GM Valen's PFS 1e The Devil We Know Parts III & IV: Crypt of Fools & Rules of the Swift (CORE)(Tier 3-4)

Game Master Lysle

sorry was at funeral over the weekend

I am sorry for your loss. Take whatever time you need.

HORROR IN THE HALL OF WONDERS? - Round Two Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Nightkit -4 HP
Woman (red)
Menudo
Merida
Half-orc (blue)
Theron (Fort save required)
Seebonick (Delay)
Ashtoret (readied)
Half-orc (green)
Half-orc (yellow)

Menudo boldly moves forward on yellow.

"Oi, tusky! Forget the appetizer, here comes the main course."

Dropping his Wand, and making a mental note to come back for it, Menudo moves forward and brings his Elven Curve Blade down on his foe.

ECB+ flank: 1d1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 2 = 26 for 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 damage.

Can we have Seebonik at least move closer?

fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Merida listens where the sound comes from, then sends two arrows in the direction of the voice and footsteps.

+1 Longbow Point-Blank Rapid Shot Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 1 - 2 - 1 = 26
Magic Piercing: 1d8 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 8
Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 46 (high is good)

+1 Longbow Point-Blank Rapid Shot Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 1 - 2 - 1 = 20
Magic Piercing: 1d8 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 8
Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 13 (high is good)

crit? +1 Longbow Point-Blank Rapid Shot Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 1 - 2 - 1 = 17
additional Magic Piercing: 2d8 + 6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (8, 5) + 6 + 2 + 4 = 25

That's a waste of two arrows and a possible crit... :-/

Dropping his Wand, and making a mental note to come back for it, Menudo moves forward and brings his Elven Curve Blade down on his foe.

Menudo drops the half-orc instantly.

Merida misses miserably.

The half-orc roughing up the gnome (blue) drops her to the ground, draws his club as he approaches Nightkit, then swings!
Melee (club): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Damage (B): 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

HORROR IN THE HALL OF WONDERS? - Round Two Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Nightkit -4 HP
Woman (red)
Menudo
Merida
Half-orc (blue)
Theron
Seebonick (Delay)
Ashtoret
Half-orc (green)
Half-orc (yellow) -11 HP

Menudo looks down in shock as his foe drops from such a paltry blow.

"They seem weak, and incompetent, this should be easy."

Ashtoreth walks forward, casts a spell that focuses on her hand with a dark clot of dead light. She approaches the woman from behind and touches her with this clot of unholy energy.

Ghoul Touch: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 + 2 = 24 vs touch AC
DC18 Fort

Theron, if the woman is not paralyzed, keep in mind I'm giving a flank since I have a Spiked Gauntlet.

Ashtoreth walks forward, casts a spell that focuses on her hand with a dark clot of dead light. She approaches the woman from behind and touches her with this clot of unholy energy.

The woman is on a catwalk 15 feet above the floor where Ashtoret, the half-orcs, and most of the party (with the exception of Merida) are. I tried my best to provide clear positioning for this two level combat on the slides using different shades for each level

Not sure I succeeded. Please let me know if you all think it makes more sense to remove the shaded, off-level tokens and go with just one token per combatant.

Ashtoret may repost new actions for this round accordingly.

You did everything perfectly, the map is very clear - I was inattentive when I read the description... Is there a fog preventing us from seeing under the ceiling too? Do I see her? If so, I would use the previous roll to shoot the Ray of Enfeeblement at her. str dmg: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 1) + 4 = 11, DC17 Fort for half. If not, then I'll shoot the same ray at blue. Concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 41

As awesome that would have been, unfortunately, Ray of Enfeeblement cannot crit as the target gets a STR penalty, not STR damage. However, inflicting a 8 STR penalty is still great!

If a ray spell deals damage, you can score a critical hit just as if it were a weapon. A ray spell threatens a critical hit on a natural roll of 20 and deals double damage on a successful critical hit. (Source)

You did everything perfectly, the map is very clear - I was inattentive when I read the description... Is there a fog preventing us from seeing under the ceiling too? Do I see her? If so, I would use the previous roll to shoot the Ray of Enfeeblement at her.

I am ruling that any square with mist in it on the map provides the concealment.

This mist rises at least 5 feet over the catwalk, so Ashtoret does not have visual on the woman (red) before moving.

However, Ashtoret does have sight to the catwalk after having moved to the position currently indicated on the map.

The ray strikes the woman from below!
Woman (red), Fortitude save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

HORROR IN THE HALL OF WONDERS? - Round Two Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Nightkit -4 HP
Woman (red) (-8 Str penalty)
Menudo
Merida
Half-orc (blue)
Theron
Seebonick (Delay)
Ashtoret
Half-orc (green)

Seebonickk moves and grabs a rope with his grappeling hook on it and throw it up.

"I'll come up to help!"

Thank you all .)

Theron focuses on the half orc in front of him.

You're gonna look pretty funny when I knock those teeth out of your head. mutt! he says as he rears back and slashes at him with a mighty swing.

attack, PA, FF: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 261d8 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 4 = 13

While the gnome puts his short legs to work, Theron makes short work of the half-orc.

HORROR IN THE HALL OF WONDERS? - Round Four Begins!

PCs in bold may act

Nightkit -4 HP
Woman (red) (-8 Str penalty)
Menudo
Merida
Half-orc (blue)
Theron
Seebonick
Ashtoret
Half-orc (green) -13 HP

Nightkit stabs at Blue
ss: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Nightkit wounds the half-orc.

From her perch on the catwalk, 15 feet above the fray, the woman (red) asks for a portion of Groetus' power.

The entire party below is blasted with a tremendous cacophony.
Every creature in the area takes sonic damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3
Each must succeed on a Fortitude save to avoid being stunned for 1 round. Creatures that cannot hear are not stunned but are still damaged.
Only Merida and the half-orc are spared.

Confident in her victory, the woman (red) strides into the mist, disappearing from view.

Map now updated accordingly.

HORROR IN THE HALL OF WONDERS? - Round Four Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Nightkit -7 HP (Fort save v. stunned)
Woman (red) (-8 Str penalty)
Menudo -3 HP (Fort save v. stunned)
Merida
Half-orc (blue) -4 HP
Theron -3 HP (Fort save v. stunned)
Seebonick -3 HP (Fort save v. stunned)
Ashtoret -3 HP (Fort save v. stunned)

fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
if it's ok with you,can Theron take a 5 ft step towards the hostage...if not, cool...not miving token until given the say-so

I'm gonna shut you up, wench! Theron yells as he shakes his head to fight off the effects of her sonic weapon

That b*tch!

Merida drops her bow and draws her longsword while moving forward - one step at a time - until she can see the woman. (see arrow on map)
As soon as she sees her, she strikes.

Longsword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Slashing: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

if it's ok with you,can Theron take a 5 ft step towards the hostage...if not, cool...not miving token until given the say-so

Makes sense when the half-orc went down. I am fine with that. Position now updated on map.

As soon as she sees her, she strikes.

Merida spots the form of her foe appearing through the mist!

Merida's sword draws blood!

The woman (red) scowls back at Merida.

That b*tch!

HORROR IN THE HALL OF WONDERS? - Round Four Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Nightkit -7 HP (Fort save v. stunned)
Woman (red) -7 HP(-8 Str penalty)
Menudo -3 HP (Fort save v. stunned)
Merida
Half-orc (blue) -4 HP
Theron -3 HP
Seebonick -3 HP (Fort save v. stunned)
Ashtoret -3 HP (Fort save v. stunned)

fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

fort save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Hearing the distasteful swearing, Menudo draws his Wand of Faerie Fire and attempts to aim the 5' burst at either of those speaking.

UMD: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30

Not sure if this works, Faerie Fire is not targeted, it hits an area. If you would like a Perception check to target properly, let me know.

A pale glow surrounds and outlines the subjects. Outlined subjects shed light as candles. Creatures outlined by faerie fire take a -20 penalty on all Stealth checks. Outlined creatures do not benefit from the concealment normally provided by darkness (though a 2nd-level or higher magical darkness effect functions normally), blur, displacement, invisibility, or similar effects.

Hearing the distasteful swearing, Menudo draws his Wand of Faerie Fire and attempts to aim the 5' burst at either of those speaking.

The distasteful language was not in bold, but italics, which I presumed to indicate internal thoughts rather than audible statements. That being said, the catwalk is metal, so Menudo could try to the pinpoint the location of footsteps overhead (DC 10) or the sound of battle (DC -10) over the ambient noise (-4 modifier).

Menudo, Perception: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 2 - 4 = 14

Menudo makes out the footsteps overhead to target properly.

A pale glow surrounds and outlines the subjects. Outlined subjects shed light as candles. Creatures outlined by faerie fire take a -20 penalty on all Stealth checks. Outlined creatures do not benefit from the concealment normally provided by darkness (though a 2nd-level or higher magical darkness effect functions normally), blur, displacement, invisibility, or similar effects.

I will rule that the obscuring mist is a "similar effect".

The forms of Merida and the woman become visible through the mist.

The last half-orc (blue) takes advantage of Nightkit's condition.
Melee (club) v. Nightkit, stunned: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Damage (B): 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

HORROR IN THE HALL OF WONDERS? - Round Four Cont'd/Round Five Begins!

PCs in bold may act

Theron -3 HP
Seebonick -3 HP (Fort save v. stunned)
Ashtoret -3 HP (Fort save v. stunned)
Round Five
Nightkit -10 HP (stunned)
Woman (red) -7 HP(-8 Str penalty; faerie fired)
Menudo -3 HP
Merida (faerie fired)
Half-orc (blue) -4 HP

Theron darts around the corner to help out Kit. He gets in close to the half orc and tries to cut him down with one swing.

attack, PA, FF: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 2 = 211d8 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 4 = 11

Surprise punk!

Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

BOTTING Seebonick - No post in 24+ hours.

Seebonick, Fort save v. stunned: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

The gnome joins the stunned.

Theron cuts the last half-orc down with one swing.

With Merida close, the woman (red) cautiously moves back.
5 ft. step

She utters some ancient syllables and a shimmering, magical field forms around her.

HORROR IN THE HALL OF WONDERS? - Round Five Cont'd/Round SixBegins!

PCs in bold may act

Woman (red) -7 HP(-8 Str penalty; faerie fired; +2 AC)
Menudo -3 HP
Merida (faerie fired)
Half-orc (blue) -15 HP
Theron -3 HP
Seebonick -3 HP
Ashtoret -3 HP
Round Six
Nightkit -10 HP

Merida follows the woman and swings at her again.

Longsword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Slashing: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

If only Merida had power attack... but it's an exception that she is in melee...

"Your evil magic won't help you against me!"

Nightkit moves over to the roughed up gnome and tries to user her wand to cure her
umd: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
healing: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Ashtoret walks forward to where she hears the sounds of battle, and prepares to shoot a crossbow at any enemy (ready action).

Merida wounds one woman as Nightkit heals another. Ashtoret readies.

HORROR IN THE HALL OF WONDERS? - Round Five Cont'd/Round Six Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Woman (red) -11 HP (-8 Str penalty; faerie fired; +2 AC)
Menudo -3 HP
Merida (faerie fired)
Theron -3 HP
Seebonick -3 HP
Ashtoret -3 HP (readied)
Round Six
Nightkit -10 HP

Seebonickk ignores the rope and gets out his crossbow and fires at the woman in red.

attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

But the arrow flies by.

can Theron see her from where he is or if he moves to the corner by Kit?

Seebonickk ignores the rope and gets out his crossbow and fires at the woman in red.

The bolt vanishes in the mist, before striking metal.

can Theron see her from where he is or if he moves to the corner by Kit?

He can see from either spot but the glowing woman (red) has considerable cover from either.

Ashtoret can make out the glowing woman's form too, although she has considerable cover. - Ashtoret can make readied attack.

HORROR IN THE HALL OF WONDERS? - Round Five Cont'd/Round Six Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Woman (red) -11 HP (-8 Str penalty; faerie fired; +2 AC)
Menudo -3 HP
Merida (faerie fired)
Theron -3 HP
Seebonick -3 HP
Ashtoret -3 HP (readied attack only)
Round Six
Nightkit -10 HP

+1 Light Crossbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 141d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
And I was sure that there would be another nat20 .)

Is the rope knotted? What's the DC to climb it? Menudo doesn't climb so good; if the ladder would be easier, he will double move to that. If not, he will drop his wand, stow his blade as a move, then try to Accelerated Climb the rope with a -2 Climb skill.

Theron barrels down the hallway past Seebonickk and grabs a javelin off his back and in one fluid motion hurls it at the woman, hoping for a hit.

javelin: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 7 - 4 = 101d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
unsure the cover penalties...so i'll leave that up to you, boss...just throwing a hail Mary with this one...lol

Nightkit moves over to the roughed up gnome and tries to user her wand to cure her

Oops, missed this earlier.

The gnome comes to. She seems confused, but grateful. "Th-thank you I'm Qeck, Queck Majet. Engineer. One of them anyways."

Is the rope knotted? What's the DC to climb it? Menudo doesn't climb so good; if the ladder would be easier, he will double move to that. If not, he will drop his wand, stow his blade as a move, then try to Accelerated Climb the rope with a -2 Climb skill.

Seebonickk didn't indicate whether it was knotted. I would presume it wasn't as unknotted rope would be easier to store and provide more length.

An uneven surface with some narrow handholds and footholds, such as a typical wall in a dungeon, is DC 20. That seems reasonable for the walls to get to the catwalk/upper area.

Ashtoret's bolt strike cover while Theron's javelin misses by a wider margin.

Nightkit. More of you need rescuing? She smiles at the gnome.

"Can someone boost me?"

it was unknotted and for some reason I thought I had a good Climb skill my bad

I thought an unknotted rope was DC 15 to climb?

15 Any surface with adequate handholds and footholds (natural or artificial), such as a very rough natural rock surface or a tree, or an unknotted rope, or pulling yourself up when dangling by your hands.

Whatever the final DC is, I'm going to make a Climb check on the rope, but I'm only going quarter speed, so I'll only get 10' up the rope if I succeed.

Climb: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (9) - 2 = 7

Also, I always knot my ropes in advance :)

Nightkit. More of you need rescuing? She smiles at the gnome.

"Quite a few, actually. More of these thugs barged in here earlier. Took me and my fellow engineers captive. Left here about an hour ago with six of them." Queck replies. "Those they left behind are stuck in a storage room."

I thought an unknotted rope was DC 15 to climb?

Just using CRB. There may be more clarity in another product. Feel free to point me to a source.

"It is not my magic that shall defeat you, Interloper, but that of the Harbinger of Last Days, Groetus!" The woman screams at Merida. "Nor do I fear dying for Groetus since I shall serve at his right hand in the Great Beyond!"

The woman (red) still glowing in the mist, moves away from the Pathfinder and the edge overlooking the floor below and casts a spell.
5 ft. step; cast

HORROR IN THE HALL OF WONDERS? - Round Five Cont'd/Round Six Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Woman (red) -11 HP (-8 Str penalty; faerie fired; +2 AC; spell)
Menudo -3 HP
Merida (faerie fired)
Theron -3 HP
Seebonick -3 HP
Ashtoret -3 HP (readied attack only)
Round Six
Nightkit -10 HP

OK. We'll get them out shortly. Right now we have to deal with Miss Dark and Gloomy up there

She dashes to the rope and begins to shimmy up it.
climb: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

"Where do you think you're going?"

Merida moves around the casting priest and swings at her again.

Longsword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Slashing: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

I fear that's too low to hit...

can Theron help boost Seebonickk up to the next level? might be quicker than climbing...kinda a weird move...

Is Gnome Tossing legal? :) Mind you if Theron offered to toss Nightkit, she'd do it.

5-ft-step and another ready action

"Where do you think you're going?"

Merida moves around the casting priest and swings at her again.

I fear that's too low to hit...

Your fears are confirmed.

The blade deflects off the shimmering air around her.

can Theron help boost Seebonickk up to the next level? might be quicker than climbing...kinda a weird move...

Sure. I am generally fine with weird.

HORROR IN THE HALL OF WONDERS? - Round Five Cont'd/Round Six Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Woman (red) -11 HP (-8 Str penalty; faerie fired; +2 AC; spell)
Menudo -3 HP
Merida (faerie fired)
Theron -3 HP
Seebonick -3 HP
shtoret -3 HP (readied)
Round Six
Nightkit -10 HP

Just using CRB. There may be more clarity in another product. Feel free to point me to a source.

My CRB lists the description of DC 15 as: "Any surface with adequate handholds and footholds (natural or artificial), such as a very rough natural rock surface or a tree, or an unknotted rope, or pulling yourself up when dangling by your hands"

Just using CRB. There may be more clarity in another product. Feel free to point me to a source.

My CRB lists the description of DC 15 as: "Any surface with adequate handholds and footholds (natural or artificial), such as a very rough natural rock surface or a tree, or an unknotted rope, or pulling yourself up when dangling by your hands"

Regardless, I failed, that ends my turn.

[ooc]Up you go, big man![/b] Theron says as he grabs Seebonickk and almost tosses the gnome up to the next level.

strength check?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8