DM Carbide's CORE Test of Tar Kuata #6-19

Game Master John Woodford

Radagast moves over and taps the tower experimentally with a foreclaw, confirming that it is real.

It is indeed real, and quite solid (although there are some scuff marks that suggest recent attempts to break into it).

This close to it, Radagast can hear what sounds like several voices faintly chanting inside of the tower.

Nala moves up then looks and listens for things of concern.

Perc Traps, enemies, that stupid flying spider, etc…: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

Sobek moves closer to get a better look.
"What is it? Is there a way to get inside?"
He circles around the entire structure looking for a way in.
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

If it's dark in the room, Sobek activates his Wayfinder to emit light.

Keynala finds no traps or hidden flying spiders. Sobek finds the door, but it doesn’t open when pushed. No lock is visible on the outside.

As Sobek and Keynala examine the tower, a voice comes from the inside. "Haven't you figured out that you can't break in? Are all the Rough Beast's followers so obtuse?"

Sobek calls back to whomever is inside.
"I believe we are not who you think we are. We are not associated with this 'Rough Beast' you speak of. We are Pathfinders. May we assist you in any way? Are you trapped inside?"

"If not for the Doomsday Knights we could leave. Have you encountered them?"

Radagast goes back to the other room, hooks some talons into a couple of the corpses, and then drags them into view of the tower.

Nala checks her notes and asks a question, ”Bertrag? Would that be you? We were sent by the monks to help look for you and deal with the cultists here. How many cultists were there? We have killed some.”

While Radagast is off retrieving bodies, Keynala tries to talk to whoever's inside the tower. There is a quickly suppressed gasp. "Yes, that's me. So you really are Pathfinders."

More voices come from inside the tower. "Are they here to rescue us?" "I hope they have food!" Bertrag shushes them. "Here, let me open things up." The door creaks open just as Radagast returns.

Inside is a dwarf in Ouat monk's robes along with five other people in clothing that ranges from Osiriani lower-class garb to the sort of thing worn by well-off merchants. All of it is rather the worse for wear, though. The dwarf, Bertrag, looks at Radagast and nods. "I see you've been busy. There were three Doomsday Knights in the party that I allowed myself to be captured by, and I think there were three or four more that left the mine a couple of days ago on a raid. However, if my fellows have sent you here, I suspect that the raiders will get an unpleasant surprise and not return. Their high priest is still here, though, along with his great beast. I know little of it other than what the Knights said when they told me and the other captives that we were to be sacrificed to it."

Devonalia enters the room to help the others. "My friend Nala is correct. We managed to defeat some foes that we presume were cultists. Do you know how many are in these caverns?"

"I don't think there are any others left here besides the high priest and his creature."

Radagast pointedly starts sharpening his talons on a nearby rock at the mention of the remaining cultists...

Nala checks the group quickly for injuries, ”The air here isn’t good, can you get these merchants outside? We will go finish the boss.”

I hope. If not, it will give them time to run.

"Yes, I'll lead them to safety."

If no one else has questions for him, Bertrag and the other captives will leave.

There's only one passage going further into the mountain. It takes about five minutes to walk down to where it starts to open up, and in that time the temperature increases markedly--it's at least 140°F at the end of the passage.

Extreme heat (air temperature over 140° F, fire, boiling water, lava) deals lethal damage. Breathing air in these temperatures deals 1d6 points of fire damage per minute (no save). In addition, a character must make a Fortitude save every 5 minutes (DC 15, +1 per previous check) or take 1d4 points of nonlethal damage. Those wearing heavy clothing or any sort of armor take a –4 penalty on their saves.

Is there anything you'd like to do to prepare for the severe environment?

Sobek wipes the sweat from his brow as the heat grows nearly unbearable. He pauses, squinting into the shimmering air ahead.

"I’m accustomed to the sweltering heat of Osirion’s deserts, but this… this is beyond endurance. Does anyone have a wand of endure elements? I’ll gladly reimburse you for a charge. If not, perhaps that Bertrag—or one of the merchants—might have one to spare."

Nala raises a sweaty eyebrow, then hands out a potion of endure elements to each pathfinder, ”These were the cultists’, I don’t think they need them now.”

And then the ranger drinks the last potion, casts her only spell on herself and indicates she is ready to continue.

Cast resist energy (10 fire resistance) 10m duration

If a potion is needed by someone, I can cast the spell on myself, and two others.

Can cast Resist Energy at CL5

Devonalia has no energy resistance so she would appreciate the help

Desynthia cast the spell first on Devonalia, then ask if another Paffie needs her magical assistance

50 minutes duration

Endure Elements only protects you up to 140 F, so...

Radagast casts Resist Energy(Fire) on himself when it starts to get uncomfortable.

So ek will take endure elements for now, then Resist energy if it gets over 140°.

Any other preparations you want to make before you go in?

If the temperature is getting hotter, is the air quality also decreasing (it was mentioned at the mine entrance that the air quality was pretty bad, bordering on acidic)? If so, Radagast will cast Delay Poison on himself, too.

The GM said it was over 140 at the end of the tunnel. Between Nala and Radaghast covering themselves and Des covering Sobek, Devonalia and herself, everyone except Sylvester should have both endure elements (from the free potions) and fire resist 10 (or greater). Does that sound correct?

Nala’s sweat dries as the cooling magic takes effect. She hefts her shield and asks, ”All ready?”

Sylvester leaves his dog behind as he grabs any scrolls his companion might be carrying in his saddle bag. He shields himself with Endure Elements boon and puts up further protection against fire on himself (Resist Energy Fire 20). He also cast Heroism on himself preparing himself for the next battle.

Shaggy looks up at Sylvester with big puppy eyes as his master leaves him behind for his own good.

The air quality is poor, and has gotten worse as the party descended and the temperature increased. At this point it's not debilitating, but it probably will be soon.

The party rounds the bend to where the mine opens up. Greenish filaments crisscross this flooded chamber, whose pools of murky water release strange, foul-smelling fumes. Large boulders protrude from the water, many covered in profane markings and bloodstains. A human male with a deeply scarred face perches on one of the rocks, sneering at the party. The flying spider hovers in the air behind him. "Took you fools long enough."

There is something in the water under the webbing, but it can't be seen clearly through the dark waters.

The fumes from the water are nauseating; anyone adjacent to or within the water (at least, anyone not running delay poison) must make a DC 10 Fort save to avoid being sickened for a round.

Round 1:

Initiative order
Devonalia
Sylvester
Radagast
Sobek
Beast
Flying spider
Keynala
Tasutek
Desynthia

Devonalia, Sylvester, Radagast, and Sobek can act!

Tasutek: AC ? T ? FF ? HP taken: 0
Flying spider: AC ? T ? FF ? HP taken: 0
Beast: AC ? T ? FF ? HP taken: 0

Radagast takes one look at the greenish webbing covering the water, decides he *really* doesn't want any part of that, and casts Air Walk, before moving up into the air, ready to pounce.

Moving 15' forward, and a further 15' up into the air, so their is a 15' gap between me and the water.

"Did someone just call us fools...?" Devonalia asks the others and then moves around the waters edges trying to get behind the foes and use the big rock to mask her from them (if possible- looks like it is bigger than the area around it for that purpose).

double move

Round 1 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Devonalia-acted
Sylvester
Radagast-acted
Sobek
Beast
Flying spider
Keynala
Tasutek
Desynthia

Radagast casts a spell and advances, walking on air. Devonalia sprints to cover.

Sylvester and Sobek to go!

Sylvester casts a Fly spell on himself readying himself for the upcoming battle.

Sobek hustles along the cavern wall, keeping near Devonalia.

Double move.

Round 1 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Devonalia-acted
Sylvester-acted
Radagast-acted
Sobek-acted
Beast-acted
Flying spider-acted
Keynala
Tasutek
Desynthia

Sylvester casts a spell on himself, while Sobek follows Devonalia to cover.

Something rises to the surface of the water, a horrid blob with a myriad of thrashing insectile legs. It spits a ball of greenish webbing at Radagast, which the dinodruid can't quite avoid. Radagast is entangled, and takes 1 point of acid damage.

Everyone who can see the creature, DC 13 Will save or sickened for 4 rounds.

The flying spider flits up and bites at Radagast, but even with the dinodruid's entanglement its fangs can't get through his armor.

Keynala is up!

Know Planes: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

I have the name of that thing on the tip of my tongue... something hard to pronounce..

The half elf tries to avoid choking on the fumes.

Fort DC 10 v sickened: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Nala moves up while drawing the axe she liberated earlier and chucks it in one quick motion at the water critter, ”Get your grabbers off our flying friend!”

MW throwing axe - range: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 7 - 4 = 4 for Piercing: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

"By the gods of Osirion! What in blazes is that?"

Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
+1 if fear effect.

WILL: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Knowledges Planes: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

"That is a thognorok qlippoth! It is an evil denizen of the Abyss!"

Will DC 13: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14.

Thoroughly enraged, With a snarl, Radagast attempts to burst free.

Strength: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20.

Patience, Radagast. It's not your turn yet.

Round 1 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Devonalia-acted
Sylvester-acted
Radagast-acted
Sobek-acted
Beast-acted
Flying spider-acted
Keynala-acted
Tasutek-acted
Desynthia

Devonalia, you can recall one more thing about the qlippoth. (And if you ask about special attacks, I won't mention the horrific appearance--that's obvious.

Keynala throws an axe at the qlippoth, but misses in the mist.

The human strides confidently across the water, the webbing not impeding his movement in the slightest. He casts a spell, and Keynala can feel something trying to hold her in place! Keynala, DC 15 Will save or unable to move.

Desynthia can act!

Tasutek: AC ? T ? FF ? HP taken: 0
Flying spider: AC ? T ? FF ? HP taken: 0
Qlippoth: AC 16 T 9 FF 16 HP taken: 0

Will DC 15: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

He looks like an ordinary human.

Desynthia's hair take a silvery hue as she begins to chant, calling some allies out of nowhere

Summon Monster II, 1 round incantation

Desynthia begins to call into the void, her voice echoing strangely in the cavern.

Round 2:

Initiative order
Devonalia
Sylvester
Radagast-acted; can still move
Sobek
Beast
Flying spider
Keynala
Tasutek
Desynthia

Radagast tears himself free of the webbing.

Devonalia, Sylvester, and Sobek can act; Radagast still has a move action left.

Sobek slides his polearm in the straps upon his back. He draws his bow and takes a step forward to peer around the large boulder blocking his line of sight to the enemies.
"Looks like I'll be needing my bow for this."

Devonalia would like to recall any special defenses it may have so we can better defeat it.

"Good idea Sobek." says Devonalia as she changes to her shortbow while staying in cover.

Devonalia recalls that as a chaotic evil outsider it's resistant to damage by all but lawful and cold iron weapons.

Round 2 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Devonalia-acted
Sylvester
Radagast-acted; can still move
Sobek-acted
Beast
Flying spider
Keynala
Tasutek
Desynthia

Sobek and Devonalia ready ranged weapons.

Sylvester can act, and Radagast can still take a move action.

I mean, there is no point, is there? Let's just say I spent my action breaking free.

Just waiting on Sylvester, then.