[PFS] GM MattMorris The Shattered Shield (Inactive)

Game Master ChesterCopperpot

I know there is some disagreement, so we'll do Rule of 2. We'll go with the first plan that gets a 2nd.

Bask grabs one of the fleeing gamblers

"We're not here for you, but an enemy that has the ability to change their form, do you know anything about that? They have been distributing relics covered in gold dust."

To the others he says

"I agree, we can brook no delay. If someone has the means to bring this one round then perhaps that is worth the time, but if not we should continue searching with all haste"

Yes, let's keep going. I myself am not feeling well, but we can't let this evildoer get away.

The gambler is scared out of his mind.

"I just like to throw them bones! I don't know anything about fancy relics. There's a back room over there that no one but the staff ever goes into. Are you the Pure Legion? I swear, I never worshiped no gods!" He points to the western door.

Once you open the door, you see a grand burial chamber with a large dais in the center that appears to have been converted into a ritual chamber. Two concentric circles of ornate runes have been scrawled in chalk atop the dais. The dais itself is surrounded by four obelisks, each of which is topped with an inverted tetrahedron clasped by a black stone claw. Each of the crystals emits a strange, crimson glow.

Atop the pyramid, a cloaked figure is talking, evidently to a doll that she holds in one hand: "Soon, my little friend, soon we will ascend, and we will finally have the power to reach beyond this world!”

A small, sweet voice answers her, "Oh, yes! You are doing so well. This will be wonderful!"

When she notices you entering the room, she smirks at you and says “Well, found us, have you? It’s too late now. As soon as my employer gets here I shall become something more powerful than you can possibly imagine!”

She cackles madly at her own declaration, but a faint voice, which you can see originates from the doll she holds, interjects “Not fair, sweet queen, not fair! A game must be played before you can be declared the victor!”

At this, the figure stops cackling and a strangely serious look comes over her face. “Quite right, quite right. Well, would-be heroes? Shall we play a game for the shard?”

Religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

In a loud whisper "She's a ghoul, be careful."

and I'd share 3 useful things about her that the GM would like to share

"Oh, do you mean a game like those folks with the bones and the shivs?" Jahz asks, puzzled. "To be fair, they didn't really explain the rules before they started stabbing - I think we could all use a bit of a refresher before deciding on our participation."

"No more games. Where is the shard?"

He looks around for signs of the shard, and at her reaction when he mentions it

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Who's the puppet?

The ghoul answers you. "Well, Vaultkeeper wanted you to play a little game to select my assistant in this ritual. But maybe you would prefer to play a guessing game? Can you guess who will die first?"

The doll in her hand squeals in frustration. "Zaashakar, you promised!"

"Very well. If you play the doll's game, I will spin the shard on the ground. Whomever it points to will be my assistant in an important ritual. Nothing dangerous, I assure you. Once the ritual is complete, I will ascend and have no need of the shard. You are free to keep it."

The ghoul frowns at the doll. "I could always just destroy you instead, if you prefer."

Ghouls have paralyzing attacks and their bite carries a disease, ghoul fever. Based our your earlier interaction with here, you are sure that the woman is not an ordinary ghoul.

The wizard stays away from this discussion which he can't handle with anyway. He knows the ghoul has to die. But he also knows that the most time they can win, the chance exist they can fight not sicked.

"Oh, that sounds like a much more straightfoward game!" Jahz says happily. "Where do we stand? Do we need to close our eyes?"

One vote for play the game!

"I don't think we should let this ghoul get what she wants. Letting her ascend seems problematic."

Can we see the shard? If so Bask is in favour of attacking and taking it. If not he'd play along long enough until he could see it. He's a simple half-orc, and Sarenrae does not tolerate undead.

The shard is clearly visible on the platform with the ghoul. I'll take that as an "attack" vote from Bask. ;) Benedict, was that an attack vote from you? Anyone else want to weigh in?

yes, attack, but he can be persuaded otherwise if someone has a quick compelling argument

Tim wants to play spin the bottle with a ghoul intent on "ascending" but Robb would probably vote to attack.

Attack, please.

Sensing your reluctance to play her little games, the ghoul shifts to an aggressive stance.

~+~Combat Round 1~+~
Bask
Jahz
Benedict (sickened)
Ghoul
Robb (sickened)
Barrabas (sickened)
Waze (sickened)

Note: The stairs up to the ghoul are difficult terrain.
Combat Map
Feel free to start anywhere within the dotted, yellow box

"Oh, is it this game again?" Jahz asks, clearly disappointed. "Or wait! Was the game a guessing game? Yes, you said it was! We had to guess who would die first. Um... I mean, you're already dead, so... technically you died first?" Not letting the complexities of the situation bother him too much, the half-orc strides up the steps and draws his blade once more. "To arms! Your blades shall prove our guess correct and win this game for us!" The other Pathfinders' weapons glow dimly as Jahz's own blade shines with blue light.

Move (drawing weapon as part of movement), begin Weapon Song performance, and activate Arcane Strike. All weapons of allies gain a +1 enhancement bonus to attack and damage rolls.

Also, Jahz will use saving finale if an ally fails a saving throw. This will stop the Weapon Song, so allies will not continue to benefit from it if that spell is used.

Not wanting to risk Salim, Bask merely orders him to attack this time

Handle Animal vs. DC 10: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 4 = 20

Then growling, he bounds up onto the stairs and strikes at the foul undead

Scimitar + Enh - PA: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 1 - 1 = 24
Slashing + PA + Enh: 1d6 + 4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 3 + 1 = 14

Ooh

Scimitar confirmation + Enh - PA: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 - 1 = 9
Slashing crit damage + PA + Enh: 1d6 + 4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 3 + 1 = 10

boo

Salim bounds up as instructed, using his training to overcome his natural fear of undead

Bite, sickened: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 5 - 2 = 13
P/B/S damage, sickened: 1d6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 - 2 = 3

Do Salim's natural attacks get enhanced by the song? I've not included it

They do! They count as weapons!

Benedict draws on the knowledge of his dead Pathfinder guides and suggests to Robb how to best attack the ghoul.

“They say just chop off it’s head!”

Ancestor's Council (Su): Robb gains a +2 bonus on any attack roll, saving throw, ability check, or skill check made before the beginning of the shaman’s next turn.

"You'll find it's not so easy to best me!"

The ghoul steps back and unleashes a spell on Bask, Salim, and Jahz. Flecks of glitter cover them and cloud their eyes.
Will save (DC 15) or blinded

~+~Combat Round 1~+~
Bask Will save & Salim (sickened)Will save
Jahz Will save
Benedict (sickened)
Ghoul (-14)
Robb (sickened)
Barrabas (sickened)
Waze (sickened)

Note: The stairs up to the ghoul are difficult terrain.
Combat Map

Bask Will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Groan. I will T-shirt re-roll that

Bask Will + GM stars: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9
Salim Will sickened: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 - 2 = 4

Oh dear. Why hast thou forsaken me dice gods?

Barrabas was a bit removed from the target so he gallops into the room on his hooves.

move, move

The wizard feels that is the time to try something.

Double move

Will vs DC 15: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

"Shake it off, Bask!" Jahz shouts to his kinsman. "Show her what you're made of! What the Pathfinders are made of!" The light surrounding the Pathfinders' weapons dims, but brightens again as the skald yells and follows after the ghoul.

Casting saving finale as an immediate action - Bask, roll that saving throw one more time. Standard action to begin Weapon Song again, move action to step onto top of platform. GM, can she take a 5 ft step onto the steps, or does the difficult terrain stop her?

Will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Woohoo thanks!

Bask steps down from the stairs and moves around to try to stop that happening again.

Salim has been told to attack, so he takes a move action to get the direction of the creature he can detect, then moves in that direction and becomes aware of it adjacent to them after moving.

Double move for both. In case that was glitterdust Salim will try the save again at the end of his turn

Will: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 3 - 2 = 12

Robb moves to within 10’ of the ghoul and attacks with his glaive.

1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 15
1d10 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

The creature lashes out at the people surrounding her, attempting to paralyze as many people as possible.

bite v Bask: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 for b/p/s: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
claw v Salim: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 for p/s: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
claw v Jahz: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 for p/s: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Rough. Also, think I forgot to get Benedict into this round. Sorry!

~+~Combat Round 2~+~
Bask & Salim (sickened)
Jahz
Benedict (sickened)
Ghoul (-14)
Robb (sickened)
Barrabas (sickened)
Waze (sickened)

~+~Combat Round 3~+~
Bask & Salim (sickened)
Jahz
Benedict (sickened)
Ghoul (-14)
Robb (sickened)
Barrabas (sickened)
Waze (sickened)

Barrabas approaches and strikes with his gore attack.

gore: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Jahz raises his sword, blue light dancing down the blade once more. "However many you've killed for your little games, they will be avenged tonight!" he cries as he chops down with the blade.

Longsword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Slashing damage, Weapon Song, Arcane Strike: 1d8 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 10

Hmm. We need to get everyone a flanking buddy to better our chances of hitting this thing. The difficult terrain on the steps is causing some problems though. @Barrabas, could you have moved 5 more feet to flank with Jahz's current position? If so, could we retcon that (with the +2 flank bonus on both attack rolls), GM?

If there's no objection from GM, i'd be happy to have moved an additional 5 ft.

The wizard moves and fires with his pistol.

Swift action, uses one spell to enhance my pistol +1 for the fight and uses Shadow speaker as free action.

Pistol: 1d20 + 5 - 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 5 - 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 4 = 18 sickened, Song, enhancement, shadow speaker, firing into melee

damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 - 2 = 3 enhancement, Song, sickened

Bask looks on with a worried look as this abomination lashes out at his blinded companion. Luckily though despite being unable to properly defend himself, Salim's thick hide saved him.

Relieved, Bask performs a retributive strike.

Scimitar,outflank,Enh,PA: 1d20 + 4 + 4 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 4 + 1 - 1 = 16
Slashing,STR,Enh,PA: 1d6 + 4 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + 3 = 9

Salim lashes out into the area he can smell his enemy.

Bite, outflank, sickened, enh: 1d20 + 5 + 4 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 4 - 2 + 1 = 15
Bite damage, P/B/S, sickened, enh: 1d6 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 - 2 + 1 = 3
50% Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 31

Claw, outflank, sickened, enh: 1d20 + 5 + 4 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 4 - 2 + 1 = 22
Bite damage, P/B/S,sickened, enh: 1d4 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 - 2 + 1 = 4
50% Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 88

Claw, outflank, sickened, enh: 1d20 + 5 + 4 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 4 - 2 + 1 = 27
Bite damage, P/B/S,sickened, enh: 1d4 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 - 2 + 1 = 2
50% Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 61

No problem with the ret-con on the move--it's something we definitely would have seen at the table. Also, this enemy has an AC that is a bit higher than usual for this sub-tier.

The party moves to surround the ghoul, but her thick hide fends off many of their blows. Waze hits with his bullet and two of Salim's attacks connect--good kitty!

~+~Combat Round 2~+~
Bask & Salim (sickened)
Jahz
Benedict (sickened)
Ghoul (-23)
Robb (sickened)
Barrabas (sickened)
Waze (sickened)

~+~Combat Round 3~+~
Bask & Salim (sickened)
Jahz
Benedict (sickened)
Ghoul (-23)
Robb (sickened)
Barrabas (sickened)
Waze (sickened)

I think things got a little off - you didn't skip me, but I think you treated Bask and Jahz rolling will saves as their turn and kind of skipped to 3rd round. Sorry in a rush and can't quite parse.

Benedict will continue to give advice to his party members, this time giving instructions to Barrabas.

Ancestor's Council (Su): Barrabas gains a +2 bonus on any attack roll, saving throw, ability check, or skill check made before the beginning of the shaman’s next turn.

Ancestor's Council is that "any (all)" attack rolls or just the first?

I believe it is any single roll

Robb attacks, being careful to swing his reach weapon past his allies.

1d20 + 4 + 2 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 2 - 4 - 2 = 13
1d10 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Sorry for the delay on my part. Busy week at work.

Benedict dispenses advice from his ancestors and Robb swings at the enemy. The ghoul makes an arcane gesture and a beam of dark, crackling energy shoots from one of the black, crystalline pillars at Salim, but the nimble cat dodges.

ray of enfeeblement (touch): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 for STR Penalty: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

~+~Combat Round 3~+~
Bask & Salim (sickened)
Jahz
Benedict (sickened)
Ghoul (-23)
Robb (sickened)
Barrabas (sickened)
Waze (sickened)

~+~Combat Round 4~+~
Bask & Salim (sickened)
Jahz
Benedict (sickened)
Ghoul (-23)
Robb (sickened)
Barrabas (sickened)
Waze (sickened)

Ooo, do we all get AoO’s against her for spellcasting? Asking for a friend.

”Again! Show her the power of the hero’s of the Society!” Jahz extols, his blade leaving a faint afterimage of blue in its wake as he swings at the ghoul.

Longsword, Flanking: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 2 = 24
Slashing damage, Weapon Song, Arcane Strike: 1d8 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 11

That's a hit! No AoO as she is activating a magic item.

Barrabas unleashes the full array of natural attacks on the evil caster.

gore, flank, ws, ancestor: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 21
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

hoof 1, flanks, ws: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

hoof 2, flanks, ws: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Robb attacks with his glaive
1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 6
1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9

Alas I believe Salim's touch AC is currently 8 due to being blinded. Oh but I forgot to roll a will save for him last round (again assuming that this is glitterdust). If it's OK I'll do that first

Salim Will save sickened: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 3 - 2 = 16

Woohoo?

Bask attacks, emboldened by his allies successes and Salim's recovery, this time a little less powerfully in order to try to land a blow

Scimitar,outflank,Enh: 1d20 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 4 + 1 = 25
Slashing,STR,Enh: 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9

Salim roars in fury after wiping the dust from his eyes

Bite, outflank, sickened, enh: 1d20 + 5 + 4 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 4 - 2 + 1 = 22
Bite damage, P/B/S, sickened, enh: 1d6 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 - 2 + 1 = 1

Claw, outflank, sickened, enh: 1d20 + 5 + 4 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 4 - 2 + 1 = 17
Claw damage, B/S,sickened, enh: 1d4 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 - 2 + 1 = 1

Claw, outflank, sickened, enh: 1d20 + 5 + 4 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 4 - 2 + 1 = 10
Claw damage, B/S,sickened, enh: 1d4 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 - 2 + 1 = 1

The wizard reloads his gun.