[PaizoCon 2023] PFS2 4-09: Killer in the Golden Mask (Inactive)

Game Master cmlobue

The main vampire dropped Marigold. Stride, Strike, Stride (because the crit dropped her, it didn't need to make another attack). Yellow just took advantage of her being helpless.

If Marigold was dropped by Yellow, shouldn't she be moved to before Yellow in initiative order?

Marigold - to stabilize, you need to burn all your hero points.

Gotcha. Thanks for looking out! Two points then

Botting Okh

Okh tries to get out of the enemy's grasp.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

The creature cannot maintain its hold on the slippery goblin. Okh then keeps gouging at the enemy.

Gouging claw: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28
Damage: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 1, 5, 4) + 4 = 20

The red-garbed spawn falls once more.

The main vampire now tests Isaku's willpower, before moving to flank Fin-thir.

Round 4 - bolded may go

Okh (-23 HP)
Marigold (-53 HP, grabbed, prone, wounded 1, drained 1)
Vampire (-45 HP)
Fin-thir (-43 HP, grabbed, drained 1)
Isaku (-24 HP, grabbed, Will save)
Green (-26 HP)
Yellow (-?? HP, wounded 2)
Blue (-?? HP, wounded 1)
Red (-?? HP, prone, dying 3)

Will: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Will, HP, Vestments: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

Sorry, Okh

Unable to resist the vampire's hold, Isaku moves and points his gun at Okh.

+1 Striking Dueling Pistol vs Okh AC 25: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

He sighs inwardly as the shot misses.

◆◆ Stride ◆ Whiff

Isaku, you get another Will save at the end of each turn to end the effect.

The ranger fires on the blue. (hunted shot)

+1 striking comp. shortbow:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35

Damage:2d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2, 5) + 1 + 2 = 10

if crit Deadly:1d10 ⇒ 6

+1 striking comp. shortbow:1d20 + 16 - 3 ⇒ (8) + 16 - 3 = 21

Damage:2d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6, 2) + 1 + 2 = 11

Then I wait to know if the blue is in dying.

Fin-thir's first shot is a critical hit, which drops the blue-clad vampire once more. As it is now helpless, the second shot is also successful.

It's not technically dead yet, but unless the combat lasts for another 8640 rounds, it will not be taking any actions.

The green-clad spawn makes its way to Fin-thir and attacks.

Claw: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32
Slashing Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

The one garbed in yellow moves around to attack the goblin.

Claw: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25
Slashing Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

The minion in red rises and continues its assault on Okh.

Claw: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
Slashing Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 plus Grab

Claw, if grab not used: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 12 - 4 = 25
Slashing Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

The Pathfinders are battered, but still in the fight, and the tide may be turning...

Round 5 - bolded may go

Okh (-43 HP)
Marigold (-53 HP, prone, wounded 1, drained 1)
Vampire (-45 HP)
Fin-thir (-51 HP, drained 1)
Isaku (-24 HP, Will save)
Green (-26 HP)
Yellow (-?? HP, wounded 2)
Blue
Red (-?? HP, prone, wounded 3)

The last round I use 1 action. So I play now my 2 actions.

The ranger steps and fires on the red.

+1 striking comp. shortbow:1d20 + 16 - 6 ⇒ (10) + 16 - 6 = 20 VS uncouncious

Damage:2d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4, 2) + 1 + 2 = 9

So the green can't strikes me.

So I wait until things are sorted out before I play

Green did not move twice its speed, so the second stride will still be enough to reach you. You did, however, save Okh 7 damage.

Fin-thir unleashes one more shot, and the minion in Red falls to the ground to dream about clawing Okh.

Round 5 - bolded may go

Okh (-36 HP)
Marigold (-53 HP, prone, wounded 1, drained 1)
Vampire (-45 HP)
Fin-thir (-51 HP, drained 1)
Isaku (-24 HP, Will save)
Green (-26 HP)
Yellow (-?? HP, wounded 2)
Blue
Red

Will: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

nope

The goblin hesitates, really. Should he drop vampires or the one who pretend to be pathfinder but shooting at him? Anyway if this one hit he will get something in return for sure.

For now, the vampires.

Scorching ray height +2, Yellow: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

Damage, Dangerous sorcery: 8d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 4, 2, 5, 3, 4, 6, 3) + 3 = 31

Scorching ray height +2, Green: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23

Damage, Dangerous sorcery: 8d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 5, 5, 4, 2, 3, 5, 6) + 3 = 34

Scorching ray height +2, Vampire: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16

Scorching ray height +2, Vampire, reroll: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

Damage, Dangerous sorcery: 8d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3, 3, 6, 6, 5, 3, 1) + 3 = 33

Okh unleashes a barrage of fire at the enemy, focusing on the vampiric types for now. The spawn clad in yellow falls to the ground once more, and the other two are starting to smell like hamburger that's been left out too long.

"Yes, you will do," the vampire says to Isaku. "The others will perish here, but you can serve me forever. Destroy the goblin." He then steps forward and attacks Fin-thir.

Rapier: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (17) + 19 = 36
Piercing Damage: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (5, 6) + 11 = 22

Claw: 1d20 + 19 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 19 - 4 = 28
Slashing Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

He then approached Okh.

Round 5 - bolded may go

Okh (-36 HP)
Marigold (-53 HP, prone, wounded 1, drained 1)
Fin-thir (-90 HP, prone, dying 2, drained 1)
Vampire (-78 HP)
Isaku (-24 HP, Dominated)
Green (-60 HP)
Yellow (-?? HP, prone, dying 3)
Blue
Red

Mechanically, Isaku reloads and shoots Okh.

Dueling Pistol vs Okh: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

He reloads again and tries to fight the Vamp's domination.

Will: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
FINALLY

Isaku's heart really isn't in the shooting other Pathfinders part of his job, and after another miss, he shakes off the vampire's control.

The spawn in Yellow does not rise again. The green-clad minion steps to the newly free Isaku and claws at him.

Claw: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
Slashing Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 plus Grab

Claw, if grab not used: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 14 - 4 = 13
Slashing Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

It seems surprisingly clumsy.

Round 6 - bolded may go

Okh (-36 HP)
Marigold (-53 HP, prone, wounded 1, drained 1)
Fin-thir (-90 HP, prone, dying 2, drained 1)
Vampire (-78 HP)
Isaku (-24 HP)
Green (-60 HP)
Yellow
Blue
Red

Still hoping to survive the vampire's onslaught the goblin begins with a spell towards the vampire.

elemental Toss height +3, Vampire: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

Damage, Blood magic:4d8 + 4 ⇒ (6, 8, 5, 3) + 4 = 26

2 actions left. I wait to know the result of the first one.

The result is a very unconscious vampire.

Then he casts a heal spell towards Fin-thir to awake the elf.

Heal, 2 actions:1d8 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

The ranger picks up his bow. He hunt prey the Vampire.

Then he fires on the Vampire. (hunted shot)

+1 striking comp. shortbow:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19

Damage:2d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2, 6) + 1 + 2 = 11

+1 striking comp. shortbow:1d20 + 16 - 3 ⇒ (18) + 16 - 3 = 31

Damage:2d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4, 1) + 1 + 2 = 8

if crit Deadly:1d10 ⇒ 3

Okh knocks down the vampire, then gets Fin-thir back up again.

Fin-thir fires his bow into the downed vampire. The first shot just grazes its leg, but the second embeds itself in the chest. It's not the staking you expected, but it does not immediately rise from the ground.

Round 6 - bolded may go

Okh (-36 HP)
Marigold (-53 HP, prone, wounded 1, drained 1)
Fin-thir (-77 HP, wounded 1, drained 1)
Vampire
Isaku (-24 HP)
Green (-60 HP)
Yellow
Blue
Red

Isaku games the angles against Green.

Devise: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Disregarding that plan, he rushes to Marigold's side and slaps a battle dressing on her wounds.

Healing, Assurance: 2d8 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10

He then pulls an axe from his bandolier

◇ Devise
◆ Stride
◆ Battle Medicine, Marigold
◆ Interact to Draw

Welcome back tot he waking realm, Marigold.

The spawn in green wants to go after Okh, but there's a Fin-thir in the way.

Claw: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
Slashing Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Claw, if Fin-thir is still up: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 14 - 4 = 15
Slashing Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Round 7 - bolded may go

Okh (-36 HP)
Marigold (-43 HP, prone, wounded 1, drained 1)
Fin-thir (-77 HP, wounded 1, drained 1)
Vampire
Isaku (-24 HP)
Green (-60 HP)
Yellow
Blue
Red

Marigold groans as her eyes slowly open, and she slaps Isaku.

”Oh, sorry!”, she gasps. ”I had a dream that someone was slobbering on me, and I thought you were him!”

She grabs her bow, and rolls to her feet.

”Um, thanks!”, she adds, before heading toward the sounds of a scuffle.

Interact, Stand, Stride

The ranger steps and hunt prey the green. I can’t moves my token.

Then he fires on the green. (Hunted shot)

+1 striking comp. Shortbow:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19

Damage:2d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3, 1) + 1 + 2 = 7

+1 striking comp. Shortbow:1d20 + 16 - 3 ⇒ (13) + 16 - 3 = 26

Damage:2d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6, 5) + 1 + 2 = 14

The so much desired goblin points the last vampire in formation and casts a spell towards it.

Electric arc: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 3, 2, 2) + 4 = 12

DC 25

Then I wait for the third action.

The green-clad spawn falls to the ground, and the vampire's body and all the remaining mist rush beneath a crack in the back wall, which reveals a now-obvious secret door. Inside the room is an ornate coffin, inside of which the vampire’s battered body slowly reforms. The vampire is too weak to prevent you from driving a stake though his heart and decapitating him, ending the threat for good. His golden mask cracks as his head falls from his shoulders. His spawn meet the same fate at the Pathfinders' hands in short order.

The silver masks of almost two dozen murdered Razmiri priests can be recovered from inside his coffin. Narsen requires the golden mask as part of your mission, but he will reward you for for the return of all the silver masks as well, as the are the only remains of the subordinates he sent.

With the vampire slain and his mask retrieved, you can begin your journey back to Xer. As you reach the forest’s edge, the pair of magical carriages arrive to retrieve you.

Shattermask parts company with them at this point, but he promises to meet a representative of the Envoy’s Alliance at Xer’s docks in two weeks’ time. He tells you that he will never trust any of Razmir’s priests, and he has no interest in collaborating with Narsen, but he’s willing to consider changing his opinions on the Pathfinder Society, so long as they continue to work towards the good of Razmiran’s oppressed people.

Narsen congratulates you on a job well done and expresses his belief that this should silence any Pathfinder critics, at least in the short term. He offers a fine meal in celebration and asks the Pathfinders to regale him with any interesting developments.

Welcome to my run of Killer in the Golden Mask for PaizoCon 2023. Your sign in sheet is >HERE<. Please fill it out so I can determine subtier and get your chronicles to you. A small note about timing before we begin:

One thing that differs about PaizoCon: we have a hard cutoff date of July 22. If the game is not finished by then, we stop and everyone gets rewards for whatever portion of the scenario is completed. Because of this, I will be fairly aggressive with my botting. Please make sure your profile has all your stats and instructions for botting your character - >HERE< is an example. I will also be using the rule of two for decision-making: once two people have agreed to the course of action, that is what we will do.

I also reserve the right to change initiative so the sides act in blocks. If I do, I will make every effort to change in the party's favor.

Feel free to post conditional actions when necessary to minimize the time we spend waiting for each other to act.

With all that said, I try to run a fairly laid-back game. Don't be a jerk and we'll all do fine. If we make mistakes, we'll fix them and move on (and since I am doing the majority of the posting/rolling, I will probably make the majority of mistakes).

Feel free to drop into the Gameplay tab and introduce your characters. Looking forward to playing with you all on May 29!

Okh, I hope you don't mind Narsen getting testy with you. I also wish we got more information in our briefings, but I imagine the V-Cs would just like you to go do your job so they can do whatever V-Cs do in peace.

Heads up -- My home internet is down ATM. There will be some delays in my posting but it shouldn't be too bad. Stuff that I post that's less descriptive usually means I'm using a tablet.

3 glyphs to share.

Another 1 glyph here.

I have been informed that the door prizes need to be reported before the game ends (June 20), so please make an unmodified d20 roll here. If you get a 19 or 20, you win a $15 paizo.com voucher.

GM Prize?: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Keen!

Mama needs a new shortbow: 1d20 ⇒ 14

I'd like a door: 1d20 ⇒ 11

I guess I need to go get one the old fashioned way...

School item: 2 lesser healing potions

Prize: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Fin-thir Prize: 1d20 ⇒ 15

Definitely setting a watch. Dibs on 1st!

Is the first one down?

Blue is incredibly down. In the future, you can post conditional turns (if this, then these actions, otherwise these other actions) to keep things moving.

Hero point to Fin-thir for fancy shooting.

Looks like a straightforward setup... I'll probably set this up and run it myself... almost like 03-06, which is pretty much go here, then here, then here -- all the while killing anything that moves... :)

It's more complex if you don't negotiate with Shattermask.

I think I owe some hero points before this battle. One for everyone except Fin-thir, who already received one. Marigold's is labeled "Drink Me" for some reason.

I remember the hero point you gave me in 03-01... I did a Princess Bride thing and cleared the marketplace... (and rolled a crit success to boot!) :)

Well I'm still wondering... Ready for the next fireball? Or should I change this time?

How high are the ceilings?

10 feet. Nothing involving massive creatures happening here. Probably.

Well I'm still wondering... Ready for the next fireball? Or should I change this time?

Fry them!

It's more complex if you don't negotiate with Shattermask.

I saw that... Did a quick read-through... I think I'll run this in the future, now that I have characters hitting the Lvl 5 mark.

I will be traveling and unable to post until Saturday. As I'm sure you are aware, we are close to the end and will have no trouble finishing on time despite the delay.

Can we bot you, GM? ;)

If we bot the Golden mask will surrender for sure...

I take it we couldn't bot the GM? :)

I offered them to surrender anyway...

Since it is coming up:

Stake A wooden stake driven through a vampire's heart drops the vampire to 0 HP and prevents it from healing above 0 HP, even in its coffin. Staking a vampire requires three actions and works only if the vampire is unconscious. If the stake is removed, the vampire can heal above 0 HP again, and if it's in its coffin the 1-hour rest period begins once the stake is removed. If the vampire's head is severed and anointed with holy water while the stake is in place, the vampire is destroyed.

If you try to stake a conscious vampire or spawn, it is just a melee attack. I can't find any rules for damage, but improvised dagger (without versatile S) seems right.

Right now only Yellow is unconscious.

I think the red one should be unconscious.

Indeed, Red is also unconscious.

Paizo apparently didn't anticipate people trying to behead enemies during combat. I'll say also three actions on an unconscious opponent.

AVENGE ME! AVEEEEENGE MEEEEEE!

I'm trying! I'm trying!

You're much closer than you realize.

Perhaps worth noting that the spawn recover very few HP on their turn, and the ◆◆ Ready action exists?

Well it will end in tpk.
I could have killed the red one with my actions of the round but now it’s done

should I buy my second chance boon now? :)

or choose not to play the character anymore?

Okay, I admit that it's not looking great for you now. Didn't realize I picked the extra-sharp rapier for the vampire. Hold off on that boon, but also shoot very badly this round.

And you bottled Okh to get this situation

Now I am sure the green one was goblin as well. So why Isaku won’t shot him?

The order isn’t precise.

do I have access to all higher brain functions (like reloading the pistol and such?)

Okh, we should have just botted the GM when he was traveling :)

Controlled

Technically, you only have to do things that the vampire would know to tell you to do. He's seen you reload in this fight, so that would be on the list, but he did not specify that you need to use all your best abilities on Okh. As long as you are shooting actual bullets at him, you satisfy the conditions of the domination.

Also, if you have a hero point remaining, you can use it to reroll the second Will save, since it was a different check than the first.

Okh, we should have just botted the GM when he was traveling :)

Yes and also used useless actions as he does for Okh.

Isaku Beru wrote:

Okh, we should have just botted the GM when he was traveling :)

Yes and also used useless actions as he does for Okh.

Umm, please don't take it out on the GM.

Okh, I can understand why you are upset with both the way I have handled the game and the results at the table. I am sorry for both. However, the discussion forum is not the best place to handle this. You are welcome to DM me with any concerns, or, if you would prefer, message Tyranius or another online VO about what has happened.

The dicebot seems to have taken pity on you, though, so I'm back in the "it only looks bad" column for now. Though I am prepared to be wrong about that a few more times as well.

This is likely to be the final combat round regardless, so anyone who wants me to record their downtime or anything else on their chronicle should make a note/roll now, and please check that your information on the >Sign-In Sheet< is accurate.

Marigold plays a harp, as she wafts her way to Heaven.

”Now I’ve gone to meet my maker.
Let my fingers be uncurled.
Should have been a cookie baker.
I’m too tasty for this world”

Performance: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

I wrote it here the same way I would have said it at a table. The only thing I'm worried with was my botting. I knew what I wanted to do but hadn't the time to post on the phone. I think it was less than 24 hours and in some game we are waiting for people for ages.
I won't call anyone else.
Sorry if I showed too much concern.

Isaku crafts some items, assuming he gets out of this...

Crafting(E): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24

FYI I will be traveling for holidays tomorrow with Fin-thir. I am supposed to find a wifi spot at the arrival.

This concludes Killer in the Golden Mask. I hope that, despite how close a shave you had in the final battle, you enjoyed the game. I have reported the scenario to HQ and will have chronicle sheets for everyone tomorrow.