PFS1e - #7-14 Faithless and Forgotten, Part 1: Let Bygones Be (high tier) (Inactive)

Game Master MauveAvengr

To be shocking honest, it is end of year for many companies, also I am doing the homeschooling my daughter and to be shockingly honest ... this is taxing. So I apologize but some evenings I can´t stand looking at a monitor anymore!!!
Not to add the tax the quarantine many coutnries are experiencing is bad for the mental health. I am blessed with a small rented house with a garden, but for many going out is a luxery they just don´t have anymore.

"Hmm. Might be famous last words, but I don't expect a surprise attack here. All the same, it might be better for me to be in the middle. You know, so no matter where the action is, I can get there quickly." he says to Trajan work a wink.

We might now be able to hide with the light, but we can still move quietly. I don't think that scouting ahead would be a great idea in here though. Move carefully as a loose group?

stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

No worries! I know how it is! Quarantining is definitely tough and I've been a bit burnt out as well.

Cassiopia feels a bit more protected with a layer of magical armor. Between Wymarc's ioun torch and Cassiopia's light, this room is well lit.

Bahram suggests moving as a group towards the iron gate. The wailing has intensified - definitely coming from within. As he pushes open the gate to peek inside, the gate lets out a loud groan. Inside he sees a 25 ft long corridor with another iron gate (slightly ajar) at the other end. The wailing stops momentarily before starting back up again.

Trajan agrees to the plan to move forward as a group and keeps an eye toward the rear to make sure nothing surprises the party.

Unless Wymarc and/or Vuldruk object, I guess we'll go with the marching order I proposed and I've adjusted the icons on the most recent map to that order.

Will wait for confirmation before continuing!

Marching order is fine by me...

Wymarc draws his bow and moves forward quietly, looking for tracks to see what might lie ahead, as well as keeping an eye open for traps and hidden foes...

Stealth: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35
Survival (Tracking): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Wymarc creeps up to the first iron gate. Peeking in, he notices skeletal corpses that are thinly wrapped in decaying burial linen that rest in niches cut into the stone of a wide hallway. The hallway is intersected by numerous narrow fissures. Many of the niches have collapsed, which bony remains jutting out of the rocks and dark earth. Wymarc sees the arm of a skeletal figure buried beneath rubble reach out and grasp at the air. As long as he keeps a wide berth, the arm wont be able to harm him.

Moving into the hallway to the second set of iron gate, Wymarc opens it up slightly. The hallway opens up into a larger room, where a stone altar is surrounded by cracked wall decorated with intricate reliefs of religious figures and prominent Davians whose tombs lie beyond.

Inside is a gruesome sight, however. A troll hangs upside down above the stone alter by a thick chain. One arm is chopped off right below the shoulder while its other is tied behind its back with a rope. The floor is thick with blood as the guts and entrails of the troll slowly slither back into the troll's gashed abdomen. Some blood drop to the floor. Wymarc watches an organ - perhaps a kidney or intestines - splatter as it falls from the slashed gut. The troll looks sickened, but it's wounds are slowly stitching back together.

The slippery blood means that you cannot run or charge without making an Acrobatics check.

But the main threat is not the troll. Three large beasts seem to be eating something - Wymarc can't tell what. But he can assume they are eating parts of the troll. They don't take any notice of Wymarc as he's incredibly silent. The creatures are all gaunt and wiry, their skin looks bruised or pallid. Their ears are larger with tapered tips. The creature in the northwest (pink) is slightly larger and looks more refined.

Wymarc can roll a DC 11 Knowledge (religion) to ID the smaller creatures or DC 17 Knowledge (religion) to ID the slightly larger one. DC 15 Knowledge (local) to ID the troll.

If another character wants to approach, please roll a Stealth check! Otherwise they will take notice of you.

Trajan isn't going to approach but could Wymarc describe the creatures he sees to the Knowledge crew and give them a chance to ID them?

If Wymarc is willing to come back and talk, sure. If he stays near the iron gates to watch what these things do, then no.

Will assume Wymarc moves back and tells everyone. So feel free to roll a knowledge check. And reminder, if you move up, please roll a Stealth check.

For the DC 11:
Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

For the DC 17:
Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

One for two isn't horrible. Taking a peek at character sheets I'm guessing Vuldruk will want to drink a Potion of Enlarge Person and lead the way since he'd literally fill the 10' hallway after going size Large. So I don't think Stealth will be on the menu plus Trajan has zero Stealth so he wouldn't even bother. But I'd like to make sure the marching order is set before combat.

Oops, mistyped. It should be DC 16 instead of DC 17 for the slightly large creature.

Trajan thinks for a bit as Trajan explains the creatures. The two small ones sound like ghouls. Nasty creatures with nasty bites - one bite could result in a terrible fever.

"Ghouls! The undead are an affront to the natural order! But, given what Cassiopia and Bahram said about trolls, I don't think two ghouls could overwhelm a troll; the other creature must be the key..."

Given the undead threat, Trajan moves a Scroll of Veil of Positive Energy into his bandolier along with a Scroll of Bless Weapon.

religion, DC 11: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
religion, DC 16: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

"Ghouls? I guess they could be. That big fella, though..."

Bahram thinks for a minute. Ghoul...ghoul... ghoul... Oh yes! He remembers now. The big guy sounds like a variant ghoul called a ghoul stalker. Bigger, beefier, more deadly. Can give you one piece of info - request anything or should I pick randomly?

Special attacks?

Like a normal ghoul, its bite can cause a disease or paralysis. Ghoul stalkers are experts at striking from cover or exploiting tactical advantages. They set up ambushes or fight using group tactics (i.e. sneak attack +3d6)

"Ooh. That big one sounds like a ghoul stalker. They fight like other ghouls, but more like Wymarc, looking for weaknesses. Flanking with their buddies. Careful with positioning."

"Ooh. That big one sounds like a ghoul stalker. They fight like other ghouls, but more like Wymarc, looking for weaknesses. Flanking with their buddies. Careful with positioning."

"I should have guessed another undead. Rarely will other creatures consort with such foul beings."

Thanks to the information Bahram provided we should indeed allow Vuldruk to lead the way. With his Barbarian Uncanny Dodge he won't be subject to sneak dice. Unfortunately Wymarc is one rogue level short of having Uncanny Dodge. If Vuldruk wants to drink one of his Enlarge Person potions and lead the way, that would be the best tactical option. Trajan has one Oil of Bless Weapon if Vuldruk wants that for his bastard sword. Unfortunately we don't know if the ghoul stalker has any special defenses so for any melee/ranged characters without magical weapons, it could be an issue. Trajan has at least one (maybe two?) scrolls of Magic Weapon and two scrolls of Bless Weapon.

Are you guys talking in the hallway, or did you go back into the throne room? How long are you taking? The ghouls may overhear you and have time to prepare if you take your time and/or are loud in discussing tactics. Since Wymarc rolled so high, they did not hear nor see him. (Seriously, Wymarc has had some stellar rolls this game).

Aarggh! Last post was eaten...I should’ve double-checked...you’re right GM, as I don’t have Knowledge Religion training, I would’ve moved back and told the party...

Are you guys talking in the hallway, or did you go back into the throne room? How long are you taking? The ghouls may overhear you and have time to prepare if you take your time and/or are loud in discussing tactics. Since Wymarc rolled so high, they did not hear nor see him. (Seriously, Wymarc has had some stellar rolls this game).

Hey now Trajan may have been born at night but it wasn't last night! ;)

Feel free to take as long as you need to prepare. But if you aren't quiet and take a while, the ghouls might realize you guys are there!

Hello, I'm sorry to be absent for so long but with this third wave of the pandemic, we don't have much free time in the hospital. I'm going to drink one of my enlargement potions and I'll wait before loading into the room

Hello, I'm sorry to be absent for so long but with this third wave of the pandemic, we don't have much free time in the hospital. I'm going to drink one of my enlargement potions and I'll wait before loading into the room

I completely understand. Given your limited time would you give us permission to bot Vuldruk? Meaning we will run him for you in combat so we can finish the module. Given your gear and build my thought was to drink the Potion of Enlarge Person, lead the way into the room, and Trajan will be right behind you with the Wand of CLW ready to heal him. If Bahram wants to get close enough to use his Wand of CLW on you, you'd have two wands ready to heal Vuldruk. I promise we won't make any dumb decisions or leave Vuldruk without help and support.

The Elf whispers lightly to his friends, ”I’ll sneak up to the door and target the nearest ghoul; maybe I can drop one before it knows what hit him. Once you see me fire, come running quickly...I’d rather not face them in melee...”

Wymarc sneaks up to the door, keeping an alert eye out...

Stealth: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (12) + 17 = 29
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

...spotting the red ghoul, he targets it and fires a cold iron arrow straight at its center mass...

To hit: Base/Dex, Magic, Weapon Focus, PBS, Favored Enemy
Damage: Magic, Strength, PBS, Favored Enemy, Sneak Attack
Magic Longbow vs FFAC: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 20
Magic/Cold Iron Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + (4, 4) = 15

Since we were planning we'd have everyone with their actions done and waiting for Wymarc to fire his arrow. So one round of buffs before his action and then we'd be readied to come storming in?

Yes, Bahram will cast vanish on Wymarc after he fires (3 rounds), and then is ready to move in with his axe.

Vuldruk drinks his potion of enlarge person and immediately doubles in size.

Wymarc, silent as the night, moves up to the door. He nocks an arrow and lets it fly right at the ghoul. The ghoul, in the middle of its lunch, looks up as the arrow pierces its skull.

The other two ghouls look up. The larger one shouts, "INTRUDER!"

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Round 1

Vuldruk (enlarged)
Wymarc
Bahram

Ghoul Stalker

Cassiopia
Trajan

Ghoul

Troll

Vuldruk, Wymarc, and Bahram are up!

Vanish on Wymarc, if I was not able to do that already, and then move into a protective spot beside the archer. "There you go buddy. Drop another one from the shadows."

Wymarc nods in appreciation to Bahram...he then moves 5’ west and fires first at the yellow ghoul...and if it drops, he’ll fire at the larger (pink) one...

To hit: Base/Dex, Magic, Weapon Focus, PBS, Favored Enemy, Rapid Shot
Damage: Magic, Strength, PBS, Favored Enemy, Sneak Attack

Magic Longbow vs FFAC: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 30
Magic/Cold Iron Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + (3, 1) = 17

Magic Longbow vs FFAC: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 29
Magic/Cold Iron Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + (5, 2) = 15

”Vuldruk! Could use some help up here, larger ghoul to the northeast!”

Stop rolling so high Wymarc!

Wymarc quickly dispatches the yellow ghoul with one arrow and another arrow pierces the side of the larger pink one. The gods must be watching over him today!

Only the big ghoul left

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Round 1

Vuldruk (enlarged)
Wymarc
Bahram

Ghoul Stalker (-15 HP)

Cassiopia
Trajan

Ghoul

Troll

Vuldruk is up!

Sorry, GM, I’ll try... :)

Vuldruk goes towards pink guy and tries to hit with his sword but fails
Large Bastard Sword+1: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

The giant Vuldruk smashes through the iron gates like Hulk. The ghoul starts swearing. "Trespassers. Let me guess, you are servants of Cheliax here to kill me once and for all. You deserve death more than I do."

The ghoul looks up at the giant. With blood dripping down his face from his lunch, he tosses the piece of troll to the side. "Fresh meat is always better.". The ghoul chomps down and tears a piece of flesh off. With both claws, the ghoul continues to slash out.

Vuldruk, please make two Fortitude saves (DC 14) for the bite - one for a disease, one for paralysis. Then roll two more Fortitude saves for each claw attack for paralysis (DC 14). If you fail any of the paralysis checks, you may take more damage from sneak attack.

As the ghouls chews Vuldruk's flesh, the rager notices that the ghoul's wounds are slowly healing up.

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Round 1

Vuldruk (enlarged) (20/44 HP, must make four DC 14 Fort saves)
Wymarc
Bahram

Ghoul Stalker (-10 HP)

Cassiopia
Trajan

Ghoul

Troll

Cassiopia and Trajan are up!

For the preparation round Trajan will use one of his scrolls of his spell:

Veil of Positive Energy

Trajan advances towards combat, mindful of Wymarc's report of the slippery floor. Once he sees the remaining ghoul he immediately challenges it, "Foul undead, yield or be destroyed by the power of the Inheritor!"

Trajan moves forward 30', his swift action is to Smite the ghoul, and his standard action is to read another scroll of this spell:

Bless Weapon

Seeing the vile ghoul attack, Cassi tries to remember if Ghouls are resistant to mind magic.
KnowRel: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
She then casts Mind thrust, (if necessary embolstered by her will of the dead esoterica to ignore undeads immunity to mind influencing magic)
MT: 5d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 3, 2, 3) = 18Will 16 for half damage

As the ghoul comes into view Cassi tries to remember if Ghouls are also immune to mind magic.
KnowRel: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
She then casts Mind Thrust, if necessary or unsure bolstered by Will of the dead esoterica, on the hurt Ghoul stalker.
MT: 5d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 3, 4, 6) = 20WIll15 for half

Trajan moves in and prepares for an attack, calling upon the Inheritor's protection.

Cassiopia attempts to recall any information on ghouls, but nothing comes to mind. But from the planning discussion earlier, Cassiopia would know that these ghouls have basic undead traits (including immunity to mind-affecting abilities). So she decides to use her Will of the Dead phrenic amplification. However, the ghoul manages to shake off most of the effect. "What was that, eh? Then it's true. You must be Cheliaxians here to destroy me and my family once and for all. For that, you must perish first."

The troll lashes out at Vuldruk. Hanging upside-down, one arm chopped off and the other tied behind it's back, it's at a severe disadvantage. And it seems to only bite at Vuldruk only as a matter of convenience. It seems to focus most of it's attention on the ghoul and would probably rather bite the ghoul if it were closer.

Vuldruk still must make four DC 14 Fort saves before his turn is up

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Round 1

Vuldruk (enlarged) (20/44 HP, must make four DC 14 Fort saves)
Wymarc
Bahram

Ghoul Stalker (-19 HP)

Cassiopia
Trajan

Ghoul

Troll

Vuldruk still must make saves from last round. After that, Vuldruk, Wymarc, and Bahram are up!

Wymarc skirts around, avoiding getting near the troll, and fires again at the ghoulish stalker...

To hit: Base/Dex, Magic, Weapon Focus, PBS, Favored Enemy
Damage: Magic, Strength, PBS, Favored Enemy

Magic Longbow: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 21
Magic/Cold Iron Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 9

Please one of the PCs who had line-of-sight to see that the ghoul healed some of his damage call that fact out to the rest of the party. Thanks!

"No we are Pathfinders here to catalog what happened to the Davians and you calling them 'my family' must mean you are a Davian. The Thrune family may be many evils but necromancers aren't one of them; they're diabolists. So how did you come to be undead? What evils did you commit for the gods to punish you thus?"

Bahram's ears perked up the first time the ghoul accused them of being Cheliaxian's. At the mention of the Ghoul's family, he stops in his tracks. Straightening up and lowering his ax he addresses the ghoul stalker.

"We are no friend of the Cheliaxians. In truth, we came here to uncover the truth of what they had done to House Davian."

Dramatic pause... Then Bahram steps forward to the stalker.

"Are you truly the last of House Davian? If so, We would like to help. Or at least clear your good name"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 2 = 13

sensing this to be a pivotal moment, Bahram uses a bit of ole archaeologist luck (+2). Alas, the dice do as they like.

Trajan, the GM specifically mentioned Vuldruk saw the healing so I'm guessing Wymarc didn't see it...it must have regeneration somehow, probably via the troll...

Trajan, the GM specifically mentioned Vuldruk saw the healing so I'm guessing Wymarc didn't see it...it must have regeneration somehow, probably via the troll...

I know but unless whomever saw it says something, the rest of us wouldn't know. I've never heard of a regenerating undead so maybe it is/was eating the troll?

You can assume that everyone notices his regeneration/fast healing/whatever it is. Will put things in spoilers if only one or two people can see it. Once Vuldruk posts, will update with how the ghoul responds.

Fort save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Fort save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Fort save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Fort save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
With the pain caused by the attacks Vuldruk goes into unleashed rage and strikes the Ghoul with unusual fury.

attack+power attack+: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
crit conf: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
damage: 2d8 + 12 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (7, 3) + 12 + 1 + 6 = 29
damage crit??: 2d8 + 12 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (4, 7) + 12 + 1 + 6 = 30

"No! What... Blistering sun, never bring a barbarian on a diplomatic investigation." Bahram exclaims as he throws his hands up, greataxe and all.

Trajan cheers the tremendous offense of Vuldruk!

If, and that's a very small *if*, the ghoul is still standing, taking a hit like that should make it very amenable to negotiating.

The real question is did Vuldruk split him in half north-south or east-west?