[Gameday XII] PFS1e #9-09: Beyond the Halflight Path (Core) (Inactive)

Game Master roll4initiative

The creatures then get serious. Scowling, the one with light blue motifs on its cloak steps forward and points a finger at Iovo, mumbling arcane words that cloud her mind...
@Iovo: Make a DC 13 Will Save, please.

The other bulbous-eyed creature in orange points at a spot in front of Markus. A tremendous burst of cacophonous sound erupts right in front of the dwarf.
Markus & Damiar, you each take 1d8 ⇒ 4 points of sonic damage. Please make a DC 15 Fortitude save...

Combat Tracker (Round 1, cont.) Bold may act!
Iovo:
Purple: ded.
Cyan:
Orange:
Damiar: (-4 hp, need Fort Save)
Markus: (-4 hp, need Fort Save)
Farlen:
Salvio:
Seelah:

Salvio hustles up the stairs, drawing his crossbow.

Knowledge (Dungeoneering) check to identify creatures: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

On seeing the creatures, he tries a simple cantrip on the cyan enemy, attempting to cloud its mind and keep it from acting. Casting daze; DC 15 Will save or lose next turn's actions.

Salvio recognizes these creatures as Derro; Small, evil humanoids that are fae-like in appearance.
You get 2 questions, however, Iovo might call out what she knows about them.

Cyan Will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

The creature stands there with a dumbfounded look on its face.
"Derp."

Damiar, Markus, Farlen, & Seelah are up!

Iovo says something in the same strange language she used before.

Iovo calls out in common “Don’t allow them to flank you and their bolts are likely poisoned. They also lack appreciation of a good joke,”

Farlen moves forward 20' and pulling colored sand from is pouch, chants something. A rainbow of colors cone out directly East striking the two humanoids.
Casts color spray in 1,3,3 arrangement east, dc 16 will save. I can't move myself on my phone. If someone could move Farlen straight North 20' please. I would be grateful.
knowledge local: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
"Aha, bugbears!"

Fortitude save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Markus shakes off the effect of whatever spell was thrown against him, quickly closing with the blue coated one. He lashes out with a fist, attempting to simply knock the creature out.

Stunning Fist!: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Fortitude save DC 15 or be stunned. Nevermind - that must have missed... Moved FArlen I think where you wanted to be to hit the two remaining?

"Aha, bugbears!"

Iovo says “Derro, I think bugbears are a type of goblin.”

Seelah closes in, sword und shield ready. (double move)

Sorry, I had moved Farlen, but was distracted by real life afterwards, so Markus moved him again in the meantime. Farlen is now back where he intended to be.

"Oh! I thought you were calling us mites!"
One shouts in Undercommon to Iovo.

"Good impression, though. Mites are pesky buggers. Too bad we're gonna have to kill..."
The other one snarls before getting cut off by Farlen...
Farlen hustles into the cavern and hits the two derro with a burst of scintillating colors...
Cyan Will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Orange Will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
The two derro are unaffected by the spray of colors. With a snarl, they raise their crossbows at you.

Will continue with update soon.

Markus' ears ring with pain, but he shakes off the stunning effect. His right jab is off target, narrowly missing the derro's face.

Seelah rushes in up to orange, sword and shield at the ready.

Damiar Fort Save (DC 15): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Except for the severe headache, Damiar is also unaffected by the stunning.

Combat Tracker (Round 1, cont.) Bold may act!
Iovo:
Purple: ded.
Cyan: dazed
Orange:
Damiar:
Markus:
Farlen:
Salvio:
Seelah:

Markus' ears ring with pain, but he shakes off the stunning effect. His right jab is off target, narrowly missing the derro's face.

Seelah rushes in up to orange, sword and shield at the ready.

Damiar Fort Save (DC 15): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Damiar doubles over, pressing her hands to her ears. The pain from the sound burst is unbearable.

Combat Tracker (Round 2) Bold may act!
Iovo:
Purple: ded.
Cyan: dazed
Orange:
Damiar: (stunned 1 rnd.)
Markus:
Farlen:
Salvio:
Seelah:

Ignore the post directly above! The one before that is the correct post!

Iovo is up!

Salvio takes a short step forward, loads his light crossbow, and shoots the one with orange highlights in its pale hair.

Light crossbow, including PBS and cover penalty: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 1 - 4 = 12

Iovo is up!

Judging from this post it is everyone except Iovo and now Salvio that is up.

Damiar moves, and then inspires courage.

"I meant ... Aha, derro!"
he levels his wand at the cyan derro. "Zappo" A green streak of force rips through the air striking the creature.
damage MM charge: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Seelah raises her sword and quickly brings it down in a powerful stroke...

+1 longsword, PA: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 - 2 = 12
slashing, magic, PA: 1d8 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 6 = 14

Markus swings twice at the derro Filthy things! Not today for you.

fob,ic: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
fob 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
damage 1: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
damage 2: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
confirm?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
damage?: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Ugh. I totally confused myself by double posting. I should be back on track now.

Damiar, who is not stunned, strides into the chamber and sings to inspire her teammates with courage.

Markus flurries with both fists at the cyan derro's face. The first blow glances off the derro's shoulder plate. Upon landing the second blow, a loud "crack!" can be heard as it nails the derro right in the nose, shattering bone (not a crit, though). Howling in pain, the derro bends forward and holds his face with his hand, blood pouring out his nose.

Farlen then hits the cyan derro with a bolt of magical force square in the chest. The derro howls in pain, points at his comrade, and yells in undercommon,
"Thảmị khuṇ t̄hụng tām c̄hạn mā thèānận!? K̄heā khụ̄x khn thī̀ xyāk ca sùm comtī khuṇ!!"

Seelah brings her blade down on orange. Unfortunately, her aim is off and she fails to land the blow.

Salvio steps and fires his crossbow at orange. The bolt strikes the cavern wall and shatters into splinters.

Combat Tracker (Round 1, cont.) Iovo is up!
Iovo:
Purple: ded.
Cyan: dazed, -14 hp
Orange:
Damiar:
Markus:
Farlen:
Salvio:
Seelah:

Iovo steps up to cyan and says something in their strange language.
[spoiler=Undercommon]”If you don’t want to be here, run before your partner does. That will give you a head start.”

As she says this, she thrusts with her rapier.
Attack w/ +1 Rapier, IC: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 1 = 27 Crit 18-20
Rapier damage, IC: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

Crit? w/ +1 Rapier, IC: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 1 = 28 Crit 18-20
Total crit damage, IC: 3 + 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ 3 + (3) + 1 + 1 = 8

Cyan falls backwards from Iovo's rapier, quite dead.

Orange's eyes go wide in shock and fear as his comrade falls. Determined, he takes a step back and fires his crossbow at Seelah.
Rep. Lt. X-bow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Piercing: 1d6 ⇒ 2
The bolt hits the ceiling in the back of the cavern and shatters to pieces.

Combat Tracker (Round 2). bold are up!
Iovo:
Purple:
Cyan:
Orange:
Damiar:
Markus:
Farlen:
Salvio:
Seelah:

Rather than shoot into melee again, Salvio targets the orange one with the same befuddling cantrip that kept the bluish one out of action.

Casting daze; DC 15 Wills save or lose a turn's actions.

Orange Will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Orange stares off into space, completely distracted.

The wizard grins. Yes! I'm helping!

Markus slides forward, stepping onto the downed cyan derro, launching another series of attacks at the remaining underground dweller....

FOB: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
FOB2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Damage 2: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

"Zappo!" farlen uses his wand of magic missiles again but this time on orange hued derro.
mm charge #2: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Seelah moves behind the dazed derro and strikes again with her sword.

+1 longsword, PA: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 9 - 2 = 17
slashing, magic, PA: 1d8 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 6 = 14

Markus moves forward to pummel the derro, however, the blood on the ground is quite slippery. He slips, but keeps his footing. His fists fail to land any blows.

Farlen hits the derro square in the chest with a bolt of force.

With the derro unable to react, Seelah slips behind him. She swings her blade with all of her might, getting in a solid blow and causing a large gash on the derro's back. The derro isn't looking like he'll be standing much longer.

Combat Tracker (Round 2, cont.): Damiar is up!
Iovo:
Purple:
Cyan:
Orange: -19 hp & dazed.
Damiar:
Markus:
Farlen:
Salvio:
Seelah:

Iovo is welcome to take their turn as well.

Botting...

Damiar moves further into the cavern while arming her bow. She takes a shot at the derro...
+1 Long Bow & I.C.& PBS: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 20
Piercing Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 + 2 = 9

Iovo then moves to flank the derro with Seelah...
+1 Rapier, IC & flank: 1d20 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 3 = 22 Crit 18-20
piercing damage & IC: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Damiar finishes off the last derro.

Pathfinders are victorious and unharmed!

A routine search of the derros' bodies uncover (sized for small persons):
Mundane short swords (x3)
Mundane Aklys (x3)
Repeating Lt. X-bows (x3), each with 9 bolts, their tips glistening with poison.
Stinky suits of mundane leather armor (x3).

In their pockets, you find three potion vials:
One contains a clear liquid with gold flecks floating within.
The other two are filled with a blue liquid with smoky, black streaks swirling within.

Iovo says “That went well. What next?”

Salvio mutters to himself. "...neutralize all hostiles, check; search bodies and area, check...oh! Identify any items!" He intones a cantrip (detect magic) and examines the gear.

Spellcraft checks on bottles, add +10 to each d20, clear/blue/blue: 3d20 ⇒ (14, 17, 6) = 37

Salvio discovers that the three potions are a potion of cure moderate wounds and 2 potions of protection from chaos.

Investigating the cavern you're in, the air in this room is musty and still. At the eastern end (direction of up on map), it opens into a larger chamber with ceilings reaching 20 feet high. Small, harmless brown fungi grow along the floors and walls, and a patch of purple crystals is embedded in the ground near a still pool in the northeast. Shattered fragments of an ancient statue lie in a heap on the eastern wall, a multitude of deep-set eyes still visible as they stare sightlessly into the room.

A thorough search of the cave reveals nothing else of interest.

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Looking at the statue, Iovo says “Wonder if it was a worshipper that did this?”

Gesturing to the statue fragments, she then explains “Azathoth — god of entropy, madness and mindless destruction. Sort of surprised they found a sculptor to even create it.”

"The ranger did not say anything about this statue, I wonder if the Derro brought it here. That would indicate they are moving in so to speak."
Farlen examines the area for other signs of habitation, bedrolls, food scraps or whatever. "This could be a vanguard for a Derro invasion."

“Didn’t seem like a scouting party or anything else military to me, but who knows?”

Pointing to the east, she says “Guess we head that direction next!”

Pointing to the east, she says “Guess we head that direction next!”

East is up on the map. Left is north. You can head south into the sparkling lit passage or backtrack west and head down the narrow passage.

"Let's follow the sparkling crystals to the South. Crystals were part of the divination we got. Could be important."
Farlen puts away his wand and gets out his crossbow and loads a bolt.
"Let's proceed."

"Maybe the sculptor made it out of something nicer-looking?" Salvio reloads his crossbow as well.

"Sounds good to me." Damiar follows along with the group decision.

You do find 3 crude pickaxes laying near the broken statue. Noticing recent chip marks on the chunks of stone, it appears the derro were breaking apart the statue.

The group heads south...

A kaleidoscope of ever-changing, yet somehow indefinite colors fills this room, radiating from masses of crystalline growths that protrude from the walls and ceiling like grasping, clawed fingers. Narrow walkways pass through and between sparkling arches, and a slightly musical humming—one moment harmonious and the next discordant—echoes from what sounds like a great distance.

The ceiling, also covered in crystalline growths, arches to nearly 30 feet overhead. The southwestern cavern wall opens to a cylindrical channel where the sound of a rushing underground river can be heard.

Oh, and one of my rules regarding 5' squares: if more than 50% of the square is open space, a medium creature can fit in that square.

What, my dear Pathfinders, would you like to do?

Knowledge, Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Near the statue
It had a lot of eyes, maybe it was a statue the Derro didn't like, or was an enemy to them?

Multicolored room

Markus peers around at the room, and the strange sounds within it.
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14I wonder what's causing that? I think we should proceed, and confirm the water we're hearing is close by. the Dwarf says.

Markus can only hear the soft musical humming—one moment harmonious and the next discordant. He also can hear the sound of rushing water in the tunnel to the southwest.

Damiar tries a performance in the crystal space.

Perform (sing): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

♫ Excuse me, fine crystals can I take you to task -
Why one minute you sound sonorous and the next like ass?
Your melodies should be a symphony sublime
Instead you keep shifting so make up your mind! ♫

Is there anything odd with how the music echoes here?

Damiar's song echoes and reverberates throughout the crystal chamber. The acoustics are quite... odd. Otherworldly, is more like it.

Rather difficult to explain. I'll leave it up to your imagination. Maybe a good way to explain the music of the crystals is like one moment the gentle tinkling of crystal or glass and then it changes to the cracking and breaking of glass. Sci-fi or fantasy crystal caves come to mind (a la, Star Trek TOS?).

The group stands still and listens intently to the "music" emanating from the crystals (taking 10 on perception). Damiar, Iovo, and Markus can hear small fragments of sentences in a strange language within the din of the crystals. The others strain to listen...
Farlen Perc.: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15
Salvio Perc.: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16
Seelah Perc.: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
But they can't hear the voices.

To Markus earlier: "Who knows with Derro, could have thought it would come to life and attack, or they could have just wanted it to stop staring at them. They're not...'stable', if you know what I mean."

After listening and not hearing:
"Can you tell which path leads to where the sound is coming from?" Farlen says as he strains to hear the too soft voices. Farlen checks his crossbow and nobs he is ready to move. "Can we sneak or is it pointless now?"

If no one has a bead on the sound, "Let's go South and stay close to the water with our path choices. Easier to back track that way."

Those that can hear the voices inform Farlen that they emanate from all over the area; above, below, in front, behind.

Earlier after the loot is identified:
"I would take a potion of Protection from Chaos, if I may have it - and nobody else wants it..."

After listening and not hearing:
"I agree with Farlen. If we do not have a lead on the sound, let's go South."

The group heads south through the winding crystal passage, carefully keeping watch for any danger (Insert sound of GM's dice rolling). The southern half of the western wall opens to an ancient lava tube with a rushing river flowing northward, 5 feet below the floor of the crystal cavern. The water slightly glows with a bluish-green light.

At the southern end of the room, a set of natural stone steps ascends gradually to another cavern. The group heads up the steps...

I placed your icons in current area.
Water swiftly rushes past the southern end of the room here, five feet below the level of the floor. Sparkling crystals emerge from the stone throughout tis cave. The water, surprisingly, does not glow here and casting detect magic on it does not reveal any magical aura. Upstream, about 40 feet to the east, the lava tube opens immensely. Water pours from an opening high above into the lava tube, creating a spectacular waterfall. Shining your light to the passage across the river, you notice about 10 feet beyond, it's soon blocked by a cave in. It appears you have reached a dead end.

You can backtrack towards the entrance and take one of the narrow passages that lead south. I put red & yellow arrows on the map where you can go. The red arrow points to the very narrow tunnel that medium creatures would need to crawl through.