GM Jhaeman's PFS1 # 5-23: 'Cairn of Shadows' (CORE) (Subtier 8-9) (Inactive)

Game Master Jhaeman

Jair continues healing wounds, while Grog continues climbing.

Two Blades is up.

Fly up DC 20: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Two Blades still had a hard time adjusting to the magic as he tried to go up the shaft.
Ugh, dice roller. it would be easy if it was not in the middle of combat

As Two Blades struggles with magical flight at the bottom of the shaft, far above, the withered crone becomes visible as she starts to hum a sweet lullaby:

Sleep sleep, little armor man
Sleep sleep, as fast as you can
Let the darkness find your soul
And wicked me will gobble it up whole!

The crone has cast deep slumber (she has cover from the corner so doesn't provoke an AoO.) She then takes a step back. Kavor Doan, you need to attempt a DC 16 Will save to avoid falling asleep (and probably being tossed down the shaft soon thereafter!).

Initiative (Round 7)

Kaya (spider climb, light spell)
Two Blades (light spell, fly)
Kavor Doan (spider climb) (Will save vs sleep)
Grog
Jair (wayfinder light)
Crone
Khellek (light spell)
Masked Figures (blur)

Bold should go!

Because of the density of the chains, attacks from more than 40' away have a 20% miss chance.

Will DC 16, Heroism, Hardy vs SLA: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 2 + 2 = 29
Kavor Doan proves immune to the crone's attempt.

"I appreciate your caution, witch! You cannot hope to match a wizard in battle!"

Khellek keeps calling out encouraging words to his students from the bottom of the shaft. Ready to arrest any rapid descent that might occur among them.

Continue IC for +2/+2. And ready with a feather fall if something unfortunate happens[/ooc
[ooc]Having heard the battle, can I attempt a knowledge check to identify any of the crones weaknesses?

Khellek's encouraging words bolster his allies, but the silent masked figures continue the attack! One slashes down at Kavor Doan, while the other unleashes a shadowy ray of fire at Kaya!

Red is doing a melee attack on Kavor Doan. Result: the attack misses.

Black is using lesser shadow evocation to cast a scorching ray at Kaya. Result: the ray hits. Kaya, please attempt a DC 16 Will save to disbelieve. If you make the save, you take 4 points of damage; if you fail the save, you take 14 points of damage. (in case anyone is wondering about the math, shadow-related spells are slightly more effective in the Cairn of Shadows than normal)

@Khellek: Sorry, I don't think hearing a battle provides information to reliably identify a participants strengths and weaknesses.

Initiative (Round 8)

Kaya (spider climb, light spell) (Need Will save vs Shadow magic)
Two Blades (light spell, fly)
Kavor Doan (spider climb)
Grog
Jair (wayfinder light)
Crone
Khellek (light spell)
Masked Figures (blur)

Bold should go!

Because of the density of the chains, attacks from more than 40' away have a 20% miss chance.

Kavor Doan hacks at the nearest foe with his axe.

Attack, Heroism, Haste, IC +2, PA: 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 15 + 2 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 29
01-20 Miss: 1d100 ⇒ 72
Damage, IC +2, PA: 1d10 + 14 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 14 + 2 + 6 = 23

Hasted Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 15 + 2 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 20
01-20 Miss: 1d100 ⇒ 5
Damage, IC +2, PA: 1d10 + 14 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 14 + 2 + 6 = 28

Iterative: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 2 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 16
01-20 Miss: 1d100 ⇒ 15
Damage, IC +2, PA: 1d10 + 14 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 14 + 2 + 6 = 26

The creature's blurriness saves it from two swings, as the dwarf curses his luck. Even so, one hit lands hard on the foe.

DC 16 Will: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

”Ouch! That hurt. Wait, why do you get to cast fire spells! Not fair!”

She will wait to see if Kavor’s target drops from the axe before selecting a target for Droog. It would open up a lot of options.

She activates the wand she is holding and tsks, ”You all have made me use this thing a lot. Not cool. It was expensive.”

Wand CMW: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 8) + 3 = 19

And to keep things simple, can I delay Khellek to match everyone else in initiative. He's mostly just going to be keeping IC up for the moment I think.

Jair taps Two-Blade with her wand and stows it away to be ready to start climbing.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Blood sprays on the shadowy walls as Kavor Doan lands a powerful blow on one of the masked figures! Meanwhile, Kaya heals herself while deciding where to direction her animal friend. Far down below, Jair continues healing Two Blades.

Kavor Doan hit once; Red is still up though.

@Khellek: Sure, that makes sense.

Two Blades & Grog are up.

Grog keeps climbing up

Climb: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

With her master’s single point and attack word, the kitty bites and claws and bites again at the foe next to him, keeping three paws clutching the chains.

I think Droog can do a bite, one claw and a hasted bite while holding onto the chains. If not, just disregard the extra attacks. Already built in stats include Greater Magic Fang and Bull’s Strength.

Bite + Haste + IC: 1d20 + 13 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 13 + 1 + 2 = 34 for BPS/Magic + IC: 1d6 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 = 12
Miss 1-20: 1d100 ⇒ 44

Claw 1 + Haste + IC: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 14 + 1 + 2 = 21 for BS/Magic + IC: 1d3 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 = 12
Miss 1-20: 1d100 ⇒ 3

Haste Bite + Haste + IC: 1d20 + 13 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 13 + 1 + 2 = 19 for BPS/Magic + IC: 1d6 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 2 = 10
Miss 1-20: 1d100 ⇒ 72

If red drops, the kitty would hop onto the platform next to Kaya.

Fly up DC20: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
reRoll: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Two Blades tried to get adjusted to the spell but using his legs to help make minor changes he started to quickly climb up the shaft as he grabbed for the blades at his hip.

Ugh, hating the dice roller. Using my reroll for having a physical portfolio. Having problems getting the map to load Please move me up the shaft 90' (two cans and a string for internet service out in the boonies)

As Grog keeps climbing, Droog springs into action! The "kitty" mauls one of the masked foes, who finally breaks his silence with a startled scream as he falls to the ground.

After an awkward start, Two Blade gets the hang of magical flying and instantly zooms most of the way up the shaft!

Droog takes down Red.

@Kaya: Yes, Droog can hang onto the chains with one "hand" (claw, etc.) and attack with the other.

Although badly wounded, the ugly crone seems undeterred--perhaps she knows there's no escaping the Cairn of Shadows? She stalks forward and points a finger at her new nemesis, Kavor Doan, and cackles "Muscles like jelly and I'll gnaw at your belly!" A ray of green light flies towards him!

Half a second later, the sole remaining masked figure raises his cruel serrated blade into the air and swings it in a wide arc toward the dwarf!

The crone is casting ray of enfeeblement, again using the corner for protection from AoOs. However, Kavor Doan will get +4 AC vs the ranged touch attack. Result: The ray hits. Kavor Doan, please attempt a DC 14 Fortitude save. If you make the save, you take 2 Str damage; if you fail the save, you take 5 Str damage. See below for reminder of effects.

Black is doing a melee attack vs Kavor Doan. Result: The attack misses.

Initiative (Round 9)

Kaya (spider climb, light spell)
Two Blades (light spell, fly)
Kavor Doan (spider climb)
Grog
Jair (wayfinder light)
Khellek (light spell)
Crone
Masked Figure (blur)

Bold should go!

I haven't reprinted all the info about climbing, etc. (it gets a bit tedious to copy and paste it each time) but if you need a reminder, just ask or scroll up.

Khellek continues to call out encouraging words. As a masked attacker drops down the shaft he dodges to the side. "Oh, good work team. Good work."

He gently prods the fallen figure with his toe, hoping it is not going to start to move.

Maintain IC, ready with FF if one of our team falls.

Climb DC10: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

As Jair tries to climb the chains, she immediately falls on her bottom.

May be that's not a good idea for me to try to climb...

She looks at the chains, stands up, her pride being the only thing really hurt from the fall, and decides to stay on the ground, encouraging her comrades from there.

Go Tiger!

Fly DC20: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Reaching a bottle neck in the length of chains, Two Blades was not able to make progress flying up.

@Two Blade, your total flying bonus must be +12 (6 from the spell, 6 from your dexterity bonus)
It doens't change anything with your awful rolls, but it could be later...

Despite Khellek's encouraging words, Jair and Two Blades find their attempts to join their fighting companions stymied!

The good thing about the Fly spell at least (as opposed to wings) is that even if you fail a Fly check badly, you don't have to worry about falling.

Grog, Kaya, and Kavor Doan are up.

Fort, Heroism, vs SLA: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 2 + 2 = 18
Kavor Doan shrugs off the worst of the Ray of Enfeeblement.

He then attacks the crone. Turning off PA because of the cover.
Attack, Haste, Heroism, IC +2, Cover, Enfeeblement: 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 2 + 2 - 4 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 15 + 1 + 2 + 2 - 4 - 1 = 34
Damage: 1d10 + 14 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 14 + 2 - 1 = 24

If that drops her, he will take his next attacks against the masked figure.

Hasted Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 2 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 15 + 1 + 2 + 2 - 1 = 30
Damage: 1d10 + 14 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 14 + 2 - 1 = 21
01-20 Miss: 1d100 ⇒ 10 If the first swing didn't drop the crone, then this one would go against her, and not have a miss chance (but it would have -4 from cover, so hits AC 26. If it goes against the masked figure, then it fails on the miss chance.

Iterative: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 2 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 10 + 1 + 2 + 2 - 1 = 27
Damage: 1d10 + 14 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 14 + 2 - 1 = 16
01-20 Miss: 1d100 ⇒ 67

Grog tries to fast climb.

Climb: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Dry, powdery skin and sludge-like blood spray against the walls of the Cairn of Shadows as Kavor Doan puts an end to the crone's cackling once and for all! He then turns his attention to the remaining masked figure, landing another deep cut with his bloodied axe.

Meanwhile, Grog climbs speedily toward the platform.

Kavor Doan's first two attacks take out the hag. The iterative attack hits Black, but the shae is still standing.

@Kavor Doan: Since you flagged it for me, it's not a big deal, but cover is a bonus to their AC not a penalty to your attack. I just want to make sure you're not disadvantaged by it being double-counted :)

Kaya is up.

Kaya taps the magical fighter in front of her with a wand and speaks, ”Lissen bud, you aren’t going to win. Just drop your weapon and surrender. All your allies are down, this guy has a big axe and is pretty much uninjured. You ain’t gonna win, this is pretty much suicide.”

Wand CMW on Kavor: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (6, 7) + 3 = 16

She pets Droog’s head, ”Down Kitty. No need for more bites.”

Despite knowing death is imminent, the masked figure fights on, silently and implacably.

Black swings again at Kavor Doan. Result: Just misses!

Initiative (Round 10)

Kaya (spider climb, light spell)
Two Blades (light spell, fly)
Kavor Doan (spider climb)
Grog
Jair (wayfinder light)
Khellek (light spell)
Masked Figure (blur)

Bold should go!

@GM - that's a hit. My AC was 24 when I was Fighting Defensively but I forgot to change it back. Haste ends before my next turn.

Kavor Doan takes the hit and tries to return it in kind.

Attack, IC +2, Heroism, PA: 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 15 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 22
Damage: 1d10 + 14 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 14 + 2 + 6 = 32
01-20 Miss: 1d100 ⇒ 1

Hasted Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 15 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 27
Damage: 1d10 + 14 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 14 + 2 + 6 = 31
01-20 Miss: 1d100 ⇒ 13

Iterative: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 16
Damage: 1d10 + 14 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 14 + 2 + 6 = 26
01-20 Miss: 1d100 ⇒ 92

Wow... two misses on the 20% miss chance. Is that 4 misses for me this combat? I need Blind-Fight.

Fly DC20: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
Finding a path through the chains, Two Blades continued his travel upwards.
Not sure if I can get an attack in after I make it the last 60'

Jair waits as she knows she will not be able to climb up alone.

Delay

The masked figure's wavering outline presents a real challenge to Kavor Doan, but the third swing's the charm for the dwarf and he puts the shadowy figure out of its misery!

Fortunately that third swing hit exactly. Black is down.

We can now go off Initiative. Usual reminder to mark off wand charges, change taglines to reflect that haste has expired, etc.

@Kavor Doan: Thanks for your honesty re: the fighting defensively!

Kaya taps Kavor again with her wand and hollers down, ”Its safe to come up now.”

CMW: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 8) + 3 = 13

She steps past the armored mage and starts searching the bodies.

"Thank you, Kaya."

Kavor Doan will climb down to the bottom, and cast Still Levitate on Khellek and Still Fly on Jair so that they can ascend. He will then return to the platform.

Spells remaining:
0: Detect Magic, Read Magic, Mage Hand, Light
1: True Strike (x2), Feather Fall, Alarm, Hold Portal, Endure Elements
2: Still Shield, Still Magic Missile, Still Enlarge Person, Still Burning Hands, Blur
3: Still See Invisibility, Still Levitate, Still Resist Energy, Displacement
4: Still Fly, Still Haste
Bonded Item Spell: Used

"Or just drop us a rope without spikes and maybe haul us up?" says Khellek.

"Who knows if you will need your fly and levitate spells if this continues upward further?"

Kavor Doan takes the action that I posted.

With a shrug Khellek accepts the lift to the top of the shaft.

"My thanks Kavor Doan."

Indeed this is a much more fitting way for a scholar to ascend. I think Kovor Doan may be on track for an "A" for this expedition.

With some magical aid, the remaining Pathfinders make it up to the platform. The feeble groans of "Telendrak" still come occasionally from below, but all else is silence. The oppressive darkness continues to press in as if mocking your feeble attempts to bring light to this gloom-ridden place.

We're on Slide # 3. There's a long corridor stretching to the west and a passageway heading north just a little down it.

Please note the duration of the levitate/fly spells, as it could become important depending on what you do.

The druid begins scanning the found items for magical auras while her companions are being levitated up. The items are in plain sight as well.

Detect Magic

After some time, Jair is able to fly to the platform.

Thanks, it was needed. she says to Kavor Doan. It will not stop us for being horribly killed in some way...

She looks around, trying to find any clue or helping Kaya about the magic item she gathered.

Khelek sighs as the students stare at the loot.

"Come along, there will be time enough for that. Kavor Doan's enchantments won't last forever you know."

He looks around the grim corridor, wondering if there are hidden chains here too.

Grog climbs up to the top then lowers a group of ropes for the others.

"I can haul you up"

sorry for the late posting, My wife is Jewish and we were doing passover with her family

Kaya realises some of the items are magical, and turns her attention to identifying them!

@Grog: We'll assume everyone is now up on the platform.

For buff tracking, we'll say a minute passes as everyone gets to the top and Kaya identifies the magical items.

Two Blades shook his head in sadness as the battle was over by the time he was able to join the others.

Helping the others as they made their way up the shaft he looked around once they climbed up. "We ready?" he asked before scouting out the area.

Stealth: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (6) + 17 = 23

Kaya divulges details as her allies make it onto the ledge, ”The swords aren't magical. The gem-encrusted belt is a belt of giant strength +2. The mithral ring is a ring of sustenance. The masterwork silk rope is a rope of climbing. The large gemstone is a night hag's heartstone: for 24 hours, it'll provide the bearer with immunity to disease and a +2 resistance bonus to all saving throws. Anyone want any of it? Speak now.”

If no one takes the necklace, she slips it on and waits for the scout to wave them up.

"Well, that rope will be handy for getting down again." notes the scholar. He is more than happy to slip it into his satchel, which, really, shouldn't be able to hold such a large rope.

Two Blades scouts ahead. To the west, his flickering light dimly illuminates the corridor opening up into a much larger area. To the north, a short corridor appears to lead to what may be another walkway over a different shaft.

I will take the gem.

Says Jair After all, I’m already doomed to Hell. What could happen worst?

After taking the gem, she follows as silently as possible Two Blades.