[Gameday XI] #2-03: The Rebel's Ransom (Inactive)

Game Master Mustaparta

With a giant stride backwards, the occultist sends a wave of chrono-manipulated energy to wash over the Pathfinders.

Casting Haste on the party. With my movement, everyone should benefit from the spell.

Robyyn focuses his attention on the nearest scorpion, bringing misfortune down on the unfortunate creature's actions. He laughs with glee at tormenting the vermin.

Orange takes serious beating from Yaiho, who kills the green scorpion.

Orange's Will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Two attack Malaz and Lutorinus.

Magenta's claw vs. Malaz: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Yellow's claw vs. Lutorinus: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
CMB to grapple: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33
damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Assume those bushes and rocks count as difficult terrain. Fahd, your token is now in slide.

Fahd moved toward the purple scorpion, and tumbled to try and evade the attacks of the beast.

Acrobatics 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17

Fahd then punches at it with his fist.

Attack 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (18) + 19 = 37
Damage 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22

Fahd doesn't manage to evade its claw, though he hits it really painfully.
Purples AoO: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
slashing: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
CMB to grapple: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

Top CMB (break free): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Left CMB (break free): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Left CMB to move out: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Right CMB to move out: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Only one is still webbed. 3rd round: Robyyn, Lutorinus and Roderick

Roderick smiles with the extra speed from haste as he flies slightly south 5’

”More bombs inbound! “

Burn on prior scorpion : 1d6 ⇒ 6

target two at range…

1-Bomb, range, haste, range: 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 11 + 1 - 2 = 28
for Explosve dmg : 4d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5, 3, 5, 2) + 3 + 1 = 19 10'r splash, 7 fire dmg (DC14 for half).

2-Bomb, range, pb: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 6
for Explosve dmg : 4d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6, 5, 5, 5) + 3 + 1 = 25 10'r splash, 7 fire dmg (DC14 for half).

3-Haste Bomb, range, pb: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 1 = 15
for Explosve dmg : 4d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4, 3, 6, 4) + 3 + 1 = 21 10'r splash, 7 fire dmg (DC14 for half).

he excludes ally from blast on #3 and since #2 is nat-1 will need to resolve splash miss.

Love a good haste! I think that +1 dodge just kept Fahd from being grappled after that claw!

With a spiked hand, Lutorinus makes to grab at the scorpion's eyes and hopefully creating an opening for Malaz to pulverize it with his hefty axe.
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Aid (Attack) vs Malaz: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 Make it go smush! :D

Robyyn pivots in place, attempting the same tactic vs the scorpion threatening Lutorinus and Malaz.

It fails its save.
Will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Bombs hit and kill their targets, one threatening Yaiho and another farther away.
Reflex save (light blue): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
miss: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Next Fahd, Malaz and Yaiho

Fahd punches at purple with his fist several times.

Attack 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21
Damage 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Attack 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25
Damage 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

Attack 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
Damage 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22

Malaz offers an appreciative nod toward the tiefing as he looks for an opening.

Ax of Pesticide! (Haste/Aid): 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 1 + 2 = 19
Damage: 3d6 + 16 ⇒ (2, 4, 2) + 16 = 24

Ax of Pesticide! (Haste/Aid): 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 1 + 2 = 15
Damage: 3d6 + 16 ⇒ (5, 6, 4) + 16 = 31

Oh come on dicebot! What the actual fudge!

Fahd's mighty fists bring down the purple.

IIRC you had received bless, which gives one more +1 attack bonus, from Lutorinus so Malaz scores one hit

Top CMB (break free): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
CMB to move out: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 doesn't move this round

Light blue tries to poison Yaiho with its sting, cyan tries to snatch Fahd in its claws and yellow attacks with both sting and claws.
light blue sting: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

cyan's claw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
cyan's claw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

yellow sting vs. Malaz: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
piercing: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 Fort DC 19 vs. poison
yellow claw vs. Malaz: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
slashing: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
yellow claw vs. Lutorinus: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
slashing: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
CMB to grab Malaz: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24
CMB to grab Lutorinus: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32

Fourth round begins, Lutorinus, Robyyn and Roderick

Remember, yellow has misfortune active; it needs to roll 2d20 for each attack (or save, skill check, etc.) and take the worst roll.

Robyyn continues his assault on the creatures' fortunes, adding another scorpion to his misfortunes.

I'm thinking of using animate dead on one of the scorpions; I would need the scorpion's base stats to calculate its zombie stats. Do you mind sharing the link to their entry on aonprd or another rules site so that I get it right, or do you want to work out the stats and provide them to me?

Yellow misses Lutorinus, doesn't grab anyone. Here's links to Nethys: Giant scorpion Advanced template

orange's Will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

With a new giant scorpion approaching him, Yaiho slams his maul twice down onto the poor arachnid before trying to take a bite out of it's tail.

+1(+3) Furious Earthbreaker (Haste/Bless) vs Light Blue: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 16 + 1 + 1 = 21
Damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (5, 3) + 12 = 20

+1(+3) Furious Earthbreaker (Haste/Bless) vs Light Blue: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 1 + 1 = 24
Damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (5, 6) + 12 = 23

Bite-Razortusk (Haste/Bless) vs Light Blue: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 18
Damage: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Continue Guardian Stance

Seeing his tactic work once before, he shamelessly goes for the eyes again. After a quick grab, he skirts around the scorpion and harries it from the tail. "They're just about finished, then we can move on from this little detour!"
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Aid (Attack, Bless) vs Malaz: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 1 = 25 lol, if only I could give you my dice instead!
Aid another, then move to flank (intentionally provoking an AoO. He is feeling frisky with his 25 AC ;) I don't actually know if this is allowed, but it won't change Lutorinus' movement to flank. Thought there was a rule on Aid Another positioning, but I can't find it -_-

Yaiho's earthbreaker slams twice its target, but when he tries to take a bite, it has already become lifeless.

AoO vs. Lutorinus: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Robyyn, links to stats are in my previous post. Also Roderick can act.

Roderick looks over to the remaining bugs.

I say, do you have those poor critters under your control? Is anyone in need of a curative?

He flies over to the front of other group and readies a bomb on the last bug if it breaks free.

Delaying Robyyn, Fahd and Malaz now up!

Fahd takes a 5’ step forward and flails at the real tinged scorpion with his fist several times.

Attack 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32
Damage 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Attack 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (12) + 17 = 29
Damage 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

Attack 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
Damage 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

Delaying Robyyn....

Did you miss the actions in this post? Or did I miss a post calling for Robyyn to act again?

Did you miss the actions in this post? Or did I miss a post calling for Robyyn to act again?

Sorry, I may have missed that. I was thinking of that Animate dead spell you said you planned using, but its not for this round.

Fahd hits his target twice and its at brink of death.

Yeah, animate dead was just planning. Looks like we have this combat under control, but taking a zombie scorpion along with us when we're done sounds attractive.

Feeling the pain of his injuries, the aphorite redoubles his efforts. With a roar of rage and frustration, he brings the ax-head down in a deadly arc.

Ax of Scorpion Smearing (Haste/Flank) vs YELLOW: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 1 + 2 = 33
Damage: 3d6 + 16 ⇒ (5, 6, 1) + 16 = 28

CONFIRM?: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 1 + 2 = 28
Damage (x3 weapon): 6d6 + 32 ⇒ (2, 3, 1, 2, 6, 1) + 32 = 47

Ax of Anything left? (Haste/Flank) vs YELLOW: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 1 + 2 = 27
Damage: 3d6 + 16 ⇒ (1, 5, 6) + 16 = 28

Anger nearly sated, he takes a step toward the next nearest arachnid threat.

Malaz crushes Yellow's skull completely splattering its remains. Last scorpion finally manages to get out of webs, when it is burned by Roderick's bomb. As Roderick is flying too high for its reach, it chooses to go after Lutorinus.

Cyan attacks Malaz with sting and claws.

CMB to to move out of web: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
sting vs. Malaz: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
claw vs. Malaz: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
claw vs. Malaz: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
CMB to grab Malaz: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22

Time to finish this encounter!

Seeing the last scorpion move into melee, Roderick flies back to the rear of the group and lands.

”I do say, this appears to be the last of the vermin. Finish it quickly and we can proceed. “

Lutorinus flinches a bit as scorpion bits splatter across his back, thanks to Malaz's brutal execution. Here's to hoping a good sand bath will get that out.

He flits between and around the remaining scorpions, trying to draw their attention for the others to take merciless advantage of.
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Total defense (AC 29), then move to provoke AoO's. Here is a question I couldn't find an answer to: can you still provide flank if you are in total defense? Won't change actions here, I want everyone to be able to position freely and conserve my spells while I do :P

Robyyn moves forward, getting just close enough to another scorpion to put his hex on the unfortunate creature. He continues his laughter at the poor scorpion's plight, imagining the new servant he'll have after this encounter.

Fahd keeps swinging at the closest scorpion with his fist several times.

Attack 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25
Damage 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

Attack 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (12) + 17 = 29
Damage1d10 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15

Attack 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27
Damage 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

Fahd kills his target in one hit. Only one scorpion remains so I consider this finished. Recovering a sample of scorpion venom requires a DC 10 Heal skill check.

You have no trouble finding the right path and after trek through the desert, the Hall of Seven Scepters is actually relatively simple to find. It lies at the bottom of a narrow ravine of soft pink sandstone. The winds of the desert blew most of the sand out of this ravine, revealing the entrance to the Hall, as well at the narrow stairs leading down into the ravine.
The entire tomb—the walls, floors, ceilings, and doors—is constructed entirely out of stone.

Between the ever-rolling dunes of sand is a small patch of stone, in the center of which is a ravine, like a crack in the desert floor. Broad, worn stairs lead down into this ravine, at the base of which is an opening, an entrance in the wall of the ravine. There is a host of nine camels, tethered just outside the entrance.

Before leaving the scene, Robyyn asks the Pathfinders to wait. "It's a simple ritual, and it won't take long. The ally we get, though, will be powerful."

He retrieves a small onyx gem from his pouch, and places it in the middle of the most-intact corpse's thorax. As promised, the spell does not take long. A few words and a few simple articulations, and the corpse jolts into animation, seeming to obey Robyyn's commands instinctively and without question.

"There, done."

Animate dead requires "an onyx gem worth at least 25 gp per Hit Die of the undead." I assume this means its final HD after the spell, right? Being large, it gains 2 HD when it becomes a zombie, so it's ultimately a 7 HD creature, even though it started at 5 HD, right? So a 175 gp gem is consumed, unless you tell me that I can get away with the 5 HD it started at for 125 gp. :)

The creature hobbles along as the party moves through the desert, keeping up remarkably well. Though only half the speed it was when it was alive (staggered, only one move action per round instead of two), these scorpions are naturally very fast, so it barely slows the party down at all.

Heal DC 15: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Perception DC 10: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

"Two different groups, here. These three camels are with the Pathfinders we're seeking; you can tell by this brand here," he says, pointing. "The others.... well, not Pathfinders, is my guess."

GM, please feel free to double-check these stats. I used HeroLab, which is mostly right, but I had to remove a constrict attack that the zombie template quite clearly doesn't allow (you lose all "Special Attacks"), so the software clearly doesn't get everything right.

Lutorinus recognizes the spell Robyyn is about to cast and offers a scroll. "This should keep some of the... weariness from impeding it." Should he accept, the tiefling casts it upon the corpse for him.

"And it has been weeks since they've had any food or water," he adds to Robyyn's assessment, noticing a ribs starting to show on the camels. "Let's offer them something to keep going and we can take them all back with us when we leave."
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Heal, DC 15: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Scroll of Remove Paralysis, enjoy the Fast Zombie! :)

”indeed. An excellent plan. Before we enter I willl imbibe a concoction and be ready. If the two groups were working in concert, that would be a formidable force. But as that would assumeHowever I suspect they may be adversaries, and our missing team was hunted here . Caution may be prudent until we know which side is which. “

assuming same day, gulps mutagen before party enters.

Scroll of Remove Paralysis, enjoy the Fast Zombie! :)

Thanks; cool! Shame that's not on the Witch list..., but now I think I should look into buffs for undead. Probably should snag a wand of inflict for healing.

Yaiho lets his Rage subside as he watches Robyyn turn one of the dead scorpions into a pet. He wonders how scorpion taste but lets it slip his mind as the group moves on.

---

Seeing the two different set of camels, "Hmm... Yaiho thinks we have company." to state the obvious.

"Before we all go in, I can make sure the path is safe," Lutorinus offers.
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GM, I'd like to proceed with this post's scouting procedure if possible!

The entrance to the Hall itself is a series of columns leading to a simple stone door that stands open. The columns bear numerous carvings praising the accomplishments of Alkhet Utmari, the Merchant Prince.

Lutorinus scouts ahead while invisible, but doesn't find any traps.

Cool silence greets you as you descend the stairs into the ancient tomb. At their base is a spacious chamber with a large sandstone altar at its center. Set into the walls are four smaller altars, surrounded by ancient writing, each one a little different from the last. On the opposite side of the room are a pair of corridors leading off into darkness and a larger hallway, ending in a great stone door. A trio of rods are slotted into the altar in the center of the room.

Perception : 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

Putting his pipe back into his pocket, Roderick tries to spot anything moving or hidden.

”Fascinating. The number seven? This should be noteworthy to say the least. “

He shares the info he discovered in his astute observation (spoiler)

Fahd takes a position at the front of the group. He moves to begin looking at the altars, starting with the closest one.

Robyyn approaches the central altar, his zombie scorpion at his side; he tries to make sense of the three rods.

Knowledge: 1d20 ⇒ 15
arcana +15, religion +7, others in profile

Remember to place your tokens on slide 4, faction missions are on slide 2 if you are interested.

The central altar is made of the same sandstone as the rest of this place. On the top of it are four holes, one square, one circular, one triangular, and one rectangular. Rods in the central altar are Scepter of Osomi, Scepter of Kiranna and Scepter of Shasha. Knowledge skills don't reveal anything in this case.

The carvings on the walls of this chamber detail much of the history of the Merchant Prince, including his marriages and much of his business dealings.

"Hmmm, four holes, three scepters...." Robyyn considers aloud. He calls out to those inspecting the smaller altars in the wings, "anybody see a scepter on one of those altars? If so, I bet we have a match!"

Which shape is not filled in this main altar? Anybody read Ancient Osiriani?

"I'll take a look!" Lutorinus calls back. He checks for any sign of the scepters.
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No Ancient Osiriani here!

Fahd isn’t the most clever. ”I never understood anything other than normal common. All that other talk is gobbledygook to me…”

Yaiho looks at the altar as the others ponder the riddle, Yaiho points to his maul and then to the altar. "Yaiho smash. Smashing helps..."

Even without language you notice details about rods:
1. Scepter: one large shard of ebony, studded with tiny rubies, and capped by platinum rings. The narrow end of this scepter is triangular. It resided on the northeast altar, which is made of similar materials.
2. This is made of iron, lined with long grooves of silver that converge on a diamond tip. The narrow end of this scepter is perfectly square. It resided on the southeast altar, which is made of similar materials.
3. This is made of copper, with precious pearls spiraling around its surface. The narrow end of this scepter is circular. It resided on the northwest altar, which is made of similar materials.
Missing scepter is made of sandalwood and resided on the southwest altar, which is made of sandalwood and decorated with a fine ivory inlay.

On the top of the altar are four holes, one square, one circular, one triangular, and one rectangular. Three of them already in use by above rods.

FYI, I played this in core, so I have a bit of an idea how to proceed from here. So I’m going to sit back and let the others try to figure things out.

So, based on the past tense of "resided," does that mean that the sandalwood scepter is not present in the room? We'll have to go find it to solve this puzzle?

No, it can't be found anywhere in this room.

As you look around the room you notice pair of gigantic stone doors to north bar your way. Carved into their surface is a pair of figures holding aloft a throne, on which is seated a man of regal bearing. In one hand, he holds a scepter, in the other, a merchant boat. Beneath the carving of the throne, a pair of narrow holes in the door let through a flickering light. A woman’s voice calls out from beyond the door. “I was wondering when someone else would show up.”

"Well, we're here. The question we have immediately is... who are you?"