GM Abraham's Emerald Spire

Game Master Abraham Z.

Yanda sends the wasps down into the pit to duel the vipers and easily fights of the last dregs of the poison.

fort ST vs. poisons: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20; +2 vs. poisons, +1 vs. water/cold/earth/acid, +1 vs EX abilities of reptilian humanoid

"Now THAT was unpleasant. I'm going to have some very bad dreams for a while. I could see those things latching on and couldn't do a dang thing about it!"

Hurrah! Now I'll call this fight over. Great job everyone with a fight that had the potential to be really bad. Going into it I was definitely concerned that it had real TPK potential.

Regarding the wasps and the snakes dueling it out, it occurs to me that I've never seen two swarms fighting with each other. It could be an interesting fight - the wasps do 2d6 base dmg vs the snakes' 1d6, but the snakes are immune to poison and the wasps somehow are not. Also, realistically, Yanda's wasps will dissipate before either swarm is killed. But never mind, it's easy enough to imagine that you drop a bomb or two down there to vanquish the snakes (thus also enabling you to retrieve the six death masks decorated with jewels, worth 2,000 gp in total, that are for some reason kept at the bottom of the pit!

There is one remaining room of this level but I'm strongly inclined to hand wave it - it's just a few mook sentries that wouldn't have a chance against all of you. I'm not sure why the are even included at all - I'm guessing that the author had an xp budget and had a few more points that he still needed to spend but even if that's the case, I wish he would have just made one of the earlier fights a bit more interesting. In any case, unless someone really wants to follow up that titanic battle with a fight against a couple of CR 2 ogrekin and a single CR 3 quickling, this is the end of level 7, The Shrine of the Awakener!

With the demise of Sartoss and Sanaz (the priest and prophetess of Kro'akoth, respectively), an eerie calm and quiet descends upon the shrine of the awakener. Once the pathfinders are able to catch their breaths they determine that the mosaic behind the shrine is a gate. It’s decorated with pieces of green glass cut from the Emerald Spire, and once you have a chance to review Sartoss' library it's clear that he has been using it to gate in creatures from the Abyss.

In the final room of the level (map updated) four stone pillars support the lofty ceiling of this chamber, each patterned like writhing serpents. Between two of the pillars is a large hammock. The room was once beautiful, but is befouled with piles of garbage, bones, and excrement in every corner. There are a few guards (two ogrekin and a single quickling) who somehow managed to not come to the aid of their master and mistress despite the loud retort of gunfire and other mayhem that unfolded just on the other side of the door. They run off down the stairs shrieking in alarm as soon as the pathfinders appear and are never heard from again.

This is the conclusion of level 7, though of course please feel free to post any RP, as well as an in or out of character questions you may have. Well done!

Tofang is so relieved that it is over.

"My ... my dear friend, my little dog, died but ... but I am glad that you my Pathfinder companions survived! We really were up against an evil bunch of lunatics here!" the little Wayang says.

He spends some time to investigate everything thoroughly and record all the findings for their final report!

"I'll say. This place get's stranger and stranger the deeper we delve. If we aren't puking all over ourselves, we are being bitten by a mound of snakes."

Yanda gives a hearty shudder.

"No, not a nice place to bring a pet."

Uhvat turns to Yanda. "Apologies for leaving you in the pit. I feared what the spellcasting snake creature could do. I'm glad you came out not much worse for the wear." He looks somewhat abashed.

As the Naga collapses, Kala does so as well, burying her face into Stinky's rough fur. "You're such a good boy!" She leans against him as he recovers from his rage and weakly suggests to the group: "I can start healing you now, if you hand me the wand. Definitely going to buy my own once we get back."

Assuming we'll have to wait quite a while for the paperwork/clearance to do the next level, we may just be able to sleep it off.

Once she's feeling better, Kala sheepishly looks to Yanda. "I wanted to toss you a rope so badly, but... Glad you were able to fly outta there."

She gives a solemn nod to Uhvat next. "I was worried about that priest. As long as we're on the same team, I won't be so worried about spellcasters anymore."

Finally, turning to Tofang, Kala's expression clouds over with grief. "I'm so sorry about your dog. He was such a good boy." She puts her hand on his shoulder. "I'll carry him out of here. He deserves better than this place."

Uhvat turns to Yanda. "Apologies for leaving you in the pit. I feared what the spellcasting snake creature could do. I'm glad you came out not much worse for the wear." He looks somewhat abashed.

"Well, it did work out in the end so I suppose you made the right decision. Obviously I need to find some way to counter spells like that."

After a leisurely sojourn back at Fort Inevitable, or as leisurely as is possible under the stern gaze of the (sorry) inevitable hellknights, the pathfinders return back to the depths of the Spire.

Descending down the stairs from the ruins of their last battle against Sartoss, the crazed priest of Kro'akoth the Awakener, they finally reach a small chamber.

Across this small chamber from the ascending staircase (The one you've just come down), another staircase winds down into darkness (taking you to level 9 if you want to challenge yourselves...). Off to one side is a calm pool of murky water with a pedestal in its center. Atop the pedestal, a golden serpent idol grasps an emerald in its fangs.

Map updated.

”Are you guys already excited?!?“ he asks the team when they descend.

Tofang moves forward to the golden serpent idol.

”What do we have here?! Looks valuable!?“ he asks.

Yanda descends the stairs warily, a mutagen clutched in one hand ready to be downed, a vial of acid in the other, ready to be thrown.

"Well, excited is not exactly the word I would use. This place has been very unkind to me. If I'm not practically drowning, or gaging, or facing an opponent immune to every attack I have, I'm in a pile of vipers getting bit to hell."

Yanda pauses to eye the emerald dubiously.

"I suppose we have pull the gem out of the serpents mouth? What do you say we just crush the whole thing first?"

Yanda's mood has not been the greatest. She has become a bit cynical and bitter after the last level and she is not afraid to let people know it as you have discovered during the trip. Though the snake bites have long since healed, she still feels her face and arms every once in a while as if searching for them.

But in spite of her words, she looks pretty dang ready to take on, nay, destroy the current level of the spire. She puts away her vials, takes out her any tool and turns it into a pick-axe. and moves forward to behead the serpent.

Unless someone stops her...

"As long as it doesn't explode on us or anything, it's fine with me." Kala had spent her time since the last level teaching Stinky a new trick, but it isn't useful right now. She's also sporting a fancy new agile breastplate. Before they began to descend, she had tucked a wand of Cure Light Wounds into her pack. She turns her ear to the next stairwell to listen for incoming threats, her fingers winding themselves through Stinky's coarse fur.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

Hey Kala, I'm hungry. Can I have some pocket bacon? Please? Please?

Stepping out of the shadows, what looks like a charcoaled skin halfling appears. He smiles with his hands up, showing he is not holding a weapon.

"Sorry about surprising any of you. I'm a Pathfinder also, my other group had some difficulties and withdrew from this place. I couldn't resist exploring the rest of the Spire, however."

He slowly pulls out from under his vest, his wayward showing he is a Pathfinder.

"Name is Lucifer. I specialize in exploring ruins and such. I must say I pretty good with dealing with traps and such."

Glad to join the group. I've done the first 7 levels with this character and always wanted to continue with him."

For the GM: Lucifer has the Rogue Talent: Trap Spotter that gives him an automatic Trap Detect roll with any trap that is within 10'.

Kala is surprised to see Lucifer, but Stinky doesn't seem to be. She takes that as a good sign. She checks his wayfinder and nods to him. "Hello Lucifer. I'm Kala, and this is Stinky. If he bugs you, let me know. And if you keep any meat in your pockets, watch out for his tongue. He'll pick you clean."

Uh, Kala. Why are you talking to him when you haven't given me any bacon in *forever*? I'm so huuuuuunnnnnnngryyyyy. Stinky whines and begs beside Kala. It's really quite the performance.

Yanda begins the exploration by quaffing her usual protective/long term extracts, even before she tries to behead the snake.

False life: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Protection from Arrows (120 points)
Ablative Barrier (80 points)
Ant Haul

"Hello Lucifer. I'm Kala, and this is Stinky. If he bugs you, let me know. And if you keep any meat in your pockets, watch out for his tongue. He'll pick you clean."

"And she means it."

Tofang turns around and is really surprised when he sees another Wayang.

“Oh … ehh … hello! I’m Tofang!!“ he says in Wayang to Lucifer.

You see that Tofang is a quite weak Wayang with a gun in each of his two holsters - the guns are attached to the respective wrist with a very fine chain.

He wears a chain shirt and beneath that an engineering outfit with lots of pockets and a large backpack on his back.

He bows to the Lucifer and his tone is calculated when he says ”So traps are your specialty? Very good! For me gadgets are innovations with an inherent danger but also potential utility in the right hand! What else can you do?“ he asks innocently.

Tofang is sitting on a military saddle on top of a riding dog that looks like a mixture of a black wolfhound and a mastiff. It is clear that this dog can fight while carrying a rider and Tofang is not really fully in control.

This is the new riding dog that he bought.

Lucifer smiles at the badger, "Hello Stinky. I don't have any treats for you at the moment, but when the first opportunity arrives, I'll make sure to grab some."

He greets the other Wayang. "Hello Tofang." in Wayang.

Switching back to common, "I'm also really good at picking locks, I'm a good swimmer which really helped out at one of the above levels. I'm not too bad in combat either. If I can flank the enemy, I can lay on some really debilitating attacks."

He smiles will wide then and he shows you his short sword. "This baby is real good too. It allows me to do a lot of extra damage to a chosen enemy." +1 Sneaky Cold Iron Short Sword

"Oh.. almost forgot. I can turn invisible about three times a day at will."

"Nice. Stinky and I flank things too. That's...kind of our thing. And I can do some healing. I got a wand." Kala shrugs weakly. 'I got a wand.' Really? That's the best I can come up with? Geez. She doesn't feel so impressive now.

”Are we going to spend all day getting to know each other, or are we going looking for Magic and artifacts,”[b] the undine says as he steps forward into the light. [b]”Zarta sent me to this locale. Said the original expedition was suffering attrition. She pulled me out of my nice cool library, so I hope this is worth it.”

Ash was clearly a male example of his race. He wasn’t wearing armor and didn’t have much in the line of weaponry visible on him. ”But yeah, I’m Ashwell. I’m one of those psychics, I guess you’d say. I know quite a bit about dungeons and magic in general, so I think I can be handy down here.”

Assuming he didn’t receive any argument, Ash casts False Life on himself.

False life 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 temporary hit points for seven hours.

He then pulls out a wand and burns a charge, giving him mage armor for an hour.

"I can do some healing also. I have a wand for that and I'm pretty good at using magical items that I normally wouldn't be."

He nods to Ashwell, "I'm ready to begin the expedition whenever you all are."

"I'm pretty good at locks too. Now if only we just ran into locks on this level we would be in good shape."

Take a look at this post. Yanda is half way to destroying the serpent with the gem using her any-tool, unless someone objects it will happen. or she, at least, will attempt to make it happen.

Tofang nods.

“Your skills are greatly appreciated Lucifer! We had problems with locks!!“ the small wayang says with some insecurity.

”Are we going to spend all day getting to know each other, or are we going looking for Magic and artifacts,”[b] the undine says as he steps forward into the light. [b]”Zarta sent me to this locale. Said the original expedition was suffering attrition. She pulled me out of my nice cool library, so I hope this is worth it.”

Ash was clearly a male example of his race. He wasn’t wearing armor and didn’t have much in the line of weaponry visible on him. ”But yeah, I’m Ashwell. I’m one of those psychics, I guess you’d say. I know quite a bit about dungeons and magic in general, so I think I can be handy down here.”

“Ehh … ok?! Yes, let’s go Ashwell!“

”Uh, you might want to let one of the locksmiths look at that statue before you destroy it, Yanda. Let me check it for Magic first,” he says, as he casts Detect magic.

Going to have to watch that one. She’s clearly rash and a risk taker, he thinks.

Looking at the statue of the serpent, he nods at Ashwell. "Yeah. See if there is any magic and then I'll check for any traps."

Perception (Traps): 1d20 + 19 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 19 + 3 = 37

Yanda scowls a bit but backs off. Though she still has her any-tool ready and really looks like she wants to use it on something.

Retconning the start of this slightly to account for the new arrivals...

Before anyone has a chance to enter the chamber Ashwell discerns that the golden serpent idol radiates an aura of moderate enchantment and conjuration magic. And Lucifer is certain that it is trapped.

Btw, although it is rarely played this way in PF1, Disable Device is actually supposed to be a secret GM roll. For simplicity's sake, if you wish to make a Disable Device check please put the roll in a spoiler and then don't look at what was rolled.

”Whoa, whoa, whoa. That thing is magical. There is conjuration and enchantment present. So be wary…”

"Maybe I should just bomb it then, from a distance?"

Yanda puts away her pick and pulls out her acid vial once again, gently tossing it too and froe between her hands.

"Let me see if I can disable the trap that is placed on first. If I can't then feel free to throw a bomb."

"OK. That's a good idea. Call me simple, but I'd rather do the blowing up than be the blowed up."

false life: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

While the party is focused on the golden serpent, you hear the familiar heavy lumbering steps coming up from behind. A short while later, a bald men with dark brown skin comes down the stairs, looking like he belongs.

"Apologies. Lost track of time." Beyond that, Uhvat is as reticent as ever.

He notices two unfamiliar faces though, but simply nods his head in their direction acknowledging their presence. Lucifer and Ashwell might realise shortly that his skin is rather unusual. The hue is that of the deep-brown cast of jasper, and interestingly has much of the same sheen as well. On his forehead is embedded what appears to be garnet, glowing very faintly in the light. Otherwise, he is garbed very simply - just a simple tunic and pants, and other simple gear. Other than a few javelins, he doesn't seem to be carrying any weapons. That mystery is quickly solved when seemingly out of thin air, he summons a large purplish writhing ectoplasmic lash that he grasps with two hands, and almost simultaneously, the same ectoplasmic energy swirls around his body, providing what you can assume is protection against attacks.

"Hello. My name is Uhvat."

Seeing the party busy with the statue, he moves to stand near the other flight of stairs, grasping his lash tight with both hands, to guard against nasty surprises.

Tofang is glad to see Uhvat.

“So good that you’re here!! I feel safer to be honest!“

Conditions:

=== 12:00 Out of Initiative ===
Yanda - dmg; 17 temp hp (false life 20:00); Protection from arrows (120, 20:00); Ablative Barrier (40, 20:00); Ant Haul (04:00);
Lucifer - dmg;
Ashwell - dmg; 15 temp hp (false life 19:00); mage armor (13:00);
Kala - dmg;
Stinky - dmg;
Tofang - dmg;
Tofang's dog II (13 hp, AC 13, 15 Con) - dmg;
Uhvat - dmg; 10 temp hp (false life 18:00);

Lucifer sets to work on disabling whatever the trap is and makes quick work of it, enabling the party to continue into the room.

Ashwell, when you get a chance please add your token on the map.

Unfortunately, no sooner do the pathfinders enter the room than they find themselves - or most of them do anyway - walking directly towards the idol, almost as if they are in a dream!

Everyone but Ashwell, Stinky, and Lucifer walk forward, as if entranced. Worse, when they reach the area around the idol, each vanishes!

Sorry, Lucifer, you rolled real low on the die. Don't worry - I'm sure you'll have more chances! :-)

Pathfinders are up! Ashwell, Lucifer, and Stinky may each act!

Could someone paste my token on the map, please? I’m a phone poster and I struggle with the fiddlety bits on the map. Thanks.

”Lucifer, any idea what just happened? Where did the rest of them go?”

Would a Spellcraft check help to figure out what I saw? If so,…

Spellcraft 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33

"Hmmm... looks like I failed to remove the trap." taps his chin a little bit.

"I know this might seem foolish but perhaps we should walk toward the idol just like everyone else did. Maybe it will bring us to where they were taken."

Without second thought, Lucifer walks toward the idol...

@Ashwell: Your token is on the map.

KALA!! KALAAAAA!!! Where'd you go? Kala?! Panicking, Stinky follows his nose to the spot where Kala last stood, trying desperately to track, see, or otherwise detect his beloved partner.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

I can't protect you if you're gone! Where are you?!? Whining growls escape his throat, almost like he's crying.

Not knowing the spot where Kala would've disappeared from, I haven't moved Stinky's token. He has imprecise scent to 30'.

"Oh yes, let us go to ... ohhhhh ...." the little Wayang says and disappears.

Ash waits a moment to see what happens to Lucifer. ”Hold on stinky, we might need to try to save everyone somehow…”

Ashwell believes that what has occurred involves some form of teleportation magic. While he is considering this possibility, both Lucifer and Stinky also approach the idol and they each, in turn, disappear from view. He is left standing alone, eight levels beneath the ground in the not particularly welcoming Emerald Spire.

Shaking his head, Ash moves forward to the spot where the magic is happening and closes his eyes, hoping he’d made the right decision.

Funny how the scenarios encourage stupid things like this. IRL, I don't think I would follow unless it was my wife.

Conditions:

=== 12:00 Out of Initiative ===
Yanda - dmg; 17 temp hp (false life 20:00); Protection from arrows (120, 20:00); Ablative Barrier (40, 20:00); Ant Haul (04:00);
Lucifer - dmg;
Ashwell - dmg; 15 temp hp (false life 19:00); mage armor (13:00);
Kala - dmg;
Stinky - dmg;
Tofang - dmg;
Tofang's dog II (13 hp, AC 13, 15 Con) - dmg;
Uhvat - dmg; 10 temp hp (false life 18:00);

Ash steps forward and finds that he too is teleported to... someplace else.

Map updated.

The narrow corridor ahead has a strange serpentine pattern of green glass embedded in the floor. The pattern runs to the end of the corridor before turning east to head out of sight.

You have all been reunited and can resume acting as normal.

Funny how the scenarios encourage stupid things like this. IRL, I don't think I would follow unless it was my wife.

Indeed. In fact, in this case it's not at all clear how the scenario even happens if you disable the trap. I was worrying about that and wondering what I would do when, thankfully, Lucifer rolled a 3 on the die. :-)

Uhvat is momentarily stunned when his surroundings change completely, but that hardly shows on his stoic face. He looks around, worried about his missing teammates, but they soon join the group one by one.

"Shall we proceed then? Let me take the lead."

Once everyone is ready, Uhvat starts making his way down the passage, his senses heightened.

If we come to a door or a room, he'll cast shield.