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

Game Master Hawthwile

Tsuan enacts shadow clone.

Images: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

She runs up to Yellow, drawing her wakizashis.

Finishing my turn with a double-move to threaten red in case someone has a clear shot at blue.

Jamir continues running into the room as the duplicates appear, rapier drawn, confronting the one to the north.

"Stand down, you malicious mockery of life!"

Soaring up to the ceiling and around to cover Jamir, 'cause the short ones gotta stick together, Pai chatters: "Well, here's hoping green smoke isn't immune to electricity!" She lines up a shot at the red foe that Jamir has mocked.

Electric blast vs. Touch AC: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 133d6 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (5, 1, 2) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 15
Spell Resistance: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Includes Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, and Elemental Overflow

Knowledge (something): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

That would be slightly higher if planes or arcana. Unless she has reason to think they are immune to mind-affecting Floria will give some a go!

Unsure of whether these apparitions have minds, Floria moves to follow Tsuan and tries an experimental mental probe on the yellow creature.

Mind Thrust I: 5d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 6, 3, 6) = 24

DC 17 will half

Mattaius follows Jamir, running around behind the strange clone and drawing his Starknife.

Double move to go around red avoiding any AoO. Has it been six minutes since the last encounter?

Myth move 20’ north and fires at red...

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

Magic Longbow vs FFAC: 1d8 + 10 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 20
Magic/Cold Iron/Sneak Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 3d6 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 2 + 1 + (3, 3, 4) = 19

@Mattaius - it has not been 6 minutes since the first encounter in this room, so you should still have those buffs active.

Pai's lightning cuts through the smokey simulacra, and all three turn their attention to her.

Yellow Will vs DC 17: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Floria finds her spell quite effective against these things, whatever they are. Jamir and Mattaius move to flank the northernmost Arodeth while Tsuan heads south. Mythryndyr joins the fray and sends an arrow through the surrounded Arodeth.

The Arodeth images do not seem to bleed. Instead, they raise their staves into the air. Sparks from the bronze machines leap onto the wood and race up and down like racehorses. The northernmost one steps around Mattaius before pausing. The middle image reaches her hand into the cloud above her, seeming to grab a handful of lightning and place it on the end of her staff before striding towards the priest. As he finds himself surrounded, the first Arodeth swings her staff at his feet...

Red Trip, Spell Combat, Flanking vs Mattaius CMD 18: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 11 - 2 + 2 = 27

...and as he lands on the ground, the second Arodeth swings towards him with her electrically-charged staff...

Blue Quarterstaff, Flanking, vs Prone, Metallic vs Mattaius AC 23: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 2 + 4 + 3 = 23
Bludgeoning damage, Electric damage, Electric damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1d6 + 5d6 ⇒ (4) + 3 + (4) + (2, 3, 4, 4, 3) = 27

...and sends a massive shock through his system that leaves his hair standing on end and his body aching. The first Arodeth concentrates...

Red Concentration vs DC 19: 1d20 + 10 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 4 = 16

...but nothing seems to happen. The southernmost image also focuses...

Yellow Concentration vs DC 19: 1d20 + 10 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 4 = 26
Images: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

...and the host of Tsuans find themselves facing an even-larger host of Arodeths. She doesn't seem to notice, her face a twisted mask of rage and frustration as she swings her staff at the ninja...

Yellow Quarterstaff, Spell Combat vs Tsuan AC 22: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 2 = 26
Images, 1 = Tsuan: 1d5 ⇒ 5
Bludgeoning damage, Electric damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 3 + (6) = 13

...and destroys one of the ninja's images instead of catching Tsuan across the back.

"Oh, I have a spell to help with this!" Kreighton Shaine exclaims excitedly before his eyes track each other Pathfinders' positions. "Oh, but I can't quite get everyone... Oh well." The Master of Scrolls waves his arms wildly, faster and faster as he chants to match the accelerating tempo. With a rush, he flings the accumulated energy at the Pathfinders clustered around the northern part of the room!

Myhryndyr, Jamir, and Mattaius are hastened.

The Sky Key
Round 2! Bold may act!
Tsuan (3 images)
Floria
Pai
Mythryndyr (Hasted)
Jamir (Hasted)
Mattaius (-27, Prone, Hasted)
Red (-34)
Blue
Yellow (-24, 5 images)
Shaine

Environmental Effects:
- Ceiling is 30 ft high
- Blue pool is shallow water
- Bronze devices are 10 ft high and block line of sight through them

What do you do?

"Whoa! Mattaius!" That escalated quickly! Welp. Guess I gotta do what I do best. She winds up, Gathering Power, and throws down an extra-powerful blast of lightening.

Electric blast vs. Touch AC: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 213d6 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (3, 4, 1) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 15
Empowered damage total: 15 + 7 = 22
Spell Resistance: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Includes Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, and Elemental Overflow

Pleased that these wispy wizards seem to have minds to affect, Floria allows her darker side to exert itself and attempts a bit of black humour.

"Isn't it funny how your life's work is for nothing? Ha ha ha"

Hideous laughter on Yellow, DC 20 will negates

Morphic Form: 1d100 ⇒ 45
DR 5/cold-iron

Tsuan runs past Yellow, tumbling to avoid an AoO, and attacks Blue.

Acrobatics, Softpaw Botos: 1d20 + 13 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 13 + 5 = 25

Wakizashi, Flanking: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 2 = 32
Damage, Sneak: 1d6 + 1 + 3d6 ⇒ (3) + 1 + (2, 5, 6) = 17

Confirm?: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Crashing to the ground, Mattaius lets out a grown as the electricity causes him to convulse. Raising his starknife he calls out once more for Desna's protection. The still glowing weapon sends out a pulse of light and surrounds him in a feint shimmer.

Clambering to his feat he swings out at the northern most attacker.

Melee Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 14
Melee Attack (Haste): 1d20 ⇒ 19
Piercing, Magic Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 13

Spending a fervour point to cast Shield of Faith as a swift action, standing as a move action and making two attacks. All assuming the AoOs don't take me out.

"Mattaius, my friend, you simply must be more careful! These ancient floors can be quite slippery, though that is no excuse for the shocking behavior of these half-alive duplicates!"

Jamir steps up and lunges at whichever of red and blue appear to be more damaged. As he does, the halfling's lighthearted expression turns darker.

Swift action to activate Mantle of the Black rider (+2 increase to CHA for 1 minute, which adds 1 panache point to his pool).

+1 Rapier, incl. precision damage, Haste: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 14 + 1 = 301d4 + 7 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 5 = 15
Crit confirm?: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 14 + 1 = 161d4 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

With the benefit of Master Shane's spell, he lashes out once again (at the same clone if still standing, otherwise at the other).

+1 Rapier, incl. precision damage, Haste: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 14 + 1 = 311d4 + 7 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 5 = 14
Crit confirm?: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 14 + 1 = 181d4 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Jamir will use a panache point for Underfoot Assault if the circumstances arise.

@Mattaius - haste only give you an extra attack if you only attack that round. Since you used a move action to stand, you can only make one attack this round.

@Jamir - I don't think the temporary increase to Charisma would also give you an extra point of Panache since you gain your base amount of panache at the start of the day. It would increase the maximum size of your pool, allowing you to store up more panache while it lasted. Does that make sense, or do you have an FAQ or similar statement saying otherwise?

Pai's thunderous lightning strike leaves nothing but wisps of green mist in its wake, though the simulacra doesn't cry out as it is vaporized.

Yellow Will vs DC 20: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

The southern simulacra, on the other hand, fills the air with raspy, hollow laughter that makes the Pathfinders' skin crawl. She does not attempt to attack Tsuan as the ninja speeds forward and buries her wakizashi deep into the other image's back. That Arodeth ignores the blow, her face a mask of hatred to match Floria's as she takes advantage of Mattaius's position...

Blue AoO, SC, Prone vs Mattaius AC 27: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 8 - 2 + 4 = 17
Bludgeoning damage, Electric damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 3 + (2) = 9

...but the priest dodges the staff, swinging his starknife in return to no avail. Jamir steps up and jabs the image twice, his second magically-infused stab cutting straight to what would be the simulacra's heart and causing it to break apart into green smoke once more.

That's an enemy killed and a crit confirmed, @Jamir

Delaying Mythryndyr.

Yellow Will vs DC 20: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

As suddenly as it began, the laughter from the last Arodeth ceases.

The Sky Key
Round 3! Bold may act!
Tsuan (3 images)
Floria
Pai
Mythryndyr (Hasted)
Jamir (Hasted)
Mattaius (-27, Prone, Hasted)
Red
Blue
Yellow (-24, 5 images, Prone)
Shaine

Environmental Effects:
- Ceiling is 30 ft high
- Blue pool is shallow water
- Bronze devices are 10 ft high and block line of sight through them

What do you do?

Floria stamps her foot in petulant fury at the copy of Lady Arodeth shaking off her mental control, so she lashes out instinctively with her mind at her.

Mind Thrust II: 5d8 ⇒ (6, 7, 8, 2, 5) = 28

DC 19 will half and 2 bleed if she takes any damage

Then, a malign look crossing her evil face, she drops her wand of magic missile, and draws her dagger as she moves up to the prone copy.

Standard to cast, free to drop, move action to move and draw to provide a flank for Tsuan, she has the movement to approach without provking (unless she has reach). She's immune to fear in this form so I like to think that makes her reckless too

Tsuan will double back and stab Yellow.

"You're killing them so quickly! Leave some for me!"

Wakizashi, flanking: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 2 = 17
Damage, sneak: 1d6 + 1 + 3d6 ⇒ (6) + 1 + (1, 3, 4) = 15

Tsuan approves of reckless!

Myth moves 30’ south and fires at yellow...

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

Magic Longbow: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 26
Magic/Cold Iron: 1d8 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 2 + 1 = 11

"Two down! One to go!" Pai crows as she soars along the ceiling toward the prone green-gas-form between scary Floria and sneaky Tsuan.

Tsuan crouches down and quacks.

@GM: Sorry my mistake, too much 2E.

Taking advantage of his magically enhanced speed, Mattaius sprints around to the west to get a clear shot at the remaining clone. Raising his weapon he speaks another prayer and hurls the weapon at the enemy.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 30
Piercing, Magic Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 18

Moving 50 ft, spending another Fervour point to cast Divine Favour as a swift action and making an attack against Yellow.

Yellow Will vs DC 19: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

The last Arodeth struggles against Floria's mental assault before bursting into a cloud of green mist.

Out of combat! Damage report:
- Mattaius (-27)

Shaine coughs and waves a hand in front of his face. "Oh, well done!" he cheers. "Well done indeed! But Mattaius, my boy, you look a bit worse for wear. Better get that taken care of before more of those things appear!"

Go ahead and take a moment to regroup and restore yourselves if need be.

What do you do?

Tsuan offers her wand of CLW to Matthias.

Once everyone's healed up, ship-shape, and all that, Pai descends to most folks' eye level and asks: "So...Now what? Is she gonna keep sending more of these smoky ladies? Or do we go out and find more anchor-folks?"

Floria returns to her usual self with a pained grunt and wipes some rage-spittle from her mouth with the back of her dagger-hand.

"That was bracing! I do hope another team is able to stop lady Arodeth or this will all be for naught"

Her heavy breathing slowly returns to normal as she recuperates, but she casts her eyes about watching for any threat as she does so, and returns to collect her wand.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Did the simulcra have gear we could use or was that similarly insubstantial?

Myth searches the room...

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

...before asking, "Where to now? Back to hunting down tethers?"

Pulling out his wand Mattaius tends to his wounds.

Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

That's his wand all used up.

@Jamir - I don't think the temporary increase to Charisma would also give you an extra point of Panache since you gain your base amount of panache at the start of the day. It would increase the maximum size of your pool, allowing you to store up more panache while it lasted. Does that make sense, or do you have an FAQ or similar statement saying otherwise?

Huh. The idea is that unlike Charmed Life, panache doesn't only refresh once a day, it goes up and down throughout the day. I was sure I had seen an FAQ on this issue, or at least a consensus in a PFS forum thread, but I haven't been able to find it. Luckily, at this point it's moot - the Mantle only lasts for a minute, and the last kill brought Jamir up to his normal maximum anyway.

Myth searches the room...

Perception check

...before asking, "Where to now? Back to hunting down tethers?"

Jamir joins his old friend in his search of the room.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

"Another card game? While there is real fighting to be done, and the Starstone is rapidly falling towards us? I suppose that would be relaxing, but perhaps we could find something more active?"

Are we waiting for a player, the GM, or Kreighton Shane? Tsuan will vote for whatever option has the most votes, that looks like going back and severing more tethers.

**HOUSE GM ANNOUNCEMENT**

The asteroid looms impossibly large overhead, and the air grows stiflingly hot as the world itself begins to rumble. High overhead, the dome of green energy shudders, twists, and finally shatters, and Pathfinders’ bodies begin melting into flowing particles as the world slips away.

Just as quickly, you stumble as Bloodwatered Meadow coalesces beneath your feet, as it does for countless other Society agents. The wildflowers bob lazily in the wind, and nothing but a few still bodies stand as testament to the bloodshed and struggle of the past five hours. Kreighton Shaine, looking several years older, staggers to his feet and gives a nervous chuckle before climbing up a small knoll and waving his arms for the crowd’s attention.

“What we have all witnessed here today has been a remarkably journey that included sights no living soul on Golarion has witnessed. The Sky Key has allowed us to walk among the serpentfolk and Azlanti, gazing upon several of the greatest events to shape Golarion and the region that would one day become the Inner Sea. Let the catastrophe that we witnessed and narrowly escaped humble us and teach us so that we might find value in preserving the messages and wisdom those lost people may have left behind for us to discover. I think we all have some responsibility to remember those who passed so that our modern world can exist.

“You have all observed great things and have notes to share. This much is certain. But for now, let us… let us simply take a few days to reflect. The Society, I imagine, will send agents to collect your notes and interview you about your experiences. Until then, find your families and loved ones, as I know I shall. Failing that, find some passion that ties you to the here and now, and embrace it.

“We survived, Pathfinders. I am proud of your unrivaled accomplishment!”

That’s the end! GMs, the house reached the Unrivaled Accomplishment level for determining boons. Thank you to everyone for playing, and especially to our hard-working GMs who put a lot of work into making this special happen.

Not gonna lie, I knew the ending was coming for us all sooner rather than later and didn't want to get us into the middle of something only to be yoinked out before we could even get started.

Feel free to play out anything your character would like to do or say as they return to Absalom. I'll try to have chronicle sheets out by the end of the weekend.

Tsuan bows respectfully to each of her colleagues in turn.

"It's been an honor," she says.

---

Tsuan skips out of the Grand Lodge, uncharacteristically giddy. She waves at, runs to, and hugs a well-dressed gentleman waiting for her at a cafe across the street.

Jamir salutes the other Pathfinders on his team with his rapier before sheathing his blade. "My friends, old and new, it has truly been a pleasure to explore and fight at your sides! I hope that we will be assigned to another mission together soon, but for the moment, I would be delighted to share a table at the nearest tavern with you! I will even pay for the first round!"

Her eyes twinkling in merriment, Pai tries to stifle a conspiratorial smile as she recognizes the gentleman in Tsuan's arms. She sighs happily for her friend, but her attention is quickly switched to much more personal matters as soon as Jamir's last sentence reaches her ears. "Yes! I knew you were awesome! I'll buy the second round!" She alights on the ground beside him and gives him a playful punch in the shoulder (or at least tries to).

Myth grins. "I'll join you my friends...guess the third round's on me..."

Floria seems touched that she's been included, having driven other groups away with her dark side before.

"Very well I shall partake, but please lets try to do better than "the nearest tavern"; I know a quiet parlour in the Ivy district that makes the most divine cocktail with Taldan Brandy"

"Ooooh! I'm in!" Hmmm... Should my round be fruity drinks, or _milk_? Heheheh!

That's a Shipwrecked reference there. Has anybody else seen this fine example of cinematography? It was a staple when I was growing up.

I've not only not seen it, but I've never heard of it. But much like Tsuan, I grew up in a partial media vacuum, so there are a lot of things I've never heard of. :\ Basically, unless someone has been shocked/appalled that I haven't seen a certain pre-mid-90s movie and made me sit down and watch it, I probably haven't watched it.

Tsuan would magically show up if someone bought a round of hot apple cider. She never had an apple before she joined the Pathfinder Society and she discovered that she loves anything apple.