[PFS1e] GM Deussu's #2-03 The Rebel's Ransom CORE (Tier 5-9) (Inactive)

Game Master Deussu

Bah, you are right. I always end up muddling up the types of bonus from IC as it mixes them around in the one effect. Competence for attack/damage and moral for saves vs fear and charm. <sigh>

Waiting to see the effect of blowing the save; I may have no choice in my action(s).

Tere's strength straight up withers seeing such ghastly sights.

Strength damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6 ouch...

(Intriguingly, strength damage does not affect carrying capacity.)

Tere retreats around one of the pillars, stumbling at the weight of a sword suddenly turned leaden in his hands, and conceals himself from the hags once he's out of their line of sight.

Stealth check: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21

The other hag shambles through the corridor, turning around the corner and finding Doodle, casting its doom impending gaze upon the poor gnome.

Khellek can see the limping hag, and the shivers go down his spine.

Evil eye on Doodle, Will Save DC 16.
Khellek has to roll a Fortitude save, DC 16, as well.

Round 2
Link to combat map is here
Bold may act
Inspire courage (+2) in effect!

Doodle Hasted
Khellek
Irizati Hasted
Sea hag, red
Tere Hasted
Sea hag, blue

Smelling the nearby Hag Irizati keeps his eyes closed and makes a full attack against her.

Miss chance high is good for me: 1d100 ⇒ 88
Bite including Heroism, Inspire, Haste, GMF: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 20
b/s/p/m damage: 1d6 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 12
grab: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 26
Nat 1 :(

Miss chance high is good for me: 1d100 ⇒ 66
Haste Bite including Heroism, Inspire, Haste, GMF: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 33
b/s/p/m damage: 1d6 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 16
grab: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 25

Miss chance high is good for me: 1d100 ⇒ 84
Claw #1 including Heroism, Inspire, Haste, GMF: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 34
b/s/m damage: 1d3 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 13

Miss chance high is good for me: 1d100 ⇒ 65
Claw #2 including Heroism, Inspire, Haste, GMF: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 26
b/s/m damage: 1d3 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 12

Fort DC16: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
The elderly scholar takes aim at the hag that shuffles into his vision.

attack,IC: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 2 = 25
damage: 1d8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 2 = 7

"They are creatures of the sea.. So think dry thoughts my colleagues. They cannot stand against us."

GM, is that a door between the blue hag and myself or can I engage her?

And remember IC is still active!

GM, is that a door between the blue hag and myself or can I engage her?

No, it's now a free passage. The portcullises "changed places", so there was a gate, but now there isn't. You may engage, but first roll the will save. It can limit your actions.

And yes, the evil eye is also a mindaffecting fear effect. IC's morale bonus applies.

Irizati tears through the red sea hag, and it looks exceptionally wounded. The leopard druid also gets a hold of the despicable creature.

And Khellek too lands a shot from an impossible angle!

Round 2
Link to combat map is here
Bold may act
Inspire courage (+2) in effect!

Doodle Hasted
Khellek
Irizati Hasted
Sea hag, red (41 damage, grabbed)
Tere Hasted
Sea hag, blue (7 damage)

Will save with inspire courage 1d20 + 2 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 12 = 21 +2 vs. Illusions

Doodle takes a 5’ step toward blue and thrusts with her spear at the hag. Just before doing so however, she imbues her spear with arcane energy (Arcane Strike).

Attack with IC 1d20 + 2 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 12 = 22
Damage with Arcane Strike and IC 1d6 + 2 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 + 6 = 15

Could someone move me 5’ please?

Doodle is hasted, so I assume she'll attack once more! Arcane strike is only a swift action to use, after all.

Extra Attack with IC: 1d20 + 2 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 12 = 32
Damage with Arcane Strike and IC: 1d6 + 2 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 + 6 = 13

Doodle doesn't really care about the hag's vicious looks. Instead, she tries to stab the eyes with a spear! And so she does, with gusto! The hag screams with a high screech echoing in the chamber!

The red sea hag, noticing how the obnoxious leopard is keeping its eyes closed and still finding its mark, latches onto it with its sharp claws!

Claw: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 251d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Claw: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 241d6 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 I doubt these hit with all the buffs. Irizati's AC is 25 with haste?

Round 2
Link to combat map is here
Bold may act
Inspire courage (+2) in effect!

Doodle Hasted
Khellek
Irizati Hasted
Sea hag, red (41 damage, grabbed)
Tere Hasted
Sea hag, blue (35 damage)

Thanks, GM. My at work posting almost always has a screw up in it.

Tere emerges from behind the pillar and promptly has to make another Fort save, I think.

DC 16 Fort save, including heroism: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 = 10

The elf feels more of his strength drain from him, and does not advance further.

No, it's an aura that affects only once within 24 hours.

Creatures that are affected by this power or that successfully save against it cannot be affected again by the same hag’s horrific appearance for 24 hours.

Is it once per hag, though?

Intriguing. You're right. I seriously hate the design on this fight.

Strength damaeg: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Tere feels exceptionally weak, strength seeping out of his body.

So Doodle has to roll Fortitude save as well. Irizati has his eyes closed, so he sees no evil. Khellek sees only the blue hag.

Fort 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

Could you imagine this fight UNDERWATER while trying not to drown?!

It sounds like we came in here expecting trouble so regular AC is 29. And I would have wanted a charge off my Mage Armor wand just in case so I'll mark that.

@Doodle I'd prefer not to!

Tere withers from all the ugly hags around him in the chamber!

The blue hag is pretty beat, but still it casts its evil eye on Doodle. Will Save (fear) DC 16 or bad things happen.

Round 3
Link to combat map is here
Bold may act
Inspire courage (+2) in effect!

Doodle Hasted
Khellek
Irizati Hasted
Sea hag, red (41 damage, grabbed)
Tere Hasted
Sea hag, blue (35 damage)

Irizati bites harder.

Pin inc heroism, inspire, haste, GMG, starting in control of grapple: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 5 = 34
rake dmg: 1d3 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 13

Will save with heroism and IC. 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 2 + 2 = 15

Folio reroll on that save please 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

After almost being overwhelmed by the hag’s foul curse, Doodle shakes it off and stabs twice with her spear. As before, she imbues her spear with arcane energy (Arcane Strike).

Attack with IC and Haste 1d20 + 2 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 12 + 1 = 30
Damage with Arcane Strike and IC 1d6 + 2 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 + 6 = 11

Haste attack with same bonuses 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 12 + 2 + 1 = 17
Damage with same 1d6 + 2 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 + 6 = 15

Khellek keeps up the inspiring words. "Of course the history of hags is an interesting one. Humanoids they are infused with magic and work best in groups. We are lucky really there are only two here.."

As he talks, the elderly scholars fingers try to fumble another bolt back into Bessie. "Oh me oh my. I'm not quite so quick about this as once I was."

attack blue, IC, into melee: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 2 - 4 = 20
damage,IC: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Maintains IC for +2 to hit and damage

Irizati takes a good bite out of the hag, and the hag stops moving.

Doodle manages to stave off the stare, avoiding a fate worse than death! She strikes the hag with her spear and ends its abominable existence.

COMBAT OVER

The group has successfully fought off the horrible hags and their horrific appearances and evil eyes. Fortunately none contracted the curse that they afflict.

Doodle holds the new, sixth scepter in her hands. It appears the room holds nothing more of interest.

”Lets look for secret doors and get out of this room. No telling what other surprises wait for us down here.”. Doodle casts Detect Magic and scans the hags, looking for anything useful to complete the hellish mission.

"We have the scepter, and that's the important thing. We still haven't fought any undead, though, and I worry about that. I'm no good to fight right now." He shudders. "The way those things looked...it just sucked the strength right out of me. Irizati, can you cure that?"

Irizati nods and helps look for hidden things.
perception including heroism. Scent: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 15 + 2 = 33

After we check the room Irizati changes back to human.

"I can help restore your strength but we;ll need another day for me to get new spells."

"It's worth another day of eating camel for that. I'm sure Khellek won't mind, either."

"Actually, Camel are highly nutritious." comments the scholar.

"A bit stringy maybe, and we'd want to take it away from the others before killing it. But more than one expedition has survived on camel meat."

The scholar is enchanted by the traps and moving bars, taking extensive notes about the mechanism. "Yes... front page of the chronicles surely awaits me!"

The group decides to rest for another night in the desert to replenish Tere's lost strength to those horrendous hags.

Irizati's keen senses don't sense anything else of interest in the chamber. After an hour and a half the chamber is again refilled with dark, murky water.

With only one way to go, the Pathfinders are forced to solve the puzzle by the swirling blades. Please see [u]the map[/u]. On both sides of the wall across each other is a stone tablet with an inscription in ancient Osiriani. On the eastern wall it reads "The first and worst" and on the western "The last of my hopes".

The rusted scepter's description [u]has been updated[/u].

Extended heroism on myself, Tere and Iriz. I imagine Doodle will do himself and others buffs are up.

Khellek eyes up the inscription. Taking the scepter of Osomi he places it next to the inscription that says "The last of my hopes"
"Osomi was the last love of his life."

Then the scholar takes the unnamed scepter. "By default that makes this his first wife. Doesn't look well cared for does it? I guess if he didn't care for her, he didn't care for the scepter either."

Unless there are holes to place the scepters in?

Even as he places the scepter on the pillar, the scholar starts to regret his assumptions.
Really, I should have the students do some of this physical work. I'm getting too old for this.

Doodle casts her usual predatory spells as the group gets back to it the next morning.

Extended heroism and mage armor.

The stone tablets don't hold any holes for the scepters to be inserted.

With a bit of fiddling, Khellek manages to touch the tablets with the scepters. Touching the western tablet with Osomi's scepter makes it light up gently before quickly fading, and touching the eastern with the Unnamed scepter does the same. Only once he touches both tablets do the lethal blades stop flinging by, letting the Pathfinder to advance to the next step.

Now the eastern panel says "My right hand", and the western "The bringer of faith".

Tere recovers one point of STR with rest (two, if Irizati makes a DC 15 Heal check), and then I suggest that he prepare 2 lesser restoration spells and leave the rest of his L2 slots open for the moment. I'll roll the first two:

Two spells: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2

Yeesh. Two more:

2d4 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3

Last one: 1d4 ⇒ 4

That puts Tere back to full strength, at the expense of five second-level spells.

”The scepter of Kiranna had ‘the right hand’ inscribed on it, didn’t it?”

Tere nods. "And it was Iltorian who taught him faith in the gods. Let's try those."

Khellek looks very pleased. "Oh well done my students, well done. " He shows the hieroglyphs that mean "Faith" again, emphasizing their construction.

As Khellek expresses some perhaps unfounded boast, Tere and Doodle touch the corresponding stone tablets with the right scepters, and the blades stop spinning wildly.

The last set of blades before the door at the end of the corridor has yet another set of stone tablets on both sides. The eastern reads "The desert flower", the western "The luxurious one".

Tere refers back to Khellek's detailed notes on the various inscriptions. "Elea was his desert flower, and he wrote that Shasha taught him to seek the, the best in life. Elea to the east, then, and Shasha to the west." The elf suits action to words, tapping the selected scepters against the tablets.

After doing what he can for Tere Irizati has an idea.

"If we want to wait maybe I can send some scouts ahead. Some risk involved of attracting attention so we may want to prepare."

I think we buffed up before slotting the scepters so this would be right after the way was cleared.

"That sounds like a wise choice." agrees the elderly scholar.

"You know, while it is not really the Varisian way, I have often wondered if I would like to be buried in a magnificent tomb such as this. " Then, realising what he is saying, adds in
"Not this one, obviously. But something just as magnificent."

Irizati summons a medium Air elemental.

In a language even Khellek doesn't speak he then issues orders.

It then heads off quickly down the hallway.

Tere smiles quickly. "It would have to be different, my friend. Unless you've been holding back about yourself, I don't think you have the spouses for a place just like this." Then he settles back to wait for the elemental's return.

"Alas no. But there was once this Kelid woman that I became quite attached to, during one of my studies in the far north. I often wonder what became of her.."

"What language was that Irizati? Druidic? I've always wondered about trying to learn that language. What a challenge, but they say that language shapes thought. So a language all about nature... think of the breakthroughs that could be made in understanding!"

"Auran. I learned during one of my adventures on the Plane of Air."

During our downtime Irizati will share tales of the Skykey and some of the elemental planes.

"Ahh, the Skykey. I too was involved in a number of expeditions to recover parts of that artefact! Quite the expedition, quite indeed. Especially when we put it to use! Why I still can sometimes see the sky falling in on me.."

The elderly man's eyes lose focus as he recalls deeds of only a few years ago.

Tere looks uncomfortable at Irizati's first story. "I...I think the Sky Key did something to me. My first mission as a Pathfinder was a trip back in time to the Age of Serpents, you see. After that, I did some other fairly normal actions for the Society and all seemed reasonable until Khellek and I met on a large expedition to the Sky Citadel of Jormurdun. At the end of the expedition, we recovered the core of the Sky Key...and no one in Society leadership seemed aware of the time trip I had taken using the completed Key." He shakes his head. "It is strange, is all."

”I recovered a little o piece of the Sky Key as well. I can’t imagine how many Pathfinders they had working on that thing!”