[GPT] 3-24: The Golden Serpent (Inactive)

Game Master Sedoriku

Golthwur casts detect magic and then starts rummaging beneath the beds.

Perception to Search, if necessary: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Spellcraft to Identify item largest item, if necessary: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
Spellcraft to Identify item next largest item, if necessary: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
Spellcraft to Identify item smaller item, if necessary: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28

"Check for any candy," Muy Tath says. "I'm getting a bit peckish, and we didn't have anything at the restaurant."

Eltran looks at the others.

"Let us go and find her! But you guys have to lead the way ..." he says a little insecurely.

Hayden nods. "We should try to ambush her in her room. Without the key, can we unlock the door?"

Double checking that everyone is at full health.

I think I am!

After searching the whole room also with detect magic, Eltran would move to area D again and check the doors that they still need to open.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

He casts mirror image on himself again and in case he did not see a trap then he will open the door.

images: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Down 20, I think

Golthwur was previously healed by Hayden, but don't expect a "thank you" from the old curmudgeon.

Hayden uses his healing wand to undo the wounds lifelink is taking from Tath.

Take on his 20 points of damage.
CLW wand: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
CLW wand: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Hayden will be down 1 point

Narius gives a nod, "You can break down her door or try unlokcing it. I can pick it for you if you really can't take care of it yourself, but you have to promise to banish me as soon as I do."

Under the bed is a small collection of 100 gold pieces and two scrolls, Golthwur identifies one as a scroll of displacement and the other as a scroll of Keen Edge

Narius leads you to the door to the Mistress's room and unlocks it for you, and running away as fast as he can after doing so.

The opulently decorated bedroom beyond is dominated by a huge comfortable bed along the center of the west wall. Silk privacy curtains embroidered with exotic Vudran designs flank either side of the headboard, while a dresser and wardrobe rest against the north and south walls. To the northeast is a personal table with vanity mirror and basin, and to the southeast is a small writing table. Sitting on the edge of the bed is an unusual sight, Sendeli Foxglove, the owner of the Golden Serpent.

Before anyone can ask, she stands up and looks at everyone with a wicked grin, before pulling out a compact and checking her face in it. She seductively coos, “She’s a little slender for my taste, but she has a pretty face, don’t you think?” After a second, the visage of Sendeli fades as a bright orange and red scaled woman with red, almost mesmerizing eyes glares back at you. Instead of a normal arm on each side of her, she has three snakes that writhe about.
"Seems you know who I am, now, what can I do for you?"

Hi GM! In which room are we on the map?

"Ohh ... a well, we are the ones who ... will get you!" Eltran says and starts to inspire courage!!

Inspire courage: +2 to hit and damage!

Hayden steps forward, keeping his bow ready, but at his side. "Maelpheta, I presume? I am Sir Hayden Greyrun. But did you know that already? Were you pretending to be Sendeli the whole time or are you just practicing?"

He waves his hand. "It hardly matters. We have recovered your prisoners and broken your work here. There's little else for you. Surrender now and we will not hurt you. If you wish to flee, that's also possible. But your time here is over."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Tath might want that Keen Edge effect, and probably the Displacement too. I think from what we know she's a full-attack machine.

Unfortunately, I don't think we have a wizard to cast those scrolls.

"Say, I could cast one or more of the spells on those scrolls we have found," realizes Golthwur. "Being that you mundane beings are likely able to do little against a magical foe without some sort of arcane assistance."

The wizard retrieves one of the scrolls. [b]"Of course, as the one makes you appear about two feet from your true location, it would be prudent to cast the other first to ensure that the second does not get misplaced."[b]

Preparing to cast keen edge on Tath from scroll.

you're in the room I didn't reveal on the map yet, whoops!
Meaphtra gives a snarl as Eltran starts to inspire courage. "You silly little men. You mess with my minions, steal my playthings and banish my underlings. You shall die by my hands, there's no way I would surrender to the likes of you!"

She moves as if to start striking but before she can do so, everyone but Tath seems ready to react first.

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
Round 1: Rakshasa Snake lady!

General active conditions Inspire Courage, (+2 to hit, damage and saves vs. fear)
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

★ Golthwur
★ Eltran
★ Hayden -1

Maephtra
????

Tath

Bolded may act.
>>>Maps<<<

Hayden limps up to the doorway, calling on the Dawnflower's blessing. When he spots her, he feels the fiery wrath of Sarenrae fill him.

Casting Divine Favor, moving, then Smite Evil on her.

Eltran starts laughing.

"You really look funny now that we can see you properly! That tongue!! Ha ha ..." he says and casts hideous laughter.

DC 17 Will save and as they are both outsiders there is no saving bonus for the Rakshasa.

Eltran then moves back.

Knowledge (planes) to identify Maephtra: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15
Golthwur wants to know, if he fireballs her, will she burn. If he cannot tell or, if the answer is "yes":

Golthwur casts fireball, sending a small bead of fire to explode near the foot of the bed, hoping to catch Maephtra, but not his allies in instant conflagration.
Fire damage, Reflex DC 18 for half: 5d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 5, 2, 2) = 15

kn planes : 20 + 14 = 34

Forgot Tath wasn't up and I shouldn't be waiting for him! Whoops.

Sir Hayden calls divine judgement down on Maelphtra, ready to smite her properly.

Eltran keeps his inspiring up and then tries to cause the woman to start laughing.
Caster level check, Eltran: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

She gives a few hissing chuckles as the spell fizzles against the woman's spell resistance. "It's hilarious that you think that is funny!"

Caster Level check Golthwur: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Golthwur can recognize her specifically, but he does beat her spell resistance just barely as she gets singed by the heat.
reflex, modifier left out: 1d20 ⇒ 4

She takes full damage.

Eltran recognizes that she is a marai rakshasa!
You can get three pieces of information.

Maelphtra gives a hiss as she singes slightly and glowers at the wizard, as she steps into a better view of everyone in the room. Raising all six arms, they all seem to gather energy around them. Each arm is a different color and gathers a different colored ball of energy.

The amethyst viper fires a freezing ray at Hayden hitting him in the chest and dealing 5 cold damage to him. He also feels the cold starting to sicken him. A DC 19 Fort save or be sickened for 2 rounds

The rimson one fires on Golthwur, the heat burning him for 5 damage, and threatening to light his clothes on fire. A DC 19 Fort save or start burning (1d4, DC 19)

Next the emerald head fires a beam at Tath, the acid burning a hole in the man for 6 damage and threatening to make him sick to his stomach. A DC 19 Fort save or be nauseated for a round

The Magenta takes aim at Eltran but the electrcity it spits is grounded by his heavy armor. The turquoise fires another bolt of sonic energy at Golthwur for 2 damage and threatens to stun him in place with it's shrieking vibrations. A DC 19 Fort save or be stunned for a round.

And the final violet arm fires a bolt of force at Hayden, but his armor is padded enough to absorb the blow and not affect the man at all.

Finally, the extra fancy looking shortsword that Eltran looted off the body of the elf impersonator back at the Golden Serpent changes into a small snake of multihued scales. It hisses and then lashes out at the bard who had been carrying him the whole time. However its teeth painfully clatter against the bard's breastplate and chips one of them causing the small thing to cry in pain. "OWwwwwww!"

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
Round 1/2: Too many d- - - snakes in this d- - - dungeon!

General active conditions Inspire Courage, (+2 to hit, damage and saves vs. fear)

Before your Turn:
★ Hayden DC 19 Fort save vs. Sickened
★ Golthwur DC 19 Fort save vs. Burning and another vs. Stunned
★ Tath DC 19 Fort save vs. Nauseated

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

★Tath -6

~~~~Round 2~~~~
★ Golthwur -7
★ Eltran
★ Hayden -6

Maelphtra -15
Snake sword?

Bolded may act.
>>>Maps<<<

DR, resistances, defenses please GM.

DR 10/Good and Piercing, Spell resistance 23, and no special defenses but she does cast spells as a 5th level sorcerer.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
I'd like to use my shirt reroll. I'm a 4 star GM
Fort Save: 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 4 = 31

Tath keeps his stomach together. Lucky he didn't find any candy earlier. He starts swinging his favorite naginata around.

+1 Naginata, Power Attack Furious Focus, Inspire Courage: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 13 + 2 = 25
Slashing Damage, Power Attack, Inspire Courage: 1d8 + 8 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 6 + 2 = 24

+1 Naginata iterative, Power Attack, Inspire Courage: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 8 - 2 + 2 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 6 + 2 = 20

Fort save (DC 19) v. burning: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Fort save (DC 19) v. stunned: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Golthwur looks visually pleased as the outsider singes. However, he is soon alarmed when his beard bursts into flames.

Like a spiteful child, he lashes back, calling upon his arcane bond to send a second fireball at the flamestress!

Fire damage, Reflex DC 18 for half: 5d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 5, 4, 1) = 17

His beard continues to wick.
Fire: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Fort Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Hayden steps forward wincing as both the cold ray as well as the bruises that form under his armor from Tath's wounds. He raises his bow and fire a holy missile at the woman.

Attack (PBS, DF, IC, smite): 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 33
Damage (PBS, DF, IC, Smite): 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 = 15 Bypasses DR

Hayden takes 5 damage from Tath from LifeLink.

Hayden is also at 22AC vs her

Eltran 5 dt steps back and continuous his inspiring laughing.

"Wow!! A snake sword!!? Really funny … but do not laugh properly!!! Ha ha ..." he says and casts hideous laughter again.

Continue inspire courage. DC 17 Will save and as they are both outsiders there is no saving bonus for the Rakshasa.

spell resistance : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Huh, apparently burn deals damage immediately and gives a reflex save to avoid catching fire... SO...

Golthwur Reflex vs. DC 19: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Golthwur catches fire for 1d4 ⇒ 4 rounds. At the end of his turn he takes another 1d4 ⇒ 2 fire damage.

Tath avoids getting nauseated wit a heroic attempt at recovery, before he steps forwards and slashes into the woman in front of him. His first just barely gets through the surprisingly touch armor of her scales, and cuts, but not as deep as he would have expected. DR 10 not passed

His second is too shallow to properly cut into her right shoulders and glances off the amethyst headed snake with an unhappy hiss.

Spell resistance Caster level check, Golthwur: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Wow, the wizard is lucky with his caster level checks!
Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 7

A second fireball burns the rest of the room of the outsider as she too gets caught in the flames. She gives a smile at the wizard, "Don't expect to be lucky a second ti-" but is cut off as the flames envolop and burn her. She glares at Golthwur, "HOW! HOW HAS A PUNY SPELLCASTER LIKE YOU HIT ME NOT ONCE BUT TWICE WITH A FIREBALL?!"

She seems to puff up ready to unleash her wrath on the wizard as she gets pegged in the shoulder by an arrow from Hayden. "WAIT YOUR TURN! I HAVE A WIZARD TO FRY!"

She almost is ready to take a step back when Eltran's spell hits.
Will saves, Mae/Swordsnake: 1d20 ⇒ 151d20 ⇒ 11 The large seven headed rakshasa gives a hiss at the bad joke from the bard, but the smaller snake starts to convulse on the ground, sizzling sounds of laughter coming from his mouth.

Furious at how horrible this is going, Maelphtra steps up to Tath and sends all seven of her heads and fangs snapping at the samurai.

The first two heads on the left are blocked by Tath's weapon, but the third finds a weak point in his armor coming in and sinking in its teeth. Her main head finds a weak point in his armor and critically tears out a chunk of flesh. One of the right heads fails to find purchase on Tath's armor, but the other two land in soft flesh injecting their venom deep.

2 regular hits, 2 crit threats, only 1 of which confirmed, for 21 piercing (I believe, the stat block fails to specify). She also injects him with a confusion venom with each hit, meaning Tath needs to make 4 DC 19 will saves or become confused for 1 round.

The small snake on the floor writhes in laughter before trying to get a grip.

Will: 1d20 ⇒ 18 He stops laughing, mopping up a few tears with his tail and hissing again at the bard. "You make Sarkos MAD!"
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
Round 2/3: Too many d- - - snakes in this d- - - dungeon!

General active conditions Inspire Courage, (+2 to hit, damage and saves vs. fear)

Before your Turn:
★ Tath 4 DC 19 Will saves vs. Confusion for 1 round

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

★Tath -22

~~~~Round 2~~~~
★ Golthwur -13 On fire for another 3 rounds
★ Eltran
★ Hayden: -11

Maelphtra: -61
Sarkos: prone

Bolded may act.
>>>Maps<<<

Hayden stares down Maelphtra as he draws another arrow to smite her. "Focus too much on the Wizard and your redemption will pass you by."

Attack (PBS, DF, IC, Smite): 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 34
Damage (PBS, DF, IC, Smite): 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 = 17 Bypass DR

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 19
Extra Damage: 2d8 + 8 + 2 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (6, 1) + 8 + 2 + 4 + 6 = 27

Another 5 damage transferred from Tath to Hayden.

"I have had it with these Maelphtra snakes on this Material plane!" shouts Golthwur. As he speaks the words, he can feel his lips burning.

Although the old man realizes that he may have a better chance of snuffing the flames if he were to stop, drop, and roll, the wizard hesitates as he does not want to be caught literally lying down with snakes slithering about.

More so, he doesn't want to have to extinguish the flames in the same manner that a mundane being would--not to mention, he always has an ache in his knee whenever he tries to stand up.

Instead, he covers himself in a protective glow.
Casting mage armor

Reflex v. fire: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

He hopes, at least, that the fire within his beard makes him look somewhat bad@$$.

Really loved your post GM! :-D

"You really do not like my jokes!" Eltran says and shrugs.

Eltran then casts glitterdust on the are behind the Maelphtra son only she is hit and not Tath!

DC 18 Will save or blinded and cannot hide via invisibility.

Will Save 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Will Save 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Will Save 3: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Will Save 4: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 7 act normally

Luckily, Muy Tath's dedication to the glorious revolution of Bachuan keeps him focused on battling the bourgeois sorceress. He's going to challenge her. I gain a +2 bonus on AC vs her, -2 vs anyone else

+1 Naginata, Power Attack, furious focus, inspire courage: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 13 + 2 = 21
Slashing Damage, Power Attack, Inspire Courage, Challenge: 1d8 + 8 + 6 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 6 + 2 + 6 = 24
+1 Naginata iterative, Power Attack ,Inspire courage: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 2 = 12
Slashing Damage, Power Attack Inspire Courage, Challenge: 1d8 + 8 + 6 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 6 + 2 + 6 = 30

Maelphtra glares at Sir Hayden with a hatred truly born of one who has been through this s**t before. "Ugh, holy types and their 'holier-than-thou' redemption. I DON'T CARE!" She takes an arrow to the chest for her words though and seems to be on her last feet. She glares back at the paladin in defiance, though.

Golthwur tries to choke the flames in his beard out with a casting of Mage Armor but it fails to do much more than funnel them higher up his beard towards his lips.

On fire: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Eltran drops a bundle of magically summoned glittering construct shavings over Maelphtra and her alone...
Will: 1d20 ⇒ 6
...the thin metal shavings cover her and you can see them nearly get into all seven sets of eyes causing her to have to close all of them until she can clear them out.

Finally Tath overcomes most of the confusion, his conviction and dedication keeping him focused on taking her down. he slashes out, but the rapidly fading venom in his veins throws his aim off as two attacks that would surely finish the rahshaka glance off her scales and the faint barrier of mage armor force around her.

The blinded, bleeding and nearly dead woman takes a moment to stop and breathe before she gives a small "F****ers!" She gives the general direction of everyone four simultaneous forearm jerks, two to each side, and then shouts "BUGGER OFF!" As she does, the red gold cloak on her shoulders billows and she disappears in a puff of grey smoke.

As soon as she disappears, the snake Sarkos blanches some as his blood and gold coloring fade closer to silver, with a small terrified hiss he turns back into a shortsword.

Unless someone counters a spell:
====Combat Over====
Golthwur Reflex DC 19: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
On fire: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Golthwur Reflex DC 19: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Tath: -17
Hayden: -16
Golthwur: -16

You can examine the room as you heal up.

Anything else you'd like to do here, or should I push us to wrap up?

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

"A simple...*phshtt*... dimension door*shptt*... spell," sputters Golthwur as he tries to blow out the flames closest to his mouth as he speaks. "She can't...*chptt*...be too far...*phshtt*, *fsht*."

With the flames finally extinguished, Golthwur casts prestidigitation in an effort to clean his clothing and make portions of his beard grow back. The wizard cannot, however, heal his burns, making his face now look like a ridiculous, painful blend of fresh, white hair and charred, red and blackened flesh.

Nevertheless, the wizard straightens his robes and acts like the result is exactly what was intended.

Trying to ignore any stares or giggles, he scans the room.
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

More intent on avoiding gazes, than actually finding anything.

As Golthwaur's explanation, Hayden turns and rushes out of the room, glancing to the right as he passes the other chamber. He enters the next room and stops, listening for any sounds of Maelphtra.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Eltran looks at the Wizard supreme and can only nod.

spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

"Ehh ... I ... I think she could be anywhere Master Golthwur Sir! I mean that spell could bring her back to the surface. Maybe she will not come back?" he asks with some insecurity.

Eltran looks at the sword Rakshasa.

"Ehh, can someone please destroy this thing here ... I mean Sir Hayden you should take care of this I think?!?" he says and backs away from the shortsword.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

He then looks around AFTER someone took care of the shortsword.

"Oh!! Look here: A secret compartment in one of the desk drawers that contains a bundle of papers and a folio stuffed with various documents. The loose papers are correspondence between Maelpthra and an informant about Syrdathiel and his collection as well as a few sent and unsent letters between the rahshaka and the Aspis Consortium about trading the collection for a variety of benefits and favors. The folio bears Syrdathiel's name on the nameplate and a smattering of his collection that he'd brought with him to show the Society. This is what we were looking for!!" the planar scholar says with a big smile.

"Take them. We should search the building for her before heading back."

I really don't want to look up the rules for sundering. How should we handle the shortsword?

”It is alive!! Just cut into the shortsword!!“ he shouts.

"Alright, hold it up and I'll start cutting it. Don't worry, I won't get your fingers.

+1 Naginata, Furious Focus: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 6 = 17

The sword gives a small shake in fear as Eltran directs his attention to it and then openly clatters as Tath nearly cuts it in two. The sword's snake head of a pommel comes to life. "Mistress is gone. She is not here anymore! Please don't kill me, I can't do anything on my own!" The snake sowrd cowers in fear and will submit to any request you have for it.

It would seem that the mistress has been chased from the building, and doesn't reveal herself no matter how hard Sir Hayden searches. After some healing and finding the hidden documents, the group moves back to the prison and fetches the elf who started this whole mess. He's still cowering from Rach. You pick up Josiah, the priest that the mistress had been playing with and all seven of you now head back to the surface.

It takes absolutely no convincing to get Syrdathiel to come back with you to the safehouse you were supposed to take him to to begin with and then go back to retrieve the rest of his collection. It proves to be an easy enough task to do.

Returning back to Ambrus Valsin and Gauril, they congratulate you for the initiative and determination. Gauril's eyes light up at the deed to the Glass Menagerie and quickly gets into negotiations with Ambrus about who gets to claim the place.

Finally, stopping by the Golden Serpent one last time, Sendali greets her saviors and heroes with a free dinner and a table on the second level. "You're back! Now tell me what actually happened with those thugs after all that?"