[RD][PFS2] 1-15 Devil at the Crossroads [3-6] (Inactive)

Game Master Andrew Harasty

Seeing the apparition spring from the ether, Bardok leers at it. Evil spirits. One thing to do about that. He extends his arm, causing three similar sigils inscribed into his skin to flash with pale blue light that courses through the air toward the presence.

Three-action magic missile on the spirit.

Force Damage: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 3, 4) + 3 = 14

At this point assume that DoubleGold is fleeing. So we don't wait

Imiriax prepares to cast a spell on DoubleGold but when the warrior flees he mutters "Damn it!" and steps up to Tresten, casting a spell on his sword. The blade of Tresten's sword moans as he moves it through the air and it takes on a strange translucent quality.

Cast Ghostly Weapon. Go get it, Tresten!

Cast shield.

The Brooms move forward sweeping up the party.

On Bardok
Broom Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Broom Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 6 - 4 = 12
Broom Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4 plus Fort Save

On Imirix
Broom Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Broom Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 6 - 4 = 8
Broom Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 8 ⇒ (18) + 6 - 8 = 16

The Armors clomp around the corner. One gets up close enough to Bardok to swing its glaive.

Glaive Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
Glaive Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

DoubleGold and Fangor are up

The Upstairs Hall

Group conditions:
Round 1

Fangor - 17 dmg, frightened 2
DoubleGold - frightened 2 , Fleeing

Selik
Nordvick
Dehliana

Ghost -- dmg

Imiriax - 8 dmg
Tresten - 13 dmg, frightened 1
Bardok -20 dmg

Brooms (red, blue)
Amrors (green, orange)

As I'm still fleeing, I gotta roll a will save still
will save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 Nope, can't act.
And where would I flee to? There are enemies in every direction.

As I'm still fleeing, I gotta roll a will save still

[dice=will save]1d20+7 Nope, can't act.
And where would I flee to? There are enemies in every direction.

You can flee down the stairs and hide

Fortitude: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Bardok hacks and coughs, then hustles away from the fray, tapping his wayfinder of rescue to nurse his wounds.

Cough, Stride, wayfinder of rescue 1-action heal.

Heal: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Okay, repositioned myself, that would provoke, assuming they have aaos.

@Bardok you can only use a wayfinder of rescue on others...

By Razmir's Power! What's going on here?!

Despite being shaken by the apparition, Fangor knows that his comrades needs Razmir's power to help them.

Don... don't worrr... worry Bardok, Razmir's power will keep you alive!

Calling for Razmir power, Fangor touches the fighter with his white gloved hands and heals him.

Heal: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 5) + 7 = 14

Then he draws a scroll Interact action and tries to recognize what are the creatures. Recall Knowledge on the armors

That’s right, good catch, in that case Bardok’s last action will be to cast shield.

DoubleGold cowers in the stairwell.

Fangor recognizes them as animated suits of armor. As such they do have some hardness, not much durability after that.

Seeing Fangor wounded, Dehliana chants a small prayer to Razmir.
Soothe: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Then she moves back.

Nordvick not sure what to make of all of this, just pulls out his dagger and defends himself.

Selik is a little more willing to help the party right now and moves up to engages broom.
Dagger Attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
Dagger Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Chipping a little bit of of the broom.

The "ghost" then disappears.
It is Undetected. Perception DC 24 with a seek action to locate its square and then it will only be hidden

Then an ink pot flies at Fangor
telekinetic inkpot: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
inkpot damage: 2d12 ⇒ (10, 4) = 14
Knocking the priest down.

and then a sharpen quill is launched at Dehliana
telekinetic quill: 1d20 + 13 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 13 - 5 = 27
quill damage: 2d12 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5

And yes it did that while still invisible

Imiriax, Tresten, and Bardok are up

The Upstairs Hall

Group conditions:
Round 2

Imiriax - 8 dmg
Tresten - 13 dmg, frightened 1
Bardok -6 dmg

Brooms (red, blue) R 2 dmg :
Armors(green, orange)

Fangor - Dying 2, frightened 1, +2 v mental effects
DoubleGold - frightened 1 , Fleeing

Selik
Nordvick
Dehliana 5 -dmg

Ghost -- 14 dmg, undetected

Bardok looks for evidence of the spirit's presence, then spreads his arms apart while a sigil behind his ear glows dark blue. With an occult word, he claps his hands together, the sound amplifying to a dangerous level nearby.

Seek the spirit, then cast sound burst heightened to 3rd-level affecting the blue circle. Prioritizing getting armors, but if he spots the spirit and a slight shift would get it and not the broom while still getting both armors then he'll do that.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Sound Burst sonic damage (basic Fortitude DC 22): 3d10 ⇒ (3, 7, 8) = 18 Failure means deafened for 1 round, cirt fail means deafened for 1 minute and stunned 1.

The sound burst goes off:
Fort Armor Green: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Fort Armor Orange: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Fort Broom Blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Fort Ghost: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

The Green armor shimmies a bit but the metal absorbs the damage.
The Broom and the Orange armor is not so lucky

And a scream from the poltergeist emanates from the burst area.

Imiriax, Tresten, are up

The Upstairs Hall

Group conditions:
Round 2

Imiriax - 8 dmg
Tresten - 13 dmg, frightened 1
Bardok -6 dmg

Brooms (red, blue) R 2 dmg : B -Destroyed
Armors(green, orange) G : O - 9 dmg, deafened

Fangor - Dying 2, frightened 1, +2 v mental effects
DoubleGold - frightened 1 , Fleeing

Selik
Nordvick
Dehliana 5 -dmg

Ghost -- 45 dmg, undetected, stunned 1, deafened.

Tresten steps up and tries to strike one of the brooms.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Attack: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 10 - 5 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Tresten smashes the other broom to pieces.

The Orange Armor stomps forward and then swings at Dehliana
Glaive: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
Glaive: 1d20 + 11 - 5 ⇒ (8) + 11 - 5 = 14
Hitting the Medium only once:
Glaive Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

The other Armor takes two actions to move up behind its companion and then swing at Bradock
Glaive: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
Glaive Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Dehliana casts soothe again on her priest and then steps back.
soothe: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Imiriax, Fangor and DoubleGold(though he is just frightened for one more round)

The Upstairs Hall

Group conditions:
Round 2

Imiriax - 8 dmg
Fangor - 25 dmg, Wounded 1, frightened 1, +2 v mental effects
DoubleGold - frightened 1 , Fleeing

Selik
Nordvick

Ghost -- 45 dmg, undetected, stunned 1, deafened.

Tresten - 13 dmg,
Bardok -6 dmg

Armors(green, orange) G : O - 9 dmg, deafened

Dehliana 16 -dmg

Brooms (red, blue) Destroyed

Fangor stands up and moves away from the armors, next to his comrades.

He then draws a wand.

Razmir's power is protecting me! Stay close and I will protect you.

Tresten, you've got ghostly weapon. You should go after the ghost!

Imiriax tries to frighten the ghost!

Perception (Seek): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Cast Fear. Will save DC 21.

I guess I continue down the stairs and then stop. I don't think I can put myself in danger even while frightened right? My guy would have enough sense not to go to far in the event I might trigger an encounter/trap by myself.

I would strike the ghost if I could see the ghost.

Imiriax does spot the ghost and points out its location. It is now hidden in the square indicated. DC 11 flat-check

DoubleGold can just cower this round at the bottom of the stairs and then make his way back up next round.

Ghost Will: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
The ghost is actually wary of Imirix

Nordvick move around the one suit of armor and tries to get a deadly strike in
Dagger attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18
Dagger dmg: 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (5) = 10
He hit taking a small piece of the suit with him. And then cracking open the armor a bit, exposing some of its internal support.

Selik move around the corner to try to spot and track the ghost
Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

DoulbeGold regains his senses and is at the bottom of the stairs. Two stride actions to get to the top due to difficult terrain going up stairs

The ghost, stunned, deafened and some what shaken luanches fragments of the broom at Imirix then floats away down the hall.
Broom Bits: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 13 - 2 = 28
Broom damage: 2d12 ⇒ (6, 9) = 15 B

Bardock and Selik are able to track the ghost creature.
Bardock and Tresten are up

The Upstairs Hall

Group conditions:
Round 2

Tresten - 13 dmg,
Bardok -6 dmg

Armors(green, orange) G : O - 10 dmg, broken , deafened

Imiriax - 23 dmg
Fangor - 25 dmg, Wounded 1, +2 v mental effects
DoubleGold -

Selik
Nordvick
Dehliana 16 -dmg

Ghost -- 45 dmg, hidden, deafened, frightened 1

Brooms (red, blue) Destroyed

Still barely able to glimpse the fleeing specter, Bardok conjures three more bolts of magical energy and hurls them after it.

Three-action magic missile.

Force Damage: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3, 2) + 3 = 11

With just enough sight to target the poltergeist, Bardok's magic missiles finish off the spirit.

However the armors are still animated by what ever malevolent presence lurks upstairs.

Botting Tresten
Taking advantage of the flank he strikes at the armor next to him.

rapier attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
rapier damage: 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + (5) = 11

Critically hitting and destroying the weakened armor

He then attempts to feint and follow up with another thrust
Feint: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
rapier attack: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 10 - 5 = 24
rapier damage: 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (6) = 13

Not able to get it distracted. He hits it but does not get though its hardness.

The armor then swings at Tresten around the corner.

Glaive: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Glaive: 1d20 + 11 - 5 ⇒ (9) + 11 - 5 = 15
Glaive: 1d20 + 11 - 10 ⇒ (12) + 11 - 10 = 13

But the glaive swings harmlessly

Everyone is up

The Upstairs Hall

Group conditions:
Round 2

Tresten - 13 dmg,
Bardok -6 dmg
Imiriax - 23 dmg
Fangor - 25 dmg, Wounded 1, +2 v mental effects
DoubleGold -

Selik
Nordvick
Dehliana 16 -dmg

Armors(green, orange) G : O - destroyed.

Ghost -- Destroyed.
Brooms (red, blue) Destroyed

Bardok’s tattoos and scars continue flashing with light as he evokes a surge or electricity at the armor, followed by a shield of force.

Electric arc on the armor, then shield.

Electricity Damage (basic Reflex DC 22): 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 4, 1) + 4 = 13

Two actions to move to the top of the stairs and third action to move into melee with two enemies.

Fangor calls for his inner power to strike the creature, following Bardok exemple.

May the Power of the Elven Forest destroy you!

Electric Arc (Basic Reflex DC20), E: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 = 8

DoubleGold, the ones in pink are bystanders. Only the armor remains of our enemies.

Imiriax drops back and fires off a third bolt of lightning at the eerie armor.

Electric Arc. Ref DC21): 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 4, 1) + 4 = 11

1. Step.
2&3. Electric arc.

reflex arc 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
reflex arc 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
reflex arc 3: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Well even with 9 hardness, two crit fails will hurt

With a barrage electricity, the final animated suit of armor falls to pieces.

Regrouping you take some time to invesitage her room:

Annavinia stowed her cumulative research, including her personal diary, Linneus’s incomplete notes, and several blood samples from herself and other members of her family. Annavinia’s diary chronicles her obsessive research into a fabled wish-granting artifact created by one of her ancestors. The diary’s most recent entries detail her negotiations with the post’s resident imp, her long-dead ancestor’s familiar, who Annavinia believes can help her locate the missing pieces of research. The accompanying documents are far older. These brittle sheaves of parchment are bound together by strings of leather and contain text written in a patois of Infernal and Common

Society to Decipher the texts. Bonus if you have Infernal as a language

Imiriax carefully studies the notes and ancient documents.

Society: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

"Nope. It's gibberish to me. Bardok?"

Bardok sighs as the armors fall, then draws and downs a potion before taking out a pince nez and examining the documents.

Minor Healing Potion: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Society (fluent in Infernal): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14
Hero Point Reroll: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22

You discover the following from the Journal

Linneus Narikopolus was an Asmodean cleric who spent years creating an artifact that could grant wishes. The artifact’s appearance isn’t detailed in these notes and is simply referred to as the Covetous Flame. A specific arcane sigil traced in the margins appears countless times throughout this text.

You realize that the candleabra you found has this mark and is the Covetous Flame

Bardok points to the sigil. "The candelabra. This is the artifact. We should tell our inspector friend, I wonder if that's what he was searching for."

@Bardok how do you get Infernal as a language?

Society: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Interesting, very interesting indeed. says Fangor with his smooth voice before adding.

As It's infernal by nature, I'm sure each wishes has its price... and it seems that there is an imp here.

Nordvick chimes in. "He is in the room off the upstairs lounge, around the hall here." He leads you to the inspectors room

B7. Upstairs Lounge

The room’s fading grandeur is accentuated by marble statues, mahogany bookcases, and framed paintings. A door to the east of the fireplace provides access to a guest room.

One piece of art stands out among the dozens of still life and landscape paintings adorning the walls of the lounge and its adjoining corridor. This portrait’s eerily vibrant colors depict a middle-aged human man with sallow skin, high cheekbones, an angular nose, and green eyes. His chestnut hair is neatly pulled back, and he wears rich clothing in an antiquated style. The resemblance between the portrait’s subject and Annavinia is striking and undeniable.

Given what you have pieced together with Annavinia’s journal, this portrait is that of Linneus Narikopolus.

B11. Kellvan’s Room

This run-down suite contains a four-post bed, a mahogany chest of drawers, and an iron woodstove filled with smoldering coals. The bedclothes are undisturbed, and a metal tray containing a portion of the evening’s meal languishes untouched outside the room. The suite’s only signs of habitation are a pair of muddy riding boots discarded near the door and a greatcoat draped over a bedpost

You discover Kellvan’s unfortunate fate. The inspector lies face-down on the floor near his bed, his throat cut.

Multilingual Society skill feat. Let’s you learn two languages, including uncommon ones. Bardok has Aklo too.

Bardok sucks in a silent breath as he sees the inspector’s corpse, then releases it in a slow, sorrowful sigh. He turns to Nordvick and Dehliana. ”Care to explain this?!”

Cool! Will need to take that one!

Fangor moves to the corpse, trying to find when he was murdered.

Medicine: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 = 10

Fangor does not get any thing more specific other that what was already observed, that he did not come down for dinner.

Nordvick is less shocked as if he is getting more used to the death around here. Selik looks on from out side the room and just watches the party intently. Dehliana gasps audible and then stays out of sight of the body from the lounge area.

You do find an official wax-sealed warrant in his pocket. Although vague, it states that Kellvan has the authority to search the trading post for evidence related to unsolved—and unspecified—crimes

"Please don't leave!" Bardok calls to Dehliana. "We don't want any more getting picked off." He then looks through the rest of Kellvan's gear and room for evidence of what he might have been investigating.

Yeah, darnit, why leave.

[ooc]She isn't leaving, just staying out of the way in the lounge area and not crowding the bedroom. I have move charater to the lounge and bedroom area[ooc]

While looking around in the lounge Imiriax notices that behind the painting of Linneus, is a bundle of papers. Notes from a journal.

The entry is written in a patois of Infernal and Common that makes analysis difficult. These seem to be the missing pages from the journal in Annavinia’s room.

Bardok's knowledge of infernal as well as having the rest of Annavinia’s note make doing the translation easy, though time consuming. On a quick glance it describes a ritual, but getting the details will take an hour of work.

The missing pages detail a ritual capable of destroying the artifact Linneus created: the candelabra must be lit, then extinguished using three drops of blood from a member of the Narikopolus bloodline. This ritual must be performed during the new moon in the hour before dawn

Tonight is a night of a full moon. You have a few hours till dawn

"We'll definitely want to stick in at least pairs, do we want to split up or is that a terrible idea?" Tresten asks, "Being alone seems a recipe for death."

He definitely thinks there is more here to be found, and is ready to search either the Northern or Southern rooms that remain unexplored, but doesn't want to be the first one in.

We need to secure first Annavinia's blood. I hope it is not too late! Says Fangor who rushes to where the corpse is lying to try to salvage some before it will be too late.

"Let's move from room to room together, so that we have all the pieces of the puzzle before we begin any lengthy translations or dubious rituals," says Imiriax.

The wizard surveys the room with detect magic before leading the Pathfinders to the northern room.

The only other thing of note in the Kellvan's room is his fine boots, but no other clue as to what or who did this to him

There were vials of blood in Annavnia's collection you found before, they seem to be from her family, but you can also get some from her body at this point as well.

The two other bedrooms to the north are Selik's and Dehliana’s

Selik's shrugs as you search his room. And after some time you don't find anything of notice.

When you go to Dehliana's room, she is very helpful. "I am not sure what you expect to find here"

Fangor looks around and stops, reaching Dehliana's ear and whispering something to her.

Fangor continues to whispers to Dehliana.

Bardok sighs as he looks through the rooms. ”Clearly there still might be a killer in our midst. I’m happy to lead this ritual to unmake this foul relic. Gather the blood samples, let’s see if we can end this nightmare.”