GM Zephyre's PFS 4-23 Rivalry's End 3-7 (Inactive)

Game Master Zephyre14

Draklor nods. "Our work doesn't entail quite what I assume yours does. But it has its similarities. We were too late to stop some 'time' from being wasted. The loss wasn't exactly equal to the possible payout of some spins of a wheel, so we too would rather have our time's worth."

Bluff: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28

"If you're helping friends on the upper floors, your time well spent is theirs. Perhaps we can make ours work to your benefit as well? Surely there are some knick-knacks down here that might catch your liking."

Cuethric looks for a trigger or a trap while hoping their conversation is not being overheard. Whispering "Keep the truce discussions to a whisper though or we might all be floating in the bay with slit throats."

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30 may not be needed as we already did one.

Cuethric just wants to get on the far side of the barrels to be able to react if something comes through the hidden door. He has his bow out.

At the assault of questions from the well armed interlopers, the swindlers decide to speak more plainly in an effort to keep from instigating a fight.

"We came in same way as you. We are down here to spy on the card tables above for the Varisian triplets." As they say this they show the tiny hand drills and crude periscopes they brought with them to do the job at hand. Cuethric is pretty confident these swindler's are telling the truth, while they may be up to no good, they don't want to risk there own lives for it.

It isn't explained anywhere, but by the nature of you getting into the cellar you can tell that the card hall you were just in is directly above you, I was't trying to be particularly cryptic with the last message, but I can see how it ended up that way.

"How about we stay out of your way and you don't hurt us? Deal? We aren't in your way here against the wall on these casks, are we?"

Once Cuethric gets closer to the secret entrance he is able to see that it just requires finding and a little brute strength to open the well hidden 1 foot thick reinforced masonry door that was built directly into the cellar walls. No secret levers or switches required, and it doesn't appear to be trapped either.

Ijo blinks hard, in the way he does, and nods to the others. Fair by me, I guess. Ijo holds Slitherbane tight in his hands.

Zranashta gets her potion of protection from evil at the ready once more, then uses her wand of shield on herself. She whispers in a dusty Varisian accent, "Am ready. Cuerthic or Malaz open door."

This constitutes 2 rounds of actions: draw potion, draw wand, use wand, stow wand.

When the team is ready, Malaz opens the door and looks in.

Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21

Draklor is glad to have scared off the swindlers, especially in a manner that didn't involve being too scary. Even if they were tough enough to accompany the Pathfinders, they didn't seem to have the right temperament. He stands ready with his banner unfurled.

Cuethric stands with his bow ready and the potion of Protection From Evil easily ready in his pouch as Malaz opens the door.

This wide stone room is deep underground, but decorated as though in a country manor. Standing lamps illuminate the decor, which includes pastoral paintings of landscapes typical of southern Avistan. A steep staircase leads up to the east. Hallways extend to the north and south.

Remmy Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33
Malaz Bourreau Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23
Cuethric Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21
Ijo Ibn Son Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Draklor Ribiera Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Zranashta Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Zranashta's Familiar Spot Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

As the team enters Remmy is able to hear mechanized clanking coming from deeper in the dungeon. He is able to tell it is not stationary and has a sound of metal against stone as the sound moves.

Map added

Ijo walks down the stairway with the rest and uses his magic to push his senses forward.

Detect Evil 60 ft.

Malaz moves down the stairs, weapon at the ready. "I guess one way is as good as another, yes?"

Following Malaz, Zrinka whispers to the group in her typical dusty Varisian accent, "You maybe vant me to summon veery good friend Hopper to scout ahead?"

Cuethric whispers back, "Not sure what a hopper is but anything to give us advanced warning of dangers in next areas would be good."

"Ooh. I have better idea." Zranashta whispers back before casing vanish on Cuerthric. "Now you can scout for us. Go. Shoo."

@Cuerthric: you have 5 rounds of invisibility to scout these hallways. You get +20 to Stealth.

Malaz taps near his eyes, "Don't worry Cueth, I can see you."

As the rest of the team sorts out how to go about moving forward within the dungeon, Ijo concentrates, but fails to sense any evil.

Cuethric quickly moves up and along the northern(?) passage and will sleath as quickly as he dares. half speed
stealth: 1d20 + 9 + 20 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 20 = 41
perception as he goes: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
He will peer south at the end of the corridor.
perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
moving at 1/2 speed that should be 2 rounds or 60', perceiving for a round then back the way he came 2.
He then makes his way back to report.

Cuethric is easily able to sneak over to the opening without anything of note.

This grand reception hall holds a table and eight ornate chairs. A small sideboard holds an empty decanter and a silver serving set. A wide fireplace in the east wall holds a thick bed of ashes, and a neat stack of firewood lies nearby. Two narrow doors stand to the northeast and southeast. Wide passageways lead out of this room to the northwest and southwest.

Once there though he can see only a few feat from him what he had begun to hear as he got closer. 3 mechanized humanoids patrolling around the reception hall.

I moved you to the end of your movement in case you decided to do something besides just retreat now that you see what is there, but there is no way they could notice you invisible with a 41 on stealth so I am not hitting initiatives unless you decide to spark combat.

Nope I'll head back and report.
Cuethric waits until he un-vanishes. Then he whispers quietly, "Three metal men patrolling the center room. No lady though." "And they know somethings here."

Zranashta stows her potion again and draws her wand of magic missiles, then whispers to the group. "Vee vill take out metal men qvickly and qvietly, yes?"

I'm ready to go.

Malaz suppresses a guffaw. He looks at the size of his butchering ax once again. Quiet? Yeah. HA! "It's heartening that Zranashta can maintain a healthy sense of humor. I hope bespeaks well of her ability to keep a calm head when under pressure."

It seems like its always about this level when I have to make the financial decision between the Swarmbane Clasp and the Golembane Scarab, because I can never afford to purchase them simultaneously. This time I went with the Swarmbane, but hearing about 'metal men' makes me wonder if I made the wrong choice.

By the way, is Cuethric's description enough information to make a knowledge check and/or know what to declare for BANE?

Ijo nods at Cuethric, If that's the case we should push hard and fast. We need to get to the Lady and extract. Unless there's a way to lure the metal men away.

"Not much else for it, I suppose," Draklor agrees. "At least they aren't alive, I think. I'll keep you all at peak performance instead of trying anything fancy on 'em. But I wonder how they see?"

I took the liberty of moving everyone on the map. Please feel free to adjust your positions if you are unhappy with it.

"Yes, Malaz. I am being funny. I have good head under pressure, but not much experience with metal man. You are first metal man I know."

She turns to the rest of the group and whispers, "Ok. Is time. Go."

Well, I was hoping we would buff around the corner first (depending on knowledge rolls).

I was planning on drinking a potion of Enlarge Person and casting Lead Blades, then wading into them.

Well, I was hoping we would buff around the corner first (depending on knowledge rolls).

I was planning on drinking a potion of Enlarge Person and casting Lead Blades, then wading into them.

Sorry, I misunderstood everyone's check-in posts. I though everyone was indicating they were ready. That sounds good to me.

Cuethric will cast longstride prior to mo ing down the hall again. Then Cuethric will use his gravity bow wand, and put it away just before they move into the room.

graviry bow will last 9 rounds of combat and longstride with 40' movement will last 5 hours.

I will allow the knowledge check based on the description, but at a -5 as Cuethric is not even trained in Arcana (or engineering which I honestly think thinks like this should fall under, but that is here nor there) to know what he is looking at and what parts would be important to remember and describe.

Also while it is knowledge arcana, and that gives a pretty good hint in and of itself, I will say you need to get at least a 10 to be certain of what bane to use. (shouldn't be hard, but at least shows your character has some idea of what you are dealing with)

Also, also, please let me know exactly how many turns you guys are spending prepping, while they didn't notice you, it is still important (I highly considered running this whole dungeon in rounds because of the things going on, but A, thought that would be a pain with the PBP medium and B didn't want to make it feel like Zranashta's surprise round ability was going to be negated) , it has already been 5 rounds for Cuethric to take 2 getting there, 1 to observe, and 2 to get back. From reading planned actions so far I am looking at something like 3 turns of spells and such and ?2? turns to move into place?

A minute or 10 rounds total sound about right.

"Let's get'm, pathfinders!" Cuethric says softly as the round the bend into combat.

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 15 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 15 - 5 = 30 Geez!

"Ooh. I have heard of these metal man before. Zranashta whispers to the group, then tells everyone about the creatures' defenses and resistances.

Zranashta will use one more charge from her wand of shield right before we head out.

I would only need two (2) rounds for Enlarge Person and Bane. Another single round to move into position. Total: Three (3) rounds.

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 16 - 5 ⇒ (5) + 16 - 5 = 16

Draklor moves into position, banner and whip at the ready and looking laughably useless. He mulls over how to take down the mechanical creatures.

All I need to do is draw my items and move with everyone else. Can't access the map right now, in case it's already done.

Remmy will cast heighten awarness on himself, and then follow behind ready to strike when the others do.

One round for protection from evil. after that i'm good to go.

As everyone rounds the corner together they notice the metal men walking out of the room into the hallway.

Do you pursue?

Zranashta you get 3 questions, or I can just try to pick some things that might be useful.

Did my knowledge check succeed?

Zranashta you get 3 questions, or I can just try to pick some things that might be useful.

I want to know about their defenses, the type of bane that Malaz should use (which I think is included with the check), and then anything else you find pertinent. Thanks. :)

Now that we know what direction they are going, why don't we try and trap them between us? I'm not really fast enough to cut them off, but I can certainly cut off their retreat.

These are Clockwork Soldiers. They are Construct Here is your bane. (Clockwork). They have especially hard exteriors only pierced by adamantine, but attacks are still likely to find solid damage after glancing off of the protective exterior components. They have DR 5/Adamantine also construct traits which I will copy the text of into the map for anyone's quick reference. They also have specialy designed hands which allow them to try to grab things with great ease. can grapple or disarm without provoking and have minor bonus to them. To add to the significant defenses and unique hands they also are built with incredible strength. They have 28 STR so high to hit and reasonably high damage, there honestly isn't much more to them so this was the best thing I had.

@GM: That's perfect, thanks. Zranashta would have conveyed all of that info to the group.

@Malaz: You are set up perfect to charge them. I don't think we should waste time going back around.

"Vut are vee vaiting for? Zranashta whispers to the group? She draws a scroll and casts one of the spells it contains. (haste.)

Haste will affect everyone except Zranashta and Spot. You all get +1 to attack rolls, AC, Reflex saves; a +30-foot bonus to speed (up to a maximum of double your current speed); and an extra attack when you make a full attack. This lasts 5 rounds.

@Malaz: before you charge, let Cuethric take some shots with his bow first. :)

Ijo readies a casting of Bless for the party if we are about to mix it up.

Ijo also throws his heavy flail, psychically. Will be taking shots from range.

I'm good peppering them from range first.

"If we have to do this, can we get it started fast?" Draklor expects the mechanical menace to make a lot of noise. Until they do, however, he decides against an oratory performance. He prepares to strike up a dance akin to a martial arts routine, expect he's otherwise incapable of such things.

Sounds like INITATIVE!

Remmy Initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Malaz Bourreau Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Cuethric Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Ijo Ibn Son Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Draklor Ribiera Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Zranashta Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17(always act in surprise round)
Zranashta's Familiar Spot Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25(always act in surprise round)

Black Clockwork Soldier: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Red Clockwork Soldier: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Blue Clockwork Soldier: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Black Clockwork Soldier Roll-off: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Cuethric Roll-off: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Spot
Ijo
Remmy
Cuethric
Black Clockwork Soldier
Malaz
Zranashta
Draklor
Blue Clockwork Soldier
Red Clockwork Soldier

The team was able to sneak up on the clockwork soldiers and will get a surprise round of actions.

Pathfinders FIGHT the bold may ACT!

Cuethric moves 20' into the room aiming his shot using one of the blanched adamantine arrows. [ooc]Can't 5' step because of hard corner.[\ooc]
bow shot at black: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 1 + 1 = 19
dmg P: 2d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3, 5) + 3 + 1 = 12
"Adamantine will work I think"

Zranashta will exchange initiative slots with Spot. Spot will delay on the surprise round to put him back on Zranashta's turn.

Zranashta moves up to the corner to where she can see one of the clockwork soldiers. "He is brave man" she says of Cuerthic in a gritty whisper.

Draklor steps uneasily into the room behind the cover Cuethric provides.

So this is just a surprise round? If not, I'll also start Inspire Courage +2, bringing the bonus to attacks/damage/fear saves up to +3.

Ijo feels his way around the corner and follows his mates to stand next to Cuethric. Ah yes, I see them now. Everyone do a good job.

Cast Bless

I'm confused. If we are already past the surprise round, then Zranashta will take an action.

Remmy runs into the room, rummaging in his pack for something and muttering spell work as he moves.

Move forward for suprise round, arcane mutterings are flavor for next round.