Cwethan's Siege of the Diamond City (Retrocon! Tier 7-8) (Inactive)

Game Master Cwethan

As Alex flips through the pages she suddenly gets excited.

“Aha! I found the answer.”

She flips the book over to show an illustration on a goaty demon.

“Those things were probably Schirs. Fancy that.”

A great table fills the center of the chamber, surrounded by high-backed leather chairs. Bookshelves fill the walls, each with an eclectic assortment of tomes and papers, some bound in flesh and other unspeakable substances. Doors exit to the north, south and west, and in the southeast corner, a powerful vrock stands forever posed as if ready to attack—this demon did not survive its battle with the taxidermist.

Or so you think at first. Dax is the first to realize that despite its frozen posture, the fiend is very much alive!

Bold may go
Kargen
Styfis
Vrock
Dax
El Garrapata
Alexandra

"It's alive!" Kargen backpedals quickly, drawing a cold iron arrow and firing it at the demon.

Attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 1 = 13

Claw: 1d20 + 13 - 3 ⇒ (16) + 13 - 3 = 26
Damage: 2d6 + 5 + 6 ⇒ (5, 5) + 5 + 6 = 21

The arrow fails to pierce the demon's thick (and possibly formaldehyde-reinforced) hide!

But before Kargen can even loose his shot, the gigantic vulture rakes him with its claws, punishing him for daring to flee before it!

Bold may go
Kargen -21
Styfis
Vrock
Dax
El Garrapata
Alexandra

"Great STUFFED DEMON BIRDS! It is a MIGHTY HUGGER!" Garrapata bellows!

Should the Vrock get an AOO since it hasn't got in combat yet? It should be flat-footed, yes?

I flip the book over to show everyone a page with a big bird demon. It has Combat Reflexes. On another notes we can figure that despite the fact it is stitched together, if it is using feats it’s probably not mindless.

To clarify, the Vrock isn't stitched together - it was just playing statue (and yes, it possesses Combat Reflexes or some other way to make AoOs before its first turn).

Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 15 + 2 = 21
To know about its defenses and specials attacks. The +2 is because its a demon. The action is up to the answer.

Unlike many other demons whose flesh is vulnerable to cold iron, only holy weapons can easily harm Vrocks, as befits their status as profane champions of the Abyss. Additionally, as is common to demons, they are immune to electricity and poison, and resistant to cold, fire, acid and spells in general.

ok, so I use one point of mental focus to enhance his bow with Legacy weapon (Su): Holy.

Then he moves.

The Vrock advances, strange spores showering from its feathers, and lets out a terrifying shriek that hits you in the gut like a fist!

Spore Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Bold may go
Kargen -21, DC 21 Fort or stunned for a round
Styfis Holy Weapon, DC 21 Fort or stunned for a round
Vrock
Dax - DC 21 Fort or stunned for a round
El Garrapata -5, Starting to grow vines, DC 21 Fort or stunned for a round
Alexandra - DC 21 Fort or stunned for a round

I'm growing VINES?!? Sweet!

Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22 Garrapata momentarily looks down at his magnificient plant-luster and cries out "EEGADS, MAN! I AM GROWING LIFE!"

Garrapata decides aggressively hugging is the way to happiness. As a SWIFT action he gains Pummeling Style! He grabs the Vrocker twice!

Greater Grapple vs The Vrock: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (12) + 21 = 33
Greater Grapple vs The Vrock: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (19) + 21 = 40

If the first grapple hits, using the second to pin the vrock!

Fort Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

The Vrock quorks in surprise as El Garrapata quickly wraps it up in his mighty arms!

Bold may go
Kargen -21, DC 21 Fort or stunned for a round
Styfis Holy Weapon,
Vrock - Pinned
Dax - DC 21 Fort or stunned for a round
El Garrapata -5, Starting to grow vines
Alexandra - DC 21 Fort or stunned for a round

The archer takes a five foot and fires arrows against the demon.

Arrow 1: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 10 - 2 = 28

Damage 1: 1d8 + 7 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 7 + (5, 2) = 22

Arrow 2: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 10 - 2 = 28

Damage 2: 1d8 + 7 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 7 + (6, 3) = 18

Conf. crit 1: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 10 - 2 = 10
Conf. crit 2: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 10 - 2 = 11

Fort Save (heroism): 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 2 = 17

Kargen winces and tries to cover his ears at the screeching.

Fort: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29

Dax has no trouble resisting the spore attack, but quickly regroups, taking a step back and summoning water. It pulls itself from the ambient air as Dax charges with energy, before unleashing an extremely powerful Empowered blast of water at the Vrock!

SR: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32
Damage: 5d6 + 1d8 + 17 ⇒ (1, 1, 3, 2, 2) + (2) + 17 = 28 x1.5 = 42

The barrage of watery blasts and blessed arrows carefully hit home in and around El Garrapata's pernicious hold, but the demonic champion continues to struggle!

Bold may go
Kargen -21, disarmed
Styfis Holy Weapon
Vrock -72
Dax - DC 21 Fort or stunned for a round
El Garrapata -5, Starting to grow vines, DC 21 Fort or stunned for a round
Alexandra - DC 21 Fort or stunned for a round

Not that a 15-17 difference was important, but Kargen's heroism has expired unless I missed when you recast it. If you would have put it back up before entering Thurl's lodge, that's fine, just let me know and mark it off.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Alexandra’s eyes dilate and she drops the book to cover her ears.

No worries. He'll recast it with the extend metamagic rod after this encounter.

Escape!: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 15 + 2 = 35

The towering vulture rips its powerful limbs free of El Garrapata's grasp, flapping over to menace Kargen, but will the time it took to do so be its undoing?!

Vines keep on growing: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Bold may go
Kargen -21, disarmed
Styfis Holy Weapon
Vrock -72
Dax
El Garrapata -6, Starting to grow vines, May take an AoO
Alexandra

OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT
The Demon horde has so far failed to get a beachhead into the city, being driven back over and over. They rally for one more attempt in their greatest numbers so far...!

I don't know if I can get any information from the bestiary on demons I was just reading. I can honestly say it's never come up before. Anyway, moving and casting Mind Thrust 2.

Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

"Time for a field test."

vs spell resistance, if needed: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Oh! My nose isn't bleeding this time. Success?

Yes, but it'll take you a few rounds of reading to get the bonus (a la a Pathfinder Chronicle)

The Vrock unleashes another fearsome howl as Alexandra tampers with its mind, but fortunately it doesn't pack the same supernatural oomph as before.

Will: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 2 = 17

Bold may go
Kargen -21, disarmed
Styfis Holy Weapon
Vrock -92
Dax
El Garrapata -6, Starting to grow vines, May take an AoO
Alexandra

Garrapata AoO Punch!: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30 for 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 damage!

Garrapata sees the big demon bird flap away and shakes his head. "Oh no YOU DON'T!" He moves into the room and grabs at the Bird again!

Grapple vs Big Bird: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27

El Garrapata's mighty fist just glances off the Vrock, the force of his blow absorbed by its fiendish resilience, but he's quickly able to catch back up and begins grappling the demon anew!

Bold may go
Kargen -21, disarmed
Styfis Holy Weapon
Vrock -92, grappled
Dax
El Garrapata -6, Starting to grow vines
Alexandra

The archer moves and fires another arrow.

Arrow: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 7 + (4, 4) = 23

Kargen takes advantage of El Garrapata wrapping up the demon to grab the bow he dropped and race around the creature, out of it's reach.

Pick up bow and move. No AOOs since he's grappled.

Dax moves into a position where the Vrock is in view, and then hurls more water at it. The gnome isn't able to gather energy this time, so it's simply a blast of water. Which doesn't require SR, now that I read things.

Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27
Damage: 5d6 + 1d8 + 17 ⇒ (1, 5, 2, 1, 1) + (8) + 17 = 35

The Vrock flails wildly for Kargen, but El Garrapata keeps its claws from reaching the archer. Styfis's arrow gets knocked aside in the scuffle, but Dax finishes off the demon with a last powerful blast!

The Vrock is dead, long live the Pathfinders! What do you do?

I'd like to start by canvasing the room but the vines coming out of El Garrapata might be a problem.

"Umm, Big Blue, are you feeling OK? Those look a bit strange."

Alexandra runs over to the book and frantically flips through it.

"Maybe there is something in here."

Indeed, the vines continue to sprout through El Garrapata's flesh in a quit vexing manner.

Time Reading to get a new check: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Vines: 3d4 ⇒ (3, 4, 3) = 10

You can go ahead and make a new Knowledge (planes) check with the +2 bonus

Kargen -21
Styfis Holy Weapon
Dax
El Garrapata -16, Continuing to grow vines
Alexandra

Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 15 + 2 + 2 = 21

I don't know if I can also do this check. In the doubt I do and you ignore it if I can't do it.

Knowledge, Planes: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 = 15

CLW scroll: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
CMW scroll: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4) + 3 = 10
CLW Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Kargen dusts himself off and uses some of the healing items they found previously. "Ugh, thanks, for the help, El Garrapata."

Garrapata looks fondly down at the green vines erupting from his blue armor. "They are MY LEAFY GREEN CHILDREN! I SHALL LOVE THEM AND TEACH THEM TO FIGHT FOR JUSTICE!" He winces a bit when they break through. "BIRTH HURTS, A LITTLE."

"If you do not wish to expend resources in the future, I have healing at my disposal. It does sap your stamina somewhat, but it does not hurt." Read: Kinetic Healer. I heal you for 6d6+8 and you take nonlethal damage equal to your hit dice that can't be healed except by rest.

Dax also examines the vines to try and figure out a way to remove them without hurting big blue any further. Heal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 = 10

Hah! After reading I somehow know less than I did before.

“This book mentions bird like demons but none of it makes any sense. Looking at it closer, it almost reads like a menu. It lists the creatures parts but doesn’t include anything about vines or that screaming thing. Umm, I’m out of healing so I can’t...oh wait a second. Big Blue, you said you ate your veggies? I have some.”

Alexandra pulls a handful of berries and after placing them on a table, she casts a spell and they turn into small pumpkins.

Good Pumpkins: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

[ooc]Thats 3 point of healing if you eat all 3. That’s all I got. [/b]

No worries! I have my wand still! Garrapata just always wanted to be a Mom...

Garrapata hands his wand over to anyone who can make it magic. 3 charges used!

The good news is that your reading and your more hands on assessments suggest that the vines' aggressive growth will be relatively short-lived.

Damage from the Vines over their Lifespan: 6d4 ⇒ (1, 1, 4, 1, 2, 4) = 13

The crush of battle and the shower of spores make it hard to say for certain, but it does look like this place has been abandoned for at least a few days. The table is bare, but the books in this room are substantially more informative. As far as those of you who can speak Abyssal can determine at least. However, the books don't seem to specialize in the weaknesses or tactics of demons, but rather how to summon them...

Kargen -21
El Garrapata -11 (Including 3 charges and the Good...Pumpkins)

Well the vine will die soon or later. Perhaps we can try to use some holy water on it. It's coming from a demon after all.

2 more charges of my wand, then!

Works for me, which door next?

Kargen healed himself in his previous post. He used the scrolls he looted from the people on the docks (and one charge from his wand).

The archer pulls out his metamagic rod and re-casts the Heroism spell on himself. "How about through that one there, Styfis?"

Missed that - thanks!
Also, we're moving onto the next act soonish, so I'm going to be slightly more aggressive in running with suggestions for questions like "Which Door?"

The door opens easily. Two beds lie opposite one another in this long, narrow chamber. An elaborate portrait of Iomedae hangs from the western wall. The door you've just opened is the only obvious exit.

Dax is the first to spot something rather unnerving though. The eyes of Iomedae have been carefully removed, allowing them to serve as peepholes between the rooms...

The Good Pumkins come from my Elemental Investigator boom. They go great with coffee. On another note it doesn’t look like anyone here can read Abysal. I’ll make a linguistics check to see if I can understand any of it as I gather up Thurl’s books.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Maybe I can find someone who can speak it back at HQ.

I can’t make heads or tails of this stuff. Umm, is anyone else creeped out by this room?

Your profile says you can read it Alexandra :-p

I don’t know if I can facepalm hard enough.

Wait, I was reading it upside down. This...this book is all about summoning demon. This is tainted research, it makes my finger itch touching it. We should bring it back, the Bronze would have it cataloged for future students to learn what paths not to take.

I once forgot to select a) bonus languages and b) bonus spells for my high intelligence. We all goof.