GM Jhaeman's PFS1 Module: "City of Golden Death" (Inactive)

Game Master Jhaeman

Nodding in agreement with Goran, Ting turned towards Roarch as the half orc returned the blade to Goran. Looking from the shortsword in his right talon to the one in his left, he drops the blades. "Them's ain't, but 'ayes did in a floggin' pinch, wroight." As Rogarch inspected the broken statues, ting drew his exotic bastard sword and move towards the end of the bridge, keeping a keen eye out.

Taking 10(22/25) on perception for beyond the bridge.

As Rogarch looks for valuables, Ting guards the far end of the bridge.

Rogarch adds the falchions to the party treasure pile. He moves forward with Rawk-N-Role to join Ting in the front ranks.

"It is time to find these crazy cultists and end this."

"Ting, lead on."

Agreed. Ting...why don't you use my blade...since yours got sundered. I'll use my headknocker here... Goran says as he pats his morningstar.

one of those falchions might make a better backup than your longsword, Rogarch...

Crossing the bridge, the Pathfinder stay hot on the trail of the cultists. The road curves for a short distance before suddenly, a break in the City of Golden Death's innermost wall is visible. But surely, whatever dangers they've faced yet will pale in comparison to what lays beyond in the Third Ring!

If there's anything you'd like to do before going in, now's the time--I'll update in the morning.

Ninja'd by GM Jhaeman :)

Not seeing any dangers down the curving street leading away from the bridge, ting turns back and nods to the big bloodrager. As he begins to move he hears Goran say something about a 'sundered blade.' Turning back towards the human he looks from the clerics saber towards the broken borrowed blade laying back on the ground by the Caryatid Column to his own exotic bastard sword. Shaking his beak, "No's I's'l be bloody well fine, wroight."

Making a mental note to where Rogarch stored the two well crafted falchions, he nods forwards. "Rogarch is wroight we's should's be 'eadin' on's"

Seeing the break in the City of Golden Death's innermost wall, ting slowly moves forwards carefully searching the 'break' for anything suspicious.

Taking 10(22/25) on perception for the break in the wall.

Rogarch prepares for what might possibly be the last leg of their adventure.

Approaching the break in the wall is like slowly approaching a roaring furnace. In the distance, on the other side of a plain stone bridge across an inner ring of molten gold, sits a building with a peaked, gold-tiled roof. Standing guard before the building is an enormous skeletal dragon plated from head to tail in gold and sparkling in the greenish glow from the canal. Seeing you approach, it flaps its skeletal wings, opens its large jaws, and begins stomping forward across the ground!

We will move to Initiative.

Everyone takes 1 nonlethal fire damage from the heat; unlike all the other bridges you've crossed, this one does not provide magical insulation from the canals of molten gold. The closer you get to the canals, the more the heat will intensify.

Initiative (Round 1)

Rogarch+Rawk
Gold Skeletal Dragon
Goran
Ting
Candledark
Heat

Bold should go!

This encounter is near the bottom of Slide # 3.

As a free action on your turn, you can attempt to identify the skeletal dragon with a Knowledge (religion) check.

Rawk-N-Role recalls a story from a legendary land of a quartet of ninja fighting a skeletal dragon not too much unlike this one. His reverie is broken by the pain of intense heat and the fierceness of his opponent. While plucky he decides that it would be wiser to sit this fight out.

Rawk-N-Role runs (80 feet) to a safe distance away from the heat of the bridge.

Sadly a familiar (even an Improved one) is not an AC and just does not have the hit points for this type of battle. :)

@GM Jhaeman - I just took Rawk-N-Role off the map for now.

Ablative Barrier provides DR 5/- against non-lethal damage as well as its other benefits. What a nifty spell. :)

Rogarch does not even feel the heat due to her new found magical protection. She decides that fighting a dragon (even a bony and a relatively small one) deserves extra preparation. A scroll comes sliding out of her spring loaded wrist sheath. She speaks a few words of power and Rogarch is multiplied.

Mirror Image, cl 3, images: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

The bloodrager moves forward to attempt to protect the party and to block the dragon's advance. She draws her lucerne hammer and begins to rage. Her body glows a golden colour as her arcane rage begins.

Arcane Rage: Resist Energy Fire (10)

Before:

Candledark advances with caution; he's starting to dislike this place, it's all too bright...

Stealth: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

...luckily (or is it talent?), his feelings of disdain for the light seem to be mutual!

As Rawk-N-Role withdraws, Rogarch advances on the bridge, counting on illusory duplicates for protection. A moment later, the bridge is flooded with flame as the skeletal dragon roars its anger over the intrusion!

The dragon has used its breath weapon. Rogarch and Ting, you will be in the area of effect and should attempt a DC 19 Reflex save (Ting, you'll get a +2 bonus for having cover). If you fail the save, you take 15 fire damage. If you make the save, you take 7 fire damage.

Initiative (Round 1)

Rogarch+Rawk
Gold Skeletal Dragon
Goran
Ting
Candledark
Heat

Bold should go!

This encounter is near the bottom of Slide # 3.

As a free action on your turn, you can attempt to identify the skeletal dragon with a Knowledge (religion) check.

Rogarch tries to dodge away from the flames.

Reflex save DC 19: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

The bloodrager's aura glows golden as most of the flames are absorbed by her magical rage (Resist Fire 10). The remainder of the damage is converted by her Ablative Barrier to be less dangerous than it could be (5 points of lethal damage is converted to non-lethal damage).

Result: 5 non-lethal damage only.

religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
lol..nope...

Goran holds his symbol up and sends a wave of energy out to hurt the creature.

channel, dc 16: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 5) = 12

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23
Well, that certainly ought to at least be enough to know whether it's resistant to fire...

Candledark creeps out, using the Rogarchs as cover. He then...:

@Candledark - Please let us know what you find out with your knowledge roll.

I am going with the assumption that Candledark is throwing a flask of Holy Water at the dragon (assuming fire resistance/immunity). That is the only attack that I can think of that would fit the to hit and damage rolled by his character. :)

DC 19 Reflex: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 2 = 19 I was going to whine that ting should have been close to the front so he could attack this round, but with a + 2 to his save, I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.

Watching the skeleton ting wonders why something without lungs would need to inhale. It almost caused him to forget to dodge as the flames came roaring across the causeway. Ducking behind the wall, he still felt the fire singe his feathers. "Blasted bloody floggin' fire breathin' dead dragon's, wroight." Cursing up a storm, he peeks out from behind the wall studying the golden beast, then moves forwards.

Studied target, 20 ft move.

Goran's wave of positive energy washes over the creature, but the skeletal dragon mostly resists the effect! But then its bones begin to sizzle as Candledark lands a direct hit with holy water! Meanwhile, Ting--dodging the worst of the dragon's fiery breath--gets into position.

But although the skeletal dragon is obviously dangerous, the invisible danger of the heat pouring off the canal of molten lava could be even worse!

The skeletal dragon makes the save to halve the damage from Goran's channel.

Candledark's holy water hits (even with range penalties).

Getting this close to the canal on the (magically unprotected) bridge inflicts nonlethal fire damage on everyone: Ting takes 1, Rogarch takes 1, Candledark takes 4, and Goran takes 2. (Please remember to keep track of nonlethal damage separately in a separate accumulating tally; if the amount of nonlethal damage you have equals your current hit points, you fall unconscious.)In addition, if any of this fire damage gets past your resistances/immunities, you are now Fatigued.

Initiative (Round 2)

Rogarch+Rawk
Gold Skeletal Dragon
Goran
Ting
Candledark
Heat

Bold should go!

@GM Jhaeman - Is Rawk-N-Role fatigued? He only took 1 point of non-lethal damage on round 1.

Rawk-N-Role keeps his (considerable) distance for now. He is glad that he did not stand with his mistress for the trial by fire that the others are now enduring.

Rogarch continues to rage. The magic in her blood manages to keep the heat at bay. The warrior calls upon her experience fighting undead creatures to aid in her battle against the skeleton dragon. She frees a hand and conjures a magical ball of ice which she throws at the undead creature. She then regraps her lucerne hammer in both hands and is ready for a more physical confrontation.

Snowball, to hit touch, Worthy Foe Boon: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 2 = 16

Damage, Cold, Worthy Foe Boon: 5d6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 3, 3, 5, 5) + 2 = 19

Arcane Rage: Resist Energy Fire (10)

Worthy Foe Boon. +2 hit,damage and dodge AC vs Undead

Hopefully this fire breathing skeleton will not be immune to cold as most skeletons are. :)

Clearly if Candledark knows and tells Rogarch that this skeleton is immune to cold (from his knowledge check results last round) then my character will revise her actions. Still it is better to post and revise then keep everyone hanging. Rule #1 in PbP is to keep it moving. :)

Oh yeah! What happened to my Knowledge check results???

We'll pause for a moment in case Rogarch wants to revise her actions in light of what Candledark may say.

@Candledark: Obviously, GM Jhaeman is losing it!

@Rawk: Rawk is not fatigued; the heat has different effects depending on how close you are when you take the damage, and he didn't get within that particular range.

@Rawk: Rawk is not fatigued; the heat has different effects depending on how close you are when you take the damage, and he didn't get within that particular range.

How about me, then? Am I fatigued?

"...I know what you're thinking, Rogarch (really, I do), but just because something can't be burned doesn't mean it can be frozen; stick with a middle ground. Other than that, even a gilded dragon skeleton is still, for the most part, only a skeleton."

Rogarch continues to rage. The magic in her blood is protecting her from the heat of the bridge.

Too bad. Nailing the burning skeleton with a giant snowball would be so satisfying. Pity.

"Fine"

The bloodrager grunts in her rage and although the word is said in frustration overtones of respect and appreciation for Candledark's encyclopedic knowledge is also evident. She draws forth her wand of Magic Missile and speaks a word of power activating the wand. Several other colourful curses are stammered out in the orc language as well.

Magic Missile, CL 5: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 1, 3) + 3 = 9

Arcane Rage: Resist Energy Fire (10)

Rogarch is now carrying her pole-arm with one arm and is no longer wielding it as she needs a hand to hold her wand.

Goran has fire resistance 10...just a reminder...

Force missiles slam into the dragon as it charges down the bridge before whirling in place to slam Ting with his tail--hoping to send the Pathfinder into the molten gold below! But the skilled warrior manages to duck just in time!

The dragon does a move action and then uses the Awesome Blow feat versus Ting. As per listed tactics, it's trying to knock someone into the canal. Result: Miss.

@Candledark: Probably. You took 4 fire damage at the end of the last round and if any of that gets through any protections you may have, you are fatigued.

@Goran: Yep, I remember. But I just dish out the damage and let the players figure out the results based on their own protections. That's one of the reasons I don't track PC damage :)

Initiative (Round 2)

Rogarch+Rawk
Gold Skeletal Dragon
Goran
Ting
Candledark
Heat

Bold should go!

Rogarch's eyes light up as the skeleton dragon barely misses Ting. Although raging the bloodrager knows death when she sees it.

"Attack and backup people."

I think that we got pretty lucky there. It would seem that both Ting and Candledark are fatigued from the heat last round which also reduces their CMD. A pretty nasty combination if you ask me. :)

"Attack and backup people."

"Oh NO, I LIKE it on this wretched beam of solid sunshine!" Candledark retorts in a voice that, if caught and distilled into liquid form, could surely be used both for etching fine metalwork and disposal of bodies.

His mood momentarily improves, however, when he sees the skeleton try to sweep Ting off the bridge - deadly enemy or no, he admires its style! Two can definitely play at THAT game!

With only a soft cackle, he flings his remaining rope - the good one! - at their enemy before retreating off the bridge*. Like the humble personal angel of a mortal godling, it seems determined to finish the job on its own!

ranged touch attack, fatigue: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 That oughtta do it!
Drac Skellington must make a DC 17 Reflex save or be entangled!

Candledark hurls his bloodvine rope perfectly and magically enchants it to wrap up the dragon!

The dragon failed its Reflex save and now has the Entangled condition.

Goran and Ting are up.

Goran fires a beam of light at the dragon, hoping to at least weaken it some.

Feel the burn of the Dawnflower's touch!

searing light: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 176d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 5, 1, 3, 1) = 17

Ducking below the dead Dragon's bony tail, tings eyes open wide. Trying to sort out if Rogarch and Xanak are just kidding each other or if they were giving opposite tactics, ting looks over the edge at the molten river of gold then studies the dragon for a second. Deciding that he'd rather not be on the bridge while the dead dragon was swinging it's bony tail, ting chops at the dead thing with his exotic bastard sword then steps back near the wall.

fatigued - 1 Studied targett: + 2 Attack + 1 exotic bastard sword two handed, PA, FF, 5 ft step.
Attack: 1d20 + 11 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 11 - 1 + 2 = 20 for damage: 1d10 + 6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 6 + 2 = 22

Goran begins casting a spell, but the undead dragon's reflexes are fast and its bony jaws dart in for a painful bite! But the dragon is driven back by Ting's bone-crushing bastard sword!

Goran's casting provoked an AoO, which hit. Goran, you take 16 damage. Please attempt a DC 29 Concentration check to finish the spell (if failed, the spell is lost).

Ting's attack hit.

The heat from the molten gold in the canal below the bridge continues to wear on the Pathfinders, but the dragon doesn't notice at all!

Heat effects: nonlethal fire damage. Candledark, you take 1 point. Ting, you take 2 points. Rogarch would take 3 and Goran would take 4 but I understand you have active protections.

Initiative (Round 3)

Rogarch+Rawk
Gold Skeletal Dragon (entangled)
Goran Concentration check only
Ting
Candledark
Heat

Bold should go!

Rawk-N-Role keeps his distance for now and stays put.

Rogarch continues to rage. Her arcane rage protects her from the fiery bridge. The warrior takes her own advice and steps back (5 foot step) before activating her wand of Magic Missile once again.

Magic Missile, CL 5: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4, 2) + 3 = 12

Arcane Rage: Resist Energy Fire (10)

Rogarch is now carrying her pole-arm with one arm and is no longer wielding it as she needs a hand to hold her wand.

Heat effects: nonlethal fire damage. Candledark, you take 1 point....

Does the fact I deliberately stepped back off the bridge not matter?

Yes. It means you took 1 point instead of 1d4 points+fatigue.

concentration: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

well, close...

Yes. It means you took 1 point instead of 1d4 points+fatigue.

Oh!? Does this imply I am no longer fatigued?

@Candledark - It is up to the GM to rule but I think that your character is fatigued as he took 1d4 non-lethal damage on the bridge before moving off it last round. I suspect that the fatigued condition will be removed when all of the non-lethal damage is healed. That is typically the case with environmental damage. At least I hope that is the case.

@GM Jhaeman - Would Endure Elements protect from this type of heat (either the 1 point non lethal and/or the 1d4+fatigued)? Also did we experience the heat only once we were on the threshold of the bridge? I am just trying to plan out what might happen after this combat and we need to deal with possibly unlocking the door on the other side of the bridge. :)

Goran's loses control of his spell, but Rogarch's magical missiles again strike true! Furious, the gleaming skeletal monster staggers awkwardly forward and launches a savage flurry of attacks on Ting and Goran!

Goran failed the concentration check.

Rogarch's magic missiles did normal damage.

The dragon 5' steps and (with the penalty for being entangled) does a full round of power attacks, doing a bite and two claws vs Ting and two wings and a tail slap vs Goran. Results: Ting gets hit by two claws for 18 and 19 damage respectively. Goran gets hit by one wing and a tail slap for 12 and 18 damage respectively.

@Candledark: Yes, as Rogarch suggested, you will remain fatigued until you get rid of the nonlethal damage caused by the heat.

@Rogarch: The nonlethal heat damage here isn't prevented by endure elements. (the canals are heated to 2000 degrees and just coming within a certain distance of them (50' or 10') causes damage.

Initiative (Round 3)

Rogarch+Rawk
Gold Skeletal Dragon (entangled)
Goran
Ting (fatigued)
Candledark (fatigued)
Heat

Bold should go!

Candledark concentrates...

psychic missile: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3, 4) + 3 = 13

...and bits of the dragon-skeleton's form begin fading into nothingness!

"Squawk!" Thrashed by the two claw swipes, Ting let's out a loud squawk. Not feeling at all well, Ting falls back to deal with some of the injuries and the heat.

Full withdrawal this round, he'll move straight back 40 ft, does the dragon get an AoO while entangled?

Well, hopefully block initiative (and the amount of damage dealt so far) will prevent the AoO. Damage inflicted so far is 34 from Magic Missiles, 6 from Channel with a successful will save, 7 from holy water and 16 from Ting's attack (I deducted 5 for DR/5 B and 1 for being fatigued as his strength dropped down to 16). This is a total of 63 points of damage (from my vantage point). That is a lot and hopefully it will be enough. The GM will know but I don't (yet). :)