GM Ietsuna's 10-13 Fragments of Antiquity

Game Master Ietsuna

No check to know where you are going. You know this is a dimension door type spell, as determined by a roll when you first encountered the room.

In the center of the room, two staircases descend to a lower level set six feet below the main floor. A glass railing like the ones in the rest of the library encircles the lower level. A large mirror is inlaid into the floor on the lower level and surrounded by bookshelves set into the walls, with standing mirrors in the corners. On the upper level, fragments of broken mirrors sparkle in the aisles between the shelves, and in the corners, folding screens partly conceal more private spaces.

Overlooking you from the upper level are four figures. They are dressed like the librarians you have glimpsed throughout the library.

You hear an echo through the air Who's there? Where is the Ruby Phoenix?

New map up. See slide 2

I'll wager five gold crowns that those...librarians aren't exactly friendly. Any takers? Rallas muses as he grips his blade a bit tighter.

Be ready with your magicks, fellows. I sense a pitched battle. he nods to Pooka to make sure the halfling is ready. He looks around to make sure there is only the four threats.

perc: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

Pooka nods to Rallas silently and then looks up at the figures. "He is not here." the halfling answers. "We seek to bring some of the knowledge locked in this demi plane back to our society. The one the Ruby Phoenix used to lead."

Rallas spots no other threats around the library.

The figures seem none to pleased with your responses and move toward you. One of the figures disappears as the others move.

I forgot to make the 4 player adjustment so removing 1 from the map now.

Combat Round 1 - Bold May Act

Rallas
Red
Yellow
Blue
Kenath
Pooka
Nugats

Hmm...dashing off to confront these things head on would be folly, I think..would allow us to get separated and possibly overwhelmed. I think we let them come to us...I will post up at one set of stairs...Pooka, you get the other. If we hold them off and let Nugats and Kenath blast away, we should do fine.

moved to bottom of stairs...readied attack if I can....will roll if needed...using Power Attack...no penalty for first swing

Kn Planes: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

"Rallas, careful. These smooth-featured, humanoid creature appears to have skin made entirely of mirrored glass. They must be Soulslivers."

GM - looking for special defensive first (like energy resistances/immunity first

Resistant to fire and acid, no other special defenses

Red moves across the floor and down the stairs toward Rallas. Rallas swings and strikes. Red retaliates.

scimitar: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17 Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Blue moves back toward a mirror hanging on a wall and slips into it, popping up through the mirror in the floor.

Yellow moves down the stairs and makes a slam at Kenath.

slam: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33 Damage: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Confirm?: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21 Damage: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Combat Round 1/2 - Bold May Act

Rallas
Red -17
Yellow
Blue
Kenath (take 16 damage please)
Pooka
Nugats

"These quarters are a little tight, I think we need more space to move Luna!" Pooka looks around, spying the stairs behind him. "Luna, Sic!" Pooka shouts, guiding his mount to snap at the Soulsliver with the blue tinted reflections in front of him.

"Everyone, be on your guard for flying glass, you don't want to get one of those slivers under your fingernails!"

Pooka tugs on Luna's reins and the dog obliges, backing up to give a little space between himself and the gaggle of combatants in the center of the room.

Ok, so next post will have Luna's attack. Pooka will use his danger ward for reflex saves as a standard action, and will 5' step backwards. I kinda want to get up to the upper level, but seems like leaving the casters down here with the baddies would be a bad idea...

At her master's command, Luna lunges forward, smashing her jaw into the soulsliver, trying to take a piece out of it's leg.

Bite power attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 for Bite damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

knowledge (planes),heroism: 1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 18 + 2 = 30
Special Attacks, Special Abilities please

Hold on...I'll be over as quick as I can. Rallas says between mighty swings of his blade.
attack1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 261d10 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 6 = 16

attack2: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 9 - 2 = 201d10 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 6 = 21
Power attack...no penalty on first swing, applied to second.

Luna's jaws snap at air as she misses the soulsliver.

Death Throes (Su) When a soulsliver is killed, its body explodes
into jagged glass shards that deal piercing and
slashing damage to creatures within a 20-foot-radius burst
(Reflex save for half).
Knockback (Ex) Once per round, the barbarian can make a bull
rush attempt against one target in place of a melee attack. If
successful, the target takes damage equal to the barbarian’s
Strength modifier and is moved back as normal. The barbarian
does not need to move with the target if successful. This does
not provoke an attack of opportunity.
Mirror Crash (Ex) Whenever the soulsliver’s knockback ability
moves a creature adjacent to a mirror or other reflective surface
(including mirror shards) the creature must succeed at a Will saving throw or become trapped in the mirror for 2
rounds, similar to being trapped in a maze spell. A creature
trapped in a mirror in this manner may attempt a new saving
throw at the start of its turn each round to escape the mirror.
When a creature escapes or is freed from a mirror, it appears in
the nearest open square to the location it was in when it was
trapped in the mirror.
Mirror Travel (Su) At will as a standard action, a soulsliver can
crawl into any mirror as if it were a door or window, instantly
transporting itself to another mirror within 500 feet as if using
dimension door (caster level 7th). It can remain within that
mirror indefinitely, or on its next turn crawl out or use this
ability again. Its compression ability allows it to enter or exit
Diminutive or larger mirrors. It can only exit a mirror if it is
using change shape to take a specific creature’s form.
Perfect Copy (Su) When a soulsliver uses change shape, it can
assume the appearance of a specific individual. However, it is
always the mirror image of the person it copies, which might
give away that something is wrong.

Combat Round 1/2 - Bold May Act

Rallas
Red -17
Yellow
Blue
Kenath
Pooka
Nugats

OMG this room is terrible! I spent 20 mintues dropping in templates to see what I can cast here. SMH

Taking a step back, Nugats looks around while pulling out his metamagic rod. Rallas on the left flank, Pooka on the right flank, and he and Kenath in the middle with these soulsilver.

He lifts his hand, fingers pointed to the heavens, and begins to cast in the arcane language. Using his admixture ability, instead of steaming, molted jets of hot gas, a frozen geyser the thickness of a man's forearm snakes into the bluish soulsilver in front of him.

Burning Arc COLD DAMAGE Empower: 15d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 1, 6, 5, 4, 5, 6, 6, 3, 2, 4, 4, 3, 5) = 65 DC 20 Reflex save for half

The stream of cold passes right through the bluish soulsilver and arcs to the yellow soulsilver.

Burning Arc COLD DAMAGE Empower: 7d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 3, 1, 3, 3, 6) = 25 DC 20 Reflex save for half

Uh, how much do we care about this mirror? We're evacuating the books because the library won't be here, so if not...

Blue Reflex: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Yellow Reflex: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Oh man. Kenath, I love that. I'll wait and see if anyone objects first though. I wont start the next round until we have resolved this.

Combat Round 1/2 - Bold May Act

Rallas
Red -17
Yellow -25
Blue -65
Kenath
Pooka
Nugats

Hold off on that...when we dispatch these things we can sort it out. Thee might be a bad side to doing that. Rallas cautions as he presses his advantage on the sliver he is engaged with.

attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 181d10 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 6 = 23

attack2: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 9 - 2 = 161d8 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 6 = 19

using power attack again. did you forget to add the damage from my last attack?

Yup, I did forget. First hit, second just missed.

All three enemies let out a roar increasing their strength and endurance.

Red slashes at Rallas with its scimitar.

Scimitar: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18 Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Scimitar: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31 Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Confirm?: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16 Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Blue steps out and attack Nugats

Scimitar: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35 Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Confirm?: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26 Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Scimitar: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27 Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Yellow makes an attack at Kenath

Scimitar: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36 Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Confirm?: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22 Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Scimitar: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25 Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

You also see the cracks and damage that you infliced heal ever so slightly

Rallas slashes twice, but misses

Combat Round 2/3 - Bold May Act

Rallas (Take 12 damage please)
Red -32 (Rage)
Yellow -24 (Rage)
Blue -64 (Rage)
Kenath (Take 43 damage please)
Pooka
Nugats (Take 37 damage please)

OUCH!

"Kenath, we are in a tricky spot here. We need space. Make sure you move away from me with your next step."

Stepping away from the deadly scimitar, Nugats chants in his arcane language.

Everyone's nightmares spring to life as more Nugats: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 appear.

Cast Mirror Image

If you could see his face through his helm in the melee, you might see a crease of furrowed worry on Pooka's brow as the slivered fighters hack and slash at the arcane pathfinders. He curses the lack of space again and tries to bring his weapon to bear against the soulsliver with the yellow glow in it's bowels.

"Turn and face me!" he shouts, then attempts to shove his lance in the thing's backside to let them know who he is talking to.

Will activate a cavalier's challenge.

Power Attack #1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28 for Damage: 1d6 + 27 ⇒ (1) + 27 = 28

Power Attack #2: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23 for Damage: 1d6 + 27 ⇒ (4) + 27 = 31

Edit: said I would add cavalier's challenge and forgot to add the extra damage... whoops.

Kenath heads the counsel of Rallas. I should have posted an alternative summons. Would it be possible for Kenath to have made an alternate summon at that time? I only ask because things look a little dire, and Kenath himself would have used emergency force sphere rather than take another full attack, so he won't be helping this round.

When the blades come for him again, this time he instantly raises a hemi-shaped dome that the blade harmlessly clatters against.

Kenath delays on his turn, waiting to see if his allies can turn the tide. Not that it matters much, from inside his bubble he won't be able to do much immediately. Can't summon through the wall of force, since it blocks line of effect. I'd need to shift out or dismiss it.

Rules question, if I understand correctly, if I use the shift ability of the conjuration school which acts as dimension door, my turn is instantly over and I can't take additional actions, correct?

posting my actions now to expedite things...assuming i am next if nothing happens we don't know about, anyways.

Rallas shifts his position to draw the attention of the blue tinged sliver.

Fight me, coward! he says, not even knowing if they can hear him.

attack1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 261d10 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

attack2: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 211d10 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

5ft step..not using power attack

HP 53/65

Yeah, retcon your summon Kenath, no worries. With regard to shift it says you do it as a swift action, so you would still have teh remained of your turns.

Pooka swings twice and shatters the yellowish soulsliver. As it dies it flies into a million pieces of sharp glass which hit Kenath and Pooka.

Explosion: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 5, 1) = 14

Kenath is safe within his bubble but Pooka (and Luna?) gets hit.

DC 16 Reflex save for half damage

Red moves back up the stairs, over to a mirror and melts into it, emerging behind Pooka.

Blue takes a swing at Rallas.

Scimitar: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26 Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Scimitar: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13 Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Rallas retaliates against Blue and it shatters.

Explosion: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 6, 3) = 18

Nugats and Rallas, DC16 Reflex for half damage

Combat Round 3/4 - Bold May Act

Rallas (Take 10 damage please and Reflex for 18 or 9 damage)
Red -32 (Rage)
Kenath
Pooka (Reflex for either 14 or 7 damage)
Nugats (Reflex for 18 or 9 damage)

No reason to retcon it since things look a lot less dire now.

Kenath shifts outside of his bubbles, and conjures a sticky mess that attaches the red rager to the ground.

DC 22 reflex or entangled

Red reflex: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

Red avoids the sticky mess.

reflex: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24my AC is 27...remember i cast shield before...i forgot to update my header...just realized....sorry

Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Bleeding from scratches and scrapes all over his body, Nugats pulls a small vial out of his pack. Popping the top off with his thumb, he gulps the potion down before emitting a soft belch he tries to stifle.

"Friends, end this quickly please." The gnome looks seriously the remaining soulsilver.

CSW: 3d8 + 5 ⇒ (5, 7, 2) + 5 = 19

Hey everyone, don't forget that if you fail a reflex save you automatically get a reroll with a +4 bonus as an immediate action thanks to my danger ward, which I activated for reflexes. It is such a difficult ability to use and time correctly because it costs a standard action and only lasts 1 minute AND you have to guess which of the 3 saves to use, but it pays off big when it works!

Also yes, Luna definitely affected too. I try whenever possible to roll her own stuff in her own post. I know we are at the end of this adventure, but if that is an issue let me know!

Pooka reflex save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Pooka instinctively turns his head when the soulsliver shatters. He was expecting it to break, but not like this. Thankfully he turns his body the right direction and the glass shards deflect harmlessly off of his full plate armor.

He smiles when he sees that the soulsliver with the red glow is the only one left, and there is enough room to charge. "Here we go Luna!" he starts to get excited.

Then it melds into a mirror and pops out behind him.

"$#%&!" he yelps, spinning his mount around to face the threat. At least I am now the one between it and my friends. "Luna, sic!" he yells before pulling back on her reins to give himself some space to punch out with his deadly lance.

5' adjust backwards after Luna attacks, then full attack action. Power attack, but no bonus for cavalier's challenge this time.

Attack #1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30 for damage #1: 1d6 + 19 ⇒ (1) + 19 = 20

Attack #2: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 for damage #2: 1d6 + 19 ⇒ (2) + 19 = 21

Luna knew the glass explosion was coming. It was something her Pooka said. Or because she was a dog. Probably the second one. She knew how to shake things off. She was very good at shaking. So when the shiny man exploded, she shook.

Luna twists her head as far as her neck will allow and then snaps back the other direction powerfully. When she does, it creates a chain reaction that uncoils energy all down her body, causing what hair is exposed from the chain barding to stand on end, and a fair amount of drool to shoot across the room.

Luna reflex save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Luna reflex reroll from danger ward: 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 4 = 30

It was a good shake. It almost knocked Pooka off her back, but she knew he would understand. The adrenaline of the fight causes her to hardly notice the cuts that some of the glass still inflicts, but at least there are no cuts on her paws.

Moment's later she spins around and hears Pooka's command. She snaps out with her jaws before backing up to give him space to stab with his chewing stick. That chewing stick was her favorite. The biggest one on the farm and Pooka carried it everywhere with them. He always seems to know what she likes.

Power attack bite: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 for bite damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

The first of Pooka's attacks hits Red and it shatters just a little more.

Red shifts position slightly and launches an attack at Pooka. This time it is not an attack with a scimitar, but a push.

Bullrush: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

Pooka is shoved taking 8 damage. Can I have a DC18 Will save please Pooka, or you are trapped in the mirror for 2 rounds.

Combat Round 4/5 - Bold May Act

Rallas
Red -51 (Rage)
Kenath
Pooka
Nugats

Rallas rushes at the last sliver. He brings down his blade with a vicious grace. attack, Power attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 331d10 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 6 = 18
crit: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 201d10 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 6 = 19

Will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Pooka tumbles off of Luna unceremoniously, expecting to thud his head on the wall behind him, or whatever is behind him.

Except there is no thud. The halfling rolls into the mirror behind him like a smooth stone in a calm pond. The surface of the mirror ripples for a moment and Pooka is left confused on the other side.

Whelp.

Surprised by the sudden weight relief off of her back, Luna lunges at the soulsliver, expecting Pooka to jump back in the saddle any moment now...

Power attack bite: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 for damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

I just wanted to get that off once. I am a happy GM now.

Rallas slashes at Red and damages it enough that it shatters into shards flying all over.

Explosion: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 4, 6) = 15

Reflex save to avoid. DC16 Reflex save for half

12 Seconds later Pooka emerges from the mirror, a little confused but none the worse for his temporary confinement.

The mirror in the centre of the floor disintegrates into a pile of sparkling dust.

The fight over, you have a chance to look around.

Hao Jin left a neatly bound copy of the notes she took while conducting research at the library. Even after all this time, her notes sit open on the floor to the south of the scrying mirror. A cursory examination of these notes shows that Hao Jin was researching a variety of locations, including known sites across Golarion, several cities throughout the Inner Planes, and unrecognizable numerous desinations (sites on the Material Plane but well beyond Golarion’s solar system. However, her extensive itinerary culminates in a major visit to Axis, the Outer Plane of absolute law. Collectively these notes provide many leads as to where the legendary sorcerer might be found, even after the several intervening centuries.

busy tonight, take 10 and id everything, feel free to open spoilers. Are the non central mirrors important or special, or did they all shatter? I find it hilarious that the wizard wanted to trample them and the cavalier was a good pathfinder lol.

Kenath identifies everything and tells his allies, he also identifies a few choice books.

reflex: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26

Well, I'm glad that is over...not sure if there are any more threats, so be ready... he says as he activates a curing wand carved from a black hued wood.

umd infernal healing: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

He then looks around for any traps.

perc: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 14 + 2 = 30

The sun is rising outside of the library when the Pathfinders emerge, and the Scalebreaker kobolds discuss the possibility of seeking out a new abode.

After the you return through the planar eddy to Skyreach, Ambrus debriefs them and listens eagerly to their report. He notes that the Society has lessons to learn from the librarians’ mistake and congratulates you on taking the first steps toward finding one of the most famous missing people in the world. Winning the tapestry has been a great boon for the Society, and they stand to learn even more if they can find Hao Jin herself.

Ambrus also tells you that Krieghton Shaine’s apprentices have begun sorting the documents they brought back. Their examination has already revealed some magical books with their auras disguised; the Society may be able to offer you a discount on these books in appreciation of their hard work.

That is the end. Please make sure I have your details and I will get reporting and chronicle sheets sorted out

My friends, let's celebrate with a jug or three of good wine..or the harder stuff...I'm not fussy. This was a challenge for a small team, but we got the job done. I think Luna deserves a big steak...what say you, Pooka?

GG guys...thanks for running this...lvl 8 now...woohoo! 5d8 sneak attack!

"Sounds splendid!" Pooka shakes the elf's hands in shared congratulations for finishing the mission. "And yes, she absolutely deserves to be spoiled. You know, the tap room here at the lodge has surprisingly fantastic service. There is one server that get's Luna's hackles up, but as long as she has one of those big lamb hocks to chew on there isn't much to worry about. First round is on me!"

"C'mon Nugats, let's hear that story about the time you turned that swan carved from ice into a pool of acid on accident. It was an accident... right?"

"Well you see, Pooka, it is like this. There are very, very small parts that make up the ice. And I can feel them, just like I can feel the parts that make up say acid or ....

"... so I turned to the sculptor and said, no, we don't use “gnomenclature” to name our children."

I'm just damned glad we had Rallas arround... Kobolds have NO business in a library, ever again! I'll take some steak if we're having some.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (8) + 19 = 27