[Outpost VIII] PFS 1 #7-11 Ancient's Anguish by GM 7thGate

Game Master 7thGate

Ashwell blasts large chunks out of the Ghul, but it remains standing.

The last Ghul comes running out of the dust, moving up to bite at Duende.

Bite, Power Attack: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 13 - 2 = 15
Damage: 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

It also fails to land its strike.

Attack of the Accursed Ones, Round 1

Elu
Ghul (Green)
Koani (-15)
Blarg
Duende (-14)
Elise (-6)
Ghul (Red) (-6)
Ghul (Yellow)
Ghul (Pink) (-52)
Andirke (-31)
Surma's Likeness (Statue)
Ghul (Blue)
Ashwell
Ghul (Black)

The bold are up! Duende, if you choose to 5 foot step back, the Blue Ghul will follow you with Step Up. Koani, if you 5 foot step back, the Red Ghul will follow you with Step Up. You can both move the corresponding Ghul too if you choose to do those steps.

"Time to clean up." Elu fires 4 shots at the Ghuls. BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

Clustered Shot so only take DR once per target
vs Blue TOUCH: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27 P&B, acid: 1d6 + 14 + 5d6 ⇒ (1) + 14 + (5, 5, 6, 3, 3) = 37
vs BLUE TOUCH: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17 P&B, acid: 1d6 + 14 + 5d6 ⇒ (6) + 14 + (4, 4, 4, 1, 6) = 39
vs Black TOUCH: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25 P&B, acid: 1d6 + 14 + 5d6 ⇒ (6) + 14 + (4, 3, 6, 4, 3) = 40
vs Black TOUCH: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29 P&B, acid: 1d6 + 14 + 5d6 ⇒ (1) + 14 + (5, 4, 5, 1, 2) = 32

S10 Exchange faction journal card, reroll 1st and 4th bullet damage dice
1st: 1d6 ⇒ 64th: 1d6 ⇒ 6
5 more damage on the 1st shot and 4th shot

Elise deactivates the Bane Baldric once the status was down and charges towrad the pink ghul on the 5' air.
I forgot my PA is -3+9. My AB was correct but damage wasn't hopefully that doesn't change any result
PA,charge: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1 + 9 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 + 9 + (5, 5) = 30
Vicious to herslef: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Is the free reload coming from Paper Catridges, or is there another method for reducing reload time to free that I missed? I'm not too familiar with guns, so I've been reading over the rules to try and figure out how the different mechanics are supposed to work.

Eluaria destroys two of the Ghuls, while Elise flies over and destroys the wounded Ghul.

Attack of the Accursed Ones, Round 2

Elu
Ghul (Green)
Koani (-15)
Blarg
Duende (-14)
Elise (-12)
Ghul (Red) (-6)
Ghul (Yellow)
Ghul (Pink)
Andirke (-31)
Surma's Likeness (Statue)
Ghul (Blue)
Ashwell
Ghul (Black)

Is the free reload coming from Paper Catridges, or is there another method for reducing reload time to free that I missed? I'm not too familiar with guns, so I've been reading over the rules to try and figure out how the different mechanics are supposed to work.

Firearm Rules page on AoN, the Alchemical Cartridge rule can be found in Equipment->Weapons->Firearms->Firearm Ammunition / Gear (on top of the page that contain all description of alchemical cartridge, you need to click into any one of them)

Alchemical cartridges make loading a firearm easier, reducing the time to load a firearm by one step (a full-round action becomes a standard action, a standard action becomes a move action, and a move action becomes a free action)...

Loading a Firearm:...The Rapid Reload feat reduces the time required to load one-handed and two-handed firearms....

Early Firearms: Early firearms are muzzle-loaded, requiring bullets or pellets and black powder to be rammed down the muzzle. If an early firearm has multiple barrels, each barrel must be loaded separately. It is a standard action to load each barrel of a one-handed early firearm....

Elu is using a (paddle-foot)pistol, a early one-handed firearm, so it's standard action to start. Rapid Reload feat reduce it by 1 step to a move action, then Alchemical Cartridge reduce it further by 1 step to a free action, or vice versa.

Elu has {Chemical Stability: When firing an alchemical ordnance, the gun chemist reduces the misfire value of the firearm by 1 (minimum 0) and ignores any increased misfire value from using an alchemical cartridge.} from Gun Chemist archetype so she only missfire on a nat1

He rushes south trying to avoid the attacks from the yellow oponent trying to use his natural agility to move without hharming

Move Use acrobatics to avoid attack of opprtunity from yellow

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 17 + 2 = 34

Asiming that passes his CMD

As heaches out he thros another frot bomb at yellow

Bomb Frost bomb bs Touch: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 255d6 + 9 ⇒ (5, 3, 6, 3, 5) + 9 = 31

Being undead i guess its inmune to the staggered part, since its a fort save

Duende tumbles to a clear area and blasts one of the Ghuls with a frost bomb. It is significantly damaged, but does not appear to slow. Fort save immune from undead traits.

Koani takes a 5 foot step, hoping the creature will follow her and move into Blarg's combat range. (going to finish turn after Blarg attacks)

The little dino attacks with all his might.
(note, Koani cast greater magic fang on Blarg earlier and it lasts for several hours)

bite: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 1 = 14
damage: 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9

folio reroll on that attack: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 1 + 4 = 32

claw 1: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 1 = 21
damage: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8
claw 2: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 1 = 13
damage: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9
talon 1: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 1 = 14
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 = 10
talon 2: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 1 = 23
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 = 12

Koani drops her bow and slashes at the same undead with her dagger.

attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

(hopefully the enemy considers Blarg the greater threat, since he has significantly more HP and is uninjured; he also just did a lot more damage to that enemy...)

Blarg tears into the Ghul, landing a bite and a talon strike. The Ghul's unholy flesh resists the strikes, but it takes some damage. DR 5/good, -17 HP total for Red.

Unfortunately, their tactics specifically call out that they try to flank with each other and go after vulnerable poorly armored targets if they can.

The Ghul tears into Andirke, seeking to pull him apart with his claws.

Bite, Power Attack, Flanking: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 13 - 2 + 2 = 15
Damage: 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Claw, Power Attack, Flanking: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 13 - 2 + 2 = 24
Damage: 1d4 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Claw, Power Attack, Flanking: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 13 - 2 + 2 = 30
Damage: 1d4 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
Rend: 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

Andirke goes down with a sickening rip, as the Ghul tears into his flesh with two claws and rips the wound apart. I believe that's -12 HP for exactly fatal, unless you have the Soul Warden faction card bonus, the savior of the Sages boon or another boon or ability to increase your death threshold or heal as an immediate action.

As Andirke falls, the Ghul spins and slashes at Blarg with its claw.

Haste Claw, Power Attack: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 13 - 2 + 2 = 31
Damage: 1d4 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

The other Ghul tears into Koani.

Bite, Power Attack: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 13 - 2 = 31
Damage: 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Crit Confirm, Power Attack: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 13 - 2 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Claw, Power Attack: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 13 - 2 = 19
Damage: 1d4 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Claw, Power Attack: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 13 - 2 = 16
Damage: 1d4 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
Haste Claw, Power Attack: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 13 - 2 = 25
Damage: 1d4 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

Attack of the Accursed Ones, Round 2/3

Elu
Ghul (Green)
Koani (-45) (Bleed 1)
Blarg (-16) (Bleed 1)
Duende (-14)
Elise (-12)
Ghul (Red) (-17)
Ghul (Yellow) (-31)
Ghul (Pink)
Andirke (-71) (Bleed 1, possibly dead)
Surma's Likeness (Statue)
Ghul (Blue)
Ashwell
Ghul (Black)

Everyone is up. Andirke, let us know if you're still alive.

Elise triggers her spell Paladin's Sacrifice and takes the damage Andrike would take

Whew!

Elise absorbs the rending attack, magically transferring the devastating strike to her body. The Ghul strikes at Andirke a third time, taking him down, unconsious but alive.

Third claw would go to Andirke if he was still up instead of Blarg, but only 1 rend/round so he's not killed.

Attack of the Accursed Ones, Round 2/3

Elu
Ghul (Green)
Koani (-45) (Bleed 1)
Blarg
Duende (-14)
Elise (-38)
Ghul (Red) (-17)
Ghul (Yellow) (-31)
Ghul (Pink)
Andirke (-62) (Bleed 1)
Surma's Likeness (Statue)
Ghul (Blue)
Ashwell
Ghul (Black)

Everyone is up!

Ash uses two points from his phrenic pool, making his spell effective even against mindless undead (Will of the Dead ability).

He then targets the most damaged creature and uses his Mind Thrust V spell against it.

Damage 10d8 ⇒ (3, 2, 1, 8, 4, 2, 7, 1, 8, 2) = 38

Will DC 23 for half.

Will Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

The creature's mind reels, and it staggers as it is assaulted with unfamiliar sensations. It is able to throw off enough of the effect to stay standing.

Attack of the Accursed Ones, Round 2/3

Elu
Ghul (Green)
Koani (-45) (Bleed 1)
Blarg
Duende (-14)
Elise (-38)
Ghul (Red) (-17)
Ghul (Yellow) (-50)
Ghul (Pink)
Andirke (-62) (Bleed 1)
Surma's Likeness (Statue)
Ghul (Blue)
Ashwell
Ghul (Black)

The bold are up!

Elise takes a 5' step standing in Andrike's space.
Then activates Boots of Speed
Full round attack, yellow first, then red
PA: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35
Dmg: 1d6 + 6 + 1 + 9 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 + 9 + (5, 6) = 29

Crit confirm: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27
Xtra Dmg: 1d6 + 6 + 1 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 + 9 = 18

PA,2nd: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Dmg: 1d6 + 6 + 1 + 9 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 + 9 + (5, 3) = 27

PA,Haste: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30
Dmg: 1d6 + 6 + 1 + 9 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 + 9 + (6, 3) = 31

Crit confirm: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18
Xtra Dmg: 1d6 + 6 + 1 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 + 9 = 22

Vicious to herself: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 2) = 11

Elise cuts down both of the remaining undead, their bodies falling to pieces. Relative silence reigns as the dust from the shattered column begins to settle. Andirke and Koani continue to bleed heavily, while Elise and Duende have also taken wounds. After a moment, the temple continues to shake ominously.

Koani (-45) (Bleed 1)
Duende (-14)
Elise (-49)
Andirke (-62) (Bleed 1)

Combat over! Go ahead and go over healing.

Elise tries to channel positive energy twice (Lay on Hand after this left 3)
Channel: 10d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 6, 2, 5, 1, 4, 3, 3, 6) = 38
2x10=20 extra heal to herself.

"Good job guys. Heals up while Elu take care of the missing items for the tables."
Elu takes the torc and flies to the room to the right, and place the tablet and torc into their corresponding slots. Elu then have the hedgehog out and jump on the center table, letting the familiar trigger the Vampiric Touch.

Koani pats Blarg and tells him what a good boy he is.

Then she uses her healing wand to take care of the damage that Elise's magic did not fix.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Koani is horrified that Elu would let his cute little hedgehog do that, (note: in character, not out of character), and rushes over to see if the little creature needs any first aid.

Koani is horrified that Elu would let his cute little hedgehog do that, (note: in character, not out of character), and rushes over to see if the little creature needs any first aid.

It's......complicated......" despite her vast knowledge, Elu struggles to explains this hedgehog to her teammates.

Elu inserts the tablet, torc and uses her hedgehog familiar to power the ritual. Life force swirls from the hedgehog into the dark cylinder, which crackles and then goes dormant. The shaking stops across the temple.

Elise channels divine power healing many of the wounds for the party. Andirke wakes up and is no longer bleeding, but still has significant wounds, while Elise is still slightly wounded.

The dust settles, and the pathfinders can see that a wall has broken down leading to a room that held the Ghuls.

Vampiric Touch: 5d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 4, 6, 2) = 18

Elise (-11)
Andirke (-24)
Hedgehog (-18)

Almost forgot that Figment only have 1/4 HP of master instead of 1/2 HP, which mean Hedgehog max HP is only 19...... living on the edge as always, Mrs. Elu
Elu retreive the wounded hedgeghog and let it gradually heal itself up. 4 rounds of fast healing should take care of it
"Let's check out the Ghul's room."

P.S. Elise healed 10d6+20 from the channel for 58 total because of Fey Foundling feat, so she should be full

After seeing that the hedgehog is OK, Koani checks if Andirke wants any healing or other help

He takes few mental notes about the hedgehog interaction. there are some experiemtns he may do at home, this is nothing that he considers strange, there has been planty of more strange things in this world. things that the "sane" people is not ready to try to understand

If the others were up for continuing, Ash was as well, falling in line as they explore the new area.

Knowledge take10: 10 + 26 = 36
36 for Engineering, Geography, History, Nobility;
37 for Dungeoneering, Local, Religion;
40 for Arcana, Nature;
43 for Plane;
Perception take10: 10 + 30 = 40
Elu flies in and scans the room for treasures and historic artifacts.

Elu is a bit disappointed when she sees sarcophagus instead of lamps. , Afterall, they were dealing with albeit undead genie previously.

"Ugh, wow, thank you. That was close." Andirke said, looking over the rends in his clothing...and bloodstains. Standing up, he pulled out a wand. "Can someone patch me up please? he asked.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Just in case, he CON is 16 due to Soul Warden

He auto aids in all the knowledges

Koani happily helps Andirke with his wand.

Interestingly, it looks like the Ghuls were not in the sarcophagus, but were instead lured here by the contents or some other means. Each sarcophagus has a body in it of a preserved Garundi man. It appears Gentle Repose or equivalent magic has kept the bodies preserved. Elu is able to note that the eyes are milky white, a side effect of Blindness/Deafness cast on them prior to death.

The coffins contain seven potions of cure serious wounds, three potions of remove curse, a wand of break enchantment (5 charges), a wand of freedom of movement (7 charges), a wand of lesser restoration (14 charges), a wand of searing light (13 charges, CL 10th), a wand of shield of faith (42 charges), a jar of Restorative Ointment and a large bronze key that detects as magical.

Elu gladly taps everyone including the dino with Freedom of Movement.
"That's some great finds, but......Elu don't think any of them are the sage we are looking for."

"Maybe the key has some special uses?"

"Is there anyplace we have not looked? Or has anyone seen a keyhole this key might work in?"

"I think we have not yet gone upstairs through the stair at southeast"

Elu grabs the key and moves to the stairs that's on the opposite side of the cylinder+table+ritual room, which seems to be leading up to......no where?
What's up there?

Elu moves up the stairs, and finds a small room with a door cut in the side of the temple. The tops of the two pillars are even with this room, standing 50 feet off the ground. From here, Elu can see that there is a tunnel on the far side of the pillars, tucked back so as not to be visible from the ground.

With a running start, it is a DC 10 acrobatics check to jump from one pillar to another. I believe everyone can fly or pass that with a take 10.

On examining the tunnel, the Pathfinders find an ornate door set into the stone. It appears to be heavily enchanted with abjuration magic, and has an incredibly large and intricate locking mechanism surrounding a single keyhole. They key appears to fit.

Elu will check for traps Perception take 10: 10 + 30 = 40 while waiting for her teammates to make their way across the pillar. If the door seems safe, Elu will gives Andirke a infused extract of Barkskin +4 and a infused extract of Shield, watches him drinks them all for a total of +8 to his AC, recast Heighten Awareness from wand, then open the door with the key after everyone is ready.

Ash deftly flies over pillars, not trusting himself to make it without taking a header. He checks back to see if the rest of the group needed magical help to cross as well.

Elise has the spell from Elu so she could fly across the pillar.

Andirke joined the others, gliding across the pillars.

Elu inserts the key and turns it. The mechanisms spring to life, and a lengthy sequence of bolts, wheels, gears and rods begins to move. After 30 seconds of unlocking, the doors begin to swing open silently on massive hinges.

Inside, a hall with 20 foot ceilings contains a pool of clear water with four pillars. Across the hall a stair case rises to living quarters. The room’s only occupant is an aging Garundi man wearing violet robes and gold armbands studded with jewels. He appears to be well preserved, but undead, and is floating several inches off the ground.

A very faint hum can be heard coming from somewhere near the stairs.

As the doors finish opening, the man speaks in a loud, clear voice, speaking Osiriani.

Koani looks expectantly at the others, hoping someone can translate.

Auto pass DC25 and have Comphrehend Language up
Elu replis in Taldane(common): "Sent by satrap? No, Elu and others were sent by the Diamond Sage. Does the name Tahonikepsu rings any bell?"
If there's no reply, then Elu will tries in differnet languages, Common, Elven, Celestial, Draconic, Sylvan, Abyssal, Infernal, Ignan, Auran, Aquan, Terran, Undercommon, Aklo, Giant, Dwarf

Know. Arcana 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (12) + 19 = 31

Ash tries to figure out out the source of the sound while Elu talks to the undead.

Sinuhotep switches to an older but understandable form of Taldane. "Ah, Tahonikepsu. It is good that I am not the last of the order. I appreciate that I was not the only one to survive the Keleshite attacks. Do any of the other sages still live?"

"Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage. He is the one that start the initiative of reviving your order."
Not sure about Dhiara, who is a potential candidate for Topaz in season 6 and become the Topaz sage in season 9.

"I see, excellent that we are not alone. It has been long since I was free to travel the outside world. If I may ask, who rules Osirion today? And do you know if Badru or Saruna still survives?"

S.M.: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Elise patiently listens to the conversation while her mind flies away to somewhere else.

"Ruby Prince Khemet III is the man in charge there. And yes Badru is still around, he/it helped us find our way here."
SM: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

"Not sure how much you missed while staying in here, but.....
...There's a big rift in Sarkoris, now a wasteland called Worldwound, that connects to the Abyss and we're on our 5th Crusade against the demons;
...Aroden died about 110-ish years ago;
...The Osiriani overthrown the Kelish sultan about the same time;
...Taldor and Qadira fought and many nations breaks off from Taldor;
...A few mortals like Iomedae and Cayden Cailean passed the Startone test and became god...
...Tar-Baphon came back and was defeated again."