GMTrex's PFS [Normal Mode] 3-03 Flaxseed Manor Gauntlet (Inactive)

Game Master Andrew Trexler

Aeris opens the door on a serene library that features three great bookcases eight feet tall running the length of the room, stuffed chairs and a sofa, thick-piled carpets with a subtle design, and three elaborately sculpted marble lecterns in an eastern alcove. Heavy double doors occupy the southern wall, crafted from darkly stained oak with gold fixtures. A huge crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling twenty feet above and glows with magical light.

A library. Hmm... Narvik will scan the area for magic as the party enters the room, wanting to see if there is any other auras.

Ouroboreia checks for magical auras using detect magic, then immediately gains an interest in the books. However, she takes great care in approaching cautiously , wary of any traps.

Perception : 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24

-Posted with Wayfinder

Neither magic-user detects any auras, although Narvik temporarily melts again.

Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23 SUCCESS

Two of the lecterns hold massive tomes, entitled Geography and Wildlife of the Mwangi Expanse (by Thaddeus the Wanderer) and The Sonnets of D'Laedalis the Bard, respectively. The easternmost lectern is empty, but a careful inspection of the surface reveals a minute layer of dust indicating a similar book rested here not long ago. Besai hunches over this lectern and remarks that the dimensions of the missing book match that of the Mutani Manual exactly.

Aeris looks on in alarm as Narvik melts and reforms. Is this curse going to change him into one of those chaos beasts or kill him? And which would be the worse fate?

When the oracle has returned to his proper form, Aeris turns his attention back to the lectern with the missing book, glad that Besai has finally been of some use. ”Well,” he says, ”if the book came from here, maybe we can figure out where it went.” He studies the floor by the lectern, hoping to find some traces of dust or other marker indicating where the bearer of the book might have taken it.

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

If he can’t find anything, he’ll go do the standard door drill on the southern door out of the library, look and listen.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Aeris finds dirty footsteps leading away from the lectern towards the other door and, ignoring the hundreds of other books in the library, gives it a listen and finally a push. It gives a bit, but doesn't open, as though it's barred from the other side.

”Hmm,” Aeris says thoughtfully. ”If I have the layout of this place right, the back door of the house will also get us into this room. But it’s pretty clear we should keep off the grass if we can. I think we should see if any of the adjoining rooms will get us in here, since this seems to be the way the book went. Though I wonder, with these muddy footprints, if someone came in from outside, got hold of the book, and went back outside with it.”

He shrugs and moves back out to the atrium, where he checks out the next door before opening it.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Anyone know if Sarion is still with us?

Considering the mud, not everyone is playing by the rules.

Yep, still here. Just not a lot to contribute if not using diplomacy, intimidate, or Swordy McChopface. ;)

Sarion eyes the door. "Guess bashing it down would be considered unnecessary property damage?" he says.

I should clarify: a closer examination of the 'dirty' footsteps reveals the 'dirt' to be akin to the rubble found in the previous room, rather than mud or such from the lawn.

Aeris heads back around to a different door, pushing it open after a careful listen. This opulent bedroom is fit for a king. The bed is enormous, covered in red and gold satin. Armoires and a dresser of the rarest wood line the west and north walls, and a great rug made of the pelts of several rare beasts covers the marble floor of the chamber’s western half. Oil paintings in gilded frames hang on the east and south walls, portraits of various Druman notables painted by masters of the art. Comfortable chairs and a table of carved jade sit in the southeast corner. A thin door with a delicate woven screen occupies the center of the south wall, and to its west, a curtain of filmy red silk covers another doorway, leading to a luxurious marble bath.

Ouroboreia quickly scans the room in the same manner as she did before, through both magical and mundane ways:
Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

There are no magical auras here, and other than the stupendous amount of wealth, not much else of interest.

"What does a man do to get this much wealth and how does he just spend it on a bedchamber?" Sarion grumbles.

"Doesn't make any sense to me either," Aeris responds to Sarion's question, "but I'd bet he didn't do it by making a whole bunch of other people's lives better. Anyway, let's see what's through this door, and then we'll probably end up doing just as you suggested and smashing through that door from the library."

He carefully examines the door on the south wall and gives it a listen, then opens it.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

This large dressing room is no doubt the province of a staggeringly wealthy woman. A magnificent rug, similar in design to the thick fur rug in the master bedroom, covers most of the marble floor of this room, and the walls are lined with twelve slender marble mannequins, each attired in luxurious clothing. To the east, a padded chair lined with white satin sits before a vanity table of carob wood. Atop the vanity are a number of glass bottles and vials, and a small gilded wooden chest with a key in the lock. An enormous mirror is mounted on the east wall.

Narvik again detects for magic, thinking the others will search the room and the chest for anything important.

"Hold on before touching anything."

Before allowing anyone to open the chest, Ouroboreia quickly scans the room, then the chest in particular.

Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

Neither magic nor traps are found in this room. Turning the key and opening the lid of the chest reveals an appalling collection of expensive jewelry.

"Right, nothing for it but to go back and try to break down that door," Aeris concludes as he admires the haul of jewelry. "I know we're not supposed to do too much damage, but Passad did set this whole thing up to kill us, so I can't bring myself to worry too much about that."

He sets himself up by the barred door, ready to assist Sarion in breaking through it. Sadly, when he actually makes the attempt, his feet slip right out from under him and he ends up lying on the ground in front of the door, having contributed nothing to the effort.

Str check, Aid Sarion: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 Erp.

*fwump*

Sarion squares himself before the door and lowers his shoulder.

Strength
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Lol, you're gonna have to do better than that. :)

*thud*

"Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one," Aeris says quietly to Sarion. He hauls himself to his feet, sets his shoulder against the door, and says, "Let's try this again." He rears back and shoves hard against the door.

Str check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

The doors give a few inches with a great creaking noise and loud crack, but ultimately flex back again, shut. So close.

Will: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 1 = 23 SUCCESS

Narvik bubbles and reforms. Again.

So does that mean there's a chance of making it with my roll above if I get some Aid from Sarion? I meant to make that an Aid check like before, but luckily I forgot!

"Hrm. Together then." Sarion says.

Aid me this time?
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

I think you make it without my aid this time, or I would make it with your roll as an aid roll. I'm hopin', at least.

With a final, definite crack, the gardening implement on the other side of the doors breaks under Sarion's forceful shoulder and the doors open. Inside is a strange scene. A humid, half-domed chamber is filled with greenery and flowering plants of every description. Murky, pale green glass runs between a network of thin, vinelike iron ribs. Large planters throughout the room hold verdant trees that reach nearly to the ceiling more than twenty feet above, and potted flowers burst forth from beautifully glazed ceramic vessels in a riotous explosion of vivid color. The shiny, grey metal doors to the south are smooth and polished, free of the sigils found on the manor’s other exterior doors, but six gems, each of a different color, grace the right door’s otherwise smooth surface in a seemingly random pattern. Lying at the foot of the heavy shrub near the center of the greenhouse is the headless corpse of a priestess of Asmodeus, judging by her vestments. The bloodied long neck of a strange serpentine beast extends from the shrub’s thick growth and lies lifeless on the floor as well.

Of more immediate concern, of course, are the two burly blokes flanking the doorway Sarion just broke through, weapons at the ready, and the man kneeling before the gemstones on the far door. Just as the Pathfinders take in the scene, the man by the doors presses a final gemstone and the smooth grey doors open onto the gardens outside--and the sound of a spell being cast can be heard from somewhere in the greenhouse.

Round I - bold may act!
1. Sarion
2. ???
3. Ouroboreia
4. Lorenzo, Shem, Pothes
5. Narvik (stable [8]), Aeris

"What is this?" Sarion demands, confused. "Dawnflower protect us!" The glow from his holy symbol spreads to the other Pathfinders while he draws his Falchion.

Move to draw weapon, Standard to use Power of Faith (+1 Morale bonus to AC, attacks, damage, saves vs fear for 10 rounds), 2/8 Lay on Hands used.

And I keep forgetting Besai. I'll just add him at the end.

1d100 ⇒ 71

A woman--or, more accurately, six overlapping copies of the same woman-- darts out from behind a shrub with incredible speed. She blinks in and out of sight, eventually coming to a stop beyond the first flower-bed outside. She shouts at her companions: "Pathfinders! They're trying to steal the book from us! Shem, Pothes, get outside and block the doors! Lorenzo, get out of the way!"

Round I - bold may act!
1. Sarion
2. Livilla (5 images)
3. Ouroboreia
4. Lorenzo, Shem, Pothes
5. Narvik (stable [8]), Aeris, Besai

Ouroboreia takes but a brief moment to gauge the situation, then starts casting a powerful arcane spell. Suddenly, a mess of wriggling black tentacles appears all around the apparent leader of the opposing party.

Grapple check: 1d20 + 8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 4 + 1 = 17
Constrict damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Hmm, after a careful reading and some thread-fu, it appears that mirror image does not have an effect on black tentacles. Miss Chance, Higher is Success: 1d100 ⇒ 56 SUCCESS

One particularly slimy tentacle wraps itself around the woman's leg and squeezes uncomfortably.

Lorenzo reaches for an item on his belt, shakes it, and tosses it at the tiefling paladin. On impact, it explodes, burning Sarion slightly as well as the two next to him. Aeris: DC 15 Reflex save to halve 5 fire damage.

Bomb @ Sarion (Touch): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 = 19 HIT Damage: 2d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3, 4) + 3 + 1 = 11
Reflex (Shem): 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 1 = 17 SUCCESS

The chemist then follows his leader outside, leaving space for Livilla to get off her spell--despite the rubbery appendage now giving her trouble.

Concentration DC 26: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30 SUCCESS

A bolt of lightning shoots from her extended fingertips and slams through Sarion, Aeris, and Ouroboreia before slamming into the north wall of the library. Several books catch fire. 22 electricity damage, DC 19 Reflex to halve.

The two armored fellows at the doorway withdraw to the next set of doors (red taking the long route to avoid Sarion's AoO). Inside the library, Besai casts a spell on himself.

Round I - bold may act!
1. Sarion (??/49hp), Ouroboreia (??/49hp)
2. Livilla (8 dmg, 5 images, grappled), Lorenzo, Shem (2 dmg), Pothes
3. Narvik (stable [8]), Aeris (??/41hp), Besai

Ref vs Spell: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Ouroboreia successfully dodges the lightning bolt partly.

Her conjured tentacles close in more around the spellcaster.
Maintain grapple: 1d20 + 8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 4 + 1 = 16
Constrict damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Cursing under her breath, the void wizardess opens a hole into reality, sending the alchemist into a spiked pit. Ref DC 20 to jump to safety.

Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 Reduces splash damage to 2.
Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 Doesn’t reduce nothin’. But Energy Resistance 5 brings it down to 17.

Aeris cries out, ”You’re the ones stealing the book! Give it to us!” He calls upon Milani to guide his bow, then takes a short step to his left to have a clear shot. With incredible speed, he launches a volley of arrows at the woman struggling in the tentacles!

Use Fervor (2/6 uses today) to cast divine favor. 5-foot step and full attack Livilla.

Longbow, Rapid Shot, Manyshot, Divine Favor: 1d20 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 3 = 15 Should at least take out an image...
Longbow damage, Divine Favor: 1d8 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 3 = 10
Longbow damage, Divine Favor: 1d8 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 3 = 11
Images: 1 = hit actual target: 1d5 ⇒ 2

Longbow, Rapid Shot, Divine Favor: 1d20 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 3 = 28
Longbow damage, Divine Favor: 1d8 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 3 = 8
Images: 1 = hit actual target: 1d5 ⇒ 5

Status: 22/41 hp

Miss Chance (Manyshot), Higher is Success: 1d100 ⇒ 55 HIT
Miss Chance (Rapid Shot), Higher is Success: 1d100 ⇒ 41 MISS

Aeris's first shot wipes an image; however, the second one passes right through the group of images as they all blink temporarily into the ethereal plane.

Miss Chance (Tentacles), Higher is Success: 1d100 ⇒ 50 MISS

Likewise, the tentacles (although they get a +5 bonus to maintain) suddenly find that they aren't grasping anything at all...

Reflex: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 = 16 FAIL

Lorenzo goes tumbling into the newly formed spiked pit, skewering himself at the bottom.

@ Ouroboreia: unless your caster level is boosted somehow, the pit is only 30 feet deep (10 feet per 2 levels). 21 damage for now. Also, the glass is more or less opaque, but you'd be able to see the alchemist if you moved 30 feet southwest-ish. I'll assume you do so.

Round I - bold may act!
1. Sarion (??/49hp), Ouroboreia (38/49hp)
2. Livilla (8 dmg, 4 images, grappled), Lorenzo (21 dmg, in the pit), Shem (2 dmg), Pothes
3. Narvik (stable [8]), Aeris (22/41hp), Besai

Trex - I'm confused. Mirror image doesn't have a miss chance, unless she's invisible as well?

GM, you're right - I misread the maximum depth as the actual depth of the pit. Sorry about that.

Aeris, my gut feeling is that she's under the effect of a blink spell, otherwise she wouldn't have got any miss chance against the check to maintain the grapple.

Narvik will cast Bless.

Reflex 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Looking much the worse for wear after being scorched by the bolt of lightning and mildly burned by the bomb, Sarion mutters a prayer under his breath as he advances to stand in front of Ouroboreia. His weapon bursts into holy radiance and his wounds close slightly.

Standard: Use Divine Bond to give Falchion Keen. Swift: Use Lay on Hands on self. 3/8 uses.
2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

That makes sense, Ouro. Just trying to sort out what we're up against.

Forgot to update my Lay on Hands amount for leveling to 6... there should be an extra d6 on there.
1d6 ⇒ 3

@ Ouroboreia: no worries!
@ Aeris: yes, Ouroboreia has the right of it.

"You two, get the witch!" yells Livilla. She tries to fire off a spell, but the magic jets off into the ethereal plane at the last moment!

Miss Chance, Higher is Success: 1d100 ⇒ 4 FAIL

Eager to get out of the field of writhing tentacles, she runs east through the hedge. Meanwhile, Lorenzo does stuff in the pit that no one else can see. 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (8, 1) + 4 = 13

The two armored men re-enter the greenhouse and attack Ouroboreia--with Pothes zipping the long way around at incredible speed to get into flanking position (and Shem waiting for him to get there). Shem is distracted by watching Pothes run faster than he's ever seen and misses, but Pothes's longsword connects.

Warhammer @ Ouroboreia: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 10 - 2 + 1 + 2 = 12 MISS
Longsword @ Ouroboreia: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 10 - 2 + 1 + 2 = 20 HIT Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 4 = 11

Besai runs in--also with surprising speed--and casts his only offensive spell, setting fire to Pothes and a great deal of the greenery.

Burning Hands: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8
Reflex: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5 FAIL

Round II - bold may act!
1. Sarion (25/49hp), Ouroboreia (27/49hp)
2. Livilla (8 dmg, 4 images), Lorenzo (8 dmg, in the pit), Shem (2 dmg), Pothes (8 dmg)
3. Narvik (stable [7]), Aeris (22/41hp), Besai

Narvik will cast Burning Disarm, DC 15 or no damage if drops the weapon: 5d4 ⇒ (1, 2, 3, 1, 3) = 10 on Pothes's longsword!

Sighting along a pair of arrows, Aeris mutters, "This'll slow you down," and lets fly at Pothes.

Full attack, if Pothes drops after first shot, will 5-foot step west and take second shot at Shem.

Longbow, Rapid Shot, Manyshot, PBS, Deadly Aim, Divine Favor, PoF: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 3 + 1 = 26
Longbow damage, Divine Favor, PoF: 1d8 + 8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 3 + 1 = 13
Longbow damage, Divine Favor, PoF: 1d8 + 8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 3 + 1 = 13

Longbow, Rapid Shot, PBS, Deadly Aim, Divine Favor, PoF: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 3 + 1 = 32
Longbow damage, Divine Favor, PoF: 1d8 + 8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 3 + 1 = 16

Crit confirm: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 3 + 1 = 13 Nope

Concentration DC 17: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26

Ouroboreia assumes a defensive stance and casts a spell that allows her to vanish from view!

Once invisible, she'll move away from the two goons.

Sarion, seeing the man slip around and attack his companion, roars in anger and steps back to swing at him (if he's still standing; or at the other one if he isn't).

Power Attack, full attack
1d20 + 12 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 12 + 1 - 2 = 27
2d4 + 14 ⇒ (1, 4) + 14 = 19

Crit Threat 1d20 + 12 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 12 + 1 - 2 = 20
2d4 + 14 ⇒ (4, 4) + 14 = 22

Second attack
1d20 + 7 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 1 - 2 = 12

Reflex: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 1 = 18 SUCCESS

Narvik forces Pothes to drop his weapon, shortly before Aeris fills him with arrows and Sarion takes down his brother! Meanwhile, Ouroboreia disappears from view!

Lorenzo does stuff in the pit 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 3d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 3) = 10.

Livilla emerges from the hedge and runs around the back of the field of rubbery appendages and fires off another bolt, setting fire to several plants, a bookcase, and Narvik and Aeris!

Miss Chance, Higher is Success: 1d100 ⇒ 35 SUCCESS
Electricity Damage: 7d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 5, 3, 2, 3, 4) = 20 DC 19 Reflex to halve

Besai isn't terribly useful, but he runs up behind Sarion and peers cautiously over the paladin's shoulder.

Round III - bold may act!
1. Sarion (25/49hp), Ouroboreia (27/49hp)
2. Livilla (8 dmg, 4 images), Lorenzo (18 dmg)
3. Narvik (21 [31]/41hp, stable [7]), Aeris (2 [12]/41hp), Besai

Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 Success! Half of 20 is 10, minus energy resistance 5, is 5 pts of electricity damage.

Aeris nimbly sidesteps the bolt of lightning, and his angelic heritage protects him from much of its remaining force. He takes a short step into the greenhouse, then looses a volley of arrows at the damned wizard who keeps shooting lightning bolts at them!

5-foot step, full attack.

Longbow, Rapid Shot, Manyshot, Divine Favor, PoF: 1d20 + 9 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 9 + 3 + 1 = 27
Longbow damage, Divine Favor, PoF: 1d8 + 3 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 3 + 1 = 9
Longbow damage, Divine Favor, PoF: 1d8 + 3 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 3 + 1 = 10
Miss chance, low is bad: 1d100 ⇒ 93
Image number, 1 hits target: 1d4 ⇒ 1 Got her!

Longbow, Rapid Shot, Divine Favor, PoF: 1d20 + 9 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 3 + 1 = 26
Longbow damage, Divine Favor, PoF: 1d8 + 3 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 3 + 1 = 13
Miss chance, low is bad: 1d100 ⇒ 49 Nope.
Image number, 1 hits target: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Status: 17/41 hp

It's actually 4 images plus her, apologies for not clarifying. Looking back up thread, I realize I didn't correct this last time either so I'll say you still hit her this time. Next time a d5!

One of Aeris's shots lands true, thudding into Livilla! The other passes through nothing but air as she blinks out of sight for a moment.

Round III - bold may act!
1. Sarion (25/49hp), Ouroboreia (27/49hp)
2. Livilla (8 dmg, 4 images), Lorenzo (18 dmg)
3. Narvik (21 [31]/41hp, stable [7]), Aeris (17/41hp), Besai

Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Narvik show uncharacteristic dexterity and avoids the brunt of the charge. He then decides to do Command the wizard to fall prone! DC 15 Will If she complies, Narvik will then move next to her, weapon drawn.