GM Zer0darkfire's Witchwar Legacy (Inactive)

Game Master asdffghjkl01

Gaius walks in...and walks out.

Messa declares the gigas as their target for this fight.

The winter wolf breathes a cone of cold air at Rinaldo and Tuwo, which the frost giant's completely ignore.
cold damage: 6d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 4, 2, 5, 4) = 21 reflex DC 17 for half

defensive casting: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25
The gigas begins casting a spell, causing Tuwo to shoot at it. His arrow hits home, but doesn't quite pierce as deeply as normal.
damage concentration, DC 39: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28 but he loses his spell regardless (no deeper darkness for you guys to deal with).

The two frost giants flanking Rinaldo take turns trying to beat him up, taking a second to draw their greataxes. (squeezing and flanking)
greataxe: 1d20 + 18 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 18 - 4 + 2 = 24
gnarled greataxe: 1d20 + 19 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 19 - 4 + 2 = 24
Followed by the other frost giant in front of Rinaldo.
greataxe, squeezing: 1d20 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 18 - 4 = 18

Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Flint
Gaius
Tuwo, (I'm going to leave your initiative here, otherwise you'd have a solo turn which would slow the game down a bit)
Rinaldo
Aurelia
Messa
Winter Wolf
Gigas, -26hp
2 frost giants
1 gnarled frost giant

If someone wants to come out to me, I can hand out a greater invisibility or two between banging my head against this wall.

@Aurelia - Flint will be heading in this round so I would appreciate a Greater Invisibility. :)

GM: Do I not threaten the Gigas? I should have gotten an AoO as well. Also, don't forget Rinaldo has Disruptive and Spellbreaker, so the DC to cast defensively is 4 higher and if they fail I get an AoO even though they cast defensively.

Oh, and both Tuwo and Rinaldo are under the effects of Discordant Voice as well, so they get 1d6 sonic damage on each hit.

Rinaldo Reflex vs Cold: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19 Fail, full damage
Indominatable Mount Ride Check vs Cold for Colwyn: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (19) + 24 = 43 Evasion, no damage

As the giants fail to connect, Rinaldo laughs and says, "Is that all you have? The Great Rinaldo does not fear you!"

He and Colwyn ignore the giants to concentrate on the Gigas.

Free action to maintain Inspire Greatness, swift to activate Arcane Strike, 5' step diagonal and up to get out of flank and not block the door, then full attack.

Damage is Cold Iron and Good for overcoming DR.
Attack #1: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (8) + 23 = 31 damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 4 Holy: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10
Attack #2: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20 damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 5 Holy: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 2) = 7
Attack #3: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24 damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 Sonic: 1d6 ⇒ 2 Holy: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11

Colwyn(bite): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21 damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (4, 6) + 9 = 19

Combat effects active
Inspire Greatness, Discordant Voice (Tuwo and Rinaldo)

Aurelia takes a quick break from her rounds of self-doubt to cast Greater Invisibility on Flint.

What the hell is wrong with me that I can't get through this wall. I know it's an Illusion. There has to be a better way.

After casting on Flint, she will walk into the previous room and try to use her Dimensional Steps to teleport into the room. My understanding was that the pillar room is the one warded by Dimensional Anchor. If that is wrong, she will just keep trying and failing to get through the wall.

@Aurelia - Thanks

Flint disappears from view as Aurelia's spell completes. He steps through the wall and looks over the opposition.

K-Planes,Heroism: 1d20 + 22 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 22 + 2 = 39

He has heard of the Gigas before and their strange magical abilities. Despite this fact he recognizes a Giant when he sees one and knows full well how to combat them. Despite this fact he calls upon his monastic training to defend himself (KI dodge as swift action - +4 AC). AC 52 vs Giants and Invisible.

Flint is careful to be quiet on his way in (Stealth as part of the move action to enter the room).

Stealth,Heroism,Invisible: 1d20 + 25 + 2 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 25 + 2 + 20 = 53

Flint will ready an action to fire an arrow to disrupt the Gigas' actions.

To Hit, Good Hope,Invisible Perfect Strike: 2d20 + 25 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7, 15) + 25 + 2 + 2 = 51
44 to Hit, no critical
Damage,Gravity Bow,Good Hope: 2d6 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (1, 3) + 20 + 2 = 26

My assumption is that the Linguistic check took 1 round (instead of 1 minute) as it is only one line of text. Otherwise reduce the damage to 25 points as Gravity Bow would be down.

reflex save vs breath weapon including evasion: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (1) + 22 = 23

"I don't think it fears us either."

@Tuwo - Bit of Luck only lasts 1 round per standard action. Otherwise it would be way too good but Messa could touch you again this round I guess if she was adjacent to you. :)

She used it agin on her turn after coming inside. "Move action for Freebooter's Bane on the big guy, +1 attack and damage (untyped) on all attacks against him. Standard action to drop Bit of Luck on Tuwo." Oh but it is on all rolls so...

second d20 on reflex save from bit o luck: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (15) + 22 = 37

@Tuwo - Right. Good Catch. ;)

The Great Rinaldo, you can take an AoO as well, I totally didn't realize/remember that you had spellbreaker, its not a very common pickup! I also didn't realize discordant voice was working with this bard song as well, that's pretty cool. Unfortunately, the Gigas creature is resistant to sonic by more than 6.

The room with the statues is the only anchored room, but that bars teleportation in or out of it, through it, however, well thats clever.

@Flint Yes, it only took one round for the linguistics.

Most of Rinaldo's arrows bounce off the Gigas' hide, but one hits before an arrow hail from Tuwo follows it. Even with the Gigas' defenses, the arrows puncture vital organs and cause him to fall.

As you said, the other enemies aren't actually a threat. The threat here was potential separation vs the Gigas.

Combat Over!
Rinaldo and Tuwo, -21hp

Tuwo made the reflex save thanks to Bit o Luck and has evasion.

CLW Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
CLW Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
CLW Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
CLW Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

After the combat, Rinaldo takes a moment to heal his wounds. 5 charges.

Seeing the stairs, he says, "Looks like we'll be going forward. Let's see if we can help the others get through."

He places the small statue of a dog on the ground and says the word to recover his canine companion, the orders Colwyn to guard the stairs while the party makes it through.

At this point is it just a matter of time for everyone to roll high enough? Is there a way to assist them?

Flint nods at Tuwo as he puts down the Gigas with relative ease. He then pokes his head through the now intangible wall to let the party know that they can safely pass through.

"Come my friends. Spend a moment or two now to complete your personal trial and pass through the wall when you are ready."

He turns to Rinaldo.

"Do as you will but would it not be better for them to try to pass through the wall unassisted, at least at first? This is a unique opportunity."

With the immediate threat removed Flint searches the giants and the room for loot magically (Sift - Perception 42).

He then renews his spells of Heightened Awareness and Shield from wand and staff.

When the group is ready he will lead them to Area 8.

The remains of Ilivorr’s band have been devoured by the winter wolf, and their mundane equipment ruined and thrown on the garbage heaps. However, their valuables were taken by Ferric and are carried in his bag. It contains five suits of masterwork chainmail, a +2 heavy wooden shield, a +1 shock light crossbow, two potions of lesser restoration, a belt of physical might +2 (Strength and Constitution), and a backpack holding 1,975 gp. The other giants carry a total of 2,200 gp in coins and semiprecious stones.

Time passed since arriving: ~16 minutes

Flint loads the goods into the portable hole and leads the group to Area 8.

If anyone wants to use/hold onto a piece of treasure then just claim it. At this level most of the found treasure is simply going to be sold anyways.

This icy chamber has been turned into a campsite. A number of water barrels, wrapped in furs to insulate them from the cold, stand in the center of the room. Scattered around them are a number of giant-sized bedrolls composed of various mangy furs from arctic and mountain beasts. Against the north wall sits a mound of massive cuts of frozen, raw meat. To the east, a stair climbs up to the next level.

Hidden among the bedrolls are loose coins totaling 280 gp in value. There is also a delicate ice sculpture of a beautiful maiden (worth 1,800 gp) that bears a powerful curse.

The secret door in the south wall opens onto stairs leading down to area 6, and can be discovered with a Perception check of only 17 thanks to some faint, bloody handprints.

There is a lone frost giant here that fights you...well, he doesn't so much fight you as the two zen archers walk down the stairs, firing arrows into him casually.

Time Passed: 16.5 minutes.

Flint loads up the treasure careful not to touch the ice sculpture directly. He then checks the secret door for traps (Perception check of 47). Assuming that he does not find any traps he will lead the group to Area 6.

Perfectly transparent crystalline stairs without any visible means of support descend forty feet to the floor of this chamber. A narrow arrow slit in the south turret allows a gust of cold wind to enter and stir the many hide and stick fetishes that have been arrayed around an altar of black stone on a short dais at the north end of the room.

The altar stone is wholly unlike any stone found on this part of Golarion; it is composed of black and charcoal-gray striations and has a vaguely greasy feel to it. It radiates an intense cold that deals cold damage per round to any flesh that touches it, and anyone who looks at it for more than 1 round must make a Will save.

Currently camped in this room is a gnarled ice troll cleric of Kostchtchie. Shathbardok resembles a normal troll, but his hide is a mottled dark blue and gray, his limbs are twisted and misshapen, and he stands almost 20 feet tall. He is not immediately hostile towards you and is instead quite gregarious. "Hello explorers! I'm called Shathbardok. Who are all of you?"

Map Slides

@GM Zer0darkfire - Would you rule that a Silent Image of a curtain would block the effect if our characters intentionally decide not to interact with it? I know that Fog Cloud/Obscuring Mist would work but is a little rude.

Flint listens to the troll's words trying to decide if Shathbardok is actually friendly or simply delaying for the stone to take effect on the party.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (13) + 19 = 32

Silent image would be fine; it still blocks line of sight.

The troll is being kind and honest. He enjoys this location and conversation.

Flint smiles and with the Tongues spell up Shathbardok hears Flint in his native language.

"It is a pleasant opportunity to converse. I am Flint and these are my companions. The radiance of your altar is too powerful for outsiders like ourselves. I will be putting up a temporary curtain so we can converse at ease. Do not be alarmed."

Flint carefully draws out his scroll of Silent Image and casts it relying on his trained reflexes to protect himself should the troll try to take advantage of this opportunity.

He fashions a curtain blocking the view of the altar. Discretely patterned within the curtain are proverbs of Irori and the Master's Rebus.

"So tell us about yourself. What exactly are you doing here?"

"I'm studying the ways of the Queen of Witches. I find her repellent, but utterly fascinating, especially her altar; it gives you visions." the troll replies finally looking at Flint instead of the altar.

Flint continues to speak to the ice troll gently prodding for any useful information.

"What can you tell us about the Queen of the Witches and your visions? I imagine that you are knowledgeable about the Torc of Kostchtchie as well?"

Just posting to say I'm following along, but Rinaldo has nothing to add or do at the moment.

"The visions...well you should experience them yourself. They do not hurt, but they are quite interesting. I only know that the Torc resides here and is hidden from being found." the troll replies.

Flint nods pondering quietly the Troll's words.

"Perhaps you are right but for now I think it best that we leave the experience for latter. When we are finished our exploration of this fascinating structure we might find time for a guided vision quest."

Flint looks around at the others.

"I think it is time to proceed on. Unless someone else has something they would like to add or feel that they would like to experience the visions now."

I was hoping that he would have more to say. :)

Tell me, why should we experience them ourselves? Is there knowledge to be gleaned within them?

"I cannot describe them. You should see them for yourself. You may find them interesting." the troll replies as he returns to staring in the altar's direction.

"We are good at finding things. I've had some pretty bad visions in the past and survived. If it is the only way to find the Torc I volunteer. What do I need to do?"

Flint nods.

"Slowly approach the curtain and I will have it move around you. I can manipulate it magically so you should be able to move through it while still protecting the party from gazing for too long at the altar."

"You of all people should be able to steel yourself against any evil influences."

Messa has several anti-compulsion/confusion spells ready. It's amazing what you carry in your repertoire when your party includes a gargantuan wooly mammoth...

"But do I look at it? Touch it?"

Tuwo will approach the alter. He will resist any effects at first but if no visions are forthcoming after a few moments 2 rounds. he will stop fighting it.

Fun story. Tuwo has had a vision where he both watched and felt the entire solar system die. The experience nearly killed him. He can't imagine the alter showing him anything worse then that.

DC 25 will save, so you'll need to be willing.

You see benighted winter woods where snow-laden conifers are hung with all manner of grisly and unidentifiable fetishes, though who or what these represent is unclear.

Tuwo looks around in the vision and studies the fetishes so he can describe them later.

@Tuwo - I think you need to make a DC 25 Will save. ;)

I think the point was it is a dc 25 will save to resist which is a 95% chance of success so Tuwo would have to be willing to not resist.

@Tuwo - A bit riskier then. Ok do it if you want.

Yep, I'm assuming he won't fail that will save in two chances, so he has to willingly accept the visions.

That is all Tuwo sees. Nothing else happens.

Tuuo shrugs then tries to will himself back to reality.

will save?: 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (7) + 31 = 38

After describing what he saw as best he can "I think someone who understands such things better then I should go."

If Tuwo describes the fetishes, can I make a knowledge check of some kind to know what they are?

It's just flavor stuff, there isn't anything you can roll for them.

Flint looks at Shathbardok and the rest of the party and shrugs.

"Well, I guess that is all for now. We will leave you to your visions. We still have a fair bit to explore I imagine."

Flint will lead the party back up the staircase to area 8. He will check the eastern door for traps (Perception 47). Assuming all is well he will open the door.

We checked out the secret door but not the regular door in Area 8.

7) A broad balcony overlooks the gallery below (area 5), a stair curling downward to the right. A solid rail of ice surrounds the balcony to a height of five feet.

A handful of frost giants guards this area...well they did guard this area until you showed up.

5) Stairs emerge through the floor near the base of a forty-foot high wall topped by a balcony. Another set of stairs across the room climbs to the balcony itself. These stairs bear a glistening sheen, as if wet, and scattered pieces of broken wood lie at its foot.

Flint checks the giants magically for treasure (Sift Perception 42). He also combs the scattered pieces of broken wood from a distance with his Sift spell (Perception 42). He looks around to see why the staircase is wet considering the frigid conditions.

I would think the cause to be a recent fire that melted some of the ice but that is only an assumption considering the scattered wood.

With the assumption that nothing of interest is found he will lead the party down to area 5. He keeps his eyes open looking for traps or monsters considering the obvious danger signs (Perception 47).

Unless specified otherwise Flint is flying and not walking.

Collected in the giants' bags are treasures totaling 480 gp, 2,256 sp, and 3,560 cp, and three ice-blue zircons worth 185 gp each.

Nothing else of interest in these places. Also, I can't imagine how long this module would take in PbP if we had to run all these fights. Part of me is glad you guys have such crazy DPR that we can skip the fighting part while you solve the riddle to get the torc.

After the party loads up the loot into the portable hole he will lead them down the staircase to Area 3 (from Area 5).

Following these maps and not missing anything is the most difficult part of this adventure by far. ;)

DPR of the party is hardly crazy by any means but not lacking. It is an old module and less difficult than many of the newer 12-15 scenarios that I have played. At least so far. Perhaps there is a coven of 20th level witches riding ancient white dragons at the bottom level. Who knows? ;)

The maps definitely had me confused at first because they are on different pages and they also included a map of some nearby giant city with the same numbers. I know your DPR isn't crazy for your level, but this module definitely isn't prepared for it and I can't adjust it.

This chamber is wide and open with an icy ceiling rising forty feet overhead from which great icicles droop. Another stair exits at the far end, and the south wall curves outward, forming a turret. The floor is scattered with cracked and frozen bones of all sizes. Some are brown with great age, but others are much more recent additions.

A secret door in the western ice wall can be found with DC 30 Perception check. Behind it is a circular passage of smoothly gouged contours that descends in a spiral deeper into the ice, ending at area 4.

More importantly, on this floor is an Ancient White Dragon trying to hide from you by clinging to the ceiling. "Why are you here and why shouldn't I freeze you where you stand!?" she yells in common.

Map updated

Gaius bows politely.

"Off-hand? I would recommend against trying - it would *not* end well for you. That said, I would vastly prefer it if we avoided having the situation descend into violence; I find words are far more efficient, and require less tidying-up afterwards."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 42 ⇒ (14) + 42 = 56.

She narrows her eyes before talking quieter, "Know anything about curses then?"