DM Carbide's Godsmouth Heresy [PFS1e-CORE, Table 1] (Inactive)

Game Master John Woodford

Vulf, what kind of armor are you wearing?

Apologies. Mw breastplate is correct, movement corrected.

Also, poor visibility (which this qualifies as) hampers movement the same way as difficult terrain, so I don't think you can reach Nala in the first place.

True, if it is difficult terrain, but Vulf, unable to see, might not necessarily know that.

When his hammer fails to strike anything, Vulf cries out, "Me thinks this darkness is not natural! We may need to outrun it, mayhaps!"

Erica, it's attacking from behind Nala. I'll put up a map, since this may be complicated.

Vulf, movement in poor visibility counts double in the same way that difficult terrain does. This should be obvious to the cleric, as he runs into walls, trips on uneven steps, and is otherwise inconvenienced while trying to get up the stairs.

ETA: I put up a map. Rather than try to do a 3d rendering of a spiral staircase, I mapped it unwound.

Growling, he nocks an arrow and aims blindly. "Midnight Lord, guide my bow in your most holy of lights....duck Nala!"

Short Bow, into combat: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 - 4 = 1 for Piercing: 1d6 ⇒ 5 x3 Crit; 60ft Range
Miss on 1-50: 1d100 ⇒ 8

Lost Precise Shot with the rebuild - Not sure how much cover needs to be added here - very glad PFS doesn't have a chance to hit friends. lol

Oooo Nice! Missed twice!

Seeing Azrail attacking the creature with a bow, Erica grabs her own crossbow.

Loading, full round action

I should have realized what a brutal encounter this could be when none of you have darkvision. At this point, your best bet is probably going to be to have Desynthia summon aid--celestial creatures have 60' darkvision.

Nala struggles, but can't free herself from the multilimbed grip of the unseen foe. Azrial looses an arrow in the direction of the sounds of struggling, to no apparent effect. Erica loads her crossbow, while Vulf shoves through the party towards the fight. Vulf, do you want to try double-moving to get past everyone, then turning back?

Desynthia, you can still act.

Round 2 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Foe-acted
Nala
Desynthia
Azrial
Vulf
Erica

Nala feels herself squeezed tightly and painfully in the being's grasp, and (I think) can't hold on to consciousness. Take 8 HP damage.

Party up!

The creature would be required to roll to keep the grapple to do their constrict damage. That said, it would also have gotten its constrict damage when it achieved the grapple last round so Nala would already be unconscious and in this round it could either finish her off or move to a new target.

I agree that this is an absurd fight even if we were all level 2's. Magical darkness that overcomes all but the most unlikely to have extremely expensive consumables (scroll or oil of daylight) plus an enemy that can do an average of 12 damage per round (got me for 15 of course...), wowsa.

Nala thuds to the ground, lying haphazardly across the steps of the stairs. She never even made a squeak as the creature smacked then squeezed the life out of her.

Stabilize DC 10 - Damage: 1d20 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 2 - 1 = 17

Vulf, do you want to try double-moving to get past everyone, then turning back?

Vulf's thinking/hope is that this is an unnatural darkness and that it is localized so that the party can move out of it. If that is the case and if the attacker follows, Vulf thinks that he should be able to see it. Of course, if the unnatural darkness is centered on the creature, and it follows the party, then moving out of its effect won't be possible, but at least the party will have some more knowledge that it didn't before. And, with any luck, the party may make it into a chamber where they can better surround the creature and deal with it (of course, they may be running into other foes as well, but at this point is seems worth the risk).

"Stay alive, my dear!" Vulf urges Nala. "Let us try and find a better vantage point to confront this assailant!" The cleric feels his way through the stairwell.

Double move

I didn't think a monster gets constrict damage the same round as a successful grab attack, but it looks like it does. That's a bit excessive.

Desynthi starts to summon a creature

Eagle will appear next round. No darkvision for my summoned allies, but DR 1/ evil creatures. Eagles do have low light vision. And they fly, of course. A dolphin wouldn't be much useful here. Maybe you mistakenly did constriction damage on the first round on Nala, GM? Usually constriction dmg is higher than regular dmg, but you have first to hit your foe before being able to constrict it

According to the celestial creatures template, they have darkvision.

I looked back at the rolls Desynthia, the enemy hit Nala with a slam attack then succeeded on the free grab which gave it the free constrict damage. The rolls were all very lucky which made it a rough combo all at once. Nala (if she lives) will 100% be sinking Prestige Points into resources to negate darkness.

With Nala going down in the first round, I need to retcon a bit.

Round 1:

Vulf pushes blindly forward and back up the stairs, pausing just before he reaches where Nala fell to carefully step over her. As he bends, he feels something brush over his head.

Round 2 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Foe-acted
Nala
Desynthia
Azrial
Vulf
Erica

In the darkness, Vulf again feels something try to grab him, but its tentacles narrowly fail to get a purchase on his armor.

Party up!

Erica takes steady aim in the general direction of the creature, warning her companions before acting:

"Careful, I'm going to shoot!"

Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 5 - 4 = 16
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 2
Miss 1-50: 1d100 ⇒ 42

I agree that this is an absurd fight even if we were all level 2's. Magical darkness that overcomes all but the most unlikely to have extremely expensive consumables (scroll or oil of daylight) plus an enemy that can do an average of 12 damage per round (got me for 15 of course...), wowsa.

With Daylight only being a level 3 spell (same level as Continual Flame on the everburning Torch) would it even work vs this?

Hearing a *THUD* from ahead, Azrail smils. 'Oh good! We got i...' His thoughts trailing off as he hears Erica's claims.

"Well this is a problem. I'll send another one that way as well!"

Firing wildly, he hears his arrow clattering off the walls as it falls below.

Short Bow, Melee: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 - 4 = 9 for Piercing: 1d6 ⇒ 4 x3 Crit; 60ft Range
1-50 Miss: 1d100 ⇒ 38

[Desynthia's eagle finally appears, and attacks the unseen foe

Beak: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 1
51+ hits: 1d100 ⇒ 99

Beak: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 1
51+ hits: 1d100 ⇒ 10

Beak: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 1
51+ hits: 1d100 ⇒ 77

Meanwhile, the white haired sorceress nearly crawls to find out Nala, hoping to heal her, groping in the dark...

Is she still in the creature's clutches or on the ground, Gm?

Desynthia, does your eagle have the celestial creature template? Also, the monster dropped Nala and is attacking Vulf.

From the rulebook: Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you cast a spell of the summoning subschool, the creatures summoned gain DR/evil equal to 1/2 your sorcerer level (minimum 1). This does not stack with any DR the creature might have. (but no celestial template)

From the description of the summon monster i spell: "Creatures on Table 10-1 marked with an '*' are summoned with the celestial template, if you are good, and the fiendish template, if you are evil. If you are neutral, you may choose which template to apply to the creature." All of your options in the table are marked with an asterisk, so as I read the spell description you get a celestial eagle with the additional DR your bloodline arcana grants.

Never noticed that, my bad! So Darkvision for my eagle and smite evil! (but no charisma bonus, sighs) At least I don't have to roll for Darkness

MVP Eagle! GO! ;-)

Round 2 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Foe-acted
Nala-stabilized but unconscious
Desynthia/Eagle-moved/acted
Azrial-acted
Vulf
Erica-acted

Erica's bolt clatters off of a wall somewhere and Azrial's arrow follows it, but through the murk you hear the sound of an eagle taking a bite out of something! Desynthia crawls forward and easily finds the downed ranger.

Vulf?

Foe: AC 15 T 13 FF 13 HP taken: 1

Vulf pushes blindly forward and back up the stairs, pausing just before he reaches where Nala fell to carefully step over her. As he bends, he feels something brush over his head.

"By the Forge! Nala's fallen!" Vulf cries. Clutching the small hammer symbol around his neck, he utters a prayer to his patron god.

Channel positive energy: 1d6 ⇒ 4

He then tries to feel his way ahead, hoping to see some light.

A wave of healing energy emanates from the priest, restoring Nala to consciousness.

Round 3 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Foe-acted
Nala
Desynthia/Eagle-
Azrial
Vulf
Erica

It's difficult to tell what's happening in the darkness, but the eagle again cries out its hunting call.

Party up!

Foe: AC 15 T 13 FF 13 HP taken: 0

Hearing the eagle's cry and feeling none of his allies immediately following, Vulf heads back into the fray and swings at the unseen foe.

Melee (warhammer, masterwork): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Damage (B): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Concealment, Miss 1-50: 1d100 ⇒ 14

Nala's eyes roll open with a groan, "What the... what hit me?" Hearing the sound of combat she freezes in place but the pain of even that small inaction reminds her she must have taken quite a blow.

Slowly reaching towards her belt she calls out, "Where is the the enemy? Will it attack if I move?"

Regardless, she takes her next action. Pulling the easily accessible wand out, she speaks the command word, "heal!"

Draw Wand of CLW, Activate Wand of CLW for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 healing, 49 charges remain.

Realizing her error she adds, "I don't mean I need healing. That was me using my wand. Thank you whoever woke me up. Is anyone else injured?"

beak: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 1

talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Desynthia summoned eagle manages to hit again the creature, before poofing out of existence in a golden cloud

On previous round, the eagle beak should have hot for 1 point of damage

and again, Desynthia is calling forth another creature in existence

Summon another Celestial eagle

"Nice job, Desynthia!" Erica says while reloading her crossbow.

Not being undead, the creature was healed by Vulf's channel energy.

Taking aim at the sounds of combat, Azrail again releases an arrow. "Duck!"

"You know what? Nevermind. It seems I'm not gonna hit anything in this darkness. Blasted light and ..." grumbling he trails off.

Short Bow, melee: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 - 4 = 2 for Piercing: 1d6 ⇒ 6 x3 Crit; 60ft Range
Miss 1-50: 1d100 ⇒ 27

No one can seem to hit the unseen enemy.

Round 4 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Foe-acted
Nala
Desynthia/Eagle-
Azrial
Vulf
Erica

Once again, something in the darkness tries to hit the cleric. Once again, his armor saves him from damage or from being grabbed.

Everyone can act!

Foe: AC 15 T 13 FF 13 HP taken: 1

Vulf swings again at the thing in the darkness.

Melee (warhammer, masterwork): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage (B): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Concealment, Miss 1-50: 1d100 ⇒ 20

Erica shoots her bolt at the creature hidden in the shadows.

"Heiress- you're right, Azrail, it's impossible to hit anything!"

Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 5 - 4 = 9
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 8
Miss 1-50: 1d100 ⇒ 9

Beak: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Desynthia's summoned eagle attakcs the creature with beak and talons, and the white haired sorceress sends a glob of acid flying toward the unseen foe

Acid splash vs touch AC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
dmg: 1d3 ⇒ 1
Miss 1-50: 1d100 ⇒ 2

Firing another arrow wide, he shakes his head. "Mayass well use a dagga. No kin see no how."

Short Bow: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 - 4 = 9 for Piercing: 1d6 ⇒ 1 x3 Crit; 60ft Range
1-50 miss: 1d100 ⇒ 89

Nala sees nothing, but hears the sounds of combat, "Where uh... are you all attacking? I'll be back in the fight soon."

She twirls her wand and activates it again before clipping it back on her belt.

Activate wand for CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 healing, then clips it back onto her belt, 48 charges remain.

The eagle tears into the foe, while no one else is able to touch it.

Round 5 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Foe-acted
Nala
Desynthia/Eagle-
Azrial
Vulf
Erica

Vulf feels nothing. Everyone hears movement, though.

Party up!

Foe: AC 15 T 13 FF 13 HP taken: 8

Vulf swings his hammer in the direction of the movement.

Melee (warhammer, masterwork): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Damage (B): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Concealment, Miss 1-50: 1d100 ⇒ 32

Nala carefully stands and draws her trident.

Move to stand, Move to draw Trident

Round 5 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Foe-acted
Nala-acted
Desynthia/Eagle-
Azrial
Vulf-acted
Erica

The excessively mobile foe once again excels at being where Vulf's warhammer is not. As Nala stands up, she feels something go by her head.

Desynthia and Azrial?

Giving up on the idea of shooting the creature in the dark, Erica puts her crossbow away, drawing her warhammer and shield.

I'll try to move and reach it if possible

With its current position, Erica, the only ones able to hit it without a reach weapon are Vulf and Nala. The eagle manages by being above it.

Darn. Can I change my action to reloading the crossbow then?

Sure.

Desynthia loads her light crossbow and shoots

ranged attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
dmg: 1d8 ⇒ 2

But the bolt is lost in the darkness

Desynthia, I think you get an eagle attack this round.

Beak: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Beak Crit?: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 4

The eagle screams and furiously attacks the unseen creature, before poofing out in a silver mist

In the darkness, the party hears the eagle cry again. There is a flurry of movement, then something falls to the floor between Vulf and Nala with a wet thump.

Out of combat!

If we were playing this F2F, I would have let you figure out it was dead by yourselves, but that would use up too much time in PbP.

Feeling your way down the stairs, you soon reach the end of the magical darkness.

Nala pokes the creature with her trident, then if it doesn't move she'll grab it and throw it in a sack, closing it up to see if the light snuffing effect was from the creature.

If not, she moves with the group and suggests, "hopefully the magic will expire by the time we get back."

Once their lights are working again, she pulls her wand and finishes fixing up any injuries, "Anyone else hurt?"

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 47 charges remain

The effect was indeed centered on the creature, although it's too large to easily fit into a sack. It's about the size of a halfling.

The stairway descends another ten or twenty feet, eventually ending in an alcove off of a large square room. Map forthcoming.

Ancient carvings cover the walls of this chamber, though it's sometimes hard to pick them out through the veil of cobwebs that drape across the walls and ceiling. The floor is thick with dust, marred only by the tracks of small creatures. Three sets of stone double doors stand in the three facing walls. Heavy bronze seals emblazoned with a Pharasmin spiral secure the doors against whatever lies beyond.

"I'm good." grumbles Azrail. "Anyone gotcha sumtin to cover it with? We drag it along...but dun need that magic to keep hamperin us."