[GameDay IX] GM Hawthwile's Sky Key Solution [5-6] (Inactive)

Game Master Hawthwile

As the snake collapses, Pai shouts: "Woohoo!" She flies along the ceiling out into the open to get a shot at the serpentfolk just in time to see its form multiply. "Oh, well that's just lovely!" Pai's lightly sarcastic remark pops out of her mouth without her even noticing. Well fine! I'll just shoooooooot... That one!

Electric blast vs. Touch AC: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 233d6 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (5, 2, 4) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 18
Spell Resistance: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Which one does it hit?: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Includes Point Blank Shot and Elemental Overflow

Tsuan would like to ask someone to use the token's Allied Offensive action this round - Tsuan is a lot more effective if she can have a flanking partner or if there's a way to make the target flat-footed, and that second part would be the most valuable part of the Aid Token so she can have her Sneak Attack next round.

Tsuan moves up and strikes with her wakizashi.

Wakizashi: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Mirror Image: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Is it an action to use the aid token? I'd be happy for you use use Allied Offensive on your attack Tsuan

Floria moves up, her metamagic rod in one hand and her wand of magic missile in the other, and concentrates. A loose pebble on the floor shoots at the serpentfolk!

Telekinetic Projectile: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Bludgeoning: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Well it shoots in the vicinity of the serpentfolk anyway. Rough vicinity

Myth will move 5' south and and fire twice at the serpent folk...

To Hit: Base/Dex, Magic, Weapon Focus, Rapid Shot, Precise Shot, Deadeye Bowman, Rapid Shot
Damage: Magic, Strength

Magic Longbow: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 17
Magic/Cold Iron Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 2 = 9

Magic Longbow: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 30
Confirm: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 14
Magic/Cold Iron Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9

Jamir double-moves up to the serpentfolk, drawing his rapier.

Tsuan - No objection to using the aid token for allied offensive now as you suggested. After that, if you can 5' step on your next turn, you and Jamir will be flanking with each other.

I appreciate the mirror image rolls folks, but the number of images changes with each attack so it's easier for me to roll those since I can't give immediate feedback on how many images are left.

Mattaius Image, 1 = Hit: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Pai Image, 1 = Hit: 1d5 ⇒ 2
Tsuan Image, 1 = Hit: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Floria's shot misses by too much to even pop an image
Mythryndyr's first shot misses, but by little enough to still pop an image
Mythryndyr Image, 1 = Hit: 1d3 ⇒ 2

A wild flurry of blows cuts down image after image, but only Tsuan's blade tastes serpentfolk blood. The remaining pair of creatures hiss, stepping away from Jamir in unison and focussing their eyes on Tsuan...

Red Concentration vs DC 19: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Tsuan Will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

...and the ninja's mind is suddenly overwhelmed with worry for her other Pathfinder allies. These folks here have this under control - I should go check on some of the younger agents and make sure they're staying safe...

@Mattaius, remember your range increment penalties.

The Temple
Round 3! Bold may act!
Jamir
Floria
Pai (-14)
Mythryndyr
Tsuan (2 images, Suggested)
Blue (-63)
Mattaius
Red (-2, 1 image)

Environmental Effects:
- Ceiling is 15 ft high

What do you do?

Tsuan drops her wakizashis and runs towards Pai, drawing her wand of cure light wounds.

"You're hurt! Let me help you!"

She takes a few steps, and launches herself into the air to try to touch Pai.

The ceilings are 15', so Pai is 10' off the ground, so Tsuan should need to jump 5' (DC 20)

Acrobatics, DC 20: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28

Tsuan attempts to activate the wand mid-air.

Use Magic Device, DC 20: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Soooo close....

She taps Pai with the wand, but nothing happens.

Not sure where Tsuan would land - probably in Pai's square (below her), or if her momentum carried her forward, to the northwest. Tsuan should probably take some penalty if she landed in the coals.

"All right! Down to two! Let's go!" Reaching out to Gather Power once again, arcs of lightening streak toward Pai, absorbing into her skin. The light glows behind her eyes as she pins the serpentfolk with her stare. With a cocky half-grin, she extends one hand to release the full force of elemental power at the foe.

Electric blast vs. Touch AC, Empowered: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 303d6 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (2, 2, 6) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 17
Empowered Damage Total: 17 + 8 = 25
Spell Resistance: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Includes Point Blank Shot, Elemental Overflow, and Metakinesis (empowered)

@GM My apologies, It seems I was aiming at an ally rather than the enemy. I often have difficulty with identifying which belongs to who. Mattaius didn't use his move action last round so could have got into range (20 ft).

Moving closer to the serpent folk Mattaius launches the starknife once more.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 23
Piercing, Magic Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 16

Move 30 ft and make a ranged attack on the serpent folk.

Myth moves into point blank range and fires again...

To Hit: Base/Dex, Magic, Weapon Focus, PBS, Precise Shot, Deadeye Bowman
Damage: Magic, Strength, PBS

Magic Longbow: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 22
Magic/Cold Iron Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 + 2 = 9

Seeing that she had difficulty even getting near enough for an image with her telekinesis, she tries her trusty wand instead.

Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
SR: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Charges remaining 47/50

Pai - you rolled at natural 20, can you crit with your blast?

"No, no, my reptilian adversary! We can't have you taking over the minds of accomplished Pathfinders like my friends! You must stand down!"

Jamir steps up (5' step) to the serpentfolk and lunges with his rapier.

+1 rapier: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 341d4 + 7 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 5 = 14
Crit confirm?: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 331d4 + 7 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 5 = 16

Ka-ching! +1 panache if Jamir hits the serpentfolk and not the image!

OH! I didn't even notice that! Thanks, Jamir!

Confirm Crit? vs. Touch AC: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 203d6 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (5, 4, 2) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 18

Let's have an Acrobatics check from @Tsuan to avoid landing in the coals - it was an intentional jump, after all.

Pai Image, 1 = Hit: 1d2 ⇒ 2

One of the serpent-headed figures bursts like a bubble as Pai's lightning pierces straight through it and leaves a scorch mark on the altar - but the last serpentfolk remains on their feet. Mattaius's blade cuts into it, but it shows no response to the pain. Mythryndyr's arrow punctures its arm, but it shows no response to the pain. Floria's missile seems to fizzle out as it strikes the creature, and it laughs before suddenly crying out in pain as Jamir stabs deep into its leg!

That is indeed a confirmed crit @Jamir, but remember that the precision damage from Precise Strike isn't doubled on a critical hit.

The serpentfolk staggers, blood oozing from the myriad of cuts. It hisses something unintelligible as it bites at Jamir...

Red Bite vs Jamir AC 24: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Bite damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

...before slumping to the floor unconscious.

@Tsuan, your suggestion was to check on the younger Pathfinder agents and make sure they're doing alright. All of the agents in this room with you are just as experienced (or even more so) than you, so you're certain they'll be fine.

@Everyone else, Tsuan is looking at the door back outside with a strange look in her eye, so let's stay in initiative for just a little bit longer to resolve that.

The Temple
Round 4! Bold may act!
Jamir
Floria
Pai (-14)
Mythryndyr
Tsuan (2 images, Suggested)
Blue (-63)
Mattaius
Red (-53)

Environmental Effects:
- Ceiling is 15 ft high

What do you do?

Floria looks to her allies.

"Tsuan has been mind controlled somehow. Does anyone have any magic to help her? If the serpentfolk was evil then a common protection ward might do the trick..."

I'm not sure what our options are really, but I think protection from evil might give another save, does Jamir have a wand? Mattaius could use it. Floria herself appears unable to help

Floria calls out to Tsuan

"It got into your mind Tsuan, try to fight it! We need you here with us"

She then walks up to Tsuan and casts Heroism on her.

She's checking on a box on the "Legacy of Porthmos" boon from her #5-24 chronicle to cast it as an SLA. +2 to saves, attack rolls and skills checks for an hour. Hopefully that will help if we can give her another save.

"Tsuan, you must not wander off!" Jamir takes on the impossible task of trying to catch the oddly-behaving ninja before she can leave.

If someone can get there in time to aid another, Jamir gets a +3 on his grapple check instead of +2 from his halfling opportunist excellent aid class feature.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

Tsuan deftly avoids the coals.

"Now I must save the others!"

Tsuan's CMD is 21, but she has mirror image up so Jamir may have grabbed the wrong Tsuan.

Ohmygosh! What others?! How can we-- Uh... Pai's mind races as she tries to figure out something to help Tsuan, or at least stop her from leaving.

**HOUSE GM ANNOUNCEMENT**

Veteran Pathfinders have gained control of the temple and have opened the entrance to the chamber below!

GMs, Area D is now controlled and Area E is now accessible.

Sheaving his weapon Mattaius joins the rest of the group.

Sheave weapon (Move) and move 25 fd.

Because Tsuan doesn't consider everyone else an enemy, Floria doesn't have to worry about touching the correct Tsuan rather than an image. Jamir, on the other hand, is taking an aggressive action against Tsuan and does need to make that check...

Jamir Image, 1 = Hit: 1d3 ⇒ 1

As Tsuan lands deftly from her aerial stunt, she is greeted with a gentle pat on the shoulder from Floria and an overly-aggressive hug around her knees from Jamir. Pai joins in on the fun, but her flight path is disrupted by the hot air rising from the coals and she ends up on the ground by herself rather than helping.

Mythryndyr could also use Jamir's wand of protection from evil if both parties agreed.

The Temple
Round 4! Bold may act!
Jamir (Grappling)
Floria
Pai (-14)
Mythryndyr
Tsuan (2 images, Suggested, Grappled)
Mattaius

Environmental Effects:
- Ceiling is 15 ft high

What do you do?

I'm unsure what the boundaries of suggestion are. Unlike, say, dominate person, I'm not compelled to spend every waking action attempting to fulfill suggestion. So it seems like if my friend grabs me, I wouldn't fight to escape. Let me know if I've misinterpreted; I'll make an Escape roll anyway.

Tsuan looks up at Pai. "Oh, did I miss you? Or are you not full?" She reaches up and taps Pai.

UMD: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Tsuan looks down at where Jamir is grabbing her legs.

"What's your problem?" she asks, annoyed. "There are some brand new Pathfinders in this cave, and they need our help. We're supposed to be cooperating with them, not independently exploring different parts of the cave and hoping that coincidentally we all run into level-appropriate challenges!"

"Who told you that, my friend? Not Master Shaine, who sent us on this mission, and not our venture captains, either, so who could it have been?" Jamir turns his head to one side and adds, "Mythryndyr! Wand! The wand that protects one from the wicked machinations of Asmodeans and other wrongdoers! In my haversack!"

Myth is welcome to use Jamir's wand, and - more important - from prior adventures together, he knows Jamir has it.

Protection from evil is not on the ranger list is it? It's definitely not on the psychic list alas

Unsure of how to help, Floria tries to assist in maintaining the grapple.

CMB: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

She mostly just gets in the way however.

As long as Tsuan is not forced to attempt escape, the current grapple should be fine. She's going to reason with her friends to join her in this very reasonable side quest, and I would even argue at some level of reluctance from her friends to join, she should get a new save because heading off alone would be dangerous enough to trigger the safety clauses.

Tsuan looks up at Pai. "Oh, did I miss you? Or are you not full?" She reaches up and taps Pai.

UMD: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Flushing and flustered from her fall, though it only wounded her pride, Pai stammers: "Oh! Th-thanks, Tsuan! Um... I'm with Jamir... Why are you all of a sudden concerned with the newer Pathfinders? You weren't until that serpentfolk stared real hard at you. I wouldn't be surprised if it did something to your mind." Her embarrassment ebbs as she expresses her concern for her friend's mind.

Looking from companion to companion as they discuss Tsuan's condition Mattaius looks completely confused.

Happy to activate a wand if needed, Protection from Alignment is on the cleric list.

Tsuan Will, Protection from Evil, Heroism: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 + 2 + 2 = 25

Tsuan tries to reason with her friends, but it isn't until Mattaius taps her firmly with Jamir's wand that her mind suddenly clears and she understands everyone else's concern for her.

Out of Combat! Damage Report:
- Pai (-9)

Go ahead and include any restorative actions in your next post.

With the last of the serpentfolk's legacy out of the way, the Pathfinders can get back to their primary mission of documenting the past in as much detail as possible. Perhaps they can glean some insight into the priests' rituals and regalia...

Each person can make one (1) of the following checks:
- Appraise
- Craft (armor, clothing, jewelry, etc.)
- Disguise
- Knowledge (nobility, religion)
- Perception
- Profession (clerk, merchant, scribe, etc.)

What do you do?

Tsuan gets really mad when she realized the serpentfolk tricked her. She makes a quick apology bow to her companions, and then lets someone use her wand of CLW to heal Pai.

Rushing over to the serpentfolk's bodt, she grabs her dropped wakizashis and slices off its head, tail, and limbs, shouting, "Diu lei! Diu lei lo mo!"

When the blood has drained out of the head, Tsuan puts it in her backpack.

---

Then she calmly pulls out an apple and eats it while she investigates the room.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

...and then lets someone use her wand of CLW to heal Pai.

Tsuan's wand of CLW: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (2, 7) + 2 = 11

Rushing over to the serpentfolk's bodt, she grabs her dropped wakizashis and slices off its head, tail, and limbs, shouting, "Diu lei! Diu lei lo mo!" ... When the blood has drained out of the head, Tsuan puts it in her backpack.

And the scariest. Eyes wide as saucers, Pai remarks: "Remind me never to make you mad, Tsuan." She quickly turns and begins examining the room for anything the Society would find interesting.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

Myth looks over the area trying to glean what information he can...

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Jamir grins as the ninja carves up the dead serpentfolk. "Tsuan, my friend, we have not known each other long, but you must allow me to buy you an ale when we return to Absalom! Your technique with your blades is worthy of a toast indeed!"

The halfling joins the others in checking the room - including the corpses - for loot.

Perception, take 10: 10 + 11 = 21

Don't forget your heroism Tsuan (+2 to skills, attacks and saves), it lasts for an hour so should be good for a little bit

Floria is relieved when Tsuan shakes the spell, especially so she doesn't have to continue embarrassing herself trying to catch and experienced ninja.

Floria's family found its fortune in military uniforms, and recently she has been spending more time repairing clothes for her fellow pathfinders than going on missions. She's glad at least that that experience might help her in the field, so she examines the robes of these priests.

Craft (clothing): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

After using the wand on Tsuan, Mattaius joins the rest of the group in looking around the area.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

That's a success from everyone to obtain that Victory Point! Well done!

Having documented the shrine in excruciating detail, the Pathfinders head down into the chaotically-twisting tunnels and chambers the shoot throughout the temple's interior - some ending abruptly, while others open into smoke-choked studies, scriptoria, and meditation chambers. Inside one of these rooms sits a table with a single clay tablet inscribed with pictograms lying upon it. Upon quick examination, the tablet appears to be only part of a much larger set. Countless alcoves are cut into the walls of the room, almost entirely hidden within the elaborate mosaics.

I'm passing the Aid token off to another table since we didn't use it during that last encounter.

What do you do?

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

"Ah ha! Look over here, my friends!" Jamir pulls another tablet from an alcove hidden behind one of the pillars and places it next to the first. "It appears that there are more yet to be found. Does anyone see someplace else they might have been hidden?"

As Jamir places his hand on the tablet, runes carved into the stone around the inside edge of the alcove suddenly flare to life!

Fire, Unholy damage: 8d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 4, 4, 6, 1, 5, 4) = 27
Jamir Reflex to Halve: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29
Tablet Hit, 1 = Destroyed: 1d2 ⇒ 2

Dark fire bursts forth from the floor around the halfling, who ducks away from the worst of the blast and manages to keep the fragile clay tablet unharmed save for a bit of ash and soot now smudged along its surface.

Damage Report:
- Jamir (-14)

Go ahead and include any restorative actions in your next post.

And that's another Victory Point obtained!

After taking rubbings of both tablets, the Pathfinders press deeper into the temple, emerging finally into a massive domed chamber. Some heavy presence claws at their chests and weighs the air itself down around them. Strange glows emanate from the cardinal points of the circular room, and in the center sits an elevated, spiraling staircase entwining a column of stone with an altar at its peak.

Atop the altar is chained a human man, still struggling against his bonds as a pair of serpentfolk chant ominously and hold a dagger as if preparing to plunge it into his chest before they turn and hiss at the intruders, hate and fury in their smoking red eyes!

Bat-like wings unfurl from the pair's backs, lifting them up into the air as their forms waver and split again and again!

Red Images: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Blue Images: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

The Ophidian Rectory
Round 1! Bold may act!
Red (4 images)
Blue (2 images)
Mythryndyr
Tsuan
Jamir
Pai
Floria
Mattaius

Environmental Effects:
- Ceiling is 30 ft high in chamber
- Altar is 15 ft above floor
- Creatures can attack enemies on adjacent "ring" of stairs

What do you do?

As soon as Mattaius spots the figure tied to the alter he darts forward closing the space between himself and one of the creatures. Calling out to his goddess for her aid, he draws and throws his starknife which bursts once more into light.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 32
Critical Confirmation: 1d20 + 4 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 17
Piercing, Magic Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 18
Critical Damage: 2d8 + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3) + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 4 = 25

Move 30 ft, Cast Divine Favour (as a swift action, 1 Fervour) and attack the south most creature. I think this is the second range increment but 3D distances are always confusing.

In a slightly awed but mostly grimly excited voice, Pai exclaims as she flies into the oppressive room: "Allll riiiight! Flying snake dudes with smoky eyes. Now this will be a fight to remember!" She rises through the air (20 ft above the ground) to meet the blue ones and fires a blast of electric energy right at its indignant, smug, evil face.

Electric blast vs. Touch AC: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 263d6 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (4, 4, 4) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 19
Spell Resistance: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Includes Point Blank Shot and Elemental Overflow

Sorry, I forgot to mark how high the enemies are (20 ft above floor) in the round tracker.

Mattaius Image, 1 = Hit: 1d3 ⇒ 3
Pai Image, 1 = Hit: 1d2 ⇒ 2

Mattaius's starknife cuts through the air - and one of the flying serpentfolk - effortlessly before returning to his hand. Pai has to pick one of the remaining two to blast in the face, and her lightning bolt causes it to burst like a bubble as well.

The Ophidian Rectory
Round 1! Bold may act!
Red (4 images, +20 ft)
Blue (+20 ft)
Mythryndyr
Tsuan
Jamir
Pai (+20 ft)
Floria
Mattaius

Environmental Effects:
- Ceiling is 30 ft high in chamber
- Altar is 15 ft above floor
- Creatures can attack enemies on adjacent "ring" of stairs

What do you do?

Before leaving the room with the clay tablets, Jamir hands his CLW wand to Myth or Mattaius to use on him.

Cure Light Wounds, CL1: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Cure Light Wounds, CL1: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Back to full HP.

"Cultists! Probably Asmodeans! I knew it, Mythryndyr, didn't I say so? Release that person at once, you reptilian, fiend-worshipping scoundrels!"

Jamir starts to run for the stairs, then comes to a sudden halt after his first step as the serpentfolk take to the air.

Hmmm. Perhaps a bit of caution is in order. I have gone through quite a bit of magical healing today, and the day is not over yet.

He draws a vial of brownish liquid from his handy haversack, pulls the cork, and with a grimace quickly tosses back the contents. Potion of barkskin, +2 natural armor bonus for 30 minutes.

"Now, let's get to it, you antediluvian, bat-winged brutes!"

Floria moves into the room and sighs inwardly as she seems more serpentfolk. She's also grimly unimpressed with their demonic forms, as a veteran of the world-wound she has no love for demons. Her mind returns to her battles with half-fiends in the past, and how she powered through their magical defences to overwhelm their minds. Not this time.

Curse their impervious minds!

"They are half-fiends! Use magical weapons if you have them, and beware their smite. They'll resist some energy too Pai, but I don't recall about electricity specifically"

Instead of her traditional mind-fogging techniques, she uses her psychic strength to conjure some bolts of pure force and fling them at at the nearest fiendish snake. Blue. Knowing about their magical resistance, she powers the spell with some of her phrenic energy.

Magic Missile using a phrenic point for relentless casting

Magic Missile: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 3, 4) + 3 = 12
Caster Level 1, Spell penetration: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 2 = 17
Caster Level 2, Spell penetration: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 = 24

Myth will move 5' and fire twice at the only creature he can see, blue...

To Hit: Base/Dex, Magic, Weapon Focus, Rapid Shot, Precise Shot, Deadeye Bowman, Rapid Shot
Damage: Magic, Strength

Magic Longbow: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 15
Magic/Cold Iron Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 2 = 5

Magic Longbow: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 27
Magic/Cold Iron Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

Tsuan mutters some unfounded accusations regarding the serpentfolks' parentages. She whispers to Jamir, "I'm circling around Red."

Then she disappears.

Vanish (swift action), 5 rounds.

Under the cover of invisibility, she double moves and draws both wakizashis.

Floria's missiles slam into the flying serpentfolk, follows by Mythryndyr's second arrow. On the ground, Jamir and Tsuan quickly prepare themselves with some strategic drinking and positioning.

The red-scaled serpantfolk hisses with glee and points a finger at the Pathfinders. Thin, greasy miasma billows from the ground at Jamir's feet and quickly fills the air around the four adventurers...

Unholy damage: 2d8 ⇒ (8, 7) = 15
Mythryndyr Will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Jamir Will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Floria Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Mattaius Will: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

...and leaves the archer and knife-thrower coughing and sickened from the fumes.

Wounded, the other serpentfolk flies back to the altar. It reaches down to touch the stone with a long claw, and a thought reverberates through everyone's head...

Lightsssssss out!

...as darkness billows from the top of the stone pillar, hiding the serpentfolk and their captive from the eyes of the invaders.

Red and Blue circles indicate last known positions. Due to the weirdness that is 3D combat on a 2D map, the lowest ring of stairs is not dark.

The Ophidian Rectory
Round 2! Bold may act!
Red (4 images, +20 ft)
Blue (-18, +20 ft)
Mythryndyr (-15, Sickened 1/??)
Tsuan (Heroism, Vanish 2/5)
Jamir (-7, Barkskin)
Pai (+20 ft)
Floria (-7)
Mattaius (-15, Sickened 1/??)

Environmental Effects:
- Ceiling is 30 ft high in chamber
- Altar is 15 ft above floor
- Creatures can attack enemies on adjacent "ring" of stairs
- Black spread is dark
- Red and Blue circles indicate last known positions

What do you do?

Is there a chance to spellcraft the darkness? Or failing that a knowledge (arcana) to identify a spell effect in place?

Floria watches the darkness effect come into place and wonders if darkvision would be enough to see through it...

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

Unless she identifies it as deeper darkness she will cast Alter Self to become a kobold and gain darkvision. If she can then see through the darkness she'll point out their locations. If it's deeper darkness and she knows that, then she'll save the spell and panic instead. Either way she'll move in to spread out a little

How far is Red off the ground? Its position is (was) on the first ring of stairs, but the distance said 20'; I had assumed (maybe mistakenly) that "creatures on adjacent rings can attack" applied to the ground and the first ring. Tsuan wants to start attacking squares randomly, but I'm not sure she'll even be able to.

As soon as the darkness hits, Pai lashes out with a zap of lightening at the spot where she saw the blue one, hoping that she gets it before it moves. "You jerk! Booping coward! Aaargh!" Then she flies to another spot so she's a little farther from the edge of the darkness, just in case it wants to do a little ambush or something.

Electric blast vs. Touch AC: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 213d6 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3, 2) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 16
Spell Resistance: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Concealment <50 misses: 1d100 ⇒ 11
Includes Point Blank Shot and Elemental Overflow

Floria isn't quite sure what the spell is at first, but after looking at it carefully for a few seconds and noting its relatively-small size, she feels confident that it is not deeper darkness and merely darkness cloaking the altar.

@Tsuan, the serpentfolk have both been flying 20 ft above the ground.

Pai doesn't hear any cries of pain from inside the cloud as she shifts position.

The Ophidian Rectory
Round 2! Bold may act!
Red (4 images, +20 ft)
Blue (-18, +20 ft)
Mythryndyr (-15, Sickened 1/??)
Tsuan (Heroism, Vanish 2/5)
Jamir (-7, Barkskin)
Pai (+20 ft)
Floria (-7, Kobold)
Mattaius (-15, Sickened 1/??)

Environmental Effects:
- Ceiling is 30 ft high in chamber
- Altar is 15 ft above floor
- Creatures can attack enemies on adjacent "ring" of stairs
- Black spread is dark
- Red and Blue circles indicate last known positions

What do you do?