'Gallows of Madness - The Festering Blot'

Game Master Shadow Dragon

Lucinus stabs with his longsword but misses the mark.

Per player request botting Grizzlebin:

The severely wounded agathion withdraws from combat.

Withdraw action to avoid an AoO.

Acrobatics: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (17) - 2 = 15

What's the DC again?

[dice=Acrobatics]1d20 - 2

What's the DC again?

DC 10 - Guardian XI made it out! :)

Make way! I made it out of the grease! Murder on the dance floor!

[move] 15ft

On arriving at the dretch he swings away with abandon.

[standard] attack BLUE
cold iron greatsword attack (furious focus), slashing damage (furious focus): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 202d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 1) + 6 + 2 = 13

The Engine of Destruction! (tm) notices Cannoli getting the beatstick ready so he swoops in and slashes the dretch, stealing her kill!

I'm teasing! About the steal; the dretch is definitely dead. ;)

What does the party do now?

Cannoli loots the bodies!

Lucinus retrieves his dropped weapon, cleaning off the goo as he heads down the stairs to investigate the diabolical symbols.

Lucinus retrieves his dropped weapon, cleaning off the goo as he heads down the stairs to investigate the diabolical symbols.

Note: The spell duration for the grease is still in effect.

Cannoli loots the bodies!

Cannoli finds a shiny rapier on the vermlek but nothing else of value. She can also see what looks like seams on the corpse. Vreekka chimes in that vermlek actually wear the bodies of mortals to disguise themselves. But who is this man whom the vermlek was inhabiting?

Perhaps an Appraise check?

The dretches ain't got nuthin'.

If necessary he will climb down, taking 10 for a total of 20.

If necessary he will climb down, taking 10 for a total of 20.

Using his pre-knotted fancy silk rope?

so this...thing "wears" its victims? Disgusting... Daegon says as he surveys the room and the contents.

appraise: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Yes, he also has a grappling hook to help attach it.

so this...thing "wears" its victims? Disgusting... Daegon says as he surveys the room and the contents.

[dice=appraise]1d20

Daegon can tell the point end is sharp.

Sorry but a 6 isn't good. :(

Yes, he also has a grappling hook to help attach it.

Lucinus attaches his grappling hook to the staircase railing, throws his pre-knotted silk rope over, and starts climbing down.

He sees the altar and even more demon bile but notices something disturbing: a rather large number of mites ready to emerge! As his eyes follow the demon bile webbing throughout the room he can see even more mites.

What is he doing at the bottom? Summoning something? ;)

Cannoli checks the other room over for items of value.

Cannoli checks the other room over for items of value.

Without checking for traps??? Uh oh you know what that means!

Cannoli walks into the next room with no issues besides stepping over demon corpses.

She sees a large table with papers on it and six large file cabinets.

The table is right next to Cannoli's token.

What is he doing at the bottom? Summoning something? ;)

He needs to find someone to sacrifice first!

Lucinus sees if he can understand the meaning of the symbols and notes them down in his notepad.

He speaks infernal if that helps

GM Shadow Dragon wrote:

What is he doing at the bottom? Summoning something? ;)

He needs to find someone to sacrifice first!

Lucinus sees if he can understand the meaning of the symbols and notes them down in his notepad.

He speaks infernal if that helps

Lucinus finds some older, defaced Infernal text and symbols. On top of the defaced Infernal is much newer writing - in Abyssal! As he reads it he feels something 'off' about the area.

Unfortunately this would be the same checks as earlier so Lucinus doesn't know anything more than he learned the first go-round. And how fortuitous that Lucinus also knows Abyssal. mutters about powergaming cheeseweasels some more...

Appraise: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 Vermlek (or rapier?)

regarding the Vermlek, maybe Knowledge (nobility) can help?

Take 10 Knowledge: Nobility t: 10 + 16 = 26

[dice=Appraise]1d20+9 Vermlek (or rapier?)

regarding the Vermlek, maybe Knowledge (nobility) can help?

[dice=Take 10 Knowledge: Nobility t]10+16

Vreekka is more knowledgeable about wine and fancy jewelry - not weapons.

Yikes that was a bad roll too. :( Knowledge (Nobility) wouldn't reveal any information about the vermlek.

After noting down details of the runes Lucinus heads back up to the top, retrieves his rope and then joins Cannoli in the other room curious about what further information it might contain.

Cannoli and Lucinus Perception checks please. :) And anyone else joining them in that room.

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6

Cannoli squints painfully at the papers on the desk. Maybe she should get some glasses?

Pretty quickly she yells for Vreeka.

Daegon goes to examine what the others found.

perc: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

At least you guys rolled well during combat. 8) Vreekka is old so it might take a while for her to amble along. Botting Jakeric and Grizzlebin:

Jakeric Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Grizzlebin Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Yikes. :( Thankfully Vreekka can't roll low enough on the relevant Knowledge checks:

Lucinus is fortunately able to find some relevant documents. Since he can read Abyssal he even understands them.

On the table, you find drawings and diagrams of some sort of portal, showing a vermlek stepping through what looks very much like the sacrificial pit in the adjacent room. Wormgnash’s notes —written in Abyssal- suggest that he believed he was very close to a breakthrough that would have ripped a tiny interdimensional hole here that would have allowed several of his vermlek brethren to join him on the Material Plane.

Cannoli finds a rough map of Saringallow with arrows and drawings of mites scribbled on it. It indicates that the fiendish fey were soon to attack the town in order to obtain bodies for the vermleks to inhabit.

Daegon goes to one of the large cabinets and finds it is full of documents.

Jakeric and Grizzlebin examine two of the other cabinets and find they are also full of documents.

Lucinus also checks a cabinet and finds the missing information the heroes were hired to collect!

Let me know who is taking what and if you have enough sacks, etc. to carry it.

As he searches through the documentation Lucinus' somewhat grim countenance seams almost happy... What a great day... slaying demons, rescuing old books, thwarting abyssal plots, and rifling through troves of hidden lore....

He takes out his waterproof bag "We can put the documents in here to keep them safe." he suggests.

Lucinus still has plenty of carrying capacity so is happy to help carry the documentation. He also has his backpack to carry things in.

As he searches through the documentation Lucinus' somewhat grim countenance seams almost happy... What a great day... slaying demons, rescuing old books, thwarting abyssal plots, and rifling through troves of hidden lore....

He takes out his waterproof bag "We can put the documents in here to keep them safe." he suggests.

Lucinus still has plenty of carrying capacity so is happy to help carry the documentation. He also has his backpack to carry things in.

Okay. The amount of records probably exceeds the capacity of the waterproof bag; Paizo doesn't list one for it. A sack can hold 4 cubic feet so that's going to be the better bet to haul the rest of the records.

Hmmm...maybe we can use some of the old bedsheets and blankets as makeshift sacks? Might not be the best bags...but should be enough to get the job done...

Cannoli Jones wrote:

Cannoli loots the bodies!

Cannoli finds a shiny rapier on the vermlek but nothing else of value. She can also see what looks like seams on the corpse. Vreekka chimes in that vermlek actually wear the bodies of mortals to disguise themselves. But who is this man whom the vermlek was inhabiting?

Perhaps an Appraise check?

The dretches ain't got nuthin'.

Appraise (untrained): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

After, he joins the others...

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

I suppose everything possible may have been found?

What did you see down there Lucinus? You look a little spooked.

Whatever rucksack you rig up, I'm happy to carry some load!

Guardian flexes his metal arms.

Whatever rucksack you rig up, I'm happy to carry some load!

Guardian flexes his metal arms.

Alright do the math on encumbrance for a full alchemist's lab, a barrel of wine, and a bunch of papers vs. Guardian XI's carrying capacity! ;) Just kidding.

Guardian XI concurs the rapier is pointy and in good condition.

He follows around lugging stuff others point at.

Hmmm...maybe we can use some of the old bedsheets and blankets as makeshift sacks? Might not be the best bags...but should be enough to get the job done...

"I've got a blanket with me if that is any help?"

Looking in my inventory it looks like my options for carrying stuff are the blanket, waterproof bag, backpack and scroll case. I might also be able to carry heavy stuff for other party members if they need to carry paperwork as well.

Out of interest do any of the barrels look to be a viable option for carrying the documents?

What did you see down there Lucinus? You look a little spooked.

"It felt a little 'Off', and the old infernal runes had been defaced with ones in abyssal. Based on these notes it looks like the vermlek was trying to create a portal to bring some of its friends here, I'm guessing that's what the abyssal runes were for."

As the heroes finish gathering the records for the Mayor something changes with the demon bile webbing around the altar...it begins pulsating and vibrating with abyssal energies.

Between the building’s age and the latent Abyssal energies from the demon’s bile cause the Sarini Estate to begin to collapse. Portions of the ceiling begin to crumble, and small tremors ripple throughout the basement. Dust and debris pours through the cracks. The estate is coming apart - time to flee!

Incoming wall of text for the rules:

This encounter is a series of five obstacles. To overcome an obstacle, each PC must first choose one of two strategies, each of which requires a successful saving throw, ability check, or skill check. Any PC who has chosen the same check type as another PC can voluntarily take a –2 penalty on her check to give a +2 bonus on the other PC’s check. Multiple PCs can help the same character.

What else can you do? In between navigating the obstacles, it is possible to quickly quaff a potion, cast a single spell, or use an ability that takes no more than a full-round action to function. A PC can drag an ally who falls unconscious through these obstacles, but that PC takes a –4 penalty on checks and saving throws while doing so. This penalty is only –2 if two PCs drag a single unconscious ally.

Obstacle 1 - Falling Cabinets

A powerful tremor shakes the basement, causing cabinets to topple. Avoid the falling cabinets or move them out of the way to escape the room!

Yes those who haven't moved into the room are box-texted into it and that's reasonable considering the PbP lag in getting everyone acting at the same time. In the module that's how it's supposed to be run.

To dodge them, a PC must succeed at a DC 10 Reflex save. To prop them up, a PC must succeed at a DC 12 Strength check. We'll proceed with the second obstacle once everyone has rolled for the first one. If anyone wishes to help another PC refer to the post above for penalties. You can also discuss helping, casting, etc. before rolling.

I put Vreekka's token into the room.

"We better get out of here!", Vreekka cries out while trying to dodge a falling cabinet...

Reflex, DC 10: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Vreekka dodges some cabinets to exit the room!

Obstacle 1 – Falling Cabinets

Vreekka [Success]
Cannoli
Grizzlebin
Jakeric
Guardian XI
Lucinus
Daegon [Failed; -3 HP]

ref: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Daegon stumbles as a cabinet hits him!

Daegon takes: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Daegon takes 3 HP of damage as a cabinet falls on him.

Cannoli eyes all the cabinets and tries to help someone who is about to get hit.

”Watch out [insert name]!”

Whoever has a low reflex mod is welcome to take the +2 she is offering.

Reflex - Helping: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 - 2 = 9
Reflex - Helping Cat’s luck reroll: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 - 2 = 9

…

Well, I felt pretty confident I could hit that DC and had that reroll as a backup. But that’s how it goes! She gonna get whonked. Does she still grant the +2 to someone?

Yep the +2 bonus helps out even if Cannoli trips over her own tail. ;) Daegon won't benefit since he had such a low roll. But perhaps someone else? I'll wait until tomorrow before botting Jakeric and Grizzlebin.

Cannoli takes: 1d3 ⇒ 2

One of the cabinets falls onto Cannoli's tail - ouch!

Cannoli takes 2 HP of damage.

Lucinus tries bracing himself against one of the cabinets to stop it falling while grabbing one last bunch of papers...

Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Lucinus attempts to lift a cabinet but his grip is off due to clutching paperwork and loot.

Lucinus takes: 1d3 ⇒ 3

The cabinet whacks him in the head!

Lucinus takes 3 HP of damage.

Guardian puts out his hand to stop one of the falling cabinets...

DC12 Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Guardian XI flexes his prodigious strength and heaves the cabinet out of his way!

I'll wait until this afternoon/evening before botting Jakeric and Grizzlebin.

Botting:

Jakeric tries to avoid the falling cabinets:

Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Grizzlebin follows Guardian XI's example and attempts to push the cabinet out of the way:

Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Both are successful!

The following list should be accurate. If it's incorrect please let me know. Since no one stated they were healing anyone after the battle I'm carrying over the HP damage from that fight.

Obstacle Course!

Vreekka [-5]
Grizzlebin [-21]
Cannoli [-2]
Lucinus [-3]
Guardian XI [-5]
Jakeric
Daegon [-5]

Obstacle 2 - Grasping Hands

The dying and panicking mites trapped in the demon’s bile web blindly grab at anything they can.

To tumble past them, a PC must succeed at a DC 10 Acrobatics check. To wriggle away from them, a PC must succeed at a DC 12 Escape Artist check. Don't forget to include any armor check penalties.

Botting Jakeric and Grizzlebin again:

Jakeric goes for tumbling past them:

Acrobatics: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14

The awkward summoner manages to escape!

Grizzlebin decides it's the best way to try:

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

But the mites hold on!

Grizzlebin takes: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Cannoli easily avoids all the grabbing grubby fingers.

Acrobatics - ACP: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 3 - 2 = 19

”This way friends! I didn’t like this house anyway.”

Daegon tries to dodge the mites as best he can.

acro: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

oh ffs....2 1's in a row?