TOZ's The Blakros Connection [PaizoCon 2022] (Inactive)

Game Master TriOmegaZero

Elby double moves into the room. "How do these things feel about fire? I can call a spirit into my weapon to set it aflame, if that's worthwhile."

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

As the flame strikes her, she swifly calls on her deity to heal her wounds.

Lay on Hands: 4d8 ⇒ (2, 8, 5, 1) = 16

As Elbesamiya moves between the last set of pillars, she finds fire arching out at her!

Fire Trap: 6d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 4, 3, 4, 6) = 20 Reflex for half.

15 Elby (Damage: 10/20, pending Reflex save)
14 Patrick
13 Daratar
13 Bon Jon
13 Mun
11 Radiarch
10 Green

Mun carefully and cautiously attempts to cast a spell to protect both he and Selune, and then begins guiding the pair forward, though he chooses to skirt the edges of the room, avoiding the kind of trap that befell Elby.

Elby manages to avoid the worst of the flames, healing her wounds swiftly. Mun attempts to channel the magic properly, but loses hold of it at the last moment!

Primal Magic Effect: 1d100 ⇒ 77

The mirror shards explode into spectral flames that blanket a 20ft radius outward, fire licking at any living creatures!

Fire Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Radiarch Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 11

15 Elby
14 Patrick
13 Daratar
13 Bon Jon
13 Mun
11 Radiarch (Damage: 5, On Fire)
10 Green

Anyone starting their turn within the area will take 1d6 points of fire damage and need to succeed at a Reflex save to avoid catching fire.

After he casts his spell Daratar will also move forward.

reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Patrick moves out of the area and carefully attempts to get his See Invisibility going.
concentration: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

Patrick successfully controls the magic, preventing further surges from happening as he moves away from the flames.

15 Elby
14 Patrick (Damage: 1)
13 Daratar
13 Mun
13 Bon Jon
11 Radiarch (Damage: 5, On Fire)
10 Green

Delaying Bon Jon.

Stealth: 1d20 ⇒ 1

The fog creeps out from around the corner, roiling slowly forward. As it does, the party sees a husk of an arachnid crawling along within it, enveloped by the mists. Missing legs slow its advance, but the swarms of smaller spiders spilling from its open wounds more than make up for that loss.

16 Bon Jon

15 Elby
14 Patrick (Damage: 1)
13 Daratar
13 Mun
11 Radiarch (Damage: 5, On Fire)
10 Red
10 Green

Party is up! Knowledge Religion to ID the second enemy.

Daratar will try and work out what the new creature is.
knowledge (religion) (+2 if regarding daemons, demons and devils): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Check to see if I catch fire:
reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Daratar manages to avoid setting his clothes alight, while he thinks the horror is an undead spider called a deathweb. Nothing about it's capabilities comes to mind however.

16 Bon Jon

15 Elby
14 Patrick (Damage: 1)
13 Daratar (Damage: 6)
13 Mun
11 Radiarch (Damage: 5, On Fire)
10 Red
10 Green

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31 Resistances, Special Defenses, Special Attacks, and I'll let you pick beyond that if the roll qualifies

Daratar moves forward out of the fire and (assuming that the hungry fog casts a shadow) he will start chanting again and make a grasping motion in the direction of the fog, causing the fog’s shadow to rise up and attempt to grapple its owner.

If the fog casts a shadow Daratar casts shadow trap on the fog using concentration and again using his shadow stencils to boost the DC to 22.

concentration check: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26 when casting shadow trap

CHAAAAARGE! Elby moves through the floor, possibly triggering more traps, and smacks whichever creature looks more solid.

+1 Impact Adamantine Lucerne Hammer, Power Attack: 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 17 + 2 = 30
Bludgeoning Damage: 3d6 + 10 + 9 ⇒ (1, 5, 5) + 10 + 9 = 30

This damage is >NONLETHAL< unless the creature is immune to nonlethal damage, resists bludgeoning but not piercing damage (in which case it is piercing instead of bludgeoning), or has already refused an offer of surrender.

-2 AC for one round.

Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Bite AoO: 1d20 ⇒ 13
AoO Damage: 2d8 + 12 + 9 ⇒ (3, 6) + 12 + 9 = 30

The undead monster bites out at the half-orc as she advances in, dealing a severe wound! Seeing the gaseous form of the mists, Daratar aims his spell at the deathweb instead. As Elby smacks into the undead horror with lethal effect, its shadow binds it in place!

Hearing Daratar call out the creatures name, Mun recalls the monster retains is no longer poisonous but the swarming spiders that surrounds it are. Elby experiences that as the swarm washes over her! Fort save vs nausea and one dose of poison!

Swarm Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Mun recalls little else, beside the creature being a powerful brute capable of knocking foes flying!

15 Elby (Damage: 33, 1 Fort Save)

14 Bon Jon
14 Patrick (Damage: 1)
13 Daratar (Damage: 6)
13 Mun
11 Radiarch (Damage: 5, On Fire)
10 Red (Damage: 30, Entangled)
10 Green

Patrick fires magic missiles at the undead spider, the only safe option with Elbesamiya up close and personal with it.

concentration: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33
mm: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 1, 1) + 3 = 6

At least the spell didn't go awry.

k religion: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23

Sorry for the posting delay - life has been a little hectic recently.

Bon Jon shakes himself out of his torpor and charges forward at the spider. Dragon Style allows him to charge through his allies

Swift action to spend 1 ki to activate Draconic Fury

Unarmed strike, charge: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 11 + 2 = 29
B dmg, dragon style: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 + acid dmg: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7

Reflex vs fire dmg? boon vs fire effects, evasion: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 10 + 1 = 24

Current AC (with Mage Armor and Barkskin and charging) is 24 (and Bon Jon also has ShadowForm active - thanks!)
Draconic Fury round 1 of 3

Hungry Fog Touch AoO on Elby: 1d20 ⇒ 9
Negative Energy Damage: 6d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 2, 6, 4, 4) = 21
Deathweb AoO on Bon Jon: 1d20 ⇒ 14
Bite Damage: 2d8 + 12 + 9 ⇒ (7, 5) + 12 + 9 = 33

As Bon Jon and Elby advance, the monstrous foes reach out to attack, wispy tedrils of negative energy washing over the paladin while the undead spider bites the monk. Even worse, as Bon Jon charges through, the flame trap ignites again, before arcing out at!

Random Secondary Targets: 2d3 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3
Fire Damage on Bon Jon: 6d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 3, 4, 5, 3) = 23
Fire Damage on Radiarch and Selune: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 3) = 10

Bon Jon's fist strikes true as Patrick's missiles do the same! Radiarch dives aside, trying to put out the flame.

Reflex vs Trap: 1d20 ⇒ 15
Reflex to put out fire: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Burning Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Bon Jon also finds himself standing amid the swarming spiders!

Swarm Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Edit: Deathweb Will Save vs Shadowform: 1d20 ⇒ 10

The bite finds Bon Jon less substantial than expected!

15 Elby (Damage: 21)

14 Bon Jon (Damage: 15, Reflex against Fire, Fort vs Nausea, 1 poison dose)
14 Patrick (Damage: 1)
13 Daratar (Damage: 6)
13 Mun (Selune Reflex against Fire)
11 Radiarch (Damage: 16, On Fire)
10 Red (Damage: 52, Entangled)
10 Green

Mun and Selune still have actions!

Reflex reroll per OOC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Too much 2nd edition - add two more missiles
mm: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2) + 2 = 7

15 Elby (Damage: 21)

14 Bon Jon (Damage: 15, Reflex against Fire, Fort vs Nausea, 1 poison dose)
14 Patrick (Damage: 1)
13 Daratar (Damage: 6)
13 Mun (Selune Reflex against Fire)
11 Radiarch (Damage: 16, On Fire pending reroll results)
10 Red (Damage: 59, Entangled)
10 Green

Delaying Mun tomorrow night if needed.

Sorry, weekends are normally busy, and I've got a trip coming up; this one was particularly so.

Reflex (Selune), shield companion: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 1 = 18 evasion

Mun decides that buffing is proving too risky in here, he sends Selune forward to engage the strange undead spider; he follows closely behind.

Selune darts forward; she was already anticipating Mun's command. She dives towards the central mass of the undead arachnid, trying to open a hole in the creature's rotten underbelly.

Mun's hammer smashes through the spiders carapace, scattering the swarming insects as the deathweb collapses! Selune finds the fog easy to bite instead. In return the fog oozes forward, attempting to engulf everything in its path!

15 Elby (Damage: 21)

14 Bon Jon (Damage: 15, Reflex against Fire, Fort vs Nausea, 1 poison dose)
14 Patrick (Damage: 1)
13 Daratar (Damage: 6)
13 Mun
11 Radiarch (Damage: 16)
10 Green (Damage: 12)

Bon Jon, Elby, Selune, and Mun can choose to Reflex to avoid the engulf OR choose to AoO the hungry fog as it moves. All but Elby need to make a Will save against shaken as well. Party is up!

Reflex, Mun: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Reflex, Selune, shield companion: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 1 = 22 evasion

Will, Mun: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Will, Selune, shield companion: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 1 = 21

I didn't realize that this was two different monsters overlaid on each other. Was there a Knowledge check for the fog as well?

Knowledge (): 1d20 ⇒ 8
dungeoneering +4, arcana/local +7, nobility/planes +9, religion +14

Daratar assesses his options for dealing with the hungry fog. He steps sideways away from his companions, fixes his gaze on the ooze and begins to chant.

Daratar will step sideways and then use the Misfortune hex on the hungry fog (DC 20 vs will), followed by Cackle. He will concentrate on both just in case they could trigger a surge.

concentration check: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26 When using Misfortune.
concentration check: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (16) + 17 = 33 When using Cackle.

If the engulf counts as the fog trying to 'directly attack' Bon Jon, it will need to make another DC 25 will save vs the shadowform or only do 20% damage to him (if the engulf damages) and have any other effect from the engulf be 20% as effective or only have a 20% chance of working on Bon Jon. If it doesn't count as trying to 'directly attack' then the spell won't affect the engulf.

Elby is not the dodging type.

+1 Impact Adamantine Lucerne Hammer, Power Attack, AOO: 1d20 + 17 - 3 ⇒ (15) + 17 - 3 = 29
Bludgeoning Damage: 3d6 + 10 + 9 ⇒ (3, 6, 1) + 10 + 9 = 29

+1 Impact Adamantine Lucerne Hammer, Power Attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21
Bludgeoning Damage: 3d6 + 10 + 9 ⇒ (1, 2, 2) + 10 + 9 = 24

+1 Impact Adamantine Lucerne Hammer, Power Attack: 1d20 + 17 - 3 - 5 ⇒ (6) + 17 - 3 - 5 = 15
Bludgeoning Damage: 3d6 + 10 + 9 ⇒ (4, 1, 1) + 10 + 9 = 25

Engulf Damage: 6d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 1, 1, 4, 1) = 13

As the fogs closes around Elby, she finds the negative miasma staggering, preventing her from taking her second attack! However, that second attack is enough to dissipate the fog!

15 Elby (Damage: 34)

14 Bon Jon (Damage: 15, Reflex against Fire, Reflex against Engulf, 1 poison dose)
14 Patrick (Damage: 1)
13 Daratar (Damage: 6)
13 Mun
11 Radiarch (Damage: 16)

*hack* *cough* That was very unpleasant. Anyone mind pathcing me up, or should I do my own thing?"

"If anyone needs help with a healing wand, hand it to me now while I'm still able to invoke the power of my patron to aid with concentration."

Daratar will help anyone who needs help with their cure light wound (or infernal healing) wands. He'll also use his want to heal himself.

cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 concentration check: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32

Once everyone has been sorted out for healing and is ready to continue on, Daratar will have a quick search around the room...

perception: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (20) + 22 = 42

...and will then sneak over to the unexplored entrance to the north and cautiously poke his head around the corner to see what he can see beyond.

stealth: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (12) + 20 = 32
perception: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (18) + 22 = 40

As Daratar sneaks off to the exit beyond, he sees that it leads to a long hallway branching off into several other smaller sections of the wing.

Patrick follows Daratar to look down the side entrance

Daratar gestures to the rest of the party that it’s safe to move up and once one of his more martially focused allies has joined him at the entrance to the hallway he will sneak into the corridor to cautiously investigate what he can see in the room at the western end.

stealth: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (11) + 20 = 31
perception: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (8) + 22 = 30

As Daratar approaches the threshold of the smaller room, he feels an almost physical aura of dread emanating outward. Within, several of the books on the shelves are burned beyond recognition while others lay in pools of blood, their pages weeping more as the puddle edges evaporate.

Daratar will quickly see if he can spot any book titles to get an idea of what they are about and will also briefly ponder what could be causing the books to bleed and the feeling of dread….

knowledge (arcana or planes) or spellcraft: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21+2 if knowledge (planes or religion) and regarding daemons, demons and devils. If it’s knowledge (religion or dungeoneering) the bonus will be +8 rather than +17.

…before (if he doesn’t spot anything else of interest), creeping back out of the room to cautiously investigate the room to the north of the hallway, pausing briefly to wave to his allies as he passes the entrance to the larger room.

stealth: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (20) + 20 = 40
perception with see invisibility: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (7) + 22 = 29

Seeing nothing immediately useful, Daratar quickly moves on to the next entryway. While much of the sealed wing is in considerable disrepair, this rooms seems largely untouched by the battle that had come before. Bookcases that rise from floor to ceiling line the walls of this spacious library, and the table in the middle of the room, although somewhat damaged from the reversal of gravity, is strewn with open books and crumpled notes.

Assuming he doesn’t spot any obvious threats, Daratar will sneak over to the table to take a look at the books and notes.

Patrick follows, pausing to look at the bleeding books.
perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34 also with See Invisible
k arcana: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (17) + 21 = 38
k planes: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (8) + 19 = 27
spellcraft: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (19) + 21 = 40

Mun joins Daratar and Patrick, similarly investigating the books, trying to determine if there's significance to them, or if their mark was just creating destruction for destruction's sake.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16
Knowledge (): 1d20 ⇒ 5
dungeoneering/nature +4, arcana/history/local +7, nobility/planes +9, religion +14

Looking over the notes, you find a list of books and page numbers. The writing looks relatively recent compared to the tomes stored in the sealed wing.

When the party is ready, they can begin researching the archive for clues! Normal research rules apply, 8 hours per check. Please let me know who is primary and who is secondary.

Appropriate skills are Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (planes), Linguistics, or Profession (librarian), while the wing grants a +4 on Knowledge checks.

Elby (Damage: 34)

Bon Jon (Damage: 15, Reflex against Fire, Reflex against Engulf, 1 poison dose)
Patrick (Damage: 1)
Daratar
Mun
Radiarch (Damage: 16)

Profession Archivist?

knowledge arcana: 1d20 + 21 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 21 + 4 = 45 (Primary)

Daratar starts looking up the information referenced in the notes.

knowledge (planes) +4 on knowledge checks: 1d20 + 17 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 17 + 4 = 38 (+2 if regarding daemons, demons and devils.)
kp reduction: 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Roll to confirm
ka: 1d20 + 21 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 21 + 4 = 37
kp reduction: 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Crit confirmed -> 18 kp

As Patrick marshals the other Pathfinders into organizing the scattered notes, it becomes clear that someone was researching the Dimension of Dreams. Pages have been torn from some books, only to be used as bookmarks in others. Notes on the torn pages reference literature contained in the Lower Planes Archive elsewhere in the sealed wing. According to the registry, one book on the Dimension of Dreams is missing: the Libram of Forgotten Dreams. This book purportedly contains dozens of rituals pertaining to that realm.

It quickly becomes apparent from the references that the Lower Planes Archive is none other than the dread room of burned and bloody books. Steeling yourselves, you enter and begin to catalogue the findings within.

All researchers must make a Will save due to long term exposure to the Lower Planes Archive.

Before long, the party is able to determine the researcher veered away from the Dimension of Dreams and toward seemingly random books on Abaddon, the Abyss, and Hell. They underlined unrelated passages and circled chapter numbers for some unknown reason.

8 hours have passed!

Elby (Damage: 34)

Bon Jon (Damage: 15, Reflex against Fire, Reflex against Engulf, 1 poison dose)
Patrick (Damage: 1)
Daratar
Mun
Radiarch (Damage: 16)

Patrick sighs when he realises the Dimension of Dreams is involved, especially since his familiar is a tiny sized Nightmare Dragon. Dao, on the other hand, considers this situation hilarious.

Patrick responds with

How many in this party understand Draconic?

will: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Lingustics: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34

linguistics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
will save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 (+1 vs illusion, +2 vs shadow spells)

”I think there’s a hidden code in these underlined passages.”

Daratar speaks Draconic.

Will Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Elby patches up some of her wounds and tries not to look bored.

Lay on Hands: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 3, 3) = 11
Lay on Hands: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 6, 2) = 17

Sorry all. Work/life tho. Back on track and healing from the burns. Draconic language here too.

Radiarch also patches himself up through Lay on Hands and smirks at Patrick's discussion with his dragon.

Lay on Hands: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9
Lay on Hands: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11
Will: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Feeling refreshed and healed, Radiarch will work as sentry while the others research, keeping an eye on anything that could threaten their work with longbow in hand.

Well spotted Daratar. I came to the same conclusion

k arcana: 1d20 + 21 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 21 + 4 + 4 = 38
kp reduction: 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18