9-13, The Lion's Justice for Outpost (Inactive)

Game Master DoubleGold

Kwami moves ahead and settles in by the pool in the garden.

Brallenera: just make as many rolls as you want and mark off the charges used. Shasta will cast it as many times as you want/need.

Before leaving for the big event, Shasta gathers everyone around for a one minute bard buff. "This is a special composition designed to make you faster on your feet."

She plays a melody on her violin, a bright and spritely tune that mimics the sound of human feet, slowly building to a steady, ground-eating pace.

Buff: everyone gets an enhancement bonus of 10 feet to land speed for one hour. This is a bard masterpiece called Triple time. It uses one of Shasta's bardic performance rounds. She has used 5 of 20 so far.

Let us know if/when we're likely to exceed this one hour, so Shasta can re-establish it if feasible.

Just before entering the building, someplace where she can cast a spell from a scroll without drawing attention to herself, she casts See Invisibility on herself. It is Caster Level 3, so it lasts 30 minutes.

Upon arriving at the senate building, Shasta does a quick walk-through of the area with the display cases, not really looking at the displays but checking to see if anyone is lurking in dark corners. Areas in B1.

Then she proceed to wherever people are gathering for the main event. B6 I assume? If there are musicians performing for the crowd, she will get out her violin and join in unless they object. If there is no music, she will provide some, playing her violin and keeping an eye on what is happening from the sidelines.

CLW wand: 4d8 + 4 ⇒ (7, 6, 2, 4) + 4 = 23

That's four charges on 50 used

Aww, thanks. Feeling better

At Shasta, an hour will not pass. No Cyan halfing, copy past error.

Okay going through the rooms, since there is no combat while exploring..
B2. Courtyard
Breathtaking gardens surround the senate building. Catered patios segregated by short iron fences, coordinated military displays, and a makeshift zoo of imported animals and magical beasts fill the few open spaces here, even including a small hive of bees that busily pollinate the exotic flowers and make the honey used by the senate kitchens. A skeleton crew of servants tidies the grounds as the attendees cram onto the senate floor for the exaltation ceremonies.

B3. Emperor’s Hall
This gathering space before the senate chamber is set aside as the property of the emperor, and features countless statues and portraits of previous grand princes. While formally these chambers are for use by the emperor, no grand prince has ever maintained an office within the senate building, and the space is understood to be public meeting rooms by silent agreement.

B4. Gallery
The second floor of the senate building (not shown on the Taldan Senate map on page 14) acts as an observation deck for visitors to witness events of the main floor, with offices for various senators lining the outer walls. This area of winding passageways is typically open to noble observers and senatorial aides. Much of the gallery is dedicated to entertaining the children of various nobles, with extravagant performances occurring throughout the upper balconies of the senate building. Servants hastily shepherd the children away to a safe location at the onset of trouble in the senate.

B5. Imperial Archives
The Imperial Archives could have been Golarion’s greatest collection of transcribed knowledge, had any care been invested into its upkeep. Instead, centuries of redirected funding and senate-sanctioned pruning of “sensitive information” has ruined the once-immaculate reputation of the archives. This vast library now acts as a repository of haphazardly curated books, senate minutes, and genealogy records left open to the scrutiny of uncaring nobles. The area is empty, save for a few curators, during the exaltation ceremony.

B6. Senate Floor
Normally closed to non-senators, the vast, circular senate floor is open to special guests during the Grand Day of Exaltation, and myriad would-be nobles take the opportunity to duck in and live out a few moments of power fantasy, issuing mock legislation or engaging in lively debates. The chamber is now sealed as Grand Prince Stavian performs the exaltation ceremony and initiates his subsequent attack.

B7. Servant Area
While several hidden corridors crisscross the senate building, allowing servants to come and go without disturbing the assembled politicians, this area houses most of the storerooms, workshops, and kitchens where the building’s small army of servants bustle to maintain the facade of opulence. Even this area, never meant for noble eyes, is of exceptional quality, though the gilt has worn thin on most corners, and here and there cheap repairs mar artistic furniture.

As you approach B6... The area has doors, not openings and 4 guards. Hey turn back, this area is off limits. Your objective is to get into B6. The doors are closed and barred and the guards do not want you to go in, what do you do?

EditIf combat breaks out, keep in mind squares are 10 feet, not 5.

Sure, sure, but do you mind if I ask why? Everything else is available to us? There nothing nefarious going on in there, right. Nothing like a culling of the nobility with a side of filicide?

Shasta has See Invisible and Detect Magic cast on herself as she is moving through the area leading to B3. Did/does she observe any invisible things or detect any magic on any of the servants, animals in the mini-zoo area, or on the guards?

Other PCs: please see this spoiler. Share your own ideas as well.

Just before we get to the point of trying to get past the guards, Shasta will cast two spells on herself from a point out of sight of the guards: Eagle's Splendor (a prepared spell, duration 7 minutes) and Tap Inner Beauty (from a scroll, Caster Level 5, duration 5 minutes)

Also, she uses her sleeves many garments to provide herself with elegant clothes appropriate for noble attending such an important event.

Sure, sure, but do you mind if I ask why? Everything else is available to us? There nothing nefarious going on in there, right. Nothing like a culling of the nobility with a side of filicide?

The guards seem bothered. You are very odd, now go away. Private meeting.

You can try to convince them, Shasta, but Kwami's fully prepared to say skip it and just beat them over the head until they fall down.

Sure, sure, but before I go I have to ask who should lead the country next? Daughter of the current ruler, son of a different noble, or just make Stavian immortal and stop worrying about it?

Apologies friends, we're just looking around. You are certain we just can't peek in? Seoni asks, I do love the architecture of this place, and we'll be quiet as fieldmice!

Bluff: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16

UGH

They look at Seoni with suspicion I don't care why you are here, just don't go into that room. They won't attack first, but you won't get a surprise round either. So unless someone has a way of getting in there, ie like what Nightcrawler did in one of the X-Men movies where he teleported on the other side guessing the distance to get to Xavior, I will have to roll init. Combat ends when you bust down a door, though in combat that is hard to do. These guards are actually easy, so if you just want to take them out, I handwave busting down a door.

Knowing she is not the most convincing person in the room, Brallenera keeps quiet.

Her axe will do the talking later if needed.

voting for a hand wave knock them unconscious and burst through the doors.

Abaal still has his black adamantine "skeleton key" if we need a way through the door.

Apologies friends, we're just looking around. You are certain we just can't peek in? Seoni asks, I do love the architecture of this place, and we'll be quiet as fieldmice!

UGH

I don't know. Somehow that seems perfect. ;)

Abaal steps forward. "If it is any consolation--Ionnia sent us."

Charisma aid Seoni: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12

It would be a disguise and bluff both to get in without combat.
Ah, I guess we don't get paid enough for this.
init: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15 the 4 guards.

Let's get this party started.

Shasta decides to implement one of her ideas for a distraction before anyone decides to start a fight. She steps around the corner in the area of the garden and small zoo, casts Mad Monkeys from a scroll Caster level 5, after a full round for the casting, then lasts 5 rounds..

Monkey Swarm Stats

Depending on whether or not this act triggers initiative, the next round action for Shasta may have other things happen first. Note: the monkey swarm has the improved initiative feat: Initiative +7.

Shasta says to the monkeys, "Welcome my pretties! Go that way and attack and distract any of those guards standing in front of the doors, starting with the ones nearest to you."

After telling them this Shasta runs as if in a panic toward the others in the party yelling, "Wild animals on the loose! Run for your lives!"

Bluff: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30

The monkeys follow and head toward the guards on the north east side. They create a terrible sound of hoots and screeches as they move, filling an area about ten feet on a side and moving as fast as Shasta.

As she runs, Shasta reaches into her handy haversack and draws out a flask of alchemist's fire. Part of her move actions.

Initiative, Monkeys: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Initiative, Shasta: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Let's get this party started. Note, the GM's post ninja-ed mine by 4 minutes. I hope you will at least allow Shasta's summoning round to have happened just before the round when initiative started, since I was in the process of posting at that time.

Shasta decides to implement one of her ideas for a distraction before anyone decides to start a fight. She steps around the corner in the area of the garden and small zoo, casts Mad Monkeys from a scroll Caster level 5, after a full round for the casting, then lasts 5 rounds..

Monkey Swarm Stats

Depending on whether or not this act triggers initiative, the next round action for Shasta may have other things happen first. Note: the monkey swarm has the improved initiative feat: Initiative +7.

Shasta says to the monkeys, "Welcome my pretties! Go that way and attack and distract any of those guards standing in front of the doors, starting with the ones nearest to you."

After telling them this Shasta runs as if in a panic toward the others in the party yelling, "Wild animals on the loose! Run for your lives!"

Bluff: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20

The monkeys follow and head toward the guards on the north east side. They create a terrible sound of hoots and screeches as they move, filling an area about ten feet on a side and moving as fast as Shasta.

As she runs, Shasta reaches into her handy haversack and draws out a flask of alchemist's fire. Part of her move actions.

Initiative, Monkeys: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Initiative, Shasta: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

At Shasta, yes it is allowed. So what are the monkeys doing?
Abaal takes out a guard and puts him in dying.
The guards aren't ready to leave their posts so they throw javelins hits: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20vs monekeys dmg: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
hit: 2d20 ⇒ (11, 18) = 29 Their modifiers are so low, plus range penalties, for the rest of you, green and purple have to roll a nat 20 to hit.
Everyone is up

Kwami flies over to red, Sorry about all this. and stabs him anyway.

Attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22
damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Note on the javelin hit on the monkeys: weapons only do half damage against slashing and piercing weapons.

The monkeys swarm over to the guard being attacked by Kwami. Red

The guard gets an attack of opportunity. The swarm's defensive abilities: half damage from weapons, swarm traits.

Then the swarm does automatic 2d6 damage, subject the guard to the distraction effect. Creatures failing a saving throw against the mad monkeys’ distraction attack are deafened for 1 minute as well as nauseated.

Swarm Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9

DC 14 Fortitude save or be deafened and nauseated for 1 minute.

Shasta advances with the monkeys and tries to strike the guard with her shock whip.

+1 Shock Whip, 1st: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
+1 Shock Whip damage, lethal: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 + elecricity: 1d6 ⇒ 3
15 foot reach, no AOO for ranged attack, no protection from AC

Kwami hits, the swarm bites him and Shasta finishes him.
aoo: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 Nope
Abaal, Seoni, Brallenera are up. Green and purple left

Abaal takes out a guard and puts him in dying.

Totally NOT what actually happened, but whatevs, I guess. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Abaal steps past the guard contemplating his destroyed glaive, or dwarven longhammer, or greatclub, or mancatcher, or nunchaku or whatever it was and cleaves through the barred door with two quick swipes of his great black blade.

**SWISH! SWOOSH!**

+2 adamantine falchion un-improved sunder (to destroy) v door (Backswing, Power Attack): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15 damage (shattering strike): 2d4 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (1, 2) + 18 + 2 = 23

+2 adamantine falchion un-improved sunder (to destroy) v door (Backswing, Power Attack): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 damage (shattering strike): 2d4 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (4, 4) + 20 + 2 = 30

He sighs at the violent antics of his fellows and their monkeys. Not every encounter need result in bloodshed and fatalities. After all, these guards were probably just doing their jobs.

Shasta notices Abaal's expression of disapproval at the violence toward the guards and says, "They're ordered to keep everybody in. They should know that's not something a powerful tyrant does so he can do nice things for them. They knew the job was dangerous when they took it."

GM: The doors were said to be barred, which I assumed was on the outside keeping people in, not on the inside, keeping people out. Which is it? If we can just lift the bars and open the doors, then we don't need to beat them down. It's probably just a strength check.

Seoni observes and delays, her comrades having this well in hand.

If no guard attacks her, Brallenera is happy to let them live and hack at the door too, with her adamantine axe

Power attack: 1d20 + 16 - 3 ⇒ (17) + 16 - 3 = 30
dmg: 1d10 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 6 = 16

Power attack: 1d20 + 11 - 3 ⇒ (3) + 11 - 3 = 11
dmg: 1d10 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 6 = 13

If the guards attack, the dwarfess strikes them instead Using the same rolls

Okay, Abaal, you were sundering weapon.
Brallenera attacks a guard and hurts him badly
Abaal destroys a door, with that the guards stop attacking and run, as their orders were to keep people in and with a door destroyed, people start rushing out. Combat over.
You breach one of the doors into area B6, the various dignitaries start to pour out from the senate floor. The fleeing people are intent on escaping the ongoing massacre and don’t even thank you, they just run.
There are tons of people here, and breaking down more doors will help. Dozens maybe even hundreds.
Karina and Three Devils fly above the area.
Reroll init
The area in B6 is difficult terrain for 20 rounds, breaking down another door, which is a strength check or sundering it reduces the number of rounds it is difficult terrain as people exit the area. Area of effect spells hurt innocents until they have all exited. Each door broken down reduces the number of rounds people are in here by 5. One door down means 15 rounds.
init: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 Karina
init: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28 Bone Devils X3 They are large sized so they do take up that 10 foot square.

Seeing as nobody can actually beat the bone devils init
The first one tries to summon another bone devil chance: 1d100 ⇒ 68 but fails
The 2nd one summons a wall of ice, thus keeping people in resetting the rounds back to 20 and keeping you out. The dark blue square, the rest are doors.
The 3rd one teleports.
You may go if you get better than 22 init

Shasta notices Abaal's expression of disapproval at the violence toward the guards and says, "They're ordered to keep everybody in. They should know that's not something a powerful tyrant does so he can do nice things for them. They knew the job was dangerous when they took it."

GM: The doors were said to be barred, which I assumed was on the outside keeping people in, not on the inside, keeping people out. Which is it? If we can just lift the bars and open the doors, then we don't need to beat them down. It's probably just a strength check.

Abaal is aware of the fact that the bars are on the outside, but he rather destroy the door completely so that the group doesn't have them locked behind them should more guards arrive. Plus he could do it on his own in the space of a round or two.

Also, I'm just making fun of the fact that the party fighter was the only one who didn't choose immediate and direct violence against folks who were probably instructed by the real villains to keep the doors barred. Even if they are complicit in a murder ambush, they were ordered to do so by their king. Abaal does try to be honorable even in the face of adversity.

initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

As should we all.

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

When moving, keep in mind everyone has an extra ten feet of movement from Shasta's Triple Time masterpiece buff.

Shasta instructs the monkeys to attack the bone devil and try to steal any weapons it carries.

Shasta uses her extra speed to dash just out of reach of the devil and gets to the next barred door past the one Abaal is hacking at.

Swarm Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5
If any of this gets past DR, the target must make a DC 14 Fort save to avoid becoming Nauseated and deaf for 1 minute.

Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Awww.. some devils now. Thanks. I always had to fight demons until today.

Brallenera grins at the upcoming fight

Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Ah, not fast enough. But we'll get them next!

The swarms chop down on the bone devil but it has no effect. Didn't get past Dr.
Karina moves and can only see 3 people through the wall of ice. Abaal, Brallenera, Seoni Will save dc 17 vs slow. Slow
Shasta just went so.
Everyone except Shasta is up Also you can see Karina has Mirror image spell on and greater invisibility, she cast it before combat when you were fighting guards. You know where she is at right now, even though you can't see her, she hints to you which square she is in right now, she is taunting you.
Also hint, these creatures were summoned by Karina, so if she dies they go away automatically. That is if you can get to her.
Another hint on Karina, Seoni has glitterdust and dispell magic Before Combat Karina has had time to quaff her potion of bear’s endurance and has just cast shield, bull’s strength, keen edge, fly, fire shield, greater invisibility, and mirror image, in that order, prior to the PCs’ arrival. And since Sorcerers don't have to prepare spells, Glitter Dust plus 4 dispel magics means you all can kick her but.

Will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Abaal attempts to appraise the abilities of the skeletal horror that has suddenly appeared in their midst as he moves to flank with Brallenera and attacking.

knowledge (plane): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

+2 adamantine falchion v pink (Backswing, Power Attack): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20 damage: 2d4 + 20 ⇒ (1, 3) + 20 = 24

+2 adamantine falchion v pink (Backswing, Power Attack): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 damage: 2d4 + 20 ⇒ (4, 4) + 20 = 28

Reminder: Shasta as See Invisibility active. Let me know when she is in a position to see the invisible one.

Unlikely to lift the bars on the door Kwami begins blessing members of the party.

Good blessing for Kwami, Abaal, and Brallenera over the next three rounds. Weapons will count as good and do 1d6 good damage to evil creatures. Blessings last for 1 minute

Will save, Steel soul, DC 17: 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 4 = 12

Power Attack, Devilbane axe, Slow: 1d20 + 16 + 2 - 3 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 16 + 2 - 3 - 1 = 33
Dmg, Devilbane, Good Blessing: 1d10 + 6 + 6 + 2d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 6 + (1, 1) + (3) = 26

Brallenera strikes, and makes it count, even if she attacks only once.

Abaal hits once because it is flat footed extra good dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 1 We will say Kwami casted this before you swung as this is a hard fight, and I'm trying to give you guys all the advantage you can get.
Shasta would have to strength check open that door first to see her, she is the only human NPC inside B6. You can see her from that postion assuming you can get the door open. It is difficult terrain inside B6 because of people rushing out.
Brallenera hits the Bone Devil hard. 51 dmg on Pink
Seoni is up Also the Bonedevil was next to you before I moved it, so if you move aoo, but if you 5 foot step and then cast a spell, you are fine.
They will go after Seoni, the first one will try to Summon chance: 1d100 ⇒ 56 but fails
The 2nd one will teleport
The 3rd one will move away provoking from Abaal, Seoni and Brallenera, aoos It could have teleported, but then it won't get an attack and the thing doesn't want to be flanked.
And sting Kwami sting: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28 dmg: 3d4 + 5 ⇒ (1, 2, 1) + 5 = 9 Ignore this dmg if the aoos kill it. If it goes through give me a fort save dc 20 or take 1d3 strength dmg.

Did Kwami's Bless include the Monkey Swarm?

Did Kwami's Bless include the Monkey Swarm?

Ninjaed while editing

The bone devil was actually next to you before you took your turn, so any movement besides 5 foot step South provokes from pink. Casting a spell before 5 foot stepping South in any directing provokes, so 5 foot step, South, SouthEast or Southwest before you cast your spell, also Will save dc 17 vs slow.

Which PC were you addressing here?

Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

DoubleGold wrote:

The bone devil was actually next to you before you took your turn, so any movement besides 5 foot step South provokes from pink. Casting a spell before 5 foot stepping South in any directing provokes, so 5 foot step, South, SouthEast or Southwest before you cast your spell, also Will save dc 17 vs slow.

Which PC were you addressing here?

Seoni

AoO: 1d20 + 16 + 2 - 3 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 16 + 2 - 3 - 1 = 32
Dmg: 1d10 + 6 + 6 + 2d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 6 + (1, 6) + (5) = 31

Brallenera is hell-bent, pun included, to kill her first devil, and she strikes as hard as she can

Awww, wanna run away, lil"devil? Are you scared of me?

GM: I got an Aegis of recovery, do that mean I can roll next round and each round after a save vs Slow (with a +2 bonus?)

+2 adamantine falchion v pink (AoO, Power Attack): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26 damage: 2d4 + 18 ⇒ (1, 1) + 18 = 20 + good damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

The Devil dies from running away.
Kwami Ignore that damage.
Seoni is up

Botting, Seoni will 5 foot step and dispel magic on Karina's Mirror Image thus now you don't have to roll mischance.
Shasta is up

Shasta knows she cannot defeat a bone devil, so she cautiously withdraws from any confrontation and moves as quickly as she can away from it.

Shasta uses the withdraw action to double move clockwise around the senate chamber. She can't use a move action to give instructions to the monkeys, so they will likely get out of the way of the fleeing people and not cause any trouble. Her speed is currently 40 feet due to the buff from the Triple Time masterpiece.

The Bone Devil, which is actually not a bone devil in low tier, Religion to idenfity will fly over
Then attack who: 1d2 ⇒ 2 1=abaal, 2=Brallenera
hit: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24 with ranseur
Brallenera tak dmg: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (3, 3) + 6 = 12 dmg
All heroes except Shasta are up

Edit, out of order, that thing can't move yet, it was actually NPC Karinas turn. But now the undo button doesn't work on my map it timed out.
Karina will cast enlarge person on herself. I'll leave the Devil there, damage will go through to Brallenera if it survives everyone's attacks.