DM Tiaburn |
It was a sunny afternoon, when all of you, feeling a bit of internal disturbance, are waiting in a hall of Grand Lodge in Absalom. Travelling different path and finishing long ways, you came that day to Headquarters of Pathfinder Society to apply and discuss joining the greatest organization in Avistan.
There were some fruits and refreshments available for everyone, and different people were waiting for their turn to get inside for an audience. One, among the others, was mighty female warrior, wearing a Glyph of the Open Road as her cloak button. She was answering questions and looks around to help incoming adventurers.
PCs, please, describe and introduce yourself. You have all reason to expect, that guys around you are your future colleagues.
Evenstar, you are only, who has more than 0XP, so your role here is to help newcommers get better experience of Society.
Ronald Phatbottom |
Ronald Phatbottom is a bit goofy looking. Mostly dressed as you would expect a ranger to be. Leather boots, Leather Armor, and a bow strapped to his backpack. Oddly he is also wearing a pointy wizard hat, and has many belt pouches. His eyes are mismatched colors due to a magical accident sometime ago.
He walks around introducing himself as a wizard.
Well hello everyone.
Rodney Pierre-Antoine |
A surly man walks into the room, wide-brimmed hat on his head and curved blade slung on his back. He casually scans the scene, trying not to appear as though he's studying the room as closely as he is. With a surprising spring in his step for a man weathered as he is, he moves to a chair and sits down.
"Rodney Pierre-Antoine," he says, tipping his cap and flashing a once-again surprising smile. "Glad to meet y'all."
Evenstar |
An athletic female, dressed in old scale armor with bits of fur and bone strung here and there, sits nearby.
She is comely, with penetrating dark eyes, yet she seems cold and distant. She does not seem to care one whit about the proprieties or etiquette required for eating at the table.
She nods to the rest of the room. "I'm Evenstar," she says.
I'm probably the last one they should have had help newcomers.
"I've been in a few scrapes for the Society...and you all look pretty capable. This should be fun."
DM Tiaburn |
The last one to enter hallway was an agile guy, wearing sailor's outfit and leather armour. You saw his rapier and shortbow, so probably he is warrior or something. He said, that his name is Odmar and he also want to join Pathfinder Society. Odmar, please, add your character look description in profile.
While all of you've been sitting and talking between yourselves, you felt slight earth tremor. Glasses on shelf done a clean and loud ring, but couple seconds later, it's all over.
Paying zero attention to this event, one of Pathfinder Society masters came in and started asking everyone in, one-by-one, to discuss your application. As last minute arrangements, you've done, is that all agreed to meet again this evening in tavern called "Lame Stallion" in Coins district.
The interviewer was totally pain in the arse. He was good listener, not interrupting your story. After that, he was asking good questions, like "What is your opinion on grave robbery? When do you think it is not accepted?". But every talk ended similar:
"It's a pity for me to admit, but we are looking for someone, with bit more of practical experience. You know, there is no significant discoveries in your background. Pathfinder Society is not political organization. We are focused on researching ancient relics and long-lost knowledge. Currently, we are in strange situation and, I believe, we need to put you on waiting list. It will be sometime, before we start some intern recruiting. I appreciate your time, but we are looking for experienced members..."
After applicants left, Evenstar was invited into master's room.
"They all are fresh... We cannot allow ourselves to take unexperienced lads. You are good agent, but remember, how you started?", looks like he was deep into his own thought and doesn't need any answer, "Where are all the great explorers, that are eager to make a discovery, just to join Society?.."
He started looking through his records and it was nice moment to sneak out and leave. As Evenstar was heading out of Grand Lodge to meet her new friends in "Lame Stallion", street boy rushed to her and gave her this note.
"Dear Evenstar,
I remember, I owe you and there is my chance to repay. It was a small earthquake today, that stroke Isle of Kortos. While we have several broken ribs here in Absalom, it was more severe on countryside. We recieved a crow, that several of ancient siege towers partially collapsed and are available for access. This might be an opportunity for you to find out some relics. But you need to hurry: City Guard will send their team and, as you know, everything found in Tower belongs to authorities. As I expect, you have some time till sunrise, because it will take time, while team be ready and travel there.
Your old friend."
Disappointed, but still looking forward to prove yourselves worthy, PCs gather in "Lame Stallion", to share today's failure and discuss other options. There are rumours of some expedition going in Mwangi Expanse, someone heart something about excavations in Magnimar and of course, there are open positions in infamy "Aspis Consortium".
Don't be affraid. Here comes Evenstar, for the rescue!
Evenstar, feel free to appear at any moment, you like.
Rodney Pierre-Antoine |
"Perhaps its back to guide work for me," Rodney said to his new, disheartened companions as they sat around a table at the Lame Stallion. "There's good money in that, if you know who to guide and where to guide them. I did fancy something a bit more exciting though, a bit more meaningful."
At that, he takes a swig of his drink and looks off into the distance, seemingly pondering the meaning of life.
Odmar Krufft |
"Hey-hey, comrades! It's just a little setback and you are backing out already? I didn't come all that way just to get a rejection. And if you want to become part of the Society as much as I do, than we'll find a way!". With that said Odmar took a big sip of his drink and gave his new companions an intent look.
This man didn't have as much of the athletic build, but by the looks, he was a true man of the north. His blond hair was fixed in a braid and he wore a short beard. A seasoned traveler could easily tell that this man had some decent sailing experience, as his pale skin wore marks of encounters with the stinging winds of northern seas.
Rodney Pierre-Antoine |
Waking from his reverie, Rodney laughs and speaks to Odmar.
"I like your attitude, northerner. I have a tendency to be pessimistic, but right you are. We can make a name for ourselves, and then they'll be dying to have us aboard."
Evenstar |
Evenstar looks at the assembled prospective Pathfinders and their disappointment.
"Hey everyone...attention please. I've got a tip from...an old friend. There are several ancient siege towers partially collapsed and available for access. An earthquake or something just opened them up. But we have to hurry if we want to do it...by sunrise the authorities will likely be there to clean it up. Anyone in?" she asks.
Way to go on the extra RPing, DM! Nice!
DM Tiaburn |
It took you several hours to reach half-ruined siege castle. It rises out of churned earth of the Cairnlands. No doors or windows mar the otherwise smooth expanse of the tower's walls. The tower is quatrefoil in plan; its eastern wing has largely collapsed, exposing the interior floors to the open air. Only the topmost level seems whole, though its eastern portion hangs precariously over the mountain of rubble left by collapse. At ground level, the rubble frames a gaping hole in the side of the building that provide access to the tower's darkened interior.
Being more than 80 feets tall, tower is closing sky and looks like complete black monolith. As you can see, its walls have been done by specialist and they still are example of superior masonry. Climb DC25. From your position, all you could see, that it is 4 floors inside, each one about 15 feets high. Because one of the walls is partially destroyed, it will be easier to climb over ragged remains, if you would like. Climb DC15. Anyway, you don't need to climb, unless you want, because the first floor is exposed to entry, if you get over rubble left by collapse. Difficult terrain
It's almost night, the moon is out and stars are shining so dim light conditions around. Map is coming soon, meanwhile feel free to approach last hundred feets
Odmar Krufft |
"We are almost there. I hope you guys brought torches!" said the northerner and started walking carefully towards the entrance examining his surroundings and the ground before him for "surprises".
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
"Maybe we should check the upper floors? There could be some things of value there."
DM Tiaburn |
Here is First Floor Map, feel free to rearrange yourself around in green zone if you feel, you'd like. Gray area represent total darkness inside.
Rodney Pierre-Antoine |
"Creepy place, this is—gives me the willies," Rodney says, scanning the area.
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Assuming he sees nothing too dangerous:
"Well, we didn't come here to stand around. Let's head on in."
Rodney pulls the scimitar from his back and begins heading toward the rocky entrance.
I'll head over the rubble and into the first floor if nothing stops me.
DM Tiaburn |
Rodney, Let's say you stay at start of that rubble. I moved your avatar.
Stealth: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Perception:
Evenstar: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Kaakoo: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Initiative:
Ronald: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Rodney: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Odmar: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Kaakoo: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Evenstar: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Dog1: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Dog2: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Dog3: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Rodney started to move through the rubble, when stone thrown by Ronald from behind enlightened area. 3 wild dogs were eating something in a rubble and as stone hits tower and falls on ground they lift their heads, looking who is approaching.
No surprise round. Participants are flat-footed until their init comes.
Init 23: Odmar
Init 19: Dog2; 6/6, HD 1; AC 13, Touch 12, FF 12, CMD 11 (15 vs. trip); Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +1; Conditions: empty;
Init 14: Ronald & Kaakoo
Init 11: Dog1; 6/6, HD 1; AC 13, Touch 12, FF 12, CMD 11 (15 vs. trip); Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +1; Conditions: empty;
Init 9,6: Rodney & Evenstar
Init 5: Dog3; 6/6, HD 1; AC 13, Touch 12, FF 12, CMD 11 (15 vs. trip); Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +1; Conditions: empty;
Please, use Combat Template available in campaign tab to prefix you post.
Odmar Krufft |
Round 1, Init 23
8/8 (nonlethal: - ), HD 1d8; AC 17, Touch 15, FF 12, CMD 16; Fort +0, Ref +6, Will -1; Conditions or Effects: empty;
Odmar drew his bow from the back and fired an arrow to the closest dog
Attack on dog1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
DMG+Sneak attk: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10
The arrow went deep into the dogs back and the animal fell to the ground yelping.
DM Tiaburn |
Round 1, Init 19
Move: Move to Rodney
Standart: Attack vs TouchAC13: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12, miss
Another dog was surprised by its friend immediate death. It looked around and blamed first person it saw in that. Rodney's luck that those rocks was hampering dog's movement, so its teeth missed his leg a bit.
Map updated.
Init 23: Odmar
Init 19: Dog2; 6/6, HD 1; AC 13, Touch 12, FF 12, CMD 11 (15 vs. trip); Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +1; Conditions: empty;
Init 14: Ronald & Kaakoo, your turn.
Init 11: Dog1; -4/6, HD 1; AC 13, Touch 12, FF 12, CMD 11 (15 vs. trip); Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +1; Conditions: dying;
Init 9,6: Rodney & Evenstar
Init 5: Dog3; 6/6, HD 1; AC 13, Touch 12, FF 12, CMD 11 (15 vs. trip); Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +1; Conditions: empty;
Please, use Combat Template available in campaign tab to prefix you post.
Evenstar |
Evenstar's eyes glitter as she moves to engage the dogs. She leaps toward the nearest canine with savage abandon.
"RaaAAaaaHhhh!"
However, the loose stones slip and she nearly falls.
MW Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 for MW Greatsword damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 6) + 6 = 13
Rodney Pierre-Antoine |
Round 1, Init 9
12/12, HD 1; AC 17, Touch 13, FF 14, CMD 15; Fort +1, Ref +5, Will +0;
Moving his sword defly, Rodney lashes out at the dog that attacked him.
Standard Action: Attack dog 2
Scimitar Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Scimitar Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Crit Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
The curved blade slices into the dog, wounding it significantly, but not enough to bring it down.
DM Tiaburn |
Hiding it's tail under his legs, one of the dogs starts running away.
Round 1
Dog1 Stabilize DC10: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 2 - 4 = 13
Dog3, flees 50' to south
Round 2
Init23: Odmar
Init 19: Dog2; 1/6, HD 1; AC 13, Touch 12, FF 12, CMD 11 (15 vs. trip); Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +1; Conditions: empty;
Init 14: Ronald & Kaakoo
Init 11: Dog1; -4/6, HD 1; AC 13, Touch 12, FF 12, CMD 11 (15 vs. trip); Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +1; Conditions: stable;
Init 9,6: Rodney & Evenstar
Init 5: Dog3; 1/6, HD 1; AC 13, Touch 12, FF 12, CMD 11 (15 vs. trip); Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +1; Conditions: fleeing;
Please, use Combat Template available in campaign tab to prefix you post.
DM Tiaburn |
Just noticed, that Dog2 has 20% concealment since it moved away from shining rock
Another missed piece: Confirm crit Kaakoo: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8, not confirmed
Odmar Krufft |
Round 2, Init 23
8/8 (nonlethal: - ), HD 1d8; AC 17, Touch 15, FF 12, CMD 16; Fort +0, Ref +6, Will -1; Conditions or Effects: empty;
Odmar made a few steps around the fight to get a better shot, took out another arrow an fired.
0-20% miss: 1d100 ⇒ 90
Attack Dog2: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 - 4 = 4
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2
The shooter was not so fortunate this time and the arrow swooshed right above the dog and went into the darkness.
DM Tiaburn |
Round 2, Init 19
Dog2 Full-round action: Withdraw
Frightened dog understood that this fight going to end bad for it and carefully run away from armed people.
Combat ends. If someone wants shoot it back, feel free to do it
Rodney Pierre-Antoine |
Breathing slightly heavier than before, Rodney spins his sword around in his hand, looking around for more danger. Not seeing any, he speaks.
"Well done, folks. We handled that rather easily."
DM Tiaburn |
Please move your avatars, when you are moving.
Yellow dot is light-enchanted stone. It has 20ft light + 20 ft dim light (20% concealment) range.
Pass it if you roleplay passing light and count lighting in your fight mechanics.
Ronald pulled his bow out and stealthy moved closer to tower. Other friends followed him. Getting near the entry, they found out that southern wing is entirely filled with rubble and not accessible, unless someone eager to break his leg or neck.
The northern wing of the structure seems to have escaped the worth effect of collapse, but rubble still litters the floor and everything is covered in thick layer of stone dust. Thick cobwebs cloack the ceiling and hang down the walls like gossamer tapestries. A single archway stands open in the southwest wall.
While most part of this room escaped the collapse, enough rubble still covers the floor making it hard to run or move through.
Feel free to add description, how hard is moving through rubble, while I roll initiative :)
DM Tiaburn |
Spider Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Spider Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Perception:
Kaakoo: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Evenstar: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Rodney: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Odmar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Init:
Ronald: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Rodney: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Odmar: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Kaakoo: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Evenstar: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Walking through the room, soon to be Pathfinders were looking around for some "shiny baubles", and how not to break their legs, when suddenly a light made visible a nasty looking spider up the ceiling in the webs. Kaakoo and Rodney noticed the threat before Odmar stepped away and spider became less visible in his home webs. Vermin looked certainly hostile to people, who dared to disturb his lair.
Surpise round actions: Kaakoo, Rodney, Spider (marked S on map).
Round 1 order:
Init 21: Kaakoo
Init 16: Evenstar
Init 13: Ronald, Odmar
Init 8: Rodney
Init 4: Spider; 16/16, HD 3; AC 14, Touch 13, FF 11, CMD 15 (27 vs trip); Fort +4, Ref +4, Will +1; Conditions: empty;
Until initiative comes, creature is flatfooted.
Rodney Pierre-Antoine |
Rodney moves in, scimitar in hand. He stumbles through the rocky area, keeping his eyes out for danger.
Those dogs may have been easy, but better to keep my wits about me, I think.
"Aye, a spider!" Rodney says, pointing out the creature in his free hand. He steps forward, brandishing his weapon toward the creature.
I can't 5-foot step through difficult terrain, right? In that case:
Surprise Round, Init 8
12/12, HD 1; AC 17, Touch 13, FF 14, CMD 15; Fort +1, Ref +5, Will +0
Prepared Move Action (once Kaakoo gets a bolt off): Move one square west and then one square northwest, setting up a potential flanking opportunity.
DM Tiaburn |
Rodney, spider is up there, 10 feets over your head, in web, on ceiling, so no chance to flank him. To Attack spider in melee, you need to bypass Acrobatics with DC (15- 5- your character height feet)*4. In this case, you jump to it and attack, but provoke AoO leaving his threatened area. If you make running jump (move 10' before jumping), reduce DC by half and it counts as charge
Surprise round, Init 4
Single action: web ranged touch attack Rodney.
Attack vc TouchAC13: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Spider started to move through web and made several sharp movements with his legs towards Rodney. A sheet of web fallen out of ceiling over humans head.
Round 1 order:
Init 21: Kaakoo
Init 16: Evenstar
Init 13: Ronald, Odmar
Init 8: Rodney; entangled (full-round Str or Escape Artist DC12, or standart action to cut it dealing 2hp of damage)
Init 4: Spider; 16/16, HD 3; AC 14, Touch 13, FF 11, CMD 15 (27 vs trip); Fort +4, Ref +4, Will +1; Conditions: empty;
Every one can act.
Evenstar |
Since I already have all of the stats you asked for listed above, I'm hopeful I can just post the 3 items I don't have there. Does that work? It seems a little cumbersome to type all of that out each round where I already have it listed above.
Round 1, Initiative 16, No Conditions.
Evenstar, taken by surprise, seems upset with herself that she didn't see the spider before it was on already on them.
With the difficult terrain and the spider at range, she removes a javelin from among several on her back and throws it, but a strand of the massive web overhead snags it before it can find the spider.
javelin Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 for javelin damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Odmar Krufft |
Round 1, Init 13
8/8, HD 1d8; AC 17, Touch 15, FF 12, CMD 16; Fort +0, Ref +6, Will -1; Conditions or Effects: empty;
Odmar dropped the stone (Free action) made a few steps deeper in the room and with a swift move made a shot.
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
The arrow went somewhere near the vermin without touching him and got stuck in the web.
"Arrgh!" grumbled he with anger and dissapointment.