GM TOP #5-S: Siege of the Diamond City lvl 3-4 (Standard, Retrocon) (Inactive)

Game Master Pete H.

Tears come to his eyes as he is overwhelmed by all the healing support he is receiving. "I was really hurtin' from that demon magic, but it's so good t' have so many people caring about ole Gordy to get him fixed up.". Gordy slams one of the potions the group found earlier.

CLW potion: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
He does have his own wand, but he'd need someone else to use it on him.

Seeing the demon appear on the roof, Gordy gathers all the humidity he can out of the air, forming it into a holy symbol of Sarenrae and chucking it at it.

Kinetic Blast, long range: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 1 = 26
Magic, Blunt: 2d6 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (5, 6) + 9 + 1 = 21

Planes: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

"Have to keep the demon's attention away from the obvious ritual circle..." Torsten mutters under his breath as he huffs and puffs up to the demon, just about reaching him thanks to the Enlarge potion carried by those very helpful bandits.

to hit, bless, bard: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
cold iron axe realness, bard: 2d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7, 8) + 4 + 1 = 20

The demon is 15 ft up on top of the roof of that building. I'm fine with leaving Torsten's attack as a readied action if it comes into range if that is acceptable.

Immunities: Electricity and Fire (and I'll give you that it has Spell Resistance 16 since you'll find out soon enough). Special Attacks: breath weapon (20-foot line of boiling blood, 5d6 fire damage, Reflex DC 17 half, usable every 1d4 rounds), Flaming (+1d6 fire) weapon, Smoke Breath (5 ft aura).

Torsten moves forward and readies to strike the beast if it comes down off the roof.

Gordy summons a blast of solid water, striking the beast solidly in the chest. It doesn't do as much damage as he hoped but still definitely hurt (DR).

Taniian vs. Spell Resistance DC 16 + Elven Magic: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 2 = 23

Taniian summons up orbs of magic, sending them towards the demon. Both orbs slam hard into flesh, the beast almost seems surprised to be effected by such a spell.

Rounds 7 Bless is up!
Torston (readied?)
Flip & Big Sky (Big Sky Guidance)
Gordy (-4)
Taniian (Heroism)
Guy
Dana
Enemy Thing (-26)

Bold May Act!

Knowledge Planes+Monster Lore: 1d20 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 3 = 22 Any spell-like abilities?

Longbow+Bless: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 1 = 21
Cold Iron Arrows: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Flip shoots from where he and Big Sky were on the ground, having cast the spell on Torsten.

Ride, Guide with Knees: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

And he and Big Sky take off into the air after his shot!

“Watch out, it can projectile vomit blood! Attacks carry the heat as well!”

Moving Dana into delay to keep things moving.

Flip drills the demon with his arrow, at least showing that Cold Iron has some effect against this one too. Flapping into the air, Big Sky again shows how awe inspiring she is.

The demonic presence decides to avoid the straining massive dwarf itching to take a hack out of its side. Clomping along the roof it gets to the edge and...

...just keeps walking, seemingly on the air. Footsteps leaving flame-prints in their wake that quickly fade. Then he turns and almost like he is coasting down on a set of invisible stairs he moves up next to Taniian, glowering down at the smaller humanoid who struck him with magic. (double move that just barely manages to stay out of Torsten's range)

Taniian has a Fort DC 17 save or is sickened, this is a supernatural and poison effect.

Kreighton Shane gags and withdraws from the beast, "oh god that stinks! Can you all kill it already and drag it out of my circle please?"

Delayed
Dana

Round 8 Bless is up!
Torston
Flip & Big Sky (Big Sky Guidance)
Gordy (-4)
Taniian (Heroism, DC 17 Fort Save)
Guy
Enemy Thing (-29)

Bold May Act!

Fort Save with Heroism vs DC 17: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 2 = 24

"I'll do my best, boss."

Wishing he had not inhaled to answer, Taniian defensively casts Ray of Frost into his weapon.
cast defensively vs DC 15: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

He then lashes out with his current weapon to deliver the spell and another blow, besides.

MW CI Elven Thornblade attack during spell combat + Heroism: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 9 - 2 + 2 = 23
Potential piercing/slashing/cold iron damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Ray of Frost cold damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

MW CI Elven Thornblade attack during spell combat+Heroism: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 - 2 + 2 = 14
Potential piercing/slashing/cold iron damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Guy is singing, should I add Inspire Courage to these rolls?

Continuing his song, Guy fires at the monster and then backs up so others can get closer.

+1 darkwood composite shortbow, Inspire Courage, Point Blank, Bless: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 14
Cold Iron arrow, Piercing damage, Inspire Courage,Point Blank: 1d6 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 8

Taniian, yup if you know a buff is up it's best to add it to your own rolls. It cuts down on the stuff I have to catch and ensures the buff actually gets applied. I'll add it this time for sure though.

Taniian easily ignores the ghastly stench and without even blinking channels a spell through his blade, discharging a flash of cold with a stab into the beast from his Rapier. Surprised that the spell seems to not effect the beast (Cold Resist), he completely misses his followup poke.

Guy fires an arrow that misses wide, but continues his inspiration for the group as he darts back out of the way for his allies to move in.

Delayed
Dana

Round 8 Bless & Inspire Courage are up!
Torston
Flip & Big Sky (Big Sky Guidance)
Gordy (-4)
Taniian (-1, Heroism)
Guy
Enemy Thing (-32)

Bold May Act!

Gordy attempts to cover the demon's sword in slippery sea foam Reflex DC 16, no SR, then moves towards one of the creature's flanks, hoping to box it in.

The demon drops his sword, though he seems a bit confused as to why. (missed by 1...)

Gordy gets a whiff of the abyssal scent as he gets close enough to the beast. (Fort DC 17 save or sickened)

Edit: Forgot about a special ability!

As Taniian's one successful stab hits the creature, blood sprays from the wound, burning the elf's flesh with 1d4 ⇒ 1 fire.

"Ouch. Try to avoid its blood as well. This really is a foul creature."

I meant to take a 5ft step back, guess I was too distracted by the cold resistance and the blood spray. The moment is gone.

The demon is 15 ft up on top of the roof of that building. I'm fine with leaving Torsten's attack as a readied action if it comes into range if that is acceptable.

I figured since I'm Large myself and have 10ft reach that I could reach him.

Longbow: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 1 + 1 = 28
Cold Iron Arrows: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

"Hey, Bad Breath.... So why do you keep spttiing up boiling blood? Is that indigestion, or merely a lack of manners? Well, whatever it is... we do not need you befouling this place. Begone!"

I know it doesn't make a ton of real world sense sometimes, but I've been unable to find any rule that indicates how to handle things vertically differently than horizontally so I just treat it the same way. 10 ft up is just like 10 ft away, same with 15 ft up is like 15 ft away. Large gives you 10 ft reach both up and away. Also, 17 would have missed anyway so not knowing how I handle that stuff didn't result in harming the group.

Torsten is up!

Mouthing a quick prayer that it won't disrupt the ritual, Torsten steps over the small elf to put himself between Shaine and the critter.

to hit, bless, bardic, flank: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

He's momentarily distracted because he almost knocks over an important-looking candle, but after wobbling for a while the candle miraculously settles back in place. Torsten is inspired.

Lucky number!: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24
cold iron axe realness, bardic: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (3, 5) + 5 = 13

Torsten clomps through the circle and after a close call, brings his axe down in a hard slashing motion. Fiery blood sprays from the wound for 1d4 ⇒ 1 damage.

Flip sends another arrow towards the beast, striking it hard.

The demon steps back and appears to be wretching, but instead of bile it is a GOUT OF FLAME!!! He turns and it sprays all over Taniian, who tries to duck the worst of it.

Taniian 5d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 6, 2, 2) = 16 Fire damage, Reflex DC 17 for 1/2.

Delayed
Dana

Round 9 Bless & Inspire Courage are up!
Torston (-1)
Flip & Big Sky (Big Sky Guidance)
Gordy (-4)
Taniian (-1, Heroism)
Guy
Enemy Thing (-51)

Bold May Act, FINISH IT!

Guy continues his song as he moves behind Taniian. He then attempts to shoot past his compatriot at the demon.

+1 darkwood composite shortbow, Inspire Courage, Point Blank, Bless: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 28
Cold Iron arrow, Piercing damage, Inspire Courage,Point Blank: 1d6 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 8

Reflex save with Heroism vs DC 17: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 2 = 26

Aware that everything from this demon is nasty and dangerous, Taniian quickly and nimbly ducks the flame but is still singed by it.

"This has to stop, vile creature."

Having little hope the positive energy will be effective but with few other viable options, Taniian once again casts Disrupt Undead and tries to deliver it via his weapon.

MW CI Elven Thornblade attack during spell combat + heroism+IC: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 9 - 2 + 2 + 1 = 30
Potential piercing/slashing/cold iron damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Disrupt Undead positive energy+IC: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

potential critical confirmation: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 9 - 2 + 2 + 1 = 18 Lucky number bonus +2 = total to confirm 20
potential critical piercing/slashing/cold iron damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
potential critical positive energy damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

MW CI Elven Thornblade attack during spell combat + heroism+IC: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 9 - 2 + 2 + 1 = 19
Potential piercing/slashing/cold iron damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Perhaps foolishly but in the heat of the moment, Taniian forgets to cast defensively.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

"Aye, ye' a stinky beasty, ye are! Reminds me of me' ole shipmate Merke Greentoes when he'd take his boots off. Only one way to cure a stink like that. Take a BATH!"

Gordy slams a the demon with two fist fulls of water.

Kinetic Blade: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 21
Blunt, magic: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 1) + 7 = 11

If Torsten or Flip can hit the demon (AC 18) for any damage, Taniian won’t have to worry about the AoO.

Longbow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Cold Iron Arrows: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Flip pouts as his arrow goes sailing off in entirely the WRONG direction.

"Hey, when I said I was Flip the Lucky, I did not specify what type of luck, now did I?"

Torsten mutters, half joking maybe, it's kinda hard to tell as he also seems to be concentrating on lining up a blow on the (relative to him) small and nimble demon. "M'colleague Taniian, please remember the flanking lessons I'm sure the master of blades taught you.. there was a whole chapter about large and medium allies flanking..."

to hit, bless, bard: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

"GOTCHA"

cold iron slashing, bard: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (7, 2) + 4 = 13

Torsten takes advantage of his reach to try to not get splashed with any more boiling blood.

Taniian responds to Torsten, "You are correct dear friend. I am afraid I let my reaction to this vile creature vomiting flame over me carry me past sense or clear thinking. I have much to learn and certainly need more practice working as part of a team. In that, being a Pathfinder is providing ample opportunity."

To Flip he adds,"Flip you have brought much good luck to us. You are just so generous with sharing it that sometimes it is not there when you, yourself need it."

I’ll get a summary post up tomorrow but you have completed this encounter and it has been reported. Would you like to stay in this district or swap? Eglesee is the lowest success district at the moment.

Guy ends his song and then congratulates the team.

“Well done, everyone! I’m glad we were able to destroy those things!”

He then helps anyone who has a wand they need operated.
CLW is on his list. He does have UMD for other wands, but it isn’t great.

Taniian happily accepts Guy's offer of assistance and hands over his wand of Cure Light Wounds. "If you would do the honours, I'd be most grateful. Feel free to use it on any of our party in need."

Taniian’s CLW Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Taniian’s CLW Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Anyone else who wants to can roll it themselves.

"Thank you, my friend."

Flip taps Taniian with his lucky wand!
Taniian's Lucky Number: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Then he picks up and quickly refolds his dropped net.

With a final slash, Torsten cleaves the demon in half and with a puff of smoke it disappears back to its home plane. You think you hear it cursing you as it fades, "damn kids and their cold iron! ARGHHHHHhhhhhhhhh....."

Current Status
Torston (-1)
Flip & Big Sky
Gordy (-4)
Taniian (-1, Heroism)
Guy
Dana

_________________________________________________

The group works it's way back towards the center of town, watching out for ways to help citizens or kill demons. They don't run into anything so pop into the Starrise Spire for a tactical update and are immediately met by a servant who comes up to the group, “thank the gods I have found you! Venture-Captain Jorsal tasked me with finding some experienced agents, and it appears I am blessed with you. Jorsal is trying to mobilize as many Pathfinders as he can, and needs the assistance of Venture-Captain Thurl. I’ll direct you to his lodge, but please find him. Or at the very least, find out where he might be!”

If you head to VC Thurl's Lodge (this is in Eglesee District), Heroism will still be up but Mage Armor on Big Sky will need to be recast. I'll have a post up soon as to what you find at the address given.

Thurl’s Lodge is a modest structure that lies in the Egelsee district of Nerosyan. Publicly touted as a contract site for cut-rate mercenaries, the building rarely seestvisitors from the crusader host. A single front door allows for access to the structure, and no other doors or windows exist. The building is surrounded on both sides by other buildings—a blacksmith and a local brewery—preventing any other means of entry or view into the lodge. (Maps page 1)

There will be a decent chunk of door checking, opening and room checking to be done here. To speed things up, you all are welcome to establish a Standard Operating Procedure.

Dana will recast mage armor on big sky and anyone who wants via the wand.

I would suggest the GM rolls Perception for all of us as we look around and that I detect magic and examine the surroundings. We use the standard marching order.

Kn arcana if needed : 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Flip casts Lucky Number on Torsten again!

Lucky Number: 1d20 ⇒ 8

"Interesting number. You could use it to hit harder."

You could use it for a +2 on an 8 damage die, or a to hit roll...

"Thank you for the protection spell on Big Sky!"

Lodge Entrance

Torston: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Taniian: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

Finding no obvious dangers or magic and the door appears to be unlocked, Taniian pulls it open and Torsten bursts inside to look around.

A clock rests against the western wall of this reception area. A desk covers the northeastern section of the room, behind which sits an empty chair. Doors exit to the east and north.

The room is ominously quiet... the group's footfalls and the clock ticking sounds very loud in everyone's ears.

Taniian heads to the desk to look for clues.

Dana again raises an eyebrow.

”You do not need to thank me flip! This is just what I do! Magic?!“ she says grinning.

Taniian moves in and hops deftly over the wrap around desk, pulling open a couple drawers. He finds... 3 quills, 1 inkpot and 10 blank sheets of paper.

Dana looks inside the room, scanning for magic. She finds some!!!

After focusing for a bit she discovers that the only magic auras in the room emanate from her allies.

The ceiling is low, and while one could still fly it would require a hover check and would not be out of reach of any small sized or larger enemy (if said thing existed).

”Nothing special here? Let me look too if the doors are trapped!“

Perception : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

While Taniian is checking out the desk, Guy looks at the clock — trying to figure out if it conceals something.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

If he doesn’t find anything, he suggests “Let’s try to the east!”

Flip easily climbs on the desk and looks around from the high ground. Big Sky is happy to hop along the floor at Dana's speed. "Alright, the east it is!"

Gordy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12
Torsten: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Taniian: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Dana can clearly see that to her, there are absolutely no dangers with the doors, though wait... that one tiny little... right there! A SPLINTER! She carefully warns Taniian before he opens the door.

Guy, wow. Guy finds that the clock is 2 minutes slow. How does he know this? One may never actually know.

Save some of those 20's for combat!

The door appears untrapped and unlocked. Taniian avoids the splinter and pulls open the door while Torsten rushes through to confront...

...a chair. Dominating the eastern edge of this room is a long bench. Two sturdy chairs stand beside a wooden table near the center of the room; a thin layer of dust covers them. A bookshelf lies on the northern edge, prominently displaying books on the history of Mendev and the Worldwound. There is a single closed door exiting to the north.

Magic as usual. Then more detail. Then... the same stuff Dana saw last time carried by her allies.

Torsten remains grim as usual. "Just because nothing is trying to scratch our face off yet doesn't mean everything is alright. There should have been people here meeting us, or Thurl should have reported in to the Starrise Spire. Something isn't right here."

Gordy attempts to remain optimistic. "I like that nothing's bite our faces off yet. Maybe they decided we were too big a bite for them to swallow and they scampered back to the Worldwound where they belong."

"Well I'd like that too. Especially since I'm probably the first one whose face will get bitten off." And yet that thought almost seems to cheer him up.

“No signs of any violence or destruction. No signs of anyone leaving in a hurry.” Guy notes as he looks around.

“I agree, something isn’t right here!”

Looking towards the north door, he asks “Shall we proceed, or do people want to search here?”

OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT
Despite the Demons attempting to take control once again and arriving in greater numbers, the host of Pathfinders is battering them back as quickly as they arrive. The Pathfinders are delivering victories at an astonishing rate, particularly in the Confluence and Outer districts!

"Aye, lets's keep moving, full speed ahead!"

"I have a certain itch between my shoulder blades that also makes me think there is a trap or nasty surprise nearby. Let's keep moving though remain cautious and prepared."

Paranoid pathfinders! I never... :}

Gordy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
Torsten: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Taniian: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

The three up front take a careful look at the door for dangers, including listening for any sounds. Nothing is noticed or heard and the door is unlocked. The chairs and table are moved out of the way to provide space for everyone to take their positions and Taniian whips the door open, Torsten bursting through into...

... a large room. 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.

Dana steps up to scan the room while Torsten guards against threats. As usual, magic is detected in front of her. As the aura's refine themselves, she speaks a word of concern saying that there appear to be two spells, both quite powerful. As the sight continues to refine, she locates that the spells are both on the taxidermied Vrock in the corner.

K: Arcana 2nd spell: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Not figuring out one of the spells, she quickly yells out the identity of the second one as being "Animate Object on the Vrock!" right before the lifeless demon object comes to life, joints swinging out threateningly towards Torsten. (nice work, no surprise round for it!)

Round 1
Flip & Big Sky
Torsten
Guy
Gordy
Taniian
Animated Vrock
Dana

Bold may act, Gordy and Taniian tied, but no real reason to roll off since they act in the same block.