropped his greasy crossbow, begins to move down the stairs drawing his warhammer, he points it at Enora and manages a few mumbles. Umph, I'ma umph!

One duergar (blue) begins to climb up the side of the pit, he makes some progress. While the other in there with him takes a swing at him as he tries to escape, he narrowly misses. Once more the duergar standing by the pit smacks himself in the head, but somehow still doesn't fall into the pit.

Round 3
Map

Ansha
Wembly
Ranalus
Old Ironfin
Kalangkang
Enora
Dornarnus, green Confused, Grappled
Menas Red 10 dmg
Duergar, yellow 30 dmg, Confused
Duergar, blue 23 dmg,Confused, In Pit, climbing
Duergar, purple 32 dmg,Confused, In Pit
Duergar, orange 12 dmg, Confused

Everyone can post, Dornarnus will attack Menas Red, but I can roll that after Menas's post.

Ranalus flies a bit and casts his second Murderous Command on Red (DC 17), redirecting to Yellow with Echoing Spell if the save is made.

AC is 23 while I'm grappling defensively.

Menas, seeing the close target, decides he can detain the dwarf while helping kill the slaving Duergar. "You're coming with me." he says to the dwarf.

move action to maintain to drag defensively: 1d20 + 27 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 27 + 7 - 4 = 40
He drags the dwarf along as he goes after the Duergar.

grapple Duergar on the stairs: 1d20 + 27 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 27 - 4 = 29 6 damage on a success
rapid grapple to deal damage: 1d20 + 27 - 4 - 4 - 5 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 27 - 4 - 4 - 5 + 7 = 30
damage to Duergar: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Menas takes the dwarf and uses him as a club to smash into the Duergar, getting them both tangled up with only Menas in control of the tangle.

Kalangkang casts again 4 magic missiles on Yellow.

damage: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 2, 3, 3) + 4 = 16

Impy does the same.

damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Wembly watches as the chaos of the battlefield unfolds

”It seems these duergar are taking care of themselves. “

he delays figuring red and blue will cancel each other in confusion . Orange will likely end up with them.

”Where is Ironfin? “

Ranalus - red is dead, so will target yellow, You are using Bouncing Spell, not echoing correct? If so then bounce to orange.

Wembly holds position ready to act, he looks around for Old Ironfin, and spots the dorsal fin, it seems Old Ironsfin can burrow, emerge and attack, and then burrow back into the earth with great skill. Ranalus gives one of the duergar a murderous command, it eyes the grappled dwarf with ill intent.

It's then Old Ironfin emerges again. It pushes through the rear tower and as it does, the tower collapse sending rumble flying beneath it and making the entire cavern rumble shake. When the bulette appears its at the back of the chamber, attacking from the rear. It's bite missing the duergar, it then burrows below again.

Kalangkang and Impy continue there magical missile barrage.

As Dornarnus continues to fight back against Menas Red, bashes the monk once more with his warhammer. Menas drags him toward the stairs and slams into the descending duergar. They both become tangled and in all the squeezing the duergar (Yellow- Dead) suddenly goes limp.

Round 3
Map

Ansha
Wembly Delay
Ranalus
Old Ironfin
Kalangkang
Enora
Dornarnus, green Confused, Grappled
Menas Red 23 dmg
Duergar, yellow Dead - 72 dmg, Confused
Duergar, blue 23 dmg,Confused, In Pit, climbing
Duergar, purple 32 dmg,Confused, In Pit
Duergar, orange 12 dmg, Confused

Ansha and Enora are up.

Enora moves forward and readies an action to throw a fireball with her staff of embers should a greater force of duergar emerge from the tunnels.

"I think Menas has everything under control. I will concentrate on the tunnels to be able to use area spells should others appear in large numbers." Enora says.

Yes, that was Bouncing Spell, my mistake.

The flying, invisible enchantress flies over to get a better view down the tunnel the duergar entered from.

Ansha flies to get a better look. As dark as it is down the tunnel, she can only see a few forms. But by the sound of it they are engaged in combat. Mongrelmen v. Duergar. Enora readies to launch a fireball.

The duergar who was climbing leaps back down upon the other duergar in a retaliatory attack. He misses the attack, only damaging himself on the spikes. The other duergar in the pit only babbles. The last topside duergar looks around for Old Ironfin to attack, but not seeing him finally topples into the pit, failing hard down on the spikes.

Round 4
Map

Ansha
Wembly
Ranalus
Old Ironfin
Kalangkang
Enora
Dornarnus, green Confused, Grappled
Menas Red 23 dmg
Duergar, blue 34 dmg,Confused, In Pit, climbing
Duergar, purple 32 dmg,Confused, In Pit
Duergar, orange 35 dmg, Confused
Duergar, yellow/red - Dead

Pathfinders are up

Do you all want me to call this fight? 3 confused duergar's in a spiked pit; and the dwarf grappled into submission.

I am fine with calling it. 3 confused-lock in pit is brutal

Wembly shrugs

delay until more duergar/foes arrive

Yes, I think calling it is reasonable. The dwarf isn't going anywhere if pinned, just a question of how many Dispels it takes to un-enchant him.
Ranalus uses his Pearl of Power to recall Murderous Command.

On principle, I dislike calling fights, if only because I/Ansha think(s) confusion is absolute hilarity.

The invisible enchantress cackles maniacally as she sees the work she has wrought. Somehow, when she does it, it sounds good--less old crone, more succubus.

Delay.