GM Halgur's page

rainzax wrote:

What skills would we use to RK?

Was hoping to get an answer before trying void damage but we are out of time.

Sorry I thought you meant for the Surgeon specifically and since she died I just moved on. When people say they want to recall knowledge I usually just look at their character sheet use take the most appropriate skill. If they are not trained in a skill that would provide and answer I give them the opportunity to take a different action if they want.

The surgeon was just a human and the green creature was a phantom, not undead.

Thanks for sticking with me on this one. This scenario was kind of weird. The first floor was very straightforward but the second floor seemed like it was written with a completely different map in mind and swapped to an existing map after the fact. Many of the room descriptions didn't make a lot of sense. I ended up using some suggestions from the GM discussion board to make it work while maintaining the flavor of the scenario. Also I'm still figuring out the best way to maintain clarity in combat from round to round. Hopefully it wasn't too much of a disaster.

Later, back at Castle Urion, Lovkiy is overjoyed at hearing that the mission was a success. She thanks the PCs for their hard work and their resolve in refusing the temptations of the Whispering Way. She invites them to rest for as long as they need to at Castle Urion before heading out on their next mission.

End of Adventure. 100% successful.

Merian gets in a solid hit. Khagra misses twice only to completely impale the creature with his third attack. Tao's magic also takes its toll on the creature. None of the attacks seem to be completely effective but the barrage is sufficient to best the creature, which fades away into nothingness.

Combat over

It's not Rocket Surgery. It's Brain Science!
Round 4
Map
Those with ** may go

Shayla
Avery
Green -37
**Dreggar 57/80
**Khagra 36/138
**Merian 50/92 shield 56/64
**Tao

Avery's shot goes wide. Upon seeing the Surgeon fall the green beast lets out a silent wail before turning its ire upon Khagra and Merian.

Green spectral claw vs Khagra: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (2) + 20 = 22
damage, slashing: 3d8 ⇒ (2, 2, 6) = 10

Green spectral claw vs Khagra: 1d20 + 20 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 20 - 5 = 19
damage, slashing: 3d8 ⇒ (5, 6, 5) = 16

Horn vs Merian: 1d20 + 18 - 8 ⇒ (8) + 18 - 8 = 18
damage, piercing: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (5, 2) + 8 = 15

Shayla's axes hit the green creature but don't seem to do as much damage as she would hope.

It's not Rocket Surgery. It's Brain Science!
Round 4
Map
Those with ** may go

Shayla
**Avery
Green -37
Dreggar 57/80
Khagra 36/138 Off-guard until start of next turn
Merian 50/92 shield 56/64
Tao

If The Surgeon is down, then Merian would Stride to be adjacent to Green. I moved her on the map. And I think the Will save prompt is left over from last turn.

Yes ignore the will save prompt the move is fine. I meant to say something about that but forgot.

It's not Rocket Surgery. It's Brain Science!
Round 4
Map
Those with ** may go

**Shayla
**Avery
Green -24
Blue -49
Purple -68
Dreggar 57/80
Khagra 36/138 Off-guard until Khagra R4
Merian 50/92 shield 56/64
Tao
The Surgeon -67

Tao's ancestors inflict the first significant damage to green and deliver a killing blow to the surgeon. As she falls, the woman whispers an ominous warning. "Your victory is hollow. I've been murdered twice before. I will return."

Khagra is taunted into a frenzy by Blue. His furious assault results in a single hit and retaliation from the skull. Merian interposes her shield between herself and Purple's gnashing teeth. She then presses the attack and the skull crumples to the ground. Dreggar similarly disposes of blue with a well thought-out strike.

blue bite vs Khagra: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27
damage, piercing: 2d10 + 5 ⇒ (4, 5) + 5 = 14

It's not Rocket Surgery. It's Brain Science!
Round 3
Map
Those with ** may go

Need Will save DC24 from Merian and Khagra

**Shayla One action remaining
Avery
Green -5
Blue -49
Purple -68
**Dreggar 57/80 F2
**Khagra 50/138 Need will save DC24
**Merian 40/92 Need will save DC24
**Tao
The Surgeon -67

Avery fires a bolt but at the last instant a skull leaps from a nearby shelf to intercept the attack. Shayla moves up and dispatches yellow. One action remaining Shayla. Tao shrugs off the Surgeon's spell.

Green attempts to frighten Dreggar, while using its spectral claw to maim Khagra.

intimidate, demoralize vs Dreggar: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (19) + 18 = 37 Crit Frightened 2

green spectral claw vs Khagra: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (20) + 20 = 40
damage, slashing: 3d8 ⇒ (8, 6, 7) = 21

green spectral claw vs Khagra: 1d20 + 20 - 5 ⇒ (10) + 20 - 5 = 25
damage, slashing: 3d8 ⇒ (7, 1, 4) = 12

The two remaining skulls continue their taunts of Khagra and Merian. Will save DC24 from Merian and Khagra

purple bite vs Merian: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21
damage, piercing: 2d10 + 5 ⇒ (4, 9) + 5 = 18

purple bite vs Merian: 1d20 + 16 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 16 - 5 = 27
damage, piercing: 2d10 + 5 ⇒ (7, 6) + 5 = 18

blue bite vs Khagra: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30
damage, piercing: 2d10 + 5 ⇒ (4, 6) + 5 = 15

blue bite vs Khagra: 1d20 + 16 - 5 ⇒ (10) + 16 - 5 = 21
damage, piercing: 2d10 + 5 ⇒ (8, 8) + 5 = 21

Crit on Khagra for 42, hit on Khagra for 15, hit on Merian for 18

It's not Rocket Surgery. It's Brain Science!
Round 3
Map
Those with ** may go

Need will save DC28 from Tao vs the Surgeon's 36 points of mental damage

**Shayla
**Avery
Green -5
Yellow -83
Blue -49
Purple -68
Dreggar 57/80
Khagra 107/138 Off guard until blue r3
Merian 58/92
Tao Need will save DC28
The Surgeon -67

Surgeon fort vs Tao: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

Tao sends some much needed heaing energy to Merian while the surgeon grunts in pain but manages to avoid part of Tao's ancestor's attack. Khagra succumbs to Blue's taunting and manages to hurt the skull which strikes back. Dreggar steps into the room and attacks Purple. Merian follows suit and strikes Purple as well, earning another bite for her troubles.

purple bite vs Merian: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34
damage, piercing: 2d10 + 5 ⇒ (4, 9) + 5 = 18

blue bite vs Khagra: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20
damage, piercing: 2d10 + 5 ⇒ (10, 5) + 5 = 20

The surgeon moves into range and retaliates against Tao, sending the oracle a vision of her own death. Need basic will save DC28 from Tao vs mental damage: 8d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 4, 2, 5, 6, 6, 6) = 36

It's not Rocket Surgery. It's Brain Science!
Round 2
Map
Those with ** may go

Need will save DC24 from Dreggar, Khagra, Merian

Shayla
Avery
Green -5
Yellow -83 Immune to bleeding, Dazzled until Tao r2
Blue
Purple -33
**Dreggar 57/80 Need will save DC24
**Khagra 107/138 Need will save DC24
**Merian 38/92 Need will save DC24
**Tao Reaction used
The Surgeon -49

Shayla manages to 'axe' yellow a question the answer being 22 points of damage while Sophia harries the Surgeon.

The green creature conjures a spectral claw that lashes out at Khagra. It then turns its baleful gaze at Merian promising many agonies to come.

Spectral Claw vs Khagra: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28
damage, slashing: 3d8 ⇒ (8, 7, 6) = 21

intimidate, demoralize vs Merian: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32

The trio of skulls continue their incessant taunting before chomping away. Will save DC24 from Khagra, Dreggar and Merian

flat check DC5: 1d20 ⇒ 20
yellow bite vs Dreggar: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19
damage, piercing: 2d10 + 5 ⇒ (5, 2) + 5 = 12

flat check DC5: 1d20 ⇒ 6
yellow bite vs Dreggar: 1d20 + 16 - 5 ⇒ (8) + 16 - 5 = 19
damage, piercing: 2d10 + 5 ⇒ (6, 10) + 5 = 21

purple bite vs Merian: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23
damage, piercing: 2d10 + 5 ⇒ (7, 5) + 5 = 17

purple bite vs Merian: 1d20 + 16 - 5 ⇒ (11) + 16 - 5 = 22
damage, piercing: 2d10 + 5 ⇒ (2, 4) + 5 = 11

blue bite vs Khagra: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19
damage, piercing: 2d10 + 5 ⇒ (10, 6) + 5 = 21

blue bite vs Khagra: 1d20 + 16 - 5 ⇒ (15) + 16 - 5 = 26
damage, piercing: 2d10 + 5 ⇒ (1, 10) + 5 = 16

Hit on Khagra for 16, potential hit on Merian for 17 depending on will save

It would if Merian weren't off guard from the taunting. AC 25-2+2=25 so 35 just manages to crit.

It's not Rocket Surgery. It's Brain Science!
Round 2
Map
Those with ** may go

Need will save from Avery DC28

**Shayla
**Avery Need will save DC28 vs Surgeon
Green -5
Yellow -61 Immune to bleeding, Dazzled until Tao r2
Blue
Purple -33
Dreggar 57/80 Off guard until yellow r2
Khagra 123/138
Merian 38/92 Off guard until purple r2
Tao Reaction used
The Surgeon -40

Khagra's tempestuous breath damages the surgeon while green manages to avoid it entirely. The orc's trident stabs out at Dreggar's attacker.

The purple skull's taunting laughter causes Merian to lose her cool at and tries her best to silence it with two of her blows connecting. The skull retaliates with a nasty bite.

purple bite vs Merian: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35
damage, piercing: 2d10 + 5 ⇒ (5, 9) + 5 = 19

The surgeon moves forward and gestures menacingly at Avery, focusing unknown magics at the ranger. Need will save DC28 from Avery

I'm pretty sure nobody did a recall knowledge on her. I did forget to do Dreggar's RK on his skull though. I'll do that in the update.

I like Tao's name for red. The surgeon. Sounds totally evil, I'm stealing it.

It's not Rocket Surgery. It's Brain Science!
Round 1
Map
Those with ** may go

Need DC24 will save from Merian

Shayla
Avery
Green -5
Yellow -44 Immune to bleeding, Dazzled until Tao r2
Blue
Purple
Dreggar 57/80 Off guard until yellow r2
**Khagra 123/138 F1, 4d4 persistent mental damage
**Merian 76/92 Need DC24 will save vs skull
Tao Reaction used
The Surgeon -11

In retrospect I should have listed a spoiler for failing the save from the skull's taunt ability. A failure causes the target to be off-guard for 1 round. On its next turn, if the taunting skull is within the target’s reach, the target wildly attacks the taunting skull as many times as possible. Therefore Dreggar is off-guard and cannot raise a shield but must make 3 attacks. Devise a stratagem should be fine since it is a free action. I'll roll Dreggar's third attack below to keep things moving.

Tao's ancestors manage to injure both the Surgeon and the green creature. Khagra is wracked with a pain that continues to linger.

damage, mental vs Khagra: 8d4 ⇒ (4, 3, 4, 3, 3, 4, 1, 4) = 26 Plus 4d4 persistent mental damage

Dreggar +1 striking clan dagger vs yellow: 1d20 + 14 - 8 ⇒ (16) + 14 - 8 = 22

yellow bite vs Dreggar: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36
damage, piercing: 2d10 + 5 ⇒ (1, 10) + 5 = 16

Dreggar lashes out but fails to connect with the tiny skull. In retaliation the skull bites the dwarf, inflicting a nasty wound that is somewhat mitigated by a flash of light from Tao.

I've finished up RPG chronicles and emailed chronicles. Is there anything fancy I need to do to report to HQ to get the game reported for Paizo's site?

We will be done by then one way or another Khagra.

Shayla and Avery get the drop on yellow, injuring it.

Khagra feels the green creature in his mind, promising terrible pain to come.
green intimidate vs Khagra, DC25: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28 Success. Khagra is Frightened 1

True to its word, the green creature causes Khagra to experience horrific pain.
Need a DC28 will save

The three skulls fly into battle, cackling incessantly. Need DC24 will saves from Dreggar, Merian and Khagra

yellow bite vs Dreggar: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18
damage, piercing: 2d10 + 5 ⇒ (10, 6) + 5 = 21

purple bite vs Merian: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33
damage, piercing: 2d10 + 5 ⇒ (8, 3) + 5 = 16

blue bite vs Khagra: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23
damage, piercing: 2d10 + 5 ⇒ (2, 1) + 5 = 8

Merian takes a bite to the arm.

It's not Rocket Surgery. It's Brain Science!
Round 1
Map
Those with ** may go
Need DC28 will save from Khagra
Need DC24 will saves from Dreggar, Khagra, and Merian

Shayla
Avery
Green
Yellow -44 Immune to bleeding
Blue
Purple
**Dreggar Need DC24 will save vs skull
**Khagra F1 Need DC24 will save vs skull Need DC28 will save vs Green
**Merian 76/92 Need DC24 will save vs skull
**Tao

It's not Rocket Surgery. It's Brain Science!
Round 1
Map
Those with ** may go

**Shayla
**Avery
???
Dreggar
Khagra
Merian
Tao

The woman's deadpan tone takes on a bit of a sardonic lilt. "Well, well. It looks as though someone got a thesaurus for their nameday. Now then, not that this hasn't been a pleasant diversion but I really must get back to my work." She gestures and a trio of grinning skulls emerge from their hiding places and a glowing green creature materializes out of thin air. "Kill them, but please try not to harm that one's head. I think I'd like to put her brain in a jar for further experimentation."

We're technically supposed to end tomorrow but if everyone is willing we can continue since it looks like a peaceful solution is unlikely. This last fight should take about a week if everyone stays on task.

I'll be reporting the game as soon as Avery and Merian fill out RPG chronicle at any rate.

Looks like that's two votes for a fight. Anyone else want to weigh in?

Avery and Merian. Please fill out the RPG chronicles. I will report the game once you do.

"And what are you trying to achieve here?" Avery asks the tall woman.

"I haven't the desire to explain my work nor do you have the intellect to comprehend it."

"If you are a follower of the Whispering Way, and will continue to do so whether or not we take your deal, I'm afraid that we must stop you in your tracks"

The woman rolls her eyes at Tao. "Perhaps your friends will prove to be more reasonable."

The nature of the black goo that you found in the safe is a mystery. I just realized I neglected to add a picture of it to the slides. I have added it now.

Edicts: Seek and Allow Redemption

Anathema Pass judgment hastily or carelessly

"Cease your research now, leave the Whispering Way, and no longer prey upon the innocent"

Tao makes the demand, but lowers her stance, ready for another fight, already whirling her bladed scarf.

The woman continues to speak in a deadpan tone. "Tedious." She sighs. "Very well, I'll make this simple. You are clearly a group of pathfinders if those wayfinders I see are any indication. I happen to have in my possession information about one Hesla Embersplitter. If you agree to gift me with the jar of black goo that you've surely found by now and allow me to continue my work here, I will tell you what I know about this woman that has been so vexatious to your organization of late. Do we have a deal?"

In the room, Merian frowns at the bloody mess.

"We're from the health department, we're here to investigate reports that someone's performing unlicensed surgeries."

The woman stares blankly at Merian for a moment before replying in a deadpan voice. "Funny." She dries her hands on a blood-stained towel. "Does it really count as surgery though if performed post-mortem?"

With Merien hiding somewhere (!?) Tao pulls her provision scroll of Dispel Magic and attempt to counteract her own Domination.

No need for that since...

The group rests for some time, occasionally re-securing Tao to keep her from heading out to find and dispatch Merian. Roughly 7 hours later the oracle's murderous urges fade and the pathfinders can continue their exploration of the underground complex.

The room stinks of blood and viscera, and the air is hot and humid. A tall woman wearing an amulet showing a gagged skull stands behind a metal table bolted to the floor, three skulls floating around her. A body lies atop the table, chest open and ribs spread toward the ceiling. The woman’s black gloves are slick with blood.
She sighs as she turns. “I see you have come to interrupt my work,” she says, dipping her gloves into a vat of water and sluicing off the blood. “Very well. Explain yourselves, quickly, and I will decide whether you should be allowed to see the sun again.”

Tall glass pillars line the center of this long chamber, their insides swirling with murky liquid in which strange shapes twist and turn, their edges never settling into a recognizable form. Thick cables of an unfamiliar material wind across the floor, disappearing through the walls and snaking around the bases of the pillars.

The room, while creepy, seems safe enough for the time being.

The group rests for some time, occasionally re-securing Tao to keep her from heading out to find and dispatch Merian. Roughly 7 hours later the oracle's murderous urges fade and the pathfinders can continue their exploration of the underground complex.

Plenty of time to heal to full and refocus before continuing. In the interest of time we'll say that you check the two rooms to the north and find nothing noteworthy. The room to the southeast however...

I've added a link to RPG Chronicles here and on the campaign info header. Please fill it out since it looks like I'll need to report the game soon.

Also if you want your downtime included please make your rolls here.

Shayla watches Tao struggle against the ropes. She skips forward to help. "Ya gotta tie her this way!" she says, pulling the rope in one direction.

[dice=Thievery]d20+18

As the rope unravels, Shayla turns red. "Oops"

You don't actually roll in this case. Tao would make an escape check against your thievery DC.

So is the plan to camp out for the next 12 or so hours with Merian out of sight? If so where do you plan to camp out? Down here? Upstairs? Outside?

No need for a scroll since as a prepared caster Merian can prepare the spell in a higher slot during daily preparations since dispel magic is already in her spellbook. Also perhaps someone would like to recall knowledge on dominate for further information?

So we have a bit of a dilemma here. One of your party members is committed to killing another. You currently have her restrained with an escape DC of 21 (Merian's hireling's thievery DC). What is your plan?

Merian and Khagra team up to knock Tao senseless.

Combat Over

The vampire and her minions are defeated but her foul will continues to affect Tao. The oracle continues her assault on Merian and manages to get a lucky hit.

Nice girls don't have fangs. Round 4
Map
Those with ** may go

**Avery
**Dreggar 56/80
**Merian 30/92 wounded 1, invisible until r11
**Shayla
**Khagra 98/138
Tao 34/78 wounded 1, dominated-attacking Merian Technically Tao is up but for now please allow the others to go first.

So as most of you know as players, it takes extreme measures to kill a vampire for good. As her coffin is not mentioned anywhere in the scenario and I don't know if Paizo has any plans to have her return I'm going to say that finding her and finishing her off for good is beyond the scope of this adventure. You are free to roleplay some actions taken if you wish. At the moment nobody has made sufficient recall knowledge checks about vampires to know how to end them.

For the time being at least Tao remains committed to killing Merian.

By the letter of the law, if the vampire dies, and never gets to prepare their spells again, the spell lasts forever.

That seems overly harsh. I would assume that in that case the spell would disperse after a day or so.

Khagra's tridents strike true with his second attack completely impaling the vampire. She screams in pain and disperses into mist which disappears into a hole in the ceiling. Her chainsword clatters to the floor.

Nice girls don't have fangs. Round 3
Map
Those with ** may go

Avery
Dreggar 56/80
Merian 39/92 wounded 1
Black
Shayla
Brown
Khagra 98/138
**Tao 34/78 wounded 1, Benediction 1r remaining, dominated-attacking Merian