#4-23: Rivalry's end [Tier 6-7] (Gameday 4) - GM Rutseg (Inactive)

Game Master Balacertar

Ok, in that case I will roll initiatives

The dagger passing by the Spider's neck takes everybody by surprise. Anyway, Unnvar, a half-orc of action, reacts even before Torch is able to start running.

Round 1:
Unnvar, Torch, Lamare, Bodyguards, Archibald, Kleetus, Farg, Archer

Map updated

Go your on way! I don't think so

Unnvar knowing is only way to Torch is through his bodyguard.

Swift - Feral Focus Bull (+2 Str)

Move Draw Sword, Vital Strike/Power Attack on Bodyguard

Unnvar draws and swings his greatsword at the bodyguard.

Vital Strike w/ Power Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
damage: 4d6 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (4, 1, 3, 6) + 8 + 6 = 28

Against Flat Footed? Not sure if Heroism is still up

Lamare will use his boon (liberty never rest from slaver of absolom) to reroll an another time his initiative (dm your roll) (it is a sort of touch of luck of initiative)

If Lamare act before torch he will walk and try to steal the list from is hand. If not he will cast fly to unvar
Steal maneuvrer
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Where are the windows in the map?

Lamare casts fly over Unnvar who steps next to Torch and slashes at him almost going through his armor.

Torch starts moving away while his bodyguards close around. Unnvar profits the opportunity to attempt drop the Grandmaster.
Power Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
damage: 2d6 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (4, 2) + 8 + 6 = 20
The strike opens a deep wound in his chest.

Torch moves to about half the room where he touches his cloak vanishing into a cloud of steam. There is no trace left of the former information dealer.

His bodyguards meanwhile close by trying to defeat the offender entering into a rage, one of them moving around to get his back.
mwk falchion-PA: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 12 - 2 = 12
Slashing damage+PA: 2d4 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (2, 1) + 9 + 6 = 18

mwk falchion-PA+flanking: 1d20 + 12 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 12 - 2 + 2 = 15
Slashing damage+PA: 2d4 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2) + 9 + 6 = 20

mwk falchion-PA+flanking: 1d20 + 12 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 12 - 2 + 2 = 30
Slashing damage+PA+sneak attack: 2d4 + 9 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) + 9 + 6 + (4, 1) = 23

crit?: 1d20 + 12 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 12 - 2 + 2 = 24
Slashing damage+PA: 2d4 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (1, 3) + 9 + 6 = 19

One of the hits is solid leaving Unnvar terribly wounded.

Unnvar: 42 damage
Round 2:
Bodyguards, Archibald, Kleetus, Farg, Archer, Lamare, Unnvar

"Hwa... Bwuh...?" Archibald, taken aback by the sudden violence, stammers to himself. The sight of blood however, Spurs him to action. "Haven't you any manners, attacking your own? Knock some sense into these raging ruffians, boys!" Burning Disarm DC16

so the reroll didn't work? because i haven't see it. I understand that roll you have seen is for my steal maneuvrer if i didwin the initiative. I was giving you the roll because you are rolling initiative. I will roll it if you want.

-Posted with Wayfinder

"No!" Acher cries as Torch disappears. Fuming into a cold fury she steps forward and bashes at the bodyguard in front of her as she calls out. "You were trusted Torch! At least face us like a man!"

Go into rage, attacking blue bodyguard
Furious Focus, flanking, Power Attack, destined strike: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18 for Damage: 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (4, 4) + 16 = 24

"That ain't right. Ah don't care 'bout Torch, but we gotta git that book! Someone git the door or git him vi-si-ble 'gain!"

Standard:Cast Channel Vigor, Focus:limbs, Swift:Judgement of Protection, Move:To flank without provoking, drawing his falchion.

Just a note Sneak attack damage isn't multiplied on a critical ! So Unvar isn't quite as dead as it may appear. Farg 5 foot steps and full attacks. He has one more use of luck remaining. But I'm pretty sure Heroism has dried up.

Seeing that his fellow Pathfinders are under attack Farg steps around and Flanks one of the Bodyguards with Archer.

Claw 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 Damage 1d4 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Claw 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27 Damage 1d4 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Bite 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29 Damage 1d4 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Lamare@ I understood your roll was the initiative and you won. Because the list is unimportant and the Scenario does not specify where it is or if Torch tries to take it, I decided you go straight with the fly. Thanks a lot for providing a contingency action, it helped a lot to move the round ;)
In order to more clearly state actions of dice rolls you can use this type of code [dice=Stealth check]1d20+15[/dice]

Archibald steps out of the melee and points to the green clothed bodyguard and his blade suddenly starts to burn.
Ref DC 16: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Fire damage: 5d4 ⇒ (3, 3, 1, 4, 3) = 14
He fails to drop the falchion and his hands starts to fill with terrible burns.

Archer goes into a rage for the works of Torch and hits the bodyguard in blue breastplate almost cutting this left hand that starts bleeding terribly.

The bodyguard tries to defend himself, even with the wounded hand, attempting to beat Kleetus as he casts his spell.
mwk falchion-PA: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 12 - 2 = 14
Slashing damage+PA: 2d4 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (3, 4) + 9 + 6 = 22
But he misses and the half-orc starts moving faster.
Combat reflexes+Stand still: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
The bodyguard though begins harassing Kleetus as he tries to move away from him, blocking the inquisitor forcing him to stay on place for the rest of his turn.

Farg@ In fact I did not include the sneak attack damage in the confirmation :)
Heroism is indeed finished, and check out the discussion we had about the bite attack, it is a secondary attack
Farg is surprised on how this half-orc fights at both sides at the time, as if not being affected but the flanking. Nevertheless, he connects one claw and his powerful bite tearing through the half-orc in the red breastplate. Blood and screams fill the room.
Note: This bodyguards have improved uncanny dodge. Thus do not take into account any flanking bonuses (because they are barbarian 2/rogue 4)

Green: 14 damage
Blue: 24 damage
Red: 25 damage
Archer: 40/40 hp
Unnvar: 24/66 hp, fly 7 min, heroism 10 min
Farg: 40/40 hp, -1 Dex
Kleetus: 57/57 hp, -1 Dex
Archibald: 54/54 hp, -1 Dex
Lamare: 63/63 hp
Round 2:
Lamare, Unnvar, Bodyguards, Archibald, Kleetus, Farg, Archer

As I pointed out in the discussion thread bite attacks when made as part of a natural attack routine are always primary attacks. You can read up on it in the Natural Attack rules which clearly define which type of attacks are treated as primary (and thus taken at Full BAB) and which are treated as secondary (and thus take a -5 to hit). This is different then when using natural attacks in combination with manufactured weapons where they always take a -5 penalty.

Unnvar takes the brunt of the punishment, surrounded by the bodyguards he decides to try to eliminate the threat on one side.

Feral focus to Bear (+2 Con)

He clicks his heals. Activate boots of speed

And wails away at the guard in green. Full Round Attack

Attack 1 Power Attack(Furious Focus)+Heroism+Haste: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 2 + 1 = 20
damage 1: 2d6 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (4, 2) + 7 + 6 = 19
Attack 2 PA+Heroism+Haste: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 - 2 + 2 + 1 = 25
damage 2: 2d6 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (4, 1) + 7 + 6 = 18
Attack 3 full BAB + PA+Heroism+Haste: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 11 - 2 + 2 + 1 = 15
damage 3: 2d6 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (4, 4) + 7 + 6 = 21

If Green drops, roll any extra attacks to Blue. Also if green drops 5 ft step into his square, after attacks.

Touch luck to kleetus.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Farg@ bites are usually primary attacks as you very well point out, but the tusked trait specifies you take a -5 when using it in a full attack.

Unnvar calls the power of his boots and starts to move swift as a lighting bolt, hitting once and again at the half-orc in green breastplate. Although the blows are terrible and the wounds massive, the bodyguard stands stout on place, ready to defend Torch with his life.

Lamare uses his divine powers to give a ranged touch of luck on Kleetus providing him with the support of Desna.

The green one hits with all his strength over Unnvar "For Torch!"
mwk falchion-PA+flanking: 1d20 + 12 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 12 - 2 + 2 = 30
Slashing damage+PA+sneak attack: 2d4 + 9 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) + 9 + 6 + (2, 2) = 26
Crit?: 1d20 + 12 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 12 - 2 + 2 = 24 Fails because of the +1 dodge from haste
Slashing damage+PA: 2d4 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (2, 1) + 9 + 6 = 18
The hit is solid and only a last hasty movement avoids the hit to be on Unnvars heart. Nevertheless, he fells unconscious to the floor.
I assume you do not activate orc-ferocity here, falling unconscious to the ground and thus the other bodyguards will ignore you for now

The bodyguard then fells to the floor, unconscious and bleeding also.

The blue and red guards then steps next to Kleetus and attack furiously over the well armored inquisitor.
mwk falchion-PA: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 12 - 2 = 29
Slashing damage+PA: 2d4 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (2, 4) + 9 + 6 = 21

Crit?: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 12 - 2 = 15
Slashing damage+PA: 2d4 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (1, 3) + 9 + 6 = 19

mwk falchion-PA: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 12 - 2 = 13
Slashing damage+PA: 2d4 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (1, 3) + 9 + 6 = 19

One of the blows is terrible further injuring him.

Green: 72 damage, unconscious
Blue: 24 damage
Red: 25 damage
Archer: 40/40 hp
Unnvar: -2/66 hp, unconscious, fly 7 min, heroism 10 min
Farg: 40/40 hp, -1 Dex
Kleetus: 36/57 hp, -1 Dex
Archibald: 54/54 hp, -1 Dex
Lamare: 63/63 hp
Round 3:
Bodyguards, Archibald, Kleetus, Farg, Archer, Lamare, Unnvar

They are a little two loyal for a information trader I think.

The text in the tusked trait is merely a poor paraphrasing of the natural attack rules (I think the sourcebook in question is even from the 3.5 era). See the unchained barbarian for a better solution how to write this out.

Farg sees his companion fall and moves to get the half orc back into the fight.

CLW 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Kleetus chuckles as energy floods through his limbs flood with newfound energy. "Whelp guess wut?" he says to the one to his left, as the ferocious tiger mask slides on over his face, distorting his voice. "ABADAR HAS JUDGED YOU" booms through the mask, sounding completely unlike the placid bumpkin who has been talking thus far, as his blade lashes out, going for cheap and cruel shots.

Swift:Bane=Humanoid(Human), Full round: Attacking red, Power Attack and so forth.

Falchion Attack:Power Attack, Furious Focus, Bane: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 1 + 2 = 25
Falchion Damage:Power Attack, Furious Focus, Bane: 2d4 + 14 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) + 14 + 2 + (2, 6) = 30

Falchion 2nd Attack:Power Attack, Bane: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 11 - 2 + 1 + 2 = 30
Falchion 2nd Attack Damage:Power Attack, Furious Focus, Bane: 2d4 + 14 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 14 + 2 + (5, 6) = 30
Falchion Crit Confirmation:Power Attack, Bane: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 11 - 2 + 1 + 2 = 30
Falchion 2nd Attack Crit Damage:Power Attack, Furious Focus, Bane: 2d4 + 14 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (3, 1) + 14 + 2 + (1, 2) = 23

"AND YOURS HAS BEEN DEEMED UNWORTHY OF EXISTENCE WITHIN HIS DIVINE CREATION! SOMEONE GET TORCH, FOR HE IS NEXT!"

Can someone please dispel whatever it is that torch has going on before he leaves us? Or are we up the proverbial creek?

I have use my dispel sadly

My guess is that he used a cape of the mountebank and dimension doored away. I've nothing at my disposal to help us track him down.

Magic Missile: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 2, 3, 3) + 4 = 16

That's a pity.

"Unnvar!!" Acher yells as she loop safely around to strike at the 'blue' guard.

Furious Focus, flanking, Power Attack, destined strike: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35 for Damage: 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (5, 5) + 16 = 26

Crit confirmation: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35 for another: 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (6, 2) + 16 = 24

Farg cast a spell, and holding the charge approaches the fallen companion touching him. Unnvar recovers the consciousness.

Kleetus@ they are half-orcs!
Kleetus call the gods to punish half-orcs transforming his weapon into a terrible implement of death. The blue breastplate half-orc does not see the first slash coming, and the second hasted one decapitates the humanoid in the act.

Archibald moves his hands and 4 orbs of energy darts towards the last standing half-orc burning his back.

Then Archer comes from the back and splits in two the remaining bodyguard as the humanoid shouts to Archibald "My life is in debt to Torch, I will never surrender!!!!"

Combat is over!

Green: 72 damage, unconscious
Blue: 107 damage, dead
Red: 91 damage, dead
Archer: 40/40 hp
Unnvar: 5/66 hp, prone, fly 7 min, heroism 10 min
Farg: 40/40 hp, -1 Dex
Kleetus: 36/57 hp, -1 Dex
Archibald: 54/54 hp, -1 Dex
Lamare: 63/63 hp

Stabilise those who are still alive. "really i want to know where torch has such loyal people."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Kleetus@ they are half-orcs!

That is true, but their Orc Blood quality makes them count as orcs and humans for all qualifying effect/feats/etc... So while I was certainly tempted to go ahead and go for Bane:Half-Orc, Bane: Human, given that I didn't know that Torch might have teleported out, was the more reasonable choice.

Kleetus lifts his mask back up, approaches Unnvar and shouts: "Grandmaster Torch? Ya got som'thin' we gots t'git back from ya. How 'bout you show up and Unnvar can tell'ya why ya can't keep the book."

His hands glow as he reaches for his fellow and heals him.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Unnvar stands up, That was another close call!

Having been unconscious, he is partly unaware of what just happened.

Is Torch still here!

Archibald, do you have another see invisibility spell!

Lamare can you stabilize the Spider, maybe we can find out what she told Torch.

Let's if see is alive First.

Archibald shakes his head, preoccupied with the fresh blood now staining his robes. He motions to the dagger jutting out of The Spider's neck. "I'd wager she's as good as gone. Laid down the knife and fork for good, I fear."

"Bother. This isn't going to look good in my next report. Oh no indeed."

Having smashed her target into a bleeding pulp, Acher calms herself and looks sheepishly around. "Sorry, guess I struck back a little too well."

Seeing that Unnvar is okay, and in fact standing again, Acher heads towards the door. "Come on! Even if we can't find Torch we still need to alert the others. His personal men can't be the only one's in this lodge."

"Imma go find others. Ya fellah's ... and dame ... comin'?"
asks Kleetus forcefully as he makes his way towards the door.

Lamare stabilises the only surviving half-orc while Kleetus further heals Unnvar fearing Torch might have escaped, as the way he used the cloak and disappeared was very different to the usual way invisibility works.

As you check the Spider, it is clear she is past the skills of a healing spell. And by the way Torch sliced her neck, you would say even a speak with dead spell will fail. The Grandmaster made a good job to ensure the woman will never again revel the secrets to anybody else.

By the time Unnvar recovers and stands up, Guaril Karela rushes in "What is going on here!" he looks at you then at the bodyguards, then at Ouidda's corpse "Whom has done this?! Where is Torch?!" the Venture Captain demeanor is that one of an order.

Boss! This is Torch's doing. Ouidda whispered something to him. He remarked he had what he needed on the Decembrivate and it was time for him to go out on his own. We tried to detain him. But his bodyguards got in the way and he vanished using some special cloak!

Unnvar relays the story ashamed he didn't sniff out Torch's betrayal ahead of time.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

"Likely a dimension door spell? He can't have gotten far, although there's no telling which way he went."

I gave him a pretty good slice, so we might be able to find a blood trail to follow, perhaps we should look around.

Recalling how he had gotten the jump on Torch and landed a pretty good blow on him, but should have tackled him in hindsight.

Guaril's face changes to that one of shock "These events are likely to attract unwanted attention. We have to act before Torch can recover. Quickly leave for the docks, I will arrange a trip for you to Magnimar. The other Venture-Captains have to be informed without delay"

He looks through the exit door and commands to someone "Quickly, you and Ulenda check around the Lodge for signs of blood. And Joss, advance to the docks and buy 6 passages to Magnimar. Hurry!!! And call someone to clean this mess"

After 4 days of ship travelling, you reach the Heidmarch manor in Magnimar. Sheila Heidmarch is already aware of your arrival and awaits to be informed along with Drandle Dreng and Ambrus Valsin "We came from Absalom upon hearing of the gravity of Torch's betrayal"

"yep he has the list."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Kleetus' morose mood darkens upon seeing Drendle Drang in the Magnimar Lodge's comfortable meeting room. Not Drendle Drang ... I know he's gonna come into mah room at 3:00 AM askin' fer things' and right now Ah just wanna be alone and pray to Abadar. Sighing, he looks from dame Heidmarch to the honorable Ambrus Valsin, looking , if possible, even more dejected. "Yep, that sunnavab*!~% caught us with our pants down. Ah knew Ah should have kept an eye on that book. Yep."

His gaze goes back down to the floor, in shame. "Ah know Abadar would probably frowns on this, but... Ya think Ah could skin him the next time I meet him?"

Farg shakes his head at Kleetus dejection.

It's not like we could have expected this sort of behavior from our superiors. From his actions it seemed he was well prepared for exactly this moment and had planned it this way all along.

As soon as Unnvar sees Valsin and Dreng it sinks in that he's part of one of the biggest screw-ups in Pathfinder Society history. It hasn't been a great year for the solemn half-orc, getting killed in Bonekeep, now this. He joins the others in relaying his firsthand account of all that went down with Ouidda and Torch. Making sure to mention the note in the fireplace regarding the Trade Prince, the details of the mirrors, and how the book contained more like 30 names. But it was whatever The Spider had whispered to the Burnt Rat, that was what had made up his mind to finalize his betrayal.

Unnvar finishes by conveying, It was apparent, this was his plan all along. He was ready for it and as soon as he got what he needed, he put it into action.

Echoing Farg's sentiment.

"Goodness, I haven't seen this much excitement on an assignment since... well, ever!" the wizard exclaims. Feeling the temperature drop in the room by several degrees, Archibald clears his throat with a horrible hacking sound. "I... that was the wrong thing to say, wasn't it? Ahem."

Will prep spells after getting some shut-eye.

Even days after the incident, Acher stands still shell-shocked. "He wanted something from her. The Spider. We almost died just to get him close to her..."

She looks up to Ambrus Valsin. "We were told he was part of the 'good' Shadow Lodge. How many others could be secretly against us?"

"he doesn't seem to seek revenge but to have some mesure of power against the 10. It doesn't seem that desna is angry at me. So it okay for me."

-Posted with Wayfinder

"The Decemvirate is terribly worried over the information Torch now holds over their heads. We cannot believe he fooled everyone for so long." say the venture captains.

Ambrus Valsin requests then the Spider's collaborators list you recovered from deciphering the mirrors. Satisfied, he expresses his gratitude for the great job you have done neutralizing Ouidda.

Despite Grandmaster Torch's treachery, his former faction's goal comes to fruition in an unexpected way when the Decemvirate reaches out to those who were so badly burned by their leader's betrayal. Instead of abandoning or condemning the Shadow Lodge faction, the masked leaders console the wronged
Pathfinders and they expend considerable resources to ensure they receive whatever aid and training they need to recover from the experience.

Despite your party is in no mood for celebrations, your companions and superiors clearly state their satisfaction and support for the work done. Soon enough you feel ready for more missions and new duties start to reach your mail box.

FIN