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

Game Master Lance K

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 20 Nice!

"Hold, there are bones among the flowers. I knew this place was giving me chills...and not the good kind. Does anyone know about the vegetation in this area?" she asks trying to recall her own knowledge.

Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

“Where? I don’t see any bones....”

Once someone points them out...

Kn: Nature: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Laafdahni's eyes go wide. Yup, I would have died. Or come too close to it. Osten was right. Whew!

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Bask doesn't spot the bones at first, but he knows when to be cautious. He checks to see if Salim is showing any signs of scenting unfamiliar creatures, then inspects the flowers from a distance to see if they appear harmful.

"Salim and I are desert creatures, all this vegetation is strange to usr"

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

If not, he will move cautiously closer to investigate the bones and the cause of death.

Heal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Bocke will reach in with his quarterstaff and brush away any loose dirt. Is there a whole skeleton, or a single bone?

Seeing the bones, the party examines the flowers carefully. There seem to be many skeletons among the flowers, possibly as many as fifty different ones. Most of the bones appear to belong to humanoids and there are perhaps a dozen species represented among these graveyard among the flowers.

Many of the flowers here are heart-eater blossoms, a species of carnivorous flowers that were originally native to Sarkoris (now better known as the World World) but are now grown in other locations in northern Avistan. These plants are inanimate but thrive when corpses are nearby.

In addition, the party notices that the air here is slightly hazy with spores. They spot four large bunches of red flowers that they can identify as xtabays. These flowers are able to move, albeit slowly, and are probably responsible for the spores in the air, as their main hunting technique is to release a cloud of sleep inducing spores in the air.

Among these flowers there is a woman in tattered rags, lying face down with vines growing around her. From this distance it is unclear whether she is still alive.

I'm assuming the party will want to approach to see if this person is still alive, which will trigger initiative, as will making any attacks or using any offensive abilities. But you do have the opportunity to use non-offensive spells (i.e. buffs) before approaching if you'd like.

Two questions:
* Do the sleep inducing spores count as a poison effect?
* Assuming there is someone in the party with Mage Hand, are Smelling Salts strong enough to likely wake the person if they are alive?

Bocke will cast heightened awareness if there's likely to be danger around and use detect evil as a SLA.

No idea about sleep, no smelling salts.

Guy has both Smelling Salts and an Antitoxin. He also has a poor Fortitude save.

"Is anyone up for some long-range gardening, so we can check if that person has survived their nap?" Sinaryn suggests they cull the threatening plant life before moving in, from range.

Bask retrieves his bow and puts several arrows into the ground beside him.

"I'm not sure if an arrow will do much good, but we can try. I'm ready when you are Sinaryn"

"Oh, I really wish I knew how to cast a spell that would allow us to check on her from a distance! I suppose I could help freeze a bunch of those flowers, though." Laafdahni is suffering from a mild case of wounded pride over her perceived lack of usefulness thus far. She feels like a dead weight, regardless of whether or not she is one, and is highly motivated to prove her worth to the rest of the team.

I placed everyone on the map, including the miner and the xtabays. I love this scenario, but I kind of hate the maps they use for it.

I'm considering Bask's Nature roll to ID the xtabay's, which was enough to get three items.

The party knows that xtabay's can move and make attack, albeit very, very slowly.

They rely on releasing sleep spores to hunt prey. The pollen is a mind-affecting sleep affect. Oddly, it is not considering a poison.

Xtabay's are plants and have all the normal immunities shared by plants. These immunities include all mind-affecting effects, paralysis, poison, polymorph, sleep, and stun. Xtabay's are also immune to acid.

In order to use the smelling salts, Guy would need to open them up beforehand and would have to be within 35 ft to send them over using magehand. If the miner is alive, they would get a new save vs. the sleep affect once the salts enter their square.

The xtabay's are not moving. It's unclear if they are aware of the Pathfinders or not.

Your move

Bask tells Salim to stay and knocks an arrow.

"Ready?"

When given the sign, he looses, aiming for the meatiest part of the nearest xtabay.

Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Piercing: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Guy will cast Heroism on himself and get out his knife in case he has to cut away the vines. “I’m going to try and get the woman. Draw the xabay away from her please.”

Let me know when I can move.

"Oh yeah!" Sinaryn replies to Bask as she pulls the trigger on her pistol, then reloads.

Pistol: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

You can make those attacks on your initiative counts, or change your actions. There was a hidden creature (Very hard Perception check to notice, especially with range penalties), so it got a surprise round.

Sinaryn and Bask draw their weapons and prepare shots when they are startled when a mass of flowers and brush rises up and forms itself into the shape of a dragon. Before anyone can react, the creature has already moved into hand to hand range with the party. The creature then steps closer to Sinaryn and Bask and delivers a flurry of slam attacks with its wings, tail and bite, splitting its attacks evenly between both of them. Sinaryn is struck by a powerful blow from the dragon's tail, but all of the other attacks miss.

Slam, PA -Bask: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 - 1 = 17
Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 3 = 13

Slam, PA -Bask: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 - 1 = 17
Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 3 = 8

Slam, PA -Sinaryn: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 - 1 = 25
Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 3 = 13

Slam, PA -Sinaryn: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 - 1 = 12
Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 3 = 8

Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Round 1
Plant Dragon
Laafdahni
Bocke
Xtabay P
Xtabay G
Xtabay B
Sinaryn -13
Bask
-Salim
Xtabay O
Guy

Bocke and Laafdahni are up!

"OH!" Startled by the ambush, Laafdahni cannot help but cry out. She scrambles a bit away from the creature, acutely aware of how easily it could disembowel her. She fires a ray of frosty energy at it before pressing herself against a large section of the stone ruins, chest heaving as she processes the surprise attack.

Cold Ray vs. Touch AC: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 31d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Bocke, I missed that you had cast heightened awareness. If you wanted to end that, you would be going before the plant dragon. It would still have the surprise round, which it used to advance into melee range with Bocke.

I'm fine with the way things panned out, because I've been meaning to start experimenting on not dismissing the spell in combat. I've always gotten the initiative bump because the people I've seen use it do it that way. But Bocke doesn't rely on going first (unlike, say, a ninja) and he has a trait that auto-stabilizes him if he goes unconscious while under the effects of a spell, so I've been looking for an hr/level spell that he can be under most of the time. For this adventure he has endure elements but it won'g always be the case.

It does boost those knowledge checks also, which is part of the inquisitor's niche. You are up btw.

Sorry!

Bocke will step away, draw a wand of bless, and cast bless.

The xtabay's uproot themselves and begin to slow wriggle themselves towards the party.

Bocke, don't you have Kn:Nature?

Round 1 -bless
Plant Dragon
Laafdahni
Bocke
Xtabay P
Xtabay G
Xtabay B
Sinaryn -13
Bask
-Salim
Xtabay O
Guy

Bask, Salim and Sinaryn are up!

Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Sinaryn tries to identify the new creature that nearly takes her out, struggling to think straight against the pain.

"My plan isn't working out like I expected, I need to move back."

Withdraw.

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

"Yes get to safety Sinaryn, Salim and I will try to distract this thing!"

Bask drops his bow when the new threat emerges, then draws his scimitar, steps around the creature, and calls upon Salim to Flank. When Salim steps into position, he strikes. Being a plant he spares no thought for its redemption and attempts to prune it aggressively!

Scimitar, PA, outflank: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 8 - 1 + 4 = 16
Slashing, PA: 1d6 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 3 = 16

Salim roars and tears at the prickly bush.

Bite, outflank: 1d20 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 4 = 25
P/B/S damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Claw, outflank: 1d20 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 4 = 26
Slashing damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Claw, outflank: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Slashing damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Kn: Nature: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 Will do it on my turn and share the information. Figured it was easier to roll it now so it can be part of the update.

Sinaryn decides that survival is the better part of valor and backs away from the fearsome plant creature, whereas Bask and Salim work together to trim down the overgrown plant monster. Bask's uses his scimitar like a machete, chopping off limbs and vines and Salim dives into the creature, cracking branches like they were dry bones. Their attacks are quite effective, but while the creature is shrinking in mass it still has quite a bit of fight left in it.

Guy recognizes this as living topiary. These are intelligent predators that are often used as guardians by those with the resources to recruit and feed them. They have common plant immunities, but they are also resistant to most weapons, although hacking weapons like swords and axes can do the job. They are also quite vulnerable to fire. The biggest danger they pose is that they are very hard to spot and often surprise their victims. They also have the ability to teleport quite a long distance through plant matter, which gives them a good way to escape from prey when they have bitten off more than they can chew.

The last xtabay unearths itself and crawls closer to the party.

Round 1 -bless
Plant Dragon -28
Laafdahni
Bocke
Xtabay P
Xtabay G
Xtabay B
Sinaryn -13
Bask
-Salim
Xtabay O
Guy

“If anyone has fire attacks, that topiary looks quite flammable! Keep chopping at it! Other weapons aren’t as effective.”

I assume that means slashing damage is most effective.

Guy starts up another song and moves along the edge of the clearing.

Inspire Courage +2 Competence bonus to Attack/Damage

You assume correctly!

Guy begins singing a rousing song to help his team with their little gardening task.

The green dragon roars and unleashes a flurry of slams, all directed at Bask, whose curved sword has proven to be the greatest threat to its life so far. Bask dodges its bite, only to be smacked in the face by a wing buffet and then slapped with its thorny tail. Bask wipes the blood from his eyes and looks for his opening.

Slam, PA: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 - 1 = 8
Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 3 = 9

Slam, PA: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 - 1 = 22
Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 3 = 8

Slam, PA: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 - 1 = 23
Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 3 = 12

Slam, PA: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 - 1 = 19
Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 3 = 8

Round 1 -bless, Inspire Courage
Plant Dragon
Laafdahni
Bocke
Xtabay P
Xtabay G
Xtabay B
Sinaryn -13
Bask -20
-Salim
Xtabay O
Guy

Oooh, that dragon thing is too close for comfort! Laafdahni scrambles back to give herself some space and better survey the battlefield. She notes the xatabays inching their way toward the group and knows what she has to do. First, though, she casts Mage Armor on herself. If I'm going to step out into the middle of those things, I'll definitely need it!

Questions: If the dragon was attacking Bask, why is it positioned next to Bocke? Does it have reach? If the dragon's right where it's supposed to be, then I suppose Laafdahni's movement triggers an AOO. Does the spar of stone there grant at least partial cover?

Bocke calls down a sacred judgement of protection (AC 19), moves away (likely triggering an AoO), drawing his longbow, and turns around to fire an arrow back at it.

Longbow, PBS, IC, bless: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 18
Damage, PBS, IC: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 11

The dragon 5 foot stepped after attacking. It's smart enough to move tactically. You can edit your action if you like.

The plant dragon takes a swing at Laafdahni as she runs past it, but it ends up overreaching and almost falls over as the nimble undine ducks under its leafy wing. Bocke fires an arrow into the creature, which manages to cracks a few branches and causes one wing to dangle awkwardly at the monster's side.

Slam, Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 - 1 = 6
Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 3 = 12

The xtabays continue crawling forward. The one nearest Laafdahni and the one closest to Bask both unleash a cloud of pink spores into the air.

Laafdahni and Bask both need to make Fortitude saves. Its a mind-affecting, sleep affect (not a poison)

Round 1 -bless, Inspire Courage
Plant Dragon -34
Laafdahni
Bocke
Xtabay P
Xtabay G
Xtabay B
Sinaryn -13
Bask -20
-Salim
Xtabay O
Guy

Bold is up!

Fortitude: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Laafdahni takes in a deep breath of the pollen and a wave of fatigue washes over her. Rubbing her eyes, she sits down on the ground, then falls over on her side, soundly asleep.

The duration is pretty long, so I'm not going to bother rolling it.

Realizing that the xtabays were starting to reach her group, Sinaryn channels her arcane energy into the pistol and fires at the bright green plant. Swift: +1 Enhancement to Pistol/1 min.

Pistol+2: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 10

She then quickly reloads her pistol.

Sinaryn's shot causes the plant to explode, spraying its payload of pink spores safely on the ground as it dies.

Round 1 -bless, Inspire Courage
Plant Dragon -34
Laafdahni -sleeping
Bocke
Xtabay P
Xtabay B
Sinaryn -13
Bask -20
-Salim
Xtabay O
Guy

Fortitude: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Bask curses in Osirion as he's first injured, then Laafdahni succumbs to the Xtabay's pollen. He's starts to growl, but when Sinaryn turns the tide with her shot he perks up and points to the nearest Xtabay.

He then moves to it and strikes when Salim is in position.

Readied scimitar, PA, song, outflank: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 1 + 2 + 4 = 16
Magical Slashing, PA, song: 1d6 + 7 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 3 + 2 = 17

"ROAAARRR!"

Bite, song, outflank: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 2 + 4 = 23
P/B/S damage, song: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

EDIT: I forgot that Salim can't move and full-attack

I'm assuming Salim had the movent to avoid an AoO from the xtabay?

Salim and Baske move in on the moving mass of flowers and systematically slash it apart.

Round 2 -bless, Inspire Courage
Plant Dragon -34
Laafdahni -sleeping
Bocke
Xtabay P
Xtabay B
Sinaryn -13
Bask -20
-Salim
Guy

Guy is up!

Guy continues his song and decides to try and take another of the xtabay out. With an arcane word, he fires on Pink.

+1 darkwood composite shortbow, IC, Bless, Point Blank: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 20
Cold Iron arrow, Piercing damage, IC, Point Blank, Arcane Strike: 1d6 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 12

Sorry, Salim had to provoke to get into position, I forgot to mention that

Guy knocks another xtabay down with a well shot to it's center.

Round 3-bless, Inspire Courage
Plant Dragon -34
Laafdahni -sleeping
Bocke
Xtabay B
Sinaryn -13
Bask -32
-Salim
Guy

The living plant dragon delivers another fearsome flurry of attacks on Bask, but only manages to land one of the attacks.

Slam, Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 - 1 = 12
Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 3 = 9

Slam, Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 - 1 = 6
Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 3 = 10

Slam, Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 6 - 1 = 20
Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 3 = 12

Slam, Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 - 1 = 14
Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 3 = 12

Retconned AoO! When Salim runs past a xtabay, it extends one of it's tendrils towards the cat. Salim easily leaps over the carnivorous plant and moves into position behind it.

Sting: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Bocke steps and rapid fires at the plant dragon, switching his Judgement from Protection to Destruction.

Longbow, PBS, IC, bless, RS: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 25
Damage, PBS, IC, Destruction: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 5

Longbow, PBS, IC, bless, RS: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 19
Damage, PBS, IC, Destruction: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 6

@Bocke, It looks like you missed the Inspire Courage in there.

I think I have it in there as a +1 instead of +2.

Bocke fires two arrows, both arrows passing through the plant dragon and barely damaging it.

The last xtabay moves forward and spews forth a cloud of spores that coat Bask and Salim in pink dust.

Nedd Fort Saves, DC 14 for Bask and Salim

Round 3-bless, Inspire Courage +2
Plant Dragon -37
Laafdahni -sleeping
Bocke
Xtabay B
Sinaryn -13
Bask -32
-Salim
Guy

Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Oh dear. If it's OK I'd like to the "Sight of the Cyclops" boon from #8-21 to re-roll that as I don't really want to fall asleep

Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

It was meant to be!