[PFS][RD] The Guantlet -- SPELLS Table (Inactive)

Game Master Andrew Harasty

The summons has come.

From atop the high bluff, the sprawling city of Absalom at your back, your destination looks like nothing so much as an errant pile of rocks and loose boulders. A Siege Castle, they call it, one of an endless number of ruins surrounding the City at the Center of the World, time-lost fortresses of would-be conquerors. In thousands of years, Absalom has never fallen, leaving a scattering of forgotten towers, castles, and keeps strewn at odd intervals like corpses on a battlefield. As you near, the structure’s irregular contours take form. Huge monoliths of old stone form a squat platform about a hundred feet square. Centuries of rubble and debris litter the top of the platform, which levels out twenty feet from the ground. A fallen tower or crumbling rampart rises from the rubble here and there, but the ruin looks beyond hope of restoration, its run-down architecture more a part of the natural landscape than an edifice crafted by the hands of men. But there, at the center of the southern wall, lies the landmark spoken of in your summons—sturdy double doors of bright red metal. The time to test your adventuring skills is at hand. It’s your turn to face the Gauntlet!

Jeras, high blonde elf, stands leaned back on the tree and cleans the nails with one of his knives. So leaned back he listened to the words of others and watches their movements to study them.

Enora, a small female halfling in fine robes looks at all of you with interest.

She walks towards you and says "Oh yes, I am finally here!! Hello, my name is Enora. I assume we are all professionals here!! Might be a good chance to get to know each other. I am from Rahadoum originally and am quite interested in magical phenomena - I hope to have your support in uncovering the secrets of this wonderful world. And I am quite optimistic that we will be successful!" she says cheerfully.

Thoriel is a stunningly beautiful female elf with shimmering violet eyes and long, flowing brown hair. Looking young for her race, perhaps in her mid hundreds, the confident looking girl wears shiny, very well-fitted and fashionably low-cut sparkling silver armor and a fine purple cloak. An extremely sharp looking scimitar is sheathed at her hip. She also sports some impressive jewellery, including a dark black amulet that seems to cling to the skin above her breasts and a jewelled band that she wears on her head.

"Greetings all. Marquise Thoriel Liltamael reporting for duty, although please drop the title, it's mainly for show." Picking up on Enora's lead, she then introduces herself. "Where am I from? Taldan originally, although I've been around so to speak...oh, and yes I expect there'll be secrets in there...and magic...and just about anything else nasty we can imagine. I just hope the place is well maintained. There's nothing worse than a dirty, dank, smelly dungeon to really spoil the mood of a good fight!"

Periel the Pure is a huge young man, about 6`6`` weighting around 220 Pounds. His heritage is not so obvious, as he it only shows in the golden orbs he has for eyes. He has long golden hair cut short, to better fit under a helmet.
While not in combat or working with his caravan, he is dressed in steel coloured long robes of osirian linnen over white cotton trousers and tunic.
In battle he dresses in leather clothes dyed white steel and red under his half-plate.
His trusted Katana of adamantium called Divine Justice is always with him.
If in thoughts he often absentmindly strokes his holy amulet.
"May the holy light illuminate all your travels. My name is Periel."

A human male carrying practically nothing looks at the gauntlet with eyes filled of determination. His muscles are fairly obvious as are the chains wrapped around his arms and legs. "I hear this gauntlet is a great challenge. I look forward to testing myself."

Hi! I am Jeras!

Menas bows to Jeras, "Menas."

An angry looking half-orc enters. He has many tattoos, but the most striking of them is a butterfly that covers his entire face. No matter which direction he turns, or what expression crosses his face, the butterfly looks enraged.

"I am Tull, warpriest of Desna," he intones sullenly. "For too long, the evil-doers of this world have acted with impunity, mocking the meaning and purpose of our Lady. Now, finally, the time has come to repay their scorn and teach them the true meaning of fear. For fear they shall know, be sure of it!" He pounds the table. "They. Shall. Fear. The. Butterfly!"

"If we will have traps in the way, keep in mind that I'm your man for that job."

ROOM 1

The red metal doors open to reveal a richly appointed room lit by lanterns along all four walls. A wide carpet of regal blue hue stretches thirty-five feet across the floor to a pair of deep green metal doors set into the north wall opposite you. Halfway across the room, the carpet branches to the west, where it ends at the foot of a golden door with bright silver hinges. Two man-sized statues of sumptuously armored figures in elaborate masks flank the golden door, the glass lenses of their helmets glimmering in the lantern-light as they stand silent vigil. Along the eastern wall, four broad stairs lead to a wide dais on which rests a long banquet table overlooking the room. Behind the table sit three well-composed figures: a long-haired elf in robes wearing a wistful look, a middle-aged human seated before an open book, and a gregarious bald human with a clipped dark beard and a glint in his eye.

You immediately recognize the seated figures as the three powerful deans of the Pathfinder Society’s academy in Absalom, the honored instructors responsible for training young Pathfinders prior to their Confirmation as formal field agents. From north to south, they are the elf Kreighton Shaine, the Society’s Master of Scrolls; Sorrina Westyr , its Master of Spells; and Marcos Farabellus , its Master of Swords

The red metal doors clang shut behind you, echoing against the sturdy stone walls of the lantern-lit chamber. The woman at the center of the table turns to the massive book before her and reads each of your names, pausing for a moment to look straight into the eyes of each hero as his or her name is called. “Able agents,” she says, “the Decemvirate itself has taken notice of your exploits and adventures, and believes that you are called to further greatness on behalf of the Pathfinder Society. To prove that their trust in your abilities is well founded, they have called upon we three deans of the Pathfinder Society, your former trainers, to administer one final test to you. Your task is to venture north, through the green metal doors, and face the Gauntlet’s challenges and eventually emerge through the gold door to the west. Before you proceed, you may each ask each of your old instructors a single yes-or-no question about the dangers to come, which we are obliged to answer as honestly as possible.”

"Are there traps?"

Enora is flattered.

"I knew it! I just knew it! I am becoming famous!" she says starting to laugh.

"Are there any invisible foes?"

Are there traps

"Yes"

Are there invisible foes

"No"

Demons, devil or undead? What should I ask. Well the first thought is usually the best!"
Periel bows and speaks up."Will there be demons?"

Menas thinks carefully about his options for questions before bowing to the Master of Swords, "Is our success in the Gauntlet vital to any Pathfinder operation?"

He then bows to the Master of Scrolls, "Should we retreat if we are certain of our defeat or death?"

He then bows to the Master of Spells, "Is there a question you want us to ask, but haven't yet?"

Thoriel also ponders her questions. Shall I just go with the simple silver earrings today instead of my dressy sapphire ones?, Do you like what I've done with my hair?, Does my butt look big in this armor?" Hmm, no perhaps she doesn't want honest answers to the more important questions. Instead she decides to just go with something a little less controversial.

"Are there any dragons?"

Will there be Demons?
"No"

Are there any dragons?
"Yes"

The deans smile at Menas and the each answer in turn

Is our success in the Gauntlet vital to any Pathfinder operation?
"No"

Should we retreat if we are certain of our defeat or death?
"Yes

Is there a question you want us to ask, but haven't yet?
"Always, but in the context of the task before you. No"

Nodding Periel looks at the others.
"Let us drink and eat heartely, because tonight we might dine in elysium!"

When you are done asking, feel free to do any other preparations and let me know when you want to open the Green Door

Menas channels ki into his skin, making it much tougher. After that, he is ready to begin the trial.

Barkskin ki power for +4 natural AC.

Enora uses her wand of mage armor on herself. She then casts 'false life'.

False life, temp HP, 7 hours: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

"I am ready!" she says with great excitement.

"Will there be poison?" If yes, Tull will prep and cast before we enter Communal Resist Poison on the group

"Will there be cold?" If the answer re poison above was no, Tull will instead prep Communal Resist Energy, but not yet cast it.

"Will there be fire?"

Purchasing two scrolls from a chronicle sheet: Scroll of Communal Resist Energy (CL 11, 825 gp), a scroll of Dispel Magic (CL 11, 825 gp). Also purchasing a fresh wand of CLW (750 gp). And a wand of Lesser Res (10 charges, 900 gp). He will also purchase a potion of Fly (750 gp)

Turning to his comrades, Tull gruffly notes: "If any of you have any questions left, care to ask about acid or sonic? Or magical darkness? Can't be too prepared for these kinds of things!"

Tull will cast Defending Bone before we enter. And use 1 war spirit pouch to give himself temp hp: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 for 10 minutes.

Tull will also use a chronicle boon: "Monument's Blessing - ONE TIME USE: spend 10 minutes practicing weapon play and then make a DC 20 Intimidate check. If I succeed, cross the boon off and gain +1 morale bonus on attack rolls with melee weapons for 24 hours." Take 10 for 24 on Intimidate to auto-succeed.

"I am ready to go!"

I didn't think of checking my boons, does anyone want to borrow Fossilblight?

Anyone able to cast Enlarge Person on me once or twice?

Will there be poison?
"Yes"

Fire and Cold: "Yes"

Every please update their info on Slide 1

Opening the Green Door:

Room 2

The green metal doors open to reveal a short hallway extending five feet to the north before ending in a billowing curtain of opaque, multi-colored gas. Every few seconds, the gas glows with an inner, largely obscured radiance—first red, then blue, and finally white before the cycle begins anew. The swirling gas makes distance difficult to determine, but perhaps eighty feet away, a wide column of dull green light casts a lugubrious radiance over the chamber.

Menas eyes the gas carefully, "Can anyone check if this is dangerous? Anyway of casting the life bubble spell?"

Jeras looks into the room and tries to spot a trap.

perception for traps: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (17) + 19 = 36

If there is a trap he will try to Disable it.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (1) + 23 = 24

Anyone able to cast Enlarge Person on me once or twice?

”Of course I can enlarge you!“

She casts enlarge person on Tull.

The haze seems to be part of the environment. You can tell that it is both poisonous and flammable. You suspect you could easily set it off from a safe distance. But something is causing the gas to come back in so it would most likely refill after some time. Jeras is not able to see enough to determine how long. At least 30 seconds less than 5 minutes.

Let me know how you will want to set off the room

One of the times I regret taking vow of poverty, my necklace of adaptation would have been very useful here. Is the gas only poisonous to breathe in or is contact enough?

Enora looks at the room and shrugs.

”I would propose to retreat and check each of the other doors first and then decide which one to enter!“

Reminder that Tull cast Communal Resist Poison on everyone when we enetered the dungeon. Can also cast communal Resist Fire if we think its a good idea

Oh right, we are immune to poison right now, smart. @Enora, Menas won't ask for a hit of that mage armor wand, but as a player, I'd appreciate it. My AC is pretty bad without items.

Menas is willing to go scout head first and will do so if we don't hear any other ideas.

Enora sees that Menas is unprotected and acts.

”Menas! After the last two adventures together showed me your selflessness ... well, I am nonetheless surprised that you now are completely without items of power! What is going on?!“ she says while using the wand of mage armor on him.

Jeras enters the room and tries to find some switch or something similar.

perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25 +4 to find traps

Enora sees that Menas is unprotected and acts.

”Menas! After the last two adventures together showed me your selflessness ... well, I am nonetheless surprised that you now are completely without items of power! What is going on?!“ she says while using the wand of mage armor on him.

"There are people in the world that need the gold more than I. The best way to become better is to cultivate your own strength, not the strength of trinkets." Menas says to Enora.

If Jeras doesn't see anything, Menas strides across the hall to the wide column of light to investigate.

Periel follows suit. "Poisons are an evil thing. You have my appreciation Tull!"

Thoriel follows along with the others. "Poison? How crass!"

The Communal Delay Poison keeps everyone safe from the the noxious effects of the room. But that is not all...

Jeras heads in and he makes out a bright red beam of light above the haze of the poisonous cloud, 30 feet off the floor. He can also make out that the bas reliefs are of faces and the beam of light goes between the eyes of the faces across from each other.

Although hazy, you can make out a blue then a white beam further in.

The beams look like they will strike at anyone that would get close, about 10 feet, to them. His study of traps shows that they are linked to the eyes and that if one could shut the eyes, that will turn off the trap. However, you would still have to get up the wall and possible dodge a blast as you get close.

The walls are extremely smooth and are difficult to climb (DC 25 Climb)

Menas starts across the room, but before he steps. Jeras realizes the caustic nature of the carpet. Stepping on the carpeted areas looks exude some acid that would burn those that touch it.

Jeras tries to disable whatever he can or is possible to disable.

disable gas: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (10) + 23 = 33
disable carpet: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (15) + 23 = 38
disable beam of light: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (20) + 23 = 43
disable whatever: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (11) + 23 = 34

After Jeras explains how the traps work with the eye beams, he will try to climb the walls and close the eyes.

Can I roll to jump instead? How high would I need to jump?

GM, would a fly spell on Jeras allow him to access the statues. If yes Enora will cast fly on him.

Let me see if 2 ki points would be enough to make it before you use a fly spell.

acrobatics to jump, take 10: 10 + 50 = 60 That's 15ft straight up, but I'm not sure what my goal is.

The eyes and beems are 30 feet up.

Welp, go ahead and use fly then Enora. I can't make that distance nor can I make the climb check easily.

"Wow, I can fly!" Jeras flies up and tries to disable beam of light.

”Yes, you can fly!! Just get these eyes shut!“ Enora says.

Jeras flies up to the first set.

Ref, Jeras: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22 +2 vs. traps

The Beams shoot out at the rogue, but he deftly evades the first one and shuts the eyes You auto succeed with your skill

Ref, Jeras: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28 +2 vs. traps
Ref, Jeras: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27 +2 vs. traps

He quickly take care of the remaining faces. While dodging the beams

While closing the last one Jeras makes out for metallic serpentine making their way along the floor towards the rest of the party. The move unaffected by the caustic carpet or bothered by the haze.

Alerting the party

Round 1
Conditions: All Delay Poison; Haze Concealment at 10', Total Concealment >10'

Jeras - dmg; fly
Tull - dmg

Serpent Blue - dmg

Periel - dmg

Serpent Yellow - dmg

Menas - dmg

Serpent Green - dmg

Thoriel - dmg

Serpent Red - dmg

Enora - dmg

Bold (Jeras and Tull) may act now, but other can post theirs as well and I will adjudicate if needed.