[PFS_CORE_Aerondor] 01-49 Among the Dead - Outpost IV (Inactive)

Game Master Aerondor

Are you climbing down your own rope or the provided one, just as a matter of interest?

"Better we all use the one Hadanka has secured with her own grappling hook" Ledt conjures another set of dancing lights to help the descent of the party.

The halfling will wait for Hadanka to inform it is safe before descending himself "For all we knot this Baillaset could be a faithful of Zyphus, an ally trying to wipe out the order in a smart way, or just a prankster"

The team all climbs down the rope
With the ring of climbing, I think you would all need to rolls 1s to slip, and this is PBP, so moving things along.

Water drips down the hole you climbed through, landing in a very shallow pool, before running down two of the corridors.

The room is dark - apart from your faerie lights..

New map

Graff follows along using his companion's rope.

Once down he looks around to see their new area........

Sylvester draws his wand. Light spills out from this wand providing a constant source of illumination.

"Lovely place down here. At least Shaggy should be alright back upstairs."

@GM Aerondor - How deep is the pool of water?

Well, the pool of water only looks a few inches deep. To be honest, your feet must have got wet in it when you came down the rope, so, you're pretty confident about that depth.

"We should explore the dry rooms first. If I was in charge I would not hang out in a swamp."

Looking down the dry passage you immediately spot splatters of blood on the walls. Just around the first corner you spot a headless corpse. And then, pinned to the wall just a few feet further on, another corpse, with a large scything blade projecting pinning him there. Kind of him to find the trap for you.

Sylvester looks over to Silgil.

"I believe it is time for another pony for the dry room ahead. At least we are down one trap."

Hadanka mutters, I am really growing tired of this Zyphus cult.

stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

If summoned, I will let the pony go in front of me. Following about 10' behind.

"It seems the wrong tunnel" judges Ledt after the beheaded body "But perhaps the other ones only await us with traps to be sprung"

The halfling sends the dancing lights forward. He then looks around the corner, be it after a new pony makes its pass, or just straight himself.

The passage continues northward. A few more bloody splats can be seen on the walls.

I'll hold off dismembering any more ponies until we get a confirmation about one being summoned.

"I'm already missing Gumbo."

Silgil cannot command the pony and in the absence of enemies it will stand there like an idiot. I don't see any good places to plop a pony until there is a room to be seen or a really hard corner. Silgil will plop one where the starburst is but unless you can figure out how to get it to trot forward before the spell expires in 6 minutes, it is pointless. Anyone have a really good handle animal skill?

Not trained. Mine is just a +2 to handle animal

I would think just smacking it on the rump with the flat of a blade would work. Not needing detailed actions, just moving away from us.

Let's try that. Ledt, I summoned a pony next to you. Will yo kindly give it a smack?

If it is Summon Monster I the duration of a wand is only 6 seconds. It is a brief life span for the poor creature. Now that you think about it if you are only going to be summoning ponies why not buy a wand of Mount next time. :)

Handle animal(Ledt): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

The pony trots as far as you can see, turns its head to look at Ledt, and vanishes back to the celestial realms.

I've put an icon on the map for where it went

"It seems safe" Ledt states after seeing the pony to just do its thing. The halfling moves forward and looks around the next corner.

If there is another pony coming, he spats it forward.
Handle Animal (trained): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Otherwise he moves himself through the tunnel.

But first he heals himself with the wand.
UMD: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
CLW 15/26: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

HP 35/37

If it is Summon Monster I the duration of a wand is only 6 seconds. It is a brief life span for the poor creature. Now that you think about it if you are only going to be summoning ponies why not buy a wand of Mount next time. :)

NOW you tell me! Well, I did intend it for the most part to spring traps but also to produce flanks and get in a bite or two, so it's not a total loss.

Silgil sends another pony on ahead of Ledt, but if that does not spring a trap his greedy dwarven heart is going to start questioning burning 15 gp a pop on corridors.

Another pony is procured and sent on its way by Ledt. This one meets a somewhat messy end as axe swings down from the ceiling, cutting poor pony in two. Poor pony. It lets out a horrible neighing sound as it vanishes from its short tour of this plane of existance.

to-hit: 1d20 ⇒ 4
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Beyond the corridor opens up into a large room.

stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Is the room lit? Do we hear anything ahead?

Graff tries an attempt at humor to alleviate the fate of the pony.
"So the pony spilt as soon as the axe fell......"

"You should have seen. The pony took it bravely. Make sure to report Jonny's Second courage and stoic take on your chronicles" Ledt steps forward and sends the dancing lights into the new chamber for the group to see.
Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8
Stealth (take 10): 10 + 8 = 18

The room beyond is dark. Well, until you move your lights into it anyway.

I've revealed a little slip of it on the map which is all that can be seen from where you are. From what you can see there is a figure floating in mid air, its chest ripped open and blood dripping down it into some type of trench below.

You'd have to go into the room, or at least up to where Poor Pony(tm) met its untimely demise to see more.

Graff tries an attempt at humor to alleviate the fate of the pony.

"So the pony spilt as soon as the axe fell......"

Silgil pauses for a moment to take in the pun and nervously laughs. "Well, at least it wasn't a real pony."

"I suppose I should send another one into the room. But first, if you want to make any preps, this is the time, because I'm thinking this could be a room more dangerous than most from the looks of that guy."

"I see the chamber inside people, and I do not think the woman floating in the middle has his chest open as a poetic way to offer her love and heart to us" Ledt steps forward to peek inside but for now holds off a bit to let the others time to catch up.

Feel free to move yourselves up and arrange your selves outside the room as you like, although for the moment I'm assuming you are staying out of the area that the axe is hanging down in.

Placed on map.

"Is that how some people do it now?" Graff questions...

Sylvester moves his way right behind Graff. He calls ahead to Silgil.

"Perhaps you can drop another pony in the room and see what happens then?"

A level 1 SMI wand has very limited uses but is great in this dungeon. :)

"Well, here goes nothing."

Silgil launches another hapless equine into a room of doom.

Pony appears (presumably next to hovering dead woman). She doesn't react to it. The pony looks around, and then vanishes in a puff of planar magic.

"The woman does not seem impressed by your gift Silgil" states the halfling "Perhaps you should better try with a chocolates box"

Ledt taps the ground with his right feet, clearly growing impatient as electric sparkles move up his neck and crack on his hair.

The halfling hardly holds himself on the tunnel with a grimace of true effort.

Buffs:
po Enlarge Person - dur 10 rnds

"... if you want to make any preps, this is the time, because I'm thinking this could be a room more dangerous than most from the looks of that guy."

You think so? Well, time for fun and games! He pulls out a potion vial and pops the cork. He looks at the others to see if they are doing anything. When it looks like they might be ready, he rushes into the room and quaffs the potion as he clears the doorway. Suddenly he is nearly as big as Gumbo.

move then drink potion of enlarge person

If Hadanka wants to safe his potion, Ledt is happy to cast enlarge person on him.
5 min (5 more level 1 spells remaining)

"Good, I feared you will never go there!" Ledt grumbles with a smile in his face and stepping into the room behind the orc and casting protection from evil on himself.

HP 35/37 AC 20 TAC 15 (+2 vs evil)

Thanks Ledt!

Graff hangs back wanting to see what they'll do this time.

Just moving Ledt back for the moment.

Once in the room, it becomes a bit clearer what the woman is. She is dead. And hanging from the roof.

A stone trench about three feet high runs the length of the west wall. Hanging above it are several human men, their chests flayed open, their blood dripping and pooling in the trench below. A thin stone tube then runs from the middle of the gory container, funneling blood down toward a large basin in the center of the room. Judging from the blood splashed around the outside of the basin, something recently crawled out of it.

Had perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

As the large Hadanka squeezes into the room he feels a chill touch upon him as a figure steps out of concealment and lashes out at him.

attack: 1d20 ⇒ 3
damage: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Tripping over as it does so. But the large form of Hadanka is hard to miss. It snarls as Hadanka feels a chill on his soul.

init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Status: initiative, if you beat a 6 you can also act.
Graff - 11/27
Hadanka - 29/41 damage; Plus DC20 fort save vs 1 point con drain.
Shen -
Ledt -30/37
Sylvester,
- shaggy fatigued
Silgil 77/79 hp; resist fire
Sebastus - fatigued.
Baillaset

I have removed the dead body from the map so as to avoid confusion, but there is a row of dead bodies over that channel.

Buffs:
po Enlarge Person - dur 10 rnds

fort save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 Hey, I actually made a save?!?

Big Ugly Thing! Now Die! With a roar he slashes at it with his scythe.

rage scythe att: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31, if hits, scythe dam: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (6, 6) + 11 = 23 It is cold iron and magic if it happens to make any difference.
Hadanka will move around the thing to allow others in on the action. He will accept the AoO.

Oh wow! Third Scythe crit threat in a single scenario!
crit confirm: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22, if hits, crit dam: 6d6 + 33 ⇒ (1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 3) + 33 = 47

Sylvester runs up wand in hand. He can just make out the shape of the monstrosity. He lets loose a dual of missiles at it.

Magic Missile, CL 3: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 2 = 7

@GM Aerondor - It is so close that I had to turn my dental tape sideways to check it (first time ever) but it look like I just have line of effect to one of the corners of his square. This is assuming that the creature is not dead already.

@Hádanka - Good job. :)

Technically we are in initiative, so you do need to roll, while it may not be likely you fail to beat a six, it is possible.
@Sylvester, agree with line of effect for you for MM.

All: This place is not very lucky for you. While it didn't make a difference with the cultists (your base damage was likely enough to kill them), when you are rolling for crit confirms, you must roll twice, and take the worse result.

@GM Aerondor - My character's Initiative bonus is +7 so it is impossible for him not to beat a 6.

Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Cool effect for the crits. :)

Oh sorry, I didn't realize you wanted us to roll our initiative this time. I will roll my initiative then the second crit confirm.

Buffs:
enlarge person - dur 5 min
rage - 4 rnds remaining
AC: 16, HP: 33 of 49

initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

second crit confirm: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29 so the 22 is still the lower crit confirm

Ledt is 5 hp higher

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

"This place is full of dead bodies..." Ledt quickly reacts at the sight of the creature that attacks Hadanka by stepping behind the corner's cover and creating a cone of crackling electricity.
Electrical damage burning hands: 5d4 ⇒ (2, 3, 2, 4, 3) = 14
Ref DC 16 for half

HP 35/37 AC 20 TAC 15 (+2 vs evil)
prot. from evil 5 min
mage armor 1 h

Initiative 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19 ooof it's a 20...I wouldn't mind not beating its initiative since I saw that fantastic Crit!
Knowledge (Religion) 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 and there's that 1....

Graff sees the attack on his fellow half orc but he can't make out the creature well enough to tell what it is....

init: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Wow, even the cleric beat Silgil. Still, all he needed was a 6 sooo, it's off to the races!

Silgil winds everyone up with his traditional lead off, the Haste spell, after Graff moves so he can be a recipient.

"Go get 'em, boys."

If Graff Does move within 30' of Hádanka, Silgil should be able to tag everyone but Sylvester with the spell.

The figure, who from its bloody exterior you would guess had been bathing in the pool of blood, howls as the scythe cuts into it. Snarling it lashes out at Hadanka as he runs past it.

It flinches at Sylvester's magic missiles slam into it, but manages to avoid the worst of the shocking hands from Ledt.

Graff looks at the battle in awe, surely either Hadanka or Balastrat must drop, and soon. No idea from that religion check, want to take an action?

AOO: 1d20 ⇒ 5 Well, this looks to be a short battle. Just as well you are ranging and enlarged.
hit due to rage: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 Plus another fort save DC20
ref vs shocking hands: 1d20 ⇒ 19

"A mighty blow my lord Hakanda!" calls out Sebastus.

"Beware, that is Bailaset himself!"

The creature growls at the cowardly Sebastus who flinches.

Status: initiative, if you beat a 6 you can also act.
Graff - 11/27
Shen -
Silgil 77/79 hp; resist fire; prepared haste
Sebastus - fatigued.
Baillaset - used one AOO; 84 damage
Hadanka - 13/41 damage; Plus DC20 fort save vs 1 point con drain.
Sylvester,
- shaggy fatigued
Ledt -35/37

ini : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Shen starts casting a summon spell.

Graff charges right in!

The knowledge check was to see if it's an undead or some sort.

And finds that the narrow passage way does not lend to itself to a headlong charge and thus Graff settles for some movement as he strides as far as he can....

Silgil joins in on the bashing and adds a barage of magic missiles of his own to the mix

mm damage: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 2, 2, 3) + 4 = 15