GM Doug's Sky Key Solution (Inactive)

Game Master Doug Hahn

Faustus watches the ranged attackers do their thing, so just delays.

Lilybeth also waits till the ranged attackers are finished.

"We could split the thing into multiples, so bombs would deal more damage, but I think we almost got it already."

Theo frowns, realizing the thing doesn't need to get any closer to attack.

He darts towards the massive blob, giving a command to Fairbeaks as he goes.

Theo Acrobatics to avoid AoO: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

tetsubo vs ooze, bless: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 15 + 1 = 31, for 1d10 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24 blunt damage.

Fairbeaks stays where he is, even taking a step back, his entire body quivering slightly. Clearly the bird is not used to being told to stay where he is.

I'm assuming a Bite attack (which is Blunt, Piercing, and Slashing) will split the darn thing, so avoiding that

Reflex save if he hits: Theo Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

That actually makes it… barely.

Theo moves in and bashes the flaming ooze to bits!

Out of combat!

★★★

Gad looks abashed. He stares at the floor as he speaks to Lya and picks up his juggling balls. He… ha… hahahaha… ahhh… this is awkward. He notices her holy symbol and heritage and seems to have an urge to explain himself to her. You worship Shelyn? You're celestial like me? What was your youth like? When I was young, I worked as a street performer and clown. They said that's all I'd ever be.

Then, some bad people found me in the gutter. I was hungry. They told me I was a demigod, and worshipped me like one… I finally had it made! Of course, it was too good to be true, and they tried to sacrifice me. The Harbingers of Fate interceded. They saved my life. I owe them my life.

That's why I wanted to help them bring the Age of Glory. But I still get a little mixed up, you know?

Anyway, I know you're mad but I wanted you to know my story. The formerly puffed-up celestial just looks disappointed in himself — a bedraggled street performer once again. Perhaps that is all he ever will be after this… it's up to him.

Another anchor severed!

There is a truism in any time: for every temple, there's at least one tavern. That is the case here — and you hear a woman's off-key voice emanating from the back patio of one such nearby establishment. Her voice accent like a wealthy Absalomite's, but the content of the verses are quite bawdy. The telltale green glow illuminates the nearby trees.

There's a woman in here with her feet on the table and a bottle in one hand. Art on Slide 2. She's finely dressed but doesn't have the jewelry that accompanies the true haute couture. As you enter, she raises the bottle. As with the song, her accent is that of a wealthy socialite, but the content less so. Ahh. Here’s the… the… Pathminers. Come to thank the mighty Omandi Mil, have ya? Yeah, it was me who helped bring about the better times! See? We've made it! Thanks to me ’n the Harbinners we’ve suc—hic—ceeded. The Azlanti times’re all around’ now, here t’stay! Arrden’s back, and gonna make it all right. Look arroun — this is Absslom as 'twas suppose t'be all along. You’re — hic —welcome. She looks at you with an upturned chin. She is celebrating; she seems to think that the Harbringers have succeeded, and the Age of Glory is finally happening here in what she thinks is Absalom.

Go on. Say "Thank you Omandi." Say it, an' I'll share a drink with ya. Before you can put the drunk mage in her place, another time shift warps in a creature from a bygone era! It's a huge-size lizard with three horns and a frill! It looks singed and angry, in fact… like the Triceratops you fought before… and it seems to recognize you.

The drunk mage stumbles to her feet. What? That’s… that’s some weird-lookin’ bull — an’ it’s loose in this bar! Protect the booze! She reaches for her spell pouch, eyeballing the three-horned beast… I got this, you jus’ watch the all-powerful Omandi Mil do her thing!

Unfortunately, the enraged beast is paying far more attention to you…

★★★

Tricera-Hops: Round 1

The fountain area and hedges will not be difficult terrain for the huge creature.

Theo
Roderick
----
Omandi Looks like she's going to fight the dinosaur, not you.
----
Roderick
Fung
Faustus
Lya
Fairbeaks
Lilybeth
----
Triceratops

"This twist is way too far into her cups." Theo growls. "Relatively amusing though... if not for the giant comet about to obliterate all of it."

He glances upward, nervously as the world shifts again, and a strangely familiar triceratops appears.

He starts moving to head off the dinosaur, talking at it in Tien as he goes.

I think this is an excellent plan! It might also make your fellow PCs happy, as at least one person was glad to not have killed the triceratops before.

The Triceratops, being a trained animal, responds to Theo's request.

Omandi scoffs as the creature stands down, a clump of fur in one hand and a bottle in the other. She stands ready to cast a lightning bolt (using the bottle as the glass component of the spell) should Theo fail, but in the meantime enjoys a drink or three.

The triceratops shakes its head and stomps a few times, but Theo finally manages to befriend it! Well… at least make it indifferent.

It ignores your party and begins eating a nearby tree.

We'll drop you out of combat. Nicely done!

The mage scoffs. Phhht! Woulda been more fun to fry 'em. But I get it. Scared of it, and 'fraid to see a true mage unleashing' her true powers! She takes a swig and mutters to herself, Can't say I blame ya. But what're ya gonna do with the beastie? Betcha didn't think of that!

Irritating or admonishing a magically-insane drunk mage might only escalate the situation. but perhaps there is another way to trick the overly-prideful mage into willingly dismissing her green glow.

"Good job, Theo." says the inquisitor, as he turns to the mage.

"So have come the days of glory, oh All-powerful Wizard Omandi Mil. Tales of your extraordinary magical prowess preceded you here, but now, with your bringing upon the Age of Glory, it is time for you to celebrate!

"Celebrate what you have done! Celebrate like none have since Cayden Cailean took the test of the Starstone!"

bluff: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (19) + 21 = 40

For once, you Pathminers are makin' sense! An' I keep… wanting to puke… an' this green ain't helpin'. But I gotta be responshuble, little minds like yours can't handle… the magics… I'll send it to th'aether. Watch this! A demonstration of my powers —

She waves her hands, and the green glow vanishes! BEHOLD! THE MIGHTY OMAN—

She falls face-down on the table. Apparently the tether was keeping her awake. As the bottle rolls away, she begins snoring loudly.

Omandi will either sleep through Starfall or wake up in a field outside Absalom. Both, perhaps, fitting consequences for this epic bender.

Another anchor success!

” Egads!! Strong work! That was one big beast. Best to keep distance from this one if it changes it’s mind “

He looks at the drunken woman and sighs with a long serious puff on his pipe.

”A shame really. “

… And near every tavern is a shopping district — down the street is a final green glow outside a cobbler's. As you approach you see Azlanti citizens fleeing the other way.

You approach the smashed-up stall; it has been made into a crude barricade. A green-glowing mage pops his head out from over the top, then ducks back down. He looks suspiciously draconic — metallic bronze scales glow under the anchoring, giving his scales a beautiful green patina. Perhaps the magic is manifesting some a draconic lineage in the fellow. He's accompanied by a couple of medium lightning elementals, who wander aimlessly about the area as if unsure what to do. (Lilybeth and others versed in planes may theorize that lightning elementals could feel an affinity with the electric Bronze dragon).

Art on Slide 1

He leaps out from the side of the stall, cradling an old shoe in one hand like a baby. With the other, he shoots a blast of lightning at your feet! A Sorcerer's Elemental Ray.

You DARE approach the lair of the ROMNUS the Mighty, Guardian of the Sacred Armors!?

That was a warning shot — approach closer, and you will taste my breath weapon!

Begone — my treasures are my own — he lovingly caresses the old shoe — and I will fulfill my duty to steward these time-lost artifacts. They will never fall into the hands of evil. They are legally and rightfully mine, and ones such as you will NEVER have them!

He jumps back behind the barricade!

The sorcerer seems to think he's a bronze dragon righteously protecting his treasure from miscreants (in other words, he is doing so more out of duty than greed). Dragons are amenable to entertainment and flattery… bribery or other tribute may also make a dragon amenable to the aforementioned checks. As always you can try other kinds of checks too, and see what happens.

"You are a keeper of time lost artifacts? That seems like a noble cause. Can I present you with a full set of Pathfinder Chronicles containing knowledge events in the future? I think there's even a passage about Starfall, the event we're witnessing now."

Diplomacy (take 10): 10 + 22 = 32

"Gold is better than bronze." Inkwell whispers to the party

A pause from behind the barricade.

I will protect these so-called chronicles of the future for you — after all, surely you are soon to die in Starfall. And the knowing of what is to come is not a thing to be left about for just anyone to find, after all. You are wise, and perhaps not the reprobates you seem to be. You even travel with a Golden Dragon, I see. Nevertheless, leave them on the ground, and stand back!

He comes running out and grabs the chronicles. He puts them under the shoe and runs back behind the barricade!

1 success! The bribe also butters him up.

You need one more success to finish this encounter.

Guard them wisely. Information is power. And information of the future is stronger still.

One more success here, or in the next segment?

one more here. Each npc needs 2 influence checks.

"If you are interested in knowing more about a certain item in your horde I could do a psychometric reading. I can try and read the psychic impressions left on the object by previous owners and events."

Lilybeth has occult-skill-unlock: Psychometry

Assuming that the dragon will be curious here's the roll:

Appraise: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (14) + 22 = 36

The "Dragon" offers Lilybeth the old shoe. Lilybeth finds that this broken old shoe was once very comfortable, which is why it was brought to the cobbler for repair. Its owner, a young man, was in a state of ecstatic denial when he dropped it off under the glow of a world-ending comet: surely everything would be fine, and fashionable shoes would still be needed tomorrow.

Alas, it seems the cobbler abandoned his work shortly after; the sole of the old shoe flaps pathetically about.

Romnus listens to the appraisal and gazes at the shoe for several long moments as the green light fades from his body. As it does, so too fade the dragon aspects.

He stands tall and dusts off his clothing. Well. I owe you one, Pathfinder. Who'd have thought a Vagarti — one of the descendants of the original Band of Blades — would have spent his last moments guarding a cobbler's booth! Abandoning his duty for something so silly. You have saved me from disgracing my honor, and from madness. He bows.

He glances at the fading bronze scales. And I think should have a long conversation with grandfather about any dragons he met during his adventuring days…

Well, I'll let you get to it. He trots off to a safe distance, turns and grins at Inkwell: And Bronze is better!

With that, he dashes off into the shadows!

That will cut off all the anchors. Nice work.

With the anchors cut, you can see the bubble fading. It's not wime to get to the Sky Key itself, and escape the Earthfall.

You make your way through a hastily-carved tunnel; it looks like Pathfinders have located the vault and used a variety of burrowing creatures to dig the way down.

You may rebuff here if you want.

★★★

The mud-and-stone burrow breaches a metal hull of a massive chamber. Enormous bronze devices connected to the walls by cables spark and spew steam, almost obscuring the large vault door at the far end of the room. The door is labeled with a single word in a plethora of languages: DANGER. Stagnant water collects at the bottom of a ten-foot wide pool in the middle of the room; it has ladders on both sides.

A gasping, bleeding, aged version of Kreighton Shane on the far side of the pool near the wall. There is a Harbringer soldier standing over him with a bloody sword #1. Another lounges near the other wall. A lighting elemental frolics near the machines, at home in the wild sparks.

Unlike the anchors, these Harbingers look perfectly within their right minds. And it looks like they enjoy beating up poor old Kreighton Shaines — how terrible! They grin evilly at you!

★★★

Knowledge Checks

★★★

Oh, Surprise. Another Unwelcome Reception…

Ceiling is 20' high. Water is electrified and 20' deep.

Thise in the hallway do not have line of sight to the battlefield and must move to see and make knowledge checks.

Roderick
Faustus
Theo
Fairbeaks
Lilybeth
Lya
Bodyguards
Elemental
Fung

Lilybeth will move and activate the daemon tattoo.

The demon will move into melee with 2.

Inkwell will move and spit ink on 2. dc15 reflex

recharge: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8

The soldier dodges the ink!

@GM - if allowed, during the rebuff stage, Roderick would have re-mixed his mutagen and drank it for the extra con...

I daresay, what fun have we here?

Hearing the fray, Roderick casts invisibility upon himself and advances down the stairs and into the room.

Knowledge: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 14 + 2 = 30

Lilybeth knows all the things about these medium lightning elementals. Roderick buffs up and moves in, invisible. Thanks for making the token opaque!

★★★

Oh, Surprise. Another Unwelcome Reception…

Ceiling is 20' high. Water is electrified and 20' deep.

Roderick Invisible
Faustus
Theo
Fairbeaks
Lilybeth
Lya
Bodyguards
Elemental
Fung

Lya hears the commotion ahead and darts into the room to assess the situation, Glaive in hand. double move

Faustus will recast his shield of faith. Everything else is still up.

Faustus moves up into the room, figures that the two harbingers are taken care of, and looks to the elemental. With his tongues spell still active, he says (in its language).

"Leave now or be destroyed!"
intimidate: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (20) + 25 = 45

It looks like Fung moved his token but he is not up in initiative yet. Moving him back.

A piece of lightning slips off the bottom half of the elemental and dissipates in the air, as if it's so sacred it can't hold all its lightning inside!

★★★

Oh, Surprise. Another Unwelcome Reception…

Ceiling is 20' high. Water is electrified and 20' deep.

Roderick Invisible
Faustus SoF
Theo
Fairbeaks
Lilybeth
Lya
--
Bodyguards
Elemental Shaken
--
Fung

Oops, sorry. Thought it was my turn and moved my token and posted. Realised it wasn't so deleted post but forgot to move token back.

Theo moves past Fairbeaks, into the room, to see what the situation is. He makes his way to the right, towards the soldier on that side, but barks a command at the axebeak, pointing the other direction.

Double move for Theo

Fairbeaks, lets out an aggressive shriek and launches himself straight towards the lightning elemental, leaping over the charged water as he goes.

Single move for Fairbeaks, with a jump over the pond. Then single attack

Jump: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 25

bite vs elemental: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 - 2 = 23, for 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (5, 1) + 14 = 20 damage.

The Axebeak takes a bite out of the elemental.

★★★

The first guard moves in for the kill on Faustus, but his longsword skitters off the hellknight's armor. The second bodyguard has better luck, slashing Theo for 7 damage.

The elemental tries to slam the bird but fails, then steps back hoping to take advantage of the large creature's size. It doesn't realize how narrow the Axebeak's frame is.

Faustus sees a rogue coming at him from the corner of his eye, dashing from the side passage where he didn't have line of sight. She's invisible, but such basic subterfuge is no match against the rogue. Her spring attack fails.

★★★

Oh, Surprise. Another Unwelcome Reception… Roind 1-2

Ceiling is 20' high. Water is electrified and 20' deep.

Roderick Invisible
Faustus SoF
Theo -7 HP
Fairbeaks
Lilybeth
Lya
--
Bodyguards
Elemental -20 HP, Shaken
Spymaster
--
Fung

Lilybeth will cast Summon Monster V as a standard action to Summon a Bralani. Inkwell will use it as a Summoned Shell.

Con DC20: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 Failure, so fatigued

The Ceustodeamon will attack Bodyguard 2

Claw: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25 for Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 5) + 6 = 16
Claw: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14 for Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Bite: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26 for Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Inkwell will use his new form to attack the Lighting Elemental

Scimitar: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 15 + 2 = 33 for Damage: 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Scimitar: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 2 = 16 for Damage: 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Fung quickly flies into the room, looking in horror at the torture that has been inflicted upon Kreighton. Buoyed by his winds, he rises above who he has determined was the cause, and sends a bolt of lightning down upon his head.

vs Spymaster (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 ⇒ (3, 6, 6, 5) + 3 + 1 + 4 + 1 + 1 = 30

Azata-Inkwell takes out the elemental. The first attack took it out so if Inkwell would have moved after, go for it.

The Ceustodeamon slashes into the bodyguard, connecting twice. Fung blasts the Spymaster, who reels from the electric battering!

★★★

Oh, Surprise. Another Unwelcome Reception… Round 2

Ceiling is 20' high. Water is electrified and 20' deep.

Roderick Invisible
Faustus SoF
Theo
Fairbeaks
Lilybeth Fatigued; Inkwell can have a move action
Lya
--
Bodyguard 1
Bodyguard 2 -26 HP
Spymaster -30 HP
--
Fung

Does the bird get an AoO on the elemental as it moves away?

edit: Oh wait... nm... its dead... so moot point!

Seeing Lilybeth over-exert herself, Lya moves up grants her Shelyn's blessings.

LoH to remove fatigued

Seeing Lilybeth over-exert herself, Lya moves up grants her Shelyn's blessings.

LoH to remove fatigued

"Thanks! That helps a lot!"

Theo issues a quick command, and Fsirbreaks, his original target gone, races across the intervening space to slam his powerful beak into the guard near Theo.

Charge guard2, attack. Guard might have some soft cover from Theo
bite vs guard 2, PA, charge: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 10 - 2 + 2 = 28, for 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (6, 2) + 14 = 22 damage.
If he hits:powerful charge trip vs CMD: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24

Theo glares at the guard, as his blade cuts him, then steps gingerly to the side, though whether to move around the guard, or get away from the demon is not immediately clear.
He brings his massive club around and tries to slam the guard a couple of times.

5' step north, full attack guard 2
tetsubo vs Guard 2, PA: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20, for 1d10 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21 damage.
secondary vs Guard 2, PA: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11, for 1d10 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27 damage.

Faustus turns to the guard that attacked him. ”That was the last mistake you will ever make, son. ”

He calls upon The First to give him human-bane, and teaches the bodyguard the error of his ways.

Final Arbitration, Bane, PA: 1d20 + 15 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 15 + 2 - 2 = 33 Final Arbitration, bane, pa: 1d8 + 7 + 2 + 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 + (1, 3, 4, 5) + 4 = 32
Final Arbitration, Bane, PA: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 2 - 2 = 15 Final Arbitration, bane, pa: 1d8 + 7 + 2 + 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 + (1, 3, 4, 4) + 4 = 33
Cornugan Smash (intimidate): 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (3) + 25 = 28

The elemental 5-foot stepped so there would have been no AOO.

Lya heals Lilybeth's fatigue. Theo charges in and trips the guard before Fairbeaks kills him. Faustus makes good on his threat, once again displaying the truth of his sword's forename as blood splatters across the floor.

★★★

Oh, Surprise. Another Unwelcome Reception… Roind 1-2

Ceiling is 20' high. Water is electrified and 20' deep.

Roderick Invisible
Faustus SoF
Theo
Fairbeaks
Lilybeth
Lya
--
Spymaster -30 HP
--
Fung

Roderick admires the handiwork of his team as he invisibly moves into position to help.

Double move past the combat...trying to get to the back doorway to prevent escape. Will draw AOO if the foe can see invisible

Note to self: Final Arbitration is a big mace not a sword:)

The spymaster raises her hands, clearly outclassed. I give up!

No intelligent enemy in this tier is going to choose to fight you all alone.

She will let you tie her up. We're all gonna die anyway, now that our plan's screwed up. She nods to the inner chamber. Boss's in there.

Shaine coughs up some blood. A little help here… ?

"Ok, let's buff up and go in!"

Lilybeth will cast Mage Armor on the Summoned Shell, Life Bubble on all allies and Haste on all allies

Before that happens Shgain will talk to you, and you can make a decision.

The copy of Shaine looks dismayed at the buffing and lack of healing, but he pushes himself up against the wall and speaks in a weak voice.

Good show, Pathfinders, the injured form of Kreighton Shaine manages between blood-soaked coughs. But Lady Arodeth, the leader of the Harbringers, is a true savant and driven to extremes. The same energies that infected her casters above have also seized her soul, driving her a bit mad. I fear she has already killed several of your fellow chroniclers. Or rather, that she will have killed them, in the near future. Blast! But this is confusing!

Shaine tries to prop himself up to continue speaking but just slides back to the floor in a puddle of blood. However noble her goals may have been, if Lady Arodeth forces us to remain in this time, we will all die. If the Sky Key is still functional, you must reactivate it before the Starstone arrives.

The machines in this chamber begin to spark and smoke, and female bodies take shape from the green miasma.

Shaine looks at the forming bodies, alarmed. She has learned to create temporal copies of herself, just as I have! She can produce an army, left unchecked. Some teams will need to hold the line here, in this chamber, so that anyone confronting the true Lady Arodeth in the room beyond isn’t overwhelmed by these simulacra.

You know your team’s capabilities better than I.

With that, the chorus of murky green figures announce, I would have brought destiny back to this world! I would have saved untold millions!

I think I know what you will choose, but you have a choice to fight a bunch of simulacrums or move into the next room to face Lady Arodeth herself.

I think our party can handle Lady Arodeth herself

obviously lya will heal him...

Lya will march over to Master Shaine, grimacing as he couldnt see her past the summoned mobs...

She lays her hands on his worst wounds and prays for Shelyn's aid twice.

LoH, grtr mercy: 5d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 2, 3, 5) + (3) = 20 remove last d6 if diseased or fatigued

LoH: 6d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 5, 1, 4, 4) = 19

”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.

“Lady Lilybeth, would you be able to haste us prior to entering?”