GM Valen's PF 1e PFS 1-37 The Beggar's Pearl (CORE)(Subtier 3-4) (Inactive)

Game Master Lysle

Tired of waiting on a wall, he waltzes through it and engages red, taking up position opposite of Merisiel (and probably getting an AoO)

No AoO as the creature only had a dart out, not a melee weapon.

Tusk easily finishes off his foe.

FIGHT IN THE FORGE - Round Two Cont'd/Round Three Begins!

PCs in bold may act

Sarzuket -1 NL
Blue (blinded, readied action)
Ashtoret
Tusk
Goldur
Red -20 HP
Round Three
Merisiel
Korum

Korum runs up to the blue skinned ambusher. "Man oh man! It is really too bad you can't see this coming. I mean, to not even see the blow that killed you? That has to suck. Say, is yer mom nearby? I'd like to console her about your death. Ya know, in an intimate kinda way, like in those epic love poems. She'll quickly forget all about you. Think about that as yer bleedin' out."

Ax of Life Removal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Do you need me to come over and help you out, Korum? Wouldn't want to have you break a nail or something... Meri snickers as she moves around, looking for any new threats.

A step and a shot from a crossbow...

Light Crossbow: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 5 - 4 = 41d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

...but the bolt just hits the corner of the wall.

Korum runs up to the blue skinned ambusher.

It appears that Korum had to enter the area marked with a red-outline to do so.

Korum, Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

As he begins to head towards the blinded blue creature, Korum pauses as he spots an almost imperceptible gap along the stone floor indicating the area has been designed to give way. It's a pit trap!

Token returned to location of PC when trap was spotted. Location of pit trap now revealed on Slides.

Korum may revise his remaining standard action in light of this revelation if he wishes. Successful Disable Device check (DC 20) required to prevent trap from springing so to cross area indicated as pit trap safely.

FIGHT IN THE FORGE - Round Two Cont'd/Round Three Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Sarzuket -1 NL
Blue (blinded, readied action)
Ashtoret
Tusk
Goldur
Round Three
Merisiel
Korum (standard action remaining)

”Delven, I haven’t thought about that poor rascal in years. A more interesting mage I’ve never met. He kept insisting his spells were stronger when he added a, what did he call it…” Goldur gestures flamboyantly in the air. ”Flourish,” he adds with a chuckle. ”He lived in a reality of his own choosing, that much has to be said of him.” As the dwarf rambles, the sound of his voice floating in the air seems to empower the other Pathfinders regardless of how little attention they might be paying him.

Inspire Courage, round 4! Will also move further into the room.

Standard action to shoot Lightning Arc

Lightning Arc, Ranged Touch, PBS, IC, shooting in melee: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 5 vs. Touch AC
electricity dmg, IC: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

Hooray for Trapspotter!

Korum grumbles as he kneels and defangs the trap.
Disable Device: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

As Goldur inspires, Sarzuket's lightning misses its mark and Korum disables the trap.

Living now in darkness, the blue-skinned creature moves with caution until it meets a wall, then it stands with blades at the ready.
Move; readied action

FIGHT IN THE FORGE - Round Three Cont'd/Round Four Begins!

PCs in bold may act

Buffs: inspire courage

Blue (blinded, readied action)
Sarzuket -1 NL
Ashtoret
Tusk
Goldur
Round Four
Merisiel
Korum

Tusk hustles and moves to the other side of the fellow, graciously leaving room for the other pathfinders to move in and surround him.

i.e. double move, and since he could not engage with a single move, he uses the extra movement to get to the other side even though it means drawing an AoO.

"Eager ta die are ya? Happy to oblige. Hold still, this will only hurt for a second, or in your case, the rest of your life."

Ax of Wish Fulfillment: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

i.e. double move, and since he could not engage with a single move, he uses the extra movement to get to the other side even though it means drawing an AoO.

As the half-orc moves, the small creature (blue) sniffs the stale air, then brings his blade to bear against Tusk!

Melee AoO, (short sword): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Damage (slashing): 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

As the half-orc passes, he brings his other blade to bear!
Readied action to attack opponent he senses within reach.

Melee readied action, (short sword): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Damage (slashing): 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"Eager ta die are ya? Happy to oblige. Hold still, this will only hurt for a second, or in your case, the rest of your life."

Korum's axe finds its mark, but he fails to fell the creature. Instead, he simply wounds its severely.

FIGHT IN THE FORGE - Round Three Cont'd/Round Four Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Buffs: inspire courage

Blue -13 HP (blinded)
Sarzuket -1 NL
Ashtoret
Tusk
Goldur
Round Four
Merisiel
Korum

Meri darts around the corner and throws a dagger at the last enemy, seeing as hos the two big burly warrior can't defeat one blind individual.

dagger, 1 range increment: 1d20 + 7 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 7 - 2 - 4 = 211d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

crit: 1d20 + 7 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 7 - 2 - 4 = 51d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Any day, boys...

Light Crossbow: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 5 - 4 = 21d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Ashtoret walks forward, reloading the crossbow on the move, but stumbles with his foot and shoots the newly inserted bolt somewhere to the side.

I reassure myself that I have already done the main job - blinding .)

Meri darts around the corner and throws a dagger at the last enemy, seeing as hos the two big burly warrior can't defeat one blind individual.

Merisiel's blade strikes true, but can do little more than scratch the creature's tough skin. Ashtoret's bolt strikes only stone.

FIGHT IN THE FORGE - Round Three Cont'd/Round Four Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Buffs: inspire courage

Blue -14 HP (blinded)
Sarzuket -1 NL (May be botted)
Ashtoret
Tusk
Goldur
Round Four
Merisiel
Korum

"Anyway, that was years ago," Goldur finishes, looking around as if noticing the ensuing battle for the first time. "Let's get to it!" He draws one of his hammers and steps across the disarmed pit trap.

Inspire Courage! +1 to attack/damage/saves vs fear.

Warhammer + Inspire Courage vs blue: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 = 23 (+1 if it's a goblinoid)
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 = 10

"Anyway, that was years ago," Goldur finishes, looking around as if noticing the ensuing battle for the first time. "Let's get to it!" He draws one of his hammers and steps across the disarmed pit trap.

The dwarf strikes the non-goblinoid hard, though it still stands.

BOTTING Sarzuket - per request

The gnome approaches with his trident and throws it at the blue-skinned creature.
Ranged, Trident (Small), into melee, Point blank shot, inspire: 1d20 + 7 - 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 - 4 + 1 + 1 = 19
Damage (P), inspire: 1d6 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) - 2 + 1 = 2

The trident bounces off the creature's unnaturally tough hide.

Surrounded, the creature sniffs the air to choose a target. Catching the scent of a hated dwarf, it strikes!

Melee, short swords, hatred v Goldur: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5
Damage (S): 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Melee, short swords, hatred v Goldur: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8
Damage (S): 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

It misses the dwarf.

FIGHT IN THE FORGE - Round Four Cont'd/Round Five Begins!

PCs in bold may act

Buffs: inspire courage

Blue -22 HP (blinded)
Sarzuket -1 NL (May be botted)
Ashtoret
Tusk
Goldur
Round Five
Merisiel
Korum

"Ya got some tough skin, but I think yer time on this world is over." The orc slashed down with a vicious overhanded chop!

Ax of 'Are We There Yet?': 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Tusk swings in tandem with the other half-orc, showing no mercy

To hit Orc double axe: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Damage, adamantine: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

The half-orcs make short work of the short foe.

COMBAT OVER

The large-headed, blinded creature falls.

A pair of matching ivory-handled swords are lying amidst the debris in the southeast room. Also, a number of manacles lie about the room.

Two corpses lie discarded in the midst of the broken machinery in front of a door along the southeast wall. Door is now marked with red triangle on Map.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Perception (Trapspotter): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Korum flicks the kill off of his ax. He makes his way to the door. Seeing no obvious traps, he tries the handle. "Damn!" After informing the others that the door is locked, the half-orc takes a few thin rods from his work belt and begins to work the lock.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Opening the no-longer-locked door, reveals a small room with three humanoids chained as prisoners inside.

Room now revealed on Map as area "9".

One, female elf, lies bound by ropy fungal growths that encase her head and send pulsing tendrils along her limbs. Her eyes are bruised shut and her broken state presently marks her as an invalid.

Bizarre, agonizing growths protrude from the limbs of another prisoner, a dwarf. The growths cause the man to cry out in pain. Scars, the result of old floggings, cover his torso, and are slightly obscured by new welts and cuts.

Chained to the wall opposite the other two is a Chelish man. His scalp sports jagged scars and he’s unable to speak, though he moans constantly.

Each of the three appears close to death and in no condition to fight, even if they were to receive magical healing.

Now that you fellows are done ... Meri says with playful jabs to the orcs' ribs as she retrieves her dagger. She rifles through the pockets of their foes and snags the tools.

Always handy to have a back up set...never know when a pick might break...

She scans the door.

perception, +2 traps: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

after Korum opens the door

What in the Seven Hells... she says softly, in revulsion and disbelief.

What in the Seven Hells... she says softly, in revulsion and disbelief.

"You? You speak in Taldane?" the elven woman replies, her eyes no longer able to furnish sight. She mutters quietly, "Jorlin and Torvic were successful then?" Then, with a seeming renewed strength, she offers, "My name is Lyrehawk. I--"

Her words are suddenly drowned by another agonizing cry emitted from the dwarf chained nearby.

"Poor, poor Merisk," the elven woman laments when the echoes of the tortured cry finally subside. "In my blindness, I cannot vouch for his body. But, he clearly remains subject to pain."

"There is another here," she adds, as the Chelaxian man resumes his ramblings. "I know not who he is. As for his mind, I fear it may not have survived the horrors he has endured."

"Wilted Petals!"

Doubtful any of these will apply, but...
Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Too many questions raced through his mind. What are these things? Who put them here? Why? After listening to the elf, he decides to ask about the most immediate issue. "Uh...if I start hackin' at those vines, are you gonna be okay?"

"Move," the old dwarf grunts at Korum. Goldur pushes his way into the room, wasting no time in pulling out a wand. He applies a bit of healing to each, then checks their wounds with a practiced touch. "You're safe now. We'll get you out of here." Goldur inspects the dwarf's strange growths as well, since he appears to be in the most immediate need of help.

Cure light wounds, Lyrehawk: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Heal, take 10: 10 + 10 = 20

Cure light wounds, Merisk: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Heal, take 10: 10 + 10 = 20

Cure light wounds, human: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Heal, take 10: 10 + 10 = 20

Knowledge (arcana or nature) vs Merisk's growths, take 10: 10 + 8 = 18

perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Tusk hears the moans before the door is opened and is ready to fight, though his axe droops when he sees the pathetic sights.

"Good gods, what insanity is this? Probably more wizard mischief."

Not one to sit back and watch, Tusk also enters the room and tries to help as best he can. Of course he knows nothing about treating wounds or diseases, much less exotic magical tampering, so he ends up doing nothing anyway.

What are these things? Who put them here? Why? After listening to the elf, he decides to ask about the most immediate issue. "Uh...if I start hackin' at those vines, are you gonna be okay?"

"They are nightmares brought to hideous life," the elf offers as explanation. "Though, I doubt the process pleasant, I believe they can be severed without causing irreparable harm."

Goldur inspects the dwarf's strange growths as well, since he appears to be in the most immediate need of help.

The magic healing provides some soothing and comfort to the newly-rescued, but it cannot restore them to any fighting condition. They all seem to suffer from the effects of an unnatural fatigue or form of malaise.

Examining the unusual growths, Goldur concludes they are the result of some unholy infusion of magic and the local underground fungi. The growths have carry several hallmarks of fey magic, but also a hint of the insubstantial, suggesting a fusion with elements of shadow magic or something akin to it.

"Fae huh?" Korum touches the head of his great ax to the growths.

The weapon is made from cold-iron.

In any case, Korum will do what he can to remove the growths, taking care to do so without making contact with his skin.

Now THAT he can understand. Tusk joins Korum in severing the growths. Note that I said severing and not nambly pambly touchy feely stuff. Hearing the word 'fae', he also does this with the cold iron side of his axe.

As always, Tusk freely shares his opinions after echoing Korum's observation. "Fae, huh? Bad as wizards, if you ask me, and more sneaky."

Meri offers her help, not knowing what to do so she takes directions from the others more knowledgeable than she is

The contact with cold iron has no particular effect on the growths.

However, Goldur can confirm that one would not necessarily expect it to. For, if fey magic were responsible for their creation, the magical effect is complete and any residual magic would quickly fade, leaving only the grim results as evidence of it's usage

Any more questions for the freed captives? Also, where to next?

Does anything else need to be done to remove the growths, aside from "apply axe, repeat as needed"? I want to help them as much as I'm able.

Does anything else need to be done to remove the growths, aside from "apply axe, repeat as needed"? I want to help them as much as I'm able.

I assume that you have done all you can to restore them as much as possible.

"I'm afraid this one," Goldur indicates the human, "is beyond me. But we can get all three of you to proper healers. How long have you been down here? And why?" He mostly addresses Lyrehawk the elf, since she seems the most cogent.

Maybe we can rig up a litter or something to help carry the more affected ones? Meri asks as she looks around for anything that could be used.

"I'm afraid this one," Goldur indicates the human, "is beyond me. But we can get all three of you to proper healers. How long have you been down here? And why?" He mostly addresses Lyrehawk the elf, since she seems the most cogent.

“How long we have been held here? I cannot say,” Lyrehawk replies. “What is the span of time of agony? How many sunsets pass as one lies darkness? We have been held here for several months, at the minimum, if I were to hazard to guess.”

“As for why? Our own bravado, I suppose,” laments the elven woman. “And because it pleases the woman who whispers nightmares.”

“I served for a time among of the Aspodell Rangers. It was within the mountains that I met a dwarven prospector by the name of Torvic Scrathmane. By all accounts, he is descended from the renowned dwarven craftmaster Barek Triongger. He was seeking his ancestor’s lost workshops, reputed to lie beneath the Aspodells.” Lyrehawk explains, recalling a time that while, perhaps not too distant, was far more pleasant. “Torvic’s drive was impressive and he convinced me that he could, in fact, find the Gallery of Wonders. He was able to convince Jorlin and poor Merisk of the same and together we joined Torvic’s foolhardy expedition.”

“Armed with only a bare handful of clues to inform our quest, just some tattered manuscripts and an unusual luminescent pearl, we ventured among the Candlestone Caverns. Though having only fragmentary descriptions of Barek Triongger’s Gallery of Wonders, Torvic was convinced that the Gallery lies within the labyrinthine caves winding beneath the Aspodells.” she continues. “The quest was not without setbacks. One night, just as Torvic sensed that we were closing in on the Gallery, a thieving vagabond visited our camp before vanishing in the night with Torvic’s heirloom pearl and the manuscripts remnants.”

“Despite these losses, we still managed to locate Barek’s hidden hall. If only we hadn’t, perhaps then?” Lyrehawk pauses, her eyes grow wide as if she had found herself suddenly alone. After taking a few deep breaths, she continues, “We may have discovered the Gallery, but we were not the first to have done so. “

“She is called the Lady Morilaeth—a cruel creature, a worshipper of nightmare—she possesses the terrifying power to reshape dreams and to bring them to hideous life!" Awe and fear pervade the woman's words. "She had claimed the craftmaster’s shadowed galleries and we found prisoners within Barek’s workshops. The Lady and her derro thralls subjected us to inhuman tortures and vile fungal concoctions muddling our memories, depriving us of rest and slumber, pushing us towards the brink of madness.”

Maybe we can rig up a litter or something to help carry the more affected ones? Meri asks as she looks around for anything that could be used.

“I am eager to leave, as you may have gathered. I remain quite weak, but the promise of freedom provides strength. I believe I can get out on my own, and help the others, provided there is a clear path between here and the entrance to the Candlestone Caverns.” Lyrehawk replies. “Will you be accompanying us as we leave this forsaken place behind?”

Tusk waits patiently trough the long-winded story, growing bored after several seconds when there is no mention of battle, only mind games and wizard weirdness. When she stops, Tusks mind replays the last thing she said and he snorts.

"Leave because of a madwoman suffering from bad dreams? I think not!"

Sarzuket, still in shock at the sight of the wounded, finally manages to channel some of Gozreh's power into the room, excluding the vines upon hearing that they are fungi...

Channel to heal living creatures, Selective Channeling: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10

"Let me know if that made you feel better... other than that all I can think of is sunlight... shrooms don't do well without some kind of shade. And yes, we'll escort you wherever you want. Wait until we're done here and don't you go wandering off!!"

"Let me know if that made you feel better... other than that all I can think of is sunlight... shrooms don't do well without some kind of shade. And yes, we'll escort you wherever you want. Wait until we're done here and don't you go wandering off!!"

"Yes, the healing helped, but I am afraid more will be required before we would be capable of rendering any aid."[/]b Lyrehawk responds. [b]"Though, I have no desire to remain here any longer than necessary, we are in no position to leave on our own. We will stay as you suggest. But, please, be careful and return."

A grim look overtakes the elf's face, "For if you fail, I fear our past torments will pale in comparison to the incomparable horrors that will follow."

Where to next, Pathfinders?

I know these are tough times, but I hope this post finds you all well.

Where would the party like to head next?

Bugger me! I thought we were waiting on the NPC's for some reason. Apologies.

Korum trusts that the elf knows what she's talking about. He takes note of the door in the corner. "I hate the idea of leaving something unchecked behind us. Good way to find a knife in yer back." He hunches over and takes a look for traps and the like.

Trapspotter 10' {Perception}: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20 {+1 for traps=21}

It looks terrible... although I can imagine worse things. The pale girl finally gave voice. Let's go further, through other doors. I would like to see this gallery. And her mistress. Here the girl swallows and you realize that despite her bravado, she is scared. Of course, if you imagine yourself in the place of these unfortunate people and anyone will feel uncomfortable...

I moved the token on the map to the next door, but I won't open it myself ))

Korum finds no traps and the door, carved from translucent alabaster and shaped into delicate arabesques to reduce its weight, can eventually be made passable.

The passage before takes a sharp bend, before eventually terminating in a similar door of translucent alabaster.

Breaking down the door requires a (DC 18) Strength check. Also, the door has Hardness 7 and 15 hp.

Map and location of Korum's token now updated.

How do you wish to proceed?

huh...didn't get notis for this game..weird...good thing i checked out of curiosity...lol

Meri goes to back up Korum and checks the door with her keen elven eyes.

perception: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 2 = 33

Tusk waits to the side, ready to implement his own door opening technique if Merisiel is unable to.

Fidgeting a bit he offers, "You know I can take care of that thing in a few seconds if it gives you any trouble."

Meri goes to back up Korum and checks the door with her keen elven eyes.

Even through the alabaster door, Merisiel's sharp ears detect activity, a series of scratches and clicking noises. The door does not appear to be trapped, but it is stuck.

Do you wish to accept Tusk's offer to handle the door?

Meri points to her ears to show Tusk there is motion on the other side. She moves out of the way to let him handle the door. She takes out a dagger ready to throw it at any new target.

Tusk cracks his knuckles and gives the axe a few experimental swings. In spite of his personality, Tusk's combat style is more one of finesse than brute strength and is pretty sure any attempt to force the door open would just result in a sore shoulder. Besides there is something satisfying about using his adamantine toy to break things up. Making sure his axe is sharpened well, the takes a full bodied swing at the door near where it is stuck.

To hit Orc double axe: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Damage, adamantine, whetstone: 1d8 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 11 + 1 = 20

*bam*