GM Otha's The Paths We Choose Campaign

Game Master Otha

The Vault

Hellebore peers over the Professor's shoulder.

K planes: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23

The Vault

"I feel like I'm missing something..."

Everyone hears an eerie voice, ”BWAAAAAHAAAAHAAAAHAAA…”

…and then all lights go out…

Every one may take a single action before we go into initiative…and Hellebore has one question she can ask before then too…

The Vault

There is no ninja.

vanish

Clarification: Our multiple Light spells were ended all at once?

Ah, good. We don't have to go searching for it. That would have been annoying. The Professor muses as she begins casting Protection from Evil.

Clarification: Our multiple Light spells were ended all at once?

It’s always good to question me when it comes to magic as I pretty much suck at it (hence I always play martial or rogue-like characters). But I double checked and think I got this right…but I should’ve probably worded it differently as it was more like darkness covered up / overcame your lights more than they just went out. You can try a Spellcraft check to determine the spell if you wish…

It is pitch black as even those with dark vision cannot see; however, you can still see the reflection of the creature in the shards, strangely enough…

The Vault

Even with lupine darkvision, Piotr suddenly goes blind.
"Gah! What in the Nine Hells? I can't see a thing!" he snarls. He reaches out with a hand to feel for his teammates.

"Oooh! Piotr!" Brunhilde squeals giddily in the darkness. "That's my teat!"

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Piotr detects that a deeper darkness spell has been cast…

The Vault

Professor Masaendri scowls into the darkness in the direction of Piotr and Brunhilde. "Piotr! Don't encourage her! Keep it professional. And Brunhilde," She rolls her eyes, thankful that she can do so without being seen (thanks to lupine Piotr's declaration of blindness). "Do remember that flirtation distracts us from keeping you alive."

Spellcraft to ID spell: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Recognizing why all the light spells went out, the Professor feels around in her bag for a wad of paper and her fling and steel. "Now, since our light spells were overcome by a Deeper Darkness spell, we will need to light our way without magic, unless someone has a light spell prepared that is more powerful than their darkness spell. Does anyone have a torch? If so, come towards my voice so I can light it for you. If not, I believe I could construct one."

If no one has a torch, the Professor will try to construct one with her club yardstick and some paper.

Hellebore casts Ward of the Seasons on herself.

Fall: A cloak of autumn leaves appears on the target. While the spell remains in effect, the target gains a +2 morale bonus on Fortitude saves. The target can decide to roll twice on any saving throw against disease or poison and take the higher result by reducing the spell’s total remaining duration by 1 hour.

[B]"oooh boy...Let me know where to fire!"[b]

Lanel will ready to cast burning hands if they tell him the enemy is at range on his side of the formation.

Hellebore recalls the owb’s weakness is light sensitivity…

Currently researching a magic issue relevant to this encounter; will post again after work. And Professor, I’ll rule you were given a couple of torches by Hasjald before entering so no need to do a makeshift one…

The Vault

Hellebore crouches down to minimize her vulnerability. "I don't think torches will help, if it's magical darkness. Why didn't I learn daylight when I had the chance?"

"Nonmagical sources of light, such as torches and lanterns, do not increase the light level in an area of darkness." from the darkness spell description

You all hear, in your mind not your ears, ”Time to die…I’m coming for you…”

COMBAT! Round 1 - The bold may post!

The Professor
Gnagnatsu
Owb
Hellebore
Piotr
Lanel

The Vault

Gnagnatsu tries to figure out where the enemy is.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

@GM: Since we can still see the shards, where in the darkness are they? I'm thinking of having the Professor go pick one up.

"Hm. Interesting. We can track the owb through the mirror shards, despite the darkness. Well, for now..." The Professor casts Magic Missile, peering at the mirror shards to watch them hit the owb.

Magic Missile vs. owb: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Ahhh. Satisfying.

Sorry, storm took out my internet last night…

The Professor is able to spot the owb with the shard, striking it with a magical bolt and telling the rest of you it’s general location…it’s hiss, from being hit also betrays its location…

Location is marked by a red X; the rest of you still can’t see it, so total concealment is in play (50% Miss chance when you attack)

Claw: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

…immediately thereafter, Piotr feels something strike his chest but his armor keeps him safe from any damage…

COMBAT! Round 1 / 2 - The bold may post!

The Professor
Gnagnatsu
Owb (-5)
Hellebore
Piotr
Lanel

The Vault

Gnagnatsu quietly moves to the opposite side of the creature from Piotr

Cold Iron Wakizashi: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 = 15
Slashing Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Precision Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 6) = 13
Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 74

Piotr feels a 'thud' on the breastplate of his armor.
"What the...?" Piotr swiftly blesses himself with divine favor.
He lashes out with his blade into the area he suspects the strike came from...
+1 Nodachi, PA & Vital Strike: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 2 = 22
slashing/piercing: 2d10 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (10, 7) + 12 + 2 = 31
Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 74

Divine Favor & fate's favored: +2 luck bonus on attack & damage. 10 rounds.

Hmm. I ought to get a wand for Mage Armor so I don't have to waste my spells on it. This will get tiresome in a moment. The Professor muses as she casts Magic Missile again, eyeing the reflection of the owb in the shards of the mirror.

Magic Missile vs. owb: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Hellebore scrabbles for a mirror shard on the floor, angling it until she can see the creature clearly once she finds one. Staring deep into its reflected eyes, she mutters, "Sleep...".

DC 18 Will save or Slumber, assuming it can be take mind-affecting

"It's around you, Piotr!?"

Lanel carefully moves around his furry comrade and unleashes a burning hands using an alchemist fire as reagent component.

"I really hope I don't hit anyone else!"

Burning Hands DC16: 5d4 + 5 ⇒ (3, 1, 2, 1, 3) + 5 = 15

Reagent: One target that fails its Reflex saving throw (your choice) catches on fire as if it has been struck by alchemist’s fire.

"It's around you, Piotr!?"

Lanel carefully moves around his furry comrade and unleashes a burning hands using an alchemist fire as a reagent component.

"I really hope I don't hit anyone else!"

[dice=Burning Hands DC16]5d4+5

"It's around here somewhere in front of me, yes... I think I hit it. Just be care—"

"Careful, Lanel! I'm covered in fur!"

Sorry, anniversary weekend

Hellebore cunningly follows the Professor’s lead and uses a shard to cast a slumber hex on the foul owb…

Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

…and the owb drops into a deep sleep…and the darkness clears…

Ah, the fortunate miss by one! Well that was anticlimactic; I’ll assume that since Hellebore was first up, that no one followed thru on their attacks since the spell worked as that would wake it up. The evil owb can be easily coup’ed…which I also assume you’ll do?

COMBAT (potentially over)!! Round 1 / 2 - The bold may post!

The Professor
Gnagnatsu
Owb (-5, sleeping)
Hellebore
Piotr
Lanel

The Vault

"Excellent." The Professor is pleased that the darkness has cleared. "I see we are all in one piece. Now," she gestures at the slumbering owb. "Who would like to do the honors?" She takes the opportunity to light a torch, just in case, then holds it up to ensure that whoever ends the owb can see it clearly.

Presuming she pulled out a torch earlier instead of paper and her yardstick (per GM Otha's concession): move action to draw flint and steel; standard action to light the torch.

Hellebore blinks as the light reappears. She looks over at the shadow creature sleeping on the floor, eyebrows somewhere near her hairline. "I...was not expecting that to work. Brilliant!" She backs up, still holding her shard, ready to hex it again if it wakes up.

Piotr attempts to chop the creature's head off...
Coup de Grace (slashing): 3d10 + 24 ⇒ (7, 10, 7) + 24 = 48

Gnagnatsu leaps in the air and squals at Hellebore. "Awesome! Wow! Just, bam, they're done for!"

"Sorry Piotr! Is it over? Did I burn it??" Lanel wanders around in the darkness until it clears out.

He looks at the beheaded creature. "Oh!... Okay, that works too!"

Off with his head!

Piotr puts a swift end to the sleeping owb, beheading the bastard!

FYI, you have done everything here the scenario requires; identified and slain the owb, discovered the mirror’s properties, and found the cause of the Pathfinder’s death…

The Vault

"Let's check around, just in case we missed something. Since the owb so rudely interrupted."

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

"And what should we do with...her?" she asks, pointing her toe at the body. "It seems rude to just leave her here."

Were we reporting back to someone?

"Obviously we will bring her back with us. Due to the sensitive nature of the contents of this vault, the Society will appreciate not having to open it up again to allow others to retrieve her body. Do not disturb her until we are ready to leave. Let us ensure that the owb was acting alone." Holding her torch high, the Professor gestures for Piotr to lead the way.

I'm okay with handwaving the rest of the exploration, but will defer to the group.

Lanel could take some time (take 10) to look around with Maggie on his shoulder to make sure they are not missing anything else.