GM TOP MOD: Master of the Fallen Fortress (Core) (Inactive)

Game Master Pete H.

Astingaire challenges the crocodile to a fight to the death with a fancy looking slash that goes nowhere near the creature.

But Kyra and Allo take his words to heart and put the creature down HARD. The cleric's blade hacks at the neck joint, easily cleaving through the thick scales. Allo's club goes straight for the brain, knocking the creature down and out.

Round 1
Trog and Croc (-17 or -19 & bleeding out)
Allo (Mage Armor, AC 17, Fort Save Pending)
Astingaire
Kyra (-1 HP, Immune to Stench)
Raknir
Balenar

Bold are up! Allo needs to make a Fort Save vs. the Stench (DC 13) or be sickened for 10 rounds.

Balenar yells and points at the trog, "Get 'Em, claim this tower for the Society!"

Inspire Courage +1 up.

The troglodyte finishes their spell, dumping a swarm of spiders onto the crocodile and two of the pathfinders while cackling in glee. It concentrates to keep the spell going and draws a scimitar.

5 Damage Allo, 4 Damage Astingaire

Delayed
Raknir

Round 1 +1 to Hit/Damage/Fear from Inspire Courage
Trog and Croc (-19 or -21 & bleeding out)
Allo (-5 HP, Mage Armor, AC 17, 3x Fort Saves Pending)
Astingaire (-4 HP, 2x Fort Saves Pending)
Kyra (-1 HP, Immune to Stench)
Balenar

Bold are up!

Apologies; I thought I'd posted.

Raknir faces the swarm and raises a hand. As Astingaire retreats, the half-orc chants a spell and sends a wave of flames across the spiders.

Burning hands AoE damage, including bloodline bonus: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

DC 13 Fort save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Fort save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Fort save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Astingaire steps back, retrieves a vial of alchemist's fire, and prepares to toss it at the swarming spiders. "Step back! I will deal with these annoying arachnids!"

Readied action to toss alchemist's fire at spiders just prior to spiders acting to allow time for Pathfinders to avoid splash radius, if they choose/can.

Throw, sickened to hit yellow X: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 1 - 2 = 0
Fire damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Scatter: 1d8 ⇒ 2

The vial lands near his feet, splashing him and the spiders.

Fort vs Stench DC13: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Fort vs Distraction: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Fort vs Poison: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

"You think an angry swarm of biting insects would bother me? I live in a cave on the side of a mountain.. I eat spiders for breakfast!" And with that he nods to his companions and steps back out of the swarm of gyrating insects and sends a pulse of wind and hail at the trog's face, hoping to disrupt his concentration.

Storm Burst, Ranged Touch, Non-Lethal, Inspire: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 1 = 131d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7

Kyra quickly holds her holy symbol up high and speaks, "Sarenrae, hear me in our time of need and heal our wounds so that we may smite the evil that lairs here!" She then turns and moves towards the troglodyte with her scimitar raised.

Channel (excluding croc and trog) for 1d6 ⇒ 6 healing, move.

Everyone made all their fort saves, nice!

The group coordinates movement away from the swarm to get their area effect attacks off without harming themselves, other than Allo who scorches himself a bit with his own flask.

Raknir's flame zips through the pack of arachnids, but only manages to scorch a few of the critters. Allo's flask does about the same amount of harm.

Allo's blast of wind slams into the trog, buffeting him and challenging his concentration on the swarm, which does not waver.

Kyra channels the divine might of her deity, easily healing everyone's wounds. Balenar keeps up his encouragement and then moves over to get in range of the trog while trying to keep his nose covered from the stench.

Balenar Fort vs. Stench: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

But even while gagging he manages to cast a simple spell at the lizard, "Take that you jerk!"

Move & Cast Lesser Confusion, DC 14 Will

The Trog does not seem confused. Instead, it continues to concentrate on the spell, keeping it around even longer! The spiders seek out the closest target and surround Astingaire! (1d6 ⇒ 3 damage and two more fort saves vs. Distraction and Poison)

Round 1 +1 to Hit/Damage/Fear from Inspire Courage
Trog (-7 NL, Concentrating) and Swarm (-2 HP)
Raknir (-0 HP, Mage Armor)
Allo (-0 HP, Mage Armor, AC 17, Immune to Stench)
Astingaire (-3 HP, Immune to Stench, 2 Fort Saves Pending)
Kyra (-0 HP, Immune to Stench)
Balenar (Sickened 9 rds remain)

Bold are up!

The last one seemed to be effective so why not, Allo sends in his last blast of wind, keeping himself clear of the large weapon the Trog is holding. "Spread out from the spiders. And no, I'm not sucking out anyone's poison." Except maybe Kyra.

Storm Burst, Ranged Touch, Non-Lethal, Inspire: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 1 = 171d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7

Allo, I suspect that--not being an elven rogue--you're not Kyra's type.

Raknir closes with the troglodyte leader with a roar, swinging his two-handed blade and at least making the trog a little nervous.

Falchion to foe, including inspire: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 + 1 = 14

Raknir moves up, slashing away at the Trog but only coming up with air. The odor from the creature assails his nostrils (Fort Save Raknir). Allo blasts the trog again, buffeting the creature with more wind and rain, but it does not lose focus on the spell.

Round 2 +1 to Hit/Damage/Fear from Inspire Courage
Trog (-14 NL, Concentrating) and Swarm (-2 HP)
Raknir (-0 HP, Mage Armor, Fort Save vs. Stench pending)
Allo (-0 HP, Mage Armor, AC 17, Immune to Stench)
Astingaire (-3 HP, Immune to Stench, 2 Fort Saves Pending)
Kyra (-0 HP, Immune to Stench)
Balenar (Sickened 9 rds remain)

Bold are up!

As everyone closes in, they get a chance to notice something about the terrain. Roll Common Knowledge Engineering for more information.

I made the Fort save above--forgot to label it as vs. the stench, though. It was in my post from Thursday at 1100AM.

Fort save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Fort save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Knowledge (engineering), untrained: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Astingaire is Nauseated for one round but not poisoned. I’ll get Kyra and Balenar actions up tomorrow and the result of the engineering check.

Astingaire shouts out a warning about the structural integrity of the area around the throne, "Careful, one or two more of you and that floor might collapse!"

Four beings or more in the red box and that section will collapse.

________________________

Kyra takes the warning in mind and instead steps up next to Raknir, casting a spell and touching his shoulder, "Hold the line Sir, I have your back."

Casting Shield of Faith on Raknir, +2 Deflection bonus for 10 rounds

________________________

Balenar continues his encouragement and follows it with another spell against the trog, "JUST STOP ALREADY!"

Keep IC up, Daze the Trog, Will DC 13

Astingaire is overwhelmed by all the spiders crawling over his face and into his mouth that he can only stumble out of the swarm and yell his warning as the floor creeks under Raknir.

Kyra steps up and attempts to allay the half-orc's fears with a spell and encouragement. Balenar does the same with an offensive spell and further supporting chatter. Truly... words have power in this world!

But not enough power to disrupt the troglodyte's mind. However, it does decide that the swarm isn't doing enough and stops focusing on it, instead stepping back behind the throne to begin casting another spell instead.

The spiders, not knowing or caring about their ticking clock, seem to just want to eat Astingaire's face. They swarm back over him again.

1d6 ⇒ 2 damage taken, two more saves again (distraction and poison)

Round 3 +1 to Hit/Damage/Fear from Inspire Courage
Trog (-14 NL, Concentrating) and Swarm (-2 HP, 1 rd remains)
Raknir (-0 HP, Mage Armor, Shield of Faith, AC 18, Immune to Stench)
Allo (-0 HP, Mage Armor, AC 17, Immune to Stench)
Astingaire (-5 HP, Immune to Stench, 2 Fort Saves Pending)
Kyra (-0 HP, Immune to Stench)
Balenar (Sickened 8 rds remain)

Bold are up! The throne provides only partial cover (2 AC) and doesn't prevent AoO's.

Raknir circles around the throne and casts a cantrip, sending an acid drop at the trog. "Allo, box it in!"

Acid splash RTA, incl. inspiration: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 1 = 18
Acid damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Fort save v distraction: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Fort save v poison: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Astingaire attempts to put distance between himself and the swarm.

Looking a bit concerned at the weakened structure, and knowing how far up they are, Allo is no old fool. He takes a small step closer, drops his club and draws out a bottle of liquid fire. "Let's see how well Trog's burn, and how well they cast while doing so."

Its a tough shot but he gives it a heave.
Alchemist Fire Ranged Touch, Range, Inspire: 1d20 + 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 2 - 2 + 1 = 91d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Kyra drops her scimitar with a huff, "Fools, the ground is unstable!" She pulls her sling and loads a bullet.

______________________________

Balenar steps in closer, "Unstable or not, we can do this! Strike that fell beast down!" He begins the motions for another spell like the prior one.

5-ft, Continue IC, Daze vs. Trog (DC 13 Will)

Racknir moves around the throne to cut off an escape route and conjures a splash of acid that strikes the troglodyte and burns a small hole in his scales. The creature absentmindedly reaches down to brush at the small bit of pain, then hisses in anger as his spell fizzles from the movement.

Allo's explosion misses wide, but the blast is enough to sear the hair in the creature's ears and nose.

Astingaire tries to get away from the spiders, but steels himself to take another hit and keep his allies safe if he was unable to.

Kyra pulls a sling and loads it, ready for a long-distance fight. Balenar encourages everyone again and tries his little mind-warping spell again... with the same results as last time.

The trog, quite upset now that his spell was interrupted, glares at Racknir with fire in his eyes. He puts his scimitar away and with a flourish, draws it back out again! BUT IT IS ON FIRE!!! IT IS A LITERAL BURNING BLADE!!!!! RUN FOR THE HILLS!!!!!!!

Move to put scimitar away, Standard to cast Flame Blade, 5-ft step

He steps up next to the sorcerer with a toothy grin on his face.

The swarm gives one last effort at devouring its prey, rushing over to and nomming on Astingaire again.

1d6 ⇒ 1 damage and two more saves again :(

But as the billions of legs finish their movement and biting, they fade away, back from whence they came (the spell ended 2 rounds after concentration was stopped).

Round 4 +1 to Hit/Damage/Fear from Inspire Courage
Trog (-18 NL)
Raknir (-0 HP, Mage Armor, Shield of Faith 9 rds remain, AC 18, Tch 14, Immune to Stench)
Allo (-0 HP, Mage Armor, AC 17, Immune to Stench)
Astingaire (-6 HP, Immune to Stench, 2 Fort Saves Pending)
Kyra (-0 HP, Immune to Stench)
Balenar (Sickened 7 rds remain)

Bold are up! The throne provides only partial cover (2 AC) and doesn't prevent AoO's.

"Oh, all right, Kyra. " Raknir grins a little sheepishly at the trog, then retreats to steadier ground (and allied support).

Withdraw action.

Fort: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Fort: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Astingaire, pleased to be rid of the spiders, now focuses his attention on their vile summoner. He draws his bow, knocks an arrow, and let's it fly.

Ranged (shortbow), IC: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 = 10
Damage (P): 1d6 ⇒ 2

Astingaire, it probably won't make a difference, but Balenar is using inspire courage.

Allo moves to the south, draws out a sling and loads it. "The time is nigh to end this fight."

Kyra flings a stone at the trog and reloads, "Smart, draw it out here."

sling + IC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20 for Bludgeoning + IC: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

_________________

Balenar continues his inspiration and attempts his spell again, "Gotta fail eventually!"

Daze DC 13 Will, IC stays up

Kyra's stone finds tis mark with a hard thwack! Astingaire resists the urge to hurk, but it doesn't help his aim.

Racknir falls back, not willing to risk falling really really far, even if he were to take his enemy with him.

Allo pulls out his own sling and loads it. Balenar again tries his spell... which fails.

The creature moves up and slashes his flaming blade at the druid.

The flame cuts right through armor, scorching flesh and sizzling chest hair into a stench to rival the troglodyte's own (6 damage Allo).

Round 5 +1 to Hit/Damage/Fear from Inspire Courage
Trog (-23 NL)
Raknir (-0 HP, Mage Armor, Shield of Faith 8 rds remain, AC 18, Tch 14, Immune to Stench)
Allo (-6 HP, Mage Armor, AC 17, Immune to Stench)
Astingaire (-6 HP, Immune to Stench)
Kyra (-0 HP, Immune to Stench)
Balenar (Sickened 6 rds remain)

Bold are up!

"Fall back, Allo! We'll kill him from range!" Raknir waits for Allo to retreat before using his usual cantrip.

Ranged touch attack acid splash, incl. IC: 1d30 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 = 10

Allo withdraws, getting himself as far away from that chest hair ravaging lizard as possible.

Kyra drops her sling, picks up her scimitar and taunts the creature, "COME GET SOME LIZARD-CLOWN!"

Astingaire?

Astingaire draws his bow and lets loose another arrow.
Ranged (shortbow), IC v. trog: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 + 1 = 19
Damage (P) w/smite?: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

The arrow strikes true and the trog glances at Astingaire before deciding a simple step and full attack is the smarter choice.

Sadly though as soon as he steps into range, Kyra lops his head off with a practiced slash. The body stands still for a moment, then collapses.

Combat Over!

The large wooden chest holds Tasskar’s treasure, some of it gathered from within the Fallen Fortress: a masterwork short sword, 15 cold iron shurikens, two flasks of acid, a potion of cat’s grace, a potion of lesser restoration, a wand of summon monster I (CL 3rd, 9 charges), an amethyst worth 100 gp, and 247 gp in assorted coins.

The creature itself carries a masterwork scimitar and keys to the doors that are... uh all broken now.

With the defeat of Tasskar and his troglodytes, the Fallen Fortress stands abandoned once more, but it’s only a matter of time before something else moves into the damaged siege tower and poses a new threat—perhaps other pathfinders will someday need to return to deal with this new danger as well.

Balenar Forsend offers to take you all to the Pathfinder Society’s Grand Lodge in Absalom, where he will sponsor you for membership in the Pathfinder Society, an organization of explorers, archaeologists, and adventurers. After a short evaluation that determines none of you need additional training, the leaders of the Society accept the group as initiates. As new Pathfinders, they will have their choice of missions across Golarion and even the opportunity to have their exploits published in the hallowed pages of the Pathfinder Chronicles.

MODULE COMPLETE!

Working on Chronicles now, should be done today.

Allo clutches his scorched chest, watching the conclusion of the battle unfold quickly, as it often does. "Good riddens trog. Now let's hoist this loot up and get the hell outta here."

Well done everyone! Thanks GM for the well run, and entertaining game.

"Indeed, let us return to Aroden's city and celebrate this victory in his name!" declares Astingaire.

@GM TOP - Thanks for running! I enjoy your GMing style.
Perform (act) for Day Job: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

@ All - This was a fun run, entertaining even for a module that I had played before. Thank you all and I look forward to sharing a room with each of you in the future!