PFS PbP Master of the Fallen Fortress (The Humans) (Inactive)

Game Master Revvy Bitterleaf

A wide field of shattered weapons, barrow mounds, and mass graves surrounds the city of Absalom, a vast plain known as the Cairnlands.
Rising from the war-torn earth like the grasping arms of the dead are countless siege castles, towers, and fortresses constructed over the millennia by would-be warlords who tried to take the great city and inevitably failed. Like forgot ten monuments to failed conquerors, the siege castles of Absalom beckon the brave, the fearless, and the foolish with the promise of adventure and untold treasures, ever ready to create heroes or to entomb the fallen.

Samuel Deland checking in.

Checking in.

Human crypt breaker, reporting for duty.

Yesterday you were all hanging out in the Lodge of the Pathfinder Society in Abasolom, the center of the world (for your own reason, maybe to get a new assignment, maybe to see if you could join the society..maybe just to see what's it all about). The people their were a little bit too busy to have time for you but you got to know each other there while you were waiting. After a while you all decided to wait somewhere else, namely a bar..and while you were all having fun a darkhaired man with a pegleg and an eye patch walked it.

"Howdy laddies, good to see so many fine people here. I was just tourin' the Cairnlands when I noticed a minor quake split open one of the towers...part of the wall fell right off!. It be open for 'xploring now. I'd go meself..but I got this bum leg" He knocks on his wooden leg. "But you fine people should have no problem getting there and seeing what's inside. Just remember to buy old one-eye a drink when you get back and tell 'em the story of what went on inside. Oh..and with old one-eye..I be meanin' meself laddies.

You all looked at each other and decide to get your stuff together and move out after getting direction from the peglegged man.

Please introduce yourselves so you each know who you're traveling with (and I have some idea about who you are as well ;)

Good day to you all and a delight to meet you!, says the bald black man expansively. His flashy parade armor and prominently displayed rapier mark him as a raconteur, or at least that is how he wants to appear.

I am Ezekias Silverthane, Wizard and Swordsman (by which he means Magus) of the morning light, ready to slay dragons and rescue damsels, and if I get rich in the process that's okay too. Am I right?

Samuel raises an eyebrow and chuckles at Ezekias remarks. The Andoran is a well built and healthy looking man, with the posture of a military individual and the scars that result from such an occupation. Clad in a finely crafted breastplate, a well used shield on his back and an assortment on weapons on his person, there is no doubt of the mans profession. A brand new wayfinder hangs from his belt, a sign of his recent success in his confirmation to the Pathfinder Society.

"You have pretty high aspirations, friend. I'm here for the betterment of the Society, Andoran and the Eagle Knights. But, so long as you have my back I'm happy to share any wealth our venture rewards."

Despite obviously being a combatant, Samuel seems surprisingly intelligent and reasonably eloquent. Likely as a result of his father serving in the Eagle Knights of Andoran, a fact he shared with you earlier in the day.

The blond haired Andoran turns to their maimed visitor and offers a seat.

"Have a seat and tell us of your discovery, perhaps your name will appear in a Pathfinder Chronicle if this information leads to a worthy find?

Samuel gestures to the barkeep.

"Barkeep, a drink for our weary friend."

Samuel will attempt to improve the strangers attitude towards them with his good nature and purchased ale. Can I make a Diplomacy check?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Urgh... great first dice roll.

The man looks a bit weirdly at you.
"Who you calling weary punk? Geez..it's that you're buying me a drink...but really..going out and calling me weary..the nerf of some people."
He shakes his head as he picks up his drink
"I don't think I want to tell you me name..but you can call me one-eye..everyone does. I seen it with me own eye I did...part of the tower just collapsed..leaving a big hole in the side."

Samuel is somewhat taken aback by the mans comments, having only intended to be polite. Not wanting to further aggrevate the situation or offend the man he elects to remain quiet for the moment and allow one of the individuals he has been getting to know today handle the situation, hopeful one of them will get a better read on the man and learn of his discovery.

Despite his silence he passes the barkeep a coin for the mans drink, nodding thankfully.

In the corner sits a brown-skinned, bald-headed man in dusty loose robes over a chain shirt. His hands are stained in odd colors, and an acrid odor hovers around him--perhaps that's why the barkeep had asked him to sit well away from where he might disturb paying customers. At One-Eye's story, he leans forward and listens intently, then shoulders his way forward next to Samuel in a manner that would be considered rude if he'd done it on purpose. "That is an interesting tale. Which of the Cairnlands fortresses was it? I have a list somewhere that Amenopheus had provided...."

ETA: With the directions in hand, Khabash will cheerfully be off to the fortress without stopping for more than a quick bite to eat. "Ezekias--you are also a follower of the Sapphire Sage?"

Sitting a little off from the group a silver headed women wearing a cloak covering her face as not to be noticed, still unsure about this group, leans in closer. Said in a soft timid voice "Im Lilly, if it makes me gold im in" seeming to only make eye contact when she speaks.

Intrigued by the new personality, Velinov flips his sketchbook to the next page and beings to capture the apparent sailor out of water in a few gesture drawings. Rhythmic scratching noises from the charcoal is barely audible underneath the awkward exchange that appears to have gotten most folk's attention in the bar.

"Bah! The knowledge alone, of things not seen for centuries, that should be enough to motivate any Pathfinder." The alchemist continues in a quieter voice. "Though one must eat, and there are always places to spend money."

Everyone ready to head out?

The one-eyes man gives you directions on how to get there and tells you to hurry. Others might have seen the results of the quake as well and could be on the way to explore the tower as well.

As you move out of the city you walk through wide field of shattered weapons, barrow mounds, and mass graves surrounds the city of Absalom, a vast plain known as the Cairnlands.
Rising from the war-torn earth like the grasping arms of the dead are countless siege castles, towers, and fortresses constructed over the millennia by would-be warlords who tried to take the great city and inevitably failed. Like forgot ten monuments to failed conquerors, the siege castles of Absalom beckon the brave, the fearless, and the foolish with the promise of adventure and untold treasures, ever ready to create heroes or to entomb the fallen.

From a distance you see;
The ruined siege castle now being called the Fallen Fortress rises out of the 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 the collapse. At ground level, the rubble frames a gaping hole in the side of the building that provides access to the tower’s darkened interior.

The tower stands 80 feet tall and its exterior walls seem to be amazingly smooth.

A small, nimble, brown-skinned young man with bright eyes, noticeably native from Garund and probably from Osirion, is also among the group of Pathfinders. He is clad in a studded leather armor and carries a couple of light maces and a crossbow. He has not said much so far, simply listening to the discussions with interest and introducing himself as Zahir, a recent member of the Society.

"It seems that there is only one entrance" he says after looking up and down at the tower. He then moves towards the hole to have a better view of the tower’s interior.

Samuel nods in agreement with Zahir, glad to have reached the tower without encountering any of the less friendly residents of the Cairnlands.

"Last time I was this far out from Absalom, my fellow Pathfinders and I was assaulted by a minotaur. I suggest we head inside. I'll form the frontline, if anyone would care to join me?"

Drawing his sword and shield, Samuel advances forward with the rest of the agents.

Map is linked at the top of the page, if it doesn't work for someone..let me know

Zahir: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Samuel: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Ezekias: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Khabash: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Lilly: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Velinov: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Dogs: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

As Samuel readies his sword and shield and starts to move toward the tower besides Zahir you all suddenly hear some growling and you are beset by a pack of starving wild dogs.

init:
Ezekias, Zahir, Samuel, Lilly, Velinov
Dogs
Khabash

I can see the map fine.

Ezekias moves standard movement to engage the nearest dog.

Rapier: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Zahir draws a mace and moves towards the wild dogs, determined to defend his life.

Move 6 squares forward and draw a weapon

Zahir, you can move your own map token (depending on how you're viewing the map; AIUI, it doesn't work well with phones). I moved you up.

I can't see the map on my phone I'll check my computer

Velinov will move diagonally to the left and forward and cast Blinding Ray at the hound not in melee.

Stepping adjacent to Samuel, Velinov focuses the arcane energy around him and unleashes it with words of power: "mitior lucem!". Chromatic energy flows from his outstretched hand as a dazzling ray of blinding color that races towards the mongrel.

Blinding Ray(Ranged Touch): 1d20 ⇒ 6

Ezekias moves to engage a dog, but fails to connect his rapier to the dog.
Zahir prepares for combat by wielding his weapon and moving forward.
Velinov tries to blind on of the dogs with a dazzling ray..but the dog moves his head to the side just in time to prevent it from reaching it's eyes.

init:
Samuel, Lilly
Dogs
Khabash (and Ezekias, Zahir, Samuel, Lilly, Velinov again)

Khabash, yes, I saw we could move our token but I believed it was easier for the DM to move it all in one go. Thanks anyway for moving me up.

Actually ... It's way easier for me when you all move your own token (unless it's movement is based on someone else taking an other action first..in which case we'll (meaning myself or one of you) move it when it triggers. That way the next person to take an action will have an updated map, it avoids some confusion as it will prevent people from ending up moving towards the same square, and moving into area's that someone else will set on fire, ect.

Lilly moves up five spaces beside samuel. Draws the bow back and lets an arrow fly. Looks at Samuel and says "Smutsiga råttor".
Shortbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 91d6 ⇒ 3

Lilly aims a bow at one of the dogs and fires at arrow it...missing it.

init:
Samuel
Dogs
Khabash (and Ezekias, Zahir, Samuel, Lilly, Velinov again)

As the dogs appear, Samuel smirks.

"At least it's not a minotaur."

Raising his longsword, the Andoran surges forward, leaping into the fray and slicing down at one of the wild animals.

Samuel will charge forward, adding +2 to hit and taking -2 AC, however, because he's next to two allies his AC increases by 1 due to Heart of the Streets, so his AC will be 21 when they attack.

Longsword Charge!: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 141d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

I can see the map just can't move character sry

@Lilly That's ok..just tell us where you want to move and I'm sure someone will move you

@Samuel, judging from the map your charging through allies..unless you have a feat or something that let's you do that (which I don't see)..you can't charge...I think you can reach the dog with a normal move though and still make an attack

Samuel rushes forward and deals a heavy blow to the dog who seems somewhat unprepaired for an attack...dropping it to the ground.

The remaining dog drools and sets it sights on 1e2s: 1d2 ⇒ 1 Ezekias bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13 but just misses.

init.
Khabash (and Ezekias, Zahir, Samuel, Lilly, Velinov again)
The dog...maybe

Khabash has his crossbow out but is unwilling to fire into melee, so he concentrates his attention on the opening in the tower in case something comes out.

Ezekias slashes at the remaining dog as he begins an incantation.

Rapier: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 - 2 = 19 Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 - 2 = 14
Acid Splash: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 1 - 2 = 4 Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Ezekias sticks his rapier almost straigth through the poor dog
It might be helpful to roll crit damage as well when you're rolling to confirm, in this case it doesn't matter though

While Khabash keeps an eye out for other unwanted visitors.

Out of combat

What do you guys want to do?

Lilly moves to the hole in the wall quietly and peers in hopeing to see no signs of life.

Steath: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

it is soon apparent that the collapse of the eastern wing has caved in much of tower’s first level as well. The southern wing is entirely
filled with rubble, leaving only the northern wing accessible.

The northern wing of the tower seems to have escaped the worst effects of the collapse, but rubble still litters the floor and everything is covered in a thick layer of stone dust. Thick cobwebs cloak the ceiling and hang down the walls like gossamer tapestries. A single archway stands open in the southwest wall.

Lilly quietly backs away from the wall as not to alert the spider.
Upon returning the the group Lilly asks "Do you want the bad news or the bad news?"
without waiting for a respond "There is a giant spider in its web near the ceiling on the far wall and even worse most of the tower is unsalvageable. I have a plan tho I can shoot an arrow in its eye and lure it out so we have a better advantage. Låter det bra?"

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Really, I thought you could move through allies spots without penalty?

"Well fought friends."

Remarks the Andoran as the second canine drops. Awaiting Lilly returning Samuel looks confused at her use of giant.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that last part? But by all means if you feel safe doing so, get the drop on it, then draw it out to us and we shall rush to your aid."

For movement yes, charging is a bit more "special" though

Ah right, learn something new everyday.

how do we want to do planing I know some games do voteish style

I don't want everyone to vote on everything..slows things down to much. But I do feel that at least half of you should agree. So with you and Samuel in favor..just one more to agree with the plan and we'll move forward. Also..since the others could be somewhere with a 12 hour time difference..if there's 2-3 of you posting a lot and just going forward with the story..and if you get lucky and crit a few times..you could solo a few rooms while the others don't get a chance to do anything. So it seems polite to give them a chance to speak up or offer a different/better plan.

I agree I just mainly use my phone to post (little difficult sometimes but its easy when I'm out or don't have WiFi) that's why I post so much thank you by the way for Dming 3 games for us

"Sound good to me" Zahir says after a while. "How giant is the spider?" he then asks Lilly, "I mean, is it big as a horse or a dog... or bigger?"

If everyboy agrees with the plan, Zahir will cast a Guidance spell on himself and on each other party member (+1 bonus on a single attack roll, saving throw, or skill check within a minute).

Lilly looks at Samuel "You didn't under stand I said it in common." saying confusingly.

looks over at Zahir "A horse only wider not as big as my brother tho" as sadness creeps into her voice.
Not to seem weak she shakes it of and says Anything to help will be muchly uppskattat

"Wait a minute, I have something to do before we go inside." Khabash pulls a case out of his pack and sets to mixing the contents of a couple of vials from the case; after a minute he has a single bottle of liquid and a couple of empties. "There, now let's go."

Preparing extract of shield.

Samuel nods at the group consensus.

"After you Lilly, we're ready to strike when you give the signal."

K, seems we have 4 people in favor of sending Lilly out as bait to get the spider out. Put yourself on the map where you want to be. Then we'll start with a surprise round for Lilly and we'll go from there

Zahir: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Samuel: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Ezekias: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Khabash: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Lilly: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Velinov: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Spider: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Perception Spider: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

init:
Lilly in the surprise round - 1 action
Followed by everyone (including lilly again)
The spider

Map's updated with the spider, it's only medium..but you can't see it that well so I made it a little bit bigger for now

And everyone has the guidance from zahir - which can be used in the next 4 rounds..since it will take him 6 rounds to cast it on everyone. Just remember to mention when you're using it.