GM PaleDim's Glories of the Past (Inactive)

Game Master PaleDim

This makes sense. Let's take that plan and move along. Good work team :)

To finish the traverse, Tabar throws one end of the rope back to Juis and Lebraerio. The other end he hands to Marianna who stands back and braces herself with the help of Tabar and Irina.

Juis jumps forward, allowing himself to swing with the rope. After he is hanging stable he carefully climbs up the rope and throws his end over to Leb, who repeats this process. With the party fully across the gaps in the bridge, you carry on...

A sixty-foot-wide set of doors is built into the solid stone wall. Geometric designs cover much of the doors’ surface, and deep grooves that might have once held metal inlays are now empty. A smaller set of doors better suited to everyday use is built into the larger portal.

Map updated

As you approach the door, it seems to bellow out an ancient riddle in Dwarven.

Lebraerio understands the utterance and translates for the rest of you. See Player Handout #3.

What do you do?

As we aren't attacked, I'm taking 10 in Know Religion for 18+1d6

For your information, Folgrit is Torag's wife. She is the mother of many dwarfen gods, made of iron and stone.

Leb eyes twinkles as he lets out a small laugh

Well played indeed. This isn't to take literally but as a metaphor. The text refers to a weapon, steel beaten in the burning forge, a bloodthirsty killer until rust-"grey hair sets to red with age"-sets with time.

Given the riddle set to the door in front of you, Leb surmises that it hints at some keyword to be spoken that will open it (in the same language as the riddle).

Lebraerio tries the words "Steel", then "Axe" and "Sword", all in dwarfish, in front of the door.

None of those words cause the door to react.

"Ripped from Folgrit's womb.... Maybe you took the weapon making process a step further then they expected," Marianna slowly says, after a moment's pause. "What about trying iron itself?"

That's a very good idea. Very nice, Marianna. I probably overthought that. Won't be the first time, won't be the last.

Lebraerio says "Iron" in the tongue of dwarves

Nice

At the dwarven utterance of "iron", the smaller inner doors open under their own power. The party passes through to the next room.

Map updated.

Shining columns, exquisite statuary, and elaborate dioramas of battle scenes adorn this majestic hall. The figures stand in small niches in the walls and range from dwarven infantry to mounted cavalry riding all manner of beasts. Gold filigree, metallic plates, and ornate steel inlays decorate every aspect of the grand hall. Pristine marble floors run the chamber’s length, and halfway down the hall, twin flights of stairs sweep up to an elevated walkway. Orbs of magical light rest in sconces along the walls of the chamber, and at its far end a large stone stele is visible.

What do you do?

Madam, if you do want come in.

Lebraerio bows to Mariannna

Thank you again for this experience. I should try to keep in sight the simplest and straightforward solutions, instead of always searching for far fetched theories.

Tabar casts shield and mirror images on himself and enlarge person on Marianna.

4 minutes duration.

mirror images : 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

He grips his Rapier and makes it an answering weapon for 1 minute.

”I smell a dangerous situation ahead!“ the ratfolk says and moves forward.

How far forward does he move and does anybody else do anything before he gets "there"?

I moved on the map.

Juis casts Bless on everyone before moving further into the room.

As Tabar approaches, two of the larger statues turn their heads to look at you and in a grinding voice ask, in Dwarven, “Speak to us the riddle of stone.”

The previous riddle being one of iron, and not having had access to any ancient books in this place, the Pathfinders have a nigh unresolvable task ahead of them. After several moments of patience the statues whole bodies turn in place and they grip their weapons tightly, clearly moving to attack! The riddle prompt is truly just a pretext for combat as written in the scenario.

Okay, not everyone has posted in this room so before I roll initiative and get this encounter started: Marianna, Irini, and Leb can decide how far forward they would have moved with Tabar. NOTE No further West nor South (so, not ahead) of Tabar. Once you three have done that I'll setup round 1.

Marianna keeps pace with Tabar's dog for a moment. As the next dwarven words are spoken, she looks back to Lebraerio. "What now?"

Lebraeio answer to the knightess

Frankly, my dear, I don't have a clue. I guess you would say that the gauntlet is thrown.

To keep us moving, I'm going to infer from our standard marching order that Irina moves up to where Juis and Leb are.

The Pathfinders get the jump on the slow, lumbering statues. They sure do look big though. They might pack quite a punch...

Round 1
Bold may act
Encounter Map (remember that squares are 10 feet)
Party effects bless (50 rounds)

Tabar
Lebrario
Inira
Marianna
Juis
Guardian Statues

Everybody is up!

Tabar moves forward to attack!!

“Oh dear Chaldira aid us!!!“ the little ratfolk shouts.

+1 Adamantine Rapier: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 321d4 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Crit?? : 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 301d4 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Tabar prepares for a counterattack with a parry…

+1 Adamantine Rapier Parry, -4 size, answering +4, 1 AoO and 1 panache spent : 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

… and riposte.

Riposte, Immediate action, +1 Adamantine Rapier, answering +4 : 1d20 + 4 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 12 = 291d4 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Rapier +12 (18-20/×2) To hit: Size +1, BAB +4, Weapon Focus +1, Finesse +5, Enhancement +1 / Damage: +5 from Dex via ‚Fencing Grace‘, Enhancement +1, + 2 Haunt Collector Champion Seance Boon

As Tabar weaves through the statues they swing and slam their large arms at him. 15' reach

Tabar is able to deflect the first statue's attack with his parry. However, on your movement path, it doesn't seem you're ever in reach of attacking blue for the riposte.

Then as he approaches his target, it slams at him as well.

Fortunately it swings its arms just over the ratfolk's head. Miss

Proceeding onward to the statue Tabar thrusts his sword into it. He damages it, breaking off chunks of stone, but it doesn't seem to do as much damage as he expected. Hardness

Relevant knowledge roll: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 8 + (1) = 21

Add +2 for Religion, Arcana, Planes

Before acting, Lebraerio tries to remember any specific weaknesses of the massive magical statues

Yes GM, riposte is not possible without reach. Also forgot knowledge check!

kn arcana / engineering / planes : 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Juis takes three of his sling stones an enchants them.

Cast Magic Stone.

Blue Moose reminded me that adamantine ignores hardness up to 20, so: Tabar's attack had full effect. He felt no lack of damage, and I've updated my combat tracker (which you hadn't seen updated yet).

Okay, now for the knowledge checks. I'm going to give you Special Defense: hardness 10 because I messed up the adamantine bypass last night :)

These are Guardian Statues, constructs (so the check was Arcana). They will try to trample you every chance they get.

Leb knows that they have no special weaknesses.

Tabar doesn't know anything additional about them.

Lebrario, Inira, and Marianna are still up!

"Inheritor preserve us...." Marianna quietly mutters, before bellowing out,"Come all! Surround and defeat these foes!" She raises her blade to the closer of the two in challenge, and dives for the stairs to get a better angle to attack.

Swift action - Challange Blue(+4 AC,+2 damage, Allies get +2 to hit)
Standard action - Activate Tactician{Precise Strike)(5 rds)
Move

Marianna challenges one of the statues, and inspires her teammates with a precise strike!

Round 1
Bold may act
Encounter Map (remember that squares are 10 feet)
Party effects bless (50 rounds), precise strike (5 rounds)

Tabar
Lebrario
Inira
Marianna
Juis
Red -22
Blue (challenged by Marianna)

Lebrario and Inira are up!

Lebraerio looks at the stairs near the statue, knowing he has no weapon able to damage it.

But maybe some magical fire could?

The trick would be to not endanger his companions, so the angle of the spell should be calculated right...

Double move toward the stairs, acrobatics vs AoO: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Inira steps 5' to the side, to use the columns as cover from blue. She aims her bow at red and lets a few arrows fly.

Arrow, PBR, Deadly aim: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Arrow, PBR, Deadly aim: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Arrow, PBR, Deadly aim: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Leb, are you moving at full speed at the risk of a DC 10 higher? It looks like you used regular movement but want to confirm.

Irina pegs one of the statues with three arrows, and each time a chunk of stone is blasted off its body.

I used full move (30 speed*2). My player isn't as gifted in math as his character, unfortunatly.^^

A very stiffly moving statue head slowly turns, following Leb as he sprints up the stairs.

Just before he reaches his destination, Leb turns to see the lumbering arm swinging at him and he hops over it! miss

The same statue turns looking down at Tabar. It picks up its foot, letting it hover precariously over the ratfolk and suddenly breaks into a trampling run through him!

Tabar 21 damage. Your choice: take an attack of opportunity at a -4 penalty OR try a DC23 reflex save to halve the damage.

The other statue turns, spotting Marianna. Challenge accepted! It backs up provoking! just enough so it can swing its stone arms at her.

Marianna's entire body is racked with pain when the stone fists slam into her armor for most of her height!

Round 2
Bold may act
Encounter Map (remember that squares are 10 feet)
Party effects bless (49 rounds), precise strike (4 rounds)

Tabar (-21, DC23 reflex for half OR AoO at -4 vs RED)
Lebrario
Inira
Marianna -23 (AoO vs BLUE)
Juis
Red -37
Blue (challenged by Marianna)

Everybody is up! (with extra action to Tabar and Marianna)

NOTE Looking back at some of the attack rolls, some may have forgotten that bless is in effect. Use it while it lasts!

Tabar 5 ft steps with his dog, uses his blue scarf and tries to avoid the trampling and then attacks!!

Swordmaster’s flair blue swift action to extend his reach by 5 ft.

reflex : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

“Ouchhh! That hurt!!!“ the little ratfolk shouts.

+1 Adamantine Rapier: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 281d4 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Tabar prepares for a counterattack with a parry…

+1 Adamantine Rapier Parry, -4 size, answering +4, 1 AoO and 1 panache spent : 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

… and riposte.

Riposte, Immediate action, +1 Adamantine Rapier, answering +4 : 1d20 + 4 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 13 = 361d4 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 4 = 15
crit?? : 1d20 + 4 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 13 = 281d4 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 4 = 13

Rapier +12 (18-20/×2) To hit:bless +1, Size +1, BAB +4, Weapon Focus +1, Finesse +5, Enhancement +1 / Damage: +5 from Dex via ‚Fencing Grace‘, Enhancement +1, + 2 Haunt Collector Champion Seance Boon

Juis takes a step back to give himself some further distance from the statue and then slings one of the enchanted stones at the it.

Sling (Magic Stone) +Bless vs Red: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 = 9
Damage (Magic Stone): 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

5' step, Sling attack

GM : Fiery Breath is 15 feet range, each square is 10 feet. As long as Leb hurls the fire horizontally or toward the ceiling from the stairs, do you consider that Tabar is out of range?If so:

Lebraerio sends a fan of fire from his mouth, aiming at the statue's head

Fire dmg: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 4, 5) = 16

Tabar deftly inserts his blade into the nearby statue again, relieving it of another chunk of stone.

Unfortunately, Juis' stone ricochets off of his target statue.

Lebraerio: Yes, you're already at a higher height so this is quite reasonable.

The investigator quickly imbibes an extract, and just after he pulls his hand away from his mouth a fan of flames shoots high over towards the statue's head.

It takes the full brunt of the flames, and the stone of its head seems slightly mishapen.

Irina and Marianna are up! Marianna can take an attack of opportunity against BLUE.

Just noticed that the riding dog has to roll reflex as well.

reflex : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Okay, the dog is dying.

stabilization roll riding dog - con check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Ouch … with 13 hp it is at -8 hp now.

DC 15 ride check to see if Tabar falls prone or can land on feet: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Okay, Tabar’s action above is unchanged then but he is not riding anymore.

Ah yes, thanks for catching that. Does the riding dog have his own page with stats?

Correction: I applied the statue's attack role against the wrong AC against Marianna. Specifically I neglected the improved AC for challenge. That attack MISSES and Marianna has no damage. BUT, the statue did back up and so she still gets the attack of opportunity. Sorry about that. Updated status:

Round 2
Bold may act
Encounter Map (remember that squares are 10 feet)
Party effects bless (49 rounds), precise strike (4 rounds)

Tabar (-21)
Riding Dog (-21, dying at -8)
Lebrario
Inira
Marianna (AoO on BLUE)
Juis
Red -37
Blue -25 (challenged by Marianna)

Irina and Marianna are up! Marianna can take an attack of opportunity against BLUE.

AoO(PA,Bless): 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 11 - 2 + 1 = 17For(PA,Chall.): 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 + 4 = 13

Marianna takes a swing at the giant statue for she raises her shield to deflect it's fist. Then, seeing no other good option, she jumps off of the stairs and through where the statue was set up to take a second, more wild swing.

Move - Blue gets an AoO
Attack Vs. Blue

Attack(PA,Bless): 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 11 - 2 + 1 = 13For(PA,Chall.): 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 + 4 = 17

As the statue backs away Marianna takes another chunk of stone out of one of its leg.

She jumps off of the stairs and it swings at her again...

Marianna's challenge proves too strong and again its arms glance off of her armor. As soon as she lands in front of it, Marianna swings again at its legs, but not having set her feet yet is unable to wind up and get sufficient force miss.

NOTE You now have flank with Tabar. That attack still misses with another +2, but for now you have it.

Blue -38 (challenged by Marianna)

Irina is up!

Botting Irina

Seeing one of the statues nearer to her, Irina lets loose another volley of arrows at it.

Arrow, PBR, Deadly aim, Damage: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 211d8 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Arrow, PBR, Deadly aim, Damage: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 301d8 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Arrow, PBR, Deadly aim, Damage: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 111d8 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Two of the arrows cause more of its substance to flake away.

Each statue then turns and attempts to trample nearby Pathfinders. Juis and Tabar both find themselves under stone foot...

Juis 24 damage. Your choice: take an attack of opportunity at a -4 penalty OR try a DC23 reflex save to halve the damage.

Tabar 21 damage. Your choice: take an attack of opportunity at a -4 penalty OR try a DC23 reflex save to halve the damage.

Juis and Tabar really start to feel the pressure in their bodies as they're racked with pain by the trampling statues.

Marianna sees an opening as one moves away from her to trample Tabar. Marianna gets an attack of opportunity on BLUE

Round 3
Bold may act
Encounter Map (remember that squares are 10 feet)
Party effects bless (48 rounds), precise strike (3 rounds)

Tabar (-21; another -21, DC23 reflex for half OR AoO at -4 vs BLUE)
Riding Dog (-21, dying at -8)
Lebrario
Inira
Marianna (AoO vs BLUE)
Juis (-24, DC23 reflex for half OR AoO at -4 vs RED)
Red -45
Blue -38 (challenged by Marianna)

Everybody is up!

Tabar tries to hit the creature as it moves past him.

AoO +1 Adamantine Rapier: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 241d4 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

“Argh! I cannot do this much longer!!!“ the little ratfolk shouts.

He activates his mind barrier!

Still have swift action as Tabar did not parry/riposte last round.

Tabar 5 ft steps and attacks the unbelievably large creature!

+1 Adamantine Rapier: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 221d4 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

No parry as I used my AoO and no riposte as I need the swift action next round.

Rapier +12 (18-20/×2) To hit:bless +1, Size +1, BAB +4, Weapon Focus +1, Finesse +5, Enhancement +1 / Damage: +5 from Dex via ‚Fencing Grace‘, Enhancement +1, + 2 Haunt Collector Champion Seance Boon

Fire on blue: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4

Lebraerio moves a little on the stairs, sends fire on the top half of the statue.. and burns it a little only.

Reflex DC23: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Juis tries to avoid the foot stomp but is unable to. He then withdrawals, as he is seriously hurt and tries to get some distance from the huge foe.

Withdrawal

Tabar just has the awareness to take another chunk of the statue out with his sturdy adamantine blade as the hulking behemoth tries to run him down. He then steps away from his poor riding dog and again lunges at it and now it's missing much of its torso.

As Leb sends another plume of flame at Tabar's stomper, Juis decides that discretion is the better part of valor and safely distances himself from the statues in a strategic retreat.

Round 3
Bold may act
Encounter Map (remember that squares are 10 feet)
Party effects bless (48 rounds), precise strike (3 rounds)

Tabar (-42; mind barrier)
Riding Dog (-21, dying at -9)
Lebrario
Inira
Marianna (AoO vs BLUE)
Juis (-24)
Red -51
Blue -59 (challenged by Marianna)

Inira and Marianna are up! Marianna has an AoO on BLUE.

Tabar, you can take another stabilization check for the riding dog.

Inira takes a single, well aimed shot at red (no AoO due to being a Point Blank Master), and then moves to behind the pillar for some cover.

Ranged attack, PBR, Deadly aim: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Confirm crit?: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Damage: 2d8 + 20 ⇒ (2, 3) + 20 = 25

Acrobatics to avoid AoO from movement: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 18 = 21

BTW Irina, since now you know it is down, would you like to adjust your movement?

Well-aimed indeed, as Irina's arrow finds a violent path through the remainder of its stone body. The rest of its substances begins to break apart as the statue crumbles to the ground. Irina stares at the pile of rubble, scanning for any remaining movement. There is none. Now it looks no different that stone from a collapse building or column.

RED down, good work!

Marianna is up and additionally has an attack of opportunity on BLUE.

BTW Irina, since now you know it is down, would you like to adjust your movement?

Only slightly. Using the next pillar down as cover against blue.

AoO(PA,bless): 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 11 - 2 + 1 = 14For(PA. chall.): 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 2 + 4 = 16

Marianna breathes a sigh of relief when the first statue falls, and continues her chase on the other statue, swinging wildly as she follows.

Move
Attack vs. Blue{=

Attack(PA,bless): 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 11 - 2 + 1 = 15For(PA. chall.): 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 + 4 = 13