GM Badblood's Scions of the Sky Key - Part III - The Golden Guardian (Inactive)

Game Master Lance K

Toral calls out to the voices on top of the stone block, while Guido takes out his wand so that he can understand what the creatures are saying. Before he can cast another spell from the wand, a booming voice from the darkness fills the chamber.

"YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE COME HERE!"

ROUND 1
Bocke
Golden Guardian
Sinaryn
Laafdahni
Guy
Toral
Baske
-Salim

Bocke springs the wand of bless and blesses the group, then runs inside, ducking behind the wall to avoid line of sight.

"We are here on a mission of exploration! We seek a lost friend. If we can recover him, we can be on our way."

Did my daylight spell go off before initiative?

Yeah, Toral, your daylight spell can be active. You have to cast it on an object, which could be a piece of jewelry or clothing that Toral's wearing.

Bocke steps forward and casts bless on the party.

Out of the darkness a massive monster swoops down to gore Toral with its massive horns. The creature has gold skin, with huge wings and scaly scaly skin. It looks similar to the statue that the party found, but it has a face that is longer, thinner and more reptilian and a long, whipping tail.

Charge, Gore: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 11 + 2 = 17
Piercing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Despite being caught unawares, Toral ducks at just the right moment and the creature's horns slide off his shoulder pauldron, failing to penetrate the enchanted steel.

The creature is 10 feet off the ground at the end of its turn, putting it out of the reach of most melee weapons.

ROUND 1
Bocke
Golden Guardian
Sinaryn
Laafdahni
Guy
Toral
Baske
-Salim

Guy examines the creature carefully, letting people know what he knows about it.

Standard action Lore Master to take 20 on knowledge check.
Total of 23, or 31 if Knowledge Local
Special attacks like breath weapon, poison, etc. Then DR or resistances, GM choice after that. Honestly, I only expect to get one thing.

He then moves so that the group isn’t so tightly packed together.

Hello GM, I cannot see which knowledge is needed for this creature. Here my list:
Knowledge: Arcana +3 (Rank 1, Int +2)
Knowledge: Dungeoneering +3 (Rank 1, Int +2)
Knowledge: Engineering +3 (Rank 1, Int +2)Knowledge: Geography +3 (Rank 1, Int +2)
Knowledge: History +6 (Rank 1, Class +3, Int +2)
Knowledge: Local +6 (Rank 1, Class +3, Int +2)
Knowledge: Nature +6 (Rank 1, Class +3, Int +2)
Knowledge: Nobility +3 (Rank 1, Int +2)
Knowledge: Planes +6 (Rank 1, Class +3, Int +2)
Knowledge: Religion +6 (Rank 1, Class +3, Int +2)

knowledge, please add modifier : 1d20 ⇒ 6

Using TIME MYSTERY REVELATION (4th): Knowledge of the Ages (Su) 3/6 to reroll with Wis bonus. I would like to know DR.

knowledge, please add modifier : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

It's Kn:Nature for this monster, as it's a monstrous humanoid.
The DC to ID the guardian is very high. Neither of you were particularly close to the DC.

Guy and Toral have no idea what kind of defenses or abilities this creature has. Although it looks similar to a gargoyle, its too large, it's features are too draconic and neither of them can remember reading anything about gargoyles being covered in or made out of gold.

Toral steps back and starts casting hypnotic pattern to fascinate the golden monster.

"If it is fascinated then stop attacking it!"

DC 18 Will save.

Should we try presenting the token, or something? Is it visible to the guardian? I was kind of hoping it'd work like a "get out of combat free" card, or even a "vampires and crosses" thing.

Laafdahni's small, plaintive voice barely registers in the din of the battle: "Uh, guyys... I don't think Color Spray will work on it."

I'll wait to post her actions once we know whether or not it makes its will save.

Bask looks on anxiously to see any signs of if Total's spell has worked.

Bask will also wait and see if the hypnotic pattern works

Hypnotic Pattern, HD max: 2d4 + 5 ⇒ (2, 4) + 5 = 11

Will Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

"YOUR PUNY MAGICKS HAVE NO AFFECT ON ME!" the massive creature roars.

ROUND 1
Bocke
Golden Guardian
Sinaryn
Laafdahni
Guy
Toral
Baske
-Salim

ROUND 2
Bocke
Golden Guardian
Sinaryn
Laafdahni
Guy
Toral
Baske
-Salim

"Dammit! It flies and it's reach is too long, Salim and I will be useless here. Salim, Defend!"

Bask points at Toral and commands Salim to defend him, conjures them some animal aspects for protection, then moves into the room himself. He moves to put some distance between him and the creature so he can cast a spell. Once there, he conjures a pure bright light near the guardian.

Free action to command Salim, Swift to give himself Aspect of the Bull (+2 enhancement to strength) and Salim Aspect of the Scarab Beetle (+1 enhancement to natural armor), move in and standard to cast Burst of Radiance DC 14 reflex partial. He's not doing any acrobatics so his movement might provoke

Salim bounds acrobatically to Toral's side and menaces the creature, growling in frustration that it's out of reach.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

The Golden Guardian is mildly annoyed by the blast of light cast by Bask, but besides being briefly distracted the spell seems to have barely affected the flying monster.

ROUND 1
Bocke
Golden Guardian
Sinaryn
Laafdahni
Guy
Toral
Baske
-Salim

ROUND 2
Bocke
Golden Guardian dazzled 1 rd.
Sinaryn
Laafdahni
Guy
Toral
Baske
-Salim

Bocke enacts a Judgement of Destruction and begins firing.

Longbow, bless, PBS, PS, RS, CS: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 - 0 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 1 + 1 - 0 - 2 + 1 = 20
Damage, PBS, JoD: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 + 2 = 6

Longbow, bless, PBS, PS, RS, CS: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 - 0 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 1 + 1 - 0 - 2 + 1 = 10
Damage, PBS, JoD: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 + 2 = 12

Bocke releases two arrows at the Guardian. The first arrow shatters into pieces when it strikes them and the creature flies out of the way to avoid the second shot.

ROUND 1
Bocke
Golden Guardian
Sinaryn
Laafdahni
Guy
Toral
Baske
-Salim

ROUND 2
Bocke
Golden Guardian dazzled 1 rd.
Sinaryn
Laafdahni
Guy
Toral
Baske
-Salim

“It seems to want to talk. Does someone who speaks its language want to tell it that this started as a rescue mission?”

I am concerned the guardian is either completely undefeatable with our weapons, or well above our APL; and that only by using the token will we defeat it or have a chance of defeating it. But I don't know what "using" the token entails.

It's been speaking Common. And it was dazzled by the Burst of Radiance, which is what happens a when creature passes a saving throw against that spell. On the other hand, there is always a chance that it could be an illusion. There's always a chance that anything you encounter is an illusion....

You did spend an entire scenario getting an item to specifically use against this creature. But you might be able to defeat it without using it....

It is usually a standard action to activate a magic item. Toral hasn’t used a standard action to activate it. If that doesn’t work, Guy can try to activate it blindly with UMD.

I hadn’t realized it was speaking Common.

Realizing that the creature understands common, Guy tells the creature “Our mission started as an expedition to find a dwarf named Nieford Sharrowsmith. We found signs that he came here.”

“Where is he?”

I'll spoiler dialogue if it's not in Common. The item is a clay egg. The grippli had told the party that someone needs to break it open in the Golden Guardians presence, which would be a standard action.

The grippli had told the party that someone needs to break it open in the Golden Guardians presence.

:O Totally missed that.

Okay. I can't do anything against that big thing. And there are kobolds chanting somewhere, but we can't see them! What can I do what can I do? In a flash, Laafdahni dashes through the doors, along the wall, and up the stairs in the hopes of being able to get a better view of everything they're dealing with here. As she runs, she screams: "Toral! Do it! Break the egg!"

Double move; this out to get her high enough to see if there's anything at the top of that landing.

"The talisman’s power is hidden within, and it must be unsealed in the beast’s presence. To do so too soon would expend its energy needlessly or even invoke a terrible disaster. We have entrusted you with this relic of our people; use it wisely.”

“Wait until we are sure this isn’t a trick!”

Laafdahni climbs the steps. She can see that it leads up to a narrow walkway that is sloped on the sides and has no railing. There are no creatures in the stairwell, all she does hearing some shouting in Draconic coming beyond where she can see.

Sinaryn, you're still up! I'm going to bot you in a couple of hours!

Sinaryn moves into the hall and seeing the massive creature flying above Toral, she aims her magic pistol at the monster and fires. The bullet strikes the creature in its wing, flying straight through the webbing of its bat-like wing.

Pistol, PbS, Bless: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 16
Blunt/Piercing, magic: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4

The creature flies away from the ground, diving down to strike at Guy as it flies by. Its horns graze the side of the bard's head, causing a painful but survivable wound. Then it begins to slowly ascend again as it flies by until its wings are almost grazing the ceiling.

Gore: 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 11 - 1 = 21
Piercing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

ROUND 2
Bocke
Golden Guardian, -4 dazzled 1 rd.
Sinaryn
Laafdahni
Guy -11
Toral
Baske
-Salim

ROUND 3
Bocke
Golden Guardian, -4 dazzled 1 rd.
Sinaryn
Laafdahni
Guy -11
Toral
Baske
-Salim

Guy wipes away some of the blood and admits "Seems it is real. Still might want to hit it as it flies down."

He begins a song and moves closer to Toral.

Toral sees the creature move away and looks at the relic in anticipation!

“My ancestors have invested a lot into this relic and I hope that it will support us now in this time of need!“

He starts to unseal the weapon of his ancestors!!

"Aye, that bullet went through it like it was real. If that isn't the creature of legend then I will buy the night's rounds for those that survive!"

Delaying till seeing if the relic has an affect.

Bocke, too.

Laafdahni finishes dashing up the stairs and pops out onto the bridge. And the scary thing flies right up to her! "Aaiieee!" Instinctively, she throws out her hands to shower it with a blast of freezing cold air.

Freezing Hands: 3d4 ⇒ (3, 3, 2) = 8
This works the same as Burning Hands, but is turned to cold damage due to her Bloodline.

Is Toral at least moving someplace closer to the creature as he uses the relic?
I was really hoping he would use it when the creature was right there next to him.

Toral doesn't see anywhere on the talisman where it would open, so he smashes the clay egg against the floor of the temple. The clay talisman crumbles apart, revealing a small piece of glittering metal with an ancient and strange looking symbol engraved on it. Toral holds the piece of metal up above his head.

When the Golden Guardian sees Toral holding up the piece of metal they immediately descend to the ground, and bow crisply. "Welcome, friends of Ashkurhall," the Golden Guardian utters before becoming completely still.

Combat over! Laafdahni, you can save your spell if you'd like.

There is a group of kobolds on the platform above the hall. When they see their Guardian suddenly become still, they start shouting at Laafdahni in halting Common, who happens to be the closest Pathfinder to them. Their leader appears to be a blind, elderly male, but the rest of them appear to be warriors with crossbows and swords.

"What is this? You put a curse on our Golden God with that vile trinket of yours!" the elderly kobold accuses.

Bocke will stow his bow.

"No curse. We have journeyed far to find our friend. If we find him, we will leave you. We mean you no harm."

Bocke, make a Diplomacy or Bluff check. Intimidate is also an option, but Bocke would need to be a little rougher. Maybe convey that harm is an option that is definitely still on the table. You will also need to move Bocke closer to engage the kobolds. Bocke should be in their visual range. They have 60 ft. of darkvision and are 15 ft. above the party.

Bocke moves forward, very confident that he's not going to get murdered if he fails this Diplomacy check.

Bocke will switch to Intimidate if more checks need to be made, but I feel like I've committed to this already.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10

Guy allows his song to end and directs his dancing lights up to where the voices are coming from.

"As my companion said, it was no curse. Ashkurhall is the dwarven name for this place." Pointing to Toral, he adds "He can explain."

If we have to Aid Bocke, I will do so. Otherwise I would rather Aid Toral since he is a dwarf and he has the highest diplomacy skill in the group.
With the Heroism, my Diplomacy is +13

The kobolds jeer and curse at Bocke, appearing to grow both angrier and more emboldened. One of the kobolds shouts at the group is heavily accented Common, "I bets ze friend that yar looking fer iz dat idiot zat collapsed our corridor, wazn't he?"

Someone else can make an apologetic (Diplomacy), evasive (Bluff), or defiant (Intimidation) response to this accusation. It may be possible to use other skills if they are particularly fitting.

Some notes about the room. Players can move their tokens around the room, although the kobolds will consider trying to cross the walkway to be an act of aggression.

Laafdahni notices that the walkway is uneven, with sloping edges. Anyone attempting to move over the walkway at greater than half speed is at risk of losing their balance and possibly falling off the ledge.

You may also note that the walkway and platform are shaped like a hammer. This is intentional.

Toral listens to Bocke and Guy and smiles.

He steps forward with pride and confusion.

”I think you know that these are the halls of dwarves! This Golden Creature recognizes that we are legitimately allowed to walk in these halls! You have found shelter here and that is your right, too!“

He looks at the relic that he now sees with his own eyes and is almost in tears.

”As my ancestors were fugitives that needed a place to call home, you surely are now rightfully living in Ashkurhall! We do not want to fight but talk!! We do not belong to the other group that came here earlier! In fact they are our opponents!“

diplomacy : 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28

perception : 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17

Knowledge: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

"It is true, we are not your enemies. We know there were others before us that were vile and may have wronged you. They are the Aspis and our enemies...SCUM! Err...I mean we are sorry for intruding." Sinaryn says attempting to help and speaking in Draconic.

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

“There is also the dwarf we seek. Is Nieford Sharrowsmith here? We started this journey in order to bring him home.” I really hope he hasn’t caused yet more problems here!

Auto Aid Diplomacy

I think the VC was human.

Is he? I had thought that at first, but later thought we hit something that indicated he was a dwarf. The characters that started this got a description of him, but unfortunately we weren’t told what race he was.

Whatever race he is, please assume Guy used the correct race.

"Can you show us the corridor he collapsed? We will retrieve his body for burial and be on our way."

Aid Diplomacy: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16

Sharrowsmith is/was a human.

"Are you friends of the human that collapsed our corridors or not? Answer our question! We don't about what you want! You are the ones invading out home and causing troubles!"

When Bocke begins talking, two of the kobolds begin cursing and the blind kobold comments, in Draconic, "That one likes to hear himself talk I bet."

Trying to change the subject or pin Sharrowsmith's actions on the Aspis would be a Bluff check (evasive), not Diplomacy. You are close to automatically failing this round of checks. Also, there is a limit to how often they will listen to anyone person in the party.

I wanted to be apologetic. :-)

“We are not responsible for any damage. I am sorry that we invaded your home. You have every right to be angry! We would like to show you our respect!“

Everyone is talking to the kobolds, but Laafdahni is staring at the Golden Guardian, utterly flabbergasted at its sudden domesticity.

At the mention of the Apsis, she begins wildly glancing around for all the Apsis agents that were supposedly ahead of the Pathfinders.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
She ought to be able to see almost the whole room south of the walkway with her darkvision.