GM Zer0darkfire's 1-01 The Absalom Initiation (Inactive)

Game Master zer0darkfire

Peregrine moves toward the shadowrune, hoping to be able to make the necessary adjustments to it to weaken its strength.

◆ Stride
◆ Interact Occult: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Muttering to himself he tries to decipher how to deactivate the rune but can't quite figure it out. Seeing the shadow creature he reaches inside himself for more protection.

◆ Shield (AC 16 for this round)

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Heal Scroll: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Heal Font: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Zonk looks at the flaws he stands between for a half second, and then whips out a scrolls and drops a heal into the Ritualist in red, healing them to full, followed by another into Tavvar.

"Oh Blessed Fire Lady! Bring thy light into the darkened Shadows, and heal these souls!

2 action heal on Red via Scroll from Spell School networking, 1 action heal into Tavvar via Font.
3 Font uses remaining.

Is the skill to Recall Knowledge about this shadow creature Occultism or Arcana, by any chance? If it is, I'd like to spend my first action trying to identify it (I'd love to know if it has a weakness or resistance to some kind of damage for an eventual ki strike).

Fort save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Despite the painful hit from the shadow tendrils, Felika approaches the shadow, wondering if she should fight it or keep fixing the ritual in hopes of making it go away.

One action spent to move. Possibly one action to Recall Knowledge. I'll decide what else to do after your answer.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

"Oh...what in the world is that." Drizzic says not being able to shake off the effect.

Society: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Occultism: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Frustrated at his failure, he works on the runes some more before attempting to adjust flaw again.

Hopefully that will do it.

He then moves to get closer to more flaws.

Alldo screams:

Oh the humanity, what are these shadows?

He casts an eletric arc and says:

You shall go back where you came from!

He tries to fix the flaw.

Fortitude check
Fortitude: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Cast eletric arc on shadow
Spell: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Peregrine fails to deactivate the flaw.

Squash smashes his spiked chain into the ritualists shadow, somehow harming the malicious shadow within. The shadow wavers and becomes weaker, but does not collapse.

Felika recalls that these creatures are called Shadows. Because of their being made of pure darkness, they resist damage from fire and light effects. They are weak to negative energy.

reflex save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Alldo's electricity zaps the shadow, but it manages to avoid some of the damage by ducking deeper into the ritualists shadow. Unfortunately, he doesn't manage to discern a better solution to his current flaw.

Drizzic repairs the shadowtounge rune flaw that he is currently at.

Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Ritual Flaws: 5/7
Aids: 3/3, -3hp, -3hp, red -0hp
Tavvar Alive: Yes, -2hp
Map Slide
Zonk, -3hp
Squash, -3hp
Felika, -3hp, 1 action remains
Alldo, -3hp
Drizzic, -3hp
The Ritual
Shadow, -22hp
Peregrine

Flaw 1:
Flaw 2:
Flaw 3:
Flaw 4:
Flaw 5: Hesitation by Tavvar (Diplomacy or Deception)
Flaw 6: Runes not drawn correctly (Arcana or Thievery)
Flaw 7: Shadowtongue Runes (Society or Religion) (Lowered DC 2 times)

Weakness to negative? That's weird. I'm going to regret this, am I not?

Confident in her knowledge about shadows, Felika focuses her energy and strikes the shadow twice in quick succession, trying to work against the thing's own vital energy.

Using Ki Strike (and my focus point) to flurry, adding 1d6 negative energy to each Strike.

ki strike punch attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
potential bludgeoning damage (second d6 negative): 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3) + 2 = 8

ki strike punch (2nd) attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
potential bludgeoning damage (second d6 negative): 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 5) + 2 = 13

Felika's negative energy doesn't quite work as expected as her blows both heal and harm the creature. Fortunately, Felika's raw muscle and martial form outpace the creature's healing abilities and she destroys it.

Destroying the shadow also makes its attached flaw vanish.

The ritual once again lashes out with shadowy tendrils, harming everyone involved (everyone).
negative damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8 DC 18 basic fort save
Once again, the ritual calls another shadow creature forth.
1d2 ⇒ 1

The shadow attacks Squash with its tendrils.
shadow tendril: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21 damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3 negative
After hitting Squash, it steps into Squash's shadow.
acrobatics vs reflex DC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
It successfully attaches itself to Squash's shadow, causing it to stretch out, harming Squash, while attacking Drizzic.
damage to Squash: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Drizzic attack: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 4 = 14
However the shadow misses Drizzic.

Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Ritual Flaws: 4/7
Aids: 3/3, -11hp, -11hp, red -8hp
Tavvar Alive: Yes, -10hp
Map Slide
Zonk, -3hp
Squash, -12hp
Felika, -3hp
Alldo, -3hp
Drizzic, -3hp
The Ritual
Peregrine

Flaw 1: (currently controlled)
Flaw 2: (currenlty controlled)
Flaw 3: (currently controlled)
Flaw 4: Shadow death
Flaw 5: Hesitation by Tavvar (Diplomacy or Deception), attached shadow
Flaw 6: Runes not drawn correctly (Arcana or Thievery)
Flaw 7: Shadowtongue Runes (Society or Religion) (Lowered DC 2 times)

Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Barely hanging on, Squash slashes at his own shadow. He shortens his grip to increase his damage.

One action to reduce reach to 5 feet.
Spiked Chain: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 231d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Spiked Chain: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 9 - 5 = 241d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Crit for 16

Fort save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Felika can't help but cry out in pain as she is hit by the tendrils again. She breathes deeply and sinks low to the ground, adopting the stance her father taught her. "Low to the ground, leave less to target, strike quickly, work with your allies, be like the wolf," she mutters as she moves to one side, hoping to give Zonk some help if he needs it.

1 action to go into wolf stance, 1 to move, 1 to flurry.

wolf jaw attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
potential piercing damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 Crit damage : 10

wolf jaw (2nd) attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
potential piercing damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Fortitude: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

"Nuh uh! Once I get a taste...I am ready for the next blast!" Drizzic says shaking off the next wave of energy.

◆: Step
◆: Quick Alchemy
◆: Interact and Strike

Bottled Lightning, Lesser: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Damage (Elec): 1d6 ⇒ 1 Flat-Footed and 1 Splash Damage on Shadow only via Bomber.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Adoll says:

"I said get back, you are not from this realm"

He casts eletric arc at the shadow attached to the 5th flaw.

Electric Arc: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

He steps back a bit.

Stride

Fort Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Taking damage from the ritual, Peregrine moves near Tavvar and attempts to assist her, pointing out how he thinks the ritual should be done. He then attempts to hide behind her from the shadow creature.

◆Stride
◆Occult: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
◆Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Your attacks absolutely destroy the shadow creature, which causes its flaw to become repaired.

With only three flaws remaining and all three being controlled by the ritualists, the ritual reaches its climax and finishes.

Tavvar speaks first, cursing in shadowtongue, "Weeks of work wasted, and for what, half-dead assistants? Maybe this ritual is more trouble than its worth." she says before addressing you, "Here to arrest me or something? I haven't done anything wrong, here are my permits." she says as she pulls out the appropriate paperwork for conducting a ritual here.

"Ah, no mam. We are here on behalf of the Society to offer you a position. They heard you are having some trouble at the college and wish to offer you a job." Peregrine says.

"Arrest you? More like hire you! Well not me specifically...I think the crazy ritual was a blast but I am more on the alchemical side of things. We are here with the Pathfinders...they want to recruit you. With all the crazy things we did today, you will fit right in! Ghosts, zombies on ghost ships, and more!" Drizzic says after having a blast in the ritual.

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

3 Action Heal: 1d8 ⇒ 3
3 Action Heal: 1d8 ⇒ 2
3 Action Heal: 1d8 ⇒ 5

[ooc]Font zero'd out. Here's hoping there aren't any surprise amushes on the way home.[/dice]

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13

Zonk sighs in relief, then looks up and promptly drops to his knees and spends a fair amount of time in prayer, and tending any remaining injuries. Then, if and only if someone hasn't beaten him to it, will he work on soothing ruffled feathers.

"By the Holy Fire Lady Sarenrae! Half dead assistants?! That won't do! Be Healed by her divine warmth! Trouble? Not with us! We think you're hot! Though it does seem like you could use an extra pair of hands or three with whatever this is supposed to do."

Felika relaxes as Zonk heals everyone. "Thank you, Zonk. I was worried for a moment. Good thing this was the last of them. Are you ok, Alldo?"

She then turns to Tavvar. "I'm sure members of the Pathfinder Society could help you accomplish your goals and avoid these mistakes. What is it you were working on?"

Tavvar looks at the ritual, "You know, I don't really know, it just seemed cool at the time. Anyway, you say the Pathfinder Society wants me to join? Sure, why not." she says as he packs her things and hands you a shadowy elixir that had served as the focus of the ritual.

2 Treasure bundles earned.

Now that you have completed the four missions you’ve been assigned, you can report back to the faction leaders. The faction leaders are satisfied, most pretty impressed with your excellent handling of various events.

After the last meeting Janira Gavix races down the hall, her blond hair flying in her excitement. “I just heard you made it back—congratulations! It sounds like everything went, well, about as well as anyone could expect. Come with me, I have something for each of you.” The halfling woman leads the way into a small office and distributes finely crafted wooden boxes. Within each, a gleaming compass lid emblazoned with the Glyph of the Open Road and an engraved name lies upon a cushion of silk. “I’m not sure if you’ve picked up your own wayfinders yet, but when you do, you should have ones that prove that you belong. Now it’s official,” she beams. “Welcome to the Pathfinder Society!"

"Oh glorious! I cannot wait to show Boss Rook, he is gonna be thrilled I have a Wayfinder now...I think mine looks even better than his. Thanks, Janira. That was a blast and a half, point me in the direction of the next mission!" he says holding up the Wayfinder above his head.

He puts it back down and turns to the group.

"What a team! I even got to work with another gobbo and a pumpkin man...and I would still love to have a peek inside that noggin. Thank you everyone for putting up with me and remember, If you want to have a blast, Rook's Alchemical Supplies, are up to the task!." he says giving out hugs, handshakes, and hastily drawn business-cards mentioning a shop in the Coins district (and covered in artistic explosions).

Alldo says: "I am fine. This was an adventure"

Felika frowns upon hearing Tavvar's answer, but she still gestures to lead the way toward the Grand Lodge.

When she receives the wayfinder, Felika grins. "Thank you so much, Janira! I hope I can show this to my father soon." She hugs Drizzic back and laughs. "I won't forget."