GM Doug's Sky Key Solution (Inactive)

Game Master Doug Hahn

One LoH is fine.

Shaine waives off the second Lay on Hands. Thank you. Please, save your most powerful healings for whatever you need in the room ahead.

I will count you as hasted before entering. You can be buffed up.

”Very well. It is time for this Lady Arodeth to pay for her crimes. ” states Faustus. ”While I plan to talk first, I have a feeling this will not have an effect on her. So, I do expect it will be time for Final Arbitration.

Shaine stands up straighter. Lady Arodeth may indeed listen to words… depending on her disposition. Did you kill her anchors or save them from their madness? Arodeth might consider heeding the words of people who've shown mercy. However, if you have not done so, expect none in return.

Lya perks up as she continues to apply the second LoH. "Shelyn has blessed us with very little trouble today. Her graces continue to be available."

Upon standing, she turns to Faustus. "While your words have swayed many. Perhaps someone less threatening would be able to reach her. If we can avoid the bloodshed, many more lives can still be saved, and I would welcome the opportunity to stand front and center, taking the risks should she have a chance at redemption."

"As long as it gets us back home, don't much matter to me." Theo says. "Well, back home, and on time."

"Still, this Arodeth lady sounds a problem." He adds. "And you lot have talked the others down. Perhaps one more is in order."

Trying to knock some sense into a fellow pathfinder would be his preference, but he can be convinced either way. =)

With his typical calm voice, ”If you would to lead the discussion, be my guest. “ says Faustus. ”I believe my successes speak for themselves, and I would be remiss to pass around the responsibilities. You have my complete support.”

Roderick watches and listens to the discussion invisibly, or at least as long as it lasts for him.

Lya perks up as she continues to apply the second LoH. "Shelyn has blessed us with very little trouble today. Her graces continue to be available."

Upon standing, she turns to Faustus. "While your words have swayed many. Perhaps someone less threatening would be able to reach her. If we can avoid the bloodshed, many more lives can still be saved, and I would welcome the opportunity to stand front and center, taking the risks should she have a chance at redemption."

"I second Lya's suggestion. Let's try and talk some sense into her first. I'll gladly join Lya in an effort to parlay."

"And if that fails, I can teleport to your side!"

with 3 medium sized allies

You buff up and move in, letting Lya take the lead.

The inner chamber features heavy walls and strange panels, all focused on the strange orrery in its center. Raised on a small dais, and separated from the rest of the room by a wide trench, the device oozes a thick, emerald light. The air smells of ozone, like standing amid a roaring thunderstorm.

The chasm surrounding the sky key is 20 feet deep and filled with electrified water.

Seven copies of a stern-looking woman stand at the orrery Mirror images; it looks like she was trying to do something with it. She calmly looks up at you as you enter. Her voice is proud and her enunciation precise.

Ahhh. My fellow time-hoppers. The emerald glow from the Sky Key gives her slate-grey skin a sickly pallor, and shadows dance around her face as the orrery spins.

I suppose you are here to try and to execute me for what you perceive as crimes against your organization. You… the ones who planned an invasion to another time. You… the invaders of Sessegishoss who stormed their temple with nothing in mind but wanton pillage and murder. Instead of using this immense power —, she gestures the Sky Key —responsibly, to improve the human condition, you have chosen to steal and to smash. You play with fire not to help your fellow humanoid-kind, but for your own selfish gain, like the spoiled brats you are.

She taps a wand at her belt as she considers you. Nevertheless, I am surprised you did not kill my friends outright. It may be a wand of Status. You show more wisdom that that fool Elf and his underlings.

Join me — we can bring about the Age of Glory! Together, we can harness the Sky Key and pull a dead god from the past, righting a monumental wrong! We can save billions!

Art on slide 1. I put Fairbeaks in the corridor so everyone can be in the room and talk if they want. She is buffed up just like you are, with stony-looking skin, quick movements, mirror images, floating inches above the ground as if flying, and perhaps other effects that are not as visually obvious.

Lya steps into the room with her glaive across her back, calmly listens to the woman, carefully considering her words.

"I have devoted my life to my goddess, just as you proclaim your dedication to Aroden.

We have spoken to your faithful tethers, your Harbingers of Fate, your anchors in this effort; and as you say, they yet live. No bloodshed was needed, nor desired. Just as many serpentfolk we met in Sessegishoss were likewise spared when reason was seen. Even their beloved dinosaur lived through not one but two encounters with us. I emphasize these events to demonstrate that you assume that death and destruction is our goal. It is not."

Lya breathes for a moment letting her statement ring true.

"I am a paladin, one devoted to love, truth and the pursuit of Inner Beauty. Shelyn as my witness, my compass, my eternal rose, I do not want bloodshed in this room. We did not travel through time to plunder - indeed we couldn't if we wanted to - the Sky Key would not allow us to take those treasures back to our time. Just as you cannot succeed in your goal to bring back Aroden.

History is written, and Aroden can't come back - and you tarnish his great legacy by murdering so many to futiley try. Your mind is being twisted by the Sky Key, just as your Harbingers suffered. Please see reason - find the meaning in Aroden's teachings - let go of this evil plan and live to honor his memory again!"

I am going to wait to roll diplomacy until anyone who wishes to speak can

"Well spoken, Lya." says Faustus. "My Empire knows full well the cost of the loss of the god Aroden. My people have literally sold their souls to the devil to survive, but we even we know that what you are trying to do is beyond the ability of mortals. Do you not think that The Inheritor would have done what you want to do, were it possible?

"Please listen, and let go this fools errand."

Auto-succeed to aid another

A little mechanical clarification here: succeeding at talking down Arodeth will require a series of skill checks; the same PC cannot use the same skill twice. You can all aid one another and that won't count against your use of that skill. We will resolve one check at a time in the form of point/counterpoint, like a debate.

As we move along I can direct you as to other skills to use if you need, but you're all very experienced players and I am interested in the kinds of approaches your PCs think will work, and how they play that to their strengths within the context of this story.

It looks like Diplomacy is the opening salvo in this debate, which seems like a realistic and smart tactic!

"Lya's words carry wisdom"

Not wanting to go full speech mode on an automatic aid another :-p

per GM, throwing down the perform.

perform (oratory), inner beauty trait: 1d20 + 29 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 29 + 4 = 51

Rather uncharacteristically, Fung floats down to land on the ground. If the party is indeed treating with her in good faith, the least he could do was to do so humbly on the ground.

Knowing he lacks the gift of the gab, he simple adds on, "What is fated has come to past. All we can do is accept and move on."

Just tossing this out here with no mechanical roll. His aid won't do much to the Lya's roll :). Also, of all the other skills mentioned, Fung won't be of much help. He was built for dexterity (stealth, disable device, acrobatics) and haven't quite figured out yet how that would help here.

Roderick drops his invis in order to contribute to the discussion

” I say“ he says while popping into view and digging for his trusty pipe

”It seems the time is now to make a showing. “

” I can only add that while I may use alchemy to cause explosions, I do it to end slavery in any form. Healing those hurt by oppression is always the high and noble path.“

Heal, hero : 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15
bleh

Reroll that with my coin! You deserve better

Roderick Heal: 1d20 + 14 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 14 + 5 = 29

lol I was just considering doing the same. We will keep your roll and I will offer my portfolio reroll if you need one.

Theo directs Fairbeaks out of the hallway, and off to the left a bit. The bird for its part, seems content to just settle in there.

And not even going to try aiding a 51! Egads.

lol I was just considering doing the same. We will keep your roll and I will offer my portfolio reroll if you need one.

All good. I still have my reroll... as a campaign coin recipient, I have a second reroll I can hand out with my GM stars!

1/4: response to Lya

I have devoted my life to my goddess, just as you proclaim your dedication to Aroden.

Clever words that insinuate I do not truly follow — but merely advertise — my faith. She nods in respect to the clever rhetoric before continuing.

You have indeed proven yourselves to be followers of your faith, and of the Song of the Prism. You understand the beauty of the world, as do I… The Song of the Prism is the Azlanti name for Shelyn.

Arodeth pauses for a moment as if remembering something beautiful, or someone she once loved. She wipes her eye and takes a deep breath.

But we who hold true conviction must be willing to see the argument through to its logical conclusion. Even if it means we suffer. We must do what we can, even if it means sacrifice. This is the nature of faith. To give whatever is asked of oneself.

I consider myself an ally to your cause — as does Aroden. Music, poetry, song, and dance will thrive in the Age of Glory. Shelyn could have a direct hand in shepherding humanoid-kind the highest heights it can achieve! To the peaks of beauty and art. Think of it. Is this not everything your goddess desires?

Ahhhh, "history is written," is it? It's unchangeable? She caresses the orrery. If history were truly written, then we would not be here, in another time. Changing the past. Shaping the future. The fact of our standing here and now in the past is the strongest counterpoint to your theory. We can change things, and ethically it is our duty.

She looks surprised at having her plan called evil. My plan… evil? I would argue that YOUR plan, Paladin — which interferes in the past just as mine has — is far less ethically sound. Your Pathfinders’ intentions were not to help others but to collect information like visitors to a zoo, putting many hundreds of lives in danger along the way. Who knows what changes you've set in motion? The fact that you cannot physically return with these time-lost treasures does not change the Pathfinders’ selfish intent. Don’t you see that?

1 Success.

2/4: response to Faustus

Some would say, Hellknight, that your kind sold their souls too cheap, and too eagerly. And also that they bartered souls they did not rightfully own.

Wouldn’t you give anything to undo that? Or do you love the Lord of the Pit so much?

And there there is still time — we simply need to unravel the final prophecies of the Book of 1,000 Whispers! Together, I know we can.

3/4: response to Roderick

She chuckles. Indeed — I’ve been known to cause a few explosions myself now and then to heal the hurt of oppression. How big of an explosion would you cause to heal the oppression of billions, Chirurgeon? Would you sacrifice one life? A hundred? Where does the balance of your scale tip when dealing with such cosmic weights?

However, it is good you have healed my fellow casters, and perhaps some of this energy is clouding our judgment.

But she shakes it off, regaining her resolve. But I see clearly. My faith guides me.

2 Successes, thanks to the divine intercession of Dark Prince :)

4/4: response to Theo

She reaches for her spell pouch, but stays her hand when the bird moves no further.

One more step closer and we’re done talking. She flies up out of reach. It’s fair to bring the axebeak in, but any further movement for tactical advantage is going to trigger combat. She is a highly intelligent NPC who knows she’s outnumbered, and she does not trust you.

"Ah, Lady Arodeth. You think you understand suffering." replies Faustus. "My soul is pledged to the Lord of Darkness with an unbreakable contract. One that I entered into willingly.

"You clearly have not though this out, zealot. You who claim to know the price my people have paid for their stability. It is YOU who will end your gods existence, even before he becomes one!"

Intimidation: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (8) + 25 = 33
Naw... not good enough. Going to push it here. Rerolling
Intimidation: 1d20 + 25 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 25 + 5 = 47
That's better

The magus wavers in the air, descending a bit lower under the heat of Faustus's hellishly straightforward logic!

It was a mistake to come this far back, but there is time! We can harness this power…

clearly a third success

It was a mistake to come this far back, but there is time! We can harness this power…

"So your plan is to use the sky key to now go to a time where Aroden is ascended and still around? And then tell him how to avoid his disappearance? As far as I know, even the other gods remain silent on what happened, so it might be slightly arrogant to think you could enlighten your god."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (16) + 22 = 38

"If you are that sure of yourself, come back to our time and take the test of the starstone and ascend!" Inkwell adds ironically

Auto assist

Wasn't moving the bird for tactical advantage, more like trying to avoid making it restless squeezed into the hallway... and no one else moved aside to give it room for a quick step in. Which is why I had him sit down at the end of it =)

Theo gives a derisive snort. "We're not changing anything... but you seem to be trying your damnedest."

"The Pathfinders came back to observe the brief time, before that big glowing flaming thing overhead wipes any ripples we might create off the face of the planet... in just a few more minutes or so I believe."

"If what Lily is surmising is even remotely accurate... your intentions are the ones trying to screw with history." He scowls. "With ten thousand years for those snake people to continue subjugating the local humanish types, who knows if any one of us will exist anymore... including yourself."

"Which of course then begs the question, how do you come back here to do this at all..." He scratches his beard, suddenly finding himself confusing himself... all of this far more weighty than his usual thoughts.

Diplomacy Aid to Lilybeth: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (15) - 2 = 13

Lya gestures to Lilybeth's argument, emphasizing what is being said.

auto succeed on aid to diplomacy

She smiles at Theo's time paradox. She looks at Lilybeth. My plan was to harness the power of the moment that marked Aroden's first step to divinity! The book of 1,000 whispers has guided us so far. It has cost so much… all the lives we've destroyed to get this far… to turn around now… it's unthinkable! Even if I am wrong!

Nevertheless, there is doubt creeping into her voice. She seems to be at the "sunk cost fallacy" stage of denial here, but you will need one more convincing argument to finally seal the deal.

Not it!

Lya keeps her eyes lowered.... sombre in her repeating...

"...all the lives we've destroyed so far..."

dramatic pause... Lya raises her eyes with confidence and conviction.

"Love is never born of evil."

"I lead by example, not with my blade. Where my blade passes, a life is cut short, and the world’s potential for beauty is lessened."

"Query my faith at your leisure. I gladly examine it and reaffirm it. But shall we turn the mirror? You turned a blind eye just a moment ago to your own thoughts and words... 'all the lives we've destroyed so far'"

"How would Aroden look upon those lives you destroyed... that you plan to destroy. Would he smile, pat you on the back, say 'job well done'? Or would his eyes show what you cannot see now... the price is too high! Even if your plan could work, even if Aroden could still pass the Test... How could he look on you with favor for murdering so many in your quest?"

"Please hear my words, feel them in your soul. Turn away from your course. Honor his legacy, honor his destiny. Help us put an end to this and save lives rather than destroy them!"

diplomacy, 3 auto aids: 1d20 + 21 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 21 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 31

what is this! reroll!

diplomacy, 3 auto aids, 4 stars: 1d20 + 21 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 21 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 4 = 50

Arodeth seems uncertain as she posits a counterpoint. Yes. We have had to kill and to destroy to achieve our goal, but it is not evil. It is love. The Book of 1,000 Whispers tells us that suffering and sacrifice are beautiful when put to a noble cause. They are the truest embodiment of love.

Has the artist never sacrificed for their creation? Has the mother never given up her own comfort for the child? Has the misunderstood genius never suffered? Our book of prophecy instructs us that we can bring about redemption through suffering, and that in doing so suffering itself can be redeemed.

Finally, some of Lya’s words seem to resonate in Lady Arodeth’s soul. But those choices —made by the mother, the genius, and the artist — are all their own. Each guise of Aroden taught us that each person's life is their own, with their own choices in their lot in life. And we took that away from so many… so much needless pain… who were we to make that decision for others? Monstrous…

She glides down to the floor and seems as if she will collapse for a moment. But Lady Arodeth is too proud to weep in front of even her saviors. Instead, she regains her noble bearing and her eyes are icy cold. Her voice is full of hatred — but the seething emotions are focused inward, at herself.

I am a fool. All I wanted was a world that made sense! All I wanted was for a better world for everyone. Instead, I have actively made it worse.

As she speaks, the temporal energy dissipates. She still stands tall. It is not enough that I am sorry. But I am. I will do what I can to help you.

Excellent display of leadership and repentance. Roderick nods in respect and takes another puff on his pipe while waiting.

Lady Arodeth flies over to the Sky Key, all business now that she has made up her mind. We need to escape…but there is a problem.

My Heralds and I have broken your Sky Key. It now acts less as a projector and instead like a bridge… one that is in imminent danger of collapse. As a bridge must be anchored at both ends, so too must each version of this sky key. The one in the future anchors itself, but the one here in the past has become… unmoored.

For any of you to return now, something—someone—must remain behind or else the path home will crumble.

I have earned this fate, to stay here and serve as your anchor. And I can think of no finer way to die than in the fiery cataclysm that spurs on Lord Aroden’s journey to divinity.

I talked of sacrifice before, and now I make my own. It will never be enough to make up for the blood I have shed here. But it is something.

She begins expertly manipulating the Sky Key, but her brow furrows. It seems that the anchoring here is still too strong yet. I hope your compatriots can sever more ties soon.

You make your way outside, hunting more anchors to assist in the Pathfinder Society's escape. Lady Arodeth doesn’t even say goodbye; she is done with you and completely focused on her work.

★★★

You’re back by the pub where Omandi Mil still snores, and another time storm appears! If you can sever it by pacifying or killing the creatures it has brought, you will weaken the hold. A strange beast and a primitive man appear in the green glow; the beast has sharp claws, and the man carries a greatclub.

It has been 6 minutes since you buffed up. This means round/level stuff like Haste is gone.

★★★
Knowledge Checks

★★★

Theo I had you delay to act with your bird, after the dino.

Time Hunting: Round 1

Faustus
Roderick
Fung
Theo
--
Dino
--
Lya
Fairbeaks
Lilybeth
--
Cave Person

Roderick once again figures being above the fray seems most appropriate

”I daresay , this looks like a repeat of an unfortunate reunion with a similar dinosaur.“

Sprout wings and fly up and forward 20’

Are we thinking of a diplomatic approach? Language might be a problem?

At this point we are running extra encounters while we wait for the house to catch up. I wouldn't overthink it.

Ah in that case...

Leaving his team to take care of the dinosaur, Fung flies over the head of the cave person, staying out of his reach. (I'm assuming that is 10' high.) He releases a bolt of electricity down upon him, hoping to keep him occupied until the dinosaur is taken care off.

vs Cave Person (vs TOUCH AC): Air Wysp Aura, Elemental Overflow (Dex & Con), PBS
Burn: -
electricty blast: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 27
electrictiy dmg: 4d6 + 3 + 1 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4, 1, 6) + 3 + 1 + 4 + 1 + 1 = 23

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

"Great. More dinosaurs." Theo grumbles.

"This one's likely to be even grumpier than the last." He adds. "Try to avoid getting charged."

Am ok waiting for the bird

Fung blasts the cave person!

Everyone else delays. Been > 24 hours. Let's keep things moving.

The Glyptodon charges in and power attacks Faustus!

Charge, Power Attack: 1d20 + 12 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 12 - 2 + 2 = 13

It misses horribly. This might be the last action it ever takes before it gets knocked out or tamed.

★★★

Time Hunting: Round 1

Fung
----
Dino, charge penalty
----
Faustus
Roderick
Lya
Theo
Fairbeaks
Lilybeth
----
Cave Person, -23 HP

Lilybeth activates her daemon tattoo, it casts hold monster on the dinosaur. (DC17 Will)

The stubborn creature somehow shakes off the spell!

Faustus ignores the beast, moving around it. Provokes

”Come, friend, let us not fight. The time for fighting is over ”

Swaying Word, DC19 will

The beast tries to claw at Faustus, but the claws scrabble against the midnight armor!

The cave person lowers his head towards the Hellknight and thumps his fist against his heart in a kind of salute!

★★★

Time Hunting: Round 1

Fung
----
Dino, charge penalty
----
Faustus
Roderick, Flying
Lya
Theo
Fairbeaks
Lilybeth
----
Cave Person, -23 HP, ally of Faustus

Inkwell flies to wards the dinosaur and showers it with ink (DC15 reflex)

Lya, seeing no way to calm the beast, steps back and attacks with her glaive.

+1 Glaive, non-lethal: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 7 - 4 = 19
non-lethal damage: 1d10 ⇒ 2