PFS PbP Gameday 4 - DM Rah's 07-01 "Between the Lines"

[DM Rah]

"No, I was wrong!" Shouts Wulessa. "Not belkers, mihstu's!! You'll need magic weapons for them! And cold can slow them down!"

My bad, looked at the wrong tier.

Sindarintol swings his sword but misses clean.

Sindarintol, I'm not sure you can hold a spell longer then a few rounds.

Melody and the Preacher realize that these creatures are not entirely real, however, they are real enough that their attacks still sting.

5hp damage to Meldody
5hp damage to Preacher

GM ROLLS:

Tentacle on Melody: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
Tentacle on Melody: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34
Tentacle on Melody: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
Tentacle on Melody: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32

Tentacle on Preacher: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
Tentacle on Preacher: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30
Tentacle on Preacher: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34
Tentacle on Preacher: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

Crit Confirm on Melody: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
Crit Confirm on Preacher: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26

INITIATIVE
Senjin ⇒UP
Briscoe ⇒UP
Melody ⇒UP
Braugher ⇒UP
Reavis ⇒UP
Sindarintol ⇒UP
Mihstus

[Senjin Alatriste]

Senjin swipes twice at the one he was already in range of, using his possibly now magicked right fist as he does so.

Attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Damage 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Damage 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

[Reavis Smoot]

Reavis lobs a frost bomb at the eastern enemy.

Targeting the north corner of the east enemy. I don't believe anyone is in the splash range, but if so will leave them out with Precise Bombs

Ranged Touch + Mutagen + PBS - Cover: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 + 1 - 4 = 14
Cold Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 2) + 7 = 13
Target needs to make a DC 16 Fort save or be staggered for 1 round.

Miss square if necessary: 1d8 ⇒ 3
Anyone in a splash square takes 9 cold damage or 4 if they make a DC 16 Reflex save.

[Melody Flaxseed]

Melody withdraws away from the creature to give the others room to fight and to take herself out of the front line.

[Braugher the Bold Strider]

Wow. Map is interesting even for combat...

GM:

I saw you said Preacher passed the save, but didn't Braugher get a higher roll? Just curious.

"Sigh..." goes the Bold Strider recruit as he enters the trained style of Karu. Swift: Enter Dragon Style.

The man quickly unleashes a bout of claws and teeth at the creature, trying to fell it before it keeps attacking his wards.

Claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 Dragon Style/Ferocity bonus due to Feral Combat Training with claws.
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Bite: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

[Briscoe "Preacher" Jones]

Preacher lifts his musket and fires point blank at the creature then reloads.

RTA, PBS (+1 musket): 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 1 = 23
Damage: 1d12 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

[DM Rah]

@Braugher: You made the save and have bonuses to fight these shadow conjurations.
@Preacher, Senjin, Sindarintol, and Reavis: You missed the save, but you get to try again this next round.

Senjin moves to attack, but misses with both strikes. Preacher steps back and fires, grazing one of the creatures as Melody withdraws.

Braugher leaps forward with tooth and claw, tearing off a wisp of shadow from one.

Reavis lobs a cold bomb which misses, but lands close enough to one to send it whirling about daze.

Reflex save vs Cold: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Fort save vs Staggered: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

Sindarintol is up!

[Sindarintol]

Seeing that he has little room to maneuver Sindarintol pours a small amount of magic from his body into his scimitar causing it to glow. Knowing that he has no room to cast his spells he slashes the magically charged scimitar at the shadow.

+1Scimitar: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 + 1 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4

swift action to use arcane pool to make scimitar +1.

[DM Rah]

Sindarintol slashes at the mihstu, but misses completely.

One mihstu reels from the cold inflicted by Reavis, but the other whips tendrils at Preacher, leaving welts on his arms and legs.

4hp damage to Preacher

ROLLS:

Tentacle at Preacher: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27
Tentacle at Preacher: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32
Tentacle at Preacher: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15
Tentacle at Preacher: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
Tentacle at Preacher: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26

INITIATIVE
Senjin ⇒UP *new will save
Briscoe ⇒UP
Melody ⇒UP
Braugher ⇒UP
Reavis ⇒UP *new will save
Sindarintol ⇒UP *new will save
Mihstus

[Senjin Alatriste]

Will 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 plus two more if this counts as 'mind affecting.'

[Reavis Smoot]

Will Save: 1d20 ⇒ 7

With everyone out of the way, Reavis tosses another frost bomb at the eastern Mihstu.

Targeting its northern corner again.

Ranged Touch: Frost Bomb + Mutagen + PBS: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 24
Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 5) + 7 = 15

Another Fort Save DC 16 or Staggered for 1 round.

[Sindarintol]

Will save: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Sindarintol continues to slash at the shadowed monster with his scimitar. His elvish feet dance around nimbly on the small platform with ease.

+1 Scimitar: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 + 1 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8

[DM Rah]

@Senjin: you missed the save, but you still have actions this round.

[Senjin Alatriste]

Senjin again swings twice at the one he is locked in combat with, using his magicked right fist as he does so.

Attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Damage 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Damage 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Possible crit 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Damage 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

[DM Rah]

Reavis throws another cold bomb, which lands solid this time and obliterates one mihstu.

Senjin punches the other and his magically enhanced fist disperses it.

["Excellent!" Wulessa congratulates you. "I'm not sure what I was thinking when I created the rope, but it looks like that potion helped a little. I will try to think of other spells that might be passed over as well."

Combat over.

With the defeat the guardians, a hidden panel in the altar falls open. Inside is the icon Wulessa spoke of.

"Well that's odd." Wulessa says. "As I recall the icon was made of gold."

Focusing upon this inaccurate detail will allow you to move on.

A will save will let you continue.

[Senjin Alatriste]

Will save 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 2 = 16

[Reavis Smoot]

Will Save: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Reavis unties himself from the rope and nods, "Let's get moving."

[Braugher the Bold Strider]

Will Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

"Gold, you say? What is this blasted place?" Braugher wonders if this is all Wulessa's game.

[Briscoe "Preacher" Jones]

Will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Preacher frowns as the fight is over before he gets a chance to join, then tries to follow along.

[Melody Flaxseed]

"Odd. Why do the little details like that keep changing?"

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

[Sindarintol]

Will save: 1d20 ⇒ 20

[DM Rah]

Wulessa’s memories fade into a different reality as the stone walls again become glass. The room’s dimensions remain the same, but the altar, catwalks, and vents all vanish. The statue remains, but its form distorts into that of a featureless humanoid, all signs of either demonic or Wulessa’s likeness melting away. Beneath the statue, a glass portcullis blocks off another passageway. Opposite the passage and statue the wall once again crumbles away into a fathomless void.

The walls of the room are a constant shift of images:

Wulessa’s face being drawn onto a scroll, rolled up and placed reverently inside the Monadistic Archive chest.

A montage of images of Wulessa beside piles of coins, jewels, and other valuables, growing alongside her life experiences.

Last, there is a nest of rodents rummaging in the walls of a well-ordered house. Each has a face with a likeness of a member of your party.

[Sindarintol]

You see us as rats now? Sindarintol calls out as he looks over the items in the chest.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Will save: 1d20 ⇒ 10

[Senjin Alatriste]

"Any advice now, Wulessa? Senjin not like rats, although one am very handsome," he says, pointing to the one with his face.

[Melody Flaxseed]

"No, no, you misunderstand us!" Melody speaks aloud, hoping that whatever entity is in control of this place can understand her. "We don't mean to mess up your house, we only want out of here! But you can't keep Wulessa, we have to take her with us. We will not negotiate on that fact."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

[Briscoe "Preacher" Jones]

Preacher looks at Melody in confusion, wondering who she is talking too, or if the demiplane has driven her somewhat batty.

[Reavis Smoot]

"Yeah, we're not trying to wreck the place, we can work with you." Reavis chimes in once he puts together what Melody is attempting to do.

Diplomacy aid another: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (19) - 2 = 17

[Senjin Alatriste]

"Senjin just want to go home now," the warrior says earnestly, not sure exactly who he and the others were talking to.

Diplomacy Aid Another 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

[DM Rah]

Calling out to Wulessa earns no response. The statue she was speaking through has gone quiet, and seems to have taken on a subtle translucency, like frosted glass.

The images upon the floor repeat, but this time a giant foot stomps on the rats. As it does, a heavy footfall echoes around the chamber and you look up to see the statue has finally begun to move.

But it does not look friendly.

Knowledge Arcana DC 18:

This is a type of glass golem. It is immune to most magic.

Knowledge Arcana DC 23:

Glass golems are tough and are only fully damaged by adamantine weapons.

Knowledge Arcana DC 28:

Cold will slow a glass golem for a short time.

Rolls:

INITIATIVE
Braugher: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Preacher: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Melody: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Reavis: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Senjin: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Sindarintol: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Statue: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

INITIATIVE
Sindarintol ⇒Up
Reavis ⇒Up
Preacher ⇒Up
Senjin ⇒Up
Braugher ⇒Up
Melody ⇒Up
Statue

[Briscoe "Preacher" Jones]

KN: arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

"Damn this damnable place, a glass golem! It is immune to most types of magic!" Preacher calls out as he raises his musket to fire. Stepping south of Sinda, he takes aim and pulls the trigger.

RTA, PBS: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 1 = 30
Damage: 1d12 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7

Confirm?: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 1 = 21
Extra Damage: 3d12 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (1, 10, 1) + 3 + 3 = 18

[Senjin Alatriste]

Senjin swings again with his potion coated right fist, assuming it is still active.

Power Attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Damage 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Power Attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Damage 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

[Braugher the Bold Strider]

The creature rears it's head as Braugher lashes out with his Dragon Claw technique, hoping to slash through the feeble glass of the golem. "Stay back, Flaxseed. Your father cannot have a corpse riddled with glass shards upon our return!"

Claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 Dragon Style Bonus
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Claw Confirmation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 Dragon Style Bonus
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 Miss
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Bite: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1 Miss
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

[Reavis Smoot]

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

Since the others probably had this battle well in hand, Reavis forgoes throwing a bomb and instead pulls out a flask of acid from his haversack with his tail, infuses an arrow with the acid, and fires it at the glass golem. Afterwards, he takes a 5 ft. step back.

+1 Comp. Longbow + PBS - Cover: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 1 - 4 = 21
Damage + Acid Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 3 + (6) = 14

[DM Rah]

I forgot to ask for will saves, but with these rolls you won't need them anyway.

Reavis' arrow sends cracks throughout the golem's glass form and Preacher's bullet shatters it into a million pieces that fade away into wisps of shadow.

Combat Over

There does not seem to be any inconsistency in this room. However, the glass portcullis seems extremely fragile, and the passage beyond heads in two directions.

[Melody Flaxseed]

Melody nods in thanks to Braugher's concern. "Good job with that thing. It looks like the portal might be easily broken. Let's go through. As long as we are being accused of rummaging rats we might as well live up to that reputation, right?"

[Sindarintol]

Nodding his head Sindarintol moves over to the glass portcullis and slashes at it with his scimitar.

Scimitar: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Scimitar: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Scimitar: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Scimitar: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

[Sindarintol]

Who or what do you think is behind this realm? I am a new recruit as a Pathfinder. Have any of you ever seen anything like this?

SIndarintol shakes slightly.

[Braugher the Bold Strider]

Braugher watches the swordsman try to break the glass portcullis and decides the brute strength might be a wiser path if it resists his attacks.

"Let me try..." he states plainly. The tiefling will approach and try to lift the portcullis from its position.

Take 20 for a 23.

"Ain't never seen a realm such as this, but I've heard of crazier from that drunk, Ace. I swear the hag gets older and meaner every time he tells that story." the man says as he rolls his eyes.

If they can move on, then Braugher immediately heads to the 1d2 ⇒ 1 left.

[DM Rah]

The portcullis is easily shattered and Braugher strides down the left hallway. Soon enough you come to a door. As the door opens, a familiar bell tinkles overhead, letting Palhuna Murqual know that his shop has visitors once more. The setting has changed subtly since earlier; while the shop’s layout remains the same, the wares previously displayed in cases and on the walls are missing. In their places are keys of all shapes, sizes, and construction

Shortly after the you enter the room, the back curtains stir and Palhuna Murqual comes forth, smiling unctuously. Something, however, is not quite right about the shopkeeper. His form flickers, almost imperceptibly, and he tends to “jump” from one location to another when not observed directly.

He doesn’t speak, making his intentions clear through pantomime. Producing a golden key, he gestures to a door that wasn’t there a moment ago. He then points to Braugher, who suddenly realizes a scroll is in his hand. Upon it is a clear drawing of Wulessa’s face.

Murqual holds the key out to Braugher, making a haughty “give me” gesture with his other hand.

[Braugher the Bold Strider]

Braugher growls at the form. He bares his teeth as he clenches 'Wulessa' tightly, not willing to give her conscious up to the Archive

"If you want her, then you will need to take her by force, foul demon!"

[Briscoe "Preacher" Jones]

Preacher shakes his head in confusion. "So, this....entity wants to trade Wulessa for the key?"

[Senjin Alatriste]

"We can't leave Wulussa, Senjin not think. If you give Wulessa back, we leave, no more problems," the warrior suggests.

[Sindarintol]

Sindarintol pales as he realizes what the image is asking for.

We will never give her up. He says through grated teeth.

[Reavis Smoot]

"Yeah, no trade." Reavis adds to the chorus. If it's been more than 4 minutes since the last combat, he also drinks his other extract of Shield.

[DM Rah]

Murqual exasperatedly throws his hands up, and both he and the door disappear. The facsimile of Murqual’s shop shimmers like a heat mirage, transforming into the familiar meeting room in Farseer Tower. Familiar, at least, in shape. The furnishings are different, more resembling a grandmother’s cozy tea room than the stark, studious place where this journey began. Intricately brocaded settees and poufs clutter the room, while elaborate tapestries cover almost every inch of the walls. One of these, a floorlength cerulean silk curtain, is embroidered with a portrait of Wulessa Yuul. Her arms are folded across her chest, and a look of distaste resides upon her face. After a moment, she turns within the hanging and speaks to you.

“When I first became Venture-Captain and took charge of Farseer Tower, this was how the place looked. The whole tower. My predecessor was more concerned with frippery and luxuries than with hard-won knowledge and diligence. If this becomes my final view of the tower, it might be the greatest indignity of all.” She shakes her head. “I think you are close to the end. I can feel the archivist pausing its work with me to face you directly. The shadows you fought before now were a reflexive response, like sweeping cobwebs from one’s face. Now I think you have its full attention. I don’t think it can appear directly. Its essence is split across all the archive’s scrolls, but whatever form it takes will have considerably more power than the things you’ve fought before now.”

[Briscoe "Preacher" Jones]

"Wonderful." Preacher mutters to himself. "Where do we go now? I admit, I'm more turned around than a wind vane in a tornado."

[Melody Flaxseed]

"Indeed!" Melody agrees with Preacher. "But we couldn't leave you behind, Wulessa! We'll get out of this somehow."

[Senjin Alatriste]

Is there anywhere we have yet to explore on the map? I'm a bit turned around too, lol.

[Sindarintol]

Is there anymore help you can offer Wulessa or even any information about who is doing this to us?

[Reavis Smoot]

While the others converse with Wulessa, Reavis busies himself by looking under all the curtains and tapestries for a door or other entrance.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26