GM Fuzzfoot |
The invitation delivered last night was remarkably simple, especially given the importance of the occasion: “Start where it all began. Meet us at the Pig’s Paunch one hour before dawn.” The Pig’s Paunch is a run-down building with a faded sign of a large pig standing on its hind legs, arms folded above a corpulent belly. Inside, the air is thick with the scents of human sweat, stale tobacco, and leftover food. In the center of the room, surrounded by inebriates sleeping off their revelries, a familiar elven man stands high upon top of a large round table.
“Welcome! Welcome, my students! Please, have a seat!” With that, Kreighton Shaine, the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Scrolls, nimbly drops down to sit cross-legged on the table before looking about the tavern with a sense of reverent wonder. “Can you believe it? It all started here years ago—well, over four hundred of them at least. Under this very roof the Pathfinder Society was born."
“But today! Today you will begin your Confirmation! Master Farabellus, Master Zey, and I all agree you each have shown your worth and dedication to the Society, so there’s no better time to see if you can handle becoming full field operatives. Allow me to introduce you to Janira Gavix,” he says as he motions for an excitable halfling woman to approach. She wears a large backpack and carries all manner of tools, pouches, and scroll cases around her waist. Shaine continues, saying, “Janira here will be going with you on your Confirmation. She was one of my brightest pupils and will no doubt be an invaluable resource on your journey, for she discovered the caves you are about to explore during her own Confirmation.”
Janira speaks up in an enthusiastic and cheerful voice, “Greetings, aspiring Pathfinders! Six months ago, while I was mapping cave entrances in the foothills of the Kortos Mounts, I witnessed a lone gillman entering a concealed cave. I thought little of it at the time, but I saw another one enter the cave again a month later as my Confirmation stretched on. A few days later, after I completed my assigned task, I entered the cave system, but was unable to find the gillmen.”
Master Shaine hops to his feet. “Initiates, for your Confirmation, you will travel to these caves to explore and document its many passages. Additionally, and most importantly, you are to learn what the gillmen are up to in there. Oh, and you need to come back alive as well.” With these parting words, the Master of Scrolls jumps off the table and strolls out of the building while humming to himself.
Maulaxe, the Just |
Maulaxe nods.
"Greetings again Janira, I last saw you at the Paunch, I'm beginning to think Pathfinding is more about drinking than exploring."
Maranax |
The tall, thin, almost ascetic-looking Maranax smiled when Thiera spoke, a gesture that seemed ill-practiced, if sincere. The others he regarded down a thin and aristocratic nose.
"Gillmen," he said, "strike me as no different from other men. Lacking in both culture and subtlety. Let us be about this business. I have studies to return to."
Thiera |
She was still working on her Confirmation more than a month later? Clearly the bar for "brightest pupil" was not very high.
Out loud, Thiera addresses the halfling. "Are there any preparations you would recommend for our journey? I too wish us to be expeditious, for I have studies as well." She nods approvingly at her fellow elf. He might lack the beauty common to her kind, but his sensibilities seem to align with her own.
Etune Snowfoot |
A white-haired but young adult halfling comes running in and pants a bit as she looks around hurriedly.
"OhmigoshI'msorryI'mlateIgotdistractedreadingthistreatiseonsubethericdynami csinArcaneCastingQuarterlyand--"
She pants a bit more as she realizes that all came out as a horrible jumble, straightening her explorer's outfit.
"Etune Snowfoot, I'm usually not this tardy! I apologize! Did I miss it?"
Maulaxe, the Just |
Maulaxe sighs for a moment Not another Gnome... oh wait, nevermind.
before responding
"Greetings Etune, I am known as Maulaxe, the Just. You just missed Master Shaine, but I believe Janira here should have all the pertinent details."
Etune Snowfoot |
"Hi, Mister the Just. Drat. I'll buy a round for everyone in the group if someone can tell me what the mission is?"
The snow-haired halfling looks around hopefully.
Thiera |
Halfings. Thiera muses. Their usefulness is nearly outweighed by the time spend handling them.
"It is rather audacious, little one, to come late to the party, then require our assistance in correcting your faults."
"The short version?" Thiera barely contains her smirk. "Follow the halfing, Janira, and do as she says. Something about gillmen." And try not to be in the way as those who work *real* magic are about their business.
"And I'll pass on the drink, thank you."
Etune is, of course, welcome. (Welcome! Glad you're here!) Thiera just has her wand shoved a little too far up her .... well, it wouldn't be polite to speculate, and I try to have better manners than she does. Glad you could join us!
Etune Snowfoot |
(Thank you. Glad I did a forensic analysis of the forums!) Etune (That sounds Eh-Too-neh, btw) isn't normally this much of a 'ditz'. Must have been a really good article! *cough*
"Follow Miss Janira, listen to what she tells us, and keep an eye out for gillmen. Got it. Thank you."
Thiera |
Thiera waits for Janira's answer to her question, and any questions from her companions, before excusing herself for the evening.
She turns to Maranax, and speaks softly in Elven.
10 gp each for scribing costs; please note it on the chronicle sheet at the end.
Taking 10 on the necessary Spellcraft checks beats the necessary DCs.
Spellcraft: 10 + 8 = 18
GM Fuzzfoot |
Janira looks at Thiera. "Of course, a Pathfinder should be prepared for any eventuality. But you also want to pack light enough to travel."
"Make sure you have food and water, spell components, weapons, maybe climbing gear, and of course some way to document your findings."
GM Fuzzfoot |
"If there are no other questions, I will leave the rest of the briefing up to Janira."
Thiera |
Know(Hist): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Thiera knows little of these lowlands that is worth sharing.
- Scribe: Grease -10 gp
- Scribe: Magic Missle -10 gp
- Scribe: Obsuring Mist -10 gp
- Scribe: Shield -10 gp
- Silk rope (50') 5 lbs, -10 gp
- Grappling hook 4 lbs, -1 gp
- Potion, CLW -50 gp
- Scroll, Sleep -25 gp
- Scroll, Reduce Person -25 gp
- Traveler's outfit -1 gp
Etune Snowfoot |
The halfling thinks long and hard about the topography of Absalom and environs...
Knowledge(Geography) Untrained: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
"Well, the Kortos Mounts are in the middle of the island, right?"
Etune will be stopping by Staples: Absalom to pick up some writing stuff (3 ink pens, jar of ink, 20 sheets of parchment, chunk of chalk)...
GM Fuzzfoot |
“On to the details of the mission at hand,” Janira says with an eager grin. “After reviewing my mission reports personally, Master Shaine believes it is no coincidence that each time they entered the caves it was during a full moon, so it is also no coincidence that you have been called here now, just a day before the moon is full again. We both believe that tomorrow night is our best chance to find out why these caves are important and what exactly the gillmen are doing in there."
“The caves we’ll be travelling to lie under the base of the Kortos Mounts. We’ll need to spend every minute of daylight possible to reach the caves by foot, crossing over the Cairnlands, taking the paths to Diobel, and finally making our way through the wilderness. With any luck we won’t run into any of the local inhabitants. Once in the caves, we’ll need to work together to explore and determine whether any gillman are present or have been recently. Keep an eye out for any other clues that might hint at the caves’ significance, too.”
“Any questions?”
Etune Snowfoot |
The white-haired halfling considers before slowly raising her hand.
"If we do run into any of the local inhabitants in the wilderness, are we standing to fight or running away from conflict, given the timetable we're on?"
If it's the latter of the two, Etune will be also stopping by Absalom's Toys 'r' Us analogue to pick up caltrops, if possible.
GM Fuzzfoot |
"As Pathfinders, you need to be able to think on your feet. Sometimes, the better course is to stay and fight, and other times flight is a better option. And don't forget that the art of negotiation is often the best path."
"Focus, though, should be on your mission. We only have a short window to try and find these gillmen, so we must not be distracted."
“Centaurs control the lowlands and surrounding wilderness of the Kortos Mounts. The areas farther up the Mounts are controlled by minotaurs, and the icy peaks are home to tribes of harpies. They’re always vying for territory, but with any luck, we should be able to avoid them and reach the caves without conflict.”
Maulaxe, the Just |
Actually bought items on Maulaxe so I'm not just hauling around 580gp and no equipment.
Maulaxe grunts a bit at the diplomacy suggestion. "Understood, I believe I am ready.
GM Fuzzfoot |
Janira just shrugs at Wilhelm's comment. "I guess we didn't think you would have a problem with the current schedule. For myself, I am a busy lady, so this should be sufficient."
Then Janira smiles, and says " You just made my list, Tell."
GM Fuzzfoot |
The first phase of their Confirmation takes you through Absalom, leading across the Cairnlands, along a well-worn path that leads toward Diobel, through the wilderness surrounding the Kortos Mounts.
The journey through the City at the Center of the World is swift and without incident, and the long trek across the Cairnlands provides a great opportunity to discuss Master Shane’s class on the history of Absalom. Most of the journey is uneventful, but Janira points out landmarks such as siege towers, distant mountains, or distinct flora and fauna along the journey.
The first day is otherwise uneventful, and you make camp for the evening. Janira helps everyone get settled and organizes a watch rotation, and the night also passes uneventfully.
As you progress deeper into the forest, the trees towering overhead begin to shield most of what remains of the day’s sun and the vegetation beneath grows denser.
Janira pauses a moment and pulls out an intricate silver compass emblazoned with the Pathfinder Society logo: the Glyph of the Open Road. “I received this wayfinder when I successfully completed my Confirmation. Should we be successful on our journey, you will get your own as well.”
She flips open the device and holds it in front of her; the initials J. L. are engraved into the inside of the device’s lid. After studying the compass inside for a moment, she remarks, “We’re on the right path. We need to keep heading northwest past those large rocks up ahead.”
Suddenly, a dead tree falls nearby, causing a large number of mosquitos to come swarming from the bushes. The meander about, and then seem to be coming right at you!
Rachel Sophia: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Maulaxe, the Just: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Thiera: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Maranax: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Wilhelm Tell: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Etune Snowfoot: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Swarms: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Round 1: (Bold may act)
Wilhelm Tell
Thiera
Rachel Sophia
Etune Snowfoot
Swarms
Maulaxe, the Just
Maranax
Etune Snowfoot |
Etune digs through her backpack to find something to use against the bugs!
What would be good against a pile of bugs? Something... something foody? Something splashy?
Sahba Mandyra |
Thiera readies acid splash against the time one of the swarms moves within 25' of her position.
ranged touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
acid damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Rachel Sophia |
Fail. I didn't realize I hadn't dotted in. Sorry guys. Rachel Sophia she shall be named, I guess!
Rachel steps towards the northern mosquitoes and pulls out a flask of oil. She begins jury-rigging it into an explosive. That's a full round action.
Maranax |
GM, before they leave, Maranax will visit with Thiera and scribe charm person, enlarge person, expeditious retreat, feather fall, sleep and true strike into his spellbook.
10 gp each for scribing costs; please note the 60 gp cost on the chronicle sheet at the end.
Taking 10 on the necessary Spellcraft checks beats the necessary DCs.
Spellcraft: 10 + 9 = 19
Startled by the appearance of the swarms, Maranax just stares.
Until his turn, anyway.
GM Fuzzfoot |
I will just delay Thiera to move us forward.
Janira, seeing the new recruits start to panic, decides to provide some inspiration for muster their courage.
“Let us remember the sacrifice of the fabled Yasmin
bint Faroud, favored of the Ten, who gave her life
distracting Zythrustianax, draconic scourge of the
Society, so dozens of junior agents could survive. Her
act of benevolence is the epitome of cooperation within
the Society.”
(+1 Attack/Damage and Saves vs Charm or Fear effects)
The swarms move in, biting and buzzing around your heads.
Rachel Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2 + bleeding and malaria check
Maulaxe Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3 + bleeding and malaria check
Etune Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3 + bleeding and malaria check
Each of you that took damage, make both a Fort save to avoid contracting malaria (DC11) and another Fort save(DC11) to avoid Distraction.
Round 1: (Bold may act)
Wilhelm Tell - backs away
Thiera - delays
Rachel Sophia - makes a Malatov cocktail
Etune Snowfoot - looks for something "splashy"
Swarms
Maulaxe, the Just
Maranax
Thiera
Janira
Round 2: (Bold may act)
Wilhelm Tell
Rachel Sophia
Etune Snowfoot
Swarms
Maulaxe, the Just
Maranax
Thiera
Janira
Etune Snowfoot |
Fort Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4Malaria
Fort Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7Distraction
The snow-haired halfling's 'action' is to vomit her guts out, even as she bleeds from the bite.
Wow, this isn't looking good at all.
Maulaxe, the Just |
Malaria: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Distraction: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Maulaxe shouts to Etune
"Spread out and move!"
Maulaxe takes out a flask of Alchemist's Fire and shakes it up before smashing it into the swarm that bit him.
1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6
How much is the Bleed?
Rachel Sophia |
Fortitude, Distraction: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Fortitude, Malaria: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
-Posted with Wayfinder
Thiera |
Thiera looks around, startled, wondering what mysterious force caused her to hesitate.
(No, really. The post is up there... I screwed up the avatar, but the post is there.)
Seeing her allies bitten by the swarms, she *again* lets loose an acid ball, splashing the infernal insects with a summoned corrosive. (This is her best weapon against swarms, so as long as she's not in danger, she will continue lobbing acid at the swarms.)
ranged touch+janira's inspire: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 2 + 1 = 16
acid damage+janira's inspire: 1d3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3
Rachel Sophia |
the damage bonus from inspiration unfortunately(?) only applies to weapons. All attack rolls are boosted though.
-Posted with Wayfinder
GM Fuzzfoot |
Ah, you are right - I was scrolling looking for your avatar! So I did miss it.
Bleed won't affect you until the beginning of your next turn. 1d3 is the rate, though.
I am going to be very limited in access for the next few days, so I apologize but should be back to normal rate on Monday. I will try to post, but probably won't be able to do it justice.
On the bonus from inspiration, I would not have even questioned it, but I do see some of the arguments for either way. My ruling would be that it applies to both Attack and Damage for Acid Splash. However, Acid Splash does not damage swarms (which is also fairly controversial, but I think it is a little more clear-cut), so it is not very helpful here. Even though it is called acid "splash", it is actually an orb that affects a single target. So feel free to redo your action.
Maranax |
"It is merely a matter of preparation," says Maranax with a smug, matter-of-fact air. The elf steps efficiently back and blasts the nearest swarm with a brilliant gout of blue and white flames!
5' step, cast burning hands. It will engulf the eastern two squares of the eastern swarm, but not harm any PC. He is also careful not to scorch the ground (or the leaves on the ground).
Burning hands and evoker: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Swarms are vulnerable to area of effect, so a total of 3 points of damage. Whee!
Thiera |
Seeing her initial acid ball had no effect against the swarms, instead of firing a second one, Thiera moves back slightly, and casts burning hands, just as Maranax did. ( This catches part of multiple swarms. Movement and 15' cone template shown on map.)
burning hands + evoker: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 (plus 50% for area damage ==> 7)
She smiles at Maranax. At least he's trying hard.
Etune Snowfoot |
May be confused, thought the Bleed started after the swarms attacked after she acted in Round 1. If that is a gross conceptual error, my apologies!
Bleed Effect: 1d3 ⇒ 1
Etune Snowfoot |
REALLY confused now between what you've typed, Wil, and what the GM has said. 1d3 damage was already levied when the skeeters attacked(3) plus Bleed, which the GM typed as 1d3.
Etune Snowfoot |
So Turn 1: Etune takes 3 damage when swarm attacks, gets Bleed Condition, gets Distracted/Nauseated Condition, catches Malaria, right?
Turn 2: Etune takes 'x'(where x=1 per 1d3 roll above) Bleed damage at start of turn, enacts the Nauseated condition dramatically.
Did I miss something?
GM Fuzzfoot |
OK, all - sorry, the weekend was far busier than I imagined. Let me get us back on track here.
First round summary: The mosquitoes moved in, attacking Rachel, Maulaxe and Etune. Maulaxe shook off most of the ill effects, but Etune and Rachel did not. Thiera tries Acid splash, which unhappily did not work. Maulaxe exploded an alchemist's fire for great effect (-8 hp to western swarm). Maranax used burning hands (-3 hp to eastern swarm).
Second round summary: Wilheml continues to cheer. Theira cast burning hands to great effect, damaging both swarms. (-7 each) This was enough for the western swarm to disperse. Rachel and Etune are too nauseated to do anything. The both take bleed damage (which is an additional 1d3, as Etune showed).
Bleed for Maulaxe: 1d3 ⇒ 2
Bleed for Rachel: 1d3 ⇒ 1
Fate: 1d2 ⇒ 2
The eastern swarm doesn't follow Rachel, but instead moves to attack Maranax and Thiera.
Swarm Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2
They must now also both save against Malaria and Distraction.
Round 2: (Bold may act)
Wilhelm Tell - Morale support
Thiera
Rachel Sophia - Bleeding, Contracting malaria, Distracted
Etune Snowfoot - Bleeding, Contracting malaria, Distracted
Swarm 2 (-10 hp)
Maulaxe, the Just - Bleeding
Maranax
Janira
Maulaxe, the Just |
Last round and this round bleed: 2d3 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4
Maulaxe will draw out his cure wand and his second alchemist's fire.
"Somebody grab the wand and get working on the bleeding!"