GM Ietsuna's Call of the Copper Gate (Inactive)

Game Master TriOmegaZero

Why, hello Darkness, my old friend!!!

The ghostly noose finally disappears...

Will save, heroism: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

...but in the darkness, something even more terrible stirs once more!

"Die!" The enemy psychic flies closer to Triix, forcing his murderous will on her!

Psychic Damage: 8d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 4, 4, 6, 5, 4, 6) = 31 Will save for half!

Round 8

15 Imrizade
14 Black (Damage: 27) Flying 15ft high.
12 Oria (Fort Save vs Gas needed)
8 Shine
5 Triix (Damage: 30/15, 2 Bleed)
4 Xanac (Fort Save vs Gas needed)
Round 9
15 Kaervek (6 Wis damage, Fort Save to end poison needed)

The party is up!

will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Despite the headache, Triix casts Light

Triix stands strong against the mental assault!

Round 8

15 Imrizade
14 Black (Damage: 27) Flying 15ft high.
12 Oria (Fort Save vs Gas needed)
8 Shine
5 Triix (Damage: 17, 2 Bleed)
4 Xanac (Fort Save vs Gas needed)
Round 9
15 Kaervek (6 Wis damage, Fort Save to end poison needed)

Fortitude Save vs Gas (heroism): 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 2 = 20

More gas. More battle. And more frustration as Oria is left in the metaphorical dust by her agile opponent. Not wanting to spend the next several minutes playing uppie-downie with her climb speed, she instead begins concentrating on her magic. The shaman begins to open her mind to the void, allowing it to tear and weave and the barrier between worlds. A cosmic pinprick, enough to allow something horrible to squeeze through the breach.

Casting summon monster III

Oria clears the lingering gas and begins to summon aid!

Round 8

15 Imrizade
14 Black (Damage: 27) Flying 15ft high.
12 Oria
8 Shine
5 Triix (Damage: 17, 2 Bleed)
4 Xanac (Fort Save vs Gas needed)
Round 9
15 Kaervek (6 Wis damage, Fort Save to end poison needed)

fort, Heroism: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 = 11 Sigh... :-(

Shine marches up the table and casts Burst of Radiance at the psychic, attempting to both harm and bland the man.

Burst of Radiance: 5d4 ⇒ (1, 3, 1, 3, 2) = 101d4 ⇒ 1

He takes 10 points of damage, no save, if he is evil. DC 17 reflex save or be blind for a round.

Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Kaervek Wis Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

The burst of radiance dazzles the flying psychic, but he manages to shield his eyes against the blinding flash!

Kaervek is overtaken by the poisonous gas, collapsing to the floor in the hall outside!

Round 8

15 Imrizade
14 Black (Damage: 17) Flying 15ft high.
12 Oria
8 Shine
5 Triix (Damage: 17, 2 Bleed)
4 Xanac (Fort Save vs Gas needed)
Round 9
15 Kaervek (9 Wis damage, Comatose)

I take it the gas has risen?

Fortitude save, heroism: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 M#*%*+@!@&*~; OK, I forget if there's anything to this aside from Wisdom damage, but assuming nothing prevents me from doing this....

Candledark levitates above the fog.

Wis Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

The gas dissipates completely as the wind continues to blast. Imrizade begins to cast another spell, casting her gaze around the room for a suitable target.

"The secrets of the Copper Gate will be mine!" The psychic assails Triix once more, single-mindedly focused on her.

Psychic Damage: 8d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 2, 5, 4, 6, 3, 5) = 28

Round 9

15 Imrizade
14 Black (Damage: 32) Flying 15ft high.
12 Oria
8 Shine
5 Triix (Damage: 17, 2 Bleed, Will save for half)
4 Xanac (3 Wis Damage)
Round 10
15 Kaervek (9 Wis damage, Comatose)

The party is up!

will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

TSRR with four stars
will: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 4 = 26

Triix collapses to the ground

With the intoxicating aroma of that alien gas now gone from Oria's system, she finds it much easier to focus. She'll have to rely upon sanity, for the time being.

The summoner spell completes, summoning something... resembling a bat, if only in silhouette. Much like the wolf from before, the grotesque mockery of its original form forcibly breaches the gossamer veil between worlds, taking to the skies. Looking something like a fleshy mass with wings like fingers with extended webbing, it flies over to the enemy and takes a bite with bulky fangs!

bite: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18 damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Satisfied with her contribution, Oria contemplates this uncommon sensation as she climbs down and moves closer to where the flying combat is taking place.

I need to understand Triix's status a little better. Her health reads 16/26. Is that accurate?And I do not know why she made a will save?

It's not, which I need to fix. According to the tracker, she was already 17 down. She then got blasted with the psychic equivalent of a Mind Thrust which requires a Will Save. She passed but took half damage from 28 which is 14. 17+14 is 31 which is still greater than 26. So she fell down.

Oria's summoned ally bites at the flying psychic, but deflects off an invisible shield as Triix falls to the floor!

Round 9

15 Imrizade
14 Black (Damage: 32) Flying 15ft high.
12 Oria
8 Shine
5 Triix (Damage: 31, 2 Bleed, Unconscious)
4 Xanac (3 Wis Damage)
Round 10
15 Kaervek (9 Wis damage, Comatose)

With the fog gone Shine hops down and double moves.

Shine makes her way through the maze of crates as Triix bleeds before the Copper Gate!

Round 9

15 Imrizade
14 Black (Damage: 32) Flying 15ft high.
12 Oria
8 Shine
5 Triix (Damage: 33, 2 Bleed, Unconscious)
4 Xanac (3 Wis Damage)
Round 10
15 Kaervek (9 Wis damage, Comatose)

Seeing the gas disappated, Candledark lowers himself to solid footing and moves towards his rival. Imrizade finishes her spell, but finds no target.

Flying in a curving arc, the enemy provokes from Oria's summon as he targets Shine once more, invading her mind much like he did the others!

Psychic Damage: 8d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 2, 2, 3, 3, 6, 4) = 26

Round 10

15 Imrizade
14 Black (Damage: 27) Flying 15ft high.
12 Oria
8 Shine (Will save vs psychic damage)
5 Triix (Damage: 33, 2 Bleed, Unconscious)
4 Xanac (3 Wis Damage)
Round 11
15 Kaervek (9 Wis damage, Comatose)

GM Toz, is there a save for half with that psychic damage? And is 27 damage accurate on Black? Seems like we have done more than that. He was at 27 before taking 10 from me. If he healed I missed it. Maybe that psychic spell heals him also though...

Torn between getting to riix and trying to end this threat, Shine's protective and healing nature takes over. She moves closer to Triix and uses her last channel to heal all within 30' of her and stop Triix's bleeding. With a thought she excludes the enemy from her healing magic.

Channel: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 4, 2) = 15

With an ally down, Oria considers what to do. Are they bleeding out? Will they make it? The crumpled form of her friend lies in a pool of crimson, just out of reach of the meager healing of her touch.

The shaman half whispers, half whimpers an apology to the doomed as she decides to put the pressure on the foe. Her monstrous summon flies closer, and she scampers up the box to get close enough to pressure him ever so slightly.

Which is both an impolite and unfeasible thing to propose, but we can all agree that emotions are running pretty high right now.

bat's attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Candledark stifles a guffaw at Oria's imaginative threat as he looks on from below; as far as his rival can tell, he is still missing...but wouldn't you know it, the horrible (or at the very least obnoxious) ghost-noose returns, and wraps itself around the foe's head!

Dirty Trick to blind!: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

bat's attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Forgot the bat's crit confirm roll!

bite crit confirm: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Will Save: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

With Shine's powerful healing, Triix awakens on the cool stone floor!

Oria strikes out and connects with the spikes of her gauntlet, but the man's strange skin resists the impact. The bat's bite sinks in much more effectively, but the wound begins to heal over almost immediately.

The noose finds its way to wrap around the bulbous head, blocking the bug eyes from seeing the remaining party members!

Round 10

15 Imrizade
14 Black (Damage: 54, Blinded) Flying 15ft high.
12 Oria
8 Shine
5 Triix (Damage: 18, Prone)
4 Xanac (3 Wis Damage)
Round 11
15 Kaervek (9 Wis damage, Comatose)

Not sure if Triix wants to reenter the battle or stay down while the party distracts him.

Triix gets hit by the healing which initially feels like the gentle touch of a lover before she realises she's back and awake and conscious, and the battle is still raging on.

She also catches what Oria said in Aklo and quietly giggles.
I think I dreamt I actually went through and met Ralzeros

Any one know if his Shield spell is still up? she calls out as she attempts to activate her healing wand on herself.
umd: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Concentration: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Ripping the rope from his face, his feet touch the crate below as he attempts to focus his will on Oria, but fails!

Round 11

15 Imrizade
14 Black (Damage: 49)
12 Oria
8 Shine
5 Triix (Damage: 11, Prone)
4 Xanac (3 Wis Damage)
Round 12
15 Kaervek (9 Wis damage, Comatose)

I think you've got him where you want him!

Shine moves to where she has a clear path to the psychic and fires two Admonishing Rays at the enemy.

Touch Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 224d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 4, 4) = 17

Touch Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 244d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 6, 6) = 15

Shine pummels the enemy psychic, leaving him prone and unconscious!

Round 11

15 Imrizade
14 Black (Damage: 49, 32NL, Unconcious)
12 Oria
8 Shine
5 Triix (Damage: 11, Prone)
4 Xanac (3 Wis Damage)
Round 12
15 Kaervek (9 Wis damage, Comatose)

That damage was non-lethal. Shine says. He might regenerate from it quickly.

Oria takes a knee and observes the opponent, her teeth gritting as she rears back her fist and aims at the fallen foe's cranium.

The mind, the mind
Not a thing to waste
But let us turn it into paste

But the merry though leaves her as she realizes that she's not known for her punches. Instead, she draws upon her diminishing reserves to surround her hand in the all-consuming void.

Casting my touch of the void spell-like ability but holding the charge. I'll try a Coup de Grace with it next round.

At Shine's request, Candledark drains more life from the enemy to keep him unconcious!

Not a 1?: 1d20 ⇒ 15
3d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 6) = 13

"If you can, capture him! He has much to answer for!" Lady Blakros calls out, still reaching for more helpful items from her pack.

Round 12

15 Imrizade
14 Black (Damage: 57, 27NL, Unconcious)
12 Oria
8 Shine
5 Triix (Damage: 11, Prone)
4 Xanac (3 Wis Damage)
Round 13
15 Kaervek (9 Wis damage, Comatose)

Triix has her previous turn and the entire party is back up!

Shine moves over and begins to disarm the man, grabbing any spell components first. How do you make safe a psychic? she asks. Can anyone do some non-lethal damage to him?

Triix picks herself up, wanders over to the cultist, pulls out some rope and starts tying him up.

No idea. I guess keep hitting him?

Oria remains in place, holding onto the touch. So now the man is to be taken alive? Well, there goes her fancy moment.

She shakes her hand, feeling the coldness of the Black cling to it like frosty ooze.

Delaying my turn. Looks like someone is doing the rope thing.

Best gag him too. I hope he cannot cast spells with just thought.

As the ghostly noose entwines itself around the man-thing's form...

Dirty Trick to entangle: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

Candledark gives Shine a cryptic look...although it might well be "a look".

"He is much as I am...meaning not only is that precisely what he CAN do, but what he does as a matter of course. A pity to destroy such a beautiful mind, and that is what you would have to do to ensure it is 'safe'; I say it would be better to simply free it from its body and the way of all flesh - like SO!!!" He adds as his partway-etherealized hand suddenly plunges straight into the man's chest!

COUP DE GRACE with stricken heart!!!: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 2, 4) = 12

"Alas, likely not enough rope in all this world, nor that one over there, to leash this magnificent mind; pleasant dreams, ahahahahahahahahaha...!"

What if you stuck a lead helmet on his head? Triix suggested. She then grimaced as Candledark put a hand inside the person's chest.

Oh by the Green Mother. You're not going to show him his still beating heart are you?

She then wanders over to the Copper Gate as if she's trying to figure out how to open it.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Candledark plunges his hand in, but somehow misses the man's heart.

Is Oria going to finish him off?

Oh by the Green Mother. You're not going to show him his still beating heart are you?

Candledark looks down at the man-thing with a furrowed brow beneath his mask.

That said, remember: If he does get back up, he'll be staggered for 1 full minute!

Oria looks over at her hand, and her target. Her spell might end it. But it would also end the target she was just requested to take alive. Part of her wants to try it, so she can feel the thrill of a proper kill for once. A victory. But she doesn't want to embarrass herself by killing an important target. Another part of her wants to keep him, even though his powerful mind and regenerating body are dangers she isn't prepared to deal with. The choices and their presumed failures orbit her inner mind like barren moons. And she knows she has to do something.

Anything.

So stop hesitating.

"FINE!" she shouts as she shoves the unconscious psychic off the box with the heel of her foot, sending him to the floor in a crumpled heap. She follows soon after, sliding down the box as she draws her rod of extend spell.

"Someone pass me a sharp knife! I'm going to cut this bastard up and pry him open so he won't get back up til we want him to!"

With decisive action, the team enacts exactly what punishment is deserved, leaving the threat neutralized. Lady Blakros nods grimly as she gathers up her equipment. As the Pathfinders collect themselves from the battle, Nigel leads a charge of Pathfinder agents down the stairs to the storage room. Clerics immediately begin to tend to the fallen Kaervek, as the rest engage light spells to illuminate the room fully.

"So good to see you all safe and sound. I feared we might find the worst with how delayed your fellows were." Nigel offers as he joins you all.

"Without these brave souls, you almost certainly would have." Lady Blakros returns, looking over the party with a stern but not unkind expression. "Once again, you have proven the Pathfinder Society among our staunchest allies. Thank you all."

Combat over!

So ... what now ma'am? Triix asks. Opening the Copper Gate?

She looks towards it with a sense of anticipation.

"Not without far more study and preparation. Something that I think your Lady Dralneen will be best suited to lead. I'm sure she will be very interested in your efforts so far."

Indeed, on your return to the lodge, you are ushered to Zarta's office for debriefing. After lauding your decisive action bringing the matter to a quick resolution, she informs you that the multiple leads—the beacons, the mysterious copper gate, the Dark Tapestry, and apparently the planet Aucturn—all defy the Society's understanding. These topics have been made a top priority for the Dark Archive and your firsthand experience makes you prime candidates for the work ahead.

End of Scenario!

For this adventure, your characters may choose to roll Knowledge Arcana for their Day Job checks, as Zarta compensates you for your work with the continuing research.

The shaman makes sure to bring Kaervek back to the world of the waking so he can participate in the debriefing.
Scroll of Lesser Restoration: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Oria wipes the blood from her metamagic rod as her familiar slithers close and finds its home inside of her pockets once again. "Hey, it was... interesting. Oh, also..."

She smiles, looking over her allies. "Thanks. It wasn't easy, but we made it work."

Shine agrees. Not easy. I was, well, more useful, more needed than I am used to. Next time lets bring a heavy hitter with us. she adds with a smile.

Day Job, Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Thanks for stepping up Grandmaster TOZ. You make it quite a challenge while still quite fun!

Triix smiles over to Oria If you want to work on Zarta's project with me, I'd like that.

dayjob(k arcana): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

The shaman makes sure to bring Kaervek back to the world of the waking so he can participate in the debriefing.

[dice=Scroll of Lesser Restoration]1d4

Thanks, but Pathfinder clerics were already tending to Kaervek, so you do not need to use up a scroll.

"My arcane power is already considerably strong. However, I found out the hard way that I still have much more to learn..."
The elf turns to his teammates and bows.
"Fellow Pathfinders, for defeating the Psychic who knocked me out cold, you have my thanks... and you have earned my respect."

Many thanks to Grandmaster TOZ for stepping up and making this adventure fun!