GM_DBH's Shattered Star

Game Master DBH

ref save vs Burst of radiance: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Yes they saved, except the spell description says they take it all anyway as they are evil. Oh well. So Elena's spell does nearly as much as Axtons Fireball. :)

Due to the swarm, Elathras is not able to bring the halflings body. Furrowing his brow, he looks from Elena to the unconcious woman and back. Considering Elena's ideas he wonders if they should wake the 'monk' and ask her about the dungeion. Breathing a sigh as he remembers shes a 'Sweettalker' and that was one language he did not know. Wondering how long it would take the 'swarm' to work it's way under the door, he gestures back the way they came. "Whether we fetch something to destroy the swarm, or explore the rest of the caves I think we should take the monk back to the librarians."

Did my burst have any effect? Though i guess we can,t see.

"We have to make a decision quickly. If that door is opened, it will be up to mostly Axton to destroy it. Can you handle it? I can, at most, summon an air Elemental to drag it away from us. Maybe do a tiny bit of damage. But short of sealing it in a stone dome, which means we can't retrieve the body, there's not much i can do," She says, conferring mostly with Axton.

"The other option, as I see it, is to withdraw, find out what it is, and come back with something that can help us destroy it."

"You and I can handle a swarm of insects, no problem! I'm surprised that I can still hear them on the other side of the door! I was convinced that my arcane fire would have wiped them out, already.

"(Hmm, I wonder if a cloudkill spell might have been the better option?)

"But Elathras has a point. I'd rather not have to worry about protecting someone who might try to kill us after she wakes up. Perhaps we can leave her in the care of the scholars, and if anyone knows of anything that's particularly effective against swarms, we can entertain that notion."

”Aye. And who knows? When we get back the insects might have moved on.” He said, hopefully. Tangling with a swarm of bugs did not sound appealing.

"I'm fairly certain that's what I'm doin', lass."

XD Sorry, I can't help but add:

"You mean to say you're not entirely sure what closing a door looks like!?" The priestess calls back, only to realize she was letting her stress get to her.

Listening to everyone's input except Vhane's and somehow hearing the insects through the door still, she nods and darts forward to join Vhane.

"Okay. Then we're not taking any chances!" She says and quickly casts Stoneshape, covering the entire doorway with a coaking of solid stone and essentially sealing off the rest of the cave.

Assuming that works:

Not hanging back to check whether a swarm of tiny insects could somehow worm through rock regardless - if a door was difficult, it shouldn't, but who knew - she turns around and quickly begins the treck back out of the dungeon. "Let's go back. We need to return her to the scholars and figure out what to do."

Rolling his eyes as Elena 'clapped back' at the new dwarf, Elathras Watches as Elena sealed the door behind stone. Nodding, "Well done, Elena."

Realizing Bharam was still carrying the unconscious Monk, he gestures back the way they came. As he begins to head that way, he adds. "Let's return her to the librarians. Since you're carrying her Bharak, with your permission, I'll take point."

@Everyone What do we do after returning the body? Elena's original idea was to then sell the Monk's robe and the +1 cloak of resistances, then buy Swarmbane clasps, maybe a rod of itensify spell and antitoxins/Acid flasks so we can all fight Swarms if we encounter them again. Of course, Axton would have to agree on selling the monk Robe.

However, there is a second wing of the dungeon we could explore instead, by taking the path northeast and hoping we don't encounter the swarm again. But that leaves the question of what to do with the body and when we return it. Good Hope is still running now if we want to use that buff. If we return her to the monks now it will be lost.

My vote went to the first option, Elathras in discussion said he'd prefer exploring more before we return. So we need 1 more person for rule of two to decide what we do.

My vote went to the first option, Elathras in discussion said he'd prefer exploring more before we return. So we need 1 more person for rule of two to decide what we do.

I'm not sure I communicated it well, but what I wanted to do was to take the monk to the library, then return and explore. If someone wants to put forwards a third idea please feel free to do so.

Even if we return to town to purchase stuff, I really don't like the idea of selling the robe off of Axton's back. Since we gave it to him, the time and place he sells it should be his own.

That's fair, and I agree Axton would have to give permission as stated above. I guess between the monk's body and 2 cloaks of resistance +1 we have exactly enough to buy *one* swarmbane clasp if we go shopping now.

"Right. Fair enough. Let's return the body." He said, nodding to Elathras. "And sell some of these cloaks to get something with which we can smash yon bugs. Mayhaps they'll be gone by the time we get back, and if not, we'll be ready." He added, motioning to Elena. "Solid plans all around. Let's get going before the door gives."

So you're leaving the insane Monk with the Librarians and heading to B10 now?

The door isn't locked or trapped to B10. Opening the door shows you:

B10. MOON GARDEN
This ceiling of this room seems to be open to the night sky, yet one that features two moons. Alcoves along the walls appear to have been barred or glassed-in cages, but all are empty, the bars bent and glass shattered. The floor of the room is covered in a twisting carpet of vine-like plants.

You are at the door looking in, what are you doing now?

"Something about this feels off to me. What are those vines? But we should probably investigate anyway. Whoever goes in first, I'll ward you from restraints," Elena says, and she casts Freedom of Movement on the tank that goes in before they do - if one is brave enough to venture forth!

@DBH I think the eventual idea was this: we bring the unconscious monk back the librarians, then go to the market. We use the gold reward for taking her alive and selling the previous +1 cloaks of resistance to buy a swarmbane clasp for Bharak. Elathras stated in discussion that he also buys one for himself. After that we head back and go to B10, unless something stops us from doing this sequence of events. It'd take us a number of hours to do this as stated earlier so all minute/levels buffs are gone.

@Elena. Ok. That clears up where you currently are.

Looking in the room and seeing the broken cages, Elathras looks at the floor asking, "Anyone know anything about plants?"

Nodding to Elana, "Thanks." Hoping he won't need the Freedom of movement as he walks into the room.

"I'm not sure..." The priestess replies, trying to gauge whether she ever saw or read anything about these flora?

Do I know anything of the vines? Also, now that we're back I'll reapply heightened awareness for the knowledge and perception bonusses.

Knowledge nature?: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Right Knowledge. Wrong DC. :)

What now?

Axton starts pulling out his wands.

"We have a number of perilous energy types at our disposal! Acid, electricity, fire (of course), force energy... hm, no cold energy. How did I miss that? I suppose I should have kept that sonic wand, too. Also, I can summon a creature to run through the vines and we can see what happens."

perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Moving into the room, Elathras keeps a keen eye out, as he tries not to step on any of the vines. Calling back to the others, "I don't see anything but plants."

Waiting on everyone to make their rolls.

What do I look like, someone who has good skills? Axton can't make either DC.

Aid another exists.

perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (16) + 21 = 37

"It feels a bit odd to find so many plants here, though. How do they survive? Wouldn't they need water and sunlight, normally?" Elena wonders as she carefully observes it.

I guess her earlier knowledge can count as aid another? Only Bharak can make the nature check now I believe.

Illegal Aid Another/Knowlege(Nature): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

"It feels a bit odd to find so many plants here, though. How do they survive? Wouldn't they need water and sunlight, normally?" Elena wonders as she carefully observes it.

"So... a fireball? Probably, yes."

Hearing Axton say 'Fireball' Elathras, steps back out of the way.

@Bharak. Please put your Perception in your header.

Botting Bharak.

Perception: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (1) + 20 = 21
Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

Bharak is distracted and doesn't spot the hidden threat until it is pointed out to him. Once it is he quickly indentify's it to the group.

Moonflower

Map updated. What are you doing.

Nodding, Elena also takes a step back. "All yours, Axton."

She will cast Bit of Luck on Elathras right before Axton casts his fireball. He can roll all d20's twice for a round and take better.

Map updated. What are you doing.

The only reasonable thing we can do in this situation!

Also, I can't move icons on the map.

Axton pulls out his wand of spiritual weapon, murmurs the mysterious command word, and a razor-sharp dagger made of pure force materializes.

Taking 10 on the UMD roll.

Turning his attention to the Moonflower, Axton's mustache quivers with excitement. He belts out the arcane words to create a deadly ball of fire, and he wills it to combust right on top of their soon-to-be opponent.

Empowered fire damage!: 9d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 2, 4, 6, 1, 3, 4, 3) = 28 <-- Empowered Spell. With the extra 50%, that's 42 damage, and since it's vulnerable, that's another 50% more!

DC 21 Reflex for half damage

ref save vs Fireball: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Fort save vs Massive damage: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

OK, everyone beats its Initiative. I'm saying its dead. :(

There is nothing of value in this room, anything else kept in here was devoured by the Moonflower years ago.

Moving on to the next door B9 you don't need to listen very carefully to hear someone babbling dementedly in here. Something about how much the world owes him for keeping it turning?

What are you doing?

Hearing Bharak explain the 'plant life' was a monster called a Moonflower, Elthras nods to the dwarf, "Well done." Looking towards Axton he smiles, "Fireballs seem about right to me."
-------------
Once the smoke clears, Elathras realizes there is nothing but ash in the room, nodding towards the hall he asks, as he begins to move that direction. "Shall we?" Stopping at the next door, he hears the sound of demented babbling. Raising an eyebrow, he asks, "Before I open the door, anyone want to prepare a speech?"

"I hope it's not one more of that other group gone crazy..." Elena mutters, but doesn't take any other preparations.

Elathras still has freedom of movement for 80 minutes, minus what time we lost determining there was nothing in the room.

Hearing Bharak explain the 'plant life' was a monster called a Moonflower, Elthras nods to the dwarf, "Well done." Looking towards Axton he smiles, "Fireballs seem about right to me."

"I think you'll find that fireballs solve more problems than they create." Axton nods sagely and smooths his 'stache.

Axton points to the spiritual weapon dagger following him around that probably has a couple more rounds left maybe to indicate that he's ready for diplomacy with a crazy person.

Chuckling at Axton's comment, Elathras responds, "Well hopefully we won't need to fireball whoever it is that's saving the planet." Looking to the others he asks, "Ready?" and attempts to open the door.

B9. CENTRIFUGE
This chamber is a squat cylinder with perfectly smooth walls, ceilings, and floors. In the center rises a stepped dais like a five foot-high ziggurat, with a flat platform on its top.

A grotesquely fat gnome bloatmage (a sorcerer who enhances his magic by bloating his body with extra blood) is standing on the dais, he faces you as the door opens and bellows, "Aha! Enter and wonder my friends. You have found the savior at the center of the world!"

What are you doing?

Use the Centrifuge map up top for this.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

"Wow! This room is incredible! What do you do here?!"

Auto pass perception at dc 20.

"He's grasping a lever. A trap?" Elena whispers under her breath, then calls out to the Bloatmage. "A savior? Wow, impressive. Who are you saving and from what?"

Stealth to move closer: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30

Slowly and quietly, Bharak inched closer to the madman. He did not have much confidence that reason or logic would prevail here, and he really did not want to see what happened when the lever was pulled.

Bharak slips up behind the bloated Gnome undetected.

"Is it not obvious? The Gnome laughs, "This room contains the mechanism that keeps Golarion turning. It is I Luonim the vast who makes sure our world turns!"

He gestures welcomingly, "Please come in my friends."

What now?

ninja'd by GM, will edit slightly

Seeing the bloatmage's hand on the leaver, Elathras looks from the fat man to Elena, "Are you sure a trap?"

Realizing she and Axton were trying to distract the man, he noticed Bharak moving closer. Quickly standing at attention he snaps his weapon up in parade rest attempting to get the man's attention. Speaking loudly, "Yes impressive!"

As the man invites them in Elathras looks questioningly at Elena.

I love how people assume that Axton knows what's going on.

Axton steps inside the room, and then to the side to allow the others entrance.

"Amazing! But... what do you do all day? Do you have to pull that lever to do your job? I can't understand what this is all about. Why is Golarion run by machinery?

"Apologies if my questions sound naive, but much of the knowledge of ancient Thassilon has been lost over the centuries. I've come down here to learn!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22

Readied action grapple with +1 from shard of greed?: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 12 + 1 = 30

Having slipped up behind the gnome, Bharak waited for the signal to act. If another party member indicated that it was time, or if the gnome made any sudden movements that were hostile or if he was about to pull the lever, then Bharak was ready to act.

"'Luonim the Vast'? Well, you've got that one right, pal. Of course, I'd say 'vast' is an understatement," he states matter-of-factly.

He tenses slightly when Axton enters the room, but relaxes again.

Bharak can see clearly he wants more of the party inside the room before he throws the lever.

What now?

Seeing the bloatmage's hand on the leaver, Elathras looks from the fat man to Elena, "Are you sure it's a trap?"

"Luonim is one of the missing adventurers. His other two friends attacked us and he doesn't seem any more sane-"" She pauses as something clicked in her mind. "Oh goddess. They walked in, saw the Insanity symbol on the Thalassean cube and it drove them all mad, unlike us. That's why there were sings of them fighting among eachother at the entrance - and why they're attacking us!"

As the man invites them in Elathras looks questioningly at Elena.

Slowly and quietly, Bharak inched closer to the madman. He did not have much confidence that reason or logic would prevail here, and he really did not want to see what happened when the lever was pulled.

Having slipped up behind the gnome, Bharak waited for the signal to act. If another party member indicated that it was time, or if the gnome made any sudden movements that were hostile or if he was about to pull the lever, then Bharak was ready to act.

There's a moment of confusion in which Elana wonders why Elathras is looking at her for directions. Then she sees Axton walk in and makes a snap decision. "We need to subdue him either way. We go in together."

If the others agree, she follows Axton in and says "Now, Bharak!" just as the group enters.

As the party enters Luonim's hand tightens on the lever.

Bharak you may act first as you are behind him and ready. Then we will go to initiatives.

Bharak go!

Readied action grapple goes off

He was waiting for that exact moment, and leapt forward to act. He reached out for the gnome, seeking to tackle him to the ground.

Axton blinks rapidly in confusion as his allies spring into action.

"What? What are you all--

"Oooohhhh, I get it."

Bharak is ready and grapples the bloated Gnome as he tries to thorw the lever. "What? A foul demon has invaded my sanctum!" He bellows in shock.

Bharak has him grappled and barely has to try to hold him back. What are you doing now?

Seriously, he's STR 6! Bharak can smack him around his his little finger.

Smiling has his friend diffuses the situation, Elathras leans his polearm against the wall and starts to remove his pack, asking. "So what do you thing the lever does?" As he takes out his rope he asks, "Bloatmage, so I need to tie his hands and gag him right?"

I'm not sure what to roll to confirm whether or not the mage is under the effect of Insanity from the cube at the entrance, but he doesn't seem all that sane from his behavior.

Heal to confirm?: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (3) + 22 = 25
Sense motive to confirm?: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Arcana to confirm?: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27

Assuming some sort of addled mind is confirmed:

Elena looks at the sorceror in pity. "Yes, on both accounts. To stop verbal and sign-dependant magic, respectively" She agrees with Elathras. "I think he isn't in his right mind, like his friends. We should probably take his weapons and escort him back to the monks. Maybe they'll have a way to undo the Insanity effect... if they don't, we'll probably have to sell part of his belongings to have his mind restored at a temple. I know I would wish for such, if I were ever no longer of sound mind. Shall we head back with him now?" she suggests.

Frisk him, bring him back, continue where we left off here?

Axton plucks Luonim's spellbook and flips through it. He stops after a moment to indicate the lever that the gnome had been ready to push.

"What do you think happens when you pull it?"

"I think he isn't in his right mind, like his friends. We should probably take his weapons and escort him back to the monks. Maybe they'll have a way to undo the Insanity effect... if they don't, we'll probably have to sell part of his belongings to have his mind restored at a temple. I know I would wish for such, if I were ever no longer of sound mind. Shall we head back with him now?" she suggests.

"Morally, I think giving him to the care of the Therassic librarians is our only option. I'm a little concerned that they won't be able to keep our friend here contained, but I would be more concerned if we brought him with us."