GM Erich's 10-15 Tapestry's Trial (Tier 7-11) (Inactive)

Game Master Thereus, Silver Crusader

This is the Discussion thread

Player Name nightdeath
Character Name Kalaron Boulderstep
PFS# for this character 76925-25
Class Shaman
Level 8
Faction Scarab Sages
XP Progression (slow/normal) Normal
Day Job Profession (Librarian) 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18

In case the letter in the handouts is hard to read, here is a transcription...

Pathfinders!

The Hao Jin Tapestry demiplane is on the verge of complete collapse. Despite our best efforts and the personal sacrifice of the former Master of Spells, Aram Zey, we have only been able to slow the demiplane’s disintegration, and it is now only weeks or even days from utter collapse. If this happens, the thousands of beings still within the demiplane will die, and what treasures are still hidden within shall be lost forever. The Society has therefore prioritized rescue and salvage missions, the last of which made a remarkable discovery: Hao Jin is still alive somewhere on the plane of Axis. At this point she may be the only person who can avert this disaster, so it is imperative that you travel to the Eternal City.

Included with this letter is a satchel containing documentation of the Society’s activity in the demiplane, including what we explored, what we
modified, and how we’ve tried to keep it intact since. Provide these to Hao Jin, as I can only assume she doesn’t know of the tapestry’s condition. I have also contacted Jostlyn Ferqyr, Keeper of the Vault of Abadar and a district councilmember, securing her assistance. She shall use a holy relic to transport you to an ideal starting point for your search. From there, find the Ruby Phoenix and convince her to help repair what she created—before its inhabitants and secrets are lost forever.

Finally, be on the lookout for trouble. I have noted and thwarted several attempted scrying attempts in the past two weeks, but I cannot assume my colleagues are so vigilant. You may not be the only ones trying to find Hao Jin.

Sorrina Westyr
Master of Spells

Well, crap. I was just going through chronicle sheets on a PC and just discovered I already played this scenario on March 24, 2019. For some reason (getting old?) I don't remember playing it and nothing we've done so far is familiar.
I do have about 25 replays, so, no biggie about replaying it.

Changed Ivan's profile pic. I like this one better.

Why do we need to wait for the devil to strike first?

I think there is some thought that it will be easier to explain our actions to the monitors that will show up if he takes the first offensive action. I believe we were just told to be prepared to explain ourselves, and I think we can. He refused to leave and started casting a spell toward an object he had no right to keep. I hope that will be sufficient justification.

I was working on this in char.

Esfir listens carefully to the group's musings before answering methodically.

"I am afraid I do not know the answers to all of your questions. As to behavior, one must be respectful here - violence is frowned upon - there is always a better solution than that for conflict resolution. Axis rewards those who follows the rules, so thank you for asking."

[/b][/i]

and this

Esfir nods in agreement. "No one in Axis expects you to not defend yourself, but we have ways to detect violence here, so if it does occur, be prepared to explain your actions to the monitors that will inevitably arrive."

Currently waiting to see if anyone ahead of me can put a Daylight spell out there. If it gets back to me and the Deeper Darkness is still in effect, I can pull an Oil of Daylight and deploy it on my turn. If someone else gets the Daylight going, I have other actions.

Sideline question for the GM.

I am currently prone, but my flight hex is active. What happens if I start to fly? Do I automatically lose the prone condition? Also, the lower level version is of the flight hex is levitate, which allows movement straight up and down. How could that play here?

I am concerned that the devil will continue to move straight up, and to maintain the 30 foot range for my hexes, I will need to move up as well, which will lower my AC against his attacks and make me a big target. If he had not rolled very low on one roll in that first round of attacks, I would already be dying.

I am just trying to understand my options. I suspect if I start to fly I will no longer be prone, which allows me to make my ranged attacks but I will be easier to hit by the devil.

If I can fly and remain prone, hexes and other spells become more attractive than hitting him with the touch spells on my cards. If flying automatically negates prone, I might as well try some of my other spells via the cards.

I would probably rule that I can't be prone while flying, but wanted your thoughts.

Thanks,

Nothing completely RAW here but I would say that since one of the definitions in Prone is "The character is lying on the ground", that you can't have the benefits of prone while flying or levitating. To me, the ranged attack penalty of prone is part you being lower to the ground, but also from literally hiding almost half your body.

Then the next point is do you need to get rid of the prone condition to be able to fly or levitate. Again, nothing is RAW, but I'd say you lose the prone condition automatically as part of the move action to fly as your body lifts from the ground. For levitate, that seems more like an elevator, so you'd actually need to use a move action to stand up.

That makes sense. Thanks,

It will be interesting to see what the Devil does.

Well, that was interesting, but not in a way I had hoped. I am not used to being hit with spells that are the same level I am, which makes his equivalent caster level probably five to seven levels above me?

Given the level of spell cast, the approximate caster level required, size of the effect. and a low tier party, isn't he always going to paralyze at least half the party for at least one round?

It is a cruel spell, especially at this level. If you look it up on Archives of Nethys, it lists it as being able to use it 3/day (from a previous version of the monster, I believe). The Bestiary 5 entry only has it usable 1/day. (Which is the one this scenario uses).

Does Ivan's potion of bull's strength offset the penalty to strength that the devil inflicted?

I assume that between the Aegis of Recovery and lay on hands that I am prone with 4 hit points?

@Ivan The potion is a +4 enhancement bonus and the belt is a +2 enhancement bonus, but they don't stack so you just get an additional +2 from the potion. The penalty was 4 STR, so you are still at -2 STR.

@Awen That looks right for HP, and your flight hex is still active. Remember from Monday's post above that prone disappears when you fly again.

I remember the discussion on prone and flying. Next round, I think I will try and fly up and see if I can hit him with a spell/card, then see if I can get by his SR. If I hit him, I am pretty sure he will come around and kill me.

Wondering what the "Bane caster level check" is for in this post.

These can't be disrupted in combat and generally don't provoke attacks of opportunity. They aren't subject to spell resistance, counterspells, or dispel magic, and don't function in antimagic areas.

Ohhhh... It must be a special ability of Beyschosz.

Hey, has anyone figured out what AC we need to hit for Beyschosz?

It was for the bane spell that your shaman cast.

@Ivan The potion is a +4 enhancement bonus and the belt is a +2 enhancement bonus, but they don't stack so you just get an additional +2 from the potion. The penalty was 4 STR, so you are still at -2 STR.

Right. So, doesn't the potion negate the devil's strength penalty he inflicted?

I'm a bit confused.

The potion only gives you a net +2 enhancement bonus to str because you already an item (the belt) giving you a +2 enhancement bonus.

Your STR was 16+2=18 before, when hit you became 16+2-4=14, drinking the potion made you 16+4-4=16. The bonus from the belt went away when you drank the potion because they do not stack being enhancement bonuses.

Ok. I get it now. The math you showed helped. ;)

Also, if I crit in this game in the future, I'll be sure to roll crit damage. Some GMs would just double original damage roll.

Elby has four more lay on hands attempts and a nearly-full CLW wand (but cannot activate it, as her archetype gives up spellcasting).

If anyone here has played #4–16: The Fabric of Reality on this character...

Awen also have a Cure Light Wounds wand, and can activate it. Do I need to roll the individual charges, or use the 5 average?

I need about 7 charges myself, and can heal others as well.

I could use the cure light wounds wands for all of you.

I also don't have that Chronicle sheet on this character.

5 healing for one charge and 11 for two is fine with me

Speaking of old scenarios, let me know if you have played #7-23 Abducted in Aether on this character.

Elby will need 5 charges from her own wand to fully heal.

I have not played 4-16 or 7-23 with this PC.
Ivan can use those wands on others, too, if needed.

Elby's archetype also gave up detect evil, so we can fall for the trap.

I adjusted Awen's sheet to just be in Axis, with the Mage Armor still active. If the hour for the Mage Armor from the wand runs out, please let me know. I assume we moved fairly quickly to the next location.

Awen has not played any of the scenarios listed so far.

This is an FYI that I'll be away this coming weekend, 6/12-13, with no access to computers or phone signal. I should be able to resume Sunday evening (US/Pacific time). Given that it's a weekend I expect minimal disruption.

The consequences of lousy skill rolls. . .

@GM, do I know whether The Maker is actually a construct or not? I have the spell Disable Construct but I don't know whether Awen would know whether it is useful.

Yeah, I'm surprised with our Diplomacy and aiding totalling 36.

@Sir Ivan That was one success but it needed three...

@Awen Since you know it is an inevitable...

Constructed (Ex) Although inevitables are living outsiders, their bodies are constructed of physical components and in many ways they function as constructs. For the purposes of effects targeting creatures by type (such as a ranger’s favored enemy and bane weapons), inevitables count as both outsiders and constructs. They are immune to death effects, disease, mind-affecting effects, necromancy effects, paralysis, poison, sleep, stun, and any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects, or is harmless). Inevitables are not subject to nonlethal damage, ability damage, ability drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or energy drain. They are not at risk of death from massive damage. They have bonus hit points as constructs of their size.

This is an FYI that I'll be away this coming weekend, 6/12-13, with no access to computers or phone signal. I should be able to resume Sunday evening (US/Pacific time). Given that it's a weekend I expect minimal disruption.

Back. Catching up.

Profile updated for flying and Bless, in addition to Mage Armor and being in Axis.

Ivan will accept the challenge to be Hao Jin's advocate/counsel.

Over to discussion so I don't further pollute gameplay.

Yes, only one person can answer each point. Ivan tries to aid each time. The same person can also try to answer a subsequent point but there will be a penalty to the roll if they do. Other skills than the ones listed can be used if they make sense to use, but they won't get the "useful" bonus to the roll.

Thanks for the reminder on this point. This means Arin shouldn't lead any more.

As we are nearing the end of the trial (maybe this weekend)? It is time for Day Jobs. Go ahead and make your rolls here (if you haven't already).

Perform (Comedy): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Lawful humor!

Player Name nightdeath

Character Name Kalaron Boulderstep
PFS# for this character 76925-25
Class Shaman
Level 8
Faction Scarab Sages
XP Progression (slow/normal) Normal
Day Job Profession (Librarian) 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18

Day job already made.

Player Name: Otha
Character Name: Mythryndyr
PFS Number: 239913-2
Character Class/Level: 7th (Sniper 5/ Urban Ranger 2)
Faction: Liberty’s Edge
Progression: Normal
Day Job: Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

Upon returning to the Grand Lodge, Ivan is debriefed of his mission and asked to write a lengthy report of his experiences as counsel for Hao Jin during her trial.
Profession (attorney/barrister): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Surely, this report will be written into a Pathfinder Chronicle some day.

No day job for Arin.

Who's left that hasn't made a check? We always want someone new, right?

I think everyone has made a check except for Sir Ivan who is not supposed to? I’m untrained in all the performs and I’m -2 on intimidate, so I’m out…

Last call for dayjobs!