[Gameday XII]PFS The Gauntlet by GM Colin (Inactive)

Game Master Colin_Mercer

"Yes, skipping was not allowed here. But knocking it unconscious should, in my opinion, count as success."

It does count

Before we all get turned to stone, would someone mind healing me? That first run of the puzzle singed me a bit.

Zartan extends a wand of cute light wounds.

”Is anyone good with a bow? We could stay at range and maybe just knock it unconscious. That’s saafer than getting inside its range.”

Ashwell can tell that the the lizard's gaze only work for creatures withtin 30ft of the lizard. A shortbow works well within a.k.a 1st range increment of 60ft, while a light crossbow is 80ft.

For healing:
Zartan took 38 damage;
Abaal took 8 + 19 = 27 damage;
Ashwell took 38 and heal 9 for 29 damage.

Ashwell can tell that the the lizard's gaze only work for creatures withtin 30ft of the lizard. A shortbow works well within a.k.a 1st range increment of 60ft, while a light crossbow is 80ft.

For healing:
Zartan took 38 damage;
Abaal took 8 + 19 = 27 damage;
Ashwell took 38 and heal 9 for 29 damage.

GM, I had false life active that took 19 hit points damage off that.

Elby says, "If someone would just toss me over there, I can thump it until it's unconscious, probably without looking at it."

She scratches her head and notices something poking her arm. "Or I guess I could use my longbow, though it's a bit basic. Anyone able to enchant it temporarily?"

Corrected damage count:
For healing:
Zartan took 38 damage;
Abaal took 8 + 19 = 27 damage;
Ashwell took 38 -9 -19 = 10 damage.

Abaal reminds everyone that Basilisk does not have damage reduction.
If one are to shot it down with arrows, one need to prepare to withstand its gaze.

Give me a bow. I'll go stand in the puzzle room, outside the range of its gaze and whittle it down. Once it falls we can get across, stabilize it, and move on.

Those who would like to shoot with bow and arrow(or any other range weapon at your disposal), just keep rolling your attack and damage vs AC 17+4 cover=21 till you have done 52 damage. After there's enough roll out there, you guys can try to cross the gap and continue.

The Pathfinders start to exploit the short-sightedness of the Basilisk. The Basilisk escapes to the other side of the room to be away of the arrows, only to find Pathfinders aiming at it from the gauntlet room as well. The "hide and seek" continues for a while and eventually the group managed to pin cushion it with arrows.

Corrected damage count:

For healing:
Abaal took 8 + 19 = 27 damage +3 from a previous room left over for 30 damage total, minus:

potion of cure moderate wounds: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (6, 1) + 3 = 10

Abaal reminds everyone that Basilisk does not have damage reduction.

He also reminds everyone that he is a man of action.

Abaal ties his bit of silk rope around his waist and hands it to someone in the hall to the puzzle room.

"Hold this. I'll distract it."

Round begins

Abaal points to his eyes and then at the basilisk. I am just going to assume it is looking at the doorway we all went into.

Fort v gaze: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Abaal attempts to repeat his previous leap with better results.

Acrobatics heroic leap! (running start, boots, land speed): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

+2 adamantine falchion v basilisk (overhand chop, power attack): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23 damage: 2d4 + 17 ⇒ (3, 2) + 17 = 22

Those who would like to shoot with bow and arrow(or any other range weapon at your disposal), just keep rolling your attack and damage vs AC 17+4 cover=21 till you have done 52 damage.

Where's the cover coming from?

GM_Colin wrote:

Those who would like to shoot with bow and arrow(or any other range weapon at your disposal), just keep rolling your attack and damage vs AC 17+4 cover=21 till you have done 52 damage.

Where's the cover coming from?

I was assuming you guys shooting from the gauntlet room and puzzle room, and if the Basilisk run to the center, it will occur cover from the wall. If you stand in the wind wall room and shoot, then there won't be cover.

Shooting from th other rooms gives it cover, but guarantees we don't have to deal with the gaze attack. Fire away. I'll be in the corner lamenting my lack of preparation

Ash throws a magic missile at the beast to help knock it down.

Damage 5d4 + 5 ⇒ (4, 2, 3, 4, 2) + 5 = 20

With the wind wall gone, Abaal leaps across the gap with ease and gives the lizard a good chop, while Ashwell bombard it with Magic Missiles.

Someone deal 10 more damage and it's over

Elby snaps off a couple shots with her oft-neglected bow.

Masterwork Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12
Piercing Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Masterwork Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 11 - 5 ⇒ (1) + 11 - 5 = 7
Piercing Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

"Sorry, didn't mean to get so close to your hair. Maybe I need to get this thing tuned up."

Zaigan fire a bolt and reloads his weapon.

+1 light crossbow: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
piercing: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

"That bolt wasn't as sharp as usual."

If you can tank the DC 15 Fort save of the petrification gaze, you can keep attacking. I'm sure you guys won't have problem cutting it down eventually, I'm just curious to see who is unlucky and have to go through the petrification -> de-petrification process, just for fun and giggles.

8 HP left, let's see if Kali want to jump across and finish it

Fort v gaze: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

For a moment Abaal thinks he feels the petrifying stare of the basilisk begin to take hold, something seems to hold him back and won't allow him to advance. There's a moment where he comes to think that this might be his last, and he thinks that perhaps he should strike the most dramatic pose possible so as to live on as an inspiring stone monument to valor in a place of honor, so that others might look upon him centuries from now and know the meaning of courage and duty.

Then he realizes someone has pinned his robes to the wall with a pair of arrows.

Fighting through it, Abaal strikes out with two quick sweeps of his curved black blade.

**SWISH! SWOOSH!**

+2 adamantine falchion v basilisk (backswing): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22 damage: 2d4 + 9 ⇒ (2, 1) + 9 = 12

+2 adamantine falchion v basilisk (backswing): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 damage: 2d4 + 11 ⇒ (4, 2) + 11 = 17

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23

Zartan takes a flying leap across the gap only to find Abaal has already finished the job.

Then he realizes someone has pinned his robes to the wall with a pair of arrows.

"Sorry, didn't mean to get so close to your hair. Maybe I need to get this thing tuned up."

"Thank you, Elbesamiya, but truly I was in no danger of falling from the ledge. In my career as the Daring Swordsman of Katapesh™ I have fought upon many a precarious perch."

Abaal plucks the shafts from the wall to return them gratefully to Elby.

"Did anyone need any basilisk blood? This particular one was quite rare given the frilled crest, and the colorful banding along it's back. It would be a shame to waste it."

Oh, and the end of the rope Abaal left on the far-side of gap can be used by himself and Zartan to help aid others in making the jump across. ;)

Abaal wastes no time and make quick work of the Basilisk, then set up rope for his teammates to come across the gap. The group shouldn't have problem making it throught the depthless gap. The paladins, however, could use some time in the archery range.
Without the howling sound of the wind, everyone can heard the door unlocking on the (upper right in terms of Google Slide map) corner of the room. No doubt that a new challenge awaits behind the door, oh the anticipation!

Probably a good time to heal up as well, if you want.

Shower thought: can you grill the lizard by throwing it to the mote of electricity?

Ash uses the remainder of his bodily purge ability for the day to try and heal the rest of his wounds.

Uses 2d8 of his bodily purge to regain hit points.

Bodily Purge HP healed 2d8 ⇒ (6, 7) = 13

I'm assuming Elby will activate the wand for me

CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

The tip of the wand seems to be glowing red by the end, but Zartan is fully healed.

Elby would not, because her archetype gives up spellcasting. Ask Zaigan.

Elby has no wounds other than her pride, so she sets herself up to head into the next room once the door is checked and opened.

Zartan and others routinely check the door and conclude that it's not trapped. The door pushed open to reveals a large chamber that contains a large pit in the center that drops down into darkness. Around the outside, the walkway is concave and curved, almost like a giant track. Two huge stone spheres are set into this track, in opposite corners of the room. The rocks fit in the track-like walkway and block the passage. The initial scan reveals no magic aura.

New map is up in position 1. You can move your token in the new map.

Elby will move up to a rock and give it an experimental shove. The angle isn't good, and she's just trying to see whether they can move at all (and if anything weird happens when they do).

Strength: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Zartan follows closely behind Elby, because anything could be a trap.

Ash waits for the spheres to crush the others before advancing into the room.

Much to Ashwell's disappointment, the boulder didn't move a bit when Elby push it, nor does it roll down the track as if you're a certain Dr. Jones. However, you hear a deep, growling voice of indeterminate gender cries out, “Halt! You trespass upon the domain…” and a second voice, slightly higher, continues, “of the Ruby Sphinxes. There is a price for passage.”

A few seconds later, two feline creatures fly up from the bottom of the pit and perch atop the stone spheres. "When the toll is paid......" one of the feline points to the door on the west bottom wall with their paw, "access shall be granted."

What is the toll?

"The tribute would be..."

"...a single magic item..."

"...worth at least 5000 gp."

Zaigan helps with the wand before continuing

"Can we please negotiate for a discount or service instead of tribute? Our lives depend on items of such great value so we cannot give them away." Zaigan pleads

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

"Surely there is something more interesting we could provide you than a bit of used gear?"

Diplomacy, Aid: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Aid diplomacy 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Ashwell agrees with the others. ”That price is exorbitant. Surely there must be some lesser amount you’d accept…”

What appears to be a pair of sphinx-like twins exchange knowing glances, their eyes gleaming with a hint of consideration. Their voices flow in perfect harmony, finishing each other's sentences effortlessly, as if they share a single thought:

"Acknowledged, travelers..." begins one twin.
"...We shall take your words into the sphinx's heart." continues the other.

After a moment's pause, they continue, as if concluding a private discussion:

"The Ruby Sphinxes' purpose is to safeguard these ancient halls..." one twin asserts.
"...thus a lower toll is beyond our authority." the other concludes.

Before anyone interject, the twin perched beside Elby and Zartan raises a paw, "We perceive your hesitation, valiant travelers." she begins.

"We understand the value of such items..." the male says with a touch of compromise.
"...and we also acknowledge the importance of your journey." the other continues, their words flowing seamlessly.

"In lieu of a magic item..."
"...the toll can be made in gold pieces..." they suggest in tandem.

"...and you may continue your journey without sacrificing a valuable tool of your trade." they conclude as one, nodding in synchronized agreement, awaiting your response.

If you aren't authorized to negotiate, who is?

"You do realize that that would be about 100 pounds of gold coins." Abaal says while theatrically patting his pockets. "Perhaps we could bargain for something worth more than magic and gold, but just as weighty--the friendship of six worthy adventurers. We adventuresome desert wanderers have a saying: 'The real treasure were the friends we made along the way.'"

Abaal, would you like to roll for Bluff?
The twins take no heed of those who dare not step into the chamber.

"We are the guardians of these ancient halls..." she looks at Zartan.
Her twin continues seamlessly, as if echoing her words: "...our authority is bound to the legacy of the Ruby Sphinxes."

"No others possess the authority to alter the charge." they conclude in harmony.

Abaal, would you like to roll for Bluff?

Not particularly. Abaal never bluffs. He's Lawful Neutral and always deadly serious.

"We are the guardians of these ancient halls..." she looks at Zartan.

Her twin continues seamlessly, as if echoing her words: "...our authority is bound to the legacy of the Ruby Sphinxes."

"No others possess the authority to alter the charge." they conclude in harmony.

"Well then," says a familiar voice from behind accompanied by a familiar jankling of chains, "Where are the Ruby Sphinxes?"

"Sorry," She addresses the others after an awkward moment. You notice one of her chains is substantially askew. "I...got stuck on a gargoyle".

Obviously, the Ruby Sphinxes refers to the twin feline creature.

Abaal frowns deeply, pondering the sphinxs' riddle and the notion that anyone would put a gargoyle underground when the winged statues notably adorn high steeples.

knowledge (arcana, aid Ashwell): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Knowlege (Arcana), aid Ashwell: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Know. Arcana 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33

”How interesting! I’ve never seen a lion dragon hybrid before. I bet you two can breathe fire like a brass dragon as well. And those wings! I can’t imagine how fast you can fly. Let alone if you pounce on us and eat us like your lion ancestry! It is clear you two are very powerful!

Ash turns to the others. ”Should we try and scrape together 5k in magical items? I don’t think these guys are anything to put on our bad side…”

Abaal steps out in front of Ashwell, slightly annoyed by the wizard's obvious fear of being torn to sheds and eaten by horrible half-draconic monsters.

"So to be clear, you both are guardians of that one door correct?" he says indicating the one the party hopes to pass through. While doing so he highlights the door with his wayfinder's magic-detecting blacklight that enables him to see auras.

"And anyone passing under that lintel must pay your toll?"

"But we could just go back through the door we came in, or sit here and chat, or do anything else beside exit via that one portal, and not owe either of you a thing?"

So it's pay to win? I don't buy it. There must be a riddle or some other way past, because I will not accept the only way through is spending more than most people see in a lifetime.

Abaal's wayfinder reveal no magic aura on the door.

"Those who would like to proceed to whatever lies beyond this door..."
"...must pay the toll." they appear resolute in their stance.

You can either come up with an magic item that worth at least 5000gp, pool together 5000gp in cash as the compromised solution they offered, or try the old fashioned Pathfinder way, VIOLENCE