GM Enchanter's #2-25: You Only Die Twice (Inactive)

Game Master Enchanter Tim

"Aaaahhh!" cries Golthwur, clearly startled.

He examines the nematodal nemesis.
Knowledge (arcana)?: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18
Subtract 3 from result for (nature) or 4 if (dungeoneering)
Golthwur wants to know: 1) will it burn and 2) does it have reach?

Unless he discerns a solid "no" to 1...
He unleashes a fireball!
Fire damage: 5d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 6, 2, 1) = 15

Otherwise, he retrieves his wand of magic missiles.

If he discerns a "yes" to the other, he only takes a five-foot step. Otherwise, he moves away from it as far and as fast as he can.

"Ahh, a small worm transforms into a large worm! Is that funny?!?! YES!!" Khorshid shouts and casts a spell on the large worm.

Swift action to use hypnotic stare on the worm so it receives -2 to will save.
Casting hideous laughter on the creature but it receives +4 on the save as we are not of the same tpye.
Using Psychic Inception to be able to affect the creature with 50% chance: The hypnotic stare and its penalty can affect creatures that are mindless or immune to mind-affecting effects (such as an undead or vermin). The mesmerist can also partially affect such a creature with his mind-affecting spells and abilities if it’s under the effect of his hypnotic stare; it gains a +2 bonus on its saving throw (if any), and if affected, it still has a 50% chance each round of ignoring the effect. Ignoring the effect doesn’t end the effect, but does allow the creature to act normally for that round.

Golthwur realizes this is a giant undead, rather than a vermin or beast. He remembers seeing a drawing of something similar called a Grave Worm, but not much more. Either he wasn't paying attention to the text, or it was just a drawing without much more information. Yeah, that must be it.

The wizard casts a ball of fire at the worm and it explodes on it. The worm shrieks and it's hundreds of teeth shiver in pain. It does seem that fire works.

Khorshid, does the worm also get a 50% chance to avoid the Hypnotic Stare too, or is it just for other effects while it's under the effects of Hypnotic Stare? Also, what's your spell DC?

Round 1:
Khorshid -20
Golthwur -1 (12 temp hp)
Angela -16
Grave Worm -15
Lancyn -4

**Battle Map**

Sorry, the DC is 18 Will.
No hypnotics stare automatically works on mindless or those immune to mind-affecting effects. The 50% chance only affects other abilities or spell. So -2 to Will from hypnotic stare, +4 from type and +2 on top, so net +4 to the save.

The worm barely even notices Khorshid's spell, though it does seem to react a bit to his stare.

Round 1:
Khorshid -20
Golthwur -1 (12 temp hp)
Angela -16
Grave Worm -15 (stare)
Lancyn -4

**Battle Map**

Angela gives a shudder at the sight of the massive undead work thing. She flips her wand away and garbs up her spear studinying the worm in the process. "Right, I know positive energy is strictly banned, but, uh, Lancyn, now might be the time to smite something if you can."

She pulls out a second extract and downs it as she waits for the proper fighter to get closer first.

Going to down a second Displacement extract. No second deaths for this halfling. If you die in undeath, you die in real life!

The grave worm twitches with multiple antennae and rotten feelers extending in all directions. Just because it's undead though, doesn't mean it's slow and the worm heaves towards Golthwur in a flash, biting down on the fire-flinger. The worm grabs the wizard in its jaws and he feels a rotten undeath all round him.

The worm's tail lashes out the other way towards Khorshid, knocking into him. The rotting stench threatens to overcome him.

Bite at Golthwur : 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20 hit
Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 2) + 7 = 13
Fort Save DC 15 vs disease

Slam at Khorshid: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25 hit
Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Fort Save DC18 vs paralysis

Round 1:
Khorshid -30 (Need DC18 Fort Save)
Golthwur -2 (grabbed) (Need DC15 Fort Save)
Angela -16 (displacement)
Grave Worm -15 (stare)
Lancyn -4

**Battle Map**

Khorshid immediately activates his mirrors when he’s slammed.

MESMERIC MIRROR: An illusory image appears near the subject to throw off attackers. The mesmerist can trigger this trick when the subject is attacked or becomes the target of a spell that requires an attack roll. One duplicate of the subject appears, and the attacker must determine randomly which it hits (as mirror image). For every 5 class levels the mesmerist possesses, one additional image appears, to a maximum of five images at 20th level. Each image lasts for 1 minute per mesmerist level or until destroyed. This is an illusion (figment) effect.

In case It does not have blindsight (I believe consensus is that blindsense and tremorsense etc only locates the square and sight is still needed so mirror image should work):

2 images, d3 and 1 is Khorshid : 1d3 ⇒ 2

1 image would remain.

In case It has blindsight:

fort save : 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 F: +8 (+2 vs. Death Effects, +4 vs. Diseases/Poisons)

I actually think you still had your images up from the last fight, since we only took 4 rounds in between.

The worm's tail crashes through one of the Khorshid's images, seemingly showing that it does have some visual senses.

Round 1:
Khorshid -20
Golthwur -2 (Need DC15 Fort Save)
Angela -16 (displacement)
Grave Worm -15 (stare)
Lancyn -4

**Battle Map**

Fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

The wizard will not be wormfood....yet.

Round 1/2:
Lancyn -4
Khorshid -20 (1 image)
Golthwur -2 (grabbed)
Angela -16 (displacement)
Grave Worm -15 (stare)

**Battle Map**

"No worm holds Golthwur Strath, Master of Mists and Viceroy of Vapor!" With his declaration, the wizard attempts to assume a gaseous form.
Concentration check to cast while grabbed: 1d20 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 5 = 20
Vs. DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + 3 (spell level)

Caught almost off guard by the erupting floor revealing the Grave worm Lancyn snaps out of it with Angela's word reach his ears. "Angela you are quite right! Now is the time to take action!"

Taking a quick step forward Lancyn cries out "FOR VICTORY, FOR THE HEART!" calling upon the Lady of Valor herself to guide his blade.

+1 Adamantine Longsword/PA/Smite: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 10 - 2 + 3 = 28
Adamantine Magical Slashing/PA/Smite: 1d8 + 4 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 4 + 6 = 22

+1 Adamantine Longsword/PA/Smite: 1d20 + 5 - 2 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 5 - 2 + 3 = 12
Adamantine Magical Slashing/PA/Smite: 1d8 + 4 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 4 + 6 = 18

Attacks bypasses DR if it has any and if the Grave Worm happens to be an outsider with the evil subtype, an evil-aligned dragon, or an undead creature please add +6 to each Damage roll.

If the Smite activates Lancyn gets a +3 Deflection Bonus to AC until the worm is dead.

Golthwur is no match for the worm's jaws as it holds him tightly and his spell fizzles.

Lancyn, on the other hand, simply tears into the worm, his sword sizzling as it cuts through the undead flesh.

Round 1/2:
Lancyn -4 (smiting)
Khorshid -20 (1 image)
Golthwur -2 (grabbed)
Angela -16 (displacement)
Grave Worm -43 (stare)

**Battle Map**

"Ahh, the worm eats the mighty wizard!!!" Khorshid shouts and casts a spell on the large worm.

Casting hideous laughter DC 18 will on the creature but it receives +4 on the save as we are not of the same type. So -2 to Will from hypnotic stare, +4 from type and +2 on top, so net +4 to the save.

-

Using Psychic Inception to be able to affect the creature with 50% chance: The hypnotic stare and its penalty can affect creatures that are mindless or immune to mind-affecting effects (such as an undead or vermin). The mesmerist can also partially affect such a creature with his mind-affecting spells and abilities if it’s under the effect of his hypnotic stare; it gains a +2 bonus on its saving throw (if any), and if affected, it still has a 50% chance each round of ignoring the effect. Ignoring the effect doesn’t end the effect, but does allow the creature to act normally for that round.

The worm turns towards Khorshid at first, but then seems happy with his Golthwur chew toy.

Round 1/2:
Lancyn -4 (smiting)
Khorshid -20 (1 image)
Golthwur -2 (grabbed)
Angela -16 (displacement)
Grave Worm -43 (stare)

**Battle Map**

Angela gives a small sigh as Golthwur gets turned into a chew toy. Her initial reaction is to just let the wizard face his fate, but knows she can't leave a pathfinder in danger in good conscience. Instead she moves closer to the worm and swings her longspear around twice, once to help Lancyn with his next attack and then again to help get Golthwur out of the monster's mouth.

“This type of enemy has weak points here, here, aannnd here!” +1 Longspear, Aid another, studied: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 2 = 11

“This type of enemy has weak points here, here, aannnd here!” +1 Longspear, Aid another, studied, Swift: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 2 = 29

Angela misses the worm as she tries to help Lancyn, but her stab does help Golthwur as he's held by the jaws.

Despite the help though, the worm easily gulps down the wizard in its mouth. Golthwur is suddenly battered by stones in the worm's gullet.

Swallow Whole vs aided CMD: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (10) + 22 = 32
Bludgeoning Damage: 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (5, 4) + 10 = 19

Round 2:
Lancyn -4 (smiting)

Round 3:
Khorshid -20 (1 image)
Golthwur -21 (swallowed, grappled)
Angela -16 (displacement)
Grave Worm -43 (stare)

Feeling the warmth of Iomedae wash over him as he slings his blade about Lancyn attempts to slice the worm in twain without decapitating the wizard inside the foul creature. "Iomedae! Protect our Wizen friend as I smite this foul undead creature."

+1 Adamantine Longsword/PA/Smite/aid: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 10 - 2 + 3 + 4 = 24
Adamantine Magical Slashing/PA/Smite: 1d8 + 4 + 4 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 4 + 12 = 25

+1 Adamantine Longsword/PA/Smite/aid: 1d20 + 5 - 2 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 5 - 2 + 3 + 4 = 25
Adamantine Magical Slashing/PA/Smite: 1d8 + 4 + 4 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 4 + 12 = 22

Khorshid moves back 5 ft and casts glitterdust on the creature.

Will dc 18.

“I am almost out of options here!!! Kill it Lancyn!!!“ he shouts.

"Well, this situation is unacceptable," Golthwur mutters from inside the worm. With a turn of his arcane bonded ring and an arcane phrase, he attempts again to assume a gaseous form.

Concentration check to cast while grabbed: 1d20 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 5 = 29
Vs. DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + 3 (spell level)

Lancyn, is that final +4 aid from Angela? She rolled a nat 1, so she failed on her aid to you. It might matter, just asking for a friend...

Oh I misread that My apologies. Please remove +4 from those attacks to make them 20 and 21 respectively.

As he swings his weapon Lancyn realizes the opening that he though was laid open by Angela was actually in fact just his mind playing some tricks on him as worries over the Great Wizard Golthwur who has been swallowed whole!

Lancyn hacks at the worm, tearing another gaping wound in it's side, though one of his strikes just bounces off a bulge in the worm's skin. As the bump moves, he realizes it could be part of Golthwur inside, who is trying to cast a spell, but the violent motion of the worm and the rocks inside make it impossible.

The worm seems to ignore Khorshid's spells again, even as he makes the beast sparkle and glitter.

Round 2:
Lancyn -4 (smiting)

Round 3:
Khorshid -20 (1 image)
Golthwur -21 (swallowed, grappled)
Angela -16 (displacement)
Grave Worm -65 (stare)

**Battle Map**

Botting Angela. Also, the worm gets an AOO on Khorshid when he casts his spell.

As Khorshid casts his spell, the worm spots him weaving magic and lashes out. Fortunately for the gnome, it strikes the last of his images instead of slamming into him.

Angela takes the opportunity to harry the worm with her spear again to help both Lancyn and Khorshid.

AOO: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33
Image? (1=Khorshid): 1d2 ⇒ 2 Image destroyed

“This type of enemy has weak points here, here, aannnd here!” +1 Longspear, Aid another, studied: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 2 = 17

“This type of enemy has weak points here, here, aannnd here!” +1 Longspear, Aid another, swift: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 2 = 24

Round 3:
Khorshid -20 (aided)
Golthwur -21 (swallowed, grappled)
Angela -16 (displacement)
Grave Worm -65 (stare)
Lancyn -4 (smiting, aided)

The worm turns its attention to the paladin who is tearing huge holes in it. It tries to bite at him and slam him with his huge body. Lancyn, however, is no wizard and he shows off his martial skill by evading and knocking sides the worm's attempts.

Inside the worm, Golthwur continues to be battered by stones and the worm's internal muscles. Taking a stone directly to the head, he falls unconscious.

Bite vs Lancyn: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16
Slam vs Lancyn: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20

Golthwur swallow damage: 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (6, 5) + 10 = 21

Round 3:
Lancyn -4 (smiting, aided)

Round 4:
Khorshid -20 (aided)
Golthwur -42 (swallowed, grappled, dying)
Angela -16 (displacement)
Grave Worm -65 (stare)

**Battle Map**

"Ahh, save the wizard!!!!!" Khorshid shouts and steps back to cast a spell on the large worm.

my very last spell.
Still hypnotic stare on the worm so it receives -2 to will save.
Casting hideous laughter on the creature but it receives +4 on the save as we are not of the same tpye.
Using Psychic Inception to be able to affect the creature with 50% chance: The hypnotic stare and its penalty can affect creatures that are mindless or immune to mind-affecting effects (such as an undead or vermin). The mesmerist can also partially affect such a creature with his mind-affecting spells and abilities if it’s under the effect of his hypnotic stare; it gains a +2 bonus on its saving throw (if any), and if affected, it still has a 50% chance each round of ignoring the effect. Ignoring the effect doesn’t end the effect, but does allow the creature to act normally for that round.

Golthwur gasps.
Con check to Stabilize: 1d20 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (15) + 1 - 5 = 11

With Golthwur's impending doom fast approaching Lancyn gives a silent prayer to Iomedae and the rest of the pantheon pleading for Golthwur's safe return to the living.

+1 Adamantine Longsword/PA/Smite/Aid: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 10 - 2 + 3 + 4 = 18
Adamantine Magical Slashing/PA/Smite: 1d8 + 4 + 4 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 4 + 12 = 28

+1 Adamantine Longsword/PA/Smite/Aid: 1d20 + 5 - 2 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 5 - 2 + 3 + 4 = 15
Adamantine Magical Slashing/PA/Smite: 1d8 + 4 + 4 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 4 + 12 = 23

DRAT! The dice gods are hating on me today.

**Begin cutscene**

Khorshid weaves the last of his spells at the grave worm who has managed to ignore all of his previous magic. His plea to save Golthwur isn't amusing to the party, but something about the mental image of Golthwur not dying is amusing to the worm. Suddenly, the worm begins making a gravelly sound. At first you think it might be retching, but you suddenly realize it's some form of laughter! The worm convulses and wriggles on its side as it wheezes. Inside and unseen from the party, Golthwur stops bleeding, but the stones and muscles will continue to batter him soon.

Lancyn, taking advantage of the moment, lunges forward to hack at the worm again. Once more his sword, imbued with Iomedae's divine fury, drives at the worm. It's a clumsy attack, and it likely would simply bounce off the worm's hide. However, with Angela's previous harrying of the worm forcing it into position and now with it rolled on its side, the Paladin's blade finds a soft spot on the worm's underside and rips another gaping wound. The worms shrieks in horrible pain even as it keeps laughing. The laughter causes convulsions which rip open the wound even wider against Lancyn's sword. All at once, the worm's shrieks turn to breathy moans and then quiet silence as it stops moving completely. From the nasty, gaping wound, an unconscious old wizard's head and shoulders fall out. He's covered in blood, guts, and worm juice, but he's breathing shallowly, and pretty much in one piece.

**End cutscene**

Congratulations! Quite a fight!

Party Status:
Lancyn -4
Khorshid -20
Golthwur -42
Angela -16

Angela releases the breath she didn't realize she'd been holding since Golthwur was swallowed seeing that he is okay. She steps up to the wizard's body and uses the butt of her spear to pull him free completely of the worm, just in case there's any final convulsions in its permanent death. She wipes off the grime on the outside of the worm and with a wry smile looks up at everyone. "Oh, it's a shame no one here can cast prestidigitation, Isn't it! Guess Golthwur will have to stay sticky and grime covered until we get to healing him. But we should scour this place for anything important before that, shouldn't we?"

Khorshid sees the whole scene in slow motion as Angela and Lancyn work hand in hand to finally finish off the worm!!

”Oh dear Asmodeus!! You have to agree that this was epic!!“ he says and almost wanted to hug the paladin because he’s so excited.

He immediately uses his wand of infernal healing on Golthwur.

”The Wizard!! Mighty Golthwur will love and live!!!“ he shouts.

With the Grave Worm falling still Lancyn unsheathes his sword from the worm and places it back into its scabbard. Lancyn assists Angela in removing the unconscious Wizard from the worms remains. Once free Lancyn chuckles at Angela's statement about the sticky and grime covered Golthwur. "Yes! Indeed he will live to continue his scholarly search for 'unlimited power'."

Following Angela's lead Lancyn begins searching with a detailed meticulous intent. "Wonder what more could be found here in this desolate church?"

Among the rubble of the room and the altar, you find a phylactery and a wicked scythe, both inscribed with magical runes of Urgotha.

And of course, you retrieve the book that you glimpsed earlier. Testament of Geb

When you are ready to return, you have the magical token to teleport you back to Absalom.

Surprised at finding a few more items Lancyn quickly wraps a cloth he pulls from his knapsack around the items, being careful not to make direct contact with the items out of caution. Securing the items he gathers around with the remainder of the group pulling Gulthwur close to the group.

"Seems like we have completed our mission here. Before we go how is everyone feeling otherwise. Seems like a foul creature of undeath like that," Lancyn points to the grave Worms remains "might infect or pass along any number of diseases. Iomedae has blessed me with the abilities to stave off or completely cure those afflicted in such ways."

Lancyn has the Disease Mercy, so he can remove any diseases with his Lay on Hands from others once we are back in Absalom.

Khorshid taps the wizard with his wand again and is ready.

“I am so glad that we did not die! I mean we were dead already, but I just meant that I do not want to remain undead, and then become more dead! So praise the Lord!“ he says and shows his unholy symbol of Asmodeus.

The old man blinks his eyes open and then nearly nearly dies again from the disgusting gore covering him. "I'm alive! I'm Alive!"

Having searched the area and found the Testament of Geb, you activate the token and within several seconds you are whisked back to Absalom. The gnome, Tethis, is startled by your appearance in his lab, but quickly greets you and then sends for Ambrus Valsin.

Soon, the Venture-Captain arrives as Tethis is retrieving the Chalice of Undeath for you to drink from again. Ambrus watches as each of you drink from the Chalice again to restore you to your non-undead selves, while he examines the tome you brought back.

"Good work. This is much better off in our hands than lying around Geb. we'll place it in the Vaults for safekeeping. What happened to Heth?"

The old man blinks his eyes open and then nearly nearly dies again from the disgusting gore covering him. "I'm alive! I'm Alive!"

"Not, technically of course," Golthwur promptly corrects himself in light of his undead form. "Yet, figuratively, Golthwur lives and, in actuality, I have not been destroyed!" Slowly rising to his shaky feet, he manages to stand firm enough to give the remains of the worm a swift kick, though he seems to stub a boney toe in the process.

"It would seem that this vile creature learned the hard way that I, Golthwur Strath, am not one who is easily stomached!"

Perhaps, the sound of his words having reached his ears and their unintending meaning becoming clear to the old man, Golthwur promptly begins busying himself with casting of prestidigitation to make himself presentable. As he does so, he seems to be careful so not to make contact with his fellow Pathfinders, likely in an effort to avoid any acknowledgment from them as to his most recently uttered declaration.

When later offered a draught from the Chalice of Undeath, Golthwur pauses, receiving the receptacle with obvious reluctance. He releases a undeathly sigh along with, perhaps, his dreams of lichdom, then slowly sips, before taking a mouthful.

I really had to laugh Golthwur! Love this character a lot!! ;-)

The gnome opens his mouth to says something after Golthwur's outburst but remains silent in shock. He just looks at Angela and Lancyn and shakes his head with a smile.