GM Xavier Kahlvet's Moonscar (Inactive)

Game Master KingTreyIII

Xanaphia cheerfully walks on air as the Pathfinders continue through the strange lunar jungle. When the spell wears off without having seen any action, she grumbles a bit. When the party reaches the clearing with the stone pillar and shackles, she wonders aloud, "Could that be the true name of some being? Do you think these manacles once held that being? Or is something else going on here?" After thinking for another few moments she suggests, "Perhaps we should try pronouncing that name and see what happens? After preparing ourselves for danger, of course."

Lots of spells expired during that 3 hour walk; I would have recast them as soon as they wore off: Mass Feather Step on the party, See Invis on myself, and Heroism on myself and Tuwo, all extended (leaving me 1 lesser extend and 1 standard extend charge left). Not renewing Freedom of Movement yet, and Colwyn's Air Walk will expire in 15 minutes.
From his previous statement, I assume Tuwo is recasting Barkskin every time it expires.

At Xanaphia's suggestion, Rinaldo says, "That's possible. We could certainly try it. Let's give the area a thorough inspection first, though."

Others are better at Perception than me, so I'll be standing guard while they look around. If we don't see any other path or direction to travel, saying the name might be worth a try.

Saving y'all some time: A thorough examination of the immediate area reveals nothing. However, the path through the jungle still continues onward.

Satisfied that there is nothing else here, Rinaldo says, Let's press one. I'd rather not summon a demon to us given that we're going to be seeing plenty already."

"Okay, if you'd rather press on that is fine with me."

"We can come back to it if needed."

The jungle grasps at the feet of a great tor of black stone, which towers into the sky above. As it rises toward the stars, the stone darkens and gains a glassy sheen, ending in a tall, thin tower high above—a shimmering spire of porphyry and obsidian. The stars are mirrored in the glassy sides of the spire, as though in supplication to the heavens. A winding stair climbs the stone, leading to the wide double doors into the imposing structure.

Due to the flying ability of the party, getting up to the top of this mountain takes little more than 15 minutes.

Once at the top, the group is “greeted” by a trio of feeble, eyeless shepherds wandering aimlessly near the side of the metal doors of the shrine. When the party approaches, almost everybody sorry, Rinaldo almost immediately sees a discoloration in the onyx off to the side of the shrine—where the shepherds arewhere a clear for lack of a better term manhole resides.

Everyone notices something off about the eyeless shepherds, and as they turn around they see the shepherds disappear and in their places stand a trio of—for lack of a better description—albino Cthulhus, one of whom is walking on air themselves. Map Updated

Setting up initiative Okay, so these things are gonna get absolutely torn apart before they get to…. THEY’RE FIRST?!?!?!

The Cthulhus since I’m assuming you all re-upped air walk in some way so y’all wouldn’t have to deal with the DC 30 Climb checks quickly cast magic and attempt to disrupt the magic upon the Pathfinders! And yes, they could ID the air walk to specifically target it with dispel magic.

Who Isn’t Getting a Dispel Magic? 1=Colwyn, 2=Messa, 3=Tuwo, 4=Xanaphia: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Colwyn Air Walk Dispel: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23
Messa Air Walk Dispel: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15
Xanaphia Air Walk Dispel: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

Two of the creatures then step up and all go all-out on the group!

The Door”men”
Round 1
================
Red
Yellow
Blue
Rinaldo (-23)
Tuwo (-43)
Messa
Xanaphia (-65)
================

Xanaphia had several spell slots left open (one each at 1, 2, 3, 4, 7), and to air walk again would have needed to fill the empty 4th level slot. So would it be fair to say I prayed for 15 mins prior to ascending and filled my empty slots?

Xanaphia, that seems quite reasonable. Rinaldo would have happily stood guard for 15 minutes while you prayed to make getting up simpler.

"Another impediment to our goal! Let's show them how Pathfinders do things!"

5' step back, move action to Inspire Courage, standard to attack Red. Colwyn uses Vital strike and Lunge to attack Red.

Heroism, Inspire Courage, Arcane Strike
Attack (lance): 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (13) + 24 = 37 damage: 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16 Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 2
On successful hit, Arcane Striking Gloves deal 3 damage to enemies adjacent to target.

Inspire Courage - All allies who perceive my performance gain +3 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +3 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.
Discordant Voice - If you are within 30' of me and affected by my current performance, do an additional 1d6 sonic damage on each attack. If using a ranged attack, the target must also be within 30' of me.

Inspire Courage, Power Attack, Vital Strike, Lunge
Attack (bite): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18 damage: 2d6 + 18 ⇒ (2, 4) + 18 = 24 Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 5

knowledge including unknown -4 penalty, +2 from Clear Ear, and Heroism: 1d20 - 4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) - 4 + 2 + 2 = 9 +12 Dungoneering +20 Religion.

Messa channels energy to heal so Xanaphia can use her action for something more useful.

Channel to heal, excluding the albino Cthulhus: 7d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 3, 4, 2, 3, 6) = 26

Tuwo and Rinaldo absolutely slaughter the Red creature!

Also meant to post this; had it written out and everything but apparently there was a transcription error on my part:

The Door”men”
Round 1
================
Yellow (-3)
Blue (-124)
Rinaldo
Tuwo (-17)
Messa
Xanaphia (-39)
================

I had a few crit threats in there. Rinaldo mentioned casting gallant inspiration when Tuwo missed with a crit confirmation. Though it is the same bonus as his inspire so for attack rolls the bonus is 2d4 -3. He might reconsider.

I generally offer it and let the player decide. I only have three 2nd level slots left, but if at any time you feel it might be useful (up to once per round) just say that you are taking a Gallant Inspiration. I'll rescind the offer once I'm down to just one slot in case I need it for an emergency.

The same goes for skill checks out of combat, if you think a +3 would be useful, go ahead and say you're asking for a Timely Inspiration.

I think we'll be okay without it as long as Messa doesn't run out of healing.

I'll take that as a "yes" that I could have filled my empty spell slots before ascending. Their dispel magic did not beat my DC of 29.

Xanaphia swiftly casts grace, then walks through the air away from the albino cthulus and starts casting Summon Monster IV.

The Blue beast moves up, likewise walking on air, and strikes at Xanaphia provokes from Messa and Rinaldo

Blue Claw vs Xanaphia: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (3) + 21 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Xanaphia auto-succeeds at the concentration check.

The Yellow beast then steps over and starts attacking Messa!

The Door”men”
Round 2
================
Yellow (-3)
Blue (-124)
Rinaldo
Tuwo (-17)
Messa (-47; 3 Wis. Drain)
Xanaphia (-49)
================

Was it adjacent to Tuwo? If yes he gets an aoo as well.

Possible aoo including deadly aim, unknown -4 penalty, Heroism, Inspire Courage, Point Blank: 1d20 + 27 - 4 + 2 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 27 - 4 + 2 + 3 + 1 = 31
magic/cold iron/holy/piercing: 1d8 + 19 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 19 + 3 + 1 = 25
extra sonic dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 5
extra holy damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6

Was it adjacent to Tuwo? If yes he gets an aoo as well.

No it wasn't.

When Messa fails the Will save vs the wisdom drain, Rinaldo casts Saving Finale
Messa reroll save: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (17) + 21 = 38

As the creature moves up, Rinaldo and Colwyn attack!
Rinaldo AoO: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (13) + 24 = 37 damage: 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16 Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 3
On successful hit, Arcane Striking Gloves deal 3 damage to enemies adjacent to target

They then continue their assault on the beasts!
Restart performance, single attack. Target priority: Blue, then Yellow.

Rinaldo: Heroism, Inspire Courage, Arcane Strike
Attack (lance): 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (7) + 24 = 31 damage: 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17 Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 3

====================
Inspire Courage - All allies who perceive my performance gain +3 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +3 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.
Discordant Voice - If you are within 30' of me and affected by my current performance, do an additional 1d6 sonic damage on each attack. If using a ranged attack, the target must also be within 30' of me.

AoO: Power Attack, Lunge
AoO bite: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27 damage: 1d6 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19 Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Vital Strike, Power Attack, Lunch
Attack (bite): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32 damage: 2d6 + 18 ⇒ (4, 6) + 18 = 28 Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Thanks. cousin! I wasn't able to concentrate for a second.

Messa looks up at the albino Cthulhus. So the strategy here is "don't get hit so often."

Casting Shield of Faith defensively.
Orange ioun stone: 16 + 1d4 - 1 ⇒ 16 + (1) - 1 = 16

Messa's AC goes up +4 to 32.

"Good plan."

Tuwo destroys what remains of the Blue beast and thoroughly injures the remaining one.

The Door”men”
Round 2
================
Yellow (-127)
Rinaldo
Tuwo (-17)
Messa (-47)
Xanaphia (-49)[/b]
================

Transcription error :P

The Door”men”
Round 2
================
Yellow (-127)
Rinaldo
Tuwo (-17)
Messa (-47)
Xanaphia (-49)
================

Xanaphia’s spell finishes and an aerial tiger appears and promptly pounces on the remaining foe after Xanaphia activates her aura of heroism.

The tiger downs the last of the beasts, leaving the area eerily quiet.

Tuwo finds a nearby lever hidden among the onyx that, when pulled, causes the manhole to grind and squeal as it shifts aside, revealing a smooth tube descending down a hundred feet.

What do you do?

Rinaldo looks at the tube. "Well, that's fascinating. Coincidence, or is that the direction we need to go in order to find our missing people?"

He dismounts to let his mount move more freely. "Colwyn, has Osprey been through here?"

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Survival to track with Scent: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Colwyn doesn’t pick up any scent of Osprey I will remind you that he’s been gone for months.

"I'm better at jumping up then down."

I note Rinaldo has feather fall.

"Before we go down I need a bit of healing."

@GM are you okay if I use averages on my CLW wand? If so I'll use 4 charges. I'll also recast false life from my wand.

false life: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

I'm good with averages outside of combat.

In that case Tuwo will request someone tap him with his CLW wand for 4 charges.

What do we see looking down into the tube? How wide is it? Is it straight down or angled?

What do we see looking down into the tube? How wide is it? Is it straight down or angled?

You don't see much of anything. 10' diameter. Straight.

My biggest point is whether you guys want to go down the tube or check out the building that's here.

Oh. Hadn't realized there was an entrance to the building. Still, the hole was hidden so it might lead to prisoners.

Railroading the party to keep things moving:

The Pathfinders descend down the tube.

*

A natural cavern opens up here, its ceiling stretching to a height of over fifty feet. A wide circular hole occupies the center of the ceiling, surrounded by a ring of fanglike stalactites. Two shorter, narrower passages lead away from the cavern to the northwest and southwest, and a fifteen-foot-tall shelf lies on the eastern wall. A light breeze echoes around the caverns, creating the illusion of a nearby invisible creature sighing sensually. Map Updated

To the south is a dead end with a pathetic 8d6, DC 16 Reflex trap. Just gonna say now (rather than later) that Xanaphia summons something with a summon monster I to set off the trap. That’ll occur after the combat here, just so you know (because I prepped the incorrect view of the map because the dead end is listed as C1 when the PCs enter at C2).

The moment a Pathfinder touches the ground, three strange, worm-like creatures burst from the ground! Gonna say that now the terrain no longer qualifies as “jungle,” since you guys are underground, so that aspect of hunter’s blessing no longer applies.

Sorry if tokens are weird; on my phone and Rinaldo’s did not to cooperate.

Moon Worms
Round 1
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Rinaldo
Xanaphia
Messa
Tuwo
Red
Blue
Yellow
==================

"I'm really getting tired of things dropping in on us. How can I charge if they're right on top of us? No matter, Pathfinders, attack!"

Inspire courage, Arcane Strike, and attack Yellow with lance; Colwyn attacks red.

Attack #1: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (3) + 24 = 27 damage: 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15 Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Inspire Courage - All allies who perceive my performance gain +3 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +3 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.
Discordant Voice - If you are within 30' of me and affected by my current performance, do an additional 1d6 sonic damage on each attack. If using a ranged attack, the target must also be within 30' of me.

Power attack, Vital strike, inspire courage
Attack (bite): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34 damage: 2d6 + 18 ⇒ (3, 5) + 18 = 26 Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 4

The worms emit a high-pitched shriek as they are hit, howling in pain as Rinaldo and Colwyn strike! But the halfling feels his attack being simultaneously less effective and more effective than usual.

Moon Worms
Round 1
==================
Rinaldo
Xanaphia
Messa
Tuwo
Red (-32)
Blue
Yellow (-18 from “1” attack [before DR])
==================

Dungeoneering including unknown -4 penalty, Clear Ear, and Heroism: 1d20 + 12 - 4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 12 - 4 + 2 + 2 = 23

"Under, Not on top. Tunnelers of some sort."

Red, being surprisingly resilient, dies at Tuwo's fourth arrow.

Moon Worms
Round 1
==================
Rinaldo
Xanaphia
Messa
Tuwo
Blue
Yellow (-57 from “2” attack [before DR])
==================

knowledge Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25

Messa looks at the moon worms and shakes her head Those are familiar...but I can't quite think of the name...

"You've got this, cousin! Think hard!"

Immediate action to cast Gallant Inspiration on Messa's knowledge check: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4

With her cousin's encouragement, Messa snaps her fingers. ...Somalcygots! moon-dwelling worms, very territorial. Watch their mouths--they spew acid that will stick to you.

Dodging the worms, Messa quickly casts Communal Resist Acid.
caster level with ioun stone: 16 + 1d4 - 1 ⇒ 16 + (1) - 1 = 16

Everyone has 30 minutes of resist acid, Colwyn has 40 minutes.

And here’s me forgetting that Xanaphia’s player is off backpacking. Whoops!

Xanaphia moves back and walks on air before stopping fifteen feet above the ground. She then starts casting summon monster IV.

The Somalcygots both lash out against the Pathfinders!

Blue Bite vs Tuwo: 1d20 + 21 - 3 ⇒ (13) + 21 - 3 = 31
Damage: 2d6 + 12 + 6 ⇒ (4, 6) + 12 + 6 = 28 Acid Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 4, 2) = 10

It then steps up as it lashes at the casting cleric!

Casting while Grappled, DC 41: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (11) + 25 = 36 Spell is lost.

The other one then lashes out at the halflings!

Moon Worms
Round 2
==================
Rinaldo
Xanaphia (-70) {Grappled}
Messa
Tuwo
Blue {Grappled}
Yellow (-57 from “2” attack [before DR])
==================

"Hey there, that's no toy! Let go!"

Rinaldo directs Colwyn to attack the worm holding on to Xanaphia, then backs up and stabs the same one with his lance.

Colwyn Vital Strikes against Blue then takes a 5' step over. Rinaldo maintains Inspire Courage, then full attacks. No Arcane Strike since I used my immediate action on the Inspiration.

Power Attack, Vital Strike, Inspire Courage
Bite: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32 damage: 2d6 + 18 ⇒ (6, 6) + 18 = 30 Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Heroism, Inspire Courage
Attack #1: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (13) + 24 = 37 damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Attack #2: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (11) + 19 = 30 damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Attack #3: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16 damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Inspire Courage - All allies who perceive my performance gain +3 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +3 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.
Discordant Voice - If you are within 30' of me and affected by my current performance, do an additional 1d6 sonic damage on each attack. If using a ranged attack, the target must also be within 30' of me.

Rinaldo and Colwyn attack the creature, but it does not drop the elf and Rinaldo feels his attack to be not as effective as it could have been.

Moon Worms
Round 2
==================
Rinaldo
Xanaphia (-70) {Grappled}
Messa
Tuwo
Blue (-69 from “2” attacks [before DR]) {Grappled}
Yellow (-57 from “2” attack [before DR])
==================