PFS Outpost III GM Qstors: #9-05: Call of the Copper Gate (Inactive)

Game Master Qstor

Waiting room at the Absalom lodge

Audible alarm spells fill the Grand Lodge with shrill
chimes, as apprentice Pathfinders hustle through
the ground floor locking doors and casting protective spells.
Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin
rounds the corner in a visibly agitated
state, with Paracountess Zarta Dralneen
impatiently dogging at his heels. “Ambrus, this kind of situation is
exactly why I founded the Dark Archive in the first place. Give me
and my agents a chance to…”

“A chance to what, Zarta? Tinker around with unstudied
artifacts while Pathfinders’ lives might be at risk?” Valsin’s voice
booms curtly over the alarms. As if startled by the harsh sound
of his voice, Valsin flinches and quickly gains his composure. “I’m
sorry, Zarta. I understand your point; I just can’t think about it
right now while something is happening inside our very walls. If
you can marshal a team to put a lid on this debacle, I’m sure the
Decemvirate will give you some more rope. Just be careful you
don’t wind up hanging yourself with it.”

As Valsin stalks down the corridor checking to see if the doors
are secured, Zarta turns, a sly smirk spreading across her face.
“That’s the closest I’ve gotten to a ‘yes’ in months. Of course, now
we have to prove that we can handle emergencies like this in a
pinch. Come along then. I’ll explain on the way.”

Zarta rushes down a flight of spiral stairs, drawing a crooked
wand from the folds of her dress. “As you may know, the Dark
Archive has been gathering, cataloging, and reinforcing magical
wards over all manner of dangerous or mysterious items, some
of which we store in these underground vaults. Apparently one of
the items has activated and malfunctioned. The good news is that
our alarm system and lockdown procedure ran swimmingly; the
bad news is that now we have a bizarre magical device wreaking
havoc in our basement. That is where you come in.”

Zarta stops outside a stone door with sickly yellow roots lazily
snaking between its edges. “This is the vault. All we know is that
whatever is inside is animating the other devices stored in here, and
spewing plant-like matter throughout the room. The plants
aren’t any sort I’ve seen before, so I would recommend
caution. I’ve brought a wand that I should be able
to use to repel the flora. You all take care of the
animated items and disarm whatever’s causing
this situation, preferably without damaging it
until we can learn more. Understood?”

there's no briefing prior to Zarta leading you to the door

An Elf in comfortable robes easily keeps stride with the rushing woman, an elegant staff riddled with arcane glyphs sharply striking the ground with every other step. He never looks at her, but it is clear that he is hanging on every word she says. "Yes," he says curtly before stepping away from the door.

"Ilathor. Expedition Manager. First into the breach?" he queries the group, gesturing to the door with his staff. Although his words form a question, his demeanor suggests that he is used to being the one to give orders to other Agents of the Society.
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Really wishing this was a Dark Archives character! It'd be awesome! Right before opening the door, he is going to cast Heightened Awareness on himself via a wand, an extended Mage Armor, then Quick Study Mage Armor for Color Spray

You see a happy man bounding down the stairs and without missing a stride, right up to the Vault's entrance, whistling. His black mane is unhindered by a helmet or hat, and you see a rapier and a whip at his belt. You can see a chain shirt dangling under his yellow tunic, and a buckler is strapped over his backpack. More importantly, he carries a small one gallon cask of ale under his right arm, and his left hand swings up and down with a mug as he frequently samples his latest right arm acquisition.

He strolls up the door confidently and asks Zarta, "I brought ale!! do you think this will be enough?"

The man then proceeds to sing-song a bunch of enchantments on himself, then draws his sword and shield.

Casting heroism and mirror image 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 copies of himself...

A 6'2, 200# Ulfen steps to the door as well. He reaches into a belt pouch, draws forth an Ioun Torch, and whispers..."Bright Light, Bright Light.", then he releases it.

Glorne then raises his hands to his sides, pulling them slowly together. The pale, cool mist that constantly clings to his body no matter how hot it may be, flares to life, consolidates between his hands, and expands into a floating shield of ice that starts to float around him.

"I am called Glorne. It will be my pleasure to accompany you today. Shall we begin."

Ioun Torch was Heighned to 4L at the end of last mission by a fellow player.

A 5'10" or so woman in the bright, almost clashing, kaleidoscope of colors telling of someone of varisian origins, glides up to the door with the grace of a trained dancer. On her head a ligth blue head scarf ties back her chocolate brown hair that has stayed surprisingly grey free despite the forty or some years her face has seen. On one cheek is an ornate brown tatoo of probable Mwangi origins. Underneath the first layer of fabrics is what looks like a breast plate, which in addition to the bracers and greaves and the small armory of weapons hanging from her pack shows the woman does know how to handle herself in a fight.

She nods at the team members she'd done her seance with that morning*, though somewhat surprised that the normally boring easy Grand Lodge guard shift actually turned out to have something to do! She smiles at everyone, pulls out her yellow shafted longspear, and hangs a wayfinder from it. She steps up to Zrarta, extending a hand. "Faliana Galina, did a lot of work out in the Mwwangi Expanse. You remember the Sargava Chalice? The Ghol Gan relic? I was part of the team that retrieved it. It's a pleasure to finally meet the woman who all of those things were being sent to. Also I think congratulations are in order for your successful alarms and lockdown procedure! I do have a question, though, and idea what could potentially be causing this?"

After her introduction to the Dark Archives leader, Faliana turns to the rest of the group. "I can take the lead if need be, but I'm not the best at dodging out of the way of things. Also Son, really, you're going to start on the ale now? Just don't let it affect your ability to function."

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*I am assuming we don't have time for an hour long seance right now and Fali normally does them in the morning anyways. If this isn't kosher then she'll take a spirit and not give out the seance boon then.

Really wishing this was a Dark Archives character! It'd be awesome!

Same, I completely wish this was my halfling secretary right now. But I might use a replay on this if it proves to be as fun as the set up has been!

"A mildly fermented drink to toast an upcoming successful endeavor is a good omen, Faliana! it strengthens resolve and is socially acceptable, especially when in the presence of a devout Caydenite. But your list of accomplishments is indeed impressive, and I would be more than willing, nay - honored! - to follow your lead on this mission. Right after I finish my ale of course."

Son of Cayden pours himself one, and completely drains it... seemingly urgently now, as he has been pressured for time.

"Ah! crisp and fresh and cold! my mind is sharper already! and my hand a great deal steadier... will anyone join me? I have a separate mug for everyone."

Son of Cayden pours an ale for everyone willing to join. Afterwards, he packs up and says, "Let us proceed Lady Faliana! my sword is yours! ...oh, and when you come back, you must tell me all about that Chalice."

"A mildly fermented drink to toast an upcoming successful endeavor is a good omen, Faliana! it strengthens resolve and is socially acceptable, especially when in the presence of a devout Caydenite. But your list of accomplishments is indeed impressive, and I would be more than willing, nay - honored! - to follow your lead on this mission. Right after I finish my ale of course."

Son of Cayden pours himself one, and completely drains it... seemingly urgently now, as he has been pressured for time.

Faliana gives a clear impression that she is not convinced this is the time to be finishing a cask of the stuff, but is polite enough to not let it show on her face. "Not sure I should be the leader, but I can help guide people if needed."

"Ah! crisp and fresh and cold! my mind is sharper already! and my hand a great deal steadier... will anyone join me? I have a separate mug for everyone."

Son of Cayden pours an ale for everyone willing to join. Afterwards, he packs up and says, "Let us proceed Lady Faliana! my sword is yours! ...oh, and when you come back, you must tell me all about that Chalice."

Fali grabs her pack and hauls out her own metal mug. "It'd be better to split that among many people than having that all percolating through you. Give me one cup. I'll be up for a more celebratory drink afterwards." She waits for her drink and any others to be poured before holding up her cup and intoning, "Here's to a successful trip into the vaults."

As the group heads into the depths she starts to tell the bard about the chalice, "It's a finely-wrought gold piece celarly intended for larger than human hands. But Ashava's displeasure was it a pain in the d*** neck to get! Had to do a race without any equipment..."

Ilathor takes a mug, gulps it down, and hands it back. "Please, stories later or as we go. Faliana, you've offered, the door?" he asks, gesturing again with his staff. Peculiar. Humans have the least amount of time to waste, but when they must hop to a task, they'd rather trade stories. The woman has more time than the rest, but not by much.

The Elf sighs quietly to himself, his face plain with confusion as he thinks and waits.
________
Ugh, Ilathor's done part one of that miniseries (hoping for part 2 before he levels out of it!). I've never been more bitter/upset about a scenario before. So many feelings about it, all negative.

*Evil grin* you should definitely drink the water! (tbh it isn't going to kill you!) And I'd be willing to run that for you. I've played it and know how it works.

you guys can add your tokens to slide 1

Zarta follows you down. She says in a loud whisper "Are you ready Pathfinders?"

Son casts detect magic to observe the auras at play here...

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 = 13

Ilathor follows suit and detects magic, starting from the opposite side of the room of Son. "I wonder what aspect of life these organisms stem from. Are they natural? Demonic? Something else entirely? Hmmm..."

Briefly scanning the room visually, he focuses in on the floating orb. "Floating glass with orbiting spores? A possible culprit for the disaster has arisen," he notes.
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Any knowledge checks here? That'd be great Faliana, thanks! :)

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Any knowledge checks here? That'd be great Faliana, thanks! :)

"Watch out dears for those vines"

She starts bard song then uses a blight wand to clear the squares near Ilathor and Cayden of vines.

+2 hit/damage in effect

combat party is up

If possible could you indicate which squares have been cleared on the map? thanks!

Knowledge(Nature): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

"Oh, see the odd color on the tips of the vines...that usually means they are poisonous. I carry a couple of antitoxins for those who have trouble enduring poisons and such."

If possible could you indicate which squares have been cleared on the map? thanks!

I put lines in the squares.

Thanks!

Son of Cayden moves over the destroyed plants and begins a bardic performance to enhance his blade.

Bladethirst, adding another +1 to the sword (standard); Arcane Strike (swift)

Glorne follows the bard, looking around carefully as he does...

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

"Ohh....look at all the pretty flowers."

"Junk Golems," Ilathor says as the constructs start to animate. While he wracks his brain for any useful information, he casually flings a spider's web to the back of the room. As it sails about two thirds of the way there, it erupts into a mass of thick, sticky tendrils, ensnaring the creatures.
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Arcana (Heightened Awareness), DC 20: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 15 + 2 = 20 A success is a success, but come on.
Web! DC 19 with an arcane point. If he gets a question, special defenses would be great.

the yellow "thing" in the back of the map needs a Perception check to ID

The two golems are trapped in the spider webs.

Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Reflex 3: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Faliana is up

Faliana moves in closer and then a second time to make sure she is in a position to protect everyone is needed.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 She pauses for a second and looks around the room, but as her eyes fall on the yellow orb her face freezes and almost goes slack before she scowls in full force and shouts, "No, Moke we don't know it's demonic in origin and you can't focus on it... Okay, that works. After the things attacking us are dealt with."

Ioun Torch was Heighned to 4L at the end of last mission by a fellow player.

that ended at the last scenario.

Falina isn't sure what the large thing trapped in the web is.

Zarta uses her wand of blight to destory some more of the alien plant.

While the golem "breaks" into tiny pieces and "attacks" at the heels of Cayden, Glorne and Falina.

its a swarm breaks into 4 squares.

damage: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4

The others try to break out of the web.
CMB 3: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

CMB: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

The two creatures break free and move.

The party is up again

Sorry for the delay... am here now.

It is very unusual for the greying, potbellied, dwarf named Touchy to go unnoticed for very long, mostly due to an incessant need to get up into people's personal space, and to talk... alot....

Still, somehow, this time he's managed to accompany you in a reasonably introspective mood... at least for him.

Of course, as you go through the gate, he starts to take notice of his surroundings, and fellow Pathfinders finally, and a huge lascivious grin works its way onto his face.

"Reminds me of the end result of my last worship service." He offers, as he stares at the slimy green substances covering all the surfaces, and the yellowish protoplasm-filled sphere.

"Not to worry, Lord Touchy is never one to shirk from a messy encounter."

"Or to cause one, if that's your need." He adds, with a grin.

He calls upon Calistria to assist in just such endeavors, sending a blessing through the assembled Pathfinders.

Will cast bless. Affecting everyone.

Did I miss the first round entirely?

Ilathor scowls as the golems break the web he so expertly placed. "Fellow agents, please destroy the golems at your soonest convenience, there are limits to my powers," he pleads.

Pulling a neatly coiled whip from his hip, he cracks it into the air with his right hand while his left forces arcane energy into his eyes. Taking a step forward, his eyes glow with a white energy. Seeing the future and the present, always an odd feeling. Useful with the whip, however.
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Move to draw whip, Standard for True Strike, 5ft step.

Did I miss the first round entirely?

yeah, I'll let you act again. FYI no one has made a Perception roll high enough to ID the big thing in the back

Oh! Touchy eyeballs the ball, with more experience than is proper... (you can never have too many balls!)

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

The dwarf brushes past Zarta, perhaps a little too closely, leering at her as he goes by. With a practiced motion, he pulls his whip off his hip, and winks at Ilathor, before lashing it at the strange golem in front of Faliana, trying to knock it over, and check her out, at the same time.

Trip vs CMD: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 25

Little confused. Is the "swarm" in the same squares as the 4 of us now? Did we all take the 4 points of damage?

Also, stupid question time, does Bless effect "sp" abilities?

Oh, I totally missed that that golem turned into a swarm! I would have totally moved 5' more, to the left of Faliana, and tried to trip the other one instead!

Glorne, bless only affects attack rolls (from whatever source) and saves vs fear effects (again, source not mattering)

Cayden steps out of the swarm and strikes the still solid JUNK-003 automaton!!!! maintain bladethirst and activate arcane strike

+1 Keen Adamantine Rapier, Bladethirst: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 12 + 1 = 21
adamantine magic dmg, bladethirst, seance boon: 1d6 + 10 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 1 + 2 = 15

2nd attempt at this post. First one got ate somehow.

Glorne raises his right fist to chest height. The cool, pale mist flares brightly and concentrates into the fist. Glorne then points his palm towards the floor and a ray of pure cold bursts forth into the swarm...

Kinetic Blast(ranged Touch) vs. Swarm: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 27
possible Cold damage vs. Swarm: 4d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6, 1, 2, 3) + 1 + 2 = 15
SR vs. Swarm(if needed): 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 2 = 11

Applied Point-Blank and Precise Shot feats to attack/damage; Bless to attack; Elemental Overflow to attack/damage; Spell Penetration feat to SR check.

Bad roll on the SR check. Going to use my re-roll on that.

SR vs. Swarm(if needed): 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 2 = 10

Figures

Faliana gives an annoyed growl at the swarms of things around her feet and takes a quick stab at some of the golem bits near her.

+1 Yellowheart Longspear, Moke, Inspire? Bless: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 33
Longspear Magic Piercing, Moke, Inspire?: 1d8 + 5 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 4 + 2 = 14
Crit confirm?: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 18
Longspear Magic Piercing, Moke, Inspire?: 1d8 + 5 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 4 + 2 = 14

Sorry to hold things up! If she was holding things up. EDIT: Good grief, they better not have immunity or a super high resistance to Piercing cause that was an amazing set of rolls.

The Pathfinder's weapon's don't have full effect expect for Glorne's blast. Cayden's weapon pokes it's exterior while Faliana's has little effect. The dwarves whip has no effect.

swarms can't be tripped so the whip doesn't have effect

The swarms move one moves over on Cayden. The other moves on Touchy,Falina and Glorne.

They all take damage as metal parts eat at their body.

sorry if it's not clear I can use other tokens if you want

damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10

The dwarf get cut more he takes an extra 2 damage from the swarm.

swarm 2 19 swarm 3 7

does anyone else have Arcana?

party is up again

Arcana, heroism: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 = 8

Are they all swarming now? can you please show on the map which ones are swarming i.e. 10'x10'? did I attack it in solid form or swarm mode? what kind of damage have we each taking so far? answers will help me decide my actions... thanks!

Son of Cayden attacks and moves away from the golem, all the way to Zarta!

+1 Keen Adamantine Rapier, Bladethirst: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 1 = 33
adamantine magic dmg, bladethirst, seance boon: 1d6 + 10 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 1 + 2 = 14

=========

CONFIRM CRIT: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 12 + 1 = 25
additional crit dmg: 1d6 + 10 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 1 + 2 = 17

"Zarta! you got some heals? these heaps of junk pack quite a punch!"

Yeah we must have failed the monster knowledge check pretty bad... normal junk golems don't hit that hard! Current HP: 25/39 (I think)

Now with two of the golems falling into swarms and the only fully formed one standing in the back, Ilathor looks at his whip and shrugs. Plucking an Alchemists' Fire from his bag, he chucks it at the swarm nearest Touchy.

"Progress is being made, a good sign!" he says encouragingly.
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Alchemists' Fire (True Strike, Second Range Increment) vs Swarm 3: 1d20 + 4 - 2 + 20 ⇒ (19) + 4 - 2 + 20 = 411d6 ⇒ 5
Might be cover vs that swarm, but it looks like he can target it without PvP via splash damage.

Faliana, the longspear is a x3 weapon. You were one die short... though it appears like you didn't confirm, so probably a moot point.

"I've said it before... I'll say it again..." Touchy says, wincing slightly as the swarm of junk tears into him.

"We might need to play with the balls."

He points back towards where the glowing sphere was, though it is now obscured by the magical web.

Unfortunately, Touchy's disable skill is pretty basic.

He moves past the golem, skirting along the left side of the webs, trying to stay out of sight of the other. As he goes, he pulls out a flask and, following Ilathor's lead, lobs it at the nearby swarm hounding him.

ranged touch: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 30, for 1d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 = 8 fire damage.

confirm?: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 20, for an additional 1d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5 fire damage.

+50% vs swarm

If he can splash the other, he will try, though no way to know when they're not the proper size on the map.

On the next round, it will take an additional 1d6 ⇒ 6 damage (+50%).

I'll expand the tokens when the swarms move sorry for the confusion

the swarms/golems have the swarm subtype so they can't be crit'd

falina is up

Faliana falls back, not having much of anything she can do to these swarms. She drops her longspear, not sure how effective it will be ultimately, and draws out her lucerne hammer, ready to smash some golem bits that get near her. "Don't play with the balls if you don't know how to! Just smash them!"

She readies to smash any approaching golem bits.
Readied attack, Hammer, bless, Inspire, Moke: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 17
Bludgeoning Damage, Moke, Inspire: 1d12 + 4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 4 + 2 = 20

"Anyone got a spare mace?" says Son of Cayden, still waiting for healing from Zarta.

Faliana calls back to the drunkard. "If you promise to take good care of it, you can use my hammer. I can stomp the things if I have to."

You're doing killer damage with it, and since I'm a damm bard, I really meant mace when I said mace... due to being an idiot with anything other than a simple weapon....

Right! Weapon proficiencies. I should remember that; Faliana can only use her hammer when she channels Moke.

Faliana, the longspear is a x3 weapon. You were one die short... though it appears like you didn't confirm, so probably a moot point.

Also I missed this earlier! Thanks Touchy, it's been a long long time since she last crit with her spear... and of course it's against something with an immunity to them!

"Not quite a mace, but give this a try." calls out Glorne as he draws and tosses his masterwork, cold iron morningstar towards Son of Cayden. He then steps 5' to the left to get closer to the second swarm(#3 on the map).

Pretty sure that's a move to draw and a standard to throw.

Thanks Glorne! If you just hold it out I can grab it on my way back as a free action; so just a move to draw and you can use your standard for something else. I'm coming! (just hoping Zarta throws a bit of healing at me on her turn :P )

Zarata turns to Cayden. She taps him with her wand.

clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"Sweetlings, your weapons aren't hurting these things very much. There's a tough bar of metal over there!"

it functions as an adamantine flail. It's in a bag at the feet of Ilathor

Cayden's weapon damages one of the swarms as does the two alchemist fires.

One of the swarms moves over Glorne and the other over Falina.

Touchy where's your token?

Glorne and Falina feel the hundreds of shards nip at them.

damage: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7

2 more points of damage

damage swarm 2 19 swarm 3 33

party is up again

I take it Fali's readied attack missed or did it not affect the swarm at all? Don't want to be swinging with a useless weapon here.