[PFS1E] Betrayal in the Bones (Inactive)

Game Master andreww

The token appears to be doing its job. The indications are that we are on the right track.

Before too long I expect us to happen upon either minotaurs or other guardians.

Korin will re-up his Longstrider and Shield Other. Barkskin is gone, though.
"It's indeed too long for my liking. I would rather prefer have a fight in an arena, maybe in Goka or somewhere that's ＮＯＴ　Ａ　ＭＡＺＥ"

"It's like this journey is designed to creep us out -- question ourselves, ya-know?"

Eadie indicates a direction change to Korin. "The Master of Swords is right when he says the worst part is the waiting."

Before too long I expect us to happen upon either minotaurs or other guardians.

It seems that Quenly's words are prophetic as the labyrinth promptly opens up into a large chamber dominated by a raised stone platform, atop which sits an altar of dark stone flanked by four small statues of demonic bulls. The floor of the chamber is covered with patches of damp lichen and littered with broken bones and shattered skulls, some of which are fresh. A rectangular pit sits to the right of the raised platform. The sound of moaning and the soft rattle of chains emanates from it.

Several minotaur's confront the group as they enter! They do not appear to be friendly as they bellow at you and rush to the attack.

Initiative

Init Korin: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Init Yanddu: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6, you list HA but it has been 4 hours and so has expired
Init, Lichaam: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Init, Quenly: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
Init, Eadie: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Init, Quidditch: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

As a general note, I run initiative in blocks. I will generally resolve actions in post order unless you specify you are waiting for something, e.g. haste, blessing of fervour etc. In terms of layout, the ceiling here is 30' high. The platform and the remnants of the walls are all 10' high. You should find yourselves on a new page on Roll20.

Slight amendment to the initiative order.

Knowledge: Nature (Labyrinth Minotaur): 1d20 + 31 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 31 + 2 = 47 Assuming it's still Monstrous Humanoid
Knowledge: Nature (Other Minotaur): 1d20 + 31 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 31 + 2 = 49

Lichaam isn't up yet, but I wanted to get the Knowledge checks in now so I'd have the info on his turn.

Korin takes his one of his hand off his polearm and takes out his wand of Shield to stab himself like how characters do injection on themselves with syringe in video game/movies, but with a wand, then drop the wand and resume a firm grip on the Bec de Corbin.
in Elven"Shield's up." He murmur in his native tongue.
His gaze are fixed on the most muscular minotaur in front, analyziing its move, and took a step forward.

Move action takes out wand, standard to cast Shield, swift action studied combat the big white minotaur, and 5 foot step forward.

"Should we buff or should we go?" Korin yells.

Quidditch flies up to 25ft height and ready an action to shoot a tangleshot arrow with tube arrow shooter if the white minotaur comes within 15ft of Korin.

Quenly gestures briefly. The shadows that surround him reach out, spinning dark webs around the two foremost minotaurs and blocking their path...

Casting Tenebrous Shadow Conjuration mimicking Web: DC23 Will, success limits likelihood of grappled condition to 20%; DC23 Reflex avoids grappled condition. AoE becomes difficult terrain. Main purpose of the spell is to deny the minotaurs a charge at us.

I have freehanded a polygon on the map - if anyone has a more elegant way of representing the 20' AoE please feel free to replace it.

Quenly then floats up and back 5'. Flying 5' step, can't fail the Fly DC

That should restrict their movements somewhat and prevent us being rushed.

Quenly's dragon flies up out of harms way. I think Lichaam has one too now :)

btw if any of the minotaurs are Evil Outsiders - I suspect the Labyrinth Minotaur might be - we all have +2 to hit and damage from Hunter's Blessing.

Both Minotaurs seem to recognise the shadow magic for what it is but Blue is nevertheless caught. The large white Minotaur rushes forward at Korin. His familiar hits it with a sticky arrow but it keeps on coming.

The massive creature swings its greataxe in a wide arc which misses Korin by a distressingly narrow margin, instead carving a huge gouge out of the ground.

Charge and miss. The web did not impede him as he recognised it and he was only moving out of it in any event.

Entangled: The character is ensnared. Being entangled impedes movement, but does not entirely prevent it unless the bonds are anchored to an immobile object or tethered by an opposing force. An entangled creature moves at half speed, cannot run or charge, and takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and a –4 penalty to Dexterity. An entangled character who attempts to cast a spell must make a concentration check (DC 15 + spell level) or lose the spell.

May I ask how does the minotaur managed to charge while entangled? He should have failed its charge when it's entangled.

He became entangled mid charge, he had already started to charge so I dont consider becoming entangled mid charge prevents him from completing his action.

If one are doing full round action/full attack and a condition prevent him from doing full round action (staggered by reduced to 0 hp or Frigid Touch, nauseated, cowering, etc), will you say that he can still continue doing the full round action then?

Depends on what it is, something like stunned would clearly prevent you from acting. He missed you anyway.

It's about where he end his movement, which could have a large tactical difference. If I know that enemy can continue doing his full round action after getting a condition that specifically prevent him from doing that full round action, I would have do something different. There's a reason why I chose to entangle him 15ft away.

You can change your familiars action if you want

No it's ok. We will work with what we have now and try to turn it into our advantages.
Just for future reference, if a spell that create difficult terrain is cast when someone is charging, and the charger doesn't have mean to charge through difficult terrain. Would you say that the charger is able to complete the charge?

With a flick of her armored wrist, an oil of bless weapon appears in Eadie’s left hand, which she smashes onto the edge of her cold iron falchion.

Swift action, spring-loaded wrist sheath, standard to apply

She then takes a 5 ft step to the east.

No it's ok. We will work with what we have now and try to turn it into our advantages.

Just for future reference, if a spell that create difficult terrain is cast when someone is charging, and the charger doesn't have mean to charge through difficult terrain. Would you say that the charger is able to complete the charge?

Probably yes

Eadie makes her preparations and her falchion starts to glow with an inner light.

Blue struggles in the web and tries to break free but fails miserably, if anything becoming even more stuck.

Lichaam is up. You recognise that the Minotaurs are just regular Minotaurs. They like to run at people and hit them with axes or their horns. They are immune to Maze spells and are frankly a rather trivial threat to adventurers of your calibre. The Labyrinth Minotaur is a different matter. It is in fact an evil outsider from the Abyss. It also enjoys charging people and hitting them very hard with an enormous axe. Its horns are dangerous, especially augmented by the bronze mask it wears and, if it full attacks, it can gore or bull rush every enemy within reach. Its metal shod hooves are even more dangerous. If it tramples you with them everyone who takes the full brunt (either because they fail the save or take the OA instead) is knocked prone and they will also be staggered. Lastly they are resistant to fire.

Posting next turn's actions under spoiler since I won't have internet access on Friday.

"Be careful of its horns" Lichaam tells the others, pulling one standard unit of paper-wrapped butter from his spell component pouch. "And if you can get the mask off, it should weaken him."

With a gesture, extra-thick grease coats the ground under the lead minotaur's hooves.

Persistent Grease on the ground. Two DC22 Reflex saves, take the lowest.

Spell cast, he then flies up and to the east. He prioritizes height just a little more than he would normally, because there was at least one minotaur on the right side.

Feet now 20' away from the ground, so probably out of melee reach of the minotaurs.

"Could you check the pit?" he mutters to the quasipseudodragon on his shoulder.

The crystaline dragon nods. With a flap, it takes off before banking sharply and heading north, gaining height. Once it reaches the ceiling it dives in, burrowing another 20' northeast.

Purple circle on map. Currently using burrow speed in ceiling, and not exposed. Can't yet see anything, and has no line of effect for blindsense to pick anything up.

If you are 25' up then yes, you are out of the reach of a regular minotaur, barring something like Lunge

Despite being rather large and clumsy looking the lead Minotaur manages to keep its feet even though it is also covered in sticky glue. It snarls at Lichaam and waves its axe threateningly at him. He then shouts something to his minions.

One of the minotaur's stomps over to the pit. Its axe swings down and there is a pained cry. The second minotaur rushes over towards the pit, a wicked gleam in his bovine eyes.

"They're killing the prisoners!" Lichaam tells the others, as if their actions weren't obvious enough.

"We as of Korin and Eadie will handle the masked one, you guys go and save them!" Korin shouts toward the back.

Yanndu casts Greater Invisibility on himself. He then takes a short stroll 30' to the east.

Yanndu invokes his magic and the dark altar at the centre of the chamber flares to life. Yanndu finds himself disturbingly still visible.

You may want to change your move action given you are not invisible.

Ah! Interesting! Much appreciated GM: I'll take you up on that offer and move him backwards instead, and activate his spring-loaded wrist sheath to pop out a wand afterwards. Thanks!

As discussed, you are actually still invisible providing you dont get too close to the altar. You can still spring load a wand out. Let me know which wand.

Green stomps over to the pit and swings down with his axe. A brief scream ensues which cuts off into a gurgling shudder and then silence.

wand of shield please; also, can Yanndu note the distance at which his suppressed invisibility flared back to life as he was backing up? Thanks!

I am not sure you actually entered into the area but as the group will be able to identify an Unhallow effect you know it has a 40' radius around the altar. It clearly has a linked Invisibility Purge spell if it wasn't obvious.

Hearing the painful cries of the dwarves, Korin clicks his boots of speed for Haste and enter bloodrage to furiously lunge as the feat, +5ft reach forward with his Bec de Corbin to strike the masked minotaur.
+3 Furious Adamantine: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (20) + 25 = 45 Damage: 1d10 + 24 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 24 + 5 = 33 Reroll dmg dice w/ Exchange faction journal card: 1d10 ⇒ 9
Confirmation: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (12) + 25 = 37 20/x3 weapon Crit Dmg: 2d10 + 48 ⇒ (2, 10) + 48 = 60 Reroll 1st dmg dice : 1d10 ⇒ 8
"DIE and get out of our way."
Haste: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (14) + 25 = 39 Damage: 1d10 + 24 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 24 + 5 = 32
BAB-5 with Combat Inspiration: 1d20 + 20 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 20 + (4) + 2 = 36 Damage: 1d10 + 24 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 24 + 5 = 35
Studied Strike dmg: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 1) = 6

Quidditch flys down to be with his master and reload the tube shooter with another Tangleshot Arrow.
"Could someone throw a fireball at those minotaurs at the back, please?"

"I didn't prepare fireball today! I prepared chain lightning, though, which is a little harder to resist, more damaging, and less indiscriminately destructive."

He considers briefly. "It might drop them, or it might not."

Average of 45.5 damage, assuming they fail the save.

"I'm sure our dwarf friends over there will not be picky about what you cast to save them, master Lichaam, as long as it reduce those minotaurs to ashes."

Korin unleashes a flurry of attacks against the menacing minotaur which roars in pain.

All of those hit but he is still standing.

Lichaam briefly addresses Quenly's telepathic dragon (his own being out of range of the others.) "Translator, please relay my next thought to the other Pathfinders."

Then, thinking distinctly: "I could block most of the minotaurs with a long wall of force, but I can't get close enough to the pit before they swing again."

I will quicken our limbs, and you will have the speed that you need Lichaam Quenly sends back.

Then Quenly gestures, and his dark touch reaches the pathfinders nearby, blessing them with speed of thought and action.

Blessing of Fervour cast, covers all Pathfinders but Yanndu who has unfortunately strayed too far from Lichaam. Quidditch and Quenly's dragon also benefit. Remember to choose your bonus at the start of your turn.

Quenly then flies out of reach of the minotaurs. 20' up and eastwards, to reach an elevation of 25'.

Korin unleashes a devastating series of blows against the minotaur which somehow remains standing! Qunely enhances his allies and moves to a more advantageous position.

The Labyrinth Minotaur snorts angrily, exhaling an oily abyssal smoke from its nostrils. Its small beady eyes glare at Korin as it slowly moves forward, still entangled by the vines and dealing with the slippery ground.

Unfortunately for it, it misjudges just how slippery the ground is and stumbles, slipping about in an almost comical fashion. Steadying itself it bellows in frustration. All it wants to do is chop some foolish mortals into little pieces! It grips its axe more firmly and growls...

AC 27, if haste is up, AC 28 + add one to the attack roll below

"Hey! Leave Korin alone!"

Eadie chooses the +2 option from blessing of fervor, before advancing 10 feet to tenderise the Slab of Beef dropped on the floor. (lunge)

lunging cold iron falchion + power attack + hunter's blessing + bof + prone: 1d20 + 24 - 4 + 2 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 24 - 4 + 2 + 2 + 4 = 42
silver, cold iron, good, slashing damage + hunter's blessing : 2d4 + 24 + 2 ⇒ (4, 4) + 24 + 2 = 34

Don't forget the +2/+2 from Hunter's Blessing~

Haste isnt up, Blessing of Fervour is. Please choose which bonus you want. The Minotaur is not prone.

Gain a +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves, AC 27 with lunge. Attack roll was 38

As Eadie gets close the Minotaur lashes out at her but the blow goes wide, possibly because it was rather off balance and still hindered by the goo. In return she carves a chunk out of its leg which nearly buckles.

Meanwhile, the webbed minotaur manages to tear himself free and starts heading for the captives.

"Thank you, Quenly"

Bolstered by the blessing, Lichaam flies forwards as quickly as he can. Stopping just short of the pit, he tosses a pinch of powdered quartz into the air and holds up one hand.

Take speed from BoF. Wall of Force from the eastern wall remnants to the edge of the shadow webbing. Area nearest the pit is 20' tall (double lines). Rest is 10' tall.

In the ceiling, the crystal pseudodragon continues burrowing until... yes, that should be above the pit. He pops his head out and what happened here?

Lichaam was up here, the dwarves are mostly still down there, minotaurs swinging...

After a brief telepathic summary from Lichaam, the dragon tries to assess the dwarves' state... from the ceiling.

Heal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Darnit! Didn’t hit hard enough …

Eadie anticipates the masked minotaur’s attack, but is very surprised it doesn’t even dent her armor.

“I’m not quite sure what all you casters are doing with the dwarf captives.”

“Assuming Korin drops the Big Cow, I was just going to try to mess up the smaller ones. Is that OK?”

Lichaam creates a protective wall. His draconic ally reports that there are four dwarves in the pit. One looks very dead.

Red takes a swing at a dwarf in a pit and looks very confused as his axe reverberates off the invisible barrier. He makes his way along the wall, scraping his axe against the barrier as he goes trying to work out where it is.

Seeing something strange going on Orange heads through the central shrine before crashing into the barrier.

Yanndu casts fly and takes to the air towards the captives.