GM Abraham's Emerald Spire

Game Master Abraham Z.

Stinky sags with exhaustion as the last of the snakes is killed, but perks up again by the time Yanda grabs him to pull him out of the pit. Quick as a blink, he snags a snake to carry with him. Whatever happened to his last snack from the road has been forgotten. As soon as she sets him down, he begins tearing into the snake snack. Yummy! --Huh. Something's not settling well. Was it the last thing I ate? His tummy gurgles ominously.

At the sound of Stinky's stomach's warning, Kala's eyes widen. "Uh, Stinky's about to live up to his name. So, uh, maybe you all will want to get out of here quickly. I'll keep him in here until he's finished. We'll want to wait until the air clears to come back."

"Thanks for the help getting out of the pit. As for continue to move on. Lets go then."

Ash allows the others to help him forward, avoiding being knocked into the pit. ”Be careful when heading forward, everyone. You’ve got to keep me safe, you know,” he warns the crew.

Tofang and his riding dog get up again.

"Ahh, you guys are really good! I was really afraid that we were totally trapped."

"You are in the wrong job if you want safety. Whatever were you thinking?"

Tofang looks a little embarrassed.

“I am my parents only child, and they're worried about my choice of profession. They are more practical, and tend to disbelieve what they don't see. As I work in the realm of chemical engineering, the results aren't always immediately apparent, and the concoctions are dangerous and unpredictable, so they always urge caution. I … I just don’t want to die!!“ he says with a sad face.

Conditions:

=== 12:10 Out of Initiative ===
Ashwell - dmg; 15 temp hp (false life 19:00); mage armor (13:00);
Lucifer - 12 dmg;
Yanda - dmg; 17 temp hp (false life 20:00); Protection from arrows (120, 20:00); Ablative Barrier (40, 20:00); Ant Haul (04:00); Orchid's Drop (20:00); Mutagen (13:20); Fly (12:13);
Kala - 9 dmg;
Stinky - 2 dmg;
Uhvat - dmg; 3 temp hp (false life 18:00);
Tofang - 9 dmg; Heightened Awareness (13:00); Barkskin (13:00); cognatogen (13:05);
Tofang's dog II (13 hp, AC 13, 15 Con) - 5 dmg;

With her great strength Yanda is able to lift her comrades out of the pit without difficulty and once the lever is flipped the annoying statues return to being ordinary statues. No one finds anything particularly interesting, either in the pit or on the walkway. Yanda listens at the door and hears nothing; it also does not appear to be trapped. As Stinky appears ready to fill the entire area with a noxious cloud, the group hurries on.

A short flight of stairs to the east leads down to a doorway and an alcove containing a statue of a robed serpentfolk priest with its hand raised in warning. On the wall at the top of the stairs, the image of a coiling serpent is carved in the stone. To the west is a doorway leading north, after which the passage continues west.

Map updated

Yanda snorts when she sees the apparent warning.

"I guess we should just turn back and forget the whole thing... NOT!"

Putting distance between her and the more tangible threat of Stinky, Yanda approaches the statue cautiously, looking for traps and such, gliding 5' above the surface of the corridor.

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

Lucifer follows behind Yanda and investigates the statue as well.

Perception: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (19) + 19 = 38

"Hold back a bit, Stinky. Let them get ahead of us for a minute." Kala blocks the door and gives him ear scratches for a moment before taking a deep breath and holding it.

Aaahhhhhh. That's so good. So relaxing... It's so relaxing, in fact, that the gentle sound of passing gas wafts into the room. Huh. Those lizard guys really do a number on my stomach. Oh well. Worth it.

Wordlessly Kala gestures to Stinky, closes the door behind them to contain the contagion, and catches up with the group before continuing to breathe. "We should be good for now."

Conditions:

=== 12:10 Round 1 ===
Yanda - dmg; 17 temp hp (false life 20:00); Protection from arrows (120, 20:00); Ablative Barrier (40, 20:00); Ant Haul (04:00); Orchid's Drop (20:00); Mutagen (13:20); Fly (12:13);
Red - dmg;
Kala - 9 dmg;
Stinky - 2 dmg;
Tofang - 9 dmg; Heightened Awareness (13:00); Barkskin (13:00); cognatogen (13:05);
Tofang's dog II (13 hp, AC 13, 15 Con) - 5 dmg;
Ashwell - dmg; 15 temp hp (false life 19:00); mage armor (13:00);
Uhvat - dmg; 3 temp hp (false life 18:00);
Lucifer - 12 dmg;

Yanda and Lucifer move forward to investigate the statue while Kala and Stinky take care of some, well, stinky business. Before they, or the others, have a chance to catch up with the two in the lead, the statue - shocker! - comes to life and lunges towards the pathfinders!

Only Yanda - perhaps because the statue is right in front of her - is quick enough to act before it!

kn arcana, heightened awareness: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 2 = 27

Questions) Immunities and resistances. Need to know before I choose her attack.

kn arcana: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (16) + 21 = 37 DR, resistances, immunities, special attacks please.

Know. Arcana 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

OMG, the group could write the definitive manual on these creatures.

Knowledge checks happen on your turn so I'll only resolve Yanda's check at the moment.

Yanda recalls that while animated objects have no special resistances, they are immune to a wide range of threats (all the typical construct immunities, mind-affecting etc. - you can look them up if you don't already know them).

Which means... THEY CAN BURN!

Yanda floats back and sends a tiny, yet volatile and explosive vial at the thing.

Conditions:

=== 12:10 Round 1--->2 ===
Yanda - dmg; 17 temp hp (false life 20:00); Protection from arrows (120, 20:00); Ablative Barrier (40, 20:00); Ant Haul (04:00); Orchid's Drop (20:00); Mutagen (13:20); Fly (12:13);
Red Animated Statue - 12 dmg; on fire (1d6);
Kala - 9 dmg;
Stinky - 2 dmg;
Tofang - 9 dmg; Heightened Awareness (13:00); Barkskin (13:00); cognatogen (13:05);
Tofang's dog II (13 hp, AC 13, 15 Con) - 5 dmg;
Ashwell - dmg; 15 temp hp (false life 19:00); mage armor (13:00);
Uhvat - dmg; 3 temp hp (false life 18:00);
Lucifer - 12 dmg;

Yanda blasts the statue with a bomb, causing it to catch fire! She notes, however, that the bomb does less damage than she might have expected. It has hardness.

The creature lumbers forward and slams a stone fist at Yanda!
slam: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
... fortunately, she is too quick for the statue and dodges out of the way.

The object continues to burn from Yanda's bomb, though it looks like the statue is too hard for it to affect it.

Although the remaining knowledge checks won't come into play until the others move into the room, for simplicities sake I'm just going to give you everything about the creature: it is an advanced animated object; besides hardness it can also grab on a successful hit. It has nothing else special besides the usual construct traits.

Pathfinders are up! Everyone may act.

Ash casts Haste on the group, knowing his psychic magic couldn’t be terribly useful here.

Ash casts Haste on the group, knowing his psychic magic couldn’t be terribly useful here.

I'm taking the liberty of moving you on the map to a spot where this would be possible, and also assuming that the spell doesn't go off until everyone is within 30' of each other.

Thanks, GM!

I took the liberty of moving Uhvat and Tofang out of the room with Stinky's fart bomb, since that's how we RP'd that.

"What's the hold up? Why are we so fast now?" Kala feels jittery, but can't see what's going on. Moving up, she sees the statue, but can't get closer. "Pull back, guys! Make it come to us where we can reach it!" Readying herself to attack if it (or any other hittable hazard) comes within range, she takes her own advice, backing down the hall to the left and calling: "Stinky! Heel!"

Coming, Kala! Stinky scampers after her, lodging himself in a nook and bemoaning the fact that the group seems to be fighting rocks. Those aren't yummy. Boo.

Lucifer side steps the statue to get beside it and then gives two quick thrusts at the thing, hoping to hit a joint or something vital.

+1 Cold Iron Short Sword: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18
Damage: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

+1 Cold Iron Short Sword: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Damage: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

5' step, Attacks

Conditions: Haste (r 8);

=== 12:10 Round 1--->2 ===
Yanda - dmg; 17 temp hp (false life 20:00); Protection from arrows (120, 20:00); Ablative Barrier (40, 20:00); Ant Haul (04:00); Orchid's Drop (20:00); Mutagen (13:20); Fly (12:13);
Red Animated Statue - 12 dmg; on fire (1d6);
Kala - 9 dmg;
Stinky - 2 dmg;
Tofang - 9 dmg; Heightened Awareness (13:00); Barkskin (13:00); cognatogen (13:05);
Tofang's dog II (13 hp, AC 13, 15 Con) - 5 dmg;
Ashwell - dmg; 15 temp hp (false life 19:00); mage armor (13:00);
Uhvat - dmg; 3 temp hp (false life 18:00);
Lucifer - 12 dmg;

Ash speeds up the entire group with a casting of Haste.

Kala and Stinky move into position but find it crowded in the narrow corridor.

Lucifer tries to attack the statue but finds the corridor a bit small for what he intended. Lucifer, unfortunately you can't move to that square directly (it's a hard corner) without moving through the statue's square (which will require an Acrobatics check). Is that what you want to do? (And yes, it's annoying when these adventures are written with maps that create bottlenecks like this...)

Pathfinders are up! The bold may act!

Tofang loads his pistol with a bullet and alchemical ordnance.

He shoots with his pistol at the stone-snake creature!

Ranged touch attack, using alchemical ordnance 2/11 : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Cold Iron Bullet: 1 + 6 = 7
Fire damage: 3d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 6, 2) + 7 = 21

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20

Using a reach weapon, Uhvat doesn't need to move further. But if someone else needs Uhvat to get out of the way, please let me know.

Grasping his lash with both hands, Uhvat lifts it high above his head then brings it down with a mighty blow, sending it snaking down upon the statue.

Power Attack, Furious Focus, Chill Touch
+2 ectoplasmic lash: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 13 - 2 + 2 = 28 dmg: 2d6 + 9 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 6) + 9 + 6 + (6) = 30

Not sure if the chill touch will work on constructs. If not, can remove the last 1d6

Conditions: Haste (r 8);

=== 12:10 Round 2 ===
Yanda - dmg; 17 temp hp (false life 20:00); Protection from arrows (120, 20:00); Ablative Barrier (40, 20:00); Ant Haul (04:00); Orchid's Drop (20:00); Mutagen (13:20); Fly (12:13);
Red Animated Statue - 41 dmg; on fire (1d6);
Kala - 9 dmg;
Stinky - 2 dmg;
Tofang - 9 dmg; Heightened Awareness (13:00); Barkskin (13:00); cognatogen (13:05);
Tofang's dog II (13 hp, AC 13, 15 Con) - 5 dmg;
Ashwell - dmg; 15 temp hp (false life 19:00); mage armor (13:00);
Uhvat - dmg; 3 temp hp (false life 18:00);
Lucifer - 12 dmg;

Tofang blasts the statue with a bullet. The bullet itself seems to do nothing to it but some of the fiery ammunition makes an impact.

Lucifer tries to somersault past the creature but this proves to be most difficult.

Slam AoO: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Fortunately the rogue is too nimble to be hit by the creature. Nevertheless, he is unable to proceed. Going to resolve this by just having you make your attacks from where you started in Yanda's square (she is hovering 5' above you). Unfortunately he is unable to hit the powerfully armored statue.

Uhvat strikes the statue solidly. His spell doesn't appear to do anything at all (The spell specifically mentions living creatures (or undead) so I'm going to rule that it's immune) and its hardness absorbs some of the rest of the blow, but it is still a very solid hit. Some cracks appear in its stone facade.

Start of Round 2

Yanda may act!

Got it. Also check construct traits which list immunity to necromany effects, which chill touch is. But I take it that it would still drain his charge for each hit.

Again Yanda floats back to stay out of reach, resolving to mix more of these fly extracts the following day. Extremely useful being able to zip past and over her allies!

Once in position, she tosses out another bomb.

Got it. Also check construct traits which list immunity to necromany effects, which chill touch is. But I take it that it would still drain his charge for each hit.

Yes, as long as you are holding the charge you have no choice about whether or not a charge goes off when you hit, even when, as in this case, it has no effect.

Conditions: Haste (r 8);

=== 12:10 Round 2--->3 ===
Yanda - dmg; 17 temp hp (false life 20:00); Protection from arrows (120, 20:00); Ablative Barrier (40, 20:00); Ant Haul (04:00); Orchid's Drop (20:00); Mutagen (13:20); Fly (12:13);
Red Animated Statue - 41 dmg; on fire (1d6);
Blue serpentfolk - dmg;
Yellow serpentfolk - dmg;
Kala - 9 dmg;
Stinky - 2 dmg;
Tofang - 9 dmg; Heightened Awareness (13:00); Barkskin (13:00); cognatogen (13:05);
Tofang's dog II (13 hp, AC 13, 15 Con) - 5 dmg;
Ashwell - dmg; 15 temp hp (false life 19:00); mage armor (13:00);
Uhvat - dmg; 3 temp hp (false life 18:00);
Lucifer - 12 dmg;

Yanda's bomb obliterates the poor statue. Save your second bomb - it only had 1 hp left.

Before the pathfinders have a chance to celebrate, however, two more foes enter from the other direction! They look like more of the serpentfolk who have been plaguing them for what seems like months!

The Blue one dashes forward and tries to bite the daughter of Krokum!
Bite: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
But even flat-footed, her armor is too sturdy.

Yellow tries to tumble through Kala's square to get to Stinky...
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
... but fails.
Kala, you can take an AoO vs Yellow (who then stumbles back to just behind Blue)

Pathfinders are up! The bold may act! Don't forget that you are all hasted.

Uhvat hears the commotion behind him and turns around in time to see the serpentfolk attack from the rear. He runs up behind Kala and swings his lash over her head at the nearest enemy.

vs blue: Power Attack, Furious Focus, Chill Touch, Haste
+2 ectoplasmic lash: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 13 - 2 + 2 + 1 = 31 dmg: 2d6 + 9 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (4, 5) + 9 + 6 + (4) = 28
Kala will likely be providing soft cover.

With an elegant aerial twist, Yanda repeats the performance and sends another pair of bombs out from her nimble hands, this time targeting the serpentman in the back (yellow).

Seeing no way of attacking the lizard folks without potentially hitting his allies, Lucifer draws his wand out and heals his wound.

UMD (Wand DC 20): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21
Wand of Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2; Darn

The thwack against her armor alerts Kala to the presence of a foe behind her. She turns with an irritated glance just in time to swing Orc Brains in a sharp arc, deterring the second serpentfolk from closing in on Stinky.

AOO vs. Yellow:
Cold Iron Warhammer +1: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 251d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

As she knocks that one back, the other takes its place. She follows up with a backhanded swing at its jaw before raising her shield to thwart its next attack.

Standard action vs. Blue
Cold Iron Warhammer +1: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 241d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

"Hang in there, Stinky!"

"Blah-wah-wah, Stinky!"

Hey, Kala? I don't know what you're saying, but I'm getting the munchies again. Can you guys move so I can grab a nibble?

Stinky will hold a bite attack in case one of them gets within range.

Conditions:

=== 12:10 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); Orchid's Drop (20:00); Mutagen (13:20); Fly (12:13);
Kala - 9 dmg;
Stinky - 2 dmg;
Tofang - 9 dmg; Heightened Awareness (13:00); Barkskin (13:00); cognatogen (13:05);
Tofang's dog II (13 hp, AC 13, 15 Con) - 5 dmg;
Ashwell - dmg; 15 temp hp (false life 19:00); mage armor (13:00);
Uhvat - dmg; 3 temp hp (false life 18:00);
Lucifer - 10 dmg;

Kala repays Yellow's ill-advised attempt to tumble through her square with a solid bash on the head.

Uhvat runs towards the fray and even with Kala in the way still manages to deliver a punishing blow to Blue.
Caster Level check vs SR: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Yanda lobs a bomb at the foe in the rear, striking Yellow solidly and setting him afire...
Blue Reflex vs Splash DC 20: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
... while also catching Blue with the full impact of the bomb's splash.

Yanda's second bomb drops Yellow altogether...
Blue Reflex vs Splash DC 20: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
... and the splash from this bomb does the same to Blue.

Combat over - Pathfinders are victorious!

Meanwhile, Lucifer modestly heals his wounds.

Where to next? You have two closed doors to the north (one at the eastern end of the corridor by the statue and one in the middle of the corridor by where Stinky is currently standing). You also have a corridor to the west that bends out of view (this is the direction from which the two serpentfolk came). You also have some wounds from the pit fight that have not yet been healed, fyi.

"Way to go, getting rid of the reptile guys. Now... Show we continue with this door here?" Lucifer points to the door just north of him. "Or go the other way." Points where the reptile guys came from.

Before getting a response, he goes to check the door to see if it is locked and to listen for anything beyond.

Perception: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (11) + 19 = 30

Lucifer doesn't hear much - modest noises that could perhaps be the skittering of mice? - but he does note that the door lacks either a handle or a key hole.

Yanda spins around one more time, just in case, before lowering her guard.

"Nice to face foes that are properly respectful of my bombs, and by respectful, I mean that."

"We might as well continue on where we were going in the first place, past the broken statue."

"Sure thing. Lead on. Stinky, heel." Kala nods at Yanda and (presumably) follows the group, glancing back now and then to see if anything is following them.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

Okay, okay. But just one bite for the road, okay? Stinky nabs a jaw-full of flesh and trots after Kala, who gives him a wink as she glances back at him.

Yanda, Kala, and Stinky head towards the door just past the now shattered statue, where they find Lucifer contemplating its lack of knob, handle, or keyhole.

Lucifer tries pushing, sliding it, and any other way he can try moving the door.

Disable Device (Perhaps?): 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (1) + 24 = 25

Ash follows along with the group, not wanting to be left alone in this serpentfolk filled area.