Pathfinder Module: Down the Blighted Path (Inactive)

Game Master R D

"Are you guys ready to head inside?"

Guessing that you'll check out Q11. Description: A fan of bookshelves fills this large room. Only a bed draped in silk sheets and a small desk mark it as a bedroom rather than a library. The portrait of a large and severe-looking man with ash-white skin hangs from the eastern wall.

Please feel free to arrange yourselves as you like.

From your vantage point at the door, you can all easily see that books and scrolls line the walls, detailing the Darklands, arcane theory, and the myriad intrigues of the Court of Ether.

A set of leather-bound journals rests on the dressing table, most of which are weathered and heavily worn.

"What're those?" asks Kelvor, before walking over the dressing table and looking carefully at them, but not touching.

To Kelvor, these look like personal journals. But, he doesn't recognize the language they're written in.

Kelvor Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

He does, however, notice a brief flicker of movement in a bookshelf.

To Kelvor, these look like personal journals. But, he doesn't recognize the language they're written in.

Kelvor Perception 1d20+14

He does, however, notice a brief flicker of movement in a bookshelf.

He immediately swings his earthbreaker at it!

Pwr Atk: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21 Dmg: 2d6 + 2d6 + 21 ⇒ (5, 4) + (5, 5) + 21 = 40

ROFL! Sure. Lets call that your "surprise round action."

Acting instinctively, Kelvor strikes true. To everyone else, it looks like he struck a scroll. His blow is powerful enough that it shatters a shelf. However, his target clearly takes no damage! At that, a total of three scrolls get up and flit about with serpentine grace. Each bares razor-sharp edges.
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SCRAPPING WITH SCROLLS
Round 1
MAP
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Sorted Initiative Order:
Bhuukka: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Guardian (red): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Guardian (yellow): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Oratio: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Kelvor: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Turen: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Parkhtu: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Manaria: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Guardian (blue): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
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Bhuukka is up first!

Kn. Arcana: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

"Guardian Scrolls! Blunt weapons no good. Fire very good."

Bhuukka moves in and makes a few gestures with his hands to try to get the one near Kelvor away from him.

"But they have minds, so that is good too..."

Cause Fear on yellow. Will DC 15 or frightened for 1d4 rounds. Shaken for 1 round on a save.

"But not too much fire. I may want to read some of the books." Manaria says immediately after Bhuuka, her inner librarian showing.

SCRAPPING WITH SCROLLS
Round 1
MAP
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Sorted Initiative Order:
Bhuukka: cast spell
Guardian (red): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Guardian (yellow): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Oratio: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Kelvor: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Turen: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Parkhtu: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Manaria: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Guardian (blue): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
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Cause Fear on yellow. Will DC 15 or frightened for 1d4 rounds. Shaken for 1 round on a save.

Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Boo :(

Unfortunately, the scroll makes the save.
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Two of the scrolls fly at Kelvor to retaliate:

slice: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
slice: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

WTH? How did I roll three 16s in a row? Is anyone else experiencing strangeness with the dice roller? Re-rolling, just to test.

slice: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
slice: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

OK... I guess they hit.

Damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (4, 3) + 6 = 13

When they cut, they try to wrap around his head.

slice: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
slice: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

One of the scrolls slides off, but the other grabs Kelvor in its smother wrap.

Oratio is up next.

"Mmmmphrrrrmmmmmrrphpp!" says Kelvor.

SCRAPPING WITH SCROLLS
Round 1
MAP
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Sorted Initiative Order:
Bhuukka: cast spell
Guardian (red): attack
Guardian (yellow): attack
Oratio: go
Kelvor: go
Turen: go
Parkhtu: go
Manaria: go
Guardian (blue): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
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The red and yellow guardians are sharing Kelvor's square. Oratio, Kelvor, Turen, Parkhtu, and Manaria can go.

Kelvor drops his mighty earthbreaker and pulls his greataxe, slicing at the scroll NOT attached t his face.

Greataxe PwrAtk: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25 Crit multiplier x3
Dmg: 1d12 + 1d12 + 16 ⇒ (2) + (5) + 16 = 23
Dmg: 1d12 + 1d12 + 16 ⇒ (10) + (5) + 16 = 31
Dmg: 1d12 + 1d12 + 16 ⇒ (3) + (9) + 16 = 28

Kn arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Knowing that the scrolls are vulnerable to fire, Oratio sees an opportunity to try out his Arrowsong Strike ability and shoot an arrow while casting scorching ray with it. (It's basically a ranged spellstrike.) If Kelvor missed the one he was blindly swinging at, Oratio will shoot that one, otherwise he'll move next to Parkhtu and shoot the blue one. He really doesn't want to shoot the one on Kelvor's head!

Arrow with scorching ray: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 1 = 32 with point blank
damage: 1d8 + 7 + 1 + 4d6 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 1 + (3, 5, 5, 4) = 27

crit confirm: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 11 + 1 = 24
adding damage x3 arrow, x2 spell: 2d8 + 14 + 2 + 4d6 ⇒ (2, 8) + 14 + 2 + (2, 5, 2, 6) = 41

"Hold still Kelvor" Manaria moves up and swings, empowering her staff with arcane energy.

Move up, spend an arcane point to pool strike, and deliver it with spellstrike

attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
magical bludgeoning damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
fire pool strike: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 2) = 7

Well at least I don't lose the charge.

As soon as Kelvor gets grappled, Parkhtu would cast liberating command as an immediate action, giving Kelvor a free escape artist check with an extra +8. His life link will also transfer 5 hp of damage from Kelvor.

Since he's staggered this round, Parkhtu will 5' step next to Kelvor (or into flank with the scroll, if possible). If Kelvor gets free of the scroll he'll attack it with his sword, otherwise he'll drop the sword and try to pull the scroll off.

+1 longsword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

His CMB is a +6, if that option is necessary.

Rolling for Kelvor/Liberating Command: 1d20 ⇒ 13

The barbarian easily wrests himself free from the guardian scroll, thanks to Parkhtu's timely magic.

Kelvor ends one guardian--slicing it like a cuisinart.

Oratio vaporizes another--burning it away into non-existence.

Manaria grievously wounds the third, burning part of it to ash. Parkhtu also cuts into it. Unfortunately, the final guardian remains.

Turen is up!

Turen moves and tries to hit the creature with his crossbow. But his bolt flies into the air.

"Flying scrolls?!?!"

attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

SCRAPPING WITH SCROLLS
Round 2
MAP
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Sorted Initiative Order:
Bhuukka: go!
Guardian (red): attack
Guardian (yellow): destroyed
Oratio: go
Kelvor: go
Turen: go
Parkhtu: go
Manaria:
Guardian (blue): destroyed
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Bhuukka is up!

Bhuukka moves up drawing his mithral dagger. Once in a flanking position he slices the last guardian buzzing around Kelvor.

+1 mithral dagger: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 2 = 15 Damage: 1d3 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 Sneak Attack: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 6) = 18 well, that would have been some good damage.

Bhuukka moves strategically and cuts the last guardian into ribbons.

Combat over!

Their AC might be low, but my attack was still a natural 1.

Sorry, I misread that. But, I'm also happy to call the fight. There's only one heavily injured, CR3 enemy remaining. :)

With combat ending, Parkhtu's life link will pull another 5 hp of damage from Kelvor, then he'll channel (selectively, if necessary).

Channel pos energy: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8 (+4 with fey foundling)

By my count, Kelvor, Manaria, and Parkhtu should all be healed up to full. Then Parkhtu will cast detect magic and look around for helpful treasures.

There are six books that seem to stand out from the others and five scrolls. Can anyone read sylvan?

Of course. And she would love to read them

- one is a blessed book (Pathfinder RPG Ultimate Equipment 283)
- "Adrift in the River of Souls" (worth 75 gp)
- "Life, Death, and Afterlife" (worth 50 gp)
- "The Necrology of Kabribri" (worth 150 gp)
- "Seven Fey to Appease" (worth 50 gp)
- "Ruminations on Life’s Transitions and Reintroduction" (worth 100 gp).

Assuming that somebody has read magic, the scrolls are:

- detect undead
- false life
- fear
- ironwood
- spectral hand
- stone shape

Onward and downward?

Well, we have some named text. So I will go ahead and check off that box on my Journal Faction Card.

Manaria looks over the scrolls hovering over the scroll of false life, "Useful spell, however, I'm not adept in this magic." She sighs and then puts in the group pile. Leaving it for someone else to cast.

I can always UMD it, but would rather leave it for some one who can cast it with no problem.

Apparently I can't write it in my spell book. Its not on the Magus spell list. WTF

Well, we have some named text. So I will go ahead and check off that box on my Journal Faction Card.

Nice!

"We must be getting near to the bottom, I'm going to cast a few spells. Let's cast some preparation spells and go down!"

Oratio will cast gravity bow again, and then moment of greatness, which will let each character double a morale bonus (like the inspire courage bonus against fear) once in the next six minutes, declared before the roll.

Parkhtu offers to cast shield of faith on Manaria and Oratio, since neither one has a deflection bonus for AC. "Anyone else? I want to save a few spell slots for healing, but if one of these can cause you to not be hit, then I think of it as preventative healing."

Any other prep before you head downstairs?

What's your marching order?

Any other prep before you head downstairs?

What's your marching order?

Kelvor asks politely if somebody can use his wand of Bulls Strength on him.

Also, ”Let us review the spellbook, to see what we can expect next?”

Contents of the blessed book aren't detailed. I guess it's just loot.

A set of leather-bound journals rests on the dressing table, most of which are weathered and heavily worn. These are Zohir’s personal journals, written in Sylvan, and describe much of her life, from being accepted as an apprentice by Audalot Karexin over 2 centuries ago, to their expulsion from the Court of Ether because of Karexin’s “romantic indiscretions,” to finding Phaedextrin’s Maw and its unusual lazurite deposits. She delves into some detail on the protracted battle with the Rising Blades, but glosses over the decades she spent wandering the Darklands, except to mention recruiting a “useless pech” and a “backstabbing half-fiend” into her personal retinue.

Contents of the blessed book aren't detailed. I guess it's just loot.

A set of leather-bound journals rests on the dressing table, most of which are weathered and heavily worn. These are Zohir’s personal journals, written in Sylvan, and describe much of her life, from being accepted as an apprentice by Audalot Karexin over 2 centuries ago, to their expulsion from the Court of Ether because of Karexin’s “romantic indiscretions,” to finding Phaedextrin’s Maw and its unusual lazurite deposits. She delves into some detail on the protracted battle with the Rising Blades, but glosses over the decades she spent wandering the Darklands, except to mention recruiting a “useless pech” and a “backstabbing half-fiend” into her personal retinue.

Well, one assumes it is her spellbook. I thought we'd get a glimpse into her repetoire.

"If you can spare the spell slot, then sure, I'll take a shield of faith, right before we head out. I'm guessing we just helped her get rid of her "useless pech" problem!"

"Bhuukka, are you going to scout ahead again, or shall we just charge on in? Your scouting information has proven very handy!"

Well, one assumes it is her spellbook. I thought we'd get a glimpse into her repetoire.

Makes sense to me, too.

Bhuukka uses the wands as asked. He then sneaks ahead to scout.

Stealth: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (8) + 29 = 37 -10 but can hide in plain sight in light, can hide from blindsense/sight
Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28 +4 vs traps

Active Spell's
Bull's Strength and Shield of Faith

Manaria will take all the help she can get and allows the shield of faith. She then focuses her arcane power and recalls bull's strength to cast it on herself before heading down.

What caster level is your shield of faith

What caster level is your shield of faith

4th level

FIGHT with FEY (and the fey's friends)
Round 1
MAP
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Sorted Initiative Order
Kelvor: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Enemy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Enemy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Oratio: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Bhuukka: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Parkhtu: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Enemy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Manaria: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Turen: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
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Bhuukka scouts ahead. The air in this room carries the faint smell of chemicals and herbs, as well as a peculiar, alkaline stink. Glass jars, tubes, beakers, and body parts preserved in fluids clutter every flat working space of this sprawling laboratory. Two large stone slabs occupy this room; chains and shackles hang from both. Two empty cages hang in the northeast of the room near a heavily barred window in the eastern wall. The floor slopes slightly toward the east, where a grate opens into the outer wall. Saws, pliers, knives, blades, hammers, pokers, and other assorted tools of torture are meticulously arrayed in trays or hanging behind the closed glass doors. A large wooden rack stands beside the cabinets of tools.

There's a fey creature here. She is accompanied by two ghostly creatures who are little more than a dark shapes with flickering pinpoints of light where their eyes should be. (Pictures of these creatures are in slide 1 of the map file.) She's clearly doing something arcane with an axe.

The fey speaks with obvious disdain in her voice: "I made it clear that I was not to be disturbed! For your indiscretion, you shall forfeit your lives!!!"
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(I approximated your marching order. If you would have preferred something different, feel free to adjust your positions on the map by a square, but not any more than that, please.)

Kelvor is up first!

Kelvor races down the stairs, enraged that this evil woman would desecrate Delbera Axebringer’s axe!

Rage!
Free action: Three Traditions of Torag boon

He heads straight for the fey and, not considering any consequences, LEAPS OVER the table and lands adjacent to her.

Acrobatics (jump)+extra base speed bonus: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 4 = 21

Wasn't sure how a leap "over" something would work, rules-wise. Mechanically, it can be a leap onto the table and then a move off of it. Kelvor's got enough movement to do it.

Buffs Active
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BS +4 str
Rage +4 str/con
Rage +2 Will saves
Rage +16 HP
Rage -2 AC
Traditions of Torag +1 enhancement bonus to weapon atk/dmg

Wasn't sure how a leap "over" something would work, rules-wise. Mechanically, it can be a leap onto the table and then a move off of it. Kelvor's got enough movement to do it.

I think "rule of cool" and "creative solution" and "fun role playing" all apply here. I'm inclined to call that a success! :) Any other actions for Kelvor? Or, was that a double move? What does "Three Traditions of Torag boon" do? Sounds cool!

I think "rule of cool" and "creative solution" and "fun role playing" all apply here. I'm inclined to call that a success! :) Any other actions for Kelvor? Or, was that a double move? What does "Three Traditions of Torag boon" do? Sounds cool!

That was a double move, unfortunately. I ALMOST got within striking distance, but was 5ft short Of the necessary movement.

[__][__][__] Three Traditions of Torag: You rescued Delbera Axebringer’s descendants from their duergar captors. In thanks, the dwarves of Davarn share knowledge that may assist you in your future adventures. Your training focuses on one of Torag’s three areas of concern. Choose one of these topics below, and cross the other two o! your Chronicle sheet. You may check off at most one box each round. Forge: You treat Craft (weapons) and Craft (armor) as class skills, and gain a +2 insight bonus on both skill checks. You may check off one of the boxes before this boon as a free action to increase the enhancement bonus of any weapon you wield by +1 for 1 round.
Source: Module - Down the Blighted Path (Firebrand’s Redoubt)

That was a double move, unfortunately. I ALMOST got within striking distance, but was 5ft short Of the necessary movement.

Are you counting the +10' to your movement from Oratio's Triple Time buff? I'm hoping you can get there and get in one good hit!

Are you counting the +10' to your movement from Oratio's Triple Time buff? I'm hoping you can get there and get in one good hit!

I didn't. I thought that was too long ago to still be active. Did I miss another heroic oration?

It's good for an hour. If we've been at this approaching an hour, and it seems like it's only been 10-15 minutes max at this point since we landed on the platform, Oratio would have renewed it. The cost is minimal: one minute and spending one round of bardic performance. He still has 16 rounds left.

It's good for an hour. If we've been at this approaching an hour, and it seems like it's only been 10-15 minutes max at this point since we landed on the platform, Oratio would have renewed it. The cost is minimal: one minute and spending one round of bardic performance. He still has 16 rounds left.

WELL IN THAT CASE... :)

GME: If you're OK with it, Kelvor would have easily leaped atop the table where the axe is and struck at the fey.

Rage+BS+Pwr Atk+boon: 1d20 + 21 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 21 + 1 = 42 CRIT THREAT!
Rage+BS+Pwr Atk+boon: 1d20 + 21 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 21 + 1 = 38 CONFIRM?
DMG Cold Iron+Rage++VS+BS+PA+boon: 2d6 + 2d6 + 29 + 1 ⇒ (4, 4) + (2, 2) + 29 + 1 = 42
DMG Cold Iron+Rage+BS+PA+boon: 2d6 + 29 + 1 ⇒ (6, 2) + 29 + 1 = 38
DMG Cold Iron+Rage+BS+PA+boon: 2d6 + 29 + 1 ⇒ (3, 5) + 29 + 1 = 38

FIGHT with FEY (and the fey's friends)
Round 1
MAP
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Sorted Initiative Order
Kelvor: kill, kill, kill!
Enemy: touch
Enemy: touch
Oratio: go!
Bhuukka: go!
Parkhtu: go!
Enemy: isDead
Manaria: go!
Turen: wait
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Hahahahaha! You took her down in one strike!

The enraged barbarian rushes in with impossible alacrity, leaping over the table with the axe. The fey imperiously snarls at him--to her detriment. With determination borne from his heritage, Kelvor strikes true.
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The two undead move, eager to devour life...

Touch=Flank: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13, Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3, CON Drain: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Touch+Flank: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 2 = 20, Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1, CON Drain: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Though one enemy has been felled, the threat here is still very dangerous as the incorporeal undead touch Kelvor dealing 4 HP of damage and 6 CON drain!
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Oratio, Bhuukka, Parkhtu, and Manaria are up!

Bhuukka tries to identify these creatures.

Kn. Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Woo-hoo, nice blow Kelvor!

Knowledge religion: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 2 + 2 = 15 favored enemy plus a trait bonus

Incorporeal undead!!! Oratio will nock a ghost salt tipped arrow and shoot it combined with another scorching ray at the blue enemy.

Longbow + 3: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 2 + 1 = 16 favored enemy, point blank

This seems like a good time to use a reroll!

Longbow + 3: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 11 + 2 + 1 = 29
Damage: 2d6 + 7 + 2 + 1 + 4d6 ⇒ (5, 1) + 7 + 2 + 1 + (6, 6, 5, 3) = 36 full damage arrow, half damage scorching ray