GM Jhaeman's PFS1 Module: "Curse of the Riven Sky" (Inactive)

Game Master Jhaeman

Farrokh outlines a proposal to scout the storm front!

@Farrokh: You can go ahead and outline your planned spell prep, and we'll proceed on that basis in 24 hours unless someone chimes in.

Assuming it looks like everyone is on board with the plan which he outlined, Farrokh will memorise the same spells he memorised ready to approach Zoarth's castle with the exception that he will replace haste and one casting of shadowform with invisibility and a second casting of protection from energy communal.

He will then make sure he has overland flight and mage armor up, before finding somewhere on the ground where he can make his final preparations before heading up to the storm. Before heading up he will put on an old coat which he will cover in alchemical grease and cast the following on himself (with the aid of an extend meta-magic rod): protection from energy communal (electricity), extended heroism, extended clay skin, barkskin, see invisibility, extended invisibility.

Farrokh makes his final preparations and then launches himself into the air like a demigod out of legend! Moving invisibly through the sky, he draws closer and closer to the storm front. Jagged forks of lightning and the sound of thunder coruscate around the thick, black clouds. A patrol of giants riding massive rocs swoop in and out of the storm front, completely oblivious to the presence of an intruder!

Once in the clouds, visibility is limited and maintaining a sense of direction isn't easy. But after some searching, Farrokh spots a gap and reaches the center of the storm front. There, in all its magnificent, oversized glory, is a flying barge!

Made of oak, mithral, and gold, the barge seems to be floating just above what can only be described as a tear in the very sky itself! Strange, spectral energy flows out of the tear and into the barge. The entire upper structure of the barge centers around a massive, gold-rimmed pool, while its underside provides some space for rocs and other flying servants to roost.

As Farrokh hovers to take in the startling scene, a stab of jagged lightning manifests nearby!

@Farrokh: Please attempt a DC 20 Reflex save versus the lightning. This is an all or nothing save to avoid 27 damage.

@Farrokh: The description above is what you see on initial viewing. If you wish to inspect the barge further, let me know if you want to approach from the bottom or the top.

@Farrokh: For buff tracking, we'll assume it takes you a minute or so once in the cloud to spot the castle (visibility is only 100') and then with your fly speed you can do the math of how long it took you to cover the 4,000 feet up to the storm cloud.

Upon reaching the storm Farrok briefly pauses to throw up a few more protections (casts heightened awareness (from wand), shield, mirror image, and monstrous physique I (gargoyle))...

images: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

...Before heading in to discover the flying barge...

reflex save vs lightning + heroism: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 2 = 15

...and getting getting struck by lightning which saps his magical protection.

Farrok's initial focus would be on the tear in the sky and the spectral energy. Would he be able to identify any information about it with a knowledge check? He will also take 10 on perception to see if he spots anything interesting or potential threats.

perception taking 10 + heroism: 10 + 23 + 2 = 35

Also just to check, was the lightning from the storm?

Struck by lightning but still aloft, Farrokh flies invisibly towards the strange wound in the sky itself, as though someone has pierced it from “the other side”--whatever that might mean. A thin stream of liquid drops down out of the sky into a gold-rimmed pool at the center of the floating barge. The substance at first seems like milk, but a more careful look reveals that quasi-human forms can be seen within it, as just for a moment a bit takes on the shape of a face or a hand clenched in a fist, and then fades back into liquid . . .

@Farrokh: The lightning strike was just an ambient effect of being in the storm front. You can try to learn more about the rift with a Knowledge (planes) check.

Taking in the scene Farrokh ponders the nature of the rift and the liquid spilling out of the sky into the pool...

knowledge (planes) + heroism + HA: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 2 + 2 = 29

A flicker of recognition crosses Farrokh's face . . .

"Hmm...that seems a little worrying." muses the wizard, who sets about looking at how the rift could be closed...

knowledge (arcana) taking 10 + heroism + HA: 10 + 21 + 2 + 2 = 35

Farrokh is so busy concentrating on the rift that it takes him a moment to realise something of more immediate importance has appeared: a large, blue, serpentine dragon moving with unsettling grace is headed his way!

@Farrokh: The dragon has emerged from the fog 100' away from you and is headed in your general direction. It's not looking at you, and we're not on Initiative *yet*. (You can attempt a Knowledge (arcana) check to identify it.

@Everyone: Apologies for the delay in posting--some other commitments came up unexpectedly.

Spotting the dragon Farrokh tries to recall if he knows anything about such creatures, especially if they have any abilities which may allow it to detect him...

I'm guessing this would count as being in immediate danger so I wouldn't be able to take 10.

knowledge (arcana) + heroism + HA: 1d20 + 21 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 21 + 2 + 2 = 34

...he also looks to get out of the dragon's path in order to keep his distance.

Can the rest of us see the dragon as well?

Farrokh's mind races as instinctive fight or flight responses threaten to kick in!

@Adeah: Sorry, this is very deep in the center of the storm cloud; you aren't able to see any of this from the ground.

Tzleztor scratches his chin as he muses.

”I wonder if letting him go up alone was the best idea?”

He glances fleetingly at his master.

Xilt shrugs.

”I am sure that he can handle looking around by himself. He is a wizard after all.”

"That's a little inconvenient... Getting into a confrontation at this stage of the reconnaissance would not be helpful... Best try to keep my distance."

(If he can) Farrokh adjusts his position in order to remain beyond the limits of the dragon's ability to sense him as it passes.

Farrokh tries to slip around the dragon's path, staying near the rift but keeping far enough away that the dragon's keen senses don't detect his invisible presence!

I think this is going to come down to a combination of luck and a fast reaction time, so we'll call it an Initiative roll. If you can beat a Dragon's Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22, you manage to fly to the "side" before it gets close enough to sense you with its 60' blindsense.

@Everyone: I'm away for the next 48 hours.

I'll dismiss heightened awareness to get the +4 bonus on initiative.

initiative + HA: 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 4 = 26

For the a split second, the dragon turns its head in Farrokh's direction, as if sensing a presence, but then it shakes its head in dismissal of the absurd notion and continues flying, soon disappearing into the thick fog around the "clearing" where the rift and flying barge are.

That +4 made the difference! You can now proceed as you like.

Farrokh retrieves a wand in order to reapply the magical enhancement to his senses (heighted awareness). Having used the wand he puts it away and turns his attention to the upper part of the barge to get a better idea of its layout and if there is anything there which would be worth further investigation.

If necessary he will take 10 on any perception checks for a total of 35.

Coming in from above, Farrokh gets a better look at the deck of the barge. The massive, gold-rimmed pool at the center of the floating structure dominates the upper deck. The pale, thin stream of liquid from the rift above flows into the pool, and now that Farrokh is closer, he can see that there's someone in the pool! A female cloud giant stands immersed in the thick, pearlescent white fluid as it undulates with a will--or wills--of its own, as faces of ancient warriors scowl and moan as they seep off of her massive form.

Upon spotting the cloud giant Farrokh pauses and contemplates the situation.

Based on what he can see and what he has recalled about the Pale Ones, Is Farrokh able to get any idea of the giant's current state or understand any more about what is happening in the pool? Does she seem to be catatonic or acting strangely at all? Does she look to be conscious?

If another knowledge check would be needed, he'll take 10 for 35 if arcana or nature would help, or roll if it is any of the other knowledges...

Farrokh tries to comprehend what this bizarre spectacle means . . .

Turning his attention from the cloud giant, the wizard quickly glances around the top side of the barge to check if there is anything else of interest or possible ways inside.

If he doesn't spot anything he will look to head around to the underside to see what is around there (staying on alert incase of more dragon encounters).

Farrokh flies invisibly down to the underside of the barge, where a scaffold-like lattice of supports and platforms lies beneath the floating vessel's main structure. The platforms are large enough for a roc to roost on, and are connected by 5-foot-wide catwalks.

Upon arriving at the barge's underside Farrokh takes a look about him, seeing if he can spot anything of particular interest and also get an idea of roughly how many rocs may have been making their home here.

perception taking 10 + heroism: 10 + 23 + 2 = 35

An aerial survey of the underside of the barge reveals multiple roc roosts. Intriguingly, stashed away behind the struts supporting one of the platforms are three metal chests, each equipped with a sort of sling.

@Farrokh: It looks like at least four rocs roost here.

The wizard cautiously approaches the metal chests to take a closer look at them.

He'll take 10 for 35 again if any perception checks are needed.

Farrokh hovers invisibly in the air in order to examine the chests more closely. They don't look trapped, but the combination locks may be devilishly difficult to open . . .

Seeing that the chests are locked Farrokh decides to leave them alone.

Based on what he has seen up here, is there anything else obvious that Farrokh has not checked out? If not then he'll head back down to the rest of the group to report on his findings.

Having scouted the floating barge and avoided detection (narrowly in the case of a blue dragon!), Farrokh returns to the other Pathfinders waiting patiently on the ground below.

Flying back down to the party Farrokh recounts what he discovered inside of the storm. He describes the barge along with the rift above it allowing the entry of the Pale Ones. He explains about their ability to provide power or to possess those they touch and how it can impact on the minds of those affected. He goes on to talk about the ways in which the rift could be closed using certain spells or other abilities. Lastly he describes the creatures he encountered, the patrol of roc riding giants, the young blue dragon, and the cloud giant bathing in the stream of the Pales One's ectoplasm.

He will essentially share everything he saw in the posts above.

"Whoa. Well this definitely seems like the kind of thing that shouldn't be allowed to stay there. But how in the hells can the five of us do anything about it? Do we even have that sort of magic at our disposal?" Adeah herself certainly doesn't. Her musket is quite deadly in single or even group combat, but it feels woefully inadequate to topple such a behemoth organization.

"The existence of the rift is certainly concerning and several of the options for closing it involve powerful magic, but from what I can ascertain there are also options available that use less powerful magics, such as a simple dispel magic spell."

"As for the various denizens of the storm, while I was able to note their presence, I got less information on who they are, what they are doing, what their motives are, or what their relationship is with the Pale Ones. That said the giant did seem to be purposefully bathing in the stream of Pale One ectoplasm, it seemed she could be gaining some sort of power or benefit from it."

"So what does everyone want to do?" enquires Farrokh "As Adeah says, the existence of that rift is rather concerning and it does not look like the sort of thing that should be allowed to remain open. The cloud giant seems to be purposefully bathing in the stream of ectoplasm, potentially to gain some sort of power from it, but we have no idea of her wider motives. She seemed to have her wits about her, although I guess there is the possibility that Pale Ones could be controlling her in some way, but then again maybe not."

”Curious. I would have to have a closer look myself to see if I can add to our understanding of the mechanism behind the cloud giant feeding off the ectoplasm. “

"Based on what you said, Farrokh, I think we need to close the rift. It sounds like magic can do it, as can Berato's holy power.

I might be more effective in this battle if I were closer to giant-size."

Anybody able to spare an Enlarge Person?

"That sounds fair to me."

"What do we currently have in terms of capabilities for closing the rift? I unfortunately don't have any of the appropriate spells prepared or capacity to prepare any more today. I do have at least one of them available in my book, so could potentially prepare multiple castings tomorrow, but that wouldn't help us much if we want to get this dealt with today."

"Xilt and Berato, what capacity do you currently have for preparing any of the spells which could be used to close the rift in addition to the channeling option?"

"In terms of helping with your size, I do have a wand which could help with that, although it wouldn't last very long."

Farrokh has an Enlarge Person wand if that is any help?

No idea Farrokh- take a look at my alias/character sheet and feel free to suggest what would work.

"With the channeling we have at least one option for trying to close the rift, although it would be useful to have some others in our back pocket if that is a possibility, just incase the channeling isn't enough."

For the list of other options available for potentially closing the rift see the spoiler in this post.

"As for the broader plan, it sounds to me like the general consensus is that we fly up to the storm using either our own flight or air walk. Then we head straight for the rift, potentially needing to deal with the various flying creatures I spotted if we run into them on the way to our destination. Then once at the rift we attempt to close it using whichever of the possible means we have available. Is that in line with everyone else's view?"

"If we're actually doing this... I can help with the flying creatures. My own magic is pretty limited, and won't be much help here, but I can help get us through at least."

Adeah only has a few 2nd-level spells, so she can't help with closing the portal.

After some discussion, the Pathfinders use multiple means of aerial magic to ascend into the storm-cloud! Visibility grows less and jagged forks of lightning lash out unpredictably--one discharges right next to Anthys!

And then, swooping out of the fog, it's clear the group has been spotted by a patrol of Jurn hill giants flying on massive rocs!

You're now into the storm cloud, so please adjust duration tracking of your flying magic (and other buffs if applicable) in your taglines.

Anthys, please attempt a DC 20 Reflex save. If you make it, you take no damage. If you fail, you take 29 electricity damage from the lightning strike.

We'll move on to Initiative.

Initiative (Round 1)

Xilt*
Adeah
Anthys + save vs lightning
Farrokh
Berato
Hill Giants

Bold should go!

*Assumed use of heightened awareness and pill.

We are now on Slide # 3. Visibility in the fog is 100' maximum. Please remember your current movement speed depending on your means of flight.

Would I be good to assume that Farrokh was able to put up the spells mentioned here before the party entered the storm? Also from the perspective of his spell timings and planning, how long would it take to fly from a good spot to cast the spells just before entering the storm-cloud, to the rift? And how far into that time is it when the current combat starts?

Incidentally, although it would have no impact on the initiative (its more for the purpose of my resource tracking), Farrokh will also have used a charge of heightened awareness from his wand and expended it when initiative was rolled as its a thing he would typically do when entering a dangerous area.

@Farrokh: Good questions. Yes, you can have had those spells cast just before entering the storm. We'll say this battle breaks out rounds: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 4) = 9 after you enter the "bottom" of the storm cloud heading "up" toward the barge. I'm not given exact distances within the cloud (other than a vague warning that navigation and movement is difficult due to the limited visibility), but since you've been in it before, we'll say you expect it'll take another couple of minutes to get to the barge/rift (given how slow your air-walking allies are moving).

Adeah air walks a step closer and aims her musket at the nearer of the two.

I assume we can have our weapons already out, since we're anticipating a fight. I'm in the second range increment so these attacks are vs normal AC rather than touch. Will opt to not use Deadly Aim this round.

Musket 1 vs blue: 1d20 + 15 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 15 - 2 = 17
Damage: 1d12 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Musket 1 vs blue: 1d20 + 15 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 15 - 2 = 32
Damage: 1d12 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Musket 1 vs blue: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 10 - 2 = 11
Damage: 1d12 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Reflex DC 20, +3 Shake it Off at time of save: 1d20 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 3 = 29
Anthys dodges the lightning bolt.

He moves between Adeah and the mounted giants (using Air Walk) and takes a defensive posture.
Total Defense for AC 35, with another +2 sacred from Lastwall Phalanx for AC 37 vs evil creatures (more if more allies move adjacent). Remember that his Arrow Catching Shield will draw ranged attacks targeting adjacent allies towards him.

Here's the additional effects Farrokh applied to himself: alchemical grease (applied before leaving), angelic aspect, monstrous physique III (gegenees), mirror image, shield, heightened awareness (from wand). He will also have his wand of long arm ready in one of his hands.

mirror images: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

He also applied communal protection from energy (electricity) to the whole party, so everyone has 120 points of electricity protection. As he cast it on himself earlier, it would be cast on the other four members of the party plus Tzleztor and last for 20 minutes each.

Using his wand of long arm on himself the oversized wizard flies a little forward into a position just above the rest of the party, ready to deal with the incoming threat.

(Assuming the attackers are at the same altitude as the party, he will be 5 feet above everyone else (i.e. adjacent to them but above them). Unless that gets in the way of Adeah's shooting in which case he can also go below the party. Even though he is likely above the party I will put his token under everyone else's to avoid it getting in the way).

I'm not sure if he would be able to get into that position with a 5 foot step or not, but if he can he will also put the wand away. If not he will just keep hold of it.

Berato moves directly behind Anthys and activates his Toragian Golden Eagle Epaulets to grant a blessing upon the party!

Moving adjacent to Anthys; Casting bless on the party; +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects.

Adeah opens fire at range, wounding one of the hill giants. Meanwhile, her companions take up defensive positions.

One of Adeah's attacks hits Blue.

Xilt is up.

I'm afraid I'm travelling again this week. I'll try to sneak in a post or two if hotel Wi-Fi allows it.

I will get a post up tomorrow morning (EST). It has been busy here and I am tired. :)