[GD XI] Redelia's Race for the Runecarved Key (Inactive)

Game Master Redelia

KnowPlanes: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (17) + 20 = 37

The Lady considers this portal and the beast stepping through for a brief moment.

Knowledge planes checks can ID the creature.

Cazic ponders

She is still pondering her decision, but this thing looks huge and possibly evil.

Cazic finishes pondering.

She casts defensively: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (17) + 28 = 45 for a 7th level spell (DC 28) for Bestow Grace of the Champion on herself.

She also casts via quicken spell defensively blessing of fervor defensively: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (20) + 28 = 48 for a 4th level spell (DC 23).

Then tells the party all that she learned! She is convinced here Knowledge planes is sufficient.

5ft step

Burning 1 use of Eylysia's Insight boon to roll a Knowledge check as if it was a class skill with level in ranks; including +4 bonus from tea ceremony.

Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 25 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 25 + 4 = 46

I'm pretty sure I know what Falling Rock will do next, but will wait for those Knowledge check results just to be sure.

ETA: And I think he would have deactivated merciful on his weapon in the moment before all hell breaks loose, if that's OK?

Cazic isn't sure about this creature, but Lady Gabrielle and Falling Rock know the following:

This is a Xacarba. It is an evil, chaotic outsider. It has damage reduction bypassed by good, resistance to fire, cold, and acid, and is immune to poison and electricity. It has strong spell resistance. If a spell is cast near it (within 30 feet), that spell must be cast defensively or the xacarba can change the target of the spell. (failing the cast defensively check also lets the xacarba change the target, rather than meaning the spell is lost)

Falling Rock, Lady Gabrielle, and Cazic may post their turns.

Cazic cast two spells on that turn above.

oops, sorry Cazic...

Falling Rock, yep, considering the nature of PbP, it's fine to make that change. In person I could have been more sure everyone had made those changes before I introduced the monster.

"Stay away from this creature if you wish to cast anything more, Arnault," she advises, before flicking her fan open. The Lady darts towards the nearby building, hopping onto a ledge and taking several running steps on the wall itself to avoid the gigantic creature as she flits behind it. With a quick snap of her wrist, she slashes the edge of her fan at the creature's body just as she lands.

Click boots of speed, then Acrobatics at 54 vs CMD in case it's running Combat Reflexes and is threatening at the moment, to get around the thing, then swift to enter Crane Style and...

Fan, tea set, communal table, haste, defensively: 1d20 + 27 + 4 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 27 + 4 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 47 for slashing with good hope: 1d4 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 12 + 2 = 16 plus: 8d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 2, 4, 3, 6, 4, 6) = 32

OK, here goes... Osyluth's Guile, defensive fighting, Crane Wing, haste, and Offensive Defense raise her AC to 47, 55 if the attack lands. If she's attacked and it misses by 4 or less, she loses Crane Wing's +4 and gets an AO from Crane Riposte, of which she can take twelve each round.

Speaking of AOs, she also has Opportunist and a fortuitous fan, meaning that she gets an AO if someone else hits it in melee, and she gets an additional AO at -5 if she gets any AOs. I'll pre-roll her Opportunist attacks.

Opportunist AO with flank: 1d20 + 27 + 4 + 2 + 1 - 1 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 27 + 4 + 2 + 1 - 1 + 5 = 52 for slashing: 1d4 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 12 + 2 = 16 plus: 8d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 6, 3, 6, 3, 6, 5) = 37
fortuitous fan AO: 1d20 + 27 + 4 + 2 + 1 - 1 + 5 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 27 + 4 + 2 + 1 - 1 + 5 - 5 = 47 for slashing: 1d4 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 12 + 2 = 16 plus: 8d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 3, 5, 4, 5, 5, 4) = 34

Last thing to note, Lady Gabrielle is sporting a menacing amulet, meaning that flanks are at +4 instead of +2 for anyone who flanks with her, and her own flank bonus is +5 due to her Militia trait from her time on the other side of the world. The same place where she learned how to move like that.

@Lady Gabrielle, what choice did you make on Blessing of Fervor?

Falling Rock grins grimly when he recognizes the fiend for what it is. ”Finally, a real challenge.” He takes to the air as he closes with the serpent and swings Skyfall at its head.

Choosing +2 attacks, AC, and Ref from Blessing of Fervor each round unless/until I say otherwise.

Free action for Inspired Moment; swift action for Ranger’s Focus vs. xacarba; bonus swift (from I.M.) to use Ally of Order boon to gain protection from chaos and shield for 2 rounds. (I don’t think the boon counts as spellcasting for the xacarba’s special ability, but I’ve put the full text in a spoiler for you to judge.) Currently at AC 49, CMB 53 until end of my next turn.

Move action to move adjacent, using Acrobatics to avoid attacks of opportunity. Then standard to attack (with Greater Vital Strike, Power Attack, Furious Focus; includes +4 from menacing flank).

Acrobatics to tumble: 1d20 + 23 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 23 + 8 = 50

+5 impact impervious adamantine earth breaker: 1d20 + 36 + 16 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 36 + 16 + 4 = 76
Damage (B): 3d6 + 35 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2, 5) + 35 + 6 = 51 plus Greater Vital Strike: 9d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 6, 5, 4, 5, 2, 3, 6) = 37
Threatens on 19-20, auto-confirms while inspired moment active additional damage: 6d6 + 70 + 12 ⇒ (6, 2, 6, 6, 1, 2) + 70 + 12 = 105
Total with crit = 193 damage!

Edited to fix the crit damage; forgot to add ranger's focus into that, too.

@Lady Gabrielle, what choice did you make on Blessing of Fervor?

woops! I haven't played PF1E in so long, so I didn't know that spell. Let's say she took the movement.

I forgot to add in good hope, since the morale bonuses don't stack with greater heroism from Gabrielle's tea ceremony. But good hope also adds +2 to damage, so that's 6 more added to F.R.'s crit, for 199 total (before DR).

Falling Rock and Lady Gabrielle take down the fiendish snake-like creature. All around you portals keep opening, letting out creatures that seem more and more overwhelming in power.

You seem to have a moment to breathe before any more of the creatures target you directly.

for the record, I need to tell you that you can choose to stop the fight here, if you want. This would reduce the number of points you can get from this part of the adventure. I'd be absolutely shocked if this group did not choose to continue, hoping to get to a fight that might actually challenge you.

Sir Hendric will again use Greater Tactician to share Lastwall Phalanx and Coordinated Charge.

This will last for 11 rounds.

Coordinated Charge means that if any of us charge a foe, any other PCs can charge that foe as an immediate action.

(And if you do charge a foe, Sir Hendric's banner gives a +6 morale bonus to hit on charge attacks.)

Lastwall Phalanx is a +1 sacred bonus to saves and AC against evil foes per adjacent ally with the feat.

Should there be another Initiative roll, I believe that Good Hope gives everyone a +2 (since Initiative is an ability check, specifically a Dexterity check).

Cazic chooses to continue.

Cazic takes on a spiritual form Standard action: A supernatural ability, not a polymorph effect with her Wings of Darkness turning into true Angel like wings resembling the leaves of a tree. + 38 HP

If she has another action after that, she casts Divine Vessel (also not a polymorph effect) to grow to Large size and gain +6 STR and +8 CON, +3 Natural AC, SR 31, DR 10/lawful, Resist Acid/Elec/Sonic 10, Blindsense 30, Bite of 2d6 considered chaotic.

These two effects take her to Large, AC 53, HP 325, CMD 45.

Rilke waits for something else to happen (delay).

Knowledge (planes), Lore Master: 10 + 25 = 35 (Any ideas where this thing came from? Environment? Diet? Typical loyalties?

“Lovely.” Arnaut pokes the fiendish beast with his foot before retreating repositioning to the side of a nearby house. “I don’t suppose anyone knows where it might have come from, or who it might have been working with? Anyway, if you could come back over here Gabrielle…” The bard begins to gently whistle a short, lilting melody that gets a little bit faster and faster with each repetition.

Let’s get Inspire Courage active and cast haste.

The Lady darts over the downed fiend's corpse to rejoin the group, retrieving a wand from some mysterious place in her gown. She speaks a few words and casts a spell.

Move drawing wand, cast shield.

Notes: ki -1/13, boots -2/10, cape -1/3

@Sir Hendric: right, forgot about that part!

@Redelia: Lissala herself? Do we get to chat with a deity? Eh? Eh?

And THAT is why I named his earth breaker "Skyfall." :)

After the xacabra falls, Falling Rock remains hovering in the air to get a better view of the threats appearing all around them. "We're about to have bigger problems," he says aloud. "Time for bigger solutions." He raises his gore-caked earth breaker and invokes the power of the giants in order to grow large again.

Invoking Power of the Giants for the 2nd and last time today. Enlarge Person for 6 minutes, plus gains 18 temporary hp.

Currently AC 40, T 21, FF 34, CMD 49.

And if we reroll Initiative, Falling Rock's current modifier is +16, including favored terrain, good hope, and reduced Dex for Large.

A portal right by you opens, revealing a hideous shape has the head of a feral elk with jagged teeth and sharp antlers. Its humanoid legs end in blackened, burnt stumps.

Falling Rock: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20
Sir Hendric: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Rilke: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34
Arnaut: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Lady Gabrielle: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (19) + 27 = 46
Cazic: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
Cazic: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16
Cazic: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24
enemy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25

I used Falling Rock's new initiative, and boosted everyone else's init by 2 for good hope. If you have any other boosts to your initiative, let me know, but only Cazic is close to the border.

Lady Gabrielle and Rilke may go.
Everyone may roll know:planes to find out about the new creature.
Arnaut, was that roll supposed to be for the last bad guy?

Cazic imagines what this could be? KPlanes: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Lady Gabrielle considers what this Lissalan-sent being might be: KnowPlanes: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (18) + 20 = 38

The creature barely materialises before she dashes towards it, her chiffon gown seeming to float along with her perfectly-balanced steps. She whirls around its flank with dancer's grace and cuts at it with a flick of her fan.

Swift to start Crane Style. Move around it, Acrobatics at 54 in case it's running Combat Reflexes. Then...

fan, tea set, communal table, haste, inspire courage, defensively: 1d20 + 27 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 27 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 3 - 1 = 43 for slashing, good hope, inspire courage: 1d4 + 12 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 2 + 4 = 19 plus: 8d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 3, 1, 1, 2, 5, 3) = 22

AC rises to 51, 59 if the attack lands. Missing by 4 or less triggers Crane Riposte. I'll preroll Opportunist as before.

Opportunist AO, with flank: 1d20 + 27 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 3 - 1 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 27 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 3 - 1 + 5 = 42 - WHIFF!
Fortuitous Fan AO, with flank: 1d20 + 27 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 3 - 1 + 5 - 5 ⇒ (15) + 27 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 3 - 1 + 5 - 5 = 51 for slashing, good hope, inspire courage: 1d4 + 12 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 12 + 2 + 4 = 20 plus: 8d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 2, 1, 6, 3, 5, 6) = 25

Rilke launches an onslaught of arrows almost nonchalantly.

(Haste attack, blessing of fervor (+2 attack and AC). +5 adaptive distracting, greater impervious limning seeking composite longbow, with deadly aim. 19-20 crit threat, +4 on crit attack)

attack 1: 1d20 + 32 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 32 + 2 = 52 for damage: 2d10 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (5, 7) + 18 + 2 = 32 plus acid: 1d6 ⇒ 3
attack 2: 1d20 + 32 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 32 + 2 = 51 for damage: 2d10 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (2, 4) + 18 + 2 = 26 plus acid: 1d6 ⇒ 6
attack 3: 1d20 + 32 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 32 + 2 = 49 for damage: 2d10 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 18 + 2 = 25 plus acid: 1d6 ⇒ 3
attack 4: 1d20 + 27 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 27 + 2 = 46 for damage: 2d10 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (9, 6) + 18 + 2 = 35 plus acid: 1d6 ⇒ 2
attack 5: 1d20 + 27 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 27 + 2 = 32 for damage: 2d10 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (1, 2) + 18 + 2 = 23 plus acid: 1d6 ⇒ 6
attack 6: 1d20 + 22 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 22 + 2 = 32 for damage: 2d10 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (6, 6) + 18 + 2 = 32 plus acid: 1d6 ⇒ 1
attack 7: 1d20 + 22 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 22 + 2 = 28 for damage: 2d10 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (9, 2) + 18 + 2 = 31 plus acid: 1d6 ⇒ 3
attack 8: 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 17 + 2 = 32 for damage: 2d10 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (5, 2) + 18 + 2 = 27 plus acid: 1d6 ⇒ 5

There's probably more bonuses somewhere, but I'm not worried about attacking right now.

Another enemy goes down without even a chance to attack... I'll set up the next combat in the morning.

Ooops

Yep, that roll was for Monster #1. This one is for Monster #2:

Knowledge (planes), GH, Lore Master: 10 + 25 + 2 = 37

“Excellent work.” Arnaut applauds politely as the man-elk topples. “I don’t suppose anyone has ideas about how to nip these intrusions in the bud though? I’m going to be very upset if one decides to make an appearance at my latest premier tomorrow.”

I mean, I know as a player that they’ll stop showing up when the scenario finishes, but the character doesn’t, so it’s something for him to think about while everyone else mows down anyone attacking us. XD

"Perhaps the answer to that is in the curse the thief unleashed on us?" she considers. "Or, it might lie with the Key itself?" she adds, before handing the Runecarved Key to Arnault for inspection. "You are on stage before my own play. This sort of uninvited guest would clear the house for the whole evening, I would imagine."

"End of the world kinda more important than stage things, folks." Rilke restocks her quiver from the other quiver just in case.

"A few portals do not strike me as apocalytpic," the Lady comments. "The Worldwound has not ended us, and it has been open for a long time. Rather, history tells us that the world's end would likely come from beyond the stars or from deep within the earth."

Falling Rock sees how quickly Gabrielle and Rilke dispatched the new monster, and nods approvingly. He ignores the talk about the stage in favor of keeping alert for the next threat.

Sorry for the delay. I'm having a computer issue, but I think it will get fixed this evening. I can only do quick posts from my phone.

The number of portals opening and spitting out evil creatures starts to slow. Another one near you opens and another wendigo emerges, this one looking larger and stronger than the previous one.

Using your knowledge rolls from the previous wendigo, you know this creature has damage reduction that magic weapons go through, and is immune to cold and fear. It has spell resistance, vulnerability to fire. It can curse an enemy to turn into another wendigo.

Falling Rock: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32
Sir Hendric: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Rilke: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
Arnaut: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Lady Gabrielle: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (12) + 27 = 39
Cazic: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26
Cazic: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25
Cazic: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23
enemy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31

Falling Rock and Lady Gabrielle may act.

Inspired moment lapsed after the “breather” round after the xacarba.

”Oh, good, one for me,” Falling Rock says with a growl, and “introduces” himself to the wendigo by slamming his maul into it repeatedly.

Swift action to invoke ranger’s focus vs. the new monster. It's right beside him, so let's try a full attack (with Power Attack and Furious Focus) to maximize the static damage.

+5 Large impact adamantine earth breaker (attack 1): 1d20 + 36 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 36 + 10 + 6 = 72
Damage (B): 4d6 + 37 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 6, 6, 6) + 37 + 6 + 6 = 72
Threatens on 19-20, crit confirm roll: 1d20 + 36 + 4 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 36 + 4 + 10 + 6 = 67, additional damage: 8d6 + 74 + 12 + 12 ⇒ (4, 6, 6, 4, 3, 5, 4, 6) + 74 + 12 + 12 = 136

Attack 2: 1d20 + 26 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 26 + 10 + 6 = 50, Damage (B): 4d6 + 37 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 1, 3, 3) + 37 + 6 + 6 = 59
Threatens on 19-20, crit confirm roll: 1d20 + 26 + 4 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 26 + 4 + 10 + 6 = 48, additional damage: 8d6 + 74 + 12 + 12 ⇒ (1, 3, 3, 2, 1, 6, 4, 6) + 74 + 12 + 12 = 124

Attack 3: 1d20 + 21 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 21 + 10 + 6 = 56, Damage (B): 4d6 + 37 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (2, 1, 4, 4) + 37 + 6 + 6 = 60
Threatens on 19-20, crit confirm roll: 1d20 + 21 + 4 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 21 + 4 + 10 + 6 = 46, additional damage: 8d6 + 74 + 12 + 12 ⇒ (3, 2, 4, 1, 3, 1, 5, 6) + 74 + 12 + 12 = 123

Attack 4: 1d20 + 16 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 16 + 10 + 6 = 41, Damage (B): 4d6 + 37 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 3, 6, 3) + 37 + 6 + 6 = 66
Threatens on 19-20, crit confirm roll: 1d20 + 16 + 4 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 16 + 4 + 10 + 6 = 48, additional damage: 8d6 + 74 + 12 + 12 ⇒ (4, 6, 5, 2, 3, 2, 3, 1) + 74 + 12 + 12 = 124

Bonus haste attack: 1d20 + 31 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 31 + 10 + 6 = 61
Damage (B): 4d6 + 37 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 3, 4, 5) + 37 + 6 + 6 = 64
Threatens on 19-20, crit confirm roll: 1d20 + 31 + 4 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 31 + 4 + 10 + 6 = 60, additional damage: 8d6 + 74 + 12 + 12 ⇒ (6, 4, 5, 2, 5, 4, 1, 5) + 74 + 12 + 12 = 130

Holy heaps of hurt, Batman!!! With two crits, I believe that totals to 580. He's built to do this, but daaannng, that completely obliterates any previous record he may have set for damage per round.

The wendigo looks absolutely destroyed. A closer examination shows it's actually not dead.

(It will slowly heal itself, becoming conscious again in 18 rounds. I can't imagine that in all that time it would not occur to such experienced explorers to try fire; any fire damage would end its regeneration and kill it.)

Combat over.

I'll post more in the morning.

I'm happy to mark off two alchemist's fire, one per wendigo.

Cazic ponders why everyone else is so much faster to reach than herself. Obviously very busy admiring some jewels on her ring finger.

A fanfare of trumpets blasts loudly, breaking through the roar of the combat and ringing of clashing blades. Leading a mounted battalion of armored warriors, Sheila Heidmarch and her husband charge through the streets, driving through the waves of summoned fiends and forcing them to retreat back through their gates to the netherworlds from which they were called. In a matter of minutes, their assault is complete and the streets fall quiet.

Sheila Heidmarch then strides over to Quenly and peers at the key in his hand for a moment before proclaiming, "You have the REAL Runecarved Key!" The two hold it aloft, signifying a Pathfinder victory!

"Today, every one of you has contributed to a triumphant victory for our Society, and you have cemented our place in Magnimar. I’m deeply honored that you have granted me your services. While my lodge is small, you have made it feel like a kingdom. Yet our victory today is somewhat bittersweet. It seems dark forces have surfaced in Varisia - forces which, before today, I was unaware of. I’m sorry to have thrown you headlong into the middle of such chaos. I have already sent word to the Decemvirate of today’s events and await their response. When I know more, I shall contact you, for I fear this key has somehow placed all of us in danger. Still, we should go forth, for now is the time to celebrate!"
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And that's it! Thank you everyone, GMs and players, for participating and making this event a success! :)