GM PDK'S PFS RPG 'TOMB OF THE IRON MEDUSA' (Inactive)

Game Master Purple Dragon Knight

going in with std marching order is fine with me, as long as Kel is in/near the rear, lol. will put up some spells before going in further, or at least before entering any rooms or chambers. mage armor is already up, adding: heightened awareness, anticipate peril, life bubble (shared with everyone who doesn't have their own), message (everyone included except any who want to opt out), and greater darkvision. Veil is in place and ready for gaze attacks. quicken metamagic rod is in hand.

Kel readies himself for delving further into the tomb and takes his place toward the middle or rear, near Glaube, because hanging with the cleric has is almost never a bad idea.

"When we have more time, Glaube, I would love to hear more in depth about your worship of Sarenrae. I have a little gnome friend who is also a cleric of Sarenrae. She told me once about all these different cults of her followers, some of them quite radical. She actually seemed a little concerned about some of those, being a more mainstream priestess herself. Where do your beliefs fall in the spectrum of her worship, Glaube?"

Aye, I'll be taking point. Some folks say always left, some always right. Others seem to like to roll a die for the fates when they come to an intersection without an obvious deliniations between the paths. Any of you care which way we go up here?

Please move us in standard marching order, its one of the hardest parts of PbP games that I've found, because unlike at a VTT where you can just tell the PCs (move up slowly/one move at a time) or you just grab them and move them onto new maps as necessary, it can really slow things down in a PBP game. I don't see a big difference between right/left at the present map, and Mal isn't superstitious, so he's open to whichever way people want to go.

one direction all the time as the intersections allow works for me, less chance of getting lost if you're consistent... you can pick... right or left.

"Perhaps we should do one direction every time as the intersections and walls allow... just be consistent, doesn't matter WHICH direction you pick initially I don't think. Perhaps I am just not chaotic enough to want to flip coins at the junctions."

Sorry: Which slide are we on?
__________

"When we have more time, Glaube, I would love to hear more in depth about your worship of Sarenrae. I have a little gnome friend who is also a cleric of Sarenrae. She told me once about all these different cults of her followers, some of them quite radical. She actually seemed a little concerned about some of those, being a more mainstream priestess herself. Where do your beliefs fall in the spectrum of her worship, Glaube?"

"I'm afraid that many other Sarenites consider me 'radical.' You see, I don't think there's a 'wrong' way to worship--any more than there's a 'wrong' way to play or a 'wrong' way to live your life. Sentient beings are imperfect. We're all going to make mistakes. We're all going to enjoy successes. Our personal expressions of faith or life are shaped by those events. So, I don't judge anyone or anything for their lot or their practices. With some exceptions, I honor their freedom to choose, and I understand that their paths may yet change. While I encourage compassion, generosity, loyalty, and patience; I try not to proselytize--though, sometimes I fail."

"That is how I practice my faith."

"I had hoped to retire by now. Apparently, the Cleansing Light has different plans for me."

"Left. Always left. We'll go left."

Consistency is key. Our brother says left and that's as good as any.

”Left will be great. I will dismount Rusty and keep him in my armor for now to keep him from clogging the exit. He is a bit claustrophobic sometimes. “

She taps her hosteling armor and the great wolf disappears.

If it has been close to 3 hours since starting this adventure she will recast extended heroism

If it has been that long, Mal would need to rebuff as well, didn’t think it had been.

Mal hands a small pearl to Kel. Trouble you for a Mage’s armor? I have this pearl which should let you recover and cast it

"You sound like a pleasant and easy-going sort of follower of the Dawnflower. I think you'd like my friend, Lore. She's a bit like you I think... she doesn't judge the others for how they worship or follow the tenets, she mostly worries more for the stability of the church when factions clash, I think. Anyway - she's a pleasant little gnome who bakes THE BEST SCONES in Absalom - Perhaps on Golarion... though I admit I personally haven't sampled every single variation. She even makes special catnip lace scones for her catfolk friends. They are all obsessed and I think may be more devoted to her baking than her Sarenrite followers are to her teachings." He chuckles softly, then turns his attention to Mal...

Kel smiles as he takes the pearl and nods to Mal. "Of course, I am always honored to help a friend." He recovers the spell and casts it on Mal. "That should last you a goodly while." (it will last 15 hours unless dispelled) He returns the pearl, then pulls a scroll from his bandolier and slips it into a speed sheath, pats it gently into place and smiles...

"I am ready to proceed. Left sounds like an excellent choice."

Mal thanks Kel and softly hums the songs of his forefathers as he proceeds left, wary for danger.

"It is wise when in a maze to keep a hand on a wall and not let it up, Left seems as wise a choice as any," Sahess provides, as the only input she's able to provide to the moment.

Mal thanks Kel and softly hums the songs of his forefathers as he proceeds left, wary for danger.

"Mal's forefathers seem industrious. It's good to be happy with your work."

"It is wise when in a maze to keep a hand on a wall and not let it up, Left seems as wise a choice as any," Sahess provides, as the only input she's able to provide to the moment.

Near the back of the marching order, Glaube prepares to make small, unobtrusive notches in the walls and/or floor with his scimitar to mark the group's passage and direction.

Every 20' or so, I'd like to scratch an "arrow" with a number pointing our direction. E.G.: 1==> 2==> 3==> 4==>

Mal rounds the corner and spots several passages ahead: left or straight? (straight leads to other passages)
I've left a 5-foot gap between Mal and the rest of the party, figuring a need for a safety gap between the trap spotter and the followers would be in order.

They said always left, works for me.

Mal proceeds left.

At the intersection Thrag pauses to sketch a pair of glyphs of the open road, one on each side of the corner the party is turning, before following Mal to the left.

Cul-de-sac: do you all wish to keep following the rule of left? I can move you all to the resulting next room or intersection if that is the case

keep left, I think

Mal arrives in a large room. Arranged in various raised niches in the ornately-bricked walls are several dozen mummified corpses, attired in clothing of bygone eras, standing in lifelike poses as though engaged in conversation. Four oval niches in the north wall are obvious places of honor, as each holds but a single mummy bearing valuable-looking treasures. The room itself is lit brilliantly by two spheres of bright light floating near the center of the thirty-foot-high ceiling above. Mal notices something moving in the light spheres above, almost imperceptible due to the brightness of the orbs, but he notes the telltale signs of a magic attack building up and he is thus able to warm most of the others before the attack goes off...

Round 1 - Bold may go
Mal
Dora
Thrag
Brother
Sahess
???
WotC
Glaube

At Mal's warning Thrag rushes into the room and tries to disrupt the magic with a well placed arrow.

Attack: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (18) + 23 = 41
Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Dora gasps at Mal's warning.

She starts an inspirational chant...

"♪♫♪♫ Right is might, so fight, fight fight!!! ♪♫ " (inspired +2 atk/+2 dmg)

She then quick draws her bow and readies to shoot any spell-casters starting against the party.

Thrag is unable to exactly pinpoint the square they're in; each luminous, floating orb of extremely bright light is about 10 feet in diameter though, so one could make a guess, but whatever is moving in those lights is effectively hidden from the group and was just briefly spotted by Mal, who relayed the warning to you all. You can choose another set of actions if you like.

Clarification: Spheres of light on the 30’ high ceiling; 10’ in diameter; bottom edge of light sphere effectively 20’ above ground... see map for location of two ceiling light spheres.

So whatever is moving within the light has total concealment from Mal right now?

Yes... I could have been a more sneaky GM and allowed these things a surprise round... :P

Mal activates the swordmaster's flair in his hands to extend his reach, hoping to ward his allies entry into the room. He actively looks for his foes as he then steps forward into the room 5' step up and in, and prepares for its assault.

perception: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (18) + 30 = 48

Total defense, +6 to AC vs all attacks, can negate a single melee attack against himself.

Captain Brother Rabbit delays until after the enemies have gone.

Kel is still outside the room, but tries to recall what he might know of these bright lights from what he CAN see of them, and what the others have described.

know ?: 1d20 + 1d6 ⇒ (19) + (3) = 22 ... add whatever is appropriate of the following please: +31 arcana, +13 eng, geog, hist, nature, nobility, +14 dung, local, planes, religion

Thrag readies an arrow, seeing nothing.

Dora starts her theme song, spurring the blood of the heroes into action.

Mal takes a defensive stance, peering intently to the ceiling.

Brother delays, guarding the rear.

Kel you're around the corner and haven't seen anything; all you heard is "STAY BACK!" from Mal, so I'm going to leaving you in the initiative as you can still take your actions, delay, etc. once you will get bolded but right now you're unable to make any knowledge check in the absence of any information.

Round 1 - Bold may go
Mal
Dora
Thrag
Sahess
???
Brother
WotC
Glaube

Unable to get a clear view of the creature Thrag holds his shot, arrow knocked.

same move, but ready the attack for when a target is visible

Sahess delays

One of the globes suddenly flash to an extreme, unbearable brightness akin to a thousand suns!

Mal and Thrag: Fort save

When the brightness diminish, Mal, Thrag and Sahess appear to be in a magic field of mind-blowing shifting colors.

Mal, Thrag: Will save

Suddenly, two elderly robed Taldan humans, a male and a female, descend from within the large glowing balls and land at the other side of the room, and begin to cast what appears to be a long and complicated spell...

Round 1/2 - Bold may go
???
Sahess
Brother
WotC
Glaube
Mal Fort & Will
Dora
Thrag Fort & Will

Kel moves til he can see them, and tries to identify the spell they are casting before deciding on his course of action.

spellcraft: 1d20 + 36 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 36 + (3) = 44

@Kel: Will save please

will save: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23 ... +2 vs. enchantments, immune to sleep and SR 18, if any apply

Kel narrowly avoids some kind of hypnotic trance upon turning the corner and staring at the robed humans through the shimmering rainbow colors... when he does, he notes that they are going through the typical motions involved with conjuration spells.

Kel declares, loud enough to be heard by his companions, "They are summoning something... enough damage before they finish their spells might disrupt their casting!"

are the spheres of light anything that can be identified? if so:
knowledge: 1d20 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + (1) = 7 ... add whatever is appropriate of the following please: +31 arcana, +13 eng, geog, hist, nature, nobility, +14 dung, local, planes, religion

To start off the damage dealing on the two casters, he casts a quick spell of his own: Lightning Arc:

lightning arc damage, reflex save DC 23: 15d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 4, 3, 5, 5, 5, 4, 1, 5, 3, 6, 5, 1, 3) = 55 SR check if nec: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25

You generate an arc of lightning between two targets. The lightning deals 1d6 points of electricity damage per caster level (maximum 15d6) to both targets and any creatures in a line connecting them. The spell fails if there is no line of effect between the targets. Lightning arc sets fire to combustibles and damages objects in its path. It can melt metals that have a low melting point, such as lead, gold, copper, silver, or bronze.

The large lights appear to be two very large and very bright spheres made of some translucent material such as glass, crystal and the like, with some very powerful inner source of light.

As the lightning arcs between the two casters, there is a brief flash of magic emitted by the two auras surrounding them, but the two robed humans appear unaffected.

Kel, please make another Will save as you are observing the two targets through the shimmering colors...

Round 1/2 - Bold may go
???
Sahess
Kel Will
Brother
Glaube
Mal Fort & Will
Dora
Thrag Fort & Will

Can I tell what prevented the magic from working? some kind of spell? or something else?

Something to do with the magic fields surrounding them would be your best guess in the absence of magic intel such as arcane sight and the like

Fort, blessed fortitude: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (16) + 21 = 37
will: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (1) + 20 = 21
Going to await results before posting my turn, since I'm guessing that nat 1 may do something...

one he sits, two he stands: 1d2 ⇒ 1

Mal sits down, looking at all the glorious lights and colors surrounding him.

Round 1/2 - Bold may go
???
Sahess
Kel Will
Mal [fascinated]
Brother
Glaube
Dora
Thrag Fort & Will

So beautiful, like they were made in the father's forge, Mal's addled mind thinks.

The Captain moves forward, turning the corner and blinking rapidly at being assailed by the shifting colors.

Will: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (3) + 21 = 24 28 if Enchantment. Going to assume that made it since Kel made it. If I'm wrong the token can simply be moved back.

Brother Rabbit surged forward, double moving his full move speed in order to stand in front of the Taldan man. "Hi. Wouldn't suppose you'd, ya know, stop that, would you?"

Double move 60 feet. Also, neat effects on the slideshow!

The robed human male of advancing years smiles yet remains silent, continuing to perform his complicated trigonometrical gestures.

Fort: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23

Will: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24

assuming those pass

Unfazed Thrag's readied arrow flies at the old woman.

Trying to avoid the lights Thrag moves forward before attempting to put a second arrow into the old woman.

Attack, Inspire: 1d20 + 23 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 23 + 2 = 32
Damage, Inspire: 1d8 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 11 + 2 = 17

Dora continues her inspirational chant (free +2/+2).

Who what when where! Kick them when they stop us there!

She steps forward and casts protection v evil on herself, unsure what she will see when she rounds the corner.

crud, didn't see the will save part... here goes nothing...

will: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30 ...+2 vs. enchantments, immune to sleep and SR 18, if it applies

Fort..

Will..
assuming those pass
Unfazed Thrag's readied arrow flies at the old woman.

Alas, the answer is no for one of them...

After the flash of light Thrag finds that his vision does not return.

Thrag is blinded and therefore does not see the two humans come down; you still shoot assuming you received direction from Brother or Kel --> Miss Chance 01-50 is a miss: 1d100 ⇒ 32 Acrobatics DC 10 to move faster than 1/2 speed: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Thrag advances towards the old woman and shoots, trying to guess her position; his arrow flies wide, several feet to the right of the woman spellcaster.

Brother moves up towards the old man and issues a strongly worded warning.

Dora adds a layer of protection to herself.

Although this could be a trick of the multiple weird light effects going on now, Kel thinks he can at times see through the spellcasters... this is faint, but when his lightning spell was unleashed, this was momentarily more noticeable. Kel thinks these two may be illusions.

Party Buffs: Inspire +2
Round 1/2 - Bold may go
???
Sahess
Kel
Mal [fascinated]
Brother
Dora
Thrag [blinded]
Glaube

The dizzying colors are still there, and have fascinated Mal, but I have removed them from the map to make things a bit less cluttered.

I presume that whatever the enemies have going is still in effect? Do I need to make saving throws? If so:

Fort Save: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35
Will Save: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (9) + 21 = 30

Move Action, Standard Action, Free Action: Glaube double moves and then shuts his eyes.

Free Action: As the aging cleric walks forward with purpose, he chants. "I am one with the light; the light is with me. I am one with the light; the light is with me. I am one with the light; the light is with me."

Free Action: "Be with you in a moment, Thrag. Please try to be patient, my friend."

I posted this at 7:01pm on 5/31:

"are the spheres of light anything that can be identified? if so:
knowledge: 1d20 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + (1) = 7 ... add whatever is appropriate of the following please: +31 arcana, +13 eng, geog, hist, nature, nobility, +14 dung, local, planes, religion

... anything come of it?

... anything come of it?

See first sentence of the post immediately following your question.

Suddenly, the globes of light flash brightly.

Glaube and Brother: each of you make two Fort saves; Mal: only one Fort save.