Sorry for late note, I was busy last night and didn't see any of these posts until this morning. Godcaller works for me, I have no interest in purchasing the others for 2pp and here's my Day Job roll.
Day Job (Soldier):1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Hmm... not great, but I already used my reroll for one of those useless skill checks I think.
Thanks GM, that one was a bit frustrating at the end, but Athalis is always happy to go up against the hated Aspis Consortium. Thanks for running the adventure!
Athalis nods. "We have uncovered coins with residual illusion magic that matches the glamer that covered the dig site, proving they were illegally smuggled into Bronze House from the ruins. We also have a notebook with a list that includes Heidmarch manor, records of bribes to city guards and other addresses of Pathfinder allies and associate businesses in Magnimar." The magus looks pointedly at the guardsmen, wondering how many of them are on Sloan's payroll.
"There is also the issue of a kidnapping victim, one Jardan Viskeni who you might recall from the meeting we attended with the Lady Heidmarch. Jardan tells an interesting story of being taken by a man who looked just like him a few days back, which makes me wonder who it was we saw this morning."
The elven soldiers pauses, letting the others speak up as well.
The magus is convinced they have enough evidence, no matter the bluster of Sloan. And as killing the Aspis agent outright is forbidden, he only gives the nobleman a nasty sneer. "Indeed, we shall see if your wordplay is enough to allow you to weasel out from underneath the evidence we have accummulated from your very warehouse. You are a thief of Thessalonnian treasures, Sloan. And my understanding is that such actions are not looked upon very kindly in these lands."
Yep, Athalis has no applicable skill checks left to offer anyway - and the few times he has have mostly been an effort in futility. Time to finish this one way or the other.
Athalis cocks his head, as though listening. "I do believe I hear the boots of the City Watch. Looks like your time is nearly up, Sloan."
Bluff 'Aid Another' Check:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
My streak continues. Looks like we need someone with a good modifier to take the lead roll on that Bluff check to draw Sloan out further. No help from me, though...
Athalis studies Sloan carefully. The man is clearly getting nervous, but it is difficult to tell how best to push him over the edge. But there must be a way...
"Could be that prisoner we found in your warehouse will have another story to tell. Jardan is a servant of Lady Heidmarch, and he got a good look at the man who kidnapped him, somebody that looked just like him. Considering that we just saw Jardan this morning in the company of the Venture Captain when he was being held against his will here in the Bronze House should prove quite interesting."
Intimidate Check:1d20 - 1 + 4 ⇒ (15) - 1 + 4 = 18
Meh, hoping to luck out with a good roll. My Arcana check wasn't high enough to catch that other clue, but he'll chat up Sloan about the prisoner he was holding and see if that rattles him. At least it's double digits, and with the +4 modifier the result isn't too bad...
Athalis sneers as only elves can and produces their writ. "I believe that when we've handed over our evidence against you, the only one to be sent to prison will be yourself and your cronies. Like the half-elf and that gnome magician who fancies himself a wizard."
Athalis turns away from the books, and speaks to the others. "I believe we have enough incriminating evidence, though perhaps we should take these chests as well since we cannot verify their contents. This hidden vault was referenced in the records those agents attempted to burn, and they likely contain precious artifacts. We could load them, and the prisoners, on the wagon. Our time is nearly done here and it is likely Sloan will be arriving soon - as well as the city guard."
The magus points out the evidence they've collected thus far, to his knowledge anyway.
~ We have the coins with residual illusion magic that matches the glamer that covered the dig site, proving it was illegally smuggled into Bronze House from the ruins.
~ A magical amulet crafted with sharp barbs and a certificate of authenticity.
~ A kidnapping victim, Jardan Viskeni who has ties to Lady Heidmarch - he claims that a man who looked like him was involved and it would seem that the doppleganger was present at the meeting.
~ A notebook with a list that includes Heidmarch manor, records of bribes to city guards and other locations are all addresses of Pathfinder allies and associate businesses in Magnimar.
~ Two clerks that tried to burn incriminating documents taken prisoner. The papers we rescued from the fire include a number of bills of sale suggesting the traffic of Thassilonian relics. Reference as well to a vault that contained several ironbound chests and numerous pieces of fine art, including a flawless statue of an imposing woman with arms wide open, a finely crafted cloak as well as another amulet with a certificate.
~ Maps detailing Pathfinder operations and excavation sites. Wine delivery receipts including Sheila Heidmarch as one recipient, while others are identified as Pathfinder allies local to Magnimar.
Athalis raises his eyebrows as he realizes the significance of the statue's magic. "Interesting! It appears that embracing this statue will grant a boon of some kind, though it will drain the vitality of whoever does so." Checking over the rest of the room, he calls out for Thokzazt. "There are some locked chests in here for you to smash! Do try to be careful though, there might be delicate artifacts inside them. Unless someone has a key to try?" The magus asks hopefully. He takes a few more minutes to look through the valuable books, against casting Detect Magic to find any other auras.
Ugh, unless one of our keys opens these chests, I think we'll need to bash them open. Any magical auras detected from inside the chests or among the books? No other clues about that statue, eh? It's damn tempting to give it a hug...
Athalis also takes a look at the documents, trying to glean what he can from the surviving fragments.
Linguistics check:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
The magus turns a stern glare on the men and speaks to the others. "We should tie them up securely and take them with us when we leave. Perhaps they can be persuaded to speak of what information was on those pages they burned up completely."
After doing what they can and securing their prisoners, Athalis returns to the room where they fought the statues and, after learning of the secret doors, suggests that they try the one on the east wall. He also asks Borox to use the healing wand he carries in his pack to take care of his injuries.
Jeez, finally a decent roll! Hope it actually does some good and isn't a wasted crit. :) I'm presuming I have a few rounds in which to use my CLW wand and that Borox will do the honors so I don't have to roll a UMD. Those gimpy rolls are back to the usual luck, it appears...
Moved myself a double move of 60' for 1 round's worth of movement, as I presume we're going round to round at this point. If more time passes, feel free to move my token all the way to where Agraic is confronting the Aspis agents.
Athalis frowns. "Where is the drunkard? There may be other dangerous guardians in this place, and none of us should be alone."
If Athalis can hear the distant door being broken down, he will move to investigate while the others search the room, calling out to the dwarf. "Borox, with me."
Suggest that our two high Perception folks search this room while Borox and I head back to help Agraic, if the DM allows that we can hear that door being busted down (which I figure was probably quite loud.)
Athalis finds that the damaged statue is beyond his reach, and so casts a spell with his free hand that he hopes to limit the combat effectiveness (if briefly) of the undamaged guardian of this room. Imbuing his blade with numbing cold, in addition to the electricity that currently flows through it, the magus also summons his arcane magic to further amplify the blow and swings his katana at the living statue!
Concentration Check (Frigid Touch spell):1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21 vs DC 19 (Casting Defensively a 2nd level spell)
Adamantine Katana 'Spellstrike' Attack:1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 2 = 26 vs Blue Statue (bypasses DR and hardness)
Includes -2 penalty for two-weapon fighting per Spell Combat Ability Adamantine Katana Damage:1d10 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 = 15 slashing
'Shock' Damage:1d6 ⇒ 3 electricity
Frigid Touch Damage:4d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 6, 4) = 13 cold + target is Staggered for 1 round (no save, no SR)
Adamantine Katana Standard Attack:1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 2 = 9 vs AC (bypasses DR and hardness)
Includes -2 penalty for two-weapon fighting per Spell Combat Ability Adamantine Katana Damage:1d10 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 = 15 slashing
'Shock' Damage:1d6 ⇒ 3 electricity
Full attack action, using Spell Combat and Spellstrike ability to cast Frigid Touch and deliver the spell with the katana, then taking his 'regular' attack with the katana. Using swift action for +2 damage due to Arcane Strike feat. Ooh! Possible Crit on that first attack! Rolling below to confirm...
Critical Hit Confirmation:1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 8 - 2 = 23 vs AC (bypasses DR and hardness)
Includes -2 penalty for two-weapon fighting per Spell Combat Ability Extra Crit Damage:1d10 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7 slashing
Extra 'Shock' Damage:1d10 ⇒ 8 electricity
Extra Frigid Touch Damage:4d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 2, 5) = 13 cold + target is Staggered for 1 minute (no save, no SR)
Sweet! Assuming that critical hit confirms, the statue takes 59 total damage (22 slashing, 11 electricity and 26 cold if it has any resistances/immunities) is 'staggered' for 1 minute instead of 1 round from the Frigid Touch spell.
Combat Notes:
Katana now deals +1d6 electricity damage and a further +2 damage when using swift action for Arcane Strike. On a critical hit (18-20), extra shocking damage of 1d10 is also applied.
dice=Katana Attack]1d20+8[/dice]
dice=Katana Damage]1d10+4 +2 +1d6 (+1d10 on a crit)[/dice]
Reflex Save:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 vs DC 13 = Failure?
Concentration Check:1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20 vs DC 32 or 21 = Failure!
The magus never sees the fiery conflagration headed straight toward him, and the elf is badly burned, his spell dying on his lips. Anger flares in his mind as he cries out in pain, then returns the favor by sending a flurry of magic missiles at the same statue, then moves forward to engage it in battle.
Magic Missile Damage:3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2, 4) + 3 = 10 vs Red Statue
Since I wasn't yet enlarged, do I get a +4 bonus to my Reflex save because of the table providing me cover? :) I rolled like crud for both rolls anyway, so the Concentration check fails either way...
Apologies, forgot that was a 1 round casting time! I won't move then, as I'm guessing I can't take a 5' step west with that table in the way? I'll treat it as difficult terrain next round when I move into the room. Anyone moving in there, try to leave me space to fit my giant body inside so I can maximize my reach.
Athalis moves through the door and casts a spell that causes him to grow in size again, figuring that extended reach will be needed to combat these flying statues. He uses some of his magic again to make his weapon more formidable, based on what he knows of these living statues.
Knowledge (Arcana):1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15 to ID the creatures
Move 20' then cast Enlarge Person and use a swift action to make sword 'Shock Burst'. Hopefully my extended reach will hamper their flyby attacks to some degree. Will also try to identify the statues, presumably with a Knowledge (Arcane) check? Looking for Resistances (which might affect my enhancement decision) and DR in that order, though with my cruddy roll I'll be lucky just to know the first one..,
Spell/Combat Notes:
Enlarge Person (+2 STR, -2 DEX, -1 to AC and attack rolls, 10' size and 10' reach) for 5 minutes
Attack rolls are at +0, damage roll is +1 and weapon damage is 2d8, AC is -2 (AC = 14), Reflex saves are at -1.
Katana now deals 2d8+5 damage, +1d6 electricity, +2 when using swift action for Arcane Strike. On a critical hit (18-20), extra shocking damage of 1d10 is also applied.
dice=Katana Attack]1d20+8[/dice]
dice=Katana Damage]2d8+5 +2 +1d6 (+1d10 on a crit)[/dice]
Athalis moves in as well, detecting for magical auras and investigating the maps and the bookshelf after idly glancing over the angelic statues.
Perception Check:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Continue to Detect Magic and looking around. Sorry, my social skills are crap and it's unlikely I have the needed knowledge skills - unless we find something magical I can use my Arcana knowledge and/or Spellcraft on...
Finding nothing magical, Athalis calls out to Borox, who appears to be having trouble breaking open the stubborn door. "More keys back here, wait a moment." Taking the ring from Thok, the magus delivers them to the dwarf and then stands ready.
Having shrunk back down to his normal size again, and feeling the magical strength leave his body, Athalis spends his time searching for magical auras in the rooms that have been opened.
My Perception is not good, so will spend my time using Detect Magic instead, looking for auras in the rooms that have been opened up and are being searched by others (or have recently been searched).
Athalis pauses when Jardan reveals his job. A servant? To Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch? His eyes widen suddenly as he realizes he saw this man before... at the briefing!
"I'll tell you exactly why. Whoever posed as you was present at our briefing with the Venture Captain and... other important officials. Which means that the Aspis Consortium knows everything about our plans."
GM, does the timing of this theory hold up? If the real Jardan was being held prisoner here for days, then his doppleganger would have been at the meeting meeting we had with the venture captain (either this morning or yesterday, I've kinda lost track), correct?
Athalis turns to the rescued prisoner as Thok deals with the door. "So you've got no idea why these villains captured you? What is it you do for a living, Jardan?"
Athalis takes a look at the tome offered by Metume, understanding that it can be referenced to help identify certain artifacts. He too takes a look around the enchanted warehouse, assisting Wolfgang in his search.
Wolfgang, with that +10 I'm thinking you should take lead. Athalis can 'try' to assist with his +2 (though no luck here - maybe that +2 from the tome will kick it up to a success, though?
I'd suggest Agraic take the lead in searching rooms as we go, as he has the best modifier by far. Did we search the room we just left? I'm thinking we did, but it's unclear after reading the posts...
Athalis tells of what he learned of the amulet, offering it to anyone that could make use of it while they continue their exploration. "Remember, we were told we'll have about 10 minutes before any guards show up, assuming they heard an alarm." Picking up a few of the relics for evidence and moving to the other secret door, the magus determines whether it is unlocked, or whether it might need some convincing to give way.
Can we use these artifacts during the adventure? Or is it our understanding that we shouldn't? Let's see what lies beyond the secret door - might be more goodies. Not sure where everyone is on the map - is our placement accurate? Athalis doesn't want to be the first through the secret door, either Borox or Thok would be better, since they are far more heavily armored than the magus.
Thokzazt, are you making that attack against the door behind the secret door? Or the one that's blocked from the inside where your token is? I'm thinking we should go in through the locked door that lies beyond the secret door myself.
Sounds fair! If I roll decently there's a good chance I can still take this door down in one blow, but I definitely want Borox and Agraic in front of me before I try, since my defenses aren't great. I can just reach over them and destroy the door in hopefully a single round, giving them the chance to charge forward into whatever awaits. Sounds like Metume and Thokzazt are going to try and do the same to the other door that hopefully leads into the same room? Either that or we are going to trigger two separate encounters... Will wait until Borox and Agraic confirm that they will move in front of Athalis at the secret door or we can go another route if they'd prefer.
Athalis frowns. "I am not skilled in picking locks. Is anyone else in the group?" The magus looks around hopefully. If there are no takers, the magus shrugs. "I can use my magic to bolster my weapon and perhaps take down that door with one strike." He suggests as an alternative, first studying the door to gauge its sturdiness then again glancing around to see what the others think.
Anyone able to pick locks? After a quick look around, I'm thinking the answer is 'no'. Toz, if we are forced to break down the door, does it look pretty 'standard'? Or is it heavily reinforced? My katana is adamantine so it will bypass hardness, but I don't have Power Attack to really max out the damage. Though I could channel some elemental energy into it... GM, if Athalis attacked the door with his admantine katana as well as Arcane Strike and Pool Strike in addition to Spellstrike to do weapon damage plus 2d6 acid or fire damage, would all that go to the door's hit points? In addition, since Pool Strike can hold a charge for up to a minute, could I cast that, then take a two-handed grip on my katana and strike the door? With my current Large size and extra strength, that would be a total of 2d8+10 +2 +2d6 elemental damage. If all that bypasses hardness, I might be able to take it down in one hit, if I roll decently. Minimum of 16 and maximum of 40, figure an average of 28 or so?
Athalis asks Borox to use the magus' wand to heal his wounds before approaching the secret door, trying to avoid the strange grease stains as best he can as he studies it, trying to ascertain what might have caused it to exist...
Guessing we have some time to use the CLW wand. Still concentrating on Detect Magic, and not sure if I need to make a Reflex save for the grease stain or if it can be avoided if taking care to do so. Also, Spellcraft to identify that grease trail?
Rolling both just in case, but obviously is he slips because of the grease he'll just get back up again - unless it triggers something that doesn't allow this.
When Athalis is notified of the coins, he will examine them, using Detect Magic if necessary.
Spellcraft check:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19 to identify magical items
If the Spellcraft check is NOT to identify magical items, then please subtract 2 from the dice roll above.
Athalis ducks down through the door, striding forward toward the nearest guard and slashes with his katana, utilizing his reach to stay behind the better-armored dwarf.
Move 15', standard attack vs yellow guard, swift action for Arcane Strike.
Spell/Combat Notes:
Enlarge Person (+2 STR, -2 DEX, -1 to AC and attack rolls, 10' size and 10' reach) for 5 minutes.
Bull's Strength (+4 STR) for 5 minutes.
Shocking Burst (+1d6 electricity + 1d10 electricity on a critical hit) for 9 rounds.
Attack rolls are at +2, damage roll is +3, AC is -2 (AC = 14), Reflex saves are at -1.
Katana now deals 2d8+7 damage, +1d6 electricity, +2 when using swift action for Arcane Strike. On a critical hit (18-20), extra shocking damage of 1d10 is also applied.
dice=Katana Attack]1d20+10[/dice]
dice=Katana Damage]2d8+7 +2 +1d6 (+1d10 on a crit)[/dice]
Athalis moves toward the door, but takes up a position just behind the hellknight and calls out to the others. "The four of us can hold this door, that leaves the other two to seek out the evidence we need so we can get out of here!"
The magus then summons his magic and grows nearly as large as a giant even as he feeds his magical energy into the katana itself, which begins to spark as though lightning runs across the metal!
Move to current position on map then cast Enlarge Person on myself (being a warehouse, I'm presuming there is room to grow to Large) with a standard action and use swift action to make my katana a Shocking Burst weapon (+2) with Arcane Pool. Because my AC is now a lowly 14, I'm going to let Borox and anyone else in the front line be my shield and stay behind them, attacking with reach.
I'd suggest that Borox, Agraic and Thokzazt take the front line position in front of the door and I'll back them up with my reach in the second line. That leaves Metume and Wolfgang (both of you with good Perception) to start searching the warehouse for that evidence. Otherwise I'm afraid this battle will drag on and on with more and more reinforcements until we can no longer win. Just my two coppers as far as our strategy should go for this battle.
Spell/Combat Notes:
Enlarge Person (+2 STR, -2 DEX, -1 to AC and attack rolls, 10' size and 10' reach) for 5 minutes
Bull's Strength (+4 STR) for 5 minutes
Attack rolls are at +2, damage roll is +3, AC is -2 (AC = 14), Reflex saves are at -1.
Katana now deals 2d8+7 damage, +1d6 electricity, +2 when using swift action for Arcane Strike. On a critical hit (18-20), extra shocking damage of 1d10 is also applied.
dice=Katana Attack]1d20+10[/dice]
dice=Katana Damage]2d8+7 +2 +1d6 (+1d10 on a crit)[/dice]
Athalis grimaces as the blade of the Aspis agent bites into his flesh, the half-elf had far greater reach than he'd anticipated! The magus also feels a burning sensation in the wound that indicates an envenomed blade, but he cannot concern himself with that at the moment as she makes a break for the door and he lashes out with his katana as he manages to block her path, his blow fed extra strength by the spell he just cast. If she goes down, Athalis takes a step toward the guard.
"Thokzazt! Flank her!" The elven magus calls out as hesitates a moment to give the knight time to shift his position, then he brings his magic to bear, imbuing his blade with a frigid chill and strikes again with two quick slashes.
Concentration Check = Auto success (+17 modifier with a DC of 17)
Katana attack:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27 (add +2 if flanking)
Katana damage:1d10 + 6 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 + (6) = 17 slashing and negative energy & Fort Save vs DC 15 or 1 damage to STR
Spellstrike Katana attack:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11 (add +2 if flanking)
Katana damage:1d10 + 6 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 + (3) = 19 slashing and negative energy & Fort Save vs DC 15 or 1 damage to STR
Will 'delay' until right after Thokzazt in case he'd like to move to flank the half-elf, getting a +2 to his own attack roll. With the full-round action, using Spellstrike ability to cast Chill Touch and attack twice, using one (of five) charges of the spell as the second attack definitely missed. Also using a swift action for Arcane Strike, and no Concentration check needed for casting a 1st level spell, due to his high modifier, which grants success even if I rolled a 1 on the dice. Lastly, will take a 5' step toward the guard if the target goes down.
Athalis recognizes the stone and is able to block his ears to some degree, mitigating the booming sound. The magus casts a spell to temporarily bolster his strength, then draws his katana as he moves swiftly to engage the half-elf that stabbed Metume, avoiding the grease on the floor.
Cast Bull's Strength on myself, then move 20' while drawing katana.
Hey Wolfgang, at least you weren't babbling and beating yourself to a pulp with your sword in the last battle! :p And yes, that plan sounds fine to me.
Yes, I like the cart idea as well. Maybe have our best bluffer driving it and the rest of us can be hired guards or the like as we drive it in after dark?
"If teamsters work the warehouses until midnight, perhaps those of our group skilled at bluffing can convince them to allow us in?" Athalis suggests. "I have no skills in picking locks myself, so if we are to force our way in directly it will have to be through brute force, I'm afraid."
GM, does any of the knowledge we've gained indicate whether shipments might come in after dark?
