GM Bold Strider's PFS #2 The Hydra's Fang Incident (High Tier) (Inactive)

Game Master rpblue

You make some great points and I've learned some things that I was previously mistaken on. My bad guys!

Raavan moved to a point where he couldn't be flanked by #1 without taking a normal move action to get into position. When I was consulting the map, Raavan was flanking with Basalte and was easily flanked, so I'm not sure about this.

If #2 was disabled, he shouldn't have been able to make a full attack, right? I know he missed with everything, but if the attack sequence was adjusted down Basalte and Johendar would have taken a bit less damage (also, I think Basalte should have 4 extra HPs from rage). Hmm.. that's interesting. I always thought that the 0 HP character could take a full action, but it knocks him under, turns out I was wrong. To be honest, I don't think I've ever had a character at 0 HP exactly. Also, Basalte should have 4 extra instead of 2.

Johendar was attacked with bonuses for flanking, but it doesn't look like he is flanked. Johendar was flanked diagonally between #2 and #5, then the Sahuagin #2 passed out after his attack.

It looks like some of them had tridents at one point. Have they dropped some? If so, it is possible to grab one? I'm hoping they might be neutral buoyant (otherwise they'd lose a lot of them to the bottom of the sea everytime they go all natural). Umm... Sure, buoyant neutral sounds cool. If you want to grab one, then go for it. There should be one floating around Kobad's boat or on the body of #2 who has sunk 5'. Move action to pick up one over by the other boat and a standard action to take it off of the unconscious Sahuagin #2

Are all the sahuagin raging? I thought they could only do that when injured, and a few of these rolls are spot-on for AC with that +1 bonus. My bad. I thought all of the Sahuagin had taken some damage. #1 still has not, so I will adjust his rolls. #2 and #3 are unconscious now and #4 was injured and then healed to full by Antonella' channel, in case that helps.

Adjustments:
Sahuagin #1 @ Raavan - 18 AC:
Bite: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 2 = 20
Claw: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12
Claw: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 = 15

Sahuagin #2 @ Raavan - 18 AC:
Bite: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 7

Sahuagin #4 @ Basalte - 18 (20-2 Rage) AC:
Bite: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 13
Claw: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 11
Claw: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 22

Sahuagin #5 @ Johendar - 18 AC:
Bite: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 22
Claw: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 11
Claw: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 18

Total Damage:
Johendar: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 6 = 9
Basalte: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Raavan: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

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Raavan heals himself successfully. Johendar and Antonella heals Basalte and Kobad heals Antonella, forming the epic heal train.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Does a really good heal make up for the issues? ;)

Wembly' quarrel goes 15' before floating to the surface, missing Sahuagin #5. His summoned dolphin glows with a celestial radiance as it attacks, but it's bottle-nosed slam misses the evil beast.

@Basalte: I usually give a reroll to anyone if they claim to have something. I don't mind. :D Basalte's attack lands true through a bit of luck and bit of the Sahuagin's raging boldness.

-----------------------------------------------------------

The Sahuagin continue to ravage the group in their hopes to erase the friends of Du Moire.

Sahuagin #1 @ Basalte - 18 AC:
Bite: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10
Claw: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 2 = 18
Claw: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9

Sahuagin #4 @ Basalte - 18 AC:
Bite: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 12
Claw: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 23
Claw: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 11

Sahuagin #5 @ Johendar - 18 AC:
Bite: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 27
Bite Confirmation: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 14
Claw: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 15
Claw: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 21

Total Damage:
Johendar: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (4, 3) + 6 = 13
Basalte: 2d4 + 5 ⇒ (1, 2) + 5 = 8

Initiative:
1st: Johendar @ 2 HP; Wembly @ 1 HP; Antonella @ 4 HP; Basalte @ 9 (5) HP; Raavan @ 19 HP
2nd: Sahuagin (#4 @ 7 Damage, #5 @ 11 Damage)
3rd: Kobad @ 5 HP

Basalte picks up a nearby trident and pierces a nearby sahuagin's defenses. (still raging, attacking #4)
Trident, 2-handed, raging: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 2 = 261d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 3 = 13
Since trident is a piercing weapon, it shouldn't have the damage penalty, so it should suffice to kill him.

Correct, but it will provoke from Sahuagin #1 and #4. Also, do you drop your Falchion or sheath it or something else?

@GM Bold Strider: I don’t think Johendar had his turn last round. If I’m correct, would it be reasonable for him to have healed himself for CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 ?

Antonella holds her groun… water, releases her CLW wand and heals Basalte.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

I rolled him healing Basalte. It's in the first line of my recap of your actions.

Correct, but it will provoke from Sahuagin #1 and #4.

In that case I'll 5-ft swim out of #1's range before doing that.

Ah, I see it now. Also I think this is the first time I've been in roughly the same time zone as the GM.

Edit: Ooh! Does that mean I can use the first roll of 8 in the 1d8 to heal Basalte for 9 hp instead of 5?

@Basalte: You are pulling the trident off of an unconscious Sahaugain in Sahaugin #1's square. Also, in case you didn't see my edit, what are you doing with your Falchion?

@Antonella: Sure!

Ah, forgot the falchion. Well, I'll hit #4 with my falchion and forget about the trident altogether. Which means it's a threat, right? Confirmation is below:
Confirmation (mwk falchion, raging, ruthless trait): 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 30
Crit damage: 4d4 + 18 ⇒ (4, 1, 3, 1) + 18 = 27 divided by two since it's slashing.

Wembly will see his crossbow being ineffective, will move up to try and help heal or assist one of the others retrieve Wands or weapons.

dolphin nose: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 damage : 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

the dolphin continues to do graceful flips but missing its target . Can it move to provide flank to someone?

Johender comes to the surface, heals himself and singles out another sahugin. "Hit that one there!"

Should be last round of lingering performance, Switch Freebooter's Bane to #1

CLW for Johender: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Raavan swims behind Antonella and heals Johendar.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Nice!

@Wembly: That will require a Handle Animal check, right? Looks like a full-round action with a DC 25 check to push the animal to flank.

Antonella, Raavan, Johendar, and Kobad all spread around the love (e.g. Cure Light Wounds) while Wembly moves forward. Wembly's Dolphin attacks, but misses, whereas Basalte lands a sickening blow on Sahuagin #4, sending it to underwater dream land.

CLW on Wembly from Kobad: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Sahuagin #1 focuses on his target, Basalte, missing every single attack.

Sahuagin #1 @ Basalte - 18 AC:
Bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Sahuagin #5 lands two vicious blows against Johendar, but his group's healing keeps him alive.

Sahuagin #5 @ Johendar - 18 AC:
Bite: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 25
Claw: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 25
Claw: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 8

Damage @ Johendar: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (2, 1) + 6 = 9

Initiative:
1st: Johendar @ 4 HP; Wembly @ 6 HP; Antonella @ 4 HP; Basalte @ 18 (14) HP; Raavan @ 19 HP
2nd: Sahuagin (#1 @ 0 damage, #5 @ 11 Damage)
3rd: Kobad @ 5 HP

Raavan heals Antonella with his wand, then swims to where a trident was dropped and holsters his morningstar. Looks like a 5' swim-step

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Was touch and go there for a second, but you guys seem to have gotten the upper-hand in this battle.

Initiative:
1st: Johendar @ 4 HP; Wembly @ 6 HP; Antonella @ 12 HP; Basalte @ 18 (14) HP; Raavan @ 19 HP
2nd: Sahuagin (#1 @ 0 damage, #5 @ 11 Damage)
3rd: Kobad @ 5 HP

Kobad taps Wembly with his wand, since he can't get to Johendar.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Friendly Reminder: Make sure to track all the charges spent on the wands. I often forget to... ;)

Initiative:
1st: Johendar @ 4 HP; Wembly @ 12 HP; Antonella @ 12 HP; Basalte @ 18 (14) HP; Raavan @ 19 HP
2nd: Sahuagin (#1 @ 0 damage, #5 @ 11 Damage)
3rd: Kobad @ 5 HP

Unless the wand is low on charges I usually tally it up at the end. However, since this scenario is making chum out of us...
I count 7 charges used. (would have been 8, but Antonella swapped a declared charge at one point).

That's why I said something, cause of all of the charges getting used. Normally, I spend about 2 or 3, but my Oracle has spent 10 in Thornkeep already... Might have to buy a second one, which I've never done before, haha.

Thornkeep can be rough in certain encounters. But you do know you can withdraw to town pretty easily and heal up, right?

Holy crap, really? Our summoner AWOLed, so we might withdraw after this fight if its not the end.

Sure. There's nothing in the module that I've read that says there is a time limit or that you have to stay down in the dungeons until they are cleared out.

One week ago, my blaster sorcerer ended up being the healer in Bonekeep 1+2,with his brand new wand of Infernal Healing. I think there were about 10 charges left at the end of both scenario. Posting my action as soon as I see the map.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Bonekeep is nasty.
Basalte, you can flank with the dolphin if you adjust 1 square to the NE.

Basalte moves into position to attack the same opponent as the dolphin, flanking him. (attacking #5)
Masterwork Falchion, rage: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 = 172d4 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 3) + 6 + 3 = 13

Basalte hits the Sahuagin with a decisive blow from his Falchion.

Initiative:
1st: Johendar @ 4 HP; Wembly @ 12 HP; Antonella @ 12 HP; Basalte @ 18 (14) HP; Raavan @ 19 HP
2nd: Sahuagin (#1 @ 0 damage, #5 @ 17 Damage)
3rd: Kobad @ 5 HP

I try to track my use of wand charges and other consumables in my profile as we go, using the strike-out font. I also find [s] [ /s] very handy for knowing what spells I have left.

You cause webs to grow between the target's fingers and its feet to transform into flippers …

This suggests Antonella’s unarmed strike would not incur the -2 ‘non-aquatic natural attack’ penalty. Do you agree, GM Bold Strider?

Underwater combat modifiers. Non-aquatic natural attacks/bludgeoning and slashing attacks deal 50% less damage and take a -2 to hit.

“Joh, if you swim south 5’, I can swim 5’ to the east and smite Basalte’s shark-man."

If Johendar agrees, Antonella swims east and lashes out with a flippered foot at Sahuagin #5.

Improved Unarmed Strike, Smiting #5: 1d20 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 3 = 10
damage + smite: 1d3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

Well, if nothing else, I've learned how to spell sahuagin in this game.

I love the ingenuity, sounds good. Sadly, your rolls are terrible. Haha.

Tell me about it! C’mon, Flipper!

I’ve used 15 CLW charges this game so far … I did drain a CLW wand playing a cleric in the module Fangwood Keep – but that’s roughly three PFS scenarios of course. Bonekeep’s on a timer as well, isn’t it?

Yes, it is. Basically you can give up at any moment between fights (which are tailored to be much harder than PFS scenarios, but then the rewards are well-worth it), and once the alloted time is up, you stop where you are, no overtime allowed.

Basalte, are you in Europe? I am in Australia.

I am! Switzerland, actually.

Australia, Switzerland, Japan... interesting...

Johender does as Antonella asks. Aye, aye Tuna, tho I ain't no goody goody pally. I don't do no smitin'" Johender them heals himself once more.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

“I don't do no smitin'"

Neither do I apparently …

Antonella’s thought processes are reasonably slow – especially when she’s under pressure. So there’s a pause before her head snaps back towards the swashbuckling Pathfinder.

“What did you call me?”

Johender glances back. "Tuna, just like ye told me ye nickname was."

LOL. By the way I'm in Los Angeles.

Sahuagin #5 flounders about, taking a swipe against a Pathfinders before passing out. Sahuagin #1 is no idiot, he sees the tide has turned and withdraws from combat with the Pathfinders.

The party's bigger members attempt to flip the rowboats and are successful after several tries. They swim around to collect the oars and their gear before climbing back in the boats. After healing up, they begin their journey back toward Du Moire's ship.

The Hydra’s Fang is a small galliot, which Du Moire made swifter by gutting the sub-decks of all unnecessary furnishings and comforts. Topside, a striking man in a captain's tricorne and a long red peacoat waits on the bow of the ship with a spyglass.

Current Health:
Johendar @ 12 HP; Wembly @ 12 HP; Antonella @ 12 HP; Basalte @ 14 HP; Raavan @ 19 HP; Kobad @ 5 HP

Antonella’s tone is exasperated rather than angry. “How can you get ‘Toni’ confused with ‘Toona’?” In Oz, we pronounce 'tuna' like 'tyou-na'.

I think someone stood too close to the stern chasers during their last commission.

“And besides, I didn’t mean THAT name. I meant the things you called me AFTER that!”

♘♘♘♘

Antonella heals herself and anyone else that requests it, before replacing her wand in its spring-loaded sheath.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

The priestess checks to make sure Wembly is OK. “Can you recall Whiskers, Wembly? Or is he gone for today?”

“Du Moire’s got a spyglass. He’ll see us if we approach from the bow. Maybe we try to approach from the stern? Either way we should have some kinda cover story and/or way to get aboard ready.”

Antonella scans the ship for enemies and ways to get aboard unseen. She also tries to determine if Du Moire has spotted them yet.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Du Moire is looking directly at you, but he doesn't seem to be raising anchor or calling his men to their battle stations.

Antonella screws up her eyes with the effort of remembering the briefing. “Osprey said Du Moire would be looking to pawn the Azlanti tablets to one of his buyers in Diobel.”

“Maybe that’s who he is waiting for.”

"Thank you Antonella." The gnome smiles and bows.

"I am not sure if I can call Whisker's back. He was in pretty bad shape, but I will try. As the saying goes, cats and water do not mix."

Since the eidolon was dismissed and not killed, I believe Wembly can summon it back today...but with just 1hp.
First time playing a summoner, so still getting used to that vs animal companions/familiars.

CLW: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 5, 8) + 3 = 19

Johender shakes his healing wand a few times, shaking his head. "I think it's about wore out." Giving Antonella a sheepish look, he says. "A thousand apologies. I'll set it right next time.

Once they approach Du Moire, he says. Is we going in all disguised like?"

CLW Wembly: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
CLW Wembly: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Antonella looks up from attending to the gnome.

“A ‘goody goody pally.’ Is that what you called me, Joh?”

Antonella’s features turn grim as she recalls her sordid youth, before she found peace in the Master of Master’s faith.

She smiles and places her hand briefly on the freebooter’s forearm. “That’s the nicest compliment anyone’s ever given me.”

Cure Light Wounds Charge 8: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
If anyone needs more healing, let me know.

"Wembly, I'm not sure calling Whiskers back would be wise at the moment. Du Moire hasn't called for an attack, but might do so if we start bringing in unexpected summonings." Raavan looks at Johendar. "If he is waiting for a buyer, perhaps we should pose as one. I know little of such things, but could act as guard."

Raavan leaves his flag furled, and suggests others put away wayfinders or other identifying marks.

@Wembly: Whiskers was dismissed after it went unconscious. You can summon him back but he will be at -5HP. He has to go to negative Con before he can't be summoned for a day.

Wembly nods in agreement with Ravaan.

"Sounds like a plan. Whiskers will wait for a bit. "

Going to assume you row closer to the ship.

The man lowers the spyglass and calls out to the rowboat. Who are you people? Looks like you had a tussle with some Sahuagin. Rough bunch, that.

A few sailors approach the edges of the ship. One has his hands on his scimitar, another is carrying a deck scrubber.

I have a sticky note on my desk to keep track of my wand :p

"Which doesn't prove that I am bad luck on a ship!" Kobad says defiantly.

Whispering to the party, [b]"I am ok with deception,". He tucks away his wayfinder.

About to turn in. Assuming we are being deceptive, Raavan will aid another.

"Those things work for you?" Raavan asks, letting his tusks mush his words more than normal. Makes business rough."

Aid another (base charisma roll): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Also, if Johendar is our speaker, I would have liked to have cast guidance on him before getting too close (and only if it can be done without drawing attention).